Mon 26 Feb

It's finally here! We're going to Mexico! I did set my alarm for the wrong day but the good Lord woke me on time anyway. I believe we're pretty well set to go, but we have about an hour to check things over and pack the last-minute items, e.g. chargers, etc. Hoping and praying for safe travels, and for everyone at home to have smooth sailing while we're gone. Hope the trip is safe, enjoyable, and refreshing. Food: 1:55 am Chocolate croissant, 100 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 25 Feb

Wintry mix fell last night so there is icy snow down outside, but I believe the precip is done now until we leave. Roads should be able to be cleared off today for easier driving tomorrow morning. Alarm is set and I just need to get my personal carry-on loaded up with chargers and the like. I've already added my tablet/charger and camera. I had to plug the camera charger back in as the battery in the camera was nearly dead so I swapped it out for the fully charged one. Food: 8:55 am Apricot cheese danish, 103 g blackberries, coffee 1:10 pm 68 g Italian bread, butter, 56 g roast beef Exercise: 9:40-10:00 am Walk to church 11:05-11:25 am Walk home

Sat 24 Feb

The Mexico trip is almost palpable now. I am thinking of what time I need to go to bed tomorrow night (8 pm) so I can rise on Mon morning (at 1 am) to leave at 3 am for our 6:30 flight out of Madison. I think I'll email our itinerary to Laura so she knows where we'll be and leave a copy for Michael as well. Need to address the carry-on and last-minute packing items soon. Remembered to pack jewelry yesterday! Really nice day with Michael going to Madison to look at a potential truck he is interested in purchasing. It did not meet expectations so he was a little disappointed, but we had a wonderful lunch together at La Kitchenette and a great tasting experience at Vom Fass. Food: 9:20 am Cherry danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:45 pm Omelette w/smoked salmon and cream cheese, mixed greens, seasoned breakfast potatoes, French hot chocolate 6:45 pm David's chocolate orange muffin Exercise: 5:50-6:35 pm Pilates mat

Fri 23 Feb

Didn't get the 3-5 inches of rain predicted yesterday, but there was a lot of rain and Bob said we have water running into the basement to a slight degree. It's quite warm today, 32° already at 7:30 am. Food: 7:50 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:00 pm Last year's hot cross bun, caramel macchiato yogurt, 102 g blackberries Exercise: 9:05-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body pump class

Thurs 22 Feb

Planning a walk with Kathy this morning, temps around 15 degrees. Should be fine, albeit rather grey. Have my postponed hair appointment at 11 am, then plan to make Kathy's brussels sprouts pasta recipe for dinner. Food: 7:15 am Hot cross bun, 102 g blackberries, coffee 1:25 pm 6 crab/lobster ravioli w/pumpkin sauce, Bourbon biscuits 6:00 pm Brussels sprouts pasta w/lemon cream sauce Exercise: 8:00-9:40 am Walk w/Kathy Zinda Dr loop

Wed 21 Feb

Had a nice time at the Bootstrap shower evening at Michele's. Arrived shortly after 5 pm because I thought that was when we were supposed to be there, and found out it was the social hour time and only two people had come that early. Spent most of the hour chatting with Paula Schlice and Jan Flood (who bought me a drink!) Didn't seem like there was as much stuff donated for the shower this year as last year, but it was very nice stuff as usual. Icy again today, and Bob thinks he's coming down with the cold Michael caught from Taylor. Hopefully I don't catch it from Bob just in time for vacation, and hopefully he is recovered by then. Food: 8:00 am Hot cross bun, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:05 pm 2 fried eggs, sm slice dutch apple pie Exercise: 9:05-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 20 Feb

Wow, the world has been iced over overnight. Today is an agoraphobic's holiday: everyone is afraid to leave their homes. Center St looks like it has been set up as a speed skating track. Even our little deck is shiny with a clear coat of ice. School is, of course, canceled so I don't have tutoring this morning and Sue called yesterday to reschedule my haircut to Thursday because she was afraid to drive in from the country. It remains to be seen if the Bootstrap shower at Michele's will be canceled this evening. I hope they make the decision early if they cancel so I have time to throw my beef roast in the crock pot. Food: 7:50 am Hot cross bun, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:40 pm Slice Omega 3 toast w/butter, caramel macchiato yogurt, med banana Exercise: 11:45-12:05 pm Cardio Hula DVD

Mon 19 Feb

T minus one week and counting. We'll be on the plane to MSP this time next week, and preparing to head down to warm weather. Had a very nice time yesterday evening at Tom and Kathy Girolamo's annual winter party. Spent quite a bit of time chatting with Dave and Patty Becker about their fairly recent Viking river cruise from Basel to Amsterdam. They gave us all kinds of information on great things they saw and did. They also provided all the assurance I needed that we don't need to order the drinks package; they said you get excellent wines with lunch and dinner, and they vary enough so that we should be completely satisfied. Patty is going to email me further info and maybe some photos. Food: 7:50 am Cheese danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:10 pm 1 c 1% cottage cheese w/Sunny Paris seasoning, 13 TJ's pumpkin soup crackers Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Elliptical 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 5:25-6:15 pm Pilates mat

Sun 18 Feb

Proud of myself for mending a hole right on the right boob of my tan alpaca sweater. I had a little very similarly colored yarn left from a scarf I made with the yarn Laura gave me for my birthday and was able to use a yarn needle to weave a patch so now it just looks like a little pilling in that spot and blends so well as not to be noticeable if you weren't looking for it. Yay! Food: 8:25 am Cherry danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Light caramel macchiato yogurt, hot cross bun, med banana Exercise: 9:10-9:30 am Walk to church 11:15-11:35 am Walk home

Sat 17 Feb

Hope to go to the Farmshed Food Fair this afternoon, after getting pastries this morning. Otherwise, a fairly quiet weekend at home. Sigh. No Farmer's Market today so no pastries for the week. Took last year's hot cross buns out of the freezer for tomorrow and the next day, and poured myself some cereal for today. Maybe there will be nice things at the Food Fair to compensate. Food: 9:45 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Farmshed nibbles 6:20 pm Taylor's homemade chicken noodle soup, David's hot cross bun Exercise: 5:15-6:05 pm Pilates mat

Fri 16 Feb

10 days to Mexico, hoping there are no crime problems that affect us. In the meantime, life goes on. Suicide prevention meeting this morning, and if it ends in time, I'll still make it to Body Pump. If not, I'll just come home and start on laundry. Food: 7:25 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:15 pm 2 scrambled eggs, 1/4 c chopped zucchini, 9 g manchego, 1 slice Angelic sprouted toast w/butter 6:30 pm Shrimp and crab ravioli, pumpkin sauce, shredded parmesan, 1/2 c carrots Exercise: 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Thurs 15 Feb

Had a really lovely time going out for Valentine's dinner to Watchman's Gone last night. It's nice to be in a comfortable, familiar environment where you are known by the staff and to get such lovely food. We shared an appetizer tray with homemade Middle Eastern cream cheese (nableh?), some seasoned with za'atar and some drizzled with honey, accompanied by walnuts, kalamata olives, pepper jelly, fresh figs, and naan. For entree, we each had the fettuccine with roasted Mediterranean vegetables and shredded Gruyere. Also a nice salad. For dessert, we shared a piece of white chocolate cheesecake with fresh berries. And two glasses of wine (each)! What a lovely morning for a walk with Kathy! Mild temperatures, some ice but not awful. We did the full Schmeeckle loop. Food: 7:20 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 8:05-9:50 am Walk w/Kathy

Wed 14 Feb

Combination of Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday. We will observe fast and abstinence and I cantor at noon services, but we are going to the Watchman's Gone for their special Valentine's dinner this evening. Compromise. Food: 8:00 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:10 am Soy shake Exercise: 9:05-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 4:15-4:45 pm Madison St loop

Tues 13 Feb

Mardi Gras. I wonder how many "typical" Americans could tell you what the French word is for Tuesday, even though most of them might refer to Mardi Gras as Fat Tuesday. I suspect the connection would be lost on most. Food: 8:00 am Honey bear pastry, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:45 pm 2 fried eggs, 1 slice Angelic sprouted toast w/butter, med banana 6:30 pm 2 chicken drumsticks w/curry sauce, dinner roll, salad Exercise: 9:15-9:30 am Jessica Smith 10:30-10:40 am Walk to Jefferson 11:50-12:00 pm Walk home 5:30-6:20 pm Pilates mat

Mon 12 Feb

Nice drive to Green Bay yesterday for Costco run and wine pick-up party. Wines of this cycle were a very nice cab sauv and their Seven Seas. They served a beef tips on rice casserole and salmon dip with crackers. Food: 7:55 am Chocolate pecan pinwheel pastry, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:40 pm Tamale pie 6:15 pm Crab broccoli risotto Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 1:55-2:40 pm Walk to library and back

Sun 11 Feb

Funeral went well yesterday. Was nice to spend time with my remaining blood relatives. Most enjoyed visiting with Anna and Emily Peterson as well as Dan and his new wife. Folks were welcoming and very gracious. Food: 8:00 am Cheese danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 10 Feb

My dad would have been 102 today, instead we're burying Jeanette. Michael is coming to the church around 9:30 and has to leave before the actual funeral for band practice; his band plays together for the last time tonight. I am very pleased that he will come to the church. Laura leaves tomorrow for an interview in Colorado, so she didn't feel she could spare the time to come today.

Fri 9 Feb

Each year you remember (the morning after) that it really doesn't feel good to eat that much sugar at the Evening of Chocolate Decadence. It was great fun at the time, however, and we really enjoyed it. Good motivation to go low sugar for awhile now til vacation. Actually makes me glad we didn't win Valentine chocolates in the raffle, though I would have liked to win the $150 gift certificate to Muse Restaurant. Food: 7:40 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 100 g blackberries, coffee 1:20 pm 2 fried eggs, 1 slice Angelic sprouted toast w/butter, 1/2 grapefruit 6:30 pm Broiled salmon, 1/2 baked sweet potato w/butter, 1/2 baked yellow acorn w/butter Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Thurs 8 Feb

After some back-and-forth exchange, Kathy and I have decided to walk at 2 this afternoon when the temps are supposed to get up around 13°, an improvement over the current -5°. Sun is shining so it looks nice outside, but the deep cold is getting old. Time for things to moderate, please. Food: 8:00 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 102 g blackberries, coffee 11:55 am 2 scrambled eggs, 1/2 grapefruit Exercise: 9:25-9:55 am Jessica Smith Strong Feet & Ankles, Strong Knees and Hips 9:55-10:20 am Jessica Smith Wake Up and Walk

Wed 7 Feb

It's about 15-16 degrees warmer today than Monday morning, always an improvement. We plan to do Pilates tonight which always makes my body feel better. Food: 8:00 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 100 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 6 Feb

A particularly decadent chocolate muffin from David this week, sort of melts all over the paper I need a fork to eat it! But it's very much worth it. Getting the chocolate taste buds in shape for Thursday evening. Food: 7:55 am Chocolate truffle muffin, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:25 pm 1 chicken drumstick, small banana, slice chocolate chip brioche loaf Exercise: 9:05-9:20 am Jessica Smith Upper Body Circuit walk 10:30-10:40 am Walk to Jefferson 11:50-12:00 pm Walk home

Mon 5 Feb

Super Bowl wasn't broadcast on any of the channels we get, so we were immune. I saw a few scoring reports when I was on Yahoo for other things during the evening, and I hear the Eagles won. It really mattered not at all to me. Food: 7:55 am Cheese danish, 99 g blackberries, coffee 12:50 pm Large bowl wild rice mushroom soup 2:10 pm Med banana Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Sun 4 Feb

Got 4-5 inches of snow yesterday. Walked to church in the snowfall and milder weather so we don't have to walk in the colder temps today. Nothing on the agenda today except choir 2-4 unless we decide to watch the Super Bowl this evening (if it's even on a channel we get). Food: 8:05 am Apricot cheese danish, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm Bratwurst, Angelic sprouted slice, ketchup 1:45 pm Sea salt PopKernels 5:55 pm Lg chicken thigh, 1/2 c mashed potatoes w/butter, 8 thin broiled asparagus spears Exercise: 9:20-9:50 am Jessica Smith Spicy Latin Walk 11:30-12:00 pm Shovel driveway

Sat 3 Feb

Snow today, started already early this morning. Only predicting 1-3, but they are not known for accuracy. Usually we get much less. Enough though to limit travel much today, not that we had anywhere in mind to go. Leone called today to let us know that Aunt Jeanette passed away last night. In church this evening, they mistakenly announced that Joan had died this week. Food: 9:20 am Cherry cheese danish, 100 g blackberries, coffee 1:35 pm Wild rice mushroom soup, 4 European cookies 3:00 pm 1 Stroopwaffel Exercise: 9:45-10:15 am Jessica Smith Power Walk 12:55-1:15 pm Shoveling snow 4:35-5:00 pm Walk to church 6:05-6:25 pm Walk home

Fri 2 Feb

It's a sunny Groundhog's Day, so (surprise! surprise!) 6 more weeks of winter. But in about 3 weeks, we get Mexico sun for a bit, so I can deal. Kathy and I walked in the afternoon yesterday, but it wasn't substantially warmer than the morning. It was sunny, so there was the battle between sunglasses and neck gaiter, but the sunshine also gave the illusion of warmth. Let's hope it also does so today. Food: 8:00 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:45 pm 2 slices Angelic sprouted bread, butter, 51 g cheddar, 1/2 grapefruit 2:30 pm 1 pkg Sea Salt PopKernels 4:30 pm 1 milk chocolate truffle Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Thurs 1 Feb

Wind chill advisories have motivated Kathy and me to postpone our walk til later in the afternoon today with hopes of more civilized temps. I didn't take a lot of convincing not to go out in the bitter. Food: 7:25 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 100 g blackberries, coffee 1:00 pm 1/2 grapefruit, 2 oz schnitzel, 2/3 c Spätzle