Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from September, 2025 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 2:24 pm on September 25, 2025 Permalink  

  Interesting 

  For the last two calendar years our prescription cost via Well Care has been $1.00 for 2024 and $0.00 for 2025 per month.  For 2026, we just received our notice that it will be $9.00 per month for each of us.  I am not upset by this.  Our prescriptions are allowing us to maintain a good quality of living.  Dennis receives two prescriptions from the VA at $15.00 each as we had checked one plan to another.  Taking the time to be vigilant is what is needed.

  Today, I needed to pick-up two prescriptions for myself at the Lewis Drug.  It was $0.00 for the two rather than the $79.00 at the market rate.  I will be realistic in time to come.

  My studio went dark at one this afternoon.  My quilting care, thought and history won out.  Each of the two patriotic panels will be its own project.  I am proud of my decision.  The Mount Rushmore is the first of the two I will work on.  I have the backing fabric measured and sewn for it.  The quilt batting has been released from the plastic bag to allow for it to breath.  Enough for today.

  The tuna oven dish that Dennis made did not disappoint for last night’s supper.  There would be enough for this evening’s supper, but we have opted to do the oven meal again on Friday night.  Tonight’s supper is a bean and ham soup that we both enjoy.

  For decades we have had a round kitchen stool on rollers.  If weight is put on it, the rollers push up into the shell of it . . . making it stable.  I did use it to put my pail of stain on it when I was doing the front deck, only to realize that the rubber bumper on the base of it had rotted enough to fall off.  What was left was a very sharp edge.  In today’s mail, the new base bumper for the Kik-Step stool came and is ready to be put on lending the handy stool an extended life.  Where would I be without the internet and Amazon.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:08 pm on September 24, 2025 Permalink  

  Mission Completion 

  We, on Stauffer Avenue, can say that we have had mission completion on all levels.

  I have two pieces of fabric equal to one another in the studio.  As I have measured and cut, the thoughts were always niggling in the back of my brain.  My initial thought was to do the pieces back to back into a lap robe size.  I now have them both measuring 54″ x 48.  Both panels, each telling a patriotic story totally clash in the color-ways.  One panel is the Mount Rushmore with the eagle flying over the American flag in the red, white and blue theme.  The other is of raising the American flag over Iwo Jima in very dark brown, black and orange hues.  My quilting eyes cannot condone making them into one finished product.  When the lights went out in the studio at one this afternoon, I had both of them on the church tables.  Time to think on it and perhaps even sleep on it.

  Dennis completed his task on the first floor of our home.  We will be having a tuna oven dish with cranberries and bread and butter pickles.  Oh yes, bread and butter on the side.  The other day, Dennis was going to pick up a loaf of bread.  There had been street repairs, so he stopped at Casey’s.  The brand of bread that they sold was Hostess.  Hmm.  The taste of that bread took me back to when Lena made bread dough for buns.  It had a “sweet bread” flavor.  Not a bad thing at all.  He couldn’t remember what the loaf had cost.  I know in our grocery store, our usual bread, Country Hearth is $3.99 a loaf.  It bares checking out. 

  Yes, we have had mission completion.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:26 pm on September 23, 2025 Permalink  

  Back to Normal 

  This morning when I got up, things felt like I would be getting back to normal routines.  What’s not to like with a slice of bread schmeared with peanut butter and jelly for breakfast.

  The lights went on in the studio and KNUJ was tuned in.  The seams I had laid out were soon under the needle.  The project for Megan entails two printed panels characterizing patriotic images.  I am going to put them back to back.  One is much larger than the other.  Out came the tape measure.  Getting coordinating fabric out for borders to be sewn on making them the identical size.  Everything I need to work with this project is within the confines of my studio, aka: a Michael’s Annex.

  By one, I was ready to close down shop.  Yesterday I knew that I needed to make a trip to the grocery store here in town.  Nothing in quantity, just a bit of this and a bit of that.  Dennis has been hinting that he is ready to make a tuna oven dish.  How could I not supply him with what he needs.  We do use the Albacore tuna.  It is chunks of nice white tuna packed in water.  Some day I am going to find a recipe to use the Star-Kist Tuna.  Yup, we are spoiled. 

  I have the groceries put away and have a bit of time to wrap these way-ward thoughts up for the day.  I did find my favorite apples in the store.  I now have 10 lbs. of the Macintosh apples in the refrigerator.  When the store’s deli has wrapped up their noon specials, the remainder is put in carry-out containers in the coolers where they keep the Mrs. Gerry items.  Dennis and I are going to have tater-tot hotdish for supper, along with our favorite bread and butter pickles and coleslaw.  Dennis can tackle his dish tomorrow. 

  Looking out the south windows of my bedroom porch, the air is full of the pesky “no-see’ms.” Right along with them the box-elder bugs and Asian beetles are vying for air space.

  I have had a great day and it feels good to have had the enthusiasm, courage and drive to complete some windows and get the deck ready for more years to come.  I can now spend time in the studio doing what comes naturally.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:14 pm on September 19, 2025 Permalink  

  Cooler Day 

  There was a welcomed breeze this morning.  I didn’t waste any time.  Yippee!  Everything that needed two coats of the Behr stain . . . has had it.  I am still out on doing the spindles.  I know that in the end, I will cave.  My ole body needs to have more of a rest than the afternoons of what was a week-long task.  I know that this task will serve us well for several years . . . or longer.

  Tomorrow I have a plan.  The car will sit in the driveway.  I am going to get Dennis’ bench from the back door into the car garage.  With foil covering the entire rim of the gallon can of stain, Dennis can stain his beloved bench, sitting on an old folding chair.  One of the 2x4s has never had a covering.  Dennis will have on an old tee-shirt, likewise pants.  To his credit, Dennis wanted to help with the deck.  Too many times that the pail of stain needed moving with lots of bending over to allow for a dizzy spell.

  Because we can, we are having waffles and sausages for supper.

  This afternoon there are sprinkles of rain off and on.  A weather system is forecasting of possible showers for the entire weekend.  Bring it on. 

  The additional battery for Dennis’ weed-whip and leaf blower came this morning.  The additional charging station is forth coming.  Dennis’ job is getting the setup of charging stations down from a very high shelf to a height that I can reach, making it reasonable.  Here in the house, I have the most used dishes and bowels at a height that is not above my shoulders.  Just common sense to make it so.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:09 pm on September 8, 2025 Permalink  

  The Week 

  And the week is ready to roll on.

  First things first.  I went to the clinic for the urine sample.  Five minutes and I was on my way home.  Yes, one, they could tell I have been taking an opioid for discomfort.  Or . . . two, they could tell I have not been taking the tramadol and have perhaps been selling my monthly prescription.  Whatever!

  As we had bought some items for our freezer yesterday, I decided to take stock of what the freezer on the bottom half of our refrigerator was holding.  Making sure to get the rotation up to snuff.  It is amazing how much can be stored.  We could go quite a while not needing anything.  It would be having milk in the house that would take us to the store.  I do have powdered milk on hand but . . . its just not the same.

  I have cucumbers peeled and onions slices, both sautéing in the dressing of mayo and a bit of cream.  Lots of ground pepper and just enough salt to pull some moisture out of the cucumbers to top off the dish.  Chicken tenderloins providing the protein.

  With the strong winds, we had one large limb go down on the acre.  Tom is always ready to get his Husqvarna chainsaw put to use.  He really likes using it.  The grass has slowed down for the need of weekly mowing.  Other Septembers the need for mowing would be done during the month of August.  Its been quite an unusual summer of weather.

  No stitching today to give my hands a rest.  I may tackle a bit after supper as it’s truly relaxing.

  One load of clothes to fold.  We sure do love clean clothes.

  With that, I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:11 pm on August 23, 2025 Permalink  

  Wonderful Air Outside 

  The shift in this fall feeling weather had Dennis geared up.  Our home’s exterior needed a bath.  Tiny cobwebs had caught all sorts of little leaf tips, bugs . . . you name it.  The process started out slowly and my job was to make sure he had the walker that he can also turn around and sit on.  I stayed out of the way, but kept an eye out.

  In between time over these last weeks, I had begun the arduous task of sifting and sorting photo memorabilia.  Dennis’ daughter Sandy was my designated Curry to take all that I came across for Dennis’ family.  I had started small books for each of the five kids.  All additional loose family photos, great grand’s school photos went into a legal sized manilla file folder.

  Right now the living room is quite busy.  I will find out my nephew Eric’s mailing address in the northern part of the state and Eric will get all that I can put together of his family’s.  I am not concerned about my brother Michael’s family as I know the photos I have of their family, is a duplicate from what his family has, that would also be true of my sister Elvera’s family.

  Now . . . that leaves the photos that I have and plan on keeping for a time of the events that I have an emotional attachment to from my 81 years.  There are the photos and memorabilia for Carrie.  There are the photos and memorabilia for Kevin.  As the stash of memorabilia from my mother landed up in my home, there are plenty of duplicates for my children and me.  

  This task has kind of haunted me for some time.  I know I already feel as if a weight has been lifted.  The weight that I felt was reminiscent to the time when my mom’s farm home and then her apartment needed decisions to be made.  I am making choices for my children and then they in turn can make their own choices.  I am not assuming anything about my choices.  If I have doubts . . . Carrie and Kevin are receiving those choices.  Share, share . . . share alike.

  In between time,  I have a meatloaf to pop in the oven for supper.  Dennis made instant mashed potatoes for last night’s supper and there are ample to heat for this evening. 

  Dennis has half of his task left for tomorrow.  It made me happy that he knew when to hold it and when to fold it . . . Just like the song-writer, Kenny Rogers.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:04 pm on August 21, 2025 Permalink  

  To Decide 

  Last night after supper has some questions about . . . stuff.  We have been very diligent about our stuff.  Stiffing, sorting . . . but not much pitched.

  This morning after we had had our coffee and Dennis had even caught a nap, we got on with the program.  First thing first.  Dennis wanted to know where our dog-tags were.  Those tags refer to the identification of a program we entered into quite a few years ago.  Dennis and I have donated our remains to the University of Minnesota Medical School.  Last year when we met with our local funeral home in the event that Jeff had passed away, in visiting, we were thanked for thinking ahead.  Medical schools appreciate donors.  Well anyway, I knew just where they were.  I need to get a bit more additional information posted on our kitchen’s bulletin board.  

  There were additional items Dennis wanted to discuss in regard to where some of our personal items would find homes.  We discussed it, we agreed on it and we shook hands.  As family members come to see us, they will be leaving with what our wishes are.

  Today I have stayed on the first floor taking in some stitching.  I had been quite busy in the studio and my hands were ready to stay limber with the stitching.  There is no hurry in my stitching.  I enjoy the process of taking one stitch at a time.  It brings me much contentment.  If I am fortune enough to finish a design, then hands off to the project.

  We haven’t decided on what our supper will be this evening.  Last night we had grilled cheese sandwiches with a cup of soup.  It was Progresso Basel Tomato Soup.  No water added.  The flavor was wonderful compared to the usual run of Campbell’s tomato soup.

  There is a bit more time for stitching this afternoon.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:12 pm on August 14, 2025 Permalink  

  A Difference 

  A few hours in my life can make a huge difference.  Yesterday was a punkie day.  I chose to go to bed at 8:30 last night and just close down.  It didn’t bother me one bit that Dennis had the television on tuned in to 48 Hours, the cops and robbers show while bouncing between the solitaire wins and the gospel music on his laptop.

  I got up once at 3:30 and went back to sleep.  When the coffee pot went off at six this morning, I was awake and ready to start the day.  The ole body had rejuvenated to some degree.  The time in the studio today went much better.

  I am working with Megan to put together a banket for her fellow, Jarrod.  Incorporating the five stitched designs of the Congress of Eagles with printed patriotic panels for the 2026 celebration seemed like a fantastic way for a finish of the cross stitched items.  It sure beats tucking them in a shoe box never to see the light of day again.  I kept the time spent in the studio realistic.

  It has been some time since the temperatures were mild enough to heat up the kitchen by putting the round blue speckled roaster in the oven to put forth a supper.  Using up the 2% milk that is three days past the sell by date for instant mashed potatoes seemed like the perfect pairing.  Waste not. . . want not.

  Dennis has gone out to see his cousin Sam in Riverdale Township this afternoon.  Sam and Maria don’t get out much and enjoy a visit.  Sam’s mother and Dennis’ father were siblings. 

  The mention of siblings brings to mind that I should call my brother.  I did call him on his birthday in June and he wasn’t too chatty.  Try, try, try again.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 12:36 pm on August 12, 2025 Permalink  

  Hello Tuesday 

  This Tuesday is a waiting game for me.  We have a funeral midday and starting something in the studio . . . just not doing it for me.  It is a perfect time for me to get a load of light-colored and white clothing into the laundry.  When it’s time for them to be loaded into the dryer, Dennis is on hand.  Today I have two items that I will stand guard over the process as they do not do well after they have been in the heat of the dryer.  Dennis’ help in the swapping process is much appreciated as the left shoulder, arm and hand don’t do well diving down to the depth of the washer to get the clothes hefted into the dryer.  When the clothes are dry, I enjoy standing in front of the unit and folding one piece at a time.  Doing the laundry is very satisfying for me.  Who doesn’t enjoy putting on clean clothing.

  In between time, I have been watching many Bernina YouTubes.  I have had this machine for, I think, seven years.  When there was a chance to have it upgraded via Kelly at the Bird Island Bernina shop, I did it with the cost of $600.00.  This has been the only new machine I have bought since my 1965 Sears machine . . . a workhorse.  This Bernina sewing machine is the last machine I will be purchasing.  It has all the bells and whistles I will need going forward.  I did purchase a Bernina for Carrie several years ago.  It replicates many of the same features as my machine, so I could help her with questions.  It can also do the machine embroidery with the add-on of the embroidery module.  It is just one-step down.  Megan has a Bernina.  It is the machine that my sister-in-law Lois bought for herself when they moved to Decorah.  A wonderful machine that Eric delivered to me after his mom had passed.  Eric had taken it to the shop where Lois had purchased it and it had been serviced before he dropped it off here.  It is in a sweet travel case with the full instruction manual and several additional attachments.

  By the way, the 1965 Sears is still fully functioning.  It has been at Carrie’s and will come back to Stauffer Avenue and then it will go to Bird Island for Kelly to service it.

  Dennis and I have agreed to go to the Home Town Cafe after the funeral.  What a sweet way to end a Tuesday.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:12 pm on August 11, 2025 Permalink  

  A Necessity 

  After a good run in the studio, it is a necessity to get it cleaned up.  It would not be good to have a seam that needed to be mended to only find the sewing machine was not ready.

  I began with using the old Filter Queen Vacuum for the table tops and the floor.  I knew Saturday had been just as long of a day for Megan as it was for me.  It was more important Saturday that she get home safe.  Today gave me a chance to tuck away all the bits and bobs of sewing items that had been taken out of their storage.  The sewing machine was tidied very slowly.  Amazing how a thread can travel into the deepest, darkest places under the hood.  Several different tweezers got the job done.  A bit of oil and a brand new needle made for the next project to be taken on.

  As we have a funeral to attend this week, I do have a box on the shoulder-high shelf that has some choices of condolence cards.  As I was taking the box off of the security of the shelf, my hand slipped.  The box and all of its contents spilled onto the floor in a five foot wide arc around me.  Nothing to do but get to it and clean it up.  Lots of goodies were in that box.  Some new cards, some old goodies and lots of memories.

  One slip of paper caught my eye as I was picking the contents of the box off of the floor.  It warrants sharing.  “Contentment is a moral excellence.  Contentment without external honor is humility.”  Nothing more needs to be added.

  I did find a card that brought that adventure on.  The box has been returned to the shelf that is the height of my shoulders.

  The air quality is that of a low slung haze when I look out.

  Dennis’ secret sliced cucumber with onion deliquesce will be added to the chicken tenderloins for our supper.  Sweet.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥