Category Archives: California

Monday and the week ahead.

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, cooking, meal planning, seasonal things by

A very pretty sunrise with lots of pinks and golds in the clouds. One more day until we have a Blue Wave!! Let’s hope it’s magnificent.

Last night we had chicken fried rice with the extra chicken that I had in the freezer. I ate around 5:45 so that was really 6:45. A little late for me but each day forward I’ll keep adjusting my dinner time.

Tonight, I think I’ll pull some black beans from the freezer and use an Amys enchilada on the side. Then I”ll plan some other meals:

  • Eggs of some sort, as I have a lot in the fridge. Maybe a frittata or quiche.
  • I have some orange chicken from Costco that is in the freezer and I can make some rice to go with that.
  • I have some french onion soup to use up. They have been in the chest freezer a while. I think I’ll use them all(3) and put them in a deep dish and bake. I have some gruyere I can add to the top.
  • I’ll pull a pack of chicken out of the freezer for the week.
  • I bought a veggie stir fry pack at BelAir yesterday and didnt use it so I’ll do something with that.*

Today is Day of the Dead so I put a picture of Barclay out with a beeswax candle. That’s one of my favorite pictures.

Thursday, I have my doctor appt in Sacramento, so the Santa Fe needs to be done as my daughter works that day. It’s early yet this morning so I hope I hear after 8am. I’ll update when I hear something.

Simple Sunday and Samhain!

Posted in books, bread, budgets, California, reading, Walking by

It’s cross quarter again. I’ll try and have a fire in the outdoor firepit this afternoon.

I didn’t hear back on the Santa Fe, so I was a bit annoyed. I wanted to get down to the pool on Saturday, but that didn’t happen. If I don’t hear back by 10 on Monday, I’ll call him, as I need a timeline. Monday, my daughter doesn’t work so that would be best to go get the car. What a PITA. This coming week I have my doctor appt in Sacramento, so I need the car done and working.

I tell ya, if I had money, I’d be out there buying a new used car.

Anyway, it ended up a nice day to be home and chill. I started the new Ann Patchett book, Whistler. So far I like it.

Today, is November 1st, hurray!! It’s also the end of DLS and it’s always a weird adjustment. For me, it takes about a week to get use to it. I plan on walking this morning and see how it is at the park. I also plan to take buggie into the Auburn gym. Other than that, no other plans. I think I’ll make some sort of soup for dinner and then because of the time change we can eat when we feel like it. I’ll probably eat earlier than my daughter. I’ll check the freezer and see what soup stuff I have. I know I have some rotisserie chicken in there so I’ll start there.

I ordered a used copy of a bread book called ‘The Village Baker’. It’s written by the original baker at Gayles in Capitola, which is my favorite place in the world. Such amazing food and bread. Anyway, this is his bread book. It’s a bit complicated for a home baker but there a few I want to try. It’s fun reading about his journey with bread making that goes all the way back to the 1970s.

I put away my vintage Halloween stuff but left out the pumpkins. They will fit in till Thanksgiving. Then I’ll start putting out a few Christmas things.

I started watching the Gilded Age on HBO and it is a great show. The costumes are amazing. My son signed me into to HBO on his account so I can watch it. If you have HBO, check it out otherwise if you love period pieces this is a great one.

Friday Things

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, home stuff, seasonal things, Uncategorized by

We’re expecting rain today and tomorrow. We need it so not complaining. I think it’s suppose to rain off and on all weekend.

I didn’t hear back on the car so I’m guessing I will this morning. Hopefully not some big surprise of a fix. It sure has messed up the last 2 weeks, that’s for sure.

Today, I plan on going into town for lunch with my son. I’ll drive the VW. If the car is done before my daughter goes to work she could drop me off but I doubt that it’s done. Usually he calls with an update.

Yesterday, I went into Safeway for a few things. I was after the Di Fara pizza but they didn’t have it. I must have bought it at Bel Air and thought it was Safeway. So I might swing into Belair for that. Actually, I think it might have been Target. Anyway, it’s a very good frozen pizza. Going into Safeway though was strange. I rarely shop there anymore as it’s all Winco TJ’s or Costco. I was pretty shocked at regular prices. I did get a few pieces of their fried chicken from the deli and it was ok.

Instead of the park walk yesterday, I walked around our driveway which is circular although the RV is parked in part of that. So I did a loop but used my walking stick as it is quite uneven. We have never really used it as a circular driveway though only when something needed moving. But it’s nice to walk around and look down in the woods. Barclay had all kinds of trails down there but I’m not able to do that as my balance is not what it was. My daughter did put a bench overlooking the bottom part of the property and some of B’s ashes are there, so I like to sit there and talk to him.

We’re still dancing around the Thanksgiving thing but I think we’re closer to do a buffet with cheeses,crackers, dips etc and then have a turkey breast on the side with a few extras. That’s where it is as of now.

Plodding on…

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, cooking, Credit cards, LLS, swimming by

Well, I made an appointment to take the Santa Fe back in, as the heater is not working. I was freezing while driving down to the library/gym the other day. So I’ll bring it in tomorrow. According to ChatGPT, it could be an air pocket in the coolant system, which would make sense since that’s what they worked on, or the thermostat they put in isn’t registering. Anyway, it needs to be done. So with that, I decided not to drive to the pool today as I’m a little nervous about it. It has been working fine( the coolant has stayed at the right level) but with the heater being an issue, I’m not sure if that could trigger something. So I’ll be patient about getting in extra swims for now.

I may take the VW into Auburn as I do need a few groceries but I’ll decide that later as there’s no rush to get out like there is getting to the pool. The lap swim ends at 9:15am so it’s get up and go pretty much.

As usual in my morning routine, I checked LLS and still no funding. Maybe by the first of the year. It does make a huge difference. But I’m sure many people are waiting for the funding. I write in my notebook every morning a list of what I want to do and my budget stuff. Right now I’m using a thrift store notebook that I got for 1.99. I also write how I slept and my stats from the CPAP machine,Apple health and Ring Conn. So today’s list isn’t too involved. Do a bigger vacuum and mop the floors, maybe the store in town, and plan some meals from the freezer. The other day I did a turkey breast I got from Trader Joe’s and it came out really good. It’s the Empire kosher brand. I have some meat sauce to use so I may do spaghetti or use the ravioli I have in the freezer. Regardless, I need to plan some meals so I can use stuff up.

I will be really glad to see October end. It has been a huge money drain and most of it on CCs. So that will be my priority for November and December, trying to get them paid as much as possible. We’ll see.

Thanksgiving is still being planned. My son said he’d do some cooking here, but my daughter isn’t too thrilled at the idea of any big Thanksgiving dinner. So, it’ll be simple whatever it is. I’ll probably order the turkey breast and at least have it if that’s what we do. My daughter thought maybe just a few bits like dips and veggies and maybe a cheese tray. I’m sure we’ll figure something out. I did check a premade meal pack but it seemed very expensive for what you get.

What do you do for Thanksgiving? Is it the traditional or something else?

Thankful Thursday

Posted in Blood test, books, budgeting, budgets, California, cancer, home stuff, medicare, Myeloma, swimming by

Yes, I am feeling thankful or at least hopeful the Santa Fe is doing ok. I went to the pool yesterday, and the temperature gauge stayed below half, where it should be. So I’m thankful and grateful, at least feeling a bit less stressed.

The pool was wonderful and not real busy. It’s so nice when it’s not crazy busy. I took my time as it had been over a week since I was there and didn’t want to overdo it. I really enjoyed it.

I’m thankful for another blog reader sending a Buy me a Coffee gift. Thank you for your kind gesture and support. Any donations I get I plan to use toward the car repair bill. So thank you kindly.

I researched the Medicare Part D plans and the one I’m on now will go up from $1 a month to $10. A big increase but still doable. It also seems to be the best for the drugs I take so I’ll keep it for next year. At least that’s done and out of the way. There’s not much choice but at least it’s done.

Today is just a home day and it has been drizzling. We really need the rain so it’s welcome. Tomorrow have the 6 month follow up with the Sleep NP in Roseville so that’ll be another drive to test if the car is doing ok. My CPAP is going well, overall. After I see her, I’m planning on going down to the library as I have a hold. I think it’s the Ann Patchett book, so I don’t want to miss that. Have you read that? I’m not sure what it is about.

My labs came back and my Kappa light chains went back up to 35.( 19.4 is high normal, for reference). So not really happy about that but what can you do. I see him in November but I’m sure he’ll just say, stable which it is and yet out of range. I’m disappointed but it is what it is. At least I feel ok. Well, I just won’t think about that today.

I’m not sure about dinner tonight. My daughter works late again, so I may just do quesadillas or scramble some eggs. I have some rotisserie chicken I can use too. I made some mac and cheese the other day and it came out so so. I cant seem to get the ratio quite right to have it not be so dry. Are any of you mac and cheese experts? I used the Costco aged cheddar so I know the cheese was a good one but it still seemed to fall short. Maybe I’ll just stick to a box or Stoffers. So thought the last time I had a Stouffer’s it wasn’t very good. Trader Joe’s one is ok not great. Oh well, we don’t eat mac and cheese all that often.

It’s almost the end of daylight savings time again. B and I used to joke about, how every year we are surprised by it and yet it happens every year. Go figure.

Well, I made it!

Posted in Blood test, books, bread, budgeting, budgets, California, decluttering, Uncategorized by

So I drove down to the Mahany gym after my labs, and the temperature gauge stayed steady. I drove more slowly as I was on ‘red alert’. I asked AI about the MPG not registering correctly, and it said it could be that when the battery was disconnected, it switched off somehow. But I called the garage, and the manager said that it was fine to drive and the MPG is just read out. I’m too ‘fried’ with it all to go back in right now so I’ll just wait till my energy comes back.

The gym was nice and fairly empty. After that I went over to the library but didn’t find anything on the new shelf to get. I also dropped off our ballots at the drop box outside the library. After that I dropped off a big load of stuff to Goodwill which included my breadmaker. I decided( finally) it’s too bulky and heavy for me to be lifting and putting on the counter so off it went. I’m sure someone will be thrilled to find a Zojirushi bread maker.

Anyway, a thank you to a blog supporter who donated to Buy me A Coffee. I am in awe of support when it comes. I had thought of at one time doing a patreon blog, but I just don’t feel that’s the right direction for me. I also don’t do ads as I find them very annoying so. So with that. I do thank you for the donation.

I’ll plan to go back down tomorrow to the pool and that will be trip #2 so fingers crossed. I also need to hit up Costco for coffee and a few other things. I need some socks. In the past I’ve always supported Bombas as they donate one item to shelters for the one you buy. But I cannot afford Bombas socks right now, so Costco will do. If the car is working ok, I’ll stop tomorrow.

We are heading into a change of weather with rain on the way. We definitely need it. Also, much cooler. I’ll need to get some firewood ready to have inside.

I’m working on November’s budget and writing a small Christmas list for the kids. I probably will do gift cards and a small gift or two. This will be our second Christmas without Barclay and it’s really just not the same.

Before the whole car debacle, I had put in a pick up order at Ikea for a wood shelf for my daily notebooks I use. I use one to track my CPAP numbers and 02 and a budget one and a few other misc. So I wanted a shelf to put them on near my desk. Well, that order got cancelled since the car was in the shop, so I,may think about driving down there to get it. It’s actually a spice rack but is perfect for holding a few notebooks.

That’s a bit of a drive so, I’d need to be emotionally ready if the car broke down:(

The week ahead.

Posted in California, Political things, reading by

After the gym yesterday, I went to Bel Air for a few things, mainly sauerkraut and some natural hot dogs for dinner. Then I went over to Goodwill, all in the same shopping area, and found a few things. A couple of books and two enamel trays. I had store credit, so I used that. I still have some left over so I’ll maybe go again next week.

Today is a holiday. Indigenous peoples day, so I’ll not go to the pool. Holidays are hit and miss and the last time I went on a holiday it was way to busy for me.

I’m re-reading Shogun. I finally found a set at the pet bookstore and it’s a nice copy. I checked using google and it is a bookclub copy but a very nice one that sells on ebay for @ $50 so I got a good deal. I’m still holding out for the original one that is actually one book not two. Maybe I’ll get lucky.

I also watched the first Harry Potter as that takes place around Halloween. I haven’t found any new shows to watch. I started the ‘East of Eden'( I think that’s what it was called), and didn’t like it. It’s based on Steinbeck’s book. Anyway, it wasn’t my genre. Any recommendations?

I was able to use the democratic guide to the measures and filled that out according to their recommendations. I mostly had what they recommended but there were 2 that they suggested no on. So I’ll finish that up today.

I plan on one swim and one Mahany trip this week and I have Velcade on Thursday. I’d like to add one extra thing with my daughter as she has the week off. Maybe go out for lunch someplace new?

I sure hope this election brings a blue wave across the country. If that happens maybe we can stop tRump from doing the horrible things he’s doing. The latest is cutting 500 trees from the golf course in DC. Where’s Treebeard when you need him? It’s beyond despicable what he’s capable of. But it’s peoples $ ( or lack of) that will do him in because at $6 + for gas is going to get even magas riled up.

Saturday

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, cooking, home stuff, Walking by

Well, I’m sitting here at 6: 30, and it still seems too dark to go for a walk. I’ll wait another 10 minutes or so. I’m not into getting there in the dark anymore. At one time, walking in the dark was one of my favorite things. Now, though, the path has lots of uneven places and holes, so for safety, I’ll wait. Update:/ I got there at 6:45 and it was fine.

Our weather has turned and it’s going to be cool and maybe even some rain. I think we’re ready. My daughter got all the wood stacked which was a big job. Since my son left the truck here while he’s gone we are planning at least one trip to the dump. Mostly it’s leftover junk wood that I’d like out of here. Frankly, I ‘m amazed at the crap still here that wasn’t taken care of. So my goalis, all of it gone by mid November.

I decided to go to TJ’s yesterday as it had more things I wanted on my list. It was busy for some reason. Maybe because it was Friday? I checked whether they had the fall mini bags but they are long gone. I did pick up the french fries and their has browns that we like because they are unseasoned. I also got some frozen meals of chicken chow mein and their fried rice for a easy dinner. TJ’s is so great for getting interesting things. I want to plan a trip when I have some extra money to get some Christmas things like chocolates and cookies. But not now.

A couple of my vintage Halloween things. Plus pumpkin boy and apple girl.

I’ve been doing some Sashiko on some linen blend napkins. I got the designs off Etsy and they stick to the fabric so it makes it easy to do them. I need to get more thread though. The sashiko thread is a bit silkier than embroidery thread. I’m planning on giving these to my son for christmas, at least that’s the thought now.

I have a few house things to do today and then I’d like to get back out to the garden shed. I had decluttered some but it’s a mess again so that’ll be my first priority today. Now that it’s cooler I get a bit more ambitious.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, cooking, freezer cooking, Gratitude, Pantry by

Well. I’m not too thankful that the bear came and knocked over the very full garbage pail this morning. He did it last week too. So I got up at 6am and decided to go look with the flashlight, and sure enough, it was strewn everywhere. We don’t have bear proof garbage pails here and besides it’s garbage day so it’s out on the driveway. Not sure if there’s a solution to this except maybe a bungee cord and then go get it when I get up?? I don’t think a bungee cord is going to keep a 500 lb bear out of the garbage.

Well, I am thankful I got out there before the truck showed up because if they see it strewn around they won’t stop. These new trucks are all automatic lifts so the guy doesn’t get out of his truck at all.

Another appt today, and I’ll be thankful when it’s over. But with this shot I’ll have to expect tomorrow the side effects won’t let me go to the pool or gym if it’s like last week. Fortunately, I did feel better by Saturday so hopefully this will be the same. My schedule has been very messed up with these shots and then side effects. I’ll be glad to get out of October. I have Velcade next week so that’s 3 days out. UGH!!!!

I made sole meuniere last night with some cheese raviolis on the side cooked with cherry tomatoes and olive oil, it was good. The raviolis were from the freezer and that’s one more thing out of there. I have one more serving in the freezer to use. I think from now on I’ll get the TJ’s pack and not Costco. Easier to get through.

The big freezer is emptying out nicely. I’m going to defrost it once it’s a little more cleaned out. I like having the chest freezer for extra things but not when it’s crammed full and there’s only two of us. I need to go get some chicken to defrost, so I’ll check on what else can get used. The raviolis were near the bottom and that’s why I used them. It’s been a challenging process learning to cook for basically just me and my daughter. We don’t eat all that much especially at dinner time. ( ok, then why am I overweight?? ha ha!!!) Well, for one, I am definitely not as active as I was even a year ago. I’m not walking as much and even with swimming, I dont get there as much as I’d like especially when there’s these appts. Plus, right now with gas over $6 a gallon, it’s hard to justify moe than 2 trips a week. Oh well, age catches up to us all.

Midweek things

Posted in books, California, decluttering, home stuff, plants by

I had a good dentist appt yesterday. Still, OOP was expensive, but I don’t have dental insurance, and Medicare doesn’t cover dental things except, I think, surgeries and stuff. Oh well, it had to be done, but at least it all was good- no cavities, etc. She did recommend I go back to the electric toothbrush. I had an Oral B somewhere but when I got home I couldn’t find it so I ordered a Sonicare. It was on sale for Prime so I got a good deal.

Before the dentist, I went over to the pet bookstore and dropped off 3 bags of books. Some were cookbooks that I bought there but really haven’t used. It’s cheap entertainment for me to read cookbooks.

Monday I did a house rest and got through the kitchen zone. That always feels good as it is my biggest zone to do.

Today, I plan on tidying things up and I need to find some different places for my sunroom plants. I have a very large fiddle leaf fig ( over 5 ft) but it’s not liking the sunroom going from very warm to cool at night. So I need to rethink where to put that plant and 2 others. I don’t have a lot of space in the house which is why they were in the sunroom. I’ll google or AI what fiddle leafs like. The spider plants can really tolerate temperature changes so I’ll leave them out there.

Other than that, a day at home. I think this our last hot day too. Fortunately, as I mentioned, with the angle of the sun this time of year, our house is not getting direct overhead sun but more south eastern, so the house is staying cool as long as I close the windows.