Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 1:47 pm on February 10, 2024 Permalink  

  A Taste of Winter 

  34 degrees is still more than what we should be enjoying.  We got very spoiled.  With no snow pack the sun’s rays have nothing to bounce off keeping us warmer.  Bring on those sun rays . . . wherever they are.

  This was my day to take care of some pantry items.  Buying in bulk on certain items, means excess shrink wrap and cardboard.

  The goal was to hit the studio this afternoon.  My “a little of this and a little of that” is slowly nearing an end.  Dennis asked me what I was going to do with it once it was totally done.  Hmm.  That had never been the goal.  Keeping me busy was the goal . . . and it did a right smart job of it.  With this nearing the end, it means another project will be thought out.  As I looked at the near finish, I got a wild hair.  I have had a pin that I have enjoyed for decades.  It has just enough bling to suit me.  I laid it on the curlicue of the letter “O”.  It may stay there or it may not.  It would be put on the board by nothing other than by the closure pin on the back.  From time to time, I could change it out.  Hmm.  With that thought, I have decided this is going on the east wall of my bedroom porch when finished.

  So . . . on to today’s work.  I need to affix the lace onto the board, thus semi-covering all of the stables.  I have several mediums to try, but all must dry clear.  I surely do not want to screw up at this late date.  I am heading towards Command Strips of some type for it to go onto the wall.  More to ponder, that’s alright, it keeps me in the game.

  I am on to having something to show for this God-given day.  That was always important for my Grandmother Laura.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:36 pm on February 9, 2024 Permalink  

  So Be it 

  Dennis needed to run some supplies to Windom for Brett’s crew.  I decided to do the run with Dennis.  The studio will always have another day to fire up all the overhead lights.

  Dennis was a bit shook this early morning as we had received news that his daughter’s husband had died unexpectedly.  Tim Paulson was 62 years old.  Susie and her family have lived in Silver Bay, 60 miles north of Duluth, for more than 25 years.  Nothing that we can do here other than lend loving support for the family.

  The trip to Windom went well as Ag-Co had a huge interior concrete job for Brett’s crew.

  It is the mid afternoon and the evergreen on the northwest corner of our home is really whipping it to it.  I can report that the wind is raw making it feel as if winter is just starting.

  Though this day is disjointed, I plan on making the best of it.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:03 pm on February 8, 2024 Permalink  

  Rise Up 

  I spent five hours in the studio today and it was “rise up” and get to the first floor, stay there and take a break.

  I think I put a good mile on today walking around the church tables.  How much should I trim off of the linen?  Would that be too much?  Not enough?

  I finally put the ruler down and did it slicing some off.  So there!  I loaded up the old carpenter stapler and begin moving the linen on the foam board.  A pinch this way.  Then a pinch that way.  That took another hour of traveling around the church tables.  You might say it would help if there could be another set of eyes . . . don’t even go there.

  Dennis is doing the same old, same old sinus issue.  I can’t do a thing to help him.  He has all the meds he is going to get for helping with it.  I am very thankful that he is content to go to the patio porch and complain to the garage kitties.

  We do have a bit of rain off and on with 50-degree weather.  Better than sleet or snow. 

  You do know, don’t you, that projects in the studio are for nothing other than keeping Grammie busy.  There is no judging of color use or accuracy in measurements.  Saying that, no one is harder on myself than . . . me.  It’s not perfection, it is just real. 

  The day is now mid afternoon and there is some reading to do in my bedroom porch perched upon my cherry red chair.  I currently am reading a paper back novel that has almost 1,00o pages.  As I can’t hold a book of any size, there is the tearing of many pages as I complete them.  I believe I am on page 100 something and the story plot has captured me.  Sometimes, it takes that long to hook you in.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:54 pm on February 7, 2024 Permalink  

  Time Out 

  There has been enough activity in the studio for the day.  I am sitting in the studio doing this post with the heater on Turbo for my legs.  54 degrees on a partly cloudy day doesn’t bring the air temp in the studio beyond 60 degrees.  It’s a trade off . . .  the furnace doesn’t run as often.

  This morning we worked with our prescription provider on one of Dennis’ prescriptions.  Though the fellow’s first language was not English, he was by far better than some we have had to work with via a phone conversation.  All is well for the 2024 calendar year.  Our monthly prescription premium amount per each of us is $.50.  I could not believe that until I saw the amount taken out of our checking account in January.  I would say 75% of our prescription at the time of a refill pickup has no co-pay.

  I called my Aunt Janet today and we spent 45 minutes chatting.  Janet remains as active as possible.  She wishes her legs were longer as getting into her car is beginning to give her a fit.  Backing up to the car seat and using her arms on the steering wheel doesn’t work . . . legs are too short.  Bummer.

  Today I received an email to make an appointment with my cardiologist.  Dr. Sarraf will be seeing me April 30th.  I will be in Mankato with bells on.

  Progress on my sewing project went well today.  I wish the free motion quilting would have brought the same 100% satisfaction as covering the fiberglass panel with foam and fabric had.  Come on Grammie . . . you worked to your abilities with a left arm that never ceases to do its best, AKA: rising to the occasion as best it can.  Tomorrow I will trim the linen and letters down working towards centering it on the foam board.     

  With this first time of utilizing these panels, my mind is foreseeing a few more uses.  Thank you Kevin, for adding them to my studio stashes.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:03 pm on February 6, 2024 Permalink  

  It’s a Grammie 

  This is a Grammie checking in.

  I have no coffee left, so it is a glass of water with my blueberry fig bar.  This post is also the last thing going on in the studio.

  I checked into the studio at 9:30.  I had slept on some ideas and now was the time to see if all went accordingly.  The two sided fusible worked out just dandy.  Using a donated choice the focal piece fused on without a single ripple.  The fabric of donated choice was far better than getting yucky stuff on the plate of my iron.  Stapling the focus fabric that was now fussed to the foam went well.  I had forgotten how much pressure the old stapler needed to make a solid contact.  The hog panel has nice rounded edges via the foam.

  I left that part of the project on one end of the church tables for another day.  Loading a bobbin with my wild rice color of thread I practiced my free motion stitching to see if the weight of the quilt batting would give the desired effect.  Nailed it.  I had to make a hard decision on using the copper-looking tacks for the stitched letters to be affixed onto the foam board.  My fingers can’t hold the round tacks, let alone using a tack hammer to get them sunk into the foam board.  On to plan “B” or something like throwing in the towel.

  Out came a tote of treasures from Kersten that included ribbons and such.  The perfect ecru-colored lace.  The linen cloth of the letters will be stapled onto the foam board.  What a perfect solution and addition to this ole Grammie home.  All items of that project is halted for this Tuesday.

  I got into the cistern closet for what I hoped would be a successful find.  I had mentioned some time back that my Santa cross stitch projects were put behind UV glass.  I had saved all the frames that were tricked out.  With my latest cross stitch completed, I was looking for a frame to fit it.  These framed cross stitch projects of this winter are not for any matchie, match.  I found one that couldn’t have been a better size.  In days to come, I will gather together what I need to trim it and put into this frame.  Doing these counted cross stitch projects has been soothing on days when I may very well have felt less than tranquil.  

  The reading, the sewing machine and the counted cross stitch has lead me to balanced days.  I like it a lot.  I have many more plans.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:10 pm on February 5, 2024 Permalink  

  I Am Back 

  I am back in the studio today on the fifth day of February.  First things first . . . turn on all the overhead lights.  Second on the agenda . . .  tuning in KNUJ on the portable radio.

  It felt just plain ass good.

  I knew that puttering around in my Stauffer Avenue Michael’s-like stashes would tell me what and how much I had to work with.  Hmm.  I had forgotten that the foam I had in a roll was two sided fusible.  I had only thought it was one sided.  Never mind, I will make it work.  The piece of linen I used for the machine embroidery is really scant on the bottom.  I have always known I would use quilt batting on the back side of the embroidered piece to free motion quilt everything other than the actual letters themselves, allowing for the letters to pop off.  The color of the thread I will use is labeled as Wild Rice.  A very close match to the linen as I do not want the free motion quilting to take away from the letters.  I have just enough of the silk quilt batting for that job.  Linen fabric ravels super easy.  As I type, Fray Check is drying on that scant bottom of the embroidery.  That aspect of the project, I am still thinking on.

  Dennis cut the piece of the hog paneling for me for the length I needed.  I put off putting the hanger on the back side of the covered panel so it would lay perfectly flat when I needed it to.  I cut the fusible foam for the length and width with extra inches.  I tried out our very old carpenter’s stapler on the piece of paneling I do not need.  That staple was put into the paneling with the fabric I intend to use to cover the paneling with.  I will have enough width and length to bring the covered fabric over the paneling to staple it down.  It held really well.

  The quilted linen piece with the letters will be affixed to the foam-covered green fabric with . . . 

  Ya, about that.  My plan was to turn under a scant 3/4″ of the linen with copper covered upholstery tacks.

  This is a good time to shut down the studio.  All materials have been thought through, measured and laying out on the church tables.  I literally will need to sleep on all of this.

  It’s a good thing I had one more package of a hot dish in the freezer.  My thinking cap has worn me out.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:24 pm on February 4, 2024 Permalink  

  Sunday the 4th 

  Both Dennis and I have squared off in our own corners today.  Dennis in the patio porch working on a project that has required spray paint.  Watch out kitties for the over-spray.

  I am rounding out on some hand stitching that has taken me quite a while.  Threading the needle another three times should do it.  The finish for me will be taking it down to the iron and giving it some needed pressing.

  There is an unfinished machine embroidered piece that I have been pondering for several weeks.  I stitched out the word “HOME” on a piece of linen that was 10″ in width by 36″ in length.  After each letter, I had to rehoop with many times measuring.  The end result looking as if I had stitched it out in one run. 

  As I have been doing the hand stitching, this UFO . . . unfinished object, has been in the corner of my mind.  I do not like to have a project not completed when I have already invested a huge amount of thread and time.   It’s bad enough that I am a “Stable” stitcher.  That would be . . . “Stashes that are beyond life expectancy.” 

  The nice winter weather we have been enjoying does not help the studio’s cool to chilly air temperature.  I may need to dress up with thick soled shoes, a very warm sweater and turn my small heater to turbo.  If there is the will, there is always a way.

  May everyone enjoy a sunny Sunday.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:16 pm on February 3, 2024 Permalink  

  What’s Left 

  What’s left if Minnesotans have no weather issues to talk about.

  As we drove home from Mankato on Thursday, I couldn’t help but notice that the fields were bare.  Knowing farmers as I do, you can’t tell me there isn’t one in the bunch that isn’t itching for the new season of field work . . . that is unless they are down south for the winter lying to each other.

  Alas, our neighborhood has gone dark.  February 1st must have been the agreed upon date when Christmas lights would be no more.

  Dennis’ grandson, AJ, is here watching crime television with Dennis in the patio porch.  I am sure, seeing his parents up the street was first on the list.  In this day and age, its just special.

  I have noticed that Robo calls are almost a thing of the past.  I am getting political text messages.  That is just one stroke away from hitting spam.  I have a huge number of blocked numbers on my phone, almost as many as the number of emails that I have blocked.  My goal is to enjoy my days in as much peace and quiet as possible.

  The chili was a hit last night.  There is one bowl for each of us for supper.  The remainder of the large batch is in freezer bags in the freezer for another time.

  By the way . . . the furnace has enjoyed a respite during days such as we have had.  Bring it on.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:47 pm on February 2, 2024 Permalink  

  No Shadow 

  Somewhere the groundhog didn’t see its shadow.  Not a fan of that old tale.

  I had a desire for the Campbell’s large can of bean soup.  It is very tasty.  In our store I looked high and low.  Nothing.  I settled for the store’s Best Choice bean and bacon.  Hmm. I purchased three cans.  We tried one can.  Not a fan at all. Very strong taste.

  Today it was time to use those two cans of not so good bean and bacon soup.  I diced an onion and sautéed it in my soup kettle.  That was joined with a pound of 85% hamburger.  A dash of several seasonings including chili powder.  One can of Kidney beans and one can of black beans.  That conglomeration is now on simmer on the kitchen range.  After a taste, I believe it will fly.

  This afternoon, Dennis and I filled our yellow Avalanche case with our personnel papers.  That included Dennis’ military papers to the present, as was my papers, past and present.  What a great case.  There was even room for my parent’s info, grandparents and great grandparents.  A case holding a whole lot of history now on a shelf in the studio.

  I continue reading and stitching in my bedroom porch at all times of the day.  I do take a break for a YouTube video now and then.  Enjoying what others are stitching and sewing is inspirational.  Since dropping out of the stitching group in Mankato, I have increased my own personnel enthusiasm 100%, viewing from those around the world.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:40 pm on February 1, 2024 Permalink  

  Good Day 

  Today was a good day and a fruitful one.

  Dr. Jason Dauffenbach with pain medicine impressed me a lot when Dennis and I met with him.  It was a long interview.  He could scroll through Dennis’ info and tell us that Dennis has been on methadone since 2018.  The doctor got into Dennis’ records at Lewis Drug and he knew by prescription renewals that Dennis has never wavered from the amount taken from one month to the next, thus not looking for more relief by taking more pills.  Nothing is changing in Dennis’ meds . . . now.  When Dennis picks up his next methadone refill, Feb. 23rd, there will be new instructions on the label.  The doctor’s thoughts are towards three levels: addiction, desperation and tolerance.  Do all three fight Dennis?  He wants Dennis to find out where he is with his own pain compared to pain meds being taken.  There will be a gradual decrease of the pain med over time.

  Dauffenbach hit all the right targets as to symptoms, good and bad, with the total gambit of Dennis’ drugs.  Not putting out any blame.  Dennis did what the prescription said to do, down to the last pill in the bottle.  

  This was a good day with what I feel will be a great doctor to help Dennis lighten up on several drugs.  No easy come prescription pads.

  I am tuckered out. 

  With that I take my leave.  ♥