Me, Myself and Memories

Recent Updates Page 175 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  Noreen 3:00 pm on April 27, 2021 Permalink  

  Spring Showers 

  Complete with thunder boomers, the rain is welcomed.  Yesterday crab grass preventative was put down.  For best effectiveness watering the lawn or rain.  We got the best of the two.

  As I have been hunting dust bunnies in our home, a few at a time, Dennis caught the bug to do some cleaning in the patio porch.  Last year he had commented that the carpet on the floor was worn through in several placed and a replacement was needed.  It is after all a portion of our living area.

  Nelson Furniture store in town closed last year after decades serving the community.  Tim, the third generation owner was experiencing effects from agent orange when he was in Vietnam.  In between doctor visits . . . “If the lights are on, come on in.”  The bulk of his inventory was sold out, with a few stragglers. Dennis went to see what Tim had left for indoor/outdoor carpeting for the patio porch.  One color option . . . green, and Tim scored a cash sale from Dennis and it will be cut and ready for Dennis to pick it up tomorrow.

  I left at noon for PT and Dennis was clearing out the patio porch.

  My PT today was spent on working the tight knots in the muscles of the left shoulder.  Among other places where black and blue showed up on my face and body, I fell on the left shoulder by the time I finally hit the floor.  Up to this time the shoulder had not been a top priority.  X-rays show nothing is broken or out of place in the surgery I have had done to put in a reverse shoulder.  Whew!

  Last week, when I finally had the Foley removed and I could return to self cathing . . . I made a decision and a promise to myself.  Regardless how much the arthritic swollen right wrist bucks, it’s time to step up.  When it’s time to pee, the right and the left wrists will each take turns handling the catheter, thus the task.  The task might be a bit clumsy right now . . . suck it up!  I never, ever want to be in the position of having restrictions on peeing due to an injured wrist, regardless what the cause might be.

  I look forward to working with PT on “the rest of the body.”  Time and energy well spent.

  This rain has officially started spring.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:35 pm on April 26, 2021 Permalink  

  Robo Calls 

  The increase of robo calls have been over the hill in the last weeks for auto insurance or auto warranty.  How annoying.  They had cooled down until lately.

  Dennis ran errands this morning, in part, getting ready for a “job jar party” on Mother’s Day.  Gotta love his enthusiasm.  We actually do the job jar quite well on our own.  Some things we keep hands off of as they are beyond our pay grade . . . retired with the wrong tools.

  We had stocked up on some groceries right before I had the stroke.  A lot of the groceries had not been put away in our pantry . . . the cistern closet in the basement.  Once I was in the basement I stayed put.  Multiple items of one type in a cardboard box needed to be unpacked to make it easier when we want to fetch one item off of the shelf rather than fight a heavy cardboard packing box.  It also refreshed me as to what we have on hand.  We won’t be going hungry anytime soon.  It was a good stint of energy and time.

  Shore Land has some great prepackaged soup mixes.  Not all grocery stores carry it.  Hy-Vee is where we found it.  Chicken Noodle is what we are having for supper.  We first had it at JoAnn’s when we had delivered the Koi to her farm last fall.  A bag of the soup mix and a can of canned chicken makes a great soup with the flat noodles, peas and carrots. 

  The day is cool with gray clouds threatening showers.  Spring is in the wings . . . any day now.

  Tomorrow I resume PT.  I now know, after a week on my own, where more PT is needed.  No guessing required.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:24 pm on April 25, 2021 Permalink  

  Free Nitrogen 

  The snowflakes that were quarter size held a lot of free Nitrogen for our yard.  The flakes came down heavy enough that for a short time the lawn was white.

  The perennial plant know as “Hosta” are pushing through the soil under the Lilacs.  What I also noticed is that the wild hay that Dennis had put in the same area in the winter of 2000 for the deer, still had enough strength to pop out a few clumps of their greenery.  

  I wandered outside last week and low and behold the sharp shooter spade was leaning on the side of the patio porch.  Dennis had used it when doing some clean up work of where the Koi pond had been.  I thought what a great opportunity to gently tip out a few of those clumps.  When Dennis came around the corner about that time,  the spade was taken out of my hands and it disappeared in the potting shed.  What ensued was that I got a “dressing-down.” 

  I knew Dennis was right.  Using my cane, I am not that stable when walking on uneven grass let alone garden dirt.  Temptations are in my face every day.  When it comes to dirt . . . that is part of my passion in the spring of the year.  To the best of Dennis’ ability out came the weed whip and a few of the undesirable clumps of green where chewed off.  I looked the other way when a few of the Hosta tips bit the dust.  

  The reality is that I will not be able to pick up where I left off in it’s entirety before the stroke.  For now.  I do work hard not do anything to make Dennis worry more than he already does over this ole Grammie.  Caution is the key.  I have to know within myself when to “hold it or to fold it.”  Kenny Roger’s song of old still has merit.  

  Today, watching the snow delivering nitrogen on those nipped Hosta tips . . . hopefully will help them put out a handsome plant in time to come.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:16 pm on April 24, 2021 Permalink  

  Saturday 

  What a great day!  Nothing planned.  No appointments . . . just the two of us taking the day slowly.  Of course there was bedding heading to the laundry.  Keeping up with the usual and customary feels good. 

  There was a good cleanout in the bathroom of all things that it took to keep the daytime and the nighttime catheters sterile.  It feels like a huge weight taken off my shoulders.  An entire new lightheartedness.  It did feel like a long two months and in many respects overshadowed the effects of the stroke.  Nonetheless, my stamina is improving.  Next week I return to PT as there is more work to be done.  Bring it on.

  We are going to have an oven meal this evening.  It may be boxed scalloped potatoes that will be paired with a pork roast, but it will be yummy.  Green beans were Dennis’ choice.  There is nothing better than the aroma of a choice supper coming up.

  This cool weather has kept the tulips in bloom for a longer time than I can remember.  It has also kept the grass from shooting up. 

  Every morning and every evening prayers of thanks are sent.  Life is sweet.

   
• 

  Noreen 12:11 pm on April 23, 2021 Permalink  

  A Celebration Day 

  After thinking long and hard and with having worked hard on PT, I had made an appointment for this morning to have the Foley catheter removed by the nurses at the clinic.  Dr. Eatwell had made it possible on the stipulation that I had to be able to self cath before I left the clinic.  He said to plan to stay as long as necessary.  If I was not able to self cath a new Foley would have to be put in.  His reasoning . . . easier to do it at three in the afternoon than three in the morning hours.  The memory in my brain of the fifteen years of doing self cathing was still right there when I needed it.  Perhaps not the smoothest elocution, but that will improve.  A celebration after two long months.  Tonight when I retire to my beloved bed, I no longer will be tethered. 

  Yesterday at the dentist’s clinic, we now have the impressions done for the both of us.  Moving right long.  Towards the end of next week, we will have the extractions.  I am on board for Wednesday and Dennis on Friday with temporary items in our mouths when we each leave.  A new experience and we will take it one step at a time.  Praise be!

  We have to pinch ourselves and continually send petitions of thanks to our Lord God.  Each day we are making steps, some smaller than others to recovery and working towards better health.  It all works as we meet each day together, knowing how much support we have from family in their prayers and thoughts.

   
• 

  Noreen 7:06 am on April 22, 2021 Permalink  

  The Need to be Flexible 

  What am I doing up and posting before eight n the morning!

  The older ones on Stauffer Avenue need to be flexible.

  Our trip to Mankato had several stops.  The CPAP machine for Dennis needed to be picked up after it had been sent in for repair and the provided rental returned.  We had dental appointments yesterday as well in Mankato. 

  I had lost the tooth that my bottom partial hooked onto.  There was no way that could be ignored.  Dennis had also lost two teeth on the bottom putting his partial less than effective.  The end result was repairs required.  Dennis had gone first and when I found out the plan for the two of us I set about getting our project going with the dental clinic.  I allowed them to know that most likely I would have a surgery pending for the later part of May and it would be wonderful to have both Dennis and I completed with dental trips while I would be recovering.  Wow.

  This morning Dennis and I will be at our family clinic to have our doctor sign off for Dennis to have some teeth pulled to allow for a new partial as he is on warfarin, a blood thinner.  There will ensue a schedule as to when he needs to stop taking the medication.  

  Because of my surgical process coming up at the end of May, we will be back in Mankato this afternoon to have impressions taken for each of us getting new partials. The dental clinic had no problem fast forwarding our process considering the situation.  All follow up appointments will be taken care of long before the next event for us. That was amazing.  

  This is more excitement in two days than we are used to.  It also feels wonderful to get this taken care of now while there is nothing on the current time line.

  Being flexible helps to take care of what is needed.  Thanks be to my Lord to allow me to see the goal and act accordingly.

  Our day is full and tomorrow we can take it the way the day and weekend play out.

   
• 

  Noreen 8:11 am on April 21, 2021 Permalink  

  Being Diligent 

  I believe I can see in myself that as I have had a few birthdays added on, the importance of due diligence.  There is no reward of putting things off.  It niggles at the back of the brain and can haunt.

  Yesterday, Carrie came to visit and I believe also to see how we were doing, her ole mom in particular.  With the stroke that came out of nowhere, there became a crack in my shield that spilled out some vulnerabilities.  I blame that on the laceration on my butt check when I fell against the cabinet pull during the stroke.  Yup . . . vulnerabilities.

  As we shared lunch, we visited in regard to spring clothing.  Carrie had pulled clothing together for me when it was time for me to leave the hospital.  How could she not see that my closet was a bit disorganized.  Due diligence . . . not!

  By the end of yesterday there had not been a sock or a pair of underwear that had not been moved.  It was like an episode of the television show “Hoarders” . . . save, donate or throw.  What a great task completed.  My place was on a chair.  I would have been wore out after the first round of drawers.  Dennis stuck his head in once in awhile to check in and take out two totes that were no longer needed. 

  Now, standing in the doorway of the closet . . . I know what I have and where it is.  Anything above the clothing rods had been taken care of a year ago when Kevin had put shelves up to store quilts.  I have a tricked out closet.  Whew!

  I slept hard last night and there was nothing more welcoming this morning than the bright sun.  Ya, it’s chilly out, but that also shall pass.  Today, Dennis and I are both going to the dentist.  Due diligence is not to be put off when it comes to that which can impact our health.  Hmm, getting ready, I found my underwear immediately.

   
• 

  Noreen 3:56 pm on April 20, 2021 Permalink  

  Company 

  We had company this morning and it was so unexpected as how the day went.  By mid afternoon when the company left, I was ready to sit down and take it easy.

  Thanks be to God for such good days.  

   
• 

  Noreen 3:21 pm on April 19, 2021 Permalink  

  God’s Grace 

  Each morning I pray to live in God’s grace.  With my impatient nature, I need it throughout the day.  Dennis can’t read my mind in regard to what I may need assist in or on.  Choose my words and tone carefully and all will work out to His glory.  Tough, but doable.

  My gosh, having it feel like 18 degrees this morning, I did walk the drive and the patios for a brisk intake of fresh air if only long enough to take in our acre and front yard looking great after the haircut it had gotten yesterday.  Well done . . . older ones on Stauffer Avenue.  The winds were enough to make me walk a bit faster with my companion cane.

  I was content giving the kitchen and bathroom some TLC.  Get the local effort done before going to the grocery store.  I had my grocery list ready to go and then I looked in the freshly-cleaned bathroom mirror.  I have a lot of hair, but they are fine and hard to control on a quiet day, let alone a windy day.  I brushed as best I could and was going to apply a bit of hair spray.  Fingers on the left hand couldn’t budge the ignition button let alone hold the can.  The right hand was in charge of spraying all around the head.  The right side of my head is like a helmet.  Let me just say the hair of the eyebrow on the left side of my head can take on hurricane force winds and not budge, while the actual hair on my head on that side didn’t get any spray at all.  That’s okay, the  grocery store still took my money regardless of the new hairstyle I was sporting.

  It is the smallest of items that I realize were taken for granted.  Yes, pushing the button on spray cans is right up there with the wire twists on a loaf of bread.

  Let’s hear it for a good day!

   
• 

  Noreen 2:50 pm on April 18, 2021 Permalink  

  Tag Team 101 

  Even with the wind from the northwest, I could hear our Sear’s rider mower in the far north portion of our acre this early forenoon.  It drove home the point that Dennis was in the mowing mood.  First time for the 2021 year.  As spring has taken its time being fully on board, every height of grass could be seen in an uneven patch of green.  When I took a closer look, my push mower was sitting by the garage door. After lunch Dennis proposed a tag team event on the front lawn and also the grass on the north side of the house . . . which is minimal.

  Dennis and I would each take a round and shut the mower off.  It may have taken us longer for the 25′ x 25′ front lawn than the remaining acre.  The time did not matter as neither one of us felt fatigued.  It was good PT.  I sat on the patio as Dennis used the Cub-Lo-Boy to finish our far yard up and also do neighbor Edna’s yard.  Edna just had her 92nd birthday.  

  We had waited a long time for such a perfect day to enjoy being outside.  Spring came slowly and today hit all the marks.  Tag Team 101 nailed it!  Sweet.