Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:53 pm on October 2, 2019 Permalink  

  Spread a Little Thin 

  When Megan would stay with us as a toddler, she loved butter bread.  She would let me know when I had spread the butter a little thin . . . thin to her liking.

  Yesterday as I was at our family doctor’s, getting the pre-op done for the cataract surgery and also requesting the ointment for the chigger legs, I got a bit of a lecture.  I had been spreading myself a bit too thin . . . or in medical terms . . . physical and mental sensory overload.

  Our bodies never lie to us.  I have not been listening to it.  I had begun doing something about the neck and shoulder issues of the late winter.  I had begun doing something about the ham string connection to the pelvic bone issues of the late winter.  What ensued was multiple tests and scans to begin unraveling the mess with appointments back to back many times.  One eye surgery shucked in the middle of this, leaving some challenges in my eyesight, with the other eye’s surgery pending.

  The unfortunate thing of walking through grasses that held chiggers was bad luck.  When I planned on going to the four day retreat in Iowa and then completing the retreat . . . that was the frosting on top of my three layer chocolate cake. 

  My hermit lifestyle had been shattered much like an ice cube being thrown on a slab of cement.  It was all too much at one time and the immune system decided to buck and buck and it did in grand style, thus giving me a visual tint in regard to the red chigger bites not diminishing.

  My doctor is a wise man.  He knows Dennis and I well enough to know that many things for Dennis’ medical well-being falls on me.  I got the full brunt of his wisdom.  I need to take things that alter my usual and customary quiet lifestyle at a bit slower rate, rather than piling it all on much like taking a cream pie and flinging it onto a wall to see how much of it will stick. 

  Never too old to learn.  Isn’t that the the best part of life.  And . . . you want to know the best part . . . age has nothing to do with events such as what I have just shared.  That’s one for the books and as usual that is the first thing that is spewed.

  As I enjoy spreading that next piece of peanut butter toast, guess what will be going through my mind.

   
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  Noreen 4:25 pm on October 1, 2019 Permalink  

  Wet Day 

  I had errands to run and mid-way, I came home to change into a dry jacket.  Putting up umbrellas doesn’t go real swiftly for me.

  I have my pre-op physical ready for the Monday cataract surgery.  I got a prescription of Mometasone Furoate .1% to finally put the chigger discomfort to rest.  This creme added to Calamine lotion several times a day should knock it out.  I may be very sensitive to histamine and need a bit of help to knock it out.  Who knew!

  Two inches of rain was not needed.  We are very thankful that the rain came with no storms.  Going to sleep with lightning in the north skies was lulling.  Eventually it will all dry out and we live to see another day.

  Tomorrow the ole cowboy has a 83rd birthday.  I am trying to talk him into going out for a birthday supper . . . outside of the norm.  That may well be a challenge.

  Tomorrow I need to set my alarm so I can be fresh and bright for my physical therapy appointment at 8:45.  We are gaining on the ham string.  In the afternoon I have an acupuncture appointment for my neck.  It may sound daunting but I am gaining on all points.  My family doctor this afternoon encouraged me to stay on point for success.  He is an amazing family doctor for me.  

  Dennis has started supper and I am going to encourage him.  Gotta love the guy!

   
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  Noreen 5:28 pm on September 30, 2019 Permalink  

  Snooze Day 

  We thought we were going to have a snooze type of day.  It did start out slow.  We slept in until eight this morning.  

  After all the tree trimming on Friday, Dennis had left the Cub Lo-Boy and the trailer up in the driveway.  Getting it into the back garage was the biggest thing on his list.  In thinking of it, after the trailer was parked, Dennis took off to the local welding shop via the tractor and mower .  The mower had a glitch that allowed the mower deck to not stay stable at the height it was set at.  Visiting with other like owners, this was not unusual.  It had nothing to do with the cylinder leaking.  When Dennis came back home he reported he would be returning to the welding shop in several days for “the fix” to be applied to the mower deck.  Yup, Dennis has people.

  We got a call that Dennis’ pickup was ready to pick up.  The pickup got hot last week and the little red vehicle has been parked at the repair shop since.  It was the thermostat that needed to be replaced.  Dennis commented that years ago the thermostat looked a whole lot different than what he was shown at the repair shop.  The part price comparison to the total bill was interesting.  

  I puttered in the sewing studio and did get three of the skate terry towels done in between time.  Dennis came down and played several games of solitaire on the old lap top.  I had Dennis show me how to put dual sided rivets on some sample fabric.  As luck would have it, we had all the supplies that I would need the next time I try a handbag strap.

  The phone call came that I have been waiting on.  October 7th at 8:45 I report to the Madelia hospital for my left eye cataract surgery.  I am looking forward to this as it will mean in three weeks of that October 7th date, I can be measured for lenses for my glasses that will allow my two eyes to play nice with each other.  Tomorrow I go into our local doctor for my pre-op physical.  Though I had such a physical prior to the August 5th cataract surgery, it is mandated.

  Over supper, Dennis did comment that the acre will need mowing this week.  We will have to work it in, in between rain showers.  What a whack a doodle season of weather.  Yesterday we had started the furnace for a few hours and today Dennis suggested to put the AC on to keep the humidity out of the house.  When the humidity and temperatures are withing 2-3 degrees of each other, it is humid.

  I guess what they say is on point . . . “snooze and you loose.”  I don’t think a total snooze day will ever, ever happen on Stauffer.  Catch you again on another day!

   
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  Noreen 5:54 pm on September 29, 2019 Permalink  

  Sweet 

  Carrie and Megan came for a visit this afternoon.  It was cool enough that Dennis suggested we start the furnace a bit before they arrived.  Dang!  It did feel good.

  Megan is continuing to stay interested in sewing, so much so that Carrie needed to take her sewing machine, which was my 1965 Kenmore, to the repair shop.  It seems that fake fur can lodge where you least expect it.  The machine is ready to be picked up for Megan to sew again. 

  When they left today they had a full backseat.  The dress form that I had purchased when I thought I would try to make Megan’s next competition dress went home with Megan.  I knew that I could do better for my Eden Prairie family than the skate dress.  The fabrics are quite stretchy and my fingers are not quite as nimble as Carrie’s and Megan’s.  Carrie and Megan are excited to practice working on fabrics that the skate costumes are sewn of.  My sewing tables are proof of my Eden Prairie project as I have a flurry of the terry towels that I am working on for the 2020 skating club’s banquet.  

  The skies are gray and it remains cool.  The forecast of 80 degrees tomorrow is quite an extreme.

  Carrie and Megan left . . . giving Dennis early birthday hugs.  Sweet! Dennis will be 83 on October 2nd and he is still gathering steam.  Bless my ole cowboy’s heart.

   
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  Noreen 4:27 pm on September 28, 2019 Permalink  

  What a Day 

  I started by getting the bedding into the laundry.  Dennis was going to wash off the outside of the house.  When the neighbor who was visiting his dad to the south of us came over and asked if we needed help with anything . . . the day went crazy.

  Yes . . . there were branches of the crab apple tree touching the shingles.  Yes, there were dead lilac branches touching the shingles.  Three load of branches out to the tree dump later and much raking of the smaller annoying branches having hit the burn barrel . . . Oh my gosh!  Matt was at the chainsaw and neighbor Jan came over as it was too nice of a day to stay in the house. 

  It was sometime later that Dennis got back to washing off the house and I got back to the laundry. 

  What a day on Stauffer Avenue for the two older ones.

   
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  Noreen 3:46 pm on September 27, 2019 Permalink  

  Too Funny 

  I love it when Dennis participates in retail shopping.  It’s as if I am watching a child take its first steps.

  There was a time in the recent past that Dennis had a challenge being on his feet for any length of time.  I was the detail person for hunting down items in a store.  I have since talked Dennis into taking the motorized carts when they are available.  

  Today a trip to Mankato had several items on the list that needed Dennis to make the decisions as to what would come home with us.  We love the CNS Supply.  It has everything.  I checked out what I wanted to look at and Dennis got to pick out a new grease gun.  The grease gun he has been fighting with was the type that had the rubber hose to inject the grease via the hose.  Dennis wanted a ratchet type.  

  As we were looking around I was in the market to get him a new blue chambray shirt.  How special to put on a shirt such as that with no grease or paint stains.  Dennis wanted to trump that.  He was looking at the western shirts with the snaps on them.  Dennis feels less than good when he can no longer get the tiny shirt buttons put into the tiny button holes.   I agreed, the snaps would be worth a try.  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a reaction in Dennis that made me afraid.  I panicked when I didn’t see anything for Dennis to sit down on.  My ole cowboy dang near fainted when he saw the price of the western shirts with the snaps.  He decided that maybe a blue chambray would be a better buy.  Guess what?  Both shirts were within several dollars of each other.  How could shirts be $35.00 to $39.00!   The cool looking George Strait western was $50.00.  Too funny.

  My ole cowboy is economically challenged.  Bless his heart.  He picked out a great western shirt and dang, as luck would have it . . . we realized that the next time he needs to try a shirt on as the western cut shirt is a bit different that the shirts hanging in his closet.  Not to worry, we will get him fitted and he will see if the snaps are easier to operate than the buttons.

   
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  Noreen 5:24 pm on September 26, 2019 Permalink  

  My Oh My 

  Today I put on my walking shoes to head out for a walk on Stauffer Avenue.  I got all of 100′ and then I hobbled back home to await my physical therapy appointment that was at one this afternoon.  Was I disappointed?  No.  I know my body . . . I know my body oh . . so . . well.  These tendons and muscles in my right hip have pulled this crap before.  It builds so gradually and then wham!  It takes time to work through their stubbornness.  Their stubbornness is buried keep in the chubby cheek.  I am not going anywhere and I know Mike T. will stick this out until all those hard marbles that are tucked into the depth of the hip are dissolved.  

  Staying busy is the best medicine for me.  No point to whine and complain for what cannot be hurried.  I often think of my grandmothers . . . both suffered with degenerative arthritis.  There was no such thing as physical therapy to offer help.  Martha and Laura suffered from one day to the next while still maintaining a stiff upper lip. Look at me Grandmas! . . . my lip is stiff. I will get through this before the snow flies. 

  Speaking of snow.  Montana was in a blizzard warning for the next day or so.  Did that ring a bell in Dennis?  His snowblower was out in the driveway today getting tuned up for the upcoming season.  Knowing we have the long green line right next to us is reassuring.  Randy does a great job.  I on the other hand am going to learn to put my nose prints on the windows and watch.  Dennis threatened to hide my shoes at the first sight of the snowflakes.  I believe I have learned my lesson and will be a non-participant.  Gosh it’s difficult to get something into a part of my brain.  That portion should have a neon flashing light . . . “Thous shalt not.” Maybe, just maybe, we will have a light winter.  We can dream, can’t we?

   
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  Noreen 4:07 pm on September 25, 2019 Permalink  

  Gray and Cool 

  I don’t mind a gray and cool day once in a while.  In fact I didn’t mind it so much that I am still in my robe as supper is in the oven.  Hey . . . I am retired, I’ll have you know.

  It has been a week since I was flitting around getting ready for the sewing retreat, being a good trooper at the retreat and now settled back in our home.

  It’s not often that I totally take a day off.  That is . . . after the house was tidied, wrote out some household bills for Dennis to pop in the mail and make sure there was a casserole for the oven.  I also knocked out four towels for Megan’s skate club project.

  Our lawnmowers are totally ready for the next go round.  I am hoping that go round will be the spring of 2020.  With the .20 inch of rain from last night, I might not be so lucky.

  Dennis thought he was ahead of the game.  We went for afternoon coffee and when he pulled his little read pickup in the garage, there was either smoke or steam coming from under the hood.  It directly came out of the garage to sit in the driveway until he could safely open the hood.  The radiator was low on water, so that will be the starting place to look for the problem when he takes it out to the repair shop tomorrow morning.

  Yup . . . if it is not one thing, it is the other when you want to live self sufficiently . . . and we sure do want to live here on Stauffer Avenue, taking care of what may come.

   
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  Noreen 4:20 pm on September 24, 2019 Permalink  

  Back on Track 

  After one chiropractor visit and one physical therapy appoint as of this morning, I am getting back on track with my arthritic body.  Amazing what professional health specialists can do.  I will continue with more appointments with both until they release me. Now it is up to me to do what I know is wise for me to participate in.

  Dennis is getting geared up for putting the rider mower away for the season.  It has new blades on it and today Fleet and Farm put a new belt on it for those sharp blades to be able to turn.  Dennis picked up a new oil filter and that is on his list for tomorrow.  Each day with a to-do list keeps Dennis happy.

  We are in a tornado watch until midnight.  It has gotten very humid out.  As of now, I am not going outside very much.  The no-see’ms are crazy and competing with the late hatching of mosquitoes for fresh meet.  I remain in a convalescent mode with the chigger bites.  The least bit of an inkling to scratch, brings the itching on.  This Noon I did the Epson salt and vinegar foot bath.  It does help.  My roommate at the retreat could commiserate.   Sharon had sat down on the bank of their lot several years ago to weed a flower bed.  It was not only legs and feet.  You can about guess what she was in for when she realized it was chiggers.  She agreed it is not a quick fix.  

  Time to wrestle up some supper.  Catch you on the down side of tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 3:38 pm on September 23, 2019 Permalink  

  It’s Good to be Home 

  Being gone for four days and three nights is not the norm for me.  Here is the rest of the story.  It didn’t surprise me when I had a difficult time falling to sleep last night.  In reality, I hurt too much to find a place to settle into.  Nothing serious, nothing that I knew wouldn’t get better.

  I was a good participant of the group at the Quilted Steeple.  We were up and in the church basement by 8:30 in the morning, and it was usually midnight or later when we found our way in the pitch dark to the parsonage where our beds were.  I had brought along various projects.  Most of what was going to be sewn was already cut out here at home and packed as a kit.  My fail safe was the quilt blocks to sew on in between the cross fit body bag and the wallets.  I can spend a lot of time sewing straight seam for quilt blocks.

  I didn’t realize until the morning of the third day that though I was sitting on a similar chair that I had at home, the table was higher and the chair was as high as it would go.  It was a reach to touch the sewing machine.  The floor was carpeted and as I said on the beginning of the third day, I realized how much umph it had taken to push myself while sitting in the chair over the carpeting from one end of my 10 foot table to the other.  That third morning I found out the rest of the story as I faced the day.  With those two factors, my neck and shoulders and my hips didn’t stand a chance.  Of course on the third and fourth day, the chair stayed in place while I got up and moved the chair where it needed to be before I sat down.  I scrounged up a pillow for my chair at the sewing machine.  And . . . of course both aspects were already too late.  I might add that there was another gal about my age, Betty, at the retreat.  When the gal behind me at the breakfast offered to pour the juice as I could’t lift anything that heavy, Betty asked me several questions.  All that I could offer was that this body of mine seemed to be an incubator for arthritis that brought a few shortcomings.  Bless her heart that she had never experienced any arthritic health issues. 

  This morning I was at the chiropractor by ten.  I had had an appointment already set up before I left home last week.  Yes, there were knots to work on in the ole neck and shoulders, but he knew it would be temporary.  Scott asked me if I had had a good time, and of course, I said to the positive.  I am the one who added the response that I didn’t know if I could do this type of retreat when the unknowns could hurt so much.  I had to try. There is no place like home when we all have things set up that best serve us.

  Tomorrow morning I have a physical therapy appointment for my hips.  It will all work out just fine.  It never hurts to take one’s self on a test run of an new adventure to see how the finish line ends up.  I think I now know more than I did a week ago.  It’s good to be home.