Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from Noreen Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  Noreen 2:53 pm on December 31, 2023 Permalink  

  2023 

  2023 is hours away from being history.

  For these two older ones on Stauffer the year went well for us.  When I look back and the last two months of this year had no doctor appointments . . . sweet.

  We had a tick list when the year started.  Getting the furnace to vent to the south side of the house rather than the sheltered north side, gave the Watson boys a fit.  Who ever heard of having the vent right onto the concrete drive!   Who wants to tramp through the snow to keep the ice build up managed!  I reminded them often and it was taken care of.

  The west front steps of our home, were no longer manageable.  Brian, a carpenter, took on the job.  The front deck with steps wide enough for ease regardless if by walking or in a wheelchair, was completed by spring.

  An additional lot that we purchased, was cleared of all undesired that had accumulated over decades.

  The Sears rider mower that has been with us for fifteen years now has a zero-turn buddy to help out with yard work.  By spring, this Grammie will be able to help out with mowing.  Sweet.

  Both of our vehicles got new tires as well as all the TLC they need to be reliable.

  The two of us relish the warm wonderful home we have built for ourselves and anyone that visits.

  Dennis and I have had a good 2023.  If I could spout off for a wish . . . it would be that family would visit oftener.  But being realistic, our kids are doing the very same thing we had to do . . . work and create their surroundings that bring them comfort and joy.

  2024 is right around the corner and Stauffer Avenue welcomes it.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:37 pm on December 30, 2023 Permalink  

  Plan B 

  If all else fails with the original plan, there always needs to be a plan b.

  This morning, I learned my lesson in resizing designs that I have downloaded for embroidery.  For the total design I had laid out to fit in my largest hoop, I lost the integrity of the individual pieces to make the one total.  All is not lost.

  Learning by doing gives a great lesson.  Going forward, my design will be split into two separate stitch outs.  I am working through on how to make it look as if that was the intended outcome all along.  I will need more thoughts on this.

  In the meantime, I did work in the studio on getting the latest finished cross stitch figured out to be framed.  At a time past, I had all the previous cross stitched Santa’s redone to have the UV glass in front of them and I had saved the old frames.  Now it’s time to put the ole thinking cap on.

  It is measure, measure, take notes and measure again.  I do so appreciate all the lighting I have over the church tables.  At this time I have a lot of small things prepped.  I have always counted on having another day to come.

  We made a trip to the local grocer’s.  At noon the wind was strong and cold hardly allowing me to get into the little red pickup.  We are home for the entire weekend, and wouldn’t you know it?  It feels as if we could have a dusting of snow. 

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:48 pm on December 29, 2023 Permalink  

  Business 

  This morning, I had business to get done while still in 2023.  We have an abstract to get up to date for the blue barn acre.  I knew there was a reason why paperwork to that effect was on one of my church tables.  Quite a few abstractors to choose from.  I chose a local gal and left her a message to get back to us.  Check that off my list.

  As of now, there are colorful spools of thread lined up like a military squad near my sewing machine.  There is stabilizer ironed onto the back of my fabric of choice for machine embroidery.  The fabric is lying on the hoop, ready to be clamped in and affixed to the module.  The embroidery module is on the machine with the appropriate bobbin color loaded.  Yes, many steps in the prep.  There is something to be said for being able to turn on the studio lights in the future with all systems a go. 

  I think it is only a matter of time before Dennis will be in need of us running away to the big town.  He can stay dormant for only so long.  That’s not all bad.  Raymond did the same thing to Lena.  Mom knew when dad came in the house, changed into his town jeans, washed his eye glasses and stuck his billfold in the back pants pocket, she had better get her hair combed.  Never a shortage of great memories.  Too funny about these guys that get a stroke of wander lust.

  I do have a short list of items to get in Mankato, but I am holding out to see which one of us caves in first.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 1:53 pm on December 28, 2023 Permalink  

  A Thursday 

  On this Thursday the 28th, I did see about a dozen snowflakes fly, and then . . . no more.

  My day is going very well.  Before the first cup of coffee, I had the washing machine going. 

  On to putting our supper into the crockpot.  I had no idea that Wal-Mart put together meals in one sealed tray; a bed of new potatoes, carrots, celery on the bottom, a cut of Chuck Roast on top that a flavor packet moistened rubbed on the roast with more liquid added to the flavoring poured to the bottom with an onion on the top.  It is now 1:30 in the afternoon and I am getting whiffs of our supper.  These darn kids find out all the new and improved ways to make days . . . wonderful.  Thanks.

  I do like to put into practice challenging items here in the studio.  One photo has images of designs I found to download onto my computer.  When I had bought my sewing machine, I purchased the Tool Box software.  There were some free images to play with that I have never used.  I was able to combine those images onto one text box, making a complete design.  I then loaded that text box onto one of the flash drives I just smartened up yesterday.  I made sure when I used that flash drive it came up on the sewing machine as I had planned.  

  With all loaded into the sewing machine there is also a file on my computer, I was able to print out the complete image from the tool box screen with all the called for colors of thread I will need in the stitching process.  As my machine is a Bernina and the Tool Box is exclusive to Bernina, the Isacord threads are recommended on the embroidery and are thus in the printout.

  My day has gone well.  I will admit getting things done on the computer for the sewing aspect, does take me awhile.  Do it over and over till I get a satisfactory outcome.  As I said, challenging myself is a very good thing.

  The studio will go dark as soon as I send off this posting.  It is now time for some reading and hand stitching.  The studio will be there and here for another day.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 3:01 pm on December 27, 2023 Permalink  

  Nippy 

  This morning was not only nippy we had little balls of ice crystals everywhere.  It reminded me of vermiculite, the insulation that had been used in times past.  It also worked well in potting soil so the dirt would not compact allowing for air in the soil.

  I didn’t get threads laid out for embroidery.  I got side tracked to clean out some files on the flash drives that I use in my sewing machine.  There were some as far back as 2017.  It was taking up space and as many files on a flash drive, it took quite a while to download onto the sewing machine.  The deleted files are still in my folders on the computer.  

  With these mild temps, the studio is chilly when the furnace doesn’t run often.  The small heater blowing warm air across the legs felt good.

  This morning I carried up our small crockpot from the basement closet.  Getting it set up for Thursday morning.  I have found out that using the original Pam sprayed into the crockpot or any item baking in the oven, really shortens up clean up time.  It has to be the original as knockoffs leave burnt residue.  Hmm.

  Dennis came in needing some information.  He was headed to Fleet Farm and needed the same of the plant fertilizer we have used in the past.  Miracle Grow was what he was after.  He has two large plants in the patio porch that he tends.  The air in the porch needs all the filtering possible that plants can give.  Tee Hee.  Those two plants we have had since before I retired.  Dennis gives them a haircut when they get out of hand.  In the spring they sit outside and take rainwater and continue to thrive.

  This afternoon I am doing hand stitching.  We have off and on bright sunshine.  Full sunshine on my stitching makes it difficult to see where my needle needs to go.  Good filtered light makes for nice stitches.

  Megan and I texted today.  See goes back to school in Virginia January 14th.  She says taking care of her mom’s store, from opening to closing over her Christmas break, may come in handy someday on a resume.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 3:26 pm on December 26, 2023 Permalink  

  Crystals 

  Both Dennis and I turned in early last night.  After a relaxing Christmas Day, all was well when my head hit the pillow.

  When I looked out to the front deck this morning, the rain and mist that had continued into the night, had frozen crystals on the steps.  We have escaped a whole bunch of snow by having mild temps and rain.  Yesterday morning, Dennis’ cousin had been over for early coffee and at that time Bruce reported that we had had 1.65 inches of rain.  The late news today will have the updated rain amounts.

  The task at hand today was to visit the back garage while there was no snow or ice.  Most likely that will be the last until early spring of 2024.  It always amazes me how much Dennis has packed into that garage for others as well as our own items.

  A visit to the studio has several pieces of fabric picked out for some embroidery designs.  The next visit will be laying out the spools of colorful threads.

  Dennis has gone to coffee this afternoon in the apartment complex where his friend Lyle lives.  My agenda was reading and hand stitching for the afternoon.

  A batch of bar-b-q on King’s Hawaiian open sandwiches will be our supper with leftover cranberries and creamy fruit salad from supper.  That combination would never be found on a restaurant menu but it is a great way for us to get ready for a beef plus crockpot meal.  Yum.

  I can only imagine how this weather would feel if the sun decided to show itself.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:34 pm on December 25, 2023 Permalink  

  Waiting is Over 

  The waiting for our Lord and Savior is over.  Each day here after is the glory and grace that we have been given to live in our daily lives.

  This Grammie is basically at a loss for words.  I have had a fantastic Christmas Day.  With my feet going up and the last cup of coffee, I will be resting in the after glow of this day.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 3:11 pm on December 24, 2023 Permalink  

  A Silent Night 

  How appropriate that the day is gray with very little activity out and about.  This is the silent night awaiting the birth of the baby Jesus.  So much in the world hinges on this wee one that will bring peace on earth . . . sometime in my life time I pray.

  So little is needed in our lives when hope and joy is all around.  Open our hearts so that our eyes may see the glorious wonder of that which has been given so freely.

  In our little home on Stauffer Avenue, Dennis and I often comment to each other what a wonderful life we have . . . not in wealth but in the blessings that we have received in our health as we enjoy each other and enjoy our home, regardless of shortcomings that are really quite minuscule.  Yes, things may have, could have turned out differently with challenges that have been met.  On the eve of your birth, thank you Lord Jesus.

  Come into my heart Lord Jesus, come into my heart today.  Come into my heart Lord Jesus, come into my heart to stay.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 4:09 pm on December 23, 2023 Permalink  

  Good Day 

  Amazing when the household is as it should be . . . a good night’s rest ensued.  Dennis’ prescription situation was cleared up allowing for his feeling of wellbeing, thus we both got a good night’s rest.  I have often wondered how an individual that has no one to advocate for them, gets through the red tape and poor communication that is often offered to elderly people.  In Dennis’ situation, you would have thought we were distributing pills to anyone walking by on the street.

  Today Dennis and I gave each other our Christmas gifts.  We got home at noon after both of us having had pedicures and haircuts.  Sweet.  Nothing feels better than some attention to the top and the bottom of our bodies.  Marie has a wonderful shop.

  Was there a problem at the shop in Mankato where we had gotten pedicures?  Was it a coincidence that in September of 2021 we had pedicures and by the end of October of that same year, Dennis’ problems with his left foot began, and not totally cleared up until June of this year 2023?

  I digress.  Marie is also a registered nurse.  Younger years her family was migrant workers that followed the fruit farms from season to season to harvest fruit for owners.  Maria was thirty when they came to St. James with a young family.  Maria decided to go to nursing school in Mankato for her LPN license.  Maria’s nursing license had her working at the health care facility here in St. James.  Over the years, she continued at the health care facility while pursuing her cosmetology license.  A shop owner was ready to retire and Maria was going to open First Avenue Styles.  Of course the Covid hit just as she had opened the shop on Main Street.  The health care facility welcomed her back during the lockdown of shops such as First Avenue Styles.  Maria has a thriving business doing what her goals always were.  Talk about the American dream.  Maria is living it.  The two youngest of her children are in high school and her husband does “fix it” jobs.

  Dennis and I enjoy having monthly appointments with Maria.  Not only receiving pedicures, but me . . . getting haircuts that I can manage without wearing a stocking cap.  Dennis feels secure that Maria remains to be a licensed LPN that always has a smile for us.  People such as Maria in a small town make us feel that we are in good hands.

  The day may be gray but as the shepherds and the wise men are traveling towards the star that is leading them, knowing that what is about to happen will be life changing.  Dennis and I are at peace, also awaiting.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:55 pm on December 22, 2023 Permalink  

  Can You? 

  Can you see me now?  I went for a long walk at noon today with an annoying wet mist falling.  The mist is still at it but the fog is settling in.  I felt the walk was needed before I have to cancel out future walks due to what is under my feet.

  As I walked the carpenters in various directions are sawing and pounding.  I feel for lumber suppliers that they run into as they are on site.  Our one lumber company has got nothing but crap quality left as he has been trying to sell ever since Overson Lumber closed.  When we did our front deck and steps, I called over to Truman as I knew Vaughn would make sure we got #1 lumber.  They delivered everything without an additional charge.  When our neighbors ask our carpenter to put a back deck and steps on their house, I knew Brian went to Menards for materials.  Not knocking Menards, but I do know each piece of lumber should be scrutinized.

  The only time the lights were turned on in the studio today, was for me to take a few photos for Kevin as he will be jingle jangling my job jar on Christmas.

  Dennis had a tough night due to a prescription refill shortfall.  I have been ringing their number often this week.  I am hoping one of the providers out at our clinic will take on the refills for pain meds.  I know Dennis is not the only one needing that certain medication.  Dennis is napping in the patio porch and I have been up since 4:40 this morning.  When the household has activity during the night and my Rehm sleeping has been disturbed, I am wide awake.  The walk and fresh air this noon will help me tonight.  By nine tonight no one will be seeing me as I will be under my covers.  

  ——-The Mankato Pain Clinic just called and one of the providers at St. James was given the permission to fill Dennis’ refill and it was sent to Lewis Drug this afternoon for the monthly supply.  Time will tell what will happen 30 days from now.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥