Saturday, May 24, 2025

May Grocery Shopping - Part 3

Groceries: May 23, 2025


I ordered and picked up some groceries from the supermarket, today.  I mostly wanted to stock up on daughter's coffee that was on sale, again, for $7.99/12 oz. with a digital coupon.  I now have a good supply of coffee for her.  In addition to the coffee, I bought half a gallon of milk, a loaf of bread, and three bananas.


Here's the receipt:



Order Summary

Original Item Total$65.96
Item Coupons/Sales-$20.00
Fulfillment Fee+$0.00
Sales Tax$0.00
Order Total$45.96

Item Details

8 Items

Fresh Banana - Single, 1 ea$1.03
1.37 lbs x $0.75 each (approx.)
Kroger® White Sandwich Bread, 20 oz$1.99
1 x $1.99 each
Ralphs® Vitamin D Whole Milk Half Gallon, 1/2 gal$2.99
1 x $2.99 each
Starbucks Espresso Dark Roast Ground Coffee, 12 oz$39.95
5 x $7.99 $11.99 each
Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00
Total$45.96


My total came to $45.96

I had $46.19 left in my May grocery budget and I managed to stay under that!

My May grocery budget = $150.00

Spent to date = $56.66 + $47.15 + $45.96 = $149.77

Balance remaining = $0.23

Well, I've stayed under budget, so far!  Of course, there's another whole week left in the month, but, I don't anticipate needing any groceries between now and the end of the month.  But, if I do, it'll be close enough to June that I'll borrow from the June grocery budget.  

I am grateful for:

- Being able to buy groceries, both in terms of having the money to buy groceries and items being available to be purchased
- Being able to order groceries online and pick them up at the parking lot
- Digital coupons and sales
- A safe drive to the store and back
- Being able to stock up when there's a good sale

How are you doing with your grocery spending this month?  

Thursday, May 22, 2025

On Thursday

 

Guard Kitty on Duty

Dancer keeps a watchful eye on what goes on outside.  

Thursday was another warm day, with highs in the mid-80s.  The doctor's office called me in the morning to remind me of my appointment which was at noon.  I appreciate the reminder, although I had made a note of it on my calendar.  I left the house in plenty of time and got to the clinic in good time.  

The appointment went well.  We are still trying to get some referrals authorized, but, there is some progress on that front and hopefully, I'll be able to get the appointments set up.

After I came home, I had brunch - a scrambled egg with a little leftover ham added into it, followed by a tangerine.  Dinner was chicken curry with one of the roti I made yesterday.  Snacks included homemade yogurt, cashews, and a piece of jaggery (palm sugar)

I rested a bit after I came home. Then, I did another load of laundry and swept and mopped the kitchen floor.  I also called to check on friend R as she, too, had a doctor's appointment, today.

On Thursday, I am grateful for:

- Access to medical care
- Medical insurance
- A safe drive to the clinic and back
- Working appliances
- A warm sunny day

Thursday's joyful activity was chatting with my daughter.

Plans for Friday include:

- Another doctor's appointment
- Order and pick up groceries
- Pick more blueberries
- Tend to the garden with M 

How was your Thursday?  What are your plans for Friday?

Company on Wednesday

 

Succulents Flowers

More of the individual flowers on the aeonium flower stalk  are opening up

Close Up

The bees are very happy!

A Bee Enjoys the Nectar

Wednesday was a sunny and warm day with the afternoon high being almost 90F.  My friend R had said she will visit on Wednesday afternoon, so, in the morning, I cooked a chicken curry, a fresh pot of rice, and some sauteed broccoli for our lunch (along with some leftover dhal that I warmed up).  

M arrived to tend to the garden just before friend R arrived.  I chatted with him for a bit and left him to water the garden, which I chatted with R.  I did ask M if he'd like to join us for lunch and he did, although he preferred to eat his lunch outside in the garden.  I chatted with him while he ate and then, R and I had our lunch.

R stayed for the rest of the afternoon and we chatted about various things.  Then, after a cup of tea (no cake, this time) I dropped her off at her apartment.  It was nice to have her spend the afternoon with me.

In addition to cooking and having company, I did two loads of laundry, did the dishes, and tidied up the kitchen.  Then, I watched a few online videos, exchanged emails with a friend, and chatted with my daughter.  

I didn't make a meal plan for this week as there are plenty of leftovers in the fridge.  The chicken curry was something I had planned to make when my daughter was visiting, but, didn't make.  For dinner, I made some roti (flat bread)  to have with some of my chicken curry.  I made a very small batch with just a cup of flour; the dough yielded four small rotis.  I ate one and a half rotis for my dinner and the rest will be for another meal.  

On Wednesday, I was grateful for:
- A sunny, warm day
- M's help with the garden
- Friend R's visit
- Having company
- A safe drive to drop R off and back

Wednesday's joyful activity was spending time with both friend R and M.

Plans for Thursday include an appointment with my doctor, putting away the last load of laundry, and maybe some tidying of the house.

How was your Wednesday?  What are your plans for Thursday?

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

A Visit to the Vet's Clinic on Tuesday

 

"What do you mean I have to go to the vet's clinic?"

Dancer had his monthly arthritis medication injection scheduled for today.  The appointment was at 3:00 p.m.  I had wanted to give him his sedative at 1:30 p.m., but, a phone call reminding me of my own upcoming doctor's appointment and wanting confirmation that I would keep the appointment meant I was otherwise occupied at 1:30 p.m.  So, he received his sedative at 1:45 p.m., instead.

"I don't want to be in here, Mummy!"

Oh, he was not happy to be put into his carrier.

"I'm giving you the side eye"

He protested a bit on the ride to the clinic and he panted and drooled, but, we made it to the clinic without any drama, for which I was very grateful!  I'm sure the clinic staff were also happy, not to be told he needed to be cleaned up before being taken in!

At the clinic:  "I'm not going to look at you"

He was taken in, given his injection, and I paid the bill and made the next appointment when he'll have a thyroid panel test, as well.

"Can we go home now, please?"

He was very quiet on the way home.  After we got home and I opened the flap to the carrier, he ran to hide:

"I'm hiding (and drooling) under Mummy's desk"

After we got home, I had leftover beef teriyaki, broccoli, and rice for lunch, did a load of laundry (my bed sheets) and remade my bed.  The new grocery ads arrived in the mail and I checked them out; I don't need a lot of groceries, but, daughter's coffee is on sale, again!  Dinner was leftover ham and mashed potatoes with green peas.  Dancer had some tuna and I think I've been forgiven for the trauma of being sedated, put into a carrier, and taken to the vet's!

Today, I am grateful for:
- Vet care for Dancer
- Dancer had a smoother car ride to the vet clinic than on many previous visits
- A safe drive to the clinic and back
- A lovely, warm (high of 85F), sunny day
- Working appliances

Today's joyful activity include watching some videos online.

Plans for Wednesday include:
- M coming to tend to the garden
- Friend R coming over to pick up some of her packages that were delivered to my address
- Preparing lunch for her (rice and curries)
- Doing more laundry
- Some paperwork and filing

How was your Tuesday?  What are your plans for Wednesday?


The Weekend Together and Parting on Monday

 

Roses on Saturday

Gardener friend M had been around on Friday evening, when we were attending the graduation ceremonies and he had deadheaded the roses and tended to the garden.

On Saturday morning, I slept in because I had stayed up till 6:00 a.m. and woken up at about 8:00 a.m. with indigestion!  I had taken a couple of antacid tablets before going to bed, but, now, I needed to bring up whatever was causing the indigestion!  After that, I brushed my teeth and went back to bed and slept till noon!  I was fine after that, though.  But, I had some toast with my homemade calamondin marmalade for brunch, just to be safe.

Daughter had made plans to visit with one of her friends and spend the afternoon and evening playing boardgames at her friend's apartment.  So, I dropped her off at her friend's place around 3:00 p.m. and came home.  

I did a little more paperwork and filing after I came home, ran the dishwasher, washed the sari blouse I had worn on Friday. cooked the pork chops I had bought earlier in the week and a fresh pot of rice.  I ate part of a pork chop with the rice for an early dinner without any problems with my digestive system.  I also texted with cousin V (who is recovering from knee surgery) and chatted with friend R.

Much later in the evening, I picked daughter up from her friend's place.  They had ordered dinner from an Italian restaurant, but, daughter had worn her mask throughout the evening, so, they had kept her dinner in the fridge and she brought it home to eat.  She offered to share it with me, but, I declined.  A little later, however, I wanted something for dessert, so I made us some bread pudding.  Two individual containers of bread pudding because I like raisins in mine and daughter doesn't.

Bread Pudding; With and Without Raisins

On Sunday, daughter let me sleep in and not only made her own cup of coffee, but, put my tea to brew.  We spent some time in the morning looking at the pictures she and her friends took on their recent trip to Japan.  There were a lot of pictures as they each forwarded the pictures each one took to the whole group.

In between looking at the pictures, I did two loads of laundry, changed the dust sheets on the living room sofas, dusted the living room and dining area, cleared the dining table, and cleared the big table in the family room.  A (whose graduation we went to on Friday) had invited my daughter to go hiking with her and her sister on Sunday, but, daughter's podiatrist has specifically told her not to even attempt going on a hike before her foot heals more, so, daughter had declined the invitation to hike and had suggested having a paint night at our house, instead, so, I was getting the place tidied up in readiness for their paint night.  But, the plans fell through as A's sister went on a hike by herself and A had some last minute preparations to do to prepare for a summer job she was starting on Monday.

Instead, daughter and I spent an evening relaxing and celebrating Mother's Day that we had delayed celebrating until she came home.  Daughter ordered dinner from our favorite neighborhood Japanese restaurant for a celebratory dinner and we picked it up and brought it home to eat:

Mother's Day Dinner

Unagi donburi (grilled eel on rice, served in a bowl) for daughter, my favorite beef teriyaki (served with rice, salad and pickled vegetables), and sukiyaki.  Each entree came with a bowl of miso soup.  I asked daughter how our neighborhood Japanese restaurant's food compared with the authentic Japanese food she enjoyed on her trip and she said it compared quite favorably, which was nice to hear.  We had fresh strawberries for dessert.  It was a lovely ending to our weekend together.

On Monday, daughter worked from home.  I put water to the back garden, picked the last of the oranges I had been keeping for daughter, some fresh blueberries, and the first of the peaches.  The peaches are not quite ripe yet, but, they are "seasoned" enough to be eaten with a mixture of salt and chili powder and will ripen on the kitchen counter over the next several days.  And being quite firm still, they will travel well packed into a container, without bruising.  Because daughter was scheduled to fly back on Monday evening, after work, and I was sending the oranges, peaches, and blueberries back with her, along with half the bag of red cherries I had bought, some cooked food from the freezer (pork chops, a small package of the spicy beef curry I had cooked, the two remaining slices of pizza from the last frozen pizza I had bought,  a small package of pol sambol, some ham), as well as a few potatoes and a couple of onions.  Enough food for her for this week until she can do some grocery shopping next weekend. 

Daughter's flight was scheduled to leave at 7:30 p.m., but, it was delayed until 8:30 p.m.  However, daughter wanted to be dropped off at the airport early, just in case they decided that the flight would leave on time, after all.  So, I dropped her off at the airport by 5:30 p.m.

I drove to the pharmacy, afterwards, to pick up two of my medications that were ready.  Then, I came home and took the trash cans out to the curb.  I spent the rest of the evening catching up on blog reading and posting blog updates! 

Daughter reached her apartment, safely, and called me.  She said she ate the slices of pizza I gave her for her dinner.  She will cook a pot of rice and pack rice and some of the beef curry I had sent up with her to take to the office for her lunch on Tuesday.  

I had leftover rice and beef teriyaki for my lunch and rice, half a pork chop, and lentils for my dinner.  Peach slices with salt and chili powder for a snack and cherries for dessert.

Peach Tree

I am grateful for:
- Being able to spend this time together with my daughter
- Celebrating Mother's Day a week later with a lovely meal and time spent relaxing with my daughter
- Daughter had a safe flight and ride to her apartment from the airport
- Daughter was able to spend some time connecting with her friends 
- Being able to send some food home with daughter

Joyful activities have included spending time with my daughter and enjoying a lovely meal with her.

Plans for Tuesday include taking Dancer to the vet clinic for his injection.  

How was your weekend and Monday?  What are your plans for Tuesday?

Monday, May 19, 2025

Graduation Celebrations on Friday

Youth Triumphant Fountain 

On Friday, my daughter and I attended my late friend A's younger daughter's graduation with a Master's in Educational Counseling.  The graduate, whose name also starts with A, worked full time as a teacher while studying for her Masters and I know her mother would have been so proud of her achievement.  

A, her father, and sister, offered to pick us up on their way to the graduation ceremony and we accepted the offer gratefully, as it meant I didn't have to drive and find parking, etc., since A had validated parking on campus.  The graduation ceremony was scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. and we were being picked up around 2:30 p.m., but, daughter and I were dressed and ready by 2:00 p.m.

A and family picked us up a little after 2:30 p.m. and we must have hit every traffic snag on the way!  We barely made it to the event on time, arriving at the parking structure at 4:25 p.m.!  Then, we still had to make our way from the parking structure to the quad where the ceremony was being held, outdoors under a huge tent.  The line of graduates was starting to enter the tent when we got there, but, A was still able to join the line and walk in while we found seats at the very end of the tent.  I found the commencement speeches to be very inspiring and it was a pleasure to see the graduates walking to receive their diplomas and at the very end, the university's marching band played.  

After the ceremony, there was a reception, also held outdoors, with live music.  They served a buffet style meal of salad, grilled chicken skewers, eggplant and marinated red pepper sandwiches, individual bags of chips, and three kinds of cookies - chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and snickerdoodles.  There was lemonade (and water) to drink.  Daughter and I found a bench in a fairly secluded area in the garden where the reception was being held and we felt comfortable enough to pull down our masks to enjoy our meal.  We sat there and waited for a while and then, went with A to take some pictures.

The Trojan Shrine aka "Tommy Trojan"

And the University's mascot, Traveler:

Traveler - the Mascot

Afterwards, we all went out to dinner at a restaurant in Downtown L.A.  A had asked if we'd mind going to a restaurant after the graduation and we had said we wouldn't mind at all, in fact, we'd love to be there to help celebrate her graduation, but, we would not be eating at the restaurant.  And that's what we did.  Daughter and I kept our masks on while we were there and the others had their meal.  At first, we weren't going to order any food, but, A and family insisted that we ordered our food to go, and so, we did.  Daughter ordered salmon and I ordered steak and shrimp ravioli.  The restaurant was nice, but, the music was a bit too loud!  We couldn't hear each other talking!  

Light Fixture in the Lobby

It was past 11:00 p.m. when we got home, so, it had been a fairly long day out for us.  After we came home, we had a little bit of the dinner we had brought home from the restaurant and relaxed.

On Friday, I was grateful for:
- Being able to be there for my late friend's daughter's graduation
- Being invited to attend the ceremony
- Getting a ride there and back
- Spending time with friends
- A lovely day out

Friday's joyful activity was attending A's graduation.

Friday, May 16, 2025

On Thursday

Pomegranate Flower

On Thursday, both daughter and I were up early because she was working from home and I wanted to make her a cup of coffee before her early morning meeting.  While daughter did her work, I spent my day doing some paperwork and filing of my own, including going through a few file folders and getting rid of old statements/paid bills, etc.  In addition, I put away a load of laundry and sorted through the drawers where I store my scarves and socks, etc.  

In the afternoon, I took a nap on the sofa in the living room.  

Later, after daughter finished her work for the day, she made a card for her friend's graduation which we will attend on Friday and I cooked dinner.

Brunch was French bread rolls sandwiches with a beef curry filling, followed by fresh mango.  Dinner was baked ham, mashed potatoes, and sauteed garlic green beans, followed by fresh strawberries for dessert.  I had my strawberries with a piece of sponge cake my daughter had brought me.  After dinner, I portioned up the leftover ham and froze most of it.  I kept a small package of sliced ham to have during the week.  Daughter will take one or two small packages of frozen ham back with her and the rest will be incorporated into my meals over the next several months and the ham bone will be made into a soup, later on.  This is the ham I bought on sale just before Easter.  

On Thursday, I was grateful for:

- Daughter was able to work from home
- Internet services and electricity which enables her to work remotely
- A lovely, sunny day with a high of 75F
- A working oven
- The progress I've made with the paperwork and filing.

Thursday's joyful activity was taking an afternoon nap!

Plans for Friday include attending my late friend A's younger daughter's graduation.  I felt so honored when she invited me.  

How was your Thursday?  What are your plans for Friday?

Thursday, May 15, 2025

On Wednesday

 

Aeonium Flower Stalk

Some of the aeonium plants in the front garden are starting to send up flower stalks and the bees are loving it.

Wednesday was a mild day with the daytime high of 72F.  It felt cool in the shade and hot in the sunshine.

I had another appointment for further lab tests for my upcoming appointment with my primary care doctor.  Unlike Monday, when the waiting room was quite full, there were only about 3 or 4 others in the waiting room and I was called in after a very short wait.

Once I returned home, I did a load of laundry and hung up everything to dry.  I had been fasting for the blood tests, so, after I came home, I had a bread roll with cheese and drank one of the cans of coconut water I had bought.

Gardener friend M was here in the early afternoon.  He had bought a bag of fertilizer for me (I reimbursed him) and he fertilized and watered the fruit trees for me.  

After M left, I dusted and vacuumed, made up my daughter's bed with fresh sheets and quilts, and cooked some rice, dhal (lentils) and broccoli for dinner.  

Later in the evening, I drove to the airport to pick up daughter.  It is lovely to see her again.  She will work from home on Thursday, attend her friend's graduation on Friday, spend the weekend at home with me, and fly back up to the Bay Area on Monday evening, after work.  Her foot is much improved although she is still wearing a supportive brace.

On Wednesday, I was grateful for:

- Daughter had a safe flight home
- M tending to the garden for me and picking up the fertilizer, etc.
- Access to medical care and lab tests
- Safe driving
- Getting my housecleaning done and completing my To Do List for the day

My joyful activity was picking up daughter from the airport and bringing her home.

On the To Do List for Thursday:

- Put away the laundry
- Made a graduation card
- More paperwork and filing
- Cooking a chicken curry

How was your Wednesday?  What are your plans for Thursday?

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

May Grocery Shopping - Part 2

 

May Groceries 5/13/25

On Tuesday, I went to the Armenian grocery store to do my grocery shopping.  My main reason for going there was to take advantage of their Tuesday only deal on pork chops for $1.99/lb.  But, I had also gone through their weekly ad and listed several other items to pick up as well.  The majority of those items cost less that the equivalent at the regular grocery store.  For comparison, where possible, I put the regular grocery store prices, per their website, in blue.  As you can see, only the green beans were the same price per pound (or unit).  My groceries would have cost a lot more if I had shopped at the supermarket, although I didn't calculate just how much more.    

I bought:

Pork chops, 3 lb. @ $1.99/lb. ($4.49/lb.) = $6.09
Beef shoulder steak, 1+ lb. @ $4.99/lb. ($7.99/lb.)  = $5.86
Chicken drumsticks, 3 lb. @ $1.29/lb. ($1.99/lb.)= $3.93 

Strawberries, 3x1 lb. @ $1.99/lb.($4.99/lb.) = $5.97
Grapes, 1.67 lb. @ $1.99/lb. ($3.79/lb.) = $3.32
Cherries, 2.03 lb. @ $1.99/lb. ($5.99/lb. in 2 lb. bag) = $4.04
3 Tangerines, 1.2 lb. @ $0.69/lb. ($1.99/lb.) = $0.83

4 Onions, 1.83 lb. @ 4lb/$0.99 ($1.29/lb.) = $0.45
1 Lettuce @ 2/$0.99 ($1.99)= $0.50
Green beans, 0.85lb. @$2.49/lb. ($2.49)= $2.12
1 Cucumber = $0.69 ($0.99)
1 Broccoli crown 0.42 lb. @$0.99/lb.($1.99/lb.) = $0.42

1 pkt. Pita bread (5 pita breads; 12 oz.) ($2.99/11 oz.) = $1.49
2 pkts. Toasted bread* @1.39 ($3.00) = $2.78
1 pkt. French rolls (4 rolls) = $2.99 ($4.99 for 6)

1 quart Half and half = $2.99 ($3.49)

2 cans Coconut water @ $1.29 ($1.39)+ $0.05 recycling fee per can = $2.68 

Total = $47.15

 Replenishing my emergency supplies; shelf stable bread substitute

Receipt (5/13/25)

My total came to $47.15

My May grocery budget = $150.00

Spent to date = $56.66 + $47.15 = $103.81

Balance left in the grocery budget = $46.19

I don't anticipate needing to do another big grocery shopping trip for the rest of the month.  The balance left should be more than enough for things like bread, milk, and some fresh vegetables, during the rest of this month.

How is your grocery shopping and spending coming along?

Monday, May 12, 2025

May Meal Planning - Week 2 Review

Wednesday Dinner: Salmon, Peas, Potato


These were my meal plan options for May Week 2:


Brunches: Scrambled eggs and toast (Monday)✔; Pancakes Waffles✔; Pizza from the freezer; Tuna Egg salad on crackers or bread (need to buy bread)✔; Soup and crackers; leftovers✔; tacos compliments of neighbor S.

Dinners: Macaroni & cheese with ground beef and vegetables mixture from the freezer (Mon)✔;
 Salmon with baked potato and green peas or broccoli;✔ Rice and curries with Shrimp curry from the freezer;✔ leftovers✔; or something quite different (breakfast for dinner /waffles; tacos from neighbor S)!✔

Snacks/Desserts: Crackers, fruit, yogurt, cereal, granola bars

Here's how it worked out:

Monday:
Brunch:  Scrambled eggs and toast 
Dinner:  Macaroni & cheese with ground beef and vegetables mixture from the freezer
Snacks/Desserts: Blueberries from the garden

Tuesday:
Brunch:  Mac & cheese with ground beef (leftovers)
Dinner: Breakfast for Dinner: Orange-Cranberry waffles (from a gifted mix) with homemade cranberry sauce
Snacks/Desserts: Spicy crackers; peppermint candy

Wednesday:
Brunch:  Egg salad sandwich (using the curried egg from the meal friend S brought me) & banana
Dinner:  Salmon with baked potato and green peas 
Snacks/Desserts: Spicy crackers; freshly picked strawberries (2) from the garden (there were 3, but, gave one to M), peppermint candy

Thursday:
Brunch:  Peanut butter sandwich & banana
Dinner:  Rice and curries with Shrimp curry from the freezer, eggplant moju and pickled carrots;
Snacks/Desserts: Orange (picked from the garden), apple slices

Thursday Dinner: Rice & Curries


Friday:
Brunch:  Cereal and milk
Dinner:  Rice, leftover ground beef mixture, green peas
Snacks/Desserts: Buttered toast, yogurt with blueberry compote, crackers

Friday Dinner: Rice, Ground Beef, Green Peas
(and chili sauce)


Friday Dessert: Yogurt and Blueberry Compote


Saturday:
Brunch:  Buttered bread and a banana
Dinner: Chicken Tacos, Lettuce, Watermelon compliments of neighbor S and family
Snacks/Desserts: Watermelon

Weekend Dinner - Compliments of Neighbor S
and Family



Sunday:
Brunch: Waffles with Cranberry Sauce

Sunday Brunch

Dinner: Leftover Chicken Tacos, Lettuce, Watermelon
Snacks/Desserts: Watermelon, peppermint candy

Well that worked out pretty well, I think.  I stayed on plan for most of the week except when I didn't!  LOL.

On to this week!  This week's meal plan might change quite a bit because my daughter will be visiting during the latter half of the week and we will probably get some food to go to celebrate a belated Mother's Day.

Brunches:  Tuna salad sandwiches; Waffles (leftovers); Scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast or fried potatoes; Ham sandwiches; French toast; milk and cereal; dinner leftovers; maybe pastries if we get some

Dinners: Rice and shrimp curry (leftovers); Rice and chicken curry with dhal and vegetables; Ham with mashed potatoes and broccoli; Pork chops with rice and green beans; Leftovers.

Snacks and Desserts: Fresh fruit, yogurt, granola bars, bread pudding, maybe a dessert from the bakery

I will need to buy chicken to make the chicken curry and the pork chops, along with a few fruits and vegetables.  I am planning to go grocery shopping on Tuesday (when the pork chops will be on sale).

How about you?  Are you making a meal plan this week?

On Mother's Day Sunday

 

A Bouquet of Roses

On Mother's Day Sunday, the temperature reached a high of 94f, so it was a bit cooler than Saturday.

Daughter and I decided we will celebrate Mother's Day when she is home, next weekend.

I did some tidying, sorted through a pile of paperwork and did some shredding, picked blueberries, watered the back garden, put away the dishes, washed all of Dancer's dishes, and swept and mopped the kitchen floor, finally.  

Brunch was waffles with cranberry sauce and dinner was leftover tacos, lettuce, and watermelon from Saturday's dinner.

On Mother's Day, I was grateful for:

- My mother
- My daughter who made me a mother
- Another sunny and warm day
- Water for the garden
- More fresh blueberries

Sunday's joyful activities included video chatting with my daughter and spending time in the garden.

Monday's To Do List:

- Lab appointment for blood work
- Meal plan
- Water the front garden
- Water the indoor plants
- Take the trash cans to the curb
- Paperwork/filing
- Decluttering
- Continue to tidy my bedroom (find space for the sewing supplies)

How was your Sunday?  What are your plans for Monday?

Saturday, May 10, 2025

Triple Digits on Saturday

 

Our High on Saturday

It was a summer day, today!  We went up to 100F.  I wore a dress for the first time, this year, and turned on the ceiling fan!  I'm not complaining though because the high on Monday is supposed to be only 72F and I'll be back to wearing a sweater.  

I did a little cleaning, today, scrubbed the toilet, dusted my desk, scrubbed under the stove burners, and ran the dishwasher.  I started on the paperwork that was piled on my desk, but, haven't made much progress.  I also picked more blueberries.

My lovely neighbor across the street, S, called me in the evening to say that her daughter N had made some chicken tacos and would I like to have some?  I accepted the offer gratefully and she brought me dinner:

Dinner Compliments of Neighbor S and Family

Chicken tacos, two types of salsa, lettuce, and watermelon.  Such a blessing!  There is enough food for a meal tomorrow, too. I gave S a bag of freshly picked blueberries, in return.  

On Saturday, I am grateful for:
- A sunny, hot day
- Neighbor S bringing me dinner
- Having blueberries to share with her
- Working appliances
- Electricity to run the appliances

Saturday's joyful activity was picking blueberries.

Plans for Sunday, Mothers' Day, include:
- Continuing with the paperwork
- Watering the garden
- Reading

How was your Saturday?  What are your plans for Sunday?  Wish all the mothers out there a very happy Mothers' Day, on Sunday.

On Friday

Neptune Roses

Friday was like a summer day with a high of 94F!  I loved it!  It was finally warm enough for me to wear a sleeveless blouse.  LOL.

I got some housework done, changing out the dust sheets on the living room sofas, doing a small load of laundry, washing one of my wool sweaters by hand, vacuuming my bedroom and doing a little paperwork.  Later, when M was here, I tended to the garden with him.  He enjoyed a bowl of my homemade yogurt with some blueberry compote and I gave him a jar of yogurt to take home with him.

I didn't get to cleaning the kitchen, so that's on the list for Saturday.

On Friday, I was grateful for:
- The sunny, warm day
- M's help with the garden
- Water for the garden
- Garden flowers and garden fruit
- Working appliances

Friday's joyful activity was spending time in the garden.

My plans for Saturday (another warm day according to the forecast), include cleaning the kitchen, picking blueberries, and more paperwork.

How was your Friday?  What are your plans for Saturday?

Friday, May 9, 2025

On Thursday

 

Another Rose

On Thursday, we had a lovely warm day with the afternoon high going up to 84F.  I loved it!  According to the forecast, we will have another couple of warm days and then, the temperatures will go down to the 60s by next week.

I completed a few more tasks on my To Do list on Thursday, including cleaning the bathroom, doing a small load of laundry, and making some yogurt.  

I also spoke with neighbor E about painting the living room and dining area.  He was ready to start on Friday, but, I needed more time to empty out the shelves so they can be moved, etc., and next week will be busy.  So, we might start on the painting the following week.  I'm looking forward to getting that job crossed off my list.

Brunch was a banana and a peanut butter sandwich.  Dinner was rice and curries.  Snacks included a freshly picked orange and apple slices.

On Thursday, I was grateful for:

- A lovely, sunny, warm day!
- Neighbor E's help
- Fresh oranges from the garden
- Garden flowers
- What I was able to accomplish 

Thursday's joyful activity was spending time in the garden.

Plans for Friday include:

- Paperwork/filing
- Vacuuming my bedroom
- Gardening with M
- Cleaning the kitchen

How was your Thursday?  What are your plans for Friday?  

  

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

May Groceries - Part 1

 

May Groceries 5/7/25

I put in an order for groceries very early this morning (shortly after midnight, when the new prices went into effect) and selected a mid-morning pick up time slot.  The main reason for that was the sale on daughter's favorite brand of coffee for $7.99 each with this week's digital coupon.  Regular price is  $11.99 each.  The sales ad stated, "While supplies last" and when I put the order in, I received a notice that supplies were low!  You are allowed to use each digital coupon up to 5 times in a single transaction, but, apparently, there was a limit of 4 on the ground coffee.  I ordered the maximum number I could, with 4 ground coffee packages and 1 whole coffee beans package (we have a coffee grinder at home).  

I also bought a half gallon container of milk, which is not pictured, above.  

In addition, I bought some soap, which is not paid for with my grocery budget.  I had been waiting for it to go on sale to stock up (I usually buy one 8 pack of soap twice a year; I am now stocked up on toothpaste and soap for the rest of the year).

Here's the receipt:


Order Summary

Original Item Total$86.15
Item Coupons/Sales-$23.00
Fulfillment Fee+$0.00
Sales Tax+$0.82
Order Total$63.97

Item Details

15 Items

Fresh Banana - Single, 1 ea $0.77
1.02 lbs x $0.75 each (approx.) (price per lb. has increased 6 cents/lb.)
Irish Spring Bar Soap Original Scent, 8 ct / 3.7 oz $6.49
1 x $6.49 $8.49 each
Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00
Kroger® Premium Coconut Milk, 13.5 fl oz$7.96
4 x $1.99 each
Kroger® White Sandwich Bread, 20 oz$1.99
1 x $1.99 each
Large Mangos, 1 ct$3.00
2 x $1.50 $2.00 each
Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.50
Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.50
Ralphs® Vitamin D Whole Milk Half Gallon, 1/2 gal$2.99
1 x $2.99 each
Starbucks Espresso Dark Roast Ground Coffee, 12 oz$31.96
4 x $7.99 $11.99 each
Item Coupon/Sale: -$4.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$4.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$4.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$4.00
Starbucks Espresso Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee, 12 oz$7.99
1 x $7.99 $11.99 each
Item Coupon/Sale: -$4.00

The total I paid = $63.97

The total for groceries only (without the soap and the tax on soap) = $56.66

May grocery budget = $150 

With my daughter coming home for an extended weekend visit in mid-May and spending $39.95 to stock up on coffee for her, I have increased my monthly grocery budget, this month.  That additional $50 is not coming from the car fuel budget, this time around, because I put gas to the car this morning ( $44.93 worth of gas @$4.29/gal. at the cheapest station I could find in my neighborhood as opposed to $4.65/gal. at the station near the grocery store).  The additional money for groceries is coming from what might have otherwise gone to savings.

The Armenian grocery store is having another one day only special on pork chops for $1.99/lb., next Tuesday and I am planning to buy some and some fresh produce.  Daughter and I both enjoyed the pork chops I bought, earlier.

As always, I am grateful for:

- The availability of groceries 
- Weekly loss leader sales and coupons
- Being able to increase my grocery budget
- Being able to stock up
- The convenience of ordering groceries online and picking up in the store parking lot

Have you grocery shopped yet in May?