Fri 31 Dec

Nice to sleep in today, particularly because I had a restless hour in the middle of the night. Now I feel totally rested. Hope to get back to Adventure 212 this afternoon, though I may also do a weight DVD at home and focus on cardio there. If I exercise a lot, I can justify eating more of my goodies. Perhaps if I eat enough good stuff today, in conjunction with the things I have already eaten in the past week, I'll be ready to go back to better eating habits for the regular season.

Trying to find out if we'll be able to watch the Rose Bowl at home tomorrow. Were able to determine that coverage starts at 4 pm on Channel 24. Dad's currently trying to figure out if we get Channel 24; no luck. Can't really think of anyone we know well enough to invite ourselves over to watch and don't really relish watching from a sports bar. Might go somewhere for dinner where it would be on TV to catch a bit of the game, I suppose, but I'd really like to see the whole thing from the comfort of home. Sigh!

We're heading off to the gym to get sweaty before we shower for the day. I'm going to go work off the martini I hope to consume with dinner before champagne at home.

I feel virtuous now after an hour on the elliptical after my Jane Fonda weight workout. Ready to tackle New Year's Eve guilt-free!

Had a very nice dinner of Autumn Chicken with bourbon glaze and gorgonzola cheese, green beans and roasted fingerling potatoes at the Dane. And a yummy Almond Joy martini. Topped off the meal with an eggnog brickle hot fudge sundae from Culver's. Lucked out on one last day for the flavor I missed.

Just beheaded a chocolate Santa after watching A Study in Pink again.

Food:

8:15 am Lavish dark chocolate instant oatmeal, 2 oz light original soy milk, 1/2 large grapefruit, butterhorn, coffee
1:00 pm 1 sugar cookie, blueberry soy shake, slice Nutty Oat toast, 1 tbl almond butter, 1 c fruit salad
2:00 pm 2 Mexican wedding cake cookies
2:30 pm 1 Bogdon's chocolate peppermint stick
5:45 pm Almond Joy martini, 6 oz chicken breast w/bourbon glaze & gorgonzola stuffing, 1 c green beans, 1 c roasted fingerling potatoes
7:15 pm Culver's small sundae w/eggnog brickle custard, hot fudge
9:30 pm 25 g milk chocolate



Exercise:

9:20-10:00 am Jane Fonda Workout with Weights class 2
10:30-11:35 am Elliptical interval program plus cool down

Thurs 30 Dec

I was in a kind of crummy, feeling-sorry-for-myself mood yesterday. I hope it has passed. Too early to tell.

I'm going to make reservations for a nice dinner out tomorrow night, probably early like we did last year. Most restaurants offer some very nice specials for New Year's Eve.

Dad and I decided we will drive up to Wausau tomorrow for an early evening dinner at the Dane. I need to go to B&N for the Word-A-Day and the Non Sequitir calendars I didn't get yet, so we can combine the trip. Hopefully the ice storm will not happen before then.

Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 large grapefruit, coffee
9:30 am Peanut butter cup cookie, piece mint fudge
11:15 am Chocolate soy shake, slice Nutty Oat toast, 1 tbl Skippy Natural peanut butter, 1 c fruit salad, 6 Christmas tree pretzels
2:45 pm Large pretzel covered in white chocolate
6:45 pm 2 Mexican wedding cake cookies, .9 oz turkey
7:00 pm Rocky's Garden of Eatin' slice


Exercise:

5:00-5:55 am Buns/Abs of Steel 2000 video
5:00-6:00 pm Elliptical cross-country program

Wed 29 Dec

Just checked out Phil and Leigha's 6-month album of Lennon. Wow, Phil looks different with the minimal facial hair! Makes him look skinny and younger. Lennon is sure a beautiful boy!

Sounds like we won't be doing anything for New Year's Eve. Dad prefers a quiet normal evening.

We are now members of Adventure 212 at the basic level which allows us use of the machines, pool, sauna and all equipment. They have a special at this time for $10/month (each) and the rate will continue at that level unless we let the memberships lapse. Then we would need to pay the increased rate if it goes up.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 large grapefruit, coffee
11:45 am Chocolate soy shake, slice Nutty Oat toast, 1 tbl Skippy Natural peanut butter, 1 c fruit salad
12:45 pm 1 peanut cluster
4:45 pm 1 Kathy Hartman chocolate cranberry cookie, 18 g angel food
6:30 pm 3 oz pork roast, 1/8 c stuffing, bean casserole, cranberry waldorf, 12 oz skim milk, small piece marshmallow peppermint dessert


Exercise:

5:00-5:55 am Windsor Pilates accelerated Body Sculpting video

Tues 28 Dec

Hope you're comfortably settled back in at your apartment and getting ready for the new year. We have so far made no plans whatsoever for New Year's Eve. Que sera, sera.

I am pigging out on way too many treats today. Hope this urge is satisfied soon.

Not sure if I'll still have ambition enough to go to Emy J's tonight for Karl's music. I may start waning by 7 pm. It's 6:30 now and I don't think we're going to feel like going out again.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 large grapefruit, coffee
12:45 pm Strawberry/banana soy shake, 1/2 c stuffing, 1 tbl gravy, butterhorn, 2 sugar cookies, 1 pc toffee
1:15 pm Kathy Hartman chocolate cranberry cookie
2:45 pm 1/4 mixed nuts
4:45 pm 1 piece fudge
6:15 pm Salmon pinwheel, 1 tsp butter, 1/2 c cheesy potatoes, 5 spears asparagus, 12 oz skim milk


Exercise:

5:00-5:50 am Jane Fonda Original Workout, advanced

Mon 27 Dec

Took advantage of my day off to sleep in til 7:45 am. Stuck to my Monday exercise right away, while tossing sheets in the laundry. Didn't get around to breakfast til about 10:30 and am probaby enjoying a few more treats than advisable, but tis the season!

Laundry well underway, property taxes (mine and Grandma's) paid at the courthouse, purchased a cranberry-stuffed pork roast to try out my rotisserie tonight.

Went to Adventure 212 but had to schedule an appointment for Wed evening to discuss joining. Roast is in the rotisserie!

First test of the rotisserie is successful. Roast was delicious and moist and evenly cooked in about an hour.


Food:

9:30 am 1 very small sugar cookie
10:30 am Bowl dark chocolate instant oatmeal (quite good!), 2 butterhorns, med sugar cookie, 2 molasses cookies
11:30 am 1 pc angel food candy
1:30 pm 1 pc English toffee
2:15 pm Serving bean casserole, clementine
4:15 pm 2 TJ dark chocolate star cookies
4:30 pm Cup hot chocolate
6:00 pm 4.5 oz roast pork, 1/2 c stuffing, 5 spears asparagus, 12 oz 1% milk, small piece marshmallow torte



Exercise:

8:10-9:20 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 26 Dec

Christmas was a success in my mind, even with Grandma's difficult entrance. Marcia called this morning and said Grandma was experiencing pain in her leg last night, but they just wanted to alert me; they didn't see any obvious signs of damage. We'll have to evaluate when we pick her up for church.


Food:

8:15 am 3 butterhorns, 1/2 large grapefruit, coffee
12:00 pm 1 crepe, 1 scrambled egg, veggie mix, coffee
2:00 pm 1 pc angel food, 1 pc English toffee, 2 med ginger cookies
6:30 pm 8 oz winter ale, beef stew, 2 slices crusty toast
7:45 pm 1 piece fudge, 1/4 c cinnamon almonds
8:30 pm 1 turtle



Exercise:

7:00-7:50 am Brutal ballet DVD

Merry Christmas!

What a nice Christmas with family together. Very nice Christmas morning with good food to anticipate and enjoy and good company abounding.


Food:

8:00 am 2 butterhorns
10:00 am Piece angel food candy, assorted cookies, more butterhorns

Fri 24 Dec

Countdown to Christmas! Can't tell you what a nice feeling it was last night falling asleep with all my family happy together under our roof. Family is such a blessing!


Food:

8:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 large grapefruit, coffee

Thurs Dec 23

Got up at 6:45 am and did Crunch Pilates, a shorter but vigorous DVD that I haven't done for awhile. Relaxing for a bit over breakfast at the computer before shower and attempt to clean the kitchen a little before we leave for Madison. Looking forward to seeing you noonish!

Nummy lunch at Bluephie's. Never can get too much butternut squash!

Food:

8:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 large grapefruit, coffee
1:00 pm Cup tomato chicken basil soup, 1/4 butternut quiche, 3/4 butternut burger w/pesto, tomato, cheese
6:15 pm 1 piece fudge



Exercise:

7:00-7:40 am Crunch Pilates DVD

Wed 22 Dec

Fortunately it felt good to move this morning because I kept thinking earlier how nice it would be to stay in bed. Tomorrow I'm not getting up til about 7. That should give me time to exercise, shower, and eat some breakfast and still be down to Madison by noon. I will feel pampered with the extra 2 1/2 hours to sleep.

Still need to make the dough and bake the sugar/molasses cookies, hopefully all of which will be accomplished today. Need to buy Nueske bacon and come up with an egg recipe for brunch. Still waiting for Grandma's shoes and a video game for Michael to come in to their respective stores. I'm getting Michael a copy of a used xBox game that he likes so he has at least one game to play on his new system.

Last day of work til next Tuesday, and now that we've passed solstice, every day will get just a little bit lighter for longer. I think I can make it now.

Sorry to say I'm pooping out on baking the cookies tonight, so you may be roped into helping tomorrow night. I made the dough and set it to chill as soon as I got home from work. Dad and I went out for Pizza Hut buffet while waiting for it to chill, then went to Game Stop to get the game for Michael, and now I'm tired and don't feel like starting to bake. Dad had to deliver a bill so it would be after 7:30 before we started. Tomorrow afternoon/evening sounds better.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 large grapefruit, coffee
11:45 am Blueberry soy shake, slice Finnish coffee bread, 1 tsp soft margarine, clementine
1:30 pm Piece fudge
3:00 pm Piece peppermint bark, popcorn ball
6:30 pm 3 small slices thin crust veggie pizza, 1/2 c pasta, romaine salad w/fresh mushrooms, cucumber slices and cherry tomatoes, 1 tbl shredded cheddar, slice cherry dessert pizza


Exercise:

5:00-5:50 am 6 min warmup from Pilates DVD, Jane Fonda Workout with Weights video

Tues 21 Dec

Tired this morning, no specific good reason why. Got through the Jane Fonda original workout, huffing and puffing. It helped to remember I'm probably 20 years older than she was and 30-35 years older than her "class".

I saw that Jane was releasing new videos and it appeared from the promos that they were geared for the older set. Thank you for not including me in her target audience. They may come in handy some day, but I hope it's still a few years off!

I have been quite low on energy today, but I suspect it's from eating crap all day. In addition to starting with my last portion of the cinnamon pull-aparts, we had our birthday club Christmas lunch with lots of hors d'oeuvres crap. Hard to eat healthy when it's a combo of dips, wings, etc. And then I just lost it and ate several cookies and came back to my office for mixed nuts and more cookies. I feel icky!

To counteract the icky stuff, I had a supper craving for a good grilled cheese on the Breadsmith multigrain bread. Hits the spot!

We has fudge and peanut clusters. Didn't make the dough yet for the cookies because the butter is still kind of hard and the kitchen is too full of stuff right now and I wanna go to bed. Nuff said!


Food:

7:15 am 76 g Breadsmith iced cinnamon pull-aparts, 1/2 large grapefruit, coffee
11:45 am 2 pc cocktail multigrain bread w/3 tbl ham salad, 3 crockpot chicken wings, crackers with hummus and a couple of sort of healthy looking veggie dips, peanut butter ball, nutmeg cookie, 4 Ritz crackers in mint chocolate, 2 homemade chocolate-covered cherries, 8 oz spiced cider
12:30 pm 1/8 c mixed nuts, 3 TJ gingerbread men
3:15 pm 1 wintergreen LifeSaver
5:15 pm 111 g Breadsmith multigrain bread, 51 g cheddar cheese, 2 clementines, 12 oz skim milk




Exercise:

5:00-5:50 am Jane Fonda Original advanced Workout video

Mon 20 Dec

Dad and I wrapped presents last night so we're in pretty good shape for most of the festivities. I still need to buy and wrap things for Hartmans and pick up some of the food for Christmas Eve brunch and Christmas dinner. A bit more cleaning is also in order.

When are you thinking you'll be ready to come home? I have off on Thursday, but if you're ready Wed, we can come right after work. Will you want to stop at Costco or anywhere? We would probably have time either way.

Couldn't face the mountain of sweet bakery for breakfast this morning. Maybe something with lunch or later as a treat.

Pickup Thurs is fine; shall we shoot for noonish and have lunch in Madison before heading home?


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 large grapefruit, coffee
11:30 am 1/4 c mixed nuts
11:45 am Chocolate soy shake, slice Finnish coffee bread, 1 tsp soft margarine, 58 g cranberry scone, clementine
4:45 pm Piece fudge
5:45 pm 3.75 oz Costco chicken breast, 1/2 c Simply Potatoes garlic mashed, 1 c mashed acorn squash, 1 tsp soft margarine, 1 tsp brown sugar, 12 oz light original soy milk, 4 TJ dark chocolate star cookies


Exercise:

5:00-6:10 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 19 Dec

Just realized I only have to work 3 days this week and 3 the following week as well (since I'm taking a vacation day on Monday and we have New Year's Eve off for New Years on Saturday. Time to get the Christmas preparations solidified.


Food:

8:15 am 84 g cinnamon pull-aparts, half large grapefruit, coffee
11:15 am 1 Reese's miniature
12:00 pm 1 crepe, 1 scrambled egg, veggie mix, coffee
2:45 pm 1 Dove tiramisu promise
3:45 pm Popcorn ball
6:15 pm 1 c fusilli pasta leftovers, small piece leftover garlic bread, 12 oz skim milk


Exercise:

7:00-7:50 am Brutal ballet DVD

Sat 18 Dec

Had a very lovely time in Green Bay and Appleton. Last night we did a wine tasting at Captain's Walk before checking in. Since there was already a wait for tables in the dining room, they offered to call us in our room when our table was ready so we were able to open the bottle of chilled champagne that came with our room package and watch part of White Christmas on TV while waiting. Dinner was delicious as always at St. Brendan's, and we watched most of Miracle on 34th St after we finished.

Today we had a very nice made-to-order omelette with fresh scones and blueberry muffins to start the day. We took our time before heading out, stopped at the local (too expensive!) chocolate shoppe, and then headed down to Appleton where we stopped at Van De Walle's briefly and then spent most of our time at World Market. Mid-afternoon meal at Victoria's (with leftovers) and groceries at Woodman's for Christmas meals. Then home to put things away and do laundry.


Food:

8:45 am Omelette w/ham, cheese, veggies, cranberry scone, blueberry muffin, orange juice, coffee
10:15 am 1 pc dark chocolate angel food
2:30 pm 1/2 large piece garlic bread, 1 c fusilli pasta with nuts, veggies, tomato cream sauce
8:00 pm Slice caramel pecan kringle, tea

Fri 17 Dec

Looking forward to a little evening away today at St Brendan's. Not sure if we'll be able to do a wine tasting at Captain's Walk as they have a special event wine and cheese scheduled at 6 pm with a comedy/variety show performance package at a nearby theater at 8 pm. Don't really want to do the whole shebang as it would be hard to fit a nice dinner in between and the show looks kind of Fargo-esque . Their website says very little about the show itself and does not intrigue me. We thought we'd rather have a good dinner at St Brendan's.

How did the pumpkin cornbread turn out? Recipe looks yummy. Ooooh, the cranberry sauce will be an excellent touch!


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 large grapefruit, coffee
11:30 am Brown Cow 0% plain Greek yogurt, slice Finnish coffee bread, 1 tsp soft margarine, clementine, molasses cookie
2:30 pm Fat free Nestle's cocoa, 5 Kraft SnowmanMallows


Exercise:

5:10-6:05 am Step w/weights section DVD

Thurs 16 Dec

We have our Christmas lunch potluck at work today, so I figured I'd better do a more vigorous exercise this morning to prepare for the potential of eating things not exactly on the plan. Kickboxing always seems very vigorous to me and today was no exception.

Made a ramen salad for the lunch today. Reminds me of summer.

Christmas lunch was yummy - difficult to log as there were small portions of dressing, salads, cranberries, potatoes, small broasted chicken thigh. I dished up a heaping small plate of desserts, took a few bites and was sweeted out so most of it went into the garbage. Better than onto my hips. I didn't win in the basket raffle, but I won a door prize of $15 which paid for the raffle tickets I had bought so I broke even.

Nice surprise tonight - went out to eat with Dad and Michael to Fazoli's. Don't get to spend time with MIchael very often so I enjoy the occasional opportunity.

Just made reservations for tomorrow night for Dad and I at St. Brendan's Inn in Green Bay. We will try to take off by 3 pm and drive to Green Bay, head to the nearby winery after check-in for a wine tasting if we can, have a nice dinner. Saturday I want to check out the local chocolate store that's been in business for 50 years or so and then do some shopping in Appleton on the way home. We're getting the Romance package at the Inn for $99.50 plus tax which includes the room with a whirlpool tub, breakfast for two, a box of chocolates and a bottle of champagne. Not a bad deal. And a nice way to spend a Friday night (and Saturday).



Food:

7:15 am 1 Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 large grapefruit, coffee
11:45 pm Small chicken thigh, small portions dressing, baked beans, potato casserole, beets, cranberries, fluff salad, pineapple, punch, fudge, cookie
3:00 pm 1 Dove Promise (in Maxine's office)
5:45 pm Fazoli's chicken walnut cranberry salad, 1 breadstick
6:30 pm 4 Benson's Dark Chocolate Star cookies



Exercise:

5:00-6:00 am Kickboxing DVD

Wed 15 Dec

I was really chilly when I got up this morning to exercise. Okay during exercise, but now I'm a bit chilly again. Not enough time to hop in hot tub, so hopefully my shower and the bathroom heater will help.

Got warm enough during shower but it didn't last. Brrrr!


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 large grapefruit, coffee
11:45 am Chocolate soy shake, slice Finnish coffee bread, 1 tsp soft margarine, clementine, large kiwi, 2 small cinnamon shortbread cookies
1:45 pm 2 Trader Joe's gingerbread men cookies
5:30 pm 1 pc fudge
6:15 pm 1 c whole wheat fettucine noodles, 3 oz lean ground beef, 1/2 c Prego mushroom spaghetti sauce, 1/3 c chopped green pepper, 1/4 c chopped onion, 1 tbl grated parmesan, 12 oz skim milk
7:00 pm Small lemon-iced shortbread cookie, peanut blossom cookie, iced molasses cookie


Exercise:

5:05-5:55 am Strength Conditioning DVD and part of Sculpt DVD

Tues 14 Dec

Yahoo says it's -17° out there. I've got my Aran knit sweater from Ireland ready to go. Still I hope I don't have to be outside much today. Dad says his weather sites say it's not quite so bad. Guess I'll believe them.

I went through my computer recipe file tonight and alphabetized all the recipes I've saved from various sources. Hopefully I will find it helpful to use them. I'd hate to think it was a waste of time.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 large grapefruit, coffee
11:30 am Vanilla soy shake, slice pumpkin cream cheese kringle, clementine, slice Finnish coffee bread, 1 tsp soft margarine
3:00 pm 4 TJ dark chocolate star cookies
6:15 pm Macaroni and cheese, 1/2 c sauteed zucchini, 12 oz skim milk
7:45 pm Large mint chip cookie



Exercise:

5:00-5:50 am Legs of Steel 2000 video

Mon 13 Dec

We are now into the roller coaster slide to the end of the year that is done before we know what hit us. It's already Secret Santa week at work with the Christmas lunch on Thursday. We're doing our CSP/APS Christmas lunch at Hilltop today. Most of the shopping is done, but I still haven't motivated to start wrapping. And I HAVE to call Happy Feet today to get Grandma's shoes ordered.

Not looking forward to going out into the frigid Arctic weather today. Brrrrr!

Christmas lunch with coworkers was very nice. My gift was a bottle of merlot/cabernet blend. I might like it as a blend.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 large grapefruit, coffee
12:15 pm 4 oz chicken breast, kaiser bun, 2 tbl grilled mushrooms, 2 tbl grilled onions, 1 c fruit salad
1:45 pm 1 pc fudge
2:45 pm 4 dark chocolate star cookies
7:30 pm 3.3 oz Costco chicken breast, 1/2 c Simply Potatoes garlic mashed, 1/2 c mashed acorn squash, 1 tsp soft margarine, 1 tsp dark brown sugar, 12 oz skim milk, 2 small cinnamon shortbread cookies



Exercise:

4:55-6:05 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 12 Dec

There's a whole lotta snow out there this morning. It appears to have stopped snowing, but the wind is still actively rearranging it so it's difficult to say how much is down overall. Dad is heading out to fire up the snowblower. Grandma has already called to see if we think we can make it, but I put it to her to find out if Oakridge has been plowed out yet. One year we struggled out there on a snowy Sunday morning to find their driveway completely unplowed under far too much snow for our car to drive through. No way we can get her wheelchair out to the car if we can't get in to the loading zone. Still awaiting the end of that story.

Grandma's place was well plowed out so there was no trouble getting her to church. Just freezing my butt off waiting for her to get in and out of the car. Welcome winter.


Food:

8:15 am Claussen morning bun, 1/2 honking big grapefruit, coffee
12:00 pm 2 eggs, 2 pc bacon, 1.5 pancakes, 1 tbl whipped butter, 1 tbl syrup, coffee
3:00 pm 1 pc fudge
6:15 pm Bowl chili, 1 tbl light sour cream, 2 tbl shredded cheddar, slice Finnish coffee bread, 1 tsp soft margarine, 6 oz blackberries, 12 oz skim milk



Exercise:

7:10-8:00 am Brutal ballet DVD

Sat 11 Dec

We're up at 7 am and there are already several inches down so driving may be slow. I have sheets in the wash which should be ready to switch to the dryer soon so I can put in the first regular load. I probably won't get to switch loads again before I leave, but it would be nice if they were ready so my laundry chores would mostly be done.

Pretty harrowing drive home amid blowing snow, icing windshield wipers, etc. Dad did an awesome job of keeping us on the road.

Had an email when we got home from someone on our Galapagos adventure (sent to the group). This woman had lost a memory card from her camera part way in that no one could find. She just got it returned to her after people from another cruise found it, sent it to Lindblad, and they tracked it back to her. What a nice Christmas gift!


Food:

7:30 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
12:00 pm Sushi
6:00 pm Jolly Bob's lamb soup and sweet potato salad, Brazilian daiquiri
7:00 pm 4 TJ dark chocolate stars

Fri 10 Dec

I was a bad girl and gave in to the "don' wanna's" this morning so I stayed in bed an extra hour and didn't exercise. Maybe I'll squeeze something in this evening.

Looking forward to coming down tomorrow. Hopefully we won't have to fight a lot of snow, but we need to pick up the bike trainer at REI within the two weeks they requested. Looking to head out of here around 9 am. We could do Jolly Bob's for lunch - they have some very nice soups and salads on the web menu - and then still be able to eat somewhere else for supper if we're all hungry again.

Yep, you're right. I didn't read the website info very carefully. So we'll need to catch something else for lunch and hit Jolly Bob's later in the evening. Think about a good lunch spot.

Had baked fish at Clancy's tonight. Nice to do a Friday dinner out to put paid to the week. Never did get around to exercising.


Food:

7:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, slice Finnish coffee bread, 1 tsp soft margarine, coffee
11:45 am Blueberry soy shake, slice Finnish coffee bread, 1 tsp soft margarine, clementine
12:45 pm 1 rosette
3:00 pm 100 cal pack Sun Chips
5:15 pm 5 oz baked cod, 1/8 c coleslaw, half slice pumpernickel, half pat butter, 3/4 c garlic roasted potatoes, 12 oz Smithwicks
8:00 pm 4 Benton's dark chocolate star cookies

Thurs 9 Dec

Glad to be done with another season of choir. Had to drag Maxine out of the after-Mass social last night. She and I were riding together as Dad was late getting home from work and she had just filled a full wine glass when I went to see if she was ready to leave. After she downed the wine, she felt the need to talk to everyone there til I grabbed her elbow and led her to the door.

I'm frustrated because I have to write a crisis plan for a new client and Dad doesn't think it would be okay to write what I want to (I haven't got a fucking clue!). So now I have to come up with something better.

Got my hair all cut and de-grayed. Bring on the holidays!


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
11:45 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, 64 g Finnish coffee bread, 1 tsp soft margarine, clementine, peanut butter ball, Andes mint cookie
2:30 pm Small piece dark chocolate, 60 cal pack cherry-infused prunes
5:00 pm Piece fudge
5:45 pm Bowl chili con carne with beans, 1 tbl light sour cream, 2 tbl shredded cheddar, 12 oz skim milk, Bisquick cheddar biscuit
8:00 pm White chocolate-dipped pretzel rod


Exercise:

5:10-5:50 am Crunch Pilates DVD

Wed 8 Dec

Sounds like you're well on your way in the Christmas shopping juggernaut. We are getting Michael xBox 360 at his request, and he said there is an older game he enjoys called Devil May Cry. They are coming out with a new version some time in the near future, but he'd like the old version too. Amazon has it for $16.79 here:

www.amazon.com/dp/B000P297E8/ref=asc_df_B000P297E81347083?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-1556-95-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B000P297E8

Let me know if you go with that so I don't do it also.

Thanks for letting me know, I will take care of the devil.


Food:

7:15 am Cherry almond scone, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
10:45 am Nestle Fat Free cocoa
11:45 am Blueberry soy shake, slice pumpkin cream cheese kringle, rosette, 2 clementines


Exercise:

5:00-5:50 am Kathy Smith Weights 2 DVD

Tues 7 Dec

Pearl Harbor Day for those old enough or historically inclined to remember.

Skipped Deb McComas' party last night. They were selling beaded kitchen utensils which sounds to me like one of the most unnecessary items I could imagine. I'm sure the fellowship, wine and cheese would have been pleasant, but after a full weekend of choir concerts, I mostly craved an evening at home.

You will get a recipe exchange email from me. It's a "chain letter" thing I got from Barb Klussendorf and it was simple and looked like fun. Hope you don't mind.

I don't get Yourmometer today. Explain to the old person, please. Is this from a movie I haven't seen?


Food:

7:15 am 127 g cherry almond scone, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
12:00 pm Small bowl turkey soup, slice homemade almond kringle, 10 oz skim milk, iced molasses cookie
5:15 pm 1 pc fudge
6:30 pm 4 oz Hillshire chicken sausage, 1/2 c Simply Potatoes mashed sweet potatoes, 3/4 c sliced beets, 12 oz skim milk



Exercise:

5:00-5:50 am Jane Fonda Original Workout video

Mon 6 Dec

Happy St. Nicholas Day. Feels a little weird that this year I'm not marking the day with gifts, but we will just do Christmas this year. I'm looking forward to coming down to Madison on Saturday. For sure we need to hit Woodman's, TJ's and Costco. I'm considering a possible walk through Whole Foods just because it's a fun store and I imagine it would be neat for the holidays. Think of any places you'd like to hit.

Definitely LIKE Yourmometer today. Very clever.

I was a bad girl. I had really eaten all my calories for the day by the end of supper, but I couldn't resist a couple of the chocolate treats from the Amherst stash. The season begins. Guess I better head upstairs to read so I'm not near any more temptations.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, slice homemade almond kringle, coffee
12:00 pm Strawberry/banana soy shake, small bowl turkey soup, 2 krumkake, clementine, piece fudge
3:00 pm Marshmallow Santa (our St. Nick treat at work)
6:00 pm 1 rosette
6:30 pm Tortilla-crusted tilapia filet, 1/2 c Knorr Tomato Parmesan noodles, 2/3 c Steamfresh corn, 12 oz skim milk
7:00 pm Chocolate truffle ball, chocolate-covered peanut butter ball

Exercise:

4:55-6:05 Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 5 Dec

Froze in the van on the way home from the concert last night so that my thighs were sore from tension when I got home. I managed to have the heat on in the back almost halfway home, but then Nancy (who has numerous health issues) got overheated so I turned the heat off completely and she even asked Maxine to open a window for several minutes so I got very cold. We still had about half an hour's drive home after the window was closed, and since Nancy still had her coat off, I was not feeling comfortable turning any heat back on. Don't know when the hot tub ever felt so good.

Thinking about honoring Hannukah after the last choir concert tonight by making latkes for supper. And/or finally making the turkey soup.

Yay, concerts are done and I actually have some free time this evening. I put the soup on before we ran to the grocery store and it's smelling so good that I don't think the latkes are going to happen. Maybe another night this week. I want turkey soup!

I am souping - it is yum.

Dad and I purchased a Groupon coupon for $30 gift certificate at Jolly Bob's Jamaican restaurant on Willie St. Thought we could give it a try, perhaps next week if you're up for it. Have you heard anything about it? Website looks interesting, foodwise.


Food:

8:00 am Apple cider donut, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
11:15 am Slice pumpkin cream cheese kringle, small chocolate covered star, coffee
12:00 pm 1 crepe, 1 scrambled egg, veggie mix, coffee
4:30 pm 1 iced molasses cookie, 1 pc fudge
7:15 pm Bowl turkey soup, cinnamon roll, 12 oz skim milk, rosette



Exercise:

7:00-7:50 am Brutal ballet DVD

Sat 4 Dec

Finishing breakfast at 8:15 so we can get an early start to Amherst for the bake sales and other Christmas festivities. I always look forward to this as an early Christmas season tradition.

Had a very nice time in Amherst and bought many homemade goodies. They no longer have all the lunch options they used to offer at the Jensen Center and it was early for lunch there anyway, so we came home and walked downtown to Cafe 27 for curried pumpkin soup, 1/2 ham and cheese panini with caramelized onions, and salad sampler. May be an interesting ride to Clintonville in Maxine's van with Dad full of caramelized onions. Hmmm.

Baked a batch of chocolate crinkle cookies for the bake sale following tomorrow's choir concert. Will sit down now to enjoy my hazelnut chocolate cheesecake from the Jensen Center as my "supper".



Food:

8:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
12:00 pm 1 c curried pumpkin soup, 1 tsp pepitas, 1 slice whole grain bread, 2 oz ham, 1 oz Swiss cheese, 1/4 c caramelized onions, 1/4 c shredded carrots, 1/4 c shredded beets, 1/4 c Moroccan couscous salad, 1 oz sweet potato chips, coffee
2:30 pm 1 chocolate crinkle cookie, slice hazelnut chocolate cheesecake, coffee


Exercise:

11:45-12:00 pm Walk downtown
12:45-1:00 pm Walk home

Fri 3 Dec

Brain feeling foggy this morning, can't remember things for long. Glad it's Friday, but the weekend promises to be pretty busy with 3 choir concerts and the Amherst Christmas festivities on Saturday morning. It's not just the Jensen Center sale now, all the local churches throw big bake sales where the locals bring out their Norwegian specialties. Gotta get there early for a good selection.

Could be a pretty tight day today in terms of getting regular meals. I have to leave at 11:45 to take someone to Marshfield for a psych appointment and I likely will have appointments right up to that time this morning. We have to leave for the concert in Wausau at 4:45. I'm hoping to knock off from work a bit early so I can eat before we go, but it's still a question mark.

Well, I stopped home at 10:30 after dropping off a client and made a half PB&J to eat with the large banana. I'm home now at 3:54 and hoping to eat something else before we leave.

One show down, two to go (plus the cult church). Performance went well except Bob Prasch whacked me in the head with his music through the entire first half. To his credit, he did make an effort not to in the second half after I yelled at him at intermission.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
10:45 am 1 slice Trader Joe's multigrain fiber bread, 1 tbl Skippy Natural peanut butter, 1 tbl raspberry jam, 1 extra large banana
1:00 pm 1 Trio cranberry goji granola bar
4:00 pm Leftover cheese fries, 12 oz skim milk, 1 1/2 tbl Bellagio sipping chocolate, 2 tbl Redi-Whip light whipped cream
9:45 pm 3/4 caramel corn


Exercise:

5:00-5:45 am Power Shaping DVD

Thurs 2 Dec

I enjoyed the Harry Potter movie quite a bit. I felt they did a very nice job of condensing the story but keeping the important points, though I did miss seeing the "transformation" of Kreacher. I thought Xenophilius looked a bit too much like Lucius for my tastes, though.

We will plan to come to Madison on Sat 11 Dec to pick up your bike trainer at REI. Hope you can make some time for a meal and maybe some erranding. No problem with a Costco run - I think it has become a necessary addition to the Woodman's/TJ routine.

I had the urge for a really nice lunch today, so instead of going out, I made an omelette with 2 eggs, the last tiny fresh tomato that had finally ripened, a smidgen of chopped onion, 1 couple tbl of shredded Swiss cheese and a tsp of pesto. Topped it off with a slice of TJ's stollen and a K-cup of gingerbread coffee. I feel pampered!

Are you planning to get Grandma an organizer pocket thing for her wheelchair for Christmas? If not, I need to start ordering one as I think she could really use it. No problem either way, just need to know. Thanks for letting me know so I can cross it off my to do list.

We had nummy BBQ soy ribs for supper. I would buy them again as they were really quite good. Morningstar Farms.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
11:45 am 2 eggs, 1/4 c chopped tomato, 1 tbl chopped onion, 2 tbl shredded Swiss, 1 tsp pesto, 64 g stollen, coffee
3:00 pm 1 pkg cranberry almond thins
5:45 pm 1 MF Hickory BBQ riblet, 1/2 c Birdseye Steamfresh brown/wild rice blend w/veggies, 1 c sliced beets, 12 oz skim milk
6:40 pm 1/2 c peppermint ice cream, hot fudge



Exercise:

5:00-5:50 am Core Fusion Body Sculpt DVD

Wed 1 Dec

Felt the need to do a bit more after the weights workout, but didn't last too long after warmup on the kickboxing. Wasn't as energetic as I thought, I guess.

Reading Yourmometer today reminded me of my midnight on-call frustration when I was on hold for Norwood Health Center and they started playing a disgustingly twangy country-esque version of O Holy Night - and that was only Nov 29/30.

With luck, I may get to finally see Harry Potter tonight. I'm no longer on call and don't have Suzuki (or any other commitments). Dad has a 5:30 estimate, but thinks he can finish in time for the 6:30 show. Tomorrow starts dress rehearsal then performances for choir, so it's tonight or not till next week.

Between Dad and I, we finished most of the Thanksgiving leftovers today except for the turkey to make soup (maybe this weekend). Probably a record to finish them within a week of the holiday.

And it's off to the wizarding world for me!


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 small cantaloupe, coffee
12:15 pm Blueberry soy shake, wheat dinner roll, 1.3 oz leftover roast beef, 6 oz TJ spiced cider, 1 peppermint Oreo
2:45 pm Halloween chocolate-bottom cookie (sigh, the last one)
5:30 pm 81 g turkey, 2 tbl gravy, .75 cup stuffing, .33 c baked corn, .66 c sweet potato, 12 oz skim milk



Exercise:

5:00-5:40 am Jane Fonda Workout with Weights video
5:42-5:49 am Kickboxing warmup and beginning of workout

Tues 30 Nov

This was by far the most active week of on-call I've ever had. Yesterday was the last evening and I had a 15-min call during supper and a 1-hour call that started at 11:55 pm. I'll get some overtime, but I'm looking forward to uninterrupted sleep again.

Added the sweet potato pie to my recipe file. Maybe if I have some spare time this weekend between choir concerts....

Had an interesting afternoon. Had to squeeze in a quick emergency run to a client's apartment to confiscate her knives. She was really not having a good day. And spent about an hour at the jail to pick up a client's meds after her probation officer finally decided to release her. Never a dull moment.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 small cantaloupe, coffee
9:15 am 1 c fruit salad, 1 Trader Joe's dark-chocolate covered star cookie
12:12 pm Chocolate soy shake, wheat dinner roll, 1.35 oz roast beef, 6 oz Trader Joe's spiced cider
5:15 pm Italian ground beef casserole (leftover), 1/4 c cranberry sauce, 10 oz skim milk, 1/2 c peppermint ice cream, hot fudge



Exercise:

5:00-5:45 am Jane Fonda Low Impact Aerobics video

Mon 29 Nov

It's always nice to have a long weekend to really reset your routine, but having an active on-call during that time was somewhat mitigating. I'm very glad this was my last on-call week for 2010. One more evening tonight and I'm done til January.

Nice to enjoy a fresh, hot cup of coffee with lunch to help cure the chilliness. Making some use of my Keurig anyway.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 small cantaloupe, coffee
11:45 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, wheat dinner roll, 2 oz leftover roast beef, clementine, coffee
2:30 pm Halloween chocolate-bottom cookie
6:45 pm Italian casserole, 1 c steamed broccoli, 12 oz skim milk, 1/2 c peppermint ice cream, hot fudge


Exercise:

4:50-6 :00 pm Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 28 Nov

Brutal ballet seemed more brutal than usual today, but I made it through. My arms are unusually tired. Today we go caroling with the choir for a little while this afternoon before regular choir practice. We go to the Hi-Rise downtown and then to Oakridge, then we all will go to Bill's Pizza for some sustenance before practice. This is in lieu of the Prepare Ye concert which isn't happening this year.

En route from caroling at Grandma's to Bill's Pizza, the pager went off so I had to ask them to drop me off at home. Two hours later, I got to choir late. On the way home from choir, I started the "I'm hungry, very hungry" chant so I was grateful for Thanksgiving leftovers in the fridge.



Food:

8:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 small canteloupe, coffee
12:00 pm 2 eggs over easy, 2 pc bacon, 1.6 pancakes w/2 tbl whipped butter, 1 tbl syrup, coffee
2:00 pm 2 peppermint Oreos
8:45 pm 80 g turkey, 2 tbl gravy, 1/2 c stuffing, 1/4 c cranberry sauce, 10 oz skim milk, slice pumpkin pie, dollop Cool Whip Lite



Exercise:

7:00-7:50 am Brutal ballet DVD

Sat 27 Nov

Nice to have this whole "free" day in the Thanksgiving weekend. Did have a page at 11:51 pm last night, less than 10 min before my day would have been done. I don't feel like I handled it as well as I could have so it's bothering me a bit, but "done is done" and it wasn't too bad. Hopefully there won't be many more calls this weekend. I want to bring down the decorations and totally trim the tree today if I can. I will try to get Dad to help and we may get this done!

I tried the pumpkin pie oatmeal recipe with my multigrain flaxseed cereal since I couldn't find any oatmeal that hadn't been slimed by moth/spider gunk in the closet. I didn't add extra flaxseed again because it was already in the cereal. It was very hearty and delicious. I recommend giving it a try.

Taking a break from tree trimming to have a turkey sandwich. We're making suffucient progress by 1:15 pm that I'm confident we'll get 'er done today. So far only one brief page today.

5:00 pm and the tree is trimmed and the boxes are back in the attic! This was painless and the tree is very pretty. And we have a Saturday evening free!

Thanksgiving leftovers for supper tonight - best while they're still fresh.


Food:

9:15 am Pumpkin pie multigrain hot cereal, 1/4 small cantaloupe, coffee
1:15 pm 2 slices TJ multigrain fiber bread, 99 g white meat turkey, 1 tsp soft margarine, 1/4 c cranberry sauce, 10 oz skim milk
1:45 pm Coffee
5:45 pm 3 oz white meat turkey, 1/2 c stuffing, 2 tbl gravy, 1/2 c baked corn, 2 slices sweet potato, 12 oz skim milk

Fri 26 Nov

Hope you are happily reacclimating to your apartment. It was wonderful having you here, however briefly. Thanks for making us the awesome bread!

It's 7:30 am and we are showered, ready to head out as soon as I finish a small breakfast. Just a few stops so it shouldn't need to be a marathon.

Well, we did shop for awhile. No success on a bargain on the xBox Michael wants. Will need to get one another time at the regular price. We did get an overdue oil change on the car which took us up to lunch at Bamboo House. This afternoon, we got the tree erected. Will try to motivate to get the ornaments down and get started this evening, but it may wait til tomorrow. I'd like to finish trimming by tomorrow evening so the rest of the holiday season can be more relaxed.

I was bad today and succumbed to a really good sale to buy myself a toy I've been wanting forever and had almost managed to convince myself I truly don't need. I bought a Keurig single cup coffeemaker. It makes good coffee.

I was a good girl and made myself exercise again this evening. I've got a Brand New Butt!



Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 small cantaloupe, 8 oz TJ spiced cider
10:00 am 1 Godiva truffle
12:00 pm 2 crab rangoons, 1/2 c hibachi shrimp, 1/4 c sweet sour meatballs, 2 pc california roll, 1 large slice tempura sweet potato, tea
3:30 pm 17 g M&M Peanuts
4:00 pm Cup of dark roast coffee from my new toy
6:45 pm 4 cheese fries, 2 clementines, 12 oz Oktoberfest beer


Exercise:

5:30-6:30 pm Brand New Butt DVD

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's here at last, Thanksgiving Day. I love having my family around me and the smell of the turkey roasting in the oven. Life is good.

Another delicious Thanksgiving lunch under the belt, quite literally. Nice to have everyone together and enjoying each other's company along with a great meal.

Proud of myself. Overcame serious case of the "don' wanna's" to do half an hour vigorous treadmill. Maybe made up a little for giving in to the hot fudge sundae, eh? And I decided to try to log my calories on Spark People and was pleasantly surprised. I think I was pretty close and I've come in under 2000 calories today including the hot fudge sundae!

Food:

8:30 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 small cantaloupe, clementine, coffee
11:00 am 71 g Baker Josef's marzipan stollen
1:00 pm Turkey, stuffing, gravy, sweet potatoes, roasted asparagus, cranberry sauce, baked corn, French bread, white wine, small slice each pumpkin pie w/lite whipped topping and cranberry pudding pie
5:30 pm 1/2 c peppermint ice cream, small portion hot fudge


Exercise:

6:35-6:55 pm Treadmill program 4

Wed 24 Nov

The Kathy Smith weights video exercises are pretty good but I really dislike how much you need to listen to her prattle before you get to the workout. I haven't figured out how to skip to the meat. I suppose I could stand with my hand on the FF button but that's also annoying. Whine, whine.

Had some discomfort in the torso during morning bathroom routine time. Kept thinking of Gordon having the big one in the shower. I thought that was a good choice to go since it's quick and clean, but I'm not really ready yet. I'm pretty sure it's just gas running around loose in there, but it still doesn't feel very good.

REALLY enjoyed our excellent family meal tonight!


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
12:15 pm Blueberry soy shake, white chocolate orange scone
4:30 pm Clementine
6:45 pm 5 oz burgundy pepper beef roast, 3 small slices baguette, 3/4 c broccoli, 7 oz champagne, 1 c peppermint ice cream, 2 servings hot fudge


Exercise:

5:00-5:45 am Pilates warmup, Kathy Smith Weights 1 DVD

Tues 23 Nov

Made myself do the advanced original Jane Fonda workout this morning even though my energy was definitely not in the groove. Glad I did now that it's over.

Dad thought he would be heading down around 2:30. Safe travels home to loving arms.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
12:00 pm Chocolate soy shake, slice Earthgrains toast, 1 tsp raspberry jam, 1 scrambled egg
5:15 pm 1 Godiva truffle
6:15 pm TJ Chicken Vindaloo, 12 oz skim milk, Arby's chocolate turnover



Exercise:

5:00-5:50 am Jane Fonda original advanced Workout video

Mon 22 Nov

Got a late start on exercising this morning because Jordan had an identity crisis and thought he was a lap cat. He cuddled for 8 minutes before I had to kick him off my lap to get going. Have to admit it was mighty nice.

Why does it always seem to be raining when I have to walk to a visit with the client in the apartments across the street from the office, and then she's not home anyway? Whine, whine. But my 1:00 pm did cancel for today and Grandma's doctor's office called to ask if we could come a little later so I won't have to break every speed law to get her there. So some things turned out okay.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Here's a couple more options for wheelchair bags for Grandma:
www.adaptabledesigns.com/sidwheelpouc.html
www.discountramps.com/Armrest-wheelchair-bags.htm

Grandma checked out well at the doctor. She decided Arby's sounded good for supper so I convinced her to go through the drive-thru to save one more in-and-out of the wheelchair. Their chocolate croissant is very yummy, BTW.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
11:45 am Chocolate soy shake, slice Earthgrains 7 Grain toast, 1 tbl Skippy Natural pb, med pear
3:00 pm Halloween chocolate-bottom cookie
6:45 pm Arby's Junior roast beef sandwich, Arby's broccoli cheese potato, 1/3 Arby's chocolate croissant



Exercise:

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

Sun 14 Nov

Just had a phone call from Leone who wanted to tell me about the automated phone call to confirm appointments at Ministry because Grandma hung up on her call and she has an appointment tomorrow. She also needed to make sure we knew that garbage would be picked up early this week and that she paid for Grandma's parishoner contribution for the St. Joe's Cookie Walk but I'm not supposed to tell her. I have told Leone several times that I will tell Grandma if she asks, I will not lie to her. She got exasperated and said, "Then I just shouldn't tell you." When I suggested that this was a good idea, she got mad and hung up. She drives me nuts.

Just looked at the weather forecast. In the words of the Starks, "Winter is coming!"

Simple stir fry for supper. The chicken breasts I got on sale this week are so large that one feeds Dad and I comfortably when stir-fried with veggies and served with brown rice.

Here's an idea for Grandma for Christmas that would likely be very useful. I haven't had time to look at other options, but something she can easily access is the idea to keep Kleenex, phone, small water bottle, etc. handy. www.1800wheelchair.com/asp/view-product.asp?product_id=2214


Food:

8:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
11:45 am 1 crepe, 1 scrambled egg, veggie mix, coffee
3:00 pm Large scotcheroo
4:45 pm 3 oz chicken breast, 1/2 c fresh broccoli, 1/2 c brown rice, 1 tsp hoisin sauce, 12 oz skim milk
5:45 pm Godiva truffle



Exercise:

6:55-7:45 am Brutal ballet DVD

Sat 20 Nov

Sounds like a plan for your Christmas stuff. I may go ahead and order the bike trainer now as it has to be shipped to the store for pickup. We'll plan to drive down, probably Dec 11 or 18, to pick it up and do any other later shopping and another Costco run. If you and Dad find the right package in stock at REI on Tues night, I'll have him go ahead and buy it then and there and bring it home. If we do need to order it, maybe you can do that in the store so it will be available for pickup on the same trip as the bike trainer.

I love relaxed Saturday mornings at home. I have to go sing my Sally Gardens solo with the Suzuki people at Gallery Q downtown at 4 pm, but otherwise the day is at leisure to go through Grandma's bills, get the laundry done on time, and check out what else has been neglected in a rush of busy schedules. I'm into book 3 of Ice and Fire now, but taking my time as I don't yet own book 4 and may wait until I get my Kindle from Grandma for Christmas to order it there.

I sent Michael a text to ask him to come next Wed night before Thanksgiving so we can do a nice dinner here for the four of us. A good occasion to crack that bottle of Veuve Clicquot!

The gallery show was fun. Lots of good hors d'ouevres and wine and a chance to perform when no one is really listening.

Food:

8:00 am 102 g kosher caramel pecan roll, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
10:15 am Med molasses cookie
12:30 pm Strawberry/banana soy shake, slice Earthgrains 7 grain bread, 1 tbl Skippy Natural peanut butter, med pear
4:30 pm 3 oz white wine, 3 oz red wine, various small hors d'ouevres
6:15 pm 2 oz Gyros meat, 1/8 pita, few bites tomato, 1 tbl tzatziki sauce
6:45 pm .4 small mango Charlotte

Fri 19 Nov

Decided to give myself a little break and truncate my Pilates mat today after side series. I've been good with longer exercise sessions this week. Jordan is meowing a storm at me and I don't know what he wants. He is currently sitting on Dad's keyboard staring at me.

Went to the craft and bake sale at County Home this morning. Got Grandma a tin of fudge and a small bag of chocolate chip cookies, a strawberry/rhubarb pie and 2 peanut butter krispie treats for Dad and me.

Went out to Clancy's in Custer for fish. Nice to do something on a Friday evening. They had the State football tournament with SPASH on TV; SPASH lost.

Question: The REI sale catalog has a CycleOps Magnetic Bike Trainer on sale for $139.99. Would that be what you are looking for? If so, I will order it for you from Grandma. Also what about the cross country ski packages with skis, boots, bindings and poles. Would you like a package from us? You will probably need to go to the store to be sure you get the right size equipment. Let me know what you think.

Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
12:30 pm Chocolate soy shake, white chocolate orange scone, med pear
6:00 pm Filet baked cod w/seasoned crumbs, 1/4 c vinegar cole slaw, 1/2 c roasted red garlic potatoes, slice pumpernickel rye w/1 tsp butter, 9 oz Smithwick's ale
7:00 pm 1/6 strawberry/rhubarb pie



Exercise:

5:00-5:50 am Truncated Pilates mat

Thurs 18 Nov

Today will include more-than-recommended eating as we have our Thanksgiving brunch at work at 9:30 and then we join Grandma at Oakridge for their family Thanksgiving dinner a 11:30. Oakridge is only allowing each resident 2 guests, so I'm having Dad bring Michael as they will be working together and they can eat while I'll just hang out to visit. I don't imagine Oakridge will mind that I'm there if I don't eat and it will get me off the hook from overeating.

Well, my plan didn't work. The serving lady at Oakridge could not deal with me not eating with everyone else so she insisted on bringing me a Thanksgiving meal plate as well. I tried to eat sparingly without being blatantly wasteful, but I was still too full this afternoon.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
9:00 am 3 small Christmas tree white coated pretzels
10:45 am Thanksgiving brunch at work - tried to go easy but had a nice meal with egg dish, sweet potatoes, pineapple, cantaloupe wedge, 3 cherry tomatoes, fruit salad, dab of veggie casserole, small piece of napoleon-like dessert
11:45 am Thanksgiving lunch at Oakridge w/cranberry juice, coffee, small amount of turkey, dab of stuffing and mashed potatoes, dab of green bean casserole, cranberry sauce (homemade and unusually unsweet), and small slice of pumpkin pie w/very small dab of cinnamon ice cream
5:30 pm About 1 1/2 oz Christmas tree white coated pretzels
5:45 pm 0% plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 c frozen wild blueberries, 1/4 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal



Exercise:

5:00-6:00 am Kickboxing DVD

Wed 17 Nov

Did the Power Shaping DVD today for the first time in quite a while and found it a better workout for not doing it so often. Appreciated the variety of weight moves along with movement.

Have you found out yet when you'd like us to pick you up to come home next week? The sooner we know, the easier it is to plan.

We will look at schedules for Tues and let you know when we can pick you up. Not going to stay to shop on Black Friday, eh?

I'd hate to have you skip a class to come home Monday, though I could also drive down Monday evening as I'm not on call til Tuesday. We can firm it up as the day draws closer, but Dad could likely leave around 3 or 4 on Tuesday to come for you. I may chance driving back on Thursday if there aren't any calls yet, but I don't think I should try it twice.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee
12:30 pm Vanilla soy shake, white chocolate orange scone, 103 g red grapes
5:30 pm 6 oz Oktoberfest beer
6:15 pm 104 g meatloaf, 128 g baked potato w/skin, 1 tsp soft margarine, 3/4 c green beans, 12 oz skim milk, Jello sugar free pudding cup



Exercise:

5:10-5:55 am Power Shaping DVD

Tues 16 Nov

Got in the hot tub at 6:30 last night, then crawled in to bed to read Martin til sleep time. Figured that was a good way to avoid thinking about my deceased client by putting my mind in another place altogether. Seems to have worked as I slept pretty well.

Proud of myself for making it through the full Pilates workout today without even skimping on pushups. My belly muscle tone has seemed a bit lax lately, so I thought I'd try to reincorporate Pilates a bit more often for awhile.

Another one of my clients is having major issues flare up today. When it rains, it pours.

Not so good on the fruits/veggies today. Ate a whole scone for lunch because I really wanted it and then felt guilty adding any more food calories. And the pizza looked so good in the store. It did have sweet peppers on it, but probably not enough to qualify as even one serving of veggies. I have pumpkin bread in the oven for Thurs Thanksgiving brunch at work. I'll probably take some to staff meeting tomorrow, too. I suspect I will want a slice when it comes out of the oven. Pumpkin is a vegetable, right?


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, large orange, coffee
11:45 am Blueberry soy shake, 148 g white chocolate orange scone
5:45 pm 3/16 large Roundy's Deluxe take-n-bake pizza, 12 oz skim milk
8:45 pm Slice pumpkin bread



Exercise:

5:00-6:00 am Pilates mat

Mon 15 Nov

Back home and back to routine, though the holiday time is always a little out of regular routine anyway. Sorry about the Cap One news yesterday. It does seem they had a sixth sense about when you had relaxed and decided to spend some of the money. If you need help paying them back, let us know.

Just had one of my first clients in this job found dead in her apartment today. Seems to be a natural death as she had several health issues, but the apartment was weirdly extremely hot. The maintenance people had replaced the thermostat yesterday because she had no heat, and it had not been turned above 68° but it felt like 100° in the apartment. The metal door lock felt hot to the touch when my coworker (who found her) arrived, and a box of soup in a bag in the kitchen sitting in a bag on the floor was actually hot. I'm still a little in shock after spending about 1 1/2 hours in the apartment this afternoon.


Food:

7:15 am 78 g brioche, 1/4 med cantaloupe, coffee
11:45 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, 121 g pumpkin currant scone
12:30 pm Godiva chocolate pear truffle
5:45 pm Chef's Choice shrimp stir fry, 1/2 c white rice, 12 oz skim milk, Jello sugar free pudding cup



Exercise:

5:00-6:10 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout

Sat 13 Nov

Ooooooooh, it's snowing! I always feel like a little kid when I see my first snow of the year. We're in Minneapolis and I just pulled open the room curtains to see about an inch on the ground and a pretty snow falling. What fun! Wish you were here but I hope you get to enjoy this in Madison too.

We're back from breakfast and there are about 3-4 inches down and it's still coming strong! Looks like quite a blizzard. Could make for interesting driving today.

Hate to contribute to your headache, but there was a letter from Cap One waiting when we got home. They have noticed the overpayment, though they "understand that this may be a surprise to you and may have been beyond your control". They apologize and wish to work together to make arrangements for the money to be repaid. If you repay before the end of 2010, you will owe them $7509.48. If you pay in 2011, you would owe $9386.65 which would include the amount paid in Federal taxes. I assume Cap One would get this money back from the Feds at the end of the year if you repay them the amount they paid you.

I can mail you the copy of the letter or have Dad scan it and email it to you, as you prefer. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Thurs 11 Nov

Ugh, I did a 60-min DVD called Brand New Butt filled with a few challenging variations on things like side lifts and push ups that made for a solid workout.

We should ask dad about the printer. I think it would be nice to have a different one or at least a backup.

I'm excited about going to Minneapolis for my fall getaway, even after all these years. It's a part of the rhythm of my autumn and pre-holiday time. Hope we have decent weather.


Food:

7:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, coffee



Exercise:

5:15-6:15 am Brand New Butt DVD

Wed 10 Nov

The muffins at the donut shop are the small normal-size variety and didn't look too unhealthy. The small chocolate frosted donut probably wasn't too bad a choice, but lacking in anything healthy whereas the cranberry muffin would at least have had fruit and maybe nuts.

Are you planning to find a ride up to Point for the ski swap this weekend? It might not be too expensive to rent a car one way if there are no other options. We have Enterprise here so you could drop it off and Michael could pick you up there at the Royale Inn. I can get you back to Madison on Sunday evening. You could borrow Michael's truck to go to the Ski Swap in case you have equipment to carry. Let me know if you're coming so I can straighten up the kitchen for you!

Sorry you couldn't find a ride to Point. Mary Hofer said Roy or Travis often come this way on weekends, so you could still try calling one of them.

Talked Michael into coming with us to try out the new Mexican restaurant on the south end of town. They make good homemade tamales. And flan.

So what's the scoop on your purchase today? I assume it's your new computer, but give us the down and dirty.



Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, coffee
12:30 pm Blueberry soy shake, slice cranberry bread, large orange
3:00 pm Halloween chocolate-bottom cookie, 1 chocolate star
6:00 pm 1 chicken tamale, 1/2 pork tamale, 1/4 c shredded lettuce, 1 tbl guacamole, 1/2 c refried beans, 1/8 c Mexican rice, chips and salsa, small margarita, 1/4 pc flan, 1/3 pc tres leches cake



Exercise:

5:00-5:50 am Jane Fonda Weights 1

Tues 9 Nov

Nothing makes me feel quite so old as doing the original Jane Fonda workout. All the "class" are 20-something dancer types and I really can't quite keep pace with a few of the exercises, getting in 6 reps while they do 8. I do feel accomplished when I make it to the end, though.

I don't want to be too hopeful, but it appears that extra water and extra sleep yesterday have decreased the cold symptoms. Maybe it didn't get a good foothold and will just go away.

It's days like today that make me look forward eagerly to retirement. I would love to say, "Screw work today! It's too nice. I want to go hike in the woods." Sadly, I can't.

I saw my "donut lady" again today. I need to learn to find a healthy alternative to joining her in donut consumption. I do try to choose something small, but maybe a small muffin would be better.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, coffee
11:45 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, slice cranberry bread, 152 g mango
12:15 pm Snickers Fun Size
4:00 pm Chocolate frosted cake donut
6:00 pm Grandessa salmon pinwheel, 1/2 c mushroom spaetzle, 1/4 c jellied cranberry sauce, 12 oz skim milk



Exercise:

5:00-5:50 am Jane Fonda Original Workout, advanced level

Mon 8 Nov

Wasn't as hard to get up for exercise today. I got plenty of rest this weekend in addition to a good hike on Saturday. Seem to be sneezing quite a bit today though - hope it isn't a harbinger of a cold en route.

Yes, it is a cold en route. No doubt about it. Not fair - I just had a cold on the Galapagos trip. Seems all I have to do is think about vacation and I catch a cold. I drank 2 liters of water this afternoon and I plan to crawl in bed right after supper tonight and read. Maybe I can knock it out before it gets a grip on me.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 small cantaloupe, coffee
11:30 am Chocolate soy shake, slice cranberry bread, pumpkin frittata, 81 g Roma tomato
5:45 pm 4 oz Hillshire Farm chicken hardwood smoked sausage, 1/2 c mushroom spaetzle, 1/2 c buttercup squash, 1 tsp soft margarine, 1 tsp brown sugar, 12 oz skim milk, 2 Halloween Oreos



Exercise:

5:00-6:10 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout

Sun 7 Nov

After hiking and supper at the Dane last night, we got home early enough (taking into account the extra hour from DST ending) that I decided to watch a movie. I stretched out on the couch and finally watched the Sex in the City movie I picked up a year or two ago and hadn't opened. I really enjoyed a chick flick evening.

Don't have as many days to exercise at home this week since we're leaving Thursday morning, but I will have access to that awesome exercise room at Sofitel and a chance to do some time on a really nice elliptical.


Food:

8:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 small cantaloupe, coffee
12:00 pm 2 eggs, 1 pc bacon, 1 8" pancake, 1 tbl whipped butter, 1/2 tbl pancake syrup, coffee
4:45 pm 4.15 oz rotisserie chicken breast, 1/2 c Simply Potatoes mashed sweet potatoes, 1/4 c jellied cranberry sauce, 12 oz skim milk
5:15 pm Roundy's sugar free dark chocolate pudding cup


Exercise:

7:00-7:50 am Brutal ballet DVD

Sat 6 Nov

Went to bed early last night as I just couldn't stay awake any longer and stayed in bed til just after 8 this morning. Hopefully with gaining an hour at time change tonight, I will come out of this weekend feeling well-rested. We may try to go hiking at Rib this afternoon.

I have found that relegating the soy milk to breakfast means I'm going through it MUCH slower. I hope what I have on hand doesn't go bad before I get to it. I'm rather glad to be drinking regular milk again for supper as I feared building up a lactose intolerance if I cut back too much.


Food:

8:45 am 1 serving Hodgson's Mill Multigrain hot cereal, 1/2 c frozen wild blueberries, 1 tsp brown sugar, 2 oz light original soy milk, 1/4 small cantaloupe, coffee
10:15 am 1/3 c skim milk, 2 tbl Bellagio sipping chocolate
11:45 am .45 oz Peanut M&Ms
12:15 pm Vanilla soy shake, slice cranberry bread, large orange
1:15 pm Snickers Fun Size
5:45 pm 10 oz prime rib, au jus, 3/4 c green beans, 3/4 c garlic mashed potaotes, 8 oz Scotch ale
7:30 pm Culver's hot fudge sundae w/mint oreo



Exercise:

1:45-2:10 pm Wii Fit
3:20-5:20 pm Hiking Rib Mt plus tower

Fri 5 Nov

Proud of myself for working through a "don' wanna" day and exercising anyway. I feel virtuous.

Glad it's Friday with an unscheduled weekend ahead. I see Keaton's coming to Madison; hope you have a good time together.



Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 small cantaloupe, coffee
11:45 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, slice cranberry bread, 56 g honey turkey, large orange
12:30 pm Fun size Snickers
4:15 pm 4 oz spiced cider, 12 oz Smirnoff Raspberry Ice, 5 ginger snaps w/pumpkin dip, miscellaneous few Tastefully Simple samples
6:00 pm 3 large grilled shrimp, 3 oz grilled flank steak, 1/2 c jasmine rice, 3 large cucumber slices, 1/8 c julienne carrots/daikon, 1/2 c clear broth-like soup, small fried pita pocket w/1/2 c blueberry nonfat frozen yogurt and 1 tbl triple berry sauce


Exercise:

5:00-6:00 am Lotte Berk Muscle Eats Fat and Basic Essentials

Thurs 4 Nov

Tues night I felt like I didn't really fall asleep all night despite getting my usual 8 hours in bed. I wasn't restless, but I never sank into deep sleep. I was sufficiently rested to make it through the day, but it wasn't satisfying rest. Last night I slept quite well, so this morning I decided to forego my early exercise and extend the good sleep instead. I will have to try to exercise this evening. Yesterday I did about 20-25 min on the Wii Fit which was fun, but I suppose I should do "real" exercise first tonight. For what it's worthy, I feel much better rested this morning.

So to echo my text earlier today, I saw a sign that the Y Ski Swap is happening on Sat, Nov 13. Unfortunately, this is the weekend Dad and I are in Minneapolis. If you can find a ride up to Point, you're welcome to stay at the house. We will get home some time on Sunday, and I would skip choir to take you back in the evening. Let me know if you can work it out.


Food:

7:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, coffee
11:45 am Blueberry soy shake, Trader Joe's pomegranate Greek yogurt, 140 g mango, homemade granola bar
3:15 pm Halloween chocolate-bottom cookie
4:15 pm Dove milk chocolate/peanut butter Promise
6:00 pm Pumpkin frittata, 12 oz skim milk
8:00 pm Slice Wilbern's recipe cranberry bread


Exercise:

7:00-7:50 pm Jane Fonda Fat Burners

Wed 3 Nov

Damn! It's a sad day when Wisconsin turns red. About the only race where the person I voted for actually won was the WI Assembly seat for Louis Molepske. Otherwise, it's frustrating to have voted faithfully only to see all go out in defeat. At least you kept Tammy Baldwin.

Had a weird night last night for sleep. Felt like I never truly fell asleep, just rested all night. I feel okay today, at least at this point. May need to nap at lunch.

Had some Wii Fit fun this evening trying a few we had done before and a few new ones.

Took Mary Hofer out for her birthday (belatedly) tonight after singing. She chose the Sky Club for ice cream drinks.

Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, coffee
12:00 pm Vanilla soy shake, 102 g Roma tomato, small pumpkin chocolate chip muffin, string cheese
1:15 pm Halloween chocolate-bottom cookie, chocolate chip cookie
6:15 pm 3.4 oz grilled pork chop, 1/2 c Simply Potatoes mashed sweet potatoes, .75 c canned sliced beets, 12 oz skim milk
8:30 pm 8 oz pink squirrel

Exercise:

5:00-5:55 am Ball/band DVD, level 2
5:30-5:55 pm Wii Fit

Tues 2 Nov

Did a kickboxing video I hadn't done before; 60 min including two different types of workouts. I do sweat when I do kickboxing.

Michael mentioned wanting to get together to bake with me, possibly tonight. I had to remind him that I tire pretty early so we have to start early. Don't know if he'll remember. He said he'd like to bake bread and pie. If he's thinking yeast bread, I fear we'll have to plan that on a Saturday afternoon.

Very nice lunch with coworkers today at Grazie's. We overstayed our time a bit but it was a great time to relax together, a commodity that has been painfully short of late.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, coffee
10:30 am Rice Krispie treat
12:15 pm 2 half-slices buttered sourdough, 4 oz sliced roast beef, 1 slice melted Swiss, 1/8 c portabella mushrooms, 1/8 c caramelized onions, pickle spear, cup cream of mushroom soup
2:00 pm 1 LifeSaver
4:45 pm Mounds miniature
5:30 pm York mini
6:00 pm 3.4 oz rotisserie chicken, 1 c acorn squash, 1 tsp soft margarine, 2 tbl guacamole, 1 sm slice baguette, 12 oz skim milk


Exercise:

5:00-6:00 am Kickboxing DVD

Mon 1 Nov

Glad to hug you on the way out. Hope your ride was safe and your re-entry to your apartment is minimally traumatic. Loved having you here and looking forward to the next visit.

Why is Yelling Bird stuffed toy sitting on what appears to be a pile of Admiral Ackbar action figures?

Let me know how things go getting back into your apartment.

Dad told me how things went down with the locksmith; sounds like the best possible end to a nasty situation. Glad you're safe and sound.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, coffee
12:00 pm Chocolate soy shake, slice Earthgrains bread, 46 g Buddig honey turkey, small pear
1:15 pm Mounds miniature
3:15 pm Fiber Plus Antioxidants Dark Chocolate Almond granola bar
5:15 pm Reese's miniature
7:00 pm Bill's junior beef w/mushrooms, 5 pickles slices
7:30 pm Fun size Snickers



Exercise:

4:55-6:05 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! So nice having Laura at home. Gonna start the eggnog pancakes as soon as I finish here. Life is good.

Have discovered that the ballet DVD is more difficult when I'm not regularly hiking hills. The thigh muscles for those deep plies are likely the same ones for digging into the steeper parts of the hills and they are no longer in peak condition.

As a wise woman once said, today is Halloween so candy is allowed.


Food:

8:15 am 2 eggnog pancakes, 2 tsp soft margarine, 1 tbl maple syrup, coffee
11:30 am 1 Tootsie Roll midgee
12:00 pm 2 scrambled eggs, 1/2 c veggies, slice mozzarella, 2 pc raisin toast w/butter, 2/3 c hash browns, coffee
12:45 pm Hershey's Special Dark miniature
1:45 pm Reese's miniature
4:00 pm Mounds fun size, Kit Kat fun size
5:45 pm 1 c whole wheat spaghetti, 3 oz ground chuck, 1/2 c Prego Chunky Garden, 1 tbl grated parmesan, 12 oz skim milk
7:15 pm Small pumpkin bar



Exercise:

6:35-7:25 am Brutal ballet DVD

Sat 30 Oct

Woke around 8:30 and dressed to go pick up the pager right away. Rick said he got one call around 5:30 pm but it was more an informational call easily handled so I don't feel too guilty. Sure was nice to have the freedom to spend time in Madison last night before heading back. Unfortunately I didn't get to breakfast til about 9:45 so I was starving!

Anxious to try out the Wii Fit today.



Food:

9:45 am Trader Joe's steel-cut oatmeal, 1/2 c frozen wild blueberries, .75 oz chopped walnuts, 2 oz light original soy milk
10:30 am 1 Reese's miniature
12:00 pm 182 g mango
1:00 pm Blueberry soy shake, slice Earthgrains fiber bread, 1 tbl Skippy natural peanut butter, small pear, 3 TJ multigrain chips
3:15 pm 11 pc Indian corn
6:30 pm 4 tbl guacamole, 2 slices French baguette, 5 oz red wine
8:30 pm Beef stew, 12 oz skim milk, 2 Halloween Oreos

Fri 29 Oct

Had to stop my Pilates mat before the halfway point, right before "put the triangle under your butt". I was having a lot of difficulty with any roll-up type moves or lifting and lowering my legs due to my lower back, and it was becoming more obvious to me that the difficulty was coming from an over-filled bowel. My schedule, especially at work, has been so hectic this week that my body never really relaxed enough to allow things to happen. When I got home, I was either busy or too tired. I came upstairs around 5:30 and unloaded the dishwasher and made coffee so I'd have a few minutes extra to sit at the computer with my coffee. It worked.

Best morning at work all week. Didn't have a form I was supposed to hurriedly run out to someone to sign at 8 am and the office is closed so it will have to wait til Monday. My 10:30 was not at home so I could leave the planner with her son and have time for a break. (Ran to Target and bought myself a Wii Fit on a good sale; they have been out of them all week.) We hopefully will be able to leave Point around 4 pm today to pick you up, get supper, and perhaps a TJ/Costco run.

We'll be on the road at 4:15 pm; will give you a call when we arrive.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 2 c coffee
11:15 am Vanilla soy shake, slice pumpkin bread, small pear
12:30 pm .45 oz M&M Peanuts
4:00 pm Mini Reese's cup



Exercise:

5:00-5:25 am Truncated Pilates mat

Thurs 28 Oct

Looking forward to having you home this weekend. Hugs!

Lower back uncomfortable again this morning, but I think it's because I haven't had a really good poop for several days. I hope that situation resolves so I will know if that is the major contributing factor.

I'd love to do a bike ride this weekend, but realistically we'll have to keep it in the area because unfortunately I'm on call again. Rick has generously offered to take the pager for me on Friday night so I can come to pick you up, eat out, and maybe even find time for a Costco/TJ run without worrying about getting a call, but I will pick the pager up again on Saturday morning.



Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, coffee
11:45 am Chocolate soy shake, slice pumpkin bread, med/large apple sprinkled w/cinnamon sugar
1:15 pm Small York peppermint pattie
3:45 pm 12 g M&M Peanut
5:15 pm Macaroni and cheese, 1/2 c applesauce, 12 oz skim milk, 2 Halloween Oreos



Exercise:

5:00-5:50 am Jane Fonda original Workout video, advanced level

Wed 27 Oct

Nasty sounding wind out there, supposed to remain through the day as I understand. Hopefully Thurs and Fri weather will improve as promised. First night of on-call was gratefully quiet; hoping for more of the same through the week.

What are your plans for Halloween? I understand that Michael and Pete plan to come to Madison for Halloween also. Apparently they did this last year, too.

I see Stevens Point made the list at #6 of the top small towns to raise a family in America. Nice to have confirmation of what I've always known.

We would love to have you here for Halloween weekend. We could come down to pick you up between 6-6:30ish Friday evening, maybe catching supper in Madison before coming back. We have choir Sunday evening and I have to hand out treats to Trick-or-Treaters in the afternoon, so Dad would need to run you back after church and lunch with Grandma. She will be delighted to see you! Let me know if this works.

We have to be careful with all these accolades - Stevens Point will become famous and overrun with settlers!

Comfort food for supper. Nice on a nasty, windy day.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 160 g strawberries, coffee
11:45 am Chocolate soy shake, slice pumpkin bread, large apple w/sprinkle of cinnamon sugar
5:45 pm 2 oz white wine (last of bottle), macaroni and cheese, homemade applesauce, 12 oz skim milk, 2 Halloween Oreos



Exercise:

5:00-5:40 am Jane Fonda Workout with Weights 2 video

Tues 26 Oct

Felt wonderful to get a full massage last night. She really had to work to get some kinks out of my shoulders. I had Kim at the Wellness Spa since Mary has left to work out of her home and I still have some gift certificates to use up. I would definitely schedule with Kim again. She is quiet while she works and uses good pressure.

Thanks for sharing the Onion editorial. It's a hoot! Just wish that there weren't so many idiots capable of voting who would probably be impressed.



Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 149 g strawberries, coffee
11:30 am Blueberry soy shake, 63 g white chocolate raspberry scone, large apple w/sprinkle cinnamon sugar
12:30 pm 11 g Peanut M&Ms
3:15 pm 1 LifeSaver
6:00 pm 4 oz Hillshire Farms chicken smoked sausage, 3/4 c Birdseye Steamfresh brown rice, 1 c acorn squash, 1 tsp soft margarine, 1 tsp brown sugar, 12 oz skim milk, 2 Halloween Oreos




Exercise:

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

Mon 25 Oct

Back is feeling a bit better today, thankfully. Only really noticed it at the beginning of reverse curls, got better as the exercise progressed.

I see that I start on-call this week. Hope it's a relatively quiet week in Portage Co.

Have you started your cooking get-togethers with Rowan again this semester? You always used to cook such yummy meals together.

Busy, stressful day at work, but God is good - I was able to schedule a massage at 6:30 tonight. I may possibly be human again.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 145 g strawberries, coffee
12:00 pm Strawberry/banana soy shake, (underripe) small pear, 66 g white chocolate raspberry scone
3:15 pm 23 g Nestle Maria galletas
5:15 pm Sloppy joe, Trig's bun, 2/3 c spaghetti squash, 1 tsp soft margarine, 12 oz skim milk, 2 Halloween Oreos




Exercise:

4:55-6:05 am Jane Fonda Complete workout

Sun 24 Oct

Actually it was from watching movie 3 that the question of the wand came to me. Since it appeared that the wand was required for Peter to transform, one would assume it was necessary to transform back so the animagus would want to keep it near. Of course, if the wand is necessary to transform, then how would Sirius have managed it in Azkaban where presumably their wands were taken from the prisoners. A mystery...

Really enjoyed staying home watching a movie by the fire last night. I'm sorry we couldn't do the Moon Walk, but it really isn't any fun walking in the rain. If only they would have scheduled it Friday night when the weather here was lovely and the moon very visible.

I cantor this morning at 10:15, an unusual occurrence as I'm usually scheduled for Saturday evenings. I hope my voice is okay. It hasn't seemed to suffer in spite of all the coughing from the cold, and even that is beginning to subside.

Majorly tired after a busy erranding afternoon. Need nap.

Nothing like hot chocolate to warm your innards when you're chilly.



Food:

7:15 am 122 g white chocolate raspberry scone, 1/4 med cantaloupe, coffee
11:45 am 1 crepe, 1 scrambled egg, 1/2 c veggie mix, coffee
2:00 pm 3/4 c mint chocolate chip ice cream (with Grandma at Oakridge)
5:15 pm Bowl homemade chicken soup, 28 g fresh tomato, slice pumpkin bread, 10 oz skim milk
5:45 pm Nestle Fat Free hot cocoa



Exercise:

6:00-6:50 am Brutal ballet DVD

Sat 23 Oct

Dad and I are planning to evaluate the weather before deciding whether to participate and/or shorten the planned 12-mile Moon Walk Wisconsin tonight. We've done it in the rain last year and most of the first year and it lacks fun. The route is pretty straight and uninteresting, so it's really just about the exercise. I really don't feel like exercising in cold drizzle again so we may opt out if the rain continues.

It was very nice to sleep in til about 8:30 this morning. I'm looking forward to not being too scheduled this weekend.

Screw walking even if it isn't raining steadily. We're enjoying it too much to just have a quiet evening in. Gonna make barbecues and bake a spaghetti squash and relax.

Watched Goblet of Fire in front of a fire in the fireplace. Very nice. Hey, I have a Harry Potter question for you. When a wizard becomes an animagus, what becomes of his wand while he is transformed?


Food:

8:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, coffee
12:45 pm Strawberry/banana soy shake, slice pumpkin bread, med apple sprinkled w/cinnamon sugar
3:15 pm 12 oz pumpkin spice cappucino, small pumpkin cake donut
7:00 pm Sloppy joe, Trig's bun, 1 c baked spaghetti squash, 1 tsp soft margarine, 12 oz skim milk

Fri 22 Oct

Came home a couple hours early from work yesterday in serious need of some rest. Combination of lingering cold symptoms and overall weariness from a very active vacation has left me pretty wiped out this week. I stretched out on the couch with a large cup of green tea and the "Prisoner of Azkaban" movie which was extremely relaxing. Hopefully most of my energy will be back today.

I hope you are feeling better with relief for your neck and no more dizziness. It's so frustrating when docs have no idea what is wrong. Take good care of yourself - wish I could send you some of the homemade chicken soup to heal your ills.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 155 g strawberries, coffee
11:45 pm 3 pc crunchy spicy tuna roll, 2 small pc tuna roll, 2 small pc avocado roll, 2 crab rangoon, 1/2 c garlic green beans, 2 pc tempura sweet potato, 2 oz beef, 3/4 c cabbage, 3/4 c mushrooms, stir fry sauce
4:15 pm 21 g Indian corn
6:15 pm 4 broiled scallops, 4 oz broiled walleye, 2 oz broiled perch, 1/2 tbl drawn butter, 1/2 tbl tartar sauce, slice buttered marble rye, 1/8 c coleslaw, 1/3 cheesy twice-baked potato, 10 oz Smithwyck's
8:30 pm Roundy's sugar free dark chocolate pudding cup



Exercise:

5:00-5:50 am Truncated Pilates mat (minus push-ups)

Thurs 21 Oct

PLEASE get thee to the doctor today to find out what's wrong. The spontaneous dizziness doesn't sound good and is probably related to the overall yucks you've been having for days. Might you have a sinus infection? Ear infection? Please let me know.

I know that I'm really looking forward to a little opportunity to rest this weekend, at least to sleep in on Saturday morning. We're signed up for Moon Walk Wisconsin in the evening, going for the 12-mile walk this year. We can register at 5 pm; it's supposed to start at 6 pm but last year, they apparently let everyone start out as soon as they had registered since it's non-competitive. Better to get done earlier, particularly if it's rainy again like last year. Unfortunately, Saturday's forecast is for showers.

Hope you got some answers and treatment finally and that you are quickly on the road to recovery. Hugs!!!!


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's mulitgrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 136 g strawberries, coffee
12:15 pm Blueberry soy shake, slice pumpkin bread, large apple w/dusting of cinnamon sugar
6:30 pm Bowl homemade chicken soup - no eggs to make dumplings :( , slice pumpkin bread, 12 oz skim milk



Exercise:

5:00-5:50 am Jane Fonda Fat Burner video

Wed 20 Oct

Almost forgot my dentist appointment this morning. Sat down with my cereal and milk and noticed the note that the appointment was in 4 minutes. Asked Dad to call and tell them I'd be 5 min late so I didn't have to waste the cereal; besides I was starving. Returned home after dentist to finish fruit and coffee.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk
8:00 am 1/4 med cantaloupe, 144 g strawberries, coffee
11:45 am Vanilla soy shake, slice Earthgrains 7 Grain toast, 1 tbl almond butter, 6 oz Wyman's wild blueberry juice
12:30 pm Nestle fat free cocoa
1:15 pm Half Panera chocolate cookie, diet Coke
6:00 pm 3.6 oz beef roast, 1/2 c fingerling potatoes, 1/2 c carrots, 12 oz skim milk
8:00 pm 1 slice pumpkin bread



Exercise:

5:00-5:50 am Kathy Smith Weights 2 DVD

Tues 19 Oct

Trying to get back to somewhat of a normal routine. Managed 50 min of exercise this morning, but I'm out of my usual endurance shape so I didn't finish the video. I will work my way back up again soon. I'm still not completely over this cold so I get tired.

Hopefully things at work will be fairly mellow this week to give me some time to reacclimate. I really don't feel like jumping in feet first.

Sorry to hear that your last several days have been icky. I thought you looked a little sad yesterday, but there wasn't really time to explore it. What's going on?

Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 small cantaloupe, 72 g strawberries
12:00 pm Slice Earthgrains 7 Grain toast, 1 tbl almond butter, vanilla soy shake
1:00 pm Tazo Sweet Orange tea
3:00 pm 23 g Nestle Galletas Maria cookies
6:00 pm 1 c Rosetto Steam 'N Eat cheese ravioli w/tomato basil sauce, 3/4 c green beans, 12 oz skim milk, 1/2 c Schwan's Autumn Treat ice cream



Exercise:

5:00-5:50 am Jane Fonda (In)Complete upper body and aerobics

Fri 8 Oct

Seems a little weird to be eating breakfast before 4 am. As usual, sleep was less than deep last night before vacation. I can rest, but my mind is geared up to go. I think we're as well prepared as we can be. Talked to Grandma last night and she's fine except she's eaten her Dove Promises faster than usual so she will have to do without and eat her other chocolate til we get back.

We will stop and pick you up around 7 am so you can take us to the airport and have the car. We'll call you as we get closer to the city to confirm since we haven't heard back from you yet. Ok, now I checked Twitter and know you'll be expecting us. See you in a few hours.


Food:

3:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 150 g strawberries, coffee

Thurs 7 Oct

Can't believe we're leaving tomorrow. We booked this trip so long ago it had stopped feeling real, and now it will be here and gone in the blink of an eye. Finally got the ugly old toenail polish removed this morning; hoping to find time this evening to put on a pretty new color for vacation. Hope you enjoy the Daily Expedition Reports from Lindblad. We will email when we get the chance. Remember that is the best way to get in touch with us once we're on the ship. Hopefully there will be no emergencies for you to tend to while we're away. If you can find time to give Grandma a call to reassure her once or twice, it would be appreciated. Maybe also to check in with Michael.

Excellent that you can keep the car, duty free! We should probably arrange to pick you up at your place around 7ish. You can drop us off at the airport, then take the car to its temporary home. Let me know if that sounds workable.

Why is today a bad day?

I'm getting tired of delayed lunch hours! Today I had to get someone admitted to the hospital so I didn't get free til 1:30 pm.

Love you!


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 171 g strawberries, coffee
1:45 pm Strawberry/banana soy shake, slice whole wheat bread, 1 tbl Skippy Natural peanut butter, large peach
3:45 pm 1.5 oz caramel corn
7:15 pm 4.85 oz extra lean ground beef, Arnold's whole wheat sandwich thin, 1 tbl ketchup, mixed salad greens, 1/4 c julienne carrot strips, 1/8 c julienne daikon radish, 12 oz light original soy milk
7:45 pm 3/4 c Schwan's Autumn Treat ice cream


Exercise:

5:15-5:55 am Crunch Pilates DVD

Wed 6 Oct

This was a "don' wanna!" morning, but I'm proud of myself that I got up and exercised anyway. It's never so bad once you get moving, and I used to have a hard time getting up even more frequently when I didn't get up early to exercise. I just need to remind myself of that when I "don' wanna".

Hope today won't be as long as yesterday. I'd like to head into vacation feeling reasonably well-rested.

I do not like having to wait til 2:45 pm when I'm getting a little dizzy to get lunch.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 170 g strawberries, coffee
2:45 pm Chobani 0% blueberry Greek yogurt, large peach, Trio pomegranate blueberry granola bar
3:45 pm 1.5 oz caramel corn
6:45 pm 3.6 oz rotisserie chicken, 1/2 c mashed potatoes, 3/4 c homemade applesauce, 12 oz skim milk
8:00 pm Pumpkin cake donut


Exercise:

5:05-5:50 am Power Shaping DVD

Tues 5 Oct

Preparing and eating all the extra fruit takes more time in the mornings. Running late again. Sigh!

Long afternoon at work; didn't get home til about 5:30 pm. Not too stressful, just long. Had a nice lunch with former and current coworkers at Hilltop.

Wish I didn't have singing tonight. Hope Mary doesn't talk a long time as I'm tired.


Food:

7:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 4 oz light original soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 91 g raspberries, 169 g strawberries, coffee
12:15 pm 3 oz chicken breast, 1 oz Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato slice, Kaiser bun, 1 c fruit salad, 2 large diet Cokes
1:30 pm Dove promise, LifeSaver
5:30 pm 14 g Indian corn
6:00 pm Fazoli's ravioli w/marinara sauce, 1/2 tbl grated parmesan, 1 breadstick
7:15 pm Jello sugar free dark chocolate pudding cup


Exericise:

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

Mon 4 Oct

Killed the patriarch of centipedes and a grandaddy spider in the basement this morning during exercise time. Why do they have to get so big?

Wow, it's nice to see bright sunshine! I found out why I seem to be the only one in my unit unable to download a piece of software required to run a Civil Rights course online. It appears that the software is not updated for my brand new Windows 7 computer. I was able to get IT to set me up as an Admin for Rick's computer since he's on vacation, so this afternoon I should be able to sign in there to complete the course.

Wow, those Costco chickens have a lot of meat on them. I suspect I'll need to freeze the remainder for soup when we return. We've scarcely dented it.


Food:

7:15 am Morning bun, 101 g raspberries, 163 g strawberries, 1/4 med cantaloupe, coffee
11:45 am Vanilla soy shake, Costco energy bar, large peach, 142 g Concord grapes
2:30 pm 100 cal pack Sun Chips, 1 LifeSaver
4:30 pm 2 oz caramel corn
7:45 pm 3.35 oz rotisserie chicken breast, 1 1/2 c watermelon chunks 10 oz skim milk
8:15 pm 40 g Indian corn (nummers!)




Exercise:

5:05-6:15 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout
5:10-6:55 pm Hiking Rib Mt plus tower

Sun 3 Oct

I'm sorry we forgot to share some of the Concord grapes with you. I guess everyone was too tired to think of it. I'm looking forward this week to eating like it was summer. This morning's breakfast included three different fruits - strawberries, raspberries, and Concord grapes. I got so excited about all the fruit, I forgot about my morning bun which will have to wait for another meal.

Mostly packed this afternoon; makes me feel better since I expect the work week will fly by. Gave Grandma your phone number and told her you have access to the car in an emergency, but don't expect she'll call on you unless it's dire. Do check in by phone once or twice while we're gone if you can.

Mmmm, Costco rotisserie chicken sure is yummy!

Food:

8:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 100 g raspberries, 152 g strawberries, 81 g Concord grapes, coffee
11:45 am 2 over easy eggs, 1 slice bacon, 3/4 of 2 6" pancakes, 1 tbl whipped butter, 1 tbl syrup, coffee
4:15 pm Large peach (chin-drippin' good!)
5:30 pm 5.7 oz rotisserie chicken breast
8:30 pm 1.3 oz caramel corn



Exercise:

7:00-7:50 am Brutal ballet DVD