Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from January, 2023 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 2:53 pm on January 16, 2023 Permalink  

  Custom Zippers 

  Digging in my stashes, I found the perfect solution for our latest medical need.

  The boot on Dennis’ left foot is very cumbersome, heavy and specialized.  It is built so when Dennis puts that foot out for a step, the built up heel takes the brunt.  

  Up until yesterday Dennis had a pair of cut off sweat pants to wear.  The boot was to stay on 24/7, but I did take it off Wednesday night to allow him a piece of clothing he could manage in and out of the bathroom. 

  It has been mild outside, but his little white legs even gave the white snow a run for its money. 

  In my stash, out came what is called zipper by the yard.  When purchasing a yard there are several of the zipper pulls included.  Custom zippers can be created.  It is not the easiest to thread the zipper pull on the two sides of the zipper.  Nonetheless, Dennis now has two pair of pants that allow the left leg of each to have a 20″ opening to fit around and over the boot.

  It is time for me to take care of the livestock chores as well as to get the garbage bin out to the edge of Stauffer Avenue.  As soon as I enter the garage, the kitties plop down from the rafters.  It does not get cooler than 51 degrees in the garages, and of course, heat rises.

  May the new week bring all that is needed for all of us.

   
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  Noreen 2:51 pm on January 14, 2023 Permalink  

  A New Challenge 

  Today I am working on some sewing skills.

  Dennis came home from the hospital in what was a pair of good sweat pants that had a zipper on each side of the legs.  The nurses had a heck of a time getting Dennis ready for home as the zipper was not quite adequate.  I got those pants off by hook and crook, but he needs something more than his undies for next week’s appointments.

  Today with using the oldest pants he has, I am opening the side of the left leg.  Some time ago I had bought three yards of zipper length with individual heads to make your own zippers for the length you needed.  Thankfully I have one head already threaded onto the length.  I think I will cut off a 16″ length and make a pair of pants that are doable to fit over this huge clumsy boot that goes up mid point to Dennis’ knee. 

  Pants that have been laundered umpteen times have stitches deeply embedded with navy on navy . . . hard to see.  Enough for that today.  I will hit the studio tomorrow and see how I do.

  I have the livestock chores done for the day and have made a trip to the store for cough drops, carrots, onions and a rotisserie chicken.

  Boning out the chicken will give me a good batch of chicken for an oven dish sometime soon.  Fixing a dish that will provide us with a good nutritious meal for three evening meals is better for me than coming up with something night after night.

  Dennis is doing quite well . . . all things considered.  He is staying ahead of the pain while keeping the leg up at various locations within the house.  He has not asked if he can go out to the patio porch . . . I believe he already knows what the situation is until next week Tuesday when we see a medical team.

   
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  Noreen 3:44 pm on January 13, 2023 Permalink  

  Lots of Sun 

  Chilly it is but the sun has power.

  I am doing well at the livestock chores.  I know the three fur babies would like me to spend more time in the patio porch.  Sorry!  When I opened the east sliding door to put corn out for the deer . . . good ole Honey Bunny made a break for it.  I went ahead and cleaned the litter box, put fresh food and water out and then returned to the door I had left cracked.  She sat out about ten feet in one of the trenches of tracks made by the deer and . . . looked at me.  I slid the door shut with a fairly loud thud.  Bam, she was at the glass door when there was barely a width large enough for her head.  Gotcha!

  Last night I went to bed at nine and was surprised when I heard traffic was moving on the street outside and it was six in the morning.   Dennis and I both got a great night’s rest. 

  The patient has moved from place to place in the house, wherever we can get a stool to keep the leg elevated.  He is doing well and since surgery on Wednesday, he has asked for one pain pill.  I do remind him, it is easier to stay ahead of it than to try and quench it after it is raging.  He tells me he is doing ok and I take him at his word.

  After having Dennis’ heavy quilt outside for most of yesterday, the smell of winter’s cold fresh air filled the house.  It took me back to the farm in Boon Lake Township where we farmed.  Many times, I would hang out laundry and let it freeze dry.  No fabric softener was used and the softness of bath towels exceeded how they had been purchased.  Flannel diapers didn’t take long to freeze dry and when they were brought indoors, they were ready to be pinned on in a very short time.

  I am very thankful for a lifetime of memories.  It is true, they can’t be taken from you and I always have room to store more.  Sweet!

  Happy weekend!  The temps over Saturday and Sunday will be a great reprieve.

   
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  Noreen 3:00 pm on January 12, 2023 Permalink  

  Home Sweet Home 

  After spending the greater portion of yesterday in the surgical unit of the Mankato Hospital . . . today was home sweet home.  Dennis came through the amputation of toes and metatarsal well.  It was a one day surgery.  I did make good on letting all the kids know when were were home.  I encouraged Dennis’ children to give him a call in the evening.

  Dennis had a fairly good night of rest while wearing an orthopedic boot.  The boot is 99% Velcro with various straps.  I did remove the boot this forenoon so Dennis could get into some comfortable sweat pants plus a totally clean change of clothes.  That boot can be worn for several days at a time.  I may well be doing just that.

  The air was crisp today and fairly breezy.  I took Dennis’ heavy flannel quilt outside and made use of the bench that we have by the back door.  With the bench put in the middle of the driveway the quilt took to fluttering.  I have turned it end for end several times.  My hope is when I take it in, the house will be filled with the wonderful aroma of freshness.  It is washable, but it would take a huge front loading machine in the launderette.  By evening, his bed will be an option and perhaps better than the recliner he was in last night.  

  Bland food is the ticket for the day.  Supper will be either scrambled eggs or breakfast cereal.  Anesthetics can be hard on the system for the next day. 

  The wind is brisk enough that the iced snow is letting loose of the evergreen boughs.

  I have the livestock chores done for this evening and have the corn out for the deer.  Dennis will not be able to visit the patio porch until some time next week, if . . . he gets the wound doctor’s go ahead.

  The remainder of our week is quiet.  Sweet!

   
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  Noreen 3:08 pm on January 7, 2023 Permalink  

  A Quiet Saturday 

  With the sun shining brightly, I found myself taking in what I saw out of my bedroom porch window.  There was no breeze but small flakes of snow found their way to the ground after leaving the shelter of the evergreen boughs.  A heavy white frost gave us a wonderland.  

  I was in no hurry to finish my breakfast coffee.  Times like this morning need to happen more often.  Rushing through the hours of the day will not only exhaust me but I miss out of the finer points of each hour.  

  The birds that we have in our Lilac bushes never cease to amaze me.  A pair of cardinals cant be missed against the white snow.  We have Blue Jays that make a huge racket and that can be forgiven for the color they add.  I am not keen on knowing the names of the little birds of varying colors.  They add so much to our yard.  It also gives the patio porch kitties a reason to keep their noses to the window panes.

  After enough nature gazing it was time to get the bedding going.  One bedroom yesterday and one today makes for good local effort.  Dennis pitched in with the back entry floor.  He felt it was only right as he is the one going in and out many times during daylight hours.

  I can add that yesterday in the afternoon of Friday, we found out that the meds that we assumed were given to the drug store Thursday afternoon were not forthcoming from the doctor in Mankato for the pain Dennis was experiencing in his left foot.  I went onto our Mayo Portal at three on Friday afternoon to visit with our family doctor.  I got a message back on the portal at five that Dr. Eatwell had the meds sent to Lewis Drug.  The Drug store is open until six.  A family doctor that knows his patients is so much appreciated.  Dennis got a great night’s sleep.  Having Dennis sleep deprived prior to his surgery on Wednesday would not be a good thing for oh so many reasons.

  Our weekend chores are complete and with the weather having settled . . . all is well.

   
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  Noreen 3:23 pm on January 6, 2023 Permalink  

  Bright Sun 

  What a treat to have bright sun amid all the snow and ice that is hanging around.  Snow removal is slowing down.  Where it could get pushed it has.  The bad part of snow removal is that where the pushing has taken place, it is slick.

  There was a need for us to contact a medical desk in Mankato.  As soon as I read the email, I got right on it.  I was put on hold as all the representatives were currently helping others.  I was on hold for 35 minutes.  I was then told I needed to hold for my call to be forwarded to the Doctor’s nurse.  Another ten minutes.  

  The pain prescription that the Doctor was to forward to our drug store never showed up since yesterday afternoon.  I was finally told that the Doctor in radiology would prefer that our family doctor prescribed what he felt would be best suited as he knew his patient and his history better.  How hard would it have been to tell us that straight out.  Twenty four hours had been wasted.  I am now waiting for our family doctor to return my call.

  I wonder what happens to those that have no one to advocate for them.  Grant it, Dennis has his senses but he is not a match for the jargon of “medical speak.”  Oh well.

  I have one of the two sets of bedding ready to go back onto a bed.  The refrig and freezer got a review and we now have an oven dish ready to pop in for supper.  Some of my tasks were done while I had my phone on speaker.  I kept it close enough that I could make a grab for it.  Working smarter, not harder.

  There is a bit of rearranging going on in the living room for next week.  Dennis tidied up one of the square card tables that we have used in the past for patio picnics.  The computer table is going into my porch bedroom and the computer has found a home on the card table.  There is plenty of room for Dennis to play solitaire during recovery while keeping his foot up under the card table.  It all can work with just a bit of planning.

  Dennis just came home from the elevator as his stockpile of corn for feeding the deer is growing.  Like I said . . . planning.

   
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  Noreen 2:59 pm on January 4, 2023 Permalink  

  Winter! 

  We have not had a winter such as this for one long time.  The depth of the snow is quite the sound barrier.  The evergreen’s boughs outside my bedroom porch window are laden beyond belief.  I know we have a wind of 10 mph but it is not enough to take the snow.  

  I dressed up at noon and made a path from our back door to the garage door.  I have been doing this every several hours so as not to have so much each time.  It is very wet and heavy snow and what has been falling all day is half rain.  Randy will be over after five to clear the drive.  Grandson Ryan is coming over later with a skid loader.  The city has plowed Stauffer Avenue on a once through and that has not allowed much for Dennis to back out of his garage.  Each time the snow opposite the garage gets taller and much falls back onto the surface.  Ryan will take the snow and pile it in the backyard.  After all what is a little red pickup if it can’t get out of the garage?

  I spent time in the studio puttering around mindlessly.  I need to get myself centered and dig into something . . . even if it is wrong.  Come on Grammie . . . you are better than this.  I have more on my mind than what is needed.

  I did stick my head into the refrig to see what I would be scaring up for supper.  Hmm.  What I spied was half of a huge white onion.  That would have been Raymond’s solution.  My dad could have a raw onion sandwich on white and call it good.  I think we will be having scrambled eggs with buttered toast.  I had heard that an 18 count of eggs was $11.00.  Seriously!

   
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  Noreen 2:52 pm on January 3, 2023 Permalink  

  First Wave 

  It seems as if the snow is coming in multiple waves.  I look outside and I can’t give an estimate of the inches.  White on white allows for no measure.

  When I got up last night for a trip to the bathroom, the deer were plentiful in the backyard.  Two smaller deer were not far from the house.  Though I don’t turn on lights, it seemed they sensed an intruder.  Each of the two jumped over our picket fence in a blink of my eye.  That was quite the sight.

  January 11th cannot come soon enough.  That is the surgical date for Dennis to have the remaining three toes taken off of his left foot.  All seemed to be going along well with the healing.  In a heartbeat, the little toe began turning black.  Infections can remain in our systems without warnings.  Dennis’ temp has been the same good range for all of this duration.  Heaven knows I check it often enough.  This sure took us by surprise.  Within the last days, Dennis has pain in the foot.  As I said January 11th cannot come soon enough.  This Thursday Dennis will have an ultrasound as a heads up for the condition of the arteries before surgery.  One step at a time.  I can’t believe I am saying this, but . . . Dennis is not welcoming visitors right now.  With what he is dealing with, it’s hard to stay positive all the time.  I think he has done rather well through this last year and a half.

  The Christmas tree is beckoning to be stuffed back into its box.  “It is “Ho-Ho-Ho’d” out.

  The homemade soup was a winner, so we will have an encore of it this evening.

   
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  Noreen 3:04 pm on December 28, 2022 Permalink  

  A Drippy Day 

  There are puddles everywhere.

  I had an appointment this morning with my doctor.  With the strong south wind, I felt lucky to get into the clinic.  In September I had several batteries of tests and x-rays for my “farmer type” back.  I printed out the results and one by one I went online to see what the huge terms meant.

  This morning, I wanted to find out what could be done going forward.  If I would have surgery to repair my lower back, there would be five vertebra that would need to be rebuilt.  It would most likely take a full year of rehabilitation to get back to relative normality.  For now, I am going to try meds.  If an opioid can give marginal relief, so be it.  If, after a time, perhaps a cortisone shot may be of a help.  Yes . . . the shot has to be spot on to help.  For now I am willing to try this meds recourse. 

  Yesterday I had a text conversation to brighten my world.  I have known Sharon Skolberg since we were each in country school.  Sharon and Ted farmed north up the road from Orlin and me in Boon Lake Township.  Ted and Orlin have since passed, but the special friendship between Sharon and I remains.  Sharon had shared with me that phone conversations are difficult for her as she is on oxygen therapy.  Texting works out just fine via Facebook’s messaging.  Sunshine can come into my world when least expected and so appreciated. 

  Dennis was off to the grain elevator.  He is stockpiling shell corn for his deer.  It seems as a mama deer and two small ones come early for a snack.  Dennis did say that larger, older deer can put up quite a fight for food.  The older and larger are more apt to fend for themselves.

  Tonight is a soup and sandwich night.

  No sunshine but seeing puddles where not too long ago there was ice . . . is a good thing.

   
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  Noreen 2:29 pm on December 27, 2022 Permalink  

  Happy Tuesday! 

  With 26 degrees out, there is a whole lot of happiness going on our drive.  There is bare concrete sticking out.  Even with all the hard packed snow, once Dennis got down to the concrete by our back door, it was wet from the rain we had right before the snow.  A weird winter.

  I had a project in mind for the studio.  After one of those things . . .  “you can’t fail if you don’t try.”  I tried and now the waste basket has had an offering of failed.  I had some ultra suede, a manmade product.  Stick pins, safety pins and any other kind of a pin I had would not go through it.  My attempt of putting a zipper in, in what would be a pillow . . . failed.  the two layers wanted to walk away from each other.  This morning was garbage day and now the clean wastebasket in the studio doesn’t feel like it isn’t needed.  Tomorrow is another day.  Lights and my electric heater . . . shut down for the remainder of the day.

  A friend, Linda, was the gal that took all of the Dueber fabric and embroidery floss for her church’s mission sewing.  Today, I sent her a get well text.  The 20th of this month she had surgery for a portion of her jaw and some lymph nodes removed due to cancer.  A bone from the calf of her leg is now a portion of her jaw.  She is in amazing spirits.  Linda could talk a leg off of a chair.  She shared with me that she is getting callouses from texting as much as she had talked.  A very sweet friend.

  Dennis and Dwayne did the McDonald’s coffee group today.  As the fellows were catching up, a woman from the First Lutheran Church came to the fellow’s table and thanked Dennis for all the fabric his wife had donated.  Sweet!  Dennis drove Dwayne past our backyard.  The deer-trampled acre is quite the sight.   

  Our Christmas tree is still shining brightly.  I don’t feel in a hurry to tuck it away.