Thurs 31 Dec

Happy New Years' Eve! Hope you have a safe but enjoyable celebration planned. Dad and I will go out to eat early since we made reservations too late for a nicer evening time. Then we plan to come home, light a fire in the fireplace, crack open the bottle of sparkling German wine we bought at Trader Joe's, and watch Star Trek. Sounds like a good way to ring out the New Year to me. Tomorrow we'll pick Grandma up for church and do hibachi at Tokyo Steak House for lunch, then a relaxing weekend.

Had a few snacks at work, not too bad. Dinner at Christian's Bistro was yummy! We ate light so we can continue to snack and have some wine at home. Really like the Star Trek movie.


Food:

7:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
11:15 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, slice Trader Joe's multigrain bread, 54 g turkey, med banana
1:30 pm 2 parmesan cracker crisps, 1 Hostess donette, 2 chocolate-covered espresso beans, 1 Butterfinger fun-size, 1 Life-Saver
5:45 pm 5 sea scallops wrapped in 3 strips Nueske bacon, 3/4 c parmesan polenta, small oven-roasted tomato
7:15 pm 1 white chocolate pretzel, 1 chocolate peanut butter ball, 44 g milk chocolate
8:30 pm 5 oz sparkling white wine, 1 pc English toffee


Exercise:

5:15-6:05 am Thighs of Steel 2000 video

Wed 30 Dec

I am already tired of being cold again, even with layers of long underwear. I hate feeling like the only alternative in the evening is to crawl in bed right after supper with the electric mattress pad on to read so I can stop shivering. Brrrrrrr!

Felt good to do a plain old Pilates mat this morning. Sometimes I forget about that option. I think I'll try to reincorporate it once a week.

My tummy is crampy, not sure why. Not nice.


Food:

7:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
12:00 pm Chocolate soy shake, 1/2 c sweet potatoes w/walnuts, 1/2 c cranberry waldorf
2:00 pm 1 Dove heart
5:30 pm 1 svg chicken and sweet potato stew, 1 crescent roll, 12 oz light original soy milk
7:45 pm 22 g milk chocolate Santa



Exercise:

5:05-6:05 am Pilates mat

Tues 29 Dec

Hope you made it home safely without adverse incident. Please let me know. I'm enjoying my Trader Joe's cereal and some of the melon this morning. Opened a bottle of cherry juice, too.

Glad you're back, though wish you were still here. Can't wait til you're back in Wisconsin for a good long time. Hope your new job responsibilities are more satisfying and use your talents to better effect.

My client asked me to take her shopping for healthy food this afternoon. Avocados were still on sale, so I bought more along with more tomatoes, another cucumber and more fresh mozz. We had your salad again with supper - yum!

Food:

7:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 extra large cantaloupe, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
12:30 pm Vanilla soy shake, 1/2 c baked corn, butterhorn
3:30 pm 7 white chocolate pretzels
5:30 pm 1 c whole wheat spaghetti, 3 oz ground round, 1/4 c orange peppers, 1/2 c Prego roasted garlic parmesan sauce, 1 tbl shredded parmesan, 1 c tomato/avocado/cucumber/fresh mozz salad, 1 tsp balsamic vinegar, 12 oz light original soy milk



Exercise:

5:15-6:10 am Step DVD w/weights section

Mon 28 Dec

This has been one of the nicest Christmas seasons in recent memory. I've so enjoyed having you home with us, and there's been time to relax and just have fun. Wish Michael would have spent a little more time with us, but he was here for the important parts and he needs time, too. I hope it's not too long before we get to spend time together again. Think about spring break and let us know what your plans are. If we do want to go somewhere together, I'm open to suggestions; otherwise I'd just plan a nice all-inclusive with beach and good food.


Food:

8:30 am 2 butterhorns, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
9:30 am 3 small sugar cookies
12:30 pm 46 g turkey, 1 tbl gravy, 2/3 c stuffing, 1/2 c sweet potatoes, 8 oz light vanilla soy milk
1:45 pm 2 molasses cookies
5:00 pm Salad, chopped tomatoes, sliced fresh mushrooms, 1 tbl balsamic viniagrette, 8 oz lean ground beef, 1 tbl herbed goat cheese, 1 tbl carmelized onions, 1 tbl chopped tomatoes, spinach, 3/4 bun
6:45 pm 2 pc Trader Joe's Belgian chocolate with fruit infused ganache


Exercise:

7:05-8:15 am Jane Fonda Complete, aerobics, upper, lower, and abs

Sun 27 Dec

Trying to regain something of my routine. Did my Sunday ballet exercise upon rising, will somewhat limit snacking but again I'd prefer to eat some of the goodies while they're still fresh and then just stop altogether rather than limit to one or two treats in a day and end up eating things that are stale and ucky.

Avatar was fun. Glad I sat on the end so I couldn't hear the talkers, but wish Laura and Bob might also have been so lucky. Sushi was yummy, as was egg nog malt.



Food:

9:15 am 2 butterhorns, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
10:15 am Honey Crisp apple
1:00 pm 1 c tomato/avocado/cucumber/fresh mozz salad, 1 tsp balsamic vinegar, 3 sugar cookies, 2 molasses cookies
3:00 pm 30 g chocolate covered raisins
7:45 pm 5 pc Alaska roll, 5 pc spicy scallop roll, 1 pc tuna nagiri sushi
9:00 pm .8 c eggnog malt



Exercise:

8:15-9:05 am Brutal ballet DVD

Sat 26 Dec

Ah, this has already been a nice day and it's only just past 1:30 pm. I must admit I'm indulging in a few more treats than are good for me, but the butterhorns and cookies will never be fresher and it's a shame to go to the work of making treats I love and throwing most of them out. I figure a few days of minor indulgence followed by a bit more work on the fitness end should balance.


Food:

8:00 am 2 butterhorns, 1 sugar cookie, 2 molasses cookies
9:30 am 2 white-chocolate pretzels
10:15 am 3 eggnog pancakes, 2-3 tsp margarine, 2 tbl maple syrup, 1/2 c fresh pineapple, coffee
1:30 pm Cheesy potatoes, 3 spears asparagus, 2 molasses cookies
6:15 pm 5 white chocolate pretzels
7:30 pm 10 oz white wine, 4 oz baked walleye, 1/4 c chopped avocado, 1/4 c chopped cucumber, 1/4 c chopped tomato, 1/4 c chopped fresh mozzarella, 1 tbl balsamic vinegar, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk
9:00 pm Part of chocolate Santa, several cookies

Merry Christmas!

It's finally here! And the best present is that flights appear to be on time and safe, so we can all be together. I've been cooking and cleaning to prepare while the boys get the pleasant task of fetching the daughter, but I get the fun of anticipating the day!


Food:

7:45 am 2 butterhorns, coffee
10:15 am 1/2 c fresh pineapple

Thurs 24 Dec

Merry Christmas Eve! Wish you could join us for brunch at the Hartmans. I have to get going soon to make butterhorns so I have some to share with them.

We got a little new snow last night, lots of wind, and now freezing rain. I'm holding out high hopes that your flights will make it through tomorrow as I can't wait to see you. Hugs and more hugs and kisses too!

Another Christmas Eve brunch at the Hartmans is in the history books. John figured out that this is the 29th year since we don't think Kathy was even pregnant yet with Pete when we started. Brandon stopped by to visit Charlie so we had a chance to catch up with him too. We're still getting some freezing rain, but it doesn't seem too bad out there. Hope your flights come off smoothly. We'll be checking United on the Internet before Dad and Michael hit the road. Megumi's crew will not be chancing the drive tomorrow so if we need to rearrange things for travel disruptions, it will be less complicated.

Got a new Apple keyboard that just arrived. Couldn't figure out how to keep the old one from getting gross.

But, but, but....I eat my breakfast and lunch at the computer most days. Who's gonna enforce me?

Went quite well bringing Grandma here for dinner and taking her to church. She was happy that Fr. Tom welcomed her warmly. Biggest problem was getting back into the car after church because the footing was icy so she was afraid to get out of the wheelchair so we just waited (a long time) til she was ready and realized no one was going to lift her. When she was on good footing, she was able to do almost all of the work for herself.

Tom N' Jerry and Bananagrams. Nice way to close out Christmas Eve. Michael came home early and crashed.


Food:

8:15 am Slice pecan kringle, 1/4 large cantaloupe, coffee
10:15 am 1 Butterhorn
11:30 am 1 1/2 Belgian waffle, 3/4 c fresh berries, 1 tbl maple syrup, 1 tsp butter, wedge frittata w/chorizo and veggies, 2 sausage links, 5 oz fresh grapefruit/orange juice, coffee
1:00 pm 2 chocolate-covered peanut butter balls
4:45 pm 3/4 c Swiss cheese noodle casserole, 3/4 c fresh pineapple, butterhorn, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk, 2 ginger cookies, 1 sugar cookie
8:00 pm 1/2 Kwik Trip iced shortbread cookie
11:00 pm Tom N' Jerry



Exercise:

7:15-8:00 am Jane Fonda Low-Impact aerobics video

Wed 23 Dec

Lunch with my coworkers before the Christmas holiday, then a 5-day weekend to anticipate! Woo hoo!

Glad the netbook arrived and will suffice - wish it was a little prettier for you, but I guess the important part is whether it works.



Food:

7:00 am 1 c Corn Chex, 1/2 c light vanilla soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, piece pecan kringle, coffee
9:45 am 1 ginger cookie
11:00 am Butterfinger miniature (bite-size)
12:45 pm Large ostrich burger w/fried onions, tomato, lettuce, ketchup on bun, 1 c fruit salad, 3 french fries, water
2:00 pm 2 small squares Dove dark chocolate, 1 small black walnut caramel, 1 milk Lindt truffle
6:15 pm 111 g turkey polska kielbasa, 1/2 c Steamfresh brown rice, 1 c cooked broccoli, 8 oz light vanilla soy milk


Exercise:

5:15-6:00 am Ball/band DVD

Tues 22 Dec

Brr, cold and some wintry weather ahead. Hope it doesn't delay your flight, but it sounds like they're worrying more about Wed/Thurs. Have you lost a lot of your recent snow with warmer temps?

Hope the netbook arrives safely today. I was surprised that some shoes we ordered for MIchael on Saturday arrived today, even though they said they probably wouldn't get here til after Christmas. Or course, they weren't the color we ordered. Oh, well.


Food:

7:00 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light vanilla soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, coffee
11:45 am Blueberry soy shake, 56 g raisin bread, 2 tsp olive oil spread, 1.6 oz roast beef, 8 med baby carrots, Jello Sugar-Free Mousse
1:00 pm Frosted sugar cookie
3:30 pm Oatmeal fruit cookie, LifeSaver
4:45 pm Small log-shaped cookie
6:00 pm Clear soup w/green onion & mushroom, 5 pc smoke roll sushi, 5 sm pc tempura squid, tea
7:30 pm Chocolate peanut cluster



Exercise:

5:10-5:50 am Crunch Pilates DVD

Mon 21 Dec

Sure hope the hot tub can be operational fairly soon. The heater finally arrived on Saturday, but Dad had some trouble installing it, and when he went to fill the tub, it leaked all over due to shrinkage of the liner during the long period when it dried out. Apparently it was just around the holes where the benches attach, so he recaulked and hopes it will hold, but then he discovered the pump is bad. Too bad we sent back the one they sent us by accident! Now he needs to get it repaired or get a new one, but that can be done locally, maybe today. I'm trying to just remember we'll be lucky to have it if it ever gets fixed, but when my body temperature is low and I'm shivering, it's hard to be positive.

The estimated delivery date for the netbook remains 12/22/09 and indicates "On schedule" however the status is "On FedEx truck for delivery" already today from Ashton (or something like that), VA.

Bad afternoon for munching on sweets. Oh, well.

I wish the hot shower thing would warm me up for longer than just when I'm standing under the water. I'm starting to feel shivery already and I need to wrap presents. Guess I'll resort to hot tea.

Food:

7:00 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light vanilla soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
10:30 am 2 chocolate-covered raisins
11:30 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, 64 g raisin bread, 2 tsp olive oil spread, 1.5 oz roast beef, 8 grape tomatoes, 6 baby carrots, 5 pea pods, 2 sugar cookies
3:00 pm 3 white chocolate-covered mini-pretzels, 1 homemade caramel, 1 LifeSaver, 1 Reese's miniature
6:45 pm 3 oz ground round, 1/4 c chopped onion, 1/4 c chopped orange pepper, 1/2 c Prego Roasted Garlic Parmesan, 1 tbl shredded parmesan, 1 c whole wheat spaghetti, 1 c cooked broccoli, 10 oz light vanilla soy milk



Exercise:

5:10-6:00 am Jane Fonda Weights 1 video

Sun 20 Dec

Still plugging away on holiday preparations. This is the time when I need to dig down inside myself to find ongoing motivation.

Feeling a little more energetic now. Good thing. Made peanut clusters and tried some white chocolate pretzels; they're very time-consuming so that the white chocolate was starting to harden so I just did some white peanut clusters toward the end.


Food:

8:15 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 light vanilla soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, tea
11:15 am 2 white-chocolate covered pretzels, mini coffee cake muffin, coffe
11:45 am 2 crepes, Large sliced banana, coffee
4:45 pm 2 white pretzels, 1 white peanut cluster, licked chocolate from milk chocolate bowl
7:15 pm 3.15 oz roast beef, 2 tbl gravy, Earthfresh whole wheat sandwich thin, 1/4 fresh broccoli, 1/4 c pea pods, 6 baby carrots, 10 oz light vanilla soy milk



Exercise:

7:10-8:00 am Brutal ballet DVD

Sat 19 Dec

I suspect you are glorying in the big snowfall. A little present from God to make you feel less lonesome. Enjoy!

Grandma was looking good when I finally got back to see her yesterday. She is looking forward to seeing you, too! Any special foods you'd like while you're home? At this point, the plan is turkey for Christmas dinner, with cheesy potatoes by request from Michael (I didn't think you'd object either!). I'm open to additional suggestions, as well as for other meals while you're here.

I expect the time will fly by this week. Lots of things to do and excitement builds. I can almost feel you in my arms for a big hug already!

For just about anyone else, I'd be feeling sorry for you with all the news about the huge winter storm, but I expect/hope you are enjoying it to the fullest, especially since it's not a work day so you don't have to drive if you don't want to. Am I right?

Cookies are baked. It never looks like there will be enough - don't know how they actually seem to last as long as they do.

Food:

7:30 am 1 Glazer donut, 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light vanilla soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, coffee
12:30 pm Chocolate soy shake, 2 slices Sara Lee Delightful 45 cal whole wheat bread, 1.25 oz cheddar cheese, 2 tsp olive oil spread, medium banana
1:30 pm 2 Trader Joe's Jojo cookies
6:00 pm 3-4 pieces chocolate-drizzled caramel corn
6:15 pm 3.3 oz roast beef, 1/2 c mashed potatoes, 1 tbl beef gravy, 1/2 c sliced beets, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk
9:30 pm 3 white, 1 ginger broken cookies

Fri 18 Dec

Today we have our Christmas lunch at work. This weekend I need to make lists of what remains to be done for the holidays and get cracking! I was going to take all next week off from work, but then decided I really didn't need to so now I have to get things done on the weekend and evenings.

I realized that the only real workable way for me to get Christmas dinner prepared so that Megumi and Yoshi can come up and still drive back at a reasonable hour is for me to send Dad and Michael to pick you up at the airport instead of coming along. You have to promise to call me as soon as you touch down in Wisconsin. I hate having to delay my hugs til you drive back to Point, but if I stay home, I can have everything ready and have picked up Grandma so we can begin the festivities when you get home.

I got an email from Woot that your netbook has shipped via FedEx and should arrive on Tuesday at your place. If you can, it would be nice if you brought it along so we can all see it. You usually bring a computer anyway, so maybe you can bring this in that capacity?

I'm working on the massage, but it won't be with Mary as she is going to be out of town over the holidays, leaving today. I have asked her to give me a recommendation of another massage person who you would like, so I hope that will be okay.

Skipped exercise this morning because when I went to do the getting-out-of-bed stretches, my legs were really rather sore. Decided they needed a day to relax as my exercises this week have been sort of lower-body intensive.

Tired again at end of day, though not as bad as yesterday. Would be happier if hot tub heater would finally get here. Post-work nap and cheese fries for supper helped, but I could still call it a night at 6:30 if I didn't have stuff to do.



Food:

7:00 am Half a Kwik Trip cinnamon roll, 1/4 large cantaloupe, coffee
12:15 pm 2 drumsticks, 1/2 c egg noodles, 1/2 c beef tips in gravy, 1/4 c mashed potatoes, 1 tbl chicken gravy, 1/2 c fruit salad, 1/2 c broccoli/cauliflower/carrot blend, 1/2 c veggie pasta salad, 6 oz punch, scotcheroo, chocolate chip fruit cookie, small square peanut butter torte
4:30 pm Chocolate chip fruit cookie, 1 chocolate-covered mini-pretzel
6:00 pm 4 cheese fries, 10 oz light vanilla soy milk, 2 dark chocolate-covered gingerbread hearts

Thurs 17 Dec

Hard to believe the pace at which December marches along, but I'm delighted that we'll see you in just over a week! I hope you're looking forward to it as much as I am.

Cold symptoms are not so bad since Tuesday; I think the long evening rest helped. Hopefully they aren't just gathering for another assault.

Wow, I'm really tired after a 9-hour straight day. Ate lunch in the car driving between appointments. I'm afraid my sodium consumption today is over the top, and my veggie consumption is way too low. Too tired to care.


Food:

7:00 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light vanilla soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, coffee
9:15 am 16 oz pumpkin spice cappucino
1:30 pm 5" Kwik Trip Great American sub sandwich, 32 oz diet Dr. Pepper
3:45 pm Leaf-shaped chocolate-bottom cookie
5:30 pm Arby's regular roast beef, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk




Exercise:

5:10-6:00 am Buns of Steel 2000 video

Wed 16 Dec

I will definitely try to get you a massage with Mary, probably on Monday unless she's working Saturday. Sounds divine. Maybe I'll find time to book one for myself in the next week or two also. I crawled in bed around 6 pm and read til 7:30, then slept the night away. Feeling better this morning for the rest. But I'm all out of my Trader Joe's cereal and probably won't get down there til we take you back to the airport on Monday evening after Christmas. Back to Oat Squares, I guess.

Joy, I just entered my food and snacks for the day at 5:30 pm and I have completely used up my daily allotment of calories. I have met my protein and the other nutrients counted are all within acceptable ranges if I don't eat anything else for the rest of the day. I'm not hungry, but it seems weird not to eat anything at all in the evening. I'll probably break down and at least have some string cheese or yogurt before bed.


Food:

7:00 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light vanilla soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, coffee
11:00 am 20-oz double mocha cappucino (gas station)
12:00 pm 1 c pumpkin curry soup, half sandwich on hearty whole-grain bread w/3 oz chicken in BBQ mayo, lettuce, small handful sweet potato chips, 1/4 c each carrot salad, black bean sweet potato salad, lentil salad
1:15 pm 1 Glazer donut
3:30 pm 1 caramel bar cookie



Exercise:

5:10-5:55 am Power Shaping DVD

Tues 15 Dec

Another frigid morning. The temp according to Yahoo is actually 2 degrees colder at 7:15 than it was at 6:15 when I finished exercising. Doesn't bode well for the day, but I have my CuddlDuds under my wool so I'm as set as can be.

The cold is winning the battle at the moment, but I'm still trying to drown it. I'm back on ColdEze today too. 3 liters of water, on top of the 3 8-oz glasses with my vitamins, and I feel worse now than I did before. Going to crawl in bed at 6 pm with my LOTR book and sleep when the spirit moves me.


Food:

7:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light vanilla soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
12:30 pm Bowl churkey soup, slice coffee bread, vanilla soy shake
4:45 pm 1 sandbakkel
5:30 pm KFC 395 calorie meal (grilled thigh, grilled drumstick, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans), 12 oz light vanilla soy milk, small chocolate chip molasses cookie



Exercise:

5:15-6:10 am Buns/Abs of Steel 2000 video

Mon 14 Dec

Choir is over for awhile, time to concentrate on Christmas. Need to take stock tonight and decide what remains to be done.

HOOTIE HOO! Mama's happy!!!! Would we be willing to drive down to pick you up? Just try and stop us! We will plan to do Christmas dinner in the evening this year with our sweetie there to join us! I will also arrange to take Monday off so we can maximize our time with you and be free to take you back for your evening flight.


Food:

7:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light vanilla soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
10:45 am 3 yogurt-covered mini-pretzels
11:45 am Blueberry soy shake, slice coffee bread, red pear, 2 chocolate chip ginger cookies
3:00 pm 3 glazed gingerbread cookies
6:15 pm 1 c homemade mac n' cheese w/whole wheat mac, 1 c fresh green beans, 12 oz light vanilla soy milk, 1/5 of a 1/3 recipe loaf of eggnog bread



Exercise:

5:05-6:10 am Jane Fonda Complete, upper, lower and aerobics video

Sun 13 Dec

Got my little loaves of pumpkin and eggnog breads made for the bake sale. Still need to do today's portion of the prep on the cranberry salad for the after-concert potluck. No more choir practices or performances til January means a little more free time. Dad and I put more ornaments on the tree last night. I still need to add all the icicles but it's looking better already. Need to wrap my Secret Santa presents today, then start planning when to bake the cutout cookies. Things seem to be moving more smoothly this year for some reason.

This parent is salivating for delicious wine. I still need to know if you will be able to come home some time for Christmas. I plan to save your gifts if you're coming in person, but if it isn't possible, I need to mail them out soon so you have them for Christmas. Speaking of which, I still don't know what we're doing about the netbook? I'm waiting on you to let me know exactly what you want.

Food:

8:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light vanilla soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, tea
11:45 am 2 eggs, 3 pc bacon, 1.33 pancakes, 1 tbl whipped butter, 1 tbl syrup, coffee
4:45 pm 2 monster cookies, 1 pc cranberry bread, 1 pc lemon poppyseed bread, 1/4 c blue corn chips, 1/4 c snack mix, 1/2 c cranberry waldorf, small piece lasagne, cherry tomato, small ball fresh mozzarella (caprese on a stick), 1 tbl fudge, 6 oz wine punch



Exercise:

7:10-8:00 am Brutal ballet DVD

Sat 12 Dec

Why did you have nothing to do yesterday during the day? Did you get all your work hours in early and have Friday off? Sounds rather nice to have a good long stretch at the gym. BTW, any idea yet about when you'll be able to come home for Christmas? I really hope it is possible. What's the scoop on the job these days? You had leads on alternatives, but I haven't heard anything for a while.

Making a big pot of homemade churkey soup; I still had the turkey carcass from Thanksgiving and a rotisserie chicken carcass since then. House smells good!

Food:

7:45 am Trader Joe's frozen oatmeal, 1/2 oz raisins, 1 tsp brown sugar, 2 oz light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, slice Finnish coffee bread, 1 tsp olive oil spread, tea
10:30 am 1"x2" blonde brownie, krumkake
1:15 pm Strawberry/banana soy shake, lefse, 53 g oven-roasted chicken breast, tangerine
5:45 pm Bowl churkey soup w/dumplings, slice coffee bread, 1 tsp olive oil spread, 12 oz light original soy milk
7:15 pm 2 dark chocolate-covered gingerbread hearts

Fri 11 Dec

Choir concert at the Grand Theatre in Wausau tonight in conjunction with the Wausau Symphony. Another concert Sunday afternoon at St. Bron's, then an afterglow party at Barb Towey's and done for the season! I believe the bitter cold is due to moderate a bit soon thankfully. I have to bake some goodies for a bake sale after Sunday's concert, so tomorrow I may make pumpkin bread and/or eggnog bread or maybe some kind of cookies.

Slept in this morning instead of yesterday as my leg muscles in particular said, "Rest me!"


Food:

7:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, slice coffee bread, coffee
10:30 am 1 Reese's miniature, 1 fortune cookie. 2 yogurt-covered pretzel twists
11:45 am Blueberry soy shake, 70 g white meat turkey, med banana, slice coffee bread
2:00 pm Nestles Crunch bell, 1 oz peppermint bark, turtle, peppermint puff
4:45 pm 2 slices Sara Lee whole wheat bread, 1 tbl olive oil spread, 1.8 oz cheddar cheese

Thurs 10 Dec

Frosty cold out there today, but I'm getting used to multiple layers of clothing. And unfortunately I have a lot of running around to do today. Think of me while you're out running in shorts and t-shirt! Are you going camping this weekend?

Nummers, delicious local wine sounds excellent to me! Have fun on the tour and don't let the driver sample too freely!

Had green eggs for supper, but no ham. One of my client has a breed of chickens that lay green eggs. They're small but quite tasty.


Food:

7:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
12:00 pm 2 crab rangoon, 1/4 c chicken and veggies, 1/4 c shredded pork and veggies, 1/4 c beef and veggies, 1/2 c garlic beans, 3 pc California roll, 1/2 c pineapple pieces, 1/2 c green pepper pieces, 1/2 c tempura veggies, chinese donut, mini-cream puff
3:00 pm Sandbakkel, homemade caramel
7:45 pm 2 med green eggs, over easy, 110 g cardamom fruit bread




Exercise:

5:15-5:45 am Crunch Pilates DVD

Wed 9 Dec

Well, they weren't mistaken about the snowstorm. When I looked out this morning, I estimate about 6-7 inches already down and still falling thickly. Yahoo predicts an additional 3-5 today so we'll see what we end up with. I'm mostly concerned about the single digit highs and below-zero nights that are supposed to be on its heels. I'm bundled in CuddlDuds and wool in anticipation. Please, oh please, may the hot tub heater get here soon!

Oh, the snow is so pretty! I am glad the snowblower is working this year. Shoveling is fun to a point, but gets old quickly.



Food:

7:00 am .9 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
11:15 am 4 chocolate-covered raisins (while visiting Grandma)
11:45 am Vanilla soy shake, 54 g lefse, 1 tsp olive oil spread, 1 tsp sugar, tangerine, 2 frosted cookies
3:00 pm 3 small cookies
5:45 pm Pizza Hut buffet: 1 c romaine, 1/4 c chopped broccoli, 2 cherry tomatoes, 1/2 slice pan ham n' pineapple, 1/2 slice pan supreme, 2 half slices thin veggie lovers, 1 small slice cherry dessert pizza, 2 small pieces cinnamon sticks



Exercise:

5:15-5:55 am Jane Fonda Weights 2 video

Tues 8 Sept

Tonight the choir sings at the cult church for Assumption holy day mass. They are starting at 6 pm which strains the ability of working choir members to get up to Wausau and ready to roll, but should mean an earlier night. They provide a good hors d'oeuvres buffet after which will be our supper.

Temps are getting nasty cold here, and there's the potential for significant snow tonight, hopefully after we return from Wausau?

Hope you feel better soon! Hugs!!!


Food:

7:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
11:30 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, whole wheat 100 cal sandwich thin, 1/4 c Manwich, tangerine, 48 g fruit/nut bark



Exercise:

5:15-6:00 am Jane Fonda low-impact aerobics video

Mon 7 Dec

Happy Pearl Harbor Day! Grandma used to write to a soldier who was on the ship attacked at Pearl Harbor. I believe that was before she started writing to Grandpa. I guess single women in wartime wrote to a specific soldier, probably introduced by a friend, as a way of singles matching. I'm not clear whether Grandma met Grandpa in person before or after she started writing, but one of the letters Dad found while we were cleaning implies that they wrote to each other first. I guess that system worked well for them since they were married 58 years before Grandpa died.



Food:

7:00 am Caramel pecan sticky roll, 1/4 large cantaloupe, coffee
10:30 am Small marshmallow Santa, 1 LifeSaver
12:15 pm Chocolate soy shake, medium bosc pear (underripe, sigh), small Danish almond square, pecan shortbread cookie, small caramel pecan square, krumkake
3:15 pm 3 c ketlle corn, herbal tea
5:30 pm 2 oz ground round, 1/8 c chopped onion, 1/2 c chopped red pepper, 1/2 c Prego Heart Healthy Onion n' Garlic sauce, 1 c whole wheat spaghetti, 1 tbl shredded parmesan, 1 c asparagus, 12 oz light original soy milk



Exercise:

5:00-5:45 am Power Shaping DVD

Sun 6 Dec

Happy St. Nicholas Day! I realized it was today when I read my Page-A-Day calendar when I got up. This is the first year we aren't commemorating with gifts, but know that I send my love anyway!

Almost finished the shopping for the Advent tree gift for Newman. This year we are filling a goodie bag for a House Of Peace participant with a variety of items including headband/scarf, shampoo, hand lotion, comb, stamps, note pad, pens, candy. Got the candy, and headband/scarf (in combo with a hat and gloves) today. Only the stamps have yet to be purchased.

If you have decided what you want in a netbook and don't anticipate any sales before Christmas, let me know so we can get it ordered for you. That will be your main gift from Dad and me. If you prefer to order it yourself and put it on your credit card so you get exactly what you want with no fear of miscommunication, that is also fine. Just give me a heads-up to send the money.

I am bone cold and can't get warm, even after napping on the couch under a wool blanket and eating a nice warm bowl of bean soup. I want my hot tub! Wah!

According to AllRecipes, the Norwegian goodies I bought are pretty low-cal. Yum!


Food:

8:00 am Pecan sticky bun, 1/4 large cantaloupe, coffee
12:30 pm 4 oz roast duck, 1/2 c cornbread stuffing, 1 tbl orange sauce, iceberg lettuce salad, 1 cherry tomato, slice homemade bread w/margarine, 1/2 c green beans, coffee, 1/2 c mint chocolate chip ice cream
2:00 pm .5 oz butter cookie
2:45 pm Chocolate-covered peanut butter ball
5:15 pm Bowl vegetable bean soup, 10 oz light original soy milk, 2 krumkake. 1 rosette




Exercise:

7:10-8:00 am Brutal ballet DVD

Sat 5 Dec

Heading out soon to Amherst, land of bake sales, craft sales, etc. Last year we found the old-fashioned light-up toy soldiers that will soon sit out on the front steps again. It's a good place to buy a variety of cookies so I'm not tempted to bake large batches of anything besides the sugar and molasses cookies. I just enjoy the day.

Amherst was fun; bought lots of goodies, our usual pine wreath for the front of the house and a gold sparkly wreath for the front door that will show nicely on the dark wood and be reusable from year to year. Shared a fresh pasty at the Amherst bakery since the usual soup and quiche people weren't at the Jensen Center. Will need to sample the goodies sparingly (if I can) and maybe share them out with family and friends.

OK, 1 pm and I've had my sugar fix with holiday goodies. But then the stress of putting the tree up kicked in and I needed a sandbakkele to tide me through. But I'm cooking up a pot of bean soup for supper so I should be good there.

We have all been anxiously awaiting the shipment of the replacement hot tub heater as the old heater died just before the weather turned cold. Today the package finally arrived, but the company sent us a pump instead of a heater. Sigh.


Food:

8:15 am Trader Joe's steel cut frozen oatmeal, .5 oz raisins, 2 oz light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
11:15 am Half pasty
12:00 pm Small butter cookie, chocolate-covered coconut ball, slice eggnog spice Bundt cake w/rum frosting, 5.3 oz Trader Joe's 0% honey greek yogurt
1:00 pm 1.6 oz chocolate bark with dried fruit and nuts
2:30 pm Sandbakkele
6:00 pm Homemade bean and vegetable soup, 3" section of whole grain baguette, 12 oz light original soy milk, 2 cookies
6:45 pm 25g fudge

Fri 4 Dec

Did you get your package yet? Sorry to have Halloween in December, but hey, at least it's unconventional!

Wearing my new boots today, along with a new corduroy brown skirt and a tan merino turtleneck. I bought this stuff for myself while out Christmas shopping, so I get to use it right away. Mmmm, CuddlDuds under merino wool are nice and warm!


Food:

7:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
11:00 am 1 blueberry crepe sprinkled w/powdered sugar, coffee
12:00 pm Vanilla soy shake, 1/4 large cantaloupe
4:00 pm Leaf-shaped chocolate-bottom cookie
6:15 pm 3 oz broiled cod, 1 tbl butter, 2 potato pancakes, 1 tbl sour cream, 3/4 c teriyaki green beans, 1/2 slice marble rye bread, 10 oz Point Amber, 1/4 c applesauce
7:30 pm 3 glazed gingerbread hearts

Exercise:

5:10-5:50 am Crunch Pilates DVD

Thurs 3 Dec

Have a slight stuffy nose today; hopefully it will pass quickly. Taking Grandma to the cancer doctor for her follow-up a year after surgery this afternoon. Hope that goes well as I'm going to take her in my own car instead of the wheelchair van.

Hannah stopped by Grandma's house Monday evening when Michael and the boys were there. Her friend dates a guy that was helping with the move and they were looking for him. Hannah is pregnant, living with her new boyfriend but planning to move back with the parents when baby comes so they can help out. Glad she's not in Michael's life any more.

Took an additional 500 mg vitamin C and started popping ColdEze as it feels like a cold coming on. Hoping to head it off at the pass or maybe drown it with extra water.

Yay, I was able to reset my iPhone voicemail password through AT&T online so now I can listen to my voicemails. If I was actually the one who set up my initial voicemail, I must have chosen a password I would never remember because everything I tried didn't work.


Food:

7:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, coffee
11:45 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, English muffin, 2 tbl peanut butter, tangerine
1:00 pm 1 c coffee
5:30 pm Earthcrust whole wheat sandwich thin, 3 oz ground round in Manwich sauce, 1/2 c broccoli, 12 oz light original soy milk
6:30 pm Dark chocolate-covered gingerbread heart
7:15 pm 1/2 c Schwan's Autumn Harvest ice cream


Exercise:

5:10-6:10 am Jane Fonda Complete workout, upper, aerobics, and lower video

Wed 2 Dec

Well, the boys slept at Grandma's house last night even though the cleanup isn't completely finished. I need to get rent money today though. Michael said he will stay at our house for a little longer til he gets the money, so he will need to return home for sleeping and not be spending his whole day as though he is living there until he pays his rent. I hope this doesn't become a monthly battle. Both my piano and voice lessons were cancelled last night so we had time to work with them while they moved things in. We got the dishwasher running and cleaned up some dishes for them. I sorted through the silverware and gadgets and I think I have it down to a reasonable amount of useable stuff.

I keep seeing ads with piles of snow but it still doesn't feel imminent here. I haven't been able to motivate to put up the tree, especially with spending all our free hours at the house. Maybe this weekend after the Jensen Center sale.

Felt the need to sleep in this morning when the alarm went off. Only downside is that now I have to get up to exercise both Thursday and Friday unless I decide to fit in a workout this evening.


Food:

7:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
12:15 pm Vanilla soy shake, English muffin, 2 tbl peanut butter, tangerine
2:45 pm Leaf-shaped chocolate-bottom cookie
6:30 pm Cheese spaetzle, Immunity blend vegetables, 1 tbl cranberry chutney, 12 oz light original soy milk

Tues 1 Dec

Cold and tired, and it's only Tuesday. I am looking forward to the Amherst craft sale this weekend, so that may help me to make it through the rest of the week. I had to send Grandma to her regular doctor's appointment on her own with a van transport today due to a schedule conflict. She was anxious to go to the appointment as she hasn't had an office appointment with this doctor in a long time. She is comfortable with him so she should do fine on her own. I will pick her up on Thursday and take her for a recheck to the cancer specialist to follow up on the breast surgery of about a year ago.


Food:

7:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light vanilla/light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
11:45 am Blueberry soy shake, slice Trader Joe's multigrain fiber bread, 54 g turkey, slice deli provolone, small banana
3:00 pm 3 glazed gingerbread cookies (1 serving)



Exercise:

5:10-6:05 am Buns/Abs of Steel 2000 video