Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from January, 2021 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  Noreen 4:23 pm on January 16, 2021 Permalink  

  Durable Utility 

  It has been a remarkable adventure these last five years after I bought my new sewing machine.  Talk about live and learn.   

  It was in the early summer of 2015 that Dennis and I went to Arizona to see my aunt in Phoenix and also to see Dennis’ son in the Meza area.  My aunt Lorraine has been an avid stitcher for decades.  Lorraine sent home some items she wanted to share from her sewing room.  Sweet!  I knew I would put the items to use and not store them in a drawer.  One towel in particular that Lorraine had embroidered has been in use in our kitchen since that time in 2015.  Lorraine’s favorite was to embroider recipes on kitchen towels.  This towel has been looped on a drawer pull in our kitchen as a catch-all for sticky hands while baking, making meals and even spills.  This towel has also been in the laundry continually over these five years.  The stitching is as vibrant now as then. 

  I have since over the five years embroidered everything from quilt blocks, t-shirts, bath towels, coasters, pillows, clothing and kitchen towels.  The stitching and the end product is durable and has utility . . . not to be looked at or stuck in a drawer.  The only difference from Lorraine’s stitched out designs and mine are that I like to cut the connecting threads as in the case of this kitchen towel.   Not just pretty to look at but to use in making everyday chores at bit fancy.  Why not?  No ho-hum needed. 

  Today we are still feeling some of the effects of the snow storm of Thursday.  I have no idea what the winds are doing to the roads but the winds are raising continual sounds from the wind chimes on the northwest corner of the house.   

  While the sewing machine has been embroidering, I have pulled out scraps of quilt batting.  I am determined to hand sew enough scraps to end up with a 75″ x 75″ piece.  It will take some hand stitching going back and forth in a zig-zag pattern with the sides butted up to each other so there is no overlap.  I do know that there is a tape sold at JoAnn’s for just such a job but my way will do just fine as a trip out of town for such a meager item does not pencil out.

  We are having cheeseburgers for supper.  N0 buns on hand but sliced bread will do just fine for the two of us.  We make the best of it.  Making the best of each situation is not an act to impress but habit forming.  I like it.  I like it a lot.  That’s who I am . . . durable and having high utility.

   
• 

  Noreen 3:43 pm on January 15, 2021 Permalink  

  Oh For the Howling 

  Last night the howling wind was frightening.  As I peeked out the window of my bedroom and saw the huge evergreen twisting and turning in the winds a mere ten feet from me, I prayed it would hold its own.  

  We didn’t get but two or three inches of snow, but it landed on very warm surfaces.  Dennis tugged on his snowmobile boots this morning and went out to surmise what was needed.  Each of his footprints left a very wet watery impression.  Dennis and I agreed.  The temps were warm but the snow was still able to go through the snow blower fairly well.  When he was done taking off what he could with the blower, I took our pusher shovel and took what remained down to the bare concrete.  Slow and steady.

  There is nothing worse than snow pack that freezes into an Icey slab by the doorway to get into the house.  We may very well have more cold and more snow.  Our effort was a preventative.  It is 3:30 and the snow is still coming down.  It is warm enough that the area that Dennis and I cleared by the car garage door and the house door remain clear concrete.  Several years ago after a snowy spell that left packed snow in our driveway, I was going to get into the car that Dennis had waiting for me.  When I had one leg into the car the other leg slid under the doorframe of the car via the ice pack and the rest of me followed.  Lesson learned.

  We knew our neighbor Randy would take care of the remainder of the driveway.  Dennis and I had worked well together.  Dennis was able to get his pickup in 4-wheel drive and made it off of the yet to be plowed Stauffer Avenue to keep his appointment for his eye injection here at our local eye clinic.  When Dennis did get home, the injection went well and there will be a cataract surgery for him as well in the month to come.  Gotta keep those peepers in good health.    

  I headed down into the sewing room.  Today was the day to finish up that flannel blanket I have been working on.  It had gone so well taking it slowly that here was the day to finish it up.  No need to stay at sewing for long hours.  Breaking up a project with other interests keeps it light and fun.  No pressure here on Stauffer Avenue.  I have just as many flannel blocks embroidered for another 52″ 65″.  That will be on the “to-do” list, as I will return to embroidering my affirmation blocks.  First things first.  Cleaning the fuzz of the flannel and the batting out of the top and bottom of the machine.  Getting the machine oiled with a new needle and perhaps tomorrow will find the lights have been turned on in the sewing studio.  One of my favorite phrases . . . “time will tell.”

  Take it easy on the snow removal.  It was what is often called a “heart attack snowfall.”  Wet and heavy for taking down the heartiest of us and perfect consistency for making snowmen.  The winds continue and thank you Lord for keeping my evergreen standing tall throughout it all.

   
• 

  Noreen 1:47 pm on January 14, 2021 Permalink  

  Waiting for the Storm 

  It is a wait and see, and I see school buses going by in the early afternoon.  Anticipation is on high alert.  The forecast has the word “Blizzard” in it.

  Just a note as to how the Butternut Squash pasta oven meal was received last night by Dennis.  He enjoyed supper immensely and did not notice a difference in this pasta compared to the usual.  Thumbs up.

  I have been in the sewing studio today.  The latest project will be handed off to one of Dennis’ grandsons during the 2021 Christmas season.  The three grandsons have never received something from my sewing studio.  The granddaughters have enjoyed embroidered towels and each have received a blanket from sewing studio.  Girls are easy to sew for.  The fellows need a bit more than cute and the backing for this blanket says it all.

  This blanket is flannel pieced with a touch of embroidery.  It is 55 x 62.  I had no intentions of purchasing anything other than what I currently had on hand for the project.  Score one for me.  The flannel was yardage as a hand-me-down.  The backing has been in the stashes for some time, and yes, at one time I did purchase it.  The batting was a leftover and a bit loftier than what would have been ideal. 

  For a blanket that gets rough and tumble use, I wanted it sturdy but not with a lot of fuss and muss in the quilting of it.  Stitching in the ditch, following seams, was an option.  I chose an option for stitching in the ditch that also caught a good bit of the seam allowance.  Each 7″ block is secured with a bit of interest.  I chose a photo of the back as it was indicated some of the loft and it was difficult to get a sense of the stitching from a photo of the top.  I am happy with the outcome.  It is fluffy and will bring comfort.  The stitch was from the huge amount of stitches that are preloaded on my sewing machine.  After a break from sitting at the machine I will pick out binding and then tuck it away until a time when it can be given.

  KNUJ is still touting warnings of a blizzard.  When I checked the active radar on KEYC it looked as if the high winds will be our biggest challenge.  Time will tell.  Dennis said at noon he didn’t care how loudly the cats would cry to get outside . . . no dice.  Dennis is not having a repeat of the last storm and having to worry about where Harriet was for several days.  Those three cats are Dennis’ confidants.  What happens and is talked about in the patio porch stays in the patio porch.

  Stay safe during these next days.  I would rather think about you than read about you.

   
• 

  Noreen 4:31 pm on January 13, 2021 Permalink  

  Watch the Dust 

  No, I was not hunting dust today.  Today I could have made dust as it ended up being a busy day for me.  It must have been the warm temps this morning plus the sun.  

  I do have a sewing project going on but I know myself better than sitting at the machine for long periods of time.  I stitched a row and then came up to strip the beds.  It was up and down the basement steps for the majority of the day.  Moving is my goal each and every day.  The benefit of today is quite a few things got done.  

  I have found that my sewing chair has just the right amount of divots in the seat cushion that I can get tennis balls to stay where I need them to sit on them.  Laugh as you may . . . they do hit just the right spot in the butt to relax those tight tendons and muscles.  

  I found a bag of pasta last week that is basically made with Butternut Squash.  It looks like any egg noodles that I have had in the past.  I had noticed some pasta that is cauliflower based, but have not tried it as yet.  There are packaged Mac and Cheese that are labeled made with cauliflower.  Tonight we will see what Dennis makes of the oven dish as I had not shared with him what the label stated.  It is the squash pasta, beef left over from a roast that had been waiting in the freezer for just such a meal as this evening, and Alfredo sauce.  A variant of beef stroganoff. 

  This may be the last nice day of the week with rain and snow heading our way.  We are bound to have some winter.  The days are getting longer and whatever snow we get most likely will be gone by Easter.  

  I hope the evening goes well and our normal bedtime is honored.  Dennis slept until eight this morning and has been napping in the patio porch for most of the day, taking time out for little else.  Hmm.

   
• 

  Noreen 4:10 pm on January 11, 2021 Permalink  

  Partly Sunny 

  It is great to see the sun even if it is intermittently. It has been a quiet day for us.  

  I have been puttering in the sewing studio placing umpteen safety pins into the blanket that is sandwiched.  Holding everything together as well as possible makes for a better finished project.  The index finger on my left hand had to sport a Band-Aid as closing the safety pins is a prickly business.  The embroidery module was purring right along as I kept a watchful eye for any problems.  After the embroidered block was finished, I began working with trying out some decorative stitches to see what I could implement for doing the actual quilting of the blanket.  All batting states that stitching can be done up to 8-10 inches apart.  When quilts were tied with yarn, that was perhaps the limit but still making the quilting strong enough for wear and tear.  I don’t ever remember a tied quilt not withstanding use and having the yarn knots come undone.

  With remembering that, I think I can also machine stitch something a bit less dense from some that I have done as the these blocks are 7″ blocks.  I have time to figure that out.  My main concern is sewing down two sides of the sandwiched blanket.  The batting that I had on hand is plenty generous, my concern is that the backing is spot on in regard to the size of the top.  Talk about making due.  If I don’t sew it down, it will creep as I man handled it under the needle for the quilting.  Creeping means something would have to be trimmed in order to bind it . . . not going to happen.

  It is amazing how the day can dwindle down to the point of preparing supper.  We are having chicken tities and some boiled potatoes.  Dennis willingly peeled the potatoes.  The veggie will be whatever I find in the freezer of the Green Giant steamtables.  I do know that I will be passing on the brussel sprouts as I would be eating them alone.  

  Take care and know that as a Monday may go, there is a good chance that not too many people have screwed it up for the entire week.  Take a stand and do not waver.

   
• 

  Noreen 3:59 pm on January 10, 2021 Permalink  

  Mighty God 

  In my childhood the Mighty God phrase was more like MI-GHTY GOD, drawn out to the fullest.  That happened when one of us four kids had pushed dad to the limit and beyond.

  Today we had a Mighty God instance on Stauffer Avenue.  I diligently sort laundry from the baskets.  I was taught from a very young age that sorting was important for a good result.  We use liquid Tide.  When I dump the little measured out cup into the wash tub as it is filling, I pitch the plastic cup into the tub and the very last of it is utilized in that load.

  Today when I picked that little cup out of the tub after the load was done, I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what was stuck on the outside of the plastic cup.  I have been known to not check pockets close enough and a tissue becomes confetti in the wash tub, but this was sticky and greasy.  It was a load of Dennis’ dark clothes that was pitched into the tub to be washed.  An ah-ha moment.  Dennis had been wearing a bandana around his neck as he attested that Vicks helped his cold and the bandana kept his neck warm for the Vicks to do its thing.  Did I check to see how much Vicks was used?  No. Did I check how many of his bandanas had been slathered with Vicks? No.  The inside of the wash tub had globed up the Vicks from the bandanas and bless that little soap cup that gave it up.  How in the hell much could bandanas hold!

  The All Mighty God almost didn’t save Dennis’ sweet ass.  An ice cream pail of hot water with Dawn dishwater soap and sponge was what was handed to Dennis.  I went into the sewing studio.  When asked for advice, I gave advice.  I did do the quality assurance when he was done.   There was also a Vicks 101 seminar held afterwards. 

  On lighter notes, I had a good run in the sewing studio.  I have my blanket sandwiched and now lots of pins will hold the three layers together, so I can quilt the layers together.  The embroidery blocks are going well.  As you may have surmised, I do quite a bit of affirmations when I talk to myself.  I think the above paragraphs may hint as to why I need to talk to myself.  This next quilt will include nine such blocks with borders around them.  I am having fun with them and can envision the process.   Today has been a day of challenges and good things.  Save the best and leave the rest.  That’s all I have to say about that.

   
• 

  Noreen 4:17 pm on January 8, 2021 Permalink  

  Home Sweet Home 

  Today was a road trip day to Mankato.  We drove in fog but not to the severity that the early morning hours must have been like.  The frost on the trees is always something to behold . . . a dream land.

  The shopping list was short.  Our main objective was Home Depot for LED fixtures.  I have had two fluorescent and two LED four foot long fixtures.  The fluorescent lighting had a yellow cast and they hummed.  The basement lighting for sewing and stitching needed to be homogeneous.  Dennis stayed in the car and I got to query the salesperson.  Success.  Three new fixtures, four feet long and able to plug into an outlet.

  We stopped at Dennis’ granddaughters for a few minutes.  She is working from home and the two little girls were in preschool.  All is well with Sadie and Grandpa Dennis was satisfied.  Being a newly single mother does cause my ole cowboy concern.  Lots of changes for such a small family.

  When we got home, we settled down to the task of unloading our lighting fixtures to see what we could handle.  We handled things beautifully.  No older adult was harmed in this process.  What had been a multi-type lite sewing studio with four fixtures is now a harmonious five fixture sewing studio.  We couldn’t believe the difference the total LED fixtures made.  When we were all finished, we were wore out.  It is late in the day, but I am going to have my one cup of coffee for the day shortly after I hit “publish” this afternoon. 

  Working together with Dennis is not difficult.  His level of mobility pretty much matches mine.  Taking it slow is what the secret is.  One fixture may have to be heightened in time to come.  Either Kevin or Brett may be bonked on the head walking under it.  We didn’t clip off any of the chain, so that shouldn’t be a big challenge.

  Our running around for the week is over.  I have a new book to begin reading.  I have stitching to do.  I have put the 1,000 puzzle pieces back into the box with a little ring around the area on the cover photo as to where the missing piece should have been. 

  This week went fast but I sure do have a great feeling for what I accomplished this week.  Right from the get-go on Sunday, right through the newly added light fixtures today.  Local effort is alive and well.

   
• 

  Noreen 4:59 pm on January 7, 2021 Permalink  

  Dismal Day 

  What a dismal day today.  No sunshine so I decided to spend my time in the sewing studio and make my own sunshine.  I have one light fixture that needs to be replaced.  It is the old style florescent tubes.  It will be replaced with the LED bulb right in the fixture.  We have two such lights and they really hit the mark for good lighting to work under.  It sounds like a road trip coming up.

  I did put the embroidery module on the sewing machine today.  I am in the process of pulling ideas together using embroidered blocks with pieced patchwork blocks surrounding each of the embroidered ones.  Out comes the graph paper.

  It has been some time since I did any embroidering.  The biggest task for me is to pull all the colors I need for each block and each of the blocks I have in mind use different colors.  My threads are organized by color number.  I use Isacord thread exclusively.  OESD, Oklahoma Embroidery Supply and Design, is Bernina’s link for exclusive designs and Isacord is the thread that is linked to those designs.  Using embroidery designs that are put out by the same as the thread company makes it quite easy to get everything organized in that area of a project.  The colors within each design lists the color number and that means the end product looks as good as it was intended to by the designer.  Then comes the decision of the stabilizer to use.  As I said it has been some time since I was in this mode.  Much time spent today getting items from A to Z.  Tomorrow will go smoother.

  If Dennis decides on a road trip for purchasing light fixtures tomorrow we won’t be venturing out too early if we do at all tomorrow morning.  Dennis enjoys road trips as he is right at home behind the wheel of his little red pickup.  Patio porch time does weigh heavy after a week of it.  I am fortunate to have a bit more on my plate at any given time.  KNUJ, my favorite radio station, is warning of dense fog tonight and into tomorrow morning.  The dense fog also means some freezing on roadways.  Dense fog also means that four legged creatures can’t be seen easily.  I am not referring to squirrels.   

  Supper is going to be easy tonight.  Beef hotdogs chunked into a can of pork and beans with buttered bread.  That suggestion passed mustard with Dennis.  

  Take care everyone.  My furnace does enjoy these mild temps.

   
• 

  Noreen 4:55 pm on January 6, 2021 Permalink  

  Closure 

  I had decided to take a break after Christmas of the usual commotion here on Stauffer Avenue.  That included turning off the sewing machine and doing only whatever housework that was needed to keep the Human Services from doing a welfare check.  Laundry could not be included in that as being able to enter the bathroom without tripping over the overflowing laundry basket could be dangerous.  Can’t you see the news headline . . . “Senior citizen sustains skull fracture falling on the ceramic toilet via the overflowing laundry basket.”

  The ability to take such a long break took shape by putting a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle on the dining room table.  My break of activities saw closure this noon when I completed the jigsaw puzzle.  That was good news as I was beginning to see double seeking and searching for compatible pieces.  The bad news was that one piece was missing.  Dennis and I were the only two people in the house during the process.  We looked high and low.  The puzzle will stay on the table a bit longer.  The missing piece may show up in someone’s underwear drawer as there had been a lot of laundry done in the general vicinity.

  The next best thing in searching for that dang green puzzle piece was to totally clean the living room floor in case it had taken flight.  I soon saw evidence that I had not been doing much in the way of cleaning.  No . . . the puzzle piece continues to be lost.  What did happen was going through two Swiffer pads.  We had a Labor-doodle visiting on Christmas Day.  Hello . . . it is a myth that they do not shed.  I was surprised to say the least and felt bad that my floor was that bad.  The hair wasn’t found on the main path that we make through our living room, it had scooted, flown and settled to the perimeter.  The little yellow Lab puppy that also was in our home that day, did not leave any evidence.  Kevin’s had given the puppy a Christmas morning bath.  

  Anyway . . . I am back after my lazy days of the holidays.  There is a price to pay for sloughing off.  The cleaning continued and I treated myself to spending some time in the sewing studio just to get the feel of it.

  Today was the first time that Dennis used our new medical prescription card at the Lewis Drug in town.  Two prescriptions that were originally read for $57.00, Dennis paid $1.63.  With us dropping Blue Cross RX from $64.00 per each of us and going to a plan for $15.40 per each of us, we really didn’t know what to expect for the co-pay.  Sweet. 

  The drizzle that we have had today has thus far not frozen but that may change after the temps fall tonight.

   
• 

  Noreen 3:52 pm on December 20, 2020 Permalink  

  Brisk Walk 

  This afternoon it was going to either be a nap in my chair covered to my chin with an afghan, or a brisk walk.  I opted for the walk.  No ice or snow under the shoes made for a no-brainer. 

  I stopped at the end of Stauffer to visit June.  She invited me in for coffee.  We had not visited since the middle of November.  The covid does have her concerned and rightfully so.  I had taken a mask with, but she said that wouldn’t be needed.  June is an avid reader during the winter.  I pick up my books from the rack of free ones at the library so I don’t need to be concerned about getting the books back during the allotted time.  I can usually get into the drift of any book during the first 100 pages.  If the plot has not won me over by that time, the book doesn’t make it to page 101.  June’s daughter, from the metro, brings June books that she has purchased and has read.  After June and I are finished with books, we swap them back and forth to each other.  Its works well.  

  After last Thursday I had closed down the sewing studio determined to take a break before starting something new.  Hmm.  I really miss going down and stitching a bit each day.  I will tough it out until after Christmas.  The project I will tackle next is for granddaughter Megan.  I was in denial.  When I realized that Megan was a Junior and not a Sophomore in high school, I went into planning 101.  I do want to make her a blanket/quilt to take with her to college.  I have talked about this with Carrie.  Once I start this, I know the sewing studio would have tell-tale signs of which I do not want Megan to pick-up on.  Twiddle the thumbs Grammie and read a book!  Christmas is in five days.

  The clouds have settled into this gloomy afternoon that remains . . .  still calling for a nap.  Dennis can have a good 8 hours of sleep during the night, get up with a cup of coffee in hand going out to the patio porch and catch a nap within the first hour of him being out there.  There may be a nap in the afternoon.  How can I tell?  The rocking chair is no longer in motion.  When Dennis heads to bed at 11:00 in the evening, I can tell by his breathing, he is asleep within five minutes.  I wish that were true for myself.  Any napping during the day and I am paying for it at night, when I would enjoy falling asleep within minutes of getting into my awaiting bed.  Such is life.

  Lots of commotion this week with Christmas Eve being within days.  My hope has been about making it a quiet week with preparations having been such that there is no fast and furious rush.  Time will tell if I pull it off.