Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from January, 2019 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 4:11 pm on January 1, 2019 Permalink  

  Minus 6 degrees out this morning. Dennis reported that none of the four cats had any intention of leaving the patio porch. We had accumulated a good two inches of new snow. Some places it had piled up with the assist of the strong winds. Some places had been blown bare.

  After breakfast I headed down into the sewing studio with no big expectations. I began making notes of items I would need for the “Santa Project.” Not long in to the note taking, I heard the snowblower idling in the driveway. Dennis was coming in to get suited up with boots, a cap with earflaps and heavy mittens.

  I don’t try to dissuade Dennis when he is determined to do something. Hmm. When, and if I get to be 82, I would not be any different. I know myself now at age 74. My family is well prepared. I pulled out my heavy boots, stocking cap and heavy gloves and followed Dennis out to the driveway. It was important to me that I stay close . . . in case I would be needed. I pulled out my snow pusher knowing I would stay warmer if I was doing something physical.

  We came in the house at 1:00 p.m. with a cleaned out driveway and two patios that were pushed off. It was a case in which Dennis would say “We got the stink blowed off.” Oh yes we did!

  We did put our semi-small artificial Christmas tree out for the garbage. It just doesn’t have the warm fuzzy appeal when half the lights have been burned out. With the existing lights having been installed on the branches in the factory, it is beyond us to try to add some here and there. Next year, I am sure there will be some to choose from when we are ready.

  Our 2019 year is off to a good start, may it be so for all.

   
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  Noreen 5:17 pm on December 31, 2018 Permalink  

  Out With the Old, In With the New 

  Yesterday we did close down Christmas by returning the Fairfax Santa to the back garage for safe keeping until next year, less his coat and cap.

  Today after thinking about the coat and cap I took it down to the sewing studio with seam ripper in hand.  Santa needs a new coat.  In some places the 1950s fabric shredded if I looked for a place to begin opening the seam.  It was a slow process.  It was a rather dirty process as the stuffing used in the white trim and the hat was similar to the old time cotton quilt batting, only this was wanting to shred if you touched it.

  Yesterday after Kevin and Kersten carried him to the back garage, Kevin mentioned later that he had some insulation in one of his fingers.  Today, I have that same sensation of having insulation in some of my fingers from handling the coat and cap.  The beard of Santa is like spun fiberglass.  Hmm.  That, for the future will need some thought.

  I will be taking a scrap of fabric with me wherever we travel in the near future to see what is available.  Lots of possibilities on the internet, but I don’t want to buy what I can’t see and feel.  The first thing will be for me to take freezer paper and make some pattern pieces.  I saved all the white trim and Dennis tucked it into a plastic grocery bag. I followed up from where I had been working with a Swiffer duster and a 3M sticky roller.  The white trim after the seam allowance was exposed was a mist of white.

  It was a good day to begin a new project.  It is New Yea’s Eve and we will be tucked inside listening to the howling wind whip around some new snow that is falling.

  Happy New Year.

   
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  Noreen 3:05 pm on December 29, 2018 Permalink  

  Well by golly! The sewing studio has been vacuumed, all extra sewing items put where they belong and I am not going to start anything new today.

  The sun hadn’t made its appearance over the Christmas week, so today it was wonderful to open up the south blinds and let the sunshine in . . . and I did face it with a grin.

  Our west house porch is 7′ x 14′ with eight windows and a door with a window. It was my time this afternoon to brew a cup of tea, sit out in Dennis’ command chair and watch the world go by. It was a good time to reflect of the year that is just about over. Lots of activity. Some wonderful events and some heart rendering.

  Sipping on the hot brew I began thinking about all the people that pass along the year. Ya know . . . there are some that are so doggone hard to love. There is no other word than, them being contrary. I thank the good Lord that most likely the strongest muscle in my being is my heart. Being blessed that my heart can stretch and not forsake each and everyone of the contrary. The loveable ones nestle into my heart. They comfort me with every beat of my heart. It’s a very good thing.

  I believe that 2019 will be rich with opportunities, and I don’t mean monetarily, for all that keep their hearts open to them.

   
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  Noreen 2:54 pm on December 28, 2018 Permalink  

  Whew, I Need Coffee! 

  

  My HoBo bag is completed. My repurposed vinyl from window shades,
  in days of old, is going to serve me quite well.

  There were a few hiccups along the way, but then that is how I learn. The vinyl couldn’t be used for the strap as it was backed with flannel and there was no way I could put two pieces right side together and turn it. I had some blue cork fabric left over from making coasters. I did have to piece it to get the length, but as it doesn’t fray, I was able to put the two layers together and offset the seam where they were pieced. Two pockets are on either side in the inside and the snap actually clicks when each side attaches to it. My next project . . . doing some vacuuming and cleaning in the sewing studio. It hasn’t been tidied since all the Christmas stitching was done. Yup . . . I am actually having several cups of coffee to commemorate this completion. By the way . . . I didn’t make a dent in the vinyl window shade stash.

   
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  Noreen 6:16 pm on December 27, 2018 Permalink  

  Rain, rain go away, come again another day. I will say that the way the snow came yesterday at this time it could have turned out quite differently. I went out about eight last night and cleared the driveway of the snow after it had quit falling. It was nothing to shovel as it was heavier than a ton of bricks. I got one path going across the driveway and then took a third of a swipe for the remainder of the job. There was nothing worse than the concrete when it had been a solid layer of ice after the Thanksgiving twelve inches. It took until this week to have the driveway clear. I was going to make sure this slush didn’t freeze. There is nothing worse than slipping while trying to get in and out of a vehicle safely.

  So anyway . . . today was a good day for me to be in the sewing studio working on my Hobo bag being made out of a discarded vinyl window shade. Bags need to have foam interfacing in them for stability. It comes in various types; no heat needed, fusible via heat on one side and fusible via heat on both sides. All I had in my stash was fusible on both sides. Hmm. Adhering fusible foam onto vinyl via heat was a challenge in getting it hot enough to bond but not melt the vinyl. Getting that to work meant that the opposite side was also going to get hot enough to bond to . . . something or anything. It was a good thing I had a sheet of Teflon to use to protect my ironing board surface. Nothing sticks to that sheet.

  I made good progress even with taking time for the grocery store. It’s suppose to get cold enough to freeze some of this new fallen rain. Dennis rode shot-gun while I did the details in Shopko and the grocery store. He never becomes weary of sitting in the pickup watching people come and go.

  Hopefully I will have more to report tomorrow from the sewing studio. I closed it down at supper time, realizing that stopping while everything is going good and stopping before I screw something up.

   
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  Noreen 4:58 pm on December 26, 2018 Permalink
  Tags: vinyl   

  Being Frugal, Having Curiosity Go Hand in Hand 

  In times past we had room darkening shades that were a fairly heavy vinyl with a flannel backing. When the rollers gave out I saved all the lengths of vinyl.

  

  Breaking new ground. An unsuccessful attempt.

  I am dipping my toe into making custom bags. Hmm. Out came the length of vinyl. I have a pattern that is called “Hobo Bag.” After checking out all the pattern pieces I thought it would be worth a try to put my monogram on the front of the bag. With my first try, the stitching tore through the vinyl and the backing did not support the design.

  

  Success! It just takes a bit of ingenuity and patience.

  Out came more stabilizer and I included a film topping that would also give more support. Both techniques were on scraps. It was obvious that the latter choice would work. Having success with the scraps, I will tackle the front piece of the bag that has been cut out of the pattern.

   
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  Noreen 4:36 pm on December 23, 2018 Permalink  

  Not much activity here on Stauffer Avenue. We are still basking in the enjoyment that we had yesterday with Megan and Nicholas. Carrie had a great hot meal that hit all the marks. Jeremy took me down into the basement where he has all the stud walls up for having a finished basement, ready to start stringing the wiring. They had gotten an estimate to have it totally farmed out. Not in the budget. The entire family has been pitching in. A good DIY. As I said, it was a full fun day.

  I had given Dennis’ daughter Sandy a scrappy quilt this summer. Last night I received a text message asking if I could make some pillow cases . . . four to be exact. I have nothing left of the scrappy material that is in her quilt. I did spend some time looking into my stashes. I have pulled out a variety of fabrics to begin the project . . . sometime. The pillow cases will be varied in colors, just as the scrappy quilt was.

  I am going to be treated to a tuna hotdish for supper, compliments of the ole cowboy. The secret to his great hotdishes is: I stay out of the kitchen the entire time he is concocting his meal. No problem with staying in the sewing studio as he even washes up the dishes and pans he uses. I do know it is pasta, tuna and peas with some type of sauce. Works for me!

   
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  Noreen 6:14 pm on December 22, 2018 Permalink  

  Home Sweet Home 

  We are home safe and sound from the metro. Fog and traffic were abound. I am sure many were on the byways of the highways traveling near and far for family gatherings just as we were.

  We were welcomed by Kody’s wagging tail and hugs from Megan and Nicholas. Nicholas took up the saxophone in October. Today we were entertained with renditions of Christmas tunes. Not bad for such few months. What really hit the note was Nicholas’ singing voice. In tune and able to add a bit of his own spark . . . it was fun to take it in and he was not inhibited to belt it out.  Priceless.

  Megan is back on the ice after having to wear a boot for six weeks to let an arch fracture heal.  Her mom says she is right back on track with her routines. The high school orchestra will be taking auditions for the violin seats starting in the 2018 – 2019 school year. She has been practicing hard and I still am amazed that such fine music can be made out of such few wire strands with the bow at different angles.

  I had been stitching for Megan and Nicholas. I keep my ears open and take notes. I then begin the search on various computer sites for the right stitching designs. When Megan was here at Thanksgiving she worked on a comforter for Nicholas since he has begun reading the Harry Potter series. I found a crest of the house in the School of Hogwarts that Nicholas favors: Gryffindor. His bath towel turned out great and he just about bowled me over with a hug. Megan and cats go hand in hand even though she can’t have one of her own due to allergies of her dad’s. She now has a stunning cat pillow that she can snuggle with when she reads or when she is on her iPad. It hit the mark as after coming over for hugs, she disappeared into the family room with it under her arm and iPad in hand.

  We headed for home a bit earlier than we had planned as there was freezing mist that started in the early afternoon. Better to be safe than sorry.

  Carrie and Jeremy will take advantage of the time between today and Christmas Day when they will be having Jeremy’s family over. Hmm. Twenty plus. I couldn’t do it anymore but kudos for those who can.

  Dennis and I are safe at home and enjoying it beyond belief.  It’s fun to go.  I wouldn’t want to miss going.  Today when we visited, even Nicholas said how much fun it is to spend Christmas at home when they have just the four of them.  They get to play board games, have popcorn in the middle of the day, and they don’t have to get dressed.  Grandpa and I agreed.  There is no place like home when the season allows for some quiet time.  From the younger ones comes words of wisdom.  It is the season of peace and quiet.

   
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  Noreen 5:28 pm on December 20, 2018 Permalink  

  Today was the closest that I have come to doing nothing than I can remember in a long, long time. One trip to pick up a prescription for Dennis was the huge ten minutes outing.

  My sister-in-law, JoAnn, and I did swap text messages and shared a few photos. That was priceless. It felt good. It felt right.

  YouTube videos did take a fair amount of time. I am working up my nerve to try and sew a bag, aka: purse for myself. I fight with finding stuff in the hollows of the last several purses I have had. I like compartments . . . lots of compartments. As in my sewing studio: a place for everything and everything in its place. I am the detail person when it comes to handling items for doctor appointments, etc. I can travel with enough to sustain us for a week. I am close to giving it a try after having finished one such project. The basics will now be familiar. The finer details will need to be thought out carefully.

  This is Thursday night and it is the night for some of the PBS usual shows that I am following. Dennis will be on one of the other televisions watching the RFD channel. I am sure there will either be a tractor auction or a rodeo for him to enjoy. Good stuff all around.

   
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  Noreen 5:23 pm on December 19, 2018 Permalink  

  A Good Sigh 

  When the day comes to a close and there have been some successful moments . . . there is nothing like a good sigh to center yourself.  

  I made a trip to Shopko to purchase a string of clear lights to allow our Christmas tree to shine brightly for the week that is coming.  There was nothing to choose from in any shape or form that would resemble anything Christmas.  Hmm.  I took a chance and stopped at the Family Dollar store.  It was a hub bub of business.  I recognized the store manager and headed her way.  “So you are the one!”  She turned and looked surprised.  “So you are the one that took all the Christmas out of Shopko and restocked it here.”  Rita laughed.  I believe Shopko wasn’t going to take a chance of having to have stock that they would need to liquidate on sale racks after Christmas.  

  Our Family Dollar store is stacked and stocked for anything and everything Christmas.  It was amazing how much stock was still being put out and arranged where some of the shelving was a bit bare.  I did find lights.  Oh . . . did I find lights.  200 lights per box was the smallest amount of lights I could purchase.  For $7.00, 200 lights and I headed home.  I had not put on any amount of ornaments to speak of so it was quite easy to get the tree naked.  Not all of the lights had gone out on our tree, so as I hummed around the Christmas tree, there were a few areas that got double duty.  The important thing is that we have a tree that has lights to be enjoyed every day until the first of the 2019 year.

  It was also a joy to finish the fringe on the afghan.  Any remaining yarn is going to be tucked away and joining a variety of other types of yarn in one of our totes in the sewing studio.  I am not saying no to the possibility of it being pulled out another time.  It will not be a high priority.  The afghan is joining our sofa with a new pillow I had made as part of our Christmas decorations.  

  When Kevin and Kersten had come at Thanksgiving they did not come empty handed.  In one of the boxes was the serger that I have since gotten up and running and in the second box were a few choice pieces of fabric.  Kersten’s mother had thought I might be able to use what she no longer needed.  The bright plaid spoke to me and I knew that there were some cardinals in one of my stitching collections.  Needless to say, stitching on plaid was new to me but has opened up many more options for projects.  Yes . . . taking a deep sigh feels good after a very accomplished day.