Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:35 pm on April 12, 2023 Permalink  

  In Progress 

  When the temps jump up into the 80s in such short order, there is outside work beckoning.  I did tackle some of the outside items this morning.  

  When individuals are kind enough to move mountains of snow at their convenience, there is bound to be some after effect.  This morning I found my favorite little rake and tackled the clumps of sod that had been pushed up at the same time the snow was moved.  It took me quite a while.  Slow and steady as I took the job in stride.  The wind from the south was strong, just as strong as the sun’s rays.  I was happy when I could work in the shade of the evergreen on the northwest corner of our home.

  When I walked our backyard I couldn’t help but think that the deer did a wonderful job of aerating most of the area.  It will be interesting to see if any of the Hosta appreciated the many footprints in the soft soil.

  When Snuggles and I had put quite a few snow implements into the potting shed we kicked back and thought well, “For the first attempt of spring yard work, we did well,”  This definitely is going to be a work in progress as the spring days will beckon us outside.  The two spots of the Fern Peonies, are just showing some bright red little buds poking through.

  I did walk through the studio this afternoon picking up a roll of paper toweling.  I did stop at one of the church tables to take a peek at the project that will have to wait for a bit.  It for sure is a work in progress.  I had kicked off my garden shoes and made the trip into the studio in stocking feet.  Holy buckets the floor was ice cold.  The water finding its way around the perimeter via the tile heading to the sump pump . . . I cannot imagine what the temperature of that water would be.  I picked up the towels and beat feet out of there.

  By the way, the haircut turned out well.  Bless Dennis’ heart.  Before I got into the chair, he commented to Brenda that when he had to help get my hair to lay down for a road date, he liked the way I looked when the hair was snipped in all sorts of lengths.  Dennis knew how I had fought with my brush to get the heavy lengths to do something.  No . . . Dennis is not my stylist, but him talking and commenting to his niece went very well.  Like I said, bless his heart.

  Tomorrow the stitchers are meeting at Baker’s Square in Mankato.  We have cancelled more times than not since before Christmas.  The winter didn’t allow Thursdays to be safe.

   
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  Noreen 1:21 pm on April 11, 2023 Permalink  

  Laundry 

  Dennis’ bed has been stripped, laundered and all put back on.  Sweet!

  It is 78 and sunny today.  When the temps get this high there is a threat of warm air fronts meeting cold air fronts . . . a storm could brew.

  As I waited for laundry, I found myself doing a tidy, tidy in some bedroom drawers.  The shuffle of what is sought, always means to leave a mess.

  At three this afternoon we are heading to the Curry Comb for haircuts.  It has been just a bit over a month for my haircut, but there is no shape left.  I do mean to have a bit of one on one with Brenda.  My arms and hands do not do well when there is a majority of hair cut at one length.  I need texture and thinning so that as I get my arm lifted by the other arm and do a shaking of the hand all the different lengths can do their thing and then I do the other arm with the same action.  I have gone through this with Brenda several times over the years but she may need a bit of a reminder.  Actually, Brenda’s client list is mostly women that have a wash, set and then do a comb out.  It is then sprayed in place until they come back the next week.  Ugh!

  I would like to stay in town for pedicures and haircuts.  Marie does our pedicures and if all does not work out with Brenda, Marie also does hair.  I do feel a bit of obligation to frequent Dennis’ niece’s shop.

  Today I have off from dressing Dennis’ wound on his left foot as Dan the wound doctor at our clinic up the street took care of Dennis this morning.  Dan uses ultra sound as well as a tool Dennis relates to a wood burning craft tool to while away tissue not in like with healing.

  One more evening of leftovers.  Again . . . sweet!

  Tomorrow I will take my bed apart for the laundry.  In between time, I have found the same quilt videos on our Samsung smart television as I would watch on my laptop computer.  It does allow me to put the feet up for short breaks in the day.

  Catch ya all tomorrow feeling refreshed after a haircut.

   
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  Noreen 12:16 pm on April 10, 2023 Permalink  

  Easter Monday 

  The sun is out, birds are signing and I stepped out of my front door onto our new decking and welcomed the day!

  What a fantastic Easter Sunday was had here on Stauffer Avenue.  Exchanges of conversation were had while the job jars were emptied.  I did say jars of jobs.  One jar required power tools whilst the other jar needed glue and rubber bands.  One of the heaviest jars was the jar of Grandpa Dennis’ quarter jar.  A friend of Dennis’ was missing the Wisconsin state’s quarter for a coin folder.  Nicholas went through all the coins.  In the end there was just one such coin found.  Many multiples but just one that was sought. 

  There was food aplenty, something to satisfy all individual tastes.  Dennis and I will be enjoying a bit of everything out of the refrigerator for a day or two.

  The sun was bright and I noticed Jan next door picking up branches, some even caught in a huge snowbank in their yard.  Jan had her kindling box out in her drive burning what would catch fire.  I got my walking stitch and went over for a chat.  The two of us had texted over the winter but neither scaled the tall bank of snow.  Spring is here and there is much ado what signals to be done.  I will venture forth with my rake when the ground is not quite so soft and muddy.  I just hate it when I get mud on my shoes . . . or it could be deer skat.  Either one is not needed on my shoes.

  I had had a busy weekend for the Sunday prep.  I slept well last night but it was Dennis that needed a long nap today.  So be it.  I took several cups of coffee over the same time frame and did some reading.

  As I was reading in my bedroom porch, I began envisioning what kind of chair would find its way to our new decking.  Hmm. Food for thought.

   
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  Noreen 2:20 pm on April 8, 2023 Permalink  

  Sunshine 

  A day with sun is fantastic.  I think the Fairfax tulips must agree as they have popped through.

  A bit of this and a bit of that and I am ready for family that is coming tomorrow.  Dennis is also ready as he had one of the Watson boys stop in this morning.  The handle for flushing the basement toilet finally gave out.  It has been a challenge of late.  We are totally ready for family!

  When I looked out the kitchen window, our neighbor Randy was sitting in his drive via a lawn chair with the full on sunshine.  Yes, spring is here.

  We do have a tick list for tomorrow.  Just a few odds and ends that help is needed for.  Dennis popped out to Fleet Farm and came home with the smallest bottle of wood glue.  Son-in-law, Jeremy, has no clue what awaits him.  As we have all that is needed on hand, there was no need for a heads up ahead of time.  He will find clamps for gluing one of my favorite reading chairs in a few spots.  It has squeaks that need to be quieted.  Kevin has the job of adding an assist, a hand hold, when we come up the basement steps.  That needs equipment we do not have.   

  It will be a great Easter Sunday.

   
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  Noreen 2:11 pm on April 7, 2023 Permalink  

  Morning Doves 

  The cooing of Morning Doves has always been welcomed.  I had not realized that above and beyond they have a lot to say.  The mix of birds in our yard is telling us spring is here.

  Dennis had an appointment here at our local hospital with Dan the wound doctor this afternoon.  Dan told Dennis there is good tissue up for healing and healing is going on.  The small length needs to heal from inside to the outside.  Dennis can’t see the left side of his left foot without me taking a photo of it and showing him.  Bone, muscle, tendons, and nerves were all cut into and cut out.  We will continue dressing that area for as long as necessary.  Dan, via Dennis, encourages the nurse on Stauffer Avenue to continue doing such a great job on the dressing change every day.  On a day when Dan has seen Dennis, I get the day off.  That is pretty darn sweet!

  We are excited to be getting family for Sunday.  With the winter’s weather, we have sorely missed family.

  The Easter Bunny paid next door neighbor Randy a visit last night.  It has become a yearly tradition that we take over some payment for the snowblowing of the winter.  Randy always insists that payment is not needed.  Dennis insists that those that can’t need those that can and have the right equipment.  Sweet.

  Tonight for supper I am trying out a few select dishes on Dennis to see what he thinks about using those food choices for Sunday.  Gotta love a willing volunteer.  Our favorite salad for Sunday is jellied cranberries.  Ya, ya, I know it doesn’t take long to cook out the actual berries, but this will be my day to offer up what we enjoy.  TeeHee! 

  May this Good Friday be welcomed as soon our Lord and Savior, Jesus, will be among us caring for us body and soul.

   
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  Noreen 2:11 pm on April 6, 2023 Permalink  

  The Sun! 

  The sun is out and we are six days into April.  Our internal clocks tell us we need to be outside in our yards. Ya . . . right!  The wind with cool temps makes it feel downright raw to be outside.

  I did go and move a few things from the backdoor that we won’t be needing.  Snow shovels need to get a break.  Dennis swept out the back of his pickup from months of having shell corn dribble out of the five gallon pails.  The deer are on their own.  Whatever was swept out will be gone before we realize it.

  This morning we had an appointment five blocks from our home at ten.  Dennis and I had pedicures.  Actually a pedicure and a half.  Dennis knows how important it is to keep the right foot in mint condition.

  Even with my electric heater in the studio, it can’t compete with ice cold water running along the perimeter of the tile around the floor.  Hearing the trickle of the water making its way along the tile to the corner where the sump pump is, makes it seem even the more chilly.

  Today is Maundy Thursday.  I don’t remember the exact date, but I will always remember that my dad, Raymond, passed away on a Maundy Thursday.

  Today, I will dwell on the fact that we had sunshine,  The warmer temps are bound to follow . . . sometime.

   
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  Noreen 3:23 pm on April 5, 2023 Permalink  

  Gail Force Winds 

  Good grief.  A day without sunshine and winds from the northwest that make the house shake.

  Our trip to the Korean luncheon went well.  The current president of the Frozen Chosen is in the hospital with knee surgery.  Of the five that were there, it was decided to get together in May when George could be present for decisions to be made going forward.  Good idea, as there is also treasury money to make decisions on.  This group in Mankato is the only active Korean Veterans in the state of Minnesota.  God bless these older ones still continuing to serve.

  Every field that had ponding water on it had white snow geese too numerous to count.  In the cloudy skies there would be a flock of feathered friends flying in all directions.

  After we got home, there was a message for Dennis to come to the county auditor’s office.  When Dennis returned home, he had the abstracts of the tax forfeit property we purchased in early winter.  The abstracts will be interesting reading for Dennis as he remembers when that property was the first bottling plant in St. James.  I am not sure why there are two abstracts . . . both look ancient.  Might be good reading after supper.  There were also two sets of keys in the same tattered manila envelope.  Dennis said the way the wind blows through the old shed that is on the property it will prove interesting if there is anything inside that would warrant keys.  Time will tell.

  We are ready to put forth a meal for our Sunday guests.  Yes . . . Hy-Vee and Sam’s Club were super busy.

  The wind is not going to go down during the night.  As chilly as it is, it’s hard to see where there could possibly be 50 and 60 degree days for this weekend.  It does keep us on our toes and in winter jackets.

   
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  Noreen 2:18 pm on April 4, 2023 Permalink  

  No Sun 

  Hmm.  The remote for the Samsung television is to be charged by sunlight.  Fat chance.  Hopefully under the light bulb will do the trick.

  Dennis ran the car out onto the drive for some of this rain to take a layer of dirt off.  It may have been a slim chance as I heard the garden hose lend a hand.

  Tomorrow we will be attending the very last Korean luncheon in Mankato.  There are only six members still alive for this group.  I am sure tomorrow we will hear where the next closest group is.  Dennis has enjoyed the Frozen Chosen group.  Nothing lasts forever, especially when the age of the members works against it.

  This evening the Easter Bunny will be paying a visit to Randy next door.  Randy doesn’t like receiving Dennis’ Easter basket gift, but we sure do appreciate the times that Randy has cleared our drive after a snowfall that we couldn’t handle.

  The electric heater in the studio has felt good on the legs and feet these last days.  Basement temperatures are chilly in these transitional weeks.

  Our Sunday dinner is planned and tomorrow Hy-Vee will be visited with my shopping list in hand.  I have no doubt there will be a crowd and only the carts that don’t track well will be left.

  May the peace that passes all understanding settle into our hearts this holy week.

   
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  Noreen 2:31 pm on April 3, 2023 Permalink  

  Gray Skies 

  This morning I rode shotgun with Dennis to Truman.  We had some supplies to return to the lumberyard and bring back several items.  As the storm door for the front of our home is now no longer the norm, it is needed to be a special order.  It will be about four weeks.  Larsen doors needed to be shortened by the company to retain warranty.  We could not believe how the fields were without snow.  Think what could have happened if the sun had shown.

  If the weather is shy about showing spring, the flocks of birds and geese are not.  The skies were full of all things spring.  The creeks were overflowing.  A sign that the frost may not be out of the surrounding areas.

  It is mid afternoon and our front door project is finished . . . complete with the carpenter blowing off the sawdust from the drive.  A long wait to have this done, but oh so worth it.  As Bryan was finishing up a van pulled up to the curb.  The fellow in the van liked what he saw on the front of our home and Bryan will be stopping in for a possible new client.  When our door is in at the lumber company I told Bryan I would give him a call.  Sweet.  

  It’s been a typical Monday with laundry being done . . . and chasing a few dust bunnies.

  A slow day most likely will call for soup and a sandwich.

   
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  Noreen 3:52 pm on April 2, 2023 Permalink  

  A Chilly Day 

  With the wind, it sure doesn’t feel like it is in the 40s.

  We had a quiet day.  The carpenters were busy on our front door.  Just a bit of finish work for the new week and the project will be completed.  Dennis is making one run to Truman in the morning to return some items to the lumber yard and bringing home a few needed pieces.  Dennis and me are thrilled to have this done and done to perfection.

  Our sump pump is running once in a while.  I did peek to see where the water being pumped out was going.  Right now it is running onto the surface of the yard north of the house.  I had a gut feeling the tile that is under ground was not thawed as yet.  As long as it is puddling, I am fine with it.

  I don’t expect that there will be anymore runs to the elevator for shell corn for the deer.  We are sending them off to a spring season knowing they had corn on a daily basis for it to turn to heat within their bodies.

  The first full week of April.  May we all feel blessed as we enjoy this most holy week.  I know I surely am feeling it.