Wednesday's Happenings

Happy International Day of Happiness!  A lot was happening on Wednesday, March 20!  It was both International Day of Happiness and spring equinox!  There was also another supermoon, tonight, which is known as a Worm Moon, apparently because worms begin to emerge around this time of the year as the soil warms up (in the northern hemisphere, at least).

I woke up feeling a little better, this morning.  But I have been taking it easy, today, too.

The biggest accomplishment, today, was getting my taxes done, and filed.  I met with the tax accountant in the afternoon to go over the taxes.  I had been concerned that I would owe taxes and I was pleased to find out that I would receive a small federal tax refund and that, while I owed some state taxes, it was much less than what I owed, last year.  The tax refund is enough to pay the tax preparation fees and the state taxes I owed, so I am pleased!  LOL.  I used to do my own taxes (and my mother's too), a long time ago, but, after having been audited a couple of times, I am now happy to pay a professional to do them for me!

It rained on and off all day, today.  Or, rather, it drizzled.  Nothing like the rain we've had, earlier this year.  In fact, the ground was quite dry, when I dug a hole in the backyard to bury some banana peels by one of the rose bushes.

After I came home, I buried the banana peels and picked a few oranges from the tree.  Breakfast had been a banana, lunch was egg flower/egg drop soup, followed by one of the oranges.  Dinner was leftovers - red rice, the last of the cabbage, the last of the beef curry, and some of the cashew curry.  Followed by another orange!  Fresh vitamin C to fight off the cold (although, I think it is more of a sinus infection than a cold).

In the evening, I did a load of laundry, watched news, and knitted.  I also called cousin P and cousin R.  And video chatted with my daughter, as usual.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Getting the taxes done
- Getting a small refund on federal taxes
- Owing only a small amount of additional state taxes
- Feeling a little better
- Video chatting with my daughter

Plans for tomorrow include an appointment with the podiatrist in the afternoon.

How was your Wednesday? 

Sore Throat on Tuesday

I  woke up with a scratchy, sore throat, today.  Wah!  I am hoping I'll be able to avoid a full blown cold and cough.    

Since I didn't feel 100%, I took it easy and relaxed, today.  I didn't call the insurance about the billing, but I registered for Jury Duty (reporting date is April 15).  I didn't request to postpone it, because I'd rather get it over and done with.  At least the courthouse I'm assigned to is in the adjoining city, not all the way downtown.  A much shorter distance to drive to.  And, apparently, if I take the online orientation course, I can show up two hours later than the start time, on the first day!  Since they usually tell you to arrive around 7:00 or 7:30 a.m. on that first day (and then, sit through the orientation), I shall take the online orientation and sleep in  a bit!

I brought in the trash cans, went through this week's grocery ads (, and cleared out one file folder...all the natural gas bills from last year.  The monthly payments varied from $17.12 in August to $205.85 in February.  Each month's bill covers a period of approximately 30 days, and includes about 3 weeks of the prior month and one week of the current month.  So, the January bill included the gas used during most of December and the first week in January.  I consider it as the January bill because I pay it in January, which is when it is due.  

 

Month	2016	2017/Therms Used	2018	Therms Used
January	$139.15	$161.59  n/a	$135.80	106 therms
February	$348.90	$250.78  n/a	$205.85	157 therms
March	$ 153.11	$185.03  134	$124.72	97 therms
April	$97.20	$153.43 116	$214.52	163 therms
May	$65.41	$64.57 54	$71.36	63 therms
June	$79.08	$55.44  42	$42.74	36 therms
July	$67.76	$29.47  20	$39.86	29 therms
August	$17.33	$17.67  11	$17.12	11 therms
September	$16.69	$15.85 10	$18.69	11 therms
October	$19.78	$14.89 9	$20.26	12 therms
November _________ December	$ 26.14 ______________ $33.10	$15.94 10 ______________ $63.93  51	$18.15 _______________ $41.97	12 therms ______________ 34 therms

I paid a total of $951.04 on natural gas, in 2018, for heating, cooking, water heater, and clothes dryer (although I didn't have the use of the dryer all last year).  The monthly average came to $79.25, which presents me with a bit of budgeting difficulties.  I budget $100 per month for natural gas, because that amount is more than enough for the monthly average; except for the fact that my actual monthly bills are higher than what I budget for the first four months of the year!  I take from savings to pay those higher bills.  I am then "in the red" until later in the summer, when, eventually, the lower monthly bills allow me to get back "in the black".    I am wondering if it makes more sense to increase my budget during the first four months of the year to reflect the actual spending during those months, and decrease it for the rest of the year.  

So far, this year, all my gas bills have been higher than last year's for the same period!  $159.29 in January; $262.30 in February; $240.21 in March.  One of the consequences of being retired and being home, as I have the heater going on during the mornings as well as in the evenings, when I am home!  I am fine with that, though, since a warm house is one of my luxuries.  I manage with just a window air conditioner in my bedroom, during the hottest days of summer, but I want a warm house in the winter!  

I didn't do another load of laundry, today, because I didn't need to (not enough lights for a full load); I also didn't dust or vacuum because I didn't feel quite up to it.  Instead, I rested, knitted, and watched some TV.  Later, in the evening, I made another batch of tomato soup for dinner and video chatted with my daughter.

Lunch was a salad with canned tuna added to it.  Later, I ate two small oranges that had fallen from the tree after yesterday's wind, and had tomato soup for dinner.  I also snacked on some almonds, in the evening.

I took two Tylenol tablets because I felt achy and drank some coriander tea.  I will gargle with warm salt water before I go to sleep, tonight.  

Today, I am grateful for:

- Being able to take it easy when needed

- Fresh oranges from the tree

- Tomato soup 

- Emails from a good friend

- Being able to video chat with my daughter

Tuesday's To Do List:
- Call insurance re. billing
- Pay bill
- Fill out jury duty questionnaire - DONE
- Bring the trash cans in - DONE
- Put away the laundry from Monday - DONE
- Do another load of laundry
- Empty the dishwasher/put away dishes - DONE
- Dust and vacuum

Wednesday's To Do List:
- Call insurance re. billing/pay bill as needed
- Attend appointment with tax accountant, depending on how I feel
- Sort through more files.

Everything else (laundry, dusting, vacuuming, etc.) can wait a couple of days until I feel better.

How was your Tuesday?  How do you budget for those bills that fluctuate from month to month or during certain months of the year?

Doctor's Appointment on Monday

On Saturday, I received a medical billing for one of my doctor's appointments in January.  Since the amount was the same as my co-pay which I had paid on the day of the appointment, I wondered if there had been a mix-up (wouldn't be the first time that has happened!)  Anyway, I called them, today, in the morning, but I was only told that this was an amount that was outstanding and, therefore, now due!  So, I called the doctor's office and I was asked to bring the billing statement in.  Which I did, on my way to the other doctor's appointment that was scheduled for this afternoon.  I took the billing statement, the service authorization letter, and the receipt of payment I had received; the front office person looked at it, but told me that this was a different billing than the co-pay.  Well, in that case, I'll pay it.  But, first, I also want to call the insurance company to verify that I owe this.  Last year, the insurance people sent me a letter, with a check enclosed, stating that they had audited my account and, apparently, I had overpaid on my copays and they are reimbursing me!

After that, I went to my appointment with the oncologist.  It was a routine follow-up visit.  I guess the blood test results were good (I forgot to ask for a copy), because I was simply told to come back in 3 months' time for another check up.

When I came home and checked the mail, I saw that I had received a Jury Duty Summons!  Just the other day, when I was filing and came across the Jury Duty file, I thought I hadn't been called to serve in a couple of years!  They must have read my mind!  LOL.

Later in the evening, I took the trash cans to the curb, watered the backyard, did a load of laundry and hung it up to dry, did the dishes (some by hand, some in the dishwasher), wiped down the kitchen counters, watered the indoor plants, did a bit of knitting, and watched some TV. 

Dinner was leftover rice, cashew curry, and cabbage.  Another vegetarian meal!  Later, I video chatted with my daughter.  Cousin P called, too, to thank me for the birthday gift and to discuss the party.  She said she was really surprised.

Today, I am grateful for:
- My blood test results were good enough that the doctor didn't have anything to say about them
- A safe drive to and from the clinic
- Another sunny, warm (84F) day
- Video chatting with my daughter
- What I was able to accomplish, today


Monday's To Do List:
- Doctor's appointment (follow up with the oncologist) - DONE
- Take the trash cans out to the curb - DONE
- Water the indoor plants - DONE
- Water the backyard? - DONE

Tuesday's To Do List:
- Call insurance re. billing
- Pay bill
- Fill out jury duty questionnaire
- Bring the trash cans in
- Put away the laundry from Monday
- Do another load of laundry
- Empty the dishwasher/put away dishes
- Dust and vacuum

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

Sunday: Grocery Shopping - Week 3

3/17 Groceries

I received a text from the pharmacy stating that one of my prescription refills was ready for pick up.  I had taken the last dose of another medication, this morning, and needed a refill on that, too, so I took the empty vial with me.  They didn't have a big enough stock on hand for that medication, so they gave me a few pills to tide me over until they can fill the rest of that prescriptions.  Which was fine with me.

While I was at the pharmacy, I picked up two boxes of  heat wraps (3 count each) for my daughter as they are something she uses and they haven't been available for some time, now.  Very often, too, they are not available at her pharmacy, so I pick them up for her whenever I see them.  I also picked up two small (30 loads) laundry detergent powder, as they were on sale.  Regular price $10.49 each, on sale for $5.94.  I had some coupons, too, so, I got each box of detergent for $4.94.  So, I got two boxes of detergent for less than the regular price of one box!  The heat wraps were $7.69 each, but, I had coupons for $1.00 off each box, plus, a 40% off one item, so one box cost $4.01 and the other box was $6.69.  Plus sales tax, of course, as these are non-food items.  In addition, I received $5 ExtraBucks Rewards!  I might use that for another box of heat wraps (if they have it) or more laundry detergent, when I go to pick up the rest of my medication, when it is ready.  I spent a total of $52.73, but that included $30 for my prescription.

Then, since the dollar store (99Cents Only Store) is next door, I went there, too.  The name of the store is a bit misleading since they now sell items for more than $.99, but, those items are, usually, well marked with the prices.

I bought:

1 package turkey cold cuts =  $1.00
4 bananas (1.19 lb) @ $.49/lb. = $.58
1 Butter lettuce = $1.00
1 lb. strawberries (organic) = $1.49
Total = $4.07

I debated buying the cold cuts, since I still have some of what I bought, earlier, but, decided to go ahead and buy them.  The package says it can be frozen; I've never frozen cold cuts, before, as I am not sure how they will be after thawing.

Dollar Store Receipt

March grocery shopping budget = $75
Spent to date = $1.79 + $7.74 + $5 + $23.29 + $4.07 =   $41.89
Amount left in the March grocery budget = $75 - $41.89 = $33.11

I will need to buy a loaf of bread, sometime, midweek, for all those cold cuts!  Or, maybe I can try making lettuce wraps!

Yesterday's party to celebrate my cousin's 70th birthday went well.  I   got to my aunt's a bit early, in order to get parking.  I drove to the back entrance, where the garage is located, hoping it would be open so I can take the food in first.  The garage was closed, but aunt's older grandson and his wife were just walking up and opening the garage door, so I had them take the food in while I went to park the car.  Good timing!

People took their time, getting there, as usual, even though they had been asked to arrive by 8:00 p.m., so we had to text my cousin's daughter to delay their arrival by almost an hour!  The story my cousin had been told was that her daughter was going to take her out to dinner, but, on the way, they will pick up aunt and another cousin, as well.  When they arrived (cousin's daughter having texted that they were just walking up), cousin R opened the door to them.  As cousin P, whose birthday we were celebrating,  walked in through the door, we all cried out, "Surprise!" and, she was so surprised and so touched that she got a bit teary!   We were mostly family and a few close friends, but she certainly wasn't expecting a party!

Cousin's daughter had invited about 40 people, but, only about 25 actually showed up.  So, of course, we had too much food!  There were appetizers (what we call "short eats") - the garbanzo beans I prepared, "cutlets" (ground beef or fish, mixed with potato, onions, and spices, made into small balls, dipped in beaten egg, rolled in bread crumbs, and deep fried), "patties" (ground beef or ground chicken or fish, mixed with potato, onions, spices, etc., pretty much the same filling as for cutlets, but encased in pastry and deep fried or baked; they look a little like empanadas), and small, "finger" sandwiches (these had a filling of asparagus and cheese, with green chillies), plus an assortment of cheese, salami, and crackers, chips and dip, and a commercially made snack mix (pretzels, cheese crackers, etc.).  Punch, sangria for those who preferred that, and other drinks as well; I drank water, since I knew I'd be eating carbs and dessert!

For dinner, there was biriyani rice, with is a spicy, flavored rice, cooked with chicken; two types of chicken curry (two different people made them), beef curry, a coconut and mint sambol, a tomato and onion salad with halved hard boiled eggs.  Someone was going to make eggplant, I was told by my cousin's daughter, but that person chose to make a chicken curry, instead.  I also cooked a pot of plain white rice, as well, once I got to aunt's house, because I know that some people prefer that to biriyani.

For dessert, there was birthday cake, another cake we call ribbon cake, the apple dump cake I made, flan, and chocolate biscuit pudding, which is made with Marie/Maria biscuits (a type of cookie), dipped in milk, and layered with a frosting-like mixture made with powdered/icing sugar, either grated chocolate melted in milk or chocolate powder, milk or cream, and sprinkled with chopped cashews - as one of my friends said, if you don't already have diabetes, this pudding is sure to give you diabetes, as it is so sweet!  I have two recipes for biscuit pudding, given to me by two different people, with slight variations in them - one calls for both milk and a tin of cream, 2 eggs, and optional brandy; the other calls for 3 eggs and milk, only, with vanilla as a flavoring, no brandy.

There was dancing, too; I don't normally dance, as I feel self-conscious, but when cousin P asked me to join, I did, as she was the birthday lady.  Which led to a family friend calling me aside to ask if I danced at her birthday party, last year, and when I said I had, she said, "Then I won't feel jealous"!  LOL!

I stayed at the party long enough to help with some of the putting away of leftovers, and came home after 1:00 a.m.  It was a good party.

Today, I had phone calls from neighbor T (who complained that the new neighbors have a small dog that isn't wearing a collar and, apparently wasn't on a leash, which got into her backyard by crawling under the gate!) and friend R (who called to vent about a plumbing problem she was having), and later, neighbor A texted about the barking dogs in the house on the other side of my house, which is behind her house.  Apparently, they barked a lot, last night, and disturbed her.  I didn't hear them, myself, however.  But, I told her I'll let her know if I do hear them or they disturb me (apparently, she has an open complaint with animal services about their barking, but needs another neighbor from another address to complain, too, before they will do anything).  I called friend R, later, to check if the plumber was able to fix the leak, but, apparently, not yet!

Later, in the evening, I watered the front garden!  This is the first time I've needed to water it, in several weeks!  However, we are supposed to get some rain, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, so now, I am wondering whether to water the backyard, tomorrow, or wait to see if it rains!  Maybe water the orange tree, only?

I plan to do a load of laundry, tonight, and maybe do the dishes.  But, first, I need to eat something!  I just realized that I had forgotten to eat lunch!  I had slept in till late this morning and had my cup of tea at almost noon.  I didn't feel hungry before I went to the pharmacy, and when I got back, it was 5:00 p.m. and I had another cup of tea, since it was tea time!  It is almost 8:30 p.m., now!  Oops!  No wonder my stomach is starting to complain!


Today, I am grateful for:
- A good party, yesterday
- A warm sunny day, today (we got up to the low 80F!)
- Bargains at both the pharmacy/drug store and the dollar store
- Keeping in touch with friends and neighbors
- Rain in the forecast

Monday's Do To List:
- Doctor's appointment (follow up with the oncologist)
- Take the trash cans out to the curb
- Water the indoor plants
- Water the backyard?

How was your Sunday?  Did you celebrate St. Patrick's Day?  Have you frozen cold cuts and had them after they thawed?  Does the freezing change their texture? 

Saturday: Party Time!

Today, Saturday, is a warm, sunny day.  I took it easy and slept in, in the morning.  In the afternoon, I went to the store to buy a gift card and made a birthday card:

Birthday Card

This is fast becoming my favorite card design!  The lacy paper edging came in a bag of paper odds and ends I purchased for $1.00 at a specialty paper store (featuring handmade paper) on a visit to Bergamot Station, which is an arts center featuring private art galleries and shops, in Santa Monica, when she was in high school.  As part of her art class, she needed to visit the Bergamot Station and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), provide proof of her visits in the form of photos, etc., and do an art project.  For her art project, my daughter did a T-shirt with photos transferred on to it.  Her art teacher said that it was one of the most original art projects she'd seen!

Bergamot Station photos on one side

We bought a large T-shirts so she could fit all the photo transfers in!

LACMA on the other side

Each side has a photo of my daughter standing in front of the building sign, as proof that she was there, in person!  My daughter refuses to wear the T-shirt, so it's in the linen closet!  LOL.

The flower I used for the card was originally white, but the white flower wasn't that noticeable, so, I colored it with a permanent marker!

Afterwards, I baked an apple dump cake:

Didn't spread the butter, evenly, and it shows!

And, cooked the garbanzo beans appetizer:

Boiled garbanzo beans, sauteed with onions, curry leaves, mustard seeds, and chilies

Cousin's surprise party is being held at our aunt's house; we've all been asked to arrive by 8:00 p.m.; cousin's daughter will bring cousin around 8:30 p.m.  I expect the event to go on at least until midnight, if not later!  I am going to try and get there a little before 8:00 p.m. to find a parking space!

Today, I am grateful for:
- A sunny, warm day (I actually took off my cardigan and am in a short sleeved blouse!)
- The ease of dump cakes
- Family getting together to celebrate a birthday
- Having fun making cards
- My daughter saying, "Love you" at the end of each phone call and video chat


Saturday's To Do List:
- Buy a gift card - DONE
- Buy or make a birthday card - DONE (made one)
- Cook the garbanzo beans - DONE
- Bake a dump cake - DONE
- Attend cousin's surprise birthday party - Will do!

I don't think I will make a To Do List for Sunday; it's going to be a "Me" day or maybe I'll just catch up on things.

How was your Saturday?  What have you planned for Sunday?

Friday: Painted Ladies, Not Monarchs!

Painted Lady Butterfly

The butterfly migrations continue, but, today, a few of them stopped by to sample the flowers in the front garden and I was able to take some photos.   I realized that they were Painted Lady butterflies and not Monarch butterflies!  It was hard to tell the difference when they were flying past!

Unlike Monarchs, they are not poisonous

They seem to like the osteospermum

Hard to photograph them with my cell phone camera!

I read an article that stated that we are having more butterflies migrating this year than in other years because the recent rains have resulted in a profuse wild flower bloom!  These painted lady butterflies are flying south east to north west, at a speed of around 20 miles an hour, according to the article, going to Washington, Oregon, and, even Alaska! 

Painted Ladies have white spots on black background on the tips of their forewings

While I was in the garden, I took a couple of other photos, too.

I love how the osteospermum looks!  They've spilled over the brick edging!

I can't grow any grass, but I can grow flowers!

Today, I woke up without a headache, but, later, I could feel a headache threatening!  I checked my pressure and it was elevated, so, took some medication and took it easy in the morning.  But, then, I felt that I was procrastinating too much on the tax papers and it was starting to bother me, so, I worked on the tax file.  I had put all the tax documents into a file folder as they arrived in the mail, but I needed to verify that I had everything I needed and include the documents I needed to back up my deductions, such as property taxes I paid, monetary donations to the temple, etc.  Once all that was done, I dropped off the file folder at the tax preparer's office, so she could review it before my appointment with her (scheduled for next week). 

On the way home, I stopped to buy a new door lock handle for the sliding glass door.  I forgot to check the paint for the front door while I was there, so that will have to be done another day.  The store had changed all the check out stands to self-serve!  When I asked an assistant where the cashiers were, she told me to go to the other end where the customer service section was.  When I went there, I was told that it was only for online order pick up and returns!  But, when I told them that I had asked the assistant helping with self check out and she had sent me to them, they rang my order through.  I do not like self check out! 

I came home and installed the door handle.  The outside handle, with the key lock, had broken; I bought a new outside handle, but the lock that came with it had a metal bar which needed to be cut down to size.  Well, I didn't have a way to cut it!  So, I installed the new door handle with the lock from the old door!  At least, I don't have to switch keys! 

I spent the rest of the evening watching TV and knitting.

I cooked red rice and stir-fried cabbage for dinner.  I added the few radish leaves from the single radish I harvested from the garden, to the cabbage.  Did you know that radish leaves are edible?  They maybe eaten raw, in a salad, or cooked.  I prefer to cook them.  I also thawed a packet of cashew curry I had in the freezer and some tomato chutney:

Vegetarian Dinner

I am not a vegetarian by any means, but, I didn't miss the meat when I ate my dinner, tonight. 

Later in the evening, I wished my cousin for her birthday and video chatted with my daughter.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Not having a headache
- Getting my tax file organized and taking it to the tax preparer
- Being able to install the new door handle and lock
- A relaxed morning and evening
- Butterflies!

Friday's To Do List:
- Sort through the tax papers folder - DONE
- Drop off the tax papers at the tax preparer's office - DONE
- Buy a new door lock for the sliding glass door and install it - DONE
- Check out paint for the front door
- Call and wish cousin for her birthday - DONE
- Continue to clear file folders

Saturday's To Do List:
- Buy a gift card
- Buy or make a birthday card
- Cook the garbanzo beans
- Bake a dump cake
- Attend cousin's surprise birthday party

I won't have time to do these following items on Saturday, but I am listing them so that I don't forget them!  They are for next week's to do lists:

*Check out paint for the front door
*Continue to clear file folders

How was your day?  What are your plans for the weekend?  Do you eat, or have you eaten, radish leaves?