Category Archives: budgets

Thankful Thursday

Posted in budgets, California, cash envelopes, Gratitude by

I’m thankful that what I had wasn’t a cold since I felt a lot better yesterday and today. I think it’s sinus because I still feel a bit of a sinus headache. Yesterday I only took an allergy pill no cold medicene so fingers crossed that’s all it is.

I am thankful I got a beautiful early walk, and I was the only one there. I saw the full moon briefly, but it was already on its way down.

I’m thankful all the bills are accounted for, although, again, there’s not much wiggle room. As long as things are accounted for, I’m ok. I’m still working on paying off the one cc that I had to put some of the big bills on, but I’m getting there. I do hate having a balance, but since I don’t have any backup, that’s what I need to do. I do hope next year I can swing doing cash envelopes for most stuff. I did have the property tax paid from an envelope, and most of the house insurance. So next year, that’s a real priority.

I’m thankful for a warm house. Our wood stove does a nice job, along with some space heaters. We don’t have central heating, so that’s what needs to happen. My daughter bought an oil space heater that looks like a radiator, and we’re experimenting with how well a job it does.

I’m thankful my car is still going great despite it being a 2014. I do hope I can keep it going for a while longer, since I’m not too sure how I’d buy a new( to me) car.

Well, that’s all from mi casa. What things are you grateful for? I’m always interested in peeking into other people’s lives.

Midweek and a cold.

Posted in budgets, California, Uncategorized by

I seemed to have come down with a cold yesterday. I mentioned I was sinus-y, but then I started sneezing and my nose running, etc. I think I picked it up at Safeway as the cashier was coughing. Ugh. I haven’t had a cold in a very long time.

I feel better this morning, but I will still just stay home and work on things. I might try and do a pickup at Target for some things, but that would be for tomorrow. My daughter went out yesterday and bought some cold medicine, which I’m not too crazy about, but it stopped my runny nose at least.

Tomorrow I have my Velcade shot, so I need to be 50% better. I’ll wear a mask, though, when I go in, as there are other patients in the chemo room. I had planned on the gym afterwards, but now I won’t do that, so I’ll just come straight home unless something is pressing to do. Although I do have books to drop off at the library so I may go do that.

I need to figure out our Christmas dinner. Traditionally, we always do lasagna. That’s probably what I’ll do, but I want to think about it some more and ask the kids what they might want. I didn’t do any presents except a few little treats from TJ’s. I will give them some $ for something they want to get. I’m just not into it this year. I did put up our trees, though, because I like the twinkling lights and the few very special ornaments. Costco had the most perfect Noble firs for sale. 4-5 feet in size, so I got 2 of those too. I love real trees, and in the past, Barclay and I had so much fun getting the forest service tree permit and going to cut a tree. Good memories of that, especially the one year it was snowing in Tahoe.

Sunrise this morning and Gus under his binkie!!!

Menu Monday

Posted in budgets, California, meal planning, Uncategorized by

I slept terribly last night, so I feel like I’m running on empty. I’m not sure the why of it. Most nights I sleep well, and then boom, I get a night that’s awful. There’s not a lot of rhyme or reason to it. I do keep track in my journal so I can look back and see if there’s some pattern. So far, I can’t see a pattern. Oh well, it is what it is.

Last night we had Rancho Gordo cranberry beans in the crock pot. We had polenta on the side.

Monday- I think I’ll pull some baked potatoes from the freezer and figure out a protein.( updated: I just had the potatoe since we had burgers for lunch)

Tuesday- left over cranberry beans, burritos probably, and I have some avocados to use up.

Wednesday- I’m thinking a curry with either chicken or tofu.

Thursday- I have some soup in the freezer to use.Vegetable Barley

Friday- pizza or pasta, I’ll wait and see what we feel like.

My daughter and I went to the cinema and saw ‘Rental Family’. The movie was fun, and seeing Japan made me swoon. The cinematography was amazing. So after that, we stopped at In and Out for burgers. I had a protein-style one and it was good.

Today is Tuesday, and my sinuses are acting up, so I’m going to stay home. I’ll just do some house things and work on the budgets for next year.

Simple Sunday

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, cooking, husband, meal planning, swimming, Uncategorized by

Our weather has been cold but not rainy. The highs are at 58, and the lows are at 42. It looks to be the same for the next week at least. I’ve been using the space heaters some and the wood stove is used daily.

I had a nice swim this week and also went to the gym and library. Overall, a good week exercise-wise. My replacement Merrills are on the way, but it’s still about a week out. I’ve been wearing my Hokas in the house, and that helps some with my foot. My foot, at least, hasn’t gotten worse and is somewhat better.

We had a very nice Thanksgiving. The dinner turned out well, and it was nice. Of course, without Barclay here, it was different and sad but we all raised a glass of champagne to him:)

I’ve been writing out small lists of things to do each day, only 2 or 3 things, and it’s helped me stay on task. Nothing major, but things like wiping down the shelves, dusting the Easton Press books. Just little things. What I don’t get to, I put on a list for the next day. So far, it’s been good for me.

I made a turkey wild rice soup from leftovers yesterday. It was very good, and I put some servings in the Souper cubes to freeze. I need to do a menu for the week sometime today.

I plan on going to the Auburn gym this morning, and then I need a few things from Safeway. Mostly, salad stuff and fruit.

My son texted me yesterday with a picture of one of the truck’s tires, and Whoa!!! It looked like it had hit a pot hole or something and had a big gash in it. He’s taking it in for tires today. I’ll give him some $ for most of it from my EF, which will leave it quite low, but that’s what it’s there for.

This coming week is my Velcade shot and then Dex. I see Dr. L next week, so I’ll have new labs by then, I hope.

Friday Things

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, swimming by

I plan to go down to the pool this morning. Hopefully my foot will like the water. My Merrills won’t be here till next week, so I just have to make do with the Hokas. I’ve been keeping them on most of the day, but then by evening, I want them off. I have my Birkies then to put on. I still might buy a boot from Amazon, but I haven’t decided yet. I’ve been spending money on Black Friday deals for things we need, like the Fat Wood for the fire and other not really interesting stuff, but necessary. But all I see right now is money flying out the door. The Merrills were very pricey, but I’m sure they will last a long time, and if it helps keep my foot stable, then that’s a win.

Yesterday, Costco’s food added up to @ $140, with a lot of it being long-term food, such as some tamales and bacon. These alone last a few months at least. Food-wise, I’m over budget, although I don’t have the final number yet. I’ll tally it up this weekend.

Update: I just did a rough tally, and I’m close to $600 for food for the two of us, but that does include Thanksgiving food as well. So not too bad really. I will definitely do a pantry/freezer challenge in January.

All of November’s bills are done. Our water bill and electric bill have gone down, so that’s a positive. Of course, we’re not watering the gardens now, so that’s why.

Well, I’d better go get my suit on and get ready to go.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, Gratitude, home stuff by

I’m thankful for a break in the rain. I woke up to it raining and now at 12noon it finally has stopped. It’s still overcast but not cold.

I thankful my foot isn’t any worse and it feels slightly better.There’s not a lot of pain walking so that’s good. But I still will keep walking to a minimum till I get the Merrills Moab. I do plan on swimming/and the gym but I think that should be ok.

I’m thankful to feel good enough to go to Costco and do the pre Thanksgiving shopping. I got the pie to freeze and the potatoes. It wasn’t a big shop so that was nice. I did pick up a small Lego set for my son’s partner. They love Legos so that’s a good gift.

I’m thankful for all the small things that make up life. Early mornings, walks, coffee, good food, jazz in the afternoon( that was B and my go to every day.) I do miss going out for coffee together and of course taking Rubi out. But I’m grateful we had the time that we did with the trailer. The very first year 2021 ,this time of year, November, we headed down to Santa Barbara. Unbeknownst to us the spot I reserved was the BEST spot in the entire campground as it faced the ocean and was steps from the beach. Good times, and I miss them.

I’m grateful our house is warm and dry. Our neighbors, who are in their 90s, have tarps all over their roof. Just to be clear, they have children and grandchildren that live right near by to help but don’t except to put tarps up. sigh:((

It’s always something.

Posted in budgets, California, seasonal things, swimming, Walking by

Yesterday, I went for my early walk, and the top of my foot started bothering me, like it was painful. Now, I have had a stress fracture of the metatarsal before on my right foot, so I know what it feels like. I was like WTF?? So, I nixed my plans to go to the pool and Costco. I used ChatGPT to ask some questions. It was quite helpful. I iced my foot 3 times and kept my Hokas on all day. It also suggested wearing a hard-soled shoe like a hiking shoe to keep the foot from bending too much. I only have my Hokas, so I went to Amazon and ordered the shoes I used to wear, Merrills Moab. Why does it always have to be something??

Anyway, it feels better this morning to some degree. I don’t really want to make an appointment with my PCP because if it is a stress fracture, there’s nothing really that can be done except let it heal and don’t do anything to aggravate it. If it gets worse, I’ll call; otherwise I’ll stick to my plan of icing and wearing the Moabs when they get here.

So with that, I won’t go down to the pool or gym today. I did read on Chat that swimming is ok, so I’ll do that once I know what’s going on. If it is a stress fracture, it will continue to be painful, but this morning, like I said, it feels somewhat better. The last time when I saw the podiatrist, it wasn’t very productive except to wear the foot brace. Stress fractures take about 6-8 weeks to heal. I can only assume that repetitive behavior like walking every day can cause this, plus age is a factor.

On a positive note, my daughter and I went out to lunch at a new place to us yesterday. It was quite delicious. It’s a burger place that does smash burgers. It’s not a chain, just a local place.

My Diestel turkey breast is being delivered today. It’s frozen, so I’ll just put it in the freezer till next week. If my foot feels better, I plan on going to Costco tomorrow, and that’ll be the last shop before Thanksgiving. I don’t do any big store shopping the week before the holidays. If I need something, I just go down to the Holiday Market.

Quick update: I went back and checked when I had the stress fracture before, and it was 2018, so 7 years. It was the same left foot. So obviously, I have a weak spot in that foot. sigh:()

Simple Sunday

Posted in books, budgets, cash envelopes, home stuff, reading, Walking by

We’re back in the rain again. All.Day. Oh well, I won’t walk but may still go to the gym. Since that’s only in Auburn, I don’t mind. (Auburn is about 7 miles, just for reference.)

Friday, we went and picked up the VW. He fixed the brake light and the low beam headlights that had been out for like forever. sigh… $300 out the window. I pulled cash from my envelopes to pay. So now I need to go back and refill them when I can.

I plan on washing the couch covers today. This Ikea couch has held up so well, but now it is starting to show wear. I am hoping to buy a new couch sometime after the first of the year. It’ll be Ikea. The one I have picked out is grey and mid-century looking. I’ve loved my white couch, which was the Ektorp. But they don’t make that one anymore, but replaced it with another that looks similar.

I will also put together a meal plan and see how the week shapes up. I have some library holds, so I know I’ll go to Mahany and do the gym and library. I’ll see when I want to go to the pool. I may switch it up this week and go on Tuesday.

I have my Diestel turkey breast being delivered this week. I have some other things like green beans, cranberry sauce, and stuffing already. I’ll make the nut loaf and freeze it this week, too. I’ll probably buy the Costco pumpkin pie and freeze it till Thanksgiving. We’re not big dessert eaters at all, so I don’t worry about having 3 different pies. As I’ve said, this year I want to keep things like they were when B was here and not change the routine. Next year, who knows? My daughter and I talked about going to the coast for Thanksgiving, but not this year. I guess I want the continuity.

I’ve been reading Shogun again. Such a great story. I’m looking for a copy at the thrift store, but no luck so far. The new reprint was released this year, so I borrowed it from the library. Funny, how much back in the 70s this book influenced me. I suppose it is the traditions and simplicity that spoke to me.

Frugal Friday

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, frugalism, Uncategorized by

So far this week, I spent grocery money at Winco, Safeway, and today, Trader Joe’s. Winco was $60 for food approx.

Safeway was $34 for food, approx.

Tarader Joe’s was $83 approx with quite a few freezer items for next month.

At TJ’s, I picked up some Christmas gifts for the kids: some snacks and 2 of the new micro bags, which are very cute. I was glad to get some as there were only a few left.

So not bad, and I’m coming in so far for the month at a little over $500. That includes long-term food items stored in the freezer. My budget runs til the 24th, so I’ll need to keep it low or 0 next week.

The pool was nice and not super busy, which is always a treat.

The VW is getting the brake lights checked, so I’ll probably need to go back out later when my daughter gets home if it’s ready. They’re not open on the weekend, so it’s either today or Monday.

I’m not sure what the weekend is like. I think the weather is ok. After the deluge of rain yesterday, we need a break.

Thankful…

Posted in Blood test, budgets, California, cancer, Gratitude, Political things, swimming by

The government has reopened, and hopefully, the services people need will happen quickly!! What a joke for trump, though. Let’s hope this comes back to bite him where it hurts with the LONGEST shutdown ever. Plus the damning Epstein reports. Will it bring him down? Probably not, unfortunately. sigh….

Hip Hip Hooray!!!!! My labs came back and went down!!!! not in the normal range but down 4.5 points to 21!!!! I’m over the moon. So. I get a reprieve for at least another month!!!!

I’ve adjusted quite well to my ResMed CPAP machine. Clearly, I had sleep apnea, and this seems to have relieved ALL the symptoms. As resistant as I was, now I’m glad I persevered. The one I have just has the pillows you put in your nose, so it is not claustrophobic. Overall, I’m pleased that it’s working. I haven’t noticed much difference during the day, though. Supposedly, you are supposed to feel less sleepy, which I didn’t have to begin with. Anyway, there’s an app to use to track sleep and use of the CPAP, and it’s fun to look at it.

Thankful for the pool as always. I went on Veteran’s Day, and holidays are hit or miss. This time was a hit, and I had a lane to myself. It was very nice.

Thankful for my kids helping when they can. I’m hoping my son comes up this weekend to do some stuff, but his partner just had surgery, so he’s been caretaking them. (non binary).

Thankful to be getting a little more organized. I redid my clothes in the closet, since most of B’s are not in there anymore. One side looks good, the other is still a mess. But I plan on working on that today.

I’m thankful that, even though it’s raining, I can use the treadmill to get some steps in. Rain is forecast for the whole day.

Well, I’m off to do whatever.