Thurs 28 Feb

Bye, bye, Benedict. Not sad to see you go. Just don't even think of Burke as a successor! I'm not fond of horror stories. Did two of the new dance cardio segments this morning: salsa and reggae. Started to lose energy midway through reggae, but afterward I looked at the step count and it was over 7000! Only about 500 less than I had for the day yesterday. No wonder I was tired. Also I'm still a little sore in the upper body from some of the weight work yesterday. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am 1 Dunkin Donuts powdered sugar donut ball 12:45 pm Blueberry soy shake, 64 g cranberry scone, 1.15 oz butterkase cheese, 124 g strawberries Exercise: 4:40-5:13 am Salsa dance DVD 5:15-5:50 am Reggae dance DVD

Wed 27 Feb

I have a fancy new toilet seat, with warmed seat, warm water bidet and warm air dryer. Fun! In reading the instructions, the normal running time is 2 min of washing and 3 min of air drying. It will be a trick to get myself to sit still for 5 min after I finish what I came for. Arms are sore this morning after workout. More than usual lifting of small weights. Good for me. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:15 am 10 g dark chocolate covered soy nuts 11:45 am Chocolate soy shake, 3 multigrain crackers, 1 oz sweet tomato chevre, 133 g strawberries 12:45 pm 1 dark chocolate sea salt caramel 3:15 pm 3 Moravian dark chocolate cookies 5:30 pm 1 serving Fusia shrimp lo mein, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:45-5:40 am Kristi Yamaguchi workout DVD

Tues 26 Feb

Used one of the sections of my new exercise videos this morning and was pleased to see the people leading it were familiar from one of the early videos I owned. That video has three sections and takes 1 1/2 hours to complete so I used to do it occasionally on Saturdays only, but I always liked it. Because one of the sections was primarily Pilates mat, it wasn't as energetic for regular use, but these folks in the dance section were good. The one I did today was fun and I ended up with 5000 steps for the morning already in 55 min. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, 47 g smoked salmon, 62 g cranberry scone, 147 g strawberries 1:00 pm 20 g dark chocolate covered soy nuts 2:00 pm McDonald's small nonfat latte 6:30 pm 1 cheese lasagna roll, 1/4 c Heart Smart sauce, onions, green peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, 5 g shredded parmesan, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:45-5:40 am Cardio Dance DVD

Mon 25 Feb

Monday, Monday.... Here we go on another work week. Thinking about coming down to Madison on Saturday. Does that work for you? Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Chocolate soy shake, 1.35 oz smoked salmon, 55 g cranberry scone, 144 g strawberries 12:45 pm Ghirardelli milk chocolate Easter square 4:00 pm 2 fat free fig bars 4:45 pm 2 chocolate covered strawberries 6:00 pm Baked skinless chicken thigh, 1 tbl panko crumbs, 1/2 c beet pasta, 1/2 tbl butter, garlic, 1 1/2 svgs sliced beets, 12 oz skim milk, Chobani Bites coffee/dark chocolate 3.5 oz cup 6:30 pm 1/2 c popcorn w/kettle corn seasoning Exercise: 4:40-5:50 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 24 Feb

Bought some new inexpensive exercise video sets at Target in Appleton yesterday. Each set has 4 cardio dance videos. Did one 30-min video after ballet today and it was tons o' fun! Dad and I just ingested our sugar fix for the week on Sunday morning. We bought a couple of elephant ears at the Farmer's Market yesterday - straight sugar on a plate, but a taste of our youth. What a nice Sunday! I visited with Kathy and Peter Hartman when we stopped to drop off John's (belated) birthday gift, then had a nice visit with Grandma. Then we got geared up and went to Rib where we walked the roadside path up to the park station and back. Enough of a hike to wake up the quads and get some good fresh air. Topped off by dinner at the Dane. Food: 8:30 am Large elephant ear, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm 2 slices French toast, cinnamon apples in syrup, 1/4 c pecans, 2 tbl raisins, coffee 5:15 pm 3 oz beef brisket in spicy BBQ sauce, 1/3 c sweet potato tater tots, 1/4 c mac n' cheese, corn crepe w/corn, beans, 1 oz barleywine beer, hot chocolate w/whipped cream Exercise: 6:45-7:35 am Ballet DVD 7:40-8:10 am Cardio dance mix DVD

Sat 23 Feb

Had a very nice overnight in Green Bay. Wine tasting was fun as always at Captain's Walk, and the fish and chips at St. Brendan's is still an amazing dish. We found out that the indoor farmer's market at the nearby convention center was happening this weekend, so we walked down there after our yummy St. Brendan's breakfast. We took a side trip on the way home to check out Kerrigan's Winery in Kaukauna. It turns out to be a family-run fruit wine place, but the people were very nice. We tasted quite a few wines at no charge and brought home a catawba wine that is light and tolerable as well as a bottle of their own Irish cream (which is considerably less expensive than Bailey's). We stopped at the mall in Appleton where I found a pair of Underarmour white compression shorts (on sale) which were exactly what I wanted to go with my rashguard for snorkeling. This should be the solution to keep from getting sunburned on the butt when I snorkel. BTW, we are planning a trip to St. Maarten in May where we shall have opportunities for said snorkeling. It seems like we get the urge to go there about once every 5 years, and this is the year. I found a good deal on a VRBO rental of a condo unit in the Princess Heights luxury hotel above Dawn Beach. Cheap Caribbean no longer offers the good deal we got when we went before, and the hotel we had stayed at in the past is now owned by a different corporation so I wouldn't have been sure it was still as good anyway. I got fairly good flight prices through Priceline. We will be there May 7-13. Had a yummy light supper tonight of goodies from the Farmer's Market along with my Christmas wine and chevre from Michael. Watched a movie lent to me by one of my clients based on the shooting of Amish girls in a Pennsylvania schoolhouse several years ago. A real tearjerker. Food: 8:15 am Omelet w/cheese, peppers, ham, tomato, 2 cranberry scones, 8 oz OJ, coffee Various samples at Farmer's Market Numerous wine tastings 2:30 pm 3 slices 10" Thai chicken wood-fired pizza, pint blueberry ale 5:00 pm Salted caramel square 6:30 pm 1 oz smoked salmon, 3 crackers w/honey chevre, 3 crackers w/sweet tomato chevre, 1 oz butterkase, 6 dilly beans, slice limpa bread, 5 oz riesling

Fri 22 Feb

George Washington's Birthday. Snow falling quite vigorously at the mo. And we have reservations at St. Brendan's in Green Bay tonight with plans for a wine tasting at Captain's Walk before dinner. Snow isn't supposed to accumulate substantially to prevent travel, just to require extra caution. If it's still snowing when we get there, it will make the couple block walk to the winery that much more fun. Food: 6:45 am 1/2 grapefruit, 103 g blackberries, coffee 8:15 am Mushroom Swiss omelet, 1 1/2 slices homemade wheat toast w/butter, 1 pkg orange marmalade, cantaloupe wedge, honeydew wedge, apple slice, orange wedge, coffee 11:45 am Bluebery soy shake, Effie's oatcake, 151 g strawberries, 1 large chocolate-covered strawberry Exercise: 4:45-5:35 am The Firm Bootcamp DVD

Thurs 21 Feb

Damn Amazon! They got me with a targeted email. Season 9 of Top Chef was released on DVD and of course, they were down to the last copy. It was more expensive than I have paid for past seasons, but I know I really enjoy watching them so I caved. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm Chocolate soy shake, slice homemade whole wheat bread, 39 g Gouda, 135 g strawberries 1:30 pm Dark chocolate sea salt caramel 4:45 pm Chocolate calcium chew 5:30 pm 1 med and 1 sm chocolate covered strawberry 6:15 pm Pasty, 1/4 c brisket onion gravy, Healthy Harvest Blueberry Delight sauce cup, 12 oz skim milk, large chocolate covered strawberry Exercise: 4:40-5:30 am Jane Fonda Fat Burners video

Wed 20 Feb

Enough with the cold already! Time to move on to moderation and spring temps. I think I have a mild yeast infection, but it's too cold to go to a store to buy some cream for it. I've been taking the probiotic pills we have left, but I don't think that's enough. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm Strawberry/banana soy shake, slice homemade whole wheat bread, 40 g Gouda, 145 g strawberries 1:15 pm Dark chocolate sea salt caramel 3:00 pm 1 Ferrero Rocher candy 5:00 pm 3 white chocolate peppermint M&Ms 5:15 pm 164 g spinach cheese ravioli, 1/2 tbl butter, garlic, 3/4 c Pictsweet spring vegetable mix, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:45-5:45 am Burn It Up DVD

Tues 19 Feb

Managed to get up the half hour earlier than usual, so I'll give the yoga class at work a try. Hope I'm not the only one who shows up. And tonight I get a massage, so maybe the tension in my shoulders and upper back will finally subside a bit. Food: 6:15 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am Vanilla soy shake, 1 c Campbell's Select Harvest Light Maryland crab soup, 2 fig bars, 128 g strawberries 12:30 pm 1 pc chocolates, 1 dark chocolate sea salt caramel 2:00 pm See's pumpkin lollipop 4:00 pm Lindt dark chocolate mint truffle 6:00 pm Macaroni n' cheese, Gala apple (Vitamix sauce), 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:15-5:10 am Buns/Abs of Steel 2000 video

Mon 18 Feb

We have decided that it is rather pleasant taking a semester off from choir. We didn't go to any of the rehearsals for the ecumenical choir early on because we were sick, and I've been tired the last couple of weeks also so we are just going to opt out entirely and take the semester off. I suppose we'll go if they decide to learn a new Mass for St. Mary's, but we'll have to think about it. Late work day today. Didn't get home til 5:45 pm. Luckily I had leftover brisket for a good supper. Megan Oliver says hello. Her little guy is going to be two years old next week already. I scheduled a massage for tomorrow night. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Blueberry soy shake, slice homemade whole wheat bread, 1.25 oz Gouda, 145 g strawberries 12:45 pm Chocolate meltaway square 1:45 pm Lindt dark chocolate mint truffle 6:15 pm 3 oz beef brisket in gravy, 1/2 c Steamfresh brown rice, 1/2 c carrots, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:45-5:55 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 17 Feb

Cold day outside. Hey, it's the last half of February already! Let's start warming up. On the upside, it was light out when I came down at 6:30 to exercise. Haven't seen that on a Sunday for a long time. Had a bit of a scare. Thought I lost my Fitbit, then discovered that I had left it in the pocket of my pajamas. Didn't get credit for any steps between my shower and late afternoon, but at least I found it. For some unknown reason, I am just not hungry today. Not complaining, mind you, but I had a hard time finishing the scrambled egg crepe which usually I find not as filling, and I had no urge to snack. I talked Dad into waiting til tomorrow to finish the brisket leftovers so I can enjoy it. I may possibly have a mild vaginal yeast infection, so I guess I'll have some yogurt also. Food: 8:15 am Prune ponczka, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Crepe, 2 scrambled eggs, veggie mix, coffee 5:45 pm 2 slices toasted cinnamon bread, 2 tsp soft margarine, 148 g strawberries, Roundy's 0% plain Greek yogurt Exercise: 6:45-7:35 am Ballet DVD 7:35-7:55 am Jane Fonda Stress Reduction aerobics

Sat 16 Feb

Pager went off early yesterday, while I was still at a home visit finishing up my regular work day. Took me about an hour afterward to button things up which I was able to do from home, and fortunately things were quiet afterward. I'm hoping for a quiet weekend overall. Following Cook' Illustrated cookbook instructions to braise a beef brisket, something I have not tried before. They say it's best to refrigerate it overnight and eat it tomorrow, though they do give instructions if you plan to eat it the same day. We'll see when the time comes if I can bear to wait. I love the technique for cooking the onions; will definitely use that regularly. The downside of braising this brisket today is that it smells incredible and makes me want to munch on things. Satisfied the unexplained urge to dance lately with 40 min of Wii Zumba. Wow, what a supper. After smelling that amazing aroma all day, there was no way I was putting it away to eat tomorrow. I roasted some sweet potato wedges and heated the last of Joanne's delicious squash, and topped mine off with a Lake Louie scotch ale. Life is good. There is something very satisfying about having spent a significant amount of time working on a meal that turned out wonderfully, even though it was only shared by two. The warm feeling in my belly and soul continues. Food: 8:00 am Prune ponczka, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 10:15 am 3 white chocolate peppermint M&Ms, 1 pc chocolates 11:30 am 2 thin slices homemade whole wheat, 2 tsp soft margarine, 1.4 oz Caerphilly cheese, small banana 2:45 pm 1 TJ's dark chocolate ginger biscuit 6:15 pm 3.5 oz braised beef brisket, 2 tbl onion gravy, 1/2 c winter squash, 1/2 c roasted sweet potato wedges, 12 oz scotch ale Exercise: 4:05-4:45 pm Wii Zumba

Fri 15 Feb

I go on call this weekend through Monday evening, so I'm hoping things are relatively quiet. It will give me a chance to focus on paying bills, cooking the brisket I thawed last weekend, and maybe cleaning a bit. Ooops, today was a chocolate day. Gotta get a grip on this before it gets out of hand. However I still decided to have half a brownie for dessert. It sure is nice when Dad works for Joanne K. She sends home the most delicious food things. Today we got a loaf of still-warm fresh whole wheat bread and an ample container of cooked squash. Made supper an easy proposition. Food: 6:45 am 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, coffee 8:15 am 2 eggs, 1 1/2 slices homemade wheat toast w/butter, 1 pkg orange marmalade, 1/2 pkg blackberry jam, coffee 12:15 pm Strawberry/banana soy shake, prune ponczka, orange 12:45 pm 1 pc chocolates 2:15 pm 8 g dark chocolate 4:15 pm Milk chocolate bottom of Christmas bear 6:30 pm 4 oz broiled salmon, 1/2 c cooked squash, slice homemade whole wheat bread, 1 tsp soft margarine, 12 oz skim milk, 1/2 pecan brownie Exercise: 4:45-5:55 am Total Body Conditioning DVD

Thurs 14 Feb

Happy Valentine's Day! Much love to my precious daughter! (And also to my husband, son, and mom but they would never read this blog.) There is a bake sale this morning at work so there is treat danger. Heather also suggested she might make a Valentine treat. And tonight we have reservations for dinner at Bernard's where he's featuring roast goose. Disappointing dinner tonight; no roast goose after all even though I could hear Bernard's voice in the background yesterday when the person who took the reservation asked if we would be able to get it tonight and he said yes. The duck was fine, but it's not the same when you had your heart set on something else. I had bought some lovely large chocolate-covered strawberries at Copps so we decided not to have dessert at Bernard'd but to have strawberries at home instead. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 8:15 am Pistachio torte 10:15 pm 1/3 Krispie treat 12:00 pm Vanilla soy shake, 2 slices toasted cinnamon bread, 2 tsp soft margarine, orange 3:00 pm 2/3 Krispie treat, snowman truffle 6:30 pm 5 oz red zinfandel, 3 small breadsticks w/pate or herbed cream cheese, crusty roll w/1/2 pat butter, green salad, 1 tbl sour cream dressing, 1/2 duckling, 1/4 c red cabbage, 1/3 potato dumpling 7:30 pm 2 extra large chocolate-dipped strawberries Exercise: 4:45-5:45 am Step DVD

Wed 13 Feb

Ash Wednesday today, and a busy day at that. Church at 5:00 right after work, followed by voice lesson at 6:00 so supper will be late. Good for me to get a little hungry for a change. Did my normal breakfast as it's not that large anyway. Will likely eat a relatively normal home lunch also. Main aspect of fasting for me is nothing in between. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Chocolate soy shake, slice Brownberry 100% whole wheat bread, 1 tbl Jif, orange 7:00 pm 2 large farm fresh eggs, 2 slices Brownberry 100% whole wheat toast, 2 tsp soft margarine Exercise: 4:45-5:45 am Burn It Up DVD

Tues 12 Feb

Happy Mardi Gras! Was reminiscing about the year we were in Cancun at the Secrets resort for Mardi Gras. They had a wonderful parade with some amazing dancers and electric lemonade! I liked the purple stuff the best. Had lunch today with Bill Pyke. Good old Bill! Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Grilled apple/bacon/cheddar sandwich, 1 c mixed fruit, mango peach tea, 2 mints 2:00 pm 1 Lindt coffee truffle 4:45 pm 2/3 pecan brownie 6:00 pm 1 c Zatarain's Caribbean rice, 2 oz chicken breast, 1/2 c diced beets Exercise: 4:45-5:35 am Jane Fonda Low Impact Aerobics video

Mon 11 Feb

Today is John Hartman's birthday. Still gotta pick up a card/gift. Thinking about good cheese for a gift. God bless Dad for being a good sport. My keys fell out of the front pocket of my purse and I locked them in the car in Rosholt, so he had to drive out to unlock the car for me to be able to drive home. Got my dozen freshly assembled pasties from Heather's church for the year. They are made with organic beef donated by the guy who used to sing with our choir and made by the parish members who have been doing this for years. They are the best pasties ever! Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 103 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am Vanilla soy shake, slice Brownberry 100% whole wheat bread, 56 g ham, orange 12:30 pm Starbuck's cake pop (leftover from Chocolate night) 3:30 pm Pecan brownie 6:15 pm 226 g pasty, 1 1/2 c Pictsweet green and yellow beans and carrots Exercise: 4:45-5:55 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 10 Feb

Today would have been Grandpa's 97th birthday. Happy Birthday, Daddy! Had time and energy to add a short aerobic video after ballet so the step count for the day isn't quite so pathetic. I cantor this morning with a large group of others so I don't expect to be doing much. Likely I will be assigned the Alleluia or Lamb of God as usual. Had lunch with Grandma at Whispering Pines today. They were a little embarrassed because their dishwasher is broken so they were using paper plates. To go with the theme, they served brats, potato salad and baked beans with peach pie. Their food is really pretty good. Went to a harp/violin concert at the art studio gallery downtown with Mary Hofer this afternoon. Food: 7:30 am Laura's oatmeal w/golden flaxeed meal, protein powder, 1/2 c frozen wild blueberries, soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 103 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm Brat/bun, 2 tsp ketchup, 1/3 c potato salad, 1/4 c baked beans, small slice peach pie, coffee 4:15 pm Small pumpkin white chocolate cookie, small lemon drop cookie 4:45 pm Tangerine ginger tea 5:30 pm 2 oz whole wheat spaghetti, 1 c leftover homemade meat/veggie sauce, brownie Exercise: 5:45-6:35 am Ballet DVD 6:40-7:00 am Jane Fonda Stress Reduction aerobic section

Sat 9 Feb

Nice to have one day in a week when you can sleep as late as you want and wake up because you're ready. I don't agree with the many articles that say it's important to get up at the same time every day and keep your sleep schedule consistent. I always feel better when I get as much sleep as I want one day a week. I suspect I would not thrive if I could (and did) sleep extra every day, but Saturdays are special. Baked a batch of decadent homemade brownies with pecans. I will cut 2-3 of them and wrap them individually for Grandma for Valentine's when I visit her tomorrow. I had two small squares to fortify myself before we go see The Hobbit in 2D soon. But I needed some ham, too, for a little bit of real food. Fun to see The Hobbit again, and I appreciated it much more in 2D. Food: 8:30 am Laura's oatmeal w/protein powder, 1/4 c fresh blueberries, flaxseed meal, soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 9:30 am Small 3" cannolli (leftover from Thurs night) 10:45 am 2 small raspberry mascarpone tartlets (also leftovers) 12:30 pm Vitamix smoothie w/1 c frozen mixed fruit, 1/2 med frozen banana, 1 container Roundy's 0% plain Greek yogurt, 1/2 c TJ's lemon ginger echinacea juice, slice Brownberry 100% whole wheat toast, 1 tsp soft margarine 3:45 pm 2 small pecan brownies, 56 g ham

Fri 8 Feb

Had a really nice time at the chocolate evening last night. Surprising how quickly we max out on the sweet stuff now compared to the first time I went. There were several savory items such as mole wings, Polito's Pizza (I had part of a small piece of mac n cheese at the end of the evening as they arrived late). I also brought several things home that I didn't have room to finish. The waiter even graciously brought me a box. The crowd was small due to the weather and there was plenty left so no one seemed to mind my taking a few things home. Dad won a gift certificate for a fish fry at Hilltop on the raffle. The Eye Clinic gave me a kit for soaking my contacts in a solution with 3% hydrogen peroxide. They instructed me to use it for three nights (at least 8 hours), and to clean and store them in fresh regular solution in between. They gave me a kit of regular solutions with a new case as well as a disposable case, so I took a deep breath and threw away my existing case and half-full bottles of solutions as well as the foam pad for cleaning off deposits. I did the soak last night and cleaned and stored them in the disposable case this morning. I am supposed to throw that disposable case away when I'm done also. By Sunday, it should be safe to put them back in my eyes. If this doesn't work, it's time to buy new contacts. Just wasn't very hungry tonight. We went to Ranchitos where I ate just over half of a shrimp quesadilla, a smidgen of lettuce and guacamole, a few chips w/salsa, and about 2 oz of a frozen mango margarita. Plenty. Food: 6:45 am 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, 30 g pumpkin bread, coffee 8:15 am 2 eggs, 1.75 pc homemade wheat toast w/butter, 1 pkg orange marmalade, 1/2 pkg blackberry jam 11:45 am Chocolate soy shake, 2 slices cinnamon raisin struan toast, 2 tsp soft margarine, orange, 1" square chocolate cheesecake bar 6:15 pm 2 oz mango margarita, small portion chips/salsa, .6 shrimp quesadilla, 1/8 c guacamole, 1/8 c lettuce Exercise: 4:45-5:35 am The Firm Boot Camp DVD

Thurs 7 Feb

Busy day today. My biggest whiner client has a Social Security hearing in Wausau this morning. This is his third appeal; who knows, maybe they'll give in and give him benefit this time. At least I have a volunteer driver picking him up in Rosholt and bringing him so I get to drive by myself. Then this afternoon I take Grandma to her eye doctor, who luckily is now having hours in Stevens Point. We used to have to go to Wausau which would have been difficult since I don't feel comfortable taking her in my car any more. I will have Plover Taxi drop her off and pick her up at the Eye Clinic and I will just meet her there. I'm taking my contacts (in the case) to see if there is anything they can do to disinfect them so I don't keep reinfecting myself when I try to wear them. If they don't have anything reliable, I plan to just order new ones. This evening, Dad and I go to the Evening of Chocolate at Stevens Point Country Club for Midstate Epilepsy's fundraiser. This is the 9th year and I have attended every one, initially with Grandma. Several area restaurants bring small portions of chocolate-inspired treats with a few savory items so you can legally call it supper. Hearing went well, I think. I was glad that my client chose to leave the room so I could speak freely without risk of offending him. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 103 g blackberries, coffee 12:45 pm Vanilla soy shake, 2 slices cinnamon raisin struan toast, 2 tsp soft margarine, pear Exercise: 4:45-5:45 am Step DVD

Wed 6 Feb

Eyes are less red and gooey today, though they were sore at the end of the day yesterday. I will continue to wear glasses until I talk to someone at Eye Clinic tomorrow. I have not felt the return of any other symptoms, other than I was tired during my workout this morning. Yesterday I stumbled onto a chat thread insisting you get much more bang for your buck from morning exercise if you eat something about half an hour before. Since I go directly from my bed to my workout on weekdays, that really isn't feasible. Also I don't want to add something with more calories to my diet but I also don't want to take something I normally enjoy with breakfast and move it because I think I'd miss it during the regular meal. Normally I don't lack energy for the morning workout. Got my permanent crown on. Feels fine for now. Will be nice to chew in a balanced fashion again and to be able to floss normally. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Vanilla soy shake, 2 slices cinnamon raisin struan toast, 2 tsp soft margarine, pear 2:45 pm 1 Delcia dark chocolate truffle 5:30 pm 4 oz chicken hardwood sausage, 2/3 c Simply Potatoes garlic hash browns, 1/2 tbl olive oil, 1/2 c carrots, 12 oz skim milk, Jello sugar free dark chocolate pudding cup Exercise: 4:45-5:45 am Burn It Up DVD

Tues 5 Feb

We have a presentation this morning at work from the police on bath salts so we will know what we are dealing with if we run into it with our clients. With Intake this afternoon, it's likely not to be a very active day. The morning aerobics video had a good step count to get the day started. I am angry because I wore my contacts yesterday, assuming I was mostly recovered, and it appears they are harboring some of the bacteria that causes the redness and mattering. If I get sick all over again from my contacts, I shall be most pissed. I take Grandma to the Eye Clinic on Thursday, so I may check with them if anything can be done or else order a new pair. I will go back to glasses today. Drank some of the leftover New Year's champagne that was more or less forgotten through illnesses. Still a tiny detectable bit of fizz and still tasty. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c almond milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 103 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Vanilla soy shake, 2 slices cinnamon raisin struan toast, 2 tsp soft margarine, pear 4:45 pm 1 Lindt chocolate raspberry Lindor truffle 5:45 pm 4 oz Veuve Clicquot 6:00 pm 4 oz frozen wild-caught salmon filet, 1 tbl teriyaki Baste N Glaze sauce, 1/2 c heirloom rice blend, 1 c acorn squash, 8 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:45-5:35 am Jane Fonda Fat Burner's video

Mon 4 Feb

Hopefully feeling mostly healthy to return to work today. Realized on Sun morning that I was so concerned about having a coworker call all the people I had appointments scheduled with on Friday to cancel that I never called the front desk to let them (and my boss) know that I was out sick. Hopefully no repercussions from that. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c almond milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 105 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Vanilla soy shake, slice TJ's sprouted multigrain toast, 1 tbl Jif, pear 12:30 pm 3 white chocolate peppermint M&Ms 6:15 pm 4 oz extra lean ground beef, 1/8 c chopped onion, 1/8 c chopped green pepper, 1/4 c chopped zucchini, 1/2 c bolognese sauce, 1/2 tbl grated parmesan, 1 c whole wheat spaghetti, Mott's Medley peach sauce cup, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:45-5:55 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout

Sun 3 Feb

I feel more human again today. Managed to get the laundry started and a shower in addition to doing the ballet DVD for exercise. Think I might be able to make it through the day. We will likely even visit Grandma though I won't get too close again. Nice that this one hit just before a weekend so I could have a couple of days to recuperate. Peter Hartman came to Mass with Kathy this morning. He said it's likely the first time in 10 years since he came. He is doing so well these days! It is a pleasure to talk with him. Sure hope it will be the sign of his future. Food: 8:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c almond milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 104 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am 2 eggs, triple berry whole wheat muffin, coffee 6:15 pm 2 slices 12" veggie pizza, 6 oz Woodchuck Barrel Reserve Exercise: 6:45-7:35 am Ballet DVD

Sat 2 Feb

Amazing that you can sleep practically all day and still sleep at night as well. Then when you get up and eat breakfast, 45 min later you're thinking about a nap. The nice thing is that these type of viruses are usually only 24 to 48 hours. I haven't been bothered further by stomach cramps since that first episode, so I expect I will improve today. I did let Mary Hofer know that I'm not likely to be up to going to the play with her tonight though. Food: 7:15 am Laura's oatmeal w/flaxseed meal, protein powder, 1/4 c fresh blueberries, 2 oz almond milk 4:00 pm Yoplait Grasshopper parfait 6:30 pm 86 g ham, 1 Effie's Oatcake

Fri 1 Feb

I seem to have a knack for avoiding going out on the really bitter coldest days. This morning around 2 am, I started getting sporadic stomach cramps that pretty much prevented much further sleep. I didn't feel like I could possibly exercise, so I didn't try to get up til 5:40, but it became immediately obvious that I was in no shape to participate in the day. I had to eat a bowl of cereal around 7 am so I had food in my stomach to take my morning dose of antibiotics, but I went immediately back to bed and got up to throw it up in about an hour or so. No more vomiting or soft, urgent BMs since, but only was able to get up to sit awhile around 3 pm. I'm sure I'll head back to my bed within half an hour or so. Most of the day has been spent in sleep. I got up at 5:30 when Dad came home and sat on the couch for about an hour. I was able to prop myself up to read for a small portion of that time. I wanted to wait to eat something else til I'm due for the next dose of antibiotics so I only have to eat once. I have managed half a PB sandwich and some IBC dark cherry soda that the woman Dad worked for today sent for me. She gets chemo periodically and said it's the only thing she can keep down at times. Seems to be sitting okay in my tummy, too. Food: 7:00 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c almond milk 6:45 pm Slice Brownberry 100% whole wheat bread, 1 tbl Jif, 12 oz IBC dark cherry soda