Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from May, 2022 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 1:25 pm on May 13, 2022 Permalink  

  New Schedule 

  Today we are adding a new schedule to Dennis’ day.  We have been given an arterial pump through the VA for as long as Dennis needs it.  It is a blood pressure cuff that fits on the foot as well as the left leg.  It is to aid in encouraging blood flow to the foot.  Though the second angiogram was successful this is just a plus, plus.  Ideally three hours a day starting four days after the surgery at one hour intervals.  For these days prior, it can’t do anything but help to have the foot in as good of a position as possible.  Whatever we can do for a successful surgical healing, we are all in.  It won’t be hard for Dennis using it in the patio porch.   All I need to do is visit him and the kitties to get it on properly.  We are continually impressed with the care that is given with our local clinic, with the Mankato facilities and the VA.

  I was up at six this morning and right now as the mid point of the day is approaching, I can smell the wonderful aroma from the crock pot.  A layer of baby carrots, several potatoes sliced in half, face down plus slices of onion.  I have a two pound Angus beef brisket that I rubbed with seasoning to top it off.  I had several onion slices saved to put on top of the meat.

  Having the house tidied and Dennis situated, I spent time in the studio.  Today I finished the last of the sixteen pineapple log cabin blocks.  What a great feeling.  The three separate units are placed at three locations in the total project.  The colors are my rendition of being scrappy.  Slow but sure, there is headways being made.  Previously the nine blocks of the pineapples were completed.  This project is a good one.  I never have to wonder what to start next in the studio.  I have a spare copy of the project in its entirety close at hand and mark off each finished design as I come to it.  I do see where the stitchers may be anticipating a retreat in September.  I am thinking on it, but not very seriously.  Since October of last year, my time for spending it in our home has come second.  Getting my partner up and going in good health has been a good investment and well worth it.  I do believe we are heading around the bend for a win.

  Great temps today and this coming week is going to feel as if spring is smiling down on us.  Enjoy!

   
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  Noreen 12:59 pm on May 8, 2022 Permalink  

  Hello Everyone! 

  Hello everyone . . . it’s me . . . a Mom!  A great day to get well wishes from my kids via the phone.  I even got a call from Oregon . . . Dennis’ oldest wishing me a Mother’s Day.  A.J. is Dennis’ youngest grandson and was visiting his mom today.  He stopped in to say hello.  I am a very content person today. 

  This afternoon we got back to a project that got put on hold.  It would have gotten done by Tuesday but there was a toolbox that was emptied and the contents taken to Fairfax on Wednesday.  Thursday we had an appointment in Mankato.

  Today, I now have two bricks under each of the eight legs of the church tables.  These are the heavy duty bricks that take heft in even picking up two for me.  This 34″ height will make a huge difference when I stand at the tables cutting cloth.  My sewing machine table is 26″ tall and by the time the bed of the machine is reached it is 30″.  All is as it should be here on Stauffer Avenue.

  Yesterday, I cleaned my friend Judy’s Bernina.  Judy had been classified as legally blind for a long time. Judy had been using the machine off and on until five years ago when nothing would work for her.  The sewing machine has sat out and was not cased until her husband knew I would be taking it with me on Friday.  He had to drive out to their farm home to retrieve it and bring it to the townhome they are now renting in Mankato.  He was put out about the errand to the point that he would not put it in my car from their garage.  I hefted the machine into their laundry cart that has wheels and got the job done . . . right into my car.  Seriously!  The machine was a sorry sight.  Dennis put himself in charge of taking the cloth case out to the garage to clean it.  Out came the old needle that was as dull as a bad pitchfork.  Everything is oiled and as clean as a whistle complete with a newly filled bobbin, a spool of thread, and it is threaded with a new Bernina needle.  Dennis did an amazing job on the fabric carrying case.  It now looks like a Bernina and sews like a top.  Once I return the machine to Judy . . . her girls are on their own.  I just haven’t figured out how to get it back into their home.  It may be via the laundry cart.

  Life is sweet here in our forever home.  I wouldn’t trade Dennis for all the coffee that Folgers has.

  The dew point and the outside temps are very close to each other.  That is weather that feels close and has the 20 mph wind helping.

  New week is coming . . . ready or not!

   
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  Noreen 2:21 pm on May 7, 2022 Permalink  

  Warm Winds 

  This morning had me up a bit before six.  My main goal after coffee was to give the back entry a cleaning.  As I was shaking out the rug, I noticed how matted the grass was off of the sidewalk.

  What ensued was raking the area by the back door and then over to where the recycling and garbage bins were.  I then went to check on the southwest corner of the house and spied several Fairfax tulips that were in bloom.  The Russian Sage is popping up.  I can’t wait to see the abundance of lavender blossoms on their stems.  North of the front steps the Autumn Joy are breaking ground.  As I went from spot to spot I raked out the dead stems from last fall.  By that time my arms were in need of a break.

  The rest of the story from yesterday when I went to see Judy was that I brought home her sewing machine.  Her daughter and granddaughter would like to work with it, but Judy knew it needed cleaning and a once over.  Dennis carried it into the studio for me and in time, I will see what can be done.  From the appearance of the carrying case, it will surely need some TLC.

  After the noon break, I had very little to do to finish a total block other than sew the nine smaller blocks together of the pineapple design.  I am almost sure in nature there may not be perfect pineapples.  Well guess what?  Mine aren’t perfect either, but it sure was a fun challenge.  I have seven more of this design to sew.  Four in one area of the project and three additional ones in another corner.  I am going to ramp up the blocks by using different color combinations. My church tables are full of scraps ready to use.  

  I did break down and tidy up the floor under the sewing machine.  Fuzz and thread abound in the jute back carpeting.  The best tool for getting it done was the Scotch lint roller.

  Dennis has been just as busy as me.  Some of the cat hair is no more.  The shop vac got a good workout.  As the kitties will be spending more time outside, their baskets got an overhaul.  Some items are on the clothesline and I caught a whiff of the fire ring.  Spring cleaning 101.

  The warm winds are nudging 72 degrees.  That is a huge change and it may bring storms.  Hang onto your bloomers gals.

   
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  Noreen 1:40 pm on May 2, 2022 Permalink  

  And the Furnace is Running 

  It still feels good to have the furnacing running off and on to take the chill off of the studio.  With the inch of rain that we got last week, I can hear the water trickling through the tile around the basement perimeter.

  It may be cool outside, but the lawn is getting quite green.  Dennis used the pull behind rake once on Palm Sunday.  With the strong winds of late, Dennis thinks he will need it one more time to pickup the small twigs. 

  The track and field kids run the block after school hours.  I think the goose bumps will out run them in their shorts.  I have a long sleeve sweater on and none too warm in it. 

  I am not up on the news, but according to the political mailers overflowing our mailbox, it looks like someone will win.

  Today I passed on the stitchers meeting in Mankato at nine to head out to a quilt shop towards Rochester that had a 25% off storewide sale.  There is a fine line between need and an urge to run away from home.  I seem to be perfectly content at home right now while getting some stitching done with my stashes.  If I do run short, I will check out my gift certificate at Bird Island from my nephew and his wife.  It’s not burning a hole in my pocket just yet.

  I did come upstairs this afternoon for the last of the coffee.  All has been turned off in the studio and I may crack open a book in the west porch.  Reading is always a sure bet when the chill of the studio brings me upstairs.

   
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  Noreen 2:08 pm on May 1, 2022 Permalink  

  He Is On It 

  As I worked in the studio today, I finally asked myself why bending over the church tables to cut fabric had to be so hard on my back!  I beat feet out to the patio porch and put in my request.  There are now sixteen bricks next to the house under the outside water faucet.  Once they are cleaned and dry, there will be two bricks under each of the eight legs of the church tables.  Dennis is on it!

  With Kevin’s suggestion of the Huskie table that can be adjusted in height, the sewing machine is at the perfect low height . . . twenty one inches.  I think by the latest . . . Tuesday, the church tables will have been adjusted.

  I am slowly working on the pineapple log cabin quilt blocks.  For some reason, I find the first four stitching around the center block of the 5.5 inch in total of the block, the hardest to get right.  Today I laid out multiple 5.5 inch blocks with that challenging center stitching done.

  Again, the north cool winds are blowing and swishing the evergreen boughs.  Speaking of evergreens . . . Dennis’ daughter was over this morning and she had quite the tale to tell.  Last year her neighbor cut down a huge evergreen that was right off of their property line.  This spring the robins are trying to make nests up in the soffits of their house.  They have a four inch brick ledge under the picture window and it is full of bird poop.  These robins are letting the world know, their safe heaven of the evergreen is missed.  They have never had so many robins bounce off of the glass of the picture window.  Mother Nature is sounding the alarm. 

  This evening for supper we are having Subway.  This is perfect as the stove top has been cleaned this morning and the sink has no dirty dishes in it.  Sweet.

   
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  Noreen 3:13 pm on April 30, 2022 Permalink  

  Gloom on a Saturday 

  I heard it rain during the night.  I awoke to sprinkles.

  I remembered that there was a local venders show at the VFW.  I decided to check it out.  What I didn’t expect was to run into someone that could reminisce about our family’s time in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota.  Scott Baumgart was a student on my school bus route.  Scott has now moved to St. James to be closer to his aging mother.  His mother had set up a table with various wares and Scott was there to lend a hand.  It was an enjoyable visit.  I didn’t come home with purchases but I did come home feeling lighter than what the weather was.

  This afternoon, I hit the studio.  I was determined to stitch out a pineapple log cabin block.  I actually spent a few minutes on the internet seeking tips.  The tip of the day was to use a lighter color with alternating printed fabric.  My first block of earlier this week is for the “ugliest block ever.”  There is nothing that resembles a pineapple.  Try, try, try again.  I hit the stash box and found a lighter color after a YouTube visit.  It did go a lot better and I even ended up with the 5.5 inch square block, rather than the first block that was only 5 inches square.  Dang those seam allowances that must be honored.  I will need to tidy it up a bit.  Gee . . . I only have fifteen more to go.  This finished project of mixing in many old favorite patterns is indeed keeping my mind busy, and also very satisfying when I get the gist of each.  As I look at the colored photo, I realize again that this quilter has really mixed up fabric prints.  I know for my level of comfort, I will stick with a more structured pallet.  In the colored photo there is a grouping of these blocks right off of the middle in the bottom.

  I have to report that Dennis is comfortable with his television viewing either in the patio porch or the living room.  He is navigating the remote well after two weeks of it under his belt.  He comments that he never knew there was that many options.  I also have no complaints as my time to watch anything on television might be the last two hours before I go to bed.  

  Sunday is going to be here with possibly of more showers.  When the sun does make an appearance with some warm temps, the town will be a buzz with lawnmowers.  Sweet.

   
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  Noreen 3:51 pm on April 28, 2022 Permalink  

  April Showers 

  After many months of doctor appointments heading to Mankato, Today Dennis wanted to run an errand . . . to Mankato.  I was invited along for the ride.  I enjoyed watching people as I waited in the pickup outside C&S.

  My stop was Hy-Vee.  Part of my breakfast includes sugar-free applesauce over my flax meal over some cottage cheese.  I top it off with a few blueberries and a few raspberries.  I can no longer handle a large jar of applesauce so the six-pack of individual servings suit me just fine.   Yes, there is a price for convenience.  Here in St. James a pack of six is $3.69.  Today I paid $2.50 per pack.  Needless to say I have enough to last a while.  Seeing as this was a road date, we enjoyed some doughnut balls and a cup of coffee from Hy-Vee on the way home.

  On the way home it rained so hard coming out of Lake Crystal heading west, Dennis had the hazard lights on as well as the headlights.  I don’t think we got all that much here in St. James.  We can usually tell by the sidewalk if there has been garden debris that has washed over.

  I did get a few licks in down in the studio this morning.  I have scraps cut for 19 pineapple log cabins.

  Dennis had a good checkup at the VA Clinic this morning.  We have a new VA Clinic being built across the street from our clinic and hospital.  That will be ready by 2023.  Dennis has commented that St. James VA serves 2,300 veterans from the southern portion of the state and also into Iowa and into South Dakota.  The older veterans aren’t getting any younger and the younger veterans coming back from the Iraq era, need just as much help with possibly more severe situations.  Dennis’ era didn’t have the survival rate due to lack of triage available.   

  We are heading towards a quiet weekend.  Goodie, goodie.

   
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  Noreen 11:51 am on April 27, 2022 Permalink  

  Best Shot 

  As I have been working on the next block of my crazy project, I did really take my time in pinning seam allowances.  I gave it my best shot.  I do see some signs of improvements from the finished burgundy block to the brown block.  As it were, I ran out of bobbin thread.  That was also my cue to clean under the hood.  I could not believe the mess of fuzz and lint.  This pattern called for using cotton thread.  What I was using was the cotton thread, the brand Aurafill, the thread that Old Alley sells.  I had heard that cotton thread acts that way and for the most part, I sew with Isacord.  That is the brand that Bernina packages in the sewing machines when purchased.  It is not cotton.

  The project I am working on is not up for any consideration such as Best of Show.  I wound the bobbin with Isacord and threaded the machine with it as well.  The next time the bobbin runs out, it will be interesting to see what is under the hood.

  Back to my two finished blocks.  I can say that these two blocks were the most challenging in regard to the amount of individual fabric pieces.  I have been turning the pages of patterns . . . one at a time.  Won’t I be surprised with what may be ahead.  For me it’s not about the perfect stitch.  This project is to keep my left arm and hand engaged in activity.  During the many days of Dennis’ doctor appointments, by the end of those days my left hand would be a tight fist.  The stroke wanted back what it had dealt me in 2/2021.  There is much to be said for the fact that if you don’t use it, it will be lost.  I do look forward to my own version of PT in my studio . . . a bit every day.  It’s not about the quality nor the quantity . . . it’s about me trying.  The old adage . . . you can’t fail if you don’t try.

  It is so cloudy out the birds have called off their tweeting.

   
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  Noreen 2:19 pm on April 25, 2022 Permalink  

  Same Old 

  The temps are cold and the north winds make it feel colder still.  Same old, same old.

  By noon the second bed had freshly laundered bedding on it.  Of course the Swiffer found plenty dust bunnies under the bed.

  Dennis has one kitty that has gone AWOL.  It is the oldest, Honey Bunny.  She was a kitten in the spring of 2009.  She missed curfew last night. When I look out the east bathroom window, Dennis is looking towards the east, hoping to see her trotting home.  The day isn’t over yet.   

  With KNUJ on in the studio, I pecked away on the next nine 3.5″ each pieced block.  I am really taking it slow to prove to myself I can get this batch better than the last.  It need not be perfect but I still need to try.  I had completed the first round of sewing and decided to hit the west porch and do some reading.  It gave me a chance to watch traffic in between turning the pages.

  As I looked through the windows and took in the tree tops, there is the slightest hint and tinge of green in the densest of the trees.  Spring will not be detoured.  Ready or not . . . Mother Nature will have her way.

  Dennis came in at noon and had to comment on how wonderful it felt to not have to hit the highways this week.  Since the January 21st surgery on his left foot, Dennis can actually feel his foot.  The three veins that were opened up are pumping blood to that foot.  Healing the incision can’t be far behind.  That is the best news ever.

  We are having chicken titties, mashed potatoes, corn and cranberries for supper.  That is another thing I have noticed in Dennis.  With the sinus infection and the pneumonia beat, he has an appetite.  What a great way to welcome spring.

   
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  Noreen 3:30 pm on April 24, 2022 Permalink  

  Goodbye Spring 

  Unbelievable winds again today.  Earlier, I did see a kiddy pool flying south down Stauffer.  I hope the kids that used it yesterday didn’t have a huge attachment to it.

  Dennis visited the studio this afternoon.  He looked over the situation.  I had the color photo of my latest project lying beside my block that I had finished yesterday.  The cowboy logic had this to offer . . .  perhaps the original project used all sorts of colors and prints together in a single block as to throw on-lookers off track so as to not see imperfections.  Wouldn’t ya know it . . . a lot of truth in that thought.  At that, Dennis was off to the patio porch.  I may have to think on that logic going forward.  All that I got done after that visit was to pin the next nine block in a semblance of order so they are ready to go under the needle.  That might happen tomorrow. 

  One of the two beds now has fresh linens on it for this evening’s rest.  Tomorrow the second bed gets stripped.  Doing both on the same day is too much for this grammie.  I do have to know when to hold it and when to fold it . . . literally. 

  I thought for sure, the furnace would get a furlough . . . not!  The temps are going to take a swing on the cool side for the better part of this next week.  I will say that the Lilacs are done being screwed with.  The tips of the branches have tiny little green buds.  Last year we received a late rain that turned to ice about this time of the spring and we had no lilac blossoms.  Time will tell . . . just like it always does.

  If I sit still for too long today, the lull of the roaring winds could put me to sleep, so I have kept moving.  I am not a daytime napper.  I am still doing my nine p.m. bedtime.  I may not fall asleep right away, but the body feels good stretching out and I am then ready for the next day after a good night’s rest.