Sun 31 Aug

Ate too much today, though we did log plenty of steps (about 14,500). But it is fairly common to eat too much at the fair. We had some fairly healthy stuff, like our asparagus swiss crepe for breakfast, a prime rib taco for lunch (that was a little too greasy), a pluot. Then there was the Sweet Martha's cookies, the nitro hot fudge sundae. We did a fairly healthy supper at the Acoustic Cafe in Menominee - a 1/3 hoagie with roast beef, lettuce, tomato on whole grain bread. The wine dinner last night with Kurt & Barb was very nice also. Good to catch up with them.

Sat 30 Aug

Drove early to the Farmer's Market before heading out, hoping for fresh pastry for breakfast and Amish cranberry oat bread for the week. All three of our favorite bakers were MIA. Bought a loaf of cinnamon craisin bread from another booth for the week, but otherwise skunked. Came home for a quick normal breakfast before heading out. Food: 8:05 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 cantaloupe, 101 g raspberries, coffee

Fri 29 Aug

Almost through a full work week after vacation, and still dreaming of being in Venice. I'd say that's the mark of a successful vacation. Looking forward to the Minnesota State Fair and doing the winery dinner with Kurt & Barb tomorrow night. Will be nice just to relax on Monday. Wishing you all the best thoughts in starting your teaching career next week. Can't begin to tell you how proud I am of you! Some confusion this morning with my client as to where we were meeting for breakfast. Problem with keeping soda in the house when you drink it very rarely is that when you do want one, it tastes stale. Food: 6:55 am 1/4 cantaloupe, 102 g raspberries, wedge Happy Farms light spreadable cheese, coffee 8:45 am 2 crepes w/cottage cheese & dark cherries, coffee 11:45 am Vanilla soy shake, 2 slices cinnamon raisin struan w/butter 12:30 pm 1 Riesen caramel 2:45 pm 1 Kit Kat mini 4:25 pm 1 (stale) Kirkland diet Coke Exercise: 5:00-5:50 am The Firm Bootcamp DVD

Thurs 28 Aug

Actually cool enough this morning to enjoy a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast. It's so nice that fall is the season to follow summer; it makes saying goodbye slowly to long, warm days a tad easier when we get to move into the beauty of fall with its crisp days and colors and good autumn foods. Got over 6600 steps in this morning with Jessica Smith for a really solid start on the day. Got a darn good looking casserole in the oven: Italian organic rigatoni, Costco chicken breast, homegrown red pepper and kale, tomato, yellow squash, onion and mushroom w/Swiss cheese. It's fun to cook again when the weather gets a tad cooler. Ooooh, the casserole was delicious. Heavy on the veggies, just enough chicken and cheese to give it a little protein and the organic pasta was chewy and excellent. Food: 6:55 am Steel cut oatmeal w/protein powder, flaxseed meal, 1/2 c fresh blueberries, soy milk, 1/4 cantaloupe, 102 g raspberries, coffee 12:30 pm Blueberry soy shake, 2 slices cinnamon raisin struan toast w/butter, med banana, 2 wedges Happy Farms light spreadable cheese 1:15 pm 1 Riesen caramel 5:30 pm Chicken pasta casserole, 8 oz skim milk, 1 lemon amaretti cookie Exercise: 4:50-5:25 am Jessica Smith Latin Spice walk YouTube 5:25-5:55 am Jessica Smith Power Interval Walk YouTube

Wed 27 Aug

Nice cool morning. Worked hard on the Kristi Yamaguchi workout, using the long-neglected upper body muscles and the quads. Felt really nice to hike Rib last night in the beautiful cool evening. Not sure how it happened but my good reading glasses for the computer are now broken at the top of the frame. The lenses are still intact, so may just try to repair the break. I like these glasses. Food: 6:55 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 cantaloupe, 101 g raspberries, coffee 11:35 am 2 slices cinnamon raisin struan bread, 1/2 tbl butter, caramel macchiato Greek blend yogurt, 55 g figs 5:15 pm 2/3 sausage/arugula Naan, 1.5 fried plantains, 10 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:55-5:50 am Kristi Yamaguchi workout DVD 5:35-5:50 pm Walk to haircut 8:30-8:45 pm Walk home

Tues 26 Aug

Yesterday evening felt a bit more normal, so I guess we are readjusting well to our time and routine. Exercise felt more normal today as well. It should be nice to have the temperatures moderate a bit over the next few days. They're saying mid-70s today. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 cantaloupe, 100 g raspberries, coffee 12:10 pm 1/2 c 2% cottage cheese w/chives, slice cranberry oat bread, 55 g fresh figs 1:00 pm Lemon amaretti cookie Exercise: 4:50-5:50 am DWTS DVD

Mon 25 Aug

Quite a bit of rain, lightning, and thunder to wake up to this morning. There was a real light show going on to the east when I first got up. I kept hoping the electricity wouldn't go out while I was down in centipede country, and fortunately it did not. I did have to go after two of the buggers, one dead and the other chased away. I hate centipedes. Opted to just do the upper body and aerobics sections of the video today. My hips and knees are definitely feeling the dampness and all the walking, so I decided not to do the lower body/abs section. I will work back into full participation gradually. Sudden appearance this afternoon of hot weather made me decide to forego cooking tonight. We had delicious simple sandwiches that really hit the spot. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 cantaloupe, 100 g raspberries, coffee 11:45 am 1/2 c 2% cottage cheese w/chives, 55 g fresh figs, "honey bear" palmier 5:45 pm 2 slices cranberry oat bread, 61 g Black Forest turkey slices, 2/3 tomato, Jello dark chocolate sugar free pudding cup Exercise: 4:50-5:40 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 24 Aug

Had an internet outage yesterday evening. Dad thought it was our router so he went out and bought a new one. When he couldn't get it to work either, he called Charter and found out that it was a network problem, but he thought it was good to update our router anyway. We're back online today. Wow, was it hard to exercise today after two weeks off! I just had ballet and salsa dance, but I was dragging. Also could not seem to stay on the right notes for cantering this morning. Deb was more forgiving than usual, thank goodness. No one threw tomatoes. Food: 7:30 am Chocolate croissant, 1/4 cantaloupe, 100 g raspberries, coffee 11:45 am 2 poached eggs, slice ham, English muffin, hollandaise, 1 c fresh fruit, coffee 4:00 pm 1/2 c triple chocolate gelato 5:45 pm 1/6 Mamma Cozzi thin crust Hawaiian style pizza, 2 c watermelon chunks Exercise: 5:50-6:40 am Ballet DVD 6:40-7:15 am Salsa dance DVD 2:30-4:00 pm Walk with Dad to Iverson, home Patch

Sat 23 Aug

Want to walk down to the Farmer's Market early this morning so we have a chance at getting some gibassier from the Austrian baker. If not, I'll settle for what he has which is always good. Just eating some fruit before I go, so I can justify a fresh pastry now and still buy some for tomorrow. Looked in the mirror last night and realized I need to quickly get back into some upper body toning. Amazing how quickly the "flabby arm" look returns. Had a very nice time at the market this morning. No gibassier, but an almond croissant was also delicious. Took our bakery to the coffee shop and had a cappuccino to go with it. Then walked back to the market for other good things. Saw the Zahns with two of Theresa's kids in tow; she's apparently expecting a third. Molly is due for her first in about 1 1/2 weeks. Came home and accomplished something I've been wanting to do for awhile. Cleaned out things from my closet that are no longer relevant to my wardrobe to make room for the things I kept to actually hang. I had been jamming things in for so long and they always came out crushed. We put together four 3-4 large garbage bags to go up to the attic. Some of those things may come back at some point, you know. Food: 7:45 am 1/4 cantaloupe, 101 g raspberries, coffee 12:20 pm Caramel macchiato Greek blend yogurt, slice cranberry oat bread, 55 g fresh figs 2:15 pm 1/2 c Belmont triple chocolate gelato Exercise: 8:00-10:00 am Walk to and around Farmer's market, break for cappuccino

Fri 22 Aug

Home again, home again, riggety jig. Thank God we didn't fly into anywhere further than Madison. We barely managed to stay awake long enough to get home, even with trading off driving a couple of times. We got up at 5:30 am in Italy, and got home around 9:15 pm, plus 7 hours time difference. Throw in a day of 3 flights plus assorted methods of transportation to transfer (including water taxi boat, van, bus, and feet). Customs in Detroit was stressful because they kept us standing in line a long time when our next flight was due to leave from an unknown gate in about 45 min. But in the end, all went well, and we were safely fallen into bed. I slept somewhat less than soundly, likely due to the time difference, but I didn't get up til 7 am so we should be back on a somewhat normal schedule soon. I will allow myself a short afternoon nap, but that's not out of my normal routine if time allows. Today is a day to take stock, do laundry, and just settle back in to normalcy. Mail should be delivered today from vacation hold. I'm not (yet) aware of anything major that occurred in our absence that may need attention. We'll need a few groceries, but we stopped at the Costco in Sun Prairie on our way home for fruit and a chicken. Not hungry today. Ate enough in the past two weeks to last awhile. Didn't really get hungry until about 5:15 pm. We had walked to Copps for the exercise in spite of the heat/humidity, and while I was in the store, I suddenly got ravenous. I had not really prepared or bought anything to grill quickly, so we walked back home and took the car to Hilltop for a fish fry. Tried the Pineapple Hula which was great for a hot day. Food: 7:30 am 1/2 each of two small Italian pastries, 1/4 cantaloupe, 101 g raspberries, coffee 1:30 pm 67 g fresh figs, 1 sm Italian cookie 5:45 pm 16 oz Cider Boys Pineapple Hula, 3 sm pieces fried cod, 1 c brew city French fries, 2 tbl tartar sauce, 1/4 c cole slaw, 1/2 c fruit salad Exercise: 4:10-5:30 pm Walk to Copps for grocery shopping and back

Wed 13 Aug

Today has been an amazing day in a wonderful vacation. Rome was great, but the unexpected highlight (and lowlight) occurred right before we left. We stopped in to the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore on our way to the train station to take pictures. There were quite a few people near a barrier up front and I had to stretch to see into the side chapel. Suddenly people started applauding. I looked again and a procession was coming through headed by Pope Francis! I never dreamed we would really see him. The procession went around the side where I had left Bob with the suitcases. He got an excellent photo and even made eye contact and received a blessing gesture from the Pope! Unfortunately in the excitement of a sudden crowd surrounding the place he had been sitting quietly, he did not realize til it was over that he had taken off his backpack and set it down. Someone took the opportunity and his backpack ( containing his new iPad, his Kindle, and my binoculars) is gone.

Sat 9 Aug

Oggi e il giorno! Andiamo a l'Italia! I am very excited that the day, planned 4.5 months ago, has finally arrived. I pray that all goes smoothly and we have a wonderful time, enjoying and appreciating all the beautiful things that Italy has to offer. I believe that most of the packing is under control, needing only to be buttoned up before we leave. We'll try to be on the road in about 45 min to get to the airport by 10ish. The flight leaves at 12:25. Costco thought we should get to the airport 3 hours ahead but that seems excessive for Madison, so this is my compromise. Food: 7:10 am Steel cut oatmeal w/protein powder, flaxseed meal, blueberries, soy milk, 1/4 lemon drop melon, 100 g blueberries, coffee

Fri 8 Aug

Got laundry in the machine at about 6:30 am so I don't have a week's worth waiting when I return from vacation. If I can swing it, I'd like to hang it out on the line at lunchtime. Got breakfast out with my client this morning. A relatively full schedule today, but not overwhelming. Making sure my Fitbit is fully charged now so I can put the charger into the bag yet today. It requires a very specific type of charger, so if it was forgotten, the Fitbit would just curl up and die. Dad and I can't even charge our devices interchangeably because they are different models. Yay! The annuity check arrived in the mail today in time to cash and deposit. Food: 6:45 am 2 wedges Happy Farms light spreadable cheese, 1/4 lemon drop melon, 107 g raspberries, coffee 8:15 am Bowl oatmeal, 1 tbl brown sugar, 2 tbl raisins, 1/4 c milk, coffee 11:55 am Blueberry soy shake, caramel macchiato Greek blend yogurt, 28 g Way Better multigrain tortilla chips Exercise: 4:50-5:25 am Jessica Smith Stride & Strength resistance band workout YouTube 5:25-5:40 am Jessica Smith Power Walk Quickie YouTube

Thurs 7 Aug

The week moves on, reasonably fast, but I still keep thinking it's Friday. I'm planning to meet Mary Hofer for a walk tonight. I'll break the news that I'm taking a semester or two off from voice lessons as I've been spending a bit too much money and need to cut back a bit. Food: 6:45 am L'Oven Fresh cinnamon roll, 1/4 lemon drop melon, 100 g raspberries, coffee 12:30 pm Vanilla soy shake, Kind Madagascar Almond bar, 1 c cucumber slices 1:15 pm 2 Riesen caramels 5:30 pm 3.5 oz lean grilled burger, wheat bun, 1/2 small tomato, 3/4 c cucumber slices, 8 oz Surly 8:15 pm Small Belt's sundae w/Door Co cherries & hot fudge Exercise: 4:55-5:45 am Leslie Sansone 4 Fast Miles walk YouTube 6:50-7:35 pm Walk around town 8:00-8:30 pm Walk to Belt's with Dad

Wed 6 Aug

Had to kind of drag through exercise again this morning. Yesterday afternoon I was suddenly ravenously HUNGRY. I had to eat a full-size Kind bar at work in the late afternoon, and I scarfed down the entire meatloaf dinner at the Dane after an hour's hike at Rib. My body just craved food. Weird. Food: 6:55 am L'Oven Fresh cinnamon roll, 1/4 lemon drop melon(similar to honeydew), 99 g raspberries, coffee 11:45 am Blueberry soy shake, 71 g leftover grilled pork chop, slice cranberry oat bread, 1 tbl fig fruit spread, 100 g blueberries 12:30 pm Riesen caramel 3:00 pm Milky Way Midnight mini 5:15 pm 1 multigrain tortilla chip 5:45 pm Salmon burger, wheat bun, 1 tbl pineapple peach salsa, 3 Fusia pork potstickers, 1 c green beans, 8 oz skim milk 7:45 pm McD's dipped cone Exercise: 4:50-5:45 am Kristi Yamaguchi Workout DVD 3:20-3:40 pm Walk on break 6:15-7:00 pm Walk with Dad

Tues 5 Aug

Looks like a potentially nice day out there today. Maybe a good evening to get in one hike this week. Food: 6:55 am L'Oven Fresh cinnamon roll, 1/4 cantaloupe, 91 g raspberries, coffee 11:30 am Vanilla soy shake, slice cranberry oat bread, 1 tbl fig fruit spread, 100 g blueberries, 2 wedges light spreadable cheese Exercise: 4:55-5:50 am DWTS DVD

Mon 4 Aug

Nice looking rain started falling out there a few minutes ago. Sky has the look that it might actually continue for awhile, as opposed to the little cloudbursts we have had to settle for recently. You can almost hear the earth say "Aaaaaah!" Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 cantaloupe, 101 g raspberries, coffee 11:50 am Chocolate soy shake, slice cranberry oat bread w/butter, Citrus Blend Greek blend yogurt, 107 g blueberries 12:45 pm 2 Biscoff cookies 2:45 pm Milky Way Midnight mini, Butterfinger mini 6:00 pm Macadamia crusted tilapia filet, 1/2 c TJ's farro, 1 c green/yellow beans, 8 oz skim milk 8:00 pm Jello dark chocolate sugar free pudding cup Exercise: 4:50-5:40 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video 6:30-7:15 pm Walk with Dad

Sun 3 Aug

Summer progresses. A beautiful weekend this has been. It was nice to get out and walk yesterday at Mead, in spite of horseflies. Amazing how hungry we got once we realized we hadn't eaten much protein earlier. The Bill's junior beef did the trick though. We had a good bike ride, about 11 miles, to get our butts ready for the Appian Way next Tuesday. Hopefully the preparation is sufficient (and won't require Prepatation H afterward!) Still need a good walk this evening. Food: 8:35 am Chocolate croissant, 1/4 cantaloupe, 100 g raspberries, coffee 12:10 pm Toasted coconut Greek blend yogurt, slice cranberry oat bread w/butter, 100 g blueberries 1:00 pm Riesen caramel 5:10 pm Diet Coke 5:45 pm 3 oz grilled pork chop, 2/3 c grilled potatoes/mushrooms/onions, 1.25 c yellow beans, 5 oz sauvignon blanc Exercise: 6:50-7:40 am Ballet DVD 7:40-8:25 am Victoria Johnson Cardio Soul DVD 3:45-4:45 pm Bike ride w/Dad 6:30-7:45 pm Walk to Schmeeckle

Sat 2 Aug

It's a good feeling to have a load of sheets hanging on the line, another load of wash in the machine, sheets changed, laundry sorted, and my shower and Saturday grooming done. Just now sitting down to breakfast at 8:30, but with a feeling of having accomplished something already today. Dad took pity on the La Baguette girl and bought her last raisin brioche roll so she could pack up and go home. We got a late start to the Farmer's Market because we were getting a lot of bill paying and other tasks accomplished at home so we missed the gibassier at the Austrian bakery (but he did have a couple of chocolate croissants left for tomorrow). We mostly just bought bread, pastries, and a lovely bouquet of flowers since we have enough veggies yet at home for this week. We forgot to stop by the post office to mail out our bills, so we took another walk over to the hospital where there is an outgoing mailbox. Result that we each have almost 10,000 steps for the day already. If we have enough unstructured time left after laundry and packing, maybe we'll go out to Mead and check out the status of the frog population. Food: 8:30 am Chocolate-frosted raised donut, 1/4 cantaloupe, 99 g raspberries, coffee 11:20 am 1/2 raisin brioche roll 12:10 pm 1/2 large frosted cinnamon roll, 100 g blueberries, 81 g sliced cucumber Exercise: 10:40-11:30 am Walk to and around Farmer's Market and home 11:30-12:00 pm Walk to hospital and back to mail letters

Fri 1 Aug

Felt echoes of Grandma in myself last night. Read Rick Steve's Europe through the Back Door last night, the section on money during travel. He casually mentions what you would need to do if your credit/debit cards won't work, are eaten by the machines or stolen and you have no money. He doesn't go heavy on the dramatic, but reading it just before bed when I was in a somewhat cranky mood anyway (for no good reason) left me ruminating on the nastier "what-ifs" as I was trying to fall asleep. Not conducive to pleasant rest. Hopefully that's all out of my system now and I can just go back to sensible preparation. I did learn that I need to put money from savings into checking as that is the only account I'll be able to access from the European ATMs. Food: 6:50 am 1 c Trader Joe' multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, peach, 98 g raspberries, coffee 11:45 am Blueberry soy shake, 1/2 c 1% cottage cheese w/chives, 101 g blueberries 12:30 pm 5 mint M&Ms 3:45 pm 1 Riesen caramel Exercise: 4:50-5:25 am Jessica Smith Stride & Strength YouTube 5:25-5:50 sm Jessica Smith Dance Walk YouTube