Tues 31 Mar

Annual physical today. I will learn how much my slight weight gain has adversely affected my cholesterol and other labs. I'm sure wine tastings (and eating two desserts!) and fresh morning buns aren't helping. Physical went well this morning, better than expected. Yes, my weight is up a little, but the lab numbers are as good or better than last year. Whew! Food: 6:45 am Morning bun, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:10 am Large banana 11:45 am Raisin scone, 166 g strawberries 6:00 pm 5 oz cabernet sauvignon, 6 oz tenderloin bourgignon, garden salad w/1 tbl honey mustard dressing, baked potato w/2 tbl sour cream, small roll w/1 pat butter Exercise: 4:50-5:45 am DWTS DVD 5:30-5:50 pm Walk to Michele's 6:45-7:05 pm Walk home

Mon 30 Mar

Spent way too much time trying (unsuccessfully) to untangle a necklace I wanted to wear today. Maybe I'll grab it and take it in to the office. I was so close! Nice to hear that Catherine has taken a turn for the better. BP stable, peeing and breathing on her own. She may yet make it to 99. Food: 7:08 pm Chocolate chunk danish, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Pumpkin scone, 170 g strawberries 12:30 pm 4 squares Ritter w/caramelized pecans 2:30 pm 28 g purple popcorn chips Exercise: 4:45-5:55 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video 5:00-5:30 pm Jessica Smith Power Interval Walk YouTube

Sun 29 Mar

Nummm! We had to wait at Clasen's for a batch of morning buns to come out of the oven so they are dead fresh! Delicious! No further news on Catherine, though yesterday evening looked grim. Apparently people must have felt sufficiently confident to leave since there were no updates after about 6:30 their time. Perhaps a restful night will have helped. Found a new Cardio Barre YouTube today that was a Patrick-style workout at the barre. Food: 8:15 am FRESH morning bun, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm Cinnamon scone, 161 g strawberries 1:30 pm Pecan kringle 5:30 pm Turkey cheddar croissant, 178 g strawberries Exercise: 6:50-7:25 am Cardio Barre Workout 7:25-7:55 am Jessica Smith Latin Dance Walk YouTube 4:00-4:45 pm Leslie Sansone Walking YouTube

Sat 28 Mar

Nice sunny day for a drive to Madison. Possibly slightly warmer than the last couple of days. Should be nice. Hope Catherine has a better day today. Nice that some of the Oregon folks can be with her and that they keep us updated. Dad seems to be handling things well. Food: 7:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 27 Mar

Getting my fasting labs done for my annual physical this morning so I don't have to have them drawn after Monday night's wine tasting event at Red Mill. I will come back and eat breakfast after labs but before work. Everything is ready except pouring the coffee and the soy milk on the cereal. Looking forward to things getting a bit warmer again next week. The wind yesterday was really wicked. Food: 7:25 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed meal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11::50 am Macaroni & cheese, 99 g strawberries 12:45 pm 3 Toffifee 5:00 pm 2 fried perch filets, tartar sauce, 1/3 c coleslaw, 1 fried potato pancake, brandy old fashioned sweet 6:15 pm 1/2 c mint on my pillow, 1/2 c midnight sky ice cream Exercise: 4:50-5:25 am Jessica Smith Stride & Strength YouTube 5:25-5:40 am Jessica Smith Power Walk Quickie You Tube 1:10-1:25 pm Walk with client

Thurs 26 Mar

I believe today is James' birthday, though it may have been on Tuesday. The date is a little fuzzy in my brain and he doesn't advertise it at all. Haven't seen him in quite a long time now. He is about the age now that I was when he was still around Point. Feeling less run down than I did last week at this time. Don't know what that was all about, but it was weird to be so exhausted. Glad I took the time to rest last Friday and get rid of it. 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 11:15 am 28 g purple popcorn chips 12:30 pm 1 c veggie pad thai, 131 g strawberries 1:25 pm 2 Toffifay 3:30 pm 1 square Ghirardelli mango dark chocolate 5:00 pm 1 small cube cheddar cheese 5:30 pm Mac & cheese, pear applesauce 6:45 pm 2 leftover chocolate Christmas ornaments Exercise: 4:50-5:35 am Leslie Sansone 3 mile walk YouTube

Wed 25 Mar

WE got about 4" of snow last night, for the first time in quite a long while. It looks rather pretty, assuming it will be gone within a week or so. I don't believe it's enough to disturb school or travel. Don't know if other areas got hit harder as I haven't checked the weather reports yet. Food: 6:55 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, coffee 11:55 am Steel cut oatmeal w/protein powder, flaxseed meal, 1/2 c Bayfield blueberries, soy milk, 163 g strawberries 2:30 pm Fiber 1 chocolate dry cereal 4:00 pm 1 Coffee Nip 5:15 pm Bremer's shepherd's pie, Lunch Buddy pear applesauce Exercise: 4:50-5:45 am Kristi Yamaguchi workout DVD 4:45-5:10 pm Jessica Smith YouTube

Tues 24 Mar

Didn't sleep particularly well last night. One of Dad's weirder clients called at 11:45 pm and woke us up; always a little bit of a heart-stopper late at night. Never felt like I sank back into good rest after. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Slice 12 grain bread, 34 g cheddar cheese, 173 g strawberries Exercise: 4:45-5:30 am Jane Fonda Low Impact Aerobics video 5:30-5:45 am Jessica Smith Power Walk Quickie YouTube

Mon 23 Mar

I have much better energy for a weekend that was quite restful. In thinking back last week, I believe I was very tired most of the week, so the extra rest day on Friday was much appreciated. Nothing much on the agenda this week except practice Wed night for Ecumenical choir. We are planning to come down to Madison on Saturday. Food: 7:00 am Chocolate croissant, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm Blueberry soy shake, slice whole wheat bread, 1 tbl PB, 141 g strawberries 7:00 pm 4 oz Fit & Active turkey tenderloin, 1/2 c roasted baby reds, 1/2 c roasted baby carrots, Jello dark chocolate sugar free pudding cup Exercise: 4:45-5:55 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video 5:10-5:35 pm Jane Fonda Walk YouTube 5:35-5:50 pm Leslie Sansone 1 mile walk YouTube

Sun 22 Mar

Amazing how an extra day of rest on Friday makes me feel so more refreshed. Dad and I had a good time playing Scattergories last night for awhile. Tonight we may try the pizza buffet at PJ's. This morning I have to cantor with Erin. Food: 7:40 am Blueberry danish, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, Nespresso cappuccino 11:55 am Portobella mushroom cap, breaded w/tomato sauce & fresh mozz, 146 g strawberries, 1/2 lemon cake square 2:00 pm 2 chocolate covered lebkuchen bites 5:30 pm Pizza buffet at PJ's, 15 oz espresso stout Exercise: 5:50-6:20 am Jessica Smith Cardio Barre YouTube 6:20-7:10 am Latin Dance DVD 3:15-4:00 pm Leslie Sansone 3-mile walk YouTube

Sat 21 Mar

Brrr! David was late to the bakery drop-off so I kept the car running to listen to the radio, but when he arrived, I shut it off and opened the window to chat. We ended up talking for about half an hour and it was really quite chilly. Bought some ginormous strawberries at Aldi's today. Yumm! Did a foam roller session with Jessica Smith to roll out kinks. Good, but not comfortable. Food: 9:30 am Gibassier, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:55 pm Pumpkin pie yogurt, 1/2 lemon square, gouda snack stick 2:55 pm 141 g strawberries 3:30 pm 1/2 c chocolate bourbon pecan ice cream 6:20 pm Bremer Shepherd's Pie, 1/2 c homemade cinnamon applesauce, 5 oz rose wine Exercise: 12:20-12:50 pm Leslie Sansone Walk YouTube 4:10-4:40 pm Jessica Smith Power Walk YouTube 4:40-4:55 pm Jessica Smith Foam Roller YouTube

Fri 20 Mar

Today I kept a promise to myself, one to be more liberal in taking a sick day from work if I felt I needed it. I got up to exercise this morning and again moved through the whole workout pretty much with my eyes closed. I was tired all day yesterday, and I think the reason I cut my finger and burned a different one last night at cooking class was because I was not as alert as I should have been. So after exercise, I went back to bed, then got up at 7:15 to call in sick to work. I had two home visits scheduled this morning, neither of which were vital. I left a request on the message to have someone call them and let them know I couldn't come. Then I went back to bed and got up again about 9:09 am. It feels much better now! Food: 9:20 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 104 g blackberries, coffee 3:15 pm Slice homemade whole wheat bread, 1 tbl PB 5:10 pm 2 Toffifay 6:15 pm Butternut squash tortellini w/sage brown butter sauce Exercise: 4:50-5:25 am Jessica Smith Stride & Strength YouTube 5:25-5:50 am Jessica Smith Cardio Ball Blast YouTube (though I just walked to the beat toward the end) 1:35-2:10 pm Leslie Sansone 3 mile walk YouTube

Thurs 19 Mar

Happy Birthdays to Val and my cousin, Mick. We have vegetarian cooking class with Scott Rockman tonight. He didn't get enough people signing up to run his usual two classes. Pointers are afraid of vegetarian, I guess. I was naughty this afternoon. I gave my client a ride after our meeting and ended up right by King Kone. Had a craving for something minty and chocolaty, so had a small dish of ice cream. Food: 6:55 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 10:00 am 1 Kopiko cappuccino hard candy 12:30 pm 38 g corned beef, slice homemade whole wheat bread, 1/4 med cantaloupe 2:30 pm King Kone chocolate mint ice cream Exercise: 4:50-5:20 am Jessica Smith Latin Dance Walk YouTube 5:20-5:50 am Jessica Smith Dance Party YouTube

Wed 18 Mar

Leg muscles are starting to recover from Sunday's hike/exercise. I'm convinced that continuing to exercise without overdoing is the best way to work through the soreness. I will be glad not to hobble up and down the stairs so much. The week is going by fairly quickly, always nice after vacation. Wish the warm weather would have held a little longer, but at least it isn't bitter cold again. It will be fun all over when we get the next warm streak. Food: 6:55 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:35 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, wedge Irish soda bread, Gouda snack stick, 2 clementines 2:30 pm 3 c popcorn 6:35 pm Corned beef & cabbage, colcannon Exercise: 4:50-5:35 am Erin O'Brien Fit Body DVD 5:35-5:50 am Walking for additional steps 5:15-6:25 pm Walk to Schmeeckle

Tues 17 Mar

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Making corned beef and cabbage in the crock pot today for the first time in several years. I will give a shot at making colcannon (mashed potatoes w/kale & leeks) to go with them, and maybe even some Irish bread. Feeling my green today. Sure, and a fine Irish supper it was! Everything turned out deliciously, from a good not-too-salty cut of corned beef, nicely cooked cabbage/onion/carrots, colcannon as a yummy vehicle to get kale and leeks [and lots of butter] into a meal, and Irish soda bread. Topped off with a pumpkin Imperial stout. Food: 7:05 am 1 c Trader Joes multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 98 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, 12 grain bread, 1 tbl PB, med banana 2:45 pm 3 c popcorn 5:10 pm 4 oz corned beef, 1/2 c colcannon, 1.5 c cabbage/onions/carrots, slice Irish soda bread, 6 oz pumpkin stout Exercise: 4:50-5:45 am DWTS DVD

Mon 16 Mar

Happy Birthday, Bob! Feels strange because we celebrated his birthday in Mexico on Friday with not one, but two cakes, singing waiters, and champagne in the room. Today, however, is the real thing so we will celebrate again. Was truly sore when I got up this morning from the first Rib hike of the season on top of a more intensive lower body morning workout. Dad chose Tokyo Steak House for his birthday dinner, and it is half price sushi night so we indulged in our usual treats. Food: 6:55 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:40 pm Blueberry soy shake, slice 12 grain bread, 1 tbl PB, med banana 5:45 pm 4 pc Kamikaze roll, 3 pc Manhattan roll, 3 pc Black Dragon roll, 1/4 c octopus salad, 6 oz riesling, 1/2 fried ice cream Exercise: 4:55-5:45 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout (minus lower body/mat)

Sun 15 Mar

Beware the Ides of March! Missed celebrating Pi Day yesterday as we didn't really see any options for pie in the airports as we passed through. Got home around 10 pm and just went to bed. Nice to come home to reasonable weather, and no snow even in our front yard! After seeing myself in swimsuit and shorts with too many mirrors in the room, I am motivated (at least now) to begin eating more sensibly and exercising more. I tried a couple new Jessica Smith short routines this morning without many steps but heavy on the glute and toning moves, and I realized I didn't work out all last week. Walking around the resort got us plenty of steps, but I made no effort to use the remaining muscles. Now that it's Daylight Savings Time and reasonable weather, we will try to get back to hiking Rib regularly which always helps. Maybe even this afternoon. Food: 8:20 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:50 am 2 scrambled eggs, 1 tbl shredded cheddar, 2 homemade biscuits w/butter, 114 g strawberries 6:15 pm 100 g Sea Queen sweet potato cod fillet, 1 1/2 c steamed frozen broccoli, dark chocolate almond biscotti Exercise: 7:00-7:15 am Jessica Smith Barre Glutes YouTube 7:15-7:35 am Jessica Smith Toning YouTube 7:35-8:05 am Jessica Smith Power Walk YouTube 2:00-4:15 pm Hiking Rib Mt plus tower

Tues 10 Mar

Yay! It's finally here! We are really going to leave on vacation today. I know because I put sunscreen on after my shower today. Before 3 am. Just saying. Eating a quick breakfast, then out the door, hopefully by about 3:30 am. Food: 3:10 am Hot cross bun, 1/2 grapefruit, 106 g blackberries, Nespresso cappuccino

Mon 9 Mar

Not as difficult to get up this morning as usual after spring daylight savings time. I was actively having weird dreams and happy enough to leave them behind. Remains to be seen if I'm unusually tired later in the day. At any rate, glad to be done with this round of choir concerts. Music was quite nice, but it's always a relief to be done. Food: 6:55 am Honey bear pastry, 1/2 grapefruit, 103 g blackberries, coffee 11:50 am Hot cross bun, caramel macchiato Greek blend yogurt, 1/4 med cantaloupe 1:15 pm Sm piece lemon torte 7:00 pm 1/2 bowl chicken peanut stew, 1/2 med cantaloupe Exercise: 4:45-5:55 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video 5:45-6:30 pm Walk with Dad

Sun 8 Mar

Decided to take back the "lost" hour of sleep right away this morning and went back to bed instead of exercise. Last night I had quite a headache that went away with ibuprofen when I went to bed, but it came back when I woke up. I took a couple more ibuprofen and again got it under control after going back to bed. We made up for sleeping in through exercise by walking to Newman to enjoy the beginning of beautiful weather. Much preferable to YouTube in the basement. Yay! Last concert is done. We had a very nice impromptu party at Hilltop; we were able to sit across from Barb Towey so we had good conversation. Ate an early supper so we don't have to worry about food at home. Food: 8:45 am Chocolate croissant, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm Hot cross bun, Peach Greek yogurt, 4 oz Naked chia berry lime juice 3:00 pm Treats at second half of choir concert: 7-layer bar, frosted spice cake, pretzel chips 4:45 pm 16 oz scotch ale, chicken breast sandwich w/swiss cheese, mushrooms, fried onions, few chips Exercise: 9:30-10:00 am Walk to Newman 11:40-12:10 pm Walk home

Sat 7 Mar

Mmmmmmm! I am savoring a fresh hot cross bun from David as I write. He said they came out of the oven around 4 am today. They are as good as I remembered. Poor David had problems with his oven yesterday and looked like something the cat dragged in. But he apparently accomplished all his baking and got himself going close to his time frame. Okay, so I was bad and topped off my hot cross bun appetizer with a cherry diamond pastry, and my usual 1/2 grapefruit and blackberries. And tea. But we're leaving town Tuesday so all the bakery needs to be consumed or frozen, and the cherry pastries are awesome fresh. And I just couldn't resist eating a hot cross bun at its freshest. I'll probably have another one for lunch today. Right after I ate my lunchtime hot cross bun, Michael and Taylor asked if we'd like to join them at Lemon Grass for lunch. We decided to go ahead, since we won't really have supper. Maxine and Pat are picking us up at 5:30 for the evening concert. I still feel well fed after 4:30 pm. Food: 8:35 am Hot cross bun, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, cherry diamond pastry, green tea 12:00 pm Hot cross bun 12:45 pm Sesame ball, spring roll w/peanut sauce, 1/2 sm bowl pho 5:00 pm 21 g manchego Exercise: 3:30-4:15 pm Leslie Sansone 3 mile walk YouTube

Fri 6 Mar

I don't like these occasional twinges in my jaw at night; they say it can be a sign of heart attack, especially in women. I monitor carefully when it happens and I don't get chest pain or other signs, and eventually it goes away, but I still don't like it. I checked my heart rate the second time last night and it was 56, probably a good resting/sleeping rate. Hopefully no problems, especially before vacation. I feel badly. I had Dad stop at McD's for Filet O' Fish for pre-concert quick dinner. The drive-thru screwed up the order again, and there was only one sandwich with the fries and Shamrock shake. He doesn't want to share the only sandwich, so now he needs to get something else to eat. Food: 6:50 am Prune ponczka, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Slice Omega 3 bread, 1 tbl PB, caramel macchiato Greek blend yogurt, 1/4 med cantaloupe 12:30 pm 4 Cadbury fingers 1:30 pm 3 Kavli wafers 4:45 pm Filet O'Fish, 1/2 small shamrock shake Exercise: 4:50-5:40 am The Firm Bootcamp DVD 4:10-4:20 pm Jessica Smith Hotel Room Cardio YouTube

Thurs 5 Mar

More awake this morning, a good feeling. Counting down the days til vacation. And til warmer weather here, as well. Food: 6:45 am Raspberry ponczka, 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g blackberries, coffee 11:00 am 3 slices Kavli 12:30 pm Leftover gnocchi w/sage butter, 1/4 med cantaloupe 1:20 pm 10 g English toffee candy 3:00 pm 1 Wintergreen LifeSaver, 1 Little Pop 5:35 pm African chicken peanut stew, 8 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:50-5:45 am Latin Dance 10-min Workouts DVD 6:00-6:15 pm Walking workout, self-choreographed

Wed 4 Mar

Week is going by sufficiently quickly. Got a small bonsai palm for Kathy H for her birthday from Jung's yesterday and a plant for my coworker whose father-in-law died last week. Need to get them delivered before I kill the plants. Really tired during exercise this morning, physically. Did bits and pieces of routines until I flagged. Food: 6:45 am Lemon ponczka, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am Slice Omega 3 bread, slice Oscar Meyer braunschweiger, 141 g strawberries, Nestle Fat Free cocoa 12:30 pm 2 Toffifay 3:00 pm 3 Kavli wafers 6:15 pm 5 oz white wine, chicken biryani, 1/8 Baumkuchen cake Exercise: 4:50-5:45 am Parts of Cardio Strength Blast, Stride & Strength, and Power Walk YouTubes 5:35-6:10 pm Jessica Smith Latin Dance Walk YouTube

Tues 3 Mar

Waiting to see if my employers are going to be consummate jerks today. They told me yesterday that they want me to attend an internal training on a new computer system as part of a team from our unit. I apparently have to be part of the team because I am the CCS person. The training has been scheduled for next Tues, the first day of my vacation, and apparently they aren't inclined to be flexible. I suspect I'm getting worked up too soon as they wouldn't insist someone forego their plane tickets and reservations for something that can be done at another time, at least I hope so. I have coworkers who would volunteer to take my place and take notes for me. Food: 6:55 am Honey bear pastry (similar to pig's ear), 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Slice Omega 3 bread, slice Oscar Meyer braunschweiger, 1/4 med cantaloupe 1:00 pm 3 Toffifay 2:45 pm 1 Musketeers mini, 1 square Ghirardelli dark mango 3:30 pm 3 Kavli wafers 6:30 pm African chicken peanut stew, 5 oz white wine Exercise: 4:50-5:45 am Cardio dance DVD 5:00-5:15 pm Leslie Sansone 1 mile super challenge YouTube

Mon 2 Mar

Last full week of work before vacation. I'm ready! Yesterday the sub priest talked about how he had a difficult time deciding to retire, but then opportunity opened up that would not have done so if he hadn't had the courage to retire. I felt like he was talking to me. Maybe I really will go through with it this year. Damn sneezing fits! Food: 6:55 am 1/2 ginormous chocolate croissant, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am Slice Omega 3 bread, slice Oscar Meyer braunschweiger, 137 g strawberries 12:30 pm 1 Riesen caramel 2:45 pm 1 Kit Kat mini, 1 cherry jelly ball, 1 York miniature 5:00 pm 1 tbl roasted peanuts 5:45 pm Sm bowl chicken chili, 1 tbl shredded cheddar, 8 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:45-5:55 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video 5:05-5:30 pm Jessica Smith Cardio Core Flow YouTube

Sun 1 Mar

Cantor today so shorter time for breakfast; I took a fair amount of time to set up an African chicken peanut stew in the crockpot for tonight's dinner. Found the recipe on the internet yesterday and had almost everything on hand; just had to buy some roasted peanuts last night. It looks really delicious, so I hope it pays off. Food: 7:55 am 1/2 ginormous chocolate croissant, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, Nespresso cappuccino 11:45 am 2 eggs, 3 slices bacon, 1 slice French toast, 1/2 tbl whipped butter, 1/2 tbl syrup, coffee 1:50 pm 1 Lindt truffle 3:50 pm 30 g blackberries, 1 pc Hazelnut chocolate 6:35 pm Chicken peanut stew, 8 oz Naked Cherry Chia Lime juice Exercise: 5:50-6:20 am Jessica Smith Cardio Ballet YouTube 6:20-7:00 am Jessica Smith Latin Dance Walk YouTube