Tag Archives: swimming

Frugal Friday

Posted in Blood test, books, budgets, California, cooking, reading, simple foods, swimming, Walking by

We have another rainy day forecast. It’s very weird for us to have rain in Northern CA this time of year. Usually, it’s around Halloween. But we’ll take it and it will help with fire season.

After overdoing the walking yesterday,:( I re-evalutated. I’ll just do 2 rounds tomorrow and see how that is for a day or two. I did swim this morning and it felt really great. It was raining a little but I’m in the water anyway so…

Well, I ended up going to Winco after the pool and it was not frugal. I spent about $125. But I pretty much got what I needed for the week ahead. Some salad stuff, fruit, almond butter, rye bread, cheese and misc. But other than that, I haven’t bought groceries. I think so far for the September budget I’m at about $275, and that was the Costco trip. I could put that back on August’s budget but I think I’ll leave it in September.

We didn’t have any lunch dates or coffee dates this week. Next week we might do a lunch date but I’ll wait and see how the week shapes up. I have my oncology appt Wednesday so that day is out. I’m hoping we can come up with my chemo plan for October. It depends on my next labs and what he thinks. We’ll see.

Last night I made a yummy chicken parmigania and spaghetti with some of my canned tomato sauce. Boy, was that sauce delicious. I did pick another big bowl of tomatoes so I may have enough to do another batch. I did another jar of refrigerator jalapenos. I must have 6 jars now:) I’m not sure what we’re doing for dinner but it won’t be a pizza. Maybe I’ll pull a jar from the pantry.

I just finished a library book “ The House in the Pines‘ by Ana Reyes. Yikes what a nail biter. Very scary and suspenseful. Not sure about the ending it seemed to unfinished to me and I don’t like that. I picked up 6 books to read, 3 of them are part of the Lincoln Lawyer series. Right now we’re watching the TV show on Prime and it’s very good.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in Blood test, books, California, canning tomato salsa, home improvement, home stuff, reading, swimming, Uncategorized, Walking by

That I have the strength to stand and can tomatoes at 70 yo. Really, I’m 70?… That’s just weird.

This a new recipe for me. It’s like Rotel. Very spicy!!

I just read an absolutely fabulous book “ Fellowship Point” by Alice Elliot Dark. It’s a great combination of characters. The main narrator is 80-something and so is her best friend. Then it weaves in lots of Quaker stuff and takes place in Maine. I loved it and I think I’ll look for a used copy. Mine was from the library.

Even though our weather is hot and humid we have window coolers to stay cool in the house. I hate humidity. It reminds me of NY. Growing up in NY I felt I didn’t belong there and left at 18 never to return. But I do have illusions about Maine and Vermont. My father’s family were all Mainers but we never met them or even saw them at all growing up.

That the pool was a lovely temperature even though it was busier than usual. Plus the traffic was crazy with people taking kids to school. The school next to the pool was busy.

My lipid tests did come back high but only slightly out of range and down 20+ points from last year. So I’m ok with that. No results yet for the light chains. My thyroid tests were all in range too.

Our morning walks are always a highlight of my day. Even though there are still more people than ever, I suppose that’s just part of the growth in our area. Although quite a few people drive from other local towns to walk.

The window replacement wall is all done and painted. It looks nice. I’m amazed at how much doing just this little project costs and looking at the COMPLETE remodel of the old hoarders’ house just must be mind-boggling. I’m guessing $200K -$250. easily. It still makes me sad that she had to be evicted and couldn’t find a way around it. I wonder how she’s doing or if she’s even still alive.

Frugal Friday on Saturday!

Posted in Blood test, bread, budgets, California, cooking, seasonal things, simple foods by

The day got away from me and I ended up not blogging. I went to the pool and it was great. The water was perfect. I did use the stairs to get in and out. I did see some other people also doing that so I didn’t feel too awkward.

My son’s birthday is Monday and he wanted pulled pork sandwiches. I wasn’t able to find the small seasoned ones so I got a seasoned tritip. That was from Grocery Outlet. I picked up a few other things and that amounted to $50. I might try our Holiday Market and see what they have.

The Costco trip ended up a little more than planned at $250 but that was mostly non-food like laundry soap, dishwasher pods etc. Those all will last months.

I’ve been a bit fanatical working on the sourdough sandwich bread but I think on try 3 I’ve got the right combination. The dough is a soft dough, unlike the no knead bread which is a much stiffer dough. So if I can tweak it just a bit more and get the right rise, we’ll have sandwich bread rather than buying it.

We didn’t have any takeouts or dining outs( which we rarely do anyway). This month is our anniversary so I’ll plan something out. We’ve been eating lots of good home cooked meals though and using fresh tomatoes from the garden and peppers.

My budget is all set for August and accounted for. The only big expense is B needs a crown. He’ll put that on a card and then we’ll pay it off that way.

He’s almost done with the window remodel and it’s already making a difference in the temperature in that space. So it’s probably another$200 to get that done. 🙁

We filled up the VW and the Santa Fe and we should be good for a while on gas. Driving to Roseville definitely adds to the gas bill but for now, the trade-off is worth it.

I have labs in a few weeks so I’ll know what my numbers are. I didn’t get the lipid and thyroid test done Monday as their computers were down and they couldn’t access anything. So I decided to reschedule and do it all at once. That way it’ll be just one draw. So once I see the kappa light chain numbers, I’ll know a bit more about the timing of when I’ll start Velcade. Oh well, it is what it is.

Friday Things

Posted in California, cooking, meal planning by

Not too much going on today. I went to the pool and it was somewhat chilly. It is heated but it is also a big pool. I had a lane to myself which was nice.

I didn’t do any extra cooking today and I don’t plan on pizza tonight. I might do spaghetti or something Italian. I have a couple of frozen cheese lasagna so I could do that.

I didn’t do any extra shopping all week and that’s been nice. I might go out to the farm today but I still have some spinach and cucumbers from last week. It’s early yet so I’ll think about it.

Tomorrow I plan to stay home and just potter around. Then Sunday I’ll go to the gym in Auburn. I do need to make up a menu plan for the week and see what needs to get used up.

Frugal Friday

Posted in books, California, cash envelopes, cooking, frugalism, Walking by

This has been a frugal week overall. I only went to Winco for King Arthur WW flour, a few condiments, wine, and some eggs. ( $40) appx. We’re having to supplement our eggs with organic eggs from the store. We’ve lost half of the white leghorns to water belly disease which this breed gets and there’s nothing you can do.:( I’m more than ready to be done with chickens. I dislike paying for store eggs but there are plenty of good options as long as you don’t mind the price. Trader Joes’s has good prices on eggs but Costco is probably the best for organic eggs.

I got gas in the Sante Fe and that was $41 and Barclay took both the SF and Buggie to the car wash. I have a cash envelope for car washes so he used that.

Dinners were all homemade with some leftovers like the chicken. Tonight is pizza night and I made the dough yesterday. I’ll keep it simple with cheese ,olives, peppers, and some basil I still have from the farm. I’m going out to the farm later mostly for lettuce. I still have a bag of spinach from last week so I need to use that up.

I’ve been making a few pot holders and another washcloth. It’s just something to do. I didn’t get any books from the library as I felt I needed a break from reading.

The pool was cool again this morning but ok. I started out with a lane of my own but then someone showed up later. I was back home by 8:10. I’ve been tidying around the house and moving a few things around. Nothing major just a few things changed.

I won’t swim tomorrow even Saturday has been my favorite day. The hours are different and I’m guessing it’ll be busier. I’ll walk and then go the Auburn gym Sunday.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, Gratitude by

This June has had exceptional weather. Not too hot at all. We can definitely have 100-degree weather by now so this has been so nice.

I was able to can 18 half pints of strawberry jam. I found a deal at Winco for .98 a pack so I got 7 packs.

I am so grateful that I was approved for LLS and my insurance reimbursements are being processed.

I’m also so grateful my Kappa light chains only went up 1 point, and that gives me another months reprieve.

Always, the pool and rec center to do weights. The pool was nice the other day but it was colder than the indoor pool. I really didn’t warm up. I did get a lane though so that was nice. Lap swimming is only from 5:30 to 7:45 so it’s not a lot of time. But then it opens at 12:45 – 3pm but I don’t drive to Roseville that late. Plus it would be in full sun and I don’t do that either.

Flowers in the yard…

Simple Sunday

Posted in Blood test, books, California, camping, Lake tahoe, Myeloma, reading, swimming, travel, Uncategorized by

Another week has gone by. The weather is warm today but then when we’re in Tahoe there’s quite a change for the week. It’ll be cool and even thunderstorms. That’s ok, we can still walk in the morning, read, and cook meals inside if we have to. We don’t have specific plans as we’ve been to Tahoe so many times, but we will hit the gym up there twice at least. We may drive down to the Y and head up to Pope Beach. We’ll see.

I swam at the Roseville Aquatics yesterday in what’s called the recreation pool. There are 5 lap lanes in the middle of what’s really a big kiddie pool. On one side is a huge water slide and then on the other it’s very shallow for young kids. Fortunately, I got a lane to myself for about half my swim and then shared for the rest. It was ok. Now that I’ve been there, I think any of the serious swimmers won’t swim there because there’s no way to flip turn as it’s too shallow on the one end and it’s short. Perfect for old people like me. I won’t be back till next week but when I checked the schedule the early morning time will continue to be in this pool and then at 12:45, lap swimming opens at the Olympic pool. I just don’t see myself driving to Roseville in the summer at 1 pm. It just doesn’t work for me.

We’re loading up Rubi today and I went to Safeway and picked a few things so we won’t have to go to the store for a few days. Then I went to Starbucks for a bag of ground coffee to take with us. We always buy a bag so we don’t have to grind it beforehand. We have a Hario ceramic cone and a Hario glass carafe. It makes excellent coffee. We do have a press too but we don’t use that too often now.

I have my labs tomorrow so after I get home we’ll finish loading and probably be on our way by 10. Nevada Beach is only 2 hours or less away so you don’t want to get there too early. 12-12:30 is about right.

I’ve been on a reading marathon of Louise Penny books. What a good writer. So many charming details.

The rest of my day is open. I need to water a few plants and tidy up a bit. The kids will be here all week so they can keep things going.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, cancer, cooking, Gratitude, Myeloma, swimming, Uncategorized by

A good week overall. Sachi’s birthday was nice. I made a yellow cake with chocolate icing.

For a box mix, it was tasty.

I’m thankful for my daughter and all her talents. A published author, gardener extraordinaire, research librarian, and cat lover.

I’m very thankful the plumbing got fixed. Z helped his Dad and made the job much easier. Now the sill wood and beam need to be replaced because of the water damage but that will have to wait till we’re back from Tahoe.

I’m thankful that we live in California and not some horrible right-wing state like Florida. We live in a Red county but then you drive down to Roseville and Davis etc and it’s Blue!!!

I’m thankful that I have lived to be 70 and even though Myeloma is hanging over me, I’m hopeful my next course of treatment is successful. Despite having lived with cancer for almost 20 years, I’m fairly healthy.

I’m always thankful for the Roseville pool and even though it’s closed for 3 months, I can go over to the other pool. It’s an Olympic pool outside so I’m not sure how the temperature will be. It is heated though from what the lifeguards said. Most of the people I talked to like it a lot.

Simple Sunday

Posted in California, cooking, Flylady, swimming, travel, Walking by

We got to the park earlier than normal to avoid the Easter sunrise Christians. :)Whew, we made it out just in time before the singing got going:)

The weather for the next week looks wonderful. Today should be around 70 and tomorrow 72. Napa looks just as nice. It’ll be interesting to a hotel after all this time since we got Rubi but I think it will be fun and there is a heated pool so I plan on doing maybe 20 minutes of swimming. B even bought a pair of googles to swim with.

Here’s what the pool looked like when I got there yesterday at 6:50am. By 7:45 when I was leaving people were waiting for any lanes as they were all doubled up. So I had a lovely swim.

There’s the new spring babies at the park.

I’m sure these had just hatched!! So cute.

Since we’re atheists, Easter doesn’t mean anything special to us but for lots of people, it is a significant religious thing. I do appreciate that Easter still follows the calendar of the first Sunday after the full moon after the spring equinox. At least I think it’s pagan. This was decreed in the council of Nicaea but the original Easter is Eostre, from the goddess of fertility.

We’re going to fire up the Weber for the first time and BBQ some veggie dogs, chicken and veggies too. We will probably eat out on the patio for the first time if it gets cleaned up.

I’m in the bathroom zone this week.

Friday things

Posted in books, budgets, California, library, swimming by

I just got back from swimming and the pool was busy when I got there and then emptied out by 8am. Maybe I’ll consider going at this time. It could be that all the people that work have left. It’s definitely busier at 7am. Traffic was very heavy heading to Tahoe( East bound) but I just went slower than the crazy Bay area people in their Audis ,Teslas, and Lexus’.

I have a few chores to do this morning but nothing too major. I started doing our taxes and got them mostly done. I just need the interest from the mortgage statement so I’ll print that out this weekend. We use the standard deduction so it doesn’t really matter but it asks for it so I’ll do that. Our taxes are pretty simple so it didn’t take long. It looks like we will owe a very small amount!

Tonight we plan on ordering a pizza so that’ll be nice( expensive but nice). It’s nice to take a break from cooking.

Yesterday my son took the day off from work and we went over to Folsom to the outlet stores. Well, it was just the Levi store. I only wear Levi’s and wanted a new high rise pair. I was actually trying to get the original 501s but I would have needed to get a men’s size in order to fit and the clerk said probably they wouldn’t fit right so I got a different pair that still had buttons in the front. We’ll see how I like them. I do have trouble finding jeans that fit right and that’s how I ended up with Levis. I did order a pair of Old Navy jeans that were on sale but I’m not sure I’ll keep them after they get here( next week).

I started reading ‘ Still Life’ and couldn’t get into it. I guess some people really love it but I didn’t like the narrative, plus it was written in a weird way. Oh well, I have a bunch of books on hold at the library but nothing has come in yet.