Me, Myself and Memories

Recent Updates Page 143 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  Noreen 2:15 pm on March 23, 2022 Permalink  

  What happened to the Rain 

  The rain that we had yesterday, turned into 2.5 inches of very wet slushy snow accompanied by cool temps.  So much for spring.  Late yesterday the flakes were as huge as the feathers off of the breast of a goose.  They floated every which way as they decided where they were going to land. 

  This week I have had quite a bit of communication with my brother and my brother’s son, Eric.  I cannot imagine taking care of a parent when there is the length of the state of Minnesota plus in visiting and communicating.  My brother refuses to consider moving closer to family.  I feel for my brother, but more so for his son.  It makes it all the more important for me to strive appreciating my children and not causing them concern.  Also . . . thankful that so far I am able to take care of myself.  

  Good news!  Both the Federal and the State Revenue Departments have accepted our income tax returns for 2021.  Check that off for another 12 months.

  Supper is the remaining meat loaf from last night and a batch of potato salad.  I will clean some strawberries for dessert.  Working hard to get as much food into Dennis as possible to get some weight back on him . . . 187 is a bit light for the summer ahead of lawn mowing.  

  Happy hump day everyone!

   
• 

  Noreen 3:41 pm on March 22, 2022 Permalink  

  Rain Showers 

  It began raining sometime in the early morning hours.  It is now 4:30 and it is still raining.  As in previous years, this rain should firm things up.

  It was chilly enough for the furnace to remember what it needed to do.  Thus it was warm enough in the studio for some stitching time.  Measure once, measure twice and cut once, with a whole lot of pressing in between.  It all builds patience.

  The coolness of the day made for a great meatloaf to pop into the oven for supper.  I peeled the last of the 5 lb. bag of potatoes.  Dennis is hoping there will be enough left over boiled potatoes to make a small batch of potato salad.  The first of 2022 if it all works out.

  The patio porch kitties have been hunkered down in their baskets all day.  They are all getting older and know where they’re better off at.  Plenty of time to scope out the backyard when it’s a bit dryer and warmer.

  I checked out the schedule on MNPBS and there is nothing good on this evening.  Dennis gets dibs on what will be viewed on the first floor.  Clocking out at nine in the evening is still my best plan.  I can easily listen to the television and feel good stretching out lying flat.  Lately tennis balls have found the right spots on the ham strings when I sit on a hard, straight chair.  The owee, owee is so worth it.  I really don’t have time right now for PT appointments.  What they say is true.  Sitting for too long of a period of time in the same chair is a n0-no.  Up and moving . . . a great strategy. 

  See you all tomorrow in a better, dryer day.  Hoping for some sun.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:02 pm on March 21, 2022 Permalink  

  Not Soon Enough 

  When it dries out in our yard . . . it can’t come soon enough.  There are branches to no end.  Dennis is ready to hook the rake up behind the rider lawnmower and pick up enough to start a small fire in our surround in the yard.  Over the several times our yard was bare this winter, the large branches were already taken care of.

  Today I received passing grades on how well Dennis incision has been cared for on his left foot.  March 28th can’t come soon enough for the angiogram that will be done on Dennis’ left leg.  A vein behind his knee needs to be opened and a vein running down from his knee to his foot is the second target.  Yes, it has been a long run, but there is no complaint on what has been given with the medical care for Dennis.  We do count our blessings.  We stopped at the Mayo Store as there was a new bundle of gauze that was waiting for Dennis.  Again . . . so thankful for good insurance.

  We got home at 12:30 this noon and for some reason the oomph was out of me for starting anything on the home front.  There is only so much energy in a given day and when it is gone . . . it needs to be nurtured for a go round in the next day.  We are off the clock until a week from today when we check Dennis in at 8 a.m. at the Mankato hospital.  

  There is a Watonwan Game and Fish Club event at the American Legion this evening.  Dennis and his bud, Orville Larson, are in charge of handing out giveaways to the young children.  They all go away with something.  Sweet!  It is a great way for Dennis to get out and see many.

  Tomorrow is a new day and new energies that I am banking on.

   
• 

  Noreen 3:30 pm on March 20, 2022 Permalink  

  Spring has Arrived 

  — and oh how we doubted that spring would come.  Not a sunny day but 63 degrees . . . I’ll take it.

  Dennis’ granddaughter Sadie came to spend the afternoon.  She is military and after a bit, I left them to talk shop.

  I didn’t get much more done today other than take a walk down Stauffer Avenue and then dress Dennis’ foot after he had a good hot shower.  Tomorrow we meet with Jody, the surgeon’s right hand gal.  

  There are days that need not be filled from the time my feet hit the floor until my head hits the pillow later in the evening.  Sundays had my dad napping the afternoon away while my mom sat at the kitchen table doing some hand sewing listening to New Ulm’s KNUJ radio station.

  I do believe this day will round itself out as one of the quietest here on Stauffer Avenue.

   
• 

  Noreen 1:32 pm on March 19, 2022 Permalink  

  First Things First 

  I promised myself there would be no more studio time, until I had our 2021 taxes done.  I had been putting it off.  Once I signed on to Tax Act, it went quite well.  The e-filing is on its way.  March 31st the amounts that we owe will be taken out of our checking account.  I could not believe it.  Our state amount was always high compared to the federal.  This year the state is minimal.

  After a walk I had intended to be in the studio for the afternoon.  Not!  It is just too cool downstairs to feel comfortable.  Early spring has the soil under the cement floor downright cold.  It might be 52 degrees out, but the air feels less if not being out in the full sunshine.

  While I was in the studio, I tried one last time to get the 1997 Dell XPS 1530 to boot up.  Nothing after many tries.  It was Windows 7 and it really didn’t owe me a nickel.  I fear it will hit the place where old computers go to rest.  The HP will be the total workhorse for us going forward.  The updates are done on a timely basis and we know how to get to the Geek Squad when we need them at Best Buy in Mankato.

  Dennis washed both vehicles this afternoon and let them sit out until totally dry.  I think a vehicle always drives better when they are clean.

  I have a call into the Welcome TV in Welcome, Mn.  When they return our call on Monday, we will be making inquiry of an antenna installed so we can access the television tower in Godahl, eight miles north of us.  After I contact Christensen’s Communications in Madelia, I will compare prices of their internet hookup to Mediacom’s.  As they say . . . it is time to cut the fat.  Dennis is on board with making some adjustments.  

  Enjoy a calm day of full sun.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:43 pm on March 18, 2022 Permalink  

  Getting it Done 

  Dennis and I have it down pat as to how to get his left foot dressed every other day from the surgery in January.  Between he and me, his nurse, I think there are definite signs of healing.  Monday we visit nurse Jody at the Mankato hospital for her take.  March 28th can’t come soon enough for the lower extremity artery Angiogram on his leg leg for a better supply of blood getting to the left foot.

  We have experienced a winter of doctor appointments for Dennis.  The walking pneumonia had quite a grip on him.  The one prescription of Symbicort coupled with antibiotics eventually did the trick.  I pulled him off of the Symbicort once the lungs were clear of mucus as it was doing a number on his vocal cords.  Dennis even used a spacer to get the inhalant as far down into this throat as possible.  Live and learn.   

  We had letters to get into the mail this afternoon and that ensued a drive out into the countryside.  Dennis said I needed to get the stink blowed off of me.  It did the trick.  When we came home, I went for a walk down Stauffer Avenue and then visited the studio. 

  Working slowly on my new project is key.  Everything must be worked with a 1/4 inch seam and all seams pressed to the darker side of that which has been sewn together.  What has helped me with the seaming is that I could move the needle in the machine to the right by three, allowing for channeling the fabric at a set marker.  I can’t work for long stretches as the left hand has a short attention span.  No way is picking out errant stitches any fun. 

  We have decided on Progressive’s Chicken Noodle Soup for supper with hot buttered toast.  Campbell’s soup does not hold a candle to our latest choice.  Also a lot less salt.

  Enjoy the weekend.  We have waited a long time for sweet temps.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:27 pm on March 17, 2022 Permalink  

  Thursday the 17th 

  No wearing of the green here . . . just my everyday garb.

  I did need a few groceries and a stop at our bank was needed.  CCF had decided that my user name plus my passcode was not enough to check on our bank balance.  The plan was either they would call and give me an additional code or I could click and the additional code would be sent to an additional search engine.  Way too complicated for this Grammie.  I inquired at the bank as to how many other older people found this cumbersome.  Kathy told me that most other older people just call them for the balance on their accounts.  Hmm.  That could be time consuming for the employees.  After the grocery store I got a call from the bank.  Upon their inquiry, this additional security code could be shut off on our account.  Halleluiah!  Within 24 hours I should be back to a simplistic avenue for internet banking.  It pays to look out for one’s self.

  This morning, Dennis noted that there were a few short nails laying on his pickup garage floor.  As he was picking them up, there was a commotion over head.  With the new roof decking being put on that portion of the garage, coupled with the shingles being put on, a lathe that was holding up insulation on the interior had come loose from the vibrations.  The commotion was caused by Snuggles needing to jump up into the cavity made by a loose lathe, causing a section of insulation coming down onto the pickup.  Leave it to the garage kids to find mischief.  If only there were a continual video going on in the patio porch.  Priceless. 

  I pulled together some of mom’s printed field sack material and got it pressed for the upcoming quilt pattern from stitcher Lu.  This pattern will take a lot of patience as it calls for a whole lot of pieces and three inch squares are on the large side.  Oh well . . . where am I going?

  If I thought I would be outside anytime soon picking up branches . . . not!  As I walked around the garages yesterday taking in the shingling project, the grassy areas are like bogs.  The studio be my location for some time to come.

   
• 

  Noreen 3:08 pm on March 16, 2022 Permalink  

  Rain Drops 

  The crew from doing the shingle job on our garages and patio porch pulled out at 3:45 and now we have a few rain drops.

  Difficult to believe that so much was done since nine this morning.  The main garage had had Unduleen on it since the early nineties.  It was all the craze.  The corrugated roofing soon could be seen in the countryside peeling the surface of it.  The only way we kept it as long as we did shedding water was to paint it every five years with latex exterior paint.  Dennis and I did it twice, grandson Ryan painted it once and the fourth time we hired it done.

  The crew today was made up of eight.  Very few spoke any English.  The foreman, Zach, said he was always proud of how his crew worked together and got things done in a timely fashion.  There was one gal with beautiful long braids and could shingle right along with the rest of the crew.  She also manned the microwave that was brought out of their van and set up for the crew to have hot sandwiches.  Fairmont Roofing was a great choice for us.  This spring Fairmont Roofing has four crews going.

  From our point of view, our garage that was built out of WWII pallets has served us well and will continue to do so with a new roof.  Who knows, perhaps pallets of that time may have been a darn sight stronger than some stuff in today’s market.

  I admit, until the leaf blowers went to tidy up after the work was complete, I had butterflies.  This was huge for us to have gotten done to secure our forever home.

  Going forward the job jar is empty.  Whew!

   
• 

  Noreen 12:41 pm on March 15, 2022 Permalink  

  Project on Schedule 

  Today I am here to say our garage roofing project is on schedule.  The gutter helmets were off by ten this morning.  The crew labeled them as each unit was removed.  They are now tucked in the garage.  The steel cable is right where Kevin had it.  We need to call when the roofing job is done and the crew will return to reinstall the gutter helmet.  All is going well.  What a sweet project to have done this early in the spring season.  Tomorrow morning, Fairmont Roofing will be here sporting a crew, a dumpster and great weather to work the project.

  I tease Dennis about his “second wife.”  Dennis and Dwayne are best of friends and each looks forward to when they have a road date planned.  Today Dennis had an appointment in Mankato and Dwayne is riding shotgun.  The VA clinic here in town made arrangements for Dennis to be fitted with shoes that have Velcro for fasteners.   The Hanger Clinic is located in the old Madison East Mall, they fit all things orthotic.  What a great sunny day for such a trip.

  I have completed my Stitcher Bag as of this noon.  The two sets of straps turned out just as I had envisioned last night while I mulled this over in bed.  Sweet.  It felt good to have a bag fit for luncheons rather than a plastic local grocery store bag.  Sweeter yet was making use of what was in my stashes.  No products were purchased at this time to complete the plan.  I need to continue this quest going forward.  I do miss visiting the Old Alley Quilt Shop, but I know myself well enough that I would find something to purchase, not having any idea when I would work it up. 

  In the recent days a pattern arrived in the mail from one of the stitchers.  It is a pattern designed to use multiple fabric patterns and colors.  The name of the pattern is called “Long Time Gone.”  Thus, using fabric prints much like the feed sack prints of days of old will be desirable.  I have a plastic container on the shelf in the studio that has remnants of original feed sack fabrics that were Mom’s.  To add to that is some fabric I had purchased that replicated that era of prints that were part of a collection by Darlene Zimmerman from Fairfax.  I have understood that they no longer call Fairfax their home. 

  Not to worry . . . even with spring and outside spring work coming, the studio will beckon me.  Idle hands are the work of those that are not up to working with threads and fuzz.  With that being my mantra . . . the devil does not stand a chance.  Tee Hee!

   
• 

  Noreen 2:32 pm on March 14, 2022 Permalink  

  Motoring Right Along 

  Today was a day where I motored right along with what I have dubbed as my Stitcher Bag.  It will be used when I meet the gals for lunch at Baker’s Square.  My pillow that I take along will be right at home in this Stitcher Bag along with anything else that needs to travel with.  I have mentioned before how hard the chairs are at Baker’s Square.  The tail bone appreciates a soft landing.  

  The Stitcher Bag has been put together complete with the lining and the binding at the top’s edge. Tomorrow I may work on the two straps.  I dug out my double needle to put two layers of the cork together for optimum strength.  The double row of stitches will add some dimension.  I have not yet figured out how to embellish the straps with the same fabric as the binding and lining.  Food for thought. 

  When I retire for the night, I will mull over the options.  I am in bed by nine each night.  Not so much that I fall to sleep right away, but to stretch out and rest the limbs.  Dennis doesn’t quite get it.  Dennis doesn’t stick around the studio or the first floor when there is tidy, tidy going on.  Dennis is all about the patio porch.

  To accomplish what I do takes me a tremendous amount of energy and try, try, try again.  I find it interesting when I am out and about and individuals ask me how the improving is going after the stroke.  Those individuals obviously do not have someone close to them that has had a stroke.  There is only a limited amount of recovery from a stroke, the rest is bull shitting people, aka: pulling the wool over their eyes.  Even Dennis catches himself in forgetting what I can do easily and that which is a crap shoot.

  In the quiet of my studio, I do challenge myself.  Some of my best assets are the various weights I have.  Those weights can hold something down when I am trying to manipulate my left arm and hand to cooperate at the cutting table or at the sewing machine.  And then . . . there is always the option of a melt down until I will try again.  Such is life and I am thrilled to participate in it.  I am so fortunate that I have the means that I do have in my body and my mind. 

  Today we have a pallet of roofing materials on the side of our drive.  Wednesday is the big day when Fairmont Roofing will begin taking off the existing covering and putting those shingles up.  Tomorrow Schmidt Window and Siding will be here to take off the gutter helmet.  I will be right here, on board, when they do it.  We have a steel cable affixed to the garage that then is affixed to a steel beam that is stationed in the yard to the north.  It all works to stabilize our beloved garage and the gutter helmet people know I will be here while they are here.   

  A busy week for the older ones on Stauffer Avenue.  A great way to begin spring.