Thurs 31 Dec

Last day of a momentous year in which I turned 60 and retired after many years of employment. We are going to De Pere for an overnight New Year's Eve celebration, something we have never done before. Food: 7:30 am 1 butterhorn, slice Bundt coffeecake, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 grapefruit, coffee Exercise: 9:40-10:40 am Jessica Smith Cardio Party and Core Walk DVDs

Wed 30 Dec

We now have "enough" snow on the ground for it to truly look like winter. Might even be enough to cross-country ski or snowshoe. No time to try it out until at least Fri afternoon or Sat though, with the New Year's holiday coming and going to De Pere tomorrow and with gym/Bootstrap and possible Tom N Jerry's with the Hartmans tonight. Tonight's supper was one that many around here wouldn't eat, but I thought it was delicious. Beef liver w/caramelized onions (w/cloves and balsamic vinegar), boiled turnip greens and leftover mashed potatoes. Good eating! Food: 7:40 am 3 butterhorns, 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g blackberries, coffee 11:10 am 2 slices Omega 3 toast, 2 tbl PB, 2 clementines 5:45 pm 5.5 oz beef liver w/caramelized onions, 1/2 c boiled turnip greens, 1/3 c leftover mashed potatoes Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill intervals 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 29 Jan

I have determined that my black and white long dress purchased for Doris and Richie's wedding looks acceptable with a black turtleneck and leggings underneath for the "black and white" themed dress for NYE at the Cafe Chanson. I can dress in my room and will not need to be outside in what looks to be quite a cold evening. I have either a white or a black shrug which I will take in case it's cold in the dining room/bar. Today I want to go to Target to get the A Walk in the Woods DVD which should be released today. Otherwise I have the day at leisure to fit in exercise and any other tasks I choose. I spent yesterday afternoon when the snowstorm hit reading in my recliner with an afghan and Christmas cookies, so I have had a dose of retirement laziness to last awhile. Food: 7:50 am 3 butterhorns, 1/2 grapefruit, 103 g blackberries, coffee 10:00 am Christmas cookies 12:30 pm Leftover Applebee's cedar-planked chicken w/wild rice blend 2:00 pm Spiked Eggnog chocolate bar Exercise: 11:15-12:25 pm Leslie Sansone 5 mile walk DVD 3:15-3:30 pm Jessica Smith Latin Dance DVD

Mon 28 Dec

Found my appointment card for my last haircut. I had to call Sue to determine the date/time because I couldn't find the card anywhere. Apparently I had stuck it under my computer keyboard and it worked its way too far to see. This morning it peeked out to tease me. Should have texted Mary before I walked to Suzuki to confirm that she meant this Monday and not next week. At least I got my 10,000 steps from the walk and the storm did not yet begin. Food: 7:35 am 3 butterhorns, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:25 am 2 slices Omega 3 toast, 2 tbl PB, med banana, 20 cal Nestle cocoa 12:25 pm 2 pc chocolates Exercise: 8:55-9:25 am Treadmill intervals 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 12:45-1:00 pm Walk to Suzuki 1:05-1:20 pm Walk home

Sun 27 Dec

I have a feeling of "here we go again" this morning, like now that the holidays are over, it's back to life as usual. Let's do it. Painful Packers game, especially for Aaron Rodgers who just got pounded over and over again. Food: 8:15 am 3 butterhorns, 1 c fruit salad, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Steel cut oatmeal, 1 tbl flaxseed meal, protein powder, 1/2 c frozen blueberries, soy milk, 4 TJ's dark chocolate stars 4:00 pm Christmas cookies & goodies 6:00 pm Uncle Will's meatballs, 1/2 c mashed potatoes Exercise: 9:40-9:55 am Walk to church 11:00-11:15 am Walk home 12:30-1:35 pm Jessica Smith Cardio Barre, Power Pyramid Walk, Fat Blaster Walk DVD

Sat 26 Dec

Neighbors just packed into their car and drove away. I assumed they were taking their daughters back to college today, but I suppose it's also possible they are going to celebrate with out-of-town family members. I forget that other people do that. Saw Star Wars in Madison yesterday when we took Laura back, then met her again at Baldwin St pub for fish fry dinner. Saw on the Internet recently that Applebee's offers a 15% discount to those 60 and over. It's true. With the $25 gift card Bob got from someone he worked for, we had dinner with $.75 leftover. Food: 8:15 am Butterhorns, fruit salad, 100 g blackberries, coffee 1:15 pm Leftover catfish, shrimp, grits, chunk of peppermint bark 2:50 pm Christmas cookies 6:00 pm Applebee's large house salad, 2/3 portion cedar-planked lemon chicken w/rice blend Exercise: 3:45-5:00 pm Jessica Smith Walking DVDs

Thurs 24 Dec

Not sure if the butter horns are going to raise; it apparently got colder than I expected last night and the dough not only chilled but may have partially frozen. I was able to roll them out and they are currently on cookie sheets in the warmed oven to raise. I'll give them a try. Fireplace does not want to stay lit this morning. Bob thinks the chimney may have iced over in last night's storm. Doesn't look promising for a quick fix. On the brighter side, the butter horns did turn out. Another delicious brunch with Hartmans. Eddie was the only representative of the younger generation present. Kathy made wonderful breakfast enchiladas. Food: 8:30 am 2 wedges light spreadable cheese, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 9:30 am 2 butterhorns 7:30 pm 1 c Shreddies, 1/2 c light original soy milk Exercise: 3:25-4:45 pm Jessica Smith YouTube: Latin Dance; 1 mi interval; Belly, Buns & Thighs

Wed 23 Dec

Gym and Bootstrap today to keep me busy so I don't fret about the bathroom job. Yesterday afternoon was fine while I had presents to wrap, but afterward I had no specific plans. Reading always helps. Food: 7:45 am j skinner maple cinnamon roll, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Slice Omega 3 bread, 54 g braunschweiger, Dora's croissant w/crema cocoa 12:30 pm Molasses Christmas cookies Exercise: 8:55-9:25 am Treadmill, mostly walking 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 22 Dec

Having the bathroom torn up for painting a few days before Christmas sucks. Food: 7:00 am j Skinner double maple cinnamon roll, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 1:05 pm 4 cheese fries Exercise: 7:30-9:20 am Walk w/Kathy

Sun 20 Dec

Hopefully no more nasty surprises with my email or credit cards today. Opened Facebook yesterday to vent about my frustration and saw a post from a former coworker who was very glad to still be alive and unhurt. They were driving on the highway at 70 mph when a tire fell off the car. Put my little frustration in perspective in the grand scheme of things. Food: 6:50 am 1 c Shreddies, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 9:20 am 2 small Christmas cookies Exercise: 7:45-8:00 am Walk to church 9:00-9:15 am Walk home

Sat 19 Dec

Eggnog pancakes for breakfast today! It's truly the Christmas season. Today is a day to wrap presents, bake cookies, and tie up any loose ends. Probably to plan my Christmas meal and make sure I have everything I need on hand. Nice to not have other obligations today to interfere. Tomorrow we will go to Mass at 8 am so we can leave immediately afterward for Mayville for an overnight at the Audubon Inn. If we go early, we will have lunch at a nice little Italian bistro in Mayville, then drive out to the Horicon Marsh to either drive or hike, dependent on weather. We will take in the Visitor's Center and plan a short jaunt, hopefully returning to check in at our hotel around 3 to take in the Packer game. I have ascertained that we do have a TV in the room, or we can choose to go down to the lovely bar room where I'm sure it will be also broadcast. This is Wisconsin, after all. Quite a day. I seem to have discovered a possible reason for the issues with my email. Apparently someone got some identifying information re: my Kohls charge, possibly from the email receipt from my online purchases. They then proceeded to order some other things, notably a large Keurig coffeemaker and a Ninja blender system, the first on 12/17 and the second today. The coffeemaker was delivered here this afternoon, to my amazement. I checked my account and it had been charged on my card as an online order. After talking to several people on the Kohl's line, I was able to get them to cancel the card and they are assigning an investigator to check things out. They suggested I call the credit agency and also file a police report, which I also did. We returned the coffeemaker to the local Kohl's store so it was taken off my bill. The woman on the phone seemed most concerned about cancelling any possible rewards earned by the purchases. The only motivation I can imagine is that whoever hacked my email got the Kohls cash numbers from the rewards emails and planned to use it to get free stuff in the store. Sigh. Food: 7:45 am 3 eggnog pancakes w/butter & maple syrup, 1/2 grapefruit, 98 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Turkey soup, slice Omega 3 toast w/butter, 2 clementines 6:30 pm 4 cheese fries, orange, 6 oz scotch ale

Fri 18 Dec

Yahoo canceled my email account yesterday evening and I haven't yet been able to recover it. I opened a new one so they would have a place to communicate with me, but I want my own account back. I can't begin to think what a pain it would be to transfer all the emails I want to get to a new account. Yikes! Food: 7:40 am 1 c Shreddies, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am Polito's pizza, spaghetti, alfredo, breadstick, salad, cookies Exercise: 8:50-9:10 am Treadmill intervals 9:15-9:25 am Treadmill walk 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Thurs 17 Dec

Wow, December is flying by! Gotta still make cookies and get presents wrapped and stockings stuffed. Saturday is still pretty free, so it should be able to get done. I also have this afternoon open to get some things done, and I'd also like to put up the creche this year. Not yet in the groove of dressing for cold temps. Forgot to put leggings under my pants and my thighs were icy when I got home. Quickly rectified the omission. Food: 6:55 am 1 c Shreddies, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries 9:20 am Nespresso espresso, thin slice stollen 12:00 pm 2 large scrambled eggs, 1 tbl fancy shredded cheddar, slice Omega 3 toast w/butter, 2 clementines 5:15 pm 8 oz O'So's stout 6:00 pm Bowl bean soup w/collard greens, crackers Exercise: 7:30-9:10 am Walk w/Kathy to Schmeeckle 10:00-10:10 am Walk to St Steve's 11:20-11:25 am Walk home

Wed 16 Dec

Today should be a very busy day, with gym in the morning, a birthday lunch at Wooden Chair with my former coworkers, and Bootstrap this afternoon. I'm looking forward to it. I am very happy with the Christmas tree this year as I finished decorating it to my satisfaction yesterday. I am always so much more exhausted after Body Pump when she pulls an old routine series out of the hat and changes up the flow of familiar exercises. I know it's good to confuse the muscles, but they are sore! Food: 7:35 am 1 c Shreddies, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill intervals 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 15 Dec

Today is one of those glorious days where there is absolutely nothing on my schedule. I can use the day as I please to get things done for Christmas at my own pace. I am looking forward to it. So far the only exercise I've done is to dance around to music while doing a few errands around the house. Still need a little more concentrated exercise this afternoon. Food: 7:55 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:35 am Slice Omega 3 toast w/butter, turkey soup, clementine 12:45 pm 1/2 c peppermint ice cream w/homemade hot fudge 5:45 pm 6 oz maple stout, pasty, 3/4 c Birdseye mixed veggies Exercise: 3:30-4:40 pm Jessica Smith walking DVD

Mon 14 Dec

Yay, Packers! Now if we'd only had as good of success in getting Michael enrolled for health insurance. I don't know what the government website has in for him, but they refuse to verify his identity. We will try again this evening so we can meet the 12/15 deadline in case he doesn't qualify for BadgerCare, but he certainly should. It has been a real pain to get him there. Food: 7:20 am Morning bun, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:05 am Slice Omega 3 toast w/butter, 101 g raspberries, 1 oz asiago w/rosemary, .85 oz baby swiss 12:15 pm 1 pc fudge 3:00 pm Christmas cookies Exercise: 8:55-9:25 am Treadmill intervals 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 1:00-1:15 pm Walk to Suzuki 2:35-2:50 pm Walk home

Sun 13 Dec

Two years since we lost Grandma today. Bye, bye, Mommy! We miss you. Hope you are happy with Dad in heaven. Looking forward to trimming the new Christmas tree this afternoon. I really like this new tree - it is the right height, girth, the cord actually reaches the outlet. Nice tree. And we will cheer for the Packers in the afternoon with no interruptions for choir practice. You should get extra credit for getting your 10,000 steps when you have a lot to go and you really don't wanna. Food: 7:55 am Morning bun, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am Veggie omelette w/cheese, 2 slices wheat toast, 1 Smuckers blackberry jam, slice cantaloupe, slice honeydew, coffee 6:30 pm Turkey soup, cornbread muffin, wine Exercise: 8:45-9:45 pm Jessica Smith 5 mile DVD

Sat 12 Dec

Looking forward to driving down to Madison to visit Laura today. I believe the temps are still supposed to be mild. Last chance to pick up items from Madison for Christmas. Food: 8:10 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 11 Dec

Another week flown by, and only two more weeks til Christmas. Whew! The whirlwind is overwhelming at times. Hoping to get the tree set up this afternoon/evening, and hopefully get the decorations down from the attic to at least begin the trim. The box had some shipping damage, so I'm hoping the tree is okay. Spent some time yesterday evening with Loni and her family after the funeral formalities. We chose to go back to the hotel with everyone and eat Rocky's pizza and wine in lieu of going to church to hear Msgr. Mark preach. Tree assembled and fluffed. All lights appear to be lit. This is a MUCH nicer artificial tree, one I can be happy with for years to come. Food: 7:40 am Caramel roll, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am 4 pieces leftover WheelHouse pizza Exercise: 9:05-9:25 am Treadmill intervals 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 1:00-1:15 pm Walk to Suzuki 2:30-2:45 pm Walk home

Thurs 10 Dec

I expect this to be a very busy day. Walk with Kathy, tutor at St Steve's, Loni's mom' funeral, haircut/color, and evening meditation at Newman w/Mons. Mark. It's been a little daunting just thinking about it the last couple of days, but when it's done, it's done. And nothing requires an unusual level of participation from me, so it will be fine. Oh, I hate when you really need to pee during the last part of a walk, but it sure feels good when you finally get home to take care of the need. Food: 7:00 am Caramel pecan roll, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:35 pm .8 oz baby swiss, .85 oz asiago w/rosemary, slice stollen, 99 g raspberries Exercise: 7:30-9:20 am Walk with Kathy

Wed 9 Dec

Feels like Monday, hard to remember it's Wednesday. Gym this morning to start trying to get back on track after a couple of truncated weeks now with illness and vacation days. Bootstrap this afternoon. Hope to get Christmas decorations down from the attic tonight so we are then poised to go. Last night, we moved the Pilates reformer downstairs and did some rearranging so I may actually be able to use it now! Tree was delivered while we were gone so the box is sitting in the tree spot. Inexorably it moves toward the season. Slept almost 9 1/2 hours last night, but time to get up occurred when I was in a deeper phase of sleep so I still didn't want to get up. Can't skip gym today though after missing on Monday. I'm slowly starting to wake up. The Body Pump routines were a little different this morning, so new muscle patterns left me a little more tired. Also got there just a tad later than usual so only had 15 min on the treadmill. Food: 7:50 am Caramel pecan roll, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:15 am Blueberry scone, .85 oz baby swiss, 1 oz asiago w/rosemary, 101 g raspberries 6:30 pm Homemade turkey soup, crackers 7:10 pm Schwan's peppermint ice cream, homemade hot fudge Exercise: 9:10-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 8 Dec

Had an excellent time in Elkhart Lake. The Osthoff Resort is beautiful, our room was spacious and lovely, the Christmas Market was a lot of fun. We got in a little hike on the Ice Age Trail at the end of day on Monday, and we spent some quality time in a carriage museum at the Old Wade House site in Greenbush on the way home today. Cantered at Mass for the holy day, and all the Mary songs are in a very low register where my voice isn't working very well so I croaked a bit, but no one threw tomatoes. Lucky they're out of season.

Mon 7 Dec

Pearl Harbor Day. Grandma always remembered the soldier she wrote to who was on board the ship sunk at Pearl Harbor. This was before she started writing to Grandpa. Sadly, I don't remember his name. Excited about going to the Christmas market today. We watched Rick Steves' European Christmas DVD last night where he showed several European markets. I'm looking forward to seeing one in person. Food: 7:45 am Caramel roll, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 6 Dec

Concert went well last night, and for a change, the little church in Wausau was nearly full. One more this afternoon at St Paul's and this season is a wrap. The two-concert schedule is rather nice. Forgot to take my Fitbit off the charger before church so didn't get credit for walking to, from, and around St Stan's. Damn! Felt compelled to make up the count and allow the uncounted steps to be my extra over and above 10,000 for the day. Food: 8:00 am 1 Russian tea cake cookie, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 4:00-4:15 pm Jessica Smith Turkey Trot Walk YouTube 6:00-6:30 pm Jessica Smith Latin Dance Walk YouTube 6:30-6:40 pm Extra walking to get to 10,000

Sat 5 Dec

This morning we will go to Amherst for the annual craft sales at Jensen Center and around the town. First stop, the Lutheran church where all the Scandinavian ladies ply their yummy baked goods. We usually also bring home an assortment of Christmas cookies from the St James cookie walk. This evening is the choir concert in Wausau. Kind of nice only doing the two concerts - less running around. It was nice to have yesterday evening free, though Bob came rushing in after work, afraid he was late for the concert. It was also nice to have leisure on Fri afternoon to bake for the bake sale (and do laundry) so I don't have to fit that all in today. Food: 8:10 am 1 c Shreddies, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 103 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am Wheel house pizza 1:30 pm Several Christmas goodies Exercise: 2:30-3:45 pm Walk to Schmeeckle

Fri 4 Dec

A much happier morning in Packerland after the long frustration of most of the game and that sweet, sweet ending. Made it through Body Pump, though it was hard work. I backed down to the weights I had been using before my last recent increase, and made it through all reps. Food: 7:40 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 106 g raspberries, coffee 12:05 pm Slice Omega 3 toast w/butter, SweeTango apple w/cinnamon sugar, 3 large oysters 3:05 pm 1/2 c Schwan's Peppermint ice cream w/homemade hot fudge sauce Exercise: 9:00-9:20 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Thurs 3 Dec

Hoping I have good energy to walk with Kathy this morning. My legs still feel a tad weak, but otherwise I feel okay. My scale was under 150 for the first time in quite a long time, so the decrease in appetite has been helpful. Hopefully I'll be able to work off of this when my full appetite returns. Successfully completed a walk with Kathy, and must not have been too slow as I got home around the usual time with my 10,000 steps. Fortunately, I'm also not totally wiped out so I will be fine for tutoring. Went out erranding this afternoon and got the goodie bag for the Advent tree from church done. Bought the ingredients to make cookies tomorrow afternoon for the choir bake sale on Sunday. And discovered a good selection of fairly reasonably priced artificial Christmas trees at Kmart so I'm taking Bob back to possibly buy one. It certainly is easier, and possibly cheaper in the long run than buying a stand and possibly replacing lights. I just can't bear using that ugly thing we had to buy at the last minute last year when the selection was so picked over. Cooked a Mediterranean quinoa mix from Aldi's to go with the salmon but it was so salty we couldn't eat it. Food: 7:00 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g raspberries, coffee 12:15 pm 2 slices Omega 3 toast, 2 tbl PB, SweeTango apple w/cinnamon sugar 1:10 pm 20 cal Nestle hot cocoa 4:30 pm 8 oz TJ's maple water 6:00 pm 7 oz broiled salmon, 1/2 c winter squash, 1/12 Costco pumpkin pie Exercise: 7:30-9:05 am Walk w/Kathy 10:00-10:15 am Walk to St. Steve's 11:20-11:35 am Walk home

Wed 2 Dec

Definitely does not feel like it should be Wed already. It is quite disconcerting to lose Monday altogether when you weren't expecting it. But onward. Stayed up a bit late last night and finished the last book in the Outlander series, so it's time to move on to something else. Likely I'll go back to the Irish Country Doctor series next, as there's a new book I acquired a month or two ago but waited to finish the current series first. Not sure if I'll go back to the beginning or pick it up somewhere in the middle. Don't need to decide now. Had every good intention of going to the gym as usual today, but when I got up from the computer to make final preparations, my body said, "not a good idea". I kept making the preparations in hopes that I was just being lazy, but I really didn't feel right, a little light-headed and weak, so I decided to finish shoveling the light snow off the sidewalk and do Jessica Smith at home. I did the Stride & Strength first and the little amount of weight training included convinced me I had made the right decision. I managed the whole DVD plus a barefoot fusion walk that was really good to work my feet, but I was working hard to get through it. I didn't want to spend everything I had today as I have my Bootstrap shift this afternoon, so it was good that I didn't try Body Pump and treadmill. I'm pretty sure I would have had to quit or at least stop using weights part way through, and I might not have had anything left to work this afternoon had I made myself go. Food: 7:35 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g raspberries, coffee 12:00 pm 2 large oysters, 1 slice Omega 3 toast w/butter, sweeTango apple w/cinnamon sugar 3:00 pm 1 Nestle turtle, 1/4 c hot chocolate 5:15 pm 4 oz roast pork, 1 tbl Sweet Baby Ray's, 1/2 med baked sweet potato, 1/4 tbl butter, 1/2 c butternut squash 6:45 pm 1/2 c French vanilla ice cream, 1 tbl maple syrup Exercise: 8:45-9:00 am Shovel very light snow 9:10-10:10 am Jessica Smith Stride & Strength and Barefoot Fusion DVD

Tues 1 Dec

Yesterday was a non-day for me. Spent most of it in bed, and when I did make it down to the couch for a couple hours each in the afternoon and evening, it was just to read or watch Men on Ice on PBS with Dad. I managed one bowl of cereal and one 32-oz glass of water all day. I wasn't so nauseous that I needed to vomit, and really didn't have too much residual nausea after the night, though I had no interest in eating. I don't believe I had a fever and no cold symptoms. Don't know what it was, but I had no strength at all. I feel okay today, but understandably a little low on energy/strength after a day with virtually no food or water. Oh, and I already have considerably more steps today (496) than I got all day yesterday (350). Made it through the 4 Fast Miles DVD this morning. Got my treadmill videos of the Cotswolds in the mail today, so will walk on the treadmill in virtual England this afternoon. Food: 7:30 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 31 g blackberries, 74 g raspberries, coffee 12:35 pm Leftover zuppa di panna 1:50 pm Slice turtle pudding cake 7:00 pm 3 oz roast pork, 1/4 c mashed potatoes, 2/3 c roast butternut squash Exercise: 11:00-11:45 am Leslie Sansone 4 Fast Miles DVD 1:45-2:45 pm Treadmill w/Cotswolds DVD

Mon 30 Nov

Not feeling well in my tummy today. Last night was not very restful, feeling like I could have thrown up with very little effort but struggled against it because I didn't want to. Not going to go to the gym today, and considering just going back to bed. Not quite ready to put food in my stomach. Don't imagine it was anything I ate because I just had Thanksgiving leftovers for dinner, and they had been properly stored and weren't old. I didn't eat or drink anything I haven't already had with no problems. Had got up around 8:30 to see how I felt, which wasn't great, so went back to bed and now am up the second time at 11:30. Canceled the voice lesson with Mary so I don't have any obligation to leave the house today. Not yet interested in food, but a large glass of water is going down well.

Sun 29 Nov

It's always a little wrong-footed on a Sunday morning when we've gone to Mass on Saturday and don't have anything going on Sunday morning. I know that I've been to Mass, and if I have done so because I have things to do on Sunday, I don't give it a second thought, but if I went on Saturday night for other reasons, e.g. cantoring, then it feels odd to just take it easy on Sunday morning. Nothing scheduled today til choir practice at 4 pm, not even a Packer game. This morning we planned our spring break trip for next year, returning to St Maarten through Costco Travel. They offered a good price on a package to the same hotel we stayed through VRBO last time. We know we liked the facility and especially the location. The package includes a rental car and a drop off/pick up at the hotel which will be welcome since the best flights we could get don't arrive until 11:05 pm. Looking forward to a favorite place to return! Food: 7:45 am Steel cut oats w/protein powder, flaxseed meal, 1/2 c frozen blueberries, soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm Slice Omega 3 bread, 53 g turkey dark meat, slice Costco pumpkin pie w/whipped cream Exercise: 10:30-12:25 am Jessica Smith walking DVDs plus extra steps

Sat 28 Nov

This is really a nice long, relaxing Thanksgiving weekend. I suppose it seems so because the "work" of food preparation was all done on Tues/Wed, the meal enjoyed on Wed evening, and the rest of the weekend is ours to do with as we please. I have to cantor at 5 pm at church tonight, and we have choir practice tomorrow afternoon, but otherwise we have been able to choose what we do. I got the laundry finished on Thursday, the shopping on Friday. Maybe today I'll look into some Christmas decorating? Had a very nice surprise yesterday. Received a 3-DVD set of walking videos with a handwritten thank you note from Jessica Smith for being a good customer. Just booked a January (!) weekend at the Gunflint Lodge through a Travelzoo voucher. True Northwoods fun and hope for Northern Lights! Food: 7:45 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g blackberries, coffee 11:40 am 40 g leftover turkey, slice Omega 3 bread, slice Costco pumpkin pie w/whipped cream 1:45 pm 1 Lindt truffle, 2 licorice ice 2:35 pm Slice turtle pudding cake from Van De Walle's 6:55 pm 6 cheese fries, med SweeTango apple w/cinnamon sugar, 2 sm/med carrots, 6 oz Naughty Girl wine Exercise: 10:05-11:05 am Jessica Smith Stride & Strength and Belly, Buns, Thighs DVD 4:05-4:25 pm Walk to church 6:00-6:20 pm Walk home

Fri 27 Nov

Black Friday is here. We slept in til 7:3ish and I'm making waffles. I believe the old waffle maker has seen it's best days and is ready for retirement, though not an active one. Fortunately, we had a brand new waffle maker sitting on the shelf in the basement for many years. It had been a gift from one of our foreign students after we already had one, and I never found anyone to regift it to, so it was available for recruitment. It is now preheating, so it remains to be seen if it will work. Oysters and toast for lunch! How fun! Had a very nice afternoon drive to Appleton, shopping at Costco and briefly at Macy's, and dinner at Carmella's Bistro. Very pleasant and not too horribly crowded. Got some of the last of the Christmas shopping taken care of today. Food: 8:35 am 1/2 grapefruit, 98 g blackberries, coffee, hopefully a waffle soon 11:35 am Oysters, slice Omega 3 toast w/butter 2:00 pm Costco samples 4:30 pm 5 oz chardonnay, zuppa di pesce, 1/2 brioche banana bread pudding Exercise: 8:10-8:40 pm 2 Jessica Smith walking interval YouTubes

Thurs 26 Nov

Happy Thanksgiving! What a lovely Thanksgiving celebration we had last night. Michael and Taylor joined us for the traditional feast (which was delicious, the moreso because I didn't get a proper lunch and was starving!) Desmond, Su and Bethany came around 8:45 and had two small plates of everything. Beth was getting overtired but still mostly charming. Michael really enjoyed plunking on the piano with her. It was nice and a little strange to be able to sleep until I woke naturally and get up with no obligations on Thanksgiving day proper. I wish the weather was better so we could go hike Rib, but it appears to be drizzly and is predicted to continue thus all day. I guess exercise will have to be indoor DVDs. I may do laundry today as the basket is full. Last week I did it on Wed to prepare for our trip, so it's due. Bob said it will take him at least an hour to unload his van and make a couple of trips to pick up large tools from a job site he finished yesterday. I might also check out the Christmas decorations, especially whether I have a stand and lights that could accommodate a real tree should I decide to pursue that. Eating my Thanksgiving feast, albeit leftovers, in front of the computer while listening to Christmas music while Bob unloads his tools in the garage. Know what, it's still delicious! Food: 7:50 am Costco coffee cake, 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:25 pm 4 oz roast turkey, 2/3 c stuffing w/gravy, 2 tbl cranberry sauce, 1/2 c sweet potatoes, 1/2 c green beans w/pearl onions and almonds, 6 oz sparkling cranberry juice 2:15 pm 1 Lindt truffle 6:20 pm 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light original soy milk Exercise: 2:20-2:50 pm 2 Jessica Smith mile YouTube workouts 3:50-4:35 pm Jessica Smith walking workouts

Wed 25 Nov

Happy Birthday, bro Mark. He would have been 64 today. We will celebrate our Thanksgiving a day early today with Michael and Taylor, and possibly with Desmond and his wife Su and daughter Beth. Should be festive. Food: 8:00 am Costco coffee cake, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, coffee 12:40 pm Slice Omega 3 bread, 1 tbl PB, 1 tbl raspberry jam Exercise: 9:05-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 24 Nov

Today will be Thanksgiving prep day, after hopefully a morning walk with Kathy. I did get the dining table cleared off (mostly) last night; I won't change the tablecloth til tonight or tomorrow to assure it is clean for the meal. I also got a significant amount of countertop and workspace cleared in the kitchen. Should make working there more pleasant today. Had a really weird dream about being stalked/attacked by a huge green and yellow striped snake that didn't bite me but tried to wrap itself around me. It was somehow in whatever house I was in and there were quite a few people around who eventually helped to free me and the snake crawled out of a closed window. Weird. Nice walk with Kathy. Temps a tad brisk, but not at all uncomfortable. Face and thighs are chilly, but otherwise I was comfortable. Popped the fireplace back on upon return to the house, so should be toasty in no time. Yay! We has piano tuned, and definite diminishment of piles in dining room. Now I can start on Thanksgiving prep. Food: 7:00 am Costco coffee cake, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, coffee 9:30 am Coffee 1:20 pm 2 slices Omega 3 toast, 2 tbl PB, plum 1:45 pm 10 peanut M&Ms, 3 licorice ice, 1 Lindt truffle 6:15 pm 3-meat tortellini, 1/3 c autumn harvest pasta sauce, 1 tbl shredded parmesan, 2/3 c diced beets, 6 oz rose wine Exercise: 7:40-9:15 am Walk w/Kathy

Mon 23 Nov

Already the week of Thanksgiving - wow! With such warm autumn weather, it snuck up on me by surprise. This morning there's a little dusting of snow on the roof and lawns, so it's starting to feel more real. When I start cooking prep tomorrow, it will certainly be there. I'm kind of looking forward to doing the meal on Wed evening and having Thursday completely at leisure this year. We'll have to see how it feels when it's actually here. Food 7:45 am Byerly's sticky bun, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:35 am Beef tips w/mushrooms, slice Omega 3 toast w/butter, plum, 4 licorice ice 12:40 pm 1 Lindt truffle 2:55 pm 2 peppermint Oreos, Pu-Erh tea 5:15 pm Sm piece leftover flatbread w/goat cheese, spinach, shaved prosciutto, 2 pieces plain flatbread, 20 cal hot cocoa w/Bailey's Exercise: 9:05-9:25 am Treadmill, intervals 9:30-10:30 am Body pump class 12:45-1:00 pm Walk to Suzuki 2:34-2:50 pm Walk home

Thurs 19 Nov

It's here! Our trip to Minneapolis is finally about to commence. Looking forward to it as always. I don't remember the first time Grandma and I did the trip, but I'm reasonably certain that it was before Laura was born, perhaps the year I was pregnant? I don't think we started before I was married to Bob, but I'm really not certain of that. Food: 7:15 am Costco coffee cake, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 18 Nov

One more day before Minneapolis, and a rainy one it looks to be. Better today than tomorrow. Today is gym and Bootstrap, and I'm trying to fit laundry in as well so it's not hanging over my head when I get home on Sunday. First load is in the washer now, and I may have time to change loads before leaving for the gym if I'm lucky. Busy afternoon at Bootstrap. I did finish the laundry before going, so I think I can take it easy this evening. I'm mostly packed for tomorrow. Food: 7:55 am Costco coffee cake, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:15 am Blueberry oat muffin homemade, 100 cal pumpkin pie Greek yogurt, 69 g raspberries 12:45 pm 10 M&M Peanut 2:30 pm 2 squares Lindt Excellence dark chocolate sea salt 5:15 pm 1/2 c egg noodles, beef tips w/mushrooms, 1/2 c winter squash w/butter 7:15 pm Aldi ice cream bar Exercise: 8:55-9:20 am Treadmill, walking 4 mph 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 17 Nov

Hopefully I will walk with Kathy this morning; it doesn't appear to be raining at present and maybe it will hold off for awhile. Beyond that, the only other scheduled obligation today is to pick up my car later in the afternoon. Yesterday I enjoyed sitting in the living room reading for quite a while with the fireplace and soft music. Delightful! I may try to organize my packing today for Minneapolis. Taylor came for tea and a visit this morning. Got a nice pot of chili cooking for supper. Put the new Costco fleece sheets on the bed today; hope they aren't too hot for sleeping. Food: 7:05 am Cinnamon roll, 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Costco coffee cake, tea 1:15 pm 4 pc dark chocolate pretzel bark 2:45 pm Diet ginger ale 5:30 pm Venison chili w/1 tbl light sour cream, 1 tbl shredded cheese, homemade blueberry oat muffin Exercise: 7:30-9:15 am Walk w/Kathy

Mon 15 Nov

I remember to drop off the car this morning so they can repair the paint job. I will rush my breakfast a tad so I have plenty of time before I need to get to the gym. If they have a rental for me and it doesn't take too long, it should be okay. If they are backed up, I may not make my class but I will certainly try. Michael is here assembling his windmill project for class. Got the rental, a 2004 Mitsubishi Diamante. It took some work to find out what model it was as the keys and agreement just said Mitsu and there is no ID plate on the back of the car. I had to find the owner's manual in the glove compartment. It's a big honker, but I really shouldn't need to use it again until I go pick up my car as I am done with the gym now til Wed. Tomorrow is my quieter day, though I may walk with Kathy if it isn't raining. Dad got the fireplace installed yesterday so I was able to come home and push a button to get a fire when I came home from the gym. I think I'm gonna like this! Food: 7:40 am Morning bun, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Friendly Farms pumpkin pie Greek yogurt, 79 g raspberries, 1 beignet 12:30 pm 10 M&M peanuts 2:30 pm 1 Oreo 3:45 pm 7 licorice ice 5:00 pm 6 oz pumpkin ale 5:15 pm Beef tips w/mushrooms, 1/2 c egg noodles, 1/2 c winter squash w/butter Exercise: 8:45-9:20 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 12:45-1:00 pm Walk to Suzuki 2:35-2:50 pm Walk home

Sun 15 Nov

Had a really nice day in Madison yesterday with Laura. Walked to Sardines in lovely weather for brunch, did errands at bakery & Costco, picked out yarn for Laura's Christmas knitting projects for us, dinner at Lombardino's, and a brief rest at Laura's while she finished sewing together my black infinity scarf. Today the Packers play at noon and we have choir from 4-6. Tomorrow I must remember to drop off the car for the paint repair. Food: 7:20 am Morning bun, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 9:40-10:00 am Walk to church 11:00-11:20 am Walk home

Sat 14 Nov

Sun is shining today. How pleasant! Should be nice for the drive down to Madison. Have to go at 10 am to Shuda Funeral Home for visitation for Jim Waisbrot who was killed in a car accident recently. I'm meeting Kathy Pelky who worked with Jim longer than I did. I guess I won't need to worry about returning the Two Fat Ladies videos I borrowed from him. I suspect his family will discard most of his collection of books, videos, DVDs etc. Food: 8:05 am Cider donut, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 9:30 am Un beignet

Fri 13 Nov

Going to see How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at Sentry tonight, a UWSP production. Very much enjoyed our last live theater outing, so expecting this to be fun as well. Then tomorrow, we get to see Laura in Madison after a short stop at the funeral home for Jim W. Food: 7:45 am Cider donut, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 1:35 pm 2 slices cinnamon raisin struan toast w/butter, 3/4 c squash soup, 99 g raspberries 5:30 pm Large portion leftover butternut/apple ravioli w/sage butter, 1/2 c applesauce, 5 oz white wine, chocolate chunk cookie Exercise: 9:05-9:23 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 3:10-3:50 pm Jessica Smith Walking DVD

Thurs 12 Nov

Wow, November is already sliding away quickly! By next Wed, I will already be two months into retirement. Time certainly didn't slow down any when I stopped working. Looks like it's not raining so I should be able to walk with Kathy this morning. Drizzled a bit on the way home, but otherwise a decent walk. We will walk next week on Tuesday as we are going to Mpls on Thurs. Food: 6:55 am Cider donut, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, coffee 11:55 am 1/2 leftover egg white spinach feta omelet, 1.5 c acorn squash soup (Vitamix) 12:45 pm 1 chocolate chunk cookie (baked from fundraiser cookie dough found in freezer) 2:30 pm M&M peanuts while cleaning downstairs freezer 5:00 pm 2 lime margaritas, 2 steak tacos on flour tortillas, 1/2 c refried beans, chips & salsa Exercise: 7:30-8:55 am Walk w/Kathy 10:-10:10 am Walk to St. Steve's 11:20-11:30 am Walk home

Wed 11 Nov

Veteran's Day. Forecasts are for the weather to take a nastier turn today with rain starting in the afternoon and lasting til tomorrow, temperatures dropping somewhat, and possible snow on Friday morning. November is playing catch-up. Food: 7:45 am Cider donut, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, coffee 11:35 am 2 slices cinnamon raisin struan toast w/butter, 100 cal pumpkin pie Greek yogurt, SweeTango apple w/cinnamon sugar 3:00 pm 6 chocolate covered pretzels, 2 sq Toblerone white chocolate almond 5:20 pm 1/4 c dark chocolate covered dried cherries 5:25 pm Butternut squash/apple ravioli w/brown butter sage sauce, 2/3 c homemade applesauce, 5 oz white wine Exercise: 9:05-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 6:10-6:40 pm Jessica Smith Sunset Flow Walk YouTube

Tues 10 Nov

Going to go for a short walk with Taylor this morning so I have to rush breakfast since I didn't make a point of getting up early. Will likely lunch with some of the Gilfry retirees at Rock N Roll Cafe, then maybe try to bake that monster squash from Joanne Kronenbush this afternoon. Maybe even try to make squash soup? There! I have succeeded in baking the giant squash, though I haven't done anything with it beyond putting it into containers. I have a recipe of Mexican cornbread baking in the oven for supper. It was such a beautiful afternoon that I felt honor-bound to go for a nice walk before the weather turns nasty. Food: 7:45 am 1 c Shreddies, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 9:00 am Tea 11:45 am 4 oz fried liver w/onions, 4-5 potato wedges, 1/2 c tossed salad, 1/2 c canned corn 2:00 pm Caramel apple w/nuts 5:45 pm 1/8 skillet Mexican cornbread, 3/4 c winter squash Exercise: 8:05-8:50 am Walk with Taylor 3:15-4:30 pm Walk to Schmeeckle

Mon 9 Nov

Very nice weekend in Door Co, though I ate altogether too well and the scale reflects it. We had lunch Friday at Carmella's Bistro in Appleton, a relatively new Italian place that I heard numerous rave reviews about, well-deserved I might add. I had housemade gnocchi with housemade marinara and dad had fusilli with artichokes and shrimp in a lemony sauce. Dessert was a take on mint strachiatelli with mint gelato, chocolate sorbet, small pieces of brownie and sauce. Friday we had the $19.99 fish special at CHOP, and I had frigging lobster tail as my choice. It has been a very long time since I had lobster tail previously. The special included their house fresh popovers, and I think we paid a slight uncharge to get the seasonal salad which was a delicious beet salad. Saturday and Sunday mornings were breakfast at the White Gull, of course. On Sunday, they had homemade cinnamon rolls, so we brought two home for today's breakfast. We went back to CHOP on Saturday, intending to do their date night menu, but because we went early right after church, we qualified for their early bird menu which was similar but about $20 less. Dad had potstickers and I had mushroom bisque for appetizer, Dad had a steak with flavored butter and I had an amazing huge pork chop for entree, and Dad had a salted caramel sundae and I had carrot cake for dessert. After hitting the brand new Costco in Appleton on the way home, we stopped at SAP, the sister business to Carmella's that specializes in brunch and sandwiches. This was the only meal I ordered that I didn't really like, as I ordered a Croque Monsieur and theirs was prepared differently from what I expected. It was on thickly sliced, very sweet brioche bread, minimal ham, and gooey melted cheese on top. The overwhelming taste was very sweet. I did have a cup of cream of parsnip soup on the side that was quite nice, though. Food: 7:55 am White Gull cinnamon roll, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 98 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am Almond cookie green tea 12:30 pm 2 handfuls popcorn 2:30 pm 2 Oreos 5:30 pm 4 oz leftover ham, 1/2 c cheesy potatoes, 1 c acorn squash, 2 tbl cranberry sauce, 3 licorice ice 7:00 pm Bailey's on the rocks, 5 licorice ice Exercise: 9:05-9:20 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 12:40-1:00 pm Walk to Suzuki 2:30-2:45 pm Walk home 3:00-3:20 pm Walk to Gilfry 4:15-4:35 pm Walk home

Fri 6 Nov

We so enjoyed going back to the theatre to see Shrek last week that I bought tickets to How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying to be performed at UWSP next Friday. It had been far too long since we had been to live performances since First Nighters got so expensive. Food: 8:00 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 5 Nov

Today should be the last of our unusually warm streak, but the forecast to follow doesn't look too bad either. Temps should be upper 40s-low 50s in Door County this weekend which is very tolerable if you dress for it. I hope we're able to get out and hike a bit. Sure is nice to get my 10,000+ steps right away in the morning walking with Kathy. Time flies by while we talk and my work for the day is well begun. Impromptu visit from Michael, so we had wine and leftover enchiladas together. Food: 6:50 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Bowl leftover homemade chicken dumpling soup, 2 slices cinnamon raisin strain toast w/butter 4:45 pm 5 oz cabernet sauvignon, leftover enchiladas 4:45 pm 5 oz cabernet sauvignon Exercise: 7:30-9:10 am Walk with Kathy 9:55-10:10 am Walk to St Steve's 11:25-11:40 am Walk home

Wed 4 Nov

Kind of a foggy, grey morning today. I think we're still supposed to get one more day of lovely warm sunshine yet. I'll be spending most of my afternoon indoors at Bootstrap today, but I'm out by 4:00 so I could still enjoy some of it (if it happens). Food: 7:40 am 1 c Shreddies, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 99 g blackberries 11:10 am Friendly Farms pumpkin pie Greek yogurt, slice pumpkin streusel bread toasted w/1/4 tbl butter, med banana 12:15 pm Licorice tea 2:30 pm Hershey's Special Dark miniature, lemon Dasani 4:15 pm Shortbread, 8 oz diet Gold Peak tea Exercise: 9:05-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 3 Nov

I'm sleepy this morning. I had to run down and check my phone and email when Bob got up as I had offered to walk with Mary Hofer this morning if she wanted but went upstairs to read before getting a response last night. Fortunately she's busy this morning because I really didn't feel like being ready off the starting block today. As it is, the only thing on the schedule today is a 12:30 lesson with Mary so I can exercise and maybe work on a cleaning project this morning after I get my energy up and shower. Forgot to put protein powder in my oatmeal this morning, and resultantly am hungry for lunch earlier than usual. Not really a problem since I want to walk to Suzuki lesson and then take a long walk in the warm afternoon sunshine afterward. I'll be ready in plenty of time. Cleaned up my herb garden this morning, taking out dead things and leaving parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. And a little kale. Nice long walk in the lovely sunshine, followed by a glorious 45-min nap. Life is good! Food: 7:20 am Steel cut oatmeal w/flaxseed meal, blueberries, soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:05 am 3 cheese fries, 1/2 c cranberry sauce, apple crisp 4:25 pm Indian corn Exercise: 12:10-12:50 pm Walk to Suzuki and around UWSP waiting for Mary 1:45-3:20 pm Walk around Schmeeckle and home

Mon 2 Nov

Nice to have Michael and Taylor for dinner last night. Feels more like true autumn when you start having big family dinners with ham and cheesy potatoes. Actually those are more associated with Easter, but it's the bigger dinner aspect that feels autumnal. Food: 7:40 am 1 c Shreddies, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am Slice 12 grain bread, 65 g braunschweiger, 68 g raspberries Exercise: 9:00-9:20 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Sun 1 Nov

Much as Daylight Savings Time is a pain, it's always rather nice to get that extra hour one day a year. Watched Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone last night for our Halloween movie. Today we're having Michael and Taylor over after choir for ham and cheesy potatoes. I'll have to try to get the Packers on the computer as we don't get channel 13 on the antenna, but I'm the only one who will want to watch anyway. Went to the grocery store for the things needed for cheesy potatoes as I don't usually keep them on hand. Need to make an apple crisp, assemble the potatoes, and figure out what time to put things in the oven so we're ready to eat after choir tonight. Food: 7:00 am 1 c Shreddies, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm 2 fried eggs, 1 slice pumpkin streusel bread, 99 g raspberries Exercise: 9:40-10:00 am Walk to church 11:00-11:20 am Walk home

Sat 31 Oct

Happy Halloween! I expect our only observance will be to hand out Trick or Treats to the kids. Hopefully the rain will stop early enough so they don't have to trudge in the drizzle. Perhaps it's a good day to dress as Mary Poppins. Enjoyed the performance of Shrek: The Musical last night at Sentry. CWACT did a very nice job with some amazing costumes and strong leads. The dragon was really incredibly well done. I understand they hope to rent it out or sell it to other theater groups. Food: 8:05 am 1 c Shreddies, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:20 pm Friendly Farms pumpkin pie Greek yogurt, 101 g raspberries, slice pumpkin streusel bread

Fri 30 Oct

I hope I don't have another frustrating day of trying to remember passwords that I can't seem to access. I can't remember the main password for Keychain Access to let me in to my records and I've had to change some of the Apple and Facebook passwords so many times that I didn't bother to write them down. It wasn't a particularly good day yesterday. I don't care to repeat that. Food: 7:35 am Costco coffee cake, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm Slice Omega 3 toast, 1 tbl PB, 1/2 c homemade cranberry sauce, piece shortbread 1:00 pm 2 pc licorice ice Exercise: 9:05-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 1:40-2:20 pm Jessica Smith Belly, Buns, & Thighs YouTube 2:20-2:35 pm Jessica Smith Power Walk Quickie YouTube

Thurs 29 Oct

Walk with Kathy, read with the kids, and get the gray removed today. Want to contact the Post Office to see if I can pick up my phone package there since I need to sign for it. I prefer to go there rather than sit and wait for whatever time the mail carrier comes. Most people can't figure out the doorbell, so I would need to stay alert to watch for him/her. I'd rather just go myself on my own schedule. New iPhone came a day early. Bob kindly tracked down the mail carrier and brought me the package since I was worried I wouldn't be home to sign for it when she came because I had to go tutor. Now working on activation and learning a new device. Food: 7:00 am Costco coffee cake, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Slice Omega 3 bread, 1 tbl PB, med banana Exercise: 7:30-9:05 am Walk w/Kathy 10:00-10:15 am Walk to St Steve's 11:25-11:40 am Walk home

Wed 28 Oct

Had a frustrating attempt with the Marketplace to get Michael onto our health insurance policy. They employ some of the nicest, politest, most incompetent people. They can see what needs to be done but aren't ever able to accomplish it. Gotta try again later this week. Damn! Got busted at the gym today. I thought they said they no longer had a two-tiered system of basic users vs. class/full users so I have been asking for and getting passes to take classes for 2.5 weeks now. Today the gal at the desk noticed that my membership is only a basic so I am not able to access the classes unless I want to pay to upgrade my membership. I currently pay $10/month and I believe it would be at least $30/month to include classes. I'm not sure I want to pay that much, though I really did enjoy the Body Pump class. I just came home today rather than work out on the elliptical and weight machines while frustrated because I couldn't do Body Pump. I'll work out at home with a video today. At least I don't have to feel guilty about missing the class on Friday to wait for my phone to be delivered. Poop! Food: 8:00 am Honey bear pastry, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 103 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am Slice banana bread, Friendly Farms pumpkin pie Greek yogurt 3:15 pm Custard filled chocolate bismarck 4:15 pm 4 M&M peanut, Pu-Erh tea 5:45 pm 4 oz roast beef, 3/4 c mashed potatoes w/Tastefully Simple Irish Stout sauce gravy, 1 c cooked carrots, 8 oz skim milk 7:30 pm 5 oz Cuvee Trois wine Exercise: 10:10-10:30 am Jessica Smith Cardio Sculpt YouTube 10:30-10:45 am Jessica Smith 1 mile Interval Walk YouTube 10:45-11:05 am Jessica Smith 1 mile Wake-Up Walk YouTube

Tues 27 Oct

Looking forward to spending the morning with my former coworkers at a training at MSTC. I believe it's an excellent speaker on bullying. I'm going a bit early to help Heather and Michelle set up. Hoping maybe someone will want to go to lunch afterward. No one wanted to go to lunch, but since I had refreshments at the conference, I didn't really need to either. Too late to hike Rib, so we walked through Schmeeckle to PJ's for dinner and home on Michigan. Food: 6:40 am Pain aux raisins, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee 8:15 am Yogurt parfait 10:30 am Cherry turnover 12:15 pm Sm Kwik Trip cheeseburger, 1/2 c homemade applesauce 12:25 pm 5 M&M peanut 6:30 pm 16 oz pumpkin spice ale, pumpkin mac n'cheese, 2 sm slices goat cheese salmon pizza Exercise: 7:15-7:30 am Walk to MSTC 11:50-12:05 pm Walk home 5:30-6:15 pm Walk to PJ's 7:45-8:30 pm Walk home

Mon 26 Oct

My phone appears to be kaput, though I still haven't completely given up hope for a resurrection. It fell in the toilet last night at choir and I didn't notice til I'd finished peeing so it was there for several seconds. It spent the night in a bag of rice and once Siri spoke out and said she didn't understand what was said, but this morning when Bob put the sim card back, nothing happened. It's on the charger now to see if that matters. Had bad dreams toward morning that Bob died. Very specific about how I needed to put affairs straight after the death. Far too realistic. Don't want to look at the next 30 years or more without him. We enjoy so many of the same things, I can't imagine still enjoying them all alone. Food: 7:35 am Chocolate croissant, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm 100 cal Pumpkin Pie Greek yogurt, slice banana bread, med banana 2:50 pm 5 peanut M&Ms 3:15 pm Sm brownie, chocolate Pu-Erh tea Exercise: 9:20-9:30 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 11:15-11:45 am Leslie Sansone 2/5 Fat Burning Miles DVD 12:40-12:55 pm Walk to Suzuki 2:35-2:50 pm Walk home

Sun 25 Oct

Wow, was I sore after the Moon Walk last night. Even with ibuprofen, it was hard to fall asleep from the variety of aches in feet and legs. I'm fine today. I walked and talked with Heather on the return half of the walk which was really nice. Found out they finally hired a replacement for me, a 21-year-old boy named Dalton who starts on Monday. Heather did not seem very excited. I did remind her that I started at Human Services when I was 22, so maybe he'll work out. Food: 8:15 am Apple danish, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 102 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am Slice banana bread, 100 cal Friendly Farms pumpkin pie Greek yogurt Exercise: 9:40-10:00 am Walk to church 11:00-11:20 am Walk home

Sat 24 Oct

Luckily it wasn't raining as forecast this morning so we were still able to walk comfortably to the Farmer's Market for pastries. In fact, it was quite a bit warmer than I had expected. There are clouds looking heavy with rain in the distance, but they look like they may be moving around us. We've had some rain in the night, but I have no idea how much. As long as the weather is tolerable for the Moon Walk tonight, I'll be happy. We'll drive to SPASH for Empty Bowls today. Empty Bowls was again a very nice event. Got two more matching bowls the right size for chili or other soup that should stack in the cupboard if I can make a space for them. Stopped at the new Kwik Trip for $1 Angus cheeseburgers for supper before Moon Walk tonight as we are both quite full from lunch and won't need much before the walk. Food: 8:55 am Pear danish, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Pumpkin soup, 2 oatmeal raisin cookies, breadstick 1:55 pm 13 oz Kwik Trip pumpkin spice cappuccino 4:05 pm Sm brownie Exercise: 7:45-8:45 am Walk to Farmer's Market and back 5:40-9:40 pm Moon Walk WI - 12 miles

Fri 23 Oct

So passes another week. This weekend, Empty Bowls and Moon Walk WI. I have set up some future small travels: Nov 6-8 at the Landmark Resort in Egg Harbor through VRBO, Dec 7-8 at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake for the Old World Christmas Market through Travelocity, and Nov 19-22 at the Country Inn & Suites in Bloomington for our annual Minneapolis trip. That should fill out the calendar for awhile. Baked a pan of brownies to take one to Mary Hofer for her birthday today. Scarfed a large brownie myself while they were still warm. Oops! Food:: 8:00 am Glazers donut, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 99 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am Slice banana bread, Friendly Farms pumpkin pie Greek yogurt 2:30 pm Large brownie Exercise: 9:15-9:30 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 11:00-11:25 am Jessica Smith Power Walk YouTube 2:45-3:00 pm Walk to Suzuki 4:00-4:15 pm Walk home

Thurs 22 Oct

Week is flying by again. The biggest error I made in anticipating retirement was thinking I would have so much time on my hands to do new projects. I did add in 3 mornings at the gym with follow-up cardio at home which eats a significant chunk of time, so there isn't a lot left. Dad discovered the other day that the paint is peeling off the back section of the car that wss repaired after I was rear-ended last winter. The repair place scheduled to fix it on Nov 16 and will give me a loaner car for the two days they will need to do the repair. Then I was bad and went to the new Kwik Trip where I got a free pumpkin spice cappuccino and bought some Glazers donuts cheap. Food: 7:00 am Costco coffee cake, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am 100 cal Pumpkin Pie Greek yogurt, SweeTango apple w/cinnamon sugar, slice cranberry orange bread 12:35 pm 10 g BarkThins dark chocolate almond bark 3:10 pm Glazers donut, 20 oz pumpkin spice cappuccino 6:40 pm Kwik Trip chicken sandwich, slice homemade banana bread, 1 c baby carrots Exercise: 7:30-8:55 am Walk w/Kathy 9:50-10:05 am Walk to St Steve's 11:05-11:20 am Walk home 5:45-6:35 pm Walk to Schmeeckle with Bob

Wed 21 Oct

Back to the Future prediction day. Have to admit I've never seen the movie, doesn't appeal to me, but I watched the predictions video to see what they thought we'd have now. Interesting. Food: 7:55 am Costco coffee cake, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 99 g blackberries, coffee 11:40 am 18 g gouda, Chobani Simply 100 Key Lime Greek yogurt, sm banana, plain croissant 4:15 pm 1 dark chocolate truffle 6:45 pm Leftover tomato basil tortellini w/chicken, 12 oz pumpkin ale Exercise: 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 10:55-11:30 am Jessica Smithh 2/5 Fat Burning Miles DVD

Tues 20 Oct

I am particularly looking forward to today as I don't have anything necessary on my schedule so I can stay home and structure my own day. I could go to Sh'Bam at 9 am at the gym, but I think I'll work out at home with videos instead. What a perfect evening for a hike! Food: 7:10 am Pain aux raisins, 1/4 med cantaloup, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:10 pm 1 c Shreddies, 1/2 c light original soy milk, sm banana, 2 licorice ice 4:35 pm 2 pumpkin spice pizzelles 7:15 pm Tomato basil tortellini, garlic bread, 16 oz Seattle cider Exercise: 11:00-11:30 am Salsa DVD 11:30-12:00 pm Leslie Sansone 2/5 Fat Burning Miles DVD 2:00-2:40 pm Walk to Anchor Bank and back 5:40-6:55 pm Hiking Rib

Mon 19 Oct

I fear I'm coming down with the cold going around town. Michael and Taylor had it, my co-cantor on Saturday had it. More Cold-Eze today. One of Michael's friends fell at High Cliffs park where they group camped this weekend. I don't have details, but it was bad enough that they took him to hospital by ambulance and Taylor commented that he was responsive. Later she said he'd be okay but pretty banged up. Food: 7:35 am Chocolate croissant, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Slice Omega 3 bread, 64 g braunschweiger, sm banana Exercise: 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 11:00-11:30 am Jessica Smith Cardio interval walk DVD

Sun 11 Oct

Cantoring was better last night with a familiar Newman pianist. Also Fr. Evaneau from Haiti is here this weekend which lends an interesting aspect to the service. We are supposed to have a different Newman pianist this morning so it should be okay again, then I'm off the hook for a couple of weeks. I could have used a tad less excitement at the end of the Packer game, thank you. We got home from choir in time for the full fourth quarter. Food: 6:50 am Pumpkin danish, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 99 g blackberries, coffee 12:45 pm 2 eggs over easy, 3 strips bacon, 2 large pumpkin spice pancakes w/1/2 tbl whipped butter, syrup, coffee 7:15 pm Asparagus gruyere ravioli w/pumpkin chipotle sauce, grated parmesan, cranberry raspberry sauce Exercise: 7:15-7:30 am Walk to St Stan's 8:45-9:05 am Walk to Michael's 10:20-10:50 am Walk home 3:00-3:20 pm Neighborhood walk

Sat 17 Oct

Brisk fall morning for a walk to the Farmer's Market, with the sun on a few yet beautiful trees. David said he's only going to be there one more week before going to indoor markets only. Then I either need to settle for a smaller selection at the Strongs Ave market or do the parking lot rendezvous again. After breakfast this morning, we need to take the car for an oil change and feed Michael's cat. I cantor at 5 pm today and again at 8 am tomorrow. Packers play at 3:25 pm and choir is 4-6 pm, sigh! I really can't skip choir in good conscience since we've already missed 3 rehearsals. Besides, Barb is running rehearsal so I will like it better. Food: 8:45 am Pear danish, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 79 g raspberries, coffee 12:15 pm Homemade chicken dumpling soup, mini naan, SweeTango apple 1:45 pm 10 g dark chocolate almond BarkThins, 2 licorice ice Exercise: 7:30-8:30 am Walk to Farmer's Market 10:10-10:20 am Walk to Michael's 11:50-12:00 pm Walk home

Fri 16 Oct

I was irritable yesterday afternoon. Taylor came over for tea around 1:30 so I just had time to eat, nap, and hot tub after tutoring. She was in a "need to complain" mood and stayed almost all afternoon. I finally had about 45 min free to myself before we took them out for dinner to celebrate Michael's first day of freedom. Glad they will be out of town this weekend, though we are feeding the cat twice a day. On the upside, I'm less sore today. Food: 7:30 am Sm piece Costco coffeecake, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 99 g raspberries, coffee 12:35 pm Bowl homemade chicken dumpling soup, Stonefire mini naan 2:30 pm Chocolate chip cookie 3:00 pm Moonstruck 1 pc chocolates Exercise: 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 11:00-11:40 am Jessica Smith Mega Body Burn DVD 12:45-1:00 pm Walk to Suzuki 2;40-2:55 pm Walk home

Thurs 15 Oct

I'm excited for my first day of reading tutoring today. Hope it goes well. I will meet my two regular students and get to know the procedures. Yesterday I was trained on the regular pantry functions at Bootstrap so I feel a little better acclimated there as well. And I'm starting to assimilate the soreness from Body Pump; it has moved a little to the lower back so I need to keep stretching. Walking with Kathy this morning. Going to need to work on the tutoring thing. Firstly, I thought I started at 10:30 and it was actually at 10:15. Fortunately, I arrived at 10:15, thinking I was early. Secondly, I was supposed to return the first student to Mrs. Friess at 10:45 and pick up the second student from Mrs. Helgeson. I realized this at 11:15 when I was still with student #1, so I never even met the second student. Better luck next week. Food: 7:00 am Sm piece Costco coffee cake, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 101 g raspberries, coffee 11:55 am Steel cut oatmeal w/flaxseed meal, blueberries, soy milk, med SweeTango apple w/cinnamon sugar Exercise: 7:30-9:20 am Walk w/Kathy 10:00-10:15 am Walk to St Steve's 11:20-11:35 am Walk home

Wed 14 Oct

I expect to be very sore after Body Pump today as I am quite stiff/sore going in. Need to start shaping those muscles up, so no time like the present. I do plan to take a couple of ibuprofen before I leave just to help me make it through. Busy day today in that I will come home from the gym, maybe sneak in a short cardio/active recovery, then shower, lunch, 3 hrs at Bootstrap, then hiking as the forecast is lovely. I should be sufficiently tired at the end of the day. Good thing Taylor came and stayed late last night and not tonight. Food: 7:35 am Sm piece Costco coffee cake, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 100 g raspberries, coffee 12:15 pm 2 oz leftover prime rib, 1/2 c leftover hash browns w/onion, med SweeTango apple w/cinnamon sugar 3:00 pm Sm sliver pecan kringle 4:25 pm 24 g dark chocolate angel food candy 6:30 pm 7 oz pub burger w/provolone, lettuce, tomato, pickles, 1 c steamed broccoli, 16 oz Seattle cider 7:45 pm Zanzibar chocolate/mint on your pillow ice cream Exercise: 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 11:00-11:30 am Jessica Smith Low-Impact HIIT Cardio DVD 5:00-6:00 pm Hiking at Rib

Tues 13 Oct

Sort of a gloomy-looking October morning today. Michael wants me to talk with Taylor who is somewhat depressed and cranky lately. They have been having nightly spats. The tension of the house arrest, nearly at an end, and living together when they hadn't planned to, is reaching the apex. Hopefully she will come this morning around 9 and we can have tea together and a good girl talk. My computer nosedived this morning, but Bob was able to shut it down and restart it. It didn't respond to the button for me. Had retiree's lunch with a group of long-time retirees at Perkins today. Making chicken soup this afternoon. Food: 7:35 am Morning bun, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 76 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Perkins bacon grilled cheese sandwich, cup fruit salad 2:00 pm Orange pekoe tea, 20 cal hot cocoa 6:35 pm Homemade chicken dumpling soup, mini naan, 1/8 cranberry pudding pie Exercise: 10:00-10:30 am Jessica Smith Indoor Jogging YouTube 10:35-11:10 am Jessica Smith Latin Dance YouTube 4:05-4:35 pm Leslie Sansone 2/5 Fat Burning Miles DVD 5:15-6:30 pm Walk w/Dad around Prais to Frontenac

Mon 12 Oct

Ready to start another week, the first with all of my "regular" appointments in place. Wed PM at Bootstrap, Thurs AM walking with Kathy and reading at St Steve's, and Fri afternoon with Mary Hofer. I'm going to the gym this morning as I have managed each Monday morning; I intend to try the Body Pump class today. I will come home, shower, maybe make cranberry pudding pie for Michael and Taylor to put in their pie tin when I return it. I want to check whether the money has yet been deposited to reimburse my health insurance premiums as next month's is almost due. $1487.86 is quite a chunk and I'd appreciate having it reimbursed. Got a pork roast w/cranberries in the crock pot and a big tray of roasted root veggies in the oven. Made a fresh cranberry pudding pie for dessert. Yum! Food: 7:15 am Chocolate chunk danish, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:50 am 1.15 g gouda, med SweeTango apple w/cinnamon sugar dusting, slice cranberry orange bread 4:00 pm 26 g dark chocolate angel food candy, matcha 5:00 pm 4 oz pork roast w/cranberries in crock pot, 1 c roasted root veggies, 1/6 cranberry pudding pie 7:45 pm Shot of Bailey's on the rocks Exercise: 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump fitness class 11:00-11:30 am Jessica Smith Cardio Core Walk DVD 1:25-1:45 pm Mowed lawn 7:10-7:40 pm Jessica Smith Interval Walk/Dance Party Walk

Sun 11 Oct

Had a very nice day in Madison yesterday, cruising the Farmer's Market for fall bounty and spending a large part of the day with Laura. We had delicious oat pancakes at Manna, ran our errands to Target, the bakery, Costco, and Woodman's, returned to Laura's so she could get a post-yoga shower and we had naps, craft cocktails at Gib's and pizza at Grampa's. A full and very fun day. Whoa, cantoring was a debacle today. It is extremely hard to sing with Mary P's accompanying. She throws in instrumental intervals without warning, plays at a funereal pace, etc. Yipes, I'm glad that's over. Food: 7:25 am Chocolate chip danish, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 99 g blackberries, coffee 11:50 am Friendly Farms apple pie streusel Greek parfait, med SweeTango apple w/cinnamon sugar, mini-naan 2:00 pm Few dark chocolate pretzel bark pieces, 4 triple dipped malted milk balls 7:00 pm 4 oz Costco rotisserie chicken breast, 3/4 c baby carrots Exercise: 9:05-9:25 am Walk to church 11:05-11:25 am Slink home 1:30-1:40 pm Halftime walk 3:05-3:40 pm After-game walk 6:00-6:55 pm After-choir walk with Dad

Sat 10 Oct

Getting ready to come down to Madison for Farmer's Market on what ought to be a lovely fall day. Got up early in darkness, but went to bed early enough to get adequate sleep as I was quite tired yesterday. We stayed home and ate our Michele's leftovers last night and I watched a little Outlander on the couch for a relaxing evening. Bob said that Taylor stopped by for a glass of wine after I had retired. Food: 6:05 am Sm piece apple crisp, 1/4 lg cantaloupe, 99 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 9 Oct

Meeting Kathy to walk at 7:30 this morning. Feeling a bit sleepy today. At this point, thinking I won't go to the gym between my walk and my 12:15 voice lesson with Mary. Life has been too busy this week, especially the last couple of days. Last night, Dad and I both needed quite a few steps, so we walked to Michele's for date night. Killed two birds with one stone and had a very nice dinner with leftovers for tonight or tomorrow. Food: 6:55 am 1 c Shreddies, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee 9:10 am 2 pumpkin spice pizzelles, coffee 11:25 am Slice Omega 3 bread (toast), 1 tbl Jif, med banana, 2 oz soy milk, 33 g cheddar cheese, 22 g salami, matcha tea 2:20 pm Slice rum bundt cake Exercise: 7:30-9:00 am Walk with Kathy 12:00-12:15 pm Walk to Suzuki 2:00-2:15 pm Walk home

Thurs 8 Oct

Had a good time at Bill Pyke's last night with Deb P-J, Deb R, and Joan. Nancy Sommerfeld was there for a while as well. The old video was funny, seeing us all as we looked 27 years ago. Deb R noted that she was the only one not in the video even though everyone talked about/to her. We had made the video as a surprise so we never filmed her. There were people that none of us could identify, but we recognized most and had fun laughing at everyone's huge glasses. Today I drive down to Fitchburg for the mani/pedi. It is at 10:30 am which is a better time as I will drive down in the morning, probably have lunch somewhere in Madison, and be home at a normal hour. Food: 7:40 am 1 c Shreddies, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee 10:45 am Mimosa 11:15 am Cappuccino 11:45 am Bowl roasted red pepper tomato soup, grilled cheese sandwich, 8 oz Edmund Fitzgerald porter 3:45 pm 3 Licorice Ice 7:15 pm 5 oz zinfandel, 4 oz beef medallion, .5 oz swiss cheese, 1/2 c rice pilaf, 2 sm dinner rolls w/butter, garden salad w/.5 tbl honey mustard dressing Exercise: 3:50-4:40 pm Jessica Smith 3/5 Fat Burning Miles DVD 6:10-6:30 pm Walk to Michele's 8:35-8:55 pm Walk home

Wed 7 Oct

I finally have most of my regular activities in place now, with Bootstrap on Wed afternoons 1-4 pm and reading at St Steve's Thurs mornings at 10:30 am. I'm not sure if Mary Hofer is going to want to set a regular time or if she will prefer to schedule each week according to what else is going on. This week we're meeting on Friday at 12:15, which was already rescheduled from 11:00 am. I start my Bootstrap volunteering in the pantry today, and this evening I'm going to Bill Pyke's house in Rapids for a get-together with Deb P-J, Deb Richmond, and Joan Edens who sometimes gets together with our group. When Deb R left Human Services back in 1988, we made a video for her with interviews of many staff and a few clients saying silly things. She has never watched it since we aired it at the party when she left, and she is bringing it tonight for us to watch together. I expect much laughter will ensue. It begins to look like Bob is going to have to start setting an alarm to get up. He used to just hear me in the shower or drying my hair and never had a problem getting up without one, but now my schedule is quite irregular, and I'm often still in bed when he needs to get up. He didn't think that would be a problem, but he woke late this morning and had to race to an 8:00 am estimate and come back afterward for breakfast. I believe this will only get worse as it gets darker in the mornings. Food: 8:45 am 1/6 Micheal's homemade apple crisp, 1/4 med cantaloupe, coffee 12:15 pm Caramel apple scone, Chobani Simply 100 blueberry Greek yogurt, 101 g blackberries Exercise: 11:40-12:10 pm Jessica Smith 2/5 Fat Burning Miles DVD

Tues 6 Oct

Noticed that the gym offers the Sh'Bam class on Tuesdays as well, but at 9 instead of 9:30 so I plan to try to make it. Today I'm trying underdressing with my exercise clothes and will shower at home. Got my photo scanner working last night so I can start to make some progress on that project. It works really slick! Food: 7:40 am Apple cider donut, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 51 g raspberries, coffee 11:25 am Sausage/bean stew, med banana w/1/2 c light original soy milk, Nestle 20 cal cocoa 12:15 pm 2 pc Licorice Ice 2:15 pm 1/3 peanut butter chocolate bar 4:15 pm Dark chocolate pretzel bark 6:45 pm 16 oz Seattle cider, salmon club sandwich, 1 c steamed broccoli Exercise: 8:55-9:00 am Treadmill warmup 9:00-9:45 am Sh'Bam class 1:25-2:10 pm Walk downtown area errands 5:25-6:25 pm Partial hike of Rib

Mon 5 Oct

Got a call from Roseanne DeBot last night to schedule my Bootstrap time. Unfortunately this week I have the appointment in Madison on the Wed slot she has open, but she anticipated in her message that I may not be able to start til next week so I just have to call back to confirm. Hoping to hear soon from the school regarding my scheduled reading slot, and then to solidify a time with Mary Hofer. Those should be my only regularly scheduled weekly appointments, and I'd like to have them all set so I can plan the rest of my activities around them. I lasted 45 min on the elliptical today, so maybe next time I'll be back to the full hour. I'm going to shoot for Mon/Thurs at the gym to take advantage of the class I enjoyed last Thursday. Delivered a bunch of thank you notes to folks at the office today, and had a nice long visit with Heather and a few others. Dropped off Marge's at the Finance office at the Annex as well Food: 7:15 am Apple cider donut, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 27 g blackberries, 77 g raspberries, coffee 11:45 am Fig/apple herbal tea 1:00 pm Apple Pie Streusel Greek yogurt, caramel apple scone, med banana sliced in 1/2 c light original soy milk & .5 tsp sugar Exercise: 9:30-10:15 am Elliptical 10:15-10:30 am Weight machines

Fri 2 Oct

The girl who lived across the street from me in childhood and walked to school with me turns 60 today. Happy Birthday, Patty Phillip Ellefson. Looking forward to heading up to Bayfield for Applefest weekend today. We hope to leave this morning, lunch at the South Shore Brewery in Ashland, and get in a nice hike yet today. Tomorrow we'll take in the Applefest activities. Food: 7:00 am Costco coffee cake, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 1 Oct

Kind of excited about our "Christmas present" to each other; planning to convert our fireplace to gas which will actually provide heat for at least the living room and some likely spillover. Probably will be installed in early November, but they have to come measure to determine if the one we chose will fit. Had a nice visit with Taylor yesterday evening over wine. Her mom would like her to be home with her for the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas, but she also may have to work her regular shifts starting at 1 pm those days. If so and she has to remain in Point, we could adjust our holiday dinners to eat around 11 or 11:30 to accommodate her work schedule. We'll see. Plenty of time yet. Another beautiful afternoon. Harder than expected to motivate to walk, but I did it. Food: 7:30 am Costco coffee cake, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Slice Omega 3 bread, 59 g braunschweiger, 102 g raspberries 1:35 pm 1 Moonstruck chocolate 1:55 pm 14 g dark chocolate pretzel crisps 5:30 pm Butternut/apple ravioli, brown butter sage sauce, 1/2 c homemade cranberry sauce, pumpkin cake w/cream cheese frosting Exercise: 9:30-10:20 am Sh'Boom class 10:20-10:45 am Weight machines 3:45-4:45 pm Neighborhood walk

Wed 30 Sept

Old health insurance and dental insurance expires today. Another phase of moving on. Discovered an old song when playing guitar on Monday that seems to epitomize retirement for me. It's John Denver's Sweet Surrender, talking about not knowing what the future has in store, but "there's a Spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me, my life is worth the living, I don't need to see the end." I'm going for a walk this morning with Kathy Hartman. There is something very satisfying about buzzing 10,000 on my Fitbit by 9:00 am! Kathy and I met and walked around Bukolt at a nice brisk pace. We are going to try to get together once a week for a morning walk. She gave me a retirement gift of a box of "bonbons" to relax with, aka Lindt gourmet truffles. Going to be a challenge to drop the 25 lbs on my retirement to-do list, though the brisk walks will help. Enjoyed attending a birthday lunch for Brad at Hilltop. Heather texted me at 10 today to let me know it was happening. Good to see a bunch of the coworkers. Rescheduled mani/pedi to next week Wed, so tomorrow is totally open at this point. Will try to get to the gym again, and then....? Made homemade applesauce and cranberry sauce to go with frozen pasties for dinner tonight. Tasted like autumn. Food: 6:55 am Pain aux raisin, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Chicken sandwich w/mushrooms & swiss, 1 c fruit salad 2:45 pm 1 pc dark chocolate angel food candy 6:45 pm 6 oz pumpkin ale, pasty, 3/4 c applesauce, 2/3 c cranberry sauce Exercise: 7:30-9:00 am Walk w/Kathy

Tues 29 Sept

Yesterday was a good "first day", right up to the Packers winning and being able to stay up til the end of the game. Didn't get up this morning til about 7:20 am so I can have breakfast with Dad and then plan the day from there. Newman/Holy Spirit is having a lunchtime program at 11:30 with a Jesuit speaking about Pope Francis, so both Dad and I plan to go. The second half of Season 1 of Outlander comes out on DVD today, so I will need to get to Target to purchase that. I want to rematch the first DVD before I watch this one, so I'll get to it a little at a time but new-release DVDs are usually cheapest when they first come out. Made some progress cleaning the table yesterday, enough to energize me to finish the job today if I can. A nice side benefit to my doing more cleaning is that Bob was inspired to vacuum yesterday, something which has been increasingly rare. Maybe together we can get this house looking respectable again. Whoever thought retirement would be relaxing was sadly mistaken. After a little relaxation with my email after breakfast, the woman called with whom I had volunteered to do the school reading and scheduled an interview for tomorrow morning (after my walk with Kathy). She called back at about 9:17 to say that they had a scheduled required training session taking place at 10:00 am at the Bliss Center if I could make it. I hadn't yet showered as I had planned to go downstairs to work out, but I hurried through a quick shower and made it to the Bliss Center, dressed and put together, if somewhat breathless. I think I will really like the tutoring program which is not exactly what I had thought, but should be very interesting. Apparently I will be assigned to a specific 2nd or 3rd grade classroom for a scheduled hour each week to work with 2-3 children individually on reading goals. I hope to get into either St Steve's or St Stan's so I can walk. The training lasted til 11:15 and the lunch we were signed up for at St Stan's was at 11:30 so I rushed home and just barely had time to pee before Dad picked me up. The lunch was very nice, though most attendees were retirees, and the speaker was okay. The food was very nice, small wrap sandwiches, homemade chicken noodle soup, marinated veggies and cranberry fluff, and a pumpkin nut dessert. I walked home for the first real steps of the day, and plan a short nap before walking to the Suzuki office to pay for a semester with Mary which should start soon. We have agreed to do hour-long daytime lessons to make up for the time the semester has already been in session. Food: 7:30 am Chocolate croissant, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 102 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Cup chicken noodle soup, 2 small wrap slices, 1 c marinated veggies, 1/4 c cranberry fluff, sm piece pumpkin dessert, coffee, water 2:00 pm 1 pc dark chocolate angel food candy 6:30 pm 16 oz Seattle cider, alpine grilled cheese, 1 c applesauce Exercise: 12:50-1:05 pm Walk home from St Stan's 2:45-3:50 pm Walk to Schmeeckle via Suzuki office 5:00-6:05 pm Partial hike of Rib

Mon 28 Sept

For me, I feel as though today is the first day of my retirement. Last week was a scheduled vacation, and weekends I would have been home anyway, but today I would have returned to the work routine and I don't have to! I do have to go get a crown finished at 9:00 am and then I will scoot across the street to Adventure 212 to get re-established. I have my gym bag packed and will do my morning workout there. Michael needs help applying for his Affordable Care insurance, so we will do that online this afternoon. Nice to have a to-do list for the day. Whatever time is left over, I really want to attack the things brought home from work and vacation that still fill the dining room table and then the kitchen counters. Making a sausage and bean stew in the crockpot for dinner during the Packer game tonight. Sounds yummy. Will likely make some fresh applesauce to go with it. Got my tuning device for my guitar/dulcimer today. Tried it on the guitar and sat out on my Adirondack chair playing some tunes for a bit this morning. Nice. Made some small dent on putting things away from the table. Only made it through 20 min on the elliptical at the gym this morning, but followed up with a small session on strength training machines for biceps, triceps, shoulders, and chest. Will try to last longer next time. Didn't want to push too hard after such a long absence at that particular form of exercise. Food: 7:35 am Gibassier pastry, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 103 g blackberries, coffee 1215 pm 1 c Shreddies, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 101 g raspberries, 3 triple-dipped malted milk balls 2:20 pm 1/3 chocolate peanut butter bar from Fayze's Exercise: 10:00-10:20 am Elliptical 10:20-10:35 am Strength training machines 3:40-4:10 pm Jessica Smith Power Walk YouTube 4:25-4:45 pm Jessica Smith Power Mile YouTube

Sun 27 Sept

Another lovely day is dawning. Plan for today is to drive down to La Crosse for apples. I got up and did a Jessica Smith which had a ballet component. Haven't used my feet in an articulated manner for awhile and it wasn't easy. Felt some less familiar muscles. Also haven't done much arm work lately and feel them as well. Beautiful day! Drove to La Crosse and lunched at Fayze's, then drove to La Crescent for many apples. Stopped for 5 lb of cranberries en route. On the way home, we stopped at the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge and hiked around. Saw some whooping cranes and a large group of sandhills. Food: 8:10 am Pear danish, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 99 g blackberries, coffee 7:45 pm 1 c Shreddies, 1/2 c soy milk Exercise: 7:00-7:45 am Jessica Smith Cardio Ball Ballet YouTube Late afternoon Hiking in wildlife refuge

Sat 26 Sept

Home again, home again, riggety jig. We walked down to get fresh pastries and a couple of small butternut squash this morning. Sheets are changed and in the wash. Plan for today to do all laundry and this weekend to clear the dining room table and put things away. I'd like to put on a fresh tablecloth as well. Got laundry done, and a few things put away. Went to evening Mass so we have tomorrow free, and we have decided to drive to LaCrosse for apples as we haven't done that for several years. We will likely try to get in a hike somewhere as well. The table will wait for the week. It has waited quite a while already, it's not going anywhere. I felt like I accomplished some things today. Including eating our North Shore caramel apples while they are fresh - a novelty! Food: 9:15 am Lingonberry danish, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee 1:15 pm Slice Omega 3 bread, 61 g braunschweiger, med SweeTango apple, 12 oz diet ginger ale 2:30 pm 3 triple-dipped malted milk balls 7:00 pm 5 oz chianti, basil pesto tortellini, 1 tbl basil pesto, 5 g shredded parmesan, 3/4 c cooked carrots 7:45 pm Caramel apple Exercise: 7:45-8:45 am Walk to Farmer's Market and back 11:00-11:35 am Mowed lawn w/Fiskars 4:40-5:00 pm Walk to church 6:00-6:20 pm Walk home

Sun 20 Sept

It's very early. Brain is not functioning on all cylinders. Woke up at a good point in between sleep cycles, but definitely would have appreciated a couple more. Fortunately I slept soundly in the brief time I had. Food: 4:40 am Apple danish, 102 g blackberries, Nespresso espresso

Sat 19 Sept

To be cliche, this is the first day of the rest of my life. in other words, the morning after the 37 years before. Nice that it dawned as beautiful and crisp as a September day should be. We walked down to the Farmer's Market for pastries, and when we finish eating, we'll head down to see Laura in Madison. Food: 8:40 am Prune danish, 100 g blackberries, Nespresso espresso 11:30 am 1/2 Eggs Benedict, sm slice cherry custard French toast, 16 oz Lake Louie 6:35 pm 8 oz pumpkin ale, Arby's beef sandwich, 1 c potato salad Exercise: 7:50-8:35 am Walk to Farmer's Market and back 4:25-5:00 pm Walk to church 6:00-6:25 pm Walk home

Fri 18 Sept

Taylor came after she got off work last night and helped me to put together and season the potato salad. She then stayed and visited over wine. I didn't get home from camp til 7 pm and worked steadily to boil eggs and peel and cook potatoes, so I was tired, and this morning I am wiped. I went back to bed for an hour in lieu of exercise but I'm still tired. What an excellent retirement party! So many good people, past and present, and such good conviviality. O'So's was a great environment. Food: 7:05 am Sm slice Costco coffee cake, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee 9:15 am Piece chocolate cake w/whipped cream frosting 1:50 pm 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 101 g raspberries

Thurs 17 Sept

Lions Camp today, hopefully the weather will be nice. It looks to be warm and lovely. I got sunflowers and a really nice card from one client and homemade shortbread, a card, and a copy of a really lovely letter to my supervisor saying how much she had appreciated me from another. My coworkers gave me a beautiful bouquet of flowers that they had delivered during staffing for me. Last night when I got my haircut, Sue gave me a card and a bottle of the good Aldi prosecco that we love to take to the North Shore and toast my retirement. I feel special! Food: 6:40 am Sm slice Costco coffee cake, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 103 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 4:45-5:35 am Leslie Sansone 4 Fast Miles DVD

Wed 16 Sept

The inexorable march of time toward retirement day amazes me. The last weeks have passed very quickly. I'm really starting to get excited about planning my next phase. Food: 6:55 am Sm slice Costco coffee cake, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:45 pm Subway 6" Black Forest Ham sub, Herb Cheese bread, spinach, tomato, cucumber, green pepper 3:00 pm 2 german chocolate caramel bars, slice shortbread 8:00 pm 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light original soy milk Exercise: 4:45-5:45 am Jessica Smith Metabolism Booster DVD 4:45-5:00 pm Walk to haircut 730-7:45 pm Walk home

Tues 15 Sept

Made it to the top of the tower at Rib last night. We have been turning around early most times this year, either because of being tired or short on time. Yesterday we made a concerted effort to leave early enough to beat sundown and made it to the top! Felt good. My thighs are feeling it this morning. Making German chocolate caramel bars for tomorrow's staffing, my last. Dad kindly helped me unwrap a whole bag of caramels; nasty job. Haven't made these for a long time, but they were always a hit. Making spaetzle noodle casserole for dinner; will pop it in the oven for 5 min after the bars finish baking. Right now, wine time! Food: 6:45 am Honey bear pastry, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Cinnamon pear Chobani Greek yogurt, 101 g raspberries, slice pumpkin bread, 2 sm heirloom tomatoes 12:30 pm 1 Toffifay 6:15 pm 5 oz white bordeaux Exercise: 4:45-5:15 am Jessica Smith Latin Dance Walk YouTube 5:15-5:35 am Jessica Smith 1 mile walk YouTube

Mon 14 Sept

I guess I haven't done my usual Jane Fonda for a while, for a variety of reasons. I noticed today that it was more difficult than usual when I'm out of practice. The upside is that maybe I'll burn more calories while I reaccustom to my previous level of workouts. Food: 6:55 am Baby's pillow danish, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm 3 sm fresh mozzarella balls, slice pumpkin bread, 87 g raspberries 4:15 pm 1/2 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light original soy milk Exercise: 4:45-5:55 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 13 Sept

Yummy-looking apricot danish today, tastes as good as they look. Choir starts this afternoon. I cantor this morning with this arrogant St Stan's guy; I'll make the best of it. Won't be the same now that Deb is gone. Did a Jessica Smith Cardio Ball Ballet this morning. I have been focusing too much on just walking workouts to get maximum steps to the expense of exercising the rest of my body. I can tell when I do so that it is out of shape. Need to work on that when I will have more exercise time available to me to get enough steps and other exercise as well. I actually look forward to doing Pilates mat work again. Kathy Hartman brought me some fun socks for my birthday that say I Love My Job.....Ha ha! Just kidding! I need to wear them next week. Also some chocolates that I'll wear internally. Food: 7:30 am Smaller apricot danish, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm Almond Dresden slice, cold chicken drumstick, 100 g raspberries 6:55 pm 3.5 oz Costco rotisserie chicken breast, slice pumpkin bread, 2/3 c cooked carrots Exercise: 6:30-7:15 am Jessica Smith Cardio Ball Ballet YouTube 7:15-5:30 pm Neighborhood walk

Sat 12 Sept

Beautiful morning for the annual Walk for Hope. We had time to walk down early for the week's pastries, but will take the car for the Walk so we can head out immediately after for Cedarburg. I have a coupon for a wine tasting at Chiselled Grape that needs to be used. We can have BBQ lunch at Atlas in Grafton and maybe a Costco run since I need to replenish my blackberries. David made his poached pear danish again - they are my new favorite. Food: 8:25 am Pear Helene danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 7:40-8:15 am Walk to Farmer's Market for pastries

Fri 11 Sept

The memory of 9/11/01 is still pretty clear. I thought this morning of how many people got up on a normal day and headed to work, only to have it be their last. Good to remember the regular folks. Food: 6:55 am 46 g cinnamon brioche, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee 10:00 am Sm Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte 11:40 am Slice pumpkin bread, 100 cal blackberry Greek yogurt, 101 g raspberries 3:45 pm Sm oatmeal raisin cookie 6:45 pm 2 pc fried cod w/tartar sauce, 1/2 c steak fries, few bites coleslaw, 1/2 slice buttered marble rye bread, sm bowl chicken dumpling soup, 1/2 c rum cherry ice cream, 8 oz Mudpuppy Porter Exercise: 4:45-5:45 am Jessica Smith HIIT and band toning DVD

Thurs 10 Sept

Nice hike at Rib last night. Have not been there for a while due to the heat/humidity/other things to do, so it was nice to get back. Mushrooms are sprouting and a few tiny peeks of color. Found those glutes again. Food: 6:55 am Honey bear pastry, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:35 pm 1 slice Omega 3 bread, 50 g braunschweiger, 108 g raspberries 1:30 pm 15 g Dark Chocolate Super Fruits 6:30 pm 2 large grilled chicken drumsticks (no skin), 3 slices grilled pineapple 7:35 pm Slice fresh baked pumpkin bread Exercise: 4:45-5:50 am Jessica Smith 4/5 Fat Burning Miles DVD 7:10-7:30 pm Walk with Dad

Wed 9 Sept

The time seems to be passing very quickly toward retirement. Got an email from Deb McComas yesterday that she quietly retired. I assume the new parish wasn't going to keep both music ministers indefinitely, but they wanted her to stick around long enough to establish the Newman ministers so we wouldn't all bail with her. I will need to see if the music now reverts to all the old St Stan's stuff. If so, they don't need an old Newman cantor any more. If it stays a good mix, I'll hang around awhile longer. Food: 6:45 am Pain aux raisins, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 4:50-5:40 am Various Jessica Smith YouTubes

Tues 8 Sept

My penultimate week of work at PCHHS. Simultaneously ready to be done and hanging on to the familiar for just a little longer. Excited and apprehensive about "reinventing" myself as a retired person. Food: 7:00 am Chocolate croissant, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Slice Omega 3 bread, 46 g Trig's braunschweiger, 102 g raspberries 1:30 pm 2 Coffee Nips 4:50 pm 1 c kettle corn 6:00 pm Culver's roast beef sandwich, sm cup mint Oreo custard Exercise: 4:45-5:45 am Jessica Smith 4 15-min Fat Blast DVD 6:45-7:30 pm Walk through Iverson w/Bob

Mon 7 Sept

Had a very lovely weekend in Mpls, visiting with Kurt and Barb and doing the fair. Mad at myself for forgetting to do the SparkPoints on Saturday morning in my hurry to leave in that I broke a 176 day streak. I had managed to remember even when traveling to just log in, but somehow I forgot before we left. Oh, well. I once had over 200 and broke the streak, so time to start over again. There are two movies out now that I really want to see and I discovered that both are at Cedar Creek. We could watch them back-to-back. Both are sufficiently small that I don't believe either are being shown in town, so we're going to do the movie marathon this afternoon. Food: 7:45 am Baby's pillow danish pastry, 2 sm plums, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm Fit & Active protein bar 6:15 pm 8 oz Whole Hog pumpkin ale 6:35 pm 2 slices med Mediterranean Roasted Vegetable Connie's pizza, Jello sugar-free rice pudding cup Exercise: 10:20-11:40 am Leslie Sansone 5 Mega Miles DVD

Fri 4 Sept

The old gal is 60 now. Oh, my! I thank the Lord that everything still works and there are no major health problems. As far as I can tell, my mind is still working properly. I'm looking forward to planning the next phase of my life. My children are grown and beginning to establish themselves. My husband is my good friend and companion and we enjoy pursuing the same activities so our life is full. God is good. Food: 7:00 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 large grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:55 am Slice Omega 3 bread, 1 tbl Jif, 1/2 tbl raspberry jam, 103 g raspberries 2:145 pm Chocolate cupcake w/frosting Exercise: 4:50-5:50 am Jessica Smith Metabolism Booster weights and cardio DVD

Thurs 3 Sept

The movie was showing last night at Cedar Creek, but they moved the showtime to 7:50 pm. By the time you drive home after a movie, it would be too late for me to enjoy it. We will have to try to catch a matinee sometime or wait for the DVD release. We went out for sushi instead (and ice cream!) Afterward, we went to Lowe's and Bob bought me two teal Adirondack chairs for my birthday! Mary Hofer took me out to Grazie's for dessert for a birthday treat tonight. Food: 6:55 am Morning bun, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 103 g blackberries, coffee 12:45 am 2 scrambled duck eggs w/chives, slice Omega 3 toast w/.25 tbl butter & 1 tbl raspberry jam, 107 g raspberries 2:30 pm 1 Milky Way Midnight mini 4:00 pm 1 bar/2 bar pkg Nature Valley dark chocolate oat granola bar 6:10 pm Macaroni and cheese, cranberry/raspberry sauce 8:30 pm Grazie's berry crisp w/ice cream Exercise: 4:55-5:50 am Jessica Smith 15- and 40-min Weight Loss walks 5:45-6:00 pm Walk with Bob

Wed 2 Sept

Finally got money transferred to Bob to cover my share of bills before new ones arrive. It never ends. Food: 7:00 am Pain aux raisin, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm 80 cal Dannon blueberry yogurt, 99 g raspberries, orange pastry thing 3:15 pm 1 bar/2 bar pkg Nature Valley dark chocolate oat granola bar 5:45 pm Sushi rolls(Manhattan, Kamikaze, Caterpillar rolls), 5 oz Relax riesling 6:45 pm Small dish King Kone ice cream Exercise: 4:45-5:45 am Jessica Smith weights and walking DVDs 5:00-5:15 pm Walk with Bob

Tues 1 Sept

Did NOT like where my bathroom scale is heading. Hope it's an anomaly, but need to get serious about watching what I eat. I was low on energy for morning exercise so backed out of a couple of dance routines. Somehow the mega chocolate croissant for breakfast doesn't seem the best way to address the situation. I have a new (temporary) crown in my mouth. I'm special. We were excited to drive up to Cedar Creek Cinema tonight for the opening of A Walk in the Woods, a movie based on the Bill Bryson book about hiking the Appalachian Trail. We got there and found out that someone at the theater in charge of booking the movie had not done so, so drove home disappointed. Food: 6:40 am Mega chocolate croissant, 1/4 extra large cantaloupe, 104 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Slice 12 grain bread, 71 g braunschweiger, 101 g raspberries 5:30 pm 1 c cheese ravioli stars, 1/2 c tomato basil sauce, 1/2 tbl shredded parmesan, 1 c fresh garden tomatoes 7:25 pm Light & Fit Chocolate on Top banana Greek Yogurt 100 cal Exercise: 4:45-5:35 am DWTS DVDs 4:50-5:05 pm Walk with Bob (sweaty)