Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 4:55 pm on December 7, 2018 Permalink  

  Hey – I’ve got it Covered 

  

  Regardless of how this looks . . . Hey! I’ve got it covered. I have several items going at one time in the sewing studio. Surprisingly, it’s all coming together. One of my projects is totally new to me. I have a video I am able to play as I go. The video from start to finish on the project is a little over two hours long. I mean, it goes from step one to the finished product at the end of the two hours. I am a bit behind. This was my second full day. Thank the Good Lord for the pause button. Tomorrow is another day. I don’t want to mess up. My hardware for the project came today, perfect timing from Amazon. As luck would have it, I had needles for weight such as denim. I have all the time it will take. All our mailings have been delivered to their intended recipients. In total Dennis ironed out 84 feedsack dishtowels for sets of seven each after I laundered them. Half went to the Curry girls and the other half went to my nieces and niece-in-laws. Not to worry, the sewing machine was oiled and cleaned often in between all the stitching. Yup, Dennis and I have Christmas covered. By the way, Dennis found another Christmas wreath to pop onto the patio porch wall. What an elf!

   
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  Noreen 6:08 pm on December 6, 2018 Permalink  

  Dennis has the Spirit 

  For my part the day really went fast.  I had put out the bulletin that today was sewing studio day.  I had put on the back burner starting a new project . . . today was the day!

  Dennis went about helping out our large shrub on the northwest corner of the house.  The 12″ of snow had literally brought it down to its knees.  When we met up for lunch, I peeked out the living room window.  It had its boughs lifted as if to say “Thank you, thank you!  We bid each other “See ya later” and we parted ways setting suppertime about 5:30.  I never want to take a spurt of energy for a sewing project for granted.

  

  It is definitely beginning to look like Christmas here on Stauffer Avenue. The six foot tall 50-year-old Santa came by way of the Fairfax kids, knowing it wouldn’t stay in the box over the Christmas season if Dennis had his say.

  I knew what I had planned for supper so I pushed the envelope right to the limit at 5:15.  As I made my way up from the basement, what to my wondering eyes did I see through the window of the back door?  Dennis had put up the four foot wreath on the west side of the garage.  That wreath has been hung in the peak of the car garage for quite a few years without being brought out.  I couldn’t believe that the lights were in working order.  Oh course, the ole cowboy was strutting his stuff about the time I was going to congratulate him.  Rightfully so, he should feel good about it.  It has been wonderful seeing him continue to find things to keep busy.  The recliner has been having separation anxiety.   This is going to be a great year end here on Stauffer Avenue.

   

   
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  Noreen 3:35 pm on December 5, 2018 Permalink  

  Winter on Stauffer 

  Not all aspects of snow and winter are bad.  I remember my days when Orlin and I were farming.  The only way to get through some aspects of winter was to make fun out of the work.  Orlin got a kick out of me when I would clean the gutters in the dairy barn.  It was my pride and joy when I had the last carrier loaded with manure and pushed it out of the barn to the huge manure pile in the cow yard. I got to sprinkle lime on the walk way and make everything clean and white . . . for a time.  Hey . . . it got me through the less than glamorous chores.  It also taught me that chores are a necessary portion of the life that we have to enjoy.  Wouldn’t have missed a single day of those farming days.  The memories are and will always be sweet.

  Today, Dennis and I both shopped together for our Christmas present to each other.  We checked out the options in Fleet Farm.  I tried out several.  Dennis tried out several.  Which maneuvered the easiest.  Which choice pushed fairly easily along the aisles.  Some options were heavy.  Some options had wood handles.  We both decided on the one that was easy to handle and lightweight.  It also was easy on the eyes.  WE have a new snow pusher!!  It’s going to replace the older gray one.  I doubt that the old gray one will hit the garbage at this time.  The old one still has some wear left in it . . . as long as the screw that is holding the handle on survives.  Dennis and I will just be able to do a push in tandem down the driveway.  I believe we can’t complain as the gray one was purchased ten years ago.  Just as decades ago, I plan on making fun out of the snow that I am sure is still to come.  The best part is the snow that I push will disappear in time to come, not like the barn chores product that had to be moved again to make room for more.  

  Not all things “winter” are bad.  Last night when I was getting the house ready to be shut down for the night, I couldn’t believe how beautiful the sight was out of the west porch windows.  The street light hit the awning just perfectly to be a backdrop of some of the snow that had become ice sculptures.  Winter has much to offer.  Winter has much to be enjoyed.  I can still see winter through the eyes of the child that still dwells in me.  Priceless.

   
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  Noreen 4:02 pm on December 4, 2018 Permalink  

  Could this day be any grayer or drearier? I know there is a sun somewhere up there. I can report that Dennis and I have no bad side effects from the last several days of playing in the snow. That is a very good thing. At the wonderful age of 82 and 74 it is a good feeling that we can still do for ourselves to maintain our forever home. Doing a bit here and there and not waiting for anything serious does us proud. That is not to say we can be all knowing. Life happens and our hope is that we will take it in stride.

  The group of fellows had a good coffee clutch at McDonald’s this morning. Dennis came home and shared what they had talked about. It’s a good thing for fellows to get together to chat and reminisce. I opted for oatmeal with my morning coffee. I have really gotten into it since the cold weather has hit. A good start of protein and fiber for the day.

  Other than doing a load of laundry and boiling a batch of catheters for myself, I have had a laid back day. I thumbed through a drawer and happened along a batch of memorial leaflets. I went right to my 1960s birthday book and entered in the end time of many people who have been listed in the book, so I wouldn’t forget their birthdays. Friends and family members lost to me but not forgotten. Michael, lost recently, still brings a bevy of tears. Grieving does not have a time frame and neither should it. When the heart hurts it needs to be nurtured.

  I did wander down to the sewing studio. I gave it a once over but passed on digging into anything serious. What came to mind was Proverbs 31:13 – “She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.” I did work willingly with my hands yesterday using the snow rake. We had a team effort going. Gripping the handle repeatedly needs to be honored. I appreciate what those hands willingly have done and do and I need to let them have a break as I have more to ask of them in time to come. Priceless!

   
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  Noreen 4:35 pm on December 3, 2018 Permalink  

  I think we wore each other out today. “Good Lord, Dennis, is there no end to your job jar?” Yesterday was about securing clear doorways and walkways after the snow dump. Today it was about securing the patio porch and garage roofs. The ole cowboy had a plan of action that I needed to follow to the letter of the law. Ya, like that was going to happen without a fight. You’re right, I didn’t fight it. Dennis used the snowblower to clear the front and back patios. It was a good 8 inches deep. I was then going to use the roof rake to pull down snow from the roofs that Dennis would then again blow off of the patio. There was a huge amount on the roofs, and being pro-active was a better plan than having a roof collapse.

  I pulled out the roof rake out of the garage and didn’t think I would ever get to the end of the handle. It was a good 12′ long. In its own right it was not heavy, just clumsy with the 24″ shovel at the end of the handle. I couldn’t get it lifted high enough to get anywhere near a roof let alone rake any snow off of the peak of the roof. I stood on the patio much like a person with a long cane fishing pole with the end of it wobbling like a huge carp I had just caught. Dennis looked at me like “anytime now.” I put the rake on the patio and crossed my arms and patted my shoulders. I could see the light go off in Dennis’ eyes. He forgets that my shoulders don’t do much if it means movement above my shoulder height. It can be easily forgotten as there isn’t much that I haven’t been able to work around with less movement than usual with the titanium shoulders.

  We found a solution. Dennis planted the rake head on the roof and handed me the handle. All I had to do was back up on the patio to the full extend of the handle and then walk forward letting the handle slide up along the edge of the roof . . . the rake head was airborne. With lifting the handle shoulder height, the working end of the rake sank into the snow at just about the peek of the roof. Walking backwards the rake pulled down the snow onto the patio. It worked slick. All I needed to make sure of was to not let the rake head slide totally off the roof. Success! This was doable, as I can’t operate the snowblower. The jerking on the shoulders as the snowblower needs to be manipulated would surely not be a good thing. We needed to work as a well oiled machine and we did. Damn it’s good when a plan comes together.

  It took us quite a while as breaks in the patio porch were warranted. The treat at the end of the job was fried egg sandwiches. Priceless!

   
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  Noreen 2:12 pm on December 2, 2018 Permalink  

  Stauffer Team Nailed it! 

  First thing that is heard in our home is the coffee pot going off at 7:00 a.m.  That sound must be like an alarm for Dennis.  What is more precious than being able to stumble around the house after just getting out of bed while all senses are coming alive.  Because I know this for myself, I stay snug in bed and allow the real Dennis to wake up and get his bearings.  There are, after all, rituals.  When I hear the back door close as Dennis heads to the patio porch with a cup of hot coffee and a breakfast snack in a baggy, that is my cue that I get to stumble around as I become fully awake.

  Much to Dennis’ surprise the walk to the garage was manageable.  The last thing I did before I went to bed last night was to go outside and shovel a path through the snow from the back door of the house to the garage for just this moment for Dennis.  Oh yes!  We had snow.  The news this morning was stating about 8 to 9 inches for St. James.  Unfortunately the path was not as clear as I had left it last night as the snow continued at various times throughout the night.  The most that the ole cowboy in his PJs and slippers had to walk through was several inches.  Very doable.

  Neighbor Randy came and did a bang up job this forenoon on the driveway.  After Dennis and I had oatmeal for breakfast, we suited up to tidy around the doorways.  Where no one had trod, the snow could be moved down to the bare concrete.  It was wet heavy stuff.  Where Randy’s snowblower had worked its magic, it was as hard as a rock and icy.  Dennis worked on clearing a path through to Stauffer Avenue for garbage collection and also to work on clearing the doorway for the pickup that backs out onto Stauffer Avenue.

  I dare say we have had a great workout today.  When I came into the house, I plugged in the Christmas tree and pulled the last bit of breakfast coffee from the pot.  Dennis is in his recliner watching the farm channel and we are off the clock for the remainder of this day.  Priceless.

   
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  Noreen 5:10 pm on December 1, 2018 Permalink  

  True to the forecast: It has dumped quite a bit of snow. First icy drizzle, then beautiful large flakes that when they landed on your jacket you could see each one was different.

  I did push a bit of the snow so traveling from the house to the garage could be done without snow shoes. It is wet. It is heavy. The snow pushing was to get rid of some angst. When websites have designs to sell it is usually a smooth transition. Not so today. Of all the files that the designs could be converted to correctly, the EXP file could not. I must have my Bernina Art Link program open to receive files that are specific to EXP. The EXP file went straight to opening it in a Microsoft Word program. So not going to give a happy ending. I have worked with Amanda, my Bernina gal, in Bird Island, enough to know that from the get-go, there should be a list of the options for the download. My bad. I should have moved right on to an alternate website when the product information was lacking. $5.00 shot right up the butt. Live and learn.

  Dennis and I had our snow removal gear ready by the back door when the long green line of Randy’s John Deere was already on the driveway. Last year when I visited with Jan about “Ready Eddy Randy” she just chuckled. The rest of the story is that Randy loves to play in the snow. We surely wouldn’t want to take that away from him. We’ll be going out a bit later and tidy up around the doorways. I think this snow is going to stay for a bit.

   
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  Noreen 3:10 pm on November 30, 2018 Permalink  

  Thursday evening: “Dennis, what do you have planned for us to do tomorrow?” Picking up branches and sticks before they get covered in the snow that’s coming this weekend. Sure enough. This Friday morning, after we were both awake with coffee under our belts, we did pick up branches and sticks in the backyard. I had not paid much attention as Dennis had. Sitting in his rocker in the patio porch he had a clear view.

  Our neighbor to the south has a burning pit. We can use it as long as we clean up after each time we burn branches. Once Dennis got it going, it felt good with each trip to feel the warmth. Our huge Maple and the neighbor’s huge Oak is bound to let loose some of its weaklings with all the wind we have had in November. It was amazing how long we could keep the fire going. We did take a fair amount off of Randy and Jan’s yard as long a we were at it. A little extra elfing never hurts. It was either do it now or in the spring of the year. There always seems to be plenty to catch up on in the spring with yard work. This was a great plan that Dennis had.

  My observation: Dennis is feeling good going into the end of 2018. His energy level does even surprise himself. I am hoping between the four footed kids in the patio porch and myself we can continue finding ways for him to enjoy the fruits of that energy. No! Jigsaw puzzles aren’t going to cut it. When we needed a shelf to be put up in the bedroom, Dennis got into finding a board and getting it contractor ready. That might be a clue. I do know that with the nephropathy in his hands and fingers, the challenge can be daunting. Each day is different and he takes each day on in a good mood. Knowing what can be accomplished each day is a mystery for all of us. We’re thankful to have each day.

   
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  Noreen 4:01 pm on November 29, 2018 Permalink  

  A Sunny Day Brings Much to Enjoy 

  Waking to full sunshine just speaks to what kind of day it is going to be. We had light snow off and on all yesterday afternoon. The driveway was completely white when I went to bed. This morning the snow glistened in the bright rays of the sun. When I toddled to the bathroom and looked out the east window, Dennis had the leaf blower going on the far east patio. Yup . . . in his PJs and slippers.  Go gettum cowboy!

  A Grammie can’t be rushed in the morning. There are things that need to be attended to right off the bat. After I had my paperwork done in the bathroom, I got on my jeans and flannel shirt, suiting up to help what I knew was Dennis’ intention . . . clearing the remaining patio and the 90′ driveway. After a bit even the electric leaf blower gets heavy.

  When we got done it was about ten in the forenoon.  It  seemed fitting that a bowl of oatmeal was needed. As I poodled around in the kitchen, my mind was right back to the farm in Boon Lake Township.

  It was usually ten in the forenoon when I could come into the house and stay for the morning with my part of the chores having been taken care of.  I am not sure how I managed to keep two wee ones busy in the house while I had helped Orlin with the barn chores . . .  much like what Dennis and I had just finished. Not a real good comparison, but thinking that the 50 years plus in between then and now . . . chores is chores and it rang true. It came to me in a flash: many, many trips back and forth from the barns to the house.

  Channel two had children’s programs for most of the morning. Carrie with puzzles to work on, could be counted on to not venture far from Kevin who was in his playpen, or from the screen soaking up what Mr. Rogers was doing. Kevin couldn’t get out and neither could Carrie lift him out of the play pen.  We couldn’t go wrong with Cheerios as the snack of choice for either of them.  There may even had to be a diaper change in between the the chicken barn chores and the cow barn chores.  It was all taken in stride.  Neither of my two children were ever out of my reach for more than a few minutes at a time.  The best part of the late morning was me shutting off the babysitter, aka: television.  With favorite blankets in hand we headed for a rocking chair that had been Grandma Schafer’s.  Both kids on my lap we read stories.  The chair had been an overstuffed chair that had been made into a rocker.  We had room for the three of us with room to spare for favorite stuffed animals and plenty of books.  Kevin generally had snuggled in so deep, sleep was his worst enemy.  It didn’t matter if he was sleeping, Carrie and I read on until she got squiggly and wanted to play with her dolls.   

  Could all these wonderful warm memories have been decades ago?  They are as fresh as that glistening snow had been on the driveway.  The oatmeal was good that Dennis and I shared.  The snow on the driveway is gone.  My memories are never gone, just resting in the back of my mind ready to spring forward in a heartbeat, keeping me company or flooding in when least expected. I love that.  As I grow older, I know I may be alone once in awhile bit I will never be lonely.

   
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  Noreen 4:30 pm on November 28, 2018 Permalink  

  Snow Removal Time 

  Today was my choice of days to run errands.  Sure enough there was white falling from the sky.  It didn’t really qualify as snowflakes.  It was a very wet sleet that still managed to coat the cement.  Just enough mess to track in.  It didn’t take long, Dennis had the electric leaf blower out taking off the majority of the new.  Unfortunately I had to pick up a prescription for Dennis earlier and had driven the snow down to become a snow pack.   

  

  Yup . . . there is Dennis in his PJs and his garage slippers putting in his time for local effort. Gotta love the ole cowboy.

  Before heading out to the bank and grocery store, I asked Dennis if there was anything that he had to add to the list that I had in my hand.  Dennis had not one thing to add.  Now that is contentment. My goal was to try several different types of apples to bring home.  I have gotten spoiled by the Minnesota grown apples that we got at the apple barn on the way to Mankato.  They closed two days before Thanksgiving.  My first choice is to purchase fruit that is already pared.  Late this fall I opted to having an apple or two on hand each day.  Less cost and just as good for me.  

  Why are Dennis and I so content with not a single need or want to be had?  Our pantry is full of many choices for meals.  Clothing: when you are retired it is optional.  Not so much the wearing of it as the choices that may fill the bill from day to day.  It is not unusual for Dennis, the ole cowboy, to stay in his PJs all day to only change into clean ones for bed time.  Basically it doesn’t matter.  I generally enjoy a cup or two of coffee in my robe and then I have to get clothes on.  Nothing is more annoying than having too much robe fabric that can get in the way when I want to reach for something and end up pulling something over . . . only to make a mess to clean up.  Before I headed to the store there was no needs-analysis warranted. 

  I am still in limbo in the sewing studio.  When Megan finished her large project I did take the sewing machine down to the nubbins for cleaning and oiling, complete with a new needle.  A soft brush can catch a lot of fuzz.  I have several patterns lying on the table but am lacking that burst of “let’s get this going.”  I am waiting for some hardware items from Amazon to try something new.  Time will tell!  I will tell you that hardware may be purchased, fabric will not be purchased.  I have a need to buckle down and use what I have and become creative with it.  It is my personal challenge and I will have fun seeing what I can come up with.  Well . . . then . . . truth to tell, when Kersten’s mom handed off the Singer Serger, there was a second box that included yardage of various amounts and patterns.  Now this next ditty that I am about to share is that the fabric is much like when someone wants to loose weight.  If you share your target goal, it is harder to not stay the course.  I am sharing with you that I will use the fabric I have within our home and enjoy ending with some great finished projects.  So . . . be . . . it!