May 29, Memorial Day, and Sachi’s B.D.

Posted in California, cooking, home stuff by

Our daughter was born on this day. I think it was a Wednesday and it was raining. Grandpa( B’s father) was here for the Dixie Land Jazz Festival in Sacramento. For many years he never missed one. So it was a nice surprise he was here. Being a mom was pretty great for me and I loved it. Of course, I was almost 33 so that might be part of it and we used a fertility drug called Clomid to stimulate ovulation. It worked like a charm and after 2 cycles, we were pregnant. So, I really wanted this baby.

Memorial Day, remembering Philip E Ruminski, killed in Viet Nam, Jan. 7, 1968. My mother never really recovered from the shock and it was a downhill slide till she died 10 years later. Remembering all who gave their lives in all wars for freedom, and democracy.

It’s too bad people like tRump don’t really understand those sacrifices. He had how many deferments?? And being a New Yorker, people like my brother, who couldn’t get a deferment, took his place. Sadly, Philip was only 21 and quite a talented artist.

Well, today is a celebration day for Sachi. I made breakfast of hash browns, eggs, toast with homemade jam, some sausage and, cinnamon rolls. I’m not sure what we’ll do for dinner but tomorrow or Wednesday she and are going to go to the nursery and then out to lunch.

Simple Sunday

Posted in California, cooking, Flylady, home improvement, home stuff, Political things, Uncategorized, Walking by

A nice Sunday walk to wake up the old body!!!!. We get up fairly early 5am or so usually 5:15 and have coffee. Then we go to the park and do 2-4 rounds. Today it was just us and that is always a treat. The Canada Goose families were there too!! The babies are all growing.

Supposedly the kitchen pipe is getting fixed today so that’s a good thing. The next issue is the wood on the foundation is pretty rotted and will need to be replaced. That could be a bigger job than just the pipe. So maybe it’s a good thing the pipe was leaking as we would never have pulled off that siding.

After tidying up I went to the Auburn gym and did weights and treadmill. I was going to go to Safeway as they have corn on sale again but I didn’t feel like it after the gym. Maybe tomorrow. After getting home, I put a chicken in the oven to roast for dinner. I made some coleslaw too.

The yogurt was put in a colander and drained off the whey. So what were 2 quarts of yogurt after draining the whey was one full quart. This method is pretty great and I feel I’ll keep making yogurt this way once a week. I figured out the cost factor to be @ $2.00 for an organic probiotic yogurt quart. The Nancy’s probiotic yogurt I’m using as the starter was $6. So a significant savings.

I moved a few house plants around for summer and probably will need to move some out of the sun room as it gets too hot for them. But since it’s still cooler out, for now their fine.

I’m glad something is happening with the debt ceiling crap but who knows? I’d like to see any of them deal with having to rely on SS to live and then see how fast they do something to change the system. Every Senator and Congress person should be required to live for one month(or more) with $$ xx for one month and see what it’s like. And it should be what the average senior gets which I can’t remember but I think it’s only $1500 or less.

Frugal Friday

Posted in budgeting, cash envelopes, frugalism, Uncategorized, Walking by

Our weather has turned to the cooler side. Actually, the house is quite chilly but I refuse to light a fire. I have some house plants on the wood-burning stove platform so I don’t want to have to remove them to start a fire.

I didn’t walk this morning as I went to the gym yesterday and had on my new gym shoes. Anytime I get new shoes my feet and back take a hit till they adjust. So my legs were sore and my low back. I’m wearing them around the house today to help break them in and adjust.

On the frugal end of things, B is using our free dump pass to take a whole truck load of crap to the dump. Honestly, I don’t know where it comes from. It seems we just took a load and here we are again. Well, this was free so maybe he just loaded everything he could.

The plumbing is still not fixed but B has all the siding off and has access to the pipe so that’s a start. He and son are planning on fixing it this weekend. Fortunately, it’s not a gusher and just a slow leak. But I suppose it will save money doing it himself.

I did the Walmart order and a Trader Joe’s so I’m set with groceries for a few weeks. I came in at @ $200 altogether. I do need to do a Costco trip for coffee etc. but will wait till next week. The week after we’re in Tahoe so I wouldn’t be able to do it then.

I’m still doing cash envelopes for groceries, dining out, misc, Home Depot, and fun money. It seems to be working well and I like to have the cash available. It helps me with my budget and then I’m not debit carding everything.

Next week is my daughters birthday so she will pick where to get dinner. I figure about $100 for all four of us. So not frugal but it’s part of the birthday gift.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in budgets, Gratitude, Walking by

Our weather has been perfect. We sat outside last evening, had a fire, and enjoyed not being chased in by mosquitoes.

The truck’s AC is fixed and we’re picking it up this morning.

My VW’s AC works great and is original to the car ( 2000). I went into town yesterday to drop off the red Fiesta Ware and it was warmish out so I turned on the AC to check it out.

That we had a lovely walk this morning with no one there.

I made homemade yogurt and it came out great. I tried a new method that a You tuber showed with it being made in a ball jar. Heating up the milk to 180 took the longest. Then cooling to 115. Then put it in the oven with the light on. I didn’t think the oven would work but it stayed a nice warm temperature.

I’m thankful our SS came in as next month is a ??? Since that’s our only source of income it could be worrying but I’m not going to worry. It’s out of my control.

Wednesday stuff

Posted in books, bread, California, cooking, meal planning, Uncategorized, Walking by

The plumber called back and was going to come the next day but in the meanwhile B figured out that by taking off the outside paneling he could do it himself as the pipes are right there. I was unhappy about this as I thought the plumber was a plumber for a reason, but I just acquiesced. Humm. I guess we’ll see.

I had a great swim yesterday and the pool was quite nice. I only had to share the lane for the last 10 minutes of my swim.

Today is just a do stuff around the house day and then go to town to drop off the Fiesta ware at the hospice thrift store. they only take donations on Wednesday so I’ve missed quite a few. I made a loaf of sourdough rye(24-hour slow rise in the fridge, I made homemade yogurt using a new-to-me method, and I vacuumed, and washed the kitchen floor. I also need to drop off an Amazon return for my daughter and go to the bank.

Tonight for dinner I have some ground precooked turkey so I thought I make a turkey chili mac. I have all the ingredients so that’s what’s for dinner.

I ordered some peaches from a farm in the valley. I bought two boxes so that should be enough for jam and a couple of pies. It wasn’t cheap but I hope they are delicious.

Tomorrow I plan to go to the gym and drop books at the library.

Another view of the ocean at New Brighton. The stuff you see at the top of the picture is what is left of the concrete ship and pier that used to be out there before the huge storms. To the left of that is where Seacliff was and that is all closed too.

Simple Sunday

Posted in California, camping, Uncategorized by

It’s nice to be home and get things settled after almost a week away. It does take a day or two to get things up to par.

Yesterday B went under the house to check on the leak and said it was a slow leak but probably had been happening for a while. He also discovered there had been a vent in the siding so he opened that up. We’re going to figure out a hatch door on that wall side so the pipes can be reached from there. It should add light and make it easier for the plumber(hopefully) next week.

Today I plan on going to the gym in Auburn and then coming home and doing a few more house chores. I got the Walmart order yesterday so I have the Swiffer dusters. The pollen is pretty bad and everything is covered in yellow.

I did a bunch of batch cooking yesterday too. I did a chili with my canned kidney beans, grilled some chicken for a salad, and made some biscuits. We’ll have the chili tonight with some biscuits. I harvested spinach from the garden and we had a wonderful spinach salad. Nothing beats fresh stuff from your own garden.

On the Arlo, we saw the 3 fox kits and they are cute but mama fox is on the lookout. I hope she moves them soon. I do worry about our 2 outside cats. We try and keep them in at night but sometimes they don’t come around to get let in.

Yesterday, OMG…. after 8 months, AH was back walking his dog. I couldn’t believe it. I think he had some sort of mental breakdown as he didn’t look very healthy. He was there again this morning. He doesn’t really bother me anymore it’s just that his energy is weird and affects the park ambiance( he’s playing music on his phone sans headphones. 😦 Well, maybe he’ll disappear again. This was actually the 2nd time this happened.

Here’s a few pictures of the inside of Rubi. A galley type kitchen and couch and table.

looking out the back of the campspot.

the beach is very long and mostly wide.

Here’s where often look for shell rocks. I’m not sure of the dating but a few million years maybe?? You can see one in the lower right. There’s lots of granite rocks too.

That’s all shells imbedded in the rocks.

Thankful Thursday, Frugal Friday and Saturday sum-up.

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, camping, cooking, LLS, Multiple myeloma, Myeloma, pets, travel by

THANKFUL THURSDAY

  1. I am thankful we had a safe drive home from Capitola and traffic was not too bad at all. We made it home in 4 hours with a stop for gas and something to eat.

2. I am grateful that B does the driving and set up and take down of Rubi.

3. I am thankful the weather was beautiful and we had some lovely days in our camp spot. With the influx of kids, bikes, and loud people, we left a day early and I’m grateful we have the sense to do that and not just say” Oh, we paid for the night, we should stay”. We do not enjoy it when kids are throwing balls in front of the trailer, riding bikes, etc, while their parents are loud with partying.

4. I am very grateful to my daughter for taking care of the house and yard. With the chickens and cats, it can be a lot.

5. I am so incredibly grateful that LLS opened funding for Myeloma and I got my application in. It’s pending, waiting for my doctor to fax his form.

FRUGAL FRIDAY

We spent very little this past week while camping. We didn’t eat out except for Gayles and that was just coffee and a danish. We ate the rest of our meals in camp. We went to the grocery store for a few things and that was it.

If you figure a week almost in Capitola, and we had just the cost of gas and some food, it’s a low budget getaway.

Overall, the budget has been good this month. But some things have caused some alarm. I’ll describe that in Saturday Sum up.

All the monthly bills are done. I’m working on keeping a zero balance in the bank account and it’s right where I want it for now.

It’s a huge savings for me to have my LLS grant since it covers all my insurance costs. I’ll be able to have a look back of 90 days so for reimbursement.

SATURDAY SUM UP

Well, that was the frugal stuff.

The night before we left my son notice some water(moisture) on part of the kitchen foundation. Of course, I freaked out and had B use the giant flashlight to look under there. There was a slow drip from the kitchen water pipe that will need to be fixed. Now part of the problem is our house foundation is not that great and as you go from the back to the kitchen area it gets very small to access. When we had this work done the person had to use a very long something to put those pipes in place. So now we’re facing a difficult challenge of getting a plumber to go under there. B is going to suit up and go in to try and clear some old pilings of dirt. But he isn’t a plumber that can weld the copper pipes. We put a call in to someone while we were in camp and we will try and set up an appt for next week to have him check it out. I tremble to think of this added expense.

The good news is the truck will go in next week to fix the AC and it’s covered by the extended warranty we bought. That expires in August so right in the nick of time.

Today, I’m going to pick up a Walmart order that has some camping stuff( toilet paper, and small propane bottles for the Weber). Plus I need to dust as the pine yellow pollen is coating everything in the house.

While we were gone a red fox chased and almost caught Ciri the cat. It was caught on Arlo and it’s scary to watch. It actually jumped the gate and chased her into the laundry rooms. We’re guessing it has a litter of kits nearby and that’s why it was so aggressive.


Enjoying New Brighton State Beach

Posted in books, California, camping, travel by

We left early Sunday and arrived here around 12:45. The campground has been quite unbusy which seems unusual. The beachside camp spots, which are premium spots, were not all filled. So we’re figuring either people are not showing up or the park service isn’t reserving them as they are close to the cliffs. We drove over to Sea Cliff State Beach and that whole campground and parking for the beach was destroyed in the big storm a month or so ago. That’s when we had reservations here but canceled. That was when the incredible rains we were getting were causing massive flooding in this area.

It’s been foggy in the morning and then sunny in the afternoon. The temperatures are perfect at @ 70. Mornings are pleasant too and not cold at all.

Today we’re driving into Santa Cruz to find the Anytime gym and do some weights. If I can get at least one workout in I’ll feel good about that. So we’ll check it out. We might then go walk the lighthouse trail but I think we’ll wait till we’re done and see how we feel. We don’t need any groceries so we should be good on that front.

This is a view of the spot. It’s one of the nicer ones we’ve had here. Lots of space and was an easy back-in.

We keep our meals simple and I have a menu plan for all days. Breakfast is usually simple like yogurt, fruit, scrambled eggs, and maybe pancakes. Lunch is just sandwiches. Dinner last night was tofu burgers on the Weber and potato salad. Tonight will be salad and pasta of some sort.

I read one book already, The Buy nothing book, that was written by the 2 women that started the whole Buy Nothing groups on Facebook. In our area, we have a Pay it Forward group, which is the same thing. It was an interesting read about changing our perspective on being a giving society instead of consumer one. I think it’s worth a read if your library has it.

Frugal Friday

Posted in California, camping, cooking, meal planning, Uncategorized by

Today we have to go pick up the truck because we leave Sunday for Capitola. The AC isn’t fixed but we will just have to deal with it. It’ll probably be the following Monday after we’re back that we’ll bring it back to the dealer. After the warranty is done (in August) we’ll just take somewhere local as we’ll be paying out of pocket on any repairs.

After that, I’ll go over to the Rec center as that’s just across the freeway, and do a workout. I have books at the library to pick up so I have to wait till 10 am to get them. I put about 12 books on hold. Mostly Louise Penny and Margolin. There may have another random book as well.

Then it’s back home. Most of my weekly chores are done and I need to just get a few things organized in Rubi for camping. New Brighton has Gayles Bakery and a Nob Hill plus Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, etc, so we can go get stuff once we’re there. But I like to have some basics like cream for our coffee and bread to make sandwiches when we get there Sunday afternoon.

B is going to head up to Home Depot to get some posts for more fencing behind the barn. He also needs to go the bank to get a statement that LLS needs that shows the insurance paid. I’m still waiting for funding to open up. It’s been 2 months and no Myeloma funding yet. Last time it was right about the 2 month mark when it reopened. But I’ll need these statements when it does. It’s a big hit when we’re not getting that reimbursed. So hopefully soon. I’m sure plenty of others are waiting too.

Spinach quiche and potatoes from this week’s menu.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, camping, covid-19, Gratitude, Political things, Uncategorized by

Wow, I’m thankful I feel better today after the booster shot knocked me out. It was the Moderna booster whichI hadn’t had before and it felt like the flu or chemo, take your choice. Since I know both, I’m just glad it’s over. One day is plenty. Today I feel back to normal.

I’m thankful to go to the pool today but will take it easy and not overdo my muscles. since we’ll be in New Brighton next week it’ll be another week of not swimming:( We are planning to find an Anytime gym ( which we have the free membership to) and use it twice. It’s in Santa Cruz so it’ll be a good excuse to go walk the Lighthouse trail and find a coffee.

I’m grateful that the truck’s AC will be fixed but it won’t be done till we’re back so driving thru the valley will be hot probably. It is very weird that this is the 2nd time this same issue with the truck has come up. Supposedly they changed the compressor last time but why would it go out in 2 years( usually they don’t go out) that quick. Then the guy said it would take a week to get the part and I’m thinking from where? China? Slow boat?. Who can’t get parts overnight these days? It’s a dealership?? Oh well, I’m grateful it SHOULD be covered in our warranty.

I’m thankful that’s been some justice done to tRump. It probably doesn’t change his base any but at least it’s something. And also that Santos has been indicted. What a dick. Claiming unemployment while paying himself from his Ponzi scheme. What a low life.

I’m grateful the weather is so beautiful right now and next week looks even warmer. Capitola should be lovely.