Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from April, 2023 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 2:16 pm on April 1, 2023 Permalink  

  Keeping Busy 

  A day to stay busy and let carpenters do their thing.  Bryan and Carlos were here early considering they needed to brush snow off of the tarp of lumber waiting to be used.

  Oh yes.  We had freezing mist and snow with high winds.  Could this be the last of it!

  True to my word to Dennis, I have stayed out of the way of the front door project.

  It seemed like a good day to try out an embroidery pattern I downloaded yesterday.  I don’t want to forget how the downloading process goes.  If I did forget, I would feel that an entire window of possibilities would be closed to me.  Yes, each design does cost about $3.50 each.  I couldn’t even go uptown and have a cup of coffee with a donut for that.  Once I download it, I have ownership of it to use as often as I want.  

  The three towels I embroidered today is an example of my ownership.  We have a towel of a Mackintosh red apple tree, a green Grannie Smith apple tree and one Golden Delicious apple tree.  It kept me busy and the best part is, there are no puckers in the embroidery.  Just as in keeping my hand in downloading, it is also remembering what stabilizers to use for the best outcome. 

  The sun is out and it is bright, but last night’s dumping has kept the temps cool.

  As Dennis and I had been beating the bushes for quite some time to have carpenters on board, I have taken it upon myself to post Bryan’s business card on Facebook.  Bryan and his wife, plus Carlos, moved here from New York last summer to help Bryan’s father-in-law with the huge two story house across the way from us.  Bryan’s decided to stay in St. James, so Carlos did also.  Seeing Bryan’s van in our driveway is good advertising so the business card on Facebook can’t hurt either.

  Our town needs carpenters and repair people.  The Good Old Boys Club has dwindled.

  We have decided on eggs and sausages for supper.  I picked up a package of Jimmy Dean’s pre-cooked link sausages.  If the links are as good as the patties by the same brand . . . I will let you know what the foodies think.

  Have a blessed Sunday.

   
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  Noreen 2:06 pm on March 31, 2023 Permalink  

  79 Years Ago 

  My mom, Lena, told the tale that seventy nine years ago the team of horses that she was using to feed the young stock at the feed bunk were spooked and she had all she could do to get them under control.  In the hours before supper of that day, Dr. Hovde of Winthrop made a house call out to the farm.  Whew!  I might have been an April fool’s day child.  

  Today has been a wonderful birthday.  I put up the birthday cards from Carrie’s family and Kevin’s family in the studio.  A bit of cheer to warm the heart.  

  We were up early this morning as there was thunder and lightning.  The hail didn’t last long but the rain sure did.  When I looked out the bathroom window it caused some concern as the patio looked flooded.  The next time I looked out the water had gone down.  Does this mean the frost is out of the ground?  Our patio porch has a chance of staying dry this spring.  This was the 25th year of the Comfrey and St. Peter tornados.  Our patio porch had just been completed when we watched the weather as the skies turned black to our northwest in the last days of March.  I was called to help Brown County do the property assessments of the damaged homes.  Not an experience easily forgotten.  We have been enjoying that patio porch for more years that can be recalled if not for a news update of what happened so long ago.

  I plunked around in the studio.  It was high time to put a patch on Dennis’ everyday jacket as there were feathers peeking out of a hole.

  When Old Alley gives a call that AJ’s quilt has been longarmed, I know the lengths of binding needed to be readied.  The 400 plus inches has been sewn together, pressed in half and wound onto a cardboard.  I am prepared.

  I am not prepared for what they say will happen with heavy snow and wind beginning this evening.  Winter needs to go away.  Weather forecasters have been known to call it wrong.

  The first days of April are entitled for spring time weather.  I will say when I look at our backyard that has cleared of snow, the grass is a welcomed shade of green.

   
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  Noreen 2:16 pm on March 30, 2023 Permalink  

  Cloudy and Raw 

  Hello, Hello!  This is the Eve of my birthday.  I am really feeling good . . . almost giddy.

  We have had two carpenters here since morning.  Having a useable front door is in sight.  For the last while since I have been unable to do a 14″ step either up or down, our backdoor has been the go-to for us as well as anyone coming to see us.  As Bryan was packing up, he bid us goodbye, allowing us to know that concrete needs to harden where he had sunk posts.  If the weather ends up literally doing a “Not this time” Bryan will be back Saturday.  This project is actually happening!

  Knowing myself, I have spent the day in the studio.  Staying out of the way but being close if needed was the plan.  The embroidery module is perking right along.  I like trying things and also trying different avenues to get a polished looking end game.  

  Yesterday one of the Watson boys stopped in to affirm the fact that in time we will have the furnace vent to the south side of the house.  No more ice build up threatening the furnace to a shutdown.  To get this home’s bucket list done would be sweet.

  Supper is going to be light.  Dennis has caught some pretty serious naps in the patio porch today.  All he had going today was a blood draw at the VA clinic here in town for his INR, blood clotting measure.

  Some days the entire kitchen gets a break.

  Enjoy tomorrow as we wind down the last week of March.

   
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  Noreen 2:56 pm on March 29, 2023 Permalink  

  Spring? 

  With what it is like out today and listening to the forecast . . . spring??  I don’t think so.

  What we do have here on Stauffer Avenue is a nice grouping of green treated lumber as well as a new storm door.  Carpenter Bryan was here when the lumberyard of Truman delivered all the goodies.  Bryan check listed all that came off the truck.  All is under a tarp or in the garage.  We have been waiting for our front door to be tricked out for some time.  Considering what the weather will bring . . . we are in this to win it.

  The studio was in for some kitchen towel embroidering.  One item that has been in the studio far too long hit the garbage.  I didn’t realize spray starch had a sell by date.  I was going to put some spray starch sizing on a kitchen towel to give it an additional strong base for the stitching.  Hmm.  I didn’t notice the yellowing when the area was wet.  Live and learn.  A light laundering will take care of the problem.

  Since I gave notice to my friend that I would not be helping her with any sewing help, I have felt lighter.  My time and my energy is priceless.  It is my privilege to wear myself out, I don’t need any help in that department.

  My very first ever cutting mat for fabric cutting has been shit canned.  How long do I think things should last!  I do have a replacement in the wings.  After a while the ruts made by years of use don’t do new cutting blades any favors.  I could use a nice solid bottom for a cork bag I made.  I drew the dimensions on the old mat and did the outline as well.  Dennis can use an opposite corner and try out different cutting tool options.  My goal is to have a 7″ x 14″ finished item.  Dennis is willing and he enjoys helping out for the studio’s needs.

  His wound doctor visit here in our clinic gave a positive report on how I am doing on the daily change of bandaging.  As Dennis saw Dan this morning, I get the day off.  Sweet.

  An offering for supper of the chicken pasta dish in the microwave . . . perfect.

  Take heart everyone, there will be spring eventually.

   
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  Noreen 2:42 pm on March 28, 2023 Permalink  

  Slow Melting 

  We like days like this when the cold temps of the night are followed by daytime temps in the thirties.  Slow melting with no flooding.

  Quite the scare in my studio.  I was going to look something up on my studio computer and there was nothing that came up.  The poor little curser was aimlessly seeking to attach to something without success.  All I could do was hold down the button that fires it up and hold it for quite a few seconds.  After doing this several times, allowing a good ten minutes between each try, a message came up that Windows had not loaded correctly.  I had a prompt to power off.  That time I waited for half an hour.  The next try was a winner.  We are up and running.  Being as I am not very computer savvy, I try to take things slow so they work out.  Being one to rely on someone else is a card I don’t like to play any oftener than possible.

  Today a decision was made for me.  A friend had wanted to learn how to go about working with fabrics and how pieced quilting would come about.  Ann came one Thursday with the intent of coming on Thursdays.  As each Thursday afternoon came about, I would receive a text cancelling out.  After today’s text for this Thursday came for cancellation.  I sent a text and I let her know that I was going to chalk this up for good intentions on her part but perhaps not the right time for her.  In time to come she would realize when she would want to commit to digging out her own sewing machine and give stitching a chance.  The information and fabric I gave her was hers to keep when that chance might came about for her.  Dennis agreed with me that being on someone else’s time frame didn’t sound like a good fit for me right now.

  I can share with you that Dennis’ oven meal of last night was wonderful.  I am very happy that the little round blue speckled roaster was as full as it was as we will be feasting on it for several meals.  Sweet.

  This afternoon, I have been diddling around in the studio.  The box that had some items in it that could be embroidered on provided possibilities.  Time to look through my flash drives to see what can be paired.  I did purchase yesterday at the Bernina shop a USB Extension Pigtail.  Using the USB port in my sewing machine with repeated use, this will head off damage or fatigue.  

  Tomorrow is hump day.  A closer day to the time when we can all be where we need to be without the constant noise of what is needed for us to be productive, aka: furnaces, etc.

   
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  Noreen 3:28 pm on March 27, 2023 Permalink  

  Back From Up North 

  The trip up north was a good drive.  The sewing machine is back in the studio ready for the next round of what I choose to put it through.

  I could not believe the amount of sewing machines Kelly had to be picked up by customers that were serviced and just as many waiting for him to repair and service.  Kelly will try all brands of sewing machine repair, but Bernina is his specialty.  Amanda had a fair share of quilt tops waiting to be long armed. 

  Kelly farms with his dad.  Right now, as soon as they can get the machine shed doors open on their farm out of the freezing snow and ice the spring machine work will start to see if and what is field ready.

  When I got home Dennis looked down at my shoes and knew right off the bat I had stopped in Fairfax to see the kids and their fur baby.  I had perfect impressions on each black shoe of Kluge’s paw print.  Too funny and special.

  The sun was out today and for all the snow-covered fields north of us, it was many times a glare.

  When I got home this afternoon, Dennis had hot coffee waiting for me.  As well, there is a chicken oven dish ready to pop in the oven for supper.  Sweet.  If a meal was made for me, I know I will enjoy it.

  The rest of my week is soft.  I like that.

   
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  Noreen 1:04 pm on March 26, 2023 Permalink  

  A Great Day 

  A trip to Montevideo yesterday was an eye opener.  If we think we have late melting snow to contend with, that area, two hours northwest of us, was unbelievable.  Count our blessings.

  Granddaughter Sadie is now officially commissioned as a Sergeant Major in the army military.  Both Sadie and Grandpa Dennis had wet eyes as Dennis pinned on the insignia.  Dennis was in his Korean dress and had many of the higher ranking come and visit with him afterwards.  I drove home and guess who caught a nap.

  We are back in our home and the usual schedules feel good.  Fresh smelling laundry never gets old.  Dennis has the east patio clear of ice and snow.  When I went out to the patio porch for a visit, the trails that the deer have taken across our backyard to get to the shell corn Dennis has been putting out, glisten in the sunshine.  They are trails of ice for now.

  Dennis had gotten his carpet vacuumed this afternoon and is working on putting some Murphy Wood cleaner on the wood buffet we paid $25.00 for years ago at a garage sale.  A handy television stand plus great clean storage.  The key is to keep the bottom doors closed as even a crack of an opening invites the kitties to explore.  Nope, nope, nope.  It’s bad enough that they can get onto the rafters in both garages and we have kitty prints on both vehicles.  It’s time that the weather allows them to spend most of their days outside and explore what has been going on in the yards over the winter months.  Lots of sniff, sniffing.

  We do believe that we will not have the patio porch or the patios flood this spring.  The cold freezing temps during the night really helps with the freeze drying.  The sun is helping with the snow banks shrinking.

  My yearly trip to Bird Island for the servicing of my sewing machine is tomorrow.  I have no problems to report.  The cutting blades that cut the thread each time the pressor foot is raised after a seam has been sewn will be replaced.  It is a wonderful benefit that saves my hand to no end.  Not having to raise and lower the pressor foot manually is my second favorite benefit.  The third is the automatic needle threader.  Yes, my stitching is enhanced to allow for creativity to continue.

  I do not know how long it will be before I get the call from Old Alley that the t-shirt quilt has been long armed.  I have a few embroidery projects to work on in the meantime and then there is the binding to make for the huge king sized whooper.

  Life is wonderful on Stauffer Avenue.  May it also be on your neck of the woods.

   
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  Noreen 2:01 pm on March 24, 2023 Permalink  

  Sun and Calm 

  Sniff, sniff.  I can smell spring in the air.

  We are going to need an awful lot of sun such as we have today to melt through all the layers of ice in our backyard.  Right east of the patio porch where the deer have been feeding all winter, the sun doesn’t make much of an impact.  Fleet Farm sold Dennis some salt pellets and he is trying to help things along.

  As I drove to Old Alley this forenoon on #4, I couldn’t help but notice that south of Ormsby there wasn’t near as much snow to melt.  Not all things are fair in the winter season.  As I had mentioned Old Alley will be long arming AJ’s t-shirt quilt.  All I had to do was pick out the batting and bid a goodbye until I get the phone call to retrieve it.  In the mean time, in between time, I will get the binding cut and pressed.  As Val measured it the final count was 94″ x 112″.  It’s a good thing the batting is 122″. 

  The railroad tracks are just north of us by a block.  Even the train whistle sounds happier today.  Sweet.

  I stopped at the library before I came home.  Sometimes I have a difficult time finishing a book before it becomes due.  I had a plastic grocer’s bag with me and I shopped from the rack of books that are offered for free as those have been retired.  It doesn’t really need to be a certain author.  I can get into a book’s story line quite easily.  I have a total of eight books out in my bedroom porch, ready to enjoy at will.

  I won’t be having a post tomorrow.  Dennis and I will be traveling to Montevideo, northwest of here by two hours.  Dennis’ granddaughter Sadie is in the military and will be receiving her commission as Sergeant Major.  Dennis will be pinning her.  Dennis will have on the clothing that identifies him as a Korean Veteran.  Sweet for both Grandpa Dennis and for Sadie.  Sadie is a single mom of two and is 38 years old.  Sadie has served well.

  One more oven dish from the freezer for supper.  It is a tuna and pea pasta dish with Alfredo.  That is the last of the goodies to come out of the freezer.  Oh my gosh, I will have to cook from scratch going forward . . . or not. 

  I did score an appointment with Kelly at the Bernina shop for Monday.  Be forewarned as there will also be a visit to Fairfax in the afternoon.

   
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  Noreen 1:45 pm on March 23, 2023 Permalink  

  It is Done 

  At least my portion of the t-shirt quilt top is done.  All in all it went well.  Right now I believe that this was the last king sized top I will make.  Of course, things are always subject to change.

  Dennis helped me fold the ungainly top up.  The pieced top and the fabric I had purchased for the backing is in a bag with handles and Dennis has put it in the car.  Tomorrow. I will be making a trip to Old Alley to let Val work her magic with the long arm.  What a great feeling!  Though I had nothing to prove, when a challenge is met it gives a feeling of a conquest.

  One of the first things I did this morning was to send a birthday greeting to Sharon Skolberg.  A life-long friend that I have no intention of loosing.  Oh for the memories when her and Ted farmed down the road from us to the north.  Orlin and Teddy were both from Hector.  Sharon and I both went to rural schools just a bit distant from each other.  Those memories can become oh so sweet.

  Dennis had a physical therapy appointment this morning and I hunkered down to do some tidy, tidy in the studio and also under the hood of the sewing machine.  Nothing is messier than course cheap t-shirt material.  It is the fuzz that keeps on giving.  When I go into the studio after it has been tidied, it is as if I am the first customer in a new shop.

  I kind of think that my friend Ann is not very interested in becoming a quilter.  First time visit . . . only visit.  She went home with good information plus the fabric for a first time project.  Time will tell.  I have no problem keeping myself busy.

  Supper is to be the last container of the beef vegetable soup I had made in January.  Dennis commented that it needs a bit of a kick on the flavor.  I can do that!

  The next item on the list is to contact Kelly in Bird Island as to when he can fit in servicing my machine,  I make this appointment once a year before Kelly gets busy in the fields.  This checkup is the most important to ensure another year of good stitching.  He updates the firmware and not one lint ball escapes him.

   
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  Noreen 3:19 pm on March 22, 2023 Permalink  

  Winding Down 

  There is an end in the horizon to this stage of the t-shirt quilt top.  Only the top and bottom borders need to be sewn on.  Pressing as I have been going is the ultimate.  My 1962 Mary Proctor ironing board with the 28″ x 52″ topper that Dennis made for me allows this huge project to be manageable . . . to a point.  Nothing has gone amiss and the sewing machine just keeps on.  Sweet.

  I did hear some good news on KNUJ in regard to the legislative session.  The possibility of having social security or a portion of it exempt from income tax is still alive.  The Democrats are fighting it.  Go figure.

  Yesterday while in Hy-Vee, I picked up a meal to go of meatloaf and two dollops of mashed potatoes in a microwaveable tray.  This topped off with a side of cranberries is the perfect meal for us.

  Studio lights are dimmed and soon to be shut off.  

  Sweet dreams everyone!