Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 1:47 pm on April 28, 2024 Permalink  

  Happy Sunday 

  It is a happy, wet and green Sunday.  There is greenery showing itself everywhere.  In fact some of the greenery has a bit of light lime green showing, indicating it is very soaked.

  This was the first of two weeks of the Odin Craft Mill in Ormsby.  It had been three weekends long up until this year.  Over time, people either don’t feel the need to fill their homes with what someone else has created, or their homes are full of items they have no emotional attachment to.

  Yesterday when Dennis’ Sue was here, she sat in Dennis’ recliner.  She mentioned how sad it was that the finish is peeling off.  Several years ago, Kevin fixed up the arm rests with vinyl.  Before Easter, Dennis and I took the Gorilla Duct Tape to it.  I took Sue’s suggestion and I have ordered a fabric cover for the recliner that indicated that this model of covering could be used for it having electric buttons on the right side.  Worse case scenario, it can be washed if soiled or the chair ceases working.  This chair . . . so much for shopping locally.

  Dennis’ cousin Bruce was here this morning at nine, and by then we had two inches of rain.  We have had rain since.

  It may well be an old wives tale . . . but this damp weather is killing my back and hips.  I keep moving from one place to another, not sitting anywhere for long.  No studio for me today.  My electric heater is operational if I stay in one spot.  By moving around working on projects, the heater cannot affect the overall feeling of cold cement.  There are other days coming.

  The shrimp and baked potatoes for supper last night was very tasty.  Dennis had bought 5 lbs. of white Russet potatoes.  Very dense and good for baking.  I put Ranch Dressing on my potato and Dennis had butter.

  It’s still a bit too early to put out the calkboard for tonight’s options.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:52 pm on April 27, 2024 Permalink  

  Busy Day 

  Dennis’ grandson, AJ, came for a Saturday forenoon visit.  Those two fellows never run out of topics to discuss, hash out or solve.  It does Dennis good.

  This noon, we got a call that Dennis’ twins plus Sandy’s Tom, they were in Windom heading this way.  They had been in Sioux Falls where Sandy’s daughter, Chey, won her fight match.  I do not remember what it is called.  The fight encompasses, kicking, wrestling, hitting, etc.

  It is now mid-afternoon and all is quiet on Stauffer.  Sandy and Tom live in Mankato and Sue lives in Silver Bay and will stay over at Sandy’s until Sunday.

  I did get my oven mitt sewn back together.  My first embroidered one and not without a few oops.  My design could be said to be upside down.  I wasn’t too bothered by the placement of it . . . measure, measure.  I am bothered by the speck of sewing machine oil I got on the mitt.  That I might try to get out.  I have three more mitts.  I have several more designs.  What I don’t have is any more Stabil Stick.  Hmm.  I did order it yesterday when I realized what was required to get the job done.  The hand does slip in and allow for the user to grip an object. Considering this was a new venture, the fear of the unknown has been met.

  Tonight for supper we are having cooked shrimp that will be heated through and tossed in butter and a baked potato, sliced with cheese and bacon bites within.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:35 pm on April 26, 2024 Permalink  

  Slosh, Slosh 

  This for sure is more than a drip, drip day.  When the patio has water standing on it, we here on Stauffer Avenue are out of the drought.

  Today is the ultimate challenge in the studio.  How could I not make up some items for Megan and her three friends when they move into their first apartment sometime in May.  The kitchen theme is succulents.  Megan had been growing succulents her entire time in high school.  When she worked at the Mustard Seed Nursery, she would save the petals that fell off of the succulents, take them home and start new plants in a dirt mixture that succulents like.  Once the plants had a good start, she would sell them to classmates.  Sweet.

  This morning, we worked together to put extra bedding up on the shelves that Kevin put in for us in our one and only closet.  Dennis’ arms are stronger than mine.  The kitchen step stool with wide steps was used.  Dennis got up on the second step, so I could hand quilts and such off to him while putting my shoulder against the back of his legs for a secure feeling.  This transpired as Dennis really likes sleeping under the feather/poly filled comforter with the flannel duet encasing it.  He still has the electric mattress pad set at the magic number of 3.  Needless to say, Dennis needs the max of warmth while sleeping.  Both of us appreciate the ease of dressing the bed each morning.  A good flip and all is smooth and ready for the next night.

  Today I deconstructed an oven mitt potholder.  I needed to do that to emborder a succulent design and still allow the user to insert the hand in while using it as the potholder.  As the potholder would not fit into a hoop, I used a stabilizer called Stable Stick.  After the stabilizer is hooped, you use the sharp point of a scissor, score it and tear away, revealing a sticky surface to hold the area to be stitched on.  Success.  The fabric where the design would go, needed to be taut on the sticky surface for the tension of the design to stitch.  You may wonder how I know this?  I tried using pins to hold the fabric surface to a non stick product.  With the fabric not large enough to hoop and tighten to be a taut surface.  No go.  Taut was needed for correct tension stitching.  I wore myself out to the point it was time to surface to our main floor.  For tomorrow, after removing the stabilizer, I have chosen the gray thread that is sitting on the sewing machine to use when I sew the bias tape binding back around the entire pot holder.  Putting it back together might be as large of a challenge as embroidering it was.  Time will tell.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:06 pm on April 25, 2024 Permalink  

  The Fields 

  The farmers are out in full swing before the weekend of promised rains.  

  The strong winds from the southeast has some field dirt winding its way into town.  It makes for a hazy look.

  In our small home, when one item is moved into better utility it guarantees that five other items will also be moved, either going down to the studio, or coming up from the studio.  I am gaining on it.   More importantly I am in this to win it.

  I will say that each day, I hope to hear from my dentist that my bottom appliance has been received and we move onto the four extractions.  Ish!  I hate pain.

  The end of April is soon upon us.  In these first four months I have achieved much.  Some of the achievement was making our work being done smarter and safer rather than harder . . . oh, I have fallen and can’t get up.  I have noticed that Dennis is no longer apprehensive getting on to the zero-turn as he was last year.  Of course it was his idea to have Randy put on the grab bars.  Tee hee.

  Security in my life has always been important.  Many times I had no control over that security.  It warms my heart knowing that within this tiny home, I have physical and financial security at the age that I am.  Thanks be to God.  I have been able to help son’s and daughter’s families when needed without hindering our day-to-day life within this sweet tiny home,  May it be so for a very long time.

  With this I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:10 pm on April 24, 2024 Permalink  

  Ah-Yes 

  Ah-yes, it does tug at my heart strings, when I see what happens to Dennis.  The heart and mind is willing, but the body says . . . not today.

  Dennis realized today that his reflects are not quick enough to use the propane brush burner.  I respect him so much for finding where Jeff lives here in town to ask for his help.  When Dennis came in for lunch, he commented to me, crossing the bridge that has kept his son and him apart was really painless.

  When Jeff had his three-wheel bike’s battery charged up he came over.  It was definitely not the same Jeff of three years ago.  Sweet.

  When Jeff came into the house, he voluntarily shared that drinking was no longer in his life. 

  Right now father and son are in the patio porch watching a war documentary.  Sweet.

  I, on the other hand realized yesterday, I was lacking a flat service out in my bedroom porch to lay something down on either for stitching or for a flat service that would not allow items to slide to the floor.  My homemade slanted stand was perfect for reading and for having my stitching pattern on. 

  Down to the studio I went after supper, while Dennis was in the patio porch.  Up came my very first sewing machine table of 1968.  The middle of the top pushed apart to allow my Sears sewing machine to sit in the recessed area, making it level with the remaining top.   I got it upstairs and into my bedroom porch and there, I called it a day.  It is 28″ H x 43″ L x 18″ D.  When there is an emotional attachment to an item and stored, it finds its way into everyday service.  Ah-yes!

  It fits right up to the south window length-wise and allows my slanted set-up to work perfectly to its right that is under the west window.

  Of course today I was and am busy making adjustments.  When all will be said and done . . . mission completion.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:48 pm on April 23, 2024 Permalink  

  Overnight 

  Overnight the tree tops have taken on the lime green color.  That tells me that there will be a whole bunch of pollen in the air.  Actually a pollen warning came up on the task-bar that shows the temperature information. 

  I have a few yellow beauties blooming under the Lilacs amid the Hosta.  They are more forthcoming right now than what the Hosta are showing.  I plan on letting them have their hay-day.  I will keep my size 8.5 out of the area.  Once the tips of the Hosta are stepped on, the showing of the plant has been blemished before it had half a chance.

  Last night for supper I fixed chicken titties in my all time favorite coating mix.  With that we had green beans and a side dish of Stove Top Stuffing.  I had not fixed a box of that for a very long time.  I get it extra tasty by putting in the double amount of butter.  Yum.

  Dennis is chomping at the bit to try out his propane brush killer.  Ants in the pants for sure.  Each day when the neighbor’s flag is billowing, he knows he will have to find other mischief.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:22 pm on April 22, 2024 Permalink  

  Hang On 

  Yesterday the wind from the north took the mowed grass far, far away.

  Today the wind from the south decided to outdo the north wind.  The mail slot has been banging non stop.

  I spent some time going through a small purple tote on the top shelf in the studio.  Inside was a treasure trove of stitching fabric.  At one time, Lena had done some counted cross stitch.  Her stash even held several needles.  I have picked up the craft while in my bedroom porch perched upon my cherry red chair.  The craft is slow going and very soothing.  Today I spent time labeling the pieces of fabric by the number of stitches per inch.  The range went from 14 stitches, 16 stitches, 18 stitches, 25 stitches and one at 32 stitches.  If two threads worked over two of the 32 count, it will work out finished as the 16 count.  I have an idea that some of these pieces were Carrie’s and may well have contributed to the little purple tote stash.  Carrie did counted cross stitch when first she moved to the metro for school and later on with employment.

  When the kids were here for Easter, Kersten was indoctrinated into Dennis’ television watching . . . crime shows depicting real events, with names changed to protect the innocent.  I spend our evenings doing stitching in my bedroom porch, listening to the drama.  Needless to say, I won’t be running out of resources.

  I know Lena had her sewing room in an extra south-facing bedroom.  Lena did not man her sewing machine after the supper time.  I take that same time frame.  Lena crocheted during the evening hours when her and Raymond each sat in their recliners.

  Hmm.  The thread and fuzz does not fall far from the tree.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:58 pm on April 21, 2024 Permalink  

  The Sun 

  The sun has heat.  The sun has the ability to promote yard work.

  Dennis was able to get on the zero-turn with no problems.  The two grab bars were worth the $200.00.  Our acre here around our homestead did need a mowing.  It came up in clumps here and there.  It will be able to take off with a more even growth.  The mowing was with a dirt storm that ensued.  First mowing of the season under the belt.  The blue barn acre for a time in the coming week.  

  We had purchased several pump up gallon sprayers at Harbor Freight.  One is labeled bugs and the other is labeled weeds.  This afternoon I may have sacrificed several Russian Sage perennials.  There was an infestation of Night Shade among the flowers.  That is such a nasty weed.  The roots crawl under the dirt like quack.  If need be, I might have to do some digging to get rid of it.

  Several times over the years we have talked about our flatware in the kitchen drawer.  The forks were always the main topic.  Spearing a well-cooked Brussels sprout would be out of the question.  No can do.  In between time this afternoon the flatware drawer has been cleaned out.  Sifting and sorting what will be kept and what will be no more.  In yesterday’s mail, a service for eight of Onida flatware came to our front deck.  When I ordered it, I chose the widest fork handles available.  We had such a mod-podge in that drawer.  I ordered the set of forks, knives and spoons.  The favorite serving pieces will be returning to the drawer with several of those extras being retired.  I have an emotional attachment to several serving old-time pieces.

  Sometimes we look at what we have for our daily living without actually seeing it.

  The new week is tomorrow and we have no appointments.  Sweet.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:19 pm on April 20, 2024 Permalink  

  House Bound 

  The wind and 45 degrees have decided for me that today I am house bound.

  I do have quite a lot of stitches to pick out.  I sat at the dining room table for the better part of the morning.  When Dennis came in at noon, he shook his head.  He felt no one would blame me if the placemat hit the circular file.  It may come to that.  If I work on it, either the eyes or the hands will tell me to pack it in for the day.  I felt one day of picking threads is not a fair test as yet.

  Next week there may be lawnmowers humming in the neighborhood.  The cool temps and the rain has really brought out the green.

  This is a slow day on Stauffer Avenue.  I am not complaining . . . just commenting.

  My picking utensils are at rest.  I am heading to my cherry red chair in my bedroom porch.  It might feel good to put in a couple of stitches, rather than the picking thing.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:13 pm on April 19, 2024 Permalink  

  Chilly 

  Chilly is the word of the day.  That may hold true for another day yet to come.

  Keeping the back door cleaned off with the leaf blower is a challenge.  All of the maple buds seem to nest right up to the back door with this wind.  They track in and leave a smear here and there.  The leaf blower is resting by the back door.

  With every endeavor there is room for failure.  I was motoring right along with Megan’s placemats, using succulent designs.  Hmm, that didn’t sound right.  I cut the threads and took the hoop off of the embroidery module.  Oh my gosh.  It looked like the back of the hoop was growing teddy bears.  I can’t imagine how many yards of thread were balling up with no real hint.  Hello!  Am I deaf?  I did say it didn’t sound right.  This was the sixth of the placemats I had ordered.  It was sold as a pack of six.  I do not throw things away without a fight.  I have time.  I have energy. I have a seam ripper. I have a tweezer.  My all time favorite . . . time will tell.  A little bit each day.  

  Five placemats out of six stitched out perfectly.  No way will I throw in the towel.  What will ensue will be chalked-up as a patience builder.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥