Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:08 pm on June 26, 2023 Permalink  

  What a Day 

  Enjoying breakfast coffee on the front deck seemed like the perfect way to start a week.  Granted, it was cool, but I sure didn’t mind.

  My first order of business was to take all extra, foot orientated, medical supplies off of the first floor of our home.  Right now it is all sitting in the middle of the walk-way on the basement floor.  Dennis thinks we may need some of it again in the future.  My thinking is that there must be a place to donate it to.  If we do have a medical need, Medicare and insurance would supply us with the appropriate supplies for the need.  I will think on it as it is not in my way.

  Today was a full day of stitching.  My ole cowboy kept me supplied with coffee.  In turn, I instructed him with a few tips on supper prep.  After this short blog posting, all the lights in the studio will be turned off.  Tomorrow when I come back down to the studio, the task on hand with the free-motioned quilting done, will be trimming the quilt from the extra batting and backing.  If the shoulders, arms and hands have recovered, I may sew on the binding.  I am not ruling out getting side tracked.  What a day I have had.

  I hope all have enjoyed the cooler weather.

   
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  Noreen 1:42 pm on June 25, 2023 Permalink  

  A Sunday on Stauffer 

  A content day on Stauffer.  Dennis found his recliner for a forenoon nap.  He had talked himself out yesterday with many of his classmates.  The golf club’s restaurant scored three different class reunions.  Talk about noise.  It became lip reading 101.  Towards the end, getting outside was the best place to visit.

  I did wake during the night to hear thunder and see lightning.  The rain didn’t amount to a hill of beans.

  I took the day to bounce from stitching to reading and back to stitching.  In between, I sat on the front deck and watched traffic.  The sandwiched quilt is coming along nicely with the stitching.  The task of using weights to keep the fabric evenly placed is the challenge.  When the bobbin needed to be refilled, I took the time to clean out fuzz from under the needle plate and put in a new needle.

  We are having pork roast commercials for supper.  The refrig has kept everything chilled, ready for this evening.

  Our coming week is quiet, keeping us right here on Stauffer Avenue.  I have not looked online to see the weather forecast. 

  Catch everyone tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 2:57 pm on June 24, 2023 Permalink  

  Better Air 

  With had having a good shower of rain during the early morning, the air and temps are much better.

  Today we took in Dennis’ 54th class reunion, class of 1954.  It was held at the golf course’s restaurant, which is five miles out of town.  Out of the 105 that were in Dennis’ class of 1954, 67 have since passed away.  There were 17 classmates in attendance today.  The committee will decide if another reunion will be held.  Age does seem to be a factor.

  Dennis and I came home and spent some time on our front deck doing a re-cap.  I knew many of those in attendance and visited at will as did Dennis.  We enjoyed ourselves catching up with some people, some from right here in town, but may not cross paths with them often.

  It is the week of our city’s summer celebration.  The fire department is giving rides for any and for all that want to ride the open vintage fire truck, and of course, ring the bell. 

  This is the type of weather that we have waited for.  Go forth and enjoy.  Dennis and I will be having a great week by spending it here on Stauffer Avenue.

   
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  Noreen 1:18 pm on June 23, 2023 Permalink  

  Alerts for Air Quality 

  Alerts can be given for the air quality, but life does go on for many in their respective jobs.  This July weather in June . . . sucks.

  I usually have KNUJ radio on in the studio.  When I heard a commercial from Chuck Spaeth, I dug my phone out.  It had rang a bell.  I had the oil changed not too long ago and I recalled the cheat sheet that I was given when I left.  Today, I was acting on that one item.  I had googled the “drivetrain” and it took in a whole bunch of stuff.  When I spoke to Nick at the service desk, he looked up our car.  Nick told me he would call back with an estimate.  Hmm.  Sure enough, Nick called back.  It is the power steering pump that has multiple leaks.  The estimate of $780.00 will be covered under my warranty.  The part needs to be ordered.  When Nick calls, I will set up an appointment and get it taken care of.

  Dennis has been checking his eyelids for cracks today.  That was one of Raymond’s favorite sayings.  Yesterday’s heat was tough on the ole cowboy, but dang-nabbit that mowing was going to get done.

  With a good supply of safety pins, I am slowly working away pinning the sandwiched quilt for stability for a time when I do the free motion stitching.

  We have agreed on chopped roast pork sandwiches with Mayo for supper.

  Tomorrow we are to be at the golf supper club at 11:30 a.m. for Dennis’ 69th class reunion.  The all school reunions are held during the Railroad Days celebration week.  We were tickled that it is over the noon hour and not in the evening.  Everyone orders off the menu.  Another good thing. 

  Take care my peeps over the weekend.  There is a chance of rain, but no promises.

   
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  Noreen 2:17 pm on June 22, 2023 Permalink  

  Not a Nice Day 

  For me it was not a nice day and I didn’t even have to do much outside.  Dennis decided to mow and I wanted to help by picking up the downspout around the perimeter of our home.  We have PVC pipes as down spouts.  I couldn’t stand them upright but I did get them off to the side on concrete.

  Dennis finished mowing shortly after twelve noon.  Oh my gosh, I watched from afar.  The dust just rolled.  The rain dances are deemed a failure.  Even if we get rain this weekend, the grass will continue to struggle as the weeds do not.  All I could do was give moral support.

  Yesterday I had picked up a 6.5 lb. shoulder pork roast that I cut in half when we got home.  One half went into the freezer with the other half being put in a gallon sized zip bag. I marinated it overnight with teriyaki sauce.  I flipped the bag over every time I came near the refrigerator.  This morning the roast and the remaining contents of the bag went into our small crockpot with the low setting.  I must say this mid afternoon it has a good aroma.  Giving Dennis ample time to rest and shower, we will have a later supper than usual.  I have a bag of seasoned diced precooked potatoes to go with the roast.  Cranberries will top it all off.

  Having kept an ear out on Dennis and the mower, I headed to the studio this forenoon.  My goal was to get the second quilt top sandwiched.  My weights came in handy to keep everything held down and squared.  I did do some pinning as well.  Having done the first quilt in the same fashion, I now know, I need not do quite as many safety pins on each of the sixteen blocks as I had done prior.

  My prayer and wish for everyone is to take the afternoon heat carefully.  The highest temp often comes in the late afternoon.  Nothing is as important than our wellbeing.  Rest and hydration so the morrow can be taken on.

   
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  Noreen 3:28 pm on June 21, 2023 Permalink  

  Home From the Big Town 

  A swelter of a day.  We had the appointment at the Limb Lab and then it was homeward bound.  There is no place like home.

  As we were driving home, Dennis wanted to know what was on the docket for tomorrow.  When I told him we had nothing until July 3rd to then get the surgical department in Mankato to close his case . . . it was music to his ears. 

  I can certainly do without trips to the big town, for quite awhile.

  This morning when we sat on the front deck it was a shame that we needed to leave.  I have come to the point that if there is something needed other than groceries . . . which is rare, Amazon does me just fine.  But, if we need to go for an appointment, I like to then do the grocery shopping in the big town.  We have spent our nickel getting there, I will save dollars with purchasing groceries.

  A short posting for today.  There is always a tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 1:01 pm on June 20, 2023 Permalink  

  Red Letter Day 

  Can you hear the band playing?  This is a red letter day that we have been waiting for since October of 2021.  This morning at the wound doctor here in St. James, Dan Kern has declared Dennis’ left foot is totally healed.  Oh my gosh!  When Dennis came home he joined me on the front deck for a cup of coffee.  He was grinning from ear to ear.

  As luck would have it, tomorrow we have an appointment at the Limb Lab in Mankato for Dennis to work through the process of new shoes with the orthotics to make up the difference in the size and dimension of the left foot.  All Dan said was to put a cushioned band aid onto the area to prevent any type of rubbing until his new shoes arrive.  Believe me, I will have it cushioned.  When Dennis put on the pair of shoes that he had gotten prior to the last surgery of January 11th of this year at the Limb Lab, the right shoe looks worn out and the left shoe had closet dust on it.

  We will still need to meet with the surgeon’s second in command, Jody, as well as Dr. Renne, the wound doctor in Mankato, that was spear heading the work with Dan here in St. James. 

  Dennis said our picnic basket of wound care supplies that has been sitting on the little green metal chair in a place of prominence in our living room can be retired.  Wonderful!

  I cannot say enough about the wonderful care Dennis has had through this lengthy process.  I cannot say enough about Dennis and his great attitude through this.

  There is nothing more that can be said about the events of this day.

   
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  Noreen 2:52 pm on June 19, 2023 Permalink  

  A Monday with Heat 

  Somewhere, sometime, some people received rain over the weekend.  Us . . . not so much.

  Nothing on the schedule today.  I started laundry and Dennis hit a patch of sandburs north of the front deck with Roundup.  Lesson was learned.  Purchasing a container of Roundup that is meant to be mixed with water is so much better than the type of container that is ready to use via pumping and then spraying.  You can pump the sucker until your arm feels like it will fall off only to end up with a small piddle rather than an arc of spray.

  Dennis was in at noon as the heat and humidity was doing a number on him. 

  I hit the studio at noon and kept the needle going up and down.  Successfully, the first of the two t-shirt quilts is done.  All in all, there was nothing that caused a glitch in the process.  I never stayed at it for long periods of time in the studio and managed to get a book read as well as some YouTube videos.  I will be taking time to clean and oil the sewing machine.  It goes without saying that a new needle will be put in.

  What is sweet is that the second top has already been pieced and sewn together.  The two lengths of the backing has already been sewn together and the binding is also sewn together and pressed ready for that step in the future.  I will do some vacuuming before any more sewing.  If I keep the area tidied, it’s more fun to begin a new project.  It’s kind of like a repair shop, having all the tools in place to start a new job.

  Last night after showers I cleaned and dressed Dennis’ left foot.  From this nurse’s vantage point, the small wound has healed over.  Dennis put on some loose house slippers rather than the heavy boot.  He said it felt strange on his hips to be able to walk more evenly than he has in ever such a long time.  Tomorrow at PT, wound doctor Dan will have the last say.  If Dan has to do some cleaning of the wound to make sure it has healed from the inside to the outside surface, he may suggest that clean dressing needs to go on to the foot every day as well as Dennis continuing to wear the boot.  We are so close, I will do as Dan prescribes.  

  I think our supper is going to be a light one.  Last night after a soup and half sandwich meal, I fixed us an ice cream cone that we enjoyed on the front deck.  Sweet indeed.

   
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  Noreen 3:33 pm on June 18, 2023 Permalink  

  Mixed Weather 

  It sure looked like rain this forenoon, complete with very heavy purple clouds.  Here we are at four and the sun could blind you.  No raindrops whatsoever.

  It was a very busy day for the ole cowboy.  It was a very good thing he had had his phone on the charger overnight.  Dennis’ daughter and granddaughter drove out from Mankato and spent the greater portion of the day here on Stauffer Avenue.  All is well.

  This is a shorty post.  Sometimes you cannot improve upon what has taken place in real time.  

  See you all tomorrow!

   
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  Noreen 1:54 pm on June 17, 2023 Permalink  

  Early to Rise 

  Early to bed and early to rise.  That was me this morning.  I always go to bed at nine, but most days I am still in bed at 7:30.  Six this morning, the birds in the evergreen right outside my bedroom were exceptionally loud.  So be it . . . I got up.  I punched the coffee maker and decided to sit on our front deck whilst the brewing commenced.  Nothing like a cup of rich Folger’s coffee. 

  My dad never drank anything but Folger’s.  At some point, flavored coffee might find its way into the farm house via a gift of well meaning people.  Nope, Raymond would rather drink Folger’s instant coffee than the flavored.

  I had my studio time planned out for today by the time I had turned off all the studio lights yesterday.  It is now mid afternoon and my objectives have been met.  Once I had the rotary cutter ready to go on some orange material for the binding, it was just as easy to cut enough material for the binding of both quilts.  Stitching lengths together was next.  Keeping yards of 2.5″ fabric cut tidy is difficult.  It was a wise choice to go ahead and press it in half and then wind the lengths using a hard covered medium of some sort.  That was the extent of today’s stitching.

  Our plans for the rest of the weekend are on the quiet side.  As early as I was out on our front deck, I could see many were zipping by with campers and boats.  Bless their hearts.  Neither one of those options would trip my trigger.

  I see that Dennis has company in the patio porch.  I will be retiring to my cheery red chair and a good book.  Dennis took out two hamburger patties for supper with leftover beans. Supper is planned.

  Everyone have a great Father’s day.