Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 4:40 pm on September 9, 2018 Permalink  

  I Think – 

  I think Dennis and I need a brick in our pants.  This wonderful weather is keeping us moving beyond reasonable.  Dennis always takes a nap about an hour after he has been up.  It’s his tradition.  While I await his company, I find busy work.  Today’s busy work was taking on two of the slider doors in the patio porch.  Nothing is as hard on looking through a window when the sun is streaming as  . . . a dirty window.  I managed to get two out of three knocked out before Dennis came outside to see what I was up to.  Of course we sat on the patio and enjoyed the breeze and cooler temperatures.

  I had asked neighbor Jan if we could use their driveway to get our pickup backed close to the north side of our house.  The young fellow at Fleet Farm had loaded our garden dirt for us yesterday.  Today it was our turn to get the back of the pickup unloaded with as little of a walk as necessary.  One of us on of each end of the 40 lb. bag worked out well.  You all know we have had a lot of rain.  These last ten bags at Fleet Farm had been on a pallet outside during all of it.  I dare say they weighed a lot more than 40 lbs.  When I released my end of the bag to have it placed on the pile, there was water draining out of the corners.  We met our objective: the dirt is here, ready to use when the work area dries out a bit.

  

  Multipurpose and not in the way of day-to-day activity.

  Dennis has had an idea for the patio porch for some time.  He had made a run to the lumberyard before the weekend.  Today was the day for some execution of that plan.  Our 12′ x 16′ patio porch seems to end up with less floor space than originally thought of.  We like things handy, but handy compared to cultured needed some attention.  Today with brackets, electric drill and various bits and some of Dennis’ newly acquired lumber we set out to tackle the project.  Two objectives were in place.  The cats needed a way to get down from the rafters when the pickup is out of the garage.  Napping cats could care less if the vehicle a few feet below them is idling and about to move out.  The second objective was to allow for some storage area for items that we use often and want close at hand.  That may include Koi food, shears for cutting plants, Nicholas’ B-B gun and bug spray, etc.  Some of the boards were warped, but I can assure you my bubble on the level was right on.

  The last task was to get Santa tucked into his box and take him to the back garage.  We have a two-wheel trailer in the garage and he is laying down in it and taking a nap until called upon.  That was a great project to get him up and running and getting a clean suit for his nap didn’t hurt either.  With him enjoying the free-for-all in the patio porch, we still have a huge amount of harvest dust complete with the pink corn chaff that finds it’s way into town.  We enjoy coming and going with doors open in the porch.  More than likely, the harvest mess would have loved to settle on the red velvet.

  We have had a great day.  No bleeding, no swearing and a great feeling of satisfaction.  Neighbor Jan came over to see what the noise was all about.  She thought that the cats would have a hay day.  Of course not one cat came out and expressed some curiosity.  Not to worry, in the dead of the night, the felines move about.  It will be interesting to see what takes place in time to come.  It is time to take the brick out of our pants and settle down to decide what is for supper.  Dennis’ thought: a fried egg sandwich.  I second that.

   
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  Noreen 4:25 pm on September 8, 2018 Permalink  

  That was the last straw. We needed to mow the acre today and I had Dennis start my push mower so I could mow the front yard and around the house. As I was finishing up, my eye caught the north side of the house. Admittedly the north side of the house is about 25′ from the neighbor’s driveway and we don’t spend any amount of time in that grass area. What my eye caught was green moss like discoloration on the white siding. We have had a wet summer with very little full sun shining on the north side of the house.

  I finished mowing and the put on old shoes to begin washing off the house. I had a brush that I could telescope the handle to the height I could manage and yet reach the height of the greenery. I set the hose attachment for a sharp spray. When I started spraying water up to the roof line, the muddy rivets of water began to run down the siding. I followed up brushing what needed it with a cleaning solution, followed by rinsing. A bit weary but also feeling satisfied on a good job done.

  This actually all worked out well. In July we had worked on the slope of the yard on the north side of the house in relationship to the foundation for a good run off of water rather than having it pool close to the house. That was less than good dirt. It had a lot of clay in it. With all the rain, we are confident that the dirt mixed with clay has firmed up. Now with the house washing it needs to dry up a bit.

  Dennis was making a run to Fleet Farm and I rode along. As I sat in the pickup waiting, I noticed that their pallets of summer products was getting quite low. I got out and checked. They had 10 bags of garden dirt left. We came home with those 10 bags. In the next days or perhaps weeks, we will be putting this black garden dirt on top of the clay on the north side of the house. This is not a quick half day job for us. The bags were 40 lbs. at the time they were trucked to Fleet Farm, but with them being out in the weather, I think they might weigh a bit more. We have lots of time to get this done. It will need to be put on and raked. You know me: nice and tidy. Dennis wants to try the water activated seed that is put on with a harden house leaving a blanket looking covering. From now until then we will be collecting cardboard boxes to cut apart to protect the foundation of the house from the seed spray landing where it will do no good but make a mess on the concrete.

  Lordy, Lordy, if it is not one thing it is another. It is good to get this stuff done as it is warranted while the weather is nice. The weather was chilly this morning turning out to be a good day for a workout. That chilly morning spurred me on to make a batch of chili. Having a large enough batch to have some in the freezer doesn’t hurt either for a quick meal sometime down the road.

   
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  Noreen 6:34 pm on September 7, 2018 Permalink  

  It has been known for quite some time that Dennis is a cat lover. For myself I can enjoy cats or dogs. Dennis has often remarked that traveling with a dog is not easy. Leaving a dog behind with a handler is not easy. Either way, the dog doesn’t know how to react . . . their world has changed. Now with a cat, a cat is so independent, they really don’t care if the human is around or not as long as the litter box, water dish and food dish remain in place. We have enjoyed vacations away and made sure there is someone to take care of the litter box, water dish and food dish.

  Our patio porch does sport a furnace that services the garage for the pickup and the car. In the winter, the entire area never gets colder than 40 degrees. It took us awhile to realize that the cats would launch themselves off of our vehicles and sleep on the rafters above where the air was warmest. Why fight it? For some time there have been baskets with cushioning above both vehicles.

  It has happened that we have been gone all day to come home and realize that one of the cats had been stranded aloft for the entire day. Today we began to make plans for an exit if and when one of the cats would get stranded above the pickup. One situation at a time. It will be interesting to see how this all works out. I assure you, I will keep you posted. This project was in Dennis’ plans before we got side tracked with the Santa restoration. That was a good thing as it bought me some time to put paper to pencil for more detailed plans before heading to the lumberyard.

  Ah yes . . . life is always interesting here on Stauffer Avenue.

   
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  Noreen 4:09 pm on September 6, 2018 Permalink  

  A Sweet Day 

  The intent of the day was to work with the Santa Clause project and finish it up.  With a huge roll of the 3M 2X Duct Tape I tackled the dressing room for Santa, aka: storage box.  The Santa is 5′ plus his cap pushes the 5’5″.  The box is the original shipping container.  We would be hard pressed to find a substitute.  When all was said and done I had put a huge dent into the roll of tape.  The box had always sat on end.  The bottom of the cover rode on the floor over the decades of the box having been moved and there wasn’t much left of it.  I use a box we had saved and fabricated a new bottom portion of the cover complete with a whole bunch of my tape.  I couldn’t help but put clear tape over the shipping label, saving it for posterity.  I do intend to go online and see if that address still remains.

  I am quite sure that the beard was manufactured with what was known in the 1950s as angel hair.  It didn’t stay on the market for very long as there were multiple concerns that it was virtually fiberglass.  All of the beard had been manipulated into curls and stapled onto a cloth stabilizer.  Some of the beard needed a bit of work as the curls had “done come undone.” At the time of manufacturing there was what appears to be a spray that was applied over the beard containing it. As much as the red velvet had sprung to life after being vacuumed, there wasn’t much that could be done to take away the decades of airborne impurities that had settled on the white.  Oh, by the way . . . on the inside of the belt was a sticker that identified the Santa as a 1959 product.  I left the sticker right where I found it.

  I really had to hunt for my hair dryer.  Since I have had both shoulders replaced, I can’t handle the hair dryer and it was in storage.  We needed the hair dryer to soften the black plastic that the belt was made out of.  Taking it off had been easy, but getting it strung back through the buckle was a bit difficult.  Dennis manned the dryer and it worked as slick as a baby’s butt.

  Here it is supper time.  Santa is stationed for now in the patio porch with his new improved dressing room.  I am sure Dennis will plug him in a time or two before we put him in the box before he comes out for the Christmas season. We did have a great run with this project.  We had plenty of help from time to time and Dennis did get to check his eyelids for cracks several times.  It may take me some time to figure things out but according to Dad, “You don’t have time to do it right the first time, but you have time to do it over.”  Nuff said.

  

   
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  Noreen 6:16 pm on September 5, 2018 Permalink  

  There is no place like home after a day of errands in Mankato. Dennis enjoys his noon luncheons at the VFW for the Korean veterans once a month. It is good for Dennis to visit with fellows from other towns, not just in regard to Korea, but life in general.

  I use that time to bop around and find what I need. I was disappointed. I could not believe that Lowe’s did not have my all time favorite 3M Strapping Tape. It may have had a fancier name, but come on, there was nothing that resembled it for purchasing. I settled on 3M 2x Stronger Duct Tape. I didn’t want to come home empty handed as tomorrow I want to work on Santa’s dressing room, aka: the original storage box. I may still run uptown tomorrow to our hardware store and Fleet and Farm for a look-see about the strapping tape. It is my favorite for secure taping.

  The saving grace was we both got good hair cuts at Great Clips. It never matters which gal we get, they check their cards as to how the previous cut was done and it is a win, win.

  One of our last tops was the Goodwill Store in Mankato. It is the cleanest, nicest store to schmooze through. Dennis likes the polo shirts that have the collar and it must have a breast pocket. Got it! In fact, I found two in his size. I admit we spoil our cats with laundry baskets that are cushioned. I admit that I will spend five dollars on a blanket at Goodwill, cut it in to two and allow their life to be comfortable. I will not do laundry for cats. After multiple shaking out, airing out, I will return to Goodwill and purchase a replacement. That’s just how we roll with the cats.

  The weariness that I feel this evening, I don’t want to do a road trip type date for a long, long time.

   
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  Noreen 3:55 pm on September 4, 2018 Permalink  

  Sure Nuff 

  In 1954 the Sure Nuff Company in Minneapolis must have had an extraordinary business.  We got in on one of the goodies when we got a request on Sunday to come and help Kevin and Kersten lighten the load in their garage that they are working on.  We were assured the box would fit into Dennis’ red pickup.  It did as long as we left the end gate down.  At that time we did not look into the box.  We set the box into the patio porch and that is where I read the label off of the original box as it came from the Sure Nuff Company.  Today Dennis couldn’t take it anymore.  The two miles of rope that the box was tied up with released the contents.  In all his glory, standing tall was Santa Claus in person.  Kevin had mentioned that it was motorized but not so much in today’s time.  

  Dennis’ son-in-law came over this morning and I exited stage left.  I was curious but I also realize when puzzles need to be solved, too many questions can cause a situation.  Dennis came in and gave me the go-ahead that I could come out.  Santa Clause was rotating at the waist and waving with one arm.  I did send photos off of my camera to Kevin and Kersten at various points.  I was remiss by not taking photos with my camera.  Oh right . . . I admit it.  I have no idea how to get photos off of my camera onto my computer, thus very few photos are taken with my camera.  

  
  Tom took his leave when he was assured the motor had been checked and was working.  The clothes had been taken off and now it was my job.  With a soft brush on the vacuum, I began taking off a few layers of dust on the velvet.  Surprising the fabric was in good shape, still vibrant, but fragile.  I did repair one place on the jacket at the neckline where I knew the hair would cover it after all was said and done.  The batting that was pressed cotton, pressed at one time, was taken out around the shoulders.  It literally fell apart.  I substituted new quilt batting.  It was a struggle to get the clothing on as the arm that moved with wiring couldn’t be manipulated to any degree while getting enough fabric for dressing the other arm.  It was a tight struggle without putting too much pressure on the fabric.  As I look at my photo, I see that I need to adjust the belt and the front of the jacket a bit.  My next quest will be working on portions of the beard.  The beard is fiberglass.  I can attest to that as I have some itches on my hands.  The main objective has been met.  Santa twists at the waist and waves with genuine spirit.  None of the four footed observers were impressed.

  Needless to say the laundry I had started earlier was on hold.  As the box is original that will be the next project to make sure Santa has his own dressing room while he is mellowing out.  We do tackle what is presented to us and have a ball doing it.  What happens is that Dennis gets going and before you know it, he has worked me out of a project and is looking for the next task.  This project was amazing to work with, something that is 64 years young with many years yet to put the zing into Christmas.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.

   
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  Noreen 6:06 pm on September 3, 2018 Permalink  

  Neither Rain or Shine 

  Neither rain or shine will hold Dennis down from contacting his “people.”  Dennis had a visitor this late afternoon in his patio porch.  I feel a trip to the lumberyard is forthcoming.  I will hold my breath, bide my words and try to visit the site only when I am invited.  It never gets boring around here.  I kept my head down and stayed in the sewing studio.  I missed out on the 2 inches of rain. 

  Though our town is small, we are quite self-sufficient.  Dennis was in need of a pair of jeans.  Wrangler is the brand of choice as the Shopko brand is lacking for a good fit.  With that being said, you can’t always get the exact size that’s needed.  As long as the waist measurement was correct, I could soon fix the length.  I am not fond of shortening jeans.  The flat-felt seams are a bugger to sew over while maintaining an even hem.  As I got into the project I realized that this was the first heavy denim pair of jeans I have hemmed since getting my new machine.  I took my time and kept the needle coming along the hem line and I’ll be jiggered, the pressure foot walked right over the thick welt of having the denim folded over twice for the hem.  Also amazing was the fact that the length of the stitches remained constant.  I had my foot placed gingerly on the power pad thinking if the needle did break, I wouldn’t have pieces of it flying and then not finding all the parts.  I have celebrated the pleasure of this sewing machine every time I use it . . . but this was the frosting on the cake. 

  So, tomorrow there will be commotion in the patio porch and it will be interesting as to what will transpire.  If Dennis is happy . . . why not!

   
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  Noreen 5:17 pm on September 2, 2018 Permalink  

  Each day comes and before my eyes can focus, I do say a quiet quick prayer of thanks for the night’s rest I have had. These past years the amount of rest I take each night is considerable more than when I was on the W-2 Form routine. Oh well. It’s not the quantity of awake hours, but the quality of them. Dennis is right there with me in enjoying good sleep and a lot of it. He can squeak in a nap during the day . . . that’s not my case.

  I am at the age that exceeded Dad’s by a year and a half. I am happy that I am going about my days much like Dad’s. Up to and including his last day he was busy doing and taking on tasks for others.

  Today was no different for us. I include Dennis in the “us” as he is my sidekick for projects we take on. It started with a text yesterday of inquiry. The texting went back and forth for a time and then an agreement. We have a new project awaiting us in the patio porch as of this afternoon. We can’t get at it right away, but we are on it. For the age of us and for what we take on we have more on our plates than bland food. It’s been a great day and I am sure this week will be just as full and interesting for Dennis and me as the last.

   
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  Noreen 2:35 pm on September 1, 2018 Permalink  

  The Crazy Pattern in Blues 

  I have many pastimes that I enjoy.  The days are never dull.  The first thing I check out is what Dennis’ plans are for the day then I work around them.  Today the tree dump was open so that was a no-brainer.  Out went the last of the plants I had dug out last week as well as multiple branches and twigs that have fallen out of the Maple tree with some fairly brisk winds.  On that note we have put in a call to the tree service that helped us out a week or so ago.  Our huge Maple needs a bit of a manicure. Twice we have been lucky with large branches breaking loose during a wind storm with no damage to our potting shed or patio porch.  It’s time to tidy up a few of the large trunks that are listing towards the buildings.

  

  Five fabrics and the pinwheels go around and around.

  No matter how much the sewing studio is used, it is never as sweet as when I am piecing a quilt top.  The process is very quieting and each piece a precise size to meld to the next.  I had been working on a border for this blue crazy pattern.  Yesterday, I got the opinion of the metro girls: Carrie and Megan.  I am taking their advice and today I will begin cutting out the pieces for the border.  Three different fabrics making four distinct patterns, all cut at a 45 degree angle.  The end result will be a straight edge of all four sides.  It’s a good puzzle.  I am contemplating that the size should fit and cover a full sized mattress easily for the border to be a great drop on each side.  I can enjoy this puzzle as right now there is not a twit of anything that needs to be done outside.  It’s time for both of us to kick back and take the day easier than we deserve.

   
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  Noreen 5:13 pm on August 31, 2018 Permalink
  Tags: Carrie ( 12 ), Megan ( 9 ), Nicholas ( 6 )   

  The beginning of the last long holiday weekend of the summer. Our surprise was a visit from the metro kids. Carrie, Megan and Nicholas spent the afternoon with us. What a treat. Megan had a sewing project that we needed to get nailed down so that when she went to purchase her fabric she would get the proper amount of yardage. It is hard to believe that she will be having her 15th birthday in December. The teachers will have a challenge with Nicholas. What happens between the ears comes so easily to him. Nicholas will be 10 in November and has a kind spirit. The need to compete while participating in sports does not interest him. Right now he is anticipating playing golf next season as he and his dad got quite a few rounds in this late summer. While Megan thrives with ice skating events that she had this summer, Nicholas’ highlight was kayaking on various lakes in their area. This visit will be the last for some time as the school year will be off and running on the 4th of September. It was a great day.