Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:26 pm on August 21, 2021 Permalink  

  What a Great Day 

  This is what we have been waiting for for a long time.  A breeze with temps in the 70s.

  Not much going on here today.  The second set of bedding is done and back on.  In Lena’s case there would have been a linen closet to visit to choose a set of linens.  With automatic washers and dryers, the bedding is taken off, laundered and put right back on.  One set per bed is all that is needed.

  Dennis helped with the floors today.  The mopping doesn’t sit well as yet in the chest.  I remember how disheartened I was when Kevin reminded me that no wax flooring’s life for the wonderful surface would only have a life of twenty years or so.  Our flooring has gone a bit beyond, but not without extra elbow grease.  There are different wear patterns where everyday foot falls have gone.   Mr. Clean Erasers do a great job to work their magic.  I am not sure what the ingredients are within them.  Today we called it good.  It will last several weeks.

  The last of the fall events are taking place.  Threshing Bees and the Minnesota State Fair close down the fun stuff before school starts.  All events have passed without us.  I can’t say we feel we missed out on anything.  With covid still in the news every single day, home is the best place for us.  To have the fully vaccinated being able to still suffer experiencing it and perhaps passing it along . . . no thank you.  Big crowds are not for us. 

  I have memories of events in the past.  It wasn’t where you were or what you were doing but with whom you shared the time.  

  Enjoy this weekend and feel the younger you inside.

   
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  Noreen 2:26 pm on August 20, 2021 Permalink  

  Hoping for Rain 

  The forecast calls for rain and we are ready for it.  The rain has passed us by too many times.

  I had Dennis’ bedding under control in the laundry and decided to visit June this afternoon.  She has settled into her apartment and living quite nicely.  With the forecast for high winds coming with the rain, she commented that there wouldn’t be any leaf tips or branches in her schedule.  I am really happy for her.  She does make the best oatmeal and raisin cookies.

  Dennis had an eye injection at one today.  We both got home about the same time.  He is down in his recliner with eyes closed.  The shot leaves the eye feeling as if there are granules to blink through for a time.  Knock on wood . . . that is not in my scheme of things.  I have plenty on my plate for now.

  Checking on my stashes in the studio, I do have enough fabric for the back of Megan’s quilt. It’s fabric that has been pre-washed and ready to use.  Checking a little farther, the batting I have will also do.  I do have the batting in the clothes dryer with a damp terry towel.  The heat will allow for all the wrinkles to smooth out as I sandwich the top, the batting and the backing.  This project is getting real.  One step at a time over a period of time is making and allowing my left side, arm and hand to participate.

  Activity in that left arm and left hand require nerve endings to power the muscles and tendons.  Those nerves had been severely impacted by the stroke.  At the very onset I had nothing for movement.  Nerves take a long time to regenerate.  The day I could take the thumb on my left hand and touch the little finger on the left hand was memorable . . . and it took over a month.  Each day requires movement to challenge for more movement.  Each day when the nerves are weary and need to regenerate, the strength in the muscles and tendon is gone.  It’s time to close down for a while.

  I feel so fortunate to be where I am at this point.  It is “this or better.”  I can be left alone in our home to do the laundry and put the bedding back on the bed . . . sweet.  I still have discomfort across my upper chest, but in relationship to the layers that were cut through to allow my ribs to be pried apart for miracle hands to work their magic . . . it’s minimal.  I wonder what size of a “C” clamp they used? 

  The winds are picking up and the skies look as if there is something brewing . . . may it be rains and not storms.

   
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  Noreen 1:13 pm on August 19, 2021 Permalink  

  A Deal was Struck 

  Yesterday I realized that a portion of a five pound bag of potatoes was sitting on the attic steps waiting for . . . something.  I put a deal out to Dennis.  I would chop the onion and boil and peel the eggs if he peeled and boiled the potatoes.  I knew I had him.  He really likes my potato salad.  That was the deal I struck yesterday for today’s events.

  By early morning I got a text from one of the kids and I was already crying over the aroma of a white onion as the chopping ensued.  I like to get going in the morning and get it done.  I did boil the potatoes with the skins on.  Nothing enhances the flavor than what the peelings can add.  True to the deal, Dennis took the skins off of the potatoes with just a skim of a knife.  It will be good eating as I don’t skimp on onions or eggs.

  Yup, another warmer day than I would have enjoyed.  Friday is the day we have a chance for rain.  We have heard that several times with zero amount registering in the gauge.  The blessing is that we have not had any storms. 

  Yesterday, Dennis and I went to our family doctor.  I had not seen him since February.  So many specialists, now it was time for usual and customary.  The specialized meds will need to be stayed on for the full three months since June 15.  I can taper off of them and then be down to my usual high blood pressure that I had been on.  I will be so ready for less is more.

  No lights on in the studio today.  The kitchen duty today was enough.  I can still feel that there is healing going on and pushing it only causes discomfort.  My body does not lie to me.

  Take heart, this hot summer will not last forever.

   
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  Noreen 1:19 pm on August 18, 2021 Permalink  

  Another Long Year 

  Today was discussion that has been in the works for another long year. Actually, decades ago we had work done on the west porch of our home.  Our home is over a hundred years old.  It was moved into the city in the early 50s from north of town and put onto a new basement at that time.  

  There had been an open porch to the west, complete with the turned posts and a shed roof.  What open porch didn’t have the slanted floor to shed the rain and the melting snow?  In the 70s a carpenter, by the name of Thompson, enclosed the porch allowing for eight windows to be enjoyed.  

  In the late 80s when Dennis and I made this wonderful little house our home, a carpenter by the name of Kuehl shimmed out lumber to make the floor level.  Prior to that time whatever we had in the porch needed to be leveled with a shim.

  We, and mostly me, have enjoyed that porch to no end.  I love reading in the good daylight and it is also my bedroom.  With Dennis’ 10′ long hose for his CPAP, which can be dangerous when he turns over in bed, I need to also enjoy a good night’s sleep without having that hose accidently wrapped around my neck.  Ironically, with eight windows, nothing allows for other’s to view inside after the shades go down.  

  We never had done anything to make the step from the inside into a doable step down onto the concrete steps outside.  It was a 12″ step down.  We always used the back door.  In February when the ambulance crew got me out of the house via the front door, there was that 12″ to conquer. 

  This morning working with Dennis’ nephew, Brett, we began working on a solution to that 12″ step down from the inside of our home.  It sounds like a solid plan, but not in concrete.  It will be treated wood with a good sized platform directly out of the house and steps going to the south.  Pouring concrete over the old concrete steps is not a good plan going forward decades out.  Taking out the old steps involves working with the foundation of the house.  Again we are on a waiting list.  Brett is taking charge of the contractor that will be doing the work.  It was our choice of the steps as a ramp is a bit too much to assume right now.

  Whew!  A great day.

   
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  Noreen 3:36 pm on August 17, 2021 Permalink  

  Long Year 

  In the early 2020, Dennis had a slight accident.  Dennis backed into and scrapped the siding on our home while also taking off the water faucet.  I know for a fact he immediately contacted our handy man and our plumbers.  After the frost of 2021’s winter, we had our outdoor faucet replaced.  Today, August 2021, we have had the siding replaced.  Our lumber store would not break open a package of siding for replacement pieces.  Our carpenter, Elmer, drove over to Truman which is 20 miles to the south for the replacement pieces.  They were $16.00 each.  We didn’t buck as we just wanted it done.  Yes, either entity would have been welcomed sooner.  Small towns are short of service people for small jobs.  Talk about a long year . . . or two.

  I have kept busy with my head down . . . either reading or sewing.  The fictional book is almost to the last chapter.  Today the last stitch went into the blanket top for Megan’s 2021-2022 graduation year.  I had the 16 blocks embroidered in the winter of 2021.  The luck of the Grammie, I worked through my stashes to find what I needed for the sashing and the corner stones.  My goal was to end up with the 62″ x 50″ that would be a good size to use as a throw.  What was a gamble was the small amount of fabric I had to use as a one inch border to break up the dark blue sashing, as I was using the same fabric in the border.  Perfect.  As of now the studio is dark.  I think I have batting and backing for it.  I won’t know until the lights come on the next time.

  Tonight, it may be warm out, but we are having Shore Land’s Chicken Noodle soup for supper.  Nothing was forth coming when I asked for suggestions.  Take it or leave it.

   
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  Noreen 3:34 pm on August 16, 2021 Permalink  

  Laundry Monday 

  Laundry Monday is in my bones.  Pop a Tide pod in, set the dials and hit start.  It sure is different than Lena’s laundry Monday.  So many things are different than they were 70 years ago.

  What works in my favor is that I do remember more than I have forgotten.  I take very little for granted.  Our home could very easily resemble the home I grew up in . . . early attic . . . gotta love it.  We did acquire a pullout love seat twenty years ago to accommodate grandkids staying over.  Dennis has a recliner that we bought in 2015 that has the pleather peeling as much as I do when I am in the sun for too long.  Not the quality of those times of old.  We are sure there is a bit more life in both.  Who knows?

  Bells and whistles make for commercial stores thriving.  We feel badly for not doing our part.  We’ll get over it.  

  The best part of this scenario is that we can replace and acquire anything we need in a moment’s notice.  There is more at our finger tips than Lena and Raymond could have thought possible.  Hard to believe there could be more possible.

  As in 70 years ago, I hung out the laundry today on my precious clotheslines. Dennis helped.  They dried quickly and the house is filled with the freshest aroma ever.  Now I need an elf to fold the clothes.  Dennis does fold clothes to some degree.  If in doubt . . . at least get it into the right drawer.  I can live with that.

   
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  Noreen 1:38 pm on August 15, 2021 Permalink  

  A Special Bunch 

  Last night at the Korean veteran’s lunch, it brings to mind what a special group pf people they are.  Their meeting prior to the banquet follows Robert’s Rules of Order to a T.  All are in their 80s and still a very proud group.  It was an honor to attend.

  Dennis and I had done some errands before the banquet.  We had great success at Menards.  The part we were seeking has been ordered and we will be getting an email when it comes in.  No dinking around trying on our part when a helpful employee can get right to the vendor.

  The patio sitting this morning was great.  The grass and perennials do look sad.  There is and has not been any point in trying to make up for the lack of rain.  Tough it out for the remainder of the year and see what 2022 brings.

  I spend an hour at a time in the studio.  Anything beyond can bring frustration and weariness of the left arm and hand.  As I am getting better, I don’t want to overdue it and become bitter.  That would be an insult to the strides I have made.  Time is on my side and believe me, I have plenty of it.  Almost as much as I have plans.

  I have a book that takes up some of my day.  Diversity makes the days so smoothly.

   
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  Noreen 9:36 am on August 14, 2021 Permalink  

  A Day Out 

  This evening we are attending a banquet in Mankato with Dennis’ group of Korean veterans.  They hadn’t met for a long time due to the covid.  When Dennis went to the meeting in the first part of August, he remarked that there were less participating and some were struggling with health issues.  What I find remarkable is that there are several women that are present as they were nurses during the Korean War, though labeled as a police action.

  We are heading out to Mankato at noon as we have some additional stops to make.  Dennis’ lawn sweeper does a great job.  The brushes are nylon.  The suggestion was to order an extra pair as the nylon would wear as they are to be set at ground level.  There were two phone numbers in the instruction manual.  I am not the best with using my Tracfone in regard to punching the accurate number.  The first time I got a business that wanted to sell me medical supplies.  I tried again, the same results.  Hmm. I tried the second number and they were a business dealing with foreclosures and evictions.  Hmm.  Try, try.  I finally went online and got to speak to a real person.  She was not surprised as she said they frequently get calls in regard to garden appliances.  

  Today we will be making inquires at Menards service center for the rest of the story as to how to interact with this company that they sell products from.  It will be interesting.

  On a side note.  Today, for the first time since February’s stroke, the index finger on my left hand had enough strength to push down the soft button on my deodorant container.  Sweet.  All the physical therapy that I do each day in my home is working.  Getting back to the sewing studio needs the cooperation of that left hand and it’s a good thing it is showing a want to take part.

  Have a great weekend everybody!

   
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  Noreen 1:36 pm on August 13, 2021 Permalink  

  Windows were Opened 

  For a time this morning I had the east and west windows open before the traffic of 18 wheelers was heavy.  Though we have a concrete street running in front of our home, with no rain for a long time to rinse it off it makes its own dust.

  The same thing happens in the studio.  The concrete floor is ever flicking off tiny particles to make dust and keep me on my toes with the vacuum.  I have one piece of jute carpeting in front of the ironing board.  Would I want carpeting over the remainder of the studio?  No.  Threads can intertwine with carpet fibers as if that is how they came from the factory.  Dropped pins are the same way.  I have a great magnet that Dennis gave me.  Nothing like a magnet on a stick!

  I took my walk this morning to the north.  There has been so much commotion of the rebuilding of the street in that direction, I needed a looksee for myself.  Not to worry.  The old lady with the cane stayed far back.

  There isn’t a lot going on at Stauffer Avenue.  I can work my whiles in the studio and make slow progress on a quilt project.  I can get into mischief with my computer.  That being said, all is right with the world.

   
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  Noreen 2:43 pm on August 12, 2021 Permalink  

  DIY on Stauffer 

  Off of the top of my head yesterday I wished out loud for handier fabric storage.  I said an auto creeper would be just the ticket to slide under the tables with totes sitting on it . . . in and out as needed.  Sliding totes under my two church tables that I have sitting side by side can feel like a hard stretch and pull.  I went about my sewing.

  Later in the day, Dennis came down for a bottle of cold water and I noticed beads of sweat on his brow.  “Are you doing ok?”  Come to find out he had been out to Fleet, been in the potting shed, and had had the garden hose running.  That fellow can slip out of his patio porch faster than snuggles can catch a squirrel.  Now the rest of the story dribbled out.  

  He had a 26″ x 52″ half inch of clean plywood that we had used when we painted the basement stairwell.  As our scaffolding days are over it was going to be repurposed.  Today, he was ready for the rest of the story.  Now . . . what did I have to cover it?  Many years ago when Dennis was running up and down the highways with his 18 wheeler, we had had room darkening shades as he had slept at odd hours.  When the rollers gave out, I saved the heavy vinyl.  Perfect cover for the plywood using our stapler.  As I couldn’t get the stapler to work, not enough oomph, I went in the house.  

  Soon I got a phone call . . . from the patio porch.  I was needed.  I couldn’t believe what I saw.  I had a fabric creeper complete with rope pulls from either side.  Talk about a DIY.  The rollers were heavy duty as they had come off of the bottom of my Huskie sewing machine table when we had realized the rollers made the table too high.  When and if that table will be moved out of the studio, not for a very long time, the fabric creeper will no longer need to be in service and the rollers can go back onto the table.

  Leave it to the two of us, the fabric creeper got down into the studio.  We both just sat and marveled.  For the price of a drill bit and some nuts for the rollers to be made secure a $10.00 bill made a wish come true.  Gotta love the ole cowboy for listening and then doing.  Tomorrow will be arranging of stashes and supplies. Come on, what quilter wouldn’t want their stashes available with a mere tug of a rope.

  My next item for the day is fixing some chicken titties for Dennis for supper.  It’s a mild day outside and I don’t mind cranking up the kitchen stove top for a hearty meal that is one of Dennis’ favorite.

  It isn’t what you have in your life . . . but who.