Tues 30 Sept

2014 is almost 75% gone, and this last quarter always flies by. Sigh. But it has been a good year so far, so no real complaints. Onward. Food: 7:00 am 3/4 c Heritage Flakes, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 cantaloupe, 99 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Vanilla soy shake, 55 g chocolate chip brioche, Fit & Active pumpkin pie yogurt, sm honey crisp 3:15 pm 1 oz cinnamon pretzels 7:25 pm Macaroni and cheese, 1/2 c acorn squash, 1/4 tbl butter, 8 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:55-5:55 am Dance Exercise DVD 5:35-6:35 pm Walk to Schmeeckle with Dad

Mon 29 Sept

Scale is not in a pretty place, has been heading that way for a while with all the vacationing/eating/odd exercise schedule. Time to buckle down. Then I get a text that we have a birthday lunch today. I will still try to keep it low. Food: 7:05 am 3/4 c Heritage Flakes, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 c blueberries, 103 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm Blueberry soy shake, 46 g chocolate chip brioche, 42 g oven roasted chicken breast, 1/3 c applesauce 1:15 pm 1.5x3" pumpkin krispie treat 7:00 pm 3.5 oz grilled chicken breast, 1/2 c mashed sweet potato, 1 sm ear grilled corn, 8 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:50-6:00 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 28 Sept

Slowly slipping back into routine after an unexpectedly longer break. Did a Jessica Smith cardio ballet this morning to increase the steps for the day. Enjoyed a World's Best Donut for breakfast as a holdover, but really need to get back into cutback eating SOON. Supper tonight will be pasties bought from the K of C in Superior on the way home. We noticed a sign by the Catholic church that they were doing a pasty sale, so we pulled in and bought a dozen for the freezer. Hope they're as good as the ones Heather's church makes in February every year. Nice to pop a pasty in the oven after work and have a comfort food supper with the addition of a few veggies or homemade applesauce. The extended time away in combination with the unexpectedly warm weather killed the last cantaloupe I had waiting, so I need to get to the grocery store today for more fruit. Seems the Packers only know how to play football when I'm watching. The two games I was not around, they lost miserably. The two games I watched, they started slowly but came on strong to win. Guess I know my responsibility for the rest of the season. Food: 8:00 am Raised glazed donut, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Caramel macchiato Greek blend yogurt, sm honey crisp apple, 1 oz Way Better pumpkin cranberry tortilla chips, pumpkin popcorn ball 7:15 pm 152 g pasty, 1/2 c homemade applesauce, 8 oz skim milk Exercise: 6:50-7:20 am Jessica Smith Cardio Ballet YouTube 7:20-7:55 am Cardio Salsa DVD 2:30-2:45 pm Neighborhood walk

Mon 22 Sept

Having a very nice mini-vacation up north. Saturday was a great day, albeit a very busy one. We started with walking to the Farmer's Market for pastry - I had an almond croissant - and cappuccino at the coffee shop. Hit the road right after walking home. The drive north was amazing! The fall color has just popped out all along 51. I found myself oohing and aahing all day. We had lunch in Ashland - whitefish sandwich and yummy sweet potato fries. Drove up to the B&B which is very lovely. Color hasn't yet come to the lakeshore area so maybe we can still look forward to that for Apple Feat. We have the "suite" tonight with a huge bedroom with sitting area, a second small bedroom with twin beds to use as a dressing room, and a nice bathroom. The innkeepers are very personable. We drove into Bayfield right away as church was at 4 pm. Just enough time to stop at an orchard to pick up fresh apples for hiking. Went to Maggie's for pizza after, then hurried back to Port Wing for a Sara Thomsen concert at the little gallery. A very nice small setting, and a very nice talented folk singer. A snack and wine break at intermission with good conversation. A lovely end to a beautiful day Sunday breakfast was wonderful at the B&B. we had good conversation with the other guest couple and the innkeepers over amazing food. Drove off to the North Shore in beautiful sunshine (but no real color here). Stopped for a buffet brunch at a very up-northy place where we sat on a cool screen porch overlooking the lake. Finished our beers outside in the sun to warm up. Checked in to the hotel for a quick nap. Hiked at Oberg Mtn which is only an hour's hike but as beautiful views of the inland maples which are in high color here. Drove back to the hotel and hiked to the trailhead up the hill about 3/4 mile and out to the little waterfall. We were both quite tired from our busy day yesterday, so we went back to the room to read for a couple of hours just to rest. Drove to Papa Charlie's around 7 pm and shared a veggie pasta dish and dessert, then back home to bed. Writing this around 7 am. Time to head to the showe and breakfast at the Lutsen before a full day of hiking. We have smoked fish, honey crisps, and pastry and cookies for our trail lunch!

Sat 20 Sept

Nibbling some quick fruit with coffee before walking to Market for pastry and cappuccino. We are almost completely packed, so then we can "grab and go" to head up to Bayfield/Port Wing for a full day. Lunch at the South Shore Brewery in Ashland, check in at the B&B, head to Bayfield for 4 pm church and a quick supper, return to Port Wing for a 7 pm Sara Thomsen concert in a delightful small venue where people bring snacks to share and they provide wine and beer. Tomorrow, after the wonderful B&B breakfast, we head up to the North Shore. If it's raining when we get there, we'll go to the Cascade Restaurant/bar and watch what remains of the Packer game before checking in to the hotel. If the weather clears, we'll hike in the afternoon; if not, we'll relax and prepare for the predicted sunnier weather on Monday and Tuesday. We might even drive to Canada (for Shreddies!) if the weather is too bad. Food: 7:30 am 1/4 large cantaloupe, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 19 Sept

Wouldn't have minded staying in bed this morning and skipping exercise, but I have a whole week off from the morning routine coming up so I managed to motivate. Yay, me. Tonight I hope to run a load or two of laundry, pack for the North Shore, and pre pack the smaller duffel for the Dells conference so I don't have to think too much when I get home from hiking. It should be sufficient to transfer the toiletry kit and hairbrushes if everything else is good to go. Heather is picking me up around 5:30 am next Thursday, so I don't want to leave anything for the morning unnecessarily. Haven't touched base this week with my Friday breakfast client, so we'll see if she shows up. If not, I'll run into Starbucks across the street and grab an oatmeal to go back to the office. I have Intake today from 12:15-3:00, so lunch will be early and likely short, but then I could leave earlier at the end of the day. Food: 6:45 am 1/4 large cantaloupe, 99 g blackberries, coffee 11:55 am Peach soy shake, Citrus Blend Greek blend yogurt, slice beer bread Exercise: 4:50-5:35 am Jessica Smith Stride & Strength YouTube 5:35-5:50 am Jessica Smith Power Walk Quickie YouTube

Wed 17 Sept

Yesterday was a somewhat traumatic day at work. At staffing, Amy announced that our newest coworker who just turned 36 was found in his yard at lunchtime by his wife, unconscious and unresponsive. A few hours later we heard that he had some kind of diabetic reaction and is okay but will likely be hospitalized for several days. This same man was in ICU a couple of weeks ago for about 3 days with a racing heartbeat that couldn't be controlled. You think maybe he'll quit smoking soon? Secondly, they are looking to do a minor rearrange in our section, making one person the designee for everyone in CCS, a State funding program. They would give up their regular caseload and assume all the CCS cases up to an eventual max of 15-20 cases. No one wants to do this and it was going to come down to Amy bringing in a bucket next week at staffing and putting in all our names to see who the unlucky winner would be. I had a weak moment in deciding that it didn't sound too awful and I wanted to not put all my coworkers through a week of tension, so I volunteered. Let's hope it wasn't a big mistake. I'm hoping it will force me to be more conscientious with my paperwork as I've been quite lax recently. Food: 6:55 am Steel cut oatmeal w/protein powder, flaxseed meal, 1/2 c blueberries, soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee 10:30 am 1 Reese's miniature, 1 York miniature 12:30 pm Vanilla soy shake, Fit & Active Pumpkin Pie yogurt, slice beer bread 6:10 pm Chicken peanut stew, sm piece leftover Bambuezle naan, 8 oz skim milk 6:45 pm 20 g Indian corn Exercise: 4:50-5:45 am Leslie Sansone 4 Fast Miles YouTube 5:30-6:00 pm Neighborhood walk

Wed 17 Sept

This week is moving somewhat more quickly than last week, more of a normal pace. It feels right for it to be Wednesday today. Looking forward to not being in the office all week next week between the North Shore and the Dells conference. I've been annoyed (in thankfully brief intervals) with one of my more needy clients this week and I will be glad not to see her next week. Switched from The Firm to Jessica Smith partway as the DVD wasn't getting much aerobics. Did some weights, then some walking to get the step count up a bit. Food: 6:55 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 36 g raspberries, 77 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm Chocolate soy shake, caramel macchiato Greek blend yogurt, 66 g chocolate brioche Exercise: 4:55-5:30 am The Firm Complete Workout DVD 5:30-5:50 am Jessica Smith Interval Walk YouTube

Tues 16 Sept

Hoping for nice enough weather to hike Rib tonight. We're supposed to be rain-free for a couple of days, with maybe even some sunshine. That would be fine with me. Weather was good, but Dad had work to finish while the sun shone. I took a lone walk to/through Schmeeckle to enjoy the great day. Food: 6:40 am Honey bear pastry, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 99 g raspberries, coffee 10:00 am 1 Reese's miniature 11:45 am Blueberry soy shake, slice Country Hearth 100% whole wheat bread, .25 tbl butter, 1 oz cheddar cheese, med banana 12:30 pm Health cookie 4:45 pm 42 g chocolate brioche 7:10 pm Leftover chicken casserole, 1/2 c leftover homemade applesauce, 8 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:50-5:35 am DWTS DVD 5:30-7:00 pm Walk to/through Schmeeckle

Mon 15 Sept

A full week of work ahead, then a full week out of the office between North Shore hiking and a conference at the Dells with coworkers. I guess I can handle work. No calls at all on the pager this weekend; that was very nice. Glad to have the energy to get through the whole Jane Fonda workout today. Food: 7:00 am 1/2 large bear claw pastry, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 101 g raspberries, coffee 11:45 am Blueberry soy shake, Mission corn/whole wheat tortilla, 50 g oven roasted chicken breast, slice tomato, leaf kale, slice Jarlsberg Lite 12:30 pm 1 dark chocolate sea salt caramel 5:00 pm 20 g dried Montmorency cherries 7:00 pm 2 apple cider chicken smoked sausages, 2 L'Oven Fresh whole wheat hot dog buns, 2 tbl pickle relish, 1/2 c Bush's Grillin' Beans Exercise: 4:50-6:00 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video 5:45-6:45 pm Walk with Dad

Sun 14 Sept

Chilly morning. Was not really motivated to exercise, but glad I made it through. I felt like I needed to do my regular ballet routine to strengthen and stretch muscles left too long idle. And my reward is a chocolate croissant, so life is good again. Had early choir practice at 1 pm to allow for the Packers. Finished around 3 and decided we couldn't pass up another beautiful day, so we took a walk, figuring the Packers could get started without us. Apparently we didn't miss much as the score was 14-3 when we got back and the Jets scored their 3rd touchdown moments later. But now the Pack has scored 15 straight points so the game looks a little more interesting at halftime. Michael and Taylor are supposed to stop by in a bit, so hopefully they'll help us finish the veggie quiche. I threw a loaf of beer bread in to bake, and a 6-pack of Sierra Nevada stout we got from Hartmans to chill. We have some good chips on hand for munching as well. Good game, though it appears the Packers were waiting for me to watch before they could start playing. Glad to oblige. Unfortunately Michael, Taylor, and Bob all sat upstairs and visited while I cheered the Packers on alone, but hey, that's how it goes sometimes. I came up between pauses to fix food and say howdy. Food: 7:40 am Chocolate croissant, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 101 g raspberries, coffee 11:40 am Sm pc coffee cake, maple/brown sugar cupcake 12:20 pm Mission corn/whole wheat tortilla, 53 g oven roasted chicken breast, slice Jarlsberg Lite, large slice tomato, leaf kale 4:00 pm Way Better tortilla chips, 6 oz Woodchuck 5:30 pm Slice veggie quiche, slice beer bread, 4-5 pieces Indian corn Exercise: 5:50-6:40 am Ballet DVD 6:40-7:12 am Cardio Dance DVD 3:05-3:40 pm Walk with Dad to Schmeeckle

Sat 13 Sept

Going on the Walk for Hope this morning along the river for suicide prevention awareness. I forget how many years I have been doing this, but I would guess this is year 8 or 9. Gonna do a quick walk to the Farmer's Market and get pastries & cappuccino before we start. Good day. Beautiful autumn weather. Walked to grocery store to buy half-and-half to make quiche with some lovely hydroponic veggies that Michael gave us. We will have it with corn cooked on the grill. Made cupcakes for the Newman social tomorrow. Got all the laundry out on the clothesline. Good day. Oh, man, was that quiche amazing! It had summer squash, mini eggplants, leek, onion, garlic, green pepper, jalapeño, small red pepper, Italian cheese. Very veggie summery. And the corn was really excellent as well. Food: 7:35 am 1/4 cantaloupe, 102 g raspberries, coffee 8:30 am 1/2 large almond puff roll, cappuccino 10:30 am Banana, 2 sm 2.5" chunks of Erberts & Gerberts subs, single Nature Valley Oats & Honey granola bar 12:40 am Other 1/2 almond puff roll 6:15 pm 1/6 veggie quiche, large ear sweet corn, health cookie Exercise: 9:15-10:15 am Walk for Hope 3:45-4:30 pm Walk to Copps

Fri 12 Sept

Almost let myself get away with staying in bed this morning and skipping exercise, but had a positive change of heart at the last minute. Didn't feel like leaving everything for the end of the day, to be honest. My breakfast client cancelled, but I still have a couple of Kind bars on my desk drawer for such occasions. I think the almonds are starting to go over, though. Food: 6:40 am Nectarine, 102 g raspberries, coffee 8:15 am Kind Madagascar almond bar 11:50 am Vanilla soy shake, slice cranberry oat toast, 1 tbl fig spread, caramel macchiato Greek blend yogurt Exercise: 5:05-5:40 am Jessica Smith Stride & Strength YouTube

Thurs 11 Sept

Crisp, cool morning for camp. I must say it feels Septembry. Good morning for a bowl of hot oatmeal w/blueberries. Hopefully we'll have a good day at camp. Food: 6:45 am Steel cut oatmeal w/flaxseed meal, protein powder, 1/2 c blueberries, soy milk, nectarine, 99 g raspberries, coffee Exercise: 5:00-5:40 am Jessica Smith Belly, Buns, & Thighs Walk YouTube

Wed 10 Sept

Rainy day, supposed to continue pretty much throughout the day. Guess my after-work exercise will be indoors with Jessica Smith today. Morning workout was Kristi Yamaguchi which incorporates good weights but not as many steps as I'd like so I have a few to get in during the day today. Food: 6:50 am Morning bun, nectarine, 100 g raspberries, coffee 11:40 am Vanilla soy shake, Mission corn/whole wheat tortilla, 48 g Lunch Mate oven roasted chicken breast, 1 leaf kale, 2 heirloom cherry tomatoes 12:30 pm 1 dark chocolate sea salt caramel 3:00 pm 2 caramel Nips 6:30 pm Chicken casserole w/organic rigatoni & many veggies, 1/2 c homemade applesauce, 8 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:50-5:45 am Kristi Yamaguchi Workout DVD 6:55-7:55 pm Walk with Dad

Tues 9 Sept

Predicting rain for the next couple of days, then a high of 51 for Thursday when we have Lion's Camp. Oh, well. Had unpleasant dreams mid- to late last night so I wasn't feeling comfortably rested when I woke. Not tired, just slightly distressed. Better now. Went to Casey's and bought some apples and apple products for an anniversary present for Hartmans. Assembled a basket and decided to walk to their house for some exercise in the bargain. As we stood on their (very quiet) doorstep, Dad recalled seeing a Facebook post this morning of Hartmans on a plane bound for New York with Eagons. So we carried the basket of apples back home, by way of the Newman Center to pick up my music for this weekend. Food: 6:45 am Chocolate chunk danish, large nectarine, 100 g raspberries, coffee 11:40 am Blueberry soy shake, scone, 1/2 c 2% cottage cheese w/chives 12:30 pm 1 Riesen caramel 7:20 pm Ham/gruyere croissant, 1/3 c homemade applesauce, 8 oz skim milk Exercise 4:50-5:40 am DWTS DVD 6:00-7:00 pm Walk with Dad

Mon 8 Sept

Inexplicably tired this morning physically. Wasn't that it was too hard to get up, but got tired while exercising and cut the long tape short after upper body and aerobics. Probably related to being so tired yesterday afternoon. Don't feel sick which is a good thing. Actually remembered that I'm supposed to meet my client for breakfast today. Now hopefully she will also remember. She did. Food: 6:45 am Large nectarine, 101 g raspberries, coffee 8:15 am Pecan waffle, 1 tbl whipped butter, .5 tbl pancake syrup, coffee 11:40 am Toasted coconut Greek blend yogurt, cherry almond scone Exercise: 4:50-5:40 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 7 Sept

Didn't feel like the regular ballet DVD today so did Jessica Smith barre workout instead. Nice workout with a bit more cardio aspect. Might be worth alternating weeks. Gives some variety as I have been doing the other DVD for several years. Walked around Panacea after Mass, but nothing worth bidding on at the Silent Auction, and we have enough good bakery in the house from our trip to Madison yesterday so we just put our name in for basket drawings. Maybe Dad will win a new Kindle Fire to replace his lost Kindle/iPad. That would be nice. Sheets are on the line, load 2 in the washer. No word yet about choir this semester. Don't know why but I am so tired this afternoon. Took a nap which helped for a very short time, but feel like I could use another one. The hike at Mead perked me up very well. The weather was perfect, we saw two deer gallumphing through the swamp, several birds. Lovely. Food: 8:30 am Chocolate croissant, large nectarine, 101 g raspberries, coffee 11:45 am Panacea pulled pork sandwich, 1 tbl BBQ sauce, 1/4 c coleslaw, 1/2 c baked beans, 1/2 c potato salad, peanut butter cookie 2:30 pm 1/2 molasses cookie 7:05 pm Large caprese salad (134 g heirloom tomato, 64 g fresh mozz, 3 g basil leaves), 61 g brioche roll Exercise: 6:50-7:40 am Jessica Smith Barre YouTube 7:40-8:25 am Jessica Smith Sunset Walk YouTube 4:38-6:08 pm Hike at Mead Wildlife Reserve

Sat 6 Sept

Planning a quick nosh of fruit and coffee, then a quick walk to the Farmer's Market for a combination of a little exercise and hopefully fresh pastries and cappuccino. Always nice to get a loaf of cranberry oat bread for the week as well. Then we hope to head down to Madison by 10. Food: 7:40 am 1/4 cantaloupe, 102 g raspberries, coffee

Fri 5 Sept

Was a good birthday yesterday, except for the Packers losing. Guess they didn't get the memo that they were obliged to win for my birthday. Tonight we're going to the Pinewood for dinner, hopefully with Michael also. And I'm really looking forward to spending time with you in Madison tomorrow. I really hope your tooth stops giving you grief quickly. Tooth pain is really overwhelming. Food: 6:55 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, large nectarine, 102 g raspberries, coffee 11:35 am Vanilla soy shake, broasted chicken thigh, 102 g sm heirloom tomatoes, slice cinnamon swirl bread 12:30 pm 1 dark chocolate sea salt caramel 6:15 pm Brandy old fashioned, roll/butter, salad w/1 tbl honey mustard dressing, ravioli w/lobster sauce, 3 grilled shrimp, 2 large scallops, 1/2 pc chocolate cake Exercise: 4:50-5:25 am Jessica Smith Stride & Strength resistance band YouTube 5:25-5:55 am Jessica Smith Dance Party YouTube

Thurs 4 Sept

Happy Birthday to me! Should be a nice day to celebrate as our office is doing the summer "picnic" at lunch today, catering in chicken, ribs, and fixings. The coworkers are going out for margaritas after work, so I told Dad to go ahead and attend his CWACT board meeting and we will go out tomorrow instead. Packers better win tonight for my birthday! Wow, the picnic lunch was great! Too much food, but definitely got our $6 worth. Ample sized spare ribs, broad yes chicken, large baked potatoes w/sour cream, cheese, and green onions, corn, coleslaw, fruit salad, rolls, and cookies/bars. I'm saving the chicken piece for another time. Skipped the roll but sampled the rest and am quite full. We all decided that it's just margaritas and chips tonight. Food: 6:50 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, large nectarine, 104 g raspberries, coffee 11:45 am. 5 oz spare ribs, baked potato, 1 tbl sour cream, 1 tbl shredded cheese, .5 tbl green onions, 1/2 c coleslaw, 1/2 c corn, 1/2 c fruit salad, 2 1-inch square bars 3:15 pm 1 dark chocolate sea salt caramel 4:45 pm 2 12-oz margaritas, chips, salsa, queso fundido Exercise: 5:00-5:50 am Leslie Sansone Fast 4 mile walk YouTube

Wed 3 Sept

My last day to be 58. It's been a good year. I like this time of my life when things are quite settled, as well as they can be. Bumps in the road still occur, but I've seen many and am a little more comfortable with whatever needs to be done. Let's hope and pray that continues. Had a little twinge in my right side lower back this morning so opted not to do a workout with weights as I usually do on Wed. Jessica Smith tend to work out my kinks a little more gently while still feeling like a good workout. Food: 6:45 am 1/2 c TJ's blueberry muesli, 1/2 c light original soy milk, large nectarine, 102 g raspberries, coffee 12:25 pm Blueberry soy shake, caramel macchiato Greek blend yogurt, slice cinnamon swirl bread, nectarine 2:45 pm 2 cherry tomatoes 3:15 pm 2 sm chocolate chip cookies Exercise: 4:50-5:35 am Jessica Smith Abs Walk YouTube

Tues 2 Sept

Short work weeks are always just a little bit nicer. It's the psychological advantage, I guess. And sliding into the late summer/fall time of year is also pleasant. Since I enjoy both seasons, it isn't as bothersome when one day is hot and sultry and the next is cool and crisp, and then back again. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, large nectarine, 102 g raspberries, coffee 11:35 am Vanilla soy shake, sm berry scone, 33 g almond kringle, 100 g blueberries 12:30 pm 1 dark chocolate sea salt caramel 5:15 pm Turtle chocolate chip cookie 7:00 pm Leftover chicken veggie pasta casserole, 8 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:50-5:40 am Jane Fonda Fat Burners Aerobics video 5:45-6:50 pm Walk with Dad to grocery store and back

Mon 1 Sept

Happy Labor Day! Lovely to sleep in past 7:30. Rainy day, so we'll have to see if it clears later for a hike. Otherwise, just laundry, cleaning, and exercise in the basement. This morning's breakfast features PULLA! (the roll from Finland that Paivi's mother used to make for us). We can get them at the Finnish Bistro in St. Paul, where I actually feasted for lunch Saturday on French toast made from pulla and topped with a mixed berry compote. Food: 8:00 am Pulla roll, large nectarine, 101 g raspberries, coffee 12:25 pm Blueberry coffee cake, large nectarine, 4 sm heirloom tomatoes 1:30 pm 1/3 large molasses cookie 6:45 pm 4 oz grilled pork chop, 1/2 c grilled potatoes w/onion, 2/3 c grilled veggie skewers, 8 oz skim milk Exercise: 3:00-5:15 pm Hiking Rib Mt plus tower