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 ..read more

It was a good week overall. We did the extra Costco trip for the tent for camping and the rest of the stuff on sale. Vitamins were on the list, laundry soap, Kerrygold butter, and misc. I think food came out to $200 and nonfood to $100. So not too bad really. I wanted to go to Trader Joe’s but it just didn’t work out time-wise. Probably next week or the week after I’ll add in a TJ’s trip. My new Levi’s showed up and I like the lighter blue color. My oldest pair are now pretty ripped in the knee area but I’ll still keep them and maybe turn them into shorts. We’ve been buying the stuff for the b ..read more

I do appreciate and am thankful we live in such a beautiful area. I’ve traveled the country numerous times(driving) and I don’t think there is a more beautiful area than the Sierras. Of course, every area has beauty. I loved living in Tucson in the 70’s with the saguaros, ocotillos and, the native American vibe. I also loved Santa Fe with its amazing architecture. Having grown up in NY, I did love the woods behind our house where I spent many hours but overall, to me, the East Coast is weathered and old and the towns seemed so close together. Of course, we have LA and San Francisco in Californ ..read more

Last night neither of us felt like much dinner so I made a ramen bowl with tofu and a hardboiled egg. We like the spicy chili ramen. I’m planning a few freezer meals to use things up. lasagna is going to be first with some salad scrambled tofu with zucchini I bought at Costco( probably won’t do that again since it is a lot of squash:( ) homemade mac and cheese and use more of the fish sticks up. (Costco has the big bags and they are good for a quick dinner). Salad stuff. I have some naan bread in the freezer from Costco too, so I’ll make a curry for that. either tofu or chickpea. I like the Tr ..read more

Another week has gone by and it was an ok one with Vecade and Dex. I had a hard time again with Dex and my BP so when I see the Dr in May, I’ll tell him and ask that we reduce it further. Right now I’m on 16 mg down from 20mg but it’s still too much I think for me. My BP was high all day and then started going back down by afternoon and by 5 pm was 120/82 so back in a good range. This morning we had our Sunday walk and it’s very light out now at 5;50 am. It was only us and the geese. There are lots of babies! Today, I’m skipping the Auburn gym and going to the nursery with my daughter. We nee ..read more

Since this was the first week of my May Budget we didn’t spend much. Costco we were able to use our rebate of $117 so that helped. The total was $345. So the breakdown was $190 for food, $109 non food, and $46 for alcohol which was B’s Sierra Pale Ale at $30 which comes out of his personal money, and $16 for 2 rose Proseccos. this was all paid with cash from my envelopes. It was a lot of food and much of it will last more than 2 weeks. We filled up with Costco gas which is the cheapest around. I’m trying to keep the tank at least half full. After infusion yesterday, I added in the trip to the ..read more

I’m thankful B was with me to do the Costco shopping. The cart was fairly full so it made it tricky. Mostly because we added TP, paper towels and bleach all of which are bulky. We bought a lot of fresh veggies, salad paks, fruit, and mostly food items. Oh, we picked up the 3 pack of geraniums which were a great price. ( 13.99) I’m thankful swimming is almost back to normal. I’m doing around 35 minutes so I have to add another 5-10 to be back where I was. Actually, I’m fine with doing just the 35. I also like the later time. It’s more relaxed. By 9 am there are even lanes open, so I may try and ..read more

I’m baking another loaf of the Lost Dutchman’s sourdough. The baguette came out wonderful. This one is probably overinflated so it may not poof up. That’s okay. I have lots of starter and it’s really active. It did take almost 4 days to get fully active again so that’s something to keep in mind. Today I’m meeting my library friends for coffee. One is recently widowed( from myeloma) and the other’s husband is in treatment for myeloma. Very strange. This week is Velcade so that shifts how my week goes. And then in May, I have my colonoscopy. So that will change my week for sure. But you gotta do ..read more

A lovely walk this morning. Quiet and no one there to begin with. One person showed up later but we were leaving by then. I got another loaf( baguette style) of sourdough ready to go. I put it in the oven and set the timer so B could take it out. I was heading into the Auburn gym. I did my usual 30 minutes and then went over to Target. I rarely shop at Target anymore but I need stainless wipes( I use Weiman’s and think this is the best product I’ve tried) and their sliced cheeses are also very good and affordable. I think ice cream snuck into my cart because it was on sale. Usually, I just cal ..read more

I’m so thankful my knee is doing so much better. I’m able to do almost everything without pain. I’m still only walking 1 + mile but I’m grateful for that. This morning on our walk, I added one extra loop around the school parking lot. That put me 1.2 miles, so I’m jazzed about that. I went to the pool yesterday and swam for @35 minutes. I’m not back to 45 but 30 is a good enough time in the water. I’m thankful for the beautiful morning with sunrise quite early.( 6:21). It was almost too bright for my eyes which is one reason I walk in predawn light. I guess since sunrise is going to continue g ..read more