Monthly Archives: March 2024

Simple Sunday

Posted in Blood test, books, budgets, California, cooking, Flylady, Myeloma, reading, Uncategorized, Walking by

We had a nice early walk in the park before the Christians started showing up for the easter sunrise service they do in the park each year. It was cloudy and it was sprinkling rain. We finished up and left before the drizzle started.

It’s still cloudy out but not really cold. I went to the gym and now I’m home deciding what to do with the day. I’m in the entryway zone so I may sweep and tidy out both doors. I’ve done a little more reorganizing in the closet and took out a few things to go out to the garden shed. I have some more to do in there. Once the weather gets nicer I can go out to the shed and decide whether to keep or donate. I have a lot of canning jars for this summer that are in boxes. I know I’m not doing any jams so the 1/2 pints will stay boxed up. I may use them for salsas or sauces.

We had a very nice older contractor come look at the bathroom. It was funny as he said his house was just as small and his bathroom is 6×6 too. So his assessment was to put in a basin on the floor and then tile up the walls. I think it makes more sense than putting in the unit. Plus we can keep the window size the same and not have to cut a different opening. He did say our budget was probably too small:( But we only have so much money and it’s not a lot so we’ll have to do what we can. I also was thinking of just leaving the dam thing alone and living with the tub as it is. We do have multiple grab bars that I use every time but??? I’m not sure that’s the answer either.

I had gotten the cookbook” Big Heart, Small Stove” by Erin French, the owner of the Lost Kitchen in Freedom Maine, and made 2 recipes. One was the lentil potato soup with a garden pistou and then her backyard biscuits. Both are excellent and it’s a beautiful book if you’re interested.

The handsome hubby enjoying his soup and biscuit.

There’s a few more recipes I’d like to try but most of her stuff is too fancy for me.

I’ve read a few more of Craig Johnson’s Longmire series and “boy howdy’ as he says, they are so good.

Friday things

Posted in budgets, California, cancer, frugalism by

Yesterday ended up not so good with my blood pressure really spiking. I didn’t feel great but knew it was dex. I did take an extra lisinopril and within the hour it dropped to almost normal. And I felt better too. This morning it was 127/ 90 and that was without any lisinoprol so all good. It was a tough day though.

Today my face is red still but that’s all except maybe a little jittery from dex.

It’s cloudy and grey again which is also a little depressing after a while. But next week looks sunny and we have a few outings planned.

Frugal-wise, Costco went well and came in at $279. But $79 was nonfood like toothpaste and toilet paper and B bought his Sierra Pale ale and 2 bottles of Napa wines. So just groceries came in at @ $150. not too bad. My trip to Trader Joe’s came in at $100. Honestly, without Costco, TJ’s and, Winco we’d be screwed at other stores. I haven’t shopped in Safeway in ages. Today though I’m going down to our Holiday market for some buttermilk, cream, Earth Balance and maybe some deli ham. The store’s free coupon this month is some kind of burger so I don’t want to miss the freebie unless it’s all sold out.

Sunday is Easter but since we don’t celebrate, it’ll just be a normal do what ever day. I plan to go to the gym. I also plan on making Southern Fried Tofu and potato salad.

Frugal wins; we didn’t go out for coffee after my appt.

No extra spending on things

Our electric bill came in lower although still high in general. PGE’s rates are really crazy here in California.

No eating out this week.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in Blood test, budgeting, budgets, California, camping, cancer, Gratitude, Myeloma, travel by

We just got back from Sacramento where it is all sunny and so pretty. When we hit Auburn the foothills were cloudy and we were starting to get some rain. I’m grateful B drove as I was on dex and had a bit of a headache probably due to higher blood pressure.

My doctor appt went well. All is pretty good and stable. My kappa light chains went back down to normal so I was very jazzed about that. I’m totally grateful to see those normal numbers. We’ll see what my next labs bring. I had my infusion yesterday so I’ll get labs next week. He’s on vacation so I may not get them till the following week. My blood pressure was way up due to dex but if it follows the same pattern as last month, it’ll go back to normal tomorrow so I’m grateful for that.

I’m grateful to the infusion nurses who are so kind and competent. They put up with a lot and have to deal with so many situations. I’m pretty sure it’s a very stressful job.

I’m grateful my budget is done for April. Overall, it looks good. We have property taxes and Allstate but I’ll put them on a card and pay as much as I can in April but it’ll definitely go into May.

I’m grateful B went to Costco for me yesterday. We got most of what we needed but there were a few things he forgot. Actually, not his fault because I didn’t check if we needed dishwasher pods and we did. So I added some other things on and we’ll do that next week.

I’m grateful we get to go to New Brighton in a few weeks but I did get a notice from them alerting us to the ground being saturated due to rain. Since all the pads are paved, It should be fine for us. Tent camping probably not. We have the whole week booked so that will be nice. Sometimes we leave early( like last time when the family with the monster children came in on Friday) and we left on Saturday. Too noisy, too many bikes and whatever street games they were playing:(

B bought some nice asparagus at Costco and I will pan grill them tonight with a quiche, I think. I have some mushrooms, spinach, and green onions to use.

Simple Sunday

Posted in California, cash envelopes, cooking, Flylady, meal planning, simplicity, Uncategorized, Walking by

We started to go walk in the park when the rain came in so we turned around and came home. I actually like walking in the rain but not pouring rain and we didn’t have on any rain gear. We still have our Frogg Toggs but haven’t used them in ages. Oh well, I’m planning on the Auburn gym this morning so I’ll add some treadmill if my knee is up to it.

Today, I need to do my PT exercises, go to the gym and make a menu for the week. Yesterday I pressured canned chicken broth and got 6 pint jars. I had soaked some Rancho Gordo cranberry beans and then put them in the crock pot. I used the recipe from his book( “Vegetarian Cooking)for Pasta Fagioli, and it came out very good. There’s plenty left over for lunch today.

Tenative menu:

cheesy potatoes and chicken or Quorn Chicken and salad

quiche with Bourison cheese with salad

Soup night of some sort maybe french onion

freezer meal, I have a rice and turkey one that needs to be used

Pasta of some sort with my canned tomato sauce

chicken pot pie( that’s what I’m planning for tonight)

Mex night, either bean tacos or ?

Flylady zone is the Living Room and all I need to do is dust some and vacuum. I’ll probably also tidy my office some too.

We just got a notice from UHC, which is our supplemental health plan, and it will increase 11.7 %. That’s quite the increase, but honestly, what choice do you have? That’s almost a $400 increase for the year. Geez, everything is crazy expensive and living on a fixed income with no other sources of income, does make it tough. I guess all we can do is see where else we can cut some budget items. April will be expensive with Allstate due and property taxes. We also have the Santa Fe to smog and do registration. Although I didn’t get my envelopes fully funded, there’s some in each one and that will help. My goal is by next year to have these fully funded. Even if I only get half that will be a good amount so I’ll keep going. I really like the envelope system and it definitely is working for us.

Some spring flowers and a sleeping kitty. That’s Cherry!

We all decided we need to order lots more daffodils and different varieties for this fall. I especially like the ones that are ruffled. The yard looks very pretty with them in different places.

Frugal Friday

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, camping, frugalism, library, swimming, travel by

It was a spendy week at Napa, but I don’t count that as our normal spending but more in travel/camping. Still, groceries were expensive in Napa, more than here and it was noticeable. I can see why Trader Joe’s was so busy. Raley’s was ridiculously costly. For example, we usually buy a piece of cake or something for dessert, and the cake we normally get ( 1 slice of tiramisu) was 11.99 whereas here it is 6.99. I didn’t notice the price till I putting away the groceries and was slightly shocked:(

We ate out twice and got Model’s Bakery twice. Model’s was only $15, so not bad for 2 coffees and 2 pastries.

In planning for our next trip which will be Capitola in April, I’ll have more cash for things than I did for this trip. We don’t go out to eat in Capitola but do go to Gayles for things. Plus we do hit up the grocery store at least once. It’s easier for me to get some groceries when we get to our camping destination than to load everything into the RV.

We’re still trying to get September booked for Tahoe, but B slept in this morning and spaced it out. I’m almost maxed out on reservation dates( you only get 14 days a year), so I didn’t do it even though I was up. Oh well, we’ll get something eventually.

I don’t plan on going to the store until next week unless I need some salad stuff. Next week we do need to go to Costco since the sale stuff comes off the following Sunday. I need toothpaste and some other things on sale, mostly non food items.

Today, I’m planning on swimming and then picking up my holds at the library. After that, just home and doing some house tidying. Everything is pretty well done but I want to tidy a few areas.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, camping, Gratitude, travel, Walking by

I’m thankful we had a good drive home and traffic was light at least going in our direction. Going the other way(westbound) it was backed up in a number of spots.

We had such a nice time and it was relaxing and fun. We loved downtown Napa. The shops were lovely, and the architecture was so beautiful. We walked around for quite a while. We walked a trail near the river but it wasn’t specifically the River Trail. That was over the bridge. But since we had already walked a bunch and my leg was starting to hurt we just called it a day.

I’m thankful for all the walking we did do although this morning my leg/knee is bothering me quite a bit. I planned on going to the gym but nixed it because I didn’t want to add to my knee hurting. I will say that my recovery between when it bothers me and getting back to it feeling ok is getting shorter.

I’m grateful my daughter took care of the house, yard, and pets. I do appreciate it.

I’m grateful for the absolutely beautiful weather we had. Tomorrow it’s going to be much cooler with a chance of rain and next week looks cooler and rainy too.

This was the trail we did.

Rubi in the evening!!

What things are you thankful for this Thursday?

Napa, Ca

Posted in California, camping, travel, Walking by

We’ve had beautiful weather here with yesterday’s high of a lovely 70 degrees. Everything is blooming and green, very green.

We pulled in around noon and they have it set up differently now, where you go to your spot and then later check-in. Much better than waiting at the front desk. Check-out is 11 am so anyone getting there by 12 can just pull in.

It’s also great having full hookups.

After we set up we headed to Raleys and bought a few extra things. We relaxed for a few hours and then drove to Oxbox Market. We were shocked at how empty it was.

Usually, this is wall-to-wall people. Very strange!

We decided to take our pizza and salad to go.

This is the Live Fire Pizza counter.

All in all a delicious meal.

We listened to jazz in the evening and then went to bed.

Monday was go-around-town day. We started at Models Bakery for the absolutely best croissant this side of Paris. We finally saw where the river trail goes in downtown so we’re doing that today. Then we went to Goodwill but it was closed. So we headed over to Rancho Gordo for the beans and Mexican oregano. If you haven’t cooked with Mexican oregano it is fabulous. Quite different than Italian oregano, more lemony. From there B went to the dispensary to get some Gummie things. After that Trader Joe’s to see if they had those cloth bags that are all the rage(no:( ) But we got some chips and salsa and a Napa wine. I’d have to look at the label to tell you the one.

We had cheese sandwiches for lunch with avocado and tomato. For dinner, we got Webie out and I cooked a few pieces of chicken and a Dr. Praeger burger. We had that with salad.

Today, Tuesday is the Spring Equinox. We plan to walk in downtown Napa and check out shops and just take a look and then walk the river trail.

We haven’t decided on dinner or lunch so we’ll wait and see what strikes us.

Simple Sunday

Posted in California, camping, Gardening, travel by

We are almost ready to hit the road to Napa. We’ll leave around 10ish. It’s only an hour and a half trailering. If you were just driving maybe a little over an hour. I kind of wish we had thought to check out what was available down in Half Moon Bay as that’s a destination we’ve had in mind for a while. If I remember, it’s mostly private RV parks but that’s what we’re looking for with full hookups. Plus from Napa, it’s maybe 2 more hours. Well, maybe next time.

I’ve got all the food we’re bringing the trailer and it’s pretty simple. We’ll do at least one pizza, and maybe something Mexican but other than that just a pastry at Model’s. I think we’ll go into Raleys or Safeway and buy a few Napa Valley wines to have, something we don’t usually have.

I checked camping in September at Nevada Beach and it’s all booked till @ September 22. So that means we need to be on the computers on that day to get that week. I’m guessing it’s going to take 2 or 3 tries before we get something. It’s not easy getting camping spots these days that’s for sure.

We don’t have any big plans in Napa but we did think we’d take a drive up toward Yountville. Last time we drove the other side of the valley up to Calistoga. Yountville is where the famous French Laundry is located.

The weather has definitely turned to spring. Everything is so green! Soon it’ll be gardening time.

Frugal Friday Things

Posted in budgets, California, camping, frugalism, ikea, travel by

Well, we didn’t go to Ikea so that saved some money. I can’t decide what exactly I want in my office area so I’ll leave it until I do. I did clean it all out and put back my office wine box( it has a lid that is hinged), my L V boxes I’m using to hold some refill items, my Mac, and my cash envelope binders. It looks better but not quite how I want it.

My only shop was Winco this week. I’m considering going to TJ’s tomorrow for some things for the Napa trip but I’ll wait and see how I feel in the morning. I considered going to the pool but I think I’ll just wait till next week after we’re back.

I stopped at Starbucks and used a gift card to buy a pound of coffee for the trailer. I didn’t even buy a coffee. I only drink plain coffee with cream but I figured I could come home and make some and save me the $3.00 for a tall drip.

After Ortho, which went fine, I came home and made pizza dough for tonight and we’ll have that with salad. Nothing fancy just cheese pizza and whatever toppings I can find to use.

I’m glad this week is over and we can look forward to just relaxing in Napa. Of course, there’s walking, Models Bakery, Rancho Gordo, and Live Fire Pizza but overall we’ll be hanging out in the RV park.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, Gratitude, home stuff, ikea, travel, Walking by

This has been a super busy week for me with appts. I don’t like so many appts but that’s what had to happen.

I’m thankful my macular pucker is still the same and stable(Monday’s appt).

I’m thankful that the gastro appt was fine( Tuesday’s appt) and she scheduled my overdue colonoscopy. Of course, the wait time is crazy far out but she found a cancellation in May. Oh, joy:(

Tomorrow is my ortho appt(Friday’s appt) and I’m assuming that’s all they can do?? Not sure really but I’ll find out. She mentioned the cortisone shot but I’m not sure I want to add that in.

I’m thankful swimming has gone so well. I overdid it the other day because I forgot to look at the clock and time it. But it was over 30 minutes. My knee feels a little stressed but not too bad. Today I’ll do my PT exercises.

I’m always super grateful to walk and this morning, the first after daylight savings change, and the stars were out. That’s one of my favorite things, starlight.

So far this morning, I’ve swished and swiped the bathroom, washed a few windows, cleaned my office, and moved stuff out. I’m planning an Ikea trip to get a cabinet for my office stuff so it’s not on my desk and scattered.

I’m grateful the sun is out and our temperatures are warming up.

Today, I have a phone appt with Allstate to go over our auto insurance since the premium went up $500. That’s for the exact same coverage on cars that are 10 years old and my son’s 2006 Subaru. Something is really wrong with our insurance system. Honestly, I doubt she’ll find anything to change.

One of my last vintage tablecloths. I used to have so many and now only a few have made the cut. I probably should iron it later.

Two old people!!

This was taken on the new to us trail in Roseville. I was hoping to get back there this week but with everything else, it doesn’t look likely. We leave Sunday for Napa, so that’s all the time there is.