Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from November, 2025 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 2:24 pm on November 1, 2025 Permalink  

  Some Nights 

  Sometimes there are some nights when sleep doesn’t want to kick in.  That some night and sometimes was for Dennis last night.  I had gotten up at four to visit the bathroom.  Dennis got up right after me.  Dennis was wide awake.  I didn’t argue.

  The coffee was started and brewing didn’t take long.  When I knew Dennis was in the patio porch with coffee and his breakfast box, safe and sound, I went back to bed.  I managed to fall asleep after I had solved all the world’s problems and then got up at eight.  I knew Dennis and snuggles can easily fall asleep in the rocking chair in the patio porch. 

  Dennis came in a bit after eight, we bid each other a good morning and Dennis went to his recliner for a nap.  I enjoyed several cups of coffee checking out what my HP could share with me.  

  I know it must sound unreal that I can spend visit after visit doing the tidy in the studio.  It must be remembered that I only stay at it for 2-3 hours, getting side-tracked along the way.  I do not like UFOs, unfinished objects.  Unfinished objects don’t even get a glance before they are pitched in the circular file.  I had stitched the design packet of the Congress of Eagles.  I used three of the designs on a project for Megan, incorporating them with a patriotic panel.  The last two were orphans.  This morning, I found some backing material and I have them ready to be stuffed as little patriotic pillows.  To offset “just two,” I had embroidered “2026” for a third pillow.  The next visit to the studio will be stuffing the three.

  Oh yes . . . I like the tidy, tidy as it now presents itself.  The empty metal short file cabinet is immediately off to the left of the Singer serger that was Kersten’s grandmother’s.  There is now room for fabric to have some support as it is fed under the Singer serger. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:50 pm on October 31, 2025 Permalink  

  A Tidy Day 

  Look out studio!  I have a plan.  One of the three metal filing cabinets will be emptied by this mid-afternoon, or supper will not be made.

  I did meet my goal.  That metal filing cabinet has been scooted very close to the basement stairwell.  Of course, I went through each and every divider.

  I got way-laid:

  2004 Family Circle Magazine:  “Me Mudder”

  When – me prayers were always said,

  Who? – tucked me in my widdle bed,

  Who? – spanked me widdle ass till it was red,

  “Me Mudder”

  Who? – lifted me from a cozy cot, and set me on that ice cold pot and made me pee if I could or not,

  “Me Mudder”

  And When – the morning light had come, and me in bed dribbled some,

  Who? -Wiped me tiny widdle butt,

  “Me Mudder”

  And did – my hair so neatly part and press me gently to her heart, and sometimes squeeze me till I’d fart,

  “Me Mudder”

  So went some of the sifting and sorting in the studio.  I believe I am going to put a post on Facebook, giving away many quilt books of fabulous patterns and designs.  I am not going to put that on Facebook Market Place as I don’t want to be tethered to my phone.  I can’t in all good conscious put them in the recycling bin.  I did feed that bin quite generously as it was.

  I am now on to making some chili for supper.  A lb. of browned ground beef added to several cans of Hormel Chile – no meat, plus a can of tomato sauce.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:37 pm on October 29, 2025 Permalink  

  Body Guard 

  This was the day!  Dennis needed a bodyguard to go with him to the bank.  It had been some time since Dennis cashed in his loose coins.  The quarters had filled a large 32 oz. cashew plastic tube.  All of the other “no account” coins were in his red color crayon bank.  Daughter Denise was on call.  Dennis carried the 32 oz. container in a small duffle bag.  Denise carried the crayon bank with her hand securely holding the bottom as it was merely held on by the stroke of luck.  Off they went.  Too funny.

  When Nicholas was a wee one, he ventured all over the house.  All of a sudden this teeny, tiny body came out of grandpa’s darkened bedroom.  Megan was beckoned in with him . . . back into the darkened bedroom.  When they finally came out, Nicholas declared “Grandpa has tons of money.”  He was at the honey-pot of the 32 oz. container.  Oh for sweet memories.  That same container has been emptied several times since that declaration and will go right back collecting more coins.

  Some of my forenoon was spent sewing on the binding fabric to the lap robe.  Each step brings it closer to a finish.  The next visit will be tipping the binding to the top.  The days of hand sewing binding are gone.  My sister Elvera found that out when mom was in the Buffalo Lake Health-Care Center.  No matter how many notes were attached to beautiful quilts for delicate care, they went through the laundry just like any other bath towel.  The quilt was taken home and brought back with a binding that had been machine sewn.  Elvera meant well.  Quilts are to give high utility unless made for the express purpose of “you can look, but don’t touch.”  Not in my world.  All quilts that I have made and given are to be used for whatever the need may be.  If they wear out, come back and I will offer a second one.

  Where I grew up, rural Renville County, the southwest second floor bedroom was nothing other than freezing cold in the winter and blistering hot in the summer.  In the winter, quilts were hung over the windows to take the brunt of the cold as it seeped in.  One wall also had a quilt hanging up to act as insulation.  That same farmhouse has been overhauled several times by now.

  The blessings of leftover fixings from last night’s supper.  All that will be needed is a small batch of Idaho Instant Potatoes.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:16 pm on October 24, 2025 Permalink  

  Oh Happy Day 

  Here it is mid-day and we are home safe and sound from Mankato.  The only place we shopped at was Sam’s Club.  I shopped, Dennis filled the little red pickup and watched people.  A whole of entertainment there.

  I reminded myself of a prairie wife filling up the items our larder would need to get through the winter.  I do comparison shop in regard to our local grocery and Sam’s Club.  We have the freezer compartment on the bottom of the refrigerator.  Dennis always marvels as to what I can all pack into it.  

  Today was more about taxable items.  The total of the tax on the bottom of the receipt was $16.03.  It’s all good.  I don’t buy what we don’t use.

  Later on today or in the morning, I will package up the 30 giant banana nut muffins individually and get them in the freezer.  Hey, if Dennis is content with one for breakfast, who am I to complain.  He is getting something in his system with all the medications.  Medications alone might raise cain with the stomach lining.  Then again, I think . . . if smoking hasn’t done a number on him?

  We did visit all the  way to and all the way home.  Dennis was in the mode for reminiscing.  One of his thoughts went to his son Jeff.  One summer, quite a while ago, Jeff had no direction.  Jeff used Dennis’ little red pickup full of gas and headed to Fairfax every day to help Kevin with a clay block garage that was in dire shape.  When Jeff got back to St. James in the late afternoon, he was paid $40.00 for a good day’s workout.  It kept Jeff focused.  The garage had new life breathed into it.  For the life of Dennis, he always marvels when he thinks of that time.  Kevin and Jeff got along so well doing a hard laborious job.  Dennis’ final comment when he thinks about that time . . . if only we could have kept Jeff busy.  It was not to be.  I am very thankful Dennis is open and shares his thoughts.  

  Oh for memories.  We save the best and leave the rest.

  The day was great, we are home safe and sound with no mis-haps occurring.  We are having Marie’s chicken pot pies for supper.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:29 pm on October 21, 2025 Permalink  

  The Dance 

  Stauffer Avenue is gravel.  After many gradings and oil put down for dust control, the surface is quite packed.  The winds are wild.  A gust of the winds take a full coverage of leaves to the east.  A few moments later the gust does a swirl and the same leaves are heading west.  There is nothing to slow the dancing leaves down. 

  The studio has a project in progress, like no other.  My goal is to have a two sided 54″ x 54″ lap robe.  One side is predominately browns and blacks.  The other side is hues of blue.  When doing the free motion quilting, I don’t want the black thread of the quilting showing on the blue side and vice versa.  I knew I had a spool of mono-filament thread, aka:  much, much lighter weight than what is used for fishing.  It was very hard to tame.  Actually it was very hard to see it as it wanted to free flow off of the spool.  I got a bobbin wound with the hope of using it on the blue side.  The top thread was black.  I did try it out doing straight stitching.

  Everything had been pinned with the red-headed safety pins so the amount of shifting was at a minimum.  After a successful straight stitching, I went ahead and lowered the feed dogs to give it a try in one of the corners to see how it would react with the quilt batting sandwiched.  All went well.  The center is quilted.  I can see that on the blue side it has been quilted without any hint of the black thread showing as the needle pulled down the black thread to pick up the mono-filament thread.

  

  When I had completed the free motion quilting, I called it a day.  The blue side was down and I noticed that there is a 2″ x 10″  length that has a small tuck in it.  I could cut the threads to smooth it out but then I would have lengths of thread to fasten down.  Nope.  It’s the best I could do at the time.  It was a lot of shoulder, arm and hand motion.  There is about a five inch border around this project.  I have not as yet decided on how to finish that portion.  Doing free motion is more difficult when the edge of the project doesn’t have tension on it.  I’ll think of something.

  The chilly temps have brought out Dennis’ warmer duds.  I have no doubt the furnace in the patio porch has taken the chill off . . . why not!

  Dennis made a run for cigarettes and picked up a prescription for me at Lewis Drug.  I was thankful I didn’t have to leave the house today.

  It is that time of day when negotiations will take place for supper.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:00 pm on October 20, 2025 Permalink  

  Rainy and Cloudy 

  It is very chilly, rainy and cloudy for the start of a new week.  With that being stated I feel better today than I did yesterday.  A new week with a cleaned up attitude. 

  Yesterday I found myself living in a comparison mode of a time gone by rather than the reality of today.  The comparison was a thief of my joy that can and does follow me more times than not.

  Last night I felt a wind that lifted me up under my wings for the possibilities of a new week bringing joy.  Priceless.

  This morning, I felt energized when I went into the studio.  I switched on every light possible.  I surveyed my task at hand and set about making inroads.  The usual and customary at hand.  I spent several good hours before the lights went out.  Picking away, small steps, brings progress.  What I did bring up from the studio was a small ball of yarn and a crochet hook.  Time will tell.  The index finger on my left hand and its movement is the key to the tension needed for crocheting.  That finger has little to no life.  My plan of attack is to check with my YouTubes to see what I can find out.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  Time will tell.  

  We had talked about a trip to Mankato for today.  As blustery as the weather was, we decided to do that on a day later this week when the temps would be warmer.  Nothing was needed that could not be gotten at that time.  The pantry on Stauffer Avenue is not in dire straits.  Yes, Dennis does enjoy his giant banana nut muffins from Sam’s Club for his breakfast.  I slipped him a peanut butter and peach jam sandwich instead.  It got positive reviews.  

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:22 pm on October 15, 2025 Permalink  

  Oh Happy Day 

  It’s a happy day when the the last half of our real estate taxes are due, October 15th, and . . . we took care of ours in total in May.  That became important when the six months of home owner’s insurance is due as well as the the six months of car insurance is due.  There is only so much the month of October can handle.  We absolutely are keeping the economy moving.

  Today, I headed to the grocery store and was reminded it was senior citizens day, too late as I was in the doorway of the store.  I am sure Dennis thought I had been picked up for squeezing the avocados and been hauled off to the poky.  Yes, there were individuals I had not seen for some time. How could I not engage when approached.  All is well as we got home safe and sound.

  This forenoon went well in the studio.  My next task for another day will be pulling out my tote of quilt batting to see if there is enough for my next 54″ x 54″ project. I have tape specifically designed to patch together odds and ends of binding, all the while, with no indication of it in the finished project.

  I have a “post-a-note” on the top of my laptop as a reminder of an October 17th event.  I would be hard pressed to forget want happened 60 years ago as we were living in Beaver Falls working for Orlin’s sister and her husband on a beef cattle farm.  Actually, the fact that there was no running water in the farm house, was not on the top of my agenda.  Yup, its a good thing I have the “post-a-note” for the 17th.

  We are having bean and ham soup for supper.  Perfect pairing on a chilly, cloudy day.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:30 pm on October 14, 2025 Permalink  

  A Dreary Day 

  It is a dreary day that is bringing some rain showers.  The rain is needed.  It seems like its been forever since I stained the deck and the dust was something awful on it.  No mere sprinkles would clean it.  It would take a hard driving rain.

  I slept so hard last night, you would have thought I had been digging ditches yesterday.  I know I had gotten up during the night, but not sure what the time was.  It was nine thirty when my feet hit the floor.  Usually when the garbage truck bang-idy bangs our bin on a given Tuesday that would have been my wake-up call.  The time I get up matters nothing.  The important thing is that I felt rested and ready to take on the remaining day. 

  My first task in the studio today was to tidy up the various fabrics I had pulled out to find just that right fit for the bathroom window.  There were other fabrics that I had used, a portion of each for Megan’s project.  Each fabric was measured and a note was then pinned on each one as to the size each one was.  It makes it so much easier the next time I need to surf through the stashes.

  I am on several sites of the internet that have pop-ups when a new item in their quilt shops is featured.  It sure is tempting when all the wonderful hues speak to me.  Nope.  I have made it my personal quest to churn through my stashes, getting creative to make do with what is on hand.

  I did have fabric of a two yard length that I may be able to use in a coming project.  The first thing is to cut off the salvage along the length of the fabric where the manufacturer is listed and even the collection that the length came from.  The salvage is tightly woven.  If it is used in a sewing project, it may well be a  seam that will not want to play nice.  I have gotten that much done. 

  As I look out of the windows of my bedroom porch, I am amazed how many of the trees are already free of their leaves without having had a hard frost.  After this rain, I think more will decided to let go of that spindly stem attaching them to their parent . . . and drop.

  One thing that is lacking today is the grain hauling semis.  In all probability,  yesterday may have been the last of the harvest.

  Nothing more to report at this juncture.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:28 pm on October 13, 2025 Permalink  

  Well, Well 

  After twenty years in the making, actually twenty years of requests, there is a curtain on the bottom sash of the bathroom window.  Whew!  No supplies were needed from outside sources.  The studio had everything that was needed including the curtain rod.

  I can now go on to more pressing matters with that off of the table.

  I always have items waiting in the wings of the studio.  Once an item is placed upon the church tables in all its “what if” possibilities, it remains where it was put so all angles of it can be glanced at and scrutinized.  At this juncture alterations are not out of the picture.  The lights go out in the studio so no surrounding influence can take away from its possibilities.

  The first floor always has items to keep me busy.  One main item today was to take down the table top metal frame I use to hold my stitch patterns.  There was way too much play that took away from where I wanted to position it.  A pliers was needed to release the screws from a bad setting.  It needs to be on the left side of my HP laptop but able to swing out of the way so I can use the keyboard without brushing against my pattern.  All was set with screws and pliers in hand.  Righty, righty, tighty, tighty.  Tonight after supper, when I do some stitching, I will then realize if I have where it needs to be.

  Oh yes . . . the days of the retired Grammie are chucked full of momentous decisions.  That might be why I sleep so well when its bedtime.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:48 pm on October 4, 2025 Permalink  

  Windy Warm 

  Windy warm with the winds in the mid twenties.  With that it is not a good thing when the fire barn just got emptied of all of their vehicles.  Harvest is in full gear.  Combine engines get hot.  I hope everyone is safe.  Machines can be replaced.  As much dust as is flying here in town, I can only image what it is like in the fields being harvested.

  My studio is dark because I finished a project.  It was a good project to do and it feels good to have finished it for Megan.  There were two fabric panels and this Mount Rushmore was the first one I decided to tackle.  There are steps in the process that allow me to feel the unpleasantness of the arthritis.  If I don’t use the muscles and tendons they will atrophy.  That means that the arthritis calcification will make them permanently stiff and immobile.   That is not good and I will fight to keep going, doing what I have always done and what brings me contentment and happiness.  Projects like the one finished today, I will seek the next project.  No rushing, just being a steady Eddie

  

  This is the first time I incorporated my cross stitch with quilting.  I did the cross stitch designs as next year, 2026, is the 250th celebration of our nation.  Once done, I realized they were too large to make into small pillows.  I still have two designs of the same design packet that are stitched.  Those are of less stitches, making them possible for pillows.  It’s all about using my creative life and never hesitating in trying something new.  I had used the embroidery module and stitched out the 2026, but couldn’t work it into the project.  I’ll find a use for it somewhere. 

  Dennis’ AJ from Mankato came to visit his grandpa as a late birthday visit.  I think that is just great.  AJ runs a crew that does fiber optics in and around the Mankato area.

  My next task, for another day, is to vacuum my studio floor.  What follows is checking over the sewing machine and putting in a new needle.  Needles are cheap and they make the world of difference in sewing.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥