Tag Archives: Flu shot

Frugal Friday and other things.

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, cancer, cash envelopes, frugalism, Uncategorized, velcade by

So I spoke to soon. The shots are starting today at the infusion center. My daughter is taking him today and tomorrow as I have my Flu/COVID shot today and almost always have muscle aches and feel lousy for 24+ hours. Then Sunday the center is closed so then I will take him on Monday. The only time they had Tuesday was 4:30 and I said no way am I driving Ca 65 at that time. So I do hope they can change it otherwise he’ll have to skip that day. He absolutely cannot drive himself as he’s really not computing.

It is very stressful to have so many appointments. I really dislike having so much scheduled. It makes me kind of crazy. But hopefully, after these shots at the infusion center, they will be at home for the next cycle. Plus, this week I have Velcade so then the next 2 days are Dex days and I don’t drive or go out.

Back to what’s frugal. Well, after Stanford, which cost quite a bit for food, gas, and hotel, hopefully, this week has been better. I filled the Santa Fe up at Costco, but since we’re driving so much that will add to gas expenses. Then I shopped at our Holiday Market and that’s always more expensive than Winco. But I needed stuff so that’s that. I particularly wanted miso to make B miso soup. I spent $55 on food. Then earlier in the week I spent $47 at Bel Air. Again these are stores I try and avoid but if I’m not in Rocklin then I have to make do. I will go to Costco next week to get milk etc. B is drinking a lot of milk and using it in protein shakes.

A number of annual bills are coming due and the the biggest will be house insurance. We still haven’t gotten the Fair Plan cost which I hope comes soon. Our annual PO Box is due and that’s a whopping $182 just for a box at the PO. I did have the money in a cash envelope at least. Plus Barclay’s motorcycle insurance is due. He is going to have to sell his bike at some point but not right now so the insurance needs to be paid.

How frugal was your week?? Some weeks are definitely better than others.

Simple Sunday

Posted in California, canning tomato salsa, cooking, Myeloma, Walking by

The day started with a walk in the park with NO ONE there but us!! Very unusual these days. But quite nice.

Then back home and right into prepping tomatoes to can. B did all the food milling and I got the canner and jars ready. Four Quarts of tomato sauce. They are in the water bath right now. Quarts take 40 minutes and I add 5 minutes for altitude.

I may or may not have a flu shot appt. I didn’t get a reminder and couldn’t find it in my messages as a confirmation. The website was useless. So I think I’ll go in at 11:30 and check. If it’s there great if not I’ll just reschedule. I’m skipping the gym because of canning and then going into town. I usually go to the gym by 8:30 a.m.

I pulled some ready meals from the freezer for tonight. Stuffed bell peppers( vegetarian) and a turkey chili. I need to dig down in the freezer and see what I have.

This week will be busy and different with going to the infusion center on Wednesday. I need to get to the library too. I have holds there. One is Demon Copperfield by Kingsolver. People love it or hate it. I suspect I won’t like it but I’ll try. Some of her stuff I have loved like Animal Dreams and Bean Trees but I disliked Poisonwoood Bible.

I also need to look at my swim times and rec center times and how that’s going to work. After Infusion, I’ll take Dex so the rest of the day is a wash and I never drive the next day either. Friday can be ok so I’ll just have to see. If I need B can drive me to the store or even down to the Rec Center. There are loads of trails there so he could walk or hang out in the library. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see how it goes.

I’m going to work on my Japanese quilt today as I got the quilt frame. The poles are way too long for me to use so B needs to cut them down. I’m not sure how much easier it is with the frame. The lady did not want it back even though I said I’m not probably going to do more. She just said pass it on. That was generous of her. Her father had made this frame and it is sturdy and looks professional.

Well onward and upward. At least the assholes in Congress passed something so the govt doesn’t shut down.

Smoke, smoke and more smoke!!

Posted in California, husband, MDS, Political things, reading by

Our temperatures have gone way down to the ’80’s but we are still being choked by smoke. No blue skies and just haze constantly.

The pictures of SF are so apocalyptic. That same day our skies turned a bizarre purplish orange and it was dark at 3pm. My daughter said,” Just wait till Yellowstone blows”. Very reassuring.

The week has been overall ok. I had my Flu shot, the over 65 dose, and had a bit of a headache from it. In the past I’ve actually spiked a fever for maybe an hour then it’s gone. The pharmacist said the one dose is good for the whole season. Now B and the kids need to go get theirs. We usually all do it at the end of September or into October but this year I wanted to get ahead of it.

Barclay’s liver numbers went down but still not in the normal range. Just above high normal. At least that’s something. Although it’s been going up and then coming down. I still think it’s the Jakafi but he’s only on a single dose so who knows. He also has an IGIV next week since his immunoglobulins are down. It’s too be expected with his drugs. I will drop him off and Sachi will go get him. It’s not in Sacramento but Roseville so I’m planning to either go to Winco or Trader Joes.

It is so depressing about the fires,politics, everything. I just hope we can see some relief soon with the fires and the politics. I have to say though I am thrilled that tRump’s world is unraveling. He deserves nothing but shame and holding the place of “the worst president in American history”.

I’m planning on buying Woodward’s book only to support the fact he wrote it.

This is the book I use the recipe from for my pizza dough. I’ve made a number of her recipes and they are all good. I did buy her second book ” Let’s Stay in ” as a Christmas present for myself, but didnt like it all and gave it away.

This is the best recipe I have found so far. Always comes out great.

The week ahead

Posted in California, home stuff, meal planning, Uncategorized by

This week is fairly open but there are a few things that need doing.

* I need to go to UPS and drop off a damaged book I received from Amazon.

*Then I need to go to USPS and mail a gift off to my sister in Conn.

* I’m planning on getting my Flu shot also this week. Not sure what day but when the mood strikes.

  • Still not figuring out how to keep the font while another tool is being used.??? Well, my tech savvy daughter said there doesn’t appear to have functionality for that meaning using lists and enlarging fonts. I may just email them and ask about it.
  • B will go to Home Depot and get the wood and contractors glue stuff. I probably won’t go but he can do it after his labs or some.thing.
  • The heat is supposed to abate by Wednesday. Let’s hope so. I really miss seeing blue skies:(

So, I changed the font on this and is way too big. go figure.

Tonight I making another Cobb salad because it’s so hot outside. I already made the chicken and bacon in the oven this morning so I just need to make a dressing.

Saturday stuff

Posted in Uncategorized by

I went and had my annual flu shot and updated pneumonia shot this week.  I thought the insurance company was paying but since I went to Walgreens, I had to pay OOP.  I figured okay, I’m here, let’s get this done. $289 later ouch!! The pneumonia shot was $229. I should have just backed off and scheduled an appt with my PCP but I guess I just wanted it done.  That’ll take a bit of recouping this next paycheck.

We also went to Costco this week and it was very expensive. $100 was Christmas and the rest stocking up on things like laundry soap, TP, etc. What I figure I’ll do is minimize shopping the rest of the month and try and keep the grocery/non- food/ cat food/ wine budget around $700.  That should even things out.

We had a nice Mexican lunch out too so that’s almost our dining out budget. I figure maybe a taco night or takeout pizza. We’ve really cut out eating out for the most part so that shouldn’t be too difficult.  Since I love cooking and creating wonderful food it gets easier not to eat out.  Today I’m making another batch of Tartine bread. I’ll freeze one and we can enjoy the other over the next couple of days.

Last night we had Friday night pizza and I made a ricotta arugula pine nut pizza. Wow, it was good.

I started another round of decluttering with just little things like extra pens etc. Plus some misc Fiesta ware that I don’t want anymore. So far about 150 things ready to go to the thrift store or thrown out.

Well, tonight I’m cooking some organic grass fed burgers( I think). I might wait till closer to dinner and see how I feel about that for dinner.