Monthly Archives: March 2019

Five on Friday

Posted in books, frugalism, simplicity, Uncategorized by

I didn’t do Frugal Friday since overall this week hasn’t been too frugal. As far as groceries go I was frugal and didn’t spend much. I think I bought a few things at our Holiday market and that’s it. I went to Walmart yesterday( I go maybe twice a year) to buy some type of PJ for B to wear in the hospital. When he gets his Hickman catheter which has three things hanging to get and receive stuff, you really can’t wear a shirt that goes over your head. It needs to be a button up. So I found 2 nice sets for him to wear. Pretty much you’re in sweats or jammies the whole time. Plus you really have no energy to really even get dressed.  I remember, for me, a shower would completely wipe me out.  So back to Walmart. As I said I rarely ever shop there but I do like their Danskin line and I pretty much live in those. So I was really annoyed they have stopped carrying them.  I am going to check online because I thought I saw them there.

So that shop turned out not frugal because I had a big list including propane bottles, some food items, etc.  But I was pleased with what I did get.

Today is day 2 of B’s chemo and I’m going to drop him off and then go to Safeway for a few things like veggies, chicken, and olives.  They have an olive bar like whole foods does. Not as many choices but still nice.

Then I’m coming home to finish some laundry and vacuum.  I have a good book I’m reading so that’s on my list.

A friend is bringing B home so I don’t have to go back out. Nice!!

Sunday my daughter and I are going to trek down to IKEA for a cabinet for the bathroom I’ve wanted. It’s tall and narrow and since our bathroom is so small my choices are limited. Then we can have fun looking around. But trips to Ikea are rarely frugal. I only go there twice a year also so I kinda keep a list going. They have great kitchen towels for under a dollar.  Plus storage boxes are very inexpensive and I could use a few more for pictures.

It’s still rainy and cold now but next week looks like more normal temperatures. Mid fifties and then sixties.

Dinner is a pizza I have a coupon for and my son will pick up after work.

 

Finally!!!!

Posted in Blood test, instant pot recipes, MDS, Uncategorized by

After almost 8 months of bureaucratic bullshit, I got my NYC birth certificate yesterday.

I actually ordered 3 when I sent in the final documents. unadjustednonraw_thumb_354.jpg

So there it is finally done. What an ordeal. I should write an ebook about how to get a certified birth certificate from NYC.

So, unfortunately ( i sincerely hope not) they didn’t return in the same envelope my certified marriage certificate. I’m not panicking yet because they didn’t mail the other in the envelope I provided, so I’m going to wait a few days and then try and email the corrections department.  Hopefully, it’s just in process on someone’s desk:(

Well, now I can dance in the streets, get a passport and get the real ID from California when I go to renew my license. Geez…..

Today is a doctor appt for B before he starts cycle 4 of Dacogen on Thursday.  If after this cycle, everything seems a- go I think he’ll start the transplant process which is a number of tests.  We haven’t heard about the brother’s donor match yet, but maybe she will know something.

We are in for more rain today thru Thursday but then it looks like we may be heading for ‘normal ‘ weather. Sunny, and in the ’60s.

I made IP polenta cacao de pepe, and wow it was superb. If you like polenta but not stirring for 40 minutes this is a deal breaker. It was creamy and just delicious.

Then I made tilapia with a parmesan crust and it was also delicious. Because I’m trying to eat fewer carbs, it’s a good recipe. I still drink wine so the carbs are still there, but hey, you got to do what you gotta do:) So this is not Keto, just fewer carbs like bread( my weakness) bagels, pasta, etc. I do love carbs, but I’m curious if I’ll notice a difference. We’ll see.

 

 

the week ahead…

Posted in cooking, instant pot recipes, simple foods, Uncategorized by

This is going to be another busy appt week. B has his oncology appt and starts cycle 4 of Dacogen. That runs 5 days straight.  So We’ll be out and about a lot.

Since I don’t have any grocery needs except perhaps the cat food, I’ll probably go to the gym or sit at the coffee shop. Dacogen infusion takes about an hour but total time runs about 2.

I don’t have any appts although I still need to get into the dentist for them to scan for my retainer. Every time I call, there’s a reason the dentist is unavailable. (Last time was he was out of the office on Friday).

It’s supposed to be just cloudy today but rain/snow the rest of the week, I hope my daughter can get up to Truckee.  What a winter this has been. One for the record books.

Next week is daylight savings which I dislike as I like the light as it is now in both the morning and afternoon. California has legislation to eliminate it but I don’t know whatever came of it.  And Spring is only a few weeks away. Although with all this rainy weather, it may be delayed or maybe we’ll have SUNSHINE !!

Today is the Kitchen zone if you are following along with Flylady.  If so, try and declutter something while you’re at it. Yesterday I put my crockpot in a box and dated it. If I don’t use it or need it in 3 months I ‘ll give it to the thrift store. Since I’m using the IP exclusively, there’s no need for 2 things.

The kitchen zone is my biggest area mostly because of the deeper clean it needs. Overall it takes me 1-2 hours.

The other day I made the IP pork chops and they were delicious. I don’t like pork chops in the crockpot as they seem to shred but these were intact and cut lovely. I was quite pleased. Yesterday I did some meal prep for the week. I made IP brown rice and grilled some chicken. My daughter also steamed asparagus and somehow they were so good there were none left over for lunches.  That’s okay, I still have some broccoli to cook.

I’ve learned a few things about the IP. One is for a whole chicken, I’d much rather roast in the oven. I like the look and taste better. Also, I grilled chicken breasts last night in the cast iron pan and that too I prefer over the IP.  So it is a learning curve with it. If you’re starting out I’d say, just try recipes and see what ones make your life easier or the food simpler to prepare. I’ve only made beans once but am planning on doing black beans this week too for burrito bowls. Hardboiled eggs are a breeze to do.

Well, off to start the kitchen zone.

 

March has arrived!!

Posted in Blood test, California, cooking, Flylady, Uncategorized by

Well, it arrived and guess what? It’s still raining. (and snow in the Sierras)

We did have a break on Thursday and Friday so that was nice. Even though it was cloudy at least it wasn’t pouring down rain.

Thursday I saw my oncologist in Sacramento and it went well. I told him I was somewhat concerned about the 4 point jump but he didn’t seem worried and even gave me a look like. ..What??? it’s still n the normal range and your ratio is fine. So I did feel better.

Then I headed up to Costco for what I hope is the months shopping. I bought a huge amount and the car was loaded. But I got everything on my list. I did add in 2 more Orgain protein drinks( at almost $50) because B needs that to help keep his protein intake up. Plus you honestly can’t beat Costco’s prices on things like that.

Friday was just a gym day but it was really packed with people which I don’t like plus I see so many people NOT wiping equipment after they use it. Ahh…Why????

Today I’m taking B for labs and then just running over to the bank. I was going to go into Home Depot for some pansies or something for the entryways but with the rain, I probably won’t.  if you follow Flylady there was a second zone this week and that was the dining room and entryways.  So as I always like to freshen up the entryways with something, I thought some color would be cheerful.

Tonight I’m going to try an Instant pot pork chop recipe. So far everything I’ve made has been delicious. So we’ll see. I don’t usually cook much pork because generally I overcook it and it’s not all that good.  My daughter has made pork kabobs on the barbequed that have been very tasty though.

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FYI!!!