I am a retired 44-year veteran of the Real Estate Assessment field. As with real estate assessing and how it applies to real estate taxes, one can make many acquaintances, but not many real friends. It was a great career choice.
It has been nearly 10 years since I reclaimed my home and my real passions within my home. I enjoy it more each day and tip my hat to those who I left behind.
Each day I try to stretch myself with the use of my computer as it relates to this site and using it to print out labels for quilts for trying to incorporate photos into my sewing. Life is so full and I know that I have room for more.
Waking up from a nap this afternoon with the Will and Grace Marathon going on in the background it took a while before I could realize what day it was, what time it might be or if Dennis was home or not. Deep sleep naps are wonderful and I am sure Dennis had a slight pain in his neck in Sioux Falls right about that same time.
For the last several days Dennis has been organizing and packing up for Sioux Fall, South Dakota. Each year there is a trade show for collectors of various makes and models of guns. I am pretty sure this is Dennis’ 22nd year of some great cowboy R & R bonding. I so appreciate the fact that Dennis’ acquaintances stretch beyond the five day a week buddies here in St. James. There are fellows from Utah and Nevada that Dennis looks forward to visiting with and broadening horizons is always a good thing. Over the years Dennis has bought, sold and traded. It has been a lot of fun plus quite financially successful.
It’s a huge project deciding what to take to show on the tables that he has rented. Friday the dealers get set up and buy and sell from each other before the doors are open to the public on Saturday and Sunday. I have been with Dennis various years and it is non stop people checking out the 300 plus tables of goodies.
I got the full lecture before he left this morning. No driving unless an emergency as I cannot work the seat belt with the right arm. No attic adventures – I am to stay down on the main floor. Basement travels are allowed but no carrying items up or down – just me navigating the steps. The last four weeks Dennis has been taking care of me morning, noon and night and this trip felt right for both of us. After we had gone over all the ground rules there was one happy cowboy heading out in his red pickup. I know tonight I will get a phone call and it will be a “just checking in” type of call. Gotta love it.
As the shoulder is healing a good resting position for sleep is becoming a challenge. Why waste the time rustling around when time to think through the day’s events can’t hurt. Dennis seemed surprised to learn through reading the blog that I labeled him a procrastinator. I assured him that when opposites attract it really works out well. Both of us being the same could be disastrous for our families. For me being a non-procrastinator came from eighteen years of being my father’s ‘go to’ person much like what my brothers were. When Dad was under a piece of equipment and needed additional tools the order was given and “don’t walk – run.” The needed was told to us and we moved – now. When we worked with Dad we knew if something was worth starting it was worth finishing. Something left undone was unacceptable. Dad was an amazing teacher and you never forget that which works. You can ask my daughter Carrie. She knows when I tackle a project it is head down and the head doesn’t come up until the task at hand is completed. Extremely frustrating for those that have to be in close proximity but never is there a need to work through incomplete projects long after the enthusiasm is gone. If I like a project well enough to try it – watch out and be prepared to fend for yourself until I am done. So – thanks Dad for life lessons that continue to serve me daily.
Procrastination is not a part of who I am. As winter is winding down I am very happy to have several projects well under way for total completion. Apart from getting the shoulder surgery over with, two counted cross stitch projects were in need of matting and framing for – for posterity of course. Untold hours of close eye to hand work is due the opportunity to be enjoyed for some time to come regardless of what environment they may be exposed to in time to come. I can’t wait to get a phone call from Michael’s that they are ready to be picked up. A trip to Old Alley Quilt Shop today to pick up the last of my pieced quilt tops that was patiently awaiting the chance to grace a family member’s bed is now beautifully quilted and ready for binding as soon as my right shoulder gives me the go ahead. A photo session will be needed in time to come for sharing. Think how the earth would shake if Dennis were also a non-participant of procrastination. Just to let you in on a little secret – Dennis holds the title of “Chief Procrastinator.” Gotta love that guy.
A multiple-pot-of-coffee day, as sorting and sifting through junk mail that has come over the last several weeks is needed. Dennis is experiencing cabin fever and this may be just the ticket for him to find something to do other than harass me. Gotta love that man. Our recycling bin is emptied every two weeks and it is usually filled to the brink. I can only imagine what a family can collect. Over a period of time when recycling collection has been reviewed, our small county received a high rate of use per capita. Gone are the days when every home had a burning barrel in the backyard. Gone are the days of filling our landfills with items that can perhaps become my new vinyl fence or floor tiles.
It’s the first of February and the most going on at Stauffer Avenue is making sure the furnace filter gets changed.
A quiet day on Stauffer Avenue letting a few cat naps take over and letting the healing continue.
Day 6 and it was a ‘red letter’ day. A hot shower. With the extra paraphernalia of the catheter all I was missing was a flock of little yellow rubber duckies. Dennis got just as wet as I did but it was just great. Beta-din good-bye.
We went on to get several loads of laundry orchestrated. Clean socks and undies – the world is good.
I do have what I hope is one last less than “oh goodie” in regard to the extra issue of this surgery and that being the catheter I am wearing as an additional appendage. Dennis and I made a total of two trips to the ER for catheter irrigation – one on Saturday and on on Sunday. Sunday the ER staff said any additional trips for the same issue would not be processed favorably with insurance. The message would be on my family doctor’s computer Sunday night for him to see first thing Monday morning that I would need a standing order with either the clinic or the hospital for the catheter irrigation. We received a call this noon (Wednesday) that the order could be picked up.
I am so proud of all the help Dennis was and has been with the multiple times day or night he has helped wrangling saline solutions, the syringes and all the ‘clean-up on aisle five” to keep the urine running while my right arm being of no help. Come on – it’s pee, the most taken for granted bodily function by the majority of the world. Only on Stauffer Avenue does it trump—–everything.
I am going back to revealing of the hot shower.
There is nothing as enjoyable than wearing a lighter jacket in January. This morning when I awoke I could hear the drip, dripping of snow that was melting off the roof. There is a lot going on here on Stauffer Avenue and it’s time to close for now and take care of what is needed.
This is an exciting weekend. Catch ya all later.