Me, Myself and Memories

Recent Updates Page 100 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  Noreen 12:58 pm on June 6, 2023 Permalink  

  Satisfaction 

  Even with small tasks completed, it brings much satisfaction.

  The first task of the day was putting bedding in the laundry.  I never push my luck with both top and bottom full sized flannel sheets in a single load.  By the time I have this post published, Dennis will be on hand to help with his bed.  

  As we will be going to Mankato for Dennis’ Korean luncheon and meeting tomorrow, my set of flannel bedding will be on the docket for Thursday.  This very small group of fellows is trying so hard to close down their chapter of the Frozen Chosen.  Perhaps the paperwork has all been accepted by the home organization.

  I know this may sound repetitive in regard to Dennis’ PT appointments, but . . .  Dan is so positive about this being oh so close to being a total heal.  We continue doing what we have been doing, every day.  Dennis took the good tidings and picked up Dwayne for coffee at McDonald’s.  That chit chat is good for both of them.

  My satisfaction has taken place by matching up the last row of four rows with orange cornerstones.  I do not skimp on pins to hold everything in place.  This morning was the very very first of taking out a sixteen inch seam.  I knew I was due.  With the amount of stitches per inch having been increased to many, it took that much longer for the picking.  Regardless how many pin cushions I have, I am seeking and searching when I get to the sewing machine so I can plunk them in as I come to them.  I do not believe in sewing over pins as I know some do.

  With great satisfaction I placed the sixteen sewn together blocks on the church tables.  I am pleased with the arrangement that Dennis did on how the blocks should be sewn together.  The next step will be cutting the two borders: one of three inches wide in orange and one of three inches wide in the mottled black.  This second top did go well as all of the decision making had been done with the first top of sixteen blocks.  Tomorrow will be a dark day in the studio as I will be with Dennis in Mankato.

  We are treating ourselves with a trip uptown to the Hometown Café for supper.  We have not done that . . . I can’t remember the time.

  All of you continue to take care with the weather.  I remember in days of old during streaks of hot days, Lena would march us into the bathroom, one at a time for a cool washcloth for the face.  The cool washcloth behind the ears . . . felt wonderful.

   
• 

  Noreen 1:31 pm on June 5, 2023 Permalink  

  Not Much 

  Not much exciting today.

  The first item on the agenda was to visit across the picket fence with Jan.  She was outside watering her two potted tomato plants.  They have blossoms, a good indication.  Jan and Randy had back door steps put in last week with much the same design as our front steps and deck was done, in a mini version.  I have mentioned that Jan retired last week from the school district after a long career.  Jan didn’t win the battle with the steps.  She wanted room for her lawn chair so she would be up from the ground and maybe staying clear from bugs.  I gave her moral support and told her,  “I understand.”

  I dreamt last night about my long time friend, Sharon Skolberg.  She had come over to check out our new sofa.  She approved and we shared some chocolates.  Sweet.

  Dennis came in and headed for a dry shirt and a good cool face cloth.  I think it may have been heat related.  When I checked on him, he was in his recliner.  The perfect spot for him.

  It is mid afternoon and after I post this, all lights will be off in the studio.  I am making satisfactorily headway on quilt blocks.  It helps to do things that make me stand for awhile, sit for awhile and best of all . . . ponder the situation.

  I must add a bit.  Sunday, the 1966 highchair came back home to me.  I had lent it to Dennis’ daughter for her grandchildren that they no longer need.  This 1966 highchair has a terrific history.  Carrie was tied into it with a white dishtowel so she wouldn’t slide out the bottom.  That technique worked on Kevin as well.  The highchair had quite a rest in our attic and then was brought down for Megan and Nicholas.  The cute baby print covering on the back and seat was replaced with a nondescript orange.  The tray and footrest are complete on the chair.  This sweet memorabilia will stay in my studio.  Just looking at it makes my heart sing.  

  I think this evening’s meal will be a light one.  I had scored a great hard head of lettuce with which I have enjoyed a good salad the last three evenings, Dennis not so much.  I fixed him fried egg sandwiches.

  Stay healthy until this heat gives in.  Not much fun and is no laughing matter to overdo with heat exhaustion.

   
• 

  Noreen 1:39 pm on June 4, 2023 Permalink  

  Oh So Warm 

  This Sunday is oh so warm.  I was outside early and the feeling was putrid.  The biting bugs didn’t seem to mind it.  I did not stay out long.  

  With a cup of rich hot coffee I checked out my usual items on the HP in the living room.  Nothing much new there so the cherry red reading chair and a book caught my attention next. 

  Yesterday we had a delivery from Amazon.  There was one item in the kitchen we could never do without.  Kevin had found it and I am sure . . . on Amazon.  Every time Dennis used it, it always had the same comment . . . “I could kiss that kid.”  It had saved us from having to have clerks in the grocery stores to open containers before we left the stores to come home.  Alas . . . it had gotten some issues.  From using it time and time again, the wear and tear was making it less effective.   There were certain sized containers that were opened more frequently that bore the brunt of the wear and tear.  It was shear bliss when the “pop” could be heard as the seal of a container was broken.  There was nothing to do but visit Amazon for a replacement.  Never was there a better investment of $10.00 for a new handy helper.  There were other items as well in the package to assist opening of containers.  Dennis and I both knew which implement would be used the most often.  Seek and ye shall find.  If Kevin had not given us our first one we would have never known how easy it was to open containers of all sizes.

  Dennis has had a good day of watching crime television programs either in the patio porch or the living room and playing solitaire.  I have been in the studio going slow and steady on quilt blocks.  The forecast had been right on allowing us to know how uncomfortable this Sunday would be.  I peeked ahead.  This coming Friday I saw a temp in the 60s.  Halleluiah.  That will be the day, I will get after some unwanted plants among the Hosta.

   
• 

  Noreen 12:23 pm on June 3, 2023 Permalink  

  No Breeze 

  The air is quite still today.  Having July weather in June . . . not much fun.

  I am not sure if the covid months brought along the “Home Sweet Home” for the two of us on Stauffer or if we are just very content.  I vote for the later.

  Both Dennis and I get a good night’s rest and then take on the new day for what it may bring.  Maybe the old adage:  if you expect a lot, you won’t be disappointed.  Naw!  That’s not for me.  It’s not unusual for me to have a portion of my next day plotted as I drift off to sleep.

  I have subscribed to two channels on YouTube.  One is an English gal that lives on the border to Scotland.  She is into sewing and brings to the table a different thought process to quilting.  Most of her quilts of various sizes are quilted as the sandwiched layers lay on her table top.  When the needle hits the wooden table top, up comes the needle and that is a stitch.  Interesting.

  The second channel is from a gal in Indiana.  Mother of seven that quilts, sews and does counted cross stitch.  She has a long arm up in her attic, complete with the knee walls.  When she gave a tour of her sewing room, I can’t imagine how they got the long arm set up in such tight quarters.  I can tell from seeing her hands, she has quite a bit of arthritis.  I like her thought on stitching.  One thread at a time . . . one stitch at a time . . . you can make headways.  I am seriously thinking of tackling a cross stitch project doing as she does, samplers all done in black.

  What is sweet about this is that I can watch their videos on our television while I am in my Teak rocking chair.  I don’t care if some of the videos are old, they are new to me.

  Today, Dennis came down to the studio.  He needed to lay out the next sixteen blocks of the ready-to-sew t-shirt blocks.  He hemmed and hawed as he tried different layouts while I sewed borders onto the first of the two projects.  However they are on the table top is how I will work them into the next step.  One of the quilt tops is ready for its next step of being quilted.  I am not prejudging if I will quilt it after sandwiching it or if Old Alley will get it.  I won’t decide until both tops are done. 

  I am closing up shop early today.  The arms have done well and it is time to sit in my cherry red reading chair.  I started a new book.

   
• 

  Noreen 12:40 pm on June 2, 2023 Permalink  

  Friday the Second 

  June is coming in on a very strong note.  Anyone that can close down this afternoon by five . . . should.  Heat can zap energy in a heartbeat.

  Dennis and I had a full day yesterday out and about.  Today was a day to be at home and do what retirees do best . . . slow and steady.

  The first item on my agenda this morning was to text our next door neighbor Jan.  This morning was the first day to enjoy the next chapter in her life as she is now officially retired from School District 840.

  Laundry was the next item for me.  When the heat and humidity are what we have had, I don’t care if Dennis changes clothes twice a day. 

  After noon lunch, Dennis came down into the studio to help me change out my sewing table.  I am now in the midst of working with a full quilt top.  With borders sewn together and soon sewn on, the ability to have the church tables carry some of that heft is priceless.  We did raise the sewing machine table a bit so the flow from the machine to the church table will work out well.   I will be facing west, still with plenty of good lighting from above.

  All I wanted to do after the shift was to make sure everything was hooked up correctly and run a few feet of stitches.  Tomorrow will come soon enough for more of the slow and steady.

  By the way, I was going to sit out on the front deck this morning with a cup of coffee, but soon very fine gray mosquitoes showed up.  Oh well, the coffee tasted just as good from indoors.

   
• 

  Noreen 1:55 pm on June 1, 2023 Permalink  

  And Then it was Warm 

  We were at the Mankato hospital for a visit to the surgeon’s second in command to keep track of Dennis’ wound on the left foot.  Whatever we are doing . . . “Keep on doing it.”  It has made remarkable progress.  Of course it seems to be taking its sweet time according to us on Stauffer Avenue.  Slow but sure is a true winner.

  It sure did get to feel warmish this afternoon.  We picked up cat food and kitty litter at Sam’s.  I wonder how much heavier the Meow Mix bags are going to get.  32 lbs feels like my max.  I needed eggs, oatmeal and Bisquick from Hy-Vee.  Buying them at Sam’s . . . do not need 5 lbs of each.

  We are always thrilled to be home safe and sound.

  Our carpenter, Bryan, did a great job on our steps and deck.  This week they are working next to us at Jan and Randy’s for much the same design.  Hats off for picking up jobs.  When I noticed bags of cement being unloaded, we offered them to use our house faucet on the north side of our home as Jan does not have an outside faucet. 

  Today was a day of getting a very good report for Dennis going forward.  Praise be to God!

  We are heading toward a weekend.  Stay safe.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:27 pm on May 31, 2023 Permalink  

  Summer is Here 

  I thought I would be outside again today . . . not!  This Grammie got out of bed too fast and brought about a feeling of less than.  Not consistent dizzy but enough and often enough that my place today is indoors.

  I moseyed down to the studio about noon.  Dennis came in from outside and thought I had found the perfect spot as it was fairly uncomfortable to be doing any gardening.  He had been mowing one lot at a time.  That fellow does enjoy mowing grass.  Keeping him hydrated is very important to this ole cowboy.

  My quilt top is getting to the point of running a tape measure. Sixty one inches square.  Putting in a new blade into the rotary cutter, I decided to cut some border fabric.  The first border to be sewn on will be the same mottled black as the sashing that is between the blocks.   I will finish with an orange border to tie in the corner stones and bias tape trimmings.  As this is the first of two duplicate quilts, I decided to cut fabric for the second quilt while I was at it.  The sixteen blocks are prepared and having the sashings and cornerstones done will put the decision making process to be little to none.  I was in no mood to turn on the sewing machine today.  Getting prep work done felt right.

  This morning Dennis saw the wound doctor here in our clinic and tomorrow we see the surgeon’s second in command at the Mankato hospital.  Right now when I do the dressing change each day, I have to pack the tiniest piece of gauze that has been made wet by the acetic acid wash into that tiny wound.  This is to prevent the area from healing too fast.  It needs to heal from the depth to the surface. It would be great if Dennis could begin wearing a shoe on the left foot.  I do know from past appointments that Dennis has very touchy skin on his feet thanks to conditions from the time in Korea.  Even the gal that does pedicures here in town takes special care.

  With the warm temps and daily warnings of possible thunderstorms, yup . . . summer is here.

  Catch you tomorrow if the Mankato trip doesn’t take us into a late day.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:21 pm on May 30, 2023 Permalink  

  Short Night 

  Yesterday in the afternoon we did have rain.  The heavens rumbled nonstop into the evening.  So much muted noise.  

  At 2:40 I sat straight up in bed.  The wind was coming in all directions and it was a white-out of rain with thunder.  I was wide awake as I navigated the house.  The rain continued on.  About 4:30 I felt the slumber creeping in and slept until seven.  Dennis had not heard a thing.

  The only item on the docket for today was a pedicure and a half up town at eleven.  I like Maria’s work and so does Dennis.  Maria is easy to visit with.  One thing I would like to share.  Maria grew up following truck farming across much of the USA.  When her and Dennis visited about the economy, she told of working on an onion farm.  She received $.40 per bushel of onions that were harvested.  Yes . . . it took a lot of bushels to make a living wage for a day.  Interesting to expand our awareness of others that live among us.

  When we got home Dennis and I raked up Maple tree seeds.  Man were they thick this year!  Those seeds fall off of the tree in clumps.  If the clumps lay where they fell, a clump of small Maple trees will be there in no time flat.  We will tackle a bit more of them tomorrow.

  Dennis wanted to get some chairs out of the potting shed to put on the patio under the umbrella.  He manned the water hose with some soap and a brush to get off the winter’s dirt.  I wanted to pot up some Russian Sage for Dennis’ daughter.  Those plants are perennials and take a lot of full hot sun.  I finally had to use a lopper to clip the roots from a parent plant as they do spread via the root much like quack grass.  We will leave the Russian Sage at her house putting the container in the shade so she can work with it at her own pace after she gets home from work when we see the wound doctor on the first of June.

  When we called it a day from being outside, we were both red in the face.  At three this afternoon it was 85 degrees with a nice breeze.

  There is always something to do when owning property.  It does beat living in an apartment complex.  There is no such thing as being bored on Stauffer Avenue.  It’s my personal belief that only boring people get bored.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:28 pm on May 29, 2023 Permalink  

  Monday the 29th 

  There was quite the buzz over at the blue barn acre this forenoon.  Tom and Sandy came from Mankato with a chainsaw and also a smaller saw.  I stayed home with Sandy’s dog.

  By two this afternoon, Tom and Sandy were headed home.  Dennis took me for a ride and I was amazed how much had been cut up.  There had been enough done that now loading up what has been cut will be headed for our tree dump to be visited.  If all goes well, the skid loader with the teeth attachment will be used to load the trailer.  Slow but sure.

  We had not expected rain this afternoon.  It had come up with wind and I can hear the thunder from the studio.

  I have been pecking away with sashes and corner stones on quilt blocks.  After I finish this posting, I will be closing down the studio.  As quilt blocks are attached and rows are built, there is heft to be felt as it goes under the needle.  The arms, shoulders and hands need a break.

  Let’s hear it for the last week of May!

   
• 

  Noreen 2:05 pm on May 28, 2023 Permalink  

  A Project Completed 

  This morning I got a call from Carpenter Bryan.  He asked if I had a problem with him installing the storm door on our front door.  Absolutely not!  By twelve noon the door was installed and there was no cleanup for me.  I had stayed busy in the studio the entire time . . . staying out of the way.

  What had happened while Bryan was working with his helper on our front deck, the neighbors to the north of us had called the fellows over.  It seems as if Jan and Randy will be having their back door tricked out with a deck such as ours.  For the entire time I have lived next to Jan and Randy, they have only had rough wood steps not attached to the house at their back door.

  When I paid Bryan, he was grinning from ear to ear with another job to do in time to come.  I kidded Bryan that he had gotten a job for our same deck and steps design while he was finishing up with us.  Now that Jan and Randy will have a nice deck and steps such as ours, Bryan can soon have this design as his signature.  Bryan thanked me for putting his card on Facebook as he had to install some windows out on a rural site.

  St. James needs several Bryans for small carpenter jobs.  I let Bryan know I was hanging onto his card for a time when we might need him again.  He smiled and we shook on it.

  Tomorrow Dennis called in a favor without labeling as such.  Dennis’ daughter Sandy has a fellow that is storing a car in our back garage.  Tom will be coming over tomorrow with his chainsaw.  The plan is to cut up branches and trees on the blue barn acre.  Cutting them up in six foot lengths or less, will allow them to fit in the bucket of the skid loader that Dennis can borrow from his nephew Brett at any time.  It’s a smaller loader than Brett uses with his concrete work.  Brett keeps it at his house for moving snow in the winter. 

  Daughter Sandy wants to take some Hosta home from the east end of our original lot.  My plan is to stay put out of everyone’s way.  Sweet.

  May everyone’s Memorial Day be safe and restful . . . as mine will be.