Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 5:26 am on November 21, 2014 Permalink  

  Getting Caught Up 

  

  When my nieces had children after I had acquired my Cricut, I began making tiles. Little ones grow so fast, clothes is soon outgrown and in the toy department, I can’t keep up with what is the latest and greatest. I decided to continue with the tiles when the great grand babies began to pop up in Dennis’ family. Addison, Ava and Bella have their tiles up in their bedrooms . . . it was time to get caught up before we have news that the family is continuing to grow. I do believe it is the thought that counts, and we, on Stauffer Avenue can not be held accountable when Pod storage units are needed for all the overflow from the toy boxes.

   
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  Noreen 6:15 am on November 20, 2014 Permalink  

  Silly Fingers 

  

  Silly clumsy fingers. I had not as yet had a chance to use this hair product. I picked it up and it slipped through my fingers. The plastic top cuff snapped off and there went my investment towards a duable hair do. Out came my trusty all purpose glue and the cuff was again attached so the product could be used. This glue is fantastic for many surfaces.

   
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  Noreen 4:42 am on November 19, 2014 Permalink  

  Fleeting Thoughts: 

  Yes, there is quite a bit of me that keeps memories close.  My current realization is that “In the old days” times were tight with money, times were physically harder and people leaned on each other to make it. No one had their own full set of tools or equipment from A to Z.  Hiring outside services to keep the farms and homes going was not thought of.  People came together and pooled their talents, equipment and tools.  Of course, I am remembering my Dad and his five brothers.   No building too large, no amount of concrete to be mixed and poured too much, no amount of harvest to be finished before winter hit was considered  . . . it was tackled and completed.  Today, the fierce independence takes away any chance or possibility of needing someone else coming into the mix.  Independence is great, but much is lost.  I think the “Good old days” had a lot to offer mankind.

   
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  Noreen 6:24 am on November 18, 2014 Permalink  

  High winds really bite. I thought twice about doing errands uptown. In the end, I was happy to have the errands done and behind me and enjoyed the warmth that welcomed me as I stepped into the back door of our home. Listening to the news this evening, I am thankful that there are shelters for those that have no home; have no warmth to look forward to, other than that which a shelter will bring for at least one night.

   
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  Noreen 2:38 am on November 17, 2014 Permalink  

  This Works for Us! 

  

  We have now found the perfect pepper mill. Our battery operated mill ate six Triple A batteries at one crack, and they didn’t seem to last very long. The twist and turn pepper mill was a bit too hard on the arthritic hands. This ratchet operated pepper mill is wonderful, as we do use a lot of pepper.

   
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  Noreen 4:49 am on November 16, 2014 Permalink  

  What a white carpet. I really didn’t think the weather man knew what he was talking about last night on the news. But, he sure did. We have the drive and patio cleared of about five inches of the soft white snow that seems to be apt to blow around with just a sneeze. I did take note how striking the Blue Jays looked against the white. Never fear, the water bowl has warm water for the wildlife and the Meow Mix bowl is much like the salad bowls at the Olive Garden restaurants . . . never ending.

   
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  Noreen 5:42 am on November 15, 2014 Permalink  

  This cold weather has caught a lot of us off guard. The old wives’ tales would tell of a house needing to seal itself up to ready itself for the long haul of winter. I do remember when Orlin and I farmed in Boon Lake Township, October was the time to get the window screens off the windows and drag out the wooden storm windows. The result was the air trapped in between the panes of glass provided for extra insulation. It did take more than just getting them on the windows: fall rains would soak into the wooden frames, swelling the wood and seal them extra tight to prevent drafts around the window frames. Needless to say, that tactic was given over to the aluminium windows that were to save a lot of work, by leaving the product on all year and either lowering or raising the sashes. Very bad fix. Of course, now there are double pane and triple pane products that are quite efficient. I still do believe that to a point my one-hundred-year-old home has to seal itself up to prepare for the frigid weather. Can you hear the creaks that occur in the cold night, telling me it is snugging itself up?

   
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  Noreen 2:53 am on November 14, 2014 Permalink  

  Endings 

  As I was working on attaching the binding to a sewing project, I couldn’t help but reflect that there would soon be an end to this particular project.  My least favorite part  in sewing, crocheting, or counted cross stitch is beginning a project. It’s the decision of what project I will tackle, and then picking out the fabrics or yarns it will take to begin.  Once I have gotten organized and put in the first several hours, it’s very relaxing to know that whenever I have a few minutes, I can poke out a few stitches.  Endings are not my favorite.

  Even with a good book, I hate to see the story line end.  So much groundwork is laid in the first several chapters,  it takes a while to roll with the story.  I am sure they could have pulled several more chapters out of their imagination if they had just tried. Endings are not my favorites.

  

  Working towards the end of a sewing
  project while reflecting on endings.

  As I began this bit of trivia while manning my sewing machine, I thought about several relationships in my life that have ended. Nothing takes more heart and effort than building a relationship with another human being. When I invest trust, energy, caring, compassion, forgiveness, and nurturing, I also look for an unspoken return of all of the above, or at least a dribble.  With me, it is not one strike and you are out.  My rule book has no scripted end game.  There are so many variables within each of our lives, it may just be that their cup is running over for a time and it may be my job to assist in mopping up the overflow until things clear up for them.  Relationships don’t survive being one sided.  In time, I am a believer that a relationship either grows or it dies, and then the end has come.

  As the sewing for the day was coming to an end, I was happy to reflect on Carrie and Kevin’s dad.  Our relationship did not survive a marriage, but we picked it up as a strong bond of friendship as we continued keeping up with each other.  We were fortunate that there was no need for an end between us. Priceless.

   
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  Noreen 5:03 am on November 13, 2014 Permalink  

  I’m enjoying watching the huge snow flakes flutter to the ground. Very peaceful. Peaceful is good.

   
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  Noreen 5:40 am on November 12, 2014 Permalink  

  A Great Coffee Klatch 

  The entire afternoon was spent with an old friend.  Lots of coffee, a plate of cheese and crackers, and a bowl of Greek Yogurt topped with raspberries and blueberries made for a great luncheon fare.

  We chatted about kids, grandkids, sewing, quilting, school referendums and many numerous other topics.

  Dennis floated in and around the perimeter as he fed himself and stayed hydrated.  As the house door closed on a great coffee klatch, he asked “What’s up for supper?”  In a heartbeat we had pasta cooked, tuna and mushrooms drained, frozen mixed vegetables added, topping it off with a jar of Alfredo sauce to tie it all together. Wham, bam, thank you kindly.  We surely couldn’t pass up a chance to throw together a meal fit for a king while I was basking in all the chatter of the afternoon.  Life on Stauffer is sweet.