I am a retired 44-year veteran of the Real Estate Assessment field. As with real estate assessing and how it applies to real estate taxes, one can make many acquaintances, but not many real friends. It was a great career choice.
It has been nearly 10 years since I reclaimed my home and my real passions within my home. I enjoy it more each day and tip my hat to those who I left behind.
Each day I try to stretch myself with the use of my computer as it relates to this site and using it to print out labels for quilts for trying to incorporate photos into my sewing. Life is so full and I know that I have room for more.
Here it is and minus 9 and that is all that we will have until it begins falling towards evening.
I have spent quite a bit of time on the phone today with family in Decorah. My sister-in-law, Lois, has passed away this afternoon. My brother, Calvin, has one of their sons with him. All will be well with him.
In the meantime we are keeping warm and look forward to that spike in temps on Saturday.
I will catch you all tomorrow,
Br! is all that can be said for today. We had no snow but the wicked winds found snow hiding and whipped it around. Dennis did note that several more branches are down in the east part of the acre.
When the temps are this cold, my studio is chilly. I decided to stay on the first floor and do some laundry. With coffee in hand, I spent the better part of the day on the west porch working on my puzzle.
Dennis had company in the patio porch this morning and I scored a Casey’s sweet roll that Bruce brought for us. It went very well with coffee.
The Christmas decorations are still up in the house. Fearing having to walk through new deep snow, Dennis picked up all the wreaths off of the picket fence yesterday. No new snow but it was a smart move.
Have not heard any news from the family in Decorah. I am thinking no news is good news. Perhaps my sister-in-law has rebounded.
Dennis and I talked about his upcoming one-day surgery and he is willing to have it done as soon as possible. A great attitude. Next Tuesday the consult with the surgeon can’t come soon enough.
One thing we are doing regularly is checking on the furnace vent on the north side of the house. It would not be prudent to allow that ice to build.
I hope you all stay safe and as warm as possible.
What a mixed bag of a Tuesday.
Mike T has me back to once a week for PT. I knew that was coming and I don’t mind as I know his treatment can bring me relief. Does he caution me in what my daily activities are or should be . . . not at all. His advice is to do what I need to do, what I want to do for a balance in my life. But . . . If I knew then what I now know, I would have been more selective in what I did with my body as a farmer’s daughter or what I thought I needed to do. But . . . no real regrets. I was taught a good work ethic that has carried me through a W-2 form job as well as what it takes to keep the home going.
The mail came today with my 90 day supply of catheters with zero co-pay. Dennis received in the mail today, his 90 day supply of CPAP supplies with a zero co-pay. It is all very much appreciated.
My nephew, Eric, called as he was on his way from Duluth to Decorah, Iowa. He had been on his phone with the nurses of the hospital in Decorah. They were quite sure that his mom, Lois, would not be able to hold on until he got there. Lois has severe lung deficiencies and has been hospitalized several times this fall. Eric will have his hands full as his dad also has some health issues with no other family in Decorah.
This afternoon I had an email that I could see the results of Dennis’ MRI via the Mayo Portal. That was followed by a call from Dr. Madson’s second in command. Jodi wanted to visit with me so as to put into real words, detailing what the MRI jargon was. Dennis has a bone infection in the metatarsal at the base of the big toe on his left foot. As long as he doesn’t run a temp between now and Tuesday when we meet with Dr. Madson, he is to stay on the prescribed antibiotics and we continue dressing the area once a day. More than likely, Dennis will need to have a portion of the metatarsal surgically removed via a one-day surgery with continued antibiotics. I really appreciated Jodi’s candor. No one likes surprises.
So that was my mixed bag of a Tuesday. I don’t think I could have had anymore added to it. I stayed busy with laundry and have an oven meal to pop into the oven for supper at the same time I bake out a tray of scones. The oven meal I had heard on KEYC noon’s chef. Sautéed onions, a lb. of ground beef browned with a jar of beef gravy mixed in. That added to a loaf pan with a two person batch of instant mashed potatoes that had a cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese mixed in while the potatoes were hot. The chef said it was “Oh so good.” We will see.
Home after a long day. Dennis reported for his MRI a bit after eight in the Mankato Hospital. About 10 am, I was temped to have the receptionist check on his whereabouts. All was well and now it is up to the surgeon to give us his take on the follow up of Dennis’ surgery that was at the end of October. This is either a totally different scenario in the same foot or something to do with what caused a toe to be amputated. Again . . . time will tell.
We wound our way from Mankato to Fairfax to visit the Schafer family for a short bit. Kevin had several items to send home with us. The very best was several calendars for 2022. Not many businesses have them made up for their customers. I fear it has gotten expensive.
When the temps hit 32 degrees this afternoon the sun had a lot of power. Thanks be for shots of warmer weather to break the cold snaps.
We are never so thankful as when we arrive home safe and sound from a day out and about.
Yippee, we made it above zero! The bright sun is doing its best to help warm the windows facing the south.
It was time to oil the sewing machine and put in a new needle. Winding five bobbins didn’t hurt either for future embroidering. Embroidering is easier on my arms and hands than piecing. Over time, the piecing has to ensue to finish up what have been embroidered into portions towards a finished project. Slow and steady.
I have a project called Red, White and Bloom. After the machine was ready, I did do one block to “let it begin.” Reading instructions doesn’t hold a candle to dipping your toe and making several cuts into fabric. With one block stitched out successfully it will become easier each time I visit the studio. With a heat run open in the basement, it makes it doable as long as I have shoes on. Concrete floors draw into feet not covered, causing discomfort in the legs long after being away from that floor.
Dennis caught a John Wayne black and white movie on the RFD television channel.
I made a few strides on my 1,000 piece puzzle. I have many mini areas put together matching up portions according to the picture on the box. There will be no quick fixes.
Alarms will be set this evening as we will be in Mankato at 8:30 tomorrow morning for Dennis to have a MRI of his left foot. There is bound to be a solution to an angry bunion bone. We will be meeting with a podiatrist the week after. In the meantime, in between time we dress the wound every night.
Thank goodness for a 9″ x 9″ pan of hamburger pasta in the freezer. Super . . . nailed it!
Perhaps 45 years ago on a crisp New Year’s Day, two car loads of family hit the hills of Beaver’s Falls to go tobogganing and sledding. Beaver’s Falls is northeast of Redwood Falls. My sister’s family, Orville Trettins and their three children; Orlin, myself and Carrie and Kevin were ready for a day of fun.
It took a lot to get ready for this New Year’s Day. Each family had livestock chores complete with the morning milking. At that time Orlin was working shift work at 3M while I took care of livestock chores. It worked. The temps were mild that New Year’s day. I believe all nine us had parkas on that 3M had sold to employees as the parkas were sporting their new line of reflective trim on the parkas. Orlin took sizes from Elvera and there was little choice of colors . . . beige worked.
Elvera and I had planned the food and hot coco for a noon meal on the hills of the pasture that belonged to Orlin’s sister. There was cold chicken, sandwiches, cookies, chips and dip and even left over fudge from Christmas. Picnic potties . . . pick your clump of trees.
The plastic tub toboggans could hold two. I do remember that there were yellow and red ones and plenty to go around. There were scrub bushes to try and avoid on the way down. Trees were also not a good thing. If it was not to be, the best move was to tip over to avoid the hit. Going down went faster than climbing back up to the top of the hill. I do believe that day is the last time I did a summersault when my toboggan snagged some underbrush.
About three thirty it was time to pack up and make the long drive back to reality. I don’t know about Orville’s car, but we had two kids out napping when the heater of the car did its job. Orlin and I did the evening milking and the rest of the livestock chores while the kids stayed put in front of the television. No threat of mischief after such a busy day. I had prepared Bar-B-Q for our supper after the chores.
Hmm. Such a sweet innocent memory.
Today is mellow on Stauffer Avenue. I can sit in front of my 1,000 piece puzzle and look and look and am good if I find one or two to pieces to fit in. Today is a Saturday that feels like a Sunday. We didn’t make it above zero today . . . maybe tomorrow.
A day that is quiet is a gift. Dennis has been napping the day away. A perk from the antibiotics and the Mucinex.
Yesterday had been a day of burning shoe leather for me. The clinic appointment location, the Mayo store had a refill of the dressings that we are using on Dennis’ foot, a stop at Walmart to purchase a new toilet lid as our wooden one cracked, and the pharmacy once we hit St. James. Last night I had restless legs when I retired to bed. Nothing like a good night’s rest as a cure-all.
We have not stayed up until midnight to ring in a new year for ages. Back in the Lena and Raymond days, some of their siblings would get together to play cards and enjoy a late pot of coffee.
I have no resolutions for 2022. My goal is to continue doing as I have been . . . staying upright and staying busy within our home.
My prayer for my children is to remain excited about their lives and their homes. The best feeling for me is knowing I have raised two great kids.
Happy New Year!
Today we were back at the Doctor’s office in Mankato for a review of Dennis’ bunion bone on the same foot where the toe was amputated.
The wound has not healed by any measure. The bunion bone was irritated while the foot had been wrapped after the toe amputation. Dennis is on antibiotics as of this afternoon and an MRI will be on Monday morning. The X-ray of today did not look much different than that of two weeks ago. What was different was the weeping of drainage that was evident each night when we changed the dressing. That has been within the last week. I have checked Dennis’ temp each night and it has been normal. I was thrilled to know that the MRI may show what an X-ray may not. Dennis is always borderline diabetic so no chances are being taken.
We were glad to get home today and we will hunker down over the weekend. The blessing in all of this is that Dennis is a good patient. When I picked up the antibiotic I did pick up Mucinex to see if we can’t get the slime in the throat broken through. Daughter Sandy, the nurse, had suggested the Mucinex as well as Vicks on the chest, an older t-shirt and the heating pad and cook it out. By the way I have plenty of blue Dawn dishwashing liquid to clean the washing machine drum. Vicks on the neck was nixed by Sandy. Dennis is under the care of Doc Pidy, aka: me for the duration.
Not sure what is going to be rustled up for supper right now. I am thinking about it.
The secret to cold weather is that you don’t look at a thermometer. Today we have bright sunshine to dwell on.
Amazing was the results from a tip from Kevin. Yes . . . blue Dawn Dishwashing liquid does cut through Vicks on the inside of the wash machine drum. My hope is that I do not have to repeat that remedy. We each have home remedies that we believe are destined to be the ultimate. I believe all things in moderation is the key.
Though brisk, I did walk the drive several times this afternoon. The fresh air does the mind and heart good. With a covering of snow, Randy had scrapped the cement drive. Today, the majority of the drive was down to the bare concrete, perfect for that walk.
With several items going: a book to read, the jig saw puzzle and a project in the studio, I have a good balance to my days. In between today, I peeled some potatoes for supper. Surprisingly a 5 lb. bag of potatoes will soon put on sprouts. My goal is to peel a few here and there to beat the growth. Dennis may not have a good appetite all the time, but boiled potatoes do perk him up.
Each night there are three yearling deer that are outside the kitchen window nibbling on the berries that they can reach on the ornamental crab apple tree. It would be hard to believe they are short of food as it hasn’t been that long that our snow had melted down to the grass. They may have discriminating tastes.
New Year’s 2022 is right around the corner. It does not seem possible that time passes as quickly as it does. We have no big plans going forward. There comes new threats daily on the news in regard to covid and the new strains. We stay close to home and frequent very few businesses. The clinic and drug store is about the limit. We had stocked up on groceries at a time when there was no threat of ice under foot. Visiting our pantry in the basement will work for quite some time.
May each day bring a feeling of contentment and self satisfaction. I took a lesson from my grandmother Laura. There has to be shown at the end of each day that we used the God-given gift to his glory.
We did have a covering of snow today. Each day we go forward with threats.
Speaking of threats. I may not threaten Dennis, but the bear is not doing it in the buckwheat . . . no more. I am so done with red hankies that have been slathered in Vicks hitting my washing machine. Vicks does not dissolve no matter bow hot the wash water is or what laundry soap is used.
FYI . . . instead of taking care of slime in the throat from the 0utside going in, try knocking off sucking on hot cigarettes’ the majority of the day and cauterizing the stint in the throat. Dennis has done nothing other than relying on over-the-counter fixes and prescriptions for the sinus’. His doctors have pretty much told him what would be a good beginning on fixing his situation. My arthritic hands are worth more than trying to tie a hankie around his greased up neck tight enough for it to stay secure. As an adult I can say “No.” This has been going on for months and there has not been one iota of benefit other than going through one jar of Vicks after another.
I may love Dennis dearly, but not enough to play this silly game of “Oh my gosh the tub of the washing machine needs cleaning of the ring around the tub of Vicks.”
It might get quiet for a time on Stauffer, but no one advocates for me in my health and wellbeing, I know what I need to do. It might be fine for Dennis to say, “I think you should take it easy.” Putting your mouth where your housekeeping hands could be might be the rest of the story. I know what my challenges are and I work through them. Am I complaining, no, just stating facts and logic.
Time will tell how this evening goes or if the Super 8 will have a new tenant.
Just because we love our spouses does not mean we need to buy into that which passes all understanding.