Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:59 pm on March 4, 2022 Permalink  

  South Brisk Winds 

  Wow, that wind can switch to the south and pick up right where the strong north winds left off . . . in a heart beat.  As it is 38 degrees, I did pop a window to get some fresh air in the house before the next system of sleet, ice and possible snow moves in.

  June had lived down the street from me for years.  Today June asked me to her apartment across town for lunch.  A sandwich never tasted so good.  We had lots to catch up on.  We are partners in crime when it comes to getting our second shingles shot.  Her and I will be heading to Lewis Drug right after the first of April to get the deed done.

  I received a text from nephew Larry, rural Stewart resident.  The extra Christmas stockings arrived in good stead.  Larry stated he is not in any hurry to use these Christmas stockings as they would be for the next round of grandchildren.  The two youngest of his children are not in a position as yet for that to happen . . . maybe. 

  This afternoon, the sewing machine has been humming.  I am doing what a long arm quilting machine does . . . quilting my mini-quilt.  The backing, batting and top are secured, ready to get all layers stitched together.  It is all about getting the machine set up, digging out the gloves that have nubbins on the finger tips to help guide the layer of fabrics under the needle, and practicing Bringing in the Sheaves.  Singing a tune while the needle is stitching allows for a smooth flow of circular motion.  All that remains is to quilt the flowered border and sew on a binding.  All in all the project has turned out well to this point.  One day at a time.

  The weekend is upon us.  No plans and after a busy week . . . yippee!

   
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  Noreen 2:58 pm on March 3, 2022 Permalink  

  The Hand 

  I know that there are times when the hand of God steers me.  In the store this morning I had my grocery shopping done and was headed out to the car.  As I looked back as I got in the car, I saw a friend just going into the store.  The cane came back out of the car with me and I was determined to catch up with Linda.  

  From the back of my memory I remembered working with Linda on a quilt that we did for a fundraiser.  I had questions for Linda.  Her and I stepped to the side of the quiet dog food aisle and chit chatted for a bit.  When I did leave the store it was as if I was walking on cloud nine.  Linda is now retired from teaching in the Comfrey school and has taken a role with their church making quilts for Minnesota nursing homes.  

  In my sewing studio I have what her group can use.  I quilt with cotton and I never mix blends as they will not wear or launder the same.  I happen to have material that is a poly/cotton blend.  It is new, clean material.  My sweet daughter-in-law, Kersten, thought of me prior to the dumpster arriving at the closing of the Dueber’s store in Fairfax.  It was as if there had been a calling that this fabric could be put to a wonderful use.

  I am still sewing, piecing quilt patterns, and able to do quite a bit after the stroke.  No . . . it doesn’t go as fast as it had prior, but then, where am I going in a hurry!  Slow and steady as no one in the family is on the list for a new quilt at this time.  Absolutely . . . I have several ready to go when the need arises.

  Linda was so excited for what she will be coming to our home for and then taking with her.  We have exchanged phone numbers and next week I will give her a call.  Of course we will have coffee and cookies before lightening the load from the sewing studio.

  Yes . . . the hand of God pulled me back into the grocery store today.  I couldn’t leave the store empty handed so . . . we can always use some extra toilet paper.

   
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  Noreen 2:54 pm on March 2, 2022 Permalink  

  Heavy Air 

  Gray skies may bring moisture.

  All the water that had ponded in the east portion of our acre is down.  With less standing water anywhere, there is less change of refreeze.

  A good friend of ours experienced the refreeze of ice and was airlifted to Rochester.  He had severe damage to multiple ribs that punctured some organs.  Very scary.  This Grammie only steps on dry surfaces or she doesn’t go.

  Today I decided to reach out to my brother in Iowa.  That is the shortest phone conversation with him in decades.  It may be telling of his new life since his wife has passed away.  

  One more trip to UPS at four this afternoon.  The fabric that my nephew’s wife had sent for Christmas stockings has been exhausted.  I am off the Christmas stocking train.  A total of eight were stitched and lined.  The four being sent off today will need to have names embroidered on as their family grows.  I am human.  I sometimes have thoughts that are less than pure.  When Carrie was here last week and Dennis, I and her were having a sandwich together, I made the comment that I wondered if the tables had been turned, if my sister would have been the aunt that stepped in to help Carrie and Kevin.  Neither one of them said anything, but both were shaking their head back and forth in a non-verbal no.  Hmm.

  As of this afternoon, my machine has a new needle in it and it has been cleaned and oiled.  The church tables are cleared and ready for a new day in the studio.  Sweet.

  Dennis ran an errand and the first thing he announced when he came home was that gas was $3.59 a gallon.  Just the beginning.

  The skies are not only gray but the air is heavy.  Winter is yet to be over.

   
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  Noreen 3:06 pm on March 1, 2022 Permalink  

  Lakeshore 

  This morning we were up early . . . in time to see the sun as it began coming up.  As we were having coffee in the patio porch our lakeshore of a backyard glistened.  I almost expected to hear the calling of a Loon.  My goodness.  Our last snowfall of five inches was all that had amassed in the yard.  The way it has melted and ponded, I wonder what type of flooding we would have if the winter had been a continual dumping.

  I didn’t stay in the patio porch as Dennis was getting company.  Bruce is a distant cousin of Dennis’ and enjoys stopping in.  Hmm.  He also seems to find donuts to bring with.  In times past, Bruce worked for the plating plant in town.  I remember decades ago when Bruce nickel platted a proof press for Kevin.  Indeed . . . it did shine as a brand new buffalo nickel right out of one of the mints on the east coast.  

  I am taking a break from the studio.  All is going so well, I didn’t want to overdue it.  When the sun shines through the south basement windows it lifts the spirits and arthritis is not to be felt in the studio.  I have several pattern books open on the church tables in the studio.  Contemplating some projects that would make use of my scrap box.  Within that box there is nothing that would need a 12″ ruler. 

  My mid afternoon break is over and I need to return to the studio before my mojo leaves me.  Life is sweet here on Stauffer Avenue.

   
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  Noreen 3:50 pm on February 28, 2022 Permalink  

  My Goodness 

  My how time flies.  A year ago today, my kids were keeping track of me via phone calls as info was disseminated from the nurses in Rochester.  Who knew something like a stroke could happen out of the blue!

  I am here on Stauffer Avenue a year later, oh so appreciative, to be in our home talking smack on my blog each day.  All has worked out to, I would say, 90% of my old self.  Small limitations on the left side to keep things interesting.  Patience, resilience and stubbornness make up my days.  Thanks be to God, my kids and good doctors.

  These days the wild life, aka: squirrels, are making me ready to pop up the patio umbrella, pull out a lawn chair and sit back and watch all the activity.  There is not even a breeze, but the limbs on the crab apple tree are a swaying.  If it were not for all the puddles, the patio cats would be having fun on chases.  Funny how cats don’t like getting their feet wet.   

  I received an invite to join the stitchers on a trip to the metro.  The goal is the SR Harris.  It is a fabric warehouse.  I gently declined as I need not add to my stashes.  When we meet later in March the tales of fantastic purchases will be hot and heavy.  Bless their warrior hearts.  I have one project to wrap up in the basement and it has been over a week since the lights have been turned on.  It is starting to itch.

  53 degrees and what is in the form of puddles today may be ice in the morning.  We have no plans until Thursday!  Yippee!

   
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  Noreen 3:24 pm on February 27, 2022 Permalink  

  Sunday the 27th 

  The birds know that spring is not far off.  At 33 degrees all of our ice is gone and the snow is having second thoughts of hanging around.

  We had a good visit with all that was Curry yesterday at Charlie B’s 4th birthday.  It did Dennis good to catch up with everyone.

  Daughter Carrie drove out from the metro today.  We had only been texting off and on since Christmas.  With a new store opening up right before Christmas, it has been quite an exciting venture.  New merchandise coming often calls on the second string to help, aka: Megan and Nicholas.  Steaming clothing, labeling and finding the perfect spot for it takes many hands and many hours.  Megan remains on the honor role as well as working as a hostess at an Edina restaurant.  The best part is that they close by eight in the evening.  Carrie’s husband is the book keeper for the Mainstream Boutique and working a full time job as well.  Busy family.

  When Dennis’ daughter stopped in this afternoon, she knew we would see our family doctor tomorrow and she suggested that we ask Dr. Eatwell if there would or could be help stopping in every other day to assist with the wound dressing of Dennis’ foot until it was healed.  Time will tell.  Denise said if that was not possible, she would be here to help after she got off work at Casey’s. 

  Dennis is to eat more red meat.  I had bought some frozen Angus beef patties in our local grocer’s.  They didn’t go over very well here.  Today I cubed all the patties and pan fried them down.  Half of them will be in the beef stroganoff for our supper this evening and the remaining will be in a freezer bag in the freezer, ready for a batch of chili.

  I am ready for spring and perhaps getting a little dirt under the fingernails.  I won’t need a lot of perennials to return for 2022.  Just enough to keep my days balanced.

   
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  Noreen 11:01 am on February 26, 2022 Permalink  

  The Wonderful Sun 

  Oh for the wonderful sun!  There is dripping off of all points that snow had hung onto.  

  We have done nothing but do doctor appointments for ever so long.  Not that that is a bad thing . . . very necessary.  Today . . . one more trip to Mankato.  This is a fun trip.  Carlie B’s fourth birthday and Dennis will be able to see great grandchildren, eight, that he hasn’t seen for a long time.  There was no gathering at Christmas.  There will be three granddaughters and three of his daughters.  We won’t make it a long stay, but just enough to catch up with everyone.

  If the temps hold out, I will run away from home sometime soon and travel Minnesota Highway #4 straight north.  Sweet!

  Oh for sure, there was some Saturday work done here on Stauffer Avenue.  The snow and high winds found enough snirt that the entry to our back door looked like a mud feast.  No more.

  Take care and remember to dress up as these fluctuating temps are the perfect storm for catching a cold.

   
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  Noreen 4:16 pm on February 25, 2022 Permalink  

  We are Home 

  Check that off the list!

  Today we were again in Mankato.  Dennis had the vascular studies.  The first round was to see what the blood pressure was in the arms compared to the feet.  Eight different blood pressure cuffs plus one each for the big toes.  The next round was to see how much oxygen was in the the arteries from top to bottom.  It will be interesting what the results are for my ole cowboy.

  All I did was sit next to Dennis through all of us, but I am beat.  For Dennis to lie still on his back for 2 plus hours . . . I was impressed and proud.  As I said, check that off the list to find answers.

  Catch ya all tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 2:39 pm on February 24, 2022 Permalink  

  Snow! 

  What the . . . more snow showers!  Winter has its teeth in us and will shake its head at us, much like a puppy with a new toy until spring is here to stay.

  I slept so soundly last night.  Pulling an 18 hour day will do that to this Grammie, especially with doctor visit information to digest.  Generally a 14 hour quiet day of spending it in our home is sufficient. 

  The lights did not get turned on in the studio today.  We got a call this morning that we would be having company over the noon hour and they were 15 minutes away.  Doug and Lynette are friends that we got to know years ago via the Sioux Falls trade show in South Dakota.  This was going to be a treat.  I had an oven meal for four tucked in the freezer along with scones to pop in the oven.  About 1:30 they left, heading to the metro to visit one of their kids.  A special visit.  Dennis and Doug slayed all the dragons of the world in the patio porch with a pot of coffee and cookies, while Lynette and I shared coffee at the dining room table.  Her and I passed on the cookies.

  Doug went home with a jacket that represented the Dakota Territory Gun Ass’n that Dennis has shrunk out of.  Doug was thrilled and check that off of our list to divest ourselves of items no longer needed.

  With the new snow on the ground, Dennis gave me a ride to the Family Dollar as we were out of coffee filters.  A friend, LuAnn, that I had worked with at the courthouse was purchasing laundry soap and we visited over the shopping carts a bit.  She said my name had just come up at her home over the Valentine’s weekend.  One of her daughters had asked her about a quilt that the grandkids were bundled under while watching cartoons.  She relayed to her daughter that 23 years ago when a tornado had taken their home and everything within it, 2 quilts had come into their home that I and my mom, Lena, had made for them.  The quilts are doing the test of time, just as they were meant to do.  Sweet.

  The unexpected portions of our days . . . perfect.

  It will be interesting to see what tomorrow brings.

   
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  Noreen 3:28 pm on February 23, 2022 Permalink  

  Sunny Day 

  Who cares that is it only 6 degrees above zero when the sun is bright and the beams are strong.

  We had an appointment at the wound clinic this morning at 7:45.  We had no idea what the road surfaces would be.  When I know we have to get up early, it seems like my interior clock is going to make sure I am up and at ’em.  That concept woke me up at four and I was wide awake.  I started the coffee pot and Dennis was up in time to have the first cup of the Folgers.

  Leaving a little after six, it was quite the surprise that the four lane highway was clear.  No snow, no ice.  Sweet.

  We had great news from the doctor this morning.  The incision site is looking much better.  Hmm.  Her notes say that the patient has three wounds on his left foot.  She agreed that wooden shoes do nothing but cause skin . . . to rub from the patient doing any amount of walking.  With the cold, Dennis has been a lot of . . . not moving much.  The toe next to the big toe has a sore tip and the side of the little toe is not happy.  We have our work cut out for us.

  It was noted that on a scale of one to ten, the pulse notated in both feet would score a “2.”  Friday the vascular study will be the rest of the story.

  By the time we drove from the clinic to the Mayo Retail Store, the list of supplies had been put together that we will use changing the dressings every other day.  Did you know that iodine can come in a thick paste?  The picnic basket I had been using for supplies is not large enough for what we came home with.  Thank you insurance.  We will go back March 5th for a looksee and these supplies are for that duration.

  Dennis has napped in the recliner since we have been home and now he and Snuggles are in the rocking chair in the patio porch.  Snuggles has become quite the lap cat.  I am holding out until nine tonight and I will then be off the clock.  Sweet.

  I have tomorrow off and you can about guess where I will be: KNUJ radio on loud enough to drown out any requests from the first floor of our home.  Whether I get anything done is totally not the point.  I will be in my zone.