Sat 30 Sept

Leaving day! Yesterday I got a surprise email from American Airlines that all of our flight times were changed to considerably earlier. Means that we won't have a leisurely morning at home before leaving, but pleasantly also means that we'll get into Flagstaff before 6 pm so we can get to the hotel and have dinner downtown. And since there's a time difference, it would have seemed even later getting in at 10 pm. I also arranged with Laura yesterday that we will pick her up when we get to Madison and she will drop us at the airport and keep the car at her house while we travel. She will then pick us up on our return and we'll take her for supper. Saves us two weeks of airport parking fees. Good daughter. Food: 5:25 am Copps morning bun, 61 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 29 Sept

Thankfully remembered this morning in the shower that I had left my small toiletries kit in my backpack when I packed it up yesterday. TSA wouldn't like that. Managed to remember til I got downstairs to remove it to my packed bag. Hopefully Bob can fit my puffy jacket into his bag as mine is really tight with it in. Should be enough time tomorrow morning to walk to the square as usual for David's pastries for breakfast. Won't have such a morning rush as usual. Food: 7:50 am Costco bisconie, 90 g blackberries, coffee 12:45 pm 2 hard boiled eggs, 169 g raspberries, 2 pc light string cheese 5:40 pm Fresh wild-caught lake trout, rustic potatoes, 2 pc sourdough bread w/butter, 1/4 c coleslaw, 1/2 tiramisu Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 5:05-5:35 pm Walk to Watchman's Gone 6:45-7:25 pm Walk home via Copps

Thurs 28 Sept

Kathy fell hiking at the Porkies this weekend and broke her wrist, so she has a doctor's appointment this morning and still hasn't got a cast on it. We are forgoing the walk this morning, leaving me more of the day to finalize packing, ready my camera for a new slate of photos, etc. I hope to be productive. Food: 7:50 am Elephant ear pastry, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:55 am 3/4 c Chobani fat free plain, 1/2 c raspberries, Costco bisconie Exercise: 9:15-10:30 am Library/Dollar Tree walk

Wed 27 Sept

Had a spot of trouble getting into my Fitbit app this morning. It required me to sign in again and my phone doesn't remember login codes. I tried all the usual suspects and nothing worked so I tried to find out through my keychain app on the computer, but that wanted my keychain access code and I didn't remember that either. After trying everything I could think of, I finally got through enough to confirm that the first code I tried on the phone should have worked so I probably just didn't type well. I tried it again carefully and it worked fine. All is well. Food: 7:55 am Cherry turnover, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Trader Joe's pumpkin soup, Costco bisconie Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 26 Sept

Enjoying a unique pastry from the Green Bay Farmer's Market. Looks to be a grey, on-again, off-again rainy day today. I have a birthday lunch and a massage on the schedule. Hopefully I left enough money in my checking account to cover the massage. Got my toenails trimmed and de-polished. Think I'll re-polish them myself to cover the blackened nails still growing out from Walk Wisconsin. The left little toenail fell off when I was clipping as I think new nail is growing in underneath already. Food: 8:05 am Custard pastry, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Chili's Fresco salad, 2 chicken ranchero tacos 5:50 pm Chili w/sour cream & cheese

Mon 25 Sept

Helping out at flu clinic at PCHHS this morning, so hope to get our shots as well. Have to be there at 7:30, so a little rushed today. Food: 7:10 am Bear claw pastry, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am 3/4 c Chobani plain fat free, bisconie from Costco, 1/2 c raspberries Exercise: 11:05-11:45 am Walk to library and back

Sun 24 Sept

Lovely overnight trip to Green Bay/Door County, although temperatures were in the 90s so walking wasn't really a pleasant option. We did a wine tasting at Captain's Walk with a glass of good Tres Robles, then dinner at St Brendan's (a delicious lamb shank). Rested in the room for the evening, then breakfast and Farmer's Market in the morning. Got lots of goodies at the market including pastries for the week, some little sweet onions and colored carrots for roasted root veggies, ground cherries for Bob, Zestar apples at $3/bag! Costco yielded up more good things, then Door County for a shared pint of gelato, Island Country cider, and a yummy dinner at CHOP. No choir today so we can concentrate on getting our backpacks set up for the big hike and working on other packing. I need to clean out my water bladder and tube. Food: 8:00 am Concha, 102 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 9:10-9:40 am Walk to church and around hospital block 11:10-11:30 am Walk home

Fri 22 Sept

Supposed to get quite hot, near 90, over the next 2-3 days, though it may not be quite so hot in Door Co. We'll leave for Green Bay around 3ish, then get a wine tasting at Captain's Walk and dinner at St Brendan's this evening. Tomorrow, St Brendan's good breakfast, Farmer's Market, Costco and drive to Door Co. We have reservations at CHOP on Saturday for Early Bird dinner before driving home. No choir on Sunday, so a longer seeming weekend. Food: 7:45 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 60 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Slice Omega-3 bread, 1 tbl peanut butter, 1 tbl raspberry jam, 2 pc light string cheese Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Thurs 21 Sept

The conference was quite good, and I got 16 hours of CEU time for it at no cost to myself. It was weird yesterday afternoon as I got called out several times on my cell phone because a woman who had an appointment at Wood Co Social Services gave my number by accident for the person who was supposed to come pick her up from the new MIS agency. I ignored the first couple messages since they were poorly transcribed by my phone and didn't make sense, but when they kept calling, I called back and explained that I did not know this woman or have any idea what it was about. We finally corrected it, but I still got a couple additional calls confirming that I was a wrong number. Walking with Kathy this morning, and hopefully hiking Rib tonight. Need to make up for going to bed last night with only about 6500 steps, though Patrick did come and run Pilates with us which felt great. Food: 7:20 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 62 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 20 Sept

First day of the conference was good, so hoping the second and final day measures up. Even though I apparently wasn't registered, Amy allowed me to take the place of someone else who couldn't come. Food: 7:20 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 72 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 19 Sept

Feel like I'm back at work today; going to a 2-day training at the Holiday Inn. Up a little earlier than usual, dressed in work clothes. Here we go. Food: 7:15 am Chocolate pumpkin danish, 81 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 18 Sept

Wow, vacation is creeping up quickly! Got to write out my itinerary this afternoon if I can. Got my hiking toiletries together yesterday, and have been steadily working on the packing list, but it's time to step up my game. Food: 7:45 am Chocolate plum kvetch, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:40 pm Strawberry/banana soy shake, Spruce veggie powder, large peach, slice Omega 3 toast w/butter & cider jelly 3:30 pm 1 Fusia rice roll 6:00 pm 6 oz cherry stout Exercise: 9:10-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Sun 17 Sept

Helped Laura to pick up a dining table with four chairs that had been Caitlyn's family table growing up and a kind of ratty old futon for the porch so she now has the major furniture pieces she still wanted. We also took her to Target where she bought a living room rug and a floor lamp to light her chair when she knits since Jude has kind of adopted the couch. Jude joined us for dinner, Laura's treat, at Osteria Papavero and was very good company, entertaining us with stories of past escapades. Woke up last night with a feeling of swelling in my knees and a weird spot pain in my right shoulder muscle, so I took ibuprofen around 2 am and slept the remainder of the night like a baby. Food: 7:45 am Cherry danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:15 am 2 large pork sausages, cheddar/ham egg bake, 2 slice French toast w/butter, 5 Dunkin' Donut holes, coffee, applesauce Exercise: 9:40-10:00 am Walk to church 12:15-12:35 am Walk home

Sat 16 Sept

Walk for Hope Day! Should have nice weather, warm enough to wear the new t-shirts. This year they are in my favorite teal color. Bob and I are the mid-pack walkers today, as well as helping with set-up and clean-up. Already told Michelle that we won't stay to the very end of clean-up as we have to drive down to Madison with the van to help Laura move some furniture she is getting from Caitlyn and Brandon. Had originally planned to use the last of the predicted really nice weather for another Rib hike, but family comes first. Food: 6:25 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 102 g blackberries, coffee 11:00 am Large banana 11:50 am Large peach, 2 pc light string cheese, 3 sm spring rolls Exercise: 9:55-10:55 am Walk for Hope 5K

Fri 15 Sept

Today should again be a nice day, setup for Walk for Hope tomorrow which should be nice again with rain moving in at midnight Saturday. Should even be warm enough to wear our t-shirts for the walk without covering them with jackets or raincoats. Laura has asked us to drive down Saturday with the van to help her move some furniture she is getting from Caitlyn and Brandon as they begin their house remodel, so we'll drive down after the walk. Food: 7:15 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:05 pm 2 hard boiled eggs, large peach, 6 cherry tomatoes, 4 basil leaves, 3 mozzarella pearls 1:45 pm Culver's small vanilla sundae w/raspberries & hot fudge

Thurs 14 Sept

It was really good to have Pilates last night with Patrick, and he graciously recorded the session for us on my iPhone so we can practice on our own as well. I sent a copy to Laura who expressed her wish to do the mat again. This morning looks very nice for my walk with Kathy. Food: 7:20 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 102 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am 55 g chocolate chip brioche, smoothie w/med banana, 1/2 c frozen blueberries, Spruce veggie powder, 1/2 c nonfat Greek yogurt, 1/4 skim milk Exercise: 8:00-9:25 am Walk w/Kathy 10:35-11:10 am Walk to library and back

Wed 13 Sept

Hopefully Patrick is coming this evening to do Pilates with us. We didn't hike last night, but we did walk through Schmeeckle to have dinner at PJ's. We should get 1-2 more Rib hikes in yet this week if possible. Food: 7:50 am Morning bun, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Slice 100% whole wheat toast w/butter & cider jelly, large peach, peach soy shake, Spruce veggie powder Exercise: 9:10-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 12 Sept

This month is flying by, but that's typical of all months after the beginning of fall, I guess. I should get used to it. Was annoyed with myself that I didn't make it to even the top of the big hill, much less the full Rib hike last night. My quads were sore and I just didn't have the oomph to continue. Hopefully tonight will be better. Ordered some more powdered greens from Costco, so I am going to try to start using them regularly to supplement my veggies and energy. Food: 7:40 am Chocolate chip danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Vanilla soy shake, powdered greens, pumpkin muffin Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Clark St loop

Mon 11 Nov

I see that Veteran's Day is now called Patriot Day. A change that slipped under my radar. Ah, it's only September, so this is remembering 9/11. My mistake. I'm still bothered by the people who say "We will never forget". It sounds like such an aggressive, vengeful statement. Food: 7:45 am Pumpkin chocolate danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm 2 slices 100% whole wheat toast, .15 tab butter, 1 tbl PB Fit, large peach Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Sun 10 Sept

Nice day with Laura yesterday, and she gifted me with some alpaca yarn and a beautifully carved crochet hook for my birthday from the wool festival she had attended that morning. We had a really nice dinner at Sardine to cap off the evening. Food: 8:15 am Cherry danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am 2 hard boiled eggs, med banana Exercise: 9:10-9:30 am Walk to church 11:10-11:30 am Walk home

Sat 9 Sept

Wow! David made pumpkin cream cheese cinnamon rolls and they are delicious (and huge). He also comped me a free pastry for my birthday. Such a sweet guy. Food: 8:55 am Pumpkin cream cheese cinnamon roll, 102 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 8:00-8:50 am Wak to farmer's market and back

Fri 8 Sept

Sun is shining today, possibility for hiking. Should also be able to hang out the laundry today. Food: 7:50 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 43 g blueberries, coffee Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Thurs 7 Sept

A cool morning, temps will likely be under 50 when Kathy and I walk but at least no precip. Going to Madison to see Laura this weekend; she is going to a wool festival but should be back by afternoon. May not get a Rib hike this week if we don't get an evening without rain. Possibly Friday. Food: 7:20 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 96 g blackberries, coffee 11:50 am Slice whole wheat toast w/butter & marmalade, 2 fried eggs, med banana 6:35 pm 2 pc homemade pizza, 8 oz Seattle cider Exercise: 8:00-9:25 am Walk w/Kathy

Wed 6 Sept

St. Maarten is being hit by a nasty hurricane today, much damage. Prayers for the people. Expecting another day of intermittent spitting rain here, enough so that we cannot likely hike. Our problems are so minor in comparison to those who lose their homes. Food: 7:50 am Honey bear pastry, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm 4 pc leftover Wheel House pizza Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 5 Sept

Having a birthday lunch with Heather today at Habibi's. Should be fun. Looks like decent weather today, cloudy and chilly but not too bad. Scale has been up again, so need to get eating, especially sweets, under control. Food: 7:55 am Chocolate plum wheel pastry, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm Junior gyro Exercise: 9:30-11:05 am Walk to Iverson and back

Mon 4 Sept

Happy Birthday to me! 62 today, 3 more years til Medicare (hopefully). And David's pastry for my breakfast! Labor Day today, so no gym, no work for Bob. Great day at the Fair yesterday, ate too many Sweet Martha's cookies but had a great lunch of a pork mole tamale from Tejas Grill and even got a table to sit down while we ate. A pint of Surly Furious sweetened the pot. Food: 8:15 am Pumpkin chocolate danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:10 pm 2 hard boiled eggs, 1 oz tortilla chips, homemade guacamole 3:30 pm Snifter Brewer's Reserve Bourbon Barrel Cherry Stout 4:45 pm Wheel House pizza and beer Exercise: 9:30-11:05 am Walk to Schmeeckle lake 6:00-6:35 pm Neighborhood walk w/Bob

Sat 2 Sep

Quick walk to the Farmer's Market this morning in hopes that David is there with his pastries this weekend, then off to Minneapolis. Staying at Kurt and Barb's tonight, and fair tomorrow! Chilly here, but supposed to hit 80 in Mpls today and 87 tomorrow! Food: 8:35 am Blackberry danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 7:45-8:30 am Walk to Farmer's Market and back

Fri 1 Sept

Could be another lovely sunny fall-like day today. Hopefully I can hang my laundry outside. Dawned on me today at the gym that next time I use the treadmill, I will need to increase the age entry. Oh, well. Food: 7:50 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:50 am Leftover chicken bacon mac n cheese, 1/3 c steamed green beans, small pretzel roll Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class