Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:30 pm on December 21, 2025 Permalink  

  In Town 

  There were a few errands to run in town on this sunny afternoon.

  The Family Dollar carries the Tidy lightweight kitty litter in doable plastic jugs.  On a side-note, Brett’s concrete business takes the plastic jugs off of our hands.  While the concrete trucks are on site, having a gallon of clean water is handy for the fellows working with the crete.

  The Dollar General is where we pick up the $1.00 bags of Lemon Heads.  Dennis’ favorite hard candy when his mouth is dry.  No Lemon Heads today.  I did pick up our favorite Progressive Chicken Noodle soup for $2.00 a can.  I had just paid $3.29 at our grocer’s last week.  Same size can.  I also added buying two bags of our favorite chips and get two bags free.

  The grocery store was the next stop for Meow Mix.  The kitties should be in good shape for a while.

  We are invited to Dennis’ cousin’s 90 birthday party on the 27th at his son’s farm in a heated shop.  I had looked up the address on the computer and we did a dry run north out of town on that.

  Our last stop was to pick up a 12″ Tuna Sub before heading for home.  Whew, supper is done. 

  On a note!  I tried loading photos for the blog this afternoon and it was a no-go.  I tried with the photos I had downloaded from my phone as well as from my camera.  I will leave it to the administrator to find the solution.  I was trying to load them from the “Blog File” where I always have done in the past going through the steps of the Next Gen Gallery options.  Time will tell.

  Tomorrow, Monday the 22nd, Dennis has an eye injection at 2:30 in the afternoon in Mankato.  There may well not be a Monday Blog.  Just saying.  The appointment takes a good bit of time and travel time also is a good indicator of “see you on Tuesday.”

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:00 pm on December 21, 2025 Permalink  

  Testing a photo upload from NextGen, “Dennis” category 

  

   

  

   
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  Noreen 3:44 pm on December 20, 2025 Permalink  

  Christmas Scams 

  A while back, Dennis assured me that if something happened to him, he owes Carrie money and that his money would be in an envelope in his jewelry box.  I never gave it another thought.

  Carrie’s family didn’t make it on the Sunday after Thanksgiving due to the weather.  We set the date to the 16th, a Sunday.  As always I was busy the week before making sure I had everything on hand and done.

  It was great having everyone tramp into the house.  Dennis’ orders “shoes stay on.”  Our driveway was clear of snow and ice.  Jeremy set about helping me in the kitchen.  My two oven dishes were done, perfect timing for them to have arrived at noon.

  I had not visited with anyone first hand since early summer.  One by one I was able to ask questions and find out what had been going on.  It’s not unusual for Megan and Nicholas to check out the patio porch to visit Harriet and Snuggles.  I was eavesdropping on what Jeremy and Dennis were visiting about.

  Without me realizing it, the kids were back in the house and I had a huge gift-wrapped box set in front of me.  Dennis piped up “Merry Christmas Grammie, I bought you a present, and . . . you can open it now.  Wait a minute, just where have you gone shopping, was my reply.  Smirk, smirk.  Go on . . . open it.  Getting help from the kids with the wrapping paper and getting the box, I finally got a peek inside.  There were multiple layers.  First thing out of the box was a beautiful jacket, next came a knit top and last . . . a pair of dress pants.  I was over-whelmed.  Right across the table from me was Dennis with a grin from ear to ear.  “I can still pull one over on you.”  Yes he had.

  When Dennis had gone out to the patio porch to have a cigarette feeling very smug, I was looking for more clarification.  Carrie said one evening she got a call from Dennis and he was very clear in his request.  The end result was that I would have a very nice “pant suit” as I had not shopped for clothes for a long time.  He had apparently re-iterated “pant suit.”

  I believe the last awareness that Dennis had even given a thought to about women’s clothing was the era of “pant suits.”  And . . . when was that era?

  I gave Carrie a lot of credit for not correcting or suggesting anything other than his request for a “pant suit.”  She pulled off just what Dennis had asked for with perhaps a bit of a twist that he would not pick up on.  Bless the ole cowboy.  I had not realized that Dennis and Carrie had been in a huddle while I was in the kitchen.  It truly was a surprise.  Sweet.

  The moral to the story: when Dennis is in his rocking chair with Snuggles on his lap in the patio porch there is mucky, mucking asunder, also known as Christmas scams. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:44 pm on December 19, 2025 Permalink  

  A Blizzard 

  I knew we had proportions of a blizzard.  It wasn’t until this morning when I looked out that I realized snow and dirt of equal proportions had been had.  Our driveway was clear.  Our back door catches a whirlwind of what is blowing, be it either leaves, snow or dirt.

  We had agreed that when the wind died down, we would make a trip for milk and distilled water.  We purchase the small container of milk and really have to work at using it before it sours.  The distilled water is gone through quicker than one would believe.  Dennis CPAP machine has a humidifier on it and it takes a fill of two cups every night.  Amazing.

  The wind howled something terrible all yesterday.  I had done my bedding and just for giggles as I was putting it back on after the laundry, I put the small thermometer on the window sill at the end of my bed.  Hmm.  At four in the afternoon it read 55 degrees.  Thankfully the tall heavy evergreen and the plumb shrub, both at the northwest corner of my bedroom porch, take the beating of the winds.  They allow the awning which is the full Width of the porch to remain in place.

  I went to bed at ten and buried myself under the feather comforter that is tucked into a flannel duvet.  I slept heavy and comfortable.  Dennis had an electric mattress pad that has settings from 1-8.  Quite awhile before he goes to bed he has it set at a 6.  I have not inquired if it stays at that setting, but he also sleeps well.  Dennis doesn’t fight me when the thermostat is set at 65 degrees when we go to bed.  If needed it is the first thing I do in the morning is to pump it up to 70 degrees.  When Dennis gets up, he is out of the house within a half hour.  What he walks into in his garage porch that has a furnace . . . I don’t ask.  If Dennis is happy, I am also.

  We have had our first blizzard of this winter and may others that follow be as mild.  

  I bought a pumpkin frozen pie in the grocery store.  It is now in the 375 degree oven to be finished at 5:10 or there abouts.  We have used Mrs. Smith’s pies before and for $4.98 it’s what it is . . . a date at 8:30 this evening to have a schmek, aka: a taste.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 4:14 pm on December 18, 2025 Permalink  

  Boo Boo Cold 

  I can attest to the fact that it feels like -34 outside.  We have always had a folding chair parked on the front deck.  This afternoon, I heard it being blown over.  The possibility of it landing where the front door could not be opened if we needed to get out quickly was a real concern.  Chair taken care of.  That was enough for me for the day.

  During the summer months, in fact one of the severe heat spells we had had, our garage was resurfaced.  For the first time, we actually had a door with the chance of locking it if needed.  Dennis handed the keys off to me.  I put them on a strap along with the key for a padlock we have and I placed them on the shelf in the kitchen right off of the back entry steps.  Easy to get at if and when needed.

  Dennis mentioned the keys to me this late summer.  For the life of me, I couldn’t find them.  Dennis’ phone gets recharged right at about the same place I had put the keys.  I cleaned off that entire shelf thinking they had been pushed along with whatever else was placed on the shelf.  I never not thought about them but no keys were ever produced.  I knew the day would come when we would need them to lock up the garage and my ass would be grass.  After all I was put in charge of them and you all know I have very little to be in charge of.  Anyway ……

  Tuesday we went to Mankato for errands.  We had picked the perfect day.  Not cold.  No snow flurries.  My job after the Sam’s Club purchase was to package up the 36 muffins for Dennis’ breakfast for 36 mornings.  Thankfully we have a huge bag that the packed six at a time fit into very well.  Easy to handle slippery containers until they arrive to the kitchen.  From that having gotten done, the bag is ready to be put back into one of our vehicles for the next trip.  If I put the bag next to the steps going to the back entry, eventually it gets to where it is needed.  I bent over to straighten the strap handles on the bag and something caught my eye.  Something shiny in the bottom of the bag.  Good grief!  It was the strap with the missing keys. 

  Sometime during these last months, the said bag sat patiently waiting to be taken outside.  With the commotion of the phone being taken off or being put on the recharger, the key strap let gravity take it straight down into the Sam’s Club bag.

  I now have the strap with the three keys on it where I keep other keys.  Nothing touches that area.  The keys are in solitude until such time we need them.  It did bring a chuckle.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:41 pm on December 17, 2025 Permalink  

  It’s Dwindling 

  The sun has had a dramatic effect on the snow pack . . . and the ice.  Our drive is completely free for the time-being.  Dwindle away.

  I was in the studio sewing until two this afternoon.  It felt so good to be among “my stuff.”  What had spurred me on was a YouTube video that Jordon Fabrics of Oregon puts on each week.  They do nothing but mail order.  Their specialty is pre-cuts for the patterns that they create.  The video is usually about 45-50 minutes long.  I sit transfixed and take it all in.  To see the pallets of bolts of fabric that they work with is right up my viewing alley.

  Back to my reality.  I had mentioned that I had ordered Olfa blades for the rotary cutter.  Two sizes: 60 mm and 45 mm to match the two cutters I have.  The 60s came with a previous order.  I was wondering when the 45s would show up.  Today in a shoebox sized box was a whole lot of fill-in paper for a very small package of the 45s.  So be it.  Jordon Fabrics uses nothing but the Olfa blades.  I am in good company.  They have multiple stainless steel jigs with slits in them to run the rotary cutters down them.  One may have slits every two inches, another three inches, etc.  Each one more than covers the 44 inch fabric that is folded in half for the run.  I am just in awe of the behind the scenes that of course is my passion: threads and fuzz.

  We have had hot meals for a four evening run.  This evening it is the Ego thick waffles and sausage.

  The gray air of the 38 degree temps feels every bit like the 15 degrees that the info speaks of.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 10:22 am on December 16, 2025 Permalink  

  Out of Dodge 

  Today we will be taking advantage of the weather temps and the road conditions.  We are getting out of Dodge.  Dennis has felt cabin fever for some time.  Satisfying that is a lot easier than going south for a winter stay or a cruise.

  Due to Dennis’ condition, I have had a list going for what I could find in Mankato.  Nothing serious.

  After our usual forenoon rituals, we will be heading out.

  This morning the Blue Jays have been raising a ruckus.  You can’t deny their call.  They are going after the small red berries on the ornamental crab tree.   I am surprised that the squirrels had left any.

  I had done some hand stitching last night after supper.  It had been laying fallow for several nights.  It took me a while to figure out where I had counted to.  With that came picking out the stitches when I made an error.  It’s all in the process.  I have mentioned before that I am a process stitcher and not a project stitcher.  The process for me to relaxation, taking away the needs that were met during the day.

  I don’t feel bad about using Amazon.  I had determined I wanted and needed some slippers to wear about the house and the studio.  The little soft ones that had so-called grippers on the bottom do succumb to multiple washing.  I found a pair of Ortho brand that I liked. Hard sole with no hands slip on and a good arch support.  My gosh they were here in six days.  I would have had no idea where to find that type of slipper in the big town of Mankato.  It feels good getting up during the night having good support on the feet as well as the support of the cane.  Having had to call the EMTs once this season, I don’t care to have them calling anytime soon.

  Well, the little red pickup is idling in the drive and that is my message to know we are about to depart.  No rushing about, just taking the ride in the sunshine.

  …………………………Who knew?  That our trip to Mankato was so successful and we would be home by 2:30.  I held true to my list in Sam’s.  Lots of fussy extras were not needed.  Soap pods and coffee were on sale.  What I bought will take us to spring.  Dennis enjoys the Banana huge muffins, one each morning in the patio porch with coffee.  I will be putting each muffin in a sandwich baggie and into the freezer they go.  He will be good for 36 mornings.  The wheat thins were my treat.

  The only other stop was Menards.  Our outside broom had a handle that rusted off.  Surprise, I bought the self same broom.  My dry Swiffer mop has four plugs that the new sheets are pushed into.  Pushed too many times and the sheet would not stay secure.  I now have a new handle configuration.  The old one will retire to the studio.

  It’s great when our needs are so easily taken care of.

  It was then . . . “Home Dennis.”

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 4:54 pm on December 15, 2025 Permalink  

  A Day 

  With the temps no longer severe cold, it is a day that feels good.

  Dennis was content in his patio porch.  I noticed one very heavy cat enjoying his lap.  Snuggles even ventured out for a bit.  Harriet not so much.  Watching through the window was enough for her.

  In the studio, I will be resuming my project of threads and fuzz.  It took a while to get back to a rhythm.  I have noticed with both the sewing on the machine and also the hand stitching, I am apt to take it slow and then realize a good out-come.  I do not enjoy picking out mistakes.  As I had already cut the 2″ strips for this sewing project, I am ready to find something different.

  

  That difference may come sooner than later.  In today’s mail was a package from Amazon.  It contained a bottle of our calcium 1,000 mg. daily usage.  It also contained my Olaf blades that I use in the rotary cutter for cutting fabric.  A dull blade makes for heft on the shoulder to cut through the 44″ fabric when doubled.  I watch YouTube videos that some can take up to eight layers thick of fabrics to cut using the same blades I use.  That is not in my wheelhouse.  I will be content cutting through two layers.

  Our supper this evening is leftovers.  Tonight is a repeat of the chicken meatball pasta dish. Those meatballs had a great bit of jalapeno spice and chopped up cherries for a good balance.  I also will be heating up the veggies, carrots and English peas.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 4:02 pm on December 14, 2025 Permalink  

  Mid December 

  The month of December is flying by, and not because our calendar is over-extended.

  More often than not I hear the opposite from people our age: ” The days are so boring and long.”

  We had visitors on this Sunday from Eden Prairie.  Carrie, Jeremy, Megan and Nicholas arrived at noon and the noon meal was ready.  Oven dishes work the best.  Carrie brought vegetables and a pecan pie for dessert.

  Megan caught a nap, Nicholas checked out the patio porch kitties, Jeremy cleared ice off of the drive and Carrie did the dishes.  All of those activities and the chit chat, a lot of it, prevailed.

  Dennis’ daughter, Sandy and Tom stopped in on their way home from Sioux Falls where they had taken in a hockey game.  Carrie and Sandy had not seen each other for years, but there were many “remember when” tales.  

  Dennis and I are now in a quiet home, each most likely reflecting on varying tidbits of a variety of conversations.

  Left-overs are in the refrigerator as well as the freezer was blessed with entra dishes that were brought from Eden Prairie.  A food shelf delivery that will serve Dennis and me for some time.

  The patio porch kitties can once again come down from the garage rafters and take back their domain.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:44 pm on December 13, 2025 Permalink  

  The Power 

  The power of the sun is awesome.  It will either melt some of the ice on the drive or melt enough to put a new clear-coat on it.  The cold is what it is.  Brr.

  This morning we had haircuts and pedicures at Maria’s on Main Street.  Oh what a relief it gives from top to bottom.  Dennis and I both appreciate her being in our lives.

  Tomorrow we will be welcoming a late Thanksgiving family, or . . . it may well be an early Christmas family coming to our home.  Doesn’t matter which as long as the traveling is done safely.

  I do have a few items to do this afternoon in our home.  It’s Saturday, so the tidy, tidy train is an automatic.  Several food items to prepare for a hot meal after they have traveled in the cold for several hours.  Dennis is sampling . . . that’s always a good thing.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥