Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from November, 2023 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 2:59 pm on November 19, 2023 Permalink  

  Sunday the 19th 

  It has been a very intense day for me.  I don’t even know what kind of weather we are having.

  My goal was to have the brunt of the housework done so I could use my energy and time today, framing my counted cross stitch project.

  It is scary when the project needed to be trimmed down to fit the frame I bought at Hobby Lobby.  I can always trim and cut more off, but if I cut it too close, I can’t put the fabric back.  What had been in the frame could not be taken out as it was a frame within a frame.  Ideally cross stitched finished pieces are laced onto a hard foam board for correct placement.  All I could do was put some quilt batting down and fit my trimmed piece over it.  The stitched piece would be tucked down in the space where one framed item was in the second framed item.  Ya . . . scary.

  I needed to run a ribbon of glue onto the backside of the raw stitched piece on all four sides, one side at a time and then tuck it down and in.  I had four emery boards thick to wedge in between the fabric and the frame allowing the glue to set.  It was a slow process.  The only glue I had was E6000.  It was the same glue Kersten and I had used to glue the cement antler onto the cement deer.  Slow, slow.

  When all was glued down, I had a gap to fill.  Out came whatever stash I had of trims.  I chose the black with gold.  The baggie stated, “Clearance $2.00.”  With only five inches remaining, I tucked this around my stitched, glued down project.  

  Dennis kept me company in the studio for moral support.  I needed it.  Tomorrow, the hanger on the back of this metal frame will be called in for duty.  The frame had been 50% off of $26.00.  Isn’t everything in Hobby Lobby 50% off?

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:21 pm on November 15, 2023 Permalink  

  Not Planned 

  Today a trip to Mankato that was not planned. 

  Dennis has been using a CPAP machine for sixteen years to aid him in night time sleeping to avoid Sleep Apnea, the heart stopping.  All had been going quite well for some time.  Once a year, the pulmonary department requires the prescription to be renewed for the medical supplies of the CPAP.

  We saw several different people during that time as personnel was being shifted.  A month ago, the strong suggestion was that Dennis use a new headset that might cut down on the episodes of the mask leaking air.  So be it.  During last night both Dennis and I agreed that things were not working as they should.  Tried for a month and still working to find the right adjustments.  We were up at one and also at three trying to find what would work.  Today we went back to the Mayo store and Dennis requested the headgear and gasket that had been working for him.

  I cannot imagine having to suit up as Dennis does every night and has been for sixteen years.  He needs to know what works for his night’s rest and not the well meaning people that work with patients.

  While we were in Mankato, I requested some retail therapy.  I had finished a piece of counted cross stitch about a month ago and wanted it to be more than getting moved around on my sewing tables.  In Hobby Lobby I found the perfect frame, 16″ x 16″.  There is a standard colored cheapy print in it, that I will replace with my threads and fuzz.  Of course the department I needed was in the farthest corner of the store.  Whew!  I now have a new goal in my studio.  Sweet success for a trip not planned.

  Today as we traveled we saw fields being tiled for better drainage and acres being worked down after the harvest was off.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:14 pm on November 12, 2023 Permalink  

  Rejuvenate 

  In searching the internet, I was seeking a floor wax or such thing to put on worn vinyl flooring.  Rejuvenate may be the answer.  Our kitchen flooring and bath flooring has gone beyond the years of retaining that wonderful from the factory finish.  I may give this product a try.  What does work in the most worn foot traffic areas is a Mr. Clean sponge.  Down and close does the trick.  Getting up from the down and close is another matter.  The years where grime was dragged in daily is no more.  Taking off shoes . . . I don’t even want to do that when I come in from outdoors.  Life is too short.

  I spent some time in the studio yesterday and remembered a YouTube video I had watched in using scraps.  In the hunting yesterday I found a sheet of Pellon that has a one inch grid on it.  One side can be used to iron on fabric pieces.  I started playing around and soon I had one inch pieces filling a portion of it.  They were soon ironed down.  From the backside the grid could be seen.  One row of the backside width was folded on the grid line and a scant seam was sewn.  When all the seams in one direction was sewn, the piece was pressed.  Then the length of the piece was again folded on the grid line one row at a time and stitched.  Hmm.  A good press was given.

  I found a piece of batting, and using an extra block of the recent quilt top, I sandwiched them.  A six by seven was too small for me to imagine binding, it was zig zagged several times around the perimeter.  It was entertaining to see if I could do it.  The one inch squares finished at 3/4 inch, indicating how narrow the seams were. This Pellon could just as well have used three inch squares butting up next to each other.  Another curiosity squelched.  I now have a mug rug for my coffee cup and the fingers will rejuvenate from cutting one inch squares.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:02 pm on November 11, 2023 Permalink  

  11/11 

  November the eleventh and it is a holiday that ceases the mail for the day.

  When Sadie and Sandy were here yesterday, I had a favor to ask of them.  Last week we had two different days that we had water come into our basement from the floor drain.  Since then, my paranode nose has been smelling less than good in the studio.  The same thing can be said of one when they work with livestock.  The nose can lead us astray.  Both gals said there was no hint of anything bad.  Whew! 

  Dennis had taken our car up to the ultimate car wash with the plan of us putting the car cover on the MKX.  His wax job of last week left no water drops on the car.  Sweet. Though we had bought the cheapest car cover as it doesn’t sit outside, I couldn’t get over how heavy it was.  When we read the instructions as to how to handle the area where the antenna is, our plans changed.  Dennis and I do not have the strength to do this correctly.  It is going to be a job for Jeremy and Nicholas to do, if weather permitting, they will be here Thanksgiving day.  Dennis said he would have a very sharp knife or scissors for them as there is a set of grommets to click together where the antenna is after a hole is cut in the center of the grommets.  Good decision.

  I went down to the studio and found what I was seeking for the next step in my quilt top.  I moved an item to get to the target. I looked at it and sorted through it and that led to another and another.  The recycling bin will have some goodies as well as the circular file.  It felt good to lighten the load, getting that which I do have an emotional attachment to being better organized.

  I can putter away a lot of time in the studio.  There are no time restraints and I enjoy being in my element.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:31 pm on November 9, 2023 Permalink  

  Sunny Afternoon 

  The sun has made an appearance . . . at least off and on.  It seems like we will have some nice temps through next week.

  My day started out absolutely great.  Thank goodness for phones.

  Just when I thought Dennis had an empty job jar, it was not meant to be.  A bottle of Murphy’s wood soap and whatever is wood in the patio porch is getting cleaned from top to bottom.  Yes, that warrants a nap in between.  Naps are good.  My dad believed in them.

  The lights were on in the studio over the noon hour.  A bit of fabric cutting and a bit of stitching, followed by steam pressing.  That was all she wrote for the day in the studio.

  I wanted to go uptown to the grocer’s.  I noticed last week that their flyer had boxes of steamer frozen veggies on sale.  I made sure that the freezer unit of our refrigerator was organized.  We had picked up an 8lb. bag of chicken tenderloins in Sam’s Club last week.  This was the perfect day to take freezer bags and bag up three tenderloins in each.  The small bags tucked in easily around the ice cream and the heavy bag was a drag to get out and take out a few each time.  With the freezer tidied, I knew how much of the frozen vegies I could buy.  It’s nice to have a variety over and above from canned goods.  I was also hungry for pickled beets.  Dennis was hungry for the chunky Campbell’s bean and ham soup.  Mission completion.  My all time favorite apple is the McIntosh.  I have three bags of 5lb. each in the refrigerator in the basement.  An apple a day will keep the doctor away . . . I hope, I hope.

  We no longer have heavy meals for supper, but I do like to put out a variety of supper meals.  Between the freezer and the pantry, the bases are covered.  I did leave three chicken tenderloins out for supper.  Instant mashed potatoes and a can of green beans will round things out.  I have never cared for frozen green beans.  I think they are tough.

  What I had on my mind has seemed to dribble out into a blog post.  What I find to be thankful for is that my mental energy and my physical energy is quite well paired.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:28 pm on November 8, 2023 Permalink  

  A Flying Enemy 

  As I am down in the studio, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flying enemy, aka: an Asian Beatle or a Box Elder.  Now to find where he landed.  Bugs such as Asian Beatles and Box Elder bugs are not friends of cloth.  They mark fabrics with a nasty stain.

  It has been enjoyable to listen on KNUJ to the Future Farmers of America convention.  Listening to . . . Box Elder just crawled across my computer keyboard . . . got him.  As I was saying . . . listening to the young men and women with their plans and what is available for them is amazing.

  Stitching went well this morning.  Stitch a bit, then get up to press and then to pin, allows movement of up and down and standing in place.  So much easier than staying in one place too long.  The top has been stitched together.  It’s about 50″ x 62″.  I am very much in-like with how this has turned out.  I am planning on doing either one border or two, neither would be very wide.  I have options with two different blues.  I am drawn to putting on a 1.5″ of the darker blue and finishing with 2″ of the lighter blue.  Following that, I want to do a piano border.  I have quite a bit of odds and ends of all of the prints.  The length of each piece would be 3″ and width would be varied from 1.5″ to 3″ in width around the entire perimeter of the quilt top.   To many it would sound tedious.  To me, this is my passion.

  Dennis took a “Happy Birthday” letter to the mail this morning.  My aunt Janet of Brownton will be 90 on the 13th of this month.  Janet is the last of my dad’s siblings.  Janet and Jerald were the youngest of eight.  I am sure a set of twins was quite the surprise. 

  It is early in the afternoon, but I am going to shut down the studio and revert to doing some reading in my bedroom porch, perched on the cherry red chair.  I miss doing some cross stitch.  I have a complete kit coming from Etsy.  Little did I realize it was coming from the UK.  I have been tracking it.  It hit New York last week and is now on its way to Toronto, Canada.  Hmm.  I have heard some amazing stories of how items reach Minnesota from the UK.

  Dennis assures me the flying enemies are not in shortage outside.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:42 pm on November 7, 2023 Permalink  

  Stitching 

  Today is Tuesday and my day was spent in the studio.

  It is always exciting when quilt blocks can be stitched together to make rows.  There are a total of eight rows that will make up this quilt top.  After stitching to make five rows, I called uncle.  The shoulders were beginning to tell me enough was enough.  It is wise to cease and call it quits before the message is so strong, pain ensues.  Dennis did come down to the studio and comment on the variety of colors.  There may be more stitches tomorrow.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:51 pm on November 6, 2023 Permalink  

  New Week 

  A new Monday complete with empty laundry baskets.  Clean clothes is a remarkable attitude booster.

  I know every morning, the sun is coming up either bright or hiding behind clouds.  Each morning I put my feet on the floor and I too can either have a bright outlook or a dark cloudy one.  I generally choose the bright cheerful outlook.

  I know when I post my blogs,  I do not dwell on the less than good “Me.”  There is no point in harboring negative thoughts, words or deeds.  I do not want to waste a God-given day.

  In our lives on Stauffer Avenue I do have the responsibility of seeing after Dennis’ medical appointments and or needs.  I can handle that.  It may seem as if that could be an undo load besides my own needs.  The key is I have found a way to carry that load without it taking away from my own quality of life.

  Speaking of quality.  This afternoon I have the fun of taking quality sewn quilt blocks to begin laying out my quilt blocks for the quilt top I am building.  Trimming up the blocks was a breeze.  My seam allowance was right on . . . making them quality.  Photo may be posted tomorrow.  

  Today, Dennis has undertaken the job of burning a certain jute-backed area rug from our basement.  He is doing this utilizing our fire ring.  It may seem as if a fire pit would be needed, but carefully he is getting the job done.

  The wind has shifted to the northwest with still promising nice weather.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:56 pm on November 5, 2023 Permalink  

  Time to Build 

  With all my scrappiness, it is time to begin building a quilt top.

  There are four different designs blocks to work with.  Blocks 1,2,3 needed sixteen each.  Block four is the end cap for the eight rows and thus is a half block to ensure staggering, to the right on row one and to the left on row two, etc.  

  I have no name for this soon to be quilt.  I saw it on one of the YouTube channels I have subscribed to.  When I reached out to her, she was gracious to send me information in an email.

  This has been a fun project.  When I come down into the studio and glance over at the array of blocks, it makes me smile.  All of the different sizes in each block with all the different prints is a testament of my passion for challenges.  It couldn’t be a testament if there were no tests and this project did test my concentration.

  More work is yet to come as each of the 56 bocks need to be trimmed for a consistent measurement of 8.25″.  That task will be for another day.

  Dennis has been doing his duty at raking up leaves and burning a small bit before raking up more.  Oak and Maple trees in the yard mean lots and lots of leaves that have fluttered and many more to come.

  I am kitchen bound after posting this to my blog.  I have one fairly large pork steak to prepare for supper.  By the time I am done seasoning it to build a great flavor and putting it into my blue speckled roaster to pop into the oven, Dennis won’t know if it is pork or beef.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:21 pm on November 4, 2023 Permalink  

  I Got It 

  Alright . . . I got it, I got it.  Turn the clocks back one hour at bed time.

  The bright sun and mild temps today got everyone in the neighborhood doing yard work.  The tree dump is open and everything, from trunks of cars, trailers being pulled by cars and trucks were heading north with their bounty.

  Dennis has spent the day waxing his little red pickup and our car.  They both look wonderful.  I know doing my wheels was not easy on the cowboy.  An old folding chair snuggled right up to the wheel sure did help the back.

  My goal was my studio after a load of laundry.  I barely had the lights turned on when a Boxelder bug pranced across one of my church tables.  I had a square of toilet paper in hand and had zeroed in on him.  Man, can they move fast when they are pursued.  I got the best of him.

  You know there is trouble when the last cup of coffee is more coffee grounds than liquid.  Hmm.  How did coffee grounds get into the water tank!  Putting the coffee grounds into the filter is just a gnat’s ass away from the water tank.  Dennis takes pride in his routine of making coffee for the next morning.  Starting this evening, the grounds will be put in the filter before the filter is set into the pot.  It was a mess to clean up.  Water tanks on automatic coffee makers do not have a back door to open.  We are all set.  I will get it plugged in and do all the settings.  Coffee will be on at six in the morning just like always.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥