Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:27 pm on September 3, 2025 Permalink  

  Oh What a Day 

  Overcast with a breeze.

  I may have gotten a late start, aka: 10:30.  I had heard Dennis get up, do his usual and then when the backdoor closed, I knew he was on schedule.  I closed by eyes and that is the rest of the story.

  Now at mid afternoon, I have met my agenda that had been laid out for this Wednesday. 

  The laundry is spewing out its second load for the day.  First load is folded and tucked away.  When I had made a pork roast in the crockpot a few days ago, I diced up the remaining for two containers.  I had saved the wonderful juice and that had been poured over the top and they both went into the freezer.

  I realized I had not done an oven meal during the less than comfortable weeks so as to not heat up the kitchen.  One container came out of the freezer.  Two cups of uncooked pasta soon became cooked for the bed of the oven dish.  A bag of steamable brussel sprouts got steamed.  When they were done, I gently opened the bag so it would lie flat and commenced cutting them up a with a pair of kitchen shears.  So now then there, we were on our way to completion.  The pork with its wonderful juices and a jar of Alfredo were folded over the contents of the little round blue speckled roaster.  Other than an added covering of ground black pepper, the oven meal in on its way for a 4:15 met up with the 350 degree oven.

  By the time the oven meal is about to be put on the table, the pan of six cinnamon frozen rolls should be ready for the oven.  The biggest challenge with them is getting that sheet of cling free covered with Pam over the frozen rolls.  That covering allows the yeast to make a snug warm environment for baking.

  Dennis has volunteered dish-washing duty.  I sure do appreciate that.  It’s all about the barter system:  hot food on the table in exchange for tidy kitchen cabinets.

  Oh what a day.

  I think I will set my alarm tonight, just in case, for tomorrow we are both meeting our new primary doctor here in our clinic.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:59 pm on September 2, 2025 Permalink  

  Makes Sense 

  Some time back, Kevin had sent me a link to a chiropractor on YouTube.  It was several exercises to do for ringing within the ear.  It did and does help.  I saved that link and when something new pops up, I get a notification.

  Sometime back the notification was about pain, in general, that a body may experience.  It made sense to the point that I realized why I don’t sit a lot during the day hours or nap during the day.  Our wonderful brain is responsible for the pain alerts.  Keeping my brain busy with my projects or my curiosity over-rides the pain alerts.

  My walking gate is still clumsy throughout the day.  My shoulders and hands often don’t play well with me,  I just don’t pay much attention to the discomfort, aka: pain while I am in the troughs of what my day or days require.  My brain is amazing and it gets me through a whole bunch of tendons and muscles wanting me to sit down and give in.  Dennis often urges me to sit down and take it easy and rest.  My response usually is that I would rather keep moving and keep the resting for when I go to bed at night.  I do get a night of rest the majority of the time.  It is only the restless leg syndrome that will pop up occasionally that gets me back up out of bed for walking it off.

  I have many times thought to myself that my body doesn’t lie to me if something is askew.  Knowing full well what the “askew” is all about, I revert to working with my brain to maintain what I have going for myself.  One very busy and thus content person taking each day as it comes.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:13 pm on September 1, 2025 Permalink  

  Stauffer Alert 

  It isn’t often that Snuggles does the disappearing act.  Last night was one of those occasions.  Dennis went to the back door often and called and called.  Dennis then went into the patio porch and called for Snuggles.  Every time Dennis would call out, Harriet would give a sorrowful “meow.”

  It is now mid-day and Dennis and Harriet are still waiting for Snuggles.  When the kitties have free-range to come in and out of the patio porch at will, who know what may have tempted Snuggles.

  I put on all the lights in the studio and got serious about picking up a project that has been in the works for some time.  I say that, as the five counted cross stitch patterns of the Congress of Eagles is going to be incorporated with yardage.  When Megan was here, she gave me good ideas as this is for her fellow.  I never know what I will find in my stashes for the best choice in color or design.  I took down each box to take a look-see as to what yardage may work.  The boxes are labeled: red, blue, gray, black, etc.  Not a taker in the lot.

  I did realize it may be time to put a scrappy quilt top together as there are many pieces of fabric that are less than a half yard.

  My next move was to visit some online contacts for yardage.  The Michaels site came up with what seemed to be the best choice.  Labor Day sale of $3.50 per yard. Michaels is really trying hard to be  similar to the “no more JoAnn’s.”  The one fabric designer that they are going to be carrying came in multiple colors of the same mottled look that may well work.  I have the four colors coming, two yards each, no postage.  I could have driven to the Old Alley Quilt Shop in Sherburn tomorrow.  I know from experience that their yardage generally is $10.99 a yard. 

  I am now in a waiting room.  There was no rush on this particular project.  I think this is the first purchase of yardage for 2025.  When I had done the two-sided tee-shirt quilt for Sadie, I used what I had in my stashes.  I only used half of the Mountain Morning Mist quilt batting.  This project is going to be about 45”x 45″, working just fine for the batting that is remaining.

  We are having a quiet holiday as we wait out the Stauffer Kitty Alert.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:40 pm on August 31, 2025 Permalink  

  Sneaky Bugs 

  When Dennis and I were at the acre doing some weed-whipping, I didn’t realize till much later how many bug bites that been bestowed on me.  And . . . oh how they could itch.  Thank goodness I had a small tube of Cortisone.

  Last week when we dropped off items at Sandy’s in Mankato, I could not believe how many Boxelder bugs were on her home and patio.  As of this afternoon, I did see nary a one here on Stauffer.  Now that is unusual.  I had better not brag about that.

  This afternoon I had a call from Calvin.  He thanked me over and over for the photo album.  We had a wonderful conversation over the next ensuing hour.  It made me feel good that I had taken the time and effort.  How could I not do that for family.  In life, we never truly know what, if any, impact we have from what comes naturally . . . at least to me.   

  After the phone call, I did take the time to see how far Eric, in Saginaw, is from his dad in Cloquet.  Taking side routes, it is about thirteen to fifteen minuets.  Sweet.  I know Eric’s wife has been battling cancer but I did not query that.  Calvin’s youngest son, Jason, does over the road hauling out of his base in Georgia.  Again, I did not query.  Sometime, I will on both counts. 

  This morning before my first cup of coffee, I had our crock pot going.  Inside was a three pound pork butt roast lying on a bed of baby carrots.  I used the last of the hefty marinade that I knifed into the meat.  The top was covered in thick slices of onions.  Now, at mid-day, the aroma is filling the house.

  As I would keep an eye on Dennis, I could see through the window that he has been doing the tidy, tidy in the patio porch.  Tom decided to mow the properties.  With the abundance of rain, it still remains to be needed once a week.  That schedule could shift dramatically with September coming tomorrow. 

  With many emotional feelings fliting in and out on this Sunday, I am doing some stabbing and poking of stitches.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:08 pm on August 30, 2025 Permalink  

  The Weekend Begins 

  The morning of this weekend found me moving slowly.  Where would I have to rush to!  Yesterday late afternoon Dennis and I went to the acre with our trusty weed whip and two charged batteries.  Making tidy around the trees was our objective.  It also gave Dennis an idea of which tree bases needed more of the brush killer.  The grass is thickening up nicely.  Truth to tell: batteries that have been used and charged over and over don’t hold a charge long.  We did make some headway.

  Our main focus for local effort today was grocery shopping and a few errands here in town.  The light-weight tidy cat is sold at the Family dollar.  I had a grocery list made out for Super-Fair.  Dennis driving me to the store is always . . . what am I in for?  Dennis has his places around the community that he checks on whether in our car or his little red pickup.  I get a tour of places I would never think to drive by.

  Our groceries have now been put away.  There is a loaf of Cottage Bread that never ever was as fresh as I thought it should have been.  I am going to whip up what I call French Bread via the oven.  A concoction of milk, whipped eggs, cinnamon and some brown sugar poured over half slices of bread.  350 degrees for 40 minutes.  By that time the bread has soaked up the majority of liquid, making it like a custard.  Mrs. Butterworth will finish it off at the table come supper time.  Easy, peasy.

  I know as this last week was winding down, Dennis didn’t get the fact that I felt fatigued by sifting and sorting, all done in our living room.  I did not engage in explanations.  Going through the better part of eight decades of memories, for me the emotions were heavy.  Being able to relate and relive the dept of by-gone events by looking at and touching photos . . . not easily understood.  I am a very sentimental individual.  I took the task on and I am better for it.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:49 pm on August 29, 2025 Permalink  

  Every Day 

  Every day this week from forenoon to mid afternoon Mediacom is working our area.  

  About the time I think I am going to check on something on the laptop . . . nope.  This week I have finally turned on the television though no service.  With the volume up, I get good notification that we are up and running.   

  Dennis has television connection to the tower north of us.  AJ hooked that up for his grandpa for weeks such as this.

  This afternoon around one, nephew Eric gave me a call and the package had arrived at his home.  Eric went on to say that Saturdays he takes his dad’s week’s worth of junk food and Coke and would also take the album to Calvin.  Good thing schedules are in place.  So much for the balanced meals provided at the assisted living complex. 

  Dennis did run an errand to his cousin Sam’s farm this afternoon.  In all the sifting and sorting going on this week, there were several photos of Sam’s family.  Dennis’ father and Sam’s mother were siblings.  As both Sam and Maria are house-bound, the photos will bring about a lot of chit-chat.  That is always good for the soul.

  I do have a project in the studio that has been way-laid.  First by Megan coming for a sewing day and second by the wide hair I had that started all the sifting and sorting.  Let me tell you . . . it was exhausting making decisions keeping in mind the other people involved in those decisions.  Well anyway, as I’m fliting in and out of the studio, I noticed all is well and awaiting for my return . . . sometime soon.

  One of the last summertime holidays will be here on Monday.  I hope and trust that those that can take the day off do so.  Treat yourselves for all the days of labor that have gone by in 2025.  If you don’t give yourself a break, no one else will step up for you.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:21 pm on August 28, 2025 Permalink  

  Who Knew! 

  Who knew my studio could side-step to be used to prepare packages for mailing.

  I had a photo album to mail to Eric.  Not a box to be had here on Stauffer Avenue.  Grant it the album was an awkward size.  I had thought about this last night while waiting for the sandman to hit.

  This morning with a cup of coffee under my belt, I was ready for action in the studio.  For various projects, I have used foam sheeting.  What had once been a two-sided heat activated foam was now just a nice piece of foam.  I put the album in a plastic bag with several slits in it to allow it to hug the album and . . . I didn’t know if the foam would have residue that would stick onto the outside of the album whose cover was a type of padded vinal.  I wrapped the album in the foam.

  Out came the 3M strapping tape, taking as much air out as possible to secure the foam around said rectangle.  Round and round it went.  The next piece of goodie to use was the freezer paper that is always in its holder.  Just like the guys at butchering time when it was decided what size paper was needed and then . . . snap across the sharp metal on top of the frame for a perfect cut.   Of course, the first piece wasn’t large enough.  I used it as the first layer.  The second cut came out perfect.

  It wasn’t long and I came up from the studio with a very well wrapped attractive package.  It then dawned on me that the UPS Depot was no longer taking outgoing items.  They had farmed that off to the Fleet and Farm Store.  I did call to make sure my memory was serving me.  I made a call and the gal told me that generally the parcels were picked up by three in the afternoon.

  At twelve noon, Dennis and I were on our way to Fleet Farm, five minutes up the street.  The service was great.  The package, weighing almost five pounds was paid for and would be on its way to nephew Eric in Saginaw, Minnesota.  When I got home I sent Eric a photo of the transaction.  I was very surprised that the delivery date on the bottom of the paper stated August 29, 2025.

  Saginaw, I believe is southwest of Duluth, making Eric about 45 minutes or so from Cloquet where his dad is in an assisted living unit.  I know Calvin will have the album sometime this weekend and enjoy a few trips down memory lane.

  I feel relief, knowing that I have had “Mission Completion.”

  With that I will take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:26 pm on August 27, 2025 Permalink  

  Thankful 

  We are taking part in the last week of August 2025.  I am ever so thankful that we do not have breaking news on Stauffer Avenue.  Our home and our community are our places of refuge.

  Dennis looked through the last entries of a photo album I have put together.  There was a huge such album put together when Raymond and Lena celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.  It was done up with padded covers front and back.  Lots of lace sewn within the seams of the white satin covering front and back.  I took the album that had yellowed with age, completely apart and salvaged a perfectly good album.  I will use some of my craft paper to cover the inside of the covers.  There had been no shortage of the use of a glue-gun to put more satin on.

  Over the years I had played around with printing off photos and surprisingly many 8 x 10s.  A re-purposed album feels so much better than either keeping it as it was or throwing it away after the photos had been taken out.  It was a choice that I had made and I feel good about it.  The 8 x 10s have a new home.

  The remaining item to be addressed is sending my nephew Eric, his families memorabilia.  It is one small task remaining for another day.  Our living room has returned to a semblance of normality.

  I am winding down on the sifting and sorting.  It was a huge project that Dennis had opted out.  He liked the end results but not the participation.  It’s kind of like partaking and having your cake and eating it also.  Nuff said.

  Well . . . actually not.  Over many years that somehow have turned to decades I have learned: When I complain I make myself a victim.  I can leave the the situation at the moment or I can change the situation of the moment.  Or . . . I can accept the situation as all else brings no resolve and I am the only one feeling less than.

  I am thankful for each and every task that I take on and can complete it to the best of my abilities.  

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:21 pm on August 26, 2025 Permalink  

  The End 

  Is there really an end when the sifting and sorting begins?  I think not.

  Today, I checked things out and we only have to keep 3-4 years of income tax forms.  Thank you!  We have several cabinets in our living room with drawers.  Yup!  Even drawers no higher than two inches can hold a lot of paper stuff.  A plastic bag next to my chair and one by one items were gone through.  

  Dennis thought all of his items were ready to hand off to his daughter Sandy . . . not so.  More photos that can trace his grandchildren from 0-present day.  Even some photos of his time in Korea.  I was very happy when he took pen in hand and put the date on them . . . 1955.  The photos gave him pause and I am sure along with memories.

  We are both pleased with our endeavors.  Do this sifting and sorting right the first time and it may not have to be repeated.  You now that is not true . . . I know that that is not realistic.

  In between time, I poke and stab a few stitches.  That time allows me to ponder what the next step is going to be and where will it be.  I was always one to keep info manuals when we bought something for possible replacement parts.  That filing cabinet in the studio is the next on my list.  I would bet money that some of the items are no longer on board here at Stauffer Avenue.  I glanced at the cabinet when I took our paperwork from yesterday down to the Harbor Freight storage container on one of the shelves.  When I snapped it shut, I couldn’t look the other way.

  Our dehumidifier has a filter screen mounted on a stainless steel frame.  There has been a lot of fuzz and threads going on in the studio.  Megan’s sewing project alone looked like a hen had been in molt.  All I needed to do was unscrew the panel holding it and take it to the sink to run water over it on the backside to flush off the stuff.  Got that done.  The next was the furnace filter.  I need to make a reminder that I put in the last replacement one.

  My day is closing and I have had a successful one.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:08 pm on August 25, 2025 Permalink  

  Monday the 25th 

  And . . . the week marches on.

  Yesterday I visited the Dollar General.  My quest was two totes of different sizes.  It took me longer to get that job done than I would have ever guessed.  Lots of totes piled up.  Just as many covers lining the shelves.  Now . . . find the correct cover for my two choices.  I do believe I may have scored the only two such couplings that was feasible.   The totes are in the house and more will be done with them on another day.  Got that done.

  Our Monday started out slow . . . perfect.  There was a list that we had left on the corner of the dining-room table yesterday before bedtime.

  We had four errands for this Monday.  Dennis drove and I navigated.  Hey . . . we don’t take our responsibilities lightly.  IBP was the first stop to fill the car with gas and for Dennis to buy a pack of cigarettes.  We have one drop-box off for mailings.  It is really inconvenient as it is on the same parking lot as the eye clinic.  Dennis shucked the VA prescription bill into the drive-up slot dodging patients pulling into the same lot for their eye doctor appointments.

  Our Pioneer bank was the next stop.  As was our fortune, I knew the young gal’s family that waited on us.  It always feels good when I can feel a connection when we need help with our personal business.  It was explained to us that though our will has been notarized, it is not a legal binding document but only used to help family decisions going forward.  Got it!  We also took care of making sure, if something happened to both of us at the same time, family would have access to our joint checking account.  I have heard horror tales that in the case I just mentioned, there were usual bills that could not be taken care of as the joint account closed.

  Our final stop was at the courthouse.  Dennis had the country radio station on and I toddled in.  I always stop in the offices where there are still some old timers working that I had worked with.  It is slim to none.  The tabs for our car needed to be picked up.  I didn’t have long to wait for an opening to be waited on.  No so for the portion of the counter where the employee was speaking Spanish and she had a long, long line of customers waiting.  Dennis put on the new tabs as soon as we got home.

  So that is our day in a nutshell.  Lots was accumulated with good feeling following.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥