Mon 30 Nov

Only one more month left after today of the year that everyone loves to vilify. Everyone hopes that 2021 will bring better times. Had a really nice visit with Michael and Taylor last night, sharing wine and conviviality. Food: 7:50 am Pecan kringle, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:50 pm 2 fried eggs, 1 slice Innkeeper's multigrain toast w/butter, med banana Exercise: 10:00-11:00 am Pilates class

Sun 29 Nov

This has seemed an especially long Thanksgiving weekend. It's been nice to have fairly mild weather so we could get out walking/hiking each day. Today is supposed to be somewhat windier. Food: 7:55 am Pecan kringle, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:50 am English muffin, 2 scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, 78 g raspberries

Sat 28 Nov

Putting up the basic tree was not pleasant in that the lights did not all light and couldn't be fixed by Bob. New lit trees are very expensive and Bob clearly wasn't in favor of a real tree, so I was somewhat depressed by the situation. Didn't bother to get down the decorations. Went for a Schmeeckle walk, listened to O Ole Night radio show, watched the Bake-Off final (Peter won!), and finished my Bess book. Try again today. Food: 8:00 am Pecan kringle, 102 g blackberries, coffee 11:35 am Red curry squash galette, 2 sausages, sprout salad

Fri 27 Nov

Thanksgiving is over and done; today we're planning to put up the Christmas tree. Next week we can finally start our wine Advent calendar. Christmas will be here before we know it. So goes the story. Food: 8:00 am Morning bun, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 26 Nov

Happy Thanksgiving! So strange not to have a to-do list to cook for the meal today. Picking up food from Rockman's is sort of weird, but it's likely just the two of us, though we'll share with Michael and Taylor as he intends to share some of their home-cooked feast with us. Hopefully we'll video chat or at least phone chat with Laura as well today. Michael and Taylor have been invited for a visit if they feel comfortable, but I'll abide by their decision. Food: 7:55 am Caramel pecan roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 25 Nov

Today would have been my brother's birthday; I had erred on the numeric date of his death. Happy 69th, bro. Would have liked to have known you as an adult. Food: 7:50 am Chocolate croissant, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:05 pm 2 pc lefse w/butter & cinnamon sugar, 2 sm slices Baby Swiss Exercise: 9:00-10:00 am Body Pump class

Tues 24 Nov

Made the pumpkin pasta sauce recipe I found on SparkPeople for dinner yesterday. It was good. Different. I think I'll put the lamb roast into the Crock Pot tonight. Saw Anna putting her garbage cans down yesterday so we checked to verify the holiday schedule, and now we have our garbage out for pickup as well. Food: 7:50 am Morning bun, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 23 Nov

Sunshine today, likely snow tomorrow. Packers played an extremely sloppy game yesterday and lost. Was stressful to watch as it came down to overtime before the last fumble put paid to the effort. Food: 7:55 am Morning bun, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 22 Nov

Had a really nice visit with Laura yesterday, even though she sat on a blanket on her lawn and we sat in the car with the doors open. We all ate sushi and caught up, and then we went inside and met her brand new black kitty! She hasn't even settled on a name yet, though she's leaning toward LaBrea (like the tarpits). I prayed that the Lord would help heal her soul from the broken relationship amid the stress of school, and he sent the kitty to love her. Thank you, Lord! Food: 7:55 am Coffee cake, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm 3 eggnog pancakes, 1 slice Nueske bacon, 1/2 c egg nog

Sat 21 Nov

Sunshine, albeit cool temperatures. We'll go to the Farmer's Market, then drive down to Madison. Emailed Laura to see if she's free/interested in another outdoor meeting today. Would sure be nice to spend a little time with her. Food: 8:15 am Coffee cake, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 20 Nov

Sure was nice to have one more warm day yesterday. Even though I had Bootstrap in the afternoon, I appreciated being able to take orders out and be comfortable. It was quite the busy day. We decided to order Scott Rockman's high-end Thanksgiving dinner since Michael and Taylor have decided it is safer not to get together. Was nice to chat with Scott when I ordered yesterday. Food: 7:50 am Coffee cake, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 19 Nov

The warm day has arrived as promised. Already low to mid-forties when I got up. Kathy has a conflict and can't walk today, but I'm going to go out on my own to take advantage of the warmer weather. Feel bad that I need the car for Bootstrap this afternoon, but Bob has asked to drop me off and pick me up. I'll text him about 15 min before pick-up time and hopefully it will work out okay. Good night's sleep; woke up once to pee and pretty much stayed asleep the rest of the time. I like it. Food: 7:50 am Coffee cake, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 18 Nov

Hopefully there will be no mask issues at the gym today. Nicole has been very consistent in wearing her mask correctly. Really don't want to get Co-Vid if it's at all possible. Food: 7:50 am Coffee cake, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:40 pm English muffin, 2 scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese Exercise: 9:00-10:00 am Body Pump class

Tues 17 Nov

It's good to taste good old Betty Crocker coffee cake for breakfast again. It's been awhile. Upset by new Yogalates instructor who wore her mask on her chin for the entire class. Food: 7:55 am Betty Crocker coffee cake, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:10 pm English muffin, 2 scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese Exercise: 9:15-10:15 am Yogalates class

Mon 16 Nov

Was able to chat with Laura yesterday. Packers won, but not prettily. Fireplace would not stay lit, likely due to high winds outside all day, though it's calmer this morning and it still won't work. Fortunately, the hot tub was spot on. Food: 8:00 am Pumpkin cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 15 Nov

Christianah called yesterday! And after I had just been talking about her to Bob in the morning, wishing I could tell her that Michael got married! So nice to chat and catch up on our families. She sounds just the same. Also talked to Leone on the phone who is up and about now from her sciatica pain. Nice that even in these times of isolation, we can connect through the phone. Food: 8:00 am Pumpkin cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 14 Nov

Chilly morning, but sunny skies. Nothing on the agenda for the weekend, and possibly too chilly to want to go on an extended hike, though we'll see as the day progresses. Food: 7:55 am Pumpkin cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 13 Nov

Leone is 100 today! We woke up to light snow on the ground today, a change from the mild weather of last week. Food: 7:55 am Morning bun, 107 g blackberries, coffee 1:10 pm 2 scrambled eggs, 1 chanterelle mushroom, slice Innkeeper's multigrain toast w/butter Exercise: 9:00-10:00 am Body Pump class 10:15-11:15 am Yoga class

Thurs 12 Nov

Busy day today with walk with Kathy, hair appointment, and Bootstrap. Don't have too many days that full anymore. Picked up food from Michele's last night when I saw an ad on Facebook around 3:30 pm for a 4-pack of shredded beef sandwiches w/mac n cheese, coleslaw, and cookies for $20. Two days' food for us at $5/plate. Food: 7:55 am Morning bun, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm 1% plain Greek yogurt, 1/3 c pumpkin granola Exercise: 8:30-10:00 am Walk w/Kathy 12:10-12:30 pm Walk home from Hair Co

Wed 11 Nov

In the earlier days of my PCHHS employment, today would have been the Veteran's Day holiday. My mom and I often took the day to go shopping to the Appleton mall to get a headstart on Christmas and just have a fun day out. We didn't get the day after Thanksgiving off then, and I usually worked since my coworkers had out-of-town families to visit, but it was a quiet day to catch up on filing and commiserate with the few others who also were covering their sections. Food: 7:50 am Morning bun, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:20 pm Slice Innkeeper's bread, butter, cheddar cheese, 54 g raspberries Exercise: 9:15-10:05 am Body Pump class

Tues 10 Nov

Had a great evening with Michael and Taylor yesterday to celelbrate their wedding. Killed the bottle of Veuve Cliquot, a bottle of Meoimi pinot noir and opened a bottle of zin. Didn't sleep too well after steak and scallops, chocolate cake, and too much alcohol but it was a lovely evening. Food: 7:55 am Chocolate chip danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:20 pm English muffin, 1 tbl Jif, 100 g raspberries Exercise: 9:40-10:10 am Jessica Smith Pyramid Power Walk

Mon 9 Nov

Was bummed out yesterday when Michael asked to postpone the wedding dinner to tonight because he was tired and sore from their Sheboygan visit and his time on the rifle range with "the guys". I won't allow myself to get too excited about tonight until I know for sure that they are coming. Temperatures were a little above 60 when I got up this morning! Unfortunately, this is likely the tail end of the lovely weather streak, but we have surely been gifted with beauty, especially last week when stress was running so high about the election. Food: 7:50 am Morning bun, 102 g blackberries, coffee 1:05 pm Slice Innkeeper's multigrain bread, 1 tbl Jif, 100 g raspberries Exercise: 10:00-11:00 am Pilates class

Sat 7 Nov

The popular vote count continues to rise in Biden's favor and it is hopefully looking good that he will get enough electoral votes from at least one, if not more, of the as-yet-uncalled states to win the election. Still trying hard not to get too hopeful to avoid bitter disappointment if Trump finds a way to undermine the election. Another gorgeous day, with temps at 55 already when I got up at 7 am. Going to Madison to get new tires on the car, enjoy another sushi lunch with Laura, and get our erranding done (including finally returning that bulky shower caddy that doesn't fit my tub). Food: 8:00 am 3/4 c lowfat plain Greek yogurt, 1/3 c pumpkin granola, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 6 Nov

Still no definitive election results. Must be driving Trump craz(ier). Hopefully the results will be available in a reasonable time with no violence. Lord help us. At least the beautiful weather continues. I suspect we'll be doing Body Pump outdoors again today. Food: 7:55 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, skim milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 5 Nov

Still no decision on the election, could be days yet. Trump is pulling out all his tricks to try to influence things, but that's not unexpected. Que sera, sera. Food: 7:50 am Caramel pecan roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 4 Nov

As expected, results are not yet in for the elections and the presidential race is still too close to call. Wisconsin is leaning Biden and Portage County is solidly blue already on the map which makes me feel good. Waiting is hard. Food: 7:50 am Caramel pecan roll, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 3 Nov

D-day. And oddly I don't feel as stressed about it today as I did yesterday. Que sera, sera. And we likley won't know for sure for a few days anyway while all the absentee ballots are counted. Whatever, life goes on. Food: 7:50 am Pumpkin spice donut, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 2 Nov

I'll be relieved when merely writing the date no longer causes stress, even if it's just because the results are done and nothing more can change. Tomorrow is likely to be fairly high stress. Had a nice chat with Laura yesterday. She's been stressed with work obligations, but is cracking along with her lifting program which gives her joy. Michael called Bob yesterday for assistance in picking up and taking home a small chest freezer, just as I had suggested we get them for Christmas. We may end up just calling it part of their wedding gift now as we chose to pay for it as well. Food: 7:50 am Pumpkin spice donut, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 1 Nov

I find myself getting progressively more nervous as election day approaches rapidly. I know there's nothing further I can do, but I'm scared to hear the results. What will be, will be. Food: 7:45 am Pumpkin spice donut, 101 g blackberries, coffee