Sat 28 Feb

Managed a pastry drop with David this morning for fresh-baked goodies. Am enjoying a cherry-topped flaky danish as I write. Haven't managed a pickup for quite some time, maybe not even yet this calendar year. Food: 8:45 am Cherry-cheese pastry, 1/2 grapefruit, 147 g strawberries, coffee 12:30 pm 28 g manchego cheese, 1/4 med cantaloupe, Dresden square Exercise: 9:50-10:30 am Jessica Smith Indoor Jogging YouTube 10:35-11:15 am Jessica Smith Flat Abs Walk YouTube

Fri 27 Feb

February is almost over, but winter doesn't seem to be taking the hint to move on. It is supposed to warm slightly next week, but of course with snow. Not likely enough to play in, but enough to need shoveling and make roads slippery. My, but I sound negative this morning. Guess I'm just tired. Not sure what the weekend holds, other than that I need to cantor on Sunday. Can't run up to Bayfield to see the opening of the ice caves this weekend because I need to be back on Sunday. Not sure we'll be able to catch them at all this year because we have choir concerts next weekend, then vacation. First opportunity would be Mar 21, and it may be too late by then. Food: 6:55 am Lemon ponczka, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 9:15 am Pretzel twists, 1 York peppermint mini 11:50 am 2 scrambled eggs, banana bread, 147 g strawberries Exercise: 5:00-5:15 am Jessica Smith Fit In 15 Total Body YouTube 5:15-5:50 am Jessica Smith Belly, Buns & Thighs YouTube

Thurs 26 Feb

Not really looking forward to camp today with cold temps and short staff. Perhaps I'll be pleasantly surprised. Oh yeah, and one guy who insists he's coming even though he's pretty actively psychotic. Did I mention that the other two Portage Co staff who will be there with me most of the day are people he really doesn't like? I passed 10,000 steps before noon today, and am over 15,000 now. Food: 6:50 am Lemon ponczka, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 10:30 am Chips/salsa 12:00 pm Bun, chicken breast, tomato, lettuce, .5 tbl BBQ sauce, slice American cheese, mixed raw veggies, pickle spear, 2 oatmeal toffee cookies 2:00 pm 2 chips ahoy M&M cookies, few jelly beans 5:00 pm Spaghetti w/meat sauce, lettuce salad, 1 tbl sunflower seeds, slice garlic bread, 1/3 c butterscotch pudding Exercise: 4:50-5:50 am Leslie Sansone YouTube

Wed 25 Feb

Tomorrow we have the February version of Lion's Camp, with forecasts in the single digits. I can hardly wait. Took one night of on-call yesterday for a coworker who had to go to a funeral, and fortunately had no calls. Food: 6:55 am Lemon ponczka, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, coffee 9:30 am 3 Musketeers mini, 1 square Ghirardelli mango dark chocolate 11:40 am Slice Omega 3 bread, 59 g braunschweiger, 1/4 med cantaloupe 3:00 pm 28 g Trader Joe's Sweet/salty popcorn chips 5:00 pm Slice banana bread 6:10 pm Chicken biryani, 8 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:50-5:30 am Jessica Smith Stride & Strength YouTube 5:30-5:50 am Jessica Smith Power Walk YouTube 5:30-6:00 pm Jane Fonda aerobics YouTube

Tues 24 Feb

When I ordered homemade ponczkas from the Legion Auxiliary, I ordered a dozen prune and a dozen mixed lemon or raspberry. I'm trying a lemon today and it's delightful! Seems sacrilegious to eat something other than prune, but I'll manage. I will do one night only of on-call today for a coworker who has a funeral tomorrow. Heather's step-father-in-law passed away this weekend. Food: 6:50 am Lemon ponczka, 1/2 grapefruit, 98 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Gnocchi w/sage butter, 2 clementines 2:45 pm 28 g Trader Joe's sweet/salty popcorn chips, 1 coffee hard candy 6:10 pm Chicken chili, 8 oz skim milk 7:00 pm Slice of warm banana bread (Yum!) Exercise: 4:50-5:45 am DWTS DVD 5:40-6:05 pm Jessica Smith Cardio Core Flow YouTube

Mon 23 Feb

I have med room coverage today since Sue RN is on vacation. Should make for a busier-than-usual Monday. Had a weird dream last night. Unusual that I remember dreams at all. For all I know, they're all weird. Food: 7:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Chocolate soy shake, slice Omega 3 bread, 1 tbl PB, 2 clementines 2:00 pm 28 g Trader Joe's Sweet/Salty popcorn chips 6:45 pm Easy chicken biryani, 8 oz hard cider Exercise: 4:45-5:55 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 22 Feb

Only 17 days til vacation, not that I'm counting or anything. I am certainly ready to be warm outside. Went to the Olympia after church and sat near my coworker Heather and her family. Brought some leftover risotto home from Rockman's on Tuesday, so sautéed up a chicken breast, a green pepper, 1/2 an onion, several portobella mushrooms, added a little shredded Italian cheese blend. We'll see how it works. Food: 8:15 am Prune ponczka, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, Nespresso cappuccino 12:00 pm Cheese omelette w/veggie topping, 2 wedges cantaloupe, 2 slices wheat toast w/butter & orange marmalade, coffee Exercise: 6:50-7:20 am Jessica Smith Cardio Ballet YouTube 7:20-7:50 am Cardio Dance DVD

Sat 21 Feb

Sometimes it's just so nice to wake up at your leisure, sun already up, and not get out of bed until you're good and ready. It's a novelty that is much appreciated. Since Dad got up first, I was able to strip the sheets upon waking and get the laundry going right away, so instead of feeling like a lazy lie-a-bed, I feel industrious that I already have a load in the washer, last week's clothes folded and put away since time did not allow for that last week, and the rest of the laundry sorted and good to go. I can enjoy my breakfast the more for having started on the day's chores. Tried the new restaurant at Sentry World, PJ's. Excellent. We were seated by Ian who now goes by his full first name which is something like Destribian (though I'm sure that's not right). He used to be one of the younger Suzuki singers. Food: 8:15 am Steel cut oatmeal w/flaxseed meal, protein powder, Bayfield blueberries, soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, Nespresso cappuccino 12:00 pm 29 g manchego, Costco coffee cake, caramel macchiato Greek blend yogurt, 2 clementines 3:30 pm Caramel corn 6:30 pm 16 oz espresso stout, mac & cheese w/tomatoes, fried basil, mushrooms, 1/2 peach/strawberry cobbler Exercise: 1:10-1:45 pm Jessica Smith Interval Walk/Jog YouTube 1:45-2:15 pm Jessica Smith Power Interval Walk YouTube

Fri 20 Feb

Yay, it's finally Friday. No plans for this weekend, other than Sunday church and choir. Usual laundry and house chores on Saturday. Sleeping in sounds good. More food than activity today, but it felt good. Food: 6:50 am Prune ponczka, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Peach soy shake, Costco coffee cake, 2 clementines 12:30 pm 3 pc Costco cashew crunch 2:30 pm 3 LifeSavers, 2 Milky Way minis 5:45 pm Brandy old fashioned sweet, 5 oz fish filet, 3/4 c roasted baby reds, 1/4 c vinegar cole slaw, slice rye bread w/butter 6:45 pm 1/2 Costco chocolate cupcake Exercise: 4:50-5:30 am Jessica Smith 10 pounds down DVD 5:30-5:45 am Jane Fonda Workout with Weights video 4:30-5:15 pm Jane Fonda Stress Reduction (20 min light aerobics, 25 min stretch)

Thurs 19 Feb

And the cold goes on..... Opted not to go to Ecumenical Choir practice last night because I was just too tired after a long day. I'll try again next week. Hopefully it won't be so awfully cold either. Food: 7:00 am Prune ponczka, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:40 pm Blueberry soy shake, Costco coffee cake, 2 clementines 2:30 pm 30 g Fiber One chocolate cereal, dry 6:00 pm Chicken chili, 1 tbl light sour cream, 1 tbl shredded cheddar, 1 slice Omega 3 toast w/butter, 6 oz applefest ale Exercise: 5:00-6:00 am 2 Leslie Sansone 30 min walks 5:00-5:30 pm Tracy Anderson Cardio+Dance DVD

Wed 18 Feb

Ash Wednesday. Had a good time at cooking class last night. Chuck and Deb came for the first time. Deb wasn't really into the cooking too much, she was just anxious to open the wine. The homemade gnocchi with sage butter was awesome, as was the strawberry millefoglie dessert. I think I would try the gnocchi at home, especially if I put fresh sage in my herb garden this year as the sage butter was amazing. Food: 6:55 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 98 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm Strawberry/banana soy shake, prune ponczka, 2 clementines 6:30 pm Pasta primavera, Costco coffee cake Exercise: 4:50-5:30 am Jessica Smith Belly, Buns, & Thighs YouTube 5:30-5:45 am Jessica Smith Fit In 15 Full Body Burn YouTube

Tues 17 Feb

Mardi Gras! Tonight our Rockman cooking class is Evening in Tuscany, featuring recipes Scott developed from their Italian vacation. Should be good food and reminiscent of our vacation last summer. Looking forward to it Food: 6:50 am Prune ponczka, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 9:00 am Chocolate frosted raised donut 11:45 am 54 g ham, brioche bun, 1 tsp dijon mustard, 2 clementines, 1/2 Costco chocolate cupcake Exercise: 4:50-5:45 am DWTS DVD 5:00-5:10 pm 10 min Latin Dance DVD

Mon 16 Feb

Nice to have some time to read yesterday. Mostly finished one of the books in the series I'm currently reading, The Irish Country Doctor. Two left to go after finishing the after pieces of this one. The last one is brand new, and I'm not sure I've read the penultimate one either, so I have some new surprises in store. Food: 7:05 am Morning bun, 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:25 pm 54 g ham, brioche bun, sm banana, 1 macaron 2:30 pm 2 Chocolates of the World 6:15 pm Pasty, 3/4 c broccoli, King cake Exercise: 4:50-6:00 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video 5:25-6:00 pm Jessica Smith Disco YouTube

Sun 15 Feb

Very nice Valentine weekend in Madison. Hotel RED was lovely, dinner with Laura at Chez Nanou was delightful, and Valentine dinner at Grampa's was amazing. Only regret that we couldn't join in the protest march at UW, but we really did not bring sufficiently warm clothes for the temperatures/wind chills of the day. We ran errands, found Dad a good deal on a new monitor for his computer, enjoyed a mid-afternoon coffee. I left my purse at Grampa's, but fortunately realized it just as we got onto I-94. I called (from Dad's phone) and they confirmed that they had it so we had a detour back to pick up the purse, delaying our arrival home til after 9 but otherwise not too inconvenient. Food: 8:25 am Chocolate chunk danish, 1/2 grapefruit, 103 g blackberries, Nespresso cappuccino 12:25 pm Brioche roll, slice hot ham. 1/2 large chocolate Costco cupcake 2:45 pm English toffee 6:25 pm Chicken chili, 1 tbl light sour cream, 1 tbl shredded cheddar, 8 oz Naked cherry chia lime, 1/2 oz PopChips Exercise: 6:50-7:20 am Jessica Smith Cardio Ballet YouTube 7:20-8:00 am Jessica Smith Belly, Buns, & Thighs YouTube

Fri 13 Feb

I ate all kinds of decadent food last night, starting with Polito's Pizza and moving through multiple versions of chocolate. I also got lucky again and won on the raffle, a very nice set of grilling tools with a quality mitt, basting cup and brush, instant thermometer, and a steam brush to clean the grate. I'm hoping my luck holds today as I would love to win the Employee Foundation basket at work that features 2 filet mignon and 2 lobster tails among a wide variety of other nice items. Food: 7:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm Strawberry/banana soy shake, prune ponczka, orange Exercise: 4:50-5:25 am Jessica Smith Stride & Strength YouTube 5:25-5:55 am Jessica Smith Power Walk YouTube

Thurs 12 Feb

It's cold outside. Had to run out to bring in another carton of soy milk to thaw so it will be ready to replace the almost-empty one in the fridge. Feels kinda freezy. Evening of Chocolate Decadence tonight. Yum! Food: 7:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm Blueberry soy shake, cranberry walnut scone, orange 1:15 pm English toffee 2:30 pm 1 European chocolate 4:45 pm 10 g manchego Exercise: 4:55-5:55 am 2 Leslie Sansone 2-mile walk workouts DVD 5:00-5:35 pm Jane Fonda old folks dance YouTube

Wed 11 Feb

It was wonderful to have a massage last night. It's been way too long. Lori does a very nice job and doesn't babble while she works so you can just relax. Since it has been a long time, I needed to concentrate on releasing my muscles and just letting her work, particularly when she was loosening up my shoulder joint. I will go back to Lori as my "regular" masseuse as she is less expensive and does a very good massage. Food: 6:50 am Morning bun, 1/2 grapefruit, 98 g blackberries, coffee 11:50 am Peach soy shake, cranberry walnut scone, orange Exercise: 4:50-5:45 am The Firm Bootcamp DVD

Tues 10 Feb

Grandpa would have been 99 today if he had lived. Happy Birthday, Daddy! I'm tired of being chilly. Anytime it chooses to bless us with a warm day, I'm all about it. Michael isn't feeling well today. Dad took him to the doctor this morning. They thought it was some kind of infection, likely viral. A strep test was negative. We are giving him hot tea, food, hot tub and naps. Food: 6:45 am Chocolate croissant, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am Blueberry soy shake, cranberry walnut scone, orange 5:00 pm 22 g manchego cheese 5:20 pm Chicken thigh, fire roasted tomatoes, chopped onion, 1 tbl shredded parmesan, 2 oz whole grain spaghetti, 1/2 c carrots & parsnips Exercise: 4:50-5:50 am Dance DVD 6:00-6:15 pm Jessica Smith Barefoot Fusion Walk YouTube (stopped playing) 6:15-6:30 pm Jessica Smith Power Walk Quickie YouTube

Mon 9 Feb

Scale took a nasty upturn this morning, which wasn't entirely a surprise, given that I feel a bit heavier. I need to nip it in the bud, but I will eat the beautiful baked goods I brought back from Cedarburg. Just means the rest of the day needs less snacking and more moving. Found I didn't mind skipping the after-lunch sweet, the mid-afternoon snack, and the home-from-work sweet. Felt rather good not to. Food: 7:00 am Caramel pecan roll, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Strawberry/banana soy shake, cranberry walnut scone, orange 6:30 pm 138 g Nuovo Four Cheese heart-shaped ravioli, 2 tsp Pesto Rosso, 1 tbl shredded parmesan, 1 1/2 c Libby's green beans Exercise: 4:50-6:00 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video 5:10-5:40 pm Jessica Smith Power Walk YouTube

Sun 8 Feb

Very nice overnight in Cedarburg, pretty much just as expected. The new restaurant for Saturday lunch, the Stilthouse, was very good. Had an excellent burger. Our waitress is hoping to come to Point to study forestry and wildlife management in the fall, and we were able to give her names of some good landlords to contact. Enjoying some good bakery from the Boulangerie du Monde, one of my all-time favorite bakeries. Food: 8:30 am Gibassier, 1/2 grapefruit 99 g blackberries, Nespresso cappuccino 12:20 pm 2 buckwheat eggnog pancakes w/butter & maple syrup, 2 strips applewood bacon, almond green tea, 2 slices turtle caramel apple 2:30 pm Caramel corn 6:25 pm Ham & cheese croissant, orange Exercise: 6:50-7:20 am Jessica Smith Cardio Ballet YouTube 7:20-8:00 am Jessica Smith Indoor Jogging YouTube 2:00-2:30 pm Jessica Smith Dance Party YouTube

Fri 6 Feb

Nice to have a day off after a long January. Heading down to Cedarburg this morning, lunch at Atlas BBQ, wine tasting experience at Chiselled Grape Winery, check in at Washington House Inn, wander shops (and bakery) a bit, wine and cheese hour early evening, Mockingjay at the Rivoli Theatre this evening, and ginormous caramel apple to share after. Tomorrow their outstanding breakfast at Washington House Inn, more bakery and shops, winery tour and tasting at Cedar Creek winery, possibly lunch in Cedarbug at Anvil or Stilthouse, Costco in Grafton and home. Nice little overnight vacation. Food: 7:45 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, Nespresso cappuccino Exercise: 6:10-6:35 am Jessica Smith Cardio Sculpt YouTube 6:35-7:10 am Salsa Dance DVD

Thurs 5 Feb

Wow, I was tired yesterday afternoon/evening. Feeling okay this morning, but not as much energy for my exercises as I would have liked. Maybe I'll try popping some Cold-Eze today to give the immune system a little boost. Last day of work for the week, but the morning is fully scheduled and the afternoon remains to be seen. It's been a busy week. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 97 g blackberries, coffee 9:45 am Fiber One Gingerbread bar 12:00 pm Blueberry soy shake, slice 12 grain bread, 1 tbl PB, Roma tomato, 2 European cookies, 1 European chocolate 2:30 pm 4 LifeSavers, 1 Little Pop 5:00 pm 2 Cadbury fingers Exercise: 4:50-5:20 am Tracy Anderson Dance+Cardio DVD 5:20-5:40 am Jessica Smith 10 Pounds Down Cardio DVD

Wed 4 Feb

Here we go, Wednesday. Did an exercise routine today that takes lots of energy and has some good strength training but doesn't get very many steps. Always a little frustrating because you still have to work pretty hard through the day to hit 10,000. Sigh. I have my own car back this evening. Nice. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am 1 slice 12-grain bread, 1 oz cheddar cheese, 1/4 tbl butter, roma tomato 12:30 pm 3 European cookies 2;30 pm Baby Ruth miniature, 3 LifeSavers 5:30 pm 2 oz Barilla whole grain linguine, 1/2 c tomato basil sauce, 3 oz ground beef, 1/4 c chopped onion, 1/4 c chopped red pepper, 1 tbl shredded parmesan, 1 Toffifay 7:05 pm 4 Cadbury fingers Exercise: 4:50-5:35 am Erin O'Brien's Fit Body DVD 5:35-5:45 pm Running in place for a few more steps 6:15-6:55 pm Jessica Smith Belly, Buns & Thighs YouTube

Tues 3 Feb

Feast of St. Blaise. Day to get your throat blessed to guard against choking in the year to come. We won't make it in to have a formal blessing, but may St. Blaise protect us all anyway. I am tired of cold, but I have to wait 5 more weeks to go where it's warm. I guess I can make it. Bought a bottled mole sauce at Aldi's but there are no instructions and I'm not sure how to use it. It is semi-solid, and the jar was very difficult to open so it was hard to spoon some out. I put a little on the chicken thighs and baked them, but it didn't melt down. We'll have to see if it imparted any flavor. Food: 6:55 am 1 c Trader Joe's mutigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Peach soy shake, slice 12 grain bread, 59 g braunschweiger, orange, 2 European cookies 12:30 pm 2 Cadbury fingers 2:30 pm 5 LifeSavers, 1 Dove Promise 4:45 pm Ghirardelli brownie 7:00 pm Chicken thigh, 1/2 c mashed potatoes, 3/4 c green beans, 2 European cookies Exercise: 4:55-5:35 am Jessica Smith Latin Dance Walk YouTube 5:35-5:55 am Latin Dance DVD 6:00-6:30 pm Jessica Smith Interval Walk YouTube

Mon 2 Feb

Another cold Wisconsin morning. At least we didn't get the blizzard that hit farther south. Sounds like the Chicago area got blasted. I hope Heather's flight left before it started. I could really use a massage. My right shoulder blade has a huge knot and my lower back was also sore. Food: 7:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am Peach soy shake, slice banana bread, Fit & Active Pumpkin yogurt, Roma tomato 2:30 pm 5 LifeSavers, 1 pc European chocolates 6:15 pm Wheel House pizza buffet, 8 oz bourbon barrel stout Exercise: 4:50-6:00 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video 7:20-7:40 pm Jane Fonda Old People Walk Part 2 YouTube

Sun 1 Feb

One full month of winter down. Always a good feeling. Watched a video of an old BBC show called Two Fat Ladies about two women who ride an antique Triumph motorcycle with sidecar around Great Britain and cook in the places they end up. Very British and fun. Today we were invited to lunch at the Newman Center to celebrate the 25th anniversary and 60th birthday of Tim and Lori Yonash, fellow parishioners that I hardy know beyond to say hello to. Dad talks to Tim a little at coffees and Tim has borrowed tools. We are going for a while and will take cards. Choir rehearsal is at 1 pm so we can't stay too long anyway. Don't intend to watch Super Bowl. Have good books to read. We went to the Newman Center right after Mass and were early. The only folks there looked to all be family and there were no other Newmanites forthcoming so we left our cards on the table and quietly slipped out the back door. It would have been very awkward since we don't know them well. I'm not really sure why we were invited. A woman at choir asked what I would be doing after choir today. I told her I'd probably go home and read a book. She commented, "those books are really good, aren't they?" Odd. Food: 8:15 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, Nespresso cappuccino 12:10 pm 3 leftover cheese fries, Ghirardelli brownie 3:00 pm Gingerbread man arm, head 5:30 pm Red beans and rice w/andouille, 2 sm buttered biscuits Exercise: 6:50-7:20 am Jessica Smith Barre w/toning YouTube 7:20-7:50 am Jessica Smith Power Interval Walk YouTube 3:30-3:50 pm Jessica Smith Cardio YouTube 3:50-4:20 pm Jessica Smith Barefoot Walk YouTube