Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from July, 2024 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 2:27 pm on July 18, 2024 Permalink  

  Progress 

  Checking on my progress in the world of machine stitching.  I have five more blocks to make for the completion of a double sized quilt top.  By this time tomorrow, I will know if I had had enough of the 2.5″ strips cut of six different prints.  The studio time got a bit long today.

  Dennis finished washing the patio off of the mud.  He is reporting that all the patio slide doors and the screens can open easily.

  Tomorrow Dennis takes his son Jeff to radiology for an ultrasound and draining the abdomen in Mankato.  I checked his portal to make sure the appointment was on the up and up.  Daughter Sandy wants them to stop at her home afterwards.  Bless her heart for taking back being on Jeff’s bandwagon.  I know she arranged for Jeff’s appointment on August 5th in radiology for a tube to be inserted for self draining the abdomen of fluid.  The rapid fluid in the gut is coming from blood veins, blood vessels and arteries deteriorating and sluffing off their exterior sheaths.  Dennis commented yesterday when Jeff came and asked for the ride tomorrow, his belly flopped from side to side and was quite painful.  You think!  He cancelled the last appointment.  

  I am going to make a quick trip to the grocer’s before supper.   How was it that there wasn’t any bread in the freezer!  I usually take the loaf of Country Hearth and split it so there is always fresh bread after it being frozen.  I had not thrown away a moldy piece of bread for ages.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:56 pm on July 17, 2024 Permalink  

  Middle of the Week 

  The days don’t wait for anyone.

  There is no shortage in the laundry basket.  I had it sorted and three loads were on the docket.  My way is to fold it as it dries.

  I kept an eye on Dennis.  Yesterday after getting our home acre mowed, he strung out the long hose towards the patio porch.  With the patio under water for 36 hours, the amount of dried mud is nasty.  Dennis started on the east patio with a broom brush in hand.  That included getting the mud out of the patio door slides.

  Today, Dennis continues with his dried mud job.  Every time Dennis would take a break, I could see Snuggles crawling up Dennis’ belly so he could take a break as well.

  In time Dennis’ grandson AJ and a friend will be coming to put the mower back on the Cub.  In today’s mail a hand-hold assist came in the mail.  It resembles the one Kevin put on at the top of the basement steps at Christmas time.  This assist will be screwed to the top of one of the fenders of the Cub.  It will help getting on and off safely.  The assists on the zero-turn has proven to be a good thing, so more good things ensue.

  Dennis realizes how weak his legs are as per the ultrasounds at radiology in Mankato.  He does push himself by staying active outside but also taking breaks in his routines.

  When I am in the studio with my ever trusty battery-operated radio, when there is music playing, I am apt to do a waltz or my version of the Jitter-Bug around the church tables.  Visualize that for too long and it could cause sensory overload.  I don’t sit for long times at the sewing machine.  I could chain sew pieces of the pattern for a long time, but I choose to cut the chain and get on my feet and do some ironing.

  Both of us realize that we need to keep moving so as to not give up what we enjoy . . . each and every day.

  I continue building my Log Cabin pattern blocks.  The larger the blocks get, the more material and time it takes.  No marathons.  This evening, I will pick up the cross stitch project for the circular wooden box of Grandma Schafer’s.  I am halfway through the alphabet on the band that will go around the belly of the box.  I am also contemplating a few designs to add to each end as the box is a hefty one.  The circular design for the top is quite stitch heavy.  Where am I going?

  This evening it is waffles and breakfast sausages.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   

   
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  Noreen 2:11 pm on July 16, 2024 Permalink  

  More Please 

  More days such as this one for the remaining portion of July.  The temp and lower humidity and dew point didn’t take care of the mosquitoes.  One out of two isn’t bad.

  I had a dental appointment at 9:30 this morning.  This was a quest that started right after my 80th birthday, March 31st.  Dr. Steve Pitcher said it would be a slow process as not only did I qualify for a full bottom plate but there were four difficult extractions to be.  By golly he and I powered through it.  This morning was the fourth time I had gone back for a minor adjustment on the bottom plate.  Each time he checked to make sure the bite was equal on both sides of the mouth as well as biting as if I were biting off a piece of food with my front teeth.  He offered I could make an appointment for a visit.  I told him I was confident all was going to be fine.  He countered that if anything felt off, to give the office a call.  Sweet.  

  I have known many people with a full bottom plate.  I also know from Dennis’ experience that having Fixodent on hand is a must.  My teeth, top and bottom are in my mouth 24/7 less cleaning time.  My teeth will not be vanity teeth to wear only when leaving our home, like some sweet ole cowboy that lives here.

  I offered to help Dennis mow our home acre this afternoon.  With the temps being so nice he declined and commented he was saving me for when the blue barn acre needed mowing.  That worked for me.

  After three hours in the studio, I am about to head for the first floor.  We had two wonderful suppers of the chicken rueben oven meal.  This evening will be a soup and sandwich night.

  As of now the calendar is free and clear of appointments for several weeks.  I am looking forward to days when the day isn’t broken up needing to be somewhere.  More good days.  That does sound a bit selfish, but Dennis seconded that.  That sounds like a retiree’s dream.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:48 pm on July 15, 2024 Permalink  

  Well, Well 

  Here’s another fine day.  A trip to Mankato for Dennis to get an injection in his left eye for Macular.  The next appointment will be in October.  The doctor commented that Dennis did better on the eye chart than ever before.  I believe the meds for Macular have improved also.

  My purchase for the day included a new chip for my Cannon camera.  I was advised it would be a good thing and I acted upon it.

  An additional purchase for us was new pillows.  I realize pillows are very washable but not in our stackable washing machine.  There is too much heft once they are soaked.  A front loader washing machine could handle them.  Even when I do bedding, I make sure there is counter balance in the washer.

  A list to be fulfilled at Sam’s was indeed carried out.  Dennis had taken a break from his banana flavored muffins for a while that we got at Sam’s.  We would purchase three trays, six in each tray.  I would then pop each one in a zip-lock sandwich bag and in the freezer they went.  Dennis always commented that down to the last one for his breakfast they were just as fresh and tasty as the first one.  They run 6/$4.99.  Dennis found out that bakery items at Cassey’s or Super Fair were not cheap and not near as good tasting.  It’s his breakfast and he knows what he likes.  I could buy two pints of heavy whipping cream at Sam’s with the sell by date in September for what one pint costs locally and I would be lucky if the sell by date would be 30 days out.

  Our Dennis doctor appointments have really slowed down, so thus we don’t shop for groceries nearly as often in Mankato.  For items in the cistern pantry shelves we do stock up on.  Whatever amount our freezer on the bottom of the frig can hold, I do fill it up with Sam’s items.  For sure Jimmy Dean precooked sausage patties and a box of 30 Eggo Waffles.  After our Sam’s perishable run out we do visit our local grocer’s.

  The chicken rueben oven dish was a hit.  We will have a re-run for today’s supper.  Dennis whipped up an instant pudding graham cracker crust pie for our tonight’s dessert.  It all sure beats what we could get at McDonald’s.

  By the way, we had a wicked thunderstorm at eight this morning and we drove home from Mankato with the wipers on.

  No sewing for me today.  My left arm and hand feels it when I power shop at Sam’s.

  With that I take my leave.

   
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  Noreen 2:23 pm on July 14, 2024 Permalink  

  What’s New 

  Here on Stauffer Avenue, I can report. . . not much.  I am thankful for a comfortable home with very few responsibilities for today.

  I did rummage in the freezer last night.  I took out the remaining chicken tenderloins and a bag of shredded Swiss Cheese and parked them into the refrigerator.

  This forenoon I gathered together what I needed for a chicken sauerkraut oven dish.  Yes, it is warm to use the oven for this evening’s supper.  It is worth it to fix a good meal in our own home.  It is a great tasty dish.  Small cubed raw chicken in the bottom of a sprayed casserole goes first.  Poultry seasoning is sprinkled onto the raw chicken.  A good two inches of sauerkraut is spread over the chicken.  It does bake down.  1,000 Island dressing tops the dish.  After I have covered the dish with ample dressing, I take my wooden spoon’s handle and poke holes into the top for the dressing to find it’s way into the ingredients.  This will be baked at 320 degrees until my thermometer reads 150 degrees.  I then will spread a package of shredded Swiss cheese on top and pop it back into the oven until the cheese gives a great toasted look.  This served with the remaining jellied cranberries will be a wonderful supper.

  With supper covered I headed into the studio for some stitching.  My stitching is comprised of three different 2.5″ light printed fabric strips and three different 2.5″ dark printed fabric strips.  It is the Log Cabin pattern.  The center is a 2.5″ white fabric.   If I remember, each finished Log Cabin block is 12″ square.  I have been putting on one colorway each day.  I had all the fabric cut earlier on.  With stitching and pressing, two hours is enough for each session.  I remember when my sister, Elvera, started doing quilts, she always skipped the pressing aspect.  Hmm.  I learned from the best . . . Lena.  Quilting is not for someone in a hurry.  Elvera was most likely at a Lion’s meeting or a Feed the Hungry gathering.  The blocks when stitched together with a border makes up a quilt top for a double sized bed.  I am a long way from a finished top.  This top is in the gray and blue hews.

  I discovered today that Spencer, Iowa, has a great AM radio station playing country western.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:14 pm on July 13, 2024 Permalink  

  Vulnerable Adults 

  Dennis and I qualify as vulnerable adults.  Thus we are in our home acting as such.

  I chose my studio where the stitching has gone well.  After two and a half hours, I am typing this post with the merest of lighting.  I could feel my shoulders.  When I feel a certain body part, it’s time to pay attention and give it up.  Today I only had six inches of picking out machine stitches.  Yesterday I wasn’t so lucky.  Stitch and pick was the name of the game.  It had been a while since I had gotten serious at the machine and that is how things can go.  If I don’t have time to do it right, time will be spent doing it over.  After supper I can be found in my bedroom porch doing hand stitching.

  Dennis has been in the patio porch with fans going.  The like-new 41-year-old saddle is getting some TLC.  Dennis has been around bridles and such enough that leather can dry out.  When younger, he hung out at Pete Linchied’s bridle shop in Butterfield enough to know the ropes.  Many years ago, Dennis had bought a gallon of Neatsfoot Oil from Pete.  Dennis’ leather shoes get a going over from time to time.  This saddle is in for a real treat.  It will be a slow process but a worthy one. 

  When Dennis stopped at cousin Bruce’s the other afternoon, they had gotten a letter in the mail.  Their 507 area code will be changing July 31st.  We had not gotten a letter.  I went online to check things out.  The 507 area code is being split into three.  They are running out of numbers.  Not all people will be getting a new area code.  We may well be one of those people that will retain our 507 . . . unless our letter is still coming.  I doubt it as Bruce had gotten the letter several weeks ago.

  We have leftovers from last night’s beef and tater supper.  Sweet.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:19 pm on July 12, 2024 Permalink  

  Home Sweet Home 

  As the weather outside is frightful, there is no other place to be, but home sweet home.  Dennis c0mmented that the dew point and humidity are neck and neck.

  Even my dad preached that no matter what kind of vehicle you have or how new it is, rubber tires on hot road surfaces can cause problems.

  That brings to mind a memory.  Orlin’s brother Elroy from Willmar, drove their family car with little to no tread on the tires.  On the hottest of July weekends they would be at the Boon Lake farm.  Orlin could not believe that Elroy would chance that.  There may have been such a thing as AAA road service, but Elroy would have expounded on it being a money scheme.  We had chores to do and they were there for a meal.  Talk about grin and bear it.  Some memories sneak in when you least expect them.  

  I did call Aunt Janet from Brownton that I wouldn’t be at Mrs. Kenneth Wendlandt’s funeral tomorrow forenoon in Hutchinson.  My decision.  

  After chasing a dust bunny or two under the beds, I came down to the studio to do some stitching.  Whether sewing via machine stitching in the studio or hand stitching in my bedroom porch, it is the peace that passes all understanding.  At some time, there will be project completions.  From now to then I am content.

  We have canned beef in the cistern pantry.  I will thicken the beef so that it will be a nice gravy consistency over the instant mashed potatoes.  Green beans and jellied cranberries will round out our supper.  Sweet.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:12 pm on July 9, 2024 Permalink  

  Summer Has Arrived 

  In all of its glory we will be experiencing summer this week.  It was bound to happen.

  Dennis was home by noon from his very early trip taking Jeff to Mankato for an appointment.  With the trip to Silver Bay last weekend, Dennis went to Jiffy Lube when they opened at eight.  He never passes up when the oil and lube needs doing.  I did not blame him one bit for taking a nap in his chair after a bite of noon lunch.  

  For myself I have been up since four.  When a bathroom call comes one hour before the alarm is to go off . . . I knew I would not be going back to bed.  It is what it is.  Right on cue, the birds in the evergreen outside my bedroom window began chirping and singing at four.  So what did I do at four?  I started the coffee and turned on some CBS news before waking Dennis at five.

  My mission today in the studio was to put a few things back in place after Watson’s had visited yesterday.  KNUJ was tuned in.  With all the LED overhead lamps, you never know where the radio needs to sit for it to come in clearly.  

  The steam iron has been filled.  The sewing machine got oiled and cleaned of any fuzz.  The bobbin has the correct thread as well as the machine got threaded up.  I did a test stitch.

  I know its warm out, but I did pull an oven dish from the freezer for supper.  We had sandwiches and chicken noodle soup for supper last night, so a bit of a heartier meal for the two early risers.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:00 pm on July 8, 2024 Permalink  

  Good Monday 

  After getting in some yard work yesterday, I had a great night’s rest.  It was just the right amount for me on a mower.  No harm done.

  Dennis suited up to spray vegetation on the acre but didn’t last long.  He had long sleeves and a turned buttoned up collar but was no match for mosquitoes.  I welcomed him home and assured him there would be better days.

  I called the Watson boys at noon and we were put on their list for a leaky faucet in the studio.  I went into the basement and moved my ironing board so they could get at the plumbing on the post in the basement whenever our name came up on the list.  Here we are a bit after three and all has been taken care of.  You never know when or if we would want to use water in the basement.

  We have always had good service from the Watson’s.  The dad is now 70, and pretty much has turned the business over to the two boys.  Brandon said this afternoon, his dad had never found a hobby for himself.  That is said often of men after they reach a certain age.

  With the water issue having been fixed, I pulled out an instruction book, got the folder of cut fabric out, complete with choosing thread.  I am getting closer to turning on KNUJ and stitching.

  Our supper last night was great.  I failed to have mentioned that the coconut graham cracker crust pie Dennis had made was a great treat.  As it was instant pudding dumbed down it has a shorter refrigerator life than a baked one.  With that said, this evening will be our third night of an eight o’clock pie date.  Sweet.

  Oh my gosh.  I need to set my alarm clock for five in the morning.  Dennis is taking his son Jeff to Mankato in the morning for a biopsy.  Arrival time is at seven.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:27 pm on July 7, 2024 Permalink  

  The Happiest 

  I swear the happiest of God’s feathered is the Wren.  We have what I call a Dr. Suez copper roofed bird house.  Try as hard as I could to take the mosquitos after we had finished mowing . . . I cried uncle.  Not so the little Wrens that were sticking their heads out of their home.  Cheerful beyond belief.

  The mowing went well.  With me on the zero-turn it cut the total time down in half for Dennis as he was using the trusty Sear’s rider.  I am still on a learning curve in regard to how hard I turn it with the dirt as soft as a sponge from the rain.  Wouldn’t it be something if we had no rain today!

  Dennis and I are both in for the day.  The pork steak will be ready by five.  That coupled with the beefed up Mrs. Gerry’s potato salad and jellied cranberries to make a fine Sunday light supper. 

  I have no appointments for this next week.  I will call the Watson boys to make a house call for a plumbing issue in the studio.  Each time I make a trip to the studio to keep an eye on said issue, I take some extra time to tidy up the church tables.  Yes, I am gearing up to do some stitching.  I had cut fabric up during the winter for several Log Cabin quilt tops.  Will I make them into quilts?  That I do not know.  I surely would if someone would come forward.  If not, I will make a donation to our church for the church ladies to make them up and give where needed.  For me, it is all about using what I have for the greater good.

  The activity in my bedroom porch has three different cross stitch projects going plus a good book.  Variety is the spice of life.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥