Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 7:37 pm on July 29, 2022 Permalink  

  Fresh Day 

  Oh my gosh this is such a fresh feeling day.

  The temperatures are springtime unbelievable.

  Dennis has totally recovered from his last surgical procedure.  He has circulation in that left leg!

  I have just gotten a message from my doctor as to the results of the esophageal echo yesterday.  There was no evidence of the Lambl’s excrescences on my heart valves.  That is to say that there are no filiform fronds as were found a year ago that occur at the site of valvular closures and had been the cause of my stroke in February of 2021.  Super sweet!

  I must say that when I knew there was a possibility of re-occurring problems with my heart, it was at the back of my mind over the last year.  Will I need to have the same echo done next year?  Perhaps.  As my family doctor speaks to having a mammogram done every year . . . “Take a few minutes for the test and have a wealth of time free of wondering.”  Smart doctor.  

  Dennis enjoyed a McDonald’s coffee group this morning.

  I found the bottom of the clothes basket and did some tidy, tidy.  A trip to the grocery store and one to our library . . . I am set for the remainder of the day.

  I am bummed that I have a head cold. 

   
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  Noreen 1:06 pm on July 28, 2022 Permalink  

  Check That Off 

  Today, I had the transesophageal echocardiogram.  I had one such test after my stroke in February of 2021 while I was in St. Mary’s in Rochester.

  I had no idea if the test would be like that one or different.  After an IV the doctor sprayed a liquid far into the depth of my throat and I had to gargle while he counted to five and then swallow.  This transpired for a total of three times.  Then he showed me the camera.

  It was a round tube that was three to four inches long attached to a electrical cord and as big around as Dennis’ thumb.  I closed my eyes. I could feel something on the corner of my left lip.  I was told to swallow, take a breath and swallow again.  At one time I heard him say it would be another twelve inches.  Wow.  

  This was so much easier than Rochester’s procedure and didn’t take as long.  The IV was put in my arm at 6:45 and at 9:45 I could call Dennis as I was ready to be picked up at the front door.  

  It is Thursday afternoon and I still feel wankie from the juice that was in the IV.  I have a bit of a sore throat and was cautioned to eat soft foods for 24 hours.  No matter.

  We are home and so thankful and grateful that Dennis and I rose to the health challenges and we can check that off of the list.

  In a day or so, I will be able to try and read the lingo on the Mayo Portal as to the findings.  

  This is a sweet day indeed.

   
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  Noreen 1:47 pm on July 27, 2022 Permalink  

  A Quiet Day 

  The ole cowboy felt what he had been through yesterday.  For the most part he was “out” of it for the procedure.  He remembers how narrow the table was and that he couldn’t put his hands over his chest to rest them from hanging down the sides of the table.  A nurse with cold hands would put his arms back down.  According to Dennis, it will be a while before he gets the buzzing sound out of his mind from the laser work as it was being done on the artery in his left leg.  Amazing what has been accomplished for a quality of life that would not have been thought of not too many years prior.

  While Dennis napped this morning, I put together an oven meal for tonight’s supper.  It’s cool enough outside that having the oven on for supper won’t heat the house up for the entire night.

  I did do a studio visit this afternoon.  I managed to get the binding cut and pressed in the double fold method.  I usually like the binding cut on the length of the fabric, but there was not enough after the backing to do it.  It’s a bit of this and a bit of that to have enough for the binding to match the backing as well as the sashing in between the scrappy quilt blocks.  This is the calico that Lena had sewn into one large piece, most likely for a full sized quilt.  My 64″ x 64″ is using it to the fullest. 

  Yesterday, sitting in the hospital waiting room for five hours, I now have a head cold.  There was no shortage of cool air circulating.  Today, a sneeze once in awhile and a voice that is two octaves lower than usual.  Not even a need for a tissue, just a head that feels a bit woozy.

   
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  Noreen 5:13 pm on July 26, 2022 Permalink  

  What a Day 

  Of course Dennis can’t have an average angioplasty.  The veins in his left leg are as if they had been on steroids, large and full of plaque.  Stints are not the best answer.  

  What was the answer . . . and it took longer . . . was using a laser to make the plaque go poof!  The veins were entered via by a side and the tiny wire with the “red eye” of the laser was manipulated.  Those small entry points are closed via the Terumo Angio-Seal.  Hats off to Dr. Gio.  Dennis has a wound patch on his left groin and also on top of his left foot.  Both were points of entry for the laser show.

  It was a four hour surgical stint and the ole cowboy came out of it cracking jokes with the nurses.  Gotta love the guy.  I stayed put in the waiting room as I never know if there would be a reason that a nurse came out with a worried look on her face.  Dennis will be on Plavix for one month in addition to his warfarin to keep the blood moving.  Dr. Gio found a very good pulse on both feet before letting Dennis get dressed.

  I am so thankful to be home.  What a day!  I didn’t do anything, but I am beat!

  Tomorrow we do not have to be anywhere.  I hope tomorrow is as nice as these last several days.

   
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  Noreen 1:27 pm on July 25, 2022 Permalink  

  A 55 Degree Morning 

  Waking to a 55 degree morning felt wonderful.

  I made sure I had breakfast and went in search of my weed trimmer.  Dennis had done a great job on the mowing yesterday.  He had trimmed as close as possible with the rider mower.  I knew if I followed behind him, the yard would stay kempt until we got rain.  We are dry.

  Two of the patio kitties followed me to the east end of the acre.  After I would trim an area, they checked it out for any possible critters.  I will try and keep the Hosta area as trimmed as possible on the off chance any of Dennis’ family decide to come and do a dig.

  As I trimmed, Dennis brushed off cotton seed from the AC unit of the house.  The cotton seed from the neighbor’s Cottonwood tree has been flying for weeks.  It clings to AC units and also the radiator of the rider mower.  The brushing was foll0wed by a gentle wash with the hose.  The last thing that would be needed is harsh spraying that would close the fins, causing the AC to freeze rather than cool.

  I wanted to get a photo of the Russian Sage under the southeast windows of my porch bedroom.  I love the blooms and also the smell.  The pollinators are getting their fill as well.  Megan clued me in as to what would work best in that soil and that spot.  The sage fills in to the point that weeds don’t stand a chance.

  I worked myself weary.  Dennis and I shared a noon lunch with each of us ready for some down time for the afternoon.

  Manhandling the weed whip with the arms is one thing.  Keeping a finger on the safety switch while keeping it engaged is another.  No studio time today.

  Tomorrow Dennis will have an angioplasty on his left leg.  Dr. Gio is going to use a stint that has just been approved.  It has medication emitting from it.  Dr. Gio has assured Dennis that it will be the last of such procedures for him.  Hoping for the best for my ole cowboy.

   
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  Noreen 1:46 pm on July 24, 2022 Permalink  

  A Great Day 

  This is a great day for oh so many reasons. 

  When a plan had come together for a family trip that has been had.  When things turn out how they were intended to in the studio.  When Dennis has gotten the acre mowed to his satisfaction.   When this morning there were no cicada wasps guarding the entrance into the garage and the sidewalk to the patio. Yup, my grateful heart deems that this is a great day.

  The entire week is going to be free of daunting heat.

  I checked in with my brother in Iowa.  The storms that skirted our area were felt where he lives.  We have about twelve large drops of rain.

  I do have two loads of laundry under my belt for the day and have a hot supper planned.  I do believe I have a bit of time to step into the studio and check out the next step in my project.  

  I hope everyone is having a great grateful day.

   
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  Noreen 1:28 pm on July 23, 2022 Permalink  

  A Piddle of Rain 

  I am not sure which was less . . . the thunder or the piddle of rain.  There was no KNUJ radio to be had as the static indicated someone, somewhere was getting a thunderstorm.

  Before I went into the studio, I had some local effort to do on the first floor of our home.  Dennis spends the majority of his day in the patio porch and the garages keeping busy and I spend much time in my studio.  By the shear walking through the first floor of our home by the both of us, it needs local effort TLC.

  Grandson AJ spent the morning with Dennis.  Those two can get into deep talks while sorting through grandpa’s treasures.  Sweet.

  I am continuing on the meandering stitching of my scrappy quilt.  Breaks are needed for the arms and hands.  As I get to the mid point of the quilt, it is a lot to maneuver into the 12 inche throat of the sewing machine.  Slow but steady. 

  When Dennis came in for a noon sandwich, he shared that before AJ got here, he had another visitor.  Dennis was enjoying his breakfast coffee in the patio porch and a racoon made his appearance at the east slider door.  Snuggles took off after him and did get in a good lick before the racoon went south.  There are quite a few hiding spots in that lot.  For the longest time Snuggles kept a vigil waiting for getting one more chance at the racoon.  I think it’s best that Snuggles didn’t.  Racoons have horrible teeth.  Snuggles will have to settle on baby rabbits. 

  We are having an egg dish for supper.  Some scrambled eggs and mashed up tater tots with a bit of finely diced green peppers.  A skillet dish for the appetite.

   
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  Noreen 1:37 pm on July 22, 2022 Permalink  

  Last Day of Heat! 

  This is to be the last day of the heat . . . so they say.  I think that would be welcoming and even more so would be some rain.

  Getting up at 4:30 to use the bathroom brings on . . . ME . . . being wide awake.  When Dennis got up at seven, I was just putting the toppings on a bowl of potato salad.

  I did take a cup of coffee to my bedroom porch and read for a while.

  In my slumber, in my awaking, I was contemplating the scrappy quilt and how I would be the most happy with it.  Scratch the sewing of the grids.  I decided to meander the quilt.  A curve here, a curve there, and none of the curves the same.  I dug out my hoop and changed out the hardware on the machine.  An Ecru thread on top and a buff colored thread in the bobbin.  No more changing venues.  It took me long enough to get to the point that I could start up the sewing machine.

  Even with the size being 64″ x 64″, it will be plenty to wrangle under the needle.  One of the first blocks I tried out the meandering was the Trip Around the World.  Yup!  I was happy with it.  I know from past experience, the grid sewing works great going in one direction.  When you come back sewing across the stitches, it is easy to have fabric push a bit, thus causing puckering.

  Dennis’ days of being a livepoultrytransportologist came in handy today in helping someone drive from west to east with the best route.  Interstate #94 across North Dakota isn’t the prettiest of scenery but it does the trick.

  Another week has flown by.  August is right around the corner and seems to be the sunset of summer.  So be it.

   
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  Noreen 10:29 am on July 21, 2022 Permalink  

  What a Great Morning 

  Cool and breezy, with just enough heft for the limbs of the evergreen outside my bedroom window to sway.  That evergreen tree and the evergreen shrub right next to it, take the brunt of strong winds that would beat up my porch bedroom north wall.  In the winter it is a Godsend.

  A habit that is heard to break is looking over to neighbor Bob’s home and expecting to see him outside.  Getting care in a healthcare facility in Mankato, is now his forever home.

  Last night, Dennis invited me out to supper.  We went five miles east out of town and dined at The River’s Edge golf course’s supper club.  The property is under new ownership and they have done a huge amount of improvements.  The food was exceptional.  Dennis and I agreed the next time we go, we order one item on the menu and split it.  The portions were huge.  It was a great treat.

  This afternoon we travel to Mankato for an appointment for Dennis’ foot.  Yes . . . it is redundant but there is no choice.  The 90 mile, round trip, seems to have been as usual and customary as walking to our mail slot for the mail.  The best part is that we do not receive medical bills in the mail.  Let’s here it for insurance!  Medical appointments are met by Dennis with a good attitude.  That makes my job so much easier.

  Enjoy the day!

   
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  Noreen 1:53 pm on July 20, 2022 Permalink  

  Hmm 

  I have everything set to begin quilting my scrappy quilt.  Bobbin and top thread decided to be an orange rust color.  The walking foot in on the machine.  I am going to do a three inch grid for the quilting.  As there are numerous individual blocks . . . not all are square with the world. 

  At this time I am thinking of going diagonal.  Not getting caught up with quilting lines that don’t intersect where there should be within a square . . . don’t even try.  This is my project with nothing to prove to anyone, other than not letting it be an unfinished object, aka: UFO.

  Today there is a brisk wind with 83 degrees. The dew point is higher than the humidity . . . making for a sticky wicket.

  Early this morning, with a pruner in hand, I cut back the yellow lily blossoms hopping to leave nothing for the cicada wasps to be encouraged with.  Oh they were about like crazy.  I got one by swatting at it.  Yup, I stepped on him.  With my task complete I went inside.

  When Dennis came home at noon he commented that he had seen the pile of yellow lily blooms in the trash.  He also counted five of the nasty wasps hunkering around the side door into the car garage.  I give up.  A killing frost isn’t too far away.

  In between time, I have a book I am enjoying.  Reading in my bedroom porch is a good break from studio time.  It also caught my eye that across the street, two young fellows were trying to get a huge sofa into their home.  Push and pull, try hard as they might.  They ended up putting it in their garage.  A trick I learned a long time ago when it comes to moving things in and out of a house . . . take the doors off of their hinges,  It is surprising what a few precious inches can make.

  It is a day, known as hump day.  Much has been accomplished thus far this week, with more to come on the horizon.  Goals are in sight.  Hmm.