Category Archives: books

Spring Flowers

Posted in books, California, Gardening, home stuff by

Our yard is pretty right now with everything so green and lots of different blooms.

Above is the Rhode Island Greening apple tree. I wonder if we’ll get apples this year. We only bought this about a year ago so I’m not sure.

Lots of California poppies. I tried for years to get them to grow here but finally, my daughter, the gardener, got some to grow and once they start, they will spread.

Here’s the white camellia tree. This is the only original plant from when we moved here.

I’m not sure how old it is but probably over 50 years. It is of unknown variety but again probably one that doesn’t exist as such anymore. Where the Buddha is, is where Ollie and Winnie are buried. I still miss them.

Here’s handsome Gus though!!! He’s a very big cat and such a baby!!

This is the fence with wisteria. It’s about to burst!!

A redbud in bloom.

This came as a twig and my daughter got it to grow in a pot and then now in the ground.

This is part of the cherry tree. This is a fruit-bearing tree but the birds get them before we do.

This is the eucalyptus I bought last year. It’s still in a pot. It’s putting out some nice new growth.

this is English lavender. The stalks are different from French lavender.

All the Japanese maples are leafed out and look pretty. Again, my daughter has planted probably 25 Japanese maples around the property. Mostly they come up as seedlings around the big one we have. That one we brought with us from Foresthill was probably 5 years old then.

Yesterday I went to the gym and library and both were good. Not too busy. Today is a home day and I plan on doing a few organizing things, cooking the turkey chili, and reading some.

Barclay plans to start on the bathroom window this week. Well, I guess he needs to go buy it first and then he’ll start. I’m still not sure what we should do about the tub. It all seems a bit overwhelming. But I guess we’ll figure it out.

Simple Sunday

Posted in Blood test, books, California, camping, cooking, Flylady, library, meal planning, Myeloma, simple foods, travel, Uncategorized by

Our drive home yesterday was rainy part of the way. Traffic was not too bad and we made it home by 2pm. Everything was good at home and the house was tidy. Of course, it was mostly only my daughter home because my son was off camping with his partner. He got home Wednesday.

We woke at ‘camp time’. Err, later than normal. I woke at 6am which is normally our walk time. I just figured,’ Oh well’, tomorrow is another day. I planned on doing the kitchen zone, bathroom zone, and bedroom zone. They are all done now.

I also did not plan to go to the Auburn gym as I wanted to do the zone cleaning.

I planned some meals for the week. Spaghetti with sauce, turkey chili with home canned beans, a soup night, a pizza night, a fish night, and a taco/burrito night. I’m keeping my menu plans that I write out and will write a monthly one soon. The monthly one is really for reference only as I pretty much plan many of the same meals over and over. Occasionally, I like to do a new recipe but most of them don’t make the cut for regular rotations.

This week is a mellow week with no appts. I plan on the gym, library, and swimming. Next week I have Velcade/Dex, so not looking forward to the Dex again. BUT, GREAT NEWS!!! My numbers came back in the normal range even with a tiny drop. Kappa light chains at 18.6. I’m over the moon and will continue to persevere. If my numbers stay in range by fall, I might ask about going completely off Velcade, but for now, it is what it is.

Right now it’s still cloudy but the rest of the week looks sunny and beautiful. All the trees are leafed out and I’m sure more will be out this week with 70-degree weather. the wisteria is ready to burst into bloom. All the daffodils are done. But other things are starting to bloom, rosemary, apple trees, redbuds, and the cherry tree.

I’m off to make some banana bread and then look at what books I have left from the library to read.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in books, budgeting, budgets, cash envelopes, Gratitude, Lake tahoe, library, swimming by

I am very thankful this was a week with NO appts and no Dex. Boy, did that do me in last week. I guess I’ll go back to taking dex after I get home and not in the evening. maybe that’s the difference or the BP spike has been there all along and I just didn’t take my BP and notice. We’ll see.

I’m thankful we had a beautiful day in Tahoe with picture-perfect weather.

I’m thankful that all the month’s bills are accounted for and are in the budget. Slowly, I’m getting more envelopes set up for the annual bills. Even though I didn’t have the full amount, I did have something and that helped. As I think of different line items for our budget I add an envelope. I also bought on Amazon a binder that is for the 100 envelope challenge. Lots of cash envelope budgeters on You Tube have this as a way to do an extra savings. It’s not a quick thing as each envelope is numbered 1-100 and you put that amount in each one. I do like having these little challenges to keep me focused.

I’m thankful I got to swim on Monday but it was one of the few times it wasn’t pleasant. First, the pool was packed which I thought odd but then realized that it was a holiday. Second, I don’t circle swim( when there are more than 2 in a lane), but some woman plopped into the lane I was sharing with 1 person and proceeded to circle swim. I was not a happy swimmer. I go too slow and at some point, she cut in front of me and almost kicked my face. Anyway, at least I got my 30 minutes in.

I finished all the books I got from the library (8 books) so today after the gym I’ll go in and see if I can get a few things off the shelves to take to Capitola. The new Kellerman book ” Ghost Orchid’ is okay. I like his writing and the 2 main characters are well developed. So far all the Craig Johnston Longmire books have been great. Definitely worth reading the series although I haven’t read them in any order.

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.

Simple Sunday

Posted in books, California, Flylady, home improvement, home stuff, Uncategorized by

Another cloudy day but not too cold at least. I think next week is looking sunnier and warmer.

We’re watching Season 4 of Longmire and it’s a great show. When I went to the library Season 6 was there so I picked that up. I have 5 already checked out. I picked up 6 books and finished 2. One was # 29 of the Stephanie Plum series. Always good for a laugh. I have the latest on hold at the library and I think it just came in. Two were cookbooks so I looked through them and they can go back.

I’m in the bathroom zone this week so I’ll do that after I finish this blog. We have gone back and forth on the bathroom to either buy a shower unit or try and tile the whole area. Personally, I don’t care which, I just want it done by the end of June. After that, we’re going to pull out the kitchen counter and at least put in a new sink and counter of some sort. It may not be done professionally but it’ll at least be a start. If anything I’ll go with butcher block as that is somewhat affordable. If we had the money, I’d just hire someone to do it. We still need to go to Ikea and see their counters and make a decision. But first the bathroom.

Tomorrow, I see the eye doctor for the 6-month macular scan. After that, I may go down to the Roseville gym. It depends on how long the appt goes. I might go on Tuesday after my other doctor’s appt which is earlier.

If you want a good laugh go to YouTube and put in SNL and the spoof on the GOP’s rebuttal with the woman in the kitchen. It is pretty hilarious. Also, her facts were completely wrong about the sex trafficking of the young girl. Wrong president, wrong year, wrong everything. Why?? is all I have to say. Fact check, please. I guess they’re not interested in that, just misleading lies to put fear in people about undocumented workers or illegals.

Dinner is going to be simple, soup and biscuit sandwiches. That’s it.

Friday things

Posted in books, budgeting, California, frugalism, swimming, travel, Walking by

Buggie is still in the shop because another part was needed. Hopefully, we can go get her today. Still, it will need to go on a CC and then get paid. 🙁 Oh well, whatcha gonna do)!!

I am pleased as anything the walk was great yesterday. The day’s total was 2.2 miles so a real breakthrough for me and the knee. And my knee feels ok this morning. I’m a little sore but that’s just because I haven’t been doing the same amount of walking. Plus some of my stiffness is osteoarthritis which is kind of worse in the mornings but once I start moving, it improves.

I opted not to swim but will do my PT exercises this morning. Next week is a wash with swimming or the gym as I have appts 3 mornings all early so there’s not enough time to get to the pool. I may be able to the gym after Tuesday’s appt as that is the earliest at 8 am. I’ll just see how it is.

We spent quite a bit on food so far this month with 2 Costco trips so I’ll need to try and just use things up and not do another shop except for minor misc things. ( I need some lime juice for a recipe). Of course, some of the Costco food isn’t just for one month but will last 3 months like Panko Shrimp.

The sun is out and it does brighten my mood. We booked a reservation in Napa for the week after next. It looks like the weather should cooperate. The last time we canceled it was rainy and cool. Plus we have 3 nights which is kind of a minimum for me. We’ll mostly eat in the RV but we’ll do a few meals out. At least get some things at Modeles Bakery. I also need to go to the Rancho Gordo store for some Marcella beans( like cannellini) and their Mexican Oregano which is absolutely wonderful.

Nothing else too exciting for the weekend. I plan on the Auburn gym on Sunday and that’s about it. Today, I just have a few house tasks and that’s it and then I’ll probably read some. Dinner is just a frozen pizza with a few toppings I’ll add.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in books, budgets, California, cash envelopes, Gratitude, Walking by

I am thankful I got a good swim in yesterday despite the asshole in my lane that was not moving over and ran into me:( I sort of yelled, get on your own side!!! I think he was new as he didn’t know how to swim very well. Oh well, it doesn’t happen very often.

Then I went to Costco and am grateful I had almost the full amount in cash. I actually did have it all but it was in another envelope and I didn’t want to be rummaging around for it..’

Buggie is in the shop as the water pump went out. That’s going to cost us $1000+ . I’ll have to put that on a card and then pay off in 2 installments. I might be able to do it all if I skimp on other things. We haven’t done a lot services on the VW so I guess it works. Plus buggie is 24 years old so something is going to go. Plus it needs a smog and registration in April but we’ll do that once she’s fixed up.

Today I’m going back to Roseville to pick up books at the library and then B and I are going to walk one of the trails down there. Hopefully, the sun will come out. After that, we’re going to get some lunch somewhere.

I’m grateful the PT was effective and although my knee is not back to where it was, it is much improved. The PT said I could do 1 more session if I wanted but also clarified that it would just be doing the same exercises so I declined. I see the ortho PA next week so I’ll see what she says about it all.

Frugal Friday

Posted in Blood test, books, bread, budgeting, California, cancer, cash envelopes, cooking, frugalism, Uncategorized by

I stopped at Trader Joe’s after the infusion and spent$70 on food. Mostly it was bread, some chicken shwarma( TJ’s has this all seasoned in the meat section and for a great price)my son wanted, pita bread, and a few things I’d been looking for. One was Harrisa and I found it on a bottom shelf. It’s used in some vegan dishes in the new cookbook I got a while back,

Also, the YouTuber Vegan channel, Madeline Olivia, made some black bean meatballs with Harrisa and she said that’s what gives their kick, so I thought I’d try that.

Here’s my copycat Panera Broccoli cheddar soup we had for dinner. this was before I blended it in the Vita-mix. I used most of the leftover Costco bag of broccoli I had in the freezer. It was quite good with this loaf of sourdough. My starter is doing really well after a few days of feeding.

The rain is back and so is the wind so no gym or anything today. Plus Dex is still in my system and my face is still a little red. Boy, I looked like a beet yesterday:)

I bought a pair of Levi’s on eBay at a good price. NWT and only 29.99. On the website, they’re $60 so I thought that was a great deal. Right now I only have one nice pair of Levi’s I use to go out on dates etc. And then only 2 sort of beat-up ones for going to the store or around the house. I never sweat pants at home, only right after getting up and we walk, otherwise, I dress in jeans and Bombas T-shirts or my yoga pants to go to the gym. So I will take that cash and put it back in the bank when I’m in town next.

Next week I have labs so that will give us another picture of what the myeloma cells are doing. I have one more infusion at the end of March before I see Dr. L, so I guess ,depending on this one, I’ll decide to either wait or message him about adding in the second dose. Other than that I have PT on Tuesday and then no other appts. I really do prefer my schedule open and flexible but medical appts are necessary at this point.

I don’t have any meal prep to do today so I think I’ll concentrate on the kitchen zone.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in Blood test, books, California, cancer, Myeloma, Walking by

As always the library. I picked up my holds( more Tony Hillerman) and a new book. The new book is by a friend/author of my daughters. They met on Whatpad which is the platform my daughter writes on and sells her books on. The book is ‘A Bean to Die For” by Tara Lush. This is book 4in the series.

That PT is helping my torn ACL and I feel like my knee is improving. Whether it will ever be what it was, I don’t know but for now, I’m grateful to do small walks.

Although I wish my kappa light chains stayed in the normal range, they at least didn’t do a huge jump. But still, I’m now out of range which means the once a month Velcade is not going to cut it. Disappointing for sure. So I have my next Velcade at the end of the month. I’ll get labs soon after and if it goes up again, I’ll message my doctor and suggest we try twice a month. I think he will want to wait till after this next infusion.

We’ve had some breaks in the rain and it lets things dry out. More rain is due later and tomorrow. We didn’t go to Napa because of the weather so maybe in March.

Frugal Friday

Posted in books, budgeting, budgets, California, cash envelopes, cooking, meal planning, pets, Uncategorized by

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.:)

Here’s the big boy, Guster

He says this is my Poang chair!!