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