Me, Myself and Memories

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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.

   
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  Noreen 2:43 pm on February 22, 2022 Permalink  

  Snowfall 

  The snowfall as of mid-day is not as severe as they had forecast, though the wind is right up there . . . huffing and puffing.

  It has been a balanced day.  A bit of the tidy, tidy always is a good thing.  I did venture to the studio until noon.  Dennis now has had day 2 of his antibiotics with a snack.  When I read online about this particular med it did state it might be the third day when the effects will begin showing.  Generally it is given for a five day period.  Seeing as how this is dosage for 14 days, gives me an indication as to what the ole cowboy is facing.  Dennis can be so thankful that he is not in the hospital and that our family doctor believes in my ability to take care of Dennis.  Checking twice a day and there is no temperature . . . that’s a good thing.

  Changing out the bandage on the foot went well this afternoon.  Hopefully tomorrow we get wonderful news from the wound doctor.  The steri strips have held the incision nice and tight for better bonding.  We do so hope.  As we need to be at the hospital at 7:45, Dennis said we would be leaving home at 6:30 to be prepared for what the road conditions offer.  I agree.  We will be taking the little red pickup as Dennis is accustomed as to how it handles on the roads.

  During all this cold weather, neighbor Jan texted me, commenting that they have had a lot of boxelder bugs to vacuum up.   Where do they hide to survive?  When we lived in South Branch, we had a hall window facing east that put forth black flies when the sun shone.  The buzzing could get very loud.  At least boxelders bugs are quiet.

  Our supper this evening is going to be sautéed onions with leftover boiled potatoes made into American fries.  To make it a schmorgisborg, I will add several scrambled eggs.  What’s not to enjoy.

  Today we got the handicap hangers for our vehicles.  I had fought the idea initially, but last week in the bitter cold when we got to the hospital in Mankato, I was thankful for that slip of temporary paper taped to the dashboard.

   
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  Noreen 3:36 pm on February 21, 2022 Permalink  

  Pre-Snow 

  We are really being informed about snow that is coming.

  Regardless of new snow coming, my joints don’t seem to mind it today as they did yesterday.  Go figure.

  It may not seem like the news that we should celebrate, but the results of the CAT scan has a diagnosis.  Yippee!  Knowing is reassuring.  Dennis has pneumonia and today began a 14 day of strong antibiotics.  It will hopefully bring results in what the sinuses have been trying to tell him.  This will also bring the red blood count back in alignment.  This will also impact the healing of his last foot incision.  So many things can tie together for overall wellbeing.

  We do have an appointment Wednesday at the wound doctor’s in Mankato.  If the roads are too bad for travel, I do know how to handle that until we can reschedule.  At least Dennis would be on the rebound with the pneumonia. 

  As I did mention, my joints felt good today and after getting Dennis situated with his new pills that needed to be taken with a snack, I ventured to the studio.  Maybe my wellbeing is tied into Dennis’.  It wouldn’t surprise me . . . happy Dennis . . . happy Grammie.

  As these would be the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth Christmas stockings using the same pattern, all went very smoothly today.  The linings for these four are cut and ready to be stitched and tucked inside the flannel socks.  That will be the next step.  It never hurts to have oiled and cleaned the sewing machine, complete with a new needle.  Spending time in my studio is far better for me than any meds.  Staying busy does keep the mind off of joints even when they aren’t happy.

  As I look through the bathroom window, peering into the slider window door of the patio porch out east . . . I see Snuggles in Dennis lap.  I can imagine the conversation.  What happens in the patio porch . . . stays in the patio porch.

  It is 3:30 and the skies are very gray, but yet no snow.  I surely wouldn’t feel bad if the forecast were not right on.

   
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  Noreen 2:08 pm on February 20, 2022 Permalink  

  Sunday the 20th 

  Oh my oh my!  It is 47 degrees out and there would be choice puddles to jump in to.

  I don’t think patio kitties jump puddles, but all three left the porch to get the stink off of them from being cooped up too much.  Honey Bunny was out for a half hour and she returned to her basket.  She hasn’t got an ounce of extra weight on her and she is thirteen years old.  Chubby Snuggles was the next to call it a day and head for a basket.  Harriet is the youngest and Dennis thinks it will be dusk before he sees her.

  I baked a batch of scones and my day was set for the studio.  When arthritis bucks, I don’t do a lot of stitching that requires manipulating a lot of heft under the needle.  I do have my wrist braces on.  Doing embroidery is the answer to keeping busy and having something to show for the day.

  Believe it or not!  I am embroidering on four Christmas stockings. My nephew’s wife had enough fabric for these four extra stockings.  Regardless how their family grows, I will have used the goods that was sent to me.  At such time, I may not be up to the task.  The completed stockings will not have any names on them, and that will be up to the family to fill in those blanks when the need arises.  I will feel quite at ease knowing I helped the family out and moving them out of my studio will be the “rest of the story.” It is fun deciding what to stitch and not having to answer for it.  Surprise!

  A Sunday ritual for Dennis is that his son that trucks on the west coast calls and chit chats.  It’s a good thing.

  Even with the cold, I have found one Boxelder bug each of the last three days toddling across the studio’s floor.  Ugh! 

  Our next doctor appointment is Wednesday.  We had just commented to each other how fortunate we have been with such good road conditions.  That may change with Tuesday’s snowfall and where it decides to land across the state.  We will take it the way it comes.

   
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  Noreen 3:03 pm on February 19, 2022 Permalink  

  Saturday the 19th 

  As I had promised myself, today was studio day . . . after a visit to the grocery store.  

  I had a short list.  I couldn’t help but notice a few prices as I walked by.  Land-O-Lakes butter was $6.25 a lb.  80% lean ground beef was $4.95 a lb.  The beef I did purchase as Dennis is to eat more red meat.  100% Jacksonville beef brats also hit the cart.  The butter we usually purchase in Mankato when it’s on sale and I put several pounds in the freezer.  Potatoes were also recommended for Dennis.  A 5lb. bag will serve us well.

  Today I have my mini quilt sandwiched with batting and backing.  The embroidery module has been parked for now.

  In December I bit on an offering online, which is something I don’t usually trust.  It sounded too good to be true.  Vinyl quilting templates for $39.00, free shipping.  The package took forever to come.  I thought I had kissed my $39.00 goodbye.  The early days of February the package was on the front steps.  Today, I decided to see if I could work with these templates.  This was my very first attempt.  I had a sewing machine foot for Bernina machine quilting templates.  The Bernina templates are thick.  These inexpensive ones are quite thin.  Would the sewing machine foot stay in the guidelines.  The first thing I did was to examine the number #72 foot.  Low and behold the brass screw on the right hand side allowed for a height adjustment.

  Leave it to Bernina to have their products manufactured for multiple uses.  I put together several pieces of fabric with quilt batting in between and took one of the templates for a ride.  Yes, they are thin.  Am I suppose to take the brown paper off of each one?  I have no clue and besides that my fingernails are not that strong.  I fear I might bend or twist them and have them crack and break in two.  I am leaving the paper on for the additional strength it allows.  The fabric need not be turned, only to guide the machine’s foot to follow the template.  As I said, this was my very first try.  The secret will be having the same momentum to keeping the stitches even.  That would be the learning curve.

  I am not ready to incorporate this stitching without quite a bit of practice.  Knowing that what I have within my stitching options can and will work . . . is very satisfying.  I do now see these same templates advertised on Facebook, but not at the $39.00 I paid. 

  I call today a win, win.  After all, you can’t fail if you don’t try.  I think that is how that is said.

   
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  Noreen 1:19 pm on February 18, 2022 Permalink  

  Gray Skies 

  We may be having gray skies, but my spirit feels all sunny and happy.

  Being with friends yesterday and breaking bread (Baker’s Square Menu) with them accounts for much of that.

  I had stuck a small pillow in my bag for yesterday.  Hard wooden chair seats just don’t sit well with my tailbone.  My goal is to stay away from PT.  The waitress commented that that was not an unusual happening.  Padded seats are too hard to keep clean.  When we meet in March, the pillow will be a bit larger and softer.  At my point for a lifestyle to stay out of a doctor’s care if I can avoid it, I don’t embarrass easily.

  Today Dennis had a VA appointment to check his INR, blood clotting level.  He had barely left the house when the VA doctor was calling me to query as to how we were going forward with Dennis’ left foot.  I explained to her that next Wednesday we would be meeting with a wound specialist and would continue until all was better.

  I know the media gives the VA a bad rap on how veterans are treated.  Our local unit is spot on.  Dennis came home with enough wound supplies to take us into weeks ahead of home care, aka: me.  Several pair of knee-high diabetic socks with more coming in the mail.  There is an order in for a pair of shoes that is easy on the feet that have very tender, thin skin. She was also inquiring if we could afford the wound specialist visits as she would make arrangements.  I assured her our supplement insurance to Medicare would cover it.

  It boosted my mindset knowing we don’t walk difficult times on our own or alone.

  Today was laundry day and tidy, tidy on the first floor.  Dennis had oatmeal for noon lunch as he was cautioned he needs to push himself to eat more as his weight lose is too rapid.  Even the suggestion of ice cream after supper was offered.  I wonder where Dennis had heard this before?  Could it have been from his very own Doc Pidy?  Leftover bean soup is on the docket for supper.  He is to eat more red meat and liver.  The good thing is that Dennis likes Braunschweiger as I do.  So much easier having a sandwich with a thin slice of onion than pan frying it.

  I know that I have the weekend to spend in the studio.  As I said, a happy sunny heart does wonders.

  I believe some of the stitchers are making plans to visit a fabric warehouse in the metro soon.  I quickly opted out.  I have plenty of ideas on what I have.

   
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  Noreen 4:19 pm on February 17, 2022 Permalink  

  A Me Day 

  In the cold temps, I motored to Baker’s Square to meet the stitchers group.  Eight of us whiled away hours.  We are a diverse group in background and age. 

  I did fill our car with gas in Mankato as it was $3.22 per gallon compared to $3.59 in St. James.

  I did mention to Dennis when I got home that the 18 wheelers were crazy with speed today on the highway.

  Just because I was having a “me day” did not let me off the hook from making supper.  We are having eggs, fried Spam and toast.  There ya go . . . a meal fit for anyone eating in a truck stop . . . or Stauffer Avenue.

  The weekend coming up has us with no plans.  Sweet.  Home sweet home.