I tallied up the groceries for the month, and the total was slightly over $500, which includes a lot of long-term food, both in the freezer and pantry. Overall, I’m pleased. I think for January, I’ll do a no spend/low-spend month and plan menus accordingly.
All the bills except our water bill are out now, so that’s good.
The rain is starting to come in and it looks like rainy weather for a full week. With Christmas next week, I’ll have to think about what days I want to go to Roseville. Probably, at least once.
I am looking forward to the new year. It’s 6 months to the day that Barclay died. Sometimes it seems surreal that it’s true. I miss the everyday things and sharing little things. That’s part of the hard part, I guess.
I went and looked at reservations for Tahoe, and of course, anything that was open is booked. So I’ll need to get on the website at 7am when I can to get something at the end of June already. I hate that part. But I did decide that no matter what, I’m going to go up (if I can get a spot), even if it’s with a tent. If we can’t buy something before that, I will make a list and plan accordingly, such as porta potty, a cover for the table, a cot, etc. I just feel I need to go, of course, all that depends on my cancer numbers and other mitigating factors (weather).
Well, I need to go figure out what else I’m doing for the day. What about you? Are you looking forward to 2026?
For the sun shining after a few rainy days. The rain is due to come back tomorrow, so the sun is great to warm things up and let things dry out some.
A nice swim at the pool, and I had a lane to myself again. I think because of Christmas stuff, the pool has fewer people swimming.
Also, I did a nice walk at 6:30 am. It was very misty down at the park, and that made it seem mysterious. I was the only one there till just as I was leaving, and someone showed up.
For feeling, overall, pretty good these days. My foot seems ok. I wear my shoes in the house and only take them off if I’m on the couch, and that definitely has helped.
I’m back in the cooking mode, so I feel grateful for that. I look forward to menu planning and cooking. For a while, after B died, I just didn’t care much either way, so it’s nice to feel motivated again.
Frugal Girl has a good post on her blog to read. It’s about not comparing where you are in life to others, especially when we are all in different seasons of our lives. It helped me reframe some of where I am. Especially when it comes to traveling, money, and lots of other small things. I’d love to keep traveling like I did with Barclay in the RV, but I can’t trailer the RV. So, after I sell it this spring, how can I create a traveling vehicle? Also, I have a very small fixed income that got smaller after Barclay died( by 1/3 less). I am, though, very grateful that what I do get from SS pays the bills. So comparing myself to people still working and earning is a thief of joy and results in only negative thinking. It makes no sense to do those comparisons, as, like I said, we are all in different seasons of our lives. I will accept where I am and my limitations as well. I say limitations, as that is a fact of getting older. I can’t walk as far as I once did. I can’t do lots of things that even 5 years ago I could, such as getting down on the floor to clean corners or the floor. Nope, it’s not happening, and I accept that. ( maybe begrudgingly):)
I am only going to focus on what I can do as FG suggested. I am going to focus on my own internal process and do what I can to still live my best life. I can still do some traveling, it’s just how I can add that in and afford it. I can still do moderate walking, which is something I love, plus always reading and cooking. Those things don’t cost money and add joy to my life.
Yesterday, I went to the Roseville gym and library. I had about 5 books on hold that were due to come off the hold list. From there, I went to TJ’s to get a couple of gift cards to give my kids. I’ve been struggling with the whole gift-giving this year, especially with Barclay gone. I like giving my kids gifts and have always gone somewhat overboard. Nothing crazy, but still more than I can do now. So, in addition to the TJ’s card, I’m giving each some cash, for my son a dinner out with his partner, and my daughter to go and use at the nursery. It’s all a big adjustment, but necessary since money-wise, I can’t really do much more. I’m sure I will adjust and, in time, be ok with it. Since this is the first Christmas/Hanukkah without B, I’m quite emotional about it all. Time is a great healer, and I’m sure things will get easier as time goes by.
It’s finally raining here in N. California after a very beautiful fall break with lovely sun( at least here in the foothills, the valley has been socked in Tule fog). I’m not sure if I’m going down to the pool or waiting till tomorrow. It’s only 6:30, so I have time to get a sense of the day. I have some decluttering to do with some books and some of the Christmas things my son didn’t want.
My son took us to Grass Valley to see the Christmas decorations. It was lots of fun. He makes quite an effort to do things with me. There they are side by side. My lunch was delicious. A turkey green chili sandwich.
The mass shooting in Australia at a Hanukkah celebration certainly puts a very dark cloud over everything. Why are people so crazy with prejudice and malice? And look at the vileness that comes out of tRump’s mouth. Such evil, nastiness.
I had a nice walk this morning. The sky was very Maxfield Parrish-ish. A lovely time of morning. Today, I’m going into the gym, and then I think I will get some scratchers for tonight. I believe the Holiday Market has some tickets in vending machines, so I’ll check that out. I don’t remember anyone ever winning anything, though LOL.
My Apple Watch said I was awake last night for 2 hours. This is the first time it has been wrong. I slept almost all night with no interruptions, so that’s weird. I checked with my friend Chat, and I guess sometimes this is a common problem with Apple Watch if you’re using a CPAP machine.
I sorted out some Christmas ornaments to give my son for his tree. I have a few more to do since most of the superhero ones are his. I plan on making the latkes for dinner and having homemade apple sauce on the side.
I had lots of plans for what I was going to do after my doctor appointment, but that all went by the wayside. As soon as I walked into the lobby, I could see it was packed. Usually, there’s one or two people, but this was packed. So he was 40 minutes late because of a biopsy that hadn’t been scheduled correctly. I’m pretty chill about that stuff because there are cancer patients in there worse off than me. So all my plans just evaporated, and I just cancelled going to do what I was going to do. My 10 am appt didn’t get finished till half past 11, so I just came home. I have plenty of days before Christmas, and most of this stuff is just Christmas prep. For instance, I need Gift cards from T.J.’s, but I can do that another day after swimming. I also need to go to Costco for one last small shop for Christmas dinner. So all that can roll over to next week.
Hanukkah starts Sunday night at sundown, so we’ll do latkes and applesauce(homemade) and breaded chicken/tofu. If I’m inspired, I’ll make the Superiority tofu, which is deep-fried. It’s a recipe that is involved and takes time. Someone asked about the recipe for polenta lasagna, and really, it’s very simple. I make the polenta in the Instant Pot( very easy this way), then chill overnight. Then I cut slices of the polenta and layer with tomato sauce, cheese, and then bake. It’s a delicious meal that doesn’t use pasta.
I’m not really doing any gifts for Hanukkah, at least as of today. Barclay always bought lottery tickets ( scratchers) for everyone, so I may do that. Otherwise, it’s just lighting the menorah and enjoying that. Oh, I will do some Starbucks gift cards, as that is always welcome and used.
I went to Winco after the pool and got some Christmas stuff, but not all, as I didn’t have my list.:( So I’ll see about hitting it up again next week.)
I’m staying home today and just doing some odds and ends. I finally got around to cutting up the box of Pink Lady apples someone gave us, so that’s tucked away in the freezer. I need to mop the floors today and just do a general tidy up.
Here’s a picture of our lemon tree that is much fuller than this shows, and blue skies. Sacramento is in Tule fog!
I seem to have a few really good nights sleeping and then a not-so-good one. There doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason, but I am thankful for the nights I do sleep well with minimal disturbances. Using the CPAP has been an interesting experience, and overall, I’m quite pleased with the results. There is no snoring with the machine at all. So that was solved. (That’s a sign of sleep apnea.) I’ve had almost no ‘disturbances’, which is how they calculate sleep apnea, and my blood oxygen has improved, although only slightly. I would still like to try Zepbound, but I’m not sure I could afford it. I know that my prescription plan doesn’t cover it, so it would have to be direct from the drug company. Well, I’m not there with that yet, maybe next year.
I am so thankful we live above the fog. It has been socked in in the valley and even through Auburn. As soon as you hit my exit, it clears to brilliant blue skies. And the temperature is at least 10 degrees warmer here. Unfortunately, I have to go to Sacramento today for my doctor visit, but hopefully that will go quickly. My labs just came in, and my kappa went to 23.9, so up a little, but the ratio came down to 1.85, so there’s some good with that. Overall, I’m pleased it didn’t jump higher.
I was able to get a swim in yesterday, and thankful I had a lane all to myself( a rarity). i do wish I were getting there more, but it seems there’s always something that happens, and I don’t want to drive that extra day. Like tomorrow, I know I’m going to want to stay home as I will have been out 2 days in a row. (sigh)
I am NOT thankful the cat threw up all over my Apple keyboard. 😦 bad cat!!!
I’m thankful for all the wonderful Christmas B, and I had both alone and then with kids. I remember our first Christmas together. So, I was a freshman at the University of Arizona, and he was a sophomore. I think we did a few gifts that were of the hippie variety, and then our Christmas Eve dinner was brown rice with nuts and raisins in teak bowls. My mother actually sent us those bowls. Then Christmas day, I used our neighbor’s oven to bake a lasagna. Our little apartment didn’t have an oven. That’s how the tradition of the lasagna started. Good memories.
I finally got my early am walk with my new Merrills. They are definitely a stiff boot that keeps my foot from moving too much. I can see why Chat recommended them for a foot fracture. Overall, my foot is better, and I do wear my Hokas in the house all day, and I think that helped. I haven’t worn my Birkies in a while because I think they didn’t support my foot enough.
I did a menu plan for the week so i have a rough idea of what I want to make.
Last night I made chicken enchiladas with green (verde) sauce. We had a salad on the side.
Tuesday- I’m going to make tomato bisque soup( from Costco) and some cheese sliders.
Wednesday- I have some mac and cheese I want to use up. I might add some tuna for protein.
Thursday – I think I’ll make a tofu scramble with veggies and nuts.
Friday – I’m not sure we’ll do pizza, so I’ll wait and see what my daughter wants.
Saturday- ?? TBD. maybe a burger of some kinda and fries.
Yesterday, I dropped my books off at the library and recycled batteries there, too. The gym was busy, but I found my way around without any delays. From there, I went up to Costco, mostly for coffee and a few other things. I think the food part was @ 100. I paid cash.
Today is a home day, and my son is coming over after work to visit. I don’t have any big chores for him to do, so it’ll just be a catch-up on what’s going on. Although he could put the cardboard in the recycle bin for me. Since he has the truck, it would be easier for him to do.
Well, I made it through yesterday without the Ativan, but not last night. I decided before bed, I’d take one, and I slept well. Only a couple of wakeups and then back to sleep.
My Merrills finally showed up, so I’m going to wear them around the house and see how they feel. For the price of them, I need to know they fit perfectly.
It was foggy this morning, and apparently the valley is pretty socked in. That’s one advantage of living above the fog and below the snow. 🙂 Temperatures are still cool, though.
We had the polenta lasagna last night, and it was quite good. I have leftovers either for lunch or to freeze. I’ll probably pull some chicken from the freezer for the week and find some sort of recipe to use. Something I can get a few meals out of.
Frida, which Barclay bought last year, won the ugly ornament contest. I just added the green felted dinosaur in the middle of the picture on the right. I may look for some more. These were just Target brand.
My neighbor called and said they transferred him down to Antioch( Kaiser) in the cardio department. He said the tests were still inconclusive, but they were going to do an angiogram.
Another absolutely awful night of sleep, or rather, not sleeping. I guess it was Dex, and I should have taken an Ativan, but by the time I thought about it, it was too late (3am ). Saturday is always a walk day for me, but not this morning.UGH….and I still haven’t gotten my GOD Damned shoes as the delivery was delayed by the weather back east.
I did have a productive day yesterday, and just as I was tucking into a glass of wine, I got a call from my neighbor( Leo’s Son, who is remodeling the house), saying he was in the ER and thinks he had a heart attack. (It’s still not confirmed.) But he asked if I could come down to Auburn and get Marvin the dog and bring him home. Fortunately, my daughter had gotten home from work, so she could come too and drive his car home. It was stressful going into the ER, with security stuff, and bad memories. But I got his keys, and we got the dog home safely. It was absolutely a nightmare out driving at that time of night,5pm. I was very frazzled by it all.
This morning I have my annual mammogram, so I need to get going, and then I’m coming home and going to sleep, even if I have to take an Ativan. I was planning on going to Target for some blue twinkly lights, but I may have to pass on that. I guess I’ll see how the coffee works on me.
Yesterday, I made a turkey sauce to make a polenta lasagna, but that got sidetracked with the ER visit. So I plan on making that tonight. I have some salad stuff too.
Other than that, I’ll have to see what I can get done.
Here’s a picture of the ugly ornament tree. Every year, we would each buy an ugly ornament and decide who had the ugliest one. Mostly, Barclay won!! Perhaps I can do that this year if I speak with the kids soon enough.
My shot went well yesterday, and afterwards I went to WinCo. I spent $83 on food and paid in cash. I specifically wanted Taco sauce and a small jar of peanut butter. I don’t think buying the 2-pack at Costco is worth it for just the two of us.
Today is my dex day, and so far I feel pretty good, not too crazy:) I’m still a little sinus-y, but that’s it.
Some Christmas stuff and a totally funny New Yorker comic. B and I would always joke about this from “What About Bob ” and Siggy saying that.
I've been married for nearly 20 years to a wonderful husband and I'm a mom to three great kids ages 17, 16 and 14. Oh, and I just happen to have cancer. Multiple Myeloma is a cancer of the blood that is currently incurable but IS considered highly treatable! My goal is to make people laugh, cry or feel a little less alone whether you are a mom, cancer patient or BOTH!
Tahoe Girl 