Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from September, 2025 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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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.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:26 pm on August 8, 2025 Permalink  

  A Day 

  This is a humid nasty day.  Anything taken out of the refrigerator needs to have a towel, paper or otherwise, underneath it to soak up the sweat.

  No studio lights were turned on today.  Nothing needed t be accomplished.  As is my usual, I don’t leave anything to the last moment.  The cat that has be wrestling around in the bag can now be brought out as I just stated I don’t leave anything to the last moment to thus make a crisis.  Tomorrow Megan is coming!  Yaa!  Megan has ask my help with a sewing project.  Yup, you guessed it.  It is a stretchy sewing project.  All the prep that was possible has been done and now we will find out the rest of the story when she arrives.  Needless to say, we are excited to see Megan.

  It’s not uncommon that the first floor of our home gets the after-thought when it comes to the tidy, tidy when I have juicer items going on in the studio.  This morning with my cup of coffee still half full and me in my bathrobe, I had the vacuum going.  I get my best tidy, tidy done in that garb . . . nothing restricting the movement of diligence.  I happened to glance up and saw my friend Maria park in our drive.  She retrieved a plastic bag from the back seat of her car and was headed for the front door.  I didn’t even get the vacuum shut off as I wanted to greet her.  In the past, not wanting to disturb us she has left a bag of goodies on the front deck.  My pink robe and a very disheveled occupant greeted Maria.  Farmer’s Market had just been greeted at the front door.  Sweet.  Green peppers, cucumbers, onions and cherry tomatoes all in her parcel.  You’ve heard the adage, “only your hairdresser knows.”  Maria was on her way to open her salon and stopped to see us first.  Maria was beautiful in a bright red top with not a hair out of place.  She got a good first hand look as to how much her skills are needed.  We hugged it out and she was on her way.

  It is now the afternoon.  I went off to the grocery store to make sure we had some of Megan’s favorites on hand for tomorrow.  When I got home Dennis already had several cucumbers peeled and sliced and was tackling the onion.  Bless his heart.  Now . . . why didn’t his eyes tear up in doing the onion?  Mine were already watering just by coming into the kitchen.

  All that activity and Tom is mowing the yards.  Much accomplished on Stauffer Avenue.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 12:58 pm on August 2, 2025 Permalink  

  New Pests 

  Our neighbor to the north is fighting a pest.  Not necessarily new, but new for the neighborhood.  The ground wasps are popping up as mounds of dirt that have not been there the last time Jan mowed.  They are really nasty looking with bright orange and red markings.  We were bothered by them several years ago.  Overnight the amount of dirt they could pile up was amazing.  When we found several mounds we pushed moth balls into the openings until a gnat could not get through.  

  Grandson AJ from Mankato came to check on his grandpa.  He had said grandpa should have an idea or two that needed his help.  Well, well.  This summer is the first time we have had a tree growing out of our eve troths.  AJ got the huge stepladder out.  Though the gutters have screen over them, AJ commented they were thick with dirt dust.  The screens were holding up the tree so it could grow straight and tall.  Too funny.  AJ rolled back the screen and gave it a good cleaning.  By that time AJ’s dad was over.

  Dennis had the weed whip out as our Russian Sage, first time ever, was putting out greenery and no blooms.  I had checked on the internet and the best advice was to cut them back and try again.  Dennis’ plan was the cut-back.  Tom went home and got his four string weed whip out.  I was in the studio and I heard the commotion and I stayed indoors.  Don’t mess with the worker-bees.

  I was in the studio working with the frame that came yesterday for my Christmas Quaker stitching.  For the nominal price, no hardware.  As of now, I have four wood screws holding in some brackets I found.  I then found some gauge or other of light wire.  I was feeling quite proud of myself when I could strip said wire over one of the nails in the Livingroom.  It may all be temporary, but it is up and I am smiling. 

  

  My measurements were spot on.  It came with a piece of foam board.  The foam board I had used to pin on the design slid right in.  The narrow frame has a look of cherry wood and the little gold hits the spot.  As I said . . . temporary.  I got the wood screws in about 75% of the way.  I cannot fail if I don’t try.

  This evening we are having soup and a half sandwich for each.  I have knocked heftier meals out of the park for some time.  I will admit my hands will enjoy a break.  Damn those screwdrivers need a lot of pressure to bite into the wood.  Yep, as I said . . . I am smiling.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:14 pm on August 1, 2025 Permalink  

  No Easy Day 

  When the duet cover needs to come off of my comforter, there is no turning back.  Oh, I have made more blankets and quilts than I can count on.  Over time, being able to dress a bed each day so it looks inviting that same self day . . . takes a lot of shoulder and arm power.  A sheet moves one way and a quilt goes the other way.  More times than not there is an additional blanket needed for warmth and the shifting is endless.

  My idea of a good night’s sleep is an easily maintained bed.  Today the duet had Grammie by the hair on her head.  The comforter stays inside the duet by cross-grain ribbons in the four corners of the duet.  The ribbons tie the comforter corners . . . rather tightly.  A kitchen fork was required to use a tine to slip into the knot for a release.  While the washing machine did its duty, it gave me a chance to plug in the vac and chase dust bunnies under the bed.  Did I get them all?

  When Nicholas was a tiny mite, his favorite spot to play was in the bedroom porch.  One of his little cars had rolled under the bed.  Mom, Carrie, was going to pick him up within a short time of the get-a-way car.  Nicholas greeted his mom looking as if we had dunked his head in a cotton-ball bag.  When he had crawled under the bed for his car, his head brushed along the bottom of the bed and captured fuzz . . . a lot of fuzz as only flannel bedding can do.  Whenever I clean my bedroom porch I do swipe the vac attachment with a lick and a promise and think of the now six-foot tall plus Nicholas. 

  By this afternoon, the bedroom porch as been tidied and the two loads of  bedding were ready to go back on.  Stuffing a comforter for a full sized bed into a full sized flannel casing does have its challenges to get the corners tied again to the duet.  There was a small glitch when I had the ties tied cattywampus.  Nothing like a timely redo.  Man, I hate that when it happens.  The last item is to take the long side of the duet and give it as good of a heft as I can and let it float down onto the bed.  It may take a try or two, but where am I going!

  I am looking forward to some studio time tomorrow.  I got my work done today . . . tomorrow I play.

  Dennis has been out in the garage for most of the day doing his version of tidy, tidy.

  The subs were great last night.  This evening we are having goulash.  A fellow that has been doing the tidy, tidy needs a hot supper.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:45 pm on July 28, 2025 Permalink  

  Relief 

  For the storm we had last night, around bedtime, I would have thought there would have been more relief from it.  When humidity and dewpoint are neck and neck . . . not much relief.

  I spent my forenoon in the studio.  I am working with a stitching of hardanger.  For decades I knew that the lady that had stitched this had her favorite spots on the fabric to hold it for each stitch as she went.  I decided to launder it in Woolite, a very gentle product.  I did try to give certain areas a bit more attention.  The oil from our hands could easily hold a candle to the oil I use on my sewing machine . . . well . . . maybe not.  No success.  I am going to go ahead and put it back on a piece of foam board.  The stains do not diminish the quality of stitches nor the time to stitch the piece.  Time will tell.

  The Congress of Eagles that I stitched are all one piece of fabric, 26″ x 29″.  That project is getting closer to having more TLC spent on it.  Stabilizer is needed for each design to be worked with as the fabric is a weave that could ravel before your eyes until there was no plan for it to be used. My plan was to use the woven cotton stabilizer that has adhesive on the back.  I ironed it on as one large piece rather than five individual pieces.  The next time in the studio, they will be cut into individual blocks, with not one the same size as another.  Lights off for the day.

  My next challenge was in the south half of my bedroom porch.  Tiny microscopic ants.  Today, I tried to shine a light on the walls of the area to see if I could find a trail of them either coming or going.  While I am either stitching or using my laptop one will appear and then there might be a variety of them on the mouse pad.  I checked outside to see if I could find some of the critters on the foundation or on the window frames . . . nothing.  I have Taro down in several places.  It did call for making my desk sparse, very sparse . . . “all the better to see you my dear.”  At one point I had used the 3M sticky roller to pick up a few so Dennis could see what I was talking about.  I have been up against mightier foe.

  Alas, the last of the cucumbers are ready for supper as well as the last potatoes peeled.  That means we have worked our way through five pounds of potatoes.   Time for a change of menu.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥