Happy Halloween!

Busy day ahead. Won't be walking with Kathy because she needs to spend time with her brother on his birthday, but need to start some laundry: sheets in back bedroom, towels, puffy jackets. I have to work the flu clinic at the Annex from 2-4 this afternoon. Busy times. Food: 7:50 am Concha, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm 2 scrambled eggs, pumpkin bread Exercise: 9:40-10:20 am Machine/balance workout 10:30-11:30 am Body Flow class

Wed 30 Oct

Taylor and her friend, Grace will spend a couple of nights here while we're gone, and Laura may also sleep here on her trip up to Medford at some point. House will feel loved. Food: 8:00 am Honey bear pastry, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm Pink concha w/apricot filling, Oikos Triple Zero coffee Exercise: 9:10-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 29 Oct

I think I will try to bake my pumpkin bread today and take it over to Leone's with her veggie straws and maybe a container of the chicken soup. I was going to wait til after Wednesday's funeral service, but I have flu clinic work on Thursday afternoon and that only leaves Friday for both baking and delivery with gym in the morning and Mass in the evening and laundry thrown in. Today's schedule is more forgiving. Food: 8:00 am Chocolate croissant, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm 2g Vanilla yogurt, Mexican concha w/custard center 3:00 pm Slice pumpkin bread Exercise: 4:10-5:20 pm Walk to little Schmeeckle (saw at least 7 deer!)

Mon 28 Oct

Got to meet David's daughter, Tracy, yesterday at Leone's. She is very lovely and showed me pictures of her 12-year-old daughter, Gabrielle. Leone indicated that she would prefer the Wed graveside service to be just herself, Mick, Brandon, and Tracy so we will honor her wishes and not attend. We gave them a sympathy card with $30 which seemed like a decent amount, and we visited with her for awhile yesterday afternoon. I will make pumpkin bread for her birthday along with the big bag of Veggie Straws and a card, and I'll take them over later this week. I think I'll shoot for Friday after the service when things may be dying down a bit. Food: 8:05 am Chocolate caramel danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:50 pm 3/4 c butternut squash bisque, Mexican scone, med banana Exercise: 9:10-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 10:35-11:10 am Machine/balance workout

Sun 27 Oct

Had a very nice day yesterday, starting with David's pastries from the Farmer's Market (the last outdoor market of the season). Drove down to Madison, and to my utter delight, found a fresh shipment of TJ's Pumpkin Spice coffee in the store. Had a lovely lunch with Bob at Brasserie V, moules et frites and a little pumpkin ale. Found out that Laura had a very successful meet in Mequon and was back in Madison so we could take her out for supper to celebrate. In the meantime, we had a good Costco run while she napped, and we ate together at a little hipster/dive bar called the Tip Top Club to avoid getting anywhere near downtown and Madison's Freakfest. Food: 8:00 am Caramel drizzled cheese danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:55 am 2 egg omelette w/red onion, oyster mushrooms, orange pepper, and Unexpected Cheddar, 1/2 large Pan de Muertas Exercise: 9:40-10:00 am Walk to church 11:15-11:35 am Walk home

Sat 26 Oct

Weird: my computer gave the time as Sat 3:09 pm before it woke up to the actual time of Sat 7:56 am. Wonder where my computer thought it was? My baking class this morning (that I was really looking forward to) was cancelled, so we're going to drive down to Madison to do some Costco/Woodmans/etc. shopping instead. I'll be out of good berries and I didn't like the look of the offerings at Aldi, I need soy milk, I can check Woodman's liquor for Whole Hog pumpkin ale.

Fri 25 Oct

Friday again already! Only one more full week and half of another before we leave. It's been eventful. David passed yesterday after they made a decision to remove the ventilator. His son and daughter were with him, and Mick spent a couple of hours with him just before he passed. I also learned that Deb P-J put Rich into hospice care yesterday after his long battle with health. Sadness abounds. Food: 7:50 am 1 c Trader Joe's Maple Clusters, 1/2 c soy milk, 97 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Macaroni & cheese, 1/2 c homemade applesauce 5:50 pm Sea bass filet, 3/4 c spinach noodles in sage brown butter, 1/2 delicata squash w/butter Exercise: 9:00-9:20 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Thurs 24 Oct

Finally I get my hair cut today! The first two extra weeks weren't too bad, but this last week I have been dying to get it cut again. Glad I endured this now and not at the end of my NZ vacation. Food: 7:50 am 1 c Trader Joe's Maple Clusters cereal, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:45 pm Steel cut oats, 1 small apple, 1/2 scoop Elevation vanilla protein powder, 1/2 c soy milk Exercise: 8:30-10:00 am Walk around Bukolt w/Kathy 10:30-11:30 am Body Flow class 11:35-12:05 pm Machine/balance workout

Wed 23 Oct

Slept well last night. Made Bob a quirky fleece cover for his Kindle and he is polite enough to like it. Hopefully the rain is done now for the week, though it's still supposed to be chilly. Food: 7:55 am Palmier, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:20 pm 2 scrambled eggs, pumpkin donut, green tea, 10 red grapes Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 22 Oct

Weather cleared up yesterday for a bit in the afternoon so I was able to walk outside a couple of times. Supposed to rain again most of today. May not be able to walk to my dentist appointment. Food: 7:55 am Chocolate croissant, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:00 pm 2 slices French toast w/1 duck egg, skim milk, 2 pc Angelic 7-grain bread, butter 6:15 pm Leek and potato soup, mini naan w/roasted garlic hummus, 1 1/2 crab cakes

Mon 21 Oct

Rainy couple of days ahead, then slightly cooler again I think. Already feel like I can see a little more ab definition, so need to keep on the Pilates as well as watching the salt and snacks to get that scale back down again and headed in the correct direction. Food: 7:55 am Apricot danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:40 am Curry butternut bisque, pumpkin donut Exercise: 9:05-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 10:35-11:05 am Machine/balance workout

Sun 20 Oct

Oh my, but the time is speeding by! But yesterday, we made some progress assessing our packing. We also had a wonderful visit with Tom Pease at Empty Bowls and a great time at Central Waters meeting other band parents and listening to Michael's band. It was a very lovely day. Food: 8:30 am Chocolate caramel pastry, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 19 Oct

Was able to pack my suitcase up yesterday with everything I should need to carry. Today I'll reopen it and maybe remove the belly pack and extra packing cube that I don't really need. The suitcase is fully packed and straining so I'd rather relieve it a little. Nice to be able to make adjustments. Had a really nice time at Empty Bowls chatting with Tom Pease. Food: 9:00 am Pumpkin danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am Bowl tomato bisque, breadstick, 2 cookies Exercise: 8:05-8:40 am Walk to Farmer's Market

Fri 18 Oct

Going out for lunch with Heather today; should be fun. Weather permitting, I should be able to walk downtown as we're meeting at the gyro place. Felt very good yesterday about getting my vitamins and toiletries organized for the trip, printing my trip documents and getting a start on putting my carry-ons together. Food: 6:55 am Trader Joe's Maple Clusters Cereal, soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:00 pm "Junior" gyro 2:25 pm Belts grasshopper ice cream sandwich Exercise: 12:05-12:40 pm Walk downtown (and around while waiting) 1:55-2:25 pm Walk home and to Belt's

Thurs 17 Oct

The time to vacation is simply disappearing! I'm starting to feel a little panicky about finishing all my preparations. I need to keep calm and just check things off the list. I suspect there's less to do than I realize. Kathy called and suggested a Schmeeckle walk today so she picked me up and we parked on Maria Dr and walked some of the back loop plus another lake loop, but it must have still been shorter than what Bob and I usually do as I'm only at about 7500 steps. Food: 8:00 am 1 c TJ's Maple Pecan Clusters, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:55 am 2 fried eggs, pumpkin brioche, pear Exercise: 8:35-9:50 am Walk w/Kathy at Schmeeckle 10:30-11:30 am Body Flow class

Wed 16 Oct

Had a really nice evening with Michael and Taylor, eating dinner and chatting. Taylor made homemade hummus and they brought naan to complement the chicken biryani with salad and applesauce. Michael helped me season the vinegar and oil dressing with a pinch of kosher salt, some oregano, and some roasted garlic powder. Excellent combination. Food: 8:05 am Chocolate croissant, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm 2 scrambled eggs, apple crisp Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Machine workout 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 15 Oct

Nice hike at Rib last night, good night's sleep. Feeling good today. Which is good because I need to clean and cook to prepare for Michael and Taylor for dinner tonight. Making chicken biryani which is easy, probably adding a nice salad with the good dressing from mushroom/sage oil and lemon vinegar, and maybe homemade applesauce, and I'd like to bake an apple crisp or pie. Food: 7:55 am Pumpkin danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 14 Oct

Time is flying by quickly before the trip. Need to spend some time organizing vitamins, toiletries, and looking more closely at clothes. Also organizing the backpack, both as a carry-on and for hiking. Still considering springing for a pedicure before I go to get my feet in good shape, but probably not til closer to the trip. Just didn't have the oomph to do the machine workout after Body Pump and treadmill today. Best to listen to the body when it speaks to you. Food: 7:45 am Chocolate caramel pinwheel, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 8:55-9:20 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 4:15-5:45 pm Hiking top half of Rib

Sun 13 Oct

Feels a bit like winter today with temps down around freezing for the first time of the year. The walk last night was chilly but not freezing. We opted to just do 8 miles as we seem to have started later than most folks and we'd had a full day visiting Laura in Madison. Lovely to spend some time with her. Lunched at La Brioche, did Costco, TJ's on our own while she finished gym. TJ's had already sold out completely of pumpkin spice coffee for the season so we won't have any this year. Not willing to pay $15/container on Amazon. Didn't notice that I was scheduled to cantor til about 8:30 am during breakfast this morning. Fortunately, it was all familiar music. Food: 8:05 am Apricot danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:40 am Potato leek soup, 1 slice Italian bread w/butter Exercise: 9:10-9:30 am Walk to church 11:10-11:30 am Walk home

Sat 12 Oct

Brrr, it's frosty out there this morning! Car thermometer said 35° on the way home from the Farmer's Market. We drove, partially because it was so cold, but mostly because we plan to do the (frosty) Moon Walk for 12 miles tonight so steps shouldn't be a problem today. We get to go see Laura today! Food: 8:45 am Cherry danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 11 Oct

Rainy day today, then temps will drop into the cold zone for awhile. I'll be doing laundry indoors today, I suspect. Last couple of days the teeth and jaw have not been hurting. Let's hope that lasts. Food: 8:00 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm 2 fried eggs, slice Italian bread w/butter, 1 tbl Bonne Maman apricot preserves 6:05 pm 2 lamb chops, 1/2 c sautéed parsnips, 3/4 c roasted purple potatoes Exercise: 9:00-9:20 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 10:45-11:15 am Machine workout

Thurs 10 Oct

Had quite a bit of restlessness in the middle of the night last night, confirmed by Fitbit. Still feel reasonably rested, so not as bad as it could be. Will walk w/Kathy today and will take my library books to be dropped off along with me. I'm trying not to take out any new ones before New Zealand so I can focus on reading guidebooks when I finish what I have on hand. Annoyed with self. Went on a 1 1/2 hour walk w/Kathy and left my Fitbit on the charger at home. That walk is usually good for around 10,000 steps that will go uncounted today. Aaaargh! And worse, I don't have the motivation now to go the gym for Body Flow and machine workout. Food: 8:05 am Maple long john, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 8:30-10:00 am Walk w/Kathy 6:10-6:55 pm Pilates mat

Wed 9 Oct

Yet another beautiful day. Hoping to hike at Mead this evening to make use of this lovely weather. Yesterday we did Rib, but I got a little light-headed early into the top section so we turned around earlier than I would have liked. It was a good decision. We then went to Olive Garden for dinner, a place neither of us could remember the last time we had eaten there. Had a very nice dinner and took advantage of a special that allowed you to bring home a separate entree packed to go for only $5 that will be the basis of our dinner tonight. Food: 7:45 am Blueberry turnover, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:50 am 1 slice L'Oven Fresh 100% whole wheat bread, butter, 43 g cheddar, med banana Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 8 Oct

In the middle of a streak of three lovely weather days. Today is my first Learn for Life day of this school year so I'll meet my new second graders today. I'm in the same classroom at the same time as last year so it's nice to have a degree of familiarity. Met my new reading kids for the year and they are all quite nice: Ella, Noel, and Matthew. Food: 7:50 am Apple turnover w/caramel glaze, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 9:15-9:25 am Walk to Jefferson 10:35-10:45 am Walk home

Mon 7 Oct

Looks to be a lovely day today with sunshine and slightly warmer temps. Packers held on for the win yesterday and I got to watch much of it on the TV. Had my support call on the new iPhone yesterday and learned some cool features of the new camera. Got almost a month left to prepare for New Zealand in earnest now. Food: 7:45 am Caramel pecan roll, 46 g blackberries, coffee 11:50 am Oikos Triple Zero coffee Greek, pretzel breadstick, med apple w/cinnamon sugar Exercise: 9:05-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump 10:35-11:00 am Machine workouts

Fri 4 Oct

Heading up to AppleFest today. Checked the website yesterday and learned that it starts today (when there's supposed to be nice weather), so we'll get our "festing" in before Saturday's rainy forecast. Means no gym with postponed machine workout, but c'est la vie! Food: 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 3 Oct

Into the last full month before New Zealand and I know it will disappear quickly. Need to start reviewing plans and making sure everything is in place. Exciting and just a little scary. Still wondering what it will be like to be away for a full month. Guess we'll know soon. Food: 7:50 am Chocolate croissant, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:35 pm Indian Madras Lentils in tomato sauce, L'Oven Fresh pretzel breadstick 3:00 pm 1 stroop waffel, 1 Krispie treat 6:00 pm 6 oz tri-tip roast, 3/4 c carrots, 1/2 c purple potatoes, 1 c homemade applesauce, 6 oz hard cider Exercise: 8:30-9:55 am Walk w/Kathy 10:30-11:30 am Body Flow class 1:40-2:00 pm Walk to St Mike's 3:05-3:20 pm Walk home

Wed 2 Oct

Slept much better last night with a cool breeze coming through the window. Kept all the covers on and enjoyed their warmth. It will not get very warm for the next several days, but after that bout of humidity, it's okay. Doesn't sound like it will be too frigid for AppleFest though it may be chilly. Food: 7:50 am Apricot danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:05 pm 2 fried eggs, pear, cream-filled coffee cake 6:45 pm Crab leek risotto Exercise: 9:15-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 1 Oct

Rain started this morning before I got out of bed and is forecast to continue til I get up again tomorrow morning. Today is my last unscheduled Tuesday and I plan to go to the gym this morning to do the machine workout I didn't do yesterday and catch Body Flow. I'll probably also try to do some treadmill time since the only alternative for steps is the living room today. Food: 7:55 am Bear claw pastry, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:25 pm Cafe latte Quark, cream-filled coffee cake, pear Exercise: 9:35-10:05 am Machine workout 10:10-10:25 am Treadmill 10:30-11:30 am Body Flow class