Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 5:20 am on February 18, 2015 Permalink  

  Good For Now 

  

  It was time for 5 year-old Honey Bunny to get the annual round of shots. In the carrier to the left of Dana, Snuggles is waiting his turn. Dana felt Snuggles must be about four months old and will be treated for some time for ear mites. Due to the fact that Butter Ball and Snuggles are always wrestling with each other, Butter Ball will be getting the same treatment for his ears. Honey Bunny is not social enough to warrant getting shared ear mites. Dennis was surprised how well Honey Bunny’s behavior was. After we were home, I read through the info from the clinic and inside was a free packet of Feliway. It is a wipe to use on the inside of carriers that contains feline facial pheroemones to convey security. I have no doubt that the counter top at the clinic may have a swipe or two of it. Everybody got Valentine treats when we got home. All is good for now.

   

   
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  Noreen 2:04 am on February 17, 2015 Permalink  

  – And We Are Back to Normal 

  It’s always a good thing when Dennis has been gone to a trade show and he returns with no problems with health or vehicle.  Lots of chit chat, but most importantly the garage porch livestock allowed him to know he had been missed.  Dennis got in some good porch time in his favorite rocking with lots of purring and nuzzling, while I took care of the laundry deposit Dennis brought home.  On a side note: the cross stitch pattern I had been working on while Dennis was gone is just about to be teamed up with the correct sized needle and whether two strands of floss will do it, or if three stands will do.  Yup, we are back to normal . . . I love normal.

   
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  Noreen 2:58 am on February 16, 2015 Permalink  

  It Keeps the Brain from Getting Fuzzy 

  These bitter cold days, I have been doing the bare minimum outside.  Snow and melting with more snow makes for ice that can hide.  My main objective is staying upright so I can navigate within my home, running errands and taking in road trips with Dennis.

  While digging around in various items of my sewing room, I ran across four pieces of fabric that would make wonderful dinner napkins, table coverings or accents for a festive meal.  As there was no clear-cut answer as to what to do with them, it really started the gray matter between my ears to begin to find a solution. The shelves in my sewing room have a great library of books that span decades of collecting and saving.

  

  By hook or crook, there will soon be a pattern
  to follow for some wonderful stitching.

  The area for stitching on each of them according the weave of the fabric was over the course of a count of 56 stitches.  When I decided on the phrase “Bless This Food” . . . well and good, but where would I find a pattern configured for such a unique area?  I thumbed through my books over the course of several days. As of this afternoon, I have narrowed it down to two different fonts in two separate books.  I have my graph paper and now will begin the work of creating a pattern of my very own that will work for my fabric.  I am not sure what the process will entail to create patterns of letters that have not been used in denoted demonstrations to match that font.  I am still debating on all capitol letters or a combination of upper case and lower case to get the most desired effect.

  Could I just tuck these four pieces of fabric in with the next epileptic drive of gently used items?  Most certainly, but where would the challenge be in that?  After all, it is all about keeping the brain clear of the fuzzy stuff.  Hopefully over time, my graph paper will have lots of squares filled in that I can then copy with embroidery floss onto the fabric.  It is amazing what a cold bitter day can conger up.

   
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  Noreen 6:10 am on February 15, 2015 Permalink  

  Busy, busy during the time Dennis is gone. Laundry done, floors damp mopped and all of the livestock is present and accounted for. The house is uncommonly quiet. The music from Dennis’ command station is silent, much different than the sounds of his computer card games that can almost give out a surround sound. Dennis called last night and has connected with buddies from various states. It’s very healthy for Dennis to get out of Dodge and chew the leather as to what others are doing.

   
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  Noreen 4:43 am on February 14, 2015 Permalink  

  At nine sharp this morning Dennis in his little red pickup headed out the door for the drive to Sioux Falls. We checked his travel stash once and then once again. Medications and his CPAP sleep machine will guarantee a good weekend for him and peace of mind for me. As Dennis drove out, Butter Ball and Snuggles were sitting in the garage porch looking out the patio door in utter disbelief that yes, he was actually leaving them. Pets . . . you just have to love them.

   
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  Noreen 4:32 am on February 13, 2015 Permalink  

  

  Dennis in the thick of things at previous trade shows.

  I am getting the low-down on my chores for the weekend. Dennis is participating in his annual trade show in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I have assured him the livestock will be well taken care of. His little red pickup is packed and tomorrow morning his personal items will be added and the exhaust fumes will following him down the driveway. Dennis has been enjoying the gathering of fellow enthusiasts at this show since the mid 1980s. I am going to be sure and have throat lozenges on hand for his return, as he may very well be hoarse. I have gone with in times past, and the kabitzing begins before breakfast and lasts well into the evening as the fellows get together over supper. Fun times for friends getting together.

   
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  Noreen 3:25 am on February 12, 2015 Permalink  

  It’s Getting Hard to Wait 

  

  This garden art from my brother, Calvin, is so ready to have some flowers adorn it. The ice is quite nice, but the blossoms are so much better.

   

   
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  Noreen 4:45 am on February 11, 2015 Permalink  

  Awoke to rain quickly turning to ice under foot. We have experienced ice pellets and light snow. I really curled my toes as I headed out for an eye appointment this morning. Dennis had the pickup warmed up and put the pickup in the 4-wheel drive option. It is always a relief when nothing of a serious nature is discovered with my eyes. I can continue enjoying my sewing and stitching to my hearts content. Speaking of sewing and stitching, I have not participated in that for the last two days and the fingers and wrists are telling me they need to be flexed and wiggled. Perhaps there could be worse things than being doomed to being creative. Catch ya later.

   
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  Noreen 6:20 am on February 10, 2015 Permalink  

  Dennis checked on the Koi in the horse tank . . . all present and accounted for. Dennis was amazed how clear the water was. The Koi were put in the horse tank the first of November and the filter did get a cleaning today from their excrement. Some water was scooped out and they were treated with many gallons of fresh water. They have a bit more time to spend before they will be turned loose. Megan and Nicholas’ Beta fish Dorothy is still doing fine. This is the second winter of it swimming with the Koi that go dormant. Koi don’t eat until temps get to 50 degrees. Dorothy is a survivor.

   
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  Noreen 4:22 am on February 9, 2015 Permalink  

  Finished 

  

  I have renewed my enjoyment of counted cross stitch. No longer doing the large projects but enjoying the journey into smaller projects that need a bit of extra finish rather than framing.  It is one thing for me to get the counted cross stitch completed, I had butterflies cutting down each of the completed stitched projects to make mini pillows out of them.  Measure once, measure twice, as it could all go south after the many hours of stitching.

  These Christmas items were a fun project. The best of all, all the components were in my sewing room just waiting to be tricked out. Thanks to Kevin and Kersten sharing their stash.  The zipper pulls made for the perfect touch.  The idea books for counted cross stitch are going to stay close at hand as there are some very doable items that have piqued my interest.  For now, I  think after this test of patience and endurance, the gnarled fingers will look forward to manning the crochet hook for a bit. There is more winter ahead and I have a better feeling about my time if I have something tangible to show for it . . . something I will always remember from my Grandmother Laura Wendlandt and from Carrie and Kevin’s Grandmother Esther Schafer. No matter when you stopped in for a visit, those two were always in the thick of threads and yarns and just as happy and content as could be.