Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:29 pm on May 26, 2022 Permalink  

  Popping My Buttons 

  Oh my gosh!  Dennis and I were able to see Megan’s Baccalaureate event via a live stream last night.

  Who knew when Uncle Kevin found an electric typewriter for Megan quite a few years ago, she would take honors at the ceremony last night with achievements in writing and composing various forms of prose and also entering them for critique.  Expressing one’s self with clarity in this day and age with electronic gizmos is very special.  The art work that Megan does also brought accolades.  I was popping my buttons.  Both the writing and the art will stay with her for a long time to come and bring personnel enjoyment and satisfaction.  I am speaking from experience. 

  I have worked myself into taking the rest of the day off.  My sister always said we had a front yard as large as a postage stamp.  Said stamp has been mowed with my trustee push mower and bagger.  I have made arrangements for the rest of the acre to be mowed tomorrow.  The grass is lush.  Maybe, and I will repeat . . . maybe, next week Dennis can using the rider mower.  I am not promising him anything.  We have come too far to let a few spears of grass be a downfall.  As I change the dressing, it is remarkable the healing after this, the eighth day.  When all systems are a “go” with circulation, the healing commences.

   
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  Noreen 1:43 pm on May 25, 2022 Permalink  

  Wash Out 

  It has rained just enough that my yard work is a bit on the muddy side.  I am anticipating that tomorrow the ground will be wet enough, I can pull some volunteer mustard out that seems to be prevalent.

  I had gotten the four log cabin blocks done on on my sewing project.  I am now on to the half square triangle blocks.  A total of 32 plain blocks and 32 printed blocks lying right sides together were needed.  By drawing a line down the middle, it is a guide to sew a 1/4 seam allowance down each side of the stitching.  Then the block is cut on the drawn line.  The block is flipped open, pressed and the results are 64 of the half square triangle blocks.  

  Yes . . . this project called Long Time Ago is taking me a long time.  Dah!  Where do I think I am going in a hurry.  My stitching was broken up by Dennis driving me from point to point in errands around town.  Both Dennis and I take a vitamin specifically for eye health.  It is a form of Omega 3.  Wonder of wonders our eye clinic is out of them and they can’t say when they will be available.  I was given a number that I could try and have them sent.  Time will tell.  Carrie tuned us in to Lemon Heads.  They are a sour, sour little marble that works wonders when the mouth feels dry for . . . whatever reason.  The Family Dollar sells them for a $1.00 a box.  Dennis went a calling and came out with $13.00 worth.  I guess he doesn’t plan on shopping too often.

  Tonight’s fare is Progressive Soup.  We had fried egg sandwiches this noon.  Neither of us have had a physically strenuous day.

  I did text Megan wishing her a Happy Baccalaureate day.  Friday the Southwest Christian High School has their commencement ceremony.  Dennis and I will look forward to being at Megan’s party in her home a bit later.  Where oh where did these years go?  It’s enough to make a Grammie sigh.

   
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  Noreen 1:19 pm on May 24, 2022 Permalink  

  Great Day 

  We got to spend the entire day here in our favorite spot . . . home!

  The temp is a great 67 degrees and perfect for me to spend some time in the yard.  I had holes dug on Sunday in anticipation of things to come.  Today, I put the sand shovel on my Fleet and Farm wagon and I headed to the east part of the acre.  The dig did not go quickly or easily.  One small scoop of dirt at a time.  When I had two Hosta on the wagon I headed to the patio porch.  It was noon and I took a break and watched some news with Dennis in the patio porch.

  A bit of fertilizer in each hole and a quite a bit of water.  Of course Snuggles was right there to take it all in and roll in my nice loose dirt.  Silly ole cat.  With the miniature Hosta tucked in and the dirt tamped down and around, it was time to put the wagon in the potting shed and close it up, making sure all kitties were out and safe.  It had happened that Harriet had not gotten out and was trapped for several days.

  I had a great workout and a satisfying one.  The grand scheme of things is that all the Hosta on the east edge of the acre will be moved up next to the patio porch under the Lilacs.  Slow and steady is what is called for as the dirt is quite compacted.  I love my sand shovel.

  Tomorrow is going to be just as sweet as today . . . you can count on it.

   
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  Noreen 3:19 pm on May 23, 2022 Permalink  

  Two For the Day 

  We each had appointments today in Mankato.  Five days out and Dennis’ foot incision got high marks from the surgeon.  The healing is underway.  Good golly it feels good to be home and not another appointment until June 6th.  Wow, how wonderful is that!

  We celebrated by going to Culver’s.  Wow, how wonderful is that!

  Leaving home at nine this morning and getting home a bit after four feels more tiring than putting in a day doing yard work.

  I don’t know how anyone else feels, but this week is a great week to be in Minnesota.

  Catch ya tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 3:21 pm on May 22, 2022 Permalink  

  Quiet Sunday 

  It may be cool out, but I think this is great.  

  All is well here on Stauffer Avenue.  Both Dennis and I rested well and slept through the night.  It is four in the afternoon and Dennis has passed on pain meds.  His last one was at ten last night.  I swapped out the surgical dressing this morning and the incision looks good.  We actually have enough medical supplies via the wound doctor, we could help out Lewis Drug in a pinch.  We are not through this yet, so I had best pull in my shingle.

  During the coolest part of the forenoon, I putzed in the studio cutting up scraps for the next go round of blocks for The Long Ago project.

  The afternoon sun got Dennis out in the patio porch and me with a sand shovel in my hands.  Slow and steady, I have two holes dug out under the flower garden around our huge Maple.  There has been some winter kill and there are some Hosta that are just begging to be split.  I won’t be able to work on the holes tomorrow as we have appointments in Mankato.  

  Oh shucks.  Tonight is the last of the chicken oven dish for supper.  If I could, my wish were to have the refrig stocked with good leftovers. 

  Enjoy the new week, it looks to be a great one.

   
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  Noreen 3:33 pm on May 21, 2022 Permalink  

  Chilly Day 

  Brr!  Chilly enough the furnace kicked in even with the thermostat set at 60 degrees here in the living room.

  I am really pleased that with only three days out from his surgery, Dennis is taking things in stride in regard to the pain.  He slept the night through without meds.  We adjusted one crutch for Dennis to use under his right arm and it seems to work well to keep from putting weight on the left foot.  Non of Dennis’ recovery days have surprised me.  Dennis went into this with a great attitude.   There is no “poor me.”

  As chilly as it is outside, I spent some of the afternoon in the studio.  I was so sure my portable radio was giving out on me.  It was a Christmas present from Kevin in the 80s.  Wonder of wonders.  It sure helps to put new batteries in it.  After four new “C” batteries we are back in business.  My time in the studio wouldn’t be the same without KNUJ AM.

  Tomorrow we were invited to nephew Larry’s daughter’s graduation party.   They are having it at the Hutchinson Fairgrounds in one of the buildings.  I had allowed Larry to know that with Dennis being out of the surgery by only a short amount of days, I would not be attending.  Larry’s response was “Take care of Dennis.”  I knew he would understand even though his wife was hoping I would be there . . . even after I had explained our circumstances.  Monday we need to have Dennis back for a post op check in with the surgeon’s nurse.  I know myself.  I would be stretching myself too thin in the energy department.

  With the oven meal of last night allowing for this evening’s supper as well, we are putting jellied cranberries with it for tonight.  A great combo.

  There is a chance of showers this late afternoon.  That would for sure be . . . Brr!

   
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  Noreen 1:36 pm on May 20, 2022 Permalink  

  Gray Skies 

  We must have had some wind with the rain drops.  I always put my glasses on the window ledge in my bedroom, aka: west porch.  I got up at four to get Dennis a pain pill and my glasses were gone.  Of course it sets the mind racing.  I am as blind as a bat without them.  It is one thing for me to need my cane when I get up during the night but to then do it without my glasses . . . slow and steady.  When I went to get back into bed for a few more hours of sleep, the street light caught something shining.  Sure enough the wind had blown my glasses off of the ledge and half way across the porch floor.  It was a miracle I had not stepped on them.  If we had had bad weather, I did not hear a thing.

  I admit to being tuckered when the clock on the wall indicated nine last night.  Perhaps not so much physical exhaustion but nerves from being and seeing Dennis through his foot surgery yesterday.

  This morning called for the dressings to be changed.  Dry and tidy is our aim.  Dennis was planning on staying in his recliner for the morning, so a light dressing was applied to see if the incision would soak through.  Dennis slept until 11:30 with no dressing change needed, so we completed the full wrap up.  I am quite sure the clotting process has been completed. 

  I did stay on the first floor while Dennis slept in case I was needed.  It gave me a chance to mop the bathroom and kitchen floors plus shinning up the top of the kitchen range.  All was needed and it felt good to have it done.  A grilled cheese sandwich for lunch and then Dennis was helped into the patio porch for some television viewing while keeping the foot up.  I hit the kitchen and we now have an oven meal to pop in the oven for supper.  Sweet.

  It is now 2:30 and I am going to take advantage of some quiet time and sit in the west porch to do a bit of reading and might also watch some traffic go by.  I have until four this afternoon before meds are handed out.  Another whew moment.

   
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  Noreen 5:27 pm on May 19, 2022 Permalink  

  Oh What a Day 

  Dennis’ surgery went according to Dr. Madsen’s plan.

  It felt so good to be on the way home, with a stop at Lewis Drug for antibiotic and pain pills.

  We got Dennis into the house and it was time to get the foot elevated with the boot off.  The surgical bandage was soaked with blood as well as the inside of the cushioned boot.

  I put a call into the hospital and was told Dr. Madsen would be calling.  In the meantime I got the soaked dressing off to the bare incision.  I got out my usual supplies in preparation for getting the incision dry and wrapped.  When Madsen called he said to put one layer of gauze over the incision to see if that would soak through.  He felt it would not and . . . it did not.  He confirmed I was doing the very best thing as he had seen the dressing on Dennis’ left foot I had put on Wednesday and that which he took off before surgery.

  It is six thirty and we are on track for a much quieter evening than we had this late afternoon.  I admit I am beat and Dennis is smiling as he knew I had it under control.

  Tomorrow is a new day and I know my nine o’clock bedtime is right around the corner.  Sweet!

   
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  Noreen 3:08 pm on May 18, 2022 Permalink  

  Wednesday the 18th 

  A day to enjoy some outside time and some indoors time.  It’s called a balanced day.

  My mornings involve taking a walk around the patio area to see what is working its way out of the dirt.  I am giving everything plenty of time to show itself before I choose the hoe.  There is a ton of wild mustard showing itself.  I have my eye on several Autumn Joy that I may divide if the bare spots persist.

  Today in the studio I completed the nine 5.5 inch blocks named The Courthouse Steps.  A grouping of three sewn in a strip will find themselves in the completed project in various areas.  It wasn’t a difficult block using one inch strips.  The most time consuming was pressing after each seam was stitched prior to trimming.  That brought a chuckle from me.  When my sister got the quilting bug she realized then what had escaped her in garment sewing . . . ya gotta stitch a seam and then press a seam.  

  After today’s stitching, I turned the page to see what would come next in this project.  It will be four 6.5 inch blocks labeled as Log Cabin.  Again it will be fabric cut into one inch strips.  My pile of scraps gets fluffed up and then time will tell.  I had a great phone visit this morning from one of the stitchers.  Sharon is aware of this pattern as we all had a chance of seeing the finished project when fellow Stitcher Lu brought it to one of our luncheons at Baker’s Square.  Yup . . . I could allow Sharon to know it is one step at a time and to not loose patience.  It was great that Sharon called as I will be with Dennis tomorrow during his surgery rather than at Baker’s square with the group of stitchers.  I will catch up with them next month.

  Dennis had his eye injection today at our local eye clinic.  Wham, bam . . . two procedures in as many days for Dennis.  Both Dennis and I are anxious to make the call after supper as to when we need to be at the hospital tomorrow.  Tomorrow at this time, Dennis will be recovering either at the hospital or at home.  Whew.

   
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  Noreen 1:51 pm on May 17, 2022 Permalink  

  Practicing 

  Today we began practicing to see how we can get Dennis around after his one day surgery on this Thursday.  The goal will be for Dennis to not put weight bearing on his left foot.  All rugs and such are up off of the floor.  A few items removed from the traffic flow.  There is a knee scooter for him to get from the house to the patio porch and back.  Once he gets to the house he can sit on the four steps from the back door to the kitchen.   A walker with a seat cushion will transport him from there to wherever he wants to go on our main level.  Using crutches has been nixed.  I got around with them when I had both knees done at one time, but I was a bit younger and more apt to have better balance.

  We have got this!

  Today via the phone we have Dennis’ admission interview done for the surgery.  Sometime after six on Wednesday night we find out what time we need to be at the hospital.  No matter the time . . . daylight will not be far behind.

  Today’s rain was a strong half inch.  The weather is downright cool.  No!  there will be no auxiliary heat turned on.   It’s spring . . . remember?