Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from March, 2022 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 2:59 pm on March 4, 2022 Permalink  

  South Brisk Winds 

  Wow, that wind can switch to the south and pick up right where the strong north winds left off . . . in a heart beat.  As it is 38 degrees, I did pop a window to get some fresh air in the house before the next system of sleet, ice and possible snow moves in.

  June had lived down the street from me for years.  Today June asked me to her apartment across town for lunch.  A sandwich never tasted so good.  We had lots to catch up on.  We are partners in crime when it comes to getting our second shingles shot.  Her and I will be heading to Lewis Drug right after the first of April to get the deed done.

  I received a text from nephew Larry, rural Stewart resident.  The extra Christmas stockings arrived in good stead.  Larry stated he is not in any hurry to use these Christmas stockings as they would be for the next round of grandchildren.  The two youngest of his children are not in a position as yet for that to happen . . . maybe. 

  This afternoon, the sewing machine has been humming.  I am doing what a long arm quilting machine does . . . quilting my mini-quilt.  The backing, batting and top are secured, ready to get all layers stitched together.  It is all about getting the machine set up, digging out the gloves that have nubbins on the finger tips to help guide the layer of fabrics under the needle, and practicing Bringing in the Sheaves.  Singing a tune while the needle is stitching allows for a smooth flow of circular motion.  All that remains is to quilt the flowered border and sew on a binding.  All in all the project has turned out well to this point.  One day at a time.

  The weekend is upon us.  No plans and after a busy week . . . yippee!

   
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  Noreen 2:58 pm on March 3, 2022 Permalink  

  The Hand 

  I know that there are times when the hand of God steers me.  In the store this morning I had my grocery shopping done and was headed out to the car.  As I looked back as I got in the car, I saw a friend just going into the store.  The cane came back out of the car with me and I was determined to catch up with Linda.  

  From the back of my memory I remembered working with Linda on a quilt that we did for a fundraiser.  I had questions for Linda.  Her and I stepped to the side of the quiet dog food aisle and chit chatted for a bit.  When I did leave the store it was as if I was walking on cloud nine.  Linda is now retired from teaching in the Comfrey school and has taken a role with their church making quilts for Minnesota nursing homes.  

  In my sewing studio I have what her group can use.  I quilt with cotton and I never mix blends as they will not wear or launder the same.  I happen to have material that is a poly/cotton blend.  It is new, clean material.  My sweet daughter-in-law, Kersten, thought of me prior to the dumpster arriving at the closing of the Dueber’s store in Fairfax.  It was as if there had been a calling that this fabric could be put to a wonderful use.

  I am still sewing, piecing quilt patterns, and able to do quite a bit after the stroke.  No . . . it doesn’t go as fast as it had prior, but then, where am I going in a hurry!  Slow and steady as no one in the family is on the list for a new quilt at this time.  Absolutely . . . I have several ready to go when the need arises.

  Linda was so excited for what she will be coming to our home for and then taking with her.  We have exchanged phone numbers and next week I will give her a call.  Of course we will have coffee and cookies before lightening the load from the sewing studio.

  Yes . . . the hand of God pulled me back into the grocery store today.  I couldn’t leave the store empty handed so . . . we can always use some extra toilet paper.

   
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  Noreen 2:54 pm on March 2, 2022 Permalink  

  Heavy Air 

  Gray skies may bring moisture.

  All the water that had ponded in the east portion of our acre is down.  With less standing water anywhere, there is less change of refreeze.

  A good friend of ours experienced the refreeze of ice and was airlifted to Rochester.  He had severe damage to multiple ribs that punctured some organs.  Very scary.  This Grammie only steps on dry surfaces or she doesn’t go.

  Today I decided to reach out to my brother in Iowa.  That is the shortest phone conversation with him in decades.  It may be telling of his new life since his wife has passed away.  

  One more trip to UPS at four this afternoon.  The fabric that my nephew’s wife had sent for Christmas stockings has been exhausted.  I am off the Christmas stocking train.  A total of eight were stitched and lined.  The four being sent off today will need to have names embroidered on as their family grows.  I am human.  I sometimes have thoughts that are less than pure.  When Carrie was here last week and Dennis, I and her were having a sandwich together, I made the comment that I wondered if the tables had been turned, if my sister would have been the aunt that stepped in to help Carrie and Kevin.  Neither one of them said anything, but both were shaking their head back and forth in a non-verbal no.  Hmm.

  As of this afternoon, my machine has a new needle in it and it has been cleaned and oiled.  The church tables are cleared and ready for a new day in the studio.  Sweet.

  Dennis ran an errand and the first thing he announced when he came home was that gas was $3.59 a gallon.  Just the beginning.

  The skies are not only gray but the air is heavy.  Winter is yet to be over.

   
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  Noreen 3:06 pm on March 1, 2022 Permalink  

  Lakeshore 

  This morning we were up early . . . in time to see the sun as it began coming up.  As we were having coffee in the patio porch our lakeshore of a backyard glistened.  I almost expected to hear the calling of a Loon.  My goodness.  Our last snowfall of five inches was all that had amassed in the yard.  The way it has melted and ponded, I wonder what type of flooding we would have if the winter had been a continual dumping.

  I didn’t stay in the patio porch as Dennis was getting company.  Bruce is a distant cousin of Dennis’ and enjoys stopping in.  Hmm.  He also seems to find donuts to bring with.  In times past, Bruce worked for the plating plant in town.  I remember decades ago when Bruce nickel platted a proof press for Kevin.  Indeed . . . it did shine as a brand new buffalo nickel right out of one of the mints on the east coast.  

  I am taking a break from the studio.  All is going so well, I didn’t want to overdue it.  When the sun shines through the south basement windows it lifts the spirits and arthritis is not to be felt in the studio.  I have several pattern books open on the church tables in the studio.  Contemplating some projects that would make use of my scrap box.  Within that box there is nothing that would need a 12″ ruler. 

  My mid afternoon break is over and I need to return to the studio before my mojo leaves me.  Life is sweet here on Stauffer Avenue.

   
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  Noreen 3:50 pm on February 28, 2022 Permalink  

  My Goodness 

  My how time flies.  A year ago today, my kids were keeping track of me via phone calls as info was disseminated from the nurses in Rochester.  Who knew something like a stroke could happen out of the blue!

  I am here on Stauffer Avenue a year later, oh so appreciative, to be in our home talking smack on my blog each day.  All has worked out to, I would say, 90% of my old self.  Small limitations on the left side to keep things interesting.  Patience, resilience and stubbornness make up my days.  Thanks be to God, my kids and good doctors.

  These days the wild life, aka: squirrels, are making me ready to pop up the patio umbrella, pull out a lawn chair and sit back and watch all the activity.  There is not even a breeze, but the limbs on the crab apple tree are a swaying.  If it were not for all the puddles, the patio cats would be having fun on chases.  Funny how cats don’t like getting their feet wet.   

  I received an invite to join the stitchers on a trip to the metro.  The goal is the SR Harris.  It is a fabric warehouse.  I gently declined as I need not add to my stashes.  When we meet later in March the tales of fantastic purchases will be hot and heavy.  Bless their warrior hearts.  I have one project to wrap up in the basement and it has been over a week since the lights have been turned on.  It is starting to itch.

  53 degrees and what is in the form of puddles today may be ice in the morning.  We have no plans until Thursday!  Yippee!

   
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  Noreen 3:36 pm on February 21, 2022 Permalink  

  Pre-Snow 

  We are really being informed about snow that is coming.

  Regardless of new snow coming, my joints don’t seem to mind it today as they did yesterday.  Go figure.

  It may not seem like the news that we should celebrate, but the results of the CAT scan has a diagnosis.  Yippee!  Knowing is reassuring.  Dennis has pneumonia and today began a 14 day of strong antibiotics.  It will hopefully bring results in what the sinuses have been trying to tell him.  This will also bring the red blood count back in alignment.  This will also impact the healing of his last foot incision.  So many things can tie together for overall wellbeing.

  We do have an appointment Wednesday at the wound doctor’s in Mankato.  If the roads are too bad for travel, I do know how to handle that until we can reschedule.  At least Dennis would be on the rebound with the pneumonia. 

  As I did mention, my joints felt good today and after getting Dennis situated with his new pills that needed to be taken with a snack, I ventured to the studio.  Maybe my wellbeing is tied into Dennis’.  It wouldn’t surprise me . . . happy Dennis . . . happy Grammie.

  As these would be the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth Christmas stockings using the same pattern, all went very smoothly today.  The linings for these four are cut and ready to be stitched and tucked inside the flannel socks.  That will be the next step.  It never hurts to have oiled and cleaned the sewing machine, complete with a new needle.  Spending time in my studio is far better for me than any meds.  Staying busy does keep the mind off of joints even when they aren’t happy.

  As I look through the bathroom window, peering into the slider window door of the patio porch out east . . . I see Snuggles in Dennis lap.  I can imagine the conversation.  What happens in the patio porch . . . stays in the patio porch.

  It is 3:30 and the skies are very gray, but yet no snow.  I surely wouldn’t feel bad if the forecast were not right on.

   
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  Noreen 2:08 pm on February 20, 2022 Permalink  

  Sunday the 20th 

  Oh my oh my!  It is 47 degrees out and there would be choice puddles to jump in to.

  I don’t think patio kitties jump puddles, but all three left the porch to get the stink off of them from being cooped up too much.  Honey Bunny was out for a half hour and she returned to her basket.  She hasn’t got an ounce of extra weight on her and she is thirteen years old.  Chubby Snuggles was the next to call it a day and head for a basket.  Harriet is the youngest and Dennis thinks it will be dusk before he sees her.

  I baked a batch of scones and my day was set for the studio.  When arthritis bucks, I don’t do a lot of stitching that requires manipulating a lot of heft under the needle.  I do have my wrist braces on.  Doing embroidery is the answer to keeping busy and having something to show for the day.

  Believe it or not!  I am embroidering on four Christmas stockings. My nephew’s wife had enough fabric for these four extra stockings.  Regardless how their family grows, I will have used the goods that was sent to me.  At such time, I may not be up to the task.  The completed stockings will not have any names on them, and that will be up to the family to fill in those blanks when the need arises.  I will feel quite at ease knowing I helped the family out and moving them out of my studio will be the “rest of the story.” It is fun deciding what to stitch and not having to answer for it.  Surprise!

  A Sunday ritual for Dennis is that his son that trucks on the west coast calls and chit chats.  It’s a good thing.

  Even with the cold, I have found one Boxelder bug each of the last three days toddling across the studio’s floor.  Ugh! 

  Our next doctor appointment is Wednesday.  We had just commented to each other how fortunate we have been with such good road conditions.  That may change with Tuesday’s snowfall and where it decides to land across the state.  We will take it the way it comes.

   
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  Noreen 3:03 pm on February 19, 2022 Permalink  

  Saturday the 19th 

  As I had promised myself, today was studio day . . . after a visit to the grocery store.  

  I had a short list.  I couldn’t help but notice a few prices as I walked by.  Land-O-Lakes butter was $6.25 a lb.  80% lean ground beef was $4.95 a lb.  The beef I did purchase as Dennis is to eat more red meat.  100% Jacksonville beef brats also hit the cart.  The butter we usually purchase in Mankato when it’s on sale and I put several pounds in the freezer.  Potatoes were also recommended for Dennis.  A 5lb. bag will serve us well.

  Today I have my mini quilt sandwiched with batting and backing.  The embroidery module has been parked for now.

  In December I bit on an offering online, which is something I don’t usually trust.  It sounded too good to be true.  Vinyl quilting templates for $39.00, free shipping.  The package took forever to come.  I thought I had kissed my $39.00 goodbye.  The early days of February the package was on the front steps.  Today, I decided to see if I could work with these templates.  This was my very first attempt.  I had a sewing machine foot for Bernina machine quilting templates.  The Bernina templates are thick.  These inexpensive ones are quite thin.  Would the sewing machine foot stay in the guidelines.  The first thing I did was to examine the number #72 foot.  Low and behold the brass screw on the right hand side allowed for a height adjustment.

  Leave it to Bernina to have their products manufactured for multiple uses.  I put together several pieces of fabric with quilt batting in between and took one of the templates for a ride.  Yes, they are thin.  Am I suppose to take the brown paper off of each one?  I have no clue and besides that my fingernails are not that strong.  I fear I might bend or twist them and have them crack and break in two.  I am leaving the paper on for the additional strength it allows.  The fabric need not be turned, only to guide the machine’s foot to follow the template.  As I said, this was my very first try.  The secret will be having the same momentum to keeping the stitches even.  That would be the learning curve.

  I am not ready to incorporate this stitching without quite a bit of practice.  Knowing that what I have within my stitching options can and will work . . . is very satisfying.  I do now see these same templates advertised on Facebook, but not at the $39.00 I paid. 

  I call today a win, win.  After all, you can’t fail if you don’t try.  I think that is how that is said.

   
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  Noreen 1:19 pm on February 18, 2022 Permalink  

  Gray Skies 

  We may be having gray skies, but my spirit feels all sunny and happy.

  Being with friends yesterday and breaking bread (Baker’s Square Menu) with them accounts for much of that.

  I had stuck a small pillow in my bag for yesterday.  Hard wooden chair seats just don’t sit well with my tailbone.  My goal is to stay away from PT.  The waitress commented that that was not an unusual happening.  Padded seats are too hard to keep clean.  When we meet in March, the pillow will be a bit larger and softer.  At my point for a lifestyle to stay out of a doctor’s care if I can avoid it, I don’t embarrass easily.

  Today Dennis had a VA appointment to check his INR, blood clotting level.  He had barely left the house when the VA doctor was calling me to query as to how we were going forward with Dennis’ left foot.  I explained to her that next Wednesday we would be meeting with a wound specialist and would continue until all was better.

  I know the media gives the VA a bad rap on how veterans are treated.  Our local unit is spot on.  Dennis came home with enough wound supplies to take us into weeks ahead of home care, aka: me.  Several pair of knee-high diabetic socks with more coming in the mail.  There is an order in for a pair of shoes that is easy on the feet that have very tender, thin skin. She was also inquiring if we could afford the wound specialist visits as she would make arrangements.  I assured her our supplement insurance to Medicare would cover it.

  It boosted my mindset knowing we don’t walk difficult times on our own or alone.

  Today was laundry day and tidy, tidy on the first floor.  Dennis had oatmeal for noon lunch as he was cautioned he needs to push himself to eat more as his weight lose is too rapid.  Even the suggestion of ice cream after supper was offered.  I wonder where Dennis had heard this before?  Could it have been from his very own Doc Pidy?  Leftover bean soup is on the docket for supper.  He is to eat more red meat and liver.  The good thing is that Dennis likes Braunschweiger as I do.  So much easier having a sandwich with a thin slice of onion than pan frying it.

  I know that I have the weekend to spend in the studio.  As I said, a happy sunny heart does wonders.

  I believe some of the stitchers are making plans to visit a fabric warehouse in the metro soon.  I quickly opted out.  I have plenty of ideas on what I have.

   
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  Noreen 3:45 pm on February 12, 2022 Permalink  

  A Cold Morning 

  I was a bit taken aback when I realized I had taken off for the grocery store and it was -7 degrees.  The cold had not stopped anyone.  The store was packed.  When I saw what was in many of the carts, I remembered tomorrow was a football game.

  The sun is bright and with no wind, there is a saving grace.  When I sat in our west porch for a time at noon and read, I could feel the warmth of the sun coming into the south windows.  That couldn’t be said for the studio.  The two small south windows don’t do much to warm a concrete floor . . . but my shoes keep my feet warm.

  Listening to KNUJ, I think every area that has any sized body of water is, or has had a fishing contest.  Hopefully there were some skillets hot on the coals to fry up a few while some were busy catching their limit.

  I will say I was excited to see if the glue had held the pinwheels together.  If the light catches them in just the right way there can be seen a glistening bit of glue.  Hmm.  Better to be safe than sorry.  My mini-quilt top now has on the borders . . . making the top complete.  It has a folksy finish to it.  I used the fabric that came with the kit.  I know there are more steps but first there has to be some serious vacuuming done in the studio. Hard as I try to hit the circular files, and I have plenty of them sitting around, the threads and fuzz have a mind of their own.

  Sometime, I need to pull out my tote of quilt batting to see if I have something to use on the mini-quilt.  Last year when Brett was finished with a project on his long arm, regardless of the size, he gave me the extra batting.  I had tape that was sold expressly for putting pieces of batting together.  I know for the backing and binding, I am set and do not need to purchase anything.  What I will do in the next days is think on how I will free motion quilt this top.  Yup, I will be humming “Bringing in the Sheaves” to keep my rhythm.  With several blocks having clear vinyl on them, it will take some pondering.  In the mean time the instruction booklet will be added to the library of patterns on the shelf.

  There were six ample sized meatballs in the freezer.  I did not want to cook up pasta for a “dish for two.” In the grocery store, I bought a can of Spaghettios.  It has been decades since that found its way into the cart.  It will work out just fine.