Tues 31 Mar

This year March Madness has taken on a whole new context. No cheering crowds at basketball games, no crowds at all and no games. Just people surviving as best they can in as much isolation as possible. It will be very strange when the whole thing finally passes and we resume life as "normal". People will need to relearn how to interact socially, hopefully without fear. As it will be at least another month, likely more, it's really hard to even envision. Food: 7:55 am Caramel nut coffee cake, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:30 pm 1/2 c 2% cottage cheese, Aldi blueberry muffin, 142 g strawberries 3:30 pm 4 dark chocolate pizzelles 5:45 pm 4 oz Costco chicken breast, 1/2 c mashed potatoes w/butter, 3/4 c steamed broccoli Exercise: 2:10-3:00 pm Leslie Sansone 4 Fast Miles

Mon 30 Mar

I see streaks of blue in the sky this morning for a change, and I believe the temperature should crest 50°. Sounds like a formula for a good walk today, though I should also consider at least the strength portion of Jane Fonda Complete. I fear that my muscles will be deteriorating with no Body Pump or gym machines. I still can't do pushups properly with my wrist. Food: 8:05 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:45 pm 2 scrambled eggs, Thomas English muffin w/butter, 3/4 c cantaloupe pieces Exercise: 9:25-10:35 am Jane Fonda Complete workout 2:15-3:45 pm Schmeeckle walk

Sun 29 Mar

Another week of semi-isolation past. Only "outside" activities were Bootstrap and my walk with Kathy, though I was able to do other walks outside both alone and with Bob. Kathy may not want me back at Bootstrap this week even though I'll be past the two-week period since Chicago. I'll probably check in with her before I go if she doesn't initiate the contact. Delicious take-out prime rib/shrimp dinner from Michele's last night was a highlight of the week. Had a really nice long conversation with Laura today. Decided to try to make it a weekly Sunday thing for now. Food: 8:10 am 3/4 c Trader Joe's Maple Crunch cereal, soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 3:15-4:00 pm Dance that Walk Disco

Sat 28 Mar

Here we are, another weekend at home. Grey skies, rain predicted in the afternoon. Nothing particular on the agenda except Pilates that I didn't get to yesterday. I will monitor Facebook for when I can call in the Michele's order if they are doing the prime rib dinner again tonight, as we have agreed that it would be fun. David will apparently not be participating in the outdoor Farmer's Market, but we did get some fresh trout and mushrooms. Bob suggested he'd like pancakes for breakfast, so it was so. Food: 9:30 am 3 pancakes w/butter & maple syrup, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:10 pm Thomas English muffin w/Jif, small banana Exercise: 1:50-2:40 pm Pilates mat 3:15-4:00 pm Jane Fonda Low Impact Aerobics

Fri 27 Mar

Happy that scale is continuing to fall gradually. Could explain why I feel a bit tired if I'm finally dropping a bit of weight. Today is for laundry and Pilates, and maybe I'll sneak in a walk as well. Food: 8:00 am Aldi blueberry muffin, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 10:05-12:15 pm Solitary walk Mead route

Thurs 26 Mar

Joints are all a bit achier this morning, wrist and knees. Seems to be a dampness in the air that affects it. I did sleep better last night, and I begin to believe that getting in the hot tub before bed makes for a better night's sleep. I'll continue experimenting. Scale has been creeping down which is very welcome. Food: 8:05 am Costco cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:45 pm Mac 'n cheese, 1/6 large cantaloupe, brownie Exercise: 9:00-10:20 am Walk w/Kathy short Bukolt route

Wed 25 Mar

Back again to Wednesday; means I once again have something on my calendar today and (potentially) tomorrow. Bootstrap today for sure. Will be a little weird to plan for something in my daily routine. Will be interesting to see if there are further changes in the routine this week. Food: 7:45 am Costco cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 9:15-10:00 am Dance That Walk Latin DVD

Tues 24 Mar

Life goes on, at least for those of us fortunate enough not to have yet contracted Corona virus. I expect my life this last week is what retirement might have been like if I hadn't worked at scheduling a lot of outside activity. I'll be glad to resume it if and when I can. As yet the measures have not been a severe inconvenience as we are still able to go out to the grocery store if things run low. A lot of businesses are still operating, and you can even go get takeout food from a wide variety of restaurants if you tire of cooking your own food. I expect more extreme lockdown measures are yet to come. Holy Cow! I used to do the Jane Fonda Complete Workout at least once a week, and today just the upper/aerobics piece has me winded at less than enthusiastic participation level. Need to reincorporate this into my routine as it really is a good workout. Food: 7:50 am Costco cinnamon roll, 102 g blackberries, coffee 11:50 am Slice Innkeepers bread, butter 2.2 oz cheddar, 10 cucumber slices Exercise: 9:30-10:25 am Jane Fonda upper body & aerobics from Complete Workout

Mon 23 Mar

Snow flurries falling when I got up, grey skies. Supposed to get a little warmer later today. Would be nice to see some sunshine, too. Food: 8:00 am Costco cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:35 am 2 scrambled eggs, cherry muffin Exercise: 9:20-9:50 am Leslie Sansone 30-minute walk

Sun 22 Mar

Was able to watch and participate in LiveStream Mass at 8 am from Holy Spirit. Natasha cantored the regular Lenten music so it was much as though we were able to attend in person. Grateful. Food: 8:10 am Steel cut oats, soy milk, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:10 pm 1/2 c 2% cottage cheese, savory tomato scone Exercise: 2:20-3:45 pm Walk w/Bob to and around Schmeeckle Lake

Sat 21 Mar

Chilly but sunny morning. Will go to the Farmer's Market in the parking lot to see what's available. Otherwise, it's an at-home weekend with possible forays for walks if it's not too cold. No David at the Market, no fish lady, no Mielkes, but I did get eggs from Whitefeather Organics. Food: 8:50 am Costco cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 9:35-9:55 am Jessica Smith warm-up and steady burn mile 11:20-11:35 am Jessica Smith lower body toner

Fri 20 Mar

Nothing on my calendar until Bootstrap next Wednesday. I would like to check out the Farmer's Market on Saturday which will be a few vendors in the parking lot. Maybe David will be there, and hopefully I can get another dozen eggs. Some trout would also be nice. This morning there was about 1/2 inch of fresh snow but the skies are slightly less leaden. Food: 8:10 am Costco cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:50 pm 1/2 c 2% cottage cheese, pumpkin scone Exercise: 9:30-10:00 am Shoveling light snow (but oh, the wind!) 10:40-11:25 am Pilates mat

Thurs 19 Mar

Slept a little late this morning, so in a rush if I walk with Kathy but I still don't have confirmation. She doesn't want to walk if it's raining and it's so grey out, I can't really tell. I'll give it about ten more minutes before I text her, and maybe I can get her to go a bit later if she's willing. Kathy called and said the weather looks more promising slightly later so we agreed to go at 9:00. This was perfect for me to have a normal complement of time to do breakfast and morning routine at a comfortable pace. Food: 8:10 am Costco cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Cinnamon raisin scone, 2 Babybels, 1/2 extra large banana Exercise: 9:00-10:30 am Walk w/Kathy around Bukolt

Wed 18 Mar

What a lovely vacation we had, and even though I suspect we'll be looked down upon for having traveled in the time of Coronavirus, I'm still glad we had such a good experience. I didn't feel at risk, so hopefully we won't put anyone else at risk either. Now for hunkering down with no gym, no tutoring, no church. Food: 8:00 am Costco cinnamon roll, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm 2 scrambled eggs, Thomas English muffin w/butter & Bonne Maman apricot preserves

Tues 17 Mar

Home again, home again, riggety-jig! Successful vacation, did not get stranded in Mexico nor at an airport. We'll probably be pariah for awhile for having traveled out of the country during the increase in measures to counteract Co-VID 19, but we didn't encounter anything in terms of apparent sources of contagion and we had a great time in the sun and beach atmosphere.

Sun 8 Mar

Vacation day! Made it through the time change so far successfully. Vanquished the thumbnail beetle. Time for a quick breakfast before cantoring. Food: 6:50 am Cherry danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 7:10-7:30 am Walk to church 9:00-9:20 am Walk home

Sat 7 Mar

Sunny day, nothing on the schedule but last-minute prep for Mexico. Realized that I have to cantor at 8 am Mass right after the change to Daylight Savings Time, so I have to get up early with the added stress of making sure that the clocks change for my alarm. Then I don't even get to sleep in a bed the following night. But then.... Mexico and sunshine and lots of rest. Met Michael and Taylor at the Farmer's Market getting David's pastries. Nice to get goodbye hugs before we leave tomorrow. Food: 8:50 am Caramel chocolate brioche, 106 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 6 Mar

Thinking I'll skip yoga this morning as my wrist isn't really ready for a lot of downward dogs and planks, and I'm still not ready for Body Pump either. I have my last workout with Patrick at 11, so I'll get well worked out there, and I could either go the gym and do the treadmill or do a good Jessica Smith here. Leaning toward the latter. Nice sunny day again. Yay! Found my phone again, even though I hadn't realized it was missing until I was eating breakfast at the computer and noticed it wasn't on the charger. Got a little panicky when it wasn't anywhere else around the house or car. Last place I remembered having it was at my pedicure, waiting for my nails to dry. Called US Nails once they opened at nine and he said, "I've been waiting for your call, my dear! I kept it safe for you." Food: 7:55 am Honey bear, 101 g blackberries, coffee 2:55 pm 2 scrambled eggs, hot cross bun 6:05 pm 5 oz salmon filet, 2/3 c farro w/golden raisins, 6 spears broiled asparagus, 6 oz CW beer Exercise: 11:00-1:10 pm Workout w/Patrick 3:40-4:30 pm Walk

Thurs 5 Mar

Feeling a bit of a mess this morning. Didn't take Ibuprofen last night and did eat sushi with lots of sodium for dinner which combined to make me more swollen in wrist and achy in patella this morning. Took some Ibuprofen this morning to try to calm the achiness and maybe reduce the swelling a bit. Even my Fitbit feels tight today! Good walk w/Kathy. The ibuprofen took care of the pain and the grippers gave me considerably more confidence walking on potentially icy sidewalks. I walked more slowly but Kathy was okay with it, and now I have almost my full 12,000 and can take it much easier the remainder of the day! Food: 8:00 am Maple cheese danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Hot cross bun, 2 pc string cheese Exercise; 8:30-10:20 am Walk w/Kathy

Wed 4 Mar

Another day to miss out on my gym. My knee is feeling better, but I don't think it's a good idea to try to lift weights with an injured wrist. It is somewhat better this morning, but still tender and not able to do its full range of work. I can move it in all directions (carefully) but I need to be careful with how much strength I use as it will let me know when I exceed the comfort level. Food: 8:00 am Chocolate croissant, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:35 am 2 scrambled eggs, hot cross bun, 8 oz apple/berry juice

Tues 3 Mar

Surprise! It's snowing again. Not supposed to really accumulate, but a bit of a shocker to see. Hopefully it won't make walking to Jefferson slippery. I'm getting accident-prone in my old age! I went down on my butt and had my wrist next to my butt; it took most of the impact. Now it has a nice knob on the wrist and hurts. I can still move the wrist in all directions but it doesn't have much strength. The office gave me nice pack and a couple of ibuprofen right away which was the best thing to do. Food: 8:00 am Bear claw pastry, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm 2 scrambled eggs, hot cross bun Exercise: 9:15-9:25 am Walk to Jefferson 10:45-10:55am Walk home 1:10-1:30 pm Walk to haircut 3:40-4:00 pm Walk home

Mon 2 Mar

Nice to enjoy a little milder temps, hopefully for most of the week. It will prep us for really warm temps in Mexico next week (we hope). Afraid to be too hopeful, but my knee feels much better this morning. I'll still wear a brace and take it easy in the Hard Core Strength class, but I hope it's a positive sign. Even after working out today, my knees are feeling good. Only had to modify side series up on the knee on the right side and no jumping moves in Hard Core. Food: 7:45 am Cheese danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:20 pm Hot cross bun, 2 pc string cheese, med banana 5:55 pm 5 goat cheese/tomato ravioli, grated parmesan, 5 broiled asparagus spears Exercise: 9:00-9:55 am Hard Core Strength 10:00-10:55 am Pilates classs

Sun 1 Mar

Finally done with February and moving into a month with a faint possibility of some warmth. Today at least is supposed to be one of those freak warm days reaching 49°; we'll take it. Made it through the night w/o ibuprofen again; pleased with that. Knee is a little less comfortable in the morning after shower and all, but not intolerable. Wore the knee brace pretty much all day yesterday. Food: 6:40 am Cheese danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 7:10-7:30 am Walk to church 9:00-9:20 am Walk home