Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:13 pm on July 20, 2023 Permalink  

  Thursday the 20th 

  Hmm.  They said if we were not included in the rain showers of last night, we would be in for a long spell of warm, hot and dry days.

  Once I had three needles threaded for stitching in my bedroom porch, I headed into the studio.  It does accumulate more than is warranted.  

  My sister-in-law is a registered nurse.  Her mother does not have Blue Cross Blue Shield Senior G0ld insurance as Dennis and I do.  At ninety plus, her mother battles open wounds from bumping into things.  I offered JoAnn whatever medical supplies we had left from the lengthy bout Dennis had had with his left foot.

  Today what was left of supplies I made a first-aid kit for the Fairfax team of usual items that could be used at home or in the shop.  The remainder is in a tote with a cover and handles of what we may put to use.  Got that cleared off the studio floor.  The pair of hard soled shoes and one knee high boot, all with Velcro, is also stored in a basement closet.  Whew, what a good deed done.

  When Dennis went to the eye clinic yesterday, he came home with an appointment card for October 18th of this year.  Yippee!  This morning the VA clinic needed him for an INR blood draw, clotting check.  That was spot on.  The VA is a monthly check.  Being five minutes away and taking another five minutes to completion is no big deal.  Fewer appointments are always favorable.

  Dennis just came in for an afternoon coffee break.  Nephew Brett had been over with a skid loader and pushed as much of the loose brush together on the blue barn acre as possible.  That allowed Dennis to mow a bit more and then he followed up with the weed whip.  The 1.14 acres looks tidy from the Hammond Hwy.  At some time, there are trees that could be cut down as none of them are keepers.

  Tomorrow, the weekend begins.  The month is flying by.

   
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  Noreen 2:08 pm on July 19, 2023 Permalink  

  Wednesday the 19th 

  I have just sent Dennis off to our eye clinic for his macular injection.  It would be great if he could go for two months out for the next appointment as this one had been.  We are liking the fact of fewer medical appointments.

  The ole Grammie was bone weary last night when I crawled to bed at nine.  I didn’t get up during the night as I awoke at nine this morning.  It is now mid afternoon and I am still in my bathrobe.  It feels like I am on holiday.  Hmm.

  Dennis and I did have a recap of yesterday’s visit this noon over a sandwich.  I had not been able to have a catch-up with niece Laura since before she became a mother to a 14 year old son and an 8 year old daughter.  Laura used to be a flighty, giddy young girl.  Not so much anymore.  Laura is solid and a PERA in a school district other than those her children are in.  Laura’s husband is a union electrician and his main job is going on site for new Kwik Trips in Minnesota, working solo.  Kwik Trip is everywhere you look.

  My sister-in-law is a widow on the family farm that has the land rented out.  At 70 she still does not have her fill of antiques.  The granary is now a two bedroom on the second floor with kitchenette, bath and living room on the first floor, furnished in antiques.  There is a full kitchenette in the basement of the farm home where her and Laura had just done 40 quarts of pickles.  I think my mouth fell open when she told me she had made the old milk room of the dairy barn into a she-shed.  WTF!  It all just drove home, how I love our tiny home.  To each their own.  Maybe realizing how free I felt today of being unencumbered of stuff, it felt like a holiday.

  They talked of us having a chance of rain . . . but it sure doesn’t look like it as the day feels quite warm.

  See you tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 3:08 pm on July 18, 2023 Permalink  

  Tuesday with Sun 

  This has been a busy day, actually my second busy day.  I wouldn’t trade either of them for anything.

  Yesterday was huge for me.  A funny thing happened to me on the way to a car repair.  I have driven through Hanska more times than I can remember.  Yesterday I decided to pull into the Main Street and even managed to pull off parallel parking . . . right in front of Johnson’s Furniture Store.  The stars were aligned.  A bit later, when I went on towards New Ulm, I had purchased two matching occasional chairs and would soon see the end of the 25-year-old chair and a half pull-out sleeper.

  Kersten picked me up at Chuck Speath’s and we motored on to McDonald’s for a well-deserved visit.  It was just sweet.  Next time we will need to meet up in Sleepy Eye.

  It was a long day, but all plans had been achieved.  I stopped at Hy-Vee for a few items as Tuesday was going to see family coming from Hutchinson. 

  By the time six p.m. arrived, the sleeper chair was out of our home going on to be of use in our carpenter’s young family’s home.  Bryan did an excellent job on our front deck and having moved into their own home recently, I gave him the option after a look-see.  The thought of an extra bed for a guest filled the bill.  Dennis and I felt good about helping out.

  By eleven this morning, Tuesday, sister-in-law JoAnn, her daughter Laura and Laura’s William and Heighlie were here at Stauffer Avenue.  What a great visit.  Now, at four, the house seems very quiet.

  Dennis did get the blue barn acre mowed with plenty of time to have coffee, lunch and a visit as well.  Dennis mentioned the bright sun felt warmer than the 78 degrees of actual air temp.  With no rain, it is a matter of keeping the weeds cut as the grass is dormant.

  Two very busy days for this Grammie, but so much appreciated.  The cherry red chair and I have some catching up to do.

   
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  Noreen 6:21 pm on July 17, 2023 Permalink  

  Monday 

  Way too much wonderful that was filled with today.  How can I be this weary after such a wonderful.  I am going to write it off as Grammie is tuckered.  I will catch up tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 2:46 pm on July 16, 2023 Permalink  

  Sunday, Sunday 

  No good deed goes unpunished.  Having had a light supper last night, a dish of vanilla ice cream sounded good at eight last night.

  Wouldn’t you know it!  Four a.m. a bathroom visit was needed.  I went back to bed with eyes wide awake.  The dang birds were tweet tweeting to high heaven.  I got up and sat on the front deck and took in a fair amount of traffic watching.  Dennis got up at his usual time, six, and I greeted him with “Good Morning.”  I was sitting in my rocking chair.  He was surprised that I was up.  Once I could smell the coffee, I knew I was up for the day.  When the coffee was done, we both sat on the front deck with that freshly brewed black stuff.  Dennis, then with his breakfast box under his arm and his thermos type of coffee cup headed to the patio porch.

  I went into the studio and got some items together that I had started yesterday.

  By eight Dennis was in for a nap and I put a jacket on and went out to the gardens.  The weed that had put out such beautiful purple flowers was now done for the year.  Honey Bunny joined me and we pulled them up by their shallow roots.  Another bundle of greenery awaits drying by Dennis’ burning ring.  I even beat the bumble bees that love the Russian Sage by nabbing a hefty growth of nightshade in one of the corners of their purple blooms.

  With energy spent I came in and settled down to watch some YouTube videos.  My day just kept rolling along.  I now have Dennis’ favorite cold salad cooling in the refrig.  It’s the one with the pasta little rings, diced Spam, diced onion, green peas, diced celery and mayo.  Both Carrie and Kevin like it as well.

  Guess who is going to be in bed earlier than usual tonight, and . . . no ice cream.

  Tomorrow Dennis is going to Mankato to pick up his first pair of specialized shoes since the left foot has totally healed from . . . no toes.

  I am heading to New Ulm in the afternoon tomorrow to have a repair on my car.  Yippee!  It is covered under my warranty.  My favorite daughter-in-law will rescue me from the several hour wait as we go for a soft drink.  Sweet.

   
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  Noreen 1:38 pm on July 15, 2023 Permalink  

  Quiet Day 

  Both of us have stayed in our respective worlds today.  Dennis in the patio porch and me in the studio.

  I moussed around in some stash that I had in the studio for quite some time.  Thinking about what could be done with it before someone else decides for me.  I do have some ideas.  I will share those ideas with someone that may be able to assist.

  I went to the grocer’s at noon.  The air is nasty and it does smell like heat from an electrical source.  Quite a few were wearing face masks.  Wise move for those with vulnerable lungs.

  Our evening meal will be light as neither of us had done a lick of work today.

  Our fair is going on right now and as I drove past after picking up my prescriptions from the Lewis Drug, it looked like a huge crowd with the free admission.

  Catch you all tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 12:54 pm on July 14, 2023 Permalink  

  My Butterfly 

  Celebrations can be for the most minute accomplishments.

  This morning I finished some prototypes in the studio for a family member.  Hush!  It’s a secret.  In due time.

  Each time I looked up and out the studio windows today, I was sure we were going to have rain.  KNUJ mentioned the towns around us that were getting a sprinkle or two . . . but not us.  What they did mentioned about the fires in Canada, was spot on.  It smells a bit like an electrical fire.  Ish!

  These last five days had been fairly full for me.  Dennis’s appointment in Mankato on Monday was a walking marathon for me.  The hospital is expanding by adding several stories to the existing structure.  Each time we go, the parking has been diminished for patients.  Dennis and I both used our walking sticks.  The day was successful, complete with the patio porch kitties having their favorite litter product.  I might order it via Amazon next time or immediately go to Hy-Vee.

  Tuesday’s yearly exam for me was a long day for my shoulders.  The mammogram needs the arms at a certain angle for a good x-ray.  Grin and bare it.  The bone density also had the arms doing what I thought they couldn’t, plus twisting of the back for a good x-ray.  I grinned through it and all reports were done correctly with good reports for me.  Mission accomplished.

  The hair cut yesterday was fantastic.  Dennis and I both went to the gal that does our pedicures.  So long Curry Comb!  Yesterday I came out of Maria’s salon feeling like I had a cut with come styling and not a man’s hair cut, plus an inch or two in length.  Dennis was pleased with his cut as well.  We do have options as to who we spend our money with and not because of family ties.

  With busy days. Today, I feel very relaxed and my body is not hurting.  A day to stay in my own surroundings does make a difference.

  I am sharing my counted cross stitch butterfly.  It has taken me a while, but I find it ever so relaxing.  This is my first new counted cross stitch project since 2002.  The siege of the Santa’s was from 1996 through 2002.  In between time, I did finish several projects I had started.  The light coming into the eight surround windows in my bedroom porch is great.  I don’t stitch for long periods of time.  This does go to show, one threaded needle of floss at a time, headways can be made.

  May the weekend be kind to you as you kick back a bit and do what makes you content.

   
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  Noreen 2:20 pm on July 13, 2023 Permalink  

  Thursday the 13th 

  Man, oh man.  The heat sure came up today in a hurry at noon.

  We had hair cuts here in town this afternoon.  One day the hair feels ok and the next day, its got to go.

  The studio and I are hatching out a plan to work with a family member’s plan.  Nothing for certain and nothing out of the realm of possibilities.  There will be more at a later date.

  This is a short and sweet ditty today.  I came home from the haircut and didn’t really want to tackle much.  That’s what can happen when the earlier part of the week can do me in.

  Catch you tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 2:11 pm on July 12, 2023 Permalink  

  A Charm 

  Yesterday, Dennis drug the garden hose out to the east end of the patio porch to water several shrubs. This morning we received .6 inches of much-needed rain.  Sweet.

  Dennis is always ready to pay it back when I need his help.  Yes . . . I could have managed it, but he wasn’t busy today.  I stayed on the first floor of our home and turned the studio over to Dennis.  My sewing chair had seven or eight years of threads wrapped around the five castors.  He had done such a great job on the cherry red reading and stitching chair’s castors – he had great experience.

  I stayed busy on our first floor by using the wet Swiffers on the bath, kitchen and living room.  Since the 24/7 shoes are no longer needed for Dennis, it was time for getting back to having some clean dirt on the floors once in awhile.

  I had a welcomed letter from my family doctor in regard to all the tests I had done yesterday.  Blood work: mid ranges on all other than chloride was high and bicarbonate was low.  I know that has to do with something similar to levels of acid and alkaline.  Triglycerides, 92 – HDL cholesterol, 69 – LDL cholesterol, 57 – Nothing to be concerned about.  Mammogram:  very similar to last years.  Bone density:  levels of arthritis but nothing needed in line with meds. 

  All in all, this ole Grammie is in good stead.

   
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  Noreen 1:52 pm on July 11, 2023 Permalink  

  It’s Me 

  Yesterday we were released from Dennis’ foot care.

  Today . . . it was all about ME!

  My morning was quiet as I waited for my 10:00 appointment with my family doctor.  It was my annual visit.  I was given a block of time that any and all concerns could be talked about.  Only one med will need to be prescribed in a stronger dose.  Not bad.  August 15th is my next appointment set up by my cardiologist in Mankato to have the heart test done by swallowing a camera.  I will be ready and waiting.

  After the office call, I toddled down to the lab area where the gal was waiting for me to do a mammogram.  If the x-ray shows anything concerning, I will get a call.  Keeping fingers crossed.

  I had never had a bone density test done.  Well . . . why not do it today.  I had no idea what I was in for.  The radiologist pushed and tugged me where I was to be . . . in a very unusual position with my back pushed against a panel that would read images.  The shoulders were not the happiest.  In the next imaging session, I needed to lay flat on my back for a period.  Time will tell.

  As I then walked toward the entrance of the clinic, I joked with the girls “I am now leaving the building.”  “Wait a minute, if you are Noreen Curry, you need to go back to the lab for your blood draw.”  Oops!

  Needless to say it was a long morning that ended at 1:30.  Yippee!  Now to wait for results.

  See most of you tomorrow.