Category Archives: California

Midweek Musings

Posted in budgets, California, cooking by

I had a good day yesterday. My energy was good and overall I felt good too. Nice. I do value these days of my life!!

I had the energy to go to the gym, library, Goodwill drop-off, and Winco. As I was coming out of Winco, it was almost 11 so on a whim I decided to go in to Nugget and get one of their pizzas. I’ve wanted to do this since they opened 10 years ago. Ha HA! Supposedly they are one of the best thin crust pizzas around. So in I go and order a plain cheese,as that is alway the gold standard to judge by. I waited a while and wasn’t too happy about that. So I get the pizza and decide I’ll eat one in the car before driving home. The crust was good and folded( like a NY pizza,) the cheese good ratio, the sauce , TERRIBLE!!! I was like WTF?

So I get home, I have a second piece, and then proceeded to write to that Nugget and comment. I said just what I said above and posted it. Within 30 minutes, the manager emailed back with an apology and offered a reimbursement. I wrote back that it wasn’t necessary, but they might want to have their food team go over what makes NY pizza unique: the sauce is a simple tomato but full of flavor. I suggested the brand Full REd, which comes in #10 cans and many pizzerias in NY use that. I also have bought it and and it’s full of tomato-ey flavor and the right consistency. Sigh, I was disappointed. Oh well, at least I know.

Today was a toss up between the pool or getting more things done around here. I opted to do stuff here since my energy is good. #1 is go do recycle. #2 is sweep the patio. # go out to trailer and start cleaning. ( that may not happen, as it’s supposed to get really warm again today. Since Dex is wearing off and I feel good, I plan to do some painting too. I have some touch-ups to do.

Last night I just had a turkey sandwich as my daughter was at work. I’m watching the original Forsythes. Quite excellent!

Tonight I have a baked potato and some kind of protein. My daughter is home late again so I’ll eat by 6:30. I’ll probably watch some more Forsythes.

Menus and misc.

Posted in budgets, California, cooking, Sashiko by

A few pictures. The champagne was delicious. And the Superiority Tofu burgers came out really great.

Last night we had nachos with home-canned beans. It was ok, and it used up some stuff. Tonight I have some potatoes to use, so I’ll figure out what to have with them. I have some chicken broth to use, so maybe a small pot pie or soup? We’ll see what inspires me later.

I’ll check the freezer and see what needs to be used up. The freezer is about half full, so I’m making progress for sure. I’m pretty sure I won’t get rid of it unless it stops working) But I do want to completely defrost it before winter.

I got my labs yesterday and came straight home. I didn’t have the energy to go down the hill to do anything. I did some house chores and tidying, but that’s it. I slept really badly last night, so today could be iffy. It’s early yet, so if anything, I’d go to the gym because I could do the treadmill. It’s too hot to walk later in the morning right now. I also have a Sashiko book to pick up at the library.

I hope I can get the Goodwill done today, as it’s sitting in the back of the Santa Fe. So I think that’s my goal today, plus the gym. I also need to do a recycle run this week.

CONGRATULATIONS TO MY DAUGHTER!!

THEIR BOOK WON GRAND PRIZE OUT OF 2000 ENTRIES!! I’m really proud of them. Now for an agent to sell the book.

Simple Sunday

Posted in budgets, California, cooking, husband, Walking by

Happy 56th anniversary to me. Even though Barclay is not here physically, he is here with me forever in my heart. We had an extraordinary life. Having met so young, having a special Quaker wedding, going to college together, traveling, camping, and then finally having one child after being married for 15 years, and then our son was born 2 weeks before our 24th wedding anniversary. What a life!

I went for a nice walk this morning. I’m definitely walking slower these days. I guess my knees are still weaker than I’d like, so I don’t try to walk fast or even moderately fast. I just go at a slow speed. Oh well, it was a beautiful morning. Dex also causes muscle problems, so that’s an issue too.

I haven’t decided on the gym this morning as I’m just coming down from dex. I’ll decide before 8am. At least my sleep has been ok even with dex. A little restless but not too bad. ( It’s almost 8am, so I guess I’ll skip the gym and do some stuff around here.) On dex days, some stuff just gets put off till I feel better.

Today, I plan on making the Superiority tofu burgers for our dinner. It’s a bit involved since you marinate the tofu in dill pickle juice for a number of hours, and then the batter is not an egg batter but a slurry using mustard. Sounds strange, but it is delicious.

I’m working on my next month’s budget. I’ve been checking LLS every day, as that is what’s going to really help me with the insurance payment. I’m hoping it opens up in September. It will make a big difference.

I think September doesn’t bring any annual bills, but October will. I know our house/auto with AAA will come in. I need to check that date. Then the California Fair plan house insurance will come in. That comes separately from the AAA rider. Then finally, property taxes will be due.

I have labs tomorrow, so I may go to the gym after that, but I’ll see. Sometimes Monday after dex is my crash day, so I won’t commit just yet. After that, the rest of the week is open, so I’ll swim at some point.

I started watching the new Forsythes show on Prime. What a disaster. Whoever wrote it for this show should at least pick up the book and read it. The characters are all mixed up. Soames is not who he is in the book, and all the characters are not portrayed accurately. I’ll watch one more episode because the costumes are beautifully done and it’s a period piece, which I do love. But geez, the writers really messed this up. I have the original on DVD so I may start that. I think it was either PBS or Acorn?

This week I have a load to go to Goodwill, and I want to do the recycling. Neither is a lot, but I’d like to get it done. I’ll do the Goodwill in Roseville as it’s right on the way to the gym and is a very easy drop-off center.

Well, that’s my week. How’s yours going to be?

Mid-week Musings

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, cooking, sleep apnea, social security, swimming by

Here’s the polenta and chickpea recipe. I used fresh tomatoes from costco because they weren’t tasty enough for sandwiches. I would advise against that and use the can of tomatoes. After I cut up 4 big tomatoes and cooked them down, it didnt add much flavor so opened a can of san Marzano and added about 1/2 a can. also, I didn’t have fennel seeds( who keeps fennel seeds on their spice rack?). Anyway, it was a good way to use chickpeas. I added a few shrimp for protein after it was done.

I love polenta so that was a win. I had leftover polenta for dinner last night!!

I’ve had PGE looking at a tree to take down. But the new supervisor( some kid practically) decided it didn’t need to come down. I was a little pissed as this tree has a serious lean toward the lines. I told him I disagreed with his assessment. Well, there’s not much I can do about it.

My budget ends this week and my last bill coming out is water. After that the coffers are a little low till my SS comes in. Fortunately, I don’t need any groceries and I have enough gas so I’m set. My budget was well set and all the bills paid.

I had a nice coffee and bagel with my son yesterday. He works nearby the cafe I went to so it was nice to catch up. Today, I’m meeting my library friends for a coffee too. It’s been a while since we could all meet.

I finally got the Sleep HQ to upload. It took half a dozen tries and then it was yesterday about 4pm that it finally did it. I haven’t checked it all but there’s a few hypopneas and some Rera’s which are probably when I might be adjusting my mask. Who knows? Overall it looked ok. I didnt look at all the days yet and will today. What’s good about the app is that it tells how your pressure was and when it changed and mask leaks. It helps to see that data.

I had a good swim yesterday although the guy in the lane I shared was kind of a PITA. I hadn’t seen him before and he was a splasher which I really dislike. Also, when I got in to share the lane( he was there first), he looked at me like I was crazy to share. sigh:(

Well, off to do some things before I go out.

Saturday catch up

Posted in California, cancer by

It’s been a slow few days. I went to the pool and had a nice swim. I did a Costco run, mostly for coffee. My energy has been low, and I’m feeling a bit off-center. Not too sure what it is. At times in the past, when I’ve felt off, it’s because my cancer is more active. So next week is my Velcade, and then the next Monday is my labs, so I’d have an idea then. I might just be reading into things, which I do tend to do.

I’m also super sensitive to my body’s ups and downs. It could be just an off biorhythm. My CPAP has been going well so it’s not that. I do still have some 02 dips but it’s very minute. I suppose it could be that. But according to the RingConn my 02 is within range.

Anyway, I had a nice walk this morning. Our temperatures are just wonderful. The high yesterday was 81. I’ve been sitting outside and enjoying that. I’m out of books but could reread something I have.

My son came over after work yesterday and he and my daughter moved out the white couch and brought in the smaller gray one I had on the sun porch. The white one was pretty much at the end of it’s life. The covers were ripping and the main cover(which went over the frame) was not worth washing again. The gray one was on the sun porch where B and I would sit in the afternoon. In the summer, it’s too hot out there. I’ll use the smaller gray one till I can afford a new one probably from Ikea.

So today, I need to find places for some misc. stuff that was behind the couch and under it. I had stored our down bags behind the couch as it was an easy place to stuff them. So, I’ll also dust out in the sun room and clean up out there.

Hopefully, my energy will bounce back.

Also I haven’t felt like blogging much. And there doesn’t seem to be that many bloggers out there I’m interested in. I like Frugal Girl and Katy at the NC but that’s about it. Well, maybe taking a break will help.

Midweek musings

Posted in budgets, California, cats, pets, Uncategorized by

Gus was a very bad boy yesterday. I was just finishing up Anne of Avonlea on Netflix, and my daughter says “Have you seen Gus?” So no Gus in the house. Somehow he got out, and now it was 9:30pm and I was freaked. Gus is a real scaredy-cat, so I was freaked out. We got flashlights and called and walked all around (well, my daughter walked all around; I walked near the front yard). I went to bed finally at 10:15 and was crying. Finally Gus came up to the gate and my daughter got him. I was near hysterical. I’m not sure what triggered me getting so upset but it did. Well, so I couldn’t sleep and finally took an ativan which I haven’t since I threw up the last one. But I was fine and fell asleep. I feel a bit groggy this morning, so I’m skipping the pool and will just go to Costco since I need coffee. Not quite what I planned ,but that’s life. Weirdly, all my CPAP stats were good. 02 was good and mask seal good. My Apple sleep score was lower because I didn’t fall asleep till way later than normal.

So Costco’s list is coffee, dishwasher pods, fruit, TP and I’ll see what else I need.

Last night we had the TJ’s precooked steak slices. It was better than I expected. Convenient for sure. I cooked up some potatoes to go with it. I had planned to use this for sandwiches because I had read about someone doing that on the TJ’s facebook page. There’s some leftover so maybe we can use that for lunch.

This week we also had some veggies spring rolls and potstickers.They were delicious and will do that again. Tonight I have some defrosted Rao’s sauce and some leftover ground beef, so I’ll make a spaghetti sauce. I also have some romaine lettuce to use. In the past month, I’ve gotten much better at cooking portions for just the two of us. We don’t eat a lot of leftovers so I’ve been cooking smaller amounts at dinner. I feel as if I’m making progress.

My son made it over after work the other day. So he got his birthday gifts. I had stopped at Paris Bakery after the gym and got 2 slices of cake. So it was a festive moment. Paris Bakery goods are not overly sweet which is why I like them. Barclay and I liked to go sit in the cafe and have our treats there. I miss that.

I stayed home yesterday and really got a lot done and was proud of myself. I walked out to water the bamboo by our south fence. It’s quite uneven ground so I don’t usually like to do it but they needed water. I need to go back out and cut out the dead bamboo and bring a new pot out for one. I’ll do that today and maybe see about getting a bag of soil too. Then I took all the recycle out to the recycle area. Also took the trash out. I need to gather up some more yard trash to fill the bin as tomorrow is garbage day. Then I hosed off the trailer. I couldn’t get the top so I’ll need done of the kids to do that.

These days my energy comes and goes in cycles. I try to do extra stuff when I feel a bit energized. Also, it was cooler yesterday and that makes a huge difference. Today is the beginning of our cool down so after I get back from Costco, I’ll try and do one extra thing.

Simple Sunday

Posted in California, cooking, Walking by

Well, plans change. My son ended up not feeling well (sore throat), so he didn’t come up. I told him he should go to Urgent care and make sure it’s not something like strep that needs an antibiotic. He said he’s see how he is today. Stubborn! Anyway, I missed him and hope he can come up soon.

Today is another hot one. I really hate this 100 degree weather. The house is staying cool though but I do not look forward to our PGE bill next month. I think it’s hot today and tomorrow and then we drop down to the 80’s.

I really don’t feel very motivated when it’s this hot to do anything. I’ve been practicing some Sashiko stitches.

I had a nice walk this morning and only 2 other people there. Nice. The geese are learning to fly and most of the first batch of babies are flying away. There’s 2 more that are just starting to fly across the park to the upper field. Another season of life.

Yesterday, after the pool, I went over to Winco. It was busy as it was Saturday morning. I spent @ $50 for food. Then over to Trader Joes and spent @ $75 for food. I picked up 2 bags as one is a gift. I was pretty wiped out after I got home.

In my last post I mentioned the tax deductions for single( which I guess is what I am). Vicky commented that although the standard deduction is $16,100 there are 2 other deductions that are available until I believe 2028. I haven’t plugged anything in yet but if I owe, i think it’ll be very small. Or hopefully nothing. I guess I’ll find out next year. 🙁

This week, I again don’t have any appointments,so I’ll plan a Costco trip for coffee and TP and a few other things like some fruit.

Last night we just had a TJ’s salad and it was plenty. I have some mushrooms to use and spinach, so I might make a curry with some chicken.I’m not sure how the mushrooms are since I bought them on my last Winco shop.

Pictures of Gus. He does not like the heat, and so this chair is in the direct line of the window cooler. He’s chlling!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

This picture was from my 2010 on my son’s birthday. We went out for pizza! How young we look. I still had a good amount of hair which from 4 years of Velcade has thinned considerably. Barclay always had a great head of hair, so curly!

Thankful Thursday and a day trip to Napa Valley

Posted in books, budgeting, budgets, California, Gratitude, Sashiko, travel, Uncategorized by

I am very thankful we had a wonderful day trip to Napa. I’ve wanted to go back since B died and show my daughter some of our favorite places. We didn’t spend the night, as that would have added to the expense, but we did some fun things. First and foremost, we did the Napa Valley Wine Train for their 3-course lunch.

It was such a great experience and something Barclay and I always wanted to do. the food was exceptional.

First, I showed them the RV park where we stayed in Napa. Such a great place. This time it was packed due to the fair but they got an idea of what it was. Then it was off to Oxbow and Modele’s bakery. We loaded up on goodies to bring home including their famous English Muffins.

Again I’m grateful to still be able to do these things.

It was a long day, but I felt pretty good overall.

I’m thankful we have window coolers as this heat and now the smoke from the fires is terrible. Today and tomorrow look like the hottest days.

I’m thankful that I have this time.

Today, is a home day except having to go down to the post office as a piece of important mail was put in our box by mistake and I want the person to get it ASAP.

I don’t have anything else much to do but need to tidy up some. Yesterday, at the library I got some non fiction books so I’ll look through those. One is on Sashiko, which I did enjoy doing. Maybe I’ll order some new thread. I think I got that from Etsy.

Anyway, the road goes on and on…


  (?)

J.R.R. Tolkien

“The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say”

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

tags: road

Simple Sunday and Lammas

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

Yesterday was Lammas, or the cross-quarter on the Celtic calendar. I didn’t bake bread although I probably could have cooked it outside on the patio. Lammas celebrates the harvest, thus the wheat has come in and there is bread making. It was strange how, I was sitting on the couch looking out the window, as I do a lot, and I instantly knew the light had changed. It was about 4:30, and I said to my daughter, look how the sun angle is different on the driveway. Then I realized it was August 1.

Anyway, it’s hot and going to be hot all week. I guess, I’m resigned at this point. We do have the little pool my daughter set up and it’s nice to float in it. It’s only 3 foot deep but on a little floatie, you don’t know the difference.

I’ve also had terrible allergies these last 3 days.The only thing I can think of is grasses outside. I rarely have allergy reactions so this was a bit annoying especially since I have sneezing and blowing my nose all day. I did take an allergy pill and that helped.

I finally got out and did a walk this morning. I haven’t been very motivated this last week. Maybe when the temperatures drop I’ll feel more motivated. It was a nice walk though. Even a little cool.

I do plan on going to the gym this morning.At least I can get doing my weights in. I think this coming week, I’ll get over to Mahaney gym and do weights there and treadmill. Plus, I’ll get to pool. At least, I hope to do that. With this heat, I am definitely not too motivated to go out.

I need to plan some meals for the week. We never had the tamales, so I could do that, some chicken, and I did make some coleslaw so I can add that in to whatever else I’m making. We’ll see, meal planning is low on my priority list right now. My son’s birthday is this week too, so I’ll check in with him what he might want to have to celebrate.

Friday Things

Posted in Blood test, budgeting, budgets, California by

Boy, it’s hot. I hate the heat. At least, knock on wood, no fires nearby.

I was planning on meeting my library friends this morning but the cafe was closed due to a water leak. So I went down to the pool and then came straight home. I was home.maybe 10 minutes and my one friend called and said she was at the cafe and where was everybody? Apparently she didn’t get the memo, but at that point the cafe had reopened so I popped down and had an iced tea and we caught up. They just moved house into Auburn so that they’re closer for her husband’s medical needs. Ahhhh, getting old is something else.

I’ve worked on August’s budget and nothing unexpected so far. I hope to make a bit of progress on my CC. We’ll see.

I keep checking LLS but no luck yet. I’m guessing it’s going to be a while. But there is a change that will affect quite a few people coming. They are now only going to give awards to people on Medicare,Medicaid and Tri ? something. So that is going to cut out a lot of people. I wonder what their reasoning is?

My labs came back and they are the same as last month,kappa at 34.7, so I’ll take it. My ratio went up due to Lambda going up but that’s ok for now. My ratio definitely goes up and down. So another month of not stressing,for now.

Last night I just made us a couple of cheese quesadillas and had some potato salad from Ikeda’s. Tonight we might have the cheese tamales but I’ll see what my daughter wants.

Monday we are going on a bit of an adventure so that will take the whole day. I’ll take some pictures. Also, Friday is my son’s birthday. He’ll be 32. Where does the time go?? I know he and his partner have plans for Saturday but I’ll see if he’s coming up on Friday. With it being so hot, it may be better to wait.

Is it hot where you live? And what do you do to keep busy or is it watch TV/youtube??