I’m thankful we made it through the storm without trees falling and losing power. Today is going to be sunny and I’m glad for that.
I walked around the park once and I did ok. I was very pleased with that and thankful too.
Today I plan on pressure canning beans in the All American and I’m grateful to have that pressure canner. It seems we use the beans the most and then tomato sauces including salsas. The jams we use the least. It’s nice to have homemade jam but this year unless it’s our apples, I’ll probably skip the jam-making. The one exception would be the blackberry jam which we did use all of. That’s where my daughter and I went to a U-pick farm.
Yesterday, the gym went well. I almost got on the stationary bike but thought I’d wait till I try it at home. ( my daughter has one I can try).
After the gym, I went to Trader Joe’s and got a few more things. We needed oat milk, regular milk, 1/2 cream, bread, and gluten-free bread. Our new Costco opens in April and it will be closer than the one we go to now. Also, it’s basically across the street from the TJs so it’ll be very convenient. I’m not sure where we are in totals on groceries this month, so I’ll do a tally soon.
We made it through although it did get pretty intense for 5-6 hours. We didn’t lose any trees but they sure were swaying giving us heart palpitations. The rain tapered off but the wind kept going. Today seems to be a break and then another storm is headed in. I’m not sure how that one is forecast.
So yesterday’s PT went well. I do think the exercises are helping a great deal. I also saw my PC. He’s ok and does listen. He upped my Lisinprol dose as my BP’s been higher than normal @ 145-155 so we’ll see how the upped dose works. My guess is that since I’m not walking every day, or swimming, my aerobics are off, and thus, my BP. He mentioned that his wife has lived with no ACL for 20 years and is a runner. So that gave me hope that I’ll get through this.
I came home and did the kitchen zone. B had Bender going so the vacuuming got done.
I’m baking the sourdough boule this morning and doing odds and ends. I might make some polenta for dinner with tomato sauce. Since I don’t have an IP anymore I’ll make it on the stove. I’ve thought about getting another one because for certain things it is convenient. Beans, chili, and polenta were my go-to’s. But at this point, I’ll keep doing it in a regular pot. Maybe I can find one on Facebook Marketplace.
It’s raining this morning and is supposed to keep going till tomorrow. There’s also a wind forecast. Let’s hope it’s not too bad. Southern California especially Santa Barbara is really in for huge amounts of rain.
Everyone is hanging out today so I probably won’t get the kitchen zone done. Everyone’s in and out of the kitchen cooking or making coffee/tea. It can wait till Monday or Tuesday.
I don’t feel very motivated this morning anyway. I plan on cooking the turkey breast a little later and then heating up the frozen potatoes. I have the leftover nut loaf for B defrosting as well. That should make an easy dinner. We’re not big leftover eaters except for lunch the next day.
I’m trying to refine how we’re eating and what works right now. We generally eat very simple meals and I want to simplify that even a little more. I do love cooking but I’m definitely not into complicated meals. We’ve been making brown rice once a week and using that in things.
Also, I don’t think I’ll do too much pressure canning of meat meals. The beans have been a huge success and we use them weekly. Also, salsas and tomato sauces are used a lot. I guess it’s a bit of a learning curve and trying to decide what works and what doesn’t. Some frozen prepped meals work brilliantly like lasagna. Others like pulled pork not so much. That’s okay. I’m working through what I have and taking notes.
Tomorrow I have the very early PT at 6:45. yikes! Then I have the annual well care appt with my PC. I was going to cancel but then thought I should keep it and go over what happened with my knee etc.
My big question this week is will I go to the pool ? If I do I’ll go around 8:45 and do 20 minutes or so. The pool closes at 9:25 so that’s why I’m shooting for 8:45 and hoping all the regulars are gone and it’s only a few stragglers left. Since I’ve never gone that late it may be a whole other group of swimmers.
The rest of the week is open and I will go to the gym at least once. I don’t need any groceries except if we need milk or eggs or some misc item. I’m feeding my sourdough and it should be ready tomorrow. It does take a while after it’s been in the fridge.
It’s been a frugal week for the most part. We went to Trader Joe’s and Winco for some basics that will last 2 weeks. That was last Saturday I think. With me having my chemo week, I don’t go out after Wed, so that’s Thursday and Friday and by Saturday the dex has pretty much worn off so I can do something if needed. My face is still pretty red this morning from Dex.
I did get some stuff done though, I vacuumed, feed my sourdough,mopped the floors, 1 load of laundry going. We always do one load a day even if its small. It keeps it from piling up. I moved some envelope cash around and put some in an envelope to back to the bank. That’s for Amazon stuff. I might make that a virtual envelope but the money I took out was from my personal spending as there was a plant based cook book that Sue over in Wales recommended highly. So I slpurged on that.
B is going to his gym and will pick up some things at Holiday Market. I need red onion, garlic, baking potatoes, and polenta. It’s been a challenge getting Bob’s Redmill polenta for some reason. I checked Amazon and it’s twice as expensive as the store. So Holiday looked like they had some in stock.
We filled up the Santa Fe after going to Sacramento and that was $50. Costco is still the cheapest gas around.
I might go to the Roseville gym tomorrow but it depends on the rain. We did have a nice break yesterday but more is expected over the weekend. If I go, I’ll go slightly later so I can go into the library which opens at 10 on Sat.
I worked up a very flexible menu plan for the week:
no pizza tonight, I think will do :
baked potatoes with toppings and a big salad
turkey breast(frozen) and some mashed potatoes (also frozen) and home canned cranberry sauce.
chicken tortilla soup from the freezer
a left over night
fetticine alfredo with garlic shrimp( so my G F daughter can have shrimp )and salad.
brown rice with broccoli and some kind of crispy tofu.and maybe some panko shrimp.( that’s different from just the plain shrimp)
taco night with pressure canned pulled pork, lettuce etc.
I’ve got February’s budget done and the only thing I didn’t add was the VW’s registration and smog that just came in the mail but it’s not due till April so that’ll give me time to get and envelope stuffed. I may not end up the full amount but it’ll help. And I’ll need to add in Turbo Tax fee and if there’s taxes.
Next week looks good budget wise, hopefully no surprises.:)
Gratitude is essential to feeling content and satisfied with what you have. I see it as a way to reinforce that I have everything I need. Maybe not everything I want( that second bathroom, haha) but at least I have one bathroom that is efficient and well organized albeit small.
things I’m grateful for this week:
PT went well and I’m doing the exercises at home. I’m hopeful to try and get to the pool next week. That is if California hasn’t been swept into the ocean with all the rain we’re having.
My appt with Dr. L went well and so did infusion. DR. L said everything looks good and I don’t need to see him till March. So that’s good news. He was happy to see my new LV as he was aware of the smash and go with my old LV and right after that his wife’s car also had a smash and go and a very expensive purse was taken too.
Today is a dex day and although it’s tough to be on I’m grateful for the drugs that have helped me to combat cancer. It’s not fun but it’s also not the worst. I’m so grateful my Kapp light chains are in the normal range and VEcade and Dex were the reason for that.
Today is February 1st( feels good to start a new month) and tomorrow February 2nd is Imbolc or cross quarter on the Celtic cross. I can always feel the change in the earth even though the Spring equinox isn’t till March 21st. Also, we’re having huge rains so not yet the springy feeling.
I’m grateful that my daughter’s tests were all good since she does have autoimmune issues and Hasimoto’s. The allergist she saw was super helpful she said and he told her she didn’t need to do any of the allergy tests as her face swelling and hives were an autoimmune reaction. All in all good news and she just needs not to get overly stressed. She said she feels better off gluten/wheat so I think she’ll keep doing that for a while.
I've been married for nearly 20 years to a wonderful husband and I'm a mom to three great kids ages 17, 16 and 14. Oh, and I just happen to have cancer. Multiple Myeloma is a cancer of the blood that is currently incurable but IS considered highly treatable! My goal is to make people laugh, cry or feel a little less alone whether you are a mom, cancer patient or BOTH!
Tahoe Girl 