Mon 31 Aug

Time is flying by. Into the last of 3 weeks of work at PCHHS. So far the days have been passing quickly; we'll see if the trend continues. By now, most all of my clients should have received their "goodbye letter" so I don't have to be careful of letting it slip. Walked down to Michael and Taylor's tonight for Taylor's homemade margherita pizza. I made a fruit salad to go with. Nice evening. Food: 7:05 am Baby's pillow danish pastry, 1/4 extra large cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:55 am Apple Pie 100 cal Greek yogurt, apple dumpling, 103 g raspberries 2:45 pm 2 coffee nips, 1 Milky Way Midnight mini 5:35 pm (Last of bottle) 2 oz white wine 6:30 pm 3 slices medium homemade margherita pizza, 1 c fruit salad Exercise: 4:50-6:00 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 30 Aug

Couldn't make myself get up at 6:30 to exercise today. Had awakened at least three times in the night to pee, and was just relaxed when the alarm went off. Will try to fit in a hike or other exercise during the day today as there is nothing else except church on the agenda. Looking out the window toward the northwest, the sky actually looks smoky. Weird. Taylor got a Siamese/Burmese kitty for Michael today. He named it Malcolm Reynolds. Food: 7:35 am Cherry almond pastry, 1/6 humongous cantaloupe, 102 g blackberries, coffee 11:55 am Apple Pie 100 cal Greek yogurt, 102 g raspberries, sm chocolate scone 5:40 pm 2 TJ's Turkish Fig Bites 7:00 pm Grilled chicken leg quarter, 1/2 c grilled purple potatoes/onions/mushrooms, 1 large ear grilled corn, 5 oz white wine Exercise: 9:40-10:00 am Walk to church 11:00-11:20 am Walk home 2:30-5:00 pm 7.5 mile hike on Mead Wildlife Reserve bike path

Sat 29 Aug

Walked down to the Farmer's Market for the week's good pastries from David, and to stock up on some good local veggies for cooking at home this week. Got the sheets changed and washed, light load washed and in the dryer and dark load in the washer so a good start on laundry before heading down to Madison. Will enjoy some breakfast and head out soon. Food: 9:05 am Pears Helene danish, 103 g raspberries, coffee Exercise: 7:30-8:15 am Walk to and around Farmer's Market and home

Fri 28 Aug

One week almost done, 3 more to go. Finishing up 37 years at PCHHS, figuring out what to do with the next 37 years. Sounds about right. Yummy Bernards fish fry tonight. Food: 7:05 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 100 g raspberries, coffee 11:30 am Slice 12 grain bread, 56 g braunschweiger, 100 g raspberries Exercise: 4:45-5:45 am Jessica Smith upper/lower body weights and HIIT DVDs 6:30-7:00 pm Jessica Smith Latin Dance YouTube

Thurs 27 Aug

Week is going by quickly. It's possible some of my clients may get their letters today, or at least tomorrow, informing them that I'm leaving. It will be interesting to see the reaction. I get the impression my boss is going to keep me quite busy right up to the end. They have hired someone for the other coworker who was terminated recently, and she expects to have a response from the person she has offered my position to very soon. Julie will start the Monday of my last week. Don't know about my replacement; they may not be able to have that person start until they have stopped paying me. Got my health insurance enrollment processed yesterday evening; it only waits for payment to take effect on 10/1/15. I have to talk with Personnel today to find out how to apply my PEHP to cover or reimburse the premiums. This is the account that converts my leftover sick leave to money to pay health insurance premiums for as long as it lasts. Food: 6:50 am Honey bear pastry, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 102 g raspberries, coffee 12:30 pm Slice 12 grain bread, 51 g braunschweiger, 102 g raspberries 1:20 pm 1 pc Bark Thins 3:00 pm 2 Coffee Nips 6:30 pm Morey's Seasoned Grill Tilapia filet, 1/2 svg Fit&Active Mediterranean Herb Quinoa, 1/2 c leftover beets, 5 oz white wine Exercise: 4:50-5:50 am Leslie Sansone 4/5 Fat Burning Miles DVD 7:10-7:55 pm Walk with Bob

Wed 26 Aug

Had our musician's meeting to review fall music at church last night, and the parish treated to ice cream at Emy J's afterward. Found I could talk enthusiastically about my upcoming retirement, moreso than I had expected. I think I'm starting to get quite excited about the next phase. I remembered this morning that I need to add learning to play my mountain dulcimer to my to-do list, as that was the plan many years ago when I bought it. Food: 6:55 am Chocolate croissant, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 100 g raspberries, coffee 11:45 am 65 g braunschweiger, 1 slice Omega 3 bread, med banana 1:30 pm 2 coffee nips, 1 Little Pop 6:30 pm 5 oz grilled pork chop, 1/2 c grilled potatoes/onions, 2/3 c grilled beets, 3 oz nebbiolo Exercise: 5:00-5:30 am Jessica Smith Power weights walk DVD 5:30-5:45 am Jessica Smith Fast Fat-Burning walk DVD 4:45-5:00 pm Neighborhood walk 7:45-8:15 pm Neighborhood walk

Tues 25 Aug

Was late for my first appointment of the day yesterday because I had opened my calendar to Aug 31, not remembering the actual date. Fortunately it was just a home visit and the client was flexible. Typed up a draft of the letter informing my clients of my retirement and sent it to my supervisor for her opinion. Will try to get it out in the mail in the next couple of days. Looking forward to spending some time with you in Madison this weekend. Really enjoyed some time with Michael (and Taylor) and now want some daughter time as well. Your last chance to see your mom in her 50s. Food: 7:00 am Pecan danish swirl, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 101 g raspberries, coffee 11:45 am Slice Omega 3 bread, 56 g braunschweiger, med banana 1:30 pm 1 crunchy rice roller, 1 Milky Way Midnight mini 5:00 pm Leftover cheese fries, 2/3 c leftover peas Exercise: 4:45-5:50 am Jessica Smith 4/5 Mile Walk DVD

Mon 24 Aug

Back to routine again. Would have started back yesterday, but we had to have Charter send a tech to the house because we had no internet or land line and they couldn't problem solve it over the (cell) phone with Dad. Apparently they had installed some kind of filter on the signal that was interfering so they had to remove it. Very nice to be back at the full size computer and keyboard. The phone thing gets old. Heading back to work today after two weeks' vacation for my final four weeks. It's a little scary, but I still think I'm making a good decision to move on now while I'm still young and energetic enough to carve a new chapter in retirement. I told Roseanne Debot yesterday that I'll likely volunteer one day a week at Bootstrap starting in October. That will allow me to feel like I'm still being useful to my community. Really have to get to the store today to get some fruit into the house. Yesterday there just wasn't any time as Taylor's mom and stepdad and step-sibs came to visit and we had dinner with Michael and Taylor after they left. Food: 7:00 am Blueberry danish, coffee 12:05 pm Blueberry soy shake, slice Omega 3 toast, 1 tbl Jif, sm banana 1:00 pm 2 Coffee Nips 1:30 pm Sm oatmeal chip cookie, 1 Milky Way Midnight mini 6:45 pm 129 g asparagus gruyere ravioli, .5 tbl butter w/garlic & herbs, 2/3 c Steamfresh peas, 5 oz nebbiolo Exercise: 4:45-5:55 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sat 8 Aug

It's here! We are heading out on vacation! Hopefully we have taken care of everything that needed to be done before we left. Some things we will purchase when we get there: food, coffee, snacks for the kitchen, unfortunately new hiking poles since we aren't allowed to take them on the plane unless we check a bag. It's not that much more expensive to buy the $39.99 cheapies from Dick's when we are there, and then we don't have the hassle of checked baggage. Food: 5:10 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 169 g strawberries

Fri 7 Aug

One of the strangest things about vacations is that the dates while you're gone don't really seem to exist. It is the very beginning of August this week before we leave, and when we return to work it will be the last week of August. It somehow seems like the middle of the month doesn't exist in the same timeframe. You not only step out of your accustomed place and routine, you also step outside of time. Kind of cool. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 101 g blueberries, coffee 10:15 am 1 Milky Way Midnight mini, 1 Butterfinger mini, 1 Baby Ruth mini, 4 Kavli wafers 12:20 pm 2 slices Omega 3 toast, 2 tbl Jif, 141 g strawberries 1:30 pm 4 Coffee Nips 5:35 pm Cheese fries, med sliced tomato, 1 c fresh blueberries Exercise: 4:50-5:25 am Jessica Smith Latin Dance Walk YouTube 5:25-5:50 am Jessica Smith Dance Walk YouTube

Thurs 6 Aug

Tonight is for laundry and picking out restaurants in DC. Should be good now that I have a list of suggestions from the hosts. Lunch today with Bill Pyke; should also be fun. Fresh hair cut & color to last til right before retirement. Food: 7:00 am Half a large bear claw pastry, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 61 g blackberries, 41 g raspberries, coffee 11:45 am Tokyo Steak House buffet with Bill 5:45 pm Leftover chicken pot pie, triple chocolate ice cream bar Exercise: 4:50-5:50 am Jessica Smith 4/5 Fat Burning Miles walk DVD

Wed 5 Aug

Had a chance to hike Rib last night, at least to the base of the big hill. Felt good to be back there as we haven't been to Rib for a couple of weeks at least. Being on the pager disrupts the usual routines. I have it back one last night tonight because I swapped for Monday night with Heather; one of her kids has an event of some sort tonight. This should be my last night on call. The previous week wasn't bad with only one call that didn't require me to leave the house to respond. I hope tonight is quiet as well. Spent some time this morning cleaning out desk drawers from old saved paperwork, including old performance evaluations, job descriptions, union contracts, retirement account statements, etc. Some very full garbage cans in my office today. Food: 6:55 am Half a large bear claw pastry, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 97 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am 100 cal Tropical Fruit Greek yogurt, 1/3 c homemade granola, 1/2 c fresh blueberries 12:30 pm 10 g dark chocolate almond bark 3:15 pm 1 Milky Way Midnight mini 7:50 pm 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c light original soy milk, jello dark chocolate sugar free pudding cup Exercise: 4:50-5:45 am Jessica Smith Women's Heath workout DVD 4:45-5:00 pm Walk to haircut 7:30-7:50 pm Walk home via library

Tues 4 Aug

One more month of my fifties remains. Feels somehow momentous. I feel somewhat more aware of the gratitude I feel for what I am still able to do with strong hopes that I can keep healthy and fit to do more for many years. It is a good time to enter retirement while I still feel excited for the next phase of my life. Food: 6:55 am Honey bear pastry, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:10 am 64 g chocolate chip brioche, 1/2 c 1% cottage cheese w/chives, 97 g raspberries Exercise: 4:50-5:55 am Dance DVD

Mon 3 Aug

Last busy week before vacation. Yesterday the party at Barb's was really nice. We had a surprise rain/hailstorm pop up which sent us all scurrying indoors, but the kids enjoyed picking up hailstones when it was over. Came home and got all the cherries pitted with considerable assistance from Dad. Froze most, but kept out enough for a crisp which I hope to bake tonight. Food: 7:00 am 67 g chocolate chip brioche, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:50 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, slice 12-grain bread, 66 g braunschweiger, 99 g raspberries Exercise: 4:50-6:00 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Tues 2 Aug

Really getting into my trip planning finally. Got much of my Virginia itinerary, though still need to fill out Thurs/Fri more. Haven't gotten to DC yet. Also need to pit and freeze cherries today and put in an appearance at Barb's party this afternoon. Didn't feel like getting up to exercise this morning, but will get my time in some time today, including walking to church. Too much to do! Food: 7:00 am Gibassier pastry, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 102 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am 97 g raspberries, 3/4 c Cheerios cluster Exercise: 9:30-9:50 am Walk to church 11:00-11:20 am Walk home

Sat 1 Aug

Getting down to the wire for vacation planning and prep. Today I make lists of things to do, print itineraries, make packing lists and start some early packing, prepare my quart bag, etc. Was able to reach the Virginia VRBO guy last night and confirm that we are still good for that house. He is selling it shortly after our stay, so that's why it's off the VRBO listings. Lovely walk to the Farmer's Market this morning for pastries. Can't wait to dig in! Food: 8:45 am Apricot danish twist, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm 2 cold chicken drumsticks, 102 g rasbperries 2:00 pm Cheerios cluster snack mix Exercise: 7:30-8:30 am Walk to and around Farmer's Market and home