Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from October, 2026 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 2:10 pm on October 27, 2026 Permalink  

  Hello! 

  Hello everybody, hello!

  This morning by 10:30, we were in the Limb Lab in Mankato.  Dennis, with no toes on the left, receives shoes from the VA.  Both shoes, right and left, are fit with orthotics, one more than the other.  This year Dennis was able to receive two pair.  One pair for walking with one Velcro strap.  The other is a pair of house slippers.  Each pair is fitted with the orthotics.  Both pair are the “step in” at the heel.

  This was a good appointment to do before our winter weather.

  Dennis filled the car with gas at Sam’s Club while I toddled inside.  The rotisserie chickens at $4.98 is a great buy.  I could not believe 12 oz. of raspberries were $1.99.  Here at our local store the price was $3.99 for six oz.  We will be having a treat with ice cream sometime this week.  I will fight the seeds for that treat.

  The ole cowboy is napping and I have the chicken boned out.  Several bags of cutup chicken in the freezer for future use is a good thing.  I did mix up one container as chicken salad for either a sandwich or on a lettuce leaf on the plate.  Of course the option for the sandwich mix had diced up onion. 

  The sun is trying very hard to peek out.  When I look out my bedroom porch windows I see the city crew has done quite the number on Stauffer Ave.  They bladed this way and then that way finishing off by spreading a load or two of crushed asphalt.  Farther to the east, Stauffer is nothing but a washboard.  The asphalt would need to have a packer work it. 

  I haven’t stitched for several days.  Perhaps tonight will work to keep the wrists, arms and shoulders limber and up to speed.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:24 pm on October 22, 2026 Permalink  

  Good Forenoon 

  It was a good forenoon to get a few items done.  Getting the kitchen and bathroom windows done sure felt good.  I don’t get in a rush, taking things slowly . . . the end result is good.

  The fall house cleaning will ensue.  I know where the major dust bunnies are that cause me the most grief.

  I had all the ingredients for a chicken, carrot, Alfredo sauce and pasta oven dish for this evening’s supper.  Getting it put together also let my eye discover the need for the kitchen range top to be taken down.  Hot suds, plus spit and polish did it.  Tidy, tidy feels oh so good. 

  Our Lewis Drug sends a text when our prescriptions are ready.  A small service that is much appreciated.

  A new hatch of bugs is showing today in the warm sunshine.  The back entry door window is on the docket for cleaning but not until we have a cool, very cool morning so I can beat the bugs to the glass.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:26 pm on October 18, 2026 Permalink  

  Measure, Measure 

  Measure twice before cutting.  The cutting was not even entertained as I had not even measured once correctly.  The hand stitching design was very specific as to what would be needed in fabric to achieve the finished product.

  It was a good thing I had only two days of hand stitching in, before I realized something looked off.  The only thing that was right, was the fact that the fabric was white.  Nothing too serious.  Start over and be thankful it was caught before too long.  I had two pieces of fabric in the drawer and I assumed the correct one had been pulled out.  Try, try, try again.

  Dennis received news today that his granddaughter that does the fighting:  kicking biting punching, barefoot will have her next match in France.  Yes, the same France that is now experiencing much upheaval.  There must be a much better, much safer way to make a living.  That’s all I have to say about that.

  The Subway treat was very good last night.  The Italian bread was very tasty with all the goodies.

  Catching an update on YouTube never hurts when I am not quite sure about a sewing element on the machine over and above of what I normally do.  Foundation paper piecing called for an update by me.  It worked out well.  It’s just too hard to be believable that it would not be one if not the first place to make an inquiry about..  I belong to a Facebook group specific to my model number of the Bernina sewing machine.  It blows me away, when some of the ridiculous questions come over and over.  Even referring to the owner’s manual would work.   

  It’s been a quite lazy day on Stauffer.  I am thinking an omelet could be the answer to this evenings meal.

  With that I will take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:55 pm on October 17, 2026 Permalink  

  MEA Weekend 

  Our neighbors to the north ask us to keep an eye out on any comings and goings as they would be gone over the weekend with their son and grandchildren.  What a great weekend to travel to Omaha’s famous zoo over this MEA weekend.

  It did not take long today and the grain hauling is in full force past our home to the grain elevator.

  A jacket was needed this morning when I went to Lewis Drug for a prescription.  The north wind dang near swept me away getting to the door.  Drive-thru service would be great, but the left arm doesn’t play well for that to work.  It’s nice to greet Audrey as she man’s the counter.

  I have my next stitching project begun.  It’s a pattern of monochrome cross stitch.  Shades that define the pattern while worked in black floss over 20 stitches to the inch fabric.  One thread over one.  A small slow start until I decided to work one ten x ten grid at a time . . . it will still be slow, but less likely for counting errors.  I do like the monochrome aspect.

  At four this afternoon, I will be visiting Subway for our supper.  A twelve inch tuna on cheese bread with all the fixings does well for us.  A bag of sea salt and vinegar flavored chips rounds it out.  That combo is not to be found in our grocery store.  

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥♥

   
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  Noreen 2:20 pm on October 16, 2026 Permalink  

  Rain and Wind 

  During the night, the north wind really rattled the awning on the west side of our home.  I did not think there were any dried needles left in the evergreen on the northwest corner of the house.  Not.  The front sidewalk is covered. 

  This afternoon it was an hour long conversation with Calvin.  He was in good spirits.  I have no difficulty chit chatting and reminiscing.  Eric comes to see him once a week if he is not traveling for work.  Eric also knows what extra items Calvin wants for his apartment refrigerator.  The two of them might also have a meal out together. 

  We have some fresh dirt across the front of our yard where the new fiber optics line was put in.  The squirrels have been hell bent on digging in their stash.  Time will tell in the next years as to how many        black walnuts have escaped “the dig” when spring arrives.

  Unbeknown to me, I did not realize Dennis had broken the plastic on the prescription of his currant head gear for his sleep machine.  He had reverted to the supply of his old prescription.  Upon investigating, the noise that has become nightly is for the poor fit and the air escaping.  Last night it did sound as if a bull moose was trying to gain access to the house.  Next Wednesday, there is an appointment set up at the sleep center in Mankato.  Perhaps a tutorial and a gentler touch may be the answer.

  Dennis offered to help with supper.  He is now aware of the process of peeling raw shrimp and getting them ready for a quick sauté in the fry pan.  Live and learn.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:15 pm on October 15, 2026 Permalink  

  It Is What It Is 

  The rain has been coming down since sometime before I wanted to get out of bed.  I had slept well straight through the night.

  I have let many creative ideas that I had had leave my days.  I found someone that could make good use of re-purposing them.  It felt just as good doing that as the decision to look at bare dirt rather than flowers among the weeds.

  It is what it is.

  I am on a quest of quite a few things.  I have finished one small hand stitched item and that brought about what the next would be.  Pulling out fabric and counting threads to pair up with what the design calls for and then pulling out the floss.  Watching Floss Tube on YouTube is encouraging and also can be enabling.  I need no new products of any type.  The encouragement is sufficient.

  It is what it is.

  My sewing machine, as of this morning, is oiled and sporting a new needle.  There are more things for a sewing machine project other than mending, quilting, embroidering.  Much like the squirrels, I am gathering my supplies from the shelving in the studio.  Search and I will find.  I surprise myself as to what I can find in my stashes.

  It is what it is.

  Dennis has been in the napping mode most of the week.  It humbles me that I need to curb how much I tackle from the time I get up until I go back to bed at night . . . as when the physical umph has been spent . . . there is no more.  It saddens me that Dennis has no will to tackle anything any more.

  It is what it is.

  After laundry has been folded, supper will be considered.  Today I vote for fluffy waffles and sausages.

  The rain is continuing and the parade of harvest semi trucks has ceased for now.

  With that I will take my leave.♥

   
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  Noreen 2:18 pm on October 12, 2026 Permalink  

  Time Spent 

  Time spent in the studio today.  Sifting and sort always a good past-time.

  Many decades ago, I, was one that would pursue sale bins in craft stores.  One in particular in Sioux Falls when Dennis was attending a gun show at the civic arena for the weekend.

  This morning I pulled out the wares of that weekend.  It will be my next quest to use those wares as well as scrap fabrics.  At a time when Lena was in the apartment house in Hutchinson after she had retired from the farm, I would make cards as well as send letters within those cards.  She loved getting mail.  I am going to make a few of those foundation pieced fabric cards again.  What a great way to pass some sewing machine time using one color thread and one color bobbin thread.  That would give the embroidery module a great deserved break.

  Dennis’ son-in-law felt he owed me for what I had paid him for washing off the house last week.  Today Tom used the tiller attachment to edge the concrete drive.  I must say it looks sharp.  The yard is close to being tidy tidy for the next season.

  Shawn Cable our KEYC weatherman is warning we may have our first frost this weekend.  Not a killing frost but the tender plants may be affected.  Dennis’ two huge houseplants were put inside the patio porch last weekend in preparation.

  Supper will be left-overs.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:22 pm on October 11, 2026 Permalink  

  By the Book 

  I usually cook by the lessons learned at Lena’s elbow.  If not that . . . then by the seat of my pants.  Today, I had found a recipe that I followed to the letter of the law and by the book.  It turned out great.  There is hope for the ole Grammie.

  Last week, I had set about the task of beginning fall house cleaning.  It had been a family tradition taught by Lena for decades.  My bedroom porch is a very important part of my life and where I spend a lot of my free time.  Reading, hand sewing and watching Floss tubes of those that like to hand sew and share their wares. 

  The eight windows of my bedroom porch were not done in the fall and winter of 2025 nor in the spring of 2026.  The dust of Stauffer Avenue could roll much like a dirt storm of a 40 acre field.  Looking through clean windows is something I feel I wanted badly enough to then put some elbow grease into them. 

  I had given up the gardening circuit after the stroke.  Keeping tidy, tidy in our home . . . very doable.  When the eight windows were tackled . . . how could I not do them within two days.  The left arm never does play well and it balked over helping with each one of those windows.  The windows were tipped in and when both sashes were done inside and out, each window was then given a shove upwards so the lock could be engaged.  So it was done.

  The left arm has retaliated and given some muscles running from the back of the arm, then up and down into the back, to buck into a “pay-back.”  Yes, there is always a re-action for every action.  It is taking a bit of time for me to not suck in my breath and let out a small squeal when I move in a contrary way.  What I wouldn’t give for some elbow grease to lubricate the muscles that feel they have been wronged.  It’s called “pull up your big girl panties and deal with it.”   A quiet week will help. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:53 pm on October 8, 2026 Permalink  

  I Shouted Out 

  This afternoon, I saw a Mediacom Xtreme van to the home just south of us.  When I saw a fellow working on a box on the south side of the house, I went out on the deck and shouted out a “HELLO!”  When he looked up to see where the hello had come from, I waved him over.  I explained to him that in August we had changed internet providers but had no luck after repeatedly asking one of their reps to pick up the router.  He agreed to take it with him and he also said he would close the box on the side of our home that must have also been Mediacom’s.  I was thrilled to get it out of our home.

  The morning was spent in the kitchen getting several items prepared for meals yet to come.  One setup.  One prep.  One of having the oven on.  It was a good morning spent.

  Dennis had his eye appointment here in town.  He came home and relayed that he could have gotten new glasses, but had refused.  His eyesight is 20/25.  Dennis does no close reading and the script on Facebook has been enlarged for his ease.  It was a $600.00 purchase he would consider for the next six month appointment.

  Tom got the yards looking good.  As he mowed the dust rolled.

  Tomorrow we need to be at the Eye Center in Mankato by 9:30 for Dennis’ eye injection.  I have said it before and I will say it again, I am happy to by-pass the need for that treatment.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:09 pm on October 7, 2026 Permalink  

  Hoppity Hump Day 

  We were without service, internet, from yesterday noon until this noon.  I called the Fedium number and they went through what they could, finding no answers.  As the phone call was nearing to an end with no solution, I looked down.  After my marathon of window cleaning in my bedroom porch, it also took in a lot of moving of items to get near the window.  I had set the leg of my old Sears and Roebuck sewing table on the glass cable and crimped it good.  Really good.  Within an hour of letting the gal on the phone know what I had done, we were back in business.   There had been three extra feet of cable that had been on the floor, right about where my feet end up while sitting at my HP laptop.  The tech was kind enough to run it from the entrance to the home, up under the windows and tack it with small brackets.  Well done!

  Grammie . . . live and learn.

  My Wednesday luncheon guest brought about a good visit.  Marianne is going to PT, after she had fallen and had broken her arm, and is done about 12:30.  I had gone to the grocery store earlier, so it wasn’t a big deal to prepare a lunch.  Dennis doesn’t do “noon”, but he will enjoy all the fixens with his supper.

  The evening meals will be the ones that are easy for several days, as my window cleaning marathon will take some recovery time for the shoulders . . . actually one good shoulder.  Some don’t get it, but for me . . . clean windows . . . priceless.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥