Category Archives: budgets

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.

Menu Monday

Posted in Blood test, bread, budgeting, budgets, California, cancer, cooking, meal planning, Uncategorized by

We did very good with meals last week. I did cook the tilapia, and followed through on some of the other meals. We didn’t do a pizza or the baked potatoes. The night my daughter works late, I had broccoli cheddar soup for dinner. We also had turkey burgers one night because I finally found them in the freezer:(

Last night I made a beef stew with things I had on hand and wanted to use: carrots, potatoes, and a piece of steak. So there’s a little leftover that I put in the Souper cubes to freeze. I also had made the night before a turkey and wild rice soup because I had stuff in the freezer to use: 3 containers of turkey broth that each had turkey chunks in them. I added some cream to make it creamy and it was very good. I froze some of that too although rice doesnt always freeze well so that might be a wash.

So this week:

I have a Costco rotisserie chicken to slice up, and I’ll do some potatoes or stuffing and a salad.

Tuesday- Still planning on burritos or tacos, maybe with leftover chicken. Maybe I’ll put together chicken enchiladas.

Wednesday- Something from the freezer to use, maybe spaghetti and sauce.

Thursday- Again, a freezer meal, maybe enchiladas or soup.

Friday- try again for a pizza

Saturday- TBD, it depends on what I have to use up.

Today, I was planning on the pool but decided to come home after labs and do stuff around here. I feel a little stretched thin, so it’s better I do home stuff to regroup. Monday used to be my home blessing day of tidying up areas that I didn’t get to during the week, so I think that’s what I’ll do. I also started a loaf of sourdough to bake this morning.

I’m glad the appeals court ruled against the orange, evil, cruel man. Time to help people, not hurt them. Honestly, what evil person takes food away from children?

Friday things

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, cancer, cash envelopes, frugalism, Multiple myeloma by

Yesterday was quite busy. I decided since my Velcade was rescheduled for 10am, I would go down to the gym first and then the library to pick up my hold. (Shogun) Then I went back to Winco for salad stuff, wine, oat milk, and yogurt. I spent about $60 and then got $40 cash to put into some cash envelopes.

Infusion was very busy, and I guess that’s why they needed me to come later. All 5 chairs were full, and some of these chemos are ALL day, and mine is only 20-30 minutes. They are always so nice, and oncology nurses are truly special people with the knowledge and skills they possess.

Finally, I stopped at Taco Tree for some tacos for myself and my daughter. She was almost out the door for work, but it all ended up ok. I took my Dex around noon, so hopefully I would get some sleep. Ha, no luck, I woke up at 2 am, and that was the end of sleeping. But I’m home today, so I can just chill.

I’m halfway through the budget month, and things are ok. There’s not a lot left over, but at least I’m not waiting for SNAP to come through. What a horrible thing these Republicans are doing to the people of this country who need it the most. Shameful. Even more shameful, throwing a Great Gatsby party at the gold mansion. Rump has probably NEVER read The Great Gatsby. Shameful, while millions of people are going without food or close to it. And then more shamefully, blaming Democrats for it because of the shutdown. Democrats are trying to save the ACA before rates skyrocket next year. Who cares about ordinary people? Certainly not rump.

Menu Monday

Posted in budgets, California, cooking, meal planning, simple foods, Uncategorized by

We had a fun time down at my son’s place yesterday.. We went to the farmers’ market and I loved it. Not too big, and not too small. I bought all the fresh veggies I need for the week, plus some yummy hummus dips.

Tonight: tilapia and farmers market broccoli some naam bread with hummus.

Tuesday: tacos of some sort. I have some WW tortillas, so I could do beans or grill some chicken.

Wednesday: quiche I have in the freezer with more broccoli on the side.

Thursday: This is my Velcade day, so something easy, baked potatoes from the freezer and leftover grilled chicken.

Friday: pizza from the freezer.

Saturday: TBD.

I don’t always follow these days exactly. It gets adjusted based on what we feel like eating/cooking.

I cooked the last pork roast I had from the freezer in the crockpot yesterday while we were gone. It was ok. My daughter’s not crazy about pulled pork, so I probably won’t do that again and just buy the packaged one from Costco.

I’m still learning about what we’re actually eating and what is getting wasted. It’s been a learning curve with grocery shopping and not overbuying. Freezer stuff I don’t mind, as that can be used as needed. I find it very interesting that since Barclay has died, we eat differently. Not sure why that is. Maybe it’s a lack of interest in cooking stuff, or ?? Really, I don’t know. Plus, my daughter is doing some of the cooking, and she likes low-carb, anti-inflammatory foods. Well, interesting to say the least.

Friday Things

Posted in budgets, California, cancer, cooking, frugalism, Halloween, Multiple myeloma, Myeloma by

Happy Halloween!!! Barclay loved to dress up for Halloween. We always took the kids to Auburn to trick or treat. It was fun! Those were the days, my friend, we thought they’d never end:(

I know I’m repeating myself, but this weather has been so nice this week. Sunny and temperatures in the mid 70s. Just lovely. I think the weekend is the same, and then next week starts to show rain again.

I watched Practical Magic the other night, and that is a fun movie to watch for Halloween. I’ve watched a couple of series on Prime. Margot is one and a few others. Nothing great, but it helps pass the evening hours.

I didn’t resubscribe to my Prime membership because my daughter offered to share her account. She pays way less being an educator. So that’s one less bill for me to deal with. Also, donating the Subaru has reduced my Allstate insurance, so that’s another savings.

I’m deciding in the next hour whether I’ll go down to the pool. I’d like to go, but there are some outside things I want to do while this weather is so nice. Plus, if I go to the pool, that’s kind of my energy output for the day, and then I don’t get a lot of other stuff done. Well, I still have an hour to decide.

I did pressure can pinto beans this week.

I ended up with 5 pints. It does take up the whole morning since pressure canning is time-consuming. I might do another round next week. We use the pintos the most.

I considered myself brave and went to Speedy to get the Santa Fe’s oil changed. Barclay always did this stuff, so it was kind of a big deal for me. Plus, I really dislike doing stuff like that, but, well, now I have to. Oil changes are so expensive now, like everything, I guess.

I need to go to Costco too, so I think I’ll plan that for next week. Next week is my Velcade injection, so I could do it after that. Also, this chemo will definitely give us a better picture of how much my numbers are going up. I looked back at what happened last time in MyQuest chart, and at this point my numbers started going from where they are now at 25, then to 30 something, and then they starting doubling. So this one will give us a better view of the trend.I don’t see Dr.L till December so we can figure it out for January. That is the exact time of when I changed treatments twice. It was in 2021 and then 2023. sigh:(