Me, Myself and Memories

Recent Updates Page 178 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  Noreen 3:21 pm on March 28, 2021 Permalink  

  Palm Sunday 

  How fitting that Palm Sunday be bright crisp air with birds signing in our huge evergreen. 

  Our day started slowly.  Dennis and I agreed to get the paperwork out and finish up the 2020 income tax by writing the checks, complete with envelopes and stamps licked.

  I will complement my left hand for doing better each day on the HP keyboard.  Tried and true habits in the movements are not forgotten.  Now getting the left arm to raise at will from a resting elbow . . . not so much.  It is more likely to swipe everything in its path and let gravity do its thing.   Come on PT.

  What we did accomplish this afternoon is getting Dennis’ bedding into the laundry.  Fresh bedding makes for sweet dreams.  

  When life is hampered by situations such as what Dennis and I are experiencing, days of the week are dominated by what appointments are on the calendar.  Today was “our” day for taking time with breaks in between to keep up this sweet little home of ours.  Love it every day and can’t imagine any other square footage that could and would bring us as much contentment. 

  Time for a break before rounding up what is needed for pancakes for supper.  Thank goodness, we have some bacon in the freezer that had been baked out prior.

  What a great Easter week to be enjoyed.

   
• 

  Noreen 1:29 pm on March 27, 2021 Permalink  

  Check Off 

  What a good feeling!  The taxes have been electronically filed as of this morning.  Kevin came over from Fairfax and we visited over computer screens.  All we need to complete is to send in the money to both entities.  I thought for sure Minnesota would have had Social Security off of the tax rolls this year.  Can you imagine the mess I could have made entering numbers!  We use Tax Act for taxes and the format took all the same info . . . in different screen formats.

  Rain showers are on the docket.  How much greener can the grass get!

  The Fern Peonies have pushed up a bit of soil.  You can’t mistake those red tips wanting out.  I am thankful that the backyard is now a carpet of green grass and not the plentiful spread of perennials.  I will take care of all the Hosta that present themselves.

  Today we are not doing anything that would resemble housework.  Being caught up feels good.  I do have an array of exercises to do and will do them after some chair time.  My energy becomes depleted way too quickly for my way of thinking.  I do acknowledge being wobbly in the first hours of the day as well as in hours before bedtime. Oh so humbling.  I do not mind one bit as I am in my home with Dennis.  Totally priceless.

   
• 

  Noreen 1:42 pm on March 26, 2021 Permalink  

  Wonderful Sun 

  It might not be out full time, but it makes me feel good.

  My aunt from Arizona called last night as Facebook had allowed family to know what has been going on at Stauffer Avenue.  She asked about naps and watching movies on television.  At 89, I followed her thought process.  Oh so far from the days Dennis and I actually have.

  All of the usual needs to be tended to.  As I am at physical half power, it takes a bit longer or with a different twist.  Dennis is right beside me.  I find myself taking quite a few breaks at the dining room table, looking out the window.  Stamina can be in short supply.  

  Working the fingers on the left hand on the keyboard is timely. The thumb thinks it is exempt. One on one and the yellow putty will be visited later on.

  Tuesdays and Thursdays will be PT days with back-to-back sessions.

  The clothes dryer in the bathroom is about to buzz.  Dennis will deposit the clothes on the sofa and exit to the patio porch.  I appreciate his exodus, as having him watch me and my folding process can make me anxious.

  What a great day of “local effort.”

   
• 

  Noreen 12:33 pm on March 25, 2021 Permalink  

  Each Day 

  As I awake each day, I peer out the window to the west to see what our huge evergreen can give me as a clue.  That right there is such a blessing after several weeks away from my sweet home awaking to the sounds of lying on a plastic covered mattress in a hospital.

  The stroke was in an instant, the recovery of hitting what was between me and the floor has taken a bit.  No rhyme or reason where the bruises appeared.

  Such a blessing to not have had my mind or speech effected.  The left leg lets me know each morning, it needs a bit of exercise walking with a cane for assurance.

  Each day Dennis and I tackle what we would usually . . . only much slower.

  The haircut yesterday was priceless.

  The left arm is now more intent and busy sliding off the keyboard than taking direction.  Time to get the exercise going with the band for the strength building in the arm via the muscles in my back.  A great time visiting.

   
• 

  Noreen 12:33 pm on March 24, 2021 Permalink  

  A Different Me 

  One month out from a a stroke.  My oh my.  The spirit is willing, fingers not so much.  I am hoping that making my left hand acknowledge the keys it needs to may help get the hand wanting to participate.  I am so very different but yet kind of like the old me as well.  Each day I hope to put a short post on for PT.  Big news today is going for a hair cut here in town . . me and my baggage.  If the left hand and arm come back to working order, my catheter won’t be needed. Enough today.  I here a muffled “uncle.”

   
• 

  Noreen 4:19 pm on February 24, 2021 Permalink  

  The Verdict is In 

  The good old fashioned head cold has its grip on me.  I thought I was better than that.  Humbling to say the least.

  Sitting in my chair covered with an afghan, looking out the west windows, I don’t have any problem counting cars versus trucks.  That is . . . until my eyelids have no power and drop much like the last vestige of the ice icicles from the warming sun on the window awning.  Clunk! 

  Notice was taken that even the train whistles sound happier now that the freezing temperatures are not stifling them.  Everything is aware that spring is within 20 plus days from now.

  Our chilly basement is off limits for a few days.  The south facing windows of our first floor have enough sunshine that can stream in, thus causing the furnace not to run as often as it did in the weeks past.  We do have an open register in the basement, but not to the point of it feeling like anything other than a basement.  Our heating bill came for the month via an email.  I was leery of opening it.  Surprise!  It was $30.00 more than last month.  I was sure with all the north cold winds it would have been more considering that heating the patio porch is much like heating an additional cabin.  Dennis did blow snow up onto the service door of the patio porch . . . almost five feet tall of snow in that area.  It is needing some repair this spring as the weather stripping is nil.  Taking a chance on how the thawing would go in relationship to the cold coming through . . . Dennis felt it was worth it.  Regardless what the heating bill would have been, the patio porch is an intracule portion of our living area.  Dennis and the three kitties would be on the first flight to Florida come December 1st. 

  Tomorrow is a new day and as long as I am able to get a good night’s rest, the head cold doesn’t have a chance of hanging around for too long.  The extra TLC from my ole cowboy hasn’t hurt any either.

   
• 

  Noreen 4:36 pm on February 23, 2021 Permalink  

  Hmm 

  Not my usual today.  Today I am not up to par.  There was a glint of it last night after supper.  I had hoped I would snuggle in and sleep it off during the night.  I can explain it as a dense fog that has encapsulated me.  I am drinking water and taking nutrition, just not much at a time.  Nothing has much taste.  My temp is 98.1.  Though feeling like this is foreign to me, maybe I need to sit still for awhile.

  Dennis had company today in the patio porch.  That did wonders for him.  The table in the patio porch got a cleaning and I noticed from the bathroom window the vacuum was danced around a bit.  Coffee and cookies were served.  Friend, Dwayne, must be perking up from the heart valve and pace maker job.  I do believe both of those fellows were having a bit of cabin fever.

  No sewing studio lights today.  I read a bit.  I sat in my chair and nodded off a bit.  A little of this and a little of that.  Tomorrow  is a new day.

   
• 

  Noreen 4:39 pm on February 22, 2021 Permalink  

  Mud Making Day 

  Yesterday we pushed snow off from the drive and it was icy underneath.  Today the drive has been dry since the morning and Stauffer Avenue has turned to mud.  What a difference a 40 degree day can make.  Hopefully it freezes over the night hours and it slows down the thaw.  

  We have been getting text messages to schedule our covid vaccines.  We have not made any appointments. Our calendar is full for some time ahead.  Dennis’ medical appointments come first.  If Dennis is willing for his eye injection schedule and then two cataract appointments, taking a chance that he would be one out of 1,000 that would have a bad reaction to the shot . . . we will decide when and if we take a later schedule.

  We did not feed the deer this winter but our backyard has trails that the deer have used many times to travel here, there and everywhere.  When Dennis has done the little red pickup road trips, he has noticed that the area behind our water plant does not have and has not had much snow cover.  There have been several events of thawing in between our snowfalls.  Shrubs and brush will hold them over for another month and then there will be green abound to nibble on.

  When we were in Mankato on Saturday, I picked up quite a few green options in the vegetable department.  Tonight we are having sliced mini cucumbers, onions and mayo.  The onions smelled so good as I sliced away.  I have been watching the onions in our local grocery story.  Soft to the touch and I know not much would have been usable.  I have passed on them all winter.  I bit and bought a 5lb. bag in Mankato as they passed my quality control.  On the bag the suggestions were given on how to keep them at peak.  I took the option of wrapping each onion in paper towels and putting them in the refrigerator crisper.  Hmm.  Time will tell.  We do like onions and work them in whenever possible.

  I didn’t purchase the brush for the cats I had intended to in Petco.  I bought the glove for Dennis to wear that has spiky nodules on the palm with which to brush the cats as they schmooze on his lap.  The cats are literally standing in line waiting to get on Dennis’ lap to have their turn.  Soon when Dennis opens the patio doors all three will be out checking what they have missed during these last two months.  Each day he would crack open a patio door . . . sure enough, they would sit in the open doorway but not venture out.  Smart cats.

  Time to wind down and do the kitchen stint.  Chicken titties and cucumbers.  Dennis usually tops supper off with a piece of jelly bread.  I would swear Dennis is a blood relative of my dad . . . meals on time each and every day.  That’s o.k.  I may loose a battle here and there, but it kind of all balances itself out and Stauffer Avenue has happy people at the end of the day. 

  Yup, my oldest kid is heading to the house and he has mud on his shoes.  What . . . it is concreted from the house to the garage . . . he must have had the need to explore.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:35 pm on February 21, 2021 Permalink  

  Scrappy Flannels Competed 

  It is time for a new theme in the sewing studios.  It seems as if I have been doing scrappy flannel for a long time.  I did work on my Santa quit as well as the embroidered blocks for Megan’s quilt.  But to have three of the flannels done out of the scrap pile feels good.  I  did want them to have some personality each to their own. The colors of two of the blocks were identical.  The size and the backing made each different.  I feel comfortable with having several giveaways if needed or request. The very first of the flannels was a bit more colorful.  I really had no idea how it would all shape up.  There is nothing like a surprise ending when the last stitch of the binding is in place.

  Cleaning the sewing area was the last step in the process.  Considering all the fuzz . . . everywhere . . . I think I will stick to cotton for a time.

  This morning as I was considering getting up, I looked out the north window and saw the evergreen tree with the snow falling and settling on the branches.  I realized I didn’t want to pop out of bed.  I closed my eyes several times and drifted off.  I have done this previous times.  The house is still and it is the best way for me to start my day.  It’s not to say that eventually my bladder will determine how many times I drift.  We take our special moments when we can and we treasure them.  Each day has more to be thankful for than not.

   
• 

  Noreen 6:26 pm on February 20, 2021 Permalink  

  Too Pooped to Pop 

  We had a good long day, even if the sunshine let us down.

  I kept busy on the first floor until Dennis got up from his nap at eleven.  The grocery list was grabbed with a botte of Boost for Dennis and we were off to Mankato.

  Our pantry was showing signs of emptiness.  Sam’s club is still used for many of the items I know we can use in bulk packages.  Then again there are other items that I don’t care to handle because the containers are too large for my hands.  We hit the pet store for a new brush for the kitties and the last stop was Hy-Vee.  That took care of the groceries.  I had a good workout and Dennis caught a few cat-naps.

  We were off to Charlee B’s three o’clock birthday party.  Quite the mad house of small people.  We were on our way home by five.

  Too bad we didn’t have an elf to unpack the groceries when we got home.  My way is to get everything where it belongs as soon as we hit the house.  

  That is the sum total of our Saturday.  The laundry that waited for me in the washer from this morning is now spinning to completion.  I think my chair is going to feel great this evening.