Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

Life since we got back from our trip has been trying to get the garden in, processing, catching up on household tasks, and a few appointments. The appointments will end the beginning of October I hope. 

My CT scan came back with a few concerns for me. Now the nodules in my lungs have not grown, so they are now considering them scarring from previous infections. 

But the scan showed a growth on my adrenal gland and the start of stenosis of the liver (Fatty Liver Disease). I believe and so does my doctor that the liver is from me putting on quite a bit of weight over the last couple of years. So I am trying hard to lose some weight and had actually lost 8 pounds from the last time my weight was taken about 2 months ago. Not a large amount, but a start. 

The one that really scared me was the growth on my adrenal gland. Turns out the radiologist and the doctor both tell me it is not cancerous, but rather something that usually happens with age. I was worried because my Mom died of adrenal cancer which is not common. The doctor told me that this type of cancer is not passed down, and she gave me a list of symptoms that I should watch for. She also told me if I become concerned I should call and see her. She would then make me another appointment for a more localized scan. 

I do feel more at ease now, but will keep an eye on my overall health for sure.

We were home for about a week, perhaps a week and a half when I got the news my Mom's youngest sister had died. So as the funeral was early morning, we headed off the night before. Spent one night in a hotel, and then went to the funeral. I was glad that we were able to attend as I got to see many of my cousins, and my 99 year old sister of my Mom. She is the last of the 4 girls left. I also got to see my Mom's youngest sister's daughter, the one who is very close to the same age as me. She is undergoing treatment for breast cancer, and had a mastectomy not too long ago. 

Now we have been home for about another week and things are almost back to normal. Well, as normal as they are for this time of year. We almost had a frost a few days ago, which has speeded up the garden harvest, though with Harvey working on building the new carport, and me helping things are not where I would like them to be. 

I have made many ready meals that are in the freezer, and there are a few more (mostly soups) that I need to get done. That will be after the chili sauce and tomato freezing. I might actually try to can some tomatoes this year. 

Shopping was done today, and I really hope that I will not have to do another until October. My goodness prices of certain items have really risen. Trying to stock up on baking supplies, canned meats, and pasta right now. Pasta, since I can purchase Canadian made is still relatively inexpensive. Canned meats on the other hand have really risen, and baking supplies are getting very hard to find other than flour, sugars, and the very basics. Cocoa seems to have disappeared for now.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

It has turned out to be a beautiful day. The sun came out at around noon, and the temperature sky rocketed. We are at 18C right now, but there are snow days ahead. Not looking forward to that at all.

I went shopping today and managed to get some very good on sale and marked down items. However shopping once again took almost 3 hours and my back was not feeling very good after that. Putting things away took some time, and I still have a few items that need to be put in containers, and the meat to be packaged up and put in the upright meat freezer. Tomorrow is soon enough for that.

Here is what was purchased today. Since I have lots in the fridge, freezers and pantry, most of this will be used much later. I could say that I stock up for many months down the road. 

I shopped at Walmart and our local Co-op store. Saw lots of meat mark downs at Walmart, but I know too many people who have gotten food poisoning from their meat so will stick with canned and baked goods. Our Co-op is a bit more costly, but we do get money back at the end of their shopping year (usually June) and get a nice build up of money in their account. I believe that account for me sits at almost $8K which I could pull out tomorrow. 

My Walmart shopping. It really wasn't bad at all this time around, however there were a few things I couldn't pick up. 

Co-op was next and this will be in a few photos.

I did purchase a few quick meals mainly because I was hungry. One should never shop on an empty stomach. As far as meat this shopping trip I got 2 packages of stew meat, a package of pollock fillets, and some split chicken wings. All on sale. I also purchased some luncheon meat, and those Pizza Pops (they were on sale for a really good price).

Not a great deal of fresh produce was purchased, but I am sure I have enough to last for a bit. If not there is always frozen or perhaps canned. 

We picked up our taxes today and I am breathing a sigh of relief. While Harvey has to pay a bit, it is not as much as it has been over the past few years. I even get a decent chunk back as well, which will cover his payment, the accountant payment, and gives a bit to perhaps put in the savings account. Life is good and I can stop worrying about make our money stretch even further, than I have to.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 It was a beautiful day to get out and shop early, the temperature was just at the freezing mark and there was no wind. Well at least that was what it was like when I first went out.

By the time I was done the wind had picked up, and the temperature was dropping. It still isn't as cold as the previous days, but the giant swing made my back a bit achy, and by the time I finished shopping and put things away I was in a great deal of pain.

I will share the pictures of my shopping with you all. I had to divide things up so as to fit all into the pictures.

First up the shopping from Walmart. Some new towels, some gloves for Harvey and a shirt for myself.

I have started to pick up a few items for Christmas as well. The cat food is for our Grandcat Eiko. I will probably pick up a few more in two weeks along with more kitty litter.

I am slowly replacing our towel sets in the bathroom. Just doing one set at a time. The old ones will be heading to the rag bag after cutting up and finishing the edges. 

I also bought a few more forks as for some odd reasons those seem to be in short supply lately. 

There are some small decorations as well, but I put those on the tree almost immediately.

Then it was off to the Co-op for the main grocery shopping.

A few stock up items, but not as many as I had hoped. Prices once again have risen. My whole wheat bread flour has gone up $6.00 in about 2 months. Pretty soon it will be less expensive to purchase bread than make my own.

The fresh produce like lettuce was put in the fridge immediately so no picture of that. Once again there are a few purchases for the Christmas season when Kurt and Kris are home. 

I ordered some sewing things that I can not get here from Amazon and they should be arriving tomorrow and the next day. 

This should be all the spending for this week, unless something surprising happens.

I did not get all the list done today, so I added them to the list tomorrow. Staying home for the next while waiting for the results of my scan or at least a phone call setting up an appointment to go over them, and also waiting on a call about my sister, and the results of her surgery on the 4th. This will save on fuel for the vehicle, and I won't be spending any cash which is always great.

Off to get the ham casserole put together and the table set.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Midweek Once Again

 

So today I will give you all the kind of good news I had from my doctor today.

I do have some very small (.3 mm) growths in my lungs, but the doctor says that at this point they can't tell if they are malignant or not. The person who read the CT scan said that I should have a repeat in 12 months, my doctor however feels that we should have one in 6 months and so is setting that up. 

I will have my Holter monitor on the 16th and will return that on the 17th. Not sure yet when the echocardiogram on my heart will happen. Still waiting for that call.

This doctor seems to be very good. I really hope she stays, but no doctor really stays too long here. I will keep my fingers crossed as I really do not want to search for another doctor or be without one for an extended period of time. 

The days are getting longer and I am enjoying the extended sunshine. It enables me to get more done in the house, but not those things I procrastinate on doing. That is something I seem to be finding happens more and more. I just seem to put things on my daily task lists that I really do not want to do. 

I have the feeling lately that I need to get more and more of my projects done and the stashes in the sewing/craft room used. Not sure why, but it has become an overwhelming urge the last month or so. I am going to go with that as well as the small projects around the house. Perhaps it is worry about my health, but I think it is more a want to downsize and move type of thing. 

Today I finished the stripe on the knitted blanket for Kurt's friend and have added in the next one. I also made hummingbird nectar, filled the feeder and got that out. Buns were made, and I will be making pies tomorrow (forgot to get out the frozen fruit and pumpkin). I did the first shopping trip as I split the shopping into two days (mainly because I was not sure when I would get the call from the doctor).

Lots to do tomorrow, but that is another day.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

My supper out last night was wonderful, I really enjoyed not having to cook and clean up after. Today, however it is back to normal. No real cooking I just need to warmup the leftover meal from Monday and slice up some cucumber and wash some cherry tomatoes as our side. 

As the weather is supposed to change with drastically reduced temperatures overnight, I decided to go shopping today. I am going to cheat a bit and use this shopping trip as a January one. Only out by a day really. 

My cart was not very full at all and for meat all I purchased was a 1 kilogram package of bacon, and a smallish beef roast. Both of which were on sale. In fact most items I purchased were on sale, and yet my total cost was outrageous. I did not cut down the grocery line on the new budget, but there will be lots of me trying to get under budget this coming year.

There are a number of ways I am going to try and get our spending under control. These are my challenges for the upcoming year.

The first challenge to myself is No Waste. Everything will be used up food, fabric, yarn, paper, and clothing.

The second challenge is a bit different than most bloggers and YouTubers. I will keep track of no spend days. I think that even spending on food, bills, and such is still spending. Money is leaving the account. So I am going to count no spend days and hope I have lots of them each and every month.

The third challenge is I am going to continue to shop at home first. This is really helping me clear things out of my various stashes and make good use of what I have. Cooking wise this has taught me a great deal about substitutions. It will also help me to perhaps learn some new skills, like making yogurt or puff pastry. 

The fourth challenge is I am going to declutter 500 items this year. Yarn or fabric can only be counted in this if the item is actually leaving the house.

The fifth challenge is to start exercising more and having some look after Jackie time. You know facials, perhaps even giving myself a pedicure. I have very dry heals. I always put this down and by March I  have completely forgotten to follow through on this. 

I think that these will keep me plenty busy over 2025.

Before I leave I want to thank all of you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to read my ramblings.

I also want to wish you all

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits

 

Today was a warmer day and things even began to melt a little bit. I know that tomorrow morning the puddles will once again be frozen, but it was nice to see the sun for a few hours.

Today I thought I would share a few pictures of what I purchased in Regina while we were up there.

Remember I said that I needed to purchase some more knit fabric as there was no way I would have enough to finish the rug for Kurt. Well, this is what I managed to find on sale, and hopefully with the addition of some more scraps from cutting out patterns I will be able to finish it off. The great thing about this pile was everything was 40 or 50 percent off. Got to love a good sale.

This is what that pile looks like now.

All cut into 5" wide bands which will be cut down further into 2" wide strips (those will be cut down even more). Hmmm, perhaps I should just try and cut them down into the 1/2 " wide strips I use. Might save a bit of time and that is what my sewing time will be tomorrow.

Knit fabric to make myself two more dresses for winter wear. Of course, the only colour that is true is the blue. The other is kind of a rusty burgundy.

I picked up some on sale yarn to try and get some baby shawls made for the church at some point and of course some DMC threads for cross stitching. I was running low on these colours.

I then decided that while my computer was doing another update I would dig through my quilt squares to see if I could find more along the cord fabric line. I think I might run a bit short and so was happy to find a few more. I will have to cut some down smaller but that's fine.

It is answering questions day tomorrow so if you have any let me know.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.