Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:19 pm on June 17, 2024 Permalink  

  Monday the 17th 

  A light and thunder show at three in the morning that turned into rain for most of the forenoon.

  We were at the Pulmonary Dept. in Mankato at 8:30 this morning.  Dennis uses his CPAP machine faithfully.  Once a year the prescription for the actual machine and the supplies it takes yanks our chain.  From there we had an appointment at the Eastridge MAYO clinic to visit with the sleep doctor.  Dennis is allowed a new machine every five years and the doctor at this clinic is the one that can order it through the Mayo Store on Madison Avenue in Mankato.  There is no guarantee how long it will take to arrive.  So be it.

  There are no other “Dennis Appointments” on the June docket.

  We stopped at Harbor Freight.  After last week I made a suggestion to our ground’s crew captain.  Enough with the five gallon gas container for mowing.  Oh yes, that doesn’t mean it would need to be filled to the top.  Easier said than done.  More was spilled as the five gallon container was more than could be hefted.  Two new two-gallon containers will now be in use.  

  We were home by two this afternoon and dang if it doesn’t look like it could rain.

  What now!  Two days ago I noticed a noise in the house.  It reminded me of the noise our electric fencer made that we would string around the cattle yard.  A bit of a hissing sound.  Guess What?  The noise wasn’t in our house, it is in my ears.  Tinnitus. . . hmm.  I know Orlin suffered with it for years.  Why at this juncture in my days would it become part of my days!  I can think of worse things.  I decided having some music playing is a good distraction.  If Dennis is in the house, there is no question of plenty of noise about.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:32 pm on June 16, 2024 Permalink  

  It’s a Happy Father’s Day 

  For all the folk out there that are mentors for their households . . . Happy Father’s Day!

  I went to sleep last night by a sky full of colorful lightning.  

  When I got up this morning and looked out to the east via the bathroom window, I saw a huge limb had blown off the Maple.  That potting shed has had nine lives for sure.  Nothing damaged.  The huge limb will be taken care either Tuesday or Wednesday by Ryan of Affordable Tree Service.  When Dennis went out to talk to Ryan, he noticed quite a few places where branches had blown down.

  I spent several hours in the studio today.  I am making a batch of pin cushions.  Of course they are not large.  Some are smaller than others.  After having them stitched by hand it is on to the sewing machine.  Sewing around the perimeter needs a 1-2 inch opening left for turning the project inside out.  That takes patience.  I had three to sew and to turn.  I then shut down the studio as the hands and fingers had had enough.

  This evening we will be having and sharing a 12″ tuna from Subway.  Good eating.

  Tomorrow morning we will be in the pulmonary department at the the Mankato hospital.  It is time for Dennis’ yearly prescription renewal for his CPAP supplies that he can then get at the May Store in the old Madison East Mall when needed.  Again, so thankful for insurance.  It is zero co-pay.

  Of course we will need to pick up kitty litter and kitty food.  32 lbs. at Sam’s Club for Meow Mix compared to 18 lbs. at our Fleet Farm.  Eating and pooping . . . what’s new . . . two legged or four legged.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:31 pm on June 15, 2024 Permalink  

  The Rains Came 

  As forecast, the rains came at ten this morning and have continued with gray dark clouds.

  I had originally thought I would be in the studio today . . . not.  

  I slept in, dozing off and on while the birds gave their songs in the evergreen outside my bedroom windows.

  Having an HP laptop in my bedroom porch allows for enjoying several sites on a day-by-day basis.  Checking in on our bank site has become a daily usual.  Too often I have heard of seniors letting something slip in their finances.  Not that Dennis and I have much to check on . . . but check on it I do.

  Today I have enjoyed having a YouTube video on for noise while stitching.  I glance up now and then when something catches my attention. One of my stitching project is quite large and also a challenge.  DMC embroidery floss is made of six individual threads.  Some projects call for three strands, some two strands.  I am working this design fabric of 25 stitches per inch with one thread over one.  I really enjoy working on it.  I don’t stay with it for hours on end.  Thus, having several different project of stitching is a good thing. 

  Leftovers is the meal of the day for supper.  Gotta love that.

  Yesterday I enjoyed helping with the mowing of the yards.  Four years ago on the 14th of June I was finishing the painting of our home’s garage.  A good job done as that paint job has held up quite well.  No more ladder work for me.  Now sitting on a mower . . . I can handle.

  We may very well get the 1-2 inches forecast.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:57 pm on June 14, 2024 Permalink  

  A Friday 

  I had set the alarm for five this morning so Dennis would have time to wake up before picking Jeff up to head to Mankato at 6:15.  I had to get up at 4:15 for a potty break and thought what the heck.  I got the coffee brewing and bid hello to the day.  I never delay a potty break.  Decades ago my bladder perforated.  Out came the bladder and a section of my large intestine became my holding tank.  Hello to self-cathing for all my remaining days.  I would not want anything to jeopardize my holding tank.  When I feel a twinge, I am on my way. 

  By ten this morning, I had bedding laundered and put back on the beds with a chicken oven dish prepared for our evening meal.

  I was just settling in to watch “The Price is Right” when Dennis walked in.  He was sporting his new shoes from the Limb-Lab.  Sweet.  They are tie leather shoes with two zippers on either side of the heal.  Having a tie that feels right with which to hold the foot, the shoes can be slipped into and the zippers pulled up for closures.

  This afternoon Grammie got to mow one of our yards with the zero-turn.  Freedom!  It felt wonderful with a light breeze.  I was zipped up to my ears to way-lay the mosquitoes.  With my helping Dennis as he manned the Sear’s rider, it cut off two hours of his six hours of mowing solo.  The two grab bars that neighbor Randy put on the zero-turn is the ultimate.

  There is a huge Cottonwood tree in the lot north of us.  When we were done mowing you could not tell that we had mowed.  Our yards were totally white.

  Our oven dish is in the oven for a four o’clock supper.  Neither of us had stopped for a noon lunch.

  No stitching or studio time today.  There is talk of rain.  Plenty of time for threads and fuzz.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:44 pm on June 13, 2024 Permalink  

  Never Know 

  You never know if the rain showers are over or not.  Our last heavy one was just past noon.

  Today I finished one of the three hand stitching projects I had going.  The hand stitching is done, but the rest of the story, not so much.  Each of the remaining four of the six pin cushions or small pillows will need to be trundled down to the studio.  A backing fabric will be cut and all pieces will have stabilizer ironed to the back.  The sewing around the perimeter will need a small opening left for the filling.  Some will have crushed walnut shells to fill them and some with fiber fill.  A trim around each of them will deem them finished.

  Yes, I did stock up on crushed walnut shells as well as fiber fill.  When I can get what I need with free postage, it beats spending gas money to fetch it, let alone to find it.

  A quiet day in the patio porch.  Dennis needs to pick up Jeff at 6:30 in the morning heading to Mankato.  They will be expressing fluid from his left side and doing a biopsy.

  As things turned out, Dennis got a call from the Limb-Lab that his new shoes with the orthotics came in.  Dennis will drop Jeff off at the hospital and then go on to his appointment. 

  I have chicken tenders out for supper and Idaho instant potatoes and green beans will round it out.

  I did have an issue with uploading a photo.  Better luck another day.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:50 pm on June 12, 2024 Permalink  

  Several 

  We had several downpours today.  The sun is now out full bore with 84 degrees and humidity building.

  Dennis took his son to Mankato Clinic this morning to meet with an Oncologist.  Dennis stayed in the pickup.  First time of plain speak with any kind of doctor since this situation has developed with Jeff.  The appointment had stated extensive blood work.  Blood work tells no tales, factual from the moment the needle draws the first drop.  Little did they realize I knew the doctor’s notes before they got back to St. James.  

  Jeff came in the house and let it be known that treatment might buy him some extra time, feeling sick every day.  Without treatment he may make it to Christmas.  Apparently the financial advisors were part of today’s visit in regard to cost of treatments/burden to family.  Jeff left it be known, he has no family as he has been homeless.  That right there gave Jeff three stars from me.  Right now Jeff just wanted to go to his apartment and rest.  Friday morning, he needs to be back in Mankato at 7:30 as they need to draw fluid from his abdomen.  This was done just two weeks ago.  His breathing is very labored.  I met Jeff halfway for some plain talk.  No point in dishing out sympathy.  Dennis can’t bring himself to ask Jeff pointed questions.  For whatever the future brings, straight respectful talk Jeff deserves.  I am sure that Dennis will be making the trip with Jeff tomorrow.  Jeff also gave his permission for a biopsy to be taken on Friday.

  Dennis is quiet in his patio porch.  I can see that Snuggles is on Dennis’ chest with his face inches from Dennis’.  Way to go Snuggles, give grandpa some much needed love.

  Not all posts on a blog are cheerful and funny.  Sometimes, life just gives us a smack of reality.

  We may still receive some rain before this day is up.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:00 pm on June 11, 2024 Permalink  

  A Tuesday 

  The first floor of local effort was accomplished. 

  Quite a haul to our recycling bin.  I needed to call the Handi-Medical in Mankato and order my 90-day supply of catheters.  Our kitchen floor needed a Swiffer job followed by a damp mop.  Yesterday I picked up a small American flag to strip over a steel post on the northeast corner of the front deck’s sidewalk.  That’s always been a staple at our home.

  Counted cross stitch fabric can ravel very easily.  I had mentioned some time back, I had a healthy stash of said fabric from a time Carrie and I both stitched.  What I had caught on one of the YouTube channels was a pattern that I then ordered.  One of my emotionally attached items in my studio is a wooden circular box of Grandma Schafer’s.  I have no idea what the original contents had been.  It’s been with me for many decades.

  The pattern I ordered was a six inch wide ribbon of a lower and higher case alphabet interspersed.  The pattern also included a circular round pattern for a cover.  Hello!  The promise of a finished project is on the horizon.  Braided trim will tie everything around and together.

  Out came the Singer Ultralock Surger that Kersten’s grandma had handed down to her mother that was then handed to me.  Super sweet.  Of course it is not the latest model, but I had downloaded the user’s manual.  I may never change the color of the four spools of thread as the threading of it is quite arduous.  Black it is.  Improvisation can be achieved.  

  The pattern is 27.5″ long.  The circumference of Ester’s box is 34.5 “.  At that time, I will improvise some smaller stitch designs to make ends meet. 

  I have had a great afternoon getting this project towards a beginning.  It will be added to the other three projects that are in the works.  It never gets overwhelming if I switch off from one to another.

  I have an interesting bit of information.  At one time at a family get together we talked about jaws that can click while chewing.  As I have been going through the dental process and experienced his 360 degree X-ray, I asked Dr. Pitcher if something had shown up on the X-ray.  Why oh why would I not have suspected it.  Little bones in the jaw are susceptible to arthritis.  I asked him if others can hear that clicking if sitting beside me while I eat.  No.  That clicking noise is so close to the my ear drum . . . it’s just for me.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:00 pm on June 10, 2024 Permalink  

  New Week 

  Stauffer Avenue is off to a new week . . . a good week.

  My check-in with the dentist made a world of difference in how my new bottom plate feels.  As Steve said, you can always take a bit more off of a new plate . . . you just can’t put any back on.

  When I visited with neighbor Jan this morning, she mentioned that Dennis had been busy loading up some iron work.  As I can do longer do the amount of flower gardening as several years ago, it makes me sad to see it ignored.  

  My brother Calvin could make scrolled iron work look like welded child’s play.  He also happened to be Kevin’s Christian sponsor.  Today, the Fairfax team can apply it, work with it in their backyard to their heart’s content. 

  From Fairfax we whipped over to Menard’s in New Ulm.  Dennis is now equipped with several gallons of “Total Vegetation Killer.”

  It will be several days before the ole cowboy tackles vegetation as he needs to heal up from a stumble on our concreter drive last Thursday after a successful day of mowing.  His face is healing well, but the goose egg on his left knee needs a few more days of R&R.

  I am not done sifting and sorting my garden items.  Carrie had bought me a huge iron pot stand for the open area of the petals to hold a flower pot.  I had found a huge heavy glass globe in the store in Mankato called Harpie’s Bizarre.  I didn’t purchase it until the store’s going out of business sale.  The globe and stand are a perfect pair to perhaps grace Carrie’s garden.  I will wait until she is stronger on her feet before broaching the topic.

  When we came home from the day’s road trip we had a late noon lunch.  For the first time since June 3rd, I enjoyed some solid food.  Yes!

  We may do a slower start of the week, but no doubt nothing will go a-miss.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:56 pm on June 9, 2024 Permalink  

  Windchimes 

  We have two old pieces of metal hung in the evergreen on the northwest corner of our home.  Nothing fancy.  On a day such as this, sitting in my bedroom porch, it can very well lull me into total relaxation making me believe it came from a high-end nursery.

  Yesterday, it was the straw that crimped my patience.  My cherry red reading and sewing chair hugs my back to perfection in my bedroom porch.  It was a gently used Bernina chair the Fairfax team had found at Goodwill for Mother’s Day of 2023.  The rollers were a bit stiff.  Dennis took the chair out to the front deck and de-frocked those rollers with a whole bunch of sewing threads and carpet threads.  As I have said this chair is fantastic . . . roller wise . . . not so much.

  At Easter Kevin replaced one of the rollers on my sewing chair in the basement from a five pack from Amazon.  I remember Kevin mentioning that chairs with rollers use pretty much universal rollers.  Dennis helped me pull four of the five rollers off of my sewing and reading chair.  At first I thought, I was too heavy for the chair to roll easily.  When I read the box that contained the four rollers we were going to swap out, the label listed “Up to 1,000 lbs. each.”  Well, well, well.  The swap-out went well and I am amazed in the difference of the chair moving from point A to point B.  The fifth old roller of the cherry red chair is going to have to keep up until such time an Amazon order is placed when the rollers of the chairs at the dining table give out.

  After a nap and a snack, Dennis is off in his little red pickup to see what is happening around town.

  I had boiled eggs, diced onions and mixed in some bought Gerry’s Original potato salad.  Dennis says its my extra touches that make it almost as good as starting from scratch.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:53 pm on June 8, 2024 Permalink  

  A Day 

  This is Saturday and I am calling it a day.

  This morning at ten, we turned ourselves in for pedicures and haircuts.  Five weeks is a bit too long, but Maria had a son’s graduation party last Saturday.  Very special.  There is no way that I could tell which of the two treatments felt better than the other.  Dennis was sure his eyebrows would need curlers.  Too funny.  It is a block of two hours for the two of us.  We’re worth it.

  A bite of noon lunch of pureed apple sauce and peanut butter felt good.  As I was leaving for the grocery store, Jeff road up on his battery-powered three-while bike.  For someone that has not worked a W-2 form job for a decade or longer, he seems to do alright for himself.  He is on medical assistance.  I bid him a good day.  Jeff and his dad can do and have much to visit about . . . or not.

  I couldn’t resist looking a few things up on the internet.  Jeff had had two instances of having fluid taken from his side.  It is called ascites.  Blood vessels not working in the liver weep their fluid into the body cavity.  For sure, not good, not comfortable with shortness of breath.

  Rain during the early morning hours was unexpected.

  For some reason yesterday I thought of my grandpa Christ.  Dennis was sleeping in his recliner and his profile of no teeth in his mouth reminded me of grandpa years ago. 

  Kevin was just about a year old when Grandpa Christ and Grandma Laura stopped in at our Boon Lake farm.  They had found that my parents were not home at their farm and they drove a bit farther.  From Brownton to Stewart along 212 and then 12 miles north, it made for a nice Sunday drive for them.  Grandpa always drove a dark blue Ford sedan.  It didn’t take grandpa very long before he had Kevin in his lap giving gentle bounces.  Carrie was busy sharing her dolly with grandma.  What a sweet visit as we sat on the lawn west of the house.  We had coffee and cookies before they left.  The cookies may have been soft or maybe hard, I knew grandpa would dunk them.  Just as I wish I now had his favorite knife at their round kitchen table during meals.  He had taken his knife to the tool-shop and fabricated a one-of-a-kind utensil.  Possibly as many as six peas or kernels of corn could be scooped up to lay in little divots on the wide blade of the knife.  Grandpa never missed a beat.  I enjoyed many summers with them on the Penn Township farm.  It was with great grandma Christine, Christ and Laura and uncle Jerold and his wife Marion.

  Grandpa Christ died at age 79 a year later, almost to the day on his July 8th birthday.  He died of Prostate cancer.

  Those dang memories . . . just keep getting sweeter.

  With that I take my leave.♥