Tues 31 Dec

New Years' Eve has arrived. (Along with a week of on call.) We are taking the chance that the pager might be silent awhile to go to Bernards early for roast goose. I hope sincerely that it is a quiet week. Food: 6:45 am 52 g chocolate chip brioche, 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g raspberries, coffee 12:00 pm Capon soup, 1 Effie's corn cake, vanilla soy shake Exercise: 4:50-5:50 am Patricia Moreno Dance for Weight Loss DVD 10:00-11:45 am Walk to library and back with client (stop for soup)

Mon 30 Dec

Not particularly looking forward to going out into the bitter cold today (or tomorrow or the next day). I believe I have at least a couple of out-of-the-office appointments today, so it's not just a sprint to get to the warm office where I can stay awhile. Ah, winter. You are so much more pleasant when we can choose more easily if/when to embrace you. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g raspberries, coffee 11:45 am Peach soy shake, capon soup, 1 Effie's oat cake 12:40 pm Dark chocolate peppermint Joe-Joe 3:00 pm Cheerios snack mix 5:30 pm 2.75 oz leg of lamb, 1 c stuffing w 1 tbl gravy, 2/3 c squash, cognac cordials Exercise: 4:50-6:00 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 29 Dec

The year wanes quickly. Not particularly looking forward to being on call starting 31 Dec, but I guess I have to take my turn as well. I would love to make reservations for roast goose at Bernards on New Years Eve, but it would be awkward if I got a call that disrupted the plans. Bernard is not known for being understanding. Got a big pot of capon soup simmering to be sampled during halftime. Am still reeling after that photo finish game. Hard to watch the back-and-forth exchanges, always within reach of a win or also a loss. Sounds like next week will be San Fran. Food: 8:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g raspberries, coffee 12:00 pm Sirloin tips w/noodles, buttered baby carrots, 1 dark chocolate peppermint Joe-Joe's 3:00 pm Cognac cordials 5:30 pm Capon soup, 12 oz Stella Artois Cidre 7:00 pm 1 Milano cookie Exercise: 7:00-7:50 am Ballet DVD 7:50-8:25 am Cardio Salsa DVD 2:15-2:45 pm Walk Away the Pounds 2 mile DVD

Sat 28 Dec

Gave in to winter and booked our spring break vacation - through Costco. We will go to an all-inclusive in Punta Cana, a place I've wanted to check out for awhile. We will fly out of Madison on Mar 15 and return on Mar 20. Costco scheduled excellent flight times and the resort, Magestic Excellence, looks magnificent. The upgrade to the adults-only section with considerably more amenities, was a very small cost so we will be pampered. Michael and I went to Kohl's this morning and got his Christmas presents from Grandma. He is a very good shopper. I was able to get 20% off with my Kohl's card so he got a nice batch of new clothes for the money. Now Christmas is officially done. What a gorgeous day to hike Rib! We trundled up the hiking/snowshoe trails on the upward trek and breezed down the roadside path for the downward portion. The weather was mild and sunny and it was great! I much appreciated a nap upon return. Food: 6:45 am 57 g chocolate chip brioche, 1/2 grapefruit, 103 g blackberries, coffee 11:00 am 1/4 c cinnamon almonds 11:45 am 1/2 c noodles, sirloin tips, 3/4 c maple spiced squash 4:45 pm Cognac cordials Exercise: 1:25-3:30 pm Hiking Rib Mt

Fri 27 Dec

Holiday week off from work (or most of week) is rapidly drawing to a close. It's been nice to have so much time off to relax, but I suppose it is necessary to get back to reality eventually. Food: 8:10 am Chocolate chip brioche, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm Lamb roast, wild rice blend, green beans, maple spiced squash, barber wine, peppermint stick ice cream w/homemade hot fudge sauce 2:45 pm Cinnamon almonds, 1 York pattie Exercise: 7:00-8:00 am DWTS DVD 4:15-5:30 pm Walk with Dad thru Schmeeckle

Thurs 26 Dec

Relaxing day so far. Got up just after 7, did a dance exercise video that has been dormant on my shelf for many years. It was okay, very dance-stretchy, not as active as it might have been, but a nice change of pace. Found out (too late) that Bernards served roast goose on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I kind of thought he featured this around the holidays, so next year we will go there on Christmas Eve before church so I can get my taste of roast goose without paying $65 for a goose to cook at home. Managed to get my tablet (and my TV) registered at Samsung.com. Also collected my $25 free Google Play credit and used $2.99 to buy Snood for the tablet. Still waiting for it to show up. Also downloaded free Kindle app, which likewise has not yet appeared. Assuming it is poor internet connectivity at this point. Gotta have Snood on all devices I own. Food: 8:45 am Laura's oatmeal w/flaxseed meal, protein powder, 1/2 c blueberries, soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm 1/4 c cinnamon almonds 12:30 pm Capon drumstick, 1 c stuffing with raisins, 1 tbl gravy 6:00 pm 6 oz riesling, 3 pc tuna sushi, 1/3 c white rice, beef yakisoba, 2 oz teriyaki salmon, 1/2 pc each of sashimi salmon, tuna, & whitefish 7:15 pm Peppermint stick ice cream w/homemade hot fudge sauce Exercise: 7:15-8:30 am Dance to Fitness video 3:45-5:00 pm Walk with Dad thru Schmeeckle

Merry Christmas!

It really has been a very nice Christmas day so far. Michael and Taylor came earlier than expected, such that I had to run upstairs and change out of my pajamas. I had just popped the capon into the oven and sat down to breakfast. They shared coffee, tea, and chocolate chip brioche and we had a very nice time chatting while the meal cooked. We did gifts together and eventually sat down to capon with all the fixings. They headed out around 1:00 pm to shovel Michael's driveway so they could drive to Fond du Lac for Christmas dinner with Taylor's family. Food: 9:00 am 74 g chocolate chip brioche, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm 7 oz white lambrusco (too sweet!), capon, stuffing w/gravy, buttered baby carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes, cranberry pudding pie 1:45 pm 2 Lindt truffles Exercise: 2:00-3:10 pm Walk thru Schmeeckle in the snow

Tues 24 Dec

Merry Christmas Eve! Definitely an odd year with Grandma gone and the prospect of Christmas Day being just Dad and me. Didn't get around to baking cookies or butterhorns, though I haven't ruled out Thursday to do this. I want to make Tom N Jerry's for this evening after church at least. And on top of it all, I need to start popping Cold-Eze again as I feel the possibility of a cold coming on. Oh, joy. Good news! Michael and Taylor are going to join Bob and me for Christmas celebrations tomorrow! They will come for capon Christmas dinner and we will do gifts with them in the afternoon. I believe he will not be able to join us on Friday, so that will be our "Christmas" with you. We get to do the whole shebang twice! Hartman brunch was excellent as usual. Pete was there as well as Eddie. We finished by playing the Charades game we gave them. A little shopping for last minute things and home now to bake a cranberry pudding pie, bake sweet potatoes, possible cranberry relish. Food: 8:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am Scrambled eggs, rutabaga hash, fruit salad, homemade cinnamon rolls, fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice, coffee 3:45 pm Brownie 6:15 pm Oyster stew, 8 mini crackers w/smoked salmon spread, garden salad 6:40 pm Schwan's peppermint stick ice cream w/homemade hot fudge sauce 10:45 pm 4 oz egg nog w/vanilla cafe rum Exercise: 6:50-7:45 am DWTS DVD

Mon 23 Dec

Only day of work scheduled this week. Felt good to have a normal schedule this morning. As I recall, I don't have a lot of things on my schedule today at work, but if it's anything like last Wed, I many need the time to put out fires. Just following up on some of last week's fires may fill the day. Took in the 5:10 pm showing of the Hobbit in 2D. Predictably awesome. And Legolas is still definitively cool. 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 10:00 am Treats at work including 2 turtle pretzel bites, piece of Snickers torte, 3-4 cinnamon pretzels 11:45 am Chocolate soy shake, 2 eggs, 1 slice cheddar 2:30 pm Cinnamon pretzels 8:15 pm Sirloin tips over noodles, buttered baby carrots, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:50-6:00 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 22 Dec

Not so great start to the day. Forgot to move my Fitbit to my sports bra so got no step credit for my morning exercise. In the last dance section of the cardio DVD, you do a high kick Charleston. My left big toe connected squarely with the top wood rim of the futon. Note: cronuts are extremely sweet. Wanted to try one and it was tasty, but no need to repeat experience. Well, so much for Matt Flynn being the answer to the Packers troubles. Way to play stupid, Matt. Fumble, interception, inaccurate passing. Made up for the lost steps from not counting this morning. I figure the 3500 steps extra today makes up for not getting to 10,000 yesterday even though Fitbit will never know. Did you see that Katie had her baby, an adorable little boy, yesterday? I didn't let her know about Grandma's funeral, but I don't think she would have been able to come anyway. Food: 7:15 am 1/2 cream-filled cronut, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm 1 potato pancake, 1/4 c beef bourgignon, 1 c garden salad, pumpkin bar 3:00 pm 16 g English toffee, Lindt truffle 4:00 pm 12 oz Edmund Fitzgerald porter 4:45 pm Sirloin tips with noodles, 2/3 c buttered baby carrots, mint brownie Exercise: 5:50-6:40 am Ballet DVD 6:40-7:10 am Cardio Dance DVD 1:15-2:00 pm 4-mile walk DVD

Sat 21 Dec

Happy Solstice! Somehow I feel a little more down about losing Grandma today than I have since she passed last Friday. I guess there's something about completing the funeral that feels more final. It's just a sort of heaviness today. I need to make sure I don't forget about finishing the remaining associated work next week, e.g. contacting life insurance, changing the auto-withdrawals of WPS and water to the house account, writing thank you notes, dealing with the money that people have given to get masses or make charitable donations in her name, etc. Food: 8:00 am 51 g chocolate chip brioche, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:45 pm Bourgignon between 2 potato pancakes (3/4 of portion), fruit cup, coffee, 4 oz sparkling wine, 1/2 small portion of tarte tatin Samples at Costco 8:15 pm Brownie

Fri 20 Dec

Grandma has been gone a whole week as of today, and we will celebrate her funeral soon. Sigh. I hope she is happy now with Grandpa and Mark. We have lots of excellent memories to treasure. I feel very fortunate to have had my mom with me for 58 years of my life. She was always caring and supportive. God bless her. 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 Exercise: 4:50-5:40 am The Firm Bootcamp DVD

Thurs 19 Dec

Will head out fairly soon to Whispering Pines to clean out Grandma's room for the last time. We have moved her around quite a bit in the past few years. We will collect the pink scarf and keep that separate to grace the urn. We'll see how long it takes, hopefully not all morning. We're going to enlist Michael to help. We'll clean out the dresser so you can have it; we can perhaps bring the truck down either when we come to Madison either today or when you go back. Be ready for it this afternoon if possible. Food: 7:00 am Stollen, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 4:50-5:50 am Dance DVD

Wed 18 Dec

Couldn't get the lights on the artificial tree to work so gave up and bought a different one. Unfortunately, when you wait late in the season, the selection is poor and the one we got is butt ugly. It is a narrow tree for smaller spaces and just looks weird, but hey, it's a tree. I thought about getting a real one but I didn't have the oomph to see if the lights in the attic still work and to string up the whole tree. This will have to do. Michael recommended we go to Bottle Stop and get a large bottle of Speedway Stout and "age" it til Dad's birthday. Sounded like a good destination for our evening walk. 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 12:30 pm 1 med slice Domino's cheese pizza, 1 med slice Domino's sausage pizza 1:30 pm Mucho yummy snacks made by Heather 6:00 pm 3/4 c pulled pork, 12 oz skim milk, 2 almond cookies Exercise: 4:50-5:50 am The Firm Cardio and Weight Training DVD 6:25-7:45 pm Walk with Dad to Bottle Stop in Park Ridge

Tues 17 Dec

Back to work today, and I really hope to get the Christmas tree put up tonight so Christmas doesn't just get entirely lost this year. Last night, talking with a couple of the women in my Suzuki chamber mini-group, Marcy said her most important life lesson is that she is responsible for her own happiness. Tommy talked about the need to respect yourself even when it seems others do not. I feel God had me talk with these women because these were messages I needed to hear at that moment. I hope I can remember them. Got everything ready to set up the tree and the lights don't work on several sections. Looked for missing bulbs with no success and the fuses all looked good. I do not have the energy to try substituting another bulb for every bulb in the unlit portion to see if it would light the string. We will go out after dinner and buy another tree. This one had a 3-year warranty and I believe we have used it at least that long. I would get a real tree but I can't guarantee the old strings of lights still work and I don't have energy to string lights on a tree anyway. 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 9:30 am 1/4 cereal snack mix 11:45 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, stollen, Babybel light 12:30 pm 1 Lindt truffle 3:30 pm 1 1/2 c cereal snack mix 6:30 pm Costco lamb shank, 2/3 c mashed sweet potato, 1 c fire-roasted veggies Exercise: 4:45-5:35 am DWTS DVD

Mon 16 Dec

I am taking the first day of my funeral leave today to finalize the service/lunch details, hopefully meet with the florist, probate, and call social security and the bank. Realized this morning that it's probably good Grandma wasn't triskaidekaphobic. She died around 1300 hours on the 13th day of December, 2013. (Or if you prefer, 1 pm on 12/13/13, with 1+12 also equalling 13.) Food: 7:45 am Stollen, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 10:30 am Nestle Fat Free cocoa, 1 peanut cluster 12:30 pm Chili, 1 tbl shredded cheddar, 1 tbl light sour cream, peanut butter cookie, chocolate cookie 7:30 pm 3/4 c pulled pork, 50 g chocolate chip brioche, 3 oz red wine Exercise: 5:40-6:50 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video 3:25-3:30 pm Walk to St. Joe's 3:55-4:00 pm Walk home 4:15-4:45 pm Walking DVD 4:45-4:55 pm YouTube SparkPeople video

Sun 15 Dec

Ready to hit the ground running this week. I have to make sure I can take my 3 funeral days non-consecutively, because I'd like to use one on Monday and the other two Thursday/Friday. I need to contact Social Security, probate, florist, etc. on Monday, but want to arrange other things on Thurs and the funeral on Fri. I really don't want to do Christmas next weekend, partially because it means a greater rush to get ready while also doing funeral planning and partially because it doesn't feel right to anticipate the holiday. Remind me why it wouldn't work for you to come for actual Christmas Eve/Day? Do you still plan to look into music for the funeral service? I can do this if you don't have access to music resources, or work with Mary or Deb to choose some things so it's okay, but if you'd like to do it, that's cool too. I do think we'll try to incorporate "Each Winter as the Year Grows Older"; I like that idea. If you just want to shoot some other thoughts my way, that's great too. Food: 8:30 am Stollen, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm 4 slices small round cinnamon swirl French toast, coffee 3:30 pm Piece of English toffee 7:30 pm 3/4 c pulled pork, 60 g chocolate chip brioche, 5 oz red wine (Now THAT's a supper!) Exercise: 7:00-7:50 am Ballet DVD 7:50-8:20 am Cardio Dance DVD

Sat 14 Dec

Grandma is gone, hopefully back together with Grandpa and Mark and comfortable and happy. Now begins the work of settling affairs. I need to make a list of what all needs to be accomplished so I don't succumb to the temptation of just relaxing and reacting as things come up. Onward. However I do need to make sure I keep my exercise routine going. Food: 7:30 am Laura's oatmeal w/flaxseed meal, protein powder, 1/2 c frozen blueberries, soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 10:30 am 2 krumkake, grapefruit bellini

Fri 13 Dec

So nice to have Laura home for the morning, even if the reason is not happy. I'm glad you got a chance to see Grandma while she is still with us and at least resting reasonably comfortably. Hopefully Michael will have the same opportunity if he wishes. Food: 6:45 am 1/2 grapefruit, 98 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 12 Dec

Nice to have some time to read last night before sleep. Still so many holiday preparations undone, though. Hopefully we can put the tree up on Friday night. I'd really like to have it up to enjoy. Talked to the hospice nurse this morning. Reports are that Grandma hasn't really taken any food or drink of note for a couple of days which isn't promising. I'm going to try to stop out after work. Might be a good idea to visit this weekend if you want to see her, though I won't be ready with any Christmas celebrations. Let me know what feels right for you. Just saw Grandma. She was sleeping, mouth wide open, and I couldn't wake her. Log says they're giving her morphine and Tylenol so that probably accounts for the deepness of the sleep. When I drove into the garage, the phone rang and it was the facility director wanting me to know that she has taken a definite downturn and is likely actively dying. No idea how long this will take, but I would understand if you don't want to see her this way. She isn't likely to be able to interact at all unless she takes an unexpected upturn. I again leave it up to you; we will certainly fetch you if you want to be here. Food: 6:45 am Almond pastry, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, coffee 9:30 am Frosted sugar cookie, rice krispie treat 12:30 pm Chocolate soy shake, slice 12 grain bread, 1 tbl PB, 36 g baby carrots 1:30 pm Chocolate poppy seed thumbprint cookie 5:30 pm Chili Exercise: 4:50-5:35 am Power Shaping DVD 5:35-5:50 am Cardio Salsa DVD

Wed 11 Dec

Grandma was sitting up in her wheelchair at the dining table when I stopped in at lunch time yesterday. She couldn't really talk, but smiled when she recognized my voice. She took a little food and liquids but was having trouble swallowing them. She sat up fairly straight and looked much better than she apparently did the day before. That's our girl! So far, the cold is holding at bay but it feels like it's waiting in the wings to strike again. I opted for an extra hour of sleep this morning since I've been getting to bed later than usual for several days in a row. I should have time to get some exercise in during the day and evening today. Our snow pants finally arrived yesterday, so maybe we'll test them against the cold tonight. Got my exercise made up by walking to the library and back with my client who lives at the corner of Center and Reserve. Brrrrr!!!!! He dresses warm so I didn't feel guilty letting him (and me!) walk in the cold. I missed the call from the Hospice nurse with today's update; they are gone for the day and I don't want to page him after hours. Dad said his voice on the message didn't sound too grave, and she did look quite a bit better than I had expected yesterday. She isn't really able to talk much any more as she seems pretty weak, but you can tell she knows what's going on. She did talk a little on Sunday even though we had woken her from a pretty sound sleep. I think that sitting up and trying to eat took all the energy she had on Tuesday. She doesn't seem to be refusing to eat so much as forgetting how to swallow. Seems like her body is shutting down, however as I've said before, she has come to a pretty low point in the past and then turned around. No saying whether she'll make it to Christmas but I'm not willing to bet she won't. I'm not really prepared to celebrate Christmas this weekend. The tree's not up, nothing's wrapped, no cookies baked. I'd be happy to bring you up Saturday/Sunday to visit with Grandma if you'd be willing to come back for Christmas celebrations later. We could pick you up later on Saturday afternoon, catch dinner in Madison, and bring you back after lunch on Sunday. We're supposed to Christmas carol with Suzuki on Saturday morning, though I suppose we could opt out of that. We have a rehearsal with Deb after 10:30 Mass on Sunday that should take about half an hour. On a lighter note, we took a walk in the subzero temps to try out our new snow pants and they were warm as toast! Food: 6:45 am Almond pastry, cantaloupe & fruit from Rockman's class, coffee 11:45 am Peach soy shake, slice stollen, tomato rose, cantaloupe, caprese crostini, veggies, berries (more Rockman leftovers), 2 Aunt Sally cookies 1:30 pm Chocolate caramel bar 6:30 pm Homemade caramel 7:15 pm Chili, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 9:15-9:50 am Walk to library 10:30-11:05 am Walk back 5:50-6:25 pm Walk with Dad

Tues 10 Dec

Grandma is not doing well at all. Hospice called last night to say she is extremely weak and couldn't really manage to take any food or liquids yesterday. They have noticed a significant downhill trend this past week. We stopped in Sunday evening and this is consistent with what we saw, but at the time, I wasn't sure it was because she had been sound asleep when we arrived (at 5:45 pm). Hospice said the staff had asked permission not to get her out of bed at all at this point because sitting up is too tiring for her. At least she doesn't seem to be in any real pain or discomfort. I'm going out again at lunch today. If she isn't able to take food or drink any more, the end will likely come soon. Food: 6:45 am Almond puff pastry, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 4:45-5:45 am DWTS DVD

Mon 9 Dec

Thus starts Secret Santa week at work, the week that's actually a little fun because you get a present every day. Unfortunately it feels like I may be coming down with a bit of a cold so I also need to hit the Cold-Eze today. Oh, well. Hoping you made it home safely without incident from the Packer game and that you had a great time. Anxious to hear about it. Sucking Cold-Eze dissolvable lozenges hourly this morning, as yet to no avail. Maybe I won't be able to sing on Suzuki recital Sunday. Wouldn't break my heart. Food: 6:45 am Cinnamon roll, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Chocolate soy shake, pumpkin kringle, orange 12:30 pm 1 sm poppyseed thumbprint cookie, 2 small shortbread cookies 3:30 pm McDonalds small nonfat latte 4:30 pm Chocolate-topped toffee bar 5:15 pm Grilled cheese sandwich, 1 c roasted red pepper tomato soup Exercise: 4:55-6:05 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 8 Dec

Last choir concert today and we're done for awhile. Bob Prasch has arranged a couple of "gigs" as he calls them just before Christmas, but I have no interest in doing any further choir activities at this time. I will be doing some Suzuki singing yet this year, and I still love to sing, but I have had my fill of the choir. Hey, you got to see the Packers win! Even if you did have to freeze all your parts to do so. We only got to watch the first hour before the concert, but someone checked the score as soon as we were done. I caved and agreed to do the Harmony House concert on Dec 20, only to save my fellow soprano, Vicki, from being the only soprano there. Although she can certainly handle it, she was pretty distraught at the idea that no other sopranos would be there while all other sections will have several people. I have chicken breasts cooking in the crock pot with beer and fresh herbs. I saw it on the internet and decided to give it a try. Food: 8:30 am Cinnamon roll, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm Leftover Wheel House pizza 3:45 pm Wheat cracker w/chocolate and nuts on top, 1/2 large chocolate snowflake Exercise: 6:50-7:40 am Ballet DVD 7:40-8:10 am Cardio Dance DVD

Sat 7 Dec

Looking forward to the cooking class at Rockman's this Tuesday - we will be learning fancy garnishing and display techniques to create a pretty appetizer buffet. Not a skill we'll likely often use, but fun. And the Rockman's staff will be preparing some nice dinner entrees to include with the sit-down, eating portion of the evening so we don't have to be satisfied with a few appetizers. Today we head out soon to Amherst for the Jensen Center sale and accompanying bake/craft sales at area churches. Today is not shaping up to be one of the healthy days. After running around Amherst buying cookies and yummy goodies, we went to the Wheel House in Waupaca for delicious pizza (and beer). Back home involves some sampling of above-mentioned goodies, and I don't suspect I will have time to fit in a workout before we leave around 5ish for the choir concert. Gulp! BTW, started a good book last night that I picked up at the library, called something like the Physick Book of Deliverance Dane. The protagonist is a young woman and opens during her orals to be accepted as a Ph.D. candidate in history at Harvard. Reading her feelings and fears as the exam was nearing the end (about 3.5 hours in), really gave me an appreciation for what you went through last year. I didn't really understand how grueling and emotionally draining that experience would be, never having done anything remotely like it. I felt very close to you in reading about what it's really like. Incidentally, the character finished with her professors saying she did better than anyone they'd examined in years even though she was worried she had failed. Really reminded me of you! Food: 7:30 am Laura's oatmeal w/flaxseed meal, protein powder, 1/2 c blueberries, 19 g blackberries, soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee 12:45 pm Wheel house sausage/mushroom/tomato pizza, 16 oz Mud Puppy Porter 2:45 pm Cookie, popcorn ball

Fri 6 Dec

Happy St. Nicholas Day. Sorry he didn't send a package to fill your shoes, but warm thoughts are coming your way to fill your heart. This week went by pretty quickly, and we don't have to do a concert tonight. I do have to see Mary for a quick lesson as she wants me to do "The Black Dress" on recital next Sunday. Food: 6:45 am 1/2 grapefruit, 98 g blackberries, coffee 8:15 am 2 eggs over easy, 2 slices homemade wheat toast w/butter, 2 pkgs marmalade, coffee 10:30 am Tea 11:45 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, 91 g cherry stollen, fortune cookie Exercise: 4:50-5:50 am Walk Away the Pounds DVD

Thurs 5 Dec

Choir concert tonight if we don't space out and forget to go. We haven't been very "engaged" in choir this semester. It just seems to have gone downhill as an organization when Barb stopped directing. Dan thinks he's a comedian and does have some talent, but he's a far cry from Barb. Sounds like he's not doing a spring semester again next year, and I can't say I'm sorry. Concert went okay in spite of me getting really pissed at the director during the rehearsal for being the tempo tyrant. I almost walked out but managed to breathe deeply for awhile and get back in control. Food: 6:45 am Slice pumpkin kringle, 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g blackberries, coffee 9:00 am Mini Milky Way Midnight 10:30 am Biscotti 12:45 pm Strawberry/banana soy shake, 2 eggs, 1 oz Tillamook cheddar, lemon scone 5:30 pm 3 oz turkey breast, 1/2 c stuffing, 1 tbl gravy, 1/2 c green beans 9:00 pm 1 peanut butter kiss cookie Exercise: 4:50-5:45 am DWTS DVD

Wed 4 Dec

I'm a little sore today - likely a combination of pushing the heavy lady's wheelchair yesterday and a fairly weight-intensive new DVD this morning. Our new Smart TV came yesterday and we got it set up last night. Now the frustration of learning to use new technology effectively. The temptation to buy the tablet remains, a little worse. Now they have a discount of $70 so the price would be $329. I'm going to continue to try to resist since there are other bills to be paid. Dad and I opted to walk in the light rain and slushy, puddly sidewalks to get the last of our daily step quota. Food: 6:45 am Slice pumpkin kringle, 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Vanilla soy shake, lemon scone, 2 eggs, 1 slice Tillamook cheddar 3:00 pm 1 Little Pops butterscotch drop 5:45 pm 2 Bremer lasagna rolls, 1/3 c caramelized onion sauce, 2 tbl shredded parmesan, 2/3 c Steamables green beans, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:50-5:50 am The Firm Cardio/Weights DVD 6:10-6:55 pm Walk with Dad

Tues 3 Dec

Went to the grocery store last night to get stuff for making peanut clusters for the choir bake sale. A pumpkin kringle just sort of jumped into my cart. (BTW, it's delicious.) I don't recommend pushing a 350-pound woman in a wheelchair in the snow, or throwing the extra-large chair in and out of the trunk of a larger car either for that matter. Food: 6:45 am Slice pumpkin kringle, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Chocolate soy shake, raspberry scone, med banana, 2 oz soy milk, 1 tsp sugar 12:30 pm 14 g dark chocolate super fruits Exercise: 4:50-5:40 am Walk Off the Pounds DVD 3:20-4:35 pm Walk in snow with client

Mon 2 Dec

Onward into December. I don't feel quite as pressured this year for some reason. We have a good start on Christmas shopping, and we don't need to buy as much since it is difficult to buy much of anything for Grandma. Didn't get started on decorating the house yet, but it will happen. Found out I need to bake something for the bake sale before the choir concerts this Thurs and Sun, but I think I'll make peanut clusters for at least one day. They are easy, quick, and we can keep just a few for home consumption and cross one more holiday prep task off the list at the same time. Embarrassing! I went to my Suzuki adult group class, one of only four classes with three other students and the instructor, and I was surprised that they were going full tilt when I arrived 2 min early. Turns out I had actually arrived 28 min late! I was positive it started at 6:30 but I was positively wrong. Oooops. Dad mailed out the jersey this morning. They said you should have it by Wednesday. I am almost to the end of my temptation to buy a Note tablet. Costco's sale expires tonight; they are offering $50 off for a total price of $349 including shipping. The website doesn't say "what's in the box", so I can't be sure they include the case, charging cable, etc. I really don't need it at this time so I'm valiantly resisting the temptation. Food: 6:45 am 110 g fig granola bar, 1/2 grapefruit, 108 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm Strawberry/banana soy shake, small raspberry chocolate scone, 1/4 c cranberry orange relish, 11 g dark chocolate angel food 3:45 pm 1 sq Lindt Excellence dark chocolate cranberry 6:15 pm Casserole w/turkey breast, Pictsweet broccoli/edamame/carrot mix, whole grain rotini, thin white sauce; 12 oz skim milk 8:00 pm Small piece pumpkin kringle Exercise: 4:50-6:00 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video 5:15-5:25 pm Walk with Dad

Sun 1 Dec

Today is the first day of summer in Australia. Sadly, it's not here. The morning bun from Clasen's was especially good. I really enjoyed spending the day with you yesterday. Sorry we couldn't finish off with a nice meal for dinner but we were too tired to wait another hour. I crashed as soon as I got home. Long day but a very good one! Food: 8:30 am Morning bun, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am 2 large eggs, 1 slice Tillamook cheddar, lemon scone, 28 g white chocolate almond cranberry bark 2:00 pm 13 TJ's mint dark chocolate stars 5:30 pm 2.45 oz turkey breast, 1/2 c stuffing, 1 tbl gravy, 1/3 c sweet potatoes, 2 tbl cranberry relish, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 6:55-7:35 am Ballet DVD 7:35-8:05 am Cardio salsa DVD 3:50-5:15 pm Walk w/Dad through Schmeeckle