Five on Friday

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, cancer, frugalism, Gratitude, Uncategorized, velcade by

I slept ok last night, but at least it wasn’t the Dex sleep, which is where I sweat. Also, I don’t have the super red Dex face. Plus, I feel fairly normal. So the big question will be how my numbers will respond. 🙁

I have to drop off a return to the post office. It was a pair of sandals I thought my feet would like. No, they didn’t. I have terrible feet in that I have a high arch and need extra support. I guess I’ll just keep to Birkenstocks.

Sunday time changes, and the evenings will be nice, but mornings will be darker at 6:30am. That’s ok for now. I do just wish they would pass legislation to end daylight savings.

I plan on meeting up with my library friends for a quick coffee. I don’t want to be there too long, as there are some things I want to get done around the house. My one friend is going in for breast cancer surgery next week, so I want to say hi. Fortunately, it’s a lumpectomy and not radical. I think it’s been a bit of a shock as she is over 80, and honestly, you’d think by then nothing like this would happen.

Our warmer weather is back starting today. All next week it looks to be in the 70’s, so very nice. I may get out webi the BBQ and do something.

I’ve been having fun getting my orchids to rebloom. I usually toss them after they dry up or look awful, but this time I watched some YouTube channels on getting them to rebloom. I ordered some orchid mix to try and repot them, too. I have a few buds on some, so I’ll be excited if it actually works.

I guess that’s six!

Thankful Thursday

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, cancer, cash envelopes, home stuff, velcade by

I’m thankful my shot went quickly and easily. I was out of there by 8:50. I was joking with the nurses about not having to take Dex. It is going to be interesting to see how I feel without it and then how my numbers react. I’ll be prepared that they might go up without the Dex.

I went to Costco and got a few things, and then cashed out the rest of my rewards money. Not a lot, but it’s nice to have cash in my wallet. I really like using the Costco credit card and getting this cash reward.

I’m pretty thankful I was able to figure out the whole insurance thing on the Triumph. Since I’m not ready to sell, I still need it covered for theft or fire, and Geico was cancelling my insurance due to the fact that I’m not a rider. So I asked AI Gemini, and I got good advice to check with Progressive, and sure enough, they were able to write me a policy as a non-rider. Even better, it was only 75 dollars for the whole year. Of course, that’s because I’m not a rider, so if my son decides to take the motorcycle class and I put him on, it’ll be way higher. But first things first.

I’m thankful it’s sunny out, even if it is cold. There is a brisk wind, so it’s making it feel colder.

A few odds and ends

Posted in books, budgeting, budgets, California, camping, cash envelopes, home stuff, Uncategorized by

Yesterday, I went to the gym and the library. I got a couple of books to read. I haven’t started them yet, so I can’t say yet, but I’ll give them a try. Then I went over to Winco and did a small shop. I wanted some navy beans and molasses to make some Maine Beans from a cookbook I have. I also got some salad mix and a few other salad things.

Then I came straight home. Today, I’m staying home since tomorrow I need to go to Roseville for infusion. I want to wash the cat blankets and do a few odds and ends of tidying. Plus, I need to mop the floors. I’ve been using the iRobot vacuum almost daily, and it does a great job. But I still need to mop. So that’s on the agenda.

Tomorrow, after infusion, I plan to go to Costco, mostly to get a few things but to cash my rewards. It’s not a lot, but it’s something, and then I don’t need to go get extra cash. I still need to fill some envelopes, but I generally don’t have too much extra to do that. Some envelopes are more important than others, such as fun vs auto maintenance. So I’ll keep adding what I can to the important ones.

I had a nice visit with my son yesterday as he came up after work. He has a regional meeting in Chico today and tomorrow, so he’ll be gone. He expressed some interest in taking the motorcycle class at Sierra College, and then he could use the Triumph. In reality, he could just have it, and I’d sign it over. Although the insurance would probably be higher. So it’s something to consider. Although I’d worry about accidents because with motorcycles, 99% of the time, it is other drivers.

We did chat about the whole camping thing. He doesn’t see the van idea working, and probably he’s right. I think after my daughter and I go down to Santa Cruz at the end of the month and I get to go to New Brighton Beach, I’ll be able to judge whether hotels may be what I do 3-4 times a year. I would like to plan some longer trips that Barclay and I never got to, and one was going over to the Oregon coast. So if we do hotels, in a way that would be easier than trailering. I guess I still miss the whole experience of sleeping in my own bed, cooking my own food, etc. Plus, waking up at a campground is very different than waking up in a hotel. Adjustments, changes, and being open are probably what I need to focus on.

Menu Monday

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

We did really well last week, and I made most of the meals planned.

Last night I made a chicken parmesan because I had defrosted a pack of Costco chicken. I had to run down to the store for panko as I didn’t have any. Then I made a batter and fried the chicken breasts. I cut them in half first, but it was still a lot. They were really crispy when I took them out of the pan, but after I finished them in the oven with tomato sauce and mozzarella, they didn’t hold their crispiness. Any ideas? Maybe I should have just heated up the sauce and plated it right then?? Have you made chicken parmesan, and how did you keep it crispy? I followed the NYT recipe.

Anyway, probably leftover chicken today, and I may do some spaghetti on the side.

Tuesday- I want to use up some souper cube beans, so beans and cheese enchiladas( frozen).

Wednesday- tilapia and some side dish. Maybe a macaroni and cheese.

Thursday- Freezer cube meal. I still have some chicken and rice cubes.

Friday- I might make homemade pizza, although we had pizza this past Friday, so I may do something else. I do have leftover mozzarella, though, so ??

Saturday- something easy, maybe just some sandwiches.

I finished watching the first season of True Detective. It was absolutely great. Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey were incredible. It’s on AMC, so if you have prime you have to add it. Each season is a different crime and detectives.

I didn’t read anything this week except a Mauve Binchy book, A Week in Winter. It was okay. I don’t have any holds at the library, so I might look at what’s new and put a hold on something.

I have another admin thing to do to change our Home insurance policy over to just my name. It’s showing Barclay as insured even though I’m on there too. So I guess I’ll brave the phone and see if I can get it changed. I do hate doing these things.

Like I said the other day, I’m not going to the pool because of the parking issue, but I will try either tomorrow or Wednesday.

20 years ago

Posted in Bone marrow transplant, bread, California, cancer, Multiple myeloma, Myeloma, swimming, Uncategorized by

March 1, 2006, I received my stem cells back. It’s a very anticlimactic moment that goes very quickly. One IV bag. But what it takes to get there is very involved and stressful. A few days prior, I was given Melphalan, which kills everything, and that’s what really takes your body down. Then it usually takes around 10 days for the ‘new cells’ to start to take hold.

I didn’t really eat, but the diarrhea was very real. I remember it was a very rainy and stormy March because I would look out the window, and the rain was going sideways. Barclay was there every day, bringing me clean clothes, at least bottoms. I spent 17 days there in the BM transplant unit at Sutter in downtown Sacramento.

He took care of all the hospital stuff and home stuff. What a guy!! So history, and through that and then Revlimid, Pomalyst, and finally Velcade. And here we are.

This week is my Velcade shot, but I won’t be taking the Dex. It’ll be interesting to see my labs. Will they go up a lot? Well, we won’t know till we do.

I’m so upset at the useless war tRump is doing. He’s like a madman for war or killing, or both, really. When does it stop? Where is the country headed? It scares me, that’s for sure.

I plan on going to the gym this morning. I haven’t been for the last 2 Sundays, so I want to do that, and the VW needs gas. If I’m super ambitious, I’ll go to the car wash too.

Then home stuff is bake the sourdough loaf, tidy things up, and do the LR zone. Next Sunday is Spring Forward with daylight savings. I just wish they would change the law and it would just be one time.

I know I’m not going to the pool tomorrow or Tuesday, as there was a notice up of Roseville Parks and Rec having meetings in the building, and parking was going to be limited. So probably on Wednesday, I’ll go down.

Other than that, same old, same old.

Frugal Friday

Posted in bread, budgeting, budgets, California, cooking, frugalism by

This month has been good for the budget. My grocery bill came in at a little over $300, so using stuff from the freezer/pantry did pay off.

My daughter and I got sandwiches at Sourdough and Co. They were ok but pricey. I think 12.99 for a sandwich is a lot. But I had been wanting to try them for a while, so I’m glad we did, and I doubt I’d do it again. I’m trying to do/go to some places that I said I wanted to when B was alive and never did. Next, we’re planning on going to a fancier Asian place called Fats. It’s quite a beautiful restaurant, and the food is outstanding and not inexpensive. We’ll have lunch sometime soon. It’s down in Roseville, so I’ll need to plan that.

The only shopping I did was at Winco for a few things, and that came in at $80. I also bought a photo album from Amazon, but I am returning it as it smells terrible. I’m not sure if it was the leather or what, but it gave both of us headaches. I plan to do that today and then check the Goodwill for a photo album.

I might pop into Bath and Body Works, which is a recent store in Auburn, for a candle. Most of their stuff is too perfumy for me, but I did get one I like that was a ginger/orange.

Other than that, another beautiful day here. I have a few house chores to do and then just hang out on the patio. I plan to start a sourdough loaf, and this time I’ll try kalamata olives. The last one, which was rosemary Meyer lemon, was delicious.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, Gratitude, Political things by

The sun is back and our temperatures are going to be almost perfect at 70 degrees.

I love this spring weather!! and am so thankful to live in California.

The pool was very busy, but I’m thankful I waited to share a lane. The Coast Guard was there, and they were using 4 lanes. Regulars were not happy about that. I only had to wait about 10 minutes, so not too bad.

I’m thankful for coffee in the morning and that the daybreak is much earlier, like at 6:20 or so. I have chicken DNA, so probably I’ll be getting up earlier as the sunrise gets earlier. 🙂

I’m thankful for all the nice comments I get from people who read my blog. It feels like we’re good friends even though we haven’t met in person.

I’m going to tidy up some and then go sit outside.

Oh, I’m very thankful I didn’t torment myself by listening/watching tRump go on for one hour and 47 minutes and tell lie after lie. I swear he needs to be put away somewhere.

Midweek Musings

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, cooking, home stuff, meal planning by

We’ve had rain, but it’s more of a spring rain with temperatures in the mid-fifties. So kind of nice, really. I even saw a temperature of 70 for later this week. I’ll take it!!!

It’s supposed to rain off and on today, so I’ll see what I get up to. Yesterday was nice. I went to the Mahany gym, library, Costco gas, and Winco. When I got home, I started a split pea soup even though that wasn’t on my menu plan, but I felt like having soup. I added a few shreds of ham I had frozen, so it had a smoky flavor. It was good. I used up the split peas I had and that bit of ham, so I felt good about that.

Tonight I’m planning on the burgers as my daughter is home for dinner. I defrosted some rolls, and I have lettuce and tomato too. I don’t have a side planned but I’ll think of something.

My food budget came in great for February at $300, which is fantastic. Of course, we have been working on eating down the freezer and pantry, so that’s why. I plan on continuing this through March.

I got my ‘rewards’ coupon from my Costco card, so next time I go to Costco, there will be no out-of-pocket money. That’s kind of cool. I might think about whether there’s something special I want to get. I did see lavender plants last time, but those things come and go quickly, and I don’t plan on going to Costco till next week or the week after. They do have lovely orchids, which I’m a sucker for. 🙂

March will have some extra expenses as the VW and the Santa Fe both need smog certificates, so that will cost. Plus, both will need the registrations paid too. I have some $ in an envelope for the smog, but not all of it. Again, I’d like to get back to having fully funded envelopes for this kind of thing, but money is always budgeted and not lots left over. But I will keep trying. Oh, and our property tax needs to get paid. I guess it’s always something, right?

I’ve talked about in the past how I dislike change, right? When I find something that works, I keep it, like pretty much forever. My marriage lasted 55 years because we were a good team, always had fun together, laughed and loved, and were great parents. We’ve lived here almost 31 years, and I love it. After we left our house in Foresthill, which we built, my dream farmhouse, I was devastated that we had to sell because we couldn’t afford the mortgage anymore. So I guess once we moved here, it was like, that’s it for me. Plus, even though the house was pretty crappy, we transformed it into something we love. Barclay did most of that with me on the side, although back then, I did all the painting and yard work.

So, I thought I’d share this picture:

These pot holders were made by my son and me when he was in 4th grade as part of our Waldorf curriculum. Handwork was very encouraged in Waldorf school, and even though we homeschooled, I followed a strict Waldorf curriculum. So, as you can see, I don’t like to change things if they continue to work. For reference, my son is going to be 32 this year!! 🙂

Menu Monday

Posted in books, bread, budgets, California, freezer cooking, meal planning, simple foods, swimming by

I did really well last week with using things up from the freezer. Last night we had Z’s chili with the homemade Rosemary Meyer lemon sourdough I baked. It came out great BTW. I have one more chili in the freezer, but I’ll wait on that for a few weeks. This loaf had nice spring and is delicious.

Tonight I have some frozen chicken to use. I’m leaning toward a casserole of chicken rice and some veggies. The NY Times recipe calls for the rice to be uncooked, so I’ll do that, and it’ll be easier.

Tuesday- I’m thinking burritos with frozen beans and adding cheese, etc.

Wednesday- I think this will be burger night. I have the beef defrosting in the fridge. I plan on using Frugal Girl’s recipe. I probably need to get some lettuce, but I can do that if I go to the pool this week and go across the street to Winco.

Thursday- I think spaghetti or ravioli with meatballs and a salad. I have a #10 can of tomato sauce, so what I might do is make up a big pot of marinara sauce and freeze it in portions. That would use up the can, and I’d have sauce ready to use.

Friday- We might order a pizza. I used up the frozen one< Home Run, which is a Detroit-type pizza. It’s good, but too big for us, so I won’t buy that again unless it’s the mini ones.

Saturday- TBD, not sure what I’ll pull from the freezer, maybe some tilapia.

My son is coming over to work on the barn some more. He took a big load to the dump last time, so he doesn’t need to do that this time. But he is working on decluttering things in there, which is great. Then my daughter and I are going to the pet bookstore and maybe get lunch or some sandwiches to bring home.

Simple Sunday

Posted in Uncategorized by

I went down to the pool and swam yesterday. Saturdays are hit or miss there. It can be busy or not so busy. I was lucky it wasn’t a super busy day, and I had a lane to myself almost the whole time. Today, though, I am feeling it. I guess I just need to get down there more, although last week was different with the snow and rain. So I decided not to go for a walk this morning, and maybe I’ll walk a little later after I loosen up a bit. 🙂

I have a meet-up with someone I’m giving our recycling to. I just don’t have the motivation to go to the recycling place, but a lot of people still do. Barclay, of course, did all that. But I hate to just toss it in with our regular garbage, hence, I’m doing this.

I also have my sourdough to bake. This time I tried rosemary and Meyer lemon. I’ll see how it comes out. I also want to figure out the menu for the week. Last night we had a Souper Cube of roast chicken and stuffing. I made some corn on the side. It was good. The freezer is looking better. I’ll pull some stuff from the chest freezer for the week. I know I’ll do some ground beef for burgers, and I still have quite a few veggie burgers too. So maybe it’ll be a burger week!!!

My son did a stained glass workshop and made this for me. What a sweetheart!!

The week ahead looks good with the temperatures going up. We’ve used a lot of firewood this past week, so I’ll be glad when it’s not so cold.

A blogger I followed closed her blog. She’s in Australia and had a huge following, but I guess felt it wasn’t viable to keep it going. I guess she didn’t leave the posts up because AI will tap into things like that, which I know nothing about. Does anyone know if that’s true? I guess, after blogging since 2012, I still just see my blog as my own journal of what’s going on in my life. Plus, I think it helps me to write things out. I still do a daily budget in my notebook, recording what’s been spent or bills due, and I write a daily list of what I want to do/accomplish. I get my notebooks from Michaels, so they’re not expensive. I usually buy 3 or 4 at a time.

Do you do a daily list? I think it does help.