Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from August, 2025 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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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 1:45 pm on July 31, 2025 Permalink  

  Camping Smell 

  A camping smell 24/7 from the smoke coming out of Canada.  I can smell it, I can see it and . . . I can feel it when I am outside taking in a deep breathe.  Yuk!

  When we had visited with the Fairfax family before the fourth of July, I had some personal business with Kevin.  That being taken care of, in a shy approach, I was asked about a stitching project that was needed in the shop.  Of course, I was game.  We came home with two shrouds that are used over rather expensive equipment.  A portion of each needed to be shortened.

  This was like no other hemming project I had done.  I measured once, I measured twice before I cut into the vinal backed nylon fabric.

  Yesterday, Dennis and I took a road trip to Fairfax to return the goods.  I held my breath as Kevin and Kersten each covered the two pieces of equipment.  Mission completion.  We popped in and out in a New York minute as there was one vehicle on the hoist and the other with the hood open.  Of course Dennis and I stopped at Hardee’s in Sleepy Eye for chicken tenders with honey mustard dipping sauce and a shake.  A chocolate one for Dennis and a vanilla one for me.  A great day all around. 

  I mentioned to Kevin about Carrie’s idea of putting a door-pull of the edges of my bed-step.  Nothing more needed to be said.  The door-pulls will be here for implementation the next time the Fairfax team visits.

  This morning I rang the bell at Amazon and the door-pulls are on their way to Stauffer Avenue.

  In the studio I am hatching out a plan in using my five designs that I stitched in the Congress of Eagles.  I was in doubt about a fabric so I texted Megan for her advice.  I got great suggestions and I appreciated her getting back to me in short order.  Again, Amazon to the recue.  While I wait for the delivery, I have machine stitching to do.

  Seeing as how the stop at Hardee’s was deemed to be an early supper, I have the check-list for our Subway supper on the dining room table.  Later this afternoon we will make a stop at the mail drop, visit the Dollar General to pick up $1.00 bags of Lemon Heads and then on to Subway.  Sweet.  Dennis’ favorite hard candy is the Lemon Heads so as to keep the mouth freshened.  Let me tell you, they are sour.  I do one a day.  My tongue can’t take anymore.

  Tom did the mowing today and it was sorely needed. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:15 pm on July 29, 2025 Permalink  

  Leaf Tips 

  The storm from last night did not bring rain to amount to anything.  The storm did however bring quite a bit of wind as per the amount of leaf tips in the back yard.  In a matter of days the leaves will dry up and not bother the lawnmowers.

  Yesterday, Dennis’ life long friend, Dwayne passed away.  Dennis and the little red pickup will be doing solo “drive arounds” in the community.  An International tractor fellow that will be remembered by many.

  I had a good session in the studio this forenoon.  The piece of hardanger will live a bit longer as I did find a way to display it.  That is one craft I never dipped my toe into but I can appreciate the time and skill in achieving a finished project.  I had everything in the stashes to freshen it up.  I did not resort to any type of glue on the fabric.  Yesterday I did glue two equal squares of foam board together to allow for some sturdiness.  Today, I stretched a burgundy color of the fabric over it so as to have a colored border for the light color of the stitched fabric to be highlighted.  I looked at the frames I had saved in the studio.  One of them had a backing of foam board that was just the right size to put on the back of my project and thus cover up the edges of the burgundy fabric.  Out of site, out of mind.

  

  I did trim up the fringe on the project.  I debated about putting the decorative thumbtacks spaced every several inches around it and then thought that less was more.  I used some of the ribbon that Kersten had given me and hung it on an existing nail in our living room. 

  I call this project done.  When anyone from the family checks it out and has any suggestions on it, for it, I am open to that.

  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.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:10 pm on July 27, 2025 Permalink  

  Advisories 

  Not only old folks, but all need to pay attention when there is a severe heat advisory issued.  I stay inside.  Not one single reason to go out.

  Dennis does keep the patio kitties with plenty of fresh water.  Dennis has commented they don’t have much of an appetite in the heat, but it is available.

  Dennis got a call last night from his friend Dwayne’s wife.  Dwayne had fallen in their home and it was severe enough that he was out in our hospital.  Maria asked if Dennis would come out to see him.  This forenoon Dennis went to see Dwayne.  It is serious and a matter of time.  Blood collection on the brain is not always fatal, but in this case, as I said . . . it’s a matter of time.  Dennis came home and is very quiet.  Dennis and Dwayne graduated together and have been lifelong longs.  Since Dwayne could no longer drive, Dennis would pick up Dwayne and they would tour the surrounding area in Dennis’ little red pickup every several weeks.  Hmm.

  I spent quiet time in the studio working with the foam board and my stitching.  Slowly but surely keeping the stitched fabric straight as I used stick pins.  I didn’t do just one side at a time.  A few pins on each side at a time.  The pins pulled a taut edge with them being about every quarter of an inch.  I had checked on a piece of foam board first to check on the tolerance so as to not degrade it.  I knew my foam board would allow for an almost perfect 20.5″ x 28″ finished piece and it did.  I am pleased with the outcome.  My border fabric sets off the stitching well.

  

  I had been mulling this project and the time and energy I have put into it.  Neither of those two are an issue.  It was a project that brought hours of comfort to me.  I thoroughly enjoyed every stitch.  3/16 foam board does not have a whole lot of stability.  I have a frame ordered for it.  The frame company is used often by other stitchers and they know a reliable company at reasonable prices.  Not any type of glass or plex-a-glass.  It is a fairly narrow wood frame.  The finished size is 22″ x 29.5.  I am excited to enjoy it on our living room wall.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:03 pm on July 26, 2025 Permalink  

  They Say 

  They say it is not a nice day out and I am taking their word for it.  Dennis and I have no reason to leave our homestead today.

  Saturdays are not for listening to KNUJ in the studio as it’s usually about sports.

  I was brave and cut into the 30″ x 40″ sheet of foam board.  Stretching and centering my stitched piece began . . . quite slowly.  I had had grandiose thoughts of putting some quilt batting behind the stitching.  It got real in a big hurry.  Accomplishing getting it centered . . . I will settle for that.  I was happy not to have any additional noise in the studio.  The church tables have two bricks under all the legs.  That really helps when bending over is the only way a project needs to be handled.  When two this afternoon came about, I was ready to close everything down.   Tomorrow is a new day and I want to enjoy it with feelings of  . . . Yes!

  Dennis has gotten the hang of our potato peeler and has been going to town.  The peeler fits in the palm of the hand.  I enjoyed cucumber spears for my noon snack.  There are three potatoes peeled for supper as well as a new batch of the creamed cucumbers to enjoy over the boiled potatoes.  Heck, I will eat potatoes and cucumbers until the cows come home if he is content and happy with his endeavors.

  When I get busy in the studio, some of the Merry Maid work on the first floor takes a backseat.  All I need do is ask and Dennis pitches in and does the best he can.  It is very much appreciated.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:22 pm on July 25, 2025 Permalink  

  So it Ends 

  One week after another flitters by.  August is in sight.

  I had a very productive day, aka: forenoon, in the studio.  I embarked on opening the huge box from Amazon that held the six sheets of foam board.  I took it very slowly as after one sheet would be removed, the remaining five sheets in the plastic envelope that they came in would be returned to the box, thus keeping it from any wear and tear.

  I am now in the process of deeming the size I will work with for my stitching project to be put on.  Measure, measure.  I have fabric sewn around all four sides of the stitching.  I know that my goal is to have 1.5 inches of that fabric framing the stitching on all four sides when it is a finished project.  As I said, measure, measure.  I took time to get my box of very small stick-pins out of storage.  That refers to the shaft of the pin, not the length.  I left said project on the church tables while I thought things over.

  There is a software program that I purchased at the same time I bought the Bernina, aka: Tool Box.   Independent designs can be created via my laptop and then downloaded onto a flash drive to be recognized by the sewing machine when it is inserted.  Really a sweet program that I have used often.  I wanted the numerical number of “2025” to be embroidered and incorporated as I work with the Congress of Eagles project.  I did a test stitch.  I now know what stabilizer and thread will be needed when I get to that point.

  Knowing when to shift gears allowed me to shut the studio down.  I have lots of food for thought for one day and also to carry forward.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:11 pm on July 24, 2025 Permalink  

  Haul 

  Grammie had a haul today via the mail.  As I haven’t been anywhere to do shopping to finish up some projects, I relied on Amazon.  The haul was my retail therapy for the summer.  No postage.  The fee for Prime on Amazon does not compare to the gas in the little red pickup when I need something.

  I required a piece of foam board to stretch a stitching project . . . 22″ x 30″.  The only size close to that was 30″ x 40″ on Amazon.  So be it.  Also, it was packaged with six pieces to an order.  I am thrilled to tackle said project.  One piece will be used in stretching and pinning the embroidery.  A second piece will be used in the backing, thus a clean appearance.  More on that later as I have it in the studio with the box opened but no farther today.

  On the Congress of Eagles project.  I ordered, via Amazon, a fabric patriot panel: 25″ x 45″.  That was in a small package.  In a separate package was the 2 yards of fabric in the same printed vintage look as the panel.  Postman Michael Nett was busy.

  Everything is in the studio for the next visit.  I do pace myself.

  Earlier in the day, I delivered Maria’s embroidered apron.  As I was about to leave her shop, two customers came in for haircuts.  Maria whipped on her new apron and was ready to do the snip, snipping.  I thanked her for the cucumbers and relayed how good they were creamed over boiled potatoes.

  Dennis made a trip today to Ormsby, just a stone’s throw to the south.  He had seen of Facebook that his friend Daryl Olsen was selling canned pickled asparagus.  We now have two pint jars cooling in the refrigerator.  Pickles, from our way of thinking, are always better chilled. 

  With a sweet day on Stauffer Avenue, it is about time to think on supper.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:37 pm on July 23, 2025 Permalink  

  Hump Day 

  This may have been hump day, but also a day of bobbing around town with Dennis as my chaffier.  Of course we started out slow.  After breakfast Dennis needed a nap in his recliner.  That gave me ample time to get my ducks in a row.

  We had two showers of rain about two hours apart that had fierce thunder followed by nothing more of the rain than what it took to make the concrete damp.  That dampness evaporated in a heartbeat.

  Our first stop was the Lewis Drug for one of Dennis’ refills.  Going through the drive-by window is something I cannot do.  My left arm and hand mandate me going inside if I am by myself.  Got that done.  The two small gas cans needed filling as well as the little red pickup at the BP.  Tom does our mowing and he knows that the gas cans in the back of the little red pickup are there for the taking.

  My first stop, with Dennis at the wheel, was the bank.  The days of me recognizing anyone that may wait on me is over.  With the humidity causing air that is not only heavy but downright stifling, Dennis kept the motor running . . . almost like the get-away vehicle ready at a moment’s notice.

  The mail-drop was next on the list.  The mail-drop is on the far back of the eye doctor’s parking lot.  Talk about driving in, backing up, driving forward and . . . finally being able to get the envelope with the enclosed payment of a bill into the slot.  Again, A small motion that I cannot manage. 

  Radio Shack, aka: former Coast to Coast, was my next stop.  I have been getting accustomed to my new Samsung phone.  I finally have a phone that I may be able to download photos from it.  I checked it out on YouTube.  I needed a cable that had one end designed for attaching to the laptop.  The cable that had come with the phone for charging had two ends that were identical.  I will say that the fellow that takes care of the Verizon phone counter was very gracious and in no time, I was back in the little red pickup with Dennis.

  With all the errands done, Dennis took me around to what I believe is his usual haunt when he is checking out the town.  I thoroughly enjoyed the jaunt.  I got to see things I would never think of checking out.  The last stop was at Casey’s for a pack of cigarettes.

  All of this may sound trivial, but taking care of the items at hand are what keeps us able to maintain our home.  Sweet.

  Of course our supper has plenty of boiled potatoes from last night to pan fry with onions.  Chicken tenderloins and of course cucumbers round it all out.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:19 pm on July 22, 2025 Permalink  

  Some Thinking 

  Graph paper in hand, the studio found me working with ideas as to how to finish the five designs from the Congress of Eagles that I have stitched.  When Carrie’s family was here at Easter, I listened, eavesdropped, on a conversation Megan was having with her fellow, Jarrod.  I am going forward, using the graph paper and some of the goodies Amazon will be delivering.  I no longer am doing items to put into my storage here in the studio.  This totally finished item will not be staying on Stauffer Avenue.

  I am passionate in staying busy.  That is not to say I am either a genius, nor am I crazy.  I know where my level of comfort lays, aka: having something to show for my days.

  Dennis has been busy in the kitchen.  When we had some boiled potatoes last night, I had boiled the potatoes with the peelings on.  My hands don’t do well with the peeler.  Tonight, we are having the remaining of the creamed cucumbers with “peeled” potatoes ready for boiling.  When Dennis gets busy in the kitchen, I stay away.  Why squelch his enthusiasm. When I was invited to the kitchen, I was amazed how many potatoes had been peeled.  Fried potatoes with onions is always a welcomed fare to any supper.  Sweet.

  Dennis’ son-in-law mowed the properties today.  The entire process takes about two hours.  The garage lot of AJ’s, our residential lot as well as the 1.3 acre lot is a lot of mowing, and Tom takes pride in his mowing.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥