Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:16 pm on August 17, 2025 Permalink  

  A Sunday 

  Any settling that our home needed to have gotten done, must surely have it done by now.  The claps of thunder that went on for hours didn’t leave anything to the imagination.

  When I did get up the patio sidewalk was flooded over.  That had not happened once this early spring or summer.

  I decided what had gotten wet would eventually subside.

  My place this afternoon was in the studio working with my Bernina Tool Box.  I have done two shop aprons for Maria and I knew the design needed to be scrapped.  As hard as I would try, the one butterfly always decided to make a tiny pucker on one side.  Though it didn’t bother Maria, it bothered me.

  Yesterday, I took two additional shop aprons home with me.  Does she expect this from my studio . . . no.  I want to put out an embroidered design that says . . . I care enough to get it right.

  By this mid-afternoon I am satisfied enough to call it a day.  The one design was too dense of stitching, no matter how much stabilizer I threw at it, it would always pucker.  I went online and chose a different butterfly and have done a “what if.”  Tomorrow is another day. 

  The design has been downloaded from a zip to one that the sewing machine likes when it is loaded.  I have tried the singular embroidery.  Success!  Tomorrow I will download that butterfly onto various locations of the 9″ x 5″ total logo.

  For right now, the kitchen needs to be visited as there is no clue hovering about that would make for a supper fare.  Dang!

  I do know that we have had enough rain that a phone text came through from the county that there are areas around us in a flash flood zone.  Hopefully the storms have gotten it out of their system.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:49 pm on August 16, 2025 Permalink  

  Time Flies 

  This Saturday has gone quite quickly.  The anticipation of getting haircuts and pedicures . . . couldn’t happen soon enough for us.

  I knew when I looked out this morning that the lightning and thunder I had been vaguely aware during the night did dribble out a bit of rain.  The air feels heavy.

  I am feeling a lot better today . . . no itchy bitchy bothersome symptoms of . . . something.  When we left Maria’s shop, Dennis had one request.  Dennis wanted a stop at the grocery store for a chocolate cake.  He and I have been bantering back and forth about this hankering that only a piece of cake could squelch.  I no longer do any baking.  The thrill of the spill I know is coming when I try, I just don’t know how much of a mess it will entail.  Besides, the grocer needs his inventory updated out of their freezers sooner or later.  It was decided that about eight this evening would be deemed as time for a German Chocolate piece of cake.  It wouldn’t surprise me if Dennis didn’t put some vanilla ice-cream on his piece. 

  It must be city-wide garage sale season.  Dennis made a whip around town and it seemed as if most of the sale locations had a lot of clothes out.

  I had a phone call earlier this afternoon and I did not answer as it didn’t list anyone from my phone directory.  I did do a reverse call and realized it was from my cousin Carol in Arizona.  I then added her number to my directory and called her back.  If it had not come up as someone I knew, I would have taken the time to block that number so it wouldn’t be appearing again.  I do have a rather large list of blocked numbers and am always ready to add more.  I have used the reverse option often.

  Carol and I visited for some time.  She is now, as of this summer, a retired school’s superintendent.  She was over many districts in that portion of Arizona.  Carol’s brother Mark does stop in here every once in awhile when he travels from Hibbing to Jackson where he grew up.  It was an enjoyable visit of catching-up. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:52 pm on August 15, 2025 Permalink  

  A Possibility 

  Several days ago, I mentioned the fact that my right arm was less than cooperative.  In the days that have followed, there may be the possibility that I have a mild case of the shingles.  I have had the shot for shingles but that is not a guarantee that a re-occurrence of the shingles is out of the question.  I have read about that possibility online in nauseum.  Only to small children could I be contagious, if it is shingles.  I do not have any blisters nor is the surface of my skin under the right shoulder broken, just the wanting to ease the pain by rubbing it away.  

  The feelings that come with the shingles discomfort cannot be mistaken.  I vividly remember that when it happened.  The softest of fabric touching my left shoulder and arm accentuated the feeling that I could have dug out the pain with my right hand.  When Orlin had shingles, it was at a time that we were farming with a lot of livestock chores and he wasn’t able to leave the house.  I had a bottle with a stopper to seal the weeping blisters.  It did remind me of clear nail polish.

  I may be off base.  I did read enough that there really isn’t anything to be done and in several days the discomfort will diminish.  In the mean-time, cool showers, followed my Calamine lotion.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:12 pm on August 14, 2025 Permalink  

  A Difference 

  A few hours in my life can make a huge difference.  Yesterday was a punkie day.  I chose to go to bed at 8:30 last night and just close down.  It didn’t bother me one bit that Dennis had the television on tuned in to 48 Hours, the cops and robbers show while bouncing between the solitaire wins and the gospel music on his laptop.

  I got up once at 3:30 and went back to sleep.  When the coffee pot went off at six this morning, I was awake and ready to start the day.  The ole body had rejuvenated to some degree.  The time in the studio today went much better.

  I am working with Megan to put together a banket for her fellow, Jarrod.  Incorporating the five stitched designs of the Congress of Eagles with printed patriotic panels for the 2026 celebration seemed like a fantastic way for a finish of the cross stitched items.  It sure beats tucking them in a shoe box never to see the light of day again.  I kept the time spent in the studio realistic.

  It has been some time since the temperatures were mild enough to heat up the kitchen by putting the round blue speckled roaster in the oven to put forth a supper.  Using up the 2% milk that is three days past the sell by date for instant mashed potatoes seemed like the perfect pairing.  Waste not. . . want not.

  Dennis has gone out to see his cousin Sam in Riverdale Township this afternoon.  Sam and Maria don’t get out much and enjoy a visit.  Sam’s mother and Dennis’ father were siblings. 

  The mention of siblings brings to mind that I should call my brother.  I did call him on his birthday in June and he wasn’t too chatty.  Try, try, try again.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:47 pm on August 13, 2025 Permalink  

  Wednesday 

  Today is a fairly comfortable day weather wise.

  Today on this fairly comfortable weather day . . . I feel punk.  A feeling of not quite being with it.  I perhaps slept too hard during last night’s slumber.  I woke with the heel of my left foot being in a lot of pain, as if I had jumped off of a huge step and my heel took the brunt of it.  Since getting up this morning, my right arm has no strength in it.  I must have been in a horrible fight during the night.

  I did encourage myself to stick with some of my usual routines.  That took me to the studio.  I do have an on-going project for the sewing machine.  The first twelve inch seam was wrong.  Got the stiletto and picked it out.  When I went to align the second seam I had cut the fabric too short by one inch.  Grr!

  I had always known that when I had reached my 80th birthday, there was bound to be changes.  Maybe I have been too busy being 81 that those changes have slipped my mind.  

  One.  I do protect my immune system.   Large crowds are not for me.  I like to know who I am sharing air with.  Too many that I know believe that their deep hard cough is no big deal.  When the toes on my right foot ached, were red and swollen, I wanted to find out why, and . . . I did.  Arthritis.  Keeping up with levels via a blood workup is important to me.  So far . . . right on.

  Two.  Protein intake is important for me as muscle loss is more prevalent.  Because the right arm is weak today, does not get it off the hook when I need it to do what I need to do.

  Three.  I do stay curious to keep my cognitive reserve up to par.  Twenty questions wouldn’t have anything on me.  I do try to squelch it a bit as people get defensive if the questions come as rapid fire.  Well . . . inform me of what is going on and perhaps the questions could to tapered.

  Four.  Visibility is lost somewhat now that I am 81.  In a gathering, the younger ones gravitate to others similar to their age.  Dennis and I have talked about this to each other after we have come from a gathering we were actually invited to and then ignored.  We can’t help it.  Truth to be told, we have more knowledge and awareness in our little fingers than the whole lot of them.

  Five.  Actual social interaction has taken a back-seat these last years.  I don’t think I am missing out on anything.  I have people that share my interests to communicate with.  I feel totally full on that portion of being 81.

  All in all, having a punkie day is alright with me.  Today is what it is.  When tomorrow shows up, it may be totally different.  Time will tell.  

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 12:36 pm on August 12, 2025 Permalink  

  Hello Tuesday 

  This Tuesday is a waiting game for me.  We have a funeral midday and starting something in the studio . . . just not doing it for me.  It is a perfect time for me to get a load of light-colored and white clothing into the laundry.  When it’s time for them to be loaded into the dryer, Dennis is on hand.  Today I have two items that I will stand guard over the process as they do not do well after they have been in the heat of the dryer.  Dennis’ help in the swapping process is much appreciated as the left shoulder, arm and hand don’t do well diving down to the depth of the washer to get the clothes hefted into the dryer.  When the clothes are dry, I enjoy standing in front of the unit and folding one piece at a time.  Doing the laundry is very satisfying for me.  Who doesn’t enjoy putting on clean clothing.

  In between time, I have been watching many Bernina YouTubes.  I have had this machine for, I think, seven years.  When there was a chance to have it upgraded via Kelly at the Bird Island Bernina shop, I did it with the cost of $600.00.  This has been the only new machine I have bought since my 1965 Sears machine . . . a workhorse.  This Bernina sewing machine is the last machine I will be purchasing.  It has all the bells and whistles I will need going forward.  I did purchase a Bernina for Carrie several years ago.  It replicates many of the same features as my machine, so I could help her with questions.  It can also do the machine embroidery with the add-on of the embroidery module.  It is just one-step down.  Megan has a Bernina.  It is the machine that my sister-in-law Lois bought for herself when they moved to Decorah.  A wonderful machine that Eric delivered to me after his mom had passed.  Eric had taken it to the shop where Lois had purchased it and it had been serviced before he dropped it off here.  It is in a sweet travel case with the full instruction manual and several additional attachments.

  By the way, the 1965 Sears is still fully functioning.  It has been at Carrie’s and will come back to Stauffer Avenue and then it will go to Bird Island for Kelly to service it.

  Dennis and I have agreed to go to the Home Town Cafe after the funeral.  What a sweet way to end a Tuesday.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:12 pm on August 11, 2025 Permalink  

  A Necessity 

  After a good run in the studio, it is a necessity to get it cleaned up.  It would not be good to have a seam that needed to be mended to only find the sewing machine was not ready.

  I began with using the old Filter Queen Vacuum for the table tops and the floor.  I knew Saturday had been just as long of a day for Megan as it was for me.  It was more important Saturday that she get home safe.  Today gave me a chance to tuck away all the bits and bobs of sewing items that had been taken out of their storage.  The sewing machine was tidied very slowly.  Amazing how a thread can travel into the deepest, darkest places under the hood.  Several different tweezers got the job done.  A bit of oil and a brand new needle made for the next project to be taken on.

  As we have a funeral to attend this week, I do have a box on the shoulder-high shelf that has some choices of condolence cards.  As I was taking the box off of the security of the shelf, my hand slipped.  The box and all of its contents spilled onto the floor in a five foot wide arc around me.  Nothing to do but get to it and clean it up.  Lots of goodies were in that box.  Some new cards, some old goodies and lots of memories.

  One slip of paper caught my eye as I was picking the contents of the box off of the floor.  It warrants sharing.  “Contentment is a moral excellence.  Contentment without external honor is humility.”  Nothing more needs to be added.

  I did find a card that brought that adventure on.  The box has been returned to the shelf that is the height of my shoulders.

  The air quality is that of a low slung haze when I look out.

  Dennis’ secret sliced cucumber with onion deliquesce will be added to the chicken tenderloins for our supper.  Sweet.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:09 pm on August 10, 2025 Permalink  

  Happy Comfortable Sunday 

  I realize we had rain over night as the deck and drive was wet with the last of the thunder when I got up.

  Yesterday, I had a very full, busy day with Megan on board in the studio.  Megan arrived at ten in the forenoon and we went immediately to the studio for a one-day stitch.  The objective was to sew a pair of pajamas.  Oh yes . . . it was very stretch fabric.  It took Megan several minutes to re-acquaint herself with my sewing machine.  It had been five years since she had used the sewing machine.  The Simplicity pattern was used to cut out the fabric.  Using all the best practices that YouTube could offer it was time to get some seams sewn.  A nip here, a tuck there and the day sped on.  Alterations took most of the time.  No two body proportions are equal.  Simplicity takes the middle of the road.

  Of course we took a turkey, cheese, lettuce,  mayo on soft rye sandwich early afternoon break.  Dennis came down into the studio and was content sitting and watching Megan as she manned the sewing project.  I can only imagine the memories he was recounting.

  As we were winding down, I asked Megan if she would tackle another pair of pajamas using similar fabric.  Without hesitation she was sure she would knowing more about the “how to go about stitching on stretchy fabric.”  I tucked a package of the stretch needles and a roll of the Wonder Stitch into the Simplicity pattern envelope.  She had been amazed at how the Wonder Stitch held the seams and helped in the hemming process.  I knew she would not be able to find the Wonder Stitch very easily now that JoAnne’s is no more.

  By five-thirty we bid Megan and her finished pajamas a “see you again.”  I was happy when we got a text from Megan that she was home safe and sound.

  Admittingly, this Gramme was weary.  I had wanted so badly for this experience to go well for Megan that she would tackle another such project.

  Today the two older ones on Stauffer Avenue are having a quiet day.  Tomorrow my be a tidy, tidy in the studio.  Megan’s fabric left little tuffs here, there and everywhere.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:26 pm on August 8, 2025 Permalink  

  A Day 

  This is a humid nasty day.  Anything taken out of the refrigerator needs to have a towel, paper or otherwise, underneath it to soak up the sweat.

  No studio lights were turned on today.  Nothing needed t be accomplished.  As is my usual, I don’t leave anything to the last moment.  The cat that has be wrestling around in the bag can now be brought out as I just stated I don’t leave anything to the last moment to thus make a crisis.  Tomorrow Megan is coming!  Yaa!  Megan has ask my help with a sewing project.  Yup, you guessed it.  It is a stretchy sewing project.  All the prep that was possible has been done and now we will find out the rest of the story when she arrives.  Needless to say, we are excited to see Megan.

  It’s not uncommon that the first floor of our home gets the after-thought when it comes to the tidy, tidy when I have juicer items going on in the studio.  This morning with my cup of coffee still half full and me in my bathrobe, I had the vacuum going.  I get my best tidy, tidy done in that garb . . . nothing restricting the movement of diligence.  I happened to glance up and saw my friend Maria park in our drive.  She retrieved a plastic bag from the back seat of her car and was headed for the front door.  I didn’t even get the vacuum shut off as I wanted to greet her.  In the past, not wanting to disturb us she has left a bag of goodies on the front deck.  My pink robe and a very disheveled occupant greeted Maria.  Farmer’s Market had just been greeted at the front door.  Sweet.  Green peppers, cucumbers, onions and cherry tomatoes all in her parcel.  You’ve heard the adage, “only your hairdresser knows.”  Maria was on her way to open her salon and stopped to see us first.  Maria was beautiful in a bright red top with not a hair out of place.  She got a good first hand look as to how much her skills are needed.  We hugged it out and she was on her way.

  It is now the afternoon.  I went off to the grocery store to make sure we had some of Megan’s favorites on hand for tomorrow.  When I got home Dennis already had several cucumbers peeled and sliced and was tackling the onion.  Bless his heart.  Now . . . why didn’t his eyes tear up in doing the onion?  Mine were already watering just by coming into the kitchen.

  All that activity and Tom is mowing the yards.  Much accomplished on Stauffer Avenue.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:19 pm on August 7, 2025 Permalink  

  Never too Old 

  Never too old to learn new ways of doing things in the world of sewing.

  When I did a tremendous amount of sewing for my children there was at that time not a lot of yard goods in the stretchy selection.  Well maybe there was, but I chose the woven fabrics.

  When I was in Hobby Lobby, I looked at all the bolts of fabric that were stretchy every which way.  I was intimidated. but I bought a half yard.  Stretchy fabric comes at 60″ wide and not the 44″ of the woven world.

  This week I am watching YouTubes on stretch stuff.  I already have needles geared towards stretch.  One down.  Number 9 on the choices of stitches my Bernina can do is a stretch stitch and I tried it out on woven material.  Two down.  Putting my sample stretch piece under the needle . . . didn’t go so well.  Using my stiletto and encouraging the feed dogs to grab the fabric helped.  Any serious stitching, YouTube suggested “stay stitching” close to the edge with a usual straight stitch, slightly diminishing the stretch.  When I layered two pieces together as in making a seam, with right sides together, they wanted to slip.  The stretch fabric bucked at stick pins.  Push, push and still not sliding in smoothly so as to not distort the soon to be seam.  Hmm.

  The last time I had a challenge was the year I did the remake of the five foot tall Santa.  The velvet fabric with right sides together wanted to slide away from each other.  As that time I had ordered a product that was 1/4″ wide and I think they called it Wonder Stitch.  It came on a fairly good sized flat roll.  By peeling of the protective coating, it became a 1/4″ of almost an invisible product.  At that time I put down a strip on the right side of the seam allowance and then carefully put down the right side of the soon to be seam.  It worked.  I couldn’t get too far ahead of the machine sewing as with no pins working it kept me busy lining up the 3/8ths seam.  I still had some of the Wonder Stitch.

  I tried it on my Hobby Lobby stretchy fabric.  It worked!  As the Wonder Stitch was not stretchy, it also managed the stretch of the two layers for the seam.  My next quest was to try putting on double fold bias tape.  I knew I had scored that as I had just sewn double fold bias on two of Kevin’s shop machine shrouds . . . the key . . . there was no stretch.  I again laid down the Wonder Stitch to sew down the opened double fold bias tape.  Once that was sewn down, there was no more stretch left to fold over the bias take for the top stitching.  Whew!

  All of my “what if” were on a flat straight seam.  Working with curves . . . that’s for tomorrow.

  With all of that, I will take my leave.  ♥