I woke up later than I had planned, this morning, but that is one of the many benefits of being retired, isn't it? I had set the alarm for 9:00 a.m., but, I didn't fall asleep until after 4:00 a.m., so, when the alarm rang, I turned it off and slept a little longer. That made the morning a little shorter than I liked, but, it worked out well enough.
After breakfast (leftover milkrice and mackerel curry), I finished the dusting and cleaned the bathrooms.
In the afternoon, after lunch (an egg salad sandwich), I ran a few errands. I had to take yet more paperwork to the Auto Club, so I did that, went to the bank, and did some grocery shopping. I bought the containers of juice I needed to take to the Temple, tomorrow, and bought a few other groceries, too. Celery was on sale for 3/$1.00, which was a good bargain. I don't generally eat celery by itself, but, I like to add it to soups, ground beef, etc. I had been out of celery for some time, now, as I refuse to buy it when it is not on sale. So, today, I bought three heads of celery: I plan to cut up the stalks and freeze them. I didn't take a photograph of my groceries, but, I bought:
3 heads of celery @ 3/$1 = $1.00
Green beans @ $.69/lb = $.47
1 cucumber = $.34
Peaches (4) @ $. 49/lb = $.76
Grapes @ $.99/lb = $1.97
Bananas (3) @ $.49/lb = $.47
1 package tea biscuits = $.79
1 package (9 oz) turkey cold cuts = $1.49
3 cans condensed milk @ $1.69 = $5.07
2 cans coconut water @ $.69+$.05 CRV (Calif. redemption value = deposit) = $1.48
3 containers juice @ $1.69 = $5.07
1 container juice = $1.39 + $.10 CRV = $1.49
Total = $20.40
Of which, $6.56 were for items to be taken to the Temple (the four containers of juice) and not part of my grocery budget.
So, total spent on groceries was $20.40 - $6.56 = $13.84
My August grocery budget is $75.
Spent to date = $13.84
Balance left in the budget = $75 - $13.84 = $61.16
After I came home and put away the groceries, I called my medical insurance regarding a notice I received in today's mail stating that a claim could not be processed due to insufficient information, as it was missing my name, and to resubmit another claim providing the missing information. Well, I hadn't submitted any claim, myself, and the notice didn't show who the provider of the service was, so I couldn't call them, to inform them. I spoke with an insurance representative, but, all he could tell me was that he didn't show any claim being submitted for that particular amount on that particular date of service. Because I belong to an HMO/IPA which is under contract with the insurance, it might be that the claim needs to be processed through the HMO/IPA, first. At the time, I couldn't tell him who or what the bill might have been for, but, now, I am thinking it must be from the pharmacy for the medication I received for my osteoporosis. Anyway, I was told to hold on to the notice I received and check if I receive any billing or notice of nonpayment from a provider and then, call back.
Then, it was time for a cup of tea. M came to do the garden and I had him replace the burnt out porch light for me. Friend R called and we made tentative plans to get together on Sunday (will confirm tomorrow night).
I cooked some rice for dinner and had it with some leftover sausage, okra, and tomato chutney. Then, I did the dishes/ran the dishwasher, cleaned the kitchen counters and stove top, and shined the sink. I feel pretty good about the amount of housework I got done, yesterday and today. I think I might be able to go back to my regular weekly cleaning schedule, next week. I don't want to say anything and jinx it, but, the spraying, etc., seems to be working. This weekend is supposed to be quite hot (100+) and that will be the real test; I'm keeping my fingers crossed that no critters try to make their way back into the house!
Yesterday's decluttering: the crocheted blanket I received when undergoing chemo -
Today's decluttering: A decorated fan that was a party favor when I attended my neighbor's birthday party and a completed crossword puzzle book -
Today, I am grateful for:
- Having medical insurance, even with the occasional hiccups
- What I was able to accomplish, today
- M replacing the porch light bulb for me
- Good deals at the grocery store
- A good start to this month's decluttering
Friday's To Do List:
After breakfast (leftover milkrice and mackerel curry), I finished the dusting and cleaned the bathrooms.
In the afternoon, after lunch (an egg salad sandwich), I ran a few errands. I had to take yet more paperwork to the Auto Club, so I did that, went to the bank, and did some grocery shopping. I bought the containers of juice I needed to take to the Temple, tomorrow, and bought a few other groceries, too. Celery was on sale for 3/$1.00, which was a good bargain. I don't generally eat celery by itself, but, I like to add it to soups, ground beef, etc. I had been out of celery for some time, now, as I refuse to buy it when it is not on sale. So, today, I bought three heads of celery: I plan to cut up the stalks and freeze them. I didn't take a photograph of my groceries, but, I bought:
3 heads of celery @ 3/$1 = $1.00
Green beans @ $.69/lb = $.47
1 cucumber = $.34
Peaches (4) @ $. 49/lb = $.76
Grapes @ $.99/lb = $1.97
Bananas (3) @ $.49/lb = $.47
1 package tea biscuits = $.79
1 package (9 oz) turkey cold cuts = $1.49
3 cans condensed milk @ $1.69 = $5.07
2 cans coconut water @ $.69+$.05 CRV (Calif. redemption value = deposit) = $1.48
3 containers juice @ $1.69 = $5.07
1 container juice = $1.39 + $.10 CRV = $1.49
Total = $20.40
Of which, $6.56 were for items to be taken to the Temple (the four containers of juice) and not part of my grocery budget.
So, total spent on groceries was $20.40 - $6.56 = $13.84
 |
| 8/2 Groceries Receipt |
Spent to date = $13.84
Balance left in the budget = $75 - $13.84 = $61.16
After I came home and put away the groceries, I called my medical insurance regarding a notice I received in today's mail stating that a claim could not be processed due to insufficient information, as it was missing my name, and to resubmit another claim providing the missing information. Well, I hadn't submitted any claim, myself, and the notice didn't show who the provider of the service was, so I couldn't call them, to inform them. I spoke with an insurance representative, but, all he could tell me was that he didn't show any claim being submitted for that particular amount on that particular date of service. Because I belong to an HMO/IPA which is under contract with the insurance, it might be that the claim needs to be processed through the HMO/IPA, first. At the time, I couldn't tell him who or what the bill might have been for, but, now, I am thinking it must be from the pharmacy for the medication I received for my osteoporosis. Anyway, I was told to hold on to the notice I received and check if I receive any billing or notice of nonpayment from a provider and then, call back.
Then, it was time for a cup of tea. M came to do the garden and I had him replace the burnt out porch light for me. Friend R called and we made tentative plans to get together on Sunday (will confirm tomorrow night).
I cooked some rice for dinner and had it with some leftover sausage, okra, and tomato chutney. Then, I did the dishes/ran the dishwasher, cleaned the kitchen counters and stove top, and shined the sink. I feel pretty good about the amount of housework I got done, yesterday and today. I think I might be able to go back to my regular weekly cleaning schedule, next week. I don't want to say anything and jinx it, but, the spraying, etc., seems to be working. This weekend is supposed to be quite hot (100+) and that will be the real test; I'm keeping my fingers crossed that no critters try to make their way back into the house!
Yesterday's decluttering: the crocheted blanket I received when undergoing chemo -
 |
| 8/1 Decluttering: Crocheted Blanket |
 |
| 8/2 Decluttering: Fan and Crossword Book |
Today, I am grateful for:
- Having medical insurance, even with the occasional hiccups
- What I was able to accomplish, today
- M replacing the porch light bulb for me
- Good deals at the grocery store
- A good start to this month's decluttering
Friday's To Do List:
- Finish dusting - DONE
- Clean the bathrooms - DONE
- Do the dishes and clean the kitchen - DONE
- Have M tend to the garden - DONE
- Auto Club - DONE
- Bank - DONE
- Groceries - DONE
Saturday's To Do List:
- Paperwork/bill paying
- Do some tidying
- Buy flowers
- Go to the Temple
How was your Friday? What have you planned for the weekend?
- Bank - DONE
- Groceries - DONE
Saturday's To Do List:
- Paperwork/bill paying
- Do some tidying
- Buy flowers
- Go to the Temple
How was your Friday? What have you planned for the weekend?
I'm not a lover of celery. It always looks like is should be tasty but ... the reality is disappointing. I don't add it to soups or stews either but every so often I make a batch of celery soup and for some unexplained reason, I love that!
ReplyDeleteI'm keeping my fingers crossed that you don't have any more unwelcome visitors and that the insurance issue is resolved.
Hope you have a lovely weekend x
Celery soup - now that is something I haven't made! I wonder if I will like it? I've occasionally made a rice casserole type dish where I've used canned cream of celery soup, as I preferred that to cream of mushroom soup. Might be something to try!
DeleteThank you! I sprayed the bathroom again, last night as I found 2 small ones - I don't know if they are still managing to come in or hatched from eggs I missed when vacuuming. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on the insurance issue. :)
I hope you, too, have a good weekend, Eileen.
There was an article recently about how 1 in 4 Uber eats delivery drivers “take a bite of your food”, and it went viral. Because of that, Uber eats is dead today, so I’m doing my other job which is audits. Clarification- I personally don’t take bites of people’s food. That’s insulting and insane. Wouldn’t they notice?
ReplyDeleteI saw that on the news, the other evening, Akasha. I suppose people wouldn't notice if someone had taken a few of their fries or a taste of their chow mein or something like that! But, hopefully, more restaurants will put their food in sealed containers with a sticker or something on the edge which needs to be broken in order to open the container - it'll be easier to see if someone opened the container, then.
DeleteAbout half of them are sealed including McDonald’s
DeleteThat's good to know. I hope business will pick up, again, after a few days, when people get tired of going out to pick up their food, themselves, or miss having food delivered to them. :)
DeleteI refuse to pay over the top for celery, too, but I never thought of buying extra to freeze when the price is good, so thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteI also did a little decluttering, taking a box of items to our local charity shop, and the volunteer told me to set it down by the counter because the back room was full up. The shop is not very big and it seems a lot of items are coming in. It must be the Marie Kondo effect! I almost felt guilty for bringing more stuff to add to the heap, and I didn't buy anything either to help!
You are welcome, Bushlady. :)
DeleteOh, I guess a lot of people are decluttering? I wonder what the thrift stores do if they have a surplus of donations? Do they refuse to accept anymore donations?
Hi Bless, you have managed to do so much! I used to have a designated time, Friday night actually, when I whizzed around cleaning and such, but dishes, bathroom, beds, keeping things tidy, were day to day. But when ever I wasn't well, or recuperating, it was a bit at a time. It's so lovely that you have a nearby Temple to go to, that's so special. How do you make milk-rice? Is it done for special occasions?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ratnamurti. When I was working, cleaning was done as and when I could! Rarely on a regular schedule.
DeleteMilk-rice is mostly made for special occasions, but, it doesn't have to be. It is traditional to make it on the first of the month, however. You cook rice the regular way, with water, and then, towards the end, you add some coconut milk and cook until it forms a thick porridge consistency. You can add regular milk, instead of coconut milk; but, I haven't tried milk substitutes such as nut milk, etc.
The blanket is lovely and I'm sure someone will get great comfort from it.
ReplyDeleteEach time you mention mackerel curry I feel my mouth watering. Do you have a favourite recipe? X
Thank you, Jules. It is certainly a very colorful blanket! :)
DeleteI had posted my recipe for mackerel curry; here is the link:
https://bless2cents.blogspot.com/2019/02/mackerel-curry-recipe.html
Hope you try it and enjoy it. Adjust the seasonings to your taste. :)
Thank you, Bless. I'll make a note of it and let you know when I cook some. X
DeleteI also love to freeze anything I can☺
ReplyDeleteIt's a good way to preserve things for later, especially if you don't want to can the items.
Delete