Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 4:17 pm on December 22, 2021 Permalink  

  Dennis’ Day 

  Today we hit the highway for errands that were Dennis-specific.  A perfect travel day.

  The shoppers were everywhere.  We were not in a rush and by taking our time, we did not have any cart tracks over our shoes.

  When Kevin and Kersten were elves taking me to Rochester, we had met Carrie at a Hy-Vee parking lot.  Kevin’s and myself went into Hi-Vee and had lunch.

  Today as we were in the Hy-Vee area, I picked up a few treats for the weekend.  Dennis and I are having a Hy-Vee heat and take . . . Goulash. 

  I am tuckered and will catch you all tomorrow.  Great temps are on the way.

   
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  Noreen 2:26 pm on December 21, 2021 Permalink  

  The Christmas Tree 

  I know several friends that do not put up a Christmas tree.  I would need to be incapacitated severely not to enjoy the magic that a Christmas tree evokes.

  I truly believe the Charlie Brown trees we enjoyed as a child were the best.  The tree had short needles on it as I know the Super Value store in Hutchinson did not have the variety of trees that is now available.  Water the base as we did, did not keep the needles from falling early on.

  Those early Christmas seasons sunk deep into my bones.  I truly believed in the miracle of the baby Jesus and the wonders that his birth brought going forward.  Going forward for me, all the sad times, disappointing times of the year are washed away each Christmas leaving only the best of memories.  The new year starts with a clean slate. 

  Our tree has been up since Thanksgiving.  I plug my Christmas tree in as I walk past it each morning after getting out of the bed and unplug it each night as I walk past it going to bed.  I have no set schedule as to when the ornaments will be carefully tucked away.

  This morning at PT it was decided that my schedule will be going from once a week to once every two weeks.  Every step going forward is a success story in regard to my health.  I am very thankful for my health provider . . . Mike T.

  As near as I can tell, Dennis has been on a nap fest in the patio porch.  Far be it from me to interfere, he must need the rest.  Once I have gotten out of bed in the morning, needing a nap escapes me.  Sleeping until seven or eight might be the reason.

  Find comfort in knowing that Jesus is the reason for the season.

   
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  Noreen 2:21 pm on December 20, 2021 Permalink  

  A Sunny Monday 

  All is better when the sun shines and there are some determined birds singing in the evergreen outside my bedroom window. 

  Today was catchup time for me to make several phone calls with Christmas wishes.  A cousin on my dad’s side of the family and an aunt that was married to my dad’s brother burned up a few minutes on my phone.  My aunt is from Fairfax and she could relate to where Kevin’s automotive shop is on one of Fairfax’s main streets.  Small world.  After that I was reminded to purchase air time for the phone.  We have dropped our land line and we rely on it for many reasons.  I purchase air time once a year. 

  Do any of you happen to have a cup with pencils and pens in it?  I went through three such cups in various places in the house.  I sure lightened the load of pens that had long since dried up.  That being done, it also concluded the last of the housekeeping that took place around my HP desk.  The fairly small desk is where I have my command center for all of our personal business.  That tells you how little business us two older ones have to keep track of.  Sweet!

  There is a tool in our kitchen that we would not part with.  I am surprised that Kevin has any hearing left.  Every time we use it we say “Thank You, Kevin!” I am sure he gets a ringing in his ears.  Where Kevin found it, I have no idea.  I do know that he listens when we converse.  This wonderful tool will open a quart sized lid as well as a pill cap.  Without it, we would need to have store clerks open our containers, after the purchase, before we left the stores.  This gadget stays right at our finger tips in the kitchen.  Sweet!

  Another item from that same source is my car’s steering wheel spinner.  It is not large and I assume it is legal.  It also does not have the image of a naked lady on it as I remember some spinners did in the 50s.  It clamps onto the steering wheel in what would be the lower of the northwest portion.  Since the stroke has left my left hand a bit slow with limited power, this does the trick of me not having other car horns going off as taking corners while driving was slow.  One more time . . . Sweet!

  How could life on Stauffer Avenue not be good!  All that remains is finishing some items on the grocery list for the weekend.  When the sun shines, we oft forget to look at what the temps are outside.  It’s a good thing.

   
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  Noreen 4:03 pm on December 19, 2021 Permalink  

  Sunday the 19th 

  The chill of days gone by is now a sun-filled sky with temps at 31 degrees.  A roller coaster to keep us guessing.  

  Today I did an obligatory load of laundry so my PT uniform is ready for Tuesday.  It is a softer than soft, washed out pair of yoga pants and a shirt that mirrors it.  Nothing harsh or stiff.  I also caved and made an oven dish for supper.  It beats the last ditch efforts.  Dennis is a creature of habit.  Dennis likes a hot meal for supper . . . and who allowed that habit to build over decades of time?  Me!  I have no bitches coming . . . but . . . sometimes I like to stomp my imaginary foot.

  My heart always enjoys a visit to the studio where I can be whoever I want to be.  Today I enjoyed a muffin taken out of the freezer, a cup of cold coffee and Christmas music on the radio.  I dug around and found several more zippers I could use to make the cork zippered “what nots.”  

  I got out an arsenals of scissors and cutting tools ready to find out which would work best for cutting out the narrow strip of cork for the zipper to be put into.  The tool that worked the best, the one closest to the bottom of the photo, is a spring loaded snippers that was sold as a tool for making rag flannel quilts.  The snipper is sharp right to the tip for making a clean curve of a cut on the cork.  For the rag flannel quilts, all the seams of the flannel squares were on the outside and this tools snipped into the seams.  The quilt was then washed and dried and the seams became fuzzy shreds.  Flannel loves to ravel.  Sister Elvera found out that the clothes drier got very very hot with all the loose shredded threads . . . very hard on the heating element. 

  I managed to putz the afternoon away.  The days end well when I have something tangible to show for my time.  In total I do have four of the zippered cases done.  Working with this small project wet my whistle and I may attempt something larger and more complex with the cork fabric.  Even to not decided is to have decided.

   
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  Noreen 3:22 pm on December 18, 2021 Permalink  

  Christmas is Near 

  The older I become, the faster Christmas sneaks up on me.  I remain totally committed to enjoy every Christmas song.  Even when the radio is not on, I am humming to myself.  Today, Christmas Eve Day is in seven days.  My days now are quite different from when Kevin and Carrie had Christmas church programs on Christmas Eve.  I often think I should prepare two brown paper bags loaded with apples, oranges, nuts, candy and have them sitting on our table on Christmas Eve. It would be exactly as were passed out decades ago when all the children filed out of the church proper after their program.  The church elders did a great job.  After the participants of the program were out, the elders went through the entire church giving out bags to children from infant to high schoolers.  Hmm. Memories!

  Saturday work is instilled in my bones.  Guess what . . . it has rubbed off onto Dennis!  We have a rather large refractory Oak table.  It has pullout leaves on each end allowing for up to eight to sit around it comfortably.  No one likes someone else’s elbow to hit their arm when there is a fork of mashed potatoes ready to find its target.  Recently, we realized there was a buildup of Murphy’s wipes: aka, wax on the table top. 

  Today while I was working in the kitchen and bathroom, Dennis was armed with a bottle of Formby’s furniture cleaner.  His strong 18 wheeler days of chicken loading arms make mine pale in comparison.  Top to bottom, from end to end the table got a fantastic cleaning.  We thought back when we had purchased the table and four chairs at a garage sale in Butterfield for $25.00.  We had a fellow in town replace the top with a new sheet of quarter-sawn oak.  Perhaps a bit too large for our home, but we do use it every day and enjoy it.

  The air is damp with stray snow flakes flying intermittently.

  Both of us are quite pleased with ourselves after a day of due diligence.  We are off the clock for the remaining hours of this Saturday.  Shh!  We are not as yet discussing supper options.  No elderly people will go to bed hungry during the interim.

   
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  Noreen 3:29 pm on December 17, 2021 Permalink  

  Raw Air 

  As I shook several rugs out I couldn’t believe how raw the air felt.  I took the broom out and worked at getting some of the pine needles and pine cones away from the back door that is on the east side of the house.  The evergreen tree is on the northwest corner of our home.  Winds have a way of decorating.  I couldn’t help but notice how much dirt has parked itself on the house siding.  Again . . . a present from the howling winds of Wednesday night.

  It was time for hair cuts at the Curry Comb this afternoon.  There were wings of hair sticking out here and there.  Some mornings are challenging enough without bed-hair that can only be controlled by sticking my head under the kitchen faucet and grabbing a brush.

  It is a dose of reality when I am reminded that Christmas is eight days away.  We are not in a panic as Dennis knows no one goes away from our home hungry.  I may have a bit of a job jar handy as well.  I hope no one puts stress upon themselves.  The reason for the season is the birth of our Savior Jesus.  Anything else is secondary.

  The weekend is right around the corner.  For Dennis and myself we need to remind ourselves what day of the week it is.  We have been known to have lost a day or two and then scramble to check our cell phones.

  Supper is chicken titties, carrots and mashed potatoes.  Stay comfortable as our bodies acclimate to the real deal . . . winter.

   
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  Noreen 3:29 pm on December 16, 2021 Permalink  

  December Storm 

  What an experience on Wednesday evening!  A December storm like nothing I had ever experienced.

  The rain came after supper with lightning and thunder.  I have no idea if the rain amounted to anything. The winds kicked up about nine.  I had just gone to bed when it hit.  It can be very soothing when light winds sway the huge evergreen outside my bedroom.  The boughs often make a light swishing sound.  When the wind gusts hit the way they did last night, it was like a freight train barreling through.  The awning running the length of the front of the house has just enough play in it that it would buck during the height of the gusts.  The last time I looked at the clock it was two a.m. 

  This morning, as chilly as it was, I was outside checking the front of our home to see if there was any sign of the awning braces being loose.  They were not, but it sure fooled me.

  We had an appointment in Mankato this morning for a check on Dennis’ foot.  The area where the toe was removed healed great.  The bunion on that foot is a real challenge.  We have been cleaning it every night with a vinegar and saline solution.  It is called an Acetic Acid wash.  It must be quite common as it was given to us in a prescription. The area looked so good, we thought the appointments would be over.  Not so fast.  Nurse Jody got out her tools and managed to remove more gout crystals.  It had been a quite large open wound and has closed considerably. Dennis had to have x-rays of the feet.  Both feet for comparison, I would imagine.  I have just gotten a call from the clinic and the x-rays show no infection, including the thought that the bunion bone had been impacted.  That is great news. I must say the care has been outstanding.  It is somewhat difficult as Dennis has very little feeling in his feet.  Having continuous wet feet that got very cold while Dennis served in Korea has allowed neuropathy to be a part of his days.  We will be going back December 30th for a looksee.  I will continue being Dennis’ Doc Piddy . . . a quack of a doctor.  Tee Hee.

  The air is quite raw today with winds and the temps in the 20s. 

  A funny thing, when we were driving to Mankato some kids are missing a trampoline complete with the protective netting as it was lying out in a plowed field.  We have small branches down in the backyard . . . nothing more serious is a blessing.

   
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  Noreen 3:38 pm on December 15, 2021 Permalink  

  Canceled Visit 

  We were to travel two hours to the northeast today to visit a nephew.  On the other end, Larry cautioned about the forecast.  On this end, Dennis agreed.  These two old timers decided to stay safe at home.  The worst of the forecast may not evolve, but why take a chance in relationship to what has happened elsewhere with storms.

  It is 52 degrees out this mid afternoon with gray, still air.  Tornado watches are in effect.  When the ice cold air whips up and meets this warm air . . . it is anyone’s guess.

  I sometimes feel like a depository of all things in the realm of creativity.  I have worked with cork fabric from time to time and never amassed a lot of it as it is expensive.  Low and behold in November what looked like a plaid gun case came to me in my studio.  Oh my, oh my!  A friend has given up crafting.  In exchange for some of my embroidered towels, the contents of the plaid case were mine.  As I have no pending projects, today was the day I examined all of the contents of my very own gun case.  I was curious enough that I downloaded an easy zippered case pattern to try my hand at the cork fabric.  All went well.  While I was at it, I downloaded a cork fabric pattern for an eyeglass case as well as a folded passport case that could have multiple uses.  I have a variety of zippers and I may do several of this zippered case and use some coordinating zippers up as well.  I will continue checking out the internet for ideas to use the cork fabric.

  My crafting genes come from my paternal grandmother, Laura, and from my mom, Lena.  Oh, I can’t forget the kid’s grandmother, Esther Schafer.  There was never a scrap of anything that was thrown away or wasted.  Crocheting was in the bag with all three and I learned to crochet from Orlin when we lived in Texas.  I do miss crocheting as the wrists have lost  the swift rotation needed for the hook to make a stitch.  What I do have left, I need to save for day-to-day tasks.  Sewing and embroidery can be manipulated with the entire hand, using more of the fingers than the wrist.

  One minute it looks as if it could rain and the next minute the sun is out bright.  December’s very unusual weather.  If the winds do pick up as they predict, anything not nailed down will be . . . somewhere else.

   
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  Noreen 3:56 pm on December 14, 2021 Permalink  

  Tidy Tidy 

  With a sewing project completed, the cleanup is a must.  Who wants to come down to a studio that has supplies strewn about!  I know after today it will feel as if I am a guest in a studio akin to a well tricked out shop.

  The area rug that my brother Calvin gave me does add a touch of comfort when standing in front of the ironing board.  But man can it collect threads and fuzz and it isn’t fond of letting it go. What I have found to be the best weapon is the 3M lint rollers.  It’s only a 6 x 10 rug and it is doable.  The remaining floor is bare concrete and takes well to the vacuum.  Kevin offered to share a hemmed piece of carpet.  I thanked him, but passed. The area that the sewing machine sits on is concrete and the Swiffer works great until the Filter Queen canister needs to be brought out for the entire area.

  Dennis and friends met up in McDonald’s for morning coffee.  He rolled in right at twelve.  Apparently the fellows from the area kept dribbling in and that meant more news to hear or share.  I think it’s very healthy for them.  Dennis did share that McDonald’s has revamped the front.  A very small cloistered order area and a credit card must be used . . . no cash.  That took these old timers back quite a bit.

  I had PT and could barely walk when I left.  Finding that spot that needs work . . . I am all about Mike working those tendons and muscles to allow them to relax and fight nice.  My quality of life is 99% better than when I went to him for the first time.  Would have, could have and should have . . . yup, I should have turned myself in a lot sooner. Thinking I could walk it off was wrong.

  Arthritis is no stranger in my family.  My grandmother Laura was in a wheelchair during her remaining years only because no help was sought when she may have had somewhat of what I am experiencing today.  Mike knows what I am dealing with and until he says he can no longer help, I am in it for the long haul.  After all, where I am going so as to not see this through!

  ***Just got a text from daughter Carrie.  This afternoon she took over her own boutique in Edina.  Earlier this year I began praying hard as both of my self-reliant children now have their own businesses.  Bring on the “joy” in their lives.

  Thank you Lord Jesus for all the blessings that have come my family’s way this year.  Both of my children saw me through the days of uncertainty with the stroke and the heart surgery . . . my prayers for them is ceaseless. 

  On that note . . . tomorrow Dennis and I have been invited to my nephew Larry’s home in rural Stewart.  I may very well be worn out and not put a posting on.  Though I do know that we arrive at their home in the late forenoon and leave for our home in the early afternoon.  My driver is in charge of time tables.

   
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  Noreen 3:28 pm on December 13, 2021 Permalink  

  Dripping is Going On 

  No matter where you look there is a lot of dripping going on off of buildings as well as trees.  It makes for icy conditions under foot.

  Ice means I stay indoors.  Today I dug out the exercise band and hooked it over one of the hooks that is screwed into a floor joist.  A second one that does not have the molded hand handles will be used under my feet for some type of stretches of the legs.

  The plan today worked slick.  I am embroidering my last white dishtowel for the Riebe picnic in August of 2022.  I can keep an eye on the action of the needle while stretching some bands.  I know that my machine will be puffing as much as I am with this final stitch out. 

  Dennis had the idea of the dishtowel project.  I had wanted to ask him “Are you serious?”  I did not question him.  He had the little red pickup idling in the drive before I had my shoes on. We were going to Mills Fleet Farm in Mankato for white feed sack towels.  I knew they were of good quality . . . 30″ x 30″, hemmed and $.99 per towel. Number 50 is under the needle as I type.  

  Using a software program on my HP, I created a four line document . . . “It’s a Riebe Thing 2022.”  I used a variety of thread colors as I would load one after another on the embroidery module.  Each one took 29 minutes running at a slow speed.  Before the Covid hit, I had done 80 towels for Megan’s skate club.  The amount of time and energy for this stitching was literally relative. 

  When this project is finished, there needs to be some serious vacuuming.  Ideally the stabilizer on the back of the towels would come off in one piece. Bit and pieces is the end game.  

  When Carrie and Megan came for a visit in the early part of the month, there was a third tag along.  It was a crocheted angel that was hanging onto as much dignity as she could muster.  Over decades it is difficult for storage and what had been starched crochet cotton thread becomes limp.  Who knew that when I had crocheted her under Ester Schafer’s guiding hand that she would have endured all these decades.  Her frock now looks good and her wings are going to be flying proudly.  I couldn’t do anything about the scant yellowing during her lifetime. 

  Today finishes up two items that have been in the studio long enough.  I have no idea what will be next.

  I can share that I wish I had remembered the towels that are similar to Chamois when we were in the thick of window cleaning. They took off the window smears in a heart beat.  They can be laundered as long as softener is not added in the rinse cycle.  I will keep them handy for mirrors and such.

  I have had a great day and my furnace appreciates the warm temps as much as the gas meter does.