Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:04 pm on March 19, 2025 Permalink  

  Bullet Dodged 

  When I came to this morning after my night’s rest, the evergreen right out of my bedroom porch was whipping.  The wind chimes hanging from one of those branches didn’t have a chance to chime, they were clattering.  It took a bit before I was brave enough to look out the windows.  There was not drop one of rain or a single snowflake.  Our area dodged the storm and we were left with high winds.

  I can feel the fact that I had a session of PT yesterday.  Having been worked into a very busy schedule, I felt relief that the target of what was needed had been identified.  Next week I will have two sessions and two additional sessions scheduled for the next week.  Getting into the rotation was the first step.

  At noon we had on the news and south of us, Rochester’s roads were not easily seen.  About that noon news.  We no longer get it from Mankato.  The sister station owned by the same entity delivers Rochester’s news and we are lucky if a dribble is reported from the Mankato area.  So be it.

  I opted to stay on the main floor today.  Alas . . . the studio stayed darkened.  Dennis set up our vacuum and I took care of the floors from one end to the other.  The hose on that vacuum is very long and has its own way of wanting to coil.  I am more apt to go with it and stay on my feet rather than Dennis being taken by surprise and falling over it.  It was also a good opportunity to clean the clothes dryers vent.  The screen catches most of the lint, but the trough that the screen fits into needs some TLC as well.

  After the floors were done and a few extra dust bunnies rooted out, the vacuum went back into storage.  

  I enjoyed the last of the coffee and took in some of the YouTubes that I enjoy following.  I can do a bit of stitching with one eye on the HP screen and taking in a sip of coffee.  A very good way to work through the afternoon.

  There is a marinated pork steak in the round blue-speckled roaster in the oven.  Supper will be stove-top rather than potatoes, green beans and some cranberries.  A very good hot meal for a blustery evening.

  With that I will take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:37 pm on March 18, 2025 Permalink  

  One Down 

  One physical therapy appointment done.  I was assured that help will be forthcoming.  Mike had looked at the records and was amazed how long it had been since I had needed him.  Yup.  Time flies.

  I have four appointments set up for twice a week going forward.  I know there will be better days ahead and Mike assured me I would have as much time as needed.  A five-minute drive is all it takes.

  Now you may ask . . . how did I get into this situation.

  Dennis’ hip broke a few days after his Oct. 2nd birthday.  He got out of bed and snap . . . the deed was done.  We had no idea at that time what was the real issue.  I tried to help and I fell.  I cannot get off the floor by myself.  The left side no longer can be an assist.

  I got off of the floor the same way I did after I had my stroke in 2021.  I butt walked, hitching up one hip and then the other, from the bedroom through the living room and kitchen to our back entry steps.  There were the two banisters with which I needed to get on my feet.  It worked like a charm this time as it had in 2021.  I could get the door unlocked for the EMTs. 

  Dennis is on the mend big time and now it is my time.  This too shall pass as I am in good hands.  I am in excellent hands.

  Life throws a curve every once in awhile and having a life without that happening . . . that’s not the real world.  Just so you know kids . . . I love you both.

  With that I will take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:26 pm on March 17, 2025 Permalink  

  Tempting 

  There was a bit of restless-leg going on with me during the night.  I had gotten up and decided to walk it off with the length of the living room, kitchen and bath.  By two, I felt I could settle in . . . and I must have.

  When I got up at eight I had no bad effects from a shorter night’s worth of rest.  After one cup of coffee while sitting at my HP laptop, I mulled over staying in my robe for the day.  I tried to tell myself that I deserved that.  I had been clocking into the studio with regularity during the last week or so.

  The mulling didn’t last long.  I got dressed, put my phone in a pocket and went to the studio.  All the lights went on and KNUJ was telling me the latest news.  On a morning such as this I force myself to get up and move.  Sitting is not my friend.  It does nothing for my physical wellbeing nor my mental wellbeing.  Stagnation could so easily set in.  Giving in to one day of not moving . . . what could it hurt?  Than a second day and soon it could be the norm.

  I had one large tote that was full of varying sizes of quilt batting.  That got emptied and all of the box pouches found their home within it.  On the cover is a taped on label, “Curry Pouches.”  The quilt batting found a home in a zippered bag.  A large amount of it can be squeezed into a small container.  A smaller picnic-type of a tote is housing the box pouches I made for my family.

  The Filter-Queen vacuum was a life saver for picking up all the snips of cork and tons of thread clippings.  I tuckered myself out and took a noon break.  But . . . I did not shut anything down in the studio as I was planning on returning to do a bit more.  Dennis had been in the patio porch since he had gotten up and my noon break was solo.  So be it.

  I feel good about the state of affairs in the studio.  Everything is geared up to do some embroidering.  Four towels are laid out.  The module is on the serviced and cleaned sewing machine complete with a new needle.  It will be easy to get into the groove.  Not having to start from zero does encourage me.

  For me . . . moving is a good thing.

  Tomorrow is my first PT appointment at 2:15.  The first one is for a meet and greet and where does it hurt type of dialog.  My blog schedule will be a bit later in the afternoons that PT is offered as one session has already been scheduled on the 18th of March at 2:15.  I am hopeful for help.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:32 pm on March 16, 2025 Permalink  

  Mission Completion 

  I am giving myself a high-five, aka: my right hand slapping the left.

  The studio is dark.  KNUJ will need to get along without me for the remainder of the afternoon.

  

  I have completed the “cork phase” in my studio.  The phase was doing a project to use up the scraps of various colors and designs of the cork fabric.  I had no intentions of cutting into the larger pieces that were rolled each within their cellophane bag.  Perhaps another wild hair will prevail in days to come.

  Tomorrow the sewing machine will be cleaned and checked over from top to bottom, inside and out.  No needles were broken during this project.  Oh my gosh . . . all the snippets of threads on the floor.  The handy dandy Filter Queen will be on board.

  Before I had headed to the studio for the final hurrah of the cork, I had put together a tuna oven meal for this evening’s supper.  Ya, ya . . . I know Dennis likes peas with the tuna.  I had none in the freezer.  What I did have was a bag of frozen mixed vegetables.  Why not!  Worst case, the green beans are stacked on the edge of the plate.  The fact that I used Albacore white tuna makes up for the vegetables.  I know I have mentioned this before about tuna.  Star-Kist is like so much mush in the can.  We are worth having a choice grade of tuna for our meal. 

  When I came up from the darkened studio, Dennis had done up all the dishes and the stove top.  Kudos.

  A while back I had used up the Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix.  I did not over-bake.  I had actually put them in the lettuce saver from Tupperware.  The lid is a tight seal with the two little white things snaped up to keep it sealed.  Last week I was going to have a cookie and I dropped it.  It shattered like a piece of fine porcelain.  Way too many cookies for dunking.  I had the individual containers of Mott’s apple sauce in the refrigerator.  I opened one up, enjoying half of it, leaving half of it in its container, and set the container in with the cookies.  Overnight we had soft sugar cookies.  Good job Grammie.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:29 pm on March 15, 2025 Permalink  

  A Day 

  What a difference a day can make.  Yesterday was shirt sleeve weather for some and today brings on the warm clothes to bundle up in.

  Today has been a turning point in the studio.  My sewing table looks like a zipper fest.  The last two of the box pouches have the zippers in ready to finish up another day.  I have been using the scraps of the cork fabric as well.  I have completed three using 7″ zippers and they resemble the finished size of a checkbook.  I have several remaining of the odd-ball size also with zippers sewn in.  The perfect size to zip up something of a stash of no specific heft or size.  My zipper foot of the sewing machine is going into retirement for now.

  I was so sure the awning that goes the width of the front of our home would take off sailing, landing on someone’s vehicle passing by on Stauffer Avenue.  It could really waft with the gusts of wind.  I have no idea if the rain we got early last night amounted to anything.  It sure did thunder.  I do know looking at Jan and Randy’s yard, it is back to having muddy puddles on their gravel yard.  When I had walked over to visit with Jan on Thursday the mud of last week’s snow had dried off.  So many times I am thankful that our drive is concrete.

  This wind has been going on since Thursday.  When I got into the car at the clinic a gust of wind decided to close my car door for me . . . before I had my left leg in.  I am sporting a huge bruise on the inside of my left knee.  I had all I could do to keep the door open long enough to get my leg into the car.  Lesson:  check which way the wind is blowing before I park the car.

  We are tucked in for the weekend.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:16 pm on March 14, 2025 Permalink  

  Howling Wind 

  We have just enough of an air leak around our front door that the wind can be heard howling.  Surprisingly, we still have a few pine cones to come bouncing off of the tall pine tree on the northwest corner of the house.  When they hit the metal awning, it could very well be mistaken for a small bomb.

  I put out some Rhodes frozen cinnamon rolls this morning to thaw.  I got busy in the studio and when I came up, they were begging to be put in the oven.  I wasn’t about to start anything new and forget them in the oven.  I can report that they are out of the oven.  The aroma from them baking was wonderful.

  We talked about what supper’s offering would be.  Dennis decided on a Banquet frozen dinner.  I opted for a bowl of oatmeal.  Two satisfied people.  

  The weekend sounds slushy.  We have no plans on being out and about in it.

  Yesterday I found out that a cousin of mine had passed away.  Sharon was 81.  She was my aunt Gertie’s daughter, and Gertie was never called Gertrude.  One or both of my kids called her Aunt Berdie. 

  Dennis just came in and reported that what he thought would be a brake job on his little red pickup would not be needed.  Following the tip on what was needed to re-set them seems to have done the trick.  After doing a check on the baked rolls, it seems as if three o’clock coffee time would be a good time for a taste.  Why not!  Raymond and Lena always enjoyed an afternoon break such as that.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:13 pm on March 13, 2025 Permalink  

  Good Report 

  My yearly doctor’s visit went well.  Vitals including a good blood pressure reading were all satisfactory.  After the consult of what was realy needed, my doctor said I qualify for physical therapy.   After the first session it will be determined if more sessions would be helpful.  She felt it was either the sciatica or the right hamstring pulled out of the pelvic.  Next Tuesday the 18th of March at 2:15, I have an appointment with Mike Tongsanger.  Over the years, he has worked with me on the knee replacements and the shoulder replacements and a hamstring or two.  I put a lot of faith in him.

  Dennis had company this morning in his patio porch.  A friend of his brother. Roger, has moved back to St. James.  Oh the tales that were most likely spun.

  I have reported all that I had and I look forward to PT doing its thing.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   

   
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  Noreen 2:14 pm on March 12, 2025 Permalink  

  Sunny Hump Day 

  Good news from my endeavors of yesterday’s kitchen duty.  The oven meal passed mustard with a repeat of that coming for this evening’s supper.  We sampled the crab salad for our noon lunch today and that also is deemed good.  A full day in the kitchen pretty much guarantees a day such as this one with only light duty.

  The studio work went well today.  I am down to pairing up some of my colorful zippers from an older stash to see what can be coordinated with smaller pieces of the cork fabric.  Have I gotten tired of the project?  No.  It has felt good to work up what needed to be put into something with a utilitarian use.  Right at the end of one of the church tables is a small quilt project patiently waiting.  Over the years of doing embroidery designs, there are enough extras from various projects to get them kitted up to see what size can be achieved.  I am not venturing into my batting stash as yet.  That step would be fairly far into the project.  I know when nephew Brett took a quilt off of his long-arm, he gave the trimmings to me.  I have a lightweight paper adhesive type of tape to pair up scraps into a usable size. 

  The sun has worked hard and Stauffer Avenue is no longer looking like a huge mud hole.  That may change if we get the weather they are predicting for this weekend.

  Tomorrow I have an appointment with my primary doctor here in St. James at 3:30.  The lab work was completed some time ago and now for . . . the rest of the story.  Our clinic is short of doctors.  I don’t want to miss an appointment and fall through the medical cracks.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:56 pm on March 11, 2025 Permalink  

  Tuesday the 11th 

  This morning, everything seemed to come up roses.  We have chillier weather but the sun shining seems to make up for it.

  I gave myself kitchen duty this morning and forenoon.  Once the washer was doing its thing, I set about making a batch of cold crab salad.  I always add a few extra ingredients.  This time it was minced raw onions and the remainder of the Asiago shredded cheese.  The box of Suddenly Salad has a good amount of herbs in the seasoning packet.  It went into the refrigerator and by tomorrow noon the flavors will all have co-mingled.

  Next on the docket was getting pasta boiled for this evening’s oven meal.  I sauteed the remaining chopped onion and then put them aside.  One pound of 80/20 ground beef was the next item in the fry pan.  While that was browning, I drained the jar of sauerkraut into my cheesecloth.  Taking it up like nap-sack on a pole, I twisted and twisted that bundle of flavor to get as much of the juice out as possible.  Not to worry, there will still be plenty of salty flavor for the blue-speckled roaster.  The ground beef was drained of extra fat and while it was still hot, I stirred in a hefty tablespoon of beef flavored Better than Bullion as I know the ground beef on its own lacks flavor.  All ingredients were waiting for the binder . . . a jar of Ragu Alfredo.  It’s not my favorite brand but it was on sale at $2.49 a jar.  The folding over process of all the ingredients does takes its tole on the Grammie.

  Just as if planned Dennis was on the scene to do the prep dishes.  That fellow knows good eats.  His job is also to top the oven dish with ground pepper.

  I left the kitchen in good hands and went into the studio.  I had three pouches as part of my assembly line.  What I had to do first, which I had forgot to do yesterday, was to clean the cutters.  Not needing to cut the threads after a seam has been sewn may not sound like much but that in conjunction of not having to raise and lower the presser foot or threading the needle saves so much on my hands and arms.  Those three pouches now join the other finished ones on the church tables.  If I return to the studio tomorrow, I have three laid out ready to have zippers put in.  Sweet.

  My great day continues.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:22 pm on March 10, 2025 Permalink  

  Appreciation Day 

  Today was showing appreciation and love to my sewing machine.  My sewing machine is a work-horse.  It has given me so much joy and contentment over the last seven plus years.

  After all the lights and KNUJ were on, it was time to pull out my tool box for the sewing machine.  Nothing sews better than an oiled machine.  Underneath and topside my syringe-looking oil can did its duty.  Tiny threads no larger than the tail on a flea were rousted.  The surgical tweezers got them all.  The dual feed foot got a going over as well.  A tiny screw that can wiggle loose with each stitch the machine takes got a bit of tightening.  The dual feed can be engaged as the feed dogs move to allow motion under the needle, this acts as additional feed dogs right behind the needle to help things move along.  The last thing was to put in a new needle.  Needles are so cheap with tips so small, whatever I am working on deserves for the thread in each stitch to be done to its best.

  I didn’t get much stitching done in the studio.  I do have notations as to what amount of the corks need to be met up with the correct size of zipper.  That alone makes the next visit to the studio enjoyable.

  Last night we enjoyed our usual Sunday night supper of sharing a 12″ tuna sub.  Very tasty and fresh.  This evening, we are having a skillet meal that I am in charge of.  I man the skillet and Dennis takes charge of the dishes afterwards.  Well . . . that’s because I wouldn’t do them correctly.  

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥