Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:42 pm on December 2, 2025 Permalink  

  December 2nd, 2025 

  A date on the calendar that will always be remembered by me with great sentiment.  My mom was born on December 2nd, 1916.  I miss her greatly as she was my teacher, my friend, most of all I am sure she was the bestest mom ever.

  Fast forward many decades and today is Megan’s 22nd birthday.  She is quite the young women.  It’s been my honor to watch her through the years.  May I continue to watch for many, many years.

  Today is a hazy gray day bringing with it colder temperatures.  It was expected and accepted.  Just yesterday we got our latest utility bill and I remarked to Dennis it was the lowest bill we had received in one long time.

  The studio is ready for the next chapter of my doings.  I serviced it this morning to the best of my capabilities.  Every little bit of thread and fuzz hit the circular file.  There was a round little fuzz ball that I am sure soaked up some oil as the mechanism stitched hundreds of yards of threads.  There is one special tweezer to handle getting it out of what they call the race . . . behind the bobbin.  I belong to a YouTube tribe in regard to the model of machine I have and thus share with others.  Way too many whining people.  Reading the manual would take out half of those that post.  I treat my model 770 with the tenderest of regards and it does not fail me.  Operator errors can and will screw up a great session of stitching.  Slow and steady gives wonderful results.  

  Today warrants soup and sandwich for supper.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:24 pm on December 1, 2025 Permalink  

  Cyber Monday 

  Dennis had to ask me what cyber Monday is all about.  Bless his heart.

  Our plans for the day were not about shopping here, there and everywhere.  The first event in our home was to get a load of laundry going.  I had timed it so by the time Dennis came in from his morning breakfast, coffee and cigarette, he would be available to be my chauffer.

  Our first stop was at the drive-through bank at Pioneer Bank here in town.  Our financial plan that works very well for us is simple.  Dennis, from our joint checking account, receives x number of dollars a month to use at his beck and call.  I don’t ask any questions.  Dennis is contributing to our home’s running and it all works.  He always kids to anyone that brings up financing issues that his allowance is $5.00 a week.  Too funny. 

  The next stop was the eye care center here in town to pick up my new glasses.  Surprisingly, there was a significant change in the last six months to warrant a change.  I no longer need the transitioning lens.  The set that I was replacing will still come in handy if I will be out in the bright sun for long periods of time.  I think that phase of my light has changed.  Dennis delivered me to the clinic and watched traffic coming and going on Main Street.

  

  It is always difficult to choose frames.  I ask for inexpensive choices as they can get unrealistic in prices.  I like what I chose, a bit more color to the frames than in the past.  Most importantly, I can see so much better for reading and stitching.  I did request as much viewing area as possible.

  Our last stop was the Family Dollar as they sell the lightweight kitty litter.  Winter is here and no more picnic potties for them as they would roam the backyards.

  Snowflakes yesterday and a few more today.  Where the snow was removed, the concrete wants to be bare from some off and on again sun rays.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:22 pm on November 30, 2025 Permalink  

  The Cleanup 

  The cleanup of a 7″ snowfall has been completed.

  There was no lack of the sound of snow removal equipment this morning.  Our neighbor Randy knows to wait until the city has done all of their cleanup past our home.  The ridge of hard snow that can be piled at the end of our drive would and could be labeled as a heart attack if just a shovel was used.  It is a good feeling to have the snow moved to allow ingress and egress from our home and garages.

  The sun was out for just a few minutes before the chilly clouds moved in.

  I was in the studio when I heard a familiar sound.  It was the Ahrens walk behind snowblower.  When I got up from the studio, there was Dennis and the Ahrens . . . blowing a track for the garbage bin and recycling bin.  I can’t believe he got it started.  It had been idle the last two winters.  I kept an eye on him.  Dennis used it for a bit and then took a break.  This happened several times until he had satisfied himself.  He drove the point home that it needed to be used to keep everything running good.  He was right.  Dennis needed to prove to himself, that the snowblower was still his way of moving some snow.

  I don’t remember how many years ago, I made a blue log cabin quilt for Carrie.  It had white applique snowflakes on it.  I must have enjoyed making the snowflakes as I had fourteen of them in a file folder.

  

  The extra snowflakes are going to be put into something rather than running loose in a folder to be dismissed for a circular file, aka: the garbage.  I hunted until I found some designs that would fit on each of them.  They were quick to do and the sewing machine didn’t miss a beat.

  

  I do have the red fabric that they are resting on.  I have gotten this far and now it is time to really think things over.  The snowflakes have been waiting for many years so I don’t want to rush into anything.

  All is well on Stauffer Avenue.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:08 pm on November 29, 2025 Permalink  

  And Then 

  And then it snowed and snowed and snowed.  It was forecast.

  I was very relieved when text messages went back and forth from Stauffer Avenue and Eden Prairie.  A cancelation that meant reality and safety.  There is much truth in the phrase, “I would rather think about you than read about you.” Another day, another time . . . that will work out just fine.

  Dennis reverted to his recliner.  I went into the studio to while away time, listen to KNUJ and after enough time was burned, come up with a doable answer to an old project of Lena’s.  The radio stressed over and over to not take this snowfall and the road conditions for granted.

  As I am now in my bedroom porch putting together this posting, the snow is more consistent than this forenoon and the flakes are larger.  The evergreen tree that I see in the neighbor’s yard is now doing a bow this way and that from a light wind moving its boughs.

  Neighbor Randy did take an earlier swipe of the snow with his green machine.  There is no evidence that he was ever here.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:24 pm on November 28, 2025 Permalink  

  Black Friday 

  Black Friday savings!  I did no shopping in person or online, so I figure I saved 100%.

  My studio lights went on and I mean “on.”  The side of my church tables where all the planning and finagling goes is sporting a new LED light.  Perfection.  It even has security: a pull chain that only I will be operating.

  I am in the midst of working with fourteen white cloth snowflakes in two sizes.  My attempt this morning was to put a small design in the center of each.  I see where the center of each is, I measured the center of each. I stitched a design.  It sure as heck didn’t land in the center.  Try, try again.  Third time and I needed a time-out, and . . . the lights went out.  It is true that there are no two snowflakes alike.  Thus far I have three.

  I came upstairs to get the last cup of coffee for the day.  The clouds are heavy.  No cardboard umbrella with which to see my keyboard today.  The sky is gloomy, but I feel good.  I slept heavily last night and decided the feet needed to hit the floor at 9:15 this morning.  Dennis had gotten up at nine.  Rest for both of us, can’t beat it. 

  My new glasses are in at the eye center here in town.  I will be going on Monday to get them.  Checking online, they were closed for a long weekend.

  Our supper this evening is going to be fried potatoes, carrots, several buns and our bread and butter pickles.  Leftovers from Thanksgiving, its a good thing.  No, there will be no protein . . . thank you Kluge and Eevee.

  With that I will take my leave.♥

   
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  Noreen 3:32 pm on November 27, 2025 Permalink  

  A Thankful Day 

  The day is coming to a close.  Mid afternoon on the Thursday, the dishes are done and put away.  Our tick list has been completed via the Fairfax team.  Attic, first floor and studio . . . all points were taken care of.  

  

  This is my very first photo downloaded from my phone.  Kersten did a great job getting the phone and laptop to play together nicely.  Practice will be the order for the days to come.  This photo was taken when I was getting ready to stuff this small pillow.  Guess who!

  Even Kluge and Eevee had a bit of thanksgiving while dining in the pup-mobile. 

  The sun is bright and finally . . . the winds are not strong.

  This posting is short as I am at a loss for words.  Who would have thunk it!

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:08 pm on November 26, 2025 Permalink  

  My Days 

  Sometimes my days are overwhelming.  I know what I can do to keep our home running.  I am one individual needing to be the responsible one for the two of us.  It may seem at times that I am loosing.  I may loose a battle, or more than one, but I intend on winning the war.

  I have never been 89, that is where Dennis is at.  I have never allowed myself to not be in the present.  Hey, how would it feel to be me, myself and I!  I didn’t sign up for that.  I see each day clearly and what that day entails.  I don’t know how mindsets erode.  I don’t care to know.  I know that I feel very strongly in doing the best I can each day and I will stand up for “that best” and suffer the consequences. 

  So that’s enough about that.

  In the studio this morning, I brought forth three projects that I will be working on.  I started two of them some time ago.  Lena started her project decades ago.  I wish I knew how she intended it to be finished.  I am and will leave them setting on the church tables so when I look at them, they will need to be dealt with.  No additional material is needed, just puzzling them over and over in my mind until the lightbulb flashes.  In part that is what keeps me going . . . never being without something challenging to do. 

  When the challenging things can be set aside, I have my quiet hand stitching to become enmeshed in.  I love it.  I love a balanced day.

  The wind did howl last night.  Every once in awhile a gust of wind made the awning on the west side of the house buck, aka: my bedroom porch, but not enough to keep me awake.     

  This afternoon our drive is bare and dry, but make no mistake, Winter is here.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:28 pm on November 24, 2025 Permalink  

  Busy Grammie 

  No getting up at eight for me this morning.  I was having a cup of coffee by seven.

  Once a year our car is serviced whether it needs it or not at Chuck Spaeth in New Ulm.  Our 2012 vehicle with 86,000 miles gets an oil change and a checkup.  I was at the appointment by 10 this morning.  All checked out good and I was home by 11:30.  A good feeling that we have a viable vehicle that is road ready if needed for however far the trip is needed.

  After checking in with Dennis I was at the dining room table making out a grocery list for this Thursday and also for this Sunday.  As I drove out of New Ulm I had glanced at the Hy-Vee parking lot.  Bumper to bumper.  I wanted to shop at our local grocery store as I know right where everything is at.  With Dennis behind the wheel our first stop was at Lewis Drug for my prescription of Tramadol.  A one month refill as requested.  The arthritis and I are appreciative of its relief that it can bring.  The allotment is three 50mg tablets per day.  I did not take one before leaving home this morning.  I chose caution when driving out of town.

  Our grocery store was just as busy as New Ulm’s had been in relationship to our population.  I checked my list twice.  My carry-out person, James Mitchell, knows just where to find the cowboy in the little red pickup.  He was already coming back into the store as I was coming out.  His birthday is this Saturday and I gave him a birthday hug.  It took me longer to leave the store as I greeted Dee in the bakery department.  Her husband was taken to the Sleepy Eye memory unit this summer.  Dee is the same age as I am and she was waiting for a hug.  It’s been difficult for her adjusting and taking over the needs of her rural home.  My last stop in the store was Brenda in produce.  Her husband was injured at the Swift plant here in town, lunch meat processing plant.  He is paralyzed from the neck down, a patient in our local hospital, awaiting a second hopeful surgery in Mankato.  Dennis people watches as he knows I will be making my rounds inside the store before I get to the little red pickup for a ride home.

  Dennis and I are going to the newly re-opened Home Town Cafe for supper.  A new owner with a new menu.  It needs the communities support.

  Dennis and I are having a thankful week.

  With that I will take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:12 pm on November 23, 2025 Permalink  

  The Sun 

  The bright sun on this mid-November Sunday sets the pace of the day.

  I did putz around in the studio until noon.  I always enjoy listening to the church radio on KNUJ.  As I putzed I did get the last of the eight little pillows stuffed and sealed.  I can no longer do the fine stitching to enclose the batting into said pillows.  I knew some sewists filled the pillows by cutting a slit into the backing fabric and after filled to their desire would then either by sewing or gluing an attractive patch onto the backing.

  I have found that leaving the opening to the bottom of each project works for me.  After front and back are sewn together, I press the seam allowance with steam.  The pillows are then filled.  The pressed seam allowance presents itself for gluing along the pressed edge with the slightest amount of glue using a toothpick.  My quilting clips have very sharp needle edges to clamp a 1/16th of the front to the backing.  It is quick drying and permanent.  I find this finish to satisfy a clean tidy closure.

  The trim that I ordered on, I think yesterday, from Amazon was delivered this noon.  That will be the rest of the story.  I know at one time Kevin ordered a lamp for me and let me know it would be coming.  When I called him to let him know it was here, he couldn’t believe it as he had ordered it the day before.  Sometimes the quick delivery is astonishing.

  At noon with light jackets we did what may be the last of the sweeps of our backyard to pick up some sticks that had found their way downward.  They were dead before they hit the ground.  Dennis made a small fire in the fire ring and short order was made of them.  I have thought it before, but I do think that is the last time for 2025 yard work.

  My cousin Mark Wendlandt called yesterday for a visit.  Nothing but a heartfelt visit . . . it was a good visit.  Carrie and Mark are very close in age.  He is my youngest cousin.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:24 pm on November 22, 2025 Permalink  

  Saturday the 22nd 

  The sun is extremely bright.  As I am working on this posting, I am sitting under a cardboard type umbrella so I may see my laptop screen.  As it’s just about three, I don’t have long before the sun has an angle to the southwest of my bedroom porch windows.

  I am on a roll in the studio.  Ten years or so ago when I got my sewing machine I was enthralled what could be obtained to embroider.  Some designs I purchased and had never stitched.

  What I am doing in the studio is stitching out one of those collections that have been waiting for ten years.  It is a series of eight depicting the Christmas story.  All of the designs are about 4″ x 4″.   My next trip was to my tote that had the blue hues.  At the bottom was a yardage I had bought many more than ten years ago.  It resembles a lightweight denim with gold metallic threads running through it. I know it was purchased in St. Cloud in the fabric shop behind the mall.  At the time it was being cut off of the clearance bolt, I was asked what I was going to do with it.  Hmm.

  This week I knew exactly what I would be using a portion of it for.  I am making eight little pillows out of the denim like fabric.  The majority of the designs are done using gold metallic thread, the remainder is stitched with a gold  rayon blend thread.  As of this afternoon I have six of them stitched, made into a pillow with the adequate stuffing.  It has been a busy week in the studio.

  As I was stuffing them I began taking in what I had in the studio for them to find a home in.  What had been housing Carrie’s Barbie dolls, a wicker type of purse/picnic tote is now home for the Christmas pillows.  The Barbie dolls are now housed in a shoe box and labeled.

  I am going to put gold trim around them.  I had the perfect trim . . . all six inches of it  With the trim in front of me, I found the identical trim on Amazon.  December 5th, I will be doing the finish on these pillows.  Mission completion.  I am thrilled, content and happy.

  On a sad note, Dennis seldom inquires about the studio work.  When I could go on and on about it, I see the glazed look that takes over.  That’s alright.  I am not doing this for anyone else but myself.  Inquisitive minds, make for curious minds and all that equals a healthy mind. 

  With that I will take my leave.♥