Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:39 pm on February 11, 2026 Permalink  

  Geez 

  Geez, I hate updates when I least expect them.  So needed perhaps.  Well, I don’t know about that.  What was usual and customary now resembles someone else’s laptop.  Enough about that.

  I was slow out of the gate this morning.  I have a 4″ x 8″ date book that I have lots of web sites that I frequent and with them perhaps a sign-in and password.  The book is from 2002.  This morning as I was looking through the hen-scratching for a certain site, I thought enough was enough.  As passwords had needed to be up-dated, I scratched them through for the next newest one.  On and on.

  I didn’t get through all the pages.  Those that I did, I didn’t throw the old pages away until I know I copied them correctly.  Accountability is paramount if for some reason someone else needs to have the information.  Hmm.

  Dennis remains under the weather.  He was so close to getting through this winter with no issues.  I know he wouldn’t and didn’t believe me when I gave him a Lena tip.  Sitting directly in front of the fan from a heat source is just as bad as sitting directly in front of an air conditioning unit.  Kevin found that out when he was taking care of a pet rodent type rat, for the life of me I can’t remember what they are called.  It was white and I think it had the name of Sniffy.  It was hot and the little cage was put in front of a fan for comfort only to find the little fur-ball had passed away when Kevin checked on it in the morning.  Anyway, I digress.  The garage’s furnace vent flows right on one of Dennis’ favorite perches.  Who knows.  I could be all wet about how he came to have this horrible cold.

  The studio work is going well.  The sewing machine gave no problems.  Tomorrow it will be time to put in a new needle and give it a shot or two of oil.

  Dennis willingly took a hot bowl of oatmeal for supper last night.  Now you all know how punk he is feeling.

  Yesterday the state of Minnesota lobbed onto our checking account for the funds we owed for our 2025 income tax returns.  Greedy little bastards.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:19 pm on February 10, 2026 Permalink  

  Home Sweet Home 

  Our trip to the big town has been put off for now.  Dennis may have a bug and it’s nothing like the ladybug beetles that still may come in from the patio porch.  Home is the best place when you are under the weather.

  I took my leave to the studio.  I have three projects going.  Nothing huge.  Just enough to spend a little energy and time on each.  When glue, hand stitching, machine stitching, fabric being cut and pressed . . . what’s not to like.

  I did change blades in my 45mm rotary cutter.  Wow, what a difference.  The 45 is actually easier on my hand than the 60.  Even so, not overdoing is the best practice.  While in the studio, it is constant moving, stretching, and giving the brain a good workout.  I firmly believe that trying new things and learning as you go is my best path.

  I often wonder in the path of Dennis’ life before I knew him.  If he doesn’t like someone, he will put himself anywhere but where that individual may be, even if the event calls for it.  If he takes a cotton to someone, he could be like a tick to a dog.  Dennis has very little curiosity.  He doesn’t care to read.  Dennis enjoys history and there would be a wealth of it between the covers of a book.  Oh my gosh if “Victory at Sea” were still on the tube, he would be glued to it.  My dad enjoyed that program as well.  He often comments that he thinks of himself as someone much younger and should be able to do things as the younger of himself could do.  That may speak to the falls that he takes.  Dang it.  Getting up slowly before moving is to allow the blood to flow up and then down and then up, etc.  Dennis’ 90th is in the fall of 2026.  Truth to tell . . . Dennis is doing great.  We are doing great.

  The crockpot meal was wonderful for last night’s supper.  One of the best things is the leftovers of the pork.  It was so tender . . . and that would be what my thinking is of pulled pork.  I have been to events where pulled pork sandwiches are served and the pork meat is stringy and hard to bite off let alone chew.  That’s just my thinking I am sure.

  Tonight for a delicate, easy on the stomach supper it is going to be oatmeal.

  With that I will take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:31 pm on February 9, 2026 Permalink  

  Great Life 

  If I ever doubt that I have a great life . . . all I need to do is to be still.  I can hear Esther Schafer’s husky voice lament “It’s a great life, if you don’t weaken.”  And Esther was right.

  It’s a Monday and the birds are in their glory in the huge evergreen right outside my bedroom porch.  The only thing silencing them for a bit is the noise that Home Town creates picking up our recycling early on this day.

  Dennis had the crockpot waiting on the kitchen counter for me.  I had the Boston Butt Roast in said pot before my first cup of coffee.  Now at three in the afternoon we are assured by the aroma in the home that supper will be tasty.

  Some time was needed on Dennis’ laptop.  He uses with no awareness of the pop-up messages in the lower left-hand corner.  His McFee coverage expired yesterday and they were not going to let me forget it.  His laptop brings hours of entertainment to him.  It keeps the eye to brain to hand motion going for him.  A lot better than napping the day away.  It keeps him at a good routine for calling it a day.

  Several more days such as this, the only snow remaining is what had been piled, pushed or driven over to create an ice pack.

  We have been limping along with horrible chairs at the dining room table.  Hey, we only need two good ones.  Dennis sits on a $99.99 office chair that slides anyone off and that is with strong butt cheeks being used.  My Office Max chair no longer has the hydraulic cylinder working and I feel two inches more and my chin would be resting on the table top.  Company is always gracious when we meet around the table given what is offered for their chairs.  Tomorrow we are making a trip to the big town.  I have been online, saw some photos, called the store visiting with a fellow named Chris and now we will take a look-see.

  I trust everyone will have an Esther Schafer day.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:11 pm on February 8, 2026 Permalink  

  A Sunday 

  By all accounts it is a super Sunday.  The sun is out and the snowbanks are melting.  It is the rights of snowbanks to become mud puddles.

  The studio and I got along fine this morning.  I hop from three different projects that are on the church tables.  A little bit on each one of the three and it doesn’t feel overwhelming.  What got me towards the end was that my fingers felt chilly.  Better them than my nose.  Everything shut down, lights off and up to the main floor for hot coffee.

  Our main objective today was to try out the brand new carwash/laundry on the south edge of town.  Dennis had never tried it and asked if I would ride with.  Three “must haves” that we did not have: Dennis’ glasses, a telephone and a clean cloth.  There were so many options that came up on the screen as we pulled forward that it threw a curve.  The button indicating that we had a gift card got pushed.  All systems locked down.  I got out of the car and walked back to the car behind us waiting and asked for help. By the grace of the young woman waiting behind us, we did get our car washed.  A telephone is needed if there is a problem, the big red sign read “Phone for Help.”  A clean cloth is needed due to the fact that the screen allowing for options does fog over in this type of a winter day.  A little humble pie doesn’t hurt anyone.

  The car is very clean.  We are going to continue using this carwash until it becomes usual and customary.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:37 pm on February 7, 2026 Permalink  

  Counting? 

  Well now . . . there are 41 days until the denoted official spring.  There is a lot that can happen in those days and beyond.

  We got beautified today.  Haircuts and pedicures.  The best two hours ever.  Maria is such a pleasant person.  She gets excited about what many of us take for granted.  Born in 1971.  Her entire family was born in the United States.  Until she was 18 she worked in fields harvesting produce.  This morning her and Dennis got to visiting about her and her siblings harvesting Brussel sprouts.  Said said paint balls have nothing over being hit with a Brussel sprout in the face.  Yes, there were food fights.

  The south wind is foretelling of nice days ahead.  Our mail slot banging-a -bang is the newscaster.

  I mentioned yesterday that I had succeeded in e-filing our 2025 income taxes.  Before I went to bed, I had notification that both Federal and Minnesota had accepted our returns.  Put that diddy on your night cap!  I will be keeping track of how long it will be before the Minnesota due will be pulled from our checking account, or for that when our $96.00 lands in our checking account.

  Last night we were planning on having the meals I had bought at our grocer’s deli.  Two ham-ball meals were bought.  Good grief.  I slice up the one meal’s two ham-balls and we decided right there that it would feed both of us . . . and it did.  Dennis got the potatoes and gravy and I had a side of cottage cheese.  This evening we are having the second meal of the Ham-balls.  Those suckers were the size of baseballs.  I had to slice them up as there was no way our small microwave would have heated them through and through.  Waste not, want not.  

  They tell us it is Super Ball Sunday is tomorrow.  Whatever.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:36 pm on February 6, 2026 Permalink  

  Done 

  Done and done!  This was the morning I had planned on doing the income tax.  Tax Act really made it quite easy.  I had hit “save” when I was done with our 2024.  It carried over much.  I needed to verify the information and it went on to the next screen.

  It was good news on several counts.  The stand deduction for filing joint went from 32,200 to 34,700.  Trump made good for seniors by adding another $12,000.  Minnesota is still taxing 42% of our social security.  For the first time in decades we are getting a refund from the federal.  $96.00 is still spendable cash in our checking account, while Minnesota is taking $216 out of our checking.  It just felt good getting the e-file done.  I take the free federal return and pay the $39.99 for Minnesota via PayPal.

  I celebrated by going to the grocery store.  Collier’s has been pretty good with the sales that he runs.  Pork Butt Roast was $1.99 a pound.  A good crock-pot offering for a time to come.  I listen to Hy-Vee ads on KNUJ.  His meat specials ran neck and neck to Hy-Vee for this weekend.  Of course, the kitties were due some Me-Ow mix.

  Also for a celebration, I picked up two meals out of the deli.

  All is well with us older ones.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:15 pm on February 5, 2026 Permalink  

  Mud Puddles 

  With mud puddles abound, I am thankful that Dennis has concrete to get from his patio porch to the house and back.  The nice weather did prompt him to go uptown and get his pickup washed.

  I had a great forenoon doing what makes me content and happy.  The studio . . . what can I say.  There are enough resources down there for my life expectancy.  Grant it, at one time or another I purchased those resources perhaps not knowing what I would do with them.  Now as I look at this or that I am coming up with ideas I never dreamt of before.  Sweet. 

  I don’t walk for the exercise as I had in the past.  I feel steady on my feet in the studio and am on my feet sometimes for two hours at a stretch.  I found walking outside of my home, the walking cane is a must.  If I walked on Stauffer Avenue, I would need both of the walking canes.  And then, guess what . . . gripping the canes was not easy on my hands.  Those self same hands I need to cherish for more uses in our home and for myself than I can count.  Yup, there is always a trade-off.

  Dennis rarely comes down to the studio.  The steps are steep.  His interest in threads and fuzz only gets his attention if it is the flannel sheets on his bed.  Just saying.

  We got a letter in the mail from the city.  Our acre is now in a portfolio created by the city of lots to share with developers, builders and other interested parties.  This is great.  It beats purchasing “For Sale” signs to promote it.  Over the last several years by keeping the acre trimmed and mowed, the good grass has really stooled out.  We had Spring Touch treat it once last year for weed control and we will do it again in 2026.

  Soup and grilled cheese for supper.  The waffles last night were yummy.

  With that I will take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:39 pm on February 4, 2026 Permalink  

  Gray Skies 

  I am not bothered by what the skies are doing.  Past are the decades that mandated how I needed to be aware.

  I clocked into the studio at 9:30 this morning.  KNUJ had an interesting visit from New Ulm’s City librarian.  It doesn’t matter if you want to learn how to play chess or if you want bring your stitching along and visit with those of like interests.  Very informative.

  With the steam iron just a cooking, I got the 194 inches of binding folded, pressed and wound around some stiff cardboard for the six placemats I am putzing with.  I fought with fabric to get the salvage cut off before I went on to cut the sizes I need for the additional placemats.  Nothing pressing.  Perhaps just something prepared to share with someone that happens to stop in for a visit.  What used to be fusible foam and now is not has also been cut.  That about did the rotary cutting arm in.   

  Twelve noon and the remaining morning coffee was enjoyed.  I had had an avocado for breakfast with a slice of buttered toast.  There is nothing like a cookie to have with a cup or two of said coffee.  The cookies had been as hard as a brick.  Yesterday when I had had an apple, I put a wedge of my apple into the cookie jar.  Yup, success!  The cookies were now tender to the point of being enjoyable to nibble on.  Thanks for the tip Lena.  That tip had taken Dennis daughter, Sandy, by surprise. 

  Dennis went to the assisted living unit here in town to visit with his literally, life-long friend, Lyle Grove.  Lyle is several months older than Dennis but has not fared as well.  He is very hard of hearing and nearly blind.  The hearing challenges in that era of time when he was young were not taken to heart for help.  Dennis did a good deed.

  We have decided on the Ego Fluffy Waffles and sausages for supper.  Our four slice toaster does its magic and two waffles each works.  Unfortunately, the waffles come six to the box.  I buy two boxes at a time guaranteeing that sometime down the road there are two additional meals ready for us.

  The book I am reading is The Tin Man, one of the free books from the library.  I can pick up the threads in the story line very easily, so I am not fussy.

  With that I will take my leave.

   
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  Noreen 3:22 pm on February 3, 2026 Permalink  

  Hello 

  It’s a Tuesday and I know that because the garbage truck was here bright and early.

  It has been several weeks since the Bidet was installed in our bathroom, on the toilet.  My oh my.  I wouldn’t know how to get along without it now.  Honesty is the best policy.  Since 2/21 the bathroom trips for me have been somewhat of a challenge.  The right hand wrist is full of arthritis and has little ability to do a 45 degree bend, let alone a bend beyond the 45.  The left hand wrist is my go-to wrist though the stroke says otherwise.  Having to self-cath, and that has been so for . . . I don’t remember what decade that was in, enough of a personal hygiene issue for me in one of my later life chapters. 

  Cleanliness is next to Godliness.  The Bidet has achieved 100% of that for me in regard to what it was engineered for.  No more struggles to achieve me being fresh 24/7.  I am being totally honest.  I am a happier, more content, more self confident person, no matter what hour or what day it is.  Some things get down to the nitty gritty and its only a daughter that can do that for her mom.  Carrie did all of the research on the bidet and the company to order it from and what our bathroom could accommodate.  All I had to do was hit “add to the cart.”  Yes . . . my level of comfort staying in our own home was worth the $999.00 to spend on us.  Dennis can no longer visit his bathroom in the studio.  The ease of us being a one bathroom home speaks volumes.

  So, there it is.  I have laid it all out.  It would be shameful to not be up front with my family.  No secrets . . . no surprises.

  We are in for a spell of nicer days with perhaps a snow shower or two.

  Several hours was spent in the studio.  A little of this and a little of that.  It all makes for a balance feeling in my soul.  We are having left-overs from the oven meal we had on Sunday evening.  The mashed potatoes and the diced meat will be made into patties to brown in a bit of oil in a fry pan.  Waste not, want not.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:54 pm on February 2, 2026 Permalink  

  Vertigo 

  Monday the 2nd of February.  And . . . the vertigo is gone.  The suggestion via the web was to lie down in a darkened room.  We have streetlights shining in my bedroom porch on two sides.  I went to bed at eight with a cloth over the eyes and I stayed on my back.  Fighting the vertigo can cause a nauseous feeling let alone not steady on the feet. That last part was what put me right into bed.  I got up ever so slowly so the crystals in the ears got red carpet treatment.  I do believe I got up too quickly yesterday and everything in the head was justled around.

  I had a good amount of energy this morning.  A load of laundry was started right off the bat.  I spied with my little eyes the fact that the floors needed a tidy, tidy.  Just to let you know, I am thankful for not so many to do.  More thankful that we have no carpeting.  I am not one to complain.  Resilience is my strength.  I am capable of taking care of our home.  Some days the housework isn’t very appealing and I know it will wait for me.  There is one cob-web way above the back door.  If it weren’t for the fact that I get dizzy when I look too far up . . . it is now being called a study in nature.

  Dennis is out and about running errands in his little red pickup.  I had the list written out and it went in his jacket pocket.  There will be a quiz when he returns.

  With that I will take my leave.