Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from February, 2022 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 3:42 pm on February 11, 2022 Permalink  

  Hold On 

  Hold on to all that is not nailed down today.  The winds are horrific.  When the winds are this strong from the north, the service door has to be latched from the outside when Dennis comes and goes.  When Dennis is sequestered in the patio porch, he blocks the door from the inside as the winds will blow the door open and shut non stop.  We may have had some wet stuff that fell as there are icy spots on our driveway.  With some thawing temps off and on, our patio would make a great ice rink.  

  I did wear myself out in the studio today.  I now have three pinwheels stitched out.  It is a lot of trimming of the foam and both colors that make up the pinwheels.  The most challenging is to get the four corners pinned down and getting glue where it needs to be.  Tomorrow when I release the pinwheels from all the pins, that will tell the story to see if more glue is needed in certain spots.  It is difficult waiting for glue to dry.  My dad’s saying comes to mind, “You don’t have time to do it right, but you always have time to do it over.”

  There are quite a few other embellishments to fabricate.  It is all putzie and a good left hand is sorely missed.  I know I will need Dennis to help tie a knot on the fruit jar of flowers in order for a bow to finish it off when all is said and done.  There is plenty of time before that will be needed.   The red pickup needs to have a twine banner strung with flags.  The pinwheels go atop the three pop bottles.  A pair of cherries adorn the large dark blue block in the middle of the mini-quilt with twine from a green bow.  I have made two cherries in the block above the dark blue block out of circular scraps that are gathered in the middle. 

  This mini-quilt is so unusual as in the embellishments are three dimensional and placed on embroidered blocks.  In a pieced quilt, it is all straight stitched one block unto another.  Between you and me . . . I think I am ready for the mundane pieced project.

  Hold on . . . for a second time, our appointment in Mankato for Dennis’ foot to be checked has been rescheduled from this Thursday, to next Monday to next Wednesday.  It is a good thing we have plenty of supplies to redress it every other night.

   
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  Noreen 3:25 pm on February 10, 2022 Permalink  

  Challenged 

  Today the clouds are thick and there were clouds in the studio as well.  I was challenged.

  The Red, White and Blue min-quilt is coming to an end.  No, I don’t have the borders on yet and then there is the batting, and the backing and lastly the binding.  Only die hard lovers of threads and fuzz can stay so entertained.

  With this mini-quilt comes some embellishments when all the above steps have been completed.  The curiosity got the best of me.  I jumped ahead.  Just how would I use my machine’s software to turn out pinwheels.  I would need three of them.  With all the materials were three foam pieces.  A great place to start is reading instructions. 

  I used one of the smaller hoops loaded with stabilizer.  The first step was to tack down the foam.  As the hoop sits in the embroidery module the first fabric to tape down was the blue, being larger than needed.  Taking the hoop off of the machine, I needed to turn the hoop over and tape down red fabric, also larger than needed.  Again the hoop was placed in the embroidery module.  The stitching continued.  The final stitching was doing a satin stitch around the entire patch.

  Believe it or not, as soon as I get the glue to hold down points to the center, I will have a pinwheel.  Right now I am counting on the pins to hold everything until dry.  The end product is only 2″ x 2″.  I have two more to do.  As I had mentioned, I love all things thread and fuzz.  That one tiny pinwheel was it for me for the studio time.

  There are several other embellishments to do, but the pinwheel . . . I had to prove it could be done.

  We had huge snowflakes for a short time, nothing serious.  Our driveway remains totally clear.  Our neighbor Randy’s gravel driveway and yard is an ice fest from one end to the other.  

  This afternoon, Dennis is out with his friend Dwayne having coffee.  I think it was long overdue.

  I will be staying up late tonight as I have several PBS mysteries that do not begin until eight.  I can sit back and be entertained, no challenge there.  Dennis has quite the slate on the cowboy channel.

   
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  Noreen 1:52 pm on February 9, 2022 Permalink  

  Gloomy, Windy and Warmer 

  I would say 40 degrees is warmer and desirable.

  I had a 9:45 clinic appointment this morning.  I have a pair of sports shoes that were going to be worn.  I use a shoe horn.  That small little knob at the heel of the shoe didn’t feel like it was cooperating.  That little item took me back to our family’s time at South Branch.  

  Nothing said being up to snuff like the kids having Nike shoes.  At that time Nikes were quite extravagant.  We had a small dog, Sparkie, that stayed in the entry of our home while we were at work and the kids were in school.  What dog likes being cooped up and out of the family loop.  There were screams of horror and tears when we got home and Carrie found out Sparkie had chewed off that little knob on the heel of her “like new” Nikes.  It was so unfortunate.  Carrie did wear the shoes with the good fortune that the hem of her slacks covered it.  Oh how my mind wants to do a replay at times.  When that happens it warms my heart.

  Anyway . . . today I had my first dose of vaccine for covid.  I had kicked this can down the street long enough.  Without trying, I remember how much my kids . . . Kevin and Carrie, spent making my stroke and heart surgery their number one priority.  Over a shot that many I know have had with no ill effects, I can’t take a chance of putting my kids through something that was in my power to avoid.  I love them too much for that.  Life may have many ups and downs as it is . . . me getting covid need not be one of them.  March 2nd I will have the second shot.  Whew!

  I have spent some time in the studio this afternoon.  Hmm.  With the entire stitching of the top of the min-quilt completed,  I am off 1/2 inch going across 1/2 of the top.  As I am having the last of the cold breakfast coffee, I know that I will need to trim it off.  There are two borders to be put on with one being a red and white stripe going vertical.  That border needs to be spot on.  

  The moral of the story, aka: the stitching is only as accurate as the one feeding the fabric under the needle.

  The “Kevin” Korean Bar-B-Q chicken of last night’s supper was tasty.  The soy sauce and Worchester sauce was a good change of pace for us.  It would be great over rice.  Dennis was more thinking of mashed potatoes.

   
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  Noreen 2:47 pm on February 6, 2022 Permalink  

  Sunday with Flurries 

  When the temps get a bit warmer, snow flurries are a possibility.  The warm weather soon cleared off the small amount of snow covering on the concrete driveway.

  I decided to visit the studio today.  After what seems like a long process, there is some satisfaction in knowing half of the mini-quilt has come together.  With all blocks trimmed, a scant quarter inch seams allowance has allowed the sewing to go smoothly.  My machine allows the needle to be moved either to the right or left so the scant quarter inch seam allowance is quite easy to maintain.

  In this half of the project the pickup has red vinyl stitched for its surface.  The glare on the bottle of fireflies is due to the fact that clear vinyl is stitched over the fireflies in the jar.  The pitcher of lemonade and the pop bottles also have clear vinyl stitched on top.  The rockets are stitched with glitter fabric.  I will need to make and sew pinwheels to add to the sticks in the pop bottles. 

  These patterns are quite labor intensive and a fun challenge.  It does pass the days of cold.  The blocks begin as oversized and that is where all the trimming comes into play allowing for great matching of seams.  In the coming days the blocks of the right side of the min-quilt will need to be trimmed.

  The winds from the northwest are gusting and moving some snow across the streets.  I had had KNUJ radio on listening to the fish contest on Sleepy Eye Lake.  Sounds like a rousing crowd.  I have never been fond of ice fishing.  Many years ago Kevin and his dad had joined another father-son duo for ice fishing.  Kevin happened to step on and through what had been a bored hole and with just enough of a skim of ice over it to hide it.  When they came home and told the tale, that did it for me going forward. 

  Winter sports evade me.  I have never been skiing, or have been on a snowmobile.  My only adventures were ice skating on the pasture slew when my siblings and me cooled our heels.  Spring will soon be here and I will have plenty of options.

   
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  Noreen 2:13 pm on February 5, 2022 Permalink  

  A Saturday 

  It is the weekend and never a dull moment on Stauffer.

  I always check our bank’s website . . . every day.  It is called consumer take care of your money.  For authentication purposes this morning, it was needed to have a one time pass code entered by having the site call your phone number.  The last four of the number was given.  My phone never rang.  A second option was to have it sent to your email.  The bank was using my Chrome search engine that I also use for my emails.  I had no choice but to set up an email on Microsoft Edge.  I had found out that if I closed the bank site and opened the Chrome email, get the pass code, close the email and open the bank site, it was the wrong number.  With having the Microsoft email open, I could get the pass code while the bank site was open.  Got it!  What a crap shoot.  Amazing how they test us older folks.

  Last night was great.  I was able to see the first live Facebook of my daughter in her Mainstream Boutique in Edina.  Her sidekick was her daughter, Megan.  They took turns wearing garments as an introduction of what the boutique had.  It was so spontaneous, unrehearsed, it was wonderful to see the two of them playing off of each other.  At times it brought a chuckle.  I was very proud of them cutting their teeth to do a “live.”  I am ready to see more reveals in time to come.  I opened the video up this morning for Dennis to see it.  He stuck it out for the entire video.  Poor lamb.  The price of the clothing was economic shock for him.  Hey . . . this is big city digs.

  Nothing brings me more comfort knowing that when I stop to see Kevin in his owner-operator shop in Fairfax he is smiling.  Seeing the two gals doing the video, will have to suffice until we can drive to the metro and see the the boutique first hand.  Dennis said that is on the schedule this spring.  

  I am in my studio today.  The embroidered blocks for the mini-quilt are done, now on to straight seaming.  It was sweet to crank down my Husky sewing table to a lower height to allow my shoulders a comfortable reach to the needle.  I love this table.

  It is leftovers for supper of the oven meal from last night.  I do have a surprise of turtle cheesecake for later.  Today was the RFD programs for Dennis.  This is my night of PBS mystery programs to enjoy.

   
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  Noreen 4:45 pm on February 4, 2022 Permalink  

  What a Day 

  Getting up at seven, it is at least daylight.  A dusting of snow looked like a covering on the driveway.

  Dennis decided he wasn’t in the mood for the patio porch and he opted for his recliner.

  I had my sites on some tidy, tidy on the first floor.  We have shelving on the east wall of the kitchen.  As I ran my first full glass of drinking water to start the day, I stood with my back against the kitchen counter and I thought . . . how much more clutter could the shelving and counter top hold!  It is so easy to pick up something and park it where it should not be.  I knew I had to have a cup of coffee before tackling it.

  It took several trips to the basement pantry with extra items before a check on the east wall of the kitchen passed mustard.  A second cup of coffee and the kitchen countertop was the next to get tackled.  The whole idea of the pantry in the basement was to let our tiny kitchen’s minimal sink countertop allow for food prep.  Surprisingly, having dirty dishes pile up is not an issue.  Either one of us will clean up after supper.  Cleaning products do have room under the sink . . . if they just get put there.

  The sun was so bright, I couldn’t help but get dressed and push away the snow from the back door and also make a path to the service door of the garage.  The areas for the bins for garbage and recycling also got a clean-out.  The winds from the north were plenty brisk.  I decided one more cup of coffee was waiting for me inside.  When I got inside I fired up the HP.  When I saw on the bottom task bar how cold it was outside . . . wow.  I did get my share of fresh air with my small jaunt of pushing a bit of snow.  

  All Dennis had on his plate today was to be at the eye clinic in town by 1 pm for his eye injection.  After he left I got items together for an oven meal.  How much easier when there is room on the countertop.  The kitchen will feel the extra warmth when the oven dish gets popped in at 4:30.  We stick to having our evening meal no later than 5:30.

  I spent some time in the studio cleaning up around the sewing machine.  I had quite a few spools of thread that needed to be put back in their boxes as going forward, the white spool of thread will suffice.  After trimming up some blocks of the mini-quilt, I could feel when enough was enough.  Tomorrow is another day and I don’t want to overdue the trimming with the rotary cutter.  It is a fair amount of repetition in gripping the handle of it with enough pressure to cut.

  My hope is that everyone stay safe.  When Dennis came home from being out and about he commented that the snow was moving out in the open making visibility slim to none.

   
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  Noreen 4:32 pm on January 31, 2022 Permalink  

  Road Trip 

  Today was a road trip to New Ulm as my car needed an oil change.  As I have an extended warranty, it is a good feeling to have it go through a once-over.

  I stopped at Hy-Vee on my way out of town.  I wish we had one closer, not that 35-40 minutes is that far.  The price at Hy-Vee is so much less than our grocery store.  We are thankful to still have a grocery store as that is more than some small towns.  When our business takes us to New Ulm or Mankato . . . why not purchase the groceries we are in need of.

  When I got home I chatted with my main advisor on what the car garage had on their tick list.  Kevin knows an automobile from exterior front turn signal to tail pipe.  I feel secure going forward with my new used car.  It is a 2012 model, but most take it for a much newer.

  Dennis had a check up at the VA clinic here in town.  He also had a good checkup as to his INR level . . . the blood clotting indicator.  There is a prescription med that is now the latest and greatest . . . also very expensive that would not be covered under the Well Care that we have to cover our prescriptions.  Once a month Dennis has such an appointment which is five minutes from home.  He is comfortable as he has stated many times, it’s like a mini physical.  Can’t beat the level of security that that brings to the ole cowboy.

  This last calendar year, we had $129.00 out of pocket for Dennis’ meds.  Even with the stroke and heart surgery that I had in 2021, my out of pocket was $89.00.  Our coverage via our policy was $15.00 per month for each of us.  This year, 2022, the policy is $10.00 per month for each of us.  We know we are very fortunate to be in relative good health.  I have stood in line many times in the pharmacy and the individual in front of me has been handed a small bag after laying down several hundred dollars. 

  Dennis drove me to the customer UPS depot and the latest Trettin Christmas stocking will be at rural Stewart tomorrow.  Other than a new grandchild, I should be off the hook for additional stockings for a time.  I will keep the additional fabrics on the back burner.

   
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  Noreen 3:20 pm on January 30, 2022 Permalink  

  Sundays 

  Sundays are not like they used to be.  

  Decades ago when the fare for a Sunday afternoon didn’t have any big plans, there was always a plan “B.” My parents lived several sections to the southwest.  We were on the same telephone exchange and a short phone call allowed for the coffee pot to be put on whether I was headed there or if the folks were coming over.  Even though my sister meant a long distance phone call, it was worth it to see if that was a chance for a visit on a Sunday.  She was a five minute drive and most of that time was spent on their one mile long driveway.  If I had struck out with mom and my sister, it was not out of the question to pack up the kids and visit their grandmother in Hector, perhaps fifteen miles away.  Sundays were meant for chitchatting.

  Hmm.  All those options are now gone.  I feel the loss.  Dennis’ family members are not great chitchatters.

  Left on my own today, I decided to tidy up the laminate flooring in the house with my mighty little shop vac.  The Filter Queen vacuum is the studio’s go to for tidy, tidy.  It is too cumbersome for going up and down steps.  Since the hardwood floor Swiffers have been updated, they aren’t worth the trouble.  They pick up little.  New improved . . . they are not.  Dennis helped with pushing everything around, so the total area could be done in the living room and both bedrooms.  Taking the last bit of breakfast coffee when we were done, I did have to comment how thankful I was that we have no carpeting and that we have a tiny home.  I know that heavy furniture would get moved once in a blue moon and the amount of dust bunnies we found today under the furniture would have been the same volume, just growing month by month.

  Dennis wandered to the patio porch and I stirred up a stroganoff for two with some of the pork roast from last night.  Having the evening meal nailed, the next stop was the studio for several hours. 

  The way the first minutes went, I questioned if I should stay at it or not.  The first mistake was that I had not tightened the ratchet on the embroidery hoop.  Floating fabric is not a good thing.  The next item to stop the machine was . . . I had not put the bobbin into the machine.  I must say after that, the stitching went well.

  Sunday evenings have several good programs on the PBS stations.  I will be planted in my chair after the supper dishes are done.

   
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  Noreen 2:25 pm on January 29, 2022 Permalink  

  A Saturday 

  My plans today were to give the bathroom and kitchen a lick and a promise.  With our forever home being in the tiny house category, it doesn’t take much to be out of place and it screams “Clean me!”  I got with the program.

  Dennis and his friend Dwayne went for coffee.  It was just what Dennis needed . . . getting out and about and not dwelling on what he couldn’t change . . . his foot.  No doubt he would love to put on a shoe and move some older snow around.  That isn’t going to happen for some time.

  I had put together a grocery list for the late forenoon and right now the kitchen is letting me know, I had made good choices.  There is a pork shoulder roast in my mom’s blue speckled enameled oblong roaster with a sliced onion, baby carrots and two large peeled potatoes snuggled in along side for the roasting process.  We have not had a treat like this in a long time.  Dennis had offered a tuna pasta dish but nothing beats a total meal in a blue speckled enameled oblong roaster.  Set at 300 degrees for a long afternoon in the oven . . . tasty.

  When Dennis got home this noon, he decided to get the vehicles washed this afternoon.  The streets are dry for now and getting the salt residue off is a good thing.  Both his pickup and my car may well be the last vehicles we need to own.  I hope so.

  My brother called today.  As he is cleaning some items after Lois’ passing, he had to fly some things past me.  The Bernina sewing machine shop in Decorah must have seen Lois coming.  Calvin had found ump-teen attachments still in sealed boxes for her machine model.  Many were at a $200.00 crack each.  Lois had not done any sewing for many years.  Calvin equated it as a man that buys tools because they are available.  Calvin has placed an ad in the Decorah paper.  Whoever decides to contact him with an offer would be reaping quite the honey pot.  

  I am not spending any amount of time in the studio today.  I did go down and prep some supplies going forward.  It always feels like a treat when I don’t have to start from scratch the next time I visit.

  May all of you relish this warm weekend.  On days such as this one, I feel as if I am missing something.  That would be the fact that I am relishing a quiet home as the furnace is not spinning the meter off of the house.

   
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  Noreen 6:25 pm on January 28, 2022 Permalink  

  An Aunt 

  What a dose of “need.”  When nephews have no moms or mother-in-laws . . . there comes the need for an aunt to pitch in.  That would be me.  Eric now has a price range to know what to sell his mom’s sewing machine for.  Larry tapped me for one more Christmas stocking to sew.  His son, Alex, brought home a girlfriend for the family to meet.  As it were next weekend there is still some Christmas to enjoy for the family and a Christmas stocking with her name on it would be just one more way of saying “Welcome to the family.”

  I don’t mind helping family out as long as family know my kids come first with my time and energies.  There will be a package at the UPS depot on Monday and arrive in rural Stewart in plenty of time.

  Dennis knew I was busy in the studio so he brought out his culinary skills.  Canned stew over mashed potatoes . . . I will take it any time.  Dishes are done and I did frost the scones that he had baked.  A very good end to a very good productive day.  On another good note, I did find the missing two pieces of the broken sewing machine needle from yesterday.  It would be just like me to forget about it and have it end up in my stocking when I would go down there for a quick errand and not have shoes on.

  Who doesn’t enjoy a break in the cold!  This weekend looks promising.  As frigid as it has been the concrete drive froze clear of snow.  

  Dennis has turned a corner with pain from his foot surgery.  I am so happy for him.  In six days we will meet with the surgeon for stitches to come out.  I have read on the Mayo Portal that the biopsied big toe has no sign of osteomyelitis, a fancy name for no infection of the bone.  That would have been big time cruel if there was another surgery right around the corner.

  We have no plans for the weekend.  I flew that past Dennis and I got no argument.  Sweet.