Road Trip: Part 1

Somebody Needs to Wash her Windshield!

 I couldn't fall asleep until almost 3:00 a.m., last night and didn't want to wake up when my alarm went off at 8:00 a.m.  In fact, I didn't get up until 8:30 a.m.  So, my day got off to a later start than I had planned.  By the time I did all the things I needed to do, including a couple of things I should have done last night but didn't, it was just after 11:00 a.m.!  I was a bit exasperated with myself, but as my daughter pointed out, there really was no rush as we didn't have to get to Berkeley by a specific time.  So, we left the house a bit after 11:00 a.m., filled the tank with gas ($2.69/gal) and started on our road trip!

We'd been driving for less than an hour when we encountered a delay.  There had been an accident and only 1 lane of the freeway was open and traffic was backed up for miles!  It must have been a very serious accident because we watched several ambulances rush by and the medivac helicopter fly in and fly out again.  I hope whoever was injured survived and will recover from their injuries.  I am very grateful that we were not involved in an accident, but the delay added an hour to the drive time!

The rest of the drive was without incident.  Around 2:00 p.m., I stopped at one of the rest areas.

Rest Area

We used the facilities and sat in the picnic area and had the lunch I had packed: ham sandwiches, cantaloupe slices, and apple juice.  I had packed some cookies and peanuts, too, but we didn't want them, then; we might have them on the return trip home.  We spent 30 minutes at the rest area and then, continued with the drive.  That was the only rest break we took.

 

View of the Road with a Windmill Farm in the Distance

Another Photo of the Windmill Farm

 

I drove the whole way as I felt fine, driving.  But, by the time we reached Berkeley a little after 6:30 p.m., I had been driving for almost 7 hours and I was a bit tired.  So I rested while daughter brought everything up from the car, unpacked her stuff, and made me a cup of tea.  Then she went across the street and got us a pizza for dinner, but I found that I can't taste pizza!  There's no fun eating pizza if I can't taste it!  

Once we reached Berkeley, daughter realized that she had left the tickets to tomorrow's event at home!  Oh, no!  So, tomorrow, she will go to the university campus and buy replacement tickets!  She  was angry at herself for forgetting them, but these things happen, don't they?  After all, I forgot to turn off the heater until she asked me if I had.  Fortunately, we can buy replacement tickets.

Today, I am grateful for:

- A safe drive.

- No car troubles.

- Pleasant rest areas.

- Good weather in which to drive.

- A pleasant, relaxed drive.

How was your Sunday? 

Saturday's Productivity

I was able to get a good night's sleep, last night.  No insomnia since I didn't have chemo.  Went to sleep a little after 1:30 a.m. and slept till 9:00 a.m.

In the morning, I washed the red sari I thought daughter will wear for the graduation.  Hung it up to dry and ironed it.

Red Sari Being Ironed

 The design is worked in a silvery-gold thread.

The Border Design of the Section that Goes Over the Shoulder

Then, I ironed the purple sari I thought I would wear.

Purple Sari Border

It looks blue in the pictures, but it is a deep purple color.

Purple Sari Being Ironed

Except, when daughter saw the purple sari she admired the color in such a manner that it became clear that she would prefer to wear it instead of the red sari!  So, we will switch the saris we will wear!  :D

I told my daughter I was happy she chose to wear a sari for her graduation; she said she chose to do so because she knows I want her to!  When I protested that I never said so, she said I didn't have to say anything, she just knew!  I guess she knows me well!  I do like how we look when we wear saris.

In the afternoon, one of my friends visited me.  She brought me a set of kitchen towels I had requested and then wouldn't accept payment for them.  My present kitchen towels are rather old and starting to tear.  I am looking forward to replacing them with the new towels.  The old towels will be used as cleaning cloths.

After tea, my daughter drove my friend home and then, picked up my medication refill from the pharmacy and a loaf of French bread from the grocery store.  I plan to make some ham cold cuts sandwiches to take for our lunch, tomorrow.  I will pack us a picnic breakfast and lunch and we'll eat in one of the roadside rest areas.

I called my next door neighbor to let her know that I will be leaving tomorrow and to ask her if her husband could take my black trash bin out to the curb on Monday; she said she'll ask him to do so.

Still to do:

- Do the dishes
- Make a list of what I need to take
- Pack my stuff
- Water the indoor plants


Tomorrow morning:

- Pack the car
- Have daughter do the litter boxes
- Make the sandwiches/pack the picnic lunch
- Put gas to the car!
- Road trip!  :D

Today, I am grateful for:

- My daughter being willing to accommodate my wishes
- My friend's visit
- The gift of new kitchen towels
- Helpful neighbors
- Phone call from aunt and cousin wishing me a safe trip

How was your Saturday?
- 


 

Friday the 13th!

Happy Friday the 13th!  This is the only Friday the 13th, this year, so hope everyone made the best of it!

I went in for hydration and an immune booster injection, today.  No chemo therapy as it was postponed until next week in order to prevent my immune system from being more compromised during my up-coming trip to Berkeley.  I am so glad the doctors are willing to work with me to enable me to attend my daughter's graduation.

After we came home, I finished this week's work assignment, sent the completed work off, and sent a status update to my supervisor.   I also sent her a reminder that I will be taking vacation time off Monday through Wednesday of next week. 

In the evening, my daughter tried on the sari blouses; the one she wore for her Bachelor's degree graduation still fits her so she will wear that.  The sari she will be wearing is one of mine.  I offered to buy her a new sari to wear for the occasion but she declined saying she didn't see the need for that expense! 

My daughter signed her work contract yesterday and we spent some time figuring out a budget for her.  We know her gross pay; what we don't know is how much will be deducted for taxes, etc.  So, we won't know her net or "take-home" pay until she gets her first pay check, towards the end of June.  I prefer to make budgets based on net pay since I think it gives a more accurate picture of what is exactly available to spend and save.  But, for now, we are going to assume that her taxes and other deductions will amount to 20% of her pay, leaving her with 80% as net income.  The budget we made out is based on a presumed take home pay of 80% of her gross income.   Obviously, there will be some adjusting done as we find out what her exact take home pay will be.

Her biggest expense will be rent.  Rent in Berkeley is ridiculously high.  Daughter has searched for lower rent apartments outside of Berkeley, but within a reasonable commute of her job, but only one of the places she sent inquiries to even bothered to respond to her inquiry.  All the others were non-responsive.  So, we decided she will continue to rent her present studio apartment and renewed her lease.  She has the advantage of being familiar with the neighborhood after living there for the past two years, being on the direct bus line to her office, and even being able to walk to work and back when the weather is nice.  Most importantly, we know the area is relatively safe and the apartment management has been very responsive to service requests, etc.

She is allocating herself $100 per month for utilities.  So far, her utilities have not amounted to $100, but we are keeping a nice cushion, for just in case. 

Her grocery budget will continue to be $100 per month and she's allowing herself another $100 for all her other expenses (household purchases, clothes, eating out, socializing with friends, etc.)

She is also hoping to be able to save a certain amount of her salary.  I have given her my ideal guideline of living on 70% of her income and saving 30%.  We don't know if she will be able to do it, but that's what we are aiming for. 

Today, I am grateful for:

- My doctors have done what they can to enable me to attend daughter's graduation.
- I am able to take vacation time off from my work to attend daughter's graduation.
- Daughter being practical and willing to wear what's already in our combined closets.
- Daughter having a job waiting for her upon graduation.
- Budgeting skills!

How was your Friday the 13th?

Thursday's Productivity

Today, I went for my blood test in the morning.  Called the pharmacy and put in a request for a refill on one of my prescriptions.  Afterwards, went with daughter to get the car serviced.  I wanted it done before driving up to Berkeley this weekend, for daughter's graduation.  I also worked on office work.

I have received the OK from my oncologist to drive up to Berkeley for daughter's graduation.  To make sure that my immune system will be stronger, I will not have any chemo therapy, tomorrow.  They will give me hydration and maybe an immune booster injection.  The plan is to drive up to Berkeley on Sunday for the graduation ceremony which will be held on Monday.  Monday night.  In an outdoor arena.  Whose bright idea was that?  Night time temperatures in Berkeley tend to be in the low 50s!  That, to daughter and me is FREEZING!  Neither daughter nor I are looking forward to spending over 3 hours sitting outdoors at night when it is that cold!  Brr!  If they had to have it outdoors, surely they could have had it during the day?  Or, if they had to have it at night, surely they could have had it indoors in one of the halls?  OK, I shall not whine any more.  I am grateful I am able to attend my daughter's graduation, even if it will be freezing cold.
     

Dracaena at the Beginning of December 2015

The dracaena I brought home from the office at the end of last year and transplanted didn't do well due to insufficient sunlight in the room I had kept it (I had to hide it in the 3rd bedroom because the plant is toxic to cats and Dancer kept trying to eat the leaves).  The leaves on two of its branches died off completely and the leaves on the third branch started to die off, as well.  Finally, I brought it out to the window between the living room and dining room and pruned back the two branches that had lost all the leaves.  Gradually, the one branch with some leaves still left on it picked up and guess what's showing at the end of one of the branches that was cut back?

New Leaves!

The beginnings of new leaves!  If both grow, these will develop into two new branches, eventually!  I am hopeful that the third branch will also develop some new leaves.

In the meantime, the sections I pruned off are in a jar of water.  I am hoping that they will root and I'll be able to grow a few new plants.  Dancer still occasionally tries to eat the leaves, but he is not as taken up with the plant now as he was when I first brought it home.

Today, I am grateful for:

- I am able to be present at daughter's graduation (freezing, but present).
- The car was serviced before the long drive to Berkeley and back.
- The blood test was done without any difficulty.
- A lovely, warm day (mid 80s)
- The dracaena plant is reviving!

How was your Thursday?

Wednesday's To Do List

I think I tend to be more productive when I make myself a "to do" list, so here's my list for today:

- Call supervisor and give her an update - DONE
- Forward work emails to appropriate people - DONE
- Download new work files and send emails - DONE
- Update work status tables - DONE
- Send email re. copy of pay check stub to payroll - DONE
- Call and schedule car maintenance service appt. - DONE
- Do a load of laundry and hang to dry - DONE
- Put away laundry when dry - DONE
- Water the front garden by hand - DONE
- Water the back garden (sprinklers) - DONE
- Maybe do a 2nd load of laundry in p.m.
- Wash dishes - DONE
- Choose wedding gift for friend's daughter - DONE
- Have daughter try on sari blouses and select a sari to wear to graduation (provided she still wants to wear a sari)
- Try on my own sari blouses/select a sari (probably my favorite purple sari)

I'll update my list later in the day.

Anybody else makes daily to do lists?

Sleepy Tuesday and May Grocery Shopping

Dancer Tucked In, Ready for a Nap

I woke up at 7:00 a.m., had a cup of tea, and settled down to do office-related work.  I had been expecting an email with an additional work assignment, but it didn't come, today.  If it doesn't come tomorrow, then, I will email my supervisor to let her know.

I had a ham sandwich for breakfast.  Then, continued to do office work.  But, by mid morning, I felt really sleepy, so, took a nap!   After I woke up, I ate another sandwich and a banana for lunch.  Then, did more office work, until, yes, you guessed it, I felt sleepy again!  Had to take an afternoon nap!  I did more office work after I woke up and worked until quite late to make up the time I spent napping!

It's been a quiet day.  I really didn't do anything much other than sleep and office work, but I did the dishes, checked the mail, and went through this week's grocery ads (don't really need anything, but cherries are on sale for $.99/lb, so might have daughter buy some as she loves fresh cherries; I can't eat them while I'm undergoing chemo, unless I cook them).  My neighbor brought in my trash cans for me, once the trash was collected.

Speaking of groceries, in April, I had budgeted $150 for groceries (as I was buying some groceries for daughter, as well) and daughter had gone grocery shopping twice.

April Week 1 grocery total =  $38.68
April Week 2 (part 1) grocery total = $27.93







There never was an April Week 2, Part 2, as daughter got sick!  That was when I asked my friends and family to grocery shop for me and they wouldn't accept any money for what they bought.  So, my April grocery totals amounted to $66.61


I had daughter go grocery shopping on April 30 and yesterday (May 9).  I decided to include the April 30 grocery shopping in the May shopping budget, because the items bought were being consumed in May.

April 30 grocery totals:

Bananas, $.49/lb = $.80
Peaches, $1.49/lb = $1.61
Cantaloupe, $.89/lb = $3.92
Carrots = $.45
Corn, @$.33 = $.66
Ham cold cuts = $2.00
Milk = $1.79
Eggs = $1.99
Cereal bars = $2.79
Mayonnaise = $2.69
Ketchup = $2.49
4 cans condensed milk,  @$1.79 = $7.16
7 frozen pot pies, @2.00 = $14.00
4 6-pack bottles cola, @$2.29 = $9.16
Total = $51.51


Yesterday, she went grocery shopping again and bought:

Sandwich bread = $1.29
French bread = $1.99
Dairy topping = $1.99
Canola oil = $1.99
Half and half = $2.59
Pancake mix = $1.99
Bananas, $.69/lb = $1.74
Ham cold cuts = $2.00
Chocolate bar = $1.50
Potato chips ($4.29); free with coupon =  $0
Total = $17.08

May grocery spending total to date:  $51.51 + $17.08 = $68.59

Amount left in May grocery budget:  $150 - $68.59 = $81.41

For dinner, tonight, we had some of the rice and barbecue meat my neighbor sent over on Sunday.

Today, I am grateful for:

- Being able to work from home (and thus take naps as needed!)
- A quietly productive day.
- Daughter being home.
- A full fridge and freezer.
- Neighbor bringing in my trash cans for me.

How was your Tuesday?  Hope it was a good day.

Cloudy Monday

California Poppy

I slept in, this morning, which was fine because I didn't have to get up early to go anywhere.  Woke up to a cloudy, overcast day.  Had a cup of tea and leftover waffles (warmed up in the toaster) for brunch.  Took a walk around the garden and took a couple of pictures of the flowers in bloom.
 

Roses

Trying to make myself a to do list for today.  Wrote out a grocery list for daughter to buy for me: bread, bananas, ham cold cuts, another box of pancake mix, half and half for her coffee, etc.  She will also go to the bank and the pharmacy for me.

Need to put away the washed dishes from yesterday:

Washed Dishes

Tidy another shelf or two in the kitchen cabinet.

Later in the evening, I need to take the trash cans out to the curb.

Don't have to cook today since my neighbor across the street sent us more food - rice, barbecue, salad, potatoes, pastries, etc.  The fridge is full!

Today, I am grateful for:

- More food sent by neighbor!
- A leisurely morning.
- My daughter being home with me and able to run errands for me.
- The cloud cover keeping the temperatures comfortable.
- Email from one of my longtime friends.

Hope your Monday is off to a good start, too.