Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from September, 2019 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 2:13 pm on September 20, 2019 Permalink  

  Lone Rock Retreat 

  My first night at Lone Rock Quilted Steeple.  I slept like a rock.  It may be because we went back to stitching after supper until midnight. 

  Today started slow.  I think I hit the church basement about 8:30.  Some were sewing, some were visiting.  During the day four more ladies joined the group to make nine.  Interestingly my room partner has not turned on her machine since we got here.  Sharon loves to check on her emails and is happy to visit.  I am the oldest gal here.  The youngest of the nine is 26. 

  The most interesting part of this is the quality of the house.  Each and every room is furnished with comfortable beds, bedding and towels.  The bathrooms are stocked with towels, shampoo and other toiletries.  There are articulate quilts too numerous to count in each room.  Many quilting antiques and collectibles are abound.  Noticeably, there is not dust anywhere. 

  I am making headway on several projects, not staying with any one thing at a time to keep the neck, shoulders and the rest of the body comfortable.

  Tonight and tomorrow night the suppers are catered here at the church.  The cost of each meal is $16.00.  The rest of the food that we needed was brought with each of us.  I decided to eat lightly and stick with water to drink.  It is a good experience.  A very interesting experience.

   
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  Noreen 2:44 pm on September 19, 2019 Permalink  

  The Group is Growing 

  Right now there is a group of four at The Quilted Steeple in rural Lone Rock, Iowa.  Five more will be coming tomorrow.  We will then be full until Sunday afternoon.

  Everyone has different projects that each have brought.  The best part for me is the networking.  Each has different experiences to share.  The laughter, mostly at ourselves, is priceless.  

  In the parsonage there is a total of 10 beds, two single in each room.  Sharon and I are the two with less mobility or ease with Sharon using her CPAP machine . . . we opted for the bedroom on the lower level.

  Thus far, this is a great experience.

   
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  Noreen 2:47 pm on September 18, 2019 Permalink  

  It’s Different 

  For many years, I would pack my clothes and head off to a conference for work, or a meeting for work.  Not this time.  This is different.

  The sewing retreat I am going on is like packing up a part of my sewing studio.  What is furnished within the church at Lone Rock, Iowa, is a table, chair, power strip, and a refrigerator.  I would imagine if you wanted to crochet all weekend, Thursday through Sunday, that would be fine.  Pack some skeins of yarn and all would be good. 

  I purchased a rolling case for my machine and I could not believe how large it was.  Well, to find out, by the time the sewing machine, power cord, foot pedal, small cutting board, a case for thread, bobbins, scissors, extra needles and a portable ironing surface . . . it got full in a hurry and heavy.  In addition, there is a bag for the sewing projects to work on complete with my iron, a cooler for my food, and a leather bag for my Dell Laptop.  I have yet to pack some clothes.  For sure, I am taking my own pillow.   

  This is an entire new pool of water that I am dipping my toes into.  The eight gals that will be at the retreat have done this quite a few times and it may well be second nature for them.  It appears that the sleeping quarters within the parsonage is multiple single beds in various bedrooms.  

  Dennis has the back of the car loaded for me with exception of some food items that will be tucked into the cooler before I leave in the morning.  There was mention that there is help getting items into the basement of the church.  Whew!

  Grammie is looking forward to a new experience.  Many are bringing their embroidery units with as well.  Not so much for me.  I have also gleaned that many are new to machine embroidery.  It should be a good group to find answers. 

  We are going to the Home Town Cafe for supper.  We are calling it a weekend departing date.  I have made contact with the neighbors that the ole cowboy will be on his own over the weekend.  In the ten years that I have been retired, I have been home alone many times when Dennis would take in a trade show over long weekends and also the four week trip he and nephew Brett took last February.  This weekend as Dennis comes in the backdoor of our home and as always asks “Where are you?”,  it might be a bit quiet. This will be different for both of us.

   
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  Noreen 3:10 pm on September 17, 2019 Permalink  

  It Can Get Busy 

  Even hot days such as this one, can get busy.  Check the calendar and it tells all.

  Physical therapy was first thing this morning.  Good open dialog about the right hip . . . when I mentioned that the hip and me were doing fine right up until a glitch would hit and then it was right down nasty to get to a safe destination and sit . . .”You need to get an x-ray of the hip.”  Mike did do deep tissue massage and I will see him again on Thursday morning.  I have contacted our family doctor and shared with him as to why the request for an x-ray.  I am waiting to hear back as to when that will be.  Does anything of this surprise me?  Not really.  My ole farmer body has been incubating arthritis since . . . forever. 

  Let us just put all that talk about a hip aside for right now.  Nothing can be done about it right now.  There are more pressing things that need to be done right now.

  This afternoon I have done some packing.  Some time ago, I signed up for a sewing retreat that includes the gals that I have lunch with once a month in Mankato.  As of right now the sewing machine and all the goodies that I will need to work on some chosen projects is packed.  After Thursday morning’s physical therapy appointment I am heading straight south on Minnesota State Highway #15 for about 75 miles.  The location is the Quilted Steeple in Lone Rock, Iowa.  I will check in at Noon on Thursday and check out at one on Sunday.  It is a privately owned property that sponsors weekend events and it’s apparently in the middle of nowhere.  The sleeping quarters are in the parsonage.  This group of gals includes nine.  I have known three of the gals and it will be interesting to meet some new stitchers. 

  Is there a right time to do something like this . . . no.  One can talk yourself out of almost anything.  I have not been  on a retreat since I was 15 and St. Paul’s Luther League in Stewart, Mn., took in a weekend event at Northfield, Mn.

  I have lists up the wah-zoo!  Wednesday as I am at my chiropractor appointment in Madelia those lists will be spinning.  Dennis has been oh so supportive for me to do this.  He feels a change of scenery is just what is needed after being retired for ten years and having been diligent here on Stauffer Avenue. 

  I am off to have a supper date with Dennis and I will have more information as to what my lists entail tomorrow.  It is time to close down this busy mind.

   
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  Noreen 4:19 pm on September 8, 2019 Permalink  

  What Will Be 

  It’s not a spectacular day, but it will be what it is . . . damp and chilly.

  Dennis has had a jacket on the last several days when he has left the house.  It may well be his uniform going forward.

  I have been in the sewing studio for most of the day.  Nothing intense going on today.  Dennis came down for a bit and played solitaire on the old Dell laptop.  After a bit he asked if there was anything I needed help with.  Hell’s bells!  Put that fellow to work.  Dennis cut out numerous sheets of stabilizer that I will put to use in time to come with Megan’s skate towel project.

  Seeing Dennis hard at work reminded me of a Thanksgiving season some time ago.  I was just about to work on Kersten’s Pokemon quilt.  Both Kevin and Kersten were put to work in the sewing studio.  I believe Kersten cut up stabilizer and Kevin cut out the blocks that would be embroidered on.  It all does help.  Repetitive hand work is the devil’s playground.  

  Days such as this of rain and gloom, I am tickled beyond belief that I have my sewing studio.  Way too many gals my age or even younger tell tales of . . . nothing to do.  I cannot imagine that.  I feel blessed.  I realize I have quite the area of goodies in my sewing studio.  The families of three friends, Bev, Phyllis and Lorraine have shared sewing supplies with me after loved one’s passing.  I feel honored to work with what they loved.  My deceased mother-in-law Esther had some items that she was fond of working with that are here in my stashes.  Of course Great Grandma Laura’s and my mother Lena’s treasures have a nook within my sewing studio.  I am not done yet.  Add to that what Kevin and Kersten have contributed with the button tree and the DMC Floss.  I may never get done with all that I have in the works.  And . . . isn’t that wonderful!

  There will never be a cruise to some forsaken country or vacation spot.  My vacation spot is right here on Stauffer Avenue.  What will be is a very happy camper on . . . Stauffer Avenue.

   
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  Noreen 3:18 pm on September 7, 2019 Permalink  

  Some Stitching Time 

  Some stitching comes at the spur of the moment.  It may be an unexpected gift or perhaps being curious to see how a project will turn out.

  Today I am dipping my toe into a long range project.  The due date is June, 2020.  I often wish I could do more for Megan or perhaps attend more of her events.  That goes the same for Nicholas.  Alas, it is not to be.  Four hours round trip makes for difficulty.

  I had kept my ears open just as I have always done when I think there may be something in the wind I can do or accomplish for family.  In listening I had overheard a conversation Carrie and Megan were having about the finale that the Eden Prairie Skate Club does each year in June.  Not sure if it is a banquet.  Each member of the skate club is acknowledged with a token gift.  Hmm.

  I had been able to be at Megan’s ice arena often enough to know that the skate blades need to be wiped off as soon as possible before the ice guards are put on.  Hmm.  I began kicking ideas around with Carrie about some towels to be given at the 2020 event with the club’s logo.  Oh my gosh.  The marketing people were not about to give out the digitized logo.  They didn’t own the logo and they just were not about to share with a Grammie.  They could do the towels . . . at an exorbitant price. 

  That was all Carrie and I needed to hear.  She was in charge of buying towels and Grammie would work on duplicating the logo in a digitized format.  Who knew!  Who knew that I would have people to do this.  Amanda at my Bernina Store in Bird Island had the software to do just such a thing.  She is a sweetheart.

  Fast forward . . . I have 100 kitchen sized terry towels in my sewing studio.  I have stabilizers on hand.  I have the red and black thread on hand.  Between now and June of 2020.  I will have the towels ready.  As I will be doing this here and there,  I have all the settings written down for consistency.  The black stitched line will be removed as that was my guide to make sure I had the logo on straight.  Not cool to have a crooked logo.  

  I know Carrie scored a great price on a Amazon Prime special for the cost of the towels and after that, it is Dennis’ and my contribution to a sport that Megan enjoys.  Who knows?  She may very well earn a letter in it for her high school senior year.  

  I am going to enjoy doing this.  Hats off for determination and ingenuity.

   
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  Noreen 4:07 pm on August 23, 2019 Permalink  

  Great Morning 

  It was the temps that I couldn’t resist taking a long walk to the bridge over the creek.  Everything and everybody was happy.  Birds were chirping and the frogs were singing right along with them.

  Walking is always a good time to think things through.  I had decided today I would touch the “on” button of the sewing machine and have at stitching out a design.  That was the first decision I made on my walk.  I knew when I got home I would call JoAnn.  My brother Michael would have been 70 years young today.  Life can seem so not fair at times.  I also muddled through what I would be fixing for supper later on.  Wow!  I had gotten a lot decided and was off to a good day.  When I got back home, I had to do a bit of patio sitting.  There have not been all that many days enjoyable as the several busy we have had this week.

  Dennis was all about getting his little red pickup up to the repair shop for some brake work.  I, true to my decision, went down into the sewing studio.  It was time I did a run through on a skate towel for Megan.  Looking at stabilizers, threads, hoops and needles, I began writing things down.  I won’t be staying on this project until it is completed.  It will be done in spurts and not having to start over with materials that are being used. It’s . . . good thing.  

  We have had the air conditioner shut off for several days making the house really quiet.  I am not one to have the television or the radio on when I poodle through a first time stitching.  Every once in awhile I could hear something that was coming from the inside of the house.  I’d stop and really listen and then not hearing anything, I’d continue with measurements of the project.  I dang near peed in my pants when Snuggles came charging down the basement steps.  She must have weaseled her way in right behind Dennis when he came in for his phone.  That cat is determined to be a house cat.  Not!

  Trying to catch a cat when they are inclined to ignore you is a losing battle.  I could see her hunch her haunches to try and jump up onto the basement window shelf.  I made a grab and missed.  Between her lunge and the window shelf, there would have been shattered glass.  That near miss sent her on the trail of walking along the edge of a shelf.  How she managed to walk along the very edge and tip off whatever her foot landed on was beyond naughty.  It was a good thing when Dennis got home and managed to wangle her into his arms.  Snuggles is so heavy, she is no match for me.

  In the end, I did manage the stitch design as it will go forward for the remaining 79 towels.  The design itself is 10,660 stitches.  It almost takes more time to get the hooping done correctly and then do the cleanup of stitches after the design is done than the two-color stitching.  Yes . . . my notes are pinned next to the sewing machine.  As the towels are for the club skaters to wipe their skates off when they leave the ice, Carrie said she bought the cheapest towels she could find on Amazon during their huge promo a time back.  They are loftier than the towels we have in our bathroom.  At lease now I know I can accomplish the task at hand, knowing the steps to get it done.  It was a great morning and a very satisfying day.  This is a Grammie labor of love for Megan and her mom.  What could be a sweeter endeavor for me.

   
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  Noreen 3:54 pm on August 21, 2019 Permalink  

  Futzing Around 

  What a great day outside.  For once in quite awhile, we can sit on the patio and enjoy some great weather.   

  Dennis was quiet today as we went about a Wednesday.  It was difficult on Dennis yesterday, spending the day with his sister as they reminisced.  She reminded Dennis that of the four children in the Curry family, he would now be the one to fill the shoes as the lone survivor.  June is fragile and ready to go Home.  I had June’s age wrong when I mentioned it yesterday.  June was 90 on June first. 

  To brighten the day, we went out for Noon lunch at the Home Town Cafe.  Their soup is always a treat.  Dennis decided to go visiting afterwards.  There is a group of his friends that all live in the same apartment complex.  His visits are always welcomed as most are not as agile as Dennis is.  At 82, I would agree he is agile and he and his little red pickup do get around.

  I turned the lights on in the sewing studio.  Picked around with this and that.  I can’t really see well enough after the cataract surgery to strike out on getting anything under the needle as yet.  Apparently there is good reason to not get excited about new lens for the glasses as the eyes still have some acclimating to do on their own.  It is actually the brain that is in the driver’s seat.

  Carrie had brought the towels for the skate club project.  I couldn’t help but cut open one of the three bags to take a gander at the quality I would be working with.  Carrie said they were the cheapest on Amazon she could find. The towels are to be given to the members to wipe the skates after they come off the ice.  I’ll be jiggered . . . they are plush and lofty.  Carrie had washed them and dried them, so at one point they will be ready to go . . . all 80 of them.  

  O.K., O.k., I had to take one towel and put it under the hoop.  I am so curious as to the stabilizer that I have, if it will work.  I do know that with them being so plush, the top will have to have the support of the thin film to allow the stitches to remain on top and not get buried in the nap.  My plan is to make one run and use that same towel to continue runs on the length of it until I have the right scenario.  I did do a sample at the time I got the digitized logo and that is the one finished in the hoop.  That was done on lightweight cotton.

  So my day of futzing has gone well.  I hope your day has gone well also.

   
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  Noreen 4:34 pm on August 19, 2019 Permalink  

  On to a New Outlook 

  Our acre is back to looking fantastic.  All remains of the Saturday night storm have been taken care of.  All that does remain is taking it easy on the bodies that sucked it up and cleared up the debris.  Dennis and I did well.

  Today was my trip to Mankato to meet with my stitching friends.  I will admit when I rolled out of bed this morning I was slow moving as the body wasn’t in gear as yet.  I did wake up with a new outlook for the day. Being with others that share my interest in all things with thread and fuzz is enjoyable.  In all years I had never put my toe out to be a part of a group.  It does bring additional perspective to my day-to-day life.  It is important to have balance.  All the years I worked, I worked.  All along I kept my passion for sewing intact, but did it solo.  I now realize the wealth that people who share a kindred spirit bring.  

  I will share that the trailer never showed up to haul the remainder of the tree mess to the tree dump.  When I had left for Mankato Dennis was sure the trailer would be here any minute . . . not!  While Dennis was in the patio porch in his favorite rocker, he had noticed a pickup go up Stauffer Avenue slowly.  It turned around in our east drive and came back slower yet.  Dennis’ son-in-law was stopping at all the various piles of limbs and beginning the task of loading them onto his pickup.  Dennis and Thomas worked together and took things slowly and made five trips to the tree dump.  Very special.  Special indeed.  

  Dennis does not hold back when a favor is asked of him by his family.  Today was a great pay-back that was never envisioned.  

  No doubt Dennis is weary this evening, but he takes pride that the acre looks just as smart as it always has.  He had even gotten the rider mower out to chop up the leaf tips that had been left behind.  Priceless.

   
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  Noreen 1:54 pm on August 13, 2019 Permalink  

  Mission Completion 

  When Megan was a wee one, she watched Little Einstiens on VCR.  Each episode had the cartoon group of characters solving mysteries.  They were an educational series.  At the end of every 30 minute episode they all gathered and announced “Mission Completion.”

  Today Grammie had her own mission completion.  The challenge that my friend Jan brought over is now back in Jan’s home, finished.  The stuffed elephant will be a gift for their grandson’s baptism celebration. The challenge was for me to embroider the birth date and the baptism date into each ear.  Yes, it was a challenge.  Adjusting the size to fit the ear was the easiest portion.  Sewing it onto the ear was a task.  Dennis was right there to help adjust and move this huge stuffed animal under the throat of the sewing machine as I went around the design.  Was it perfect?  No.  Was it the best I could do?  Yes!  Was Jan happy?  Yes!  In the end that was all that mattered.  Did I accept compensation for the time and materials?  No.  You can’t put a price on friendship.  Dennis did help me with my shoulder exercises during and after the stitching and then the lights went out in the sewing studio.  Break time!

  It was almost a relief to come upstairs from the sewing studio to have a short break and then tackle the east wall of the kitchen for some deep cleaning of the storage shelves.  Amazing!

  In life there is nothing as precious as balance.  Nothing can stand a chance of becoming ho-hum.  That being said, I did enjoy getting involved in and having a mission completion day with the elephant.  Would I like to do another such challenge . . . not for some time to come.