Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from October, 2013 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  Noreen 7:05 am on October 3, 2013 Permalink  

  What a lightening show complete with thunder boomers… 

  What a lightening show complete with thunder boomers.  I hope there is rain that will follow.  Today was a red letter day on Stauffer.  The end of our entire list of repairs came into fruition today.  With the low humidity and a great breeze it started with the last of the ridge row going on the potting shed.  While Dennis and his son Jeff headed out with the trailer of old shingles and building materials I began pulling together paint scrappers, paint brushes and ladders.

  Over the course of these seven work days I usually have been fixing a noon lunch but today I looked in the refrigerator and it was not good.   It was settled that peanut butter and jelly was the fare of the day.  There was no way I was in any condition to head to a grocery store without cleaning up – so consequently we slathered up the bread and called it good.

  Jeff hit the ladder for the high spots with primer and I went only as high as my kitchen stool would allow.  Dennis was handing off materials right and left for Jeff and me.  By four this afternoon the paint was drying, brushes were washed and ladders put away.  Priceless.

  This evening Dennis and I went out for a bite and when we came home I had to do a walk around the property.  A new sliding patio door in the garage porch is a wonder compared to the used French doors we had used ten years ago.  The potting shed that used 16 squares of shingles should last us for as long as I pot.  The pickup garage has a new sill to the east complete with wonderful siding and windows both of which sport the perfect finishing touches.  The high gables of the garages are scrapped, primed and painted.  Not the least is that Dennis will be able to enjoy his garage porch with our garage kitty Honey Bunny without a worry in the world as the porch has new shingles.  I mentioned I did walk around the property but not with a bounce in my step.  Both Dennis and I feel the last seven days and may for a few more to come.

  The end to this perfect day would be a great shower of rain to celebrate Dennis’ October 2nd birthday.  May all your errands turn out as sweet as those on Stauffer Avenue.

   
• 

  Noreen 4:19 am on October 2, 2013 Permalink  

  I made a quick visit today to the… 

  I made a quick visit today to the Hallowed Halls of the Watonwan County Courthouse to pay the second half of our real estate taxes for 2013.  Walking past the offices everyone within was hunched over their desks peering into computer screens under an enormousness amount of fluorescent lighting.  I did not stay long as I wanted to escape back into the glorious fall day.  I do now understand the quote “relationships either grow or they die.”   My real time no longer has any similarity to those that remain behind working in the Hallowed Halls.  For the forty five plus years I worked for the W-2 Form I never gave it a thought as that was required to put food on the table and pay bills.  Let’s hear it for the W-2 Form worker.  I love my life as being retired.

   
• 

  Noreen 5:18 am on October 1, 2013 Permalink  

  Several times a year it's time to put… 

  Several times a year it’s time to put the job jar down and honor the date on the calender that was set weeks prior.  Yes indeed.  It’s time to get together with friends.  The three of us all have grandchildren, we love to garden, we live in our own homes complete with husbands that have tolerated a lot from us over the course of decades.  Our work careers ran parallel.  We were representatives of the Minnesota Department of Revenue known as county assessors.  It really isn’t fair to use the word ‘were’ as Doreen Pherson is still slugging it out day after day at Nicollet County.  Judy Friesen reigned in Brown County and retired a year after I did. Of course Watonwan County has never been the same since I retired in 2010. OK, a bit of humor there.

  

  Judy, Doreen and Noreen

  We did spend a bit of time on shop talk, but by and large it was about family, health, fun and love of life.  Our friend Judy has been fighting macular degeneration and most recently cataracts on both eyes.  Today was part of the recovery time in between the previous surgery and the second surgery this coming Monday. I was her chauffeur for the day. It was heartwarming to hear that Judy is taking things in stride but getting bored as she can’t drive, can’t see to read, can’t see the television, and most disappointing for Judy, she cannot see to sew.  We were due to get her to a doctor’s appointment later in our luncheon day to allow Judy to get some answers for her questions.  She felt it just wasn’t going the way the doctors had indicated.

  We left lunch a bit early as Judy needed to pick up groceries and not being able to hop in the car and make a trip to the store this was a prime opportunity.  I read labels while she began filling her cart.  For her it was a treat to get out and be able to pick and choose what would be in her kitchen cupboards rather than depending on someone else to make choices.

  I came away thoroughly enjoying the drive home taking in the landscape of harvest that is in full swing.  I could see what was going on.  Priceless.

   
• 

  Noreen 5:38 am on September 27, 2013 Permalink  

  Dennis and I are deep in the mix of repairs here on Stauffer. The lumber yard came through with materials and there is primer, caulk, siding, shingles and trim boards – what to handle first. The temps got a bit warm but the breeze felt very soothing on skin that was a bit touched by the sun. Catch ya later.

   
• 

  Noreen 6:40 am on September 26, 2013 Permalink  

  Here we are at the time of year when the squirrels have nothing on Dennis and me as we get ready for winter. The cool weather had us sitting on the back patio and taking stock of our real estate. The list was started and it grew and it grew much like the magic bean stalk. We had a whiz bang start until our local lumber yard didn’t have some of the basics on hand that we needed. Hurry up and wait. Hey they have five locations and somewhere along the way I can envision the wagon being pulled by mules and at each stop they are picking up items that we need. We’re not building a two story dairy barn, we are repairing a portion of some very small buildings. As luck would have it they did have paint on hand and when asked what type of paint I wanted I said I wanted an excellent latex that would last at least five years. Why five years? There is no way I can see myself painting heights above my head when I am 75. Stay tuned for the rest of the story.

   
• 

  Noreen 6:08 am on September 24, 2013 Permalink  

  Recently we were asked to an outside wedding… 

  

  Stauffer Ave. folks out for the day.

  Recently we were asked to an outside wedding in a park adjacent to a lake. This time of the year we were prepared with jackets in tow.  Saturday came and the sun came out and it was a perfect day.  Dennis and I found a park bench and we sat back to enjoy watching all the preparations.  So much going on to get every detail just right.

  As we were watching everyone, someone was watching us and took this wonderful photo.  Dennis and I agreed we were the best looking couple there — other than the bride and groom.

  We had a great time and of course the best was saved for last: coming home and getting comfortable in our robes as we sat out on the patio enjoying being home.

   
• 

  Noreen 7:18 am on September 20, 2013 Permalink  

  Don’t tell anyone but, I found myself napping 

  Don’t tell anyone but I found myself napping this evening. I sat on the sofa looking through some mail with the television on for background noise and the next thing I knew 30 minutes had gone by. We have been putting in some very busy days and it may have just caught up with me or I may just be that relaxed after knocking our job jar down to very few items. Catch ya later.

   
• 

  Noreen 9:00 am on September 19, 2013 Permalink  

  It’s been such a great day of running errands on items than need to be in place as fall is fast approaching. We have a garage in the far back of the lot and of course my potting shed. Just to be on the safe side we always put down rodent pitch packs for the field mice to munch on as they try to find a great hiding spot before winter. Replacement furnace filters are now on board and we are on the list to have the furnace checked out. When I checked on the furnace filter stash, or lack thereof, in the basement it started a little cleaning here and a little cleaning there and before long everything had been picked up or moved and vacuumed under. Dennis came down and with his help we nailed it. Whew! How did I ever have time to hold down a W-2 Form job? Catch ya later.

   
• 

  Noreen 5:37 am on September 17, 2013 Permalink  

  In case you have not picked up on this during my previous posts, I will just put it out there: I so enjoy my life here on Stauffer Ave. No big bells or whistles just a lot of singing birds in the huge trees. This part of town was a pasture in times past. Most of the homes on Stauffer, including our home, have been moved in from other locations. The trees are old and large and they shelter us with much shade. Dennis and I are living a fairly simple life style in our 720 square foot home.

  A good friend Perry Schroeder has been keeping us supplied with tomatoes. I have told Perry that I do share them farther if it is more than Dennis and I can put away. An egg basket full of the red jewels is a lot for Dennis and I when they are delivered on frequent intervals. Across Stauffer Avenue live Marie and Pasquel an elderly couple with ethnic ties to Mexico. Neither speak a lot of English but they do fairly well and younger family members come and go to help them. In the mornings when Dennis and I are on the back patio with coffee, Pasquel is sitting on the back steps and more times then not we give each other a wave. When I take Pasquel tomatoes he always takes my hand in both of his and he looks me right in the eyes and says “Thanks.” Priceless.

  Several years ago when we bought a stackable washer and drier to be installed in the first floor bathroom, we were left with an gently used older set that would no longer be needed in the basement. When I saw that Pasquel and Marie had family over at their home I walked over and ask if anyone in their family could make use of them. Oh my gosh, the washer and drier left our property almost before I could walk back home. There were lots of hand shakes and smiles. The next night we had a feast of tasty Mexican food brought over from great neighbors.

  Stauffer Avenue is a gravel street on the northeast edge of St. James and I am sure it is the most sought after place to live in St. James, but of course I am biased. Dennis and I are living the small town dream. We know our neighbors, we work with our neighbors and we lend an extra hand when we can. On our north property line neighbor Jan and I tend to take a whack at solving the world’s problems as we visit over the picket fence. Is there any wonder why I so love my life here on Stauffer Avenue? Catch ya later.

   
• 

  Noreen 4:18 am on September 16, 2013 Permalink  

  We did get a wonderful shower of rain that measured .6 in the gauge. The air is heavy today and it has been very dark out. After a good workout at the Super 8 pool nothing hit the spot like an egg, bacon and toast brunch. My sewing area needed a good clean up and now the fuzz is gone and the top of the tables are ready to receive the next project.

  As this was a great day that the Lord has given us, I opted for a cup of coffee on the back patio and spending a little time kicking back with Dennis as we reminisced about times gone by. Tomorrow will be plenty of time to make new plans for the busy work that I so dearly love. Catch ya later.