Wed 30 Apr

Gearing up for choir concerts Fri and Sun, State Solo/Ensemble (and the Cultural Fest) on Sat - ah, a relaxing weekend! Can hardly wait.


Food:

7:00 am 3/4 c Maple/Brown Sugar Chex, 4 oz light vanilla soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
9:30 am 2"x2" Scotcharoo (bake sale)
11:30 am Small banana, 2 oz light vanilla soy milk, strawberry soy shake
3:15 pm 190 g strawberries
7:45 pm 4 oz (questionably old, hope I don't get sick) hamburger, bun, 1 tbl ketchup, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk, 100 g strawberries
8:15 pm 1 Reese's egg


Exercise:

5:10-5:50 pm Cardio Pilates DVD (Boring!!!)
6:00-6:15 pm Brisk walk to Suzuki
7:30-7:45 pm Brisk walk home

Tues 29 Apr

I'm starting to feel a little panicky over all the things I need to finish up on the old job before switching to the new one. I've been scheduling my calendar pretty full to meet with a lot of people before I leave, and there's not much time left for some paperwork cleanup and moving offices. I might be able to leave the moving to the new job, at least partially, but other things need to get done. Hope there's enough time!

I don't like the Silk as well as 8th Continent. I'll be glad when it's gone.

I had a hard time not giving in to the stress this afternoon at work and just snacking continually. I feel pretty good about limiting myself to one piece of hard candy, one cookie, and one Dove egg. Did about 6 1/2 c of water though - slosh! And I gotta have a few crackers before I exercise or I'll drop.

Food:

7:00 am 1 1/4 c Total Cranberry Crunch, 4 oz light vanilla soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
11:45 am English muffin w/2 tbl creamy peanut butter, chocolate soy shake
1:00 pm Butterscotch hard candy
2:45 pm Molasses cookie
4:00 pm 1 Dove egg
5:15 pm 5 Cream Cheese N Chive Wheat Thins
6:45 pm 3 oz cheddar cheese, 1 slice Double Fiber bread, 1 tbl soft margarine, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk



Exercise:

5:30-6:25 pm Step DVD

Mon 28 Apr

Snow sucks! At least at the end of April, it does. April snows bring May woes. I want sun!!!!

OK, I got my whining out of my system. Whew! Enjoyed Yourmometer, comic artist daughter. Thought of you this morning when I put on my pants, and gave thanks that they fit in the waistband, legs, and length. Except I had to get out a needle and thread to fix where the crotch had ripped out, oh well.

Want to know what's really frustrating. I was cleaning out the front pocket of my purse this morning and found a postcard for $10 off a $20 purchase at New York and Co in my purse! Wait, I just checked and it expired 3/24; I originally thought it was April. Oh well.


Food:

7:00 am: 1/2 c AcaiApple granola, 6 oz homemade yogurt, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
9:30 am 8 oz OJ, mini-muffin
12:00 pm Autumn apple frost soy bar, small banana, 5 small squares cheese, 4 crackers
3:30 pm 1 Banana Split granola bite
6:15 pm 3 oz capon, 1/2 c stuffing, 2 tbl gravy, 1/4 c cranberry sauce, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk


Exercise:

5:35-6:05 pm Half Pilates mat

Sun 27 Apr

I just finished entering yesterday's calories into SparkPeople. I really didn't do too badly, even with the size of dinner if I estimated correctly on quantities and remembered everything. However, once I added in the hot fudge brownie sundae, it went off the charts. But at least I really enjoyed it! Oh well, I'll do better today. Not sure if I'll find time to squeeze in exercise though. The schedule today is very full.

Really enjoyed spending time with you yesterday. Hope it was a good birthday celebration for you. Let me know when you finish the passport application as it will put my mind at ease. And make sure you keep the old passport and application materials in a safe place where they won't get lost until you have time to deal with them. The old passport will make the application process easier, and I don't have a record of the passport number if it gets lost. As a matter of fact, why don't you email me the passport number so we have it noted for safekeeping.

Suzuki concert was pretty painless.


Food:

7:15 am Vanilla soy shake
11:;30 am 2 crepes w/sliced bananas, 12 oz OJ, coffee
3:45 pm 1 blueberry fig bar
5:15 pm 1 slice double fiber bread, 2 tbl Simply Jif peanut butter, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk
9:25 pm 3/4 c Maple Brown Sugar Chex, 4 oz skim milk


Exercise:

4:20-5:10 pm Brutal ballet DVD

Sat 26 Apr

Yay, we get to see Laura today! Hey, I'm actually giving Firefox a try for a few days at least. There are things I like and things I don't, so I'm not sure if I'll stick with it. But at least I'm trying...


Food:

8:30 am Vanilla soy shake, small banana
1:00 pm Bowl chicken baja enchilada soup, 8 oz skim milk
7:00 pm 4 oz white wine, 1 c sumashi broth w/onions & mushrooms, 3/4 c salad greens, cucumber slice, soy ginger dressing, 1/8 c white rice, 1/4 c fried rice, 1/8 c sauteed shrimp, 1 1/4 c sauteed onions & zucchini, 1 c sauteed bean sprouts, 3 oz teriyaki steak w/mushrooms, 8 medium sauteed scallops, 1/4 c sauteed chicken w/mushrooms
8:30 pm Hot fudge sundae w/brownie pieces


Exercise:

Walking in mall and grocery store

Fri 25 Apr

Got any preference what time we come tomorrow? I'm thinking along the lines of leaving Point between 10-10:30 if that works for you. Need us to bring anything from home?

Michael had 2 friends here for supper, so we shared out the salmon I had bought for the three of us. Pickins' were a little slim.


Food:

7:00 am 1/2 c AcaiApple granola, 6 oz homemade yogurt, 180 g strawberries, coffee
11:45 am Small sliced banana in 2 oz light vanilla soy milk, strawberry/banana soy shake
3:00 pm 1 molasses cookie
4:00 pm 2 3 Musketeers mini Dark Chocolate Raspberry
7:45 pm 1 1/2 oz salmon, 3/4 c green beans, 3/4 c coconut ginger rice, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk
8:45 pm Small Culver's raspberry sundae


Exercise:

4:35-5:20 pm Power Shaping DVD

Thurs 24 Apr

This week isn't flying by quite as fast. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I took an hour and a half walk last night and I'm a little sore this morning, just generally achy.


Food:

7:00 am 1/2 c AcaiApple granola, 6 oz homemade yogurt, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
11:45 am 1/2 blueberry scone, 70 g grape tomatoes, peach soy shake
3:00 pm Molasses cookie
4:30 pm 1 Dove egg
6:00 pm 3 oz porketta roast, 3/4 c boiled potatoes, 3/4 c carrots, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk
7:00 pm 4 oz white wine


Exercise day off

Wed 23 Apr

Nice to have even mildly warmer weather finally. And the occasional sunshine is so invigorating! Hope it's also nice in Madison and that your weekend sunburn isn't preventing your appreciation. Do you have aloe lotion?


Food:

7:00 am 1/2 c AcaiApple granola, 6 oz homemade yogurt, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
11:45 am 1/2 blueberry scone, vanilla soy shake
2:00 pm Molasses cookie
4:45 pm Small banana
5:30 pm Taco Bell Fresco Style Grilled Steak taco, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk, other 1/2 blueberry scone
6:15 pm 1 Reese's egg
9:00 pm 1 Reese's egg


Exercise:

6:15-7:55 pm Brisk walk

Laura's Birthday!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR LAURA! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Hope you have a fun day today! I'm looking forward to having fun with you on Saturday.

Popped down to check out my new office for the first time today. Nice! About 2-3 times the size of the cubie, decent chair, same nice flat screen monitor and keyboard, lots of overhead light.


Food:

7:00 am 1/2 c AcaiApple granola, 6 oz homemade yogurt, 170 g strawberries, coffee
11:45 am Blueberry scone, chocolate soy shake
2:00 pm 1 Dove egg
3:30 pm 1 banana split granola bite
6:45 pm 1 c spaetzle noodles w/swiss cheese and sauteed onion, 1/2 c corn, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk


Exercise:

5:00-5:45 pm Cardio Soul DVD

Monday

I'm sure it won't be as bad as you're afraid it will be. Sucks about Mike and the garage, though - but now you'll know what it's like to drive without outer rearviews, hmmm?

Oh pssh. I'm sure they ARE sad to see you go, just you don't seem to be as close to any of them as you were with Christianah, for example. Ah, got it. Well, screw them.

Food today:
7:45a - 2 shredded wheat biscuits and light soymilk
10:30a - one Wasa whole wheat wafer thing
12:15p - half Potbelly's veggie sub on wheat, large apple juice
1:30p - other half sub
3:30p - 2 cookies, 8oz soymilk

Exercise today:
8:15-8:25a - bike to campus
12-12:15p - walk to State Street
12:30-12:45p - walk back to CS

Mon 21 Apr

Well, today I get to listen to any voice mails or check any emails that came in as a response to my "goodbye" letter sent out last week. People should have received it Friday when I was out of the office, or Saturday at the latest. Should be an interesting day.

Hmm, who else had to drive without an outer rearview due to a losing altercation with a garage door? Can't seem to remember who the driver was in that clash.....

And I had very few responses to my letter, except the one I was most expecting. Others seem to be taking it well in stride. Maybe they're glad to see me go....

I was referring to my clients, not my coworkers. My coworkers are all very nice, sad to see me go but understanding of why I made the choice. A couple service providers expressed consternation at my leaving, making me feel wanted.

Food:

7:00 am 1/2 c AcaiApple granola, 6 oz homemade yogurt, 180 g strawberries, coffee
12:00 pm Autumn Apple Frost soy bar, 10 oz Naked strawberry/banana smoothie
4:00 pm 100 cal espresso cookies


Exercise:

5:05-6:05 pm Pilates mat (including push-ups, no wussing tonight!)

Sun 20 Apr

Wow, supposed to be in the 70s and sunny today and tomorrow! Life is good.

Well, life isn't quite as good at the moment. Michael was driving home after church with dad, having dropped Grandma and me at County Market. He decided to try to pull into the garage without opening the door first. No one is hurt, but the garage door has interesting curvatures, I no longer have an outside rear view mirror, and there are scratches and paint smears all over the front of the car including the windshield (which has a nice crack). Sigh.


Food:

8:00 am Strawberry/banana soy shake
1:15 pm 2 crepes, 3/4 c sliced bananas, coffee
2:30 pm Green tea w/lemon sugar-free water mix-in
3:30 pm Tropical sugar-free water mix-in
5:15 pm 1 Johnsonville Sweet Italian Sausage, 1 bun, 1 tbl catsup, 220 g strawberries, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk
9:00 pm 3/4 c Maple/Brown Sugar Chex, 4 oz skim milk, 2 Reese's eggs


Exercise:

3:55-4:45 Brutal ballet DVD

Sat 19 Apr

Bought a capon yesterday that I plan to roast for supper tonight - hoping Hartmans will come, but the Master Scheduler was at a First Communion meeting at Newman til about noon, so have to wait for confirmation. Hartmans couldn't make it so we ate our capon with just Hannah to join us.

Looking forward to coming to Madtown next Saturday to celebrate a certain special person's birthday. Any ideas how you'd like to spend the day, other than shopping for your birthday present and getting a celebratory meal? I assume grocery shopping will be on the agenda somewhere too. I still haven't mentioned to Grandma one way or the other because I'm waiting to hear if you'd like her to be there. She isn't expecting it, but I'm sure she'd be delighted if we ask.

Michael just realized that next Saturday is the day of Hannah's prom in Rosholt, so it looks like he won't be able to come along. He's really quite disappointed as he was looking forward to seeing you, but he can't very well back out after Hannah has her dress.


Food:

9:00 am Cinnamon scone, 170 g strawberries, coffee
3:00 pm Naked 10 oz strawberry/banana smoothie, pumpkin muffin
6:15 pm 3.5 oz roast capon, 1/2 c stuffing, 2 tbl gravy, 1 c asparagus, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk


Exercise:

4:15-5:30 pm Brisk walk

Friday

Yeah he is. I talked with Erica about him last night, and apparently over the past year or so he's just turned into a huge drama queen. She's been reconsidering her invitation as of late, also.

Food today:
8:00a - 2 shredded wheat biscuits and light soymilk
10:00a - Clif bar

Exercise today:
8:30-8:40a - bike to campus

Fri 18 Feb

Question: Is Mike Bishop the Mike-in-kilts who used to be your friend, too? Hope everything can work out okay for you.

I'm glad Erica's reconsidering. Since you share a birthday, and at least used to share some of the same friends, it would be nice if you could party together a bit. At least enough so you didn't feel unwelcome in your own home.


Food:

7:00 am 1/2c + end of box of Heritage granola, 6 oz homemade yogurt, 170 g strawberries, coffee
12:00 pm 1/3 roast beef hoagie, cup vegetable beef barley soup, iced coffee w/skim milk
4:00 pm 1/2 c pineapple mango sorbet on a cake cone, pear water
7:00 pm 3.5 oz rotisserie chicken breast, 1/4 pkg Gruyere Rosti, 150 g strawberries, 12 oz skim milk
8:00 pm Lemon scone


Exercise rest day

Thursday

Hope so. Dunno if it'll happen, but I'd like to try and run Crazylegs this year - it's a 5ish mile race through downtown Madison. Never mind, it's next Saturday; no way I'd be able to run an 8k and then be any semblance of alive for the rest of the day. :P

Meeting with prof at noon, don't have my research done for this week thanks to personal life. Sigh.

I think it's mostly sorted out. Basically the only thing that's still an issue is going to be next Saturday evening, Erica's having her birthday party and has invited Mike Bishop, who currently thinks I'm the scum of the earth and doesn't want me there. So after I hang out with you guys I'll just stop in and drop off whatever stuff/food we buy that afternoon and try and find someone else's couch to crash on for the night.

Food today:
8:10a - 2 shredded wheat biscuits and light soymilk
11:15a - Clif bar
1:30p - turkey and havarti on a roll, 1c carrots

Exercise today:
8:40-8:50a - Bike to campus

Thurs 17 Apr

Ah, unfortunately you run like your mom. But you might just have the ambition to exceed your genetics.

If you usually always have your research done, hopefully s/he won't be too hard on you. And hopefully the personal life stuff will settle down so you can refocus. Anything I can help with, even just as an ear or reflecting board?

Seems to me that if you pay rent for the apartment, he's the one who can choose not to be there if he has a problem. And that Erica should see this as well, or take her party elsewhere.

Food:

7:00 am 1 1/4 c Total Cranberry Crunch, 4 oz light vanilla soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
11:45 am Peach soy shake, medium banana sliced w/2 oz light vanilla soy mik
4:00 pm 100 calorie cinnamon vanilla cookies
4:45 pm 1 mini-3 Musketeers mint bite
6:30 pm Lean Cuisine Margherita pizza, 1/2 c Bush's Grillin' Beans, 270 g Huge fresh strawberries, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk
8:30 pm 2 Reese's eggs


Exercise:

5:10-5:55 pm Power Shaping DVD

Wed 16 Apr

I don't know how to know for sure who gets the stimulus checks and how much. It's mysteriously calculated on your income. Dad said that the accountant thought we'd get credit for you since you're still in college, but I don't see why we would since you're paying your own expenses, at least since May, 2007. Whatever we get will pay for the airfare to Portland, but now who knows when we'll see it. I'm not convinced that Dave Quick really knows the score either, so you might still get the payment yourself. I believe the minimum is $300, with higher payments possible if you generally earn more. I know you need to have gotten at least $3000 in qualifying income in 2007, which can include Social Security payments. I don't know if your fellowship income counts, but your earned income does.

Wow, I can't wait for the stress reactions from the job change thing to settle down. My stomach is roiling! I woke up around 3 am and was in major stress reaction. I plan to take some ibuprofen to try to settle myself, but I needed to get breakfast in my stomach first.


Food:

7:00 am 1 c Maple/Brown Sugar Mini-Spooners, 4 oz skim milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
11:45 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, 5 oz sliced mango
2:00 pm 100 calorie cinnamon vanilla cookies
5:00 pm 3 Quaker cheddar cheese mini-rice cakes
8:30 pm 1/4 c Cinnamon Pecan Special K, 2 oz skim milk
9:00 pm 1/4 peanut butter M&M eggs (last of the package)


Exercise:

6:00-6:15, 6:25-7:00 pm Brisk walk

Tues 15 Apr

Tax day. I assume dad had the accountant file online, but I need to check because I haven't seen any actual forms. I did sign a signature card, so that was likely the authorization for online filing. I should remain more aware of how this all works.

Sorry to hear you're feeling down, but glad to hear you're taking some steps to deal with it. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help. I thought you seemed a little down, but I had chalked it up to crunch time. I'm looking forward to coming down to spend some time with you on Apr 26.

How was the Jeopardy taping? I would have enjoyed seeing that. Hope it met expectations.

Dad got a nasty surprise on our taxes owed. I don't think too much of this accountant if he couldn't have estimated things better throughout the year. Dad had to pay $6500 today - major ouch! And he was so taken aback, he mailed in the forms with the check and forgot that we needed to sign it. Now we won't get our stimulus rebate in the first round because they'll need to send the return back to be signed. Sigh.

On a brighter note, I officially accepted the new job today. I'll start May 8.

Food:

7:00 am 1 c Maple/Brown Sugar Mini-Spooners, 4 oz skim milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
11:45 am Autumn Apple Frost soy bar
2:30 pm 5 Brach's Fiesta eggs (sigh again, the last ones)
5:00 pm 1 Reese's egg

Mon 14 Apr

Thanks for the idea. We could also take you to Dick's when we come on 26 Apr and let you pick stuff out while we're there. Would kill two birds, if you like dead birds. Grandma needs ideas, too.

Well, I've been offered the new job with the Community Support Team. They'd like me to start in 3 weeks, and I'm inclined to accept. I would start on Thurs, May 8 as that would allow me to keep a couple of appointments I have on the books that week. They will give me an offer letter tomorrow and I need to respond in writing, and also to hand in a letter of resignation to CCPC. Big step. I guess 30 years in one job is long enough, so it's okay to think about a little change.

Food:

7:00 am 1/2 c Heritage granola, 6 oz homemade yogurt, 1 c sliced fresh strawberries, coffee
11:45 am Chocolate soy shake, slice Friendship bread
1:45 pm 100 calorie cinnamon vanilla cookies
3:30 pm 1 piece butterscotch hard candy
7:00 pm 3 oz grilled steak, 3/4 c jasmine rice w/yellow curry sauce, 1 c asparagus, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk, 2" square Ghirardelli Ultimate brownie


Exercise:

5:25-6:15 pm Pilates mat

Sun 13 Apr

Ooooh, it's quiet in the house and I'm the only one up for the moment. Trivia has been much less stressful this year, but I had an unrelated headache yesterday evening, so the quiet is much appreciated. They will only be here from 1-6 pm today, though Hannah stayed over and will come with us to church.

Still need ideas for birthday presents. Haven't found a cantor sub yet for Apr 26, but I'm sure I will. I'd like to get your passport photos done so we can get your application in to be done with that. You can just take the materials to a local post office to complete the application since there is no time crunch. The actual passport will then be mailed out. Gotta get going on Grandma's, too. Michael has all the stuff together now, we just have to go to the courthouse to apply.

Oh, and I did confirm a cantor sub this morning for Apr 26, so our visit is a go!


Food:

8:00 am Cappucino soy shake, 150 g fresh strawberries
12:00 pm 2 crepes w/.5 c sliced banana, .25 c chopped pecans, 3 c coffee
2:45 pm 10 oz Strawberry Banana C Naked smoothie
3:55 pm Large bite pan scraps Ghirardelli brownie
5:15 pm 3 oz ground round burger, bun, ketchup, 1 c salad w/.25 c chopped apple, .25 c mandarin oranges, 1 tsp sunflower seeds, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk


Exercise:

3:00-3:55 pm Brutal ballet DVD

Sat 12 Apr

Trivia is underway! Not too bad since they did leave on time at 11 pm. Their team did a Trivia focus, and at my suggestion, they did their a cappella version of Short People for their song, and it made it to the air just before 11.


Food:

7:45 am 1 c Maple/Brown Sugar Mini-Spooners, 1/2 c skim milk
8:30 am 1/2 grapefruit
9:30 am Slice Friendship bread
12:30 pm Vanilla soy shake
1:45 pm Licked brownie bowl, 200 g fresh strawberries
3:30 pm Ghirardelli brownie
7:15 pm 1 serving Stouffer's lasagna, small salad w/chopped apples, mandarin oranges, green pepper, sunflower seeds, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk
8:00 pm 3 Dark Chocolate Raspberry 3 Musketeers minis


Exercise:

4:50-5:40 pm Power Shaping DVD

Friday

Ooo, good luck. Let me know how it goes.

Tonight I'm going to a taping of Jeopardy; not sure what it'll be like, but I'm a bit excited. Also, lunch with an old math friend at 1:30; should be fun.

Food today:
7:45a - 2 shredded wheat biscuits and fat-free soymilk
10:30a - Clif bar
1:45p - 2/3 veggie burrito from Chipotle
3:45p - other third veggie burrito

Exercise today:
8:20-8:30a - Bike to campus (yay not raining)
8:35a - Climb 4 flights stairs
9:50a - Climb 4 flights stairs
11:45a-12:00p - Walk across campus

Fri 11 Apr

Interview day! I'm feeling somewhat nervous and a little confident since I feel I have relevant experience to do this job well. Just wish I knew what I really wanted to do, but maybe the interview will help to clarify. And I will be sure to clarify benefits both ways before deciding, if I even get the luxury of the decision being up to me.

Michael is going to fill the house with Trivia mates today, but I set the rule that it is NOT round-the-clock this year. They don't play with sufficient seriousness, so they can go home to their own houses at 11 pm and I can get some sleep each night. It will be wild enough as is.

I felt quite good about the interview. I should hear by the early part of next week if I get the offer. I hope to get the questions about comparative benefits answered in the meantime. And one of my coworkers is going to the 7 pm Jeopardy taping tonight too. I don't think you know her though, Maria Patten. Enjoy! It sounded like a lot of fun.

Food:

7:00 am 1/2 c Heritage granola, 6 oz homemade yogurt, 125 g strawberries, coffee
11:45 pm Chocolate soy shake, medium banana sliced in 2 oz light vanilla soy milk
1:30 pm 100 calorie cinnamon vanilla cookies
2:00 pm 1 Dove egg

Thursday

It's raining, and I get to bike in it. I am not going to be a happy Hobbes today.

I'd say definitely interview for the job, but before you make your decision (if/when you get an offer), make sure you understand exactly how benefits are going to be working for both options. Considering that you're not going to be putting the majority of your career effort into the next five years of your life, I'd say put more emphasis on making sure that you're going to be set for the 40+ years following that. Just my two cents.

Food today:
8:30a - 2 shredded wheat biscuits and fat-free vanilla soy milk
11:30a - turkey and havarti deli sandwich, ~1c raw carrots, 2 cc cookies, 8.25oz enriched soy milk
2:30p - Clif bar
3:30p - orange
5:30p - 1/2 c oatmeal made with green tea, 1/4 c soymilk
evening - 4 tootsie rolls, orange, 2 Reese's eggs, peanuts, raisins.

Exercise today:
9:10-9:20a - Bike to campus (grumble grumble)
4:30-4:40p - Bike home (GAHH)

Thurs 10 Apr

Well, I should get my interview for the new job next week Tues or Wed. Yesterday we had a union meeting talking about the transition to the new CCCW and it does sound like benefits wouldn't be quite as uncertain as I fear, so I'm not sure which direction to go. My druthers would be to keep my current job and transition to CCCW because I like what I do, but I just wish I knew that I wouldn't lose my vacation, sick leave, seniority, etc. I'd prefer to retire from my current caseload in 5-10 years than a whole new group. Any thoughts?

Thank you for your thoughts. My interview has actually been scheduled for tomorrow at 9 am, so wish me luck. I plan to do the best interview I can, and I agree that I need to get the best info available on what will happen with benefits either way. Good thought that the # of years post-retirement are likely significantly less than working years remaining.

Okay, I'll bite, how does oatmeal made with green tea taste? Can't even begin to imagine...

Food:

7:00 am Strawberry-vanilla soy shake, 125 g strawberries, coffee
11:45 am 7 pcs sushi, 1/2 small salad w/ginger dressing, mushrooms, onions, tofu, stir fry w/1 c cabbage, 1 c mushrooms, 1/2 c bean sprouts, few onions, 3/4 c crab, 2 oz beef, tea
2:30 pm 5 Brach's malted milk eggs
6:15 pm 3/4 c red wine pasta noodles, 1/2 c portabella mushroom sauce w/merlot, 1/2 c broccoli, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk
7:00 pm 4 oz white wine, 2 peanut M&Ms
8:45 pm Shortcake biscuit, 1/2 c sliced strawberries, 2 tbl Lite cool whip


Exercise:

5:15-6:05 pm Step DVD

Wednesday

Okay, I'll see if I can remember to do this more regularly.

Food today:
7:45a - 2 shredded wheat biscuits and no-fat vanilla soy milk
10:00a - half pb Clif bar, 1 red bell pepper
12:00p - other half pb Clif bar, 80 cal yogurt cup
2:00p - half cc Clif bar
2:45p - other half cc Clif bar
5:00p - half veggie calzone with ~1tbsp marinara
7:30p - 2 small slices tofu-banana bread, large glass 100% juice
8:30p - handful dry roasted peanuts (for protein)
9:15p - tootsie roll

Exercise today:
8:30-8:40a - Bike to campus
4:15-4:45p - Walk home (not feeling well)

Wed 9 Apr

Union meeting this afternoon, will probably vote on a contract for 2007-2008. Maybe even get our raise since 1/1/07 as a minimal backpay check. 2-3% of last year's wages may be a little bit, but probably not much.

Sorry to hear you aren't feeling well. Did you have to leave your bike on campus? BTW, glad to have you back on board. It's a good idea to fall back into food logging every so often to see if you're still on track.

Food:

7:00 am 1/2 c Heritage granola, 6 oz homemade yogurt, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
11:45 am 3.5 oz fresh strawberries, vanilla soy shake
1:30 pm 1 bottle Fuze Slenderize (about 11 cal)
2:00 pm 1 Dove egg
2:45 pm 100 cal vanilla cinnamon cookies
3:30 pm 1 Dove egg
4:00 pm 1 anise hard candy
6:00 pm 2 mint Oreos (bad day for snacking)
8:30 pm 3.5 oz ham, 1/8 c rhubarb sauce, 3/4 c broccoli slaw, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk

Tues 8 Apr

Today is the anniversary of Dad's and my first date. Also, I believe, Val & Kate's anniversary of being together. And my scale was down to 137 this morning, so altogether, not a bad day.

Well, if I'm closing in on you, I feel pretty good because you looked to be in GREAT shape the last time we got together. When I look that good, I'll be happy. Maybe you should try to find time to write down your food intake again to get an idea if it's changed at all. Even just a week might be edifying.

Food:

7:00 am 1/2 c Heritage granola, 6 oz homemade yogurt, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
11:45 am Chocolate soy shake, medium banana sliced in 2 oz light vanilla soy milk
1:30 pm 100 calorie espresso cookies
3:00 pm Small bunch grapes, 1 square white cheese
5:30 pm Cheese ravioli w/red sauce, small slice garlic bread, tossed salad, 1 tsp bleu cheese dressing, small slice apple pie (ate with Grandma after we met with her tax man)
6:00 pm 2 mint Oreos


Exercise:

7:10-8:00 pm Pilates mat

Mon 7 Apr

Happy drizzly Monday. Yeah.

Some days it takes a little reflection on what someone else will think of our (lack of) effort in order to motivate motion. In that sense, it can be a very good thing.

I was excited to see a plethora of earthworms on the sidewalk in to work this morning - made me feel spring was finally here. At least until I looked out the window a couple of hours later to see snow pelting down. At least the snow stopped.

Food:

7:00 am 1/2 c Heritage granola, 6 oz homemade yogurt, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
11:45 am Chocolate soy shake, medium banana sliced in 2 oz light vanilla soy milk
2:00 pm 100 cal espresso cookies
6:45 pm 1/4 c leftover spaghetti w/brandy cream sauce, 3/4 c leftover cheese tortellini w/vodka cream sauce, 1/2 c portabella mushrooms, 1/2 c peach applesauce, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk


Exercise:

54:40-6:30 pm Ball/band DVD, level B Really had to fight myself to get through it today - very tired.

Sun 6 Apr

Would you be able to leave for Oregon on Thurs 22 May evening instead of Fri to give us a little more time out there? I could probably take Michael out of school one day. I found a flight leaving around 6ish from Madison Thurs and arriving in Portland at 10:30 pm, actually the same schedule as the Fri flight I originally found. If we can stay at Kitty's, we will then have another full day. The return flight attached to this one leaves Portland Mon at 5 pm and gets back to Madison at midnight, so I may look for something a little earlier to get us back to school/work on Tues a little less dead, but this flight combo was considerably cheaper than any others I had yet found.


Food:

8:30 am Vanilla soy shake, pear
11:15 am 1 lemon cookie, 1 small chocolate peanut butter cookie
12:00 pm 2 crepes w/1/2 c sliced banana, coffee
5:15 pm 3 oz leftover pork roast, 3/4 c leftover cheesy potatoes, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk



Exercise:

4:10-5:00 pm Brutal ballet DVD

Sat 5 Apr

Looks like a beautiful day out there, with rumors we might see 60 (finally)! Now I can start being greedy for 70!


Food:

8:45 am 1 serving hot wheat cereal, 1 tsp brown sugar, 2 oz light vanilla soy milk, 145 g fresh strawberries.
11:00 am 1 mini-Reester bunny
11:30 am Strawberry-banana soy shake, medium banana sliced in 2 oz soy milk
2:15 pm 7 cinnamon graham sticks, 1 tbl nutella
3:45 pm 1 3 Musketeers mini dark chocolate raspberry
6:15 pm Basil noodles w/alfredo, mock crab and green pepper, broccoli slaw salad, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk, shortcake biscuit w/strawberries and Cool Whip Lite



Exercise:

12:15-1:00 pm Advanced Pilates DVD

Fri 4 Apr

Wow, Friday again already! Not that I'm complaining, but this week flew by fast! This weekend is relatively light in commitments, too. We're going to the annual jazz concert at Sentry tomorrow night, but otherwise just laundry and usual stuff.

I'm working on switching cantor dates; we should be able to come on Sat, Apr 26 instead.


Food:

7:00 am Medium sliced banana in 2 oz light vanilla soy milk, vanilla soy shake
12:30 pm Italian beef sandwich (half hoagie bun, 4 oz beef), pickle spear, 1/3 c French fries
1:00 pm Small piece chocolate cake w cream cheese frosting
4:30 pm 4 Brach's Fiesta malted milk eggs
7:15 pm 1 oz Italian bread w/2 tbl spreadable cheese, 1 c spaghetti w/brandy cream sauce, 2 large steamed shriimp, 1 c cheese tortellini in vodka cream sauce w/portabella mushrooms, 1/2 pc tiramisu, 4 oz cabernet sauvignon

Thurs 3 Apr

One of these days I want to send in passport applications for Michael and Grandma to leave our vacation options open, so I might as well send yours in too. I hope I still have it here. I will need to connect with you before we send yours out anyway as we have to get you to a Walgreen's for a passport photo. I will feel better when everybody has their passport so it isn't ever a last minute worry. Maybe we can still look at something for next winter break?

Do you think it would work if we came down to Madison on Sat 19 Apr to celebrate your birthday? Any ideas for what you'd like? The option is still there for us to pick up the tab for the tablet if you don't have other ideas. We could possibly bring Grandma that day too.

Food:

7:00 am 1 c Maple/Brown Sugar Mini-Spooners, 4 oz skim milk, 80 g strawberries, coffee
12:15 pm 1/2 cinnamon scone (last one, sigh!), chocolate soy shake
2:30 pm 1 liter pear-flavored carbonated water
3:30 pm 1 pkg PB&Oats Morning Mini's (yummy little cookies -140 cal pkg)


Exercise:

5:00-5:50 pm Mini-Pilates mat, 30 min treadmill, stretches

Wed 2 Apr

Wonder if we'll actually meet for coworker exercise today? It's been several weeks since we've had enough folks show up to carry on, and I actually enjoy the group. The workout is pretty good, not the most intense, but a nice change of pace.


Food:

7:00 am 1 c Maple Brown Sugar Frosted mini-wheats, 4 oz skim milk, 6 oz OJ, coffee
11:45 am 1/2 cinnamon scone, strawberry/banana soy shake, 1 orange
3:30 pm 100 cal espresso cookies
6:00 pm 12 oz light vanilla soy milk, 3/4 c sweet potato custard
8:30 pm 3 oz ham, 1 tbl rhubarb sauce, 1 mini-Reester bunny


Exercise:

5:00-5:45 pm Power Shaping DVD w/coworkers

April Fool's Day

Missing you - haven't heard a peep for awhile. Hope all is well.

Hope things settle down a bit, but I suppose crunch time will probably last til semester end more or less. Hang in there and know we love you! And I do appreciate hearing from you once in a while just to know you're okay :)


Food:

7:00 am 1/2 c Heritage granola, 6 oz homemade yogurt, 150 g fresh strawberries, coffee
9:00 am 1 orange Jelly Belly bean
10:00 am 1 orange Jelly Belly bean
11:45 am 1/2 blueberry scone, vanilla soy shake
2:15 pm Frosted sugar cookie
4:00 pm Anise hard candy
6:30 pm Fazoli's chicken and fruit salad, 1 breadstick


Exercise:

5:15-6:00 pm Power Shaping DVD