Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:54 pm on January 30, 2021 Permalink  

  Heavy Gray Air 

  The forecast has been for less than good as to what is coming towards us during the evening hours.  When I awoke and peeked out from the flannels I closed my eyes.  When I did get up it was 9:15.

  I didn’t seem to have missed anything by sleeping in.  The entire neighborhood was quiet . . .  not much traffic and the evergreen outside my bedroom window was still.  Dennis was coming in from the patio porch and he was heading for a nap in the recliner.  I set about doing the first floor ditties.  

  Once the local effort of the first floor of our home is done . . . I am free to go!  I toddled right down into the sewing studio.  Today was the day to finish up the affirmation blocks that I will use later on for a quilt.  The sixteen embroidered blocks will be set into a quilt top for Megan’s college quilt.  I am not rushing into that time, as it is coming too fast.  2022 graduation will be here before I know it and before I like it.  As long as I had the bee in my bonnet there was no reason to not get with it.  It will take a few sheets of graph paper to figure how the rest of the story in the quilt top goes.

  With those 16 blocks tucked into a folder it gave way to putting all the spools of thread back in numerical order.  Dust bunnies were taken out of the bobbin area of the sewing machine as well as giving the machine a grease and lube job.  The flash drive that holds all of the 27 designs (I only chose 16) as well as the paper folder with instruction of thread colors is going back onto the shelf with the rest of the goodies that can be chosen for embroidery.  The sixteen blocks were a total of 634,000 stitches.  The quilt for Kersten’s Pokémon remains the high stitch number.  Taking each step the way it presents itself makes for a tidy sewing studio.  Nothing feels better than starting a project when items can be pulled from their storage for a good clean start.

  I do not have to look very hard for that new start.  The vintage Santa quilt has been sandwiched and will be the next item under the needle.  Tomorrow, deciding how it will be quilted will take some time.  Thread color is a question.  There is just as much red as there is green.  I have a spool of Sulky invisible thread.  I am kicking that idea around for the top and using green on the back as that is totally green.  I may need to do a bit of experimenting on scraps to see how the sulky thread does.  Always something to learn.  That is why quilting never ever gets old.  The Santa quilt will be finished before I entertain anything else.  There is a lot of time in the quilting and then the binding.  I was determined to do this quilt from A to Z and not take it to Old Alley for finishing.  Megan’s embroidery was a good break from the Santa quilt and finishing up the quilt is a good break from the embroidery.  Two to juggle is as far as I will go for unfinished projects, aka: UFOs . . . unfinished objects.  I have heard from others that too many UFOs can be paralyzing.

  We are having leftovers of a variety for supper.  Time to clean out the refrig.  Neither Dennis nor I waste much, regardless of what it may be.

  May your weekend be more enjoyable than the gray skies.  May the weekend also be safe if the bad weather descends.

   
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  Noreen 3:39 pm on January 29, 2021 Permalink  

  Out on a Limb 

  An acquaintance and I were sharing time this summer.  The conversation got around to our families.  We no longer live across the farm section from each other.  Life partners may take our children to destinations that we never even thought of.  It may not only be geographical but also following pursuits of the heart. 

  I was reminded that some of the most savory fruit of a tree is out on the farthest limb, away from the trunk.  Hmm.

  It takes belief in self when our children strike out to get to tip the of the limb to take what is perhaps one of the sweetest moves of their lives.  Staying close to the trunk doesn’t pose too many risks.  In time, the “what ifs” and the “if only” may cause regrets.  Staying close to the safety of the trunk may cause them to loose out what they were destined to for their happiness and contentment.  

  I have forgotten . . . where I am at right now on Stauffer Avenue, is the result of me going out on a limb many years ago.

  As my children face choices as to which limb is of their choosing, and that choice may change in years to come, their vision of their limb is very personal and individual.  I can do for Carrie and Kevin just what my parents did for me.  Raymond and Lena gave me their unconditional loving support.  Love, support and trust from me . . . it’s here for them.  Their happiness . . . wasn’t that the goal when they left the nest?

  My nest, out there on my very own limb, will always be there for them to visit for soaking up that little bit of extra nurturing that is timeless.

   
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  Noreen 5:05 pm on January 28, 2021 Permalink  

  My Social life 

  Nothing had been planned on Stauffer Avenue for a cold Thursday.  Changes were abound when I received a text from nephew Brett complete with a photo.

  Brett had a king sized quilt top put together and nothing left for the three borders to finish the top.  It warranted a trip to Brett’s house.  I went.  I saw.  I came home to seek and search in my stashes.  I am thrilled to share from my many pieces of inherited fabrics.  Who knows?  Sometime in the future I might very well enjoy purchasing new fabrics for a project.

  Brett had purchased a kit online.  The fabrics included Grandma-type fabrics.  Some flowers and some prints that looked like the dress shirt prints from my grandpa’s era.  I returned to Brett’s sewing room in his basement with options.  The options scored . . . big time.  I left him to enjoy this project.  Mission completed.

  I was dressed, the car was warmed up, so I stopped at June’s home at the east end of Stauffer.  We had not caught up since before Christmas.  That took me to 12:30.  When I got home Dennis had just finished a bottle of Boost after a great forenoon nap and he was doing up some dishes.  Sweet!

  Dennis may have had ulterior motives.  The RFD television channel was not coming in.  We got the magic number off of the Mediacom box and I was on hold with Mediacom until an oriental tech support person could help.  I do enunciate very clearly to get to the heart of the problem.   After an hour . . . RFD was ready to be enjoyed in the patio porch lulling Dennis into a nap via his rocking chair.  I do like keeping an eye on him through the bathroom window that is 20′ from the patio porch.  

  My quest was to make soup via Shoreland Lunch soup mix.  It is really good and quick.  I had cubed leftover chicken in the freezer.

  The phone put the soup mix on hold as Aunt Janet from Brownton called.  She hasn’t been out and about much due to covid.  Chatting was needed.  When I closed down the phone we caught up to the tune of 57 minutes.

  I am back on the trail of getting the soup mix reangled.  It is down to the last step of simmering and it smells wonderful.

  I have had quite the social day plus helping out the ole cowboy to get his RFD channel up and running.  There have been a few spits of moisture on the windows.  Nothing serious.  It is on to a Friday tomorrow.  The time does go on with or without us.  I choose to participate.  It is far better than the option.  Take care.

   
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  Noreen 6:59 pm on January 27, 2021 Permalink  

  Bumming 

  Today we went bumming.  Dennis had some items he wanted to check out at Harbor Fright in Mankato.  Dennis found what he was looking for.

  We now have a container for multiple sizes of batteries.  We now have all the batteries in one location within his new container.  What I came away with was I now have four new “C” batteries and one “AA” in my vintage radio from Kevin.  I think at one time is was labeled as a radio for a bathroom.  It has been promoted to my sewing studio radio. I was amazed how clear the stations came in.  Dennis did have to clean out some yuk around the smaller area. 

  We had a great day and did a bit of stopping and seeking and searching.  Priceless.

  Tomorrow is a day for usual and customary.  A break now and then feels good.

   
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  Noreen 2:18 pm on January 26, 2021 Permalink  

  Good Advice 

  Alright, I admit it, yesterday was pretty close to a pity party day for me.  It happens.  Good thing it doesn’t happen often here on Stauffer Avenue.  I thought I was above that . . . ya . . . right!

  Sure enough, today, it’s a new day.  No one else had had their grubby hands on it here on Stauffer Avenue when I awoke from a good night’s rest.  I grabbed it and I am enjoying it.

  I had spent time yesterday in the sewing studio stitching out a block of the affirmation collection called “Wisdom.”  Too bad I didn’t take the good advice from that block.  Taking long and deep breathes can do oh so much in healing one’s mind.  The good thing is that even on a less than good day I have been keeping up on my exercises that were given to me from PT.  I have had a full week of the lower body staying on track.  Were it not for the icy hit and miss conditions of our drive and street, I would enjoy taking a short walk in the sunshine.

  The walking had been one of my favorites in the past.  I began sloughing off after the painting of the garage and a few other yard projects because . . . it hurt to walk for any distance.  Yup, I put off making the PT appointment until it was a daily hurt and it took that much longer for Mike at PT to work through it.  I thought I was sharper than that.  Ya . . .  right!

  I do, and I am Dennis’ adult daycare provider for many things that Dennis doesn’t or can’t remember for himself.  So what does that have to do with and for my wellbeing?  If I don’t take care of myself, I will become helpless and worthless for myself and my family, and for Dennis.  I thought I thought more of myself than that. Ya . . . right! 

  Perhaps a good old pity party is needed once in awhile to give yourself a good old fashioned kick in the hind end to realign the mind while working on keeping the old body realigned.  Hmm.  

  It’s a good thing that God gives us a new piece of paper every day to put upon it what our path will be for ourselves.  Putting “self” first does not always come easily.  I need to take the good advice and practice the good advice that I know I have for myself each day.  Me first . . . and the rest will follow.

   
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  Noreen 4:37 pm on January 25, 2021 Permalink  

  Making Do 

  We are a community of friends that may all be deemed vulnerable.  Dennis and I are the most daring as we try to continue doing and going where we need to and where we want to go.  It may keep many close to home as the local buzz in our town continues to stress to those our age to stay close to home and . . . wear masks . . . do not feel that covid happens elsewhere.  

  Today one of friends that was in the stitchers group did quite a bit of texting back and forth.  Anita lives in Mankato and had been a quilt shop owner herself in times past.  Anita had visited my home with the stitchers a while ago and she was determined to get her area organized.  I wanted to catch up with her and encourage her.  When we had gotten together as a small group in Baker’s Square we shared and supported each other in what we were currently doing and contriving with our projects.  Networking has been missed.  Making do with texting does make some of that isolation less daunting.  Dennis just doesn’t have the same lingo that is desired in the sewing studio.  

  I do have acquaintances within our town.  You need to have a shared connection, a shared passion to feel friendship also known as kinship.  The years of a w-2 form job allowed for many acquaintances but no strong friendships.  What it all comes down to, is that today I feel a deep loss of my sister.  Today it is weighing heavy.  Elvera has been gone for four years.  I doesn’t seem like that much time has passed.  When three o’clock comes around on a weekday . . . that was our time for sharing coffee.  It was a phone coffee date as she lived too far away to have a one on one.  Elvera was a quilter.  Elvera was a mom.  Elvera and I had family history to fall back on and did some “remember when” time.

  I don’t think many realize how important that “remember when” time is until there is no one to remember with you.  It can be a lonely feeling.  

  Oh well.  Dennis is in the same boat.  When Dennis wants to reminisce I do a very good job and have the attention span to allow him that time even if I have no idea what he is referring to but participate as well as I can.  It is a gift that I can do that for him.  

  Tomorrow is a new day.  Tomorrow is time for new thoughts, a new outlook.  I don’t think the gray day that we have had today and . . . way too many days of, has done me any favors.  For the remaining day of January 25, 2021, I will make do.

   
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  Noreen 4:19 pm on January 24, 2021 Permalink  

  Winter Resorts 

  It looks much like a winter resort outside.  The snow is hanging off of trees and the sun is shining brightly.

  The snow was still falling when we went to bed last night.  Our street, though being a thoroughfare, was very quiet.  I know that I sleep hard, but how hard could it have been to have had our neighbor, Randy, already have our drive blown out before I took the first deep breath of coming out of the night’s sleep?  I did not hear a thing and our drive is only 1o’ from my bed as to where his John Deere tractor and blower had been . . . and it is not necessarily all that quiet.

  Dennis went right after the remains of the snow around the garage doors and patio porch doors.  I am always thankful that Dennis feels up to running the walk-behind blower.  Though it is self-propelled, it still takes some oomph to maneuver it.  Dennis does speak to having the heart and the drive to take on what he sees needs doing.  Thanks be.

  With the sun making our west house porch inviting, I sat and read for some time today.  Dennis went for a nap in his recliner after the snow removal and the quiet of the house . . . peaceful.

  There was a bit of time this afternoon that I went into the sewing studio to tidy up from yesterday.  Tomorrow, when and if I hit the sewing studio, it will feel special walking into it and having it welcoming without untidiness.  Dang that untidiness.  A place for everything and everything in its place.  Yesterday the afternoon got away from me.  At five, when I closed my shop, there were spools of thread that didn’t get put away.  The sewing machine didn’t get the fuzz cleaned out from the bobbin area, etc.  . . . where did the time go!  I don’t think it is because we have a small home that things are enjoyed to be in their place.  Years ago, when I was still working, I did have to visit quite a few homes.  The atmosphere and feeling in a cluttered home was far different from the tidy ones.  The demeanor of those that lived within the two contrasts was also evident.  Hmm.  I am going to continue in my quest for tidiness.  I never have to wonder where to start my day.    

  If my sewing studio and my tidiness didn’t keep me busy, just think of the pain in the ass I could become in my children’s lives.

   
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  Noreen 4:38 pm on January 23, 2021 Permalink  

  Possibilities 

  Today I spent quite a bit of time on possibilities of what and how to quilt the borders of my Santa quilt.  I haven’t even figured out how to quilt the body of the quilt but needed to play around a bit. 

  I decided on a design that is already loaded into my sewing machine from the factory.  This portion would be the first stitch out of a much larger design.  The remainder would be too heavy.  It would just be a matter of stopping the stitching, moving on to the next nine inches of the border and beginning anew.  There will be one a half inches in between each completed design to make up the 65 inches per side of the quilt.  Math . . . so important in stitching designs to balance it out.

  The white thread sample was to just get a feel of the design.  The second, on the correct scrap of material that matches the border, took a stop and a start.  I began with thread that matched the fabric too closely . . . back to the thread box.  I am also still deciding which way to have the design facing as it stitches on the border.  Possibilities! 

  While pondering on the quilt, I took time out to give Dennis a hair trim.  Little wings that poked out from his cap meant it was time.  I don’t get crazy as I need to use both hands to guide the clipper.  I don’t know when it got so heavy.  When Dennis gave the O.K., I sat in the chair and Dennis trimmed my neckline.  We have not been in the mood to take a number at Great Clips.  After all . . . where are we going that it makes a big difference?  We ended up with two satisfied customers.  That in itself is not always the case after walking out of Great Clips.  It can be a crap shoot.

  Right now there is a lull in the snowfall.  For our part the lull could continue.  This 1/2 inch would suit just fine.

  Take it easy if travel is warranted.  Making it this far into the 2020-2021 winter with no family incidents due to snow, ice and such is a win, win.  I’d rather think about everyone than reading about someone.

   
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  Noreen 3:34 pm on January 22, 2021 Permalink  

  A Nip in the Air 

  It may have had a nip in the air this morning, but for me, the sun being out and bright took top dibs.  

  We were getting ready to head out to Mankato when I got a phone call from Sue that does upholstery in Mankato.  The sewing rocker I had taken to her recently is done and ready for pickup.  Talk about a fast turn-around.  The Mayo Store will be our first stop to pick up the CPAP machine and then stop at Sue’s on our way home.  

  I marvel at those that can do upholstery work.  It takes power in the hands to put those springs in place or replace with new ones.  Years ago Elvera took a class at the Hutchinson Vo-Tech for upholstery.  We had one of Esther Schafer’s old over-stuffed rocking chairs that she asked if she could re-do.  It was a good job and we enjoyed having a new look for it.  It was the only chair that Elvera did.  That told the whole story of what was not going to be her new endeavor.  

  With this sewing rocker that will find its way into Carrie’s home, I was glad that she offered to find material that would work within their home.  My palette and what she would like would be worlds apart.  Carrie had brought over the material quite some time ago and it was then up to Sue’s schedule.  It was time that the little treasure came out of the attic.  I seem to have several backup rockers as it is.  There was a spring in this chartreuse seat that went down with you as you sat and you could feel the spring going from side to side until it hit bottom.  Upon getting up, one had to wonder how far up it would follow your butt.  Oh for the memories of February 1964 and going forward.  Priceless.  When I redid the wood, it was almost as if I could hear a sigh of relief coming forth from the rocker.

  It was exciting to see the new and improved rocker when Sue brought it out of her home.  With covid, the transaction was done out in the cold air of their drive.  Dennis and I had our masks on as did Sue.  I believe that there is a lot of life left in this rocker.  It was fun to rock babies in, to read in and also do a fair amount of crocheting in.  Now, the furniture is not meant to last as we are truly a throw away society, or . . . people just don’t appreciate the value of items.   

  The snow is taking a beating from the sun even with the temp only being 16 degrees right now.  The power of the sun gives us hope that this next round of snow may go around us or be short lived.  We know we have to take the weather the way it comes, but . . . we can hope.

  Tonight it is Bavarian Sauerkraut, caraway seeds added, with diced up beef wieners.  It sounded good to both of us and that is all that counts.

   
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  Noreen 4:42 pm on January 21, 2021 Permalink  

  Late for Coffee 

  Four in the afternoon may be a bit late for a cup of coffee, but the day did get away from me.  The laundry basket was overflowing.  Granted, our basket is not huge.  Just get it done:  three loads and we can start over.

  When Dennis came in this afternoon for our usual three o’clock break, I mentioned to him that there was a bundle for him to take out to his shop rag box the next time he went out.  He looked puzzled until he took the bundle apart to see what there was to see.  Dennis dang near cried.  Two of his t-shirts are now to be added to the rag box.  It was time.  The necklines were beyond being at the neck.  Talk about being frayed!  It had to be done and my tough love kicked in.  He is by no means short of t-shirts but he always grabbed the same ones.  He has lots of “second bests” that can now become his favorites.  That, my friends, comes with being the laundry person . . . choices.

  It could rain, it could snow.  The purple streaks in the sky are ominous. I did notice what was going on outside as I made lots of trips up and down the basement stairs.  I could put in for mileage.  Years ago, Dennis thought a pop-out would be a good thing for the first floor of our home for my sewing.  Hmm.  Pop-out where?  We are within 10′ of our neighbor Randy and Jan on the north.  We have 10′ of concrete drive to the south.  I think I am very happy doing the steps into the basement sewing studio.  Truth be told, I have it made down there.  It’s my stuff and I know where my stuff is.  Nough said about that.

  I am making progress today on the pinning of the Santa quilt.  With the laundry going, it always gave a break from the pinning.  There is no hurry in that project going forward.  

  The fall squash for supper last night was fantastic.  A bit of pepper was all that was needed on it.  Sad it was the last squash we had in the garage.  I may check out the grocery store’s stash of what they may have on hand for squash.  

  Tomorrow we will make a trip to Mankato.  The CPAP machine that needed to be sent in for a checkup and repair is ready to be returned to Stauffer Avenue with the loaner returned to the Mayo Store.  No charge as it is covered by our insurance.  

  The trip tomorrow may be skirting the snow that is coming our way.  Not to worry, Dennis spent time today tuning up and checking over his walk behind snow blower.  For the life of me, I cannot remember how many decades ago when Kevin passed this snow blower off to Stauffer Avenue.  It has never left us down for what we have needed.  Up until the winter of 2018-2019 and going forward, that walk behind blower handled the 90′ drive plus all the other clearing that was needed after every snowfall.  Neighbor Randy now does the drive and Dennis and the walk behind is right there to follow up with topping off of the clearing.  Sweet machine.

  Ah shucks.  It’s time to hit the kitchen to prepare the evening meal.  That time sure does come around quickly.  Plenty is on hand.  It is all about the same person that does the laundry to make choices.  Sweet.