I am a retired 44-year veteran of the Real Estate Assessment field. As with real estate assessing and how it applies to real estate taxes, one can make many acquaintances, but not many real friends. It was a great career choice.
It has been nearly 10 years since I reclaimed my home and my real passions within my home. I enjoy it more each day and tip my hat to those who I left behind.
Each day I try to stretch myself with the use of my computer as it relates to this site and using it to print out labels for quilts for trying to incorporate photos into my sewing. Life is so full and I know that I have room for more.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
I’m enjoying watching the huge snow flakes flutter to the ground. Very peaceful. Peaceful is good.
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.
The first thing I did when my feet hit the ground was to check on the condition of the lawn. Yes! It was still green and no sign of any snow. As the day wore on, the skies looked quite ominous, as a damp mist could be felt against my face. So far so good. Dennis is quite sure we are still in line for snow sometime during the night. The amount of school closings told a different story for many parts north of us.
Once a month, Dennis has his blood tested to make sure the Warfarin that thins his blood is remaining at a good level. Heart disease is something you would never wish on your worst enemy, but there are great checks and balances to maintain a good level of health.
Yesterday, as the attic cleaning was coming to an end, I decided to move my stash of quilted wall hangings into my sewing room. I am up and down the basement steps multiple times during the day for ease of access of what is stored there. The walk-up attic cover is not the easiest item to get place back in the correct spot. That being said, room was made on one of the many shelves. It also gave me the option of deciding to send several as Christmas gifts. I plan on continuing to try different patterns and the stash could use a bit of thinning out.
Many stitches are needed for the pattern to come into its own.
After lunch I settled in to do some hand quilting at the dining room table. The metallic bias tape project went as far as it could via the sewing machine, and it was now time to secure all layers together. It whiles away time and gives time for reflection. Most importantly is the exercise of the hands and fingers. After lunch is a great time to start stitching, as I will admit, it takes some time in the mornings and forenoons to limber up all that has tightened up during the night’s rest. Yes, that means I hang on to my coffee cup with two hands as I enjoy the first several cups. Move it or loose it, that is the prescription for arthritis. Today it felt like the true changing of seasons. I know I will find many ways to stay agile and mobile. Planning very far ahead is not what happens on Stauffer Avenue. We rather take each day the way it comes.