Monthly Archives: July 2024

Frugal Friday

Posted in California, cancer, cooking, frugalism, instant pot recipes, Myeloma by

Well, to continue the non- frugalness, our PGE bill estimate same in and it’s just under $400. OUCH!! The exact number isn’t there yet but I suspect at least $350. So with coolers running all day for the last 3 weeks, it’s understandable. Yesterday topped out at 109. So, still hot. And today, I believe is another scorcher and then temperatures start to drop. Next week the temperatures look to be in the 90’s and then an increase again next Saturday.

In frugalness though, I gassed up at Costco which is a significant savings. I only drove to the pool twice so that too saved money/gas.

I shopped at Costco and spent $125 or so but that included 2 bottles of wine. Nothing expensive, I like the Kirkland brand sauvignon and pinot grigio. The new Costco is so convenient and I was in and out in 20 minutes.

No other grocery shopping, if I recall. Today I need to pick up half and half and some corn tortillas and wine for the weekend.

As part of Amazon’s prePrime days, I bought an Instant Pot for 42% off. My instant pot died about 2 years ago and I’ve debated getting one but decided that if a deal came up, I’d get one. I think the end cost was $72. I plan on using it today as it’ll be hot and I can cook something without heating up the kitchen.

Yesterday, B had his ultrasound needle biopsy. We should get the official diagnosis next week, but certainly, cancer. The question is what treatment is there.? I’m not sure surgery is an option as there are multiple soft masses so chemo? radiation? I guess we’ll know soon enough. ( sad sigh)

Today, I’m meeting my library friends for coffee. One of them is the one whose husband died this past year of Myeloma. She’s done really well and has her two adult daughters as support. Being we’re meeting at the local cafe at 10, I won’t plan on the gym.

We had tacos and burritos from the Taco Tree after we came up from Sacramento so that was $22. But I didn’t need to cook dinner.

I got the notice that I need to renew my license and take the test etc. I’m not worried about that, just the eye exam as I don’t see much out of my right eye. I guess I’ll do my best and if necessary I’ll get my eye doctor to fill in the form that I can see 20-20 out of my left eye. Still being over 70 is challenging with these new things. But I guess, safety is key here.

I’m looking forward next week to being able to sit outside for dinner and afternoons. It feels like we’ve been stuck inside for weeks. Oh, we have:)

Simple Sunday

Posted in California, Flylady by

Yesterday I think was a record temperature of 110. I can only think of one or two times we’ve ever been this hot. The house is staying cool with the window AC units. Of course, what our PGE bill will be is anyone’s guess. Today is also going to be very hot at 107 but I think after that we’re tapering down. I really don’t do well in the heat and have felt zero motivation. Even today, it’s usually the gym in Auburn and I just don’t feel like going. 😦

I bought another set of black out curtains for the sunroom. Amazon is having early Prime deals and this was one. They are 84 inches long and usually they are more expensive but the deal was quite affordable. I don’t like curtains as a rule but these black out curtains which are thermal blockers do make a BIG difference. In the winter they also keep the cold out so I guess I will have to get used to them. Since we don’t have neighbors that can look in windows I have usually opted for no curtains.

Here’s a few pictures of the mostly finished bathroom. We still need the base boards but can get them anytime really.

So far it is all quite nice and very airy. I miss the clawfoot tub but I think it was a ‘needs-must’ situation.

This week is the kitchen zone with Flylady and I plan on getting in there today. I’ve decided to sell my Pyrex collection as I don’t really use them anymore. The colors are fun and I do like the refrigerator containers but I just don’t use them.

I used to have a huge collection and have slowly either sold or gave to hospice thrift. It’s just one of those things that I used to really love but isn’t very important now and I don’t want to have to keep cleaning them.

Everything changes with time and this is just one of those things. What used to be important isn’t anymore for one reason or another. In this case, I don’t want to spend the time washing these every month just so they can live on a shelf.

I’ve been using my new inexpensive steam mop and liking it. I can’t wash floors on my hands and knees anymore so this has been great. I do still have my microfiber mop and use that in between steam mops.

Well, off to do the kitchen zone.

Friday Things

Posted in cancer, Uncategorized by

We still don’t know too much about the CT scan B got but it does look like there’s cancer. We talked to his NP from UCD and she has referred him to an oncologist that does tumor loads. We are hoping for a call today. Since we don’t exactly know what this is, it’s hard to say what the protocol will be. One of the worst things about cancer things is the waiting. She also ordered a needle CT scan which is a biopsy so that’s good and hopefully, that can be scheduled soon.

It’s very upsetting to have Barclay be 5 years out and cancer-free from MDS to this. But since we don’t know the official diagnosis yet it’s just waiting as I said.

Other than that it’s incredibly hot and even next week looks awful. I’m planning on going to go to the gym tomorrow to get out of the house and at least do a workout and hit the library. I’m thinking most holiday people will be wherever they planned and there won’t be a ton of traffic. I might stop in trader joes too but we’ll see if it fits in on my way home. I don’t need a whole lot but could use milk and few other things.

I’ll keep you posted when we know more and will have some sort of treatment in place. These appts do take time and scheduling can be out.

In good news, my kappa light chains went down to 19.7 so right where they were so clearly the Dex did help. I told Dr. L how I did it at 4mg a day, and he said that was fine. My blood pressure was great the whole time. Funny though yesterday when she took my blood pressure she had the cuff way too tight and it came in at 160/85 . So I said ok?? I got home and took it and it was 128/83 so I’m not sure what she was doing. But when it started getting too tight I was holding my breathe so that’s probably why.:(

Well, that’s it for now, if I get an update today I’ll post it.

UPDATE; He got an appointment for the needle CT next week. It’ll be down at UCD so we should know more by the following week.

Both his tumor blood markers were in the normal range so that’s good. It’s the mass showing up that needs to be biopsied.