Tag Archives: VW

Simple Sunday

Posted in books, budgets, cash envelopes, home stuff, reading, Walking by

We’re back in the rain again. All.Day. Oh well, I won’t walk but may still go to the gym. Since that’s only in Auburn, I don’t mind. (Auburn is about 7 miles, just for reference.)

Friday, we went and picked up the VW. He fixed the brake light and the low beam headlights that had been out for like forever. sigh… $300 out the window. I pulled cash from my envelopes to pay. So now I need to go back and refill them when I can.

I plan on washing the couch covers today. This Ikea couch has held up so well, but now it is starting to show wear. I am hoping to buy a new couch sometime after the first of the year. It’ll be Ikea. The one I have picked out is grey and mid-century looking. I’ve loved my white couch, which was the Ektorp. But they don’t make that one anymore, but replaced it with another that looks similar.

I will also put together a meal plan and see how the week shapes up. I have some library holds, so I know I’ll go to Mahany and do the gym and library. I’ll see when I want to go to the pool. I may switch it up this week and go on Tuesday.

I have my Diestel turkey breast being delivered this week. I have some other things like green beans, cranberry sauce, and stuffing already. I’ll make the nut loaf and freeze it this week, too. I’ll probably buy the Costco pumpkin pie and freeze it till Thanksgiving. We’re not big dessert eaters at all, so I don’t worry about having 3 different pies. As I’ve said, this year I want to keep things like they were when B was here and not change the routine. Next year, who knows? My daughter and I talked about going to the coast for Thanksgiving, but not this year. I guess I want the continuity.

I’ve been reading Shogun again. Such a great story. I’m looking for a copy at the thrift store, but no luck so far. The new reprint was released this year, so I borrowed it from the library. Funny, how much back in the 70s this book influenced me. I suppose it is the traditions and simplicity that spoke to me.

Midweek Musings

Posted in Blood test, books, bread, California, cooking, home stuff, Uncategorized by

Yesterday was a busy day. I decided to go to the Roseville gym and library. I did a 30-minute upper body workout, so that felt good. I dropped off my books at the library, but didn’t get any.

I’ve been rereading the Harry Potter series and am now on the last one, book 7. I’ve greatly enjoyed rereading them. She does get a little winded in the last 3 books. Still she brought quite a character/story to life. Of course, she used lots of Tolkiens ideas, but still.

After that, I went to WinCo for a few things and then home.

Once home, I got started on pressure canning kidney beans. I had soaked them the night before, so I just had to boil them and then start the canner. It is a bit time-consuming, but once the pressure came up, I went and lay down on the couch for the 75 minutes.

Today, we are going to pick the VW and hopefully won’t be too shocked at the cost. Still, it needed to be done if we were going to either keep or sell. We haven’t decided, and with everything going on, I don’t want to make a decision right now.

This morning I’m pressure canning vegetable soup too. I have most everything prepped, but will wait till I’m back home to start the canner.

I also have a loaf of sourdough in the oven. This time I made walnut raisin. I added some cinnamon and a little sugar too.

The good news is that B doesn’t need a transfusion right now. Yay!! He has a video visit today, and I’ll sit in if the canner is going and I can just let it finish and then turn off.

Happy Mother’s Day

Posted in California, cancer, husband, peritoneal mesothelomia, Walking by

I hope it’s a nice day for moms out there. Whether you’re a mom to kids, furry ones, or anyone who needs a mom. I hope it’s lovely.

Simple Sunday

My son is coming over and he’ll make a brunch for us all. He’s not staying over, though. He’s on the schedule to take B on Tuesday to infusion. I have my Ortho appt that morning, so I really didn’t want to go out twice.

It’s been quite warm here in the mid-80s, but now we’re in a cool down. There could even be some rain this week.

I went for a brief walk again this morning. Lots of Canada goose families at the park. They are cute, but you don’t want to go near them as the parents will attack.

I can tell I’m not used to walking even this little bit, which is such a shame after all the effort I put into walking, swimming, etc. I do hope that after my ortho appt, I have a clearer path to how long this will take to heal and what else I can do. Since it was a spontaneous snap of the meniscus caused by age, I guess it’s just trying to be more careful and keep strengthening the knee muscles. Getting old is tough when you realize these things can happen out of the blue.

B continues to have no energy, and there doesn’t seem to be any improvement. I’m guessing at some point we’ll need to discuss hospice with the doctor. I’m hoping these next few immuno’s make some difference. He will get a PET scan after the 6th one, but that’s not till June. It’s hard on everyone.:(

Tomorrow we should hear back on the VW, and since B can’t drive right now, my daughter and I will go in and get it. I hope this is the last thing to fix, as after this, I wouldn’t put any more money in her. I do love buggie, but there is a point when the cost just doesn’t justify it. We’ll see how it goes.

We don’t have anything special planned for dinner, but I may make some salmon I have in the freezer. On that note, Ciao!

Midweek Musings

Posted in budgets, California, cancer by

B’s labs came back good. His hemoglobin went down to 9.2, but that’s not a complete dive. So he’ll be fine till next week when he gets labs. His energy is still so low, and although he’s eating some, it’s still not enough to really gain any weight. He has his next immuno next week so maybe things will start to improve.

I finally got a call from Ortho, and my appointment is set for June. I’m like WTF, June??? I started doing my PT exercises, but I am starting slow. I only did 3 of them yesterday and will add one a day. I can tell that my muscles aren’t used to the exercises.

Today is a home day after yesterday’s fiasco getting B his pain medication at the pharmacy. It is a controlled substance; therefore needs a special doctor’s code, and twice the doctor’s office sent the prescription, but no code. Ugh, I had to go out twice yesterday, but it finally got filled.

We’re planning on having the VW towed today if AAA can do it. I’d like to get the work done and then, by fall, either sell or keep a while longer. I’ve gotten used to not driving it, but I still miss driving it. My daughter is going to pay half, so that’ll help.

What wonderful or not-so-wonderful things are you up to today??

Thankful Thursday

Posted in budgets, Gratitude, Walking by

Our weather has been perfect. We sat outside last evening, had a fire, and enjoyed not being chased in by mosquitoes.

The truck’s AC is fixed and we’re picking it up this morning.

My VW’s AC works great and is original to the car ( 2000). I went into town yesterday to drop off the red Fiesta Ware and it was warmish out so I turned on the AC to check it out.

That we had a lovely walk this morning with no one there.

I made homemade yogurt and it came out great. I tried a new method that a You tuber showed with it being made in a ball jar. Heating up the milk to 180 took the longest. Then cooling to 115. Then put it in the oven with the light on. I didn’t think the oven would work but it stayed a nice warm temperature.

I’m thankful our SS came in as next month is a ??? Since that’s our only source of income it could be worrying but I’m not going to worry. It’s out of my control.

Frugal Friday

Posted in books, budgets, home improvement, Political things by

It’s hard to keep writing about my boring life after watching the news and the disgrace of Pro-trump supporters. As many have said, there are no words that can really express the outrage and horror of it all. I just hope they get him out before it’s too late and he does something else.

This week I spent $90 at groceries down at our market. It’s more expensive but more convenient too. Plus it supports our local Holiday market. Next week I plan on Costco, so that won’t be frugal but I haven’t been there since the end of November so I guess that counts for something.

We spent $99 on smog/oil change for the van and I will do the DMV on line next week. This is our 21 year old van and it’s still going even if it is ‘pinkish’ ( the red paint on the hood is all faded to a pale red/pink color.:) But we still use for Home Depot trips. I love my van even if I don’t drive it very much. I mostly use my VW which is also 20 years old but the paint on that is perfectly fine.

Speaking of which, half the fence is up and that was another $150 for wood. So at least that much more to finish it. But it really looks nice. I’ll post a picture soon.

We still haven’t gotten our stimulus check as there was a problem with Turbo tax and the accounts. I did receive an email saying they were fixing the problem so that’s good at least. I’m guessing we will use some of that to finish the fence.

We had our propane tank filled this week too and that was $230. That usually lasts us 3 months or so. Our electric bill is still up there but since we’re on the balance payment plan it averages out. The weather has been in the 50’s and low 40’s at night so we aren’t use space heaters in the bedrooms. That should help next months bill.

We started watching Bridgerton and it’s quite good if you’re looking for a series. Plus the Money Heist is intense and superb. We just started Part 3. It’s in Spanish but subtitled.

My no spend month is going sort of ok. I bought a cookbook( Midnight Chicken) which is terrific. So that wasn’t needed but I do love cookbooks and to justify it, I am the COOK here so…( I also bought air filters for the air purifier so that was household. And I bought a pair of Levis. I only have 2 pairs of pants and the one I wear out to town and to doctor appts. It’s a pair of Levis in a dark wash. The other is light denim and is my around the house jeans . So I decided I needed something else to switch off with the other pair. They didn’t have the light denim so I bought black. Not sure how they will go for everyday wear but I’ll try. So I guess overall, I’ll see how the rest of the month goes. NO spend months aren’t usually completely no spend for me but I am much more aware of not just hitting the Amazon button:)

No appointments week

Posted in books, Uncategorized by

Finally, where we have NO appointments.  It’s crazy such a little thing can mean so much. ( sounds a bit like Gandalf the grey). (Also, we just finished watching the trilogy and I’m halfway thru the last book “Return of the King”), hence the reference.

Seriously, it is nice. So today I’m going to get the oil changed in my VW.  If the wine sale is still going on at Grocery Outlet I might stop there. I had picked up a Malbec last week and tried it last night and it was quite good.

We haven’t heard back from the tree guy so who knows but it’s only Wednesday.

Out neighbor hasn’t gotten home from the hospital yet. We haven’t heard anything but I hope he is okay and gets to come home even if it’s only for a short while. His doggie misses him. The son is coming 2x  day to feed and walk him. I’m not sure where the son is staying as he lives in the bay area.

Tonight both my adult kids are going to see LOTR part one on the big screen. It’s the extended version so it’ll be long. I’m sure it’ll be great to see.

I’m planning just some jasmine rice with vegetable spring rolls for dinner.