Monthly Archives: October 2024

Simple Sunday

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I had a nice walk this morning. No one else was there. It’s pretty dark at 6am but daylight savings starts in a month so 6 will be 5 am. After getting home I did few things and then went to the gym.

After that, I went into the store to get more Gatorade for B. Hopefully his kidneys aren’t too stressed. The shots resume tomorrow. It’s going to be a long week.:(

I started some brown rice for dinner and will bake a delicata squash too. Not sure what else at this point. I’ll check the freezer and see what I have to use.

This week I won’t be able to swim at all so that’s a bummer. But I can get to the gym after my Velcade on Thursday so I’ll probably do that. I also have library books to return. I do need to go to Costco and maybe Winco. I haven’t been to Trader Joe’s in a long time. Maybe after one of the appts, I’ll stop in there. B can sit in the car if he’s not up for going in. I’d be concerned about germs since his hemoglobin is so low.

Frugal Friday and other things.

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, cancer, cash envelopes, frugalism, Uncategorized, velcade by

So I spoke to soon. The shots are starting today at the infusion center. My daughter is taking him today and tomorrow as I have my Flu/COVID shot today and almost always have muscle aches and feel lousy for 24+ hours. Then Sunday the center is closed so then I will take him on Monday. The only time they had Tuesday was 4:30 and I said no way am I driving Ca 65 at that time. So I do hope they can change it otherwise he’ll have to skip that day. He absolutely cannot drive himself as he’s really not computing.

It is very stressful to have so many appointments. I really dislike having so much scheduled. It makes me kind of crazy. But hopefully, after these shots at the infusion center, they will be at home for the next cycle. Plus, this week I have Velcade so then the next 2 days are Dex days and I don’t drive or go out.

Back to what’s frugal. Well, after Stanford, which cost quite a bit for food, gas, and hotel, hopefully, this week has been better. I filled the Santa Fe up at Costco, but since we’re driving so much that will add to gas expenses. Then I shopped at our Holiday Market and that’s always more expensive than Winco. But I needed stuff so that’s that. I particularly wanted miso to make B miso soup. I spent $55 on food. Then earlier in the week I spent $47 at Bel Air. Again these are stores I try and avoid but if I’m not in Rocklin then I have to make do. I will go to Costco next week to get milk etc. B is drinking a lot of milk and using it in protein shakes.

A number of annual bills are coming due and the the biggest will be house insurance. We still haven’t gotten the Fair Plan cost which I hope comes soon. Our annual PO Box is due and that’s a whopping $182 just for a box at the PO. I did have the money in a cash envelope at least. Plus Barclay’s motorcycle insurance is due. He is going to have to sell his bike at some point but not right now so the insurance needs to be paid.

How frugal was your week?? Some weeks are definitely better than others.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in books, bread, California, cancer, cooking, Gratitude, reading by

So thankful chemo went well. No problems at all; it went way quicker than we thought it would.

I’m thankful I had lots of books on hold so I can read today. One was a LP so I have to return that and get the regular one. I have been reading ‘The Two Towers’ and am about a third of the way through.

I’m thankful I do not have to drive to Sacramento today to pick up B’s specialty prescription. This is one that is very expensive and has to go through the grant process. It’ll probably be ready Monday or Tuesday. He is supposed to start it tomorrow but that’s not going to happen.

I’m grateful that the heat wave will soon be over and we’ll be back in normal October weather. It’s not too unusual to have higher temperatures in October just not 99 degrees. I think today is supposed to be 94.

I’m making a loaf of whole wheat bread in the breadmaker but I think the hydration is off. It seems too stiff. I’ll still bake it but next time I’ll do a bit more water. With the bread maker, it’s harder to adjust the ingredients as the machine is doing the mixing and kneading. So when I checked it later I could see that it was a little stiff but by then it’s too late to add water. I’ll see how it turns out. Whole wheat is always a little tricky anyway.

Menu Plan

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So this week, we’re starting chemo, so I’ll probably keep dinners even more simple.

Last night we had a Costco mushroom and truffle pizza. It was as good as a restaurant. If you see them at your Costco and if you like a thin pizza with mushrooms this is for you.

Tonight I’m grilling some chicken and then there will be leftovers for either soup or something. I am also going to bake one of our delicata squash with butter and brown sugar.

Tomorrow, I think I will plan a ramen soup so B has something easy to digest. I’ll probably add an egg to it too for some protein.

I’m going to cook some rice in the Zojuruishi and make rice bowls. I’m out of tofu so I’ll need to pick some up at our Holiday Market. I won’t be able to get to Costco till next week with everything going on. I have some spinach to use and mushrooms.

A freezer meal of some sort, probably lasagna that I made a while ago and froze.

Something with eggs since I have a lot in the fridge. Either a frittata or scrambled eggs with potatoes.

I will do one fish dish this week. I have some salmon in the freezer so I’ll do that with a rice pilaf.

Here’s the Pullman Pan. or Pain de Mie.

and the loaf of sourdough.

I just had some toasted and it was excellent.