Thurs 30 Jun

Half of 2016 already drawing to a close. I'm already past 9 months into retirement. Life is good. Oh my! Looked at the clock at 8:09 and realized that today is Thursday and I was supposed to leave the house at 8:00 to meet Kathy for our walk and I was still dawdling on the computer! Fortunately Kathy is very forgiving and was just sitting on a half-wall waiting for me. She is so scared for Peter who has lost an incredible amount of weight so that he looks like a different person, and looks very crazed as well. He seems quite manic, but he did go to see Dave Marie last week so we can hope he will get what is needed to recover. Prayer is our best option at this time. Food: 7:20 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:20 pm Leftover burrata ravioli w/sage brown butter, 100 g raspberries Exercise: 8:15-9:35 am Walk w/Kathy

Wed 29 Jun

Another lovely sunny day. One could get used to this. Got a call from Lee Ayers' yesterday that I left the earrings I had worn there behind. I did wonder why I had taken them out before the end of the day, but didn't check that I had put them away here. Got to go claim them after gym. Earrings recovered. Food: 7:25 am Honey bear pastry, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:10 pm 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 2 soft-boiled eggs, peach 5:55 pm 1 jerk pork taco w/pineapple slaw, 1 fried plantain, 1/4 c cilantro rice Exercise: 8:55-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 28 Jun

Mary Hofer came over yesterday evening and looked at our Scotland pictures. Elizabeth is going to Germany for a month, leaving this weekend, with a school trip so we talked about packing and the uselessness of advice to young people. Being Mary, she didn't leave til after 10 pm, but fortunately Tuesday is my day that I can sleep in longer. Told her about my weird dizziness/vertigo and she said she and a few others have had similar issues which apparently are due to crystals inside the ear that settle in the wrong place and cause the vertigo. Kay showed her some "exercise" from her chiropractor that involves shaking the head vigorously to loosen the crystals. I plan to research this a bit on the Internet today and hopefully find some useful answers. Finally chose my retirement gift from my coworkers today. Took my Portage Co gift certificates to Lee Ayers' and chose a pretty pair of 14K gold earrings. Used the entire amount of the certificates plus $0.78 toward the tax. Still have $40 in cash from other gifts to use in the future. Food: 8:25 am Apricot danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 10:15-11:00 am Neighborhood walk 1:30-2:30 pm Walk to Lee Ayers' for retirement earrings 5:45-7:00 pm Hiking Rib

Mon 27 Jun

Yesterday walking to church I had a wave of dizziness that I thought was maybe dehydration, but this morning I again felt dizzy when I got up. I also noticed it a little in the night when I went to the bathroom. Wondering if something else is going on here. Made it through gym routine without dizziness interfering, though was sufficiently concerned to warn Body Pump instructor that I might have to leave if it became a problem. At least on the treadmill and in Body Pump, there is not a lot of lateral motion or twisting so the equilibrium isn't upset. Food: 7:30 am Chocolate croissant, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am 1/2 c low fat cottage cheese, chives, 100 g raspberries, 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk 2:00 pm 3 c popcorn 5:00 pm 1/2 c mint white chocolate M&Ms 6:15 pm Burrata ravioli w/sage brown butter & parmesan, 2 large slices heirloom tomato Exercise: 8:55-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Sun 26 Jun

Had some good rain in the night, and I thought I heard just a little gentle thunder as well. It never cooled enough in the night to want covers beyond just a sheet. I really appreciate that window fan which provides enough air circulation for comfortable sleeping. Food: 8:00 am Lingonberry danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:35 am 1/2 c low fat cottage cheese, chives, 102 g raspberries Exercise: 9:45-10:00 am Walk to church 11:05-11:25 am Walk home 3:30-4:30 pm Walk to Schmeeckle w/Bob

Sat 25 Jun

Beautiful morning to walk to the Farmer's Market. Eating half of the last beignet to give myself walking energy today as last Saturday I was flagging on the way home, having started out on an empty stomach. Had a wonderful time in Mayville/Horicon. The wine dinner was excellent, the room was lovely, and we had great weather to walk the trails in the Marsh. We returned to Mayville to have lunch at the Natural Way, a combo health food store with a lunch counter. We shared an excellent cheese platter, a grilled cheese sandwich with multiple yummy cheeses, and a small bowl of chilled tomato soup. Dessert was an awesome chocolate stout ice cream float! Temperature was perfect walking to the Market, but already getting warm on the way home. Food: 7:50 am Half a beignet 8:55 am Gibassier, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:05 pm Slice Omega 3 bread, 59 g braunschweiger, 101 g raspberries 2:45 pm 1/2 c raspberry sherbet 5:30 pm Brat, bun, ketchup, pickle relish, cooked onions, beet salad Exercise: 8:00-8:45 am Walk to Farmer's Market and back

Thurs 23 Jun

Going on the road again already, albeit only for one overnight. Going to the Audubon Inn in Mayville for a wine dinner tonight, a lovely room in the Inn, and tomorrow some hiking in Horicon Marsh before heading home via Appleton/Costco. Will even be back for Saturday morning at the Farmer's Market. Lovely walk with Kathy with a couple of brief stops to chat with folks along the way. Food: 7:20 am Morning bun, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:55 am Slice Omega 3 toast, butter, 1/2 c low fat cottage cheese, chives, 100 g raspberries, 16 oz sun tea Exercise: 8:00-9:55 am Walk w/Kathy

Wed 22 Jun

Bob got a new desk chair for his computer which should be considerably better for his back, and has the extra advantage of being smaller so I can get through to my chair with greater ease. Costco delivers directly to the house so we didn't have to lug home a big box from the warehouse or other store. Got to talking with a woman setting up for Body Pump who was very interested in the Scotland trip so only got in 10 min on the treadmill. Food: 7:25 am Morning bun, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am 2 soft-boiled eggs, 1 slice Omega 3 toast w/butter, lg peach 5:45 pm Turkey sweet italian sausage, wheat bun, 1 tbl ketchup, 1 tbl sweet pickle relish, salad w/cucumber, mushroom, 5 pecans, 8 oz Belhaven Best Exercise 9:15-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 4:15-4:45 pm Neighborhood walk

Tues 21 Jun

A day off, right after vacation, feels a little strange. Nothing on my schedule today, unless Taylor needs a ride to look at a potential car to buy in Plover. Should motivate to clean off the dining room table and finish putting away the things from vacation that are still straying in the living room. Food: 7:25 am Honey bear pastry, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:40 am 1/2 c low fat cottage cheese, chives, lg peach, 3 Coronet oat multigrain biscuits 7:00 pm Salmon filet, cilantro rice, carrot cucumber slaw, pint cider Exercise: 10:20-11:30 am Walk to Dollar Tree 5:00-6:20 pm Hiking Rib

Mon 20 Jun

Back to the gym today, and I admit to being little nervous about it. I will be using muscle groups that have been idle too long. But if I put it off any longer, it will only be harder. Food: 7:05 am Lingonberry danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm 4 strips pizza. 102 g raspberries, 20 g fudge Exercise: 8:50-9:20 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Sun 19 Jun

Happy Father's Day to Bob and all fathers. Hope it's a good one. We did our celebrating of Mothers/Fathers days with our trip, so we're not doing separate gifts this year, but we did schedule a wine dinner on Thurs night at the NOLA in Mayville to be followed by an overnight using our Travelzoo voucher and a day exploring the Horicon Marsh on Friday which is kind of a Father's Day celebration. Our restaurant meal out here will be for Michael's birthday when he lets us know his choice. Another beautiful sunny, warm day and more of the same in the immediate forecast. Easy to get spoiled by the lovely summer weather. It was nice to cantor this morning with Mary Hofer as accompanist. She responds readily to my suggestions and keeps me on track with tone reminders. Food: 7:35 am Chocolate croissant, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am 2/3 c low fat cottage cheese, chives, 99 g raspberries, lg peach 1:00 pm 2 Scottish caramel shortbread squares 5:15 pm Pint Mudpuppy Porter, Wheel House pizza, large scoop Daily Grind ice cream Exercise: 9:10-9:30 am Walk to church 11:00-11:20 am Walk home 2:05-3:35 pm Walk to and around Schmeeckle

Sat 18 Jun

My baby is 25 today! How can that be? It's always a little emotional to remember the first time they placed him in my arms and to think back on watching him grow. I am proud of the young man he is becoming as he now has found a profession that he is excited about and a relationship that seems healthy and stable at this time at least. Happy Birthday, Michael and may your life be wonderful! It's amazing how much more difficult it is to walk when you have no breakfast at all in your stomach. I was dragging on the way home from the Farmer's Market, especially walking in the direct sun. Food is most welcome. Food: 9:05 am Apricot danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:40 pm 1/2 c low fat cottage cheese, chives, large peach 3:35 pm 1/2 c Light & Fit raspberry sherbet 6:30 pm Grilled pork chop, 1/3 c TJ's israeli cous cos blend, small salad, 6 oz Yuengling Exercise: 8:10-9:55 am Walk to Farmer's Market 11:40-12:30 pm Walk to Co-op and home

Fri 17 Jun

This was a sufficiently long vacation that falling back into home routines is just that slight bit strange. I had to re-accustom myself to my own bathroom and I almost couldn't remember which was my usual coffee cup. I suspect in a couple of days, it will all seem perfectly normal again. Food: 6:55 am Morning bun, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:00 am 2 Bronte fruit shrewsbury biscuits 12:15 pm 1/2 c low fat cottage cheese w/chives, 102 g raspberries, 20 g mint Scottish macaroon candy Exercise: 7:15-7:30 am Walk to St Michael's 8:40-8:55 am Walk home

Thurs 16 Jun

Home again!!! Feels good to be here, even though vacation was fantastic and very much enjoyed. We stopped in Madison on the way home and spent some time with Laura over lunch so we will not go down there again on Saturday. It will feel good to stay home for awhile. Need to do laundry so we again have clean clothes to wear. Felt good to change into something from the home stash that I haven't been wearing for two weeks, and to put on flip flops since the weather has turned warm.