Sat 31 Jan

Michael just found out this morning that a friend of his, a girl who had a baby last year with another friend, died this morning. Supposedly she had developed some strange infection as a result of the pregnancy, but I don't know if all the details are accurate. Seems strange that a pregnancy complication would wait a year to manifest its effects. Michael is pretty strongly affected by the news.

JCS was pretty good. Eddie Hartman did a good job with the part Michael would have had. It seemed as though he must have had a while to prepare so I suspect Michael may have known he was likely to be out of the play sooner than he said anything. It was a little hard to watch the show knowing how well Michael would have done with the part. BTW, Fuller was amazing as usual.

What's wrong with the Yourmometer website? Safari says it can no longer access the server, and Google has a warning that This Site May Harm Your Computer.

Google no longer has the message (same one I had received), but Safari still can't find the server. Guess I'll have to break down and use Firefox.

I don't know if the story about cause of death of the girl had been filtered through "official Pacelli sources" given that she died on a weekend and the info was passed student to student. Haven't heard anything further.

Food:

8:30 am 1 c Quaker Oat squares, 1/2 c light vanilla soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
1:15 pm 2 slices 45-cal multigrain bread, 1 tbl PB, 1 tbl raspberry jam, chocolate soy shake, extra small banana
6:30 pm 3.55 oz ham, rum raisin sauce, 1/2 c garlic mashed potatoes, 1/2 c carrots, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk
8:30 pm 4 oz red wine, 5 crackers, 1 tbl shrimp dip, 1 tbl spinach dip, sm piece peppermint bark
9:45 pm 1 malted milk ball

Fri 30 Jan

Michael was taken out of the play yesterday, one day before opening night, because of his grades. I understand, and I guess I agree with the policy, but the semester ended last Thursday. I would have thought they could have done this earlier in the week both for Michael's sake and the director/cast. I guess they gave him some assignments to do to possibly fix the situation. I know he worked hard on a few things, but the principal said it couldn't offset flunking math. He was angry at Bro Roger initially, but he does seem to realize he has no one but himself to blame for not doing the work for the grades. So things are a bit subdued instead of opening night excitement today. Bob and I have tickets for tonight and again with Grandma next Sun afternoon. Michael is going to attend with Nick tomorrow night.

Yes, this is JCS and I have no idea if they have an understudy. He was actually understudying to fill in a night here and there for one or two others who would be missing. I can't imagine it will be easy to mobilize replacements quickly.


Food:

7:00 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light vanilla soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
12:30 pm Vanilla soy shake, small banana, slice 12-grain toast, 1 tbl nutella, 2 malted milk balls
1:00 pm 1 wintergreen Lifesaver
3:30 pm 1 oz honey roasted cashews
6:00 pm 7 med fried shrimp, 1 tbl cocktail sauce, half small order french fries, 1/4 c cole slaw, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk, 1 malted milk ball



Exercise:

5:15-6:05 am Wii Fitness cardio plus own cooldown

Thurs 29 Jan

Yesterday when I took our intern over to CCCW (fka CCPC, my old agency) for a tour, all my old coworkers were exclaiming about how long my hair is now. Funny, it doesn't seem long to me at all.

Really need to get an appointment at John's to order our portraits. Kind of let that slide a bit long.

Sure is fun getting a regular "exercise day off" during the week. It's amazing that one extra hour to sleep in the morning feels so decadent!

I like Yourmometer today!


Food:

7:00 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light vanilla soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
9:30 am 1 Breton multigrain cracker, 1/2 oz cheese
11:45 am Blueberry soy shake, slice 12-grain toast, 1 tbl nutella, small banana
12:30 pm 4 g dark chocolate
3:00 PM 2 Breton crackers, 1 oz mozzarella
5:30 pm 3 oz chicken, 1/6 pkg diced potatoes n' onions, 1/2 c corn, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk

Wed 28 Jan

Michael is in full mid-tech week exhaustion mode - poor guy! Been there, done that, and it's never fun at this point.


Food:

7:00 am 3/4 c Maple & Brown Sugar Life, 1/2 c skim milk, 1/2 grapefruit, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
12:00 pm Strawberry/banana soy shake, slice 12-grain toast, 1 tbl nutella, small banana
3:00 pm 1/4 c cinnamon almonds
4:45 pm Culver's stacked turkey sandwich (bun, 3 oz turkey, slice tomato, lettuce), water
5:30 pm Jello Sugar-Free Chocolate Mint pudding cup
8:45 pm 1 c Quaker Oatmeal Squares, 1/2 c light vanilla soy milk



Exercise:

5:00-6:00 am Pilates mat

Tues 27 Jan

I'm tired of winter - it can be done any time now. About this time, I get sick of putting on thick sweaters and still shivering half the time. It doesn't make it any easier to know everyone else is sick of it, too.


Food:

7:00 am 3/4 c Maple & Brown Sugar Life, 1/2 c skim milk, 138 g strawberries, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
11:45 am Chocolate soy shake, slice 12-grain toast, 1 tbl nutella, 62 g green grapes
2:45 pm 1/4 c pumpkin spice trail mix
4:45 pm 1/2 black forest truffle
6:45 pm 1 serving whole wheat 4-cheese ravioli, 1/2 c Prego, 1 tbl shredded Italian cheese, 1 c green beans, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk, 2"x2" brownie
8:30 pm 1/2 c peppermint ice cream


Exercise:

5:00-5:50 am Wii Fitness Cardio plus own cooldown

Mon 26 Jan

Couldn't get the car started when it was time to leave the Rittenhouse this morning. Apparently the slightly-less-than-half tank of gas froze. A can of Heet and a jump from the maintenance guy finally got us on our way.


Food:

8:30 am Coffee, 1 c fresh pineapple, 1 tbl granola, 2 tbl creme fraiche, small sour cherry muffin, small lemon scone, 2 tsp butter, 2 slices cinnamon swirl bread French toast w/blueberry puree, 1/4 c slivered almonds, 2.5 oz lake trout, 3 grapes
10:30 am 16 oz peppermint hot cocoa
1:30 pm 1 slice marble rye bread, 3 oz smoked lox, 2 slices tomato, lettuce, light shmear cream cheese
2:30 pm 4 malted milk balls


Exercise:

4:50-5:35 pm Jane Fonda weight workout video

Sun 25 Jan

Getting ready to hop off to Bayfield soon. Want to throttle son first - he didn't check last night when his friends left and the back door was left wide open all night. The basement was quite chilly this morning - poor Jordan!

Rittenhouse was yummy as usual. Bayfield was even colder than Point


Food:

7:30 am 3/4 c Cinnamon Life, 1/2 c skim milk, 149 g strawberries, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
12:00 pm 2 oz light Havart
4:00 pm 1/2 oz Bellavitano cheese, 2 pc apple pecan coffee cake, 1/2 black forest truffle, 8 oz white wine
6:30 pm 1 c butternut squash soup, 1 tbl pumpkin seeds, 1 c salad greens, 1/4 c smoked trout, 2 oz white cheese, horseradish dressing, 1/4 c sorbet, 6 oz lamb shank, 1/4 c steamed veggies, 1 c sweet potato gratin, 1/2 sliced pear soaked in champagne, tart of panna cotta (eggless custard) w/raspberry sauce


Exercise:

6:05-6:55 am Brutal ballet DVD

Sat 24 Jan

Brrrrr! -9° according to Yahoo. I haven't yet braved the out of doors, but Dad opened the back door while I was exercising downstairs so I got a little taste of cold air. Hope the car heater works very well.

Wii Fitness Yoga wasn't bad, nicely paced, but there was minimal instruction which makes it hard to follow, especially when doing poses where you can't really be looking at the TV. Some series she would narrate the first time but you had to remember the sequence and timing to repeat later. She also assumed prior knowledge of the poses. I did okay, but it would have been nice to have at least more narration.


Food:

8:00 am 1 serving Red River cereal, 1 tsp packed brown sugar, 2 oz skim milk, cherry juice from concentrate, 1/4 lg cantaloupe
9:30 am Chocolate-covered cherry
12:00 pm 3/4 portion vegetable stew over rice, slice beer bread w/honey butter
3:00 pm 1/4 c cinnamon almonds
6:15 pm 3 enchiladas rancheras, mango margarita, 1/4 c shredded iceberg lettuce, 1 tbl guacamole, chips and salsa
8:45 pm 4 malted milk balls

Exercise:

7:00-7:45 am Yoga with Wii Fitness

Fri 23 Jan

Michael is done with this semester's finals and has the day off today. Two friends stayed over last night and they sat up all night playing WOW. Michael went to bed around 3:30 but the other two were still at it when I got up. Had to chase them off so I could have some time at the computer with breakfast.

For some reason, I am very tired today. You'd think I was the one who didn't sleep. Course it has been very busy at work the last couple of days.


Food:

7:00 am 3/4 c Maple & Brown Sugar Life, 1/2 c skim milk, 1/2 grapefruit, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
11:45 am Vanilla soy shake, medium banana, slice 12-grain toast, 1 tbl nutella
2:00 pm 1 Scotcharoo
4:45 pm 1 pc English toffee


Exercise:

5:10-6:00 am 10 min vigorous calisthenics plus 30 min cardio

Thurs 22 Jan

Got my home-and-school torte made for the bake sale at work today.

Ick, second-hand tuna fish. I see what you mean.

Hey, if we do come down Saturday to bring the swimsuit, we'd have to get there around 11:30, do lunch and groceries, and head back to do 5:00 pm church at Newman. What do you think?

Food:

7:00 am 3/4 c Maple & Brown Sugar Life, 1/2 c milk, 1/2 grapefruit, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
9:00 am Square peach coffee cake
11:45 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, medium banana, slice 45-cal multigrain toast, 1 tbl nutella
5:00 pm 1 pc English toffee, 20 g malted milk balls
6:15 pm Swiss cheese spaetzle casserole, 1/2 c peas, 8 oz skim milk

Wed 21 Jan

So nice to wake up to a world where Bush is no longer president. Seemed like this day would never come. Let's hope and pray that Obama lives up to his promise as the new leader this country so desperately needs.

Grandma has her surgery today - pray for her.

Grandma came through surgery well again. I appreciate that you tried to call her. I expect she'll be in all evening today. She takes awhile to get to the phone, moreso because her arthritic knee is slowing her up. We were done before noon so I had lunch with her and hung around for the afternoon to be sure she wouldn't have problems from the anesthesia or surgery. I brought her supper up to her and left her on her own as she seemed to be doing fine.

Why was it a mistake to have a tuna fish sandwich for supper?


Food:

7:00 am 3/4 c Maple & Brown Sugar Life, 1/2 c skim milk, 1/2 grapefruit, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
12:00 pm 2 oz roast pork, 1/2 c rice w/1/2 c peas n' carrots, golden raisins and cashews, 4 Brussel sprouts (be impressed, I actually ate them!), 2"x2" chocolate cake w/raspberry sauce, 1/2 c hot chocolate
3:00 pm 1/4 c pumpkin spice trail mix
4:30 pm York peppermint pattie
5:30 pm 1 M&M
5:45 pm 2 slices 45-cal multigrain bread, 1 tbl PB, med banana, 12 oz skim milk
7:30 pm Jello sugar-free chocolate mint pudding cup

Exercise:

5:00-5:55 am Buns/Abs of Steel 2000 video

Tues 20 Jan

Good Riddance, W! Let's hope today marks the success of intelligent leadership in America.

Wow, what an experience it was to watch the inauguration live! Very moving.


Food:

7:00 am 3/4 c Maple & Brown Sugar Life, 1/2 c skim milk, 1/2 grapefruit, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
11:00 am Blueberry soy shake, medium banana, slice Double Oat toast, 1 tbl nutella
3:00 pm 1/4 cinnamon almonds, 1/4 c Trader Joe orange cranberries
6:15 pm 2 mouthfuls leftover salmon hash
6:30 pm 4.85 oz New York strip steak (grilled), 3 oz sweet potato fries, 3/4 c sliced beets, 12 oz skim milk
7:45 pm Jello Sugar-Free Double Chocolate pudding cup


Exercise:

5:05-5:50 am Cardio with Wii Fitness Coach

Mon 19 Jan

I'm getting rather excited about Inauguration Day. Looking forward to vicariously experiencing some of the pomp and circumstance. Are you doing anything special for the day?


Food:

7:00 am 1+ c Quaker Oatmeal squares, 1/2 c light vanilla soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
12:00 pm 4 oz blackened tuna filet, salad w/berries & vinaigrette, 2 slices black bean crostini bread
1:30 pm York peppermint pattie
2:15 pm 1/4 c pumpkin spice trail mix
6:00 pm 1 c beef stew, medium banana, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk, 1/2 c peppermint ice cream, 2 tbl hot fudge sauce


Exercise:

5:00-5:45 am Power Shaping DVD

Sun 18 Jan

Well, I accomplished everything I wanted to yesterday except exercise, and I had already done 5 days that week so it was okay. The beef stew was nummers! And we made dinner a little special by cracking a bottle of 30-buck-chuck cabernet and the crackers I forgot to open for New Year's. (The crackers were a little lame.)


Food:

8:30 am 1 c Quaker Oat squares, 1/2 c light vanilla soy milk, 1/2 c blueberries, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
12:00 pm 2 crepes, medium sliced banana, coffee
1:45 pm 49 g peanut butter krispie treat
5:45 pm 1 c beef stew, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk, 1 pc string cheese
8:30 pm 1 c Quaker Oat squares, 1/2 c light vanilla soy milk




Exercise:

7:00-8:10 am Jane Fonda Total Body Workout video

Sat 17 Jan

I got 11 hours sleep last night! First time in longer than I can remember. Nothing written on the schedule for today, but I really want to finish removing the last few ornaments from the tree and get it packed away, restore the living room, clean off the dining room table, and make a homemade beef stew. Oh, and laundry, I suppose. I'll probably work in an exercise routine later today, maybe even dust off the treadmill which has been neglected with all the videos and Wii workouts.

Recommendation: It would be nice if you gave Grandma a call over the next day or two. She'd love to hear a little about your trip, and she has another breast surgery scheduled on Wed so I'm sure she'd appreciate some kind words.

So far, so good. Sitting down to a late lunch with the tree and ornaments put away, living room restored to normalcy, one load in the dryer and another in the washer, showered..... good start on things to be done.


Food:

8:45 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light vanilla soy milk, 1/2 c blueberries, cherry juice from concentrate, tea
12:00 pm 28 g honey roasted cashews
1:30 pm Grilled cheese (2 slices 45-cal multigrain bread, 1.55 oz cheddar cheese, 2 tsp soft margarine), medium banana sliced in 2 oz light vanilla soy milk
3:45 pm Molasses cookie
6:30 pm 4 oz cabernet sauvignon, 1 c beef stew, 1 reduced-fat crescent roll, 1 tsp soft margarine, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk, 1 pc bumbleberry crisp

Fri 16 Jan

Will it ever be warm again? School is closed again today. Thermometer outside my bedroom window says -18°. Nasty. Had to go out and buy another pair of Cuddleduds yesterday as I've worn the other pair every day this week. Decided having two pair is not excessive here.


Food:

7:00 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light vanilla soy milk, 1/2 c blueberries, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
11:45 an Vanilla soy shake, slice Double Oat toast, 1 tbl nutella, half grapefruit, chocolate covered pretzel stick
1:15 pm Wintergreen LifeSaver
2:30 pm 1/4 c pumpkin spice trail mix
6:00 pm 1/5 Tombstone Light Veggie pizza, orange, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk, 40g malted milk balls
9:00 pm 5 Cream Cheese n' Chive Wheat Thins



Exercise:

5:15-6:00 am Wii Fitness core workout

Thurs 15 Jan

They cancelled schools for today, making the decision already yesterday afternoon, because of the extreme cold. Needless to say, Michael was thrilled. Makes it all the harder for the rest of us to brave the temps anyway.

Just took advantage of an excellent Quaker sale at Copps. All their cereals, including my favorites Maple & Brown Sugar Life and Quaker Oat Squares (that usually go $3.50-$4.25/box) were 5/$10 minus a $3 coupon, averaging $1.40/box. I stocked up big time, plus got Michael some Quaker Breakfast Cookies (I know, but he likes them!) and Chewy Granola Bars w/Protein that he will at least eat for breakfast on his way out the door to school. I only had one coupon, but the checkout lady grabbed several more in-store circulars, in effect giving me an extra $24 at the checkout. I love a good bargain!


Food:

7:00 am 1 c Quaker Oatmeal Squares, 1/2 c light vanilla soy milk, 1/2 c blueberries, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
11:45 am Grilled cheese sandwich (2 slices 45-cal Sara Lee Delightful multigrain bread, 1.55 oz cheddar cheese, 2 tsp margarine), 1/2 grapefruit, molasses cookie
4:30 pm 1 pc Hershey's Pot of Gold dark chocolate
5:30 pm 1/2 gyro w/5 oz meat, 1/4 c sliced tomato, 2 strips onion, 1/8 c cucumber sauce
8:30 pm 44 g peanut butter chocolate krispie treat

Wed 14 Jan

Tree is getting untrimmed a little at a time. If I don't have to spend more than an hour of my evening on it, I'm more willing to tackle the task in pieces. Tonight might just finish it, particularly since I've put away all the specifically packaged ornaments and only have the general ones left so I can now solicit Dad to help. Then it will be back to the boring January living room. I suspect that people sometimes decorate for Valentine's Day just so they don't have to return to Ordinary Time right away.


Food:

7:00 am 1 c All-Bran Strawberry Medley, 1/2 c light vanilla soy milk, 1/2 c+ blueberries, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
11:45 am Chocolate soy shake, extra small banana, slice Double Oat toast, 1 tbl nutella
3:00 pm 1/4 c cinnamon almonds, 1 LifeSaver
4:45 pm 1 molasses cookie
6:00 pm 1 c Caribbean rice w/chicken, 2 slices pineapple, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk, 1 pc Hershey's Pot of Gold chocolates



Exercise:

5:10-5:55 am Wii Fitness upper body workout

Tues 13 Jan

Brrrr, it's nasty cold for the next few days. Love those Cuddleduds!

Made the Moroccan stew again to ward off the cold, but used a can of diced tomatoes w/habaneros. Whoa! Definitely warms you up, perhaps a bit too much.


Food:

7:00 am 1/2 c Maple & Brown Sugar Trail Mix cereal, 1/2 c light vanilla soy milk, 1/2 c blueberries, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
12:00 pm Strawberry/banana soy shake, slice 7-grain toast, 1 tbl nutella, 1/2 grapefruit, bag Satellite Wafers
3:30 pm 1/4 c pumpkin spice trail mix
4:45 pm 22 g malted milk balls
6:00 pm 1 c 3-bean Moroccan stew, large bakery breadstick, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk, Jello sugar-free pudding cup



Exercise:

5:15-6:00 am Low-Impact Aerobics video

Mon 12 Jan

Did the Wii Fitness Coach lower body workout today. Lots of lunges and plies; again this was pretty easy level. Hope it gets more challenging as it progresses.


Food:

7:00 am <3/4 c Maple & Brown Sugar Life, 1/2 c skim milk, 1/2 c blueberries, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
12:00 pm Chocolate soy shake, small banana, slice 7-grain toast, 1 tbl nutella, 19 g malted milk ball
3:00 pm 1/4 c pumpkin spice trail mix
6:00 pm 1 Reese's bell
6:30 pm 1 c whole grain flax spaghetti, 1 c meat sauce (1/2 c Prego chunky garden sauce w/3 oz ground beef, onions), 1 tbl grated parmesan, 3/4 c broccoli, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk



Exercise:

5:10-5:55 am Wii Fitness lower body workout

Sun 11 Jan

So happy to have you back home safely and having enjoyed your sojourn into the East. Travel is such an enriching part of life.

We got home uneventfully around 1:15 am. Michael was already sawing logs.

Suppose I have to get to taking down the Christmas tree soon. Sigh.

I had forgotten how emotional are the last few chapters of "Half Blood Prince". Whew.


Food:

8:15 am 3/4 c Maple & Brown Sugar Life, 1/2 c skim milk, 1/2 c blueberries, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
11:45 am 3 oz ham, 2/3 c scalloped potatoes, 1/2 green beans w/cranberries, pumpernickel dinner roll, 1 tsp whipped butter, 8 oz diet cranberry juice, coffee, 2 tbl cherry crisp w/.5 tbl whipped cream
3:10 pm 43 g malted milk balls
5:15 pm 4.8 oz walleye, 2-3 French fries, 2 tbl tartar sauce, 1/4 c cole slaw, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk




Exercise:

7:15-8:05 am Brutal ballet DVD

Sat 9 Jan

I suspect you are somewhere over the Pacific ocean at this time, around 8 am here. I'm going to try to find online info to see if flights are on time, and hopefully a phone number to check en route.

Nick picked Michael up a little after 6, and of course he had to call dad out of bed before the bus left Pacelli because he forgot to take his music. Seems we've done that sort of thing a few times before. I remember having to try to get the key to Pacelli on a Saturday because you left music you needed in the choir room.

Finally got to set up my Wii Fitness Coach program. I think I'm going to like it. The initial easy workout was very nice, so I look forward to better challenge and a wide variety of options. Only difficulty is that she switches back and forth from floor to stability ball to step to weights and they don't just magically appear and disappear in my house.

Food:

8:00 am Hot wheat cereal, 1 tsp brown sugar, 2 oz light vanilla soy milk, 1/2 c blueberries, cherry juice from concentrate, tea
10:30 am 2 sugar cookies
11:30 am York peppermint pattie
3:15 pm Large buttermilk biscuit, 1 tsp butter, 1 tbl honey, 2 thin slices honeydew, small piece pineapple, small piece orange, 2 eggs over easy, 2/3 c salmon hash, coffee
3:45 pm 1/2 piece carrot-type cake
9:00 pm 4 crab-stuffed mushrooms, 1/3 c melted mozzarella, small sweet biscuit, 1 tsp cinnamon butter
11:00 pm 1/4 c cinnamon almonds


Exercise:

9:30-10:00 Wii Fitness cardio

Fri 8 Jan

I realized yesterday we won't be able to hear Michael's All-Star choir tomorrow because we'll be driving to Chicago. Bad timing.

Found a new jacket at Penney's last night. It has a zipper/snap closure which isn't exactly what I wanted, but the cut is nice, it has half belts with adjustment snaps on the sides, and a nicely-integrated wool hood with short fur lining that will eliminate the need for a hat except on the coldest, windiest days. Seems like a nice jacket.

Heather brought a cheerios snack mix into work this morning. Didn't need it, but felt the need to be polite.

Michael joined us for dinner at Grazie's tonight. So nice to have dinner together complete with good conversation!


Food:

7:00 am 3/4 c Maple & Brown Sugar Life, 1/2 c skim milk, half grapefruit, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
9:30 am 1/3 c cheerios snack mix (corn syrup, pecans)
11:45 am Strawberry soy shake, medium pear, slice 7-grain toast, 1 tbl nutella
12:30 pm Small piece angel food candy
3:00 pm Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate mint square, small handful cheerios mix
4:45 pm 1 pc Hershey's Pot of Gold dark chocolate
5:45 pm 5 oz pan-fried walleye, slice bread w/dipping oil, salad w/mango viniagrette, 12 oz Spotted Cow, 4-5 French fries, 1 tbl cole slaw
6:45 pm Oatmeal sandwich cookie w/buttercream filling



Exercise:

5:05-6:00 pm Step/weights DVD

Thurs 8 Jan

Back is feeling quite a bit better, though not 100%, this morning. I think I tried some different moves on the stability ball and didn't have good technique so I probably twisted suddenly and pulled something. Doesn't seem too serious at this point. I usually take one day a week off from exercising so it was convenient to rest today.

Am shopping for a replacement for my pea coat as the lining is shredding. I guess 20-30 year old coats aren't always meant to be rejuvenated. Maxine said it would probably cost me more to have the lining replaced than to pick up a new coat on sale. I have a London fog on hold at Younkers but it's more of a coat than a pea coat cut. Kohl's has nothing left in small. I'm still going to check out Penney's.


Food:

7:00 am 3/4 c Maple & Brown Sugar Life, 1/2 c skim milk, half grapefruit, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
11:30 am 1 caramel, vanilla soy shake, naval orange, slice 7-grain toast, 1 tbl nutella
2:00 pm 1/4 c pumpkin spice trail mix
4:00 pm 1 pc Hershey's Pot of Gold dark chocolate
6:00 pm 1 1/2 c three bean Moroccan stew, Pillsbuty cornbread stick, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk

Wed 7 Jan

Tried the new Stability Ball workout tape this morning but it wasn't very invigorating. She did have a couple of moves that were very challenging, but I probably won't use that one very often.

I suspect something in the new exercise video was not so good, at least I may not have done it with proper technique, because around 11:20 am, my lower back suddenly screamed at me. Hope that subsides soon.

I made the Moroccan stew recipe I sent to you earlier this week and it is delicious. Perfect cold-weather, warm-your-innards food. The raisins give a nice unexpected flavor burst.

Did the bedtime yoga series which stretched my sore lower back nicely. Some ibuprofen at bedtime and I hope it's fine tomorrow. I'll take the morning off from exercise to be safe.

Food:

7:00 am 3/4 c Maple & Brown Sugar Life, 1/2 c skim milk, half grapefruit, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
11:45 am Chocolate soy shake, slice 7-grain toast, 1 tbl nutella, medium naval orange
4:00 pm 1/4 c pumpkin spice trail mix
5:45 pm 1 1/2 c Three-Bean Moroccan Stew, 1 Pillsbury cornbread twist, 1 tsp soft margarine, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk
7:45 pm 2 Almond Lebkuchen clusters



Exercise:

5:05-5:55 am Method Stability Ball Workout video
7:10-7:35 pm Evening yoga DVD

Tues 6 Jan

We three kings! Happy Epiphany! ...or whatever.

I actually went below my weight loss goal today. Guess my body thinks it should have a lower setpoint than the place I would have been satisfied. 123.4 this morning. I want to continue my regular workout routine and healthy eating. I have been near (and sometimes over) the recommended daily calorie limit so I guess I don't need to feel guilty if I increase it to 1600 a day if I maintain or continue to go down. I'll have to play around with it a little as long as I maintain the healthy habits.


Food:

7:00 am 3/4 c Maple & Brown Sugar Life, 4 oz skim milk, half grapefruit, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
12:00 pm Blueberry soy shake, small apple, slice 7-grain toast, 1 tbl nutella
1:30 pm 1/4 c pumpkin spice trail mix
4:45 pm 1 Hershey's Pot of Gold Dark Chocolate
6:30 pm 1 sloppy joe w/bun, 1 Mott's Pomegranate Plus applesauce cup, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk
8:00 pm Russell Stover marshmallow Santa



Exercise:

5:05-5:55 am Thighs of Steel 2000 video

Mon 5 Jan

Good to hear that you didn't prep much for All-Star either. I had him sit down with it on Saturday and he said he had it all in one session of about 15 min. Guess I can believe him.

The new pedometer is counting steps at a considerably higher rate than the previous model. Problem is, I'm not sure which count is accurate. I'm not really feeling good about the high step numbers, but I may have gotten used to an artificially low count. I'll have to find another model to use sometime and see which count level it confirms.

I have had a request to remove Critical Badger from my blogroll. I have absolutely no idea what this means or how to do it, or even who Critical Badger may be. Can you help?

Food:

7:00 am 3/4 c Maple & Brown Sugar Life, 4 oz skim milk, cherry juice from concentrate, half grapefruit, coffee
12:00 pm Vanilla soy shake, slice 7-grain toast, <1 tbl Nutella, extra small banana
1:00 pm 1 pc Hershey's Pot of Gold dark chocolates
3:00 pm 1/4 c cinnamon almonds
5:15 pm 3 oz Italian beef, bun, Mott's Pomegranate Plus applesauce cup, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk
5:45 pm 2/3 c peppermint ice cream, 2 tbl hot fudge sauce




Exercise:

5:10-5:55 am Power Shaping DVD

Sun 4 Jan

Tried the Jane Fonda Prime Time workout and found out what "Prime Time" really refers to - it's a workout geared to people "in the prime of life", i.e. over 50. It wasn't too bad, even had a 5-min high-impact aerobics section. It included some good stretching and worked abs as well as aerobics, but I don't think it will be on my regular favorites rotation.

Had to buy a new pedometer as I broke the clip on another of the freebies yesterday. We bought some office clips and dad glued the old pedometer to a new clip, but the angle was wrong for the gadget to read my steps. The one I bought was pretty cheap, but there were only 3 to choose from and this seemed the best size and has a spring clip that shouldn't snap off. It also is programmable for my stride length unlike the freebie I have been using, so it may be more accurate. We'll see.

Food:

8:30 am 12 oz light vanilla soy milk (forgot to drink it at supper yesterday), slice 7-grain toast, 1 tbl Nutella, cherry juice from concentrate
12:00 pm 2 crepes, 1 medium banana, coffee
2:45 pm 8 oz eggnog malt, 2 sm pc angel food candy


Exercise:

7:10-8:00 am Jane Fonda Prime Time video

Sat 3 Jan

Today we're going to the funeral for the Pacelli shop teacher, Rick Busse, who lost his battle with cancer on 12/29/08. Michael and the chamber choir are going to sing. I didn't know him personally, but it seems like the thing to do to have as many Pacelli parents as possible there.

Michael has All-Star choir next Saturday. Had to push him to pick up the music today and get learning it.

My eBay exercise videos were here when I got home last night. Can't wait to try some of them out.

Cantored at church this evening; went well, I think. Freezing rain had iced the car windows when I came out. Joy.


Food:

8:15 am Bowl hot wheat cereal, 1 tsp brown sugar, 2 oz light vanilla soy milk, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
12:30 pm Chips and salsa, 1 tamale, 1/2 c refried beans w/cheese, 1/2 c Mexican rice
2:30 pm 1 York peppermint pattie
6:45 pm 2 small pc angel food candy
7:30 pm 3 oz Italian beef, bun, Motts Plus Pomegranate applesauce cup, Jello dark chocolate pudding cup

Fri 2 Jan

Sincerely hoping all flights went/will go okay for you en route to Taipei. Went back to sleep til about 7:30 am after you left, then got up and went down to exercise. I couldn't get the ellipticals to program in a workout either so I was glad I had my iPod to provide a good beat. Dad and I breakfasted at Ikea and shopped awhile, then headed to Mark and Diane's where we had a very nice visit, played Bananagrams, and had wonderful chili before heading home. Made it back by 11:00 pm.


Food:

8:30 am Bosc pear, coffee
10:45 am 3 Swedish pancakes, 1/2 c lingonberries, coffee
12:30 pm 1/4 c cinnamon almonds, 1 York pattie, scotcharoo
4:30 pm Pomegranate martini, 1 oz? baked brie w/fig preserves, 4 Ritz crackers
6:45 pm Bowl of chili, 2 tbl shredded cheddar, 1 tbl sour cream, 2 small sweet potato biscuits, 2 tsp butter w/canola oil
7:45 pm Tea


Exercise:

7:35-8:20 am Elliptical
8:20-8:25 am Chest press machine, seated leg curls

New Year's Day 2009

Looks like the temperature (at least acc to Yahoo) is a little warmer today. Hopefully the precip will hold off for traveling.

Yesterday was an overeating disaster - need to be a bit more realistic now for awhile.



Food:

7:30 am Blueberry soy shake, half grapefruit, cherry juice from concentrate, very small butterhorn
10:00 am Half omelette - 1.5 egg, 1 c spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions - 1/2 c hash browns, 1 pc raisin toast w/butter, coffee
1:30 pm Piece Trader Joe's English toffee
6:00 pm 6 oysters, bowl Maryland crab soup, 1 pc sourdough bread, 1 tsp butter, 6 mussels, 1 bite salmon, 5 oz white wine, 1/3 pc eggnog cheesecake
7:30 pm Cup decaf coffee