Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from July, 2025 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 11:08 am on July 9, 2025 Permalink  

  Well, Well 

  This morning the song “The Old Gray Mare” came to mind.  

  I have had a good run in the studio that was quite timely.  The old adage that no good deed goes unpunished does have a ring of truth; being tuckered.  Yesterday the close of the day found the tee-shirt quilt folded.  Done!

  
  Yesterday when Carrie visited I was able to take care of some business with her, just as I had with Kevin.  Sweet.  Great to hear that all was well with the metro family.  Carrie helped me with the new phone as there was enough crap that came on it to totally boggle my mind.  My goal:  receive a phone call, make a phone call, receive a text, send a text and take a photo.  As Bugs Bunny used to say . . . “That’s all folks.”

  With so much goodness happening in the studio and with family, was it any wonder that I rolled out of bed at 9:05 on this Wednesday morning.  I had not heard Dennis getting up and taking his breakfast box to the patio porch.  But . . . it sure does make for a short morning.

  I do have a plan for the afternoon.  My studio floor is in great need of a vacuuming.  Here a snip of fabric, there a snip of quilt batting.  It was halfway through the project where I left behind the need to hit the circular file for threads and fuzz at each venue.  I have always kept my heavy-duty Filter Queen canister vac in the studio plugged in and ready to go.  I cannot believe how heavy  the wand is for doing the floor.  It is full-grade metal.  Right now looking over the studio, it is not the welcome I need to begin a new endeavor.  A little bit of time will get it whipped into shape.

  This is earlier than I usually post, but it felt right to slowly work myself into being more active.  Studio . . . here I come.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:38 pm on July 8, 2025 Permalink  

  Happy Tuesday 

  It has been a great day.

  I had several loads of laundry that kept me busy this forenoon.

  Carrie texted that she had someone to close her store today, so she drove out from Eden Prairie this afternoon.  Lots of chit chat to get caught up to date since she was here for Easter.  Dennis joined in.

  As the supper time is approaching, this will indeed be a short posting.

  I had a decision to make in regard to letting Sadie know her quilt was done.  She won’t get to see it until she holds up her half of our barter:  I would do the quilt in exchange for yard work.  Well spring yard work came and went.  Now the foliage has gotten taller.  My desire is to have it all weed-whipped down and raked.  When the foliage is dry enough to have Dennis burn it, I have decided to let Dennis use the brush kill then.  If I can’t take care of a garden, it’s a heart breaker to look out the bathroom window and see it taken over by less than good things.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:09 pm on July 7, 2025 Permalink  

  A New Week 

  It’s a new week, but right now I feel weak.  The first of the two steps in the binding of the project has been completed.  A slow process, but a process that signals the end is near.

  As the process is timely, Dennis manned the vacuum on the first floor.  The vac can pick up so much more than a dry Swiffer pad.  It also works great in taking out extra lint from the clothes dryer beyond what the screen after each load does. 

  This mid afternoon Dennis and I called it a good day of local effort.  Tom got the mowing done, it looks quite tidy.  I stayed in the studio longer than I had anticipated.  Wouldn’t you know it!  Twelve inches of stitching left and the bobbin was empty.  So it goes.

  We must be in for some thunder showers as KNUJ radio got quite staticky.

  A short post for the first day of the week.

  With that I will take my leave.

   
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  Noreen 2:21 pm on July 6, 2025 Permalink  

  Sunday the 6th of July 

  The church service via KNUJ from Grace Lutheran of Gaylord was enjoyed this forenoon.

  Thinking ahead as to what is on the church tables . . . that would be binding for the 58″ x 68″ project.  I knew I would need at least 27o” of 2.5″ width.  That brought about the blades in the rotary cutters of which I have two 60mm.  Cutting tee-shirt fabric is very dulling to the blades.  Grunge material that is course and who knows what country it originated from.  For sure they have no cotton in them.

  I have had a stash of the size of blades I would need.  After replacing both cutters, I am down to two replacements.  I had ordered them on Amazon, 5 to a box.  I had bought two boxes each $19.95.  When they came, what struck me is that the language on the packaging was not in English, it was Japanese.  Every other detail was spot on.  The total price for the ten per box was much less than purchasing one at a time in a fabric shop.  It would be approximately $43.99 for five.  I would have a hard time plunking down what ten would cost in one of our stores.  I have not had a quarrel with the use of them.

  I dug out enough fabric from my stash to cut the binding strips.  From there it was to the sewing machine to join all strips to make up the length needed.  Joining them diagonally makes for less bulk at each intersection.  The very long strip is now nestled in a basket after I pressed the 2.5″ width by half.

  As our day has been quite laid back, we are having waffles and sausages for supper.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:19 pm on July 5, 2025 Permalink  

  Steamy Out 

  We did have rain overnight and today it is steamy out.

  We have no intentions of going off the homestead this weekend.  Dennis and I both feel that all of the picnics and gatherings taking place over this long weekend . . . be safe in your enjoyment.

  I worked in the studio this morning.  Dennis was doing up what dishes were in the sink from last night’s supper.  I put out a SOS.  Dennis came down to see how he could help.  I had been using exercise weights to help anchor the tee-shirt quilt as it needed to go under the needle.  It wasn’t working as well as it had the two previous days.  I think it was me that was the culprit.  My shoulders were either barking or bucking . . . maybe both.

  Dennis sat down being immediately to my left.  With his strong arms he could keep the quilt somewhat aloft so the weight would not pull against the needle.  When doing free-motion quilting, if the fabric is not moving under the needle, the sewing machine will not stitch.  Dennis sure did help.  I would like to tell you I was doing flower designs and such.  I was thrilled to be able to do a meander that may have been mistaken as a lot of loops, none the same size as another. 

  My machine never missed a beat.  We didn’t break a needle throughout.  Halfway through, I had cleaned under the hood, gave it some oil and put in a new needle.  It may seem like small stuff but it’s amazingly simple to keep the machine preforming well.

  The mail at noon, brought the bill from Boekett Lumber in Truman for the materials of the garage make-over.  As I was typing, Dennis’ little red pickup came home from taking the payment to the mail.  Sweet.  A huge job done and done well.  A month ago we didn’t even have the project in mind.  In a small community it pays to have “people.”  It’s important to pay your bills so people will agree for work that is needed to be done.

  For the remainder of the day, my spot is my bedroom porch resting the body.

  Oh, by the way . . . This session Kansas and Nebraska will no longer be taxing social security income for a total of 41 states.  What the hell is Minnesota waiting for!

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:20 pm on July 2, 2025 Permalink  

  The Wasp – Part Two 

  Late yesterday afternoon, I paid attention whenever I would catch a glimpse of the nasty huge back wasp.  It never seemed to take a break and land somewhere.  As I was making supper, I saw it swoop down and land under the dining room table.  With my fly swatter in hand, praying my titian knees would let me swat that far down, I literally lunged at it.  It took a second hit before it stopped wiggling.  With a wet paper towel for surface traction, I scooped him up and flushed him down the toilet.  Whew.

  I knew I could rest easy.  What came to mind were the wasp type of insects that we had when we lived in Riesel, Texas.  Within a short amount of time they could get into your home and find a quiet spot to make a nest.  They called them “mud daubers.”  Their saliva wove the nests.  Makes me shiver to think of the day I found a nest in one of our open closets.  I have no idea if they stung when they were irritated.  It was my own personal irritation that carried with it a feeling of an unclean home.  Yuck.

  This forenoon Jan from across the picket fence came down into the studio to see what I was doing.  She had had no idea what crappy tee-shirts could be used for.  I encouraged her to take a good look-see as there would never be another one on my church tables.  About two, the studio went dark and I will pick up the pinning of the layers sometime this weekend.

  With a fresh batch of steamed veggies, we are having leftovers from last night’s stew and potatoes for supper.  As a treat Dennis will get some orange juice.  There is just so darn much sugar for it to be a daily thing.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:26 pm on July 1, 2025 Permalink  

  A Wasp 

  We have a huge black wasp that has gotten into the house either via a door as it was closing or riding in on clothing.  Ishi.  I have a fly-swatter close at hand.  Of course he is nowhere to be seen right now.

  I did look at the radiology reports of my x-rays of the bone density and also my feet.  I will rely on my primary to channel the next course of action, if one is needed.  There were no fractures noted.  Charts of indication of osteo arthritis as to yesterday compared to two years ago.

  I have voluntarily cut back on my coffee intake.  No longer does the coffeemaker perk out 12 cups of liquid.  I have it set for six.  Dennis has always taken what amounts to two cups in his thermos cup and I had been drinking the remainder over the course of the day.  I remember Orlin was a heavy coffee drinker during the work week.  We didn’t make coffee over the weekends.  Invariably, by Sunday he would have a headache.  Maybe from the withdrawal, maybe not.  I feel comfortable giving the cut-back a try.  I have one additional prescription added daily.  It is a 2.9 blood-pressure pill.  I already have an appointment in two weeks to have an RN check my blood-pressure.  The objective is no undue pressure on the heart.  I will make sure to do my part.  Upon that visit, I have an appointment in three months with my primary.  More to come on the x-rays.

  I had a stint in the studio this forenoon . . . until 1:30.  The two equal rectangles of tee-shirt blocks are now sandwiched with Mountain Mist batting.  Kersten had found several additional measuring matts for me.  They are 36″ x 70″.  Coupling them with the one previous, I used thumbtacks to get the ball rolling.  Slowly I managed to square everything up.  The next step will be the wonderful wonder of the easy to manage safety pins that Amazon delivered via Kevin.  They have been put to use several successful times.  That may well take more than one session in the studio.

  Supper is going to be beef stew over instant mashed potatoes with a side of steamed vegetables.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:18 pm on June 27, 2025 Permalink  

  Good Grief 

  It is unbelievable what some believe in.  I think it is called holistic medicine.  Essential oils are right up there with the hype.

  Dennis came home from Silver Bay with what he thought would be a great comfort for me.  Hmm.  It was a grounding bedsheet.  Sold to him from the granddaughter that is big into essential oils.  It is to be plugged only into the grounding port of an electrical plug in.  It is then plugged into the organic grounding bedsheet.  It is to tap into the wealth of free electrons from the earth’s mobile electrons via the ground wire benefits.  A cure all to promote blood circulation, anti-aging, removes stress and arthritis.

  Give me a break.

  The only thing that kept me from laughing in Dennis’s face was the simple fact that the electrical plug-in behind my bed did not happen to be an electrical plug-in with a ground wire.  I gently told him that I felt that running an extension board/cord equipped with a ground option would be too dangerous as I use a step-up and step-down when I get in and out of bed with the fear of tripping and falling.  Whew, he bought it. 

  Medicine men are still alive and well, they just no longer use covered wagons to roam for patsies.

  On a lighter note, I am in the waiting room, awaiting my quilt batting to be delivered from Amazon.  It may be tomorrow or Monday.  A good time for doing some cleaning in the studio from snips and wayward threads.

  Subway is on the docket for supper. 

  Many small town celebrations for this weekend.  I hope all works in the favor of those that participate or help in the planning.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:14 pm on June 26, 2025 Permalink  

  The Rain 

  The rain has been coming and going in between a few sun beams.  KNUJ radio thought it would amount to 1.5 inches in total accumulation.

  The rain has stalled the garage work.  It might also be that the service door has not yet come in to the Truman Lumberyard.  One or the other . . . or both.

  Today needed proof.  That proof was that each of the two sewn tee-shirt quilt blocks had finished out in close proximity of one to the other.  Measure once, measure twice and . . . mission completion.  Spot on, making it more hopeful that I can pull off having a reversible project.
  
  

  My church tables are consumed.  There is one more border, black, that will be finished tomorrow.  Maybe.  In the foreground I included my set of the “Tape Maker Set.”  By cutting fabric of choice into strips, bias tape can become as wide and in any color that is needed.  I chose one inch wide fabric.  Inserting the end of the fabric and guiding it through a narrow two inch channel of the desired size, it won’t take long and the raw edge presents itself out the other end. That fabric end is pinned down into the covering of the ironing board.  Using a hot steam-iron, the mechanism with the fabric pulled through it is slowly backed up allowing the steam-iron to follow and hot press the now newly folded fabric into a tape with no raw edges.  I used a decorative stitch that zig-zagged, sewing the tape down from edge to edge onto the center of the seam of the sewn together blocks.  The process for this project took about 23 yards of Grammie manufactured tape.  It sure dressed up some god-awful looking tee-shirt designs. 

  It is gray out with a looming of a few more rain showers.  I am done for the day and without any help, I could sit here in the cherry red chair and perhaps nod off for a bit.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:00 pm on June 25, 2025 Permalink  

  Not Much 

  Much to-do about a lot of nothing in regard to the rain that was to overwhelm us.  The air is very heavy.

  The next phase of the tee-shirt quilt is underway.  Putting a three inch border around the perimeter of the two individually pieced twelve inch block tops, helps to stabilize the raw edges.  The secret is to cut the border fabric on the length of the fabric, the weft, as there is minimal stretch compared to the width of yardage.  The rotary cutting of enough border material for what was needed for the two was quite a bit of arm, shoulder and hand pressure.  After sewing said border onto one out of the two pieced tops and steam pressing . . . did it for me.  The studio is dark.

  I did order the Mountain Mist Quilt Batting.  It is an old time favorite and not giving a huge amount of loft.  $29.00 with no shipping, it should and could be here by the 30th or the first of July.  Yup . . . it is getting real.

  The studio is just about as dark as the skies are.  The weather map has all sorts of blurbs indicating rain that might fall.

  An economic wake-up call has hit the ole beloved cowboy.  Dennis needed a belt for his wranglers.  Fleet/Farm look out.  The choice was slim to none.  Off course the only brand they carry is Red Wing.  The belt was $64.00 and some odd cents.  Mission accomplished.  It could have been worse.  He didn’t need new wranglers.  I had several pair washed and tucked away for the day he was weary of pants with an elastic waist.  Too funny. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥