Mon 28 May

It's here!!! We're leaving for our big trip today!!! Had a last-minute inspiration to take a carry-on duffel that fits my purse inside but allows comfortable space for my Kindle, snacks, etc. So I can still bring my purse along, but I don't have to horribly over-stuff it with things I might want on the plane. It's going to be really hot in Minneapolis, so we are modifying our "travel outfits" to put on the long-sleeve portions once we hit the airport. I'm taking flip-flops along and may stash the travel shoes/socks if my feet get too hot and just leave the flip-flops in the car when we park it (or stick them in the carry-on if I should want them in the room). Food: 7:10 am Chocolate pecan pinwheel pastry, 150 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 27 May

The dawn chorus is chirping merrily this morning. Looks like another nice (but hot) day, our last at home before vacation. I cantor at 8 am so we then have the remainder of the day to review our preparations and make sure all is ready for an awesome vacation. Food: 6:10 am Cheese danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm 6 oz kombucha, slice Omega 3 bread, 37 g cheddar 6:05 pm Aldi whole wheat bun, Fit N Active turkey Italian sausage, ketchup, dijon mustard, pickle relish, 6 oz white wine, 1/2 med baby zucchini, 2/3 c potato salad Exercise: 7:10-7:30 am Walk to church 8:10-8:30 am Walk home 9:30-10:05 am Ellis St loop

Sat 26 May

Lovely sunny day, last weekend before we leave on our dream trip to the Rhine River on Viking plus Amsterdam. Bob, unsurprisingly, had to go back to the job site this morning. I will walk to the Farmer's Market for pastries through Monday morning. Holy cow, I was mosquito fodder on the walk to and from the square! Never thought to put on one of those repellent bracelets. I'm putting one in my purse right now for the trip in case the bugs are bad in Germany. The little suckers are voracious here. But it's worth it to have one of David's delicious pastries for breakfast again. Food: 8:35 am Raspberry/blackberry danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:45 pm 1% cottage cheese w/chives, 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk 6:30 pm Enchiladas, 8 oz hard cider Exercise: 7:45-8:20 am Walk to Farmer's Market and back 11:30-12:00 pm Mow outer portions of lawn w/push mower 5:30-6:20 pm Pilates mat

Fri 25 May

Last weekday before vacation. Felt that spot on my back in the shower again today; will look for a skin care screening if available and hope for the best. Food: 7:45 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 103 g blackberries, coffee 1:55 pm 5 oz kombucha, Aldi English muffin, 1 tbl Jif, 1/2 sm/med zucchini 4:30 pm Kettle corn Popcorners 6:25 pm Large 90% lean burger stuffed w/sauteed mushrooms & onions, 1 tbl sautéed morels, 1/2 small zucchini Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Thurs 24 May

Skies are sort of grey but as yet no thunderstorms to deter us from walking this morning. Actually the forecast no longer even shows rain today except a minuscule chance this evening. Humidity is at 87% and it is supposed to reach 86° today - oooof! I go to visit Kat and her new baby Samuel around 10 am today to finally deliver the blanket I made. It won't be needed much in these temps though. Food: 7:15 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 102 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 8:00-9:40 am Walk w/Kathy (Bukolt/cemetary loop)

Wed 23 May

Warm and sunny today, just like I like it. Might be a tad warm hiking if we can get there this evening, but we'll cope. Attended to a few packing details as soon as I got out of bed today as I had been thinking about it as I came awake. Stowed some empty ziplocs, removed the hairdryer as I have been assured it is unnecessary, added the resistance band should I feel the need for some strength training. Food: 8:00 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 22 May

52 years since my brother drowned at Iverson at the age of 14; I was 10. Hope you are doing well, Mark. Wish I had had the opportunity to know you better. My visit to Kat was moved to Thursday due to a forgotten post-natal checkup so I am free until my pedicure at 2. It's quite overcast, but the temps are supposed to get warmer again this afternoon. Bob said it will be in the 90s when we go through Minneapolis on Monday. I think my flight outfit is layered so I shouldn't have to be too uncomfortable on the drive over, and if necessary, I can always wear something for hot weather and change before we go to the airport. Food: 7:50 am Half an apple puff pastry, 103 g blackberries, coffee 12:50 pm Aldi English muffin, 1 tbl Jif, 1/2 med cantaloupe

Mon 21 May

One week from today we'll be on our way to our Viking cruise, driving to Minneapolis, having lunch, finding our parking lot and checking in at the airport. Overnight flight stopping at Paris in the morning, layover, then on to Basel and we are collected by the Viking reps to get to the ship. We can't get into our room until 3 pm, but they provide a light lunch in the lounge and we can walk around Basel. We'll get sim cards for our phones and check out the town. It's hard to believe it will soon be real! Food: 7:45 am Pear tart, 103 g blackberries, coffee 12:50 pm Aldi English muffin, 1 tbl PB, 1/4 med cantaloupe, Nestle Fat Free Cocoa 2:00 pm Sleeve Bourbon biscuits 3:30 pm Plain Popcorners 6:10 pm 5 oz white wine, shrimp broccoli shiitake risotto Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Sun 20 May

Pastries today from La Baguette as we noticed that the Farmer's Market was already in swing yesterday so we stopped by. David wasn't there (til next week), but the Madison folks had a few pastries left. Got some mushrooms, too! Tried a SparkRecipe for stuffed burgers, stuffed with sautéed mushrooms and onions and grilled. Delicious. Used the scone cutter as a burger form which kept them neat. Have been asked to turn pages for Mary P for their choir concert this afternoon. Had nothing scheduled so might as well help out. Food: 8:00 am Almond puff pastry, 102 g blackberries, coffee 11:55 am Caramel macchiato yogurt, med banana, sm cinnamon oat scone 2:30 pm Sm pumpkin bar, chocolate chip cookie Exercise: 9:10-9:30 am Walk to church 11:15-11:35 am Walk home 1:00-1:20 pm Walk to church for concert 3:00-3:20 pm Walk home

Sat 19 May

Kinda cloudy out there today, but still nice and warm. It was nice to change over to summer sheets yesterday; I think I slept a little better because of it. I do hope the sun comes out later though. Food: 8:05 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm 5 oz kombucha, L'Oven Fresh English muffin w/butter, 1/2 c 1% cottage cheese w/chives, multicolor baby carrots Exercise: 9:05-9:40 am Clark/Ellis loop

Fri 18 May

Should be a lovely sunny day today; maybe I'll even hang some of the laundry outside. I could try to get to the gym since I have to drive to the meeting, but I don't think I will. I had expected not to be done in time, and now that I remember the Walk for Hope meeting is next month after the regular meeting and not today, it's possible I would be, but I'm already dressed in street clothes and planning to do laundry afterward. Good enough. Food: 7:15 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 103 g blackberries, coffee 1:05 pm 1/2 leftover grilled cheese sandwich, small cranberry scone, med banana

Thurs 17 May

Slightly cooler today, but still apparently sunny so I'm good. Free between my walk with Kathy and Mary Gaedtke's home party at 6, so I hope to get my suitcase in order somewhat with vitamins and toiletries and other miscellaneous travel items. Vacation is creeping up. May schedule my pedicure for next week as well. Food: 7:20 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 103 g blackberries, coffee 11:00 am 1 Babybel Light 11:15 am Lemon scone, 1/4 med cantaloupe, blueberry Skyr yogurt Exercise: 8:00-9:25 am Walk w/Kathy (Zinda Dr loop)

Wed 16 May

Weather is delightful and almost summery. We had a great hike at Rib last night, followed by the Dane since I hadn't planned supper and was hungry. I need to get better at cooking every night now until vacation. I had a bit of a break between Door Co, Madison visit, and Mother's Day, and I can't fall back into old habits of eating out and spending too much. I think trying the Hello Fresh service also contributed because I didn't need to think about what items to thaw or to have on hand to round out a meal. Back to basics! Food: 7:40 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 106 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 8:55-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 15 May

Will try for a hike tonight as it's forecast to be 71° today and 80° tomorrow. Harder to maintain energy if it is too warm, especially early in the season when you haven't yet built much stamina. Last day of reading tutoring today, and I get my hair tended to this afternoon. Food: 7:45 am Morning bun, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:55 am 2 fried eggs, cinnamon oat scone Exercise: 10:30-10:40 am Walk to Jefferson 11:45-11:55 am Walk home

Mon 14 May

The next few days should be sunny and warm, and I am ready for it! I should hopefully not have to reschedule tomorrow's hair appointment due to impending ice or snow. Tomorrow is the last tutoring day of this school year. Spring finally feels like it's getting a hold on things. Yesterday I got the herb garden planted and we bought nice tomato plants at the Farmer's Market on Saturday so our outdoor "planting" is complete. Oh, wait.... I didn't put the tiny arugula plant into a planter yet. Have to do that today. Food: 7:40 am Morning bun, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:40 pm Skyr blueberry yogurt, 163 g strawberries, small lemon scone 6:50 pm Baked tilapia, 1/2 baked sweet potato w/butter, 2/3 c sautéed parsnips, 8 oz hard cider Exercise: 8:55-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 2:15-3:00 pm Walk to library and back

Sun 13 May

Had a great time in Madison yesterday with Laura. She treated to brunch at Sardine's for Mother's Day and even bought half a dozen oysters for us to share! We were able to get her a belated additional birthday present since all we got her were a pair of Costco jeans on our last visit. She is for sure moving to Colorado to begin her teaching at the School of Mines on Aug 10, so she will need hiking boots. We took her to REI and got her a nice pair of Oboz. I got a nice pair of Chaco casual shoes, sort of sneakers but nicer looking and only a size 9 so I don't feel like I'm wearing tuna boats on my feet when I don't need to worry about foot swelling. I will be much happier to have nicer looking walking shoes for our Europe trip. I was also most pleased this morning that the scale was back down to 147. Hopefully this is a return to what had been my normal, rather than an anomalous low day. Food: 8:30 am Chocolate chip danish, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 12 May

Well, we have some sunshine here so I'm hopeful it might not rain on the Madison Farmer's Market, but we shall see. Fortunately Bob's difficult employer did not insist he work on Saturday again, or if she tried, he let her know we were going to Madison and prevailed. Looking forward to seeing Laura, especially as I don't know how much longer she will be accessible in Madison. Colorado is very far away. Food: 6:15 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 11 May

An anomolous cold, rainy day today with predicted highs only in the 40s. I am doing my "makeup" afternoon at Bootstrap on third desk today, so I wouldn't have much opportunity to be outside anyway. Planning to try to get a load or two of laundry in between gym and Bootstrap since we are going to Madison tomorrow. I'm hoping to get there early enough to take in the Farmer's Market and look for spring plants and veggies. Food: 7:40 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:10 pm 1/2 leftover lamb burger on brioche bun, 150 g strawberries, 6 oz blueberry kombucha 6:15 pm Door Co ribs, potato wedges, broccoli Exercise: 8:55-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Thurs 10 May

Scale is up in forbidden territory again, so much need to cut back to get ready for the Europe trip. Don't want to start out feeling pudgy. Guess I did overeat a bit in Door Co so I have no legitimate complaint. Missed Bootstrap yesterday as I completely spaced out that we needed to leave Door Co right after breakfast. We relaxed in the room til checkout time and I did my Duolingo, then I realized I could not get back to Point by 1:00 pm. I called to say I'd hopefully be there by 2:15, but by the time we reached Green Bay, it was obvious that wasn't going to happen so I called a second time and regretfully decided I wouldn't be in at all. After I got home, Roseanne called and said they need someone for third desk Friday afternoon, so I can make it up. Walked at 7:45 with Kathy today as she needed to be home by 8:50 to go to a doctor's appointment. I skedaddled home as fast as I could walk due to a full bladder. Food: 7:00 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 100 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 7:45-9:00 am Walk w/Kathy (Bukolt loop)

Sun 6 May

Door Co day is finally here! We do have to go to 8 am church since poor Bob had to work a 10-hour day yesterday on this work project so we couldn't go at 5 pm yesterday. I baked scones (which didn't rise properly) and raisin bread (from an Aunt Dimity book recipe) and ate mostly starches yesterday. Didn't sleep as well as a result. Need to eat a balanced diet. I know better. Food: 6:50 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 100 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 5 May

Cinco de Mayo, the Mexican holiday primarily celebrated by non-Hispanics in the US as an excuse for "Mexican" restaurants to sell food and margaritas. Oh well, any excuse for merrymaking is not all bad. Bob has to work pretty much a full day today to get things done on this big project he is involved with, so I will pack, walk, read, etc. as usual. Food: 7:55 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 4 May

May the Fourth be With You! A grey day out there, but laundry and packing to do after gym so no need to be outside much. Lots of rain in the night, but it seems to be done now. Food: 7:40 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 99 g blackberries, coffee 12:55 pm 6 pumpkin soup crackers w/hummus, mushroom wild rice soup Exercise: 8:55-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump

Thurs 3 May

Bob agreed to get me a massage with Mary for Mother's Day, so I am going to contact her today to hopefully schedule something between Door Co and the Viking cruise. My body has been stiffer than usual and would love to be massaged. If I were exceptionally wealthy, I would have a massage every week. Food: 7:15 am Honey bear pastry, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:10 p 47 g Italian bread, 100 g cheddar cheese, 1/4 lg cantaloupe 4:30 pm Popcorners Kettle Corn 6:25 pm Hello Fresh Winner Winner Chicken Dinner w/orzo (Chicken breast, zucchini/tomato w/fresh moss, parmesan, panic, orzo pasta Exercise: 8:00-9:25 am Walk w/Kathy (Bukolt loop) 1:40-2:00 pm Walk to St Mike's 3:05-3:25 pm Walk home

Wed 2 May

Thinking of Kat today on her official due date. Still haven't quite finished the blanket for Samuel, but it's getting there. Hope her delivery goes well and all are safe and healthy. The meal kit arrived today and I chose the pork chop dinner for tonight. It is very nice with simple to follow instructions and everything except butter, oil, salt, & pepper. Worth what I paid but not $20 per meal. Food: 7:40 am Chocolate croissant, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:40 pm 50 g Italian bread, 43 g cheddar cheese, 1/4 lg cantaloupe 5:50 pm Boneless pork chop w/maple balsamic glaze, mashed sweet potato w/pecans, green beans Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 1 May

Fondly remembering when I used to make May baskets and put them on the doorknobs of the kids' bedrooms when they were little. I wonder if they remember at all. This May Day appears cloudy but quite warm. I need to look into some bridge season pajamas as the only pair I have has a huge hole in the butt and the trim on the edge of the top is detaching. I have TONS of pajamas for winter and probably enough options for hot weather, but I like having the short-sleeve, crop-length ones for in-between. Food: 7:55 am Apricot danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:20 pm 2 fried eggs, slice Omega 3 toast w/butter, 1/4 lg cantaloupe 3:30 pm 6 oz kombucha, plain PopKorners 6:45 pm Mushroom wild rice soup Exercise: 10:30-10:40 am Walk to Jefferson 11:45-11:55 am Walk home 12:50-1:15 pm Ellis St loop