Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:04 pm on May 30, 2024 Permalink  

  The Week is Closing Down 

  The last thing we had wanted to do today was to make a trip to Mankato.  Every year Denis qualifies via the Veteran’s Clinic to receive a pair of shoes with the specific orthotics to make up for the lack of toes on his left foot.  The VA sends a prescription to the Limb Lab in Mankato and they allow us to know when we can come to their clinic.

  This morning Dennis, one foot at a time, had a laser image taken of each foot.  The orthotic is thus built.  The right foot also has an orthotic to make sure Dennis will walk evenly.

  Anyway, in three weeks we will be notified when the shoes are at Limb Lab.  It was great to be home by noon.

  There was a huge flat box on the front deck from the mail delivery.  The Fairfax family are frequent visitors to Goodwill.  In the mail they sent me a portable padded mat for pressing.  Wow.  It will be perfect to pin and and stretch stitched items.   Quite a few useful items have been added to the studio via Fairfax.  Kersten thinks nothing of having a dozen or more items each day being sent out via the post office of eBay items she has sold.  I am sure she could land a job in any retail store at Christmas time for special gift wrapping.  I called her to give her a huge thanks.

  As I sit in my bedroom porch using the laptop, I have a full view out to the south.  Our neighbor to the south has been fighting the wonderful aluminum storm windows of days gone by.  It was the in-thing to conserve energy and get rid of the heavy wooden storm windows that needed changing out if you wanted a breath of fresh air from windows being opened after a long cloistered winter.  Oh how those suckers could get blessed.  Been there . . . done that.

  The southeast wind is harsh.  Perhaps we will make it to the weekend without rain.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:54 pm on May 29, 2024 Permalink  

  Wednesday 

  —-And a wonderful balmy Wednesday it is.  Low 70s seem to be the perfect temps for mowing yards.  Dennis waited until after twelve as the grass had had a lot of dew.

  Dennis checked his eyelids for cracks this forenoon while I decided some cookies would be nice.  I had picked up a box of Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie mix.  Hey . . . if it looks like a cookie and smells like a cookie and tastes like a cookie, I don’t care as long as I can handle the process of getting it from the powder form to the oven.  I have saved the dastardly aluminum cake pan to use with baking paper.  The one tray could have used a few less for baking, but all went well.

  It is now the afternoon.  My dishes have been washed, a load of laundry has been washed and dried . . . and how sweet that I have one last cup of breakfast coffee to enjoy.

  After three lots have been mowed, complete with a water break, Dennis is on to the far southeast acre, also known as the blue barn acre.

  The blackbirds are kicking the babies out of the nests.  What a commotion of noise as the babies are hunched up wondering what has happened to the food truck.

  Tomorrow afternoon we have an appointment with the Limb Lab in Mankato.  Dennis has prescriptions for new shoes every 8-12 months due to the fact that orthotics do wear down.  He is thinking that the next time, tie shoes might be better than Velcro as Velcro has a limit how snug the shoe can be adjusted.  Tie shoes do not know those same limits.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:21 pm on May 28, 2024 Permalink  

  Safe and Sound 

  Whenever we take a road trip quite a distance from Stauffer Avenue, I’m thankful when we come home safe and sound.

  Yesterday we checked on the Eden Prairie gang.

  Carrie was one week out of the surgery she had had.  Wonderful to see her recuperating at home after all went well.  Their yard looked as if Nicholas and Jeremy were keeping up with energized grass growth from rain showers.  Megan was counting the days and the boxes yet to be filled for her return to Virginia on Friday.  Megan has been helping in the store while being at home from the college year.

  The traffic yesterday was heavy.  I doubt anyone can quote you what the speed limit should be driven at.  That little red pickup was clocked in at 65 mph or less.  

  Sunday evening Dennis visited one of the food trucks that were up in the park.  He brought home a Taco Plate for one as this was a new experience for us and who knew what to expect!  Three large softshell tacos filled to the brim with meat, lettuce, chopped green onions, cheese and hot sauce.  Side orders of re-fried beans, and rice and chips.  It was all the two of us needed for our meal at the price of $13.00 . . . and it was very tasty.

  Sunday afternoon we had help with an item that had been in the back of his little red pickup for almost two weeks plus.  When we last had an appointment for Dennis at the radiology department in Mankato, we stopped at Hobby Lobby.  Dennis with a tape measure and me scoping out the sale items in their lobby.  I found the perfect size of an item for our tiny house.  It was marked “As Is” as it was a scratched and dent item.  No dents.  It had to stay in the back of the little red pickup as it was too heavy for Dennis and me to unload.  Hobby Lobby fellows had had no problem.

  Sunday I spied with my little eye that Dillion from across the street was home.  I went over for a chat.  Dillion got his heavy duty dolly out of his garage.  The cabinet went up the front steps right into its resting spot without Dillion even breaking a sweat.

  I will enjoy having some storage space close by.  My household office area has always been a small computer desk in the living room.  All we did with it is use some Silicone Lubricant on the metal slides of the drawers for better ease of opening.  Sweet.  Each barn door slide has two shelves.

  All is well with my soul.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:26 pm on May 26, 2024 Permalink  

  The Sun 

  The sun stays out for only a few minutes at a time with 70 degrees struggling to maintain.

  Dennis’ two nephews from Windom came over this forenoon for their annual visit.  You can count on those two to bring flowers over for their grandparents’ cemetery plot.  Regardless what brings them over, Dennis enjoys the visit tremendously.  Matt and Mitch are bachelors.  Mitch lives in the basement of their home and Matt is on the main floor.  Matt works at Ag-Co in Jackson and Mitch works at Toro in Windom.

  I have done no local effort today.  Shame, shame . . . not!  I don’t have Lena’s favorite Sunday afternoon task to do.  Mom would sit at the round oak kitchen table and darn socks.  I don’t think dad was that hard on them, but mom could weave the softest patch possible.  Sunday afternoon naps were on dad’s agenda.

  I have been diligent watching traffic, doing a few stitches while reading in between time.

  Dennis has gone on to changing the oil in the mowers.  They have been getting a work-out and will continue so with this cool weather after having the roots of the grass totally soaked. 

  I am looking forward to seeing the Eden Prairie family tomorrow afternoon.

  With that I take my leave.♥

   
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  Noreen 2:17 pm on May 25, 2024 Permalink  

  The Busy Ones 

  It is Saturday the 25th.  We are the busy ones that live on Stauffer Avenue.

  My laundry basket is empty and all that was within it has been folded and put where it belongs.  Don’t you just love clean clothes!  A dance around the laminate with the Swifter and all is good.

  We have a back garage that is two and a half stalls in size.  Quite some time ago there was a fire that took the home on that lot.  We purchased the adjoining lot and added it to our homestead.  Dennis has been cleaning said garage.  The tractor and loader that had been parked length wise on the far north wall has found a new home.  The ford convertible that we were storing for Sandy’s fellow is now somewhere in Mankato.  Cleaning the far corners of the garage is on Dennis’ list.  Not to be done all in one day.  Lightening the load in that garage felt good.

  Dennis’ grandson AJ has stored his Harley in that garage over the winter months.  Amazingly we have still had room for the Cub-Lo-Boy, the Sear’s rider and the zero turn.  Dennis does a good job of organization.

  I am awaiting an answer from Jeremy.  When Megan was a non-walking toddler, Jeremy built a decorative bridge for our yard.  It has always been in the garage over winter months.  Photos have captured the family when they visited.  If Jeremy would like to see it in their yard, we could easily return it to their home.

  I say that as we are going to Eden Prairie on Monday to see how Carrie is doing after her surgery and also to say “so long” to Megan.  She, I am sure, is anxious to get back to Virginia where she and three friends will be sharing an apartment.

  It is mid-afternoon and it is giving us a chilly sprinkling shower.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:41 pm on May 24, 2024 Permalink  

  Thunder Rolled 

  About two this morning the lightning and thunder let us know we had more rain coming.

  It has been a breezy cool day.  For those that like to camp, campfires would work well.

  We have no plans for this holiday weekend.

  Dennis has his patio porch and I have the multiple floors of our home with no lack of things to while away my time.  Fuzz and threads know no limits.

  For my families . . . be good, be kind and be safe.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:47 pm on May 23, 2024 Permalink  

  Thursday 

  My oh my.  The ole cowboy is in the mowing gear.  I assume it is going to be all or nothing for him today.  When I got a small bottle of Sprite for him, his clothes are dripping with dandelion fuzz, clipped grass and anything else that shot out of the mower from the cutting side.  He uses a bungee cord to tie up that which would keep the grass and such blowing down when it comes off of the blades.  Where does it go if not down . . . but caught in the breeze to cover the operator.  As I am not using the old Sear’s mower or doing any mowing, I have no beef. 

  Jeremy has been keeping me up to speed on Carrie.  Jeremy is forthright and no drama.  Tylenol plus is the pain med being given.  Jeremy said they would be going home from Rochester as soon as the doctor had made their morning rounds.  I have not asked any questions whatsoever.

  I have been in the studio today and enjoying it.  I can also report to the Watson boys that the toilet is cycling every fifteen minutes and needing about nine seconds to refill the water in the tank.  Burk said he would be back as what had been done earlier in the week was apparently not the rest of the story.  We are in good hands.

  It is clouding over and I think I heard something about rain showers.

  The one baby Robin that has been fed non-stop, actually made it out of the nest today.  We will be able to enjoy sitting on the front deck without the mama badgering us to leave.  Her mouth would be so full of food for the one baby, she still had a way of guilting.

  It is beef meatballs, instant mash potatoes and jellied cranberries for supper.  The sell-by-date of the milk was the 20th.  It will do just fine for the potatoes.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:58 pm on May 22, 2024 Permalink  

  Plentiful Rain 

  It seemed as if it rained all day yesterday.  Some in Iowa would have only wished that was all that was to be had.

  Alright, the guilt got the best of me.  I called my brother in Iowa to check in with him.  There, I can say I did it.  Every other word is an expletive.   It is 45 minutes with no positive input from him.  When he is bored, he goes to bed at four in the afternoon.  I feel bad when my body tells me I have to go to bed by nine or ten as there is a bit more I’d like to do.  Oh well, it is what it is.

  I did receive a text last night at six from Jeremy.  Carrie had pulled the short straw and was one of the last ones for surgery.  I was correct that they would do a preliminary pathology run on the tissue that was removed.  No cancer was detected, but Jeremy said further study of it would ensue.  I will pop off a text to her either this evening or tomorrow. 

  A pickup pulling a huge hayrack filled with potted plants went by.   I am sure the greenhouse is delivering to the cemetery south of town.

  When we lived at South Branch and were taking care of the cemetery, there would be all sorts of items next to the stones as mementoes.  After short periods of strong winds taking its tole on those mementoes, it was a clean-up that needed to be done day after day.  What beat all was the faded plastic flowers.  Ish.

  For myself, I don’t partake in that tradition.  Numerous family members and a child of our own are no less remembered for the lack of paraphernalia on or by their stones. 

  The breeze from the northwest is wonderful as I am sitting in my west-facing bedroom porch.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:54 pm on May 21, 2024 Permalink  

  A Hurry-Up Day 

  Last night, I texted Jeremy and asked him to let me know when Carrie got out of surgery today in Rochester.  He texted back that he absolutely would.  The mass on the lung was in a spot that a biopsy couldn’t be done.  So . . . I am thinking once surgery got to that spot they would then determine if it was cancerous or not before Carrie went to recovery.  It has been a hurry-up and wait day, undoubtedly also for Megan and Nicholas at home.  In recent past surgeries of mine, my family was on the hurry-up and wait end.  Not fun.

  We are having the lightning and thunder storm that was forecast.  First round of rain was earlier in the day.  The thunder can really crack unloading nitrogen . . . or is that an old wives tale.

  The Chinese noodles and diced cooked pork went over well for supper last night.  I heated the thawed noodles with butter in a skillet and added a tablespoon of Better than Bullion, Roasted Garlic flavor.  I added the pork with several dashes of soy sauce over.  Dennis gave it a thumbs up.

  Not a hectic day here and supper will be fried egg sandwiches.  It was one of my dad’s go-to quick meals with ketchup.  Of course Dennis will have the ketchup on the table.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:04 pm on May 20, 2024 Permalink  

  A Day 

  The older ones on Stauffer Avenue are having a good day.

  I knew Carrie’s would in be Rochester today, but I had thought it would be surgery day.  Not.  That is tomorrow.  Today was for various meets and greets and the last of testing needed.  I so remember days like that.  You just want to lie down, go to sleep and get it over with.

  I did get a call from my dentist that my bottom appliance came to them in this morning’s mail.  She said I could stop in this afternoon.  When she looked at my records, she realized there would be four extractions and the afternoon opening would not allow enough time.  Back to the scheduling.  Hmm.  June 3rd.  I have waited this long, a few more weeks wouldn’t hurt.

  Burke Watson from Watson’s Plumbing responded to my phone call.  The basement toilet doesn’t want to shut off the water.  When Burke showed me what the problem was . . . a very loose rubber washer.  Talk about a fast response for service.  If that is the most serious of home repairs . . . sweet.

  Grandson Ryan enjoyed making the trip to Fairfax with Dennis.  His family lived in Fairfax when he and his two siblings were very small.  There is a two story brick building across from the swimming pool.  Sussie’s lived in the second floor apartment.  They also lived in a rental in the northwest part of town.  Ryan snapped photos and sent them to his sister in Silver Bay.  Memories.

  I had a bag of Chinese cooked noodles in the freezer.  The original batch was too huge.  I have also taken from the freezer a bag of diced pork roast left over from a crockpot meal.  Somehow I will blend the two with whatever seasonings I have.  Soy sauce comes to mind and whatever it takes.  I got a better response from this than I did when I mentioned Cheerios. 

  With that I take my leave.  ♥