Category Archives: husband

Simple Sunday

Posted in books, bread, California, Flylady, home stuff, husband by

So good to be home. It’s cool out and the gardens look great. Plus it’s quiet!!!

Our obnoxious unfriendly neighbor has been unusually quiet for about 6 weeks now. I know he’s over there because he has opened his workshop/garage, but no metal grinding. Usually, he’s grinding metal all day. We’re pretty sure he’s running some sort of business but we can’t tell what exactly. But it’s been blissful to have it so quiet, let’s hope I don’t jinx it.

I used the new shower and it’s not going all the way over to hot so it’s warmish. I guess we’ll have to have the handyman fix it this week. Plus there are some gaps in the grout in a few places. Update: B watched the Delta you tube video and fixed it. It was quite easy.

Today I just need to use the steam mop and that’s about it. Yesterday I did the kitchen zone, the bedroom zone and washed the bathroom windows. I might do my office area windows too. I made a loaf of sandwich bread yesterday too using Rhonda Hertzel’s bread recipe. It came out perfect. I’m feeding my sourdough so it’ll need a few days.

I browsed Goodwill looking for any Craig Johnson books but nada. They really are hard to find. I found an old library copy of The Secret Garden which I thought would be fun to re-read.

Today is Father’s Day, happy father’s Day to all you men out there from your Furry kids and human kids. I told my kids to plan Dad’s lunch or dinner.

What plans do you have for Father’s Day?

My father was never around so it was a nonexistent thing.

Rainy Saturday

Posted in books, California, cooking, home improvement, home stuff, husband, reading, Uncategorized, Walking by

We were able to get our walk in before the rain started. It’s supposed to rain all day and quite a bit. Well, we always need the rain maybe not the wind but certainly the rain.

Today is a home day and not a swim day. I plan on making a big pot of broccoli cheddar soup. I need to use the big bag I got from Costco. We’ll probably have that for dinner plus baked potatoes. I got the bakers at Costco too and plan on doing twice-baked potatoes. I usually start with 12-14 potatoes and then after I bake them, cut them in half and fill them with the cheese, and potato mixture. I usually end up with 12 half potatoes because I mound the filling. These do freeze great and are an easy meal with salad.

B got the new window in yesterday and it looks fresh and clean. We opted for no grids. All of the other windows( except the sunroom)have grids but as we replace the windows we are going for gridless windows.

We’re working our way through watching Inspector Lynley. We have the 3rd season to watch. It’s a great show and Lynley is a good character. I’m reading another Longmire book now. I am so impressed with the way he writes and how he brings in so much cultural stuff about the Cheyenne and Crow. Very different from Hillerman and the Southwest. In this one” As the Crow flies’, he takes part in a peyote ceremony. It was pretty accurate in his description. I’ve done peyote 3 times( B says, he thinks it was only 2) and it is a very mind altering/spiritual experience. Of course, I was in my 20’s and early 30’s and very much into the whole Native American thing. We also have had 2 teepees. The first one was given to us by a friend and it was painted with different Indian motifs. That one finally fell apart and we bought one from a company in Oregon. When we moved here we set it up and used it till it too finally deteriorated. We used to smudge our house and ourselves with sage as a way to cleanse negative energy. I haven’t done that for years but I still have some abalone shells that we used for that purpose. Longmire is in his early 50’s when he does peyote and also the character is very tuned into the whole spiritual side of the Native American, Cheyenne in his case. Anyway, I digress, they are great books!

Simple Sunday

Posted in bread, California, cancer, cooking, decluttering, husband, minimalism, swimming, Uncategorized, Walking by

So far we’ve made it through the ‘blizzard’ although we didn’t have the blizzard here but lots of rain and wind. Fortunately, we didn’t lose any trees. A friend from way back in the library days had 2 trees fall on their house. Yikes! I’d be breaking out. They live quite a ways up I 80 and I think the wind was worse up there. It looks like today is still stormy so I’m not going to go to the Auburn gym. Plus I’ve kind of felt ‘off’. It’s probably the residual of Dex and Velcade. My blood pressure was high yesterday even with taking my Lisinprol so I’m attributing that to dex too. It’s always something.

I have a loaf of sourdough in the oven and I’ll pull a frozen lasagna out for dinner. the other day I was able to get 4 lasagnas prepped. I think I have some salad stuff to use up too.

Yesterday, I cleaned out a few kitchen draws and probably will do a few other kitchen things today. I need to order propane too. That’s all done on line now so I can do it and pay that way.

I’ve been thinking about how having injured my knee in a split second of stepping off the step ladder wrong way. I think things like this do affect us in deeper ways than we realize. All of a sudden I couldn’t do what I had been doing at all. No walking, swimming, house stuff etc. It really did have an impact on me and with that some sadness of what was lost. I’m certainly much better now and am walking about a mile a day and swimming. But it’s not back to where it was and I’m not sure if it will ever get there realistically. But I’m grateful that I can see forward and keep trying. Yesterday, I used the PT band for a few exercises and it really stressed my knee out so today I’ll skip that part. The other thing I’ve noticed is my routines were more or less disrupted as I couldn’t do the same things such as swish and swipe daily. I’m back at it with more regularity but it definitely impacted me and one has to wonder how things will be in 5 years. I guess the whole point of minimizing and streamlining things was exactly the place I’m in now. My house can handle not getting dusted for a few days, or vacuumed because there’s less to take care of. Daily though, the dishes get done, counters cleared. laundry done, bed made, house tidied. My husband does the laundry daily. He also cleans the kitchen after dinner so it’s a good system. Because of this, I think I will start looking around the house to see what things are taking up space or require some maintenance and then probably get rid of them. I guess this really does comes down to Swedish Death cleaning.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, Gratitude, husband, Walking by

I’m thankful this week for :

  1. getting my last Velcade shot in this cycle. Now I will go to monthly. So I have 28 days till my next shot.
  2. good food and enjoying it.
  3. B for getting up part of the new fence that will block the view into our neighbor’s parking area. He hasn’t been there since his father( Leo) died in May? June? But he is going to sell and I just want to have where they park screened from view. I am weird about things like that.
  4. My PC doctor getting back to me about a referral for an MRI. This knee thing has gone on too long so now we need more info so the only way to do that is an MRI. The only other factor I can figure out is Dex is causing my knee muscles to weaken and not get stronger despite walking, swimming, etc. Dex is known to cause muscle issues and it does seem to correspond when I take the dex and the next few days when it wears off. At first with dex, you don’t feel the pain as much as it is a steroid but then as it wears off and I’m still doing my usual stuff the knee buckling, etc starts to happen.
  5. I didn’t walk this morning due to my knee but I hope to start again tomorrow. Walking is one thing that keeps me going and sane.:)

Happy Hanukkah! Thankful Thursday and Pearl Harbor Day.

Posted in budgeting, California, cancer, cooking, Gratitude, home stuff, husband, minimalism, Myeloma, Political things, simplicity by

Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah and we shall light the menorah. I am making laktes and we will have homemade applesauce and sour cream too. I’m not sure what main dish I’ll serve. I grilled some chicken yesterday so I may do something with that. This year I’m not doing the small gift /money exchanges. I think I just need to move on from that at least this year.

In remembrance of Pearl Harbor too and the men and women who died in the attack and of course, entering World War II. It doesn’t seem we’re that much farther ahead at least globally with war, killing, bombings, etc. sigh:(

On the Thankful note,

It was a busy but nice week. Busy for me is more than one appt. I had my dental appt and since we’re paying OOP, I rescheduled films till next time. I’m grateful that my dental hygienist is competent and funny too! She’s been through a lot as her daughter died around 2 years ago at age 25 from some undiagnosed illness. What a thing to go through.

I’m thankful our house is warm and cozy. B does all the firewood and keeps it going. Next year, we will need to buy wood for now we have all we need.

The poang chair is the ‘cat chair’, hence the fuzzy orange blanket. Plus their cat beds in front of the wood stove. 🙂

I’m grateful my daughter decorated a second tree( live potted) with the ugly ornaments and it looks cute. I wasn’t going to bother so she did it. The

I am so grateful for this week off from chemo. I am feeling better every day and that probably means the chemo is kicking my ass more than I thought. I’m sleeping better overall.

I’m grateful that I chose a minimalist Christmas and it keeps it simple and doesn’t stress me out. I still need to go over to Winco and get the stuff for our traditional Christmas lasagna and plan a salad, garlic bread and maybe a small ham. I usually have one extra thing besides the lasagna. We’ll see. We’re not big dessert people so I’ll have to think about that or not.

I’m grateful our 23 yo VW bug is still going strong and just keeps on keeping on. That’s our around town car and it suits us. As long as nothing mechanical goes wrong, we’ll keep buggie!!! This was the car we bought our daughter at 18.

Frugal Friday

Posted in budgets, California, camping, cancer, cooking, freezer cooking, husband, Myeloma, Pantry, swimming, Walking by

It was a frugalish week. After swimming on Tuesday I stopped at TJs for a few things like eggs, sandwich bread, odds and ends, and wine. I need to go there tomorrow and pick up some stuff to take camping. There’s not a TJs in the whole of Lake Tahoe. There is a Grocery Outlet though. I spent just over $100. Other than that no grocery shopping. I think the way to save money(and it is working) on groceries is to stay out of Safeway, or even our Holiday Market is pretty high priced. Of course, sometimes I need something and it makes sense to get it here rather than driving out to get it. So I think I’m going to plan regular TJs, Winco, and then Costco for the bigger bulk items like coffee.

Today is B’s birthday so we’ll all celebrate with some cake and take out pizza. Another turn around the sun!! Happy Birthday to the love of my life.

We had a nice walk with only a few people there. It does really bug me though when people do not use a flashlight when it’s still dark-ish out.

Then I came home and made a loaf of pumpkin bread to freeze. I had enough pureed pumpkin left to make a batch of pumpkin muffins too.

Later I’m heading into town to go to CVS to hopefully pick up my dexamethasone. There’s been some confusion about where to send it and now I’m not sure if it’ll be there. I figured I’d better go in and check rather than call. The infusion center called and I have all my October dates scheduled. He wants 4 weeks on and 1 week off. Not sure why but in the long run it probably doesn’t matter. We canceled our mid October camping trip because we were going to leave the day I have an appt with the Dr. and then infusion after. There’s no sense going if I’ll have just gotten the shot and then Dex. We had a reservation for 4 nights so 3 of those days wouldn’t really make sense as those are the days I’m not 100%. That’s ok. We’re keeping the Napa reservation in November. I’ll start my next cycle that week so it’ll just need to be later in the week as we’re booked Sun- Thurs. Although, I think we’ll probably leave Wednesday so I can get the appt on Thursday.

Our fall weather is definitely here. Very cool mornings, nice days with warmish temperatures.

Here’s how the pantry is looking. I haven’t done another pressure canned meal as I don’t have a lot of room. When we get back I’ll make something to add. just look at the color of those tomatoes!!! The applesauce is from our tree this year. I still have half a box to do. All the rest of the tomatoes even the green ones I’m putting in a box in the closet to ripen. As they ripen I’m just bagging them and putting them in the freezer to process at a later date.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in Blood test, California, cancer, cooking, Gardening, Gratitude, home stuff, husband, Multiple myeloma, Myeloma, swimming, Uncategorized by

I’m glad the doctor app’t went as planned even though he was an hour late:(

I never complain because you never know who before you is in a dire situation. So we agreed that I’ll get my next set of labs before Tahoe and if the rise is 20pts or more , we’ll start in October. He wondered whether I wanted to do a Pet scan/ Ct to look for lytic lesions first. I said I didn’t think at this point it would matter. I do have old lytic lesions where I had rib fractures and on my skull but at this point it’s my numbers that are the indicator and he agreed. He seemed to think Velcade will be effective again so that’s positive. I’m still a little concerned as this will be my third time. He also agreed that we’d know in 3 months whether it’s working or not which is what I wanted to do. He also indicated that this time I could keep up a maintenance schedule when my numbers are backing the normal range. This was something I suggested 3 years ago but at that point, he wasn’t inclined. So maybe now since I am at this stage it would be helpful and I definitely agree.

I’m thankful the weather is now Fall like. Beautiful days, cool evenings! I think there’s 1 day showing 90 but that’s it.

I am so thankful the indoor pool opened and it was not overly crowded. It probably depends on the day and the time. But after 3 months closed, it’s so nice to have it open and my drive time was 15 minutes less each way.

I’m so grateful to my daughter for being a wonderful gardener and planting all the tomatoes. I have another batch ready to go tomorrow. I dropped them in boiling water and took the skins off but I will still run thru the food mill to get the seeds out. She planted some late zucchini and now we’re getting just the right amount. I’ve made 2 more loaves to freeze for this fall/ winter.

As simple as it is, I am grateful for every day. I’m grateful to spend it with my husband and my kids( although my son is working full time and gone a lot, and my daughter writes full time and works at the library part time.) Still they’re around when we need them.

I’m grateful Barclay can do projects and improvements on our little abode.

Oh, that chess looking piece is my daughters anniversary present to us, a Peugot pepper mill. Believe me, if you love pepper you’ll want this. Why did I wait so long. It’s worth every penny.

I’m grateful for being able to make some freezer meals for when I don’t feel like cooking.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in books, California, Gratitude, husband, Uncategorized by

First, our washer broke. Well, I’m not thankful for that but I am thankful we can afford to buy a new one and have B put it in. B went and got the right parts but that didn’t solve the problem and it all was too complicated for a relatively inexpensive washer. So I went online to Lowes and the same one we have was on sale so I got that. It’s been a good washer used daily for at least 5 years. Both kids use the washer with their laundry almost daily too. I wanted the Samsung, which was on sale too although more, but it wasn’t in stock and we’d have to wait, so that wasn’t an option. It’s ok, just that it seems it’s always something. I did tell both kids to fork over something to pay for the washer since they use it too. Otherwise, try going to a laundromat. We never had a washer until 1985 after S was born so that’s 15 years of laundromats. So I am thankful for washing machines.

I am thankful to have had Leo as our neighbor all these years. He died last week after being confined to his house for the last 4 years. He was always a good neighbor, quiet and helpful. We’re definitely concerned as to when it sells and who will move in. We are planning another privacy fence along the property line but not sure how soon we’ll get to it. After seeing all the people for the services over there and kids and cars, I shudder to think about new neighbors.

I’m thankful our weather is not overly hot. We’re still in the 90s but it’s ok and we’ve even sat outside on the patio for a while.

I’m thankful we are getting tomatoes!! Yay!! I made the first round of salsa the other day. I’m going to open one jar to test it out. The tomatoes are the first round so I’m sure as we get more Romas the flavor will improve. I used the water bath canner and boy does that take a lot of water. I’m thinking of looking at the Amish steam bath canner( also used for things like tomatoes, sauce, salsas,) and it is designed differently. It only takes a few inches of water and there is a bigger lid that comes down to seal it.

I am thankful I can go to the gym and get a good workout in with weights. It’s so important to keep muscle mass as you age.

Lastly, I’m grateful for the library right next to the gym. Perfect.

Imbolc

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, cancer, Gratitude, home stuff, husband, Uncategorized by


Imbolc or Imbolg, also called Saint Brigid’s Day, is a Gaelic traditional festival. It marks the beginning of spring, and for Christians it is the feast day of Saint Brigid, Ireland’s patroness saint. It is held on 1 February, which is about halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Historically, its traditions were widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man… Wikipedia

· Imbolc is a pagan holiday celebrated from February 1 through sundown February 2. Based on a Celtic tradition, Imbolc was meant to mark the halfway point between the winter solstice.

February 2nd is cross-quarter. I always feel the earth slightly shifting. Perhaps it’s the sap starting to run in the trees or possibly the sun’s angle. Right now we’re getting light still in the afternoon at 5:45pm and walking in the morning, predawn is 6am. I love when this change happens.

I had a good Dr. appt. Nothing new to report. My increase of 3 points is still very low and he actually had gone back and looked at when my numbers started doubling. So at one point, it went from 90 to 180. So that’s what I won’t let happen again and he’s well aware of that. Still, he’s the medical oncologist and knows what he’s doing. But it was a good drive into Sacramento with not tons of traffic just the normal.

I had thought of going down to the pool this morning but will wait till tomorrow. Driving out 2 days in a row is a lot for me. So Friday will be my swim day. I’ll probably go to the gym on Sunday then.

The pantry challenge is winding down as I am running out of ideas. I will check the freezer this morning and see what I can cobble together. I still have plenty of shell stable meals so I may do a couple of them. I know I have some salad stuff to use up today.

Thankful Thursday:

That I have an oncologist who knows me and is attentive.

That it’s sunny out even though it’s cold.

My husband who does SO MUCH around here and is always willing to stop at the store or drop things off for me( returns).

That I feel good overall and love swimming and going to the gym and that I CAN do it.

That we get SS and that almost covers all our bills including still having a mortgage:( . Then I’m thankful our kids pay ‘rent’ and that covers the rest , food, misc, etc.

I’m so thankful they both have excellent jobs and love them. We never got the job thing right( not for lack of trying) but first, in the mid 70’s there were NO jobs that we could get( plus affirmative action knocked Barclay out of the job pools with the US Forest Service. and always we resorted to some kind of self employment. He did Shiatsu massage for years and I did the whole ‘spiritual’ healing/counseling mumbo jumbo. Later we opened the metaphysical bookstore in Old Town Auburn but that was in the late 80s.

Lastly, I’m thankful Barclay is healthy again!!

Frugal Friday

Posted in budgets, California, cooking, home stuff, husband, ikea, swimming, Uncategorized by

We’re finally getting sunny days. It’s still very cold(32′) this morning but at least there’s sun!!

It’s been a good week. Barclay had his port out and that all went well. It was almost 4years to the date he had it put in. Lots of blood transfusions.Whew, what a story that was. But he’s 100% better and has no lingering GVH issues.

I had my annual Well care check with my PCP. It was fine although maybe a slight waste of time as I didn’t have anything to discuss and he didn’t have a lot to say. Oh well, it’s fine. I did say I still had some pressure in my left ear and he just said to go see the ENT doctor. Er, okay then.

After that appt, I went down to the Roseville gym and then the library. I also swam on Wednesday and it was busy but I did get a lane. Near the end of my swim, some guy came and shared the lane.

This morning I’m making some sauerkraut and doing a general tidy-up. I’m making a pizza for dinner and need to defrost the dough. Last night I made my first ever meatloaf and it came out really good. I did follow a recipe and I suppose that does help. I decided to make this since I had a lb of local pork sausage I had bought at the farmers market this past summer and as part of the pantry challenge wanted to use it up. I also had some organic ground beef to use up too. I topped it with my canned BBQ sauce and it was excellent. The pantry challenge is going splendidly and I may continue into February. There are 11 more days in January so I’ll decide then. I do plan on doing an Azure order in February so that will be some pantry restocking.

I got the new Marie Kondo book from the library. What a waste. It’s mostly repeat stuff but there’s so many photos of her. It seems the book is really about how many photos can she have taken of herself.

And here’s a shot of the sauerkraut wilting and about ready to go into a jar with the fermenting lid on.

This was one head of cabbage. It does shrink down.

I haven’t spent a lot on groceries this week except $80 at Trader Joes. Since I was going in for a few things I added some extras like pita bread for falafels, OJ, micro greens, and some other random stuff.

I also tackled washing the couch covers and saw that one corner at the bottom was ripping so I will need to get a new cover eventually. I’mgoing to pull some embroidery thread out and sew it for now. I think these white covers are over 5 years old probably more. I’m not ready to buy a new couch so a new cover will be fine. Next time I go to Ikea I’ll check it out.