Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from December, 2021 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 3:57 pm on December 10, 2021 Permalink  

  Forecasts 

  Weathermen must be so proud when they are right on with their forecasts.

  When I got up at 7:15 no snow was falling.  I looked out the bathroom window and realized the temps yesterday had totally cleaned off the patio of snow and ice.  It was my time to strike.  For days it had bothered me that the clapper of the wind chimes on the corner of the patio porch had gotten hung up on the bracket of the clothesline.  It wasn’t a surprise as the winds had been horrible.

  I slipped on some shoes and donning my nightie, I was out the door with my cane and across the patio I went to release the clapper.  I was so satisfied I didn’t hurry to get back into the house.  I knew there was no chance of being locked out, so I took deep breaths of the moist, crisp air.  I had barely gotten back into the house, slipped off my shoes when I looked through the bathroom window.  The wet rain mixed with snow was falling.  This had been meant to be.  It’s the little things in life that can bring so much satisfaction.  Had I mentioned this task out loud, it would not have been understood enough to have gotten done in a timely manner.  Now the windchimes can clang away!

  While I had the bedding going in the laundry, I opened the container that had the Christmas ornaments in it.  The tall skinny tree is what fits our living room. The short stubby branches leave somewhat of a challenge.  Never fear, I will persevere.  While I had a break from finding the right treasure for each spot on the tree,  I put the Department 56 Nativity on the shelf in the west porch.  The 18 piece set warms my heart when I put it up.  Had not this been a purchase when a drug store in New Ulm closed its doors years ago and wanted inventory . . . out the door, I would never have been able to purchase something this wonderful.  I totally enjoy the story that these pieces tell of.

  Randy has just left our drive with his long green line.  Though the snow is still coming down, Randy does like to take the snow out mid-way through what is told will be the total of perhaps 10 inches.  Randy’s drive is gravel and Jan has said he thinks doing our drive of concrete is a treat.

  I have a bit more time to put a few more items on the tree.  My hope is to get it done while it is still a Friday.  After all, my studio is calling.

   
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  Noreen 3:50 pm on December 8, 2021 Permalink  

  Tuckered 

  Several days ago we began working on sealing up the service door to the patio porch.  We knew we had to add to the length.  In the meantime, in between time what had been affixed to the top slid down.

  We took the afore mentioned foam and laid it on the table to add the needed length.  It is a good thing Dennis had been to the Fleet store for another roll of Gorilla electrical tape.  Dennis also bought a roll of the 3″ Gorilla Duct tape.  Hmm. The Gorilla Duct tape does not stick to the foam.

  Fear not!  We were not giving up.  The duct tape stuck to the door frame and the electrical tape stuck to the duct tape and that in turn stuck to the foam. My oh my!  We finished up by covering the foam with a sheet of  clear wrap.  We will need to have a savings of $20.00 in heating gas to cover the cost of the tapes.  

  No senior citizen was harmed in this DIY!  As I am the crafter in the household, I manned the tape for this project.  It works better if the sticky side of the tape is worked with lineal feet facing the target.  My arms were tuckered.

  With the doorway having been finished by noon, I wanted to return to the studio to the project I had started prior to “Grammie, I need a favor,”  I had foldout Christmas cards purchased from the Christian Book site for the great grands and some other wee ones of family and friends.  All was laid out in an assembly line: cards and envelopes, address book, stamps and pen.  My goal was this afternoon’s mail.  Dennis came down and let me know he was going out for coffee.  I needed just a few more minutes and he became responsible to check all envelopes for a forever postage stamp.  Whew!  Got that project done and away Dennis went with envelopes in a bag destined for the post office.  After the year I have experienced, this is the first year of each child getting their own card in the mail rather than something from the sewing machine.  Who doesn’t like to get something for themselves in the mail in a family of more than one child!

  My arms are now officially tuckered.

  Tomorrow the stitchers are meeting in Mankato at Baker’s Square.  Oh my gosh!  Not a medical appointment!  This is totally a social event.  I am excited and the temps will be cooperating.

  It began at zero this morning and it is now 25 degrees.  Let me tell you, it felt like 90 degrees in the patio porch this morning working with foam, tape and plastic sheeting.  Even Dennis shed his jacket.  Snuggles watched it all from his vantage point . . . his basket.  Gotta love it.

   
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  Noreen 3:00 pm on December 6, 2021 Permalink  

  A Brisk Day 

  Waking to a brisk 9 above zero does not compare to the howling winds all night.  The awning that runs north to south on the front of our home sounded as if it wanted to set sail at any hour of the night. 

  I slept until seven this morning and Dennis was already in the patio porch having his breakfast and coffee.  When I looked out the bathroom window to the east . . . there was Snuggles laying on Dennis’ chest as the rocking chair went back and forth. The swirls from the garage chimney were doing their own bit of frolicking as the winds from the north blew them about.

  I had no intention of going anywhere today.  I knew by the time I had my coffee and breakfast the studio would be my next stop.  I completed two projects for family and now I am all about digging around in my own stashes.

  This afternoon Dennis came down into the studio with a roll of foam that we needed to make wider with some of my stash so as to fit snugly into the interior doorway of the black service door going into the patio porch from the patio.  The doorway will then have plastic taped over it.  It is, or I should say was, the only drafty spot in the patio porch.  Who knew that Gorilla duck tape would be the only tape that we had on hand to stick to tape the two together.  I only found that out by checking the computer.  The U-Haul wide tape did squat. 

  I would be lost were it not for asking my trusty Dell computer in the studio advice.  The HP in the living room would give the same good service if not for me having to run the steps.

  It is going to be a chicken casserole for supper, helping to add a bit of extra warmth to the kitchen.

  Tomorrow I have PT and an eye appointment in the forenoon.  Get them done and retreat to home, though the talk is of warmer temps.  As it is, I will need to dig out a winter coat and gloves.  Thus far, I had been spoiled with a quilted vest.

   
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  Noreen 11:54 am on December 5, 2021 Permalink  

  Peaceful Day 

  A day without the windchimes clanging is rare.  The little flag on the corner of the drive is indicating a southeast breeze with temps at 37 degrees.

  It is almost noon and I am not sprouting a whole lot of energy.  This week we had three trips to Mankato for medical and dentist, got twelve tip in windows cleaned, and lightened the load on the first floor by visiting the attic.  The living room ceiling isn’t showing signs of stress by bowing due to that visit, so we are good to go.

  One of my older carpet rag rugs is showing signs of some warp strings having broken.  Down to the studio to do a bit of zig zagging to give some saving grace.  When Orlin had bought a four harness Flying Shuttle loom from a gal in Willmar, Mn., we were in it to make rugs!  $.10 a foot.  We set it up in the basement of our then farm home. 

  Somehow a woman from the metro found out that we were looming.  She and her sister drove out to visit.  We agreed to the job that she laid out.  She would bring out the wool carpet rag balls that had been cut from coats to the width that we had instructed.  Talk about carpet rag balls of many colors.  Our loom wove up to 42″ wide.  We ordered the warp in the burgundy color she wanted from Lima, Ohio.  As we wove with the wool we would release the brake often and unroll the woven length to allow the wool to relax.  The length was important as she had someone that would weave multiple lengths of our looming into a room sized rug.  Yes, we charged more than $.10 a foot. 

  Hmm.  Talk about memories that can be brought to the forefront while mending my little yard-long rug that rests in front of our kitchen range.

  Yesterday when I was going to post a photo, I then realized that a Windows 10 update had been done.  About the time that this Grammie has something nailed down . . . it is subject to change.  These small wreaths bring a smile to me when I glance out of my bathroom window.  Just as many wreaths that face our way, Jan has facing her home.  Sweet.

  I think Dennis was in for a long winter’s nap this forenoon.  His white hair is barely visible as he is snuggled into his heavy polar fleece blanket.  As busy as I was this last week . . . guess who was right beside me!  Whatever short comings we each have, the other is there to lend what is their strength.  It works very well for us.

  These next days the ornaments come out of storage to adorn the tree.

  A new week and it sounds like a weather change.  My nephew, Eric, from the Duluth area sent a photo of . . . white.  Hmm, I kind of like the green and brown.

   
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  Noreen 2:31 pm on December 4, 2021 Permalink  

  A Satisfying Day 

  It might be a dreary day, but who cares!  The world looks brighter when looking through clean windows.  Today was the last of the 64″ windows.  I didn’t do it for anyone but me.  Dennis got the windows up far enough to lock for nobody but . . .  me.  

  While the vacuum was out, I did get a swipe at corners.  Most importantly was the dryer vent.  The vacuum is going to stay in the west porch for a time.  It is so much easier than getting it off the attic steps to use.  Out of sight out of mind.  I see it every day and there is no denying where and when to use it.

  The last of the Christmas wall hangings was put into the stairwell going into the studio.  I do have more wall hangings than I have space to put up.  Dennis gets a vote.  He has discriminating taste when it comes to my stitching projects.  If Dennis had his way, our five foot Santa would be on the first floor of our home.  Not only do we have limited wall space, we have limited floor space.  What ever shall we do!  We decorate for our own enjoyment.

  I have one last item to do before the day gets much older.  A trip to the attic to put away some extra items that seem to be under foot.  I love our small home and need to make decisions on my level of comfort when it feels like “too much.”  Living minimal is our goal, but is easier said than done.  It is my situation of having an emotional attachment to work with and consider.  

  Let’s just call a spade, a spade.  The first floor of our home is a far cry easier than my studio.  The solution was put into place the first part of 2021.  No purchases!  I have stuck to that and have been quite content working from what I have.  Grant it, when Kersten shared with me a fair amount of sewing supplies . . . that did not count.  Tee Hee.

  Dennis found quite a few green wreaths with red bows on them in the far back garage.  Hmm.  That stash had been forgotten.  Dennis had the best time placing them on the posts of the picket fence.  He even made sure that several faced neighbor Jan’s yard.  What a fellow. The wreaths and the red bow on the front door does make it feel very festive.   I have since had a situation of loading photos and will try tomorrow to load Dennis’ picket fence.

  It has been a long enough day.  Catch ya all tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 10:56 am on November 30, 2021 Permalink  

  November is Done 

  The year is marching on whether I am ready for it or not.

  Mornings after a sound night of sleep should be ready to march on.  Hey . . . not so fast!  I do take time to lay flat and do some exercises to rotate the back and twist from side to side to allow the body to realize we will be getting upright soon.

  My left arm and hand are not all that excited.  My left hand has curled into the fist during the night, into that post-stroke position.  There is more work to be done to get some cooperation.  I do have my cane right next to the bed.  I am as wobbly when I take my first steps in the morning as I am after a full day.  That is the lasting effects that have become customary and usual.  If we can help it, we don’t schedule much in the early mornings.  It takes time to get into the grove of the day.  

  In the scheme of things, my days could have much more severe spells when it comes to movement.  I do miss being able to handle a full sized sandwich with two hands.  I still have not achieved using a knife in conjunction with a fork to cut meat.  There are so many foods that can be handled with one hand and a fork.  I have lots of time.

  Doing dishes is easier to do than drying them.  Doing the dishes can easily be done by backing them into a corner of the sink to get them clean.  Silverware needs to have two hands for drying, or . . . lay them on a clean dish towel and dab them into surrender.

  General housework goes well.  It is those finite motor skills that I will not give up on . . . and that is where my studio comes into play.  Unfortunately, I bless things a bit too often, when getting into the nitty gritty of projects.  Nothing has hit the circular file, aka: the waste basket.  I take my time and don’t plan on working at the machine for long durations.  I take breaks and find something to tidy before hitting the foot peddle of the machine again.  It works!  My life might be different on a day-to-day basis, but it’s still ME!

  We have our home decorated for Christmas.  There might be one more Christmas wall hanging to put in the basement stairwell.  The crowning achievement was when Carrie got Santa out of storage.  He will be greeting everyone from his place at the base of the stairwell going into the studio.  In 2019 when Dennis had gone on a trip with nephew Brett, I gave a weary Santa a makeover.  He had spent his younger years at the lobby of a bank in Fairfax.  Kevin and Kersten rescued him and brought him to St. James.  He needed me.

  It’s time for me to head to PT and then Dennis and I will be heading to Aspen Dental.

   
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  Noreen 4:35 pm on November 22, 2021 Permalink  

  Responses 

  As I while away time in the studio, I have come to realize something.  No matter what I find that takes time, energy or effort it does not get a heart beat increase response from me.  If I have to spend hours picking out stitches or seams, I take it in stride.

  When I see something or hear something from someone, though I may stay quiet, the angst begins to build, aka: a stressor.  I do try very hard to hold my tongue, but not often enough.  I am a logical thinker.  Why isn’t everyone a logical thinker?  I am a visual person, being able to see how things are going to play out.  Many people cannot visualize beyond their nose.

  I believe both of those tendencies make me a pain in many people’s asses.  So be it.  In defense, both of my parents worked their way through their lives thinking and visualizing as well.  I think I will continue to apologize to those I offend, make angry, or pass me by.  I will not be changing my ways.  There is something to be said for consistency that has served me well over the years.

  I got to the UPS depot and Lewis Drug.  Dennis’ prescription was zero co-pay.  The UPS package will be delivered to rural Litchfield tomorrow.  Great news all around.

  I will need to set the alarm for tomorrow as we need to be at Aspen Dental by eight in the morning.  One more item to get taken care before winter actually hits.  We are staying on track with our errands.

   
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  Noreen 2:50 pm on November 21, 2021 Permalink  

  Gusts of 35 MPH 

  The wind howling would put any howling dog to shame.  I chose not to walk today.

  I did retreat to the studio with firm determination to finish a flannel blanket.  I had a cousin, Dwayne, that everyone called Dewey.  It is Dewey’s daughter that had asked me to make a blanket for her grandson that will be born in February.

  I am known for working with what is at hand.  Thanks to daughter-in-law, Kersten, I had quite a few choices of flannel prints to choose from.  The price per yard was attached to all the fabrics Kersten passed along.  The flannel was $5.49 a yard.  In today’s quilt shop prices this is half of what is metered out.  I can attest to the three Christmas stockings I just finished last week, that flannel had been bought in an upscale shop in Hutchinson and I know it was $10.99 a yard.  The thread count is quite a bit more than my Kersten flannel.  I would prefer to work with the Kersten flannel any day of the week.  I washed it and dried what I had chosen as a lower count flannel would be apt to shrink.  I now know that my finished flannel crib blanket will not shrink regardless how many times it is laundered.

  The flannel in this crib blanket worked up like working with butter.  I used what batting I had and when I free motioned quilted it, it puffed up like little marshmallows, just what you want in a blanket to cuddle with.  The higher count flannels do not puff up.  I know this as the quilt Dennis has on his bed is heavy as it has the higher count flannel on top and bottom.  Dennis wouldn’t care if he didn’t have marshmallows . . . he was interested in the heft of it . . . and he got it.

  As it were, I have a flat box that this blanket is going to be going into, even if it has to be pushed into it.  Tomorrow at four I will be at the UPS’ depot with a Litchfield address. 

  I will be pulling back for any “please could you . . . would you” as these next several months I want to enjoy each day as “mine.” I want to slowly and lovingly prepare for my family’s visits.  Over the course of months that our home had been stripped to the bare bones of extras that would need dusting and care, I want Christmas in our home.  And . . . you know I can pull it off.  Dennis can roll his eyes only so far before he gets dizzy.  Tee Hee!

  As yesterday, I had the Christmas music on.  It quiets my heart, literally and figuratively.  It’s a good thing.  Yes . . . the wind is still howling.

   
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  Noreen 3:57 pm on November 20, 2021 Permalink  

  A Settled Feeling 

  Things are falling into place here on Stauffer Avenue.

  Dennis has all the batteries pulled on mowers and a car that we are storing as well as Dwayne’s tractor that is stored.  The garage on the far west portion of the acre is full and secured.

  All things in the studio went well.  The crib blanket is on the last stretch to completion.  I have learned that no matter how daunting a project may be . . . all I need to do is start.  After that it is one step at a time.  If I complete only a step and then tidy up, put supplies that were needed for that step away and then take a minute to regroup, I make fewer mistakes and continue to enjoy working on it.

  With this crib blanket, I could have taken “X” numbers of flannel squares, sewn them together and called it done.  It may not be a blanket for someone that is close to me, but I like to enjoy what I am doing and take pride that if it were for my grandchild, it would have been done with the same care and had the same outcome.  

  Kevin sent me a text to remind me of the radio station that would be playing Christmas music all day.  It was a peaceful afternoon and even using many safety pins to sandwich the blanket . . . the process went smoothly.

  So smoothly, that I went on to set the machine for free motion quilting.  A test swatch was needed to make sure I had the correct tension on the quilting foot, the size of stitch that would work the best, and last but not least, that I had a full bobbin.

  The first quilt that I did using free motion quilting was Kersten’s Pokemon quilt. It was quite large, but slowly but sure, I was pleased how it turned out. I have no paper printed pattern to use when I do free motion.  It is truly my free motion.  This afternoon the Christmas music gave me a bit of a beat to follow.  The free motion on the crib blanket went well.  What I have left for tomorrow is cutting a binding for hemming.  What I was happy with was how soft the flannel worked up.  It worked well to have laundered it first.  There won’t be any shrinking in time to come when it is used.

  I think it is time to consider supper.  Dennis just came in from the patio porch.  Saturday is winding down.

   
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  Noreen 3:19 pm on November 19, 2021 Permalink  

  Rock in my Pants 

  I cannot believe there is more wind to blow.  Wind from the southwest.  Lena would have known what that predicted.  Me . . . I know it was difficult to get my walk in and not feel tossed about.  A rock in my pants or at least in my pockets would have helped.  The surprising thing is that we do not have any loose branches that have come down during these days of high wind.

  It has been a morning of activity.  Dennis has had an eye injection for macular, his daughter brought over a car to store in the back garage and now Dennis and Dwayne are doing the “coffee thing” somewhere.

  For myself, it has been a quiet time in the studio working away with flannel while listening to KNUJ.  It is so similar to what Lena would have been doing after the outside work had been buttoned up.  Mom had taken a third bedroom in their home that faced the south for her sewing room.  The light was excellent.  Not to worry if the sun made the room too warm, I know for a fact the heat run to that room would have been closed off.  I agree.  I like my surroundings to be cool when I am at a project.  It worked out great as Raymond had a room in the basement that he had saws and a turning lathe in.  When the door was shut, it meant that he was working and had the vacuum running to catch sawdust.

  The flannel threads have been flying today in the studio.  I have the top to a baby crib blanket done.  As I type, I have the backing flannel in the washer and dryer.  The finished project is going to be 40″ x 44″.  As luck would have it, the batting piece I have had on the shelf is 50″ x 50″.  I will tackle sandwiching it tomorrow.  The most time intensive work is done.  Though I have a huge amount of lighting in the basement, you just can’t beat natural light coming in through a window. 

  I feel very fortunate to have the sewing studio that I have considering the size of home we have.  If Dennis did not have the patio porch, I am not sure how square footage would have been divided up.  As it is, our main floor doesn’t get much wear and tear, but dust bunnies and lint are in no short supply.

  My goal is to have the blanket on its way via UPS either before Thanksgiving or right after.  With no one waiting for their requests, a few windows are going to be tipped in and washed.  This fall, I do have plans looking forward.  What is different this fall . . . I don’t feel the need to hurry.  2021 thus far, has had an impact.