Category Archives: budgets

Simple Sunday

Posted in Blood test, budgeting, budgets, California, cooking, Uncategorized, Walking by

I had a nice walk this morning, and the park was empty except for a dog running around loose. I asked the park guy when he got there to call someone, but he didn’t seem very inclined and shrugged it off. Sigh, I hope he gets caught and not hit by a car.

I’m really loving my RingConn ring to track my 02. Overall, I’m pleased with the results. My Apple Watch will often show a lower 02 but it seems that maybe due to turning in bed or getting up. So right now, I’m feeling encouraged and my Resmid score last night was 100%.

Today, I plan on going to the gym in Auburn and then home. I don’t need any groceries, so I’m set there. Last night we had chicken salad on romaine lettuce.

I feel my blog is getting boring and repetitive, so I may take a break. I do like keeping track as a journal of what’s going on, but my life is not what it was. No RV’ing, not much of anything really. Just living day to day. I’ll think about it and see how I feel.

I did order some Prime Day deals, like a new Speedo. Mine was starting to wear thin, and on Prime it’s half off, so a good deal. I have labs tomorrow, so I might go to the pool afterwards if it’s not too late. This week is also my oncology appointment in Sacramento. Hopefully, my labs will come in before I see him.

No Menu Monday

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, Death, meal planning, medicare by

Father’s Day ended up ok. I was sad, but it was still a nice day. My son didn’t come up, as he had come up Friday and spent the night. We had a BBQ and celebrated Barclay’s life. It was a nice family time.

As to menu stuff, I just plan on using whatever I have. I was going to make tofu burgers, but realized they were way past their date to be used. I had to toss 2 packs. I felt like I hadn’t really been on top of checking, sigh. So my daughter pulled out some burgers fromt he freezer and we had those with some fries.

Today, I’ll check the fridge and see what’s lurking. I know I have some romaine lettuce, as we had that on the burgers.

All my bills are paid for the month, and my new budget starts next week. This will be a week in between. I could start the budget this week but I think I’ll push for next.

I have Velcade this week, so that plus Dex keeps me home for 3 days. So no spending there. I am planning on buying a different smart ring to track 02. I bought an inexpensive one to only find out it didn’t do continuous monitoring, which is what I need at night. I’ve settled on RingConn and am waiting to see if it goes on sale during Prime Days. So far, my night time 02’s have been very good, but there is still a dip, and that’s what I need to know: for how long. If it’s only a minute, then I’m not worried. If it’s staying there, then I will need to go do the in-lab test to see if I need a different machine called the BiPAP. I do think the increased pressure has made a big difference in holding my 02 numbers higher most of the night.

I also have an appointment with my PCP doctor to see if I’ll be eligible for the new Medicare GLP 1 program. My insurance doesn’t cover Zepbound, so this program will be available regardless of insurance at a cost of $50 per month. So, I need to get the doctor to fill out forms, etc and follow the procedure. It seems a bit complicated, so I’m not sure if it’ll fly.

Is anyone else going to try the new bridge program? It starts in July.

Friday Things

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, camping, Lake tahoe, Uncategorized by

It was a semi-frugal week because of not being home for a few days. But we did spend some money on coffee and pastries, and of course, gas. Today I do need to go to the store and get some salad stuff and maybe some assorted veggies. I’m still not planning to go down to Roseville yet. Maybe tomorrow.

We had grilled chicken for dinner last night and potatoes. I have chicken left over, so I’ll either make a chicken salad or slice it for sandwiches.

I did a small Costco trip earlier in the week, so that filled in a few things. I’m trying not to buy Costco salad stuff, as we don’t finish the big packs. I did see their spinach salad, which I would try if it’s there next time.

I also need to go into the AAA office to deal with the non op motorcycle registration. I figured I could do it online, but apparently you need to show insurance. So I’ll do that first and then go over to Safeway.

We are in a heat wave again, temperatures in the 90’s. I closed all the windows early yesterday, and that helped. I also have blackout curtains on the windows that get the most direct sun. The heat is supposed to be here through the next couple of days, then drop a bit, but be back in the 90s again next week. By the end of next week it’s back down in the 70’s and 80’s.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in Blood test, budgeting, budgets, California, cooking, Gratitude, ikea, swimming by

I’m thankful for a nice swim yesterday and that the pool was so nice too. It was a little busy when I got there, but then it emptied out some. Waiting to go just a smidge later is the key. The pool closes for lap swimming at 9:25. They are pretty strict, as the pool is used for a big water aerobics class. So even if I’m there at 8:45, I’d still get my 30 minutes in.

I’m thankful for the AC unit in the window my daughter put in last week, knowing it was going to get warm this week. I held out until about 4pm and then it was too stuffy and warm in the front room, so I turned it on for a while. Today is also a warmer day, so I’ll probably turn it on for a while.

I’m thankful for a fun trip to IKEA with my daughter. We had fun looking at kitchen stuff and couches. The couch I had planned on getting down the road wasn’t as comfortable as I thought it would be, but the upgraded Ektorp was, so I’ll probably go with that down the road. We didn’t stop for lunch, as neither of us felt like anything.

I’m thankful that my new settings on my CPAP machine are helping keep my SP02 higher at night. I’m still seeing a dip into the high 80’s, but I’m not going to stress about it. Last night it said my score sleeping was 87 -93. But I was only down for a short period, and if I’m rolling over or moving, it can give a lower reading. Overall, I think the pressure change has made a difference. I did have an awful night sleeping, though, on Monday night. Not sure what was up. My Airsense score was still high, 98, but it was not a good night, and I think I’m guessing that it was still DEX doing its thing. I’m also guessing that if I really wanted to get supplemental oxygen, I’d do the in-lab test. I think since I will see him in 6 months again, I’ll leave it as is for now and revisit the whole thing then.

Today is a home day unless we decide to go over to the pet bookstore.

Simple Sunday

Posted in Blood test, budgeting, budgets, California, cooking, Credit cards, Myeloma, Uncategorized, Walking by

Yesterday was a nice day, starting with a walk around 6:15 a.m. Then my son came up with his partner, and they brought Noah’s bagels, so we had a nice brunch. Then he got to work using the chipper to get rid of the tons of bags of pinecones B was collecting!!! He also moved all the redwood boards to the carport.

I can tell this is a drop-in-energy day due to the dex wearing off, so I’ll keep the day easy. We’re going down to Ikea for the morning, as my daughter wants to get a Billy shelf. IKEA is always fun. I also need to stop at the store, but I may do Trader Joe’s, as it is right off the freeway. I would do that on our way home. I need milk and cream and a few salad packs. Maybe I’ll check out a ready-to-cook meal like salmon.

Last night we had blueberry pancakes and eggs for dinner. Tonight, I’m not sure. I feel like some beans so I might start them in the crockpot before we head out.

I have labs tomorrow, but they are at 8:30, so that’s too late to go to the pool or the gym, so I’ll just come home and do regular Monday things. Hopefully, the Dex is doing its job, and I won’t have an increase (at least not much) in my kappa light chains. After labs, I’ll drop our ballots off at the Records office, which is just up the street from the lab.

I did my budget for June, and it is very tight. I’ll make it, but won’t be able to pay as much on my CC. Oh well, it’ll get done. I don’t have any more big bigs for a while, so that will give me a chance to catch up. I already paid the AAA membership, but Costco’s comes out in June. I’ll check if it’s on auto pay because I can’t remember if I did that. Other than that, I think the next few months there are no annual bills.

Mr Peabody is back!!

Friday things

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, frugalism, garden shed, Gardening, home improvement by

So it’s a dex day so no going out for me!!

But it is my dear daughter’s birthday. 41 years ago, B and I welcomed our baby to the world. It was one of our happiest days ever. I think I’ve mentioned before that Barclay and I had been married for 15 years before we had her, so it was a big event.

Frugal-wise, I did buy the 02 ring, and I’m so glad I did. It is very accurate and vibrates if the 02 goes below a threshold that you can set. I’m very pleased with it.

I got gas yesterday before the infusion. Costco gas was $5.49.

The only store shopping I’ve done this week was down at the Holiday market. One trip was for a case of water that was on a coupon. The other trip was for some wine, cottage cheese, parsley, fresh dill, and I can’t remember the other stuff, but it was $45.

Today, we’re going to get a pizza out instead of me trying to cook something.

We’re going to move all the gardening stuff down by the garden shed area. We’ll reuse the redwood boards too, but the posts were what rotted. But I just looked at them, and we can cut off the rotted part and reuse them too. So instead of this costing probably over $1000 to replace the posts and redwood, the fencing was $109. On the other side of where the cars are parked is another fence for privacy to the neighbor. That isn’t redwood but cedar. We should have done Redwood, but B thought it was too expensive, which it was. We’re not sure whether he intends to sell; if so, we will add more panels.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in budgets, California, Gratitude, velcade, Walking by

I’m thankful for a nice walk this morning. We had rain yesterday, and everything was fresh. It’s still cloudy, though, but not cold. It snowed in Tahoe, and all I could think about was how much fun Barclay and I would have had, all tucked in Rubi. It made me sad.

Today I have Velcade, and even though it is chemotherapy, I’m grateful it goes quick and easily. The nurses are always so nice. I plan on breaking up taking dex between today and tomorrow. Last month it totally wiped me out, and I’d like not to repeat that.

After that, I plan to go down to the library, as I have a few holds that need to be picked up. I am always grateful for the library.

I plan on coming straight home unless we need something at Winco, but I think we’re ok, although I’ll check before I leave.

I am very thankful my appt with the sleep doctor went well. It’s a PITA to get to this facility, and I dislike the building and the whole complex. But the appt went well. He raised my minimum pressure and lowered the maximum. This is supposed to help keep the airway open, so theoretically, my SP02 wont drop. Unfortunately, it still dropped last night for a bit. Plus the extra pressure was a bit difficult to adjust to. He said there was no hurry on the in-lab test, and it’s really to see when and how much the oxygen is dropping. Medicare will not pay for supplemental oxygen without the titration test. I’ll see how I feel in a few weeks. I did bite the bullet and bought an 02 oximeter ring for $159 on sale. It should be here tomorrow. The whole point is to figure out how long these drops are. Also, losing weight will help, so there’s that on the table too. Overall, I was happy with his approach, and it felt much more like we can figure this out together. If I want the supplemental oxygen, then I will have to do the titration test.

When I got home yesterday, my daughter had taken down all the fence that was falling down. Barclay put that fence up 30 years ago so the yard would be enclosed and have privacy. Those redwood boards really held up. Actually, we’re going to reuse them and add to the fence blocking the hoarders’ yard. But that will take a post, cement, and cross boards sometime in the future.

Menu Monday

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, camping, home stuff, meal planning, sleep apnea by

We had burgers on the grill last night with potato salad. I plan on grilling something tonight as well.

I think I’ll do chicken and more potato salad.

I have some tofu I need to use, so maybe tofu burgers. (There’s a theme going on here, which is easy dinners.

I’d like to make a big chopped salad with romaine, cucumbers, radishes, cherry tomatoes, cheese, and some kind of protein.

I have a piece of steak in the freezer, maybe steak fajitas? I think I have a pepper that needs to be used and some street tacos(flour).

I have lots of eggs right now, so a frittata of some sort. I have some gruyere cheese to use. Maybe I’ll pick up some mushrooms.

TBD.

Jasmine rice maybe with tofu?

I have a ramen pack I picked up from Winco, so I will use that somehow.

Today, I need to go down to the market and get a case of water. It’s on sale at a good price. I might get two. Plus, I forgot pickles the other day, so I’ll add them in too.

My sinuses are going crazy this morning, so it must be a high pollen day. I think my brother is stopping by to say hi, and my son is planning to come over too.

In other news around here:

I’ve charged the Jackery battery, and now I just need to try it for a night with my ResMed AirSense. I want to do a trial run before my one-night camping in Tahoe. I figure if I can make it one night, I might try for two at a later time.

I’ve compiled all my notes for the sleep doctor and have an approach, but I’ll let him take the lead, and then I’ll add my data and what I’d like to see happen. I know something has to be added since I am still getting SP02 drops. The question is, is it just a few minutes or is it longer? My Apple Watch doesn’t give a specific time, just a range. Downloading the Sleep HQ has been very insightful, though. And it does show how the pressure is fluctuating and breathing. So it’s interesting. I’m at the point of surrendering to whatever it needs to be. The Airsense has done an incredible job basically curing the sleep apnea, but as always with me, nothing is easy, and the SP02 is an issue. sigh:( At least, I have a pretty good understanding of what’s going on and hope we can get some resolution. As I’ve mentioned, this doctor and I did not hit it off, and this is only the 3rd time in a whole year I’ve seen him.

What’s on your menu for the week?

Does anyone use the Airsense? Had trouble with SP02 drops?

Simple Sunday

Posted in budgets, California, home stuff, Walking by

A nice walk this morning. It’s Memorial Day weekend, so the town is quiet. I saw so many RV’s on the road coming home from the pool yesterday. Camping season has begun for sure.

Speaking of Memorial Day, a pause to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. My brother, Philip, was killed in action on January 7th 1968. He was only 21. Sadly, my mother never overcame her grief and died 10 years later.

Today, I plan on going to the Auburn gym and doing my weights. I probably will do some treadmill too. Then once home work on the menu ideas for the week. Last night we had tilapia and brown rice with the roasted vegetables from Costco. The veggies were subpar, so they may get tossed.

It’s back to watering the yard, and things are drying up quickly. My daughter wants to keep watering to a minimum this year. We also are not planning a garden. Times change, and there’s so much outside stuff to do that it’s hardly expected to do one. I think the only thing I’ll get is some parsley, basil, chives, and maybe a cherry tomato, and I’ll put them all in a barrel so it’s easy for me to water.

OOps!!Some Gus this is Chester, not Gus, portraits and cactus flowers. He must have been a cute kitten.

What plans do you have for Memorial Day?

My son is going to come over and spend the night so he can go into the office on Tuesday. That saves a trip for him and gas. I might do a BBQ with some chicken and make some potato salad.

Friday things

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

It’s been a nice week without any appointments, which is always nice. Next week is busy with the sleep doctor and Velcade, then Dex. So most of the week is gone, plus Monday is Memorial Day. In the past, B and I never planned to do anything on major holidays. Too busy, too many people.

I was able to download an app called Sleep HQ, which is for sleep apnea. I took the SD card out of the Airsense and used an adapter to plug it into my Mac. My overall scores were excellent. 100%. It doesn’t track SP02, though, which is my main concern, but you can see where, during my REM sleep, there is a drop, and that’s probably where the 02 is dropping. I can buy an 02 ring and that will track the oxygen, but it’s not cheap, so I think I’ll wait to see what he says. The graphs were interesting and showed me in .01 %, so that was good. I’m really dreading going to this appt, but will do it. I don’t really have a choice. I do have a choice in what test I’m to do and the in lab is still off the table.

Today is open, and I might go down to the pool. I have to weigh how busy I-80 will be with traffic, as it is Friday, and that I want to swim. If I go, it’s not till 7:45, so I have time to decide.

I washed the new sheets yesterday, so I’ll put them on today. The old bottom sheet, which now has too many holes, I can use for rags, but the top sheet I may be able to use for something else, maybe a curtain?

Frugal-wise, not much is going on. My new budget starts next week. I’ve done up my preliminary one, and it looks ok. Not much wriggle room, but ok. It looks like groceries for May are going to come in around $500. I think that’s too high, so next month, I’ll scale back, especially buying stuff for the freezer. I’ve done a good job of emptying the refrigerator freezer, and it’s not packed. Sticking with meal planning is helping. Tonight we might have a pizza. It depends on what we feel like. If not, I could do some BLT’s again or even grilled cheese.

Well, I’d better get a move on if I’m going to the pool.

#