Category Archives: Walking

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, cancer, decluttering, Gratitude, Walking by

We are hanging in there waiting for the appts. It’s frustrating, to say the least. I am grateful that it’s getting closer at least. I hope we’re going to get some answers at next Wednesday’s UCD appt.

B sent an e-message to the internist who did the diagnosis and I am grateful she responded in very positive way. She said she would reach out to Stanford and see if it could be moved up from the end of the month. She also indicated that age probably won’t be a huge factor as much as how healthy he is for the Hipec.

I’m grateful that fall is in the air even though it’s going to be 98 degrees today. The light is different and even the heat feels different, so I’m grateful for that.

Even though we are both having a hard time emotionally right now we still find things to laugh at. It’s tough right now but sticking to everyday routines is helping some. I guess trying to keep things ‘normal right now seems important to me.

We had a nice walk this morning even with the lady who shows up right after us. (This person is definitely annoying to me for a few reasons, such as: 1. There is a WHOLE parking lot empty and she has to park next to me. 2. She is not using a flashlight when clearly it’s still semidark out.) 😦 Still, I’m grateful to be out walking.

I finally took the huge load in the back of the Santa Fe to Goodwill. I was surprised that it filled up one of their carts. It felt good to finally drop that stuff off. Decluttering feels good once the whole thing is done and not sitting in the back of the car for 3 months:)

Simple Sunday

Posted in California, cancer, home stuff, Walking by

We’ve had 2 days of walks in the park with only us there. Unusual, yet maybe because it’s Labor Day weekend. Regardless, it’s been so nice. Cool temperatures and good walks.

I don’t have too much on the agenda today. I overproofed my sourdough so it totally deflated when I took it out of the container. Oh well, it’s just flour, water, salt, and starter. I should have finished the bulk fermentation in the fridge but forgot to put it in before bed. I’ll feed my starter and start a new batch tomorrow.

This week I need to go to Costco and maybe Winco. Winco is mostly for salad making stuff. Costco would be TP, paper towels, some bread for the freezer, and other random things. I wanted to look at some new sweatpants for walking. Mine are probably 5 years plus old. Generally, I don’t look at clothes but since I don’t have much to get I will look next time.

Here’s a funny picture of cat crunchies left in a bowl

I wonder which cat did this:)

What are you doing this coming week? Anything fun, or necessary? We are just hanging on till his first appt the following week. It’s a morning appointment so that’s good.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in Blood test, California, cancer, cooking, Gratitude, Walking by

I am thankful for a beautiful day. The early morning walks have been so pretty. The predawn sky is like a Maxfield Parrish poster.

I’m thankful that I had a good Dr. visit and there’s nothing new with my labs. My kappa light chains went down a whole point. So that’s great. When that happens though my ratio goes up so that is higher than normal right now. But I’m not too concerned about that at this point. The ratio between kappa and lambda is important especially when the Kappa goes high.

I’m thankful the budget looks good for September but it will be another close month with money. There won’t be much if any leftover. Plus we will need to book a room in Palo Alto by Stanford to spend the night. I guess we’ll figure it out.

I’m grateful we have the 2 appts for B set up although we are concerned about the Stanford one. The treatment( Hipec) is a tough surgery etc and it may be that he’s too old to qualify. So now, I’m worried about that too.

I’m thankful I repotted my plants yesterday. They were very root bound so I think they will do better, especially the Ficus. I plan on going around and seeing how many more I need to do. I think probably 3 more.

Tonight I plan on making a frittata for dinner. I have a lot of spinach to use up and a Boursin. The Boursin adds a nice creamy texture to the frittata.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, cancer, Gratitude, home stuff, husband, Walking by

First for our great weather. Nice temperatures and we’ve been able to eat dinner on the patio again. So nice. Plus we’re sitting outside at wine time too.

Next, walking at the park and enjoying the fresh morning air. A few people are showing up but we’re generally almost done by then.

Finally, we have the appointment at Stanford set. It’s the end of September which seems very far ahead but that’s the best they could do with the specialist we’re seeing. He only sees patients Thursdays that’s that. We did ask to be put on a cancellation list. Our plan would be to drive to Palo Alto do the appointment and then spend the night in a hotel. There is no way I could drive 3 1/2 hours back and forth on the same day.

I’m not sure how the surgery etc will play out and how we will afford me staying somewhere but I’ll worry about that when the time comes.

Today is a home day for me and I just need to do house chores. I might make a loaf of bread in the bread maker. Not sourdough just regular sandwich bread but I’ll see how I feel.

Simple Sunday

Posted in Blood test, California, cancer, cooking, Death, Walking by

A wonderful walk this morning. Cool air and only us. Whenever I’m on DEX I can walk a little more since Dex masks arthritis. So we did 2 miles.

Of course, now Dex will wear off and I’ll see how my knee is 🙂

I decided to go to the gym since I don’t have any major cooking to do or house stuff. It was pretty mellow with only a few people.

For dinner last night I made up the honey garlic tofu again with jasmine rice and a salad. It was just as delicious. Tonight, I’m going to try the frozen tofu and bread it and make a tofu parmesan. This block I cut horizontally. I have leftover Rao’s sauce and mozzarella to use.

This week I have labs, swim, a gym time and that’s it unless B gets a call from UCD. If he does we will take the appointment as we’d like to get the chemo or whatever it’s going to be going.

So after the team of doctors met to discuss his case, they decided to do more testing on the first biopsied tissue, and the answer was revealed. Unfortunately, it is very rare, Peritoneal Mesothelioma. It knocked us for a loop. He’s never been around asbestos but apparently, there can be other causes? what, I’m not sure. The doctor who was doing this diagnosis has also referred him to Stanford. This is a pretty grim diagnosis and incurable so facing us is what time do we have. It’s hard to get this processed and I’m sure we will be going through a lot of emotions. I tend to freeze up emotionally and/or shut down so I’ll need to work on that. Well, at least we know.

That’s all I’ve got today.

Simple Sunday

Posted in budgets, California, cancer, cooking, home stuff, instant pot recipes, simple foods, Walking by

A nice Sunday walk with cool temperatures. This coming week looks really nice with highs in the 80’s, finally!

This morning I’m processing more tomatoes and will water bath them tomorrow. I am also making some chicken broth in the IP. If anything, the IP is worth the money just for chicken broth and beans!! After it cools, I’ll put it in the fridge and then pressure can later.

I tried a new recipe from Cooks Illustrated, where you roll the lasagna noodles to make a mock manicotti. I thought it was ok but both B and my daughter liked it and I thought it was better the second day. I’m not sure I’ll keep the book, but I’ll see if I want to try another recipe in it.

I’m not going into the Auburn gym as I feel tired this morning. Probably from swimming yesterday. I often have a down day after a swim day I guess, because I’ve used a lot of muscles.

I did the bathroom zone and with the new tile and floor it’s super easy to keep clean. I’m hoping we can get the bedroom and closet done in the same flooring next month. I do love the Wabi Sabi-ness of the old fir floors but they are impossible to really get clean. I suppose if we were ambitious enough we’d rent a floor sander and redo them and seal them. That’s what we did 30 years ago. But I think I’d rather have the laminate.

This week is my Velcade shot and the B’s biopsy on Friday. So a few appts, but manageable. When we get too many appts. I get anxious. Based on the last biopsy, it’s going to be at least a week if not more to get results. Last time it was 2 weeks. I have a feeling it’s going to be inconclusive again, but what do I know.

Here’s one of our dinners this week. A spinach tomatoe frittata.

What have you been cooking? One of my favorite bloggers, Sue from A simpler life, always posts her shopping and food. I really enjoy seeing what she buys. Plus the prices seem way cheaper than here.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, cancer, Gratitude, Retirement, Walking by

I am thankful to be walking and getting in almost 2 miles. It’s still busy though and today there were 12 people. That’s a lot when normally it’s us and maybe 2 other people. It’s summer so there’s that.

I’m so grateful my son came up on his birthday and we had a good time. 3o yo. A milestone. We had Angus burgers on the grill with corn on the cob, and Wills potato salad from Costco. Then I ordered the Paris Baguette chocolate cake. It was quite yummy. His partner, A, came up to celebrate too.

I’m grateful my daughter was able to drive B for his PET scan last week as it was in Sacramento. I had some time home alone.

I’m grateful I passed my driver’s written test and eye test. I guess when you’re over 70 in California, you have to take the exam every 4 years? maybe’s 5, not sure. It was a pain to do but it’s over.

Anyone want to share what you are thankful for? I guess we all live different lives and are at different stages of life too. I think that’s what I like about blogging and reading blogs, that it takes you places you won’t ever go. Some bloggers I don’t read anymore because I don’t relate to their opinions or where they are in this journey we call life. But the ones I do read are interesting and appreciated.

Simple Sunday

Posted in bread, California, cancer, cooking, home stuff, Walking by

We had a nice Sunday walk and only one other person showed up at the end. My arthritis has definitely kicked in and I feel pretty stiff to start. After one round I loosen up some but my feet have been hurting again recently. I’m not sure why it comes and goes but?

I’ve just finished making some baked tofu. The tofu was dated so I figured I better use it right away. I started a sourdough cran-raisin cinnamon loaf. I think it might bulk ferment by this afternoon since it’s warm in my kitchen. If so I’ll bake it then otherwise I’ll refrigerate it till tomorrow.

Yesterday, I canned 6 pints of tomato sauce and I’ll get another batch ready to go tomorrow. Usually I do it in 2 days. On day one I put the tomatoes in boiling water and then through the food mill. Day two, cook down and then can.

It’s the kitchen zone this week so I might start that later. I do need to use the steam mop at least today. Other than that, I ran Bender(robot vacuum) yesterday. He does a good job.

Today, I’m not going to the gym. I might go to town with my daughter. She wants to get some paint at Ace. The nursery is close by so we could stop in there too. I need to get some pots to repot some house plants.

I hope we get some news tomorrow on the PET scan. It is frustrating, to say the least.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, cancer, cooking, Gratitude, home stuff, knee injury, Political things, swimming, Walking by

Still no biopsy results. My guess is someone dropped the ball as to who was going to call. Tomorrow is his NP video appt so we’ll know then. Still, I hate to go into the things uninformed. Because he doesn’t have the oncologist yet, and his PC didn’t do anything, I’m guessing the results are just sitting there waiting for someone to release them.PITA>

I’m grateful at least he has the appt tomorrow. I’ll sit in and hear what is being said.

My doctor is on his way to Croatia so I think my labs are going to be stuck in cyber space too. He’s gone for 2 weeks. I may call down there and ask that another doctor release the labs.

I’m thankful our temperatures are finally dropping out of the 100’s. since we just had the 2 hottest days on record, I think heat waves like this will be the norm:( But wait, Republicans think climate change is a hoax. Remember the movie ‘Day after tomorrow’, when it’s too late, it’ll be too late.

I’m grateful my sourdough starter is working perfectly. I had made at least 3 loaves that didn’t bake right and looked up why. First, the starter needs to be robust and second, the bulk fermentation phase is the most important. So I was underproofing the dough. I’m quite pleased with the loaves I’m getting.

I am thankful I had a good swim yesterday. I got there a little later than usual, and it was mellow. I still shared a lane but that’s ok.

I’m grateful my daughter loves gardening and right now I’m processing another pan of tomatoes for sauce. Since this is a water bath process, I don’t worry too much about exact quantities because it’s just tomatoes. If this was a meat sauce or a pressure canned recipe exact measurements are necessary. I like the baking of the tomatoes as the skins come right off.

I’m grateful to be walking in the park. It’s been almost a year since my torn ACL and meniscus. So I’m really happy to just be walking. It’s still not a lot but that’s ok. On any given day I do between 2-3 miles. So I’m good with that. If I could do more I would.

Here’s giant Gus and his momma, Ciri.

Finally, I’M INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL THAT KAMALA HARRIS IS THE NOMINEE. I THINK WE CAN BEAT THE ORANGE GUY, WHO NOW IS THE OLD MAN:)

Thankful Thursday

Posted in books, bread, California, cancer, cooking, Gratitude, husband, velcade, Walking by

No reports back on the biopsy. I thought for sure, we’d hear something yesterday. So waiting, waiting. Not that I’m expecting anything but bad news but at least we’ll know what the official diagnosis is. 😦

After that, no doctor appts until next Friday and that’s with his NP from his transplant team so I’m not sure how that will play out. The new oncologist appt isn’t until the week after that so it’s definitely a waiting game. Wait, Wait, Wait.

Things to be thankful for though:

We are getting LOTS of tomatoes and I plan on having my favorite tomato and mayonnaise sandwich later today.

I have Velcade this morning and I am always thankful for efficient and knowledgeable nurses. After that, I will go down to the library and pick up my hold.

I’m thankful we had some days of cooler weather but we’re on an upward swing again. It was nice and cool this morning walking. There were LOTS of people walking even at 6am. I guess it’s the summer crowd.

I’m thankful my son has a nice apartment and is staying cool especially since he just down with covid. It’s the first time he’s had it. I miss him being here so I can hover over him!!!:) But he’s a grown man and knows what to do.

I’m thankful the sourdough boule I made yesterday came out perfect. The last two were dismal and I had to throw them out. I read on the problem and I wasn’t letting my starter mature enough. So I’ve been feeding twice a day and it’s very active now. I plan on doing another one soon. Also, with the heat, proofing time and bulk fermentation are different because it’s warm, so that was a factor as well.