Mon 30 Sept

Likely to be warmer but rainy today, in fact rainy for most of the remainder of the week. Guess most of my steps will have to happen either at the gym or lapping the living room (as yesterday). Sure was nice to hike in the sunshine on Saturday. Turning out to be a brainless day. Forgot to pack my little purse for the gym with phone, wallet, and car key, yet somehow the car started and drove. When I got to the gym and realized this, I was afraid to leave the car to work out until I figured out where my key was. I checked the pocket of my raincoat and my shoe bag with no success, so I drove home before shutting off the car since I didn't even have my phone to call Bob if I couldn't get back into the car. When I pulled into the driveway, I saw the key sitting on top of the trash bag. I assume it had been in the pocket of the raincoat and fell out when I took it off and tossed it on the car seat before leaving the house the first time, but I didn't see it at the gym because I didn't look there. Turned around and went directly back so I arrived in time for Body Pump but not to do any treadmill time before. Planned to do the weight machines after, but didn't think of it til I was already driving home and didn't want to go back again. Hoping the rest of the day looks up. At least it isn't raining. Food: 7:50 am Maple danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:05 pm 1 slice Angelic 7-grain toast w/butter, 1 tbl Bonne Maman apricot preserves, red pear, 2 hard boiled eggs 1:30 pm 4 cookies 3:15 pm Belt's ice cream sandwich 5:40 pm 2 fried chicken drumsticks, 1 c cajun mac n cheese, 3/4 c homemade applesauce Exercise: 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 11:40-12:10 pm Walk around UWSP library

Sun 29 Sept

I have been experiencing computer stress yesterday and again a little this morning. I "think" we may have solved the password keychain problem, but it isn't a sure thing yet, and this morning I'm having trouble with one of the "I am not a robot" software to register for the Moon Walk. I was able to circumvent the "robot" issue by signing up on Firefox, though it doesn't have pre-fill features so it's more annoying. At least it's done, and I made the window for the $5 fee. Food: 7:00 am Pumpkin danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:50 pm 2 slices Angelic 7-grain bread, butter, 60 g cheddar, red pear Exercise: 10:05-10:10 am Walk to Leone's 11:05-11:10 am Walk home

Sat 28 Sept

Hard Rock Hiking Challenge this morning. We're registered to go the 10-mile leg. Should make up for not being able to hike on Wed at the North Shore. I'll take my new phone along and hopefully if I need to use the camera, I can figure it out. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 8:10-12:00 pm Hard Rocks Hiking Challenge 10 mi

Fri 27 Sept

Good trip to North Shore. Beautiful hiking at Cascade River on Tuesday. Wednesday was a bit cloudy, then rainy, so we didn't really get any hiking in though we were able to walk from Nelson's to town in the morning and again for dinner. We poked around the Grand Marais shops and drove out to the Wild Country maple syrup place where we met the new owners (of the last four years) and got a tour of the operation. They had two beautiful mountain dogs who were friendly but not overly assertive. Thursday again dawned beautiful so we hiked Oberg on the way out, then again stopped at Tettagouche to hike the short Baptism River walk for hourly steps. Good food up north as usual; bagel sandwich from Coho Cafe, delicious dinner at the Crooked Spoon, great fish tacos and pie at Rustic Inn on the way home. Food: 7:50 am World's Best Donut lemon cream cheese swirl, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:05 pm Steel cut oats, soy milk, 1/2 scoop Elevation protein powder, 1 tbl golden flaxseed meal, 1/8 c TJs dried blueberries Exercise: 9:05-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Mon 23 Sept

The day of good color (traditionally) at the North Shore marks the day we head up to leaf-peep. Hopefully we'll have a safe and lovely trip to truly appreciate God's beauty on Earth. Planning to stop at Potato Falls en route per recommendation from Bill Pyke to see a beautiful waterfall. Food: 6:40 am Pumpkin danish, 100 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 22 Sept

Raining this morning so likely not able to walk to church unless it abates soon. Better that it gets it out of the system before we head up north. Food: 7:50 am Apricot danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 21 Sept

Seems a bit more muggy this morning. Finally took the last traces of polish off my toenails as they were looking pretty sad. I wore my Keen sandals to the meeting yesterday morning so they wouldn't show and then took a long walk to Bukolt and the sandals irritated the tops of the big toes. I drew blood this morning scrubbing off polish from the nail. Food: 7:50 am Cherry danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:10 pm 84 g cheese curds, pear Exercise: 7:15-7:40 am Walk to Farmer's Market 9:10-9:30 am Walk to church 11:50-12:05 pm Walk home

Fri 20 Sept

Been awhile since I got up early on a weekday. I forgot the Coalition meeting last month, convinced it wasn't til the following week. I've had an early Saturday or two, but not a weekday. It's also dark now if you get up at 5:45 again, plus it's foggy today. Meeting is at the Annex, so I can walk in a comfortable time. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:50 am Two Good vanilla greek yogurt, apple fritter bread, small apple Exercise: 7:45-8:00 am Walk to Annex 9:05-10:45 am Complete Bukolt loop

Thurs 19 Sept

Looks like a grey and stormy day, though the storms sound to be north and south of us at present. There was rain in the night, but it's not raining now. We'll see if Kathy wants to chance a walk. Food: 7:45 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:00 pm Hamburger, wheat bun, 83 g roma tomato 3:00 pm 1 stroopwaffel 6:05 pm 4 oz pork roast, 2/3 c red potatoes, 1 c mixed veg, 5 oz sauvignon blanc Exercise: 10:00-10:25 am Machine wokout 10:30-11:30 am Body Flow class

Wed 18 Sept

Feels just that tad cooler today towards comfort; hopefully it will last. Funny how an increase in temperature and humidity after a week or so of cooler temps seems so much warmer than it would have during the summer. If it hadn't been for the humidity, I think it would have been most welcome to have a little bit warmer temps and some sunshine. As it is, the sunshine is particularly welcome. Food: 7:50 am Apricot danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:05 pm Oikos Zero coffee Greek, apple, slice apple fritter bread Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 17 Sept

I see some sunshine today, most welcome, but it appears it will be somewhat warm and quite humid this week which is not as welcome. I plan to go to the gym today to do the machine work I couldn't bring myself to do yesterday, and then stay for Body Flow. Food: 7:45 am Bear claw, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:35 am Small slice banana bread 12:55 pm 2/3 c 2% cottage cheese, concha, large peach 6:05 pm Cheese fries, apple, 1/2 cucumber Exercise: 10:00-10:25 am Machine workout 10:30-11:30 am Body Flow class

Mon 16 Sept

Foggy morning today, but temps should be in the 70s all week. Preliminary peeks into the North Shore weather shows highs in the low 50s next week which should be fine for hiking. Bob checked a color report indicating that color is around half now, so that should bode well for next week. Nothing special on the agenda this week. Wussed out on the exercise machines today after Body Pump. There's a lot of humidity again and I think it sort of sapped my energy. Food: 7:45 am Chocolate caramel pinwheel, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:25 pm 1/2 c 2% cottage cheese w/chives, large peach, croissant Exercise: 9:05-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Sun 15 Sept

Beautiful day for the Walk for Hope yesterday, with a great turnout of enthusiastic participants. Should have made a lot of money for the cause. Bob and I then went to La Crosse for apples. We went up on Grandad for the view, then found some short nearby hiking in the Hixon forest. It was warm and we were both in cotton t-shirts and jeans and didn't have our hiking boots, so we couldn't handle much of a trail but we got a little outdoors time and had an adequate supper at Fayze's before heading home. Food: 8:05 am Pumpkin danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm 2 fried eggs, zucchini frosted muffin, slice apple fritter bread, brownie, apple Exercise: 4:50-5:40 pm Walk around back of Schmeeckle

Sat 14 Sept

Walk for Hope today. They're predicting mostly sunny, high of 70°, so I'm hopeful for a nice walk. We'll go get our pastries by car around 7:15 and then go to help set up. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 13 Sept

Been quite a while since we've had a Friday the 13th, at least that I've noted. My new monitor arrived yesterday and had no little lines, waves, or patterns obliterating the display this morning. Hopefully those days are over for a long time. It's good to have an updated computer and monitor that will hopefully last me another ten years now. Food: 8:00 am 1 c maple clusters cereal, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Thurs 12 Sept

It's not raining this morning so I imagine Kathy and I will be able to walk today. I should do weight machines after Body Flow today also but no other commitments to consider. Food: 7:45 am 1 c Maple Cluster cereal, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm 2 scrambled eggs, 1/2 chocolate chip scone, large peach Exercise: 8:30-10:00 am Walk w/Kathy 10:30-11:30 am Body Flow class 11:35-12:00 pm Workout machines

Wed 11 Sept

Rain and thunder boomers this morning, expected to continue through tomorrow morning. Likely won't walk with Kathy this week, but we'll see. Treadmill this morning at the gym as I'm still recovering from increased weight on leg press. Food: 7:40 am Chocolate croissant, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 10 Sept

It's been my experience that once a month gets into double digits, the remainder of the month flies even faster. Time til New Zealand is flying crazy fast. We have some other things in between such as 4 days at the North Shore and a weekend at Apple Fest which will make it go even faster. Open day today, likely mostly rainy. Food: 7:45 am Honey bear pastry, 107 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 9 Sept

A particularly tasty pastry from David's repertoire this morning: a pinwheel with nuts and powdered sugar and possibly some chocolate tucked in. Yum! Monday has rolled round yet again. The weeks are flying by. Glad we got a trial pack done for New Zealand yesterday as it will be here before we know it. Can't really think of anything I need to purchase before the trip unless it be a Trtl neck pillow for the flight. I'm thinking I'll cut back on the vitamins I take along, perhaps just a multi and maybe a calcium for the morning, and leave home the magnesium at night. Food: 7:55 am Walnut pinwheel, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:00 pm 2 hard boiled eggs, large peach, 1/2 chocolate chip scone 4:15 pm Stroopwaffel 5:30 pm Large sloppy joe on cheddar roll, sliced cucumber Exercise: 9:13-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 10:35-10:55 am Workout machines

Sun 8 Sept

Anxious for the new monitor to see if it stops resetting the display size every time it reawakens. Mildly annoying. Nice trip to Madison yesterday but we got home close to 10 and I was quite tired. Was able to do my Duolingo at Laura's while Bob helped her hang some pictures and a mirror so I didn't have to do it when I got home. We got our full Costco run in before meeting with her as she had lifting responsibilities at her gym in prep for her meet in seven weeks. That will likely be the case again when we visit her in early October. She is also on a pre-meet eating regimen so she doesn't eat with us. We didn't eat fancy this trip at all: a couple of El Pastor tacos eaten at Laura's for lunch and Culver's on the way out late. Food: 8:40 am Maple danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:40 am 66 g Kirkland oven roasted turkey breast, cheese roll, lettuce 6:20 pm Kwik Trip banana cake Exercise: 9:40-10:00 am Walk to church 11:10-11:30 am Walk home 4:10-6:10 pm Full Rib hike

Sat 7 Sept

Looks like a decent day. Going down to Madison to help Laura move her stuff back up from the basement to the main floor now that her floors are refinished. Hope to get in a Costco/Woodmans run and maybe pick up some pastries from El Poblano,

Fri 6 Sept

Grey and windy day today, rain not really predicted but I don't know if I trust it enough to hang laundry out today. We decided that we will look for a new monitor for my computer, probably at Costco, since this one requires me to shut down manually and restart every day or sometimes more often. Food: 7:50 am 1 c maple cluster cereal, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 5 Sept

Spoke too soon on the lack of monitor lines with the new computer; now it likes to take over the entire screen with patterned lines that don't seem to resolve on their own so I have to turn the computer off and on again to get my desktop screen. Hopefully we'll figure out a way around it. No walk with Kathy today as they are in South Dakota, so I'm going to the gym before Body Flow to work on the machines. No more Zumba so I'll come home right after Body Flow. I have a Walk for Hope meeting this afternoon so I can drop off the raffle prizes. Food: 7:50 am Chocolate croissant, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:05 pm 2 fried eggs, large peach, Mexican pastry 6:00 pm 2 grilled drumsticks, 1 ear sweet corn, 6 oz coconut porter Exercise: 10:00-10:20 am Workout on machines 10:30-11:30 am Body Flow class 4:10-4:55 pm Walk to library

Wed 4 Sept

Hippo birdie two me! Bob said the new computer didn't have lines on the monitor this morning, so we'll see if that holds true as the weather gets colder. Seemed like my Fitbit did the morning sync faster than usual on the phone as well, but I believe I also updated the phone software finally as well. There will still be little things to learn with the new computer update but it will be good to be running the current system and know that it won't just poop out for being outdated. Food: 8:00 am Apricot danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 3 Sept

Rain this morning, needed by the vegetation which is finally starting to look a little dry. It was amazing to see lush green lawns on Sept 1, both here and in Mpls, but the dryness is creeping in. We walked to Minnehaha Falls with Kurt and Barb and the falls were rushing there as if it were springtime. They've had quite a lot of rain this summer. Lunch with Bill today for my birthday. Food: 8:00 am Chocolate caramel danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 2 Sept

Scale is up a couple of pounds today from over-indulging at the fair, but hopefully it's a short-term gain that can soon be rectified. I did eat most of a package of mini-donuts, several Sweet Martha's cookies, nitro ice cream, etc. so it's deserved. We still have lots of cookies and a big bag of kettle corn brought home, but kettle corn is an okay afternoon snack in moderation, and a couple of cookies a day would not be too bad either. Looking very much forward to the day off today. Food: 8:20 am Maple danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee