Sat 28 Jan

Brrr! The cold has begun, but we're getting out before the worst of this snap hits. Probably have to drive much of the way in snow today, but we'll leave with enough time to spare hopefully. Church isn't far from our hotel and Mass is at 4:30. There's a decent-looking restaurant just across the street and down the block, so we can eat right after church and go back to the hotel to crash as early as possible. We fly out at 5:20 am, so I'm guessing we'll need to catch the hotel shuttle around 3:30 am. You usually don't need quite as much lead time at the airport when the flight is so early. Still means we'll have to be up no later than 2:00 am, but we might get as much as 6 hours sleep. Food: 8:05 am Honey bear, 94 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 27 Jan

Bob was able to get Eric's handrail put up yesterday, so I feel better knowing we could help a little. Skipping Body Pump today as my knee did a little twist when I got up in the night to pee and I'm not feeling fully confident in it yet. I also have laundry to do and a book that must be finished and returned before we leave. Enough for one day. Food: 8:00 am Almond croissant, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 26 Jan

Will try to get last minute checks in on packing this morning, including figuring out what I can wear down to Chicago and perhaps leave in the car for the return day home that will be a bit warmer than what I'm wearing on the actual travel days. Bootstrap and OBT board meeting this afternoon/evening makes a busy day. Food: 7:55 am Chocolate croissant, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 25 Jan

Body Pump this morning, then coffee with my Bootstrap buds. Should be able to order a flat white at the Rose Cafe. Food: 7:55 am Cheese danish, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 24 Jan

We did have some sunshine yesterday afternoon, but it's gone again now, though the temps are a bit milder this morning. Want to try to get a pedicure this afternoon if I remember. Food: 7:55 am Bear claw, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 23 Jan

Still more clouds, and they're supposed to remain pretty much until we leave. We'll appreciate the St Martin sunshine all the more! I've got OBT today without Eric, so I have to make a point to remember to lock everything up when I leave. I forgot last week and Judy let me know about it. I'll have to get used to being without his assistance for awhile, as Sue said he has to stay off the ankle for 6-8 weeks. There are subs for 2/3 weeks that I'm on vacation, but I hope Dave Baker doesn't ever have to be on his own. I'm not confident that he will know how to handle things. Food: 8:00 am Apricot danish, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 22 Jan

A little cooler this morning, still grey. Yesterday was an extremely quiet Saturday with only the market in the morning and a quick run to Aldi before dinner to pick up some canned goods needed to make the taco pie. Between leftover taco pie and cooking up that beautiful cauliflower, I shouldn't have to make too many more meals this week as we finish what's on hand. There is another meal of ground beef left as well. Food: 8:00 am Blueberry danish, 99 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 21 Jan

Walk to the Farmer's Market wasn't bad, not too much ice and temps quite tolerable. I twisted my knee stretching it in bed so I was still being extra-cautious while walking. David himself was at the market so we had a chance to visit with him. Food: 9:25 am Pear/raspberry danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 20 Jan

Still grey skies and about 25° this morning. Scale took another nudge up, so I'm going to try not to eat any sweets after my breakfast pastry this morning, and to keep snacks under control as well. Can't have that trend continue. Food: 8:00 am Honey bear, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 19 Jan

Looks like only about 3" of snow last night. Haven't checked whether there's more to come. Maybe Kathy will still be able to drive in to Bootstrap today. Watercolor class was fun, and my offering isn't TOO terrible. I have to remember that I'm just a dabbler and no watercolor artist. Food: 7:50 am Almond croissant, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 18 Jan

Today I am an "artist", if only briefly. I'm doing a watercolor class at the Plover Library with my peeps from Bootstrap. Mrs. LeGault raises her brush, though not the one of previous fame. Food: 8:00 am Apricot danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 17 Jan

Another mild, grey morning. Hope to find my water shoes and get a start on St Maarten packing today as there's nothing else on the agenda. Finished a book before bed last night, so I don't even have a continuing story calling my name. Food: 7:55 am Bear claw, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 16 Jan

Mild and rainy today. Hopefully not too rainy to preclude walking to OBT this afternoon. Had a nice sunny afternoon walk at Schmeeckle with temps in the low 40s yesterday! Gotta take advantage of those days when we're gifted with them. Food: 8:00 am Cheese danish, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 15 Jan

Nice visit with Laura yesterday in Madison. Shared sushi/sashimi lunches in her condo closely watched by cats. She seemed to truly like all of her Christmas gifts and gave us some really nice Madison sweatshirts. Did a few quick errands and were home shortly after 5. The afternoon was welcome sunshine. Food: 7:55 am Blueberry danish, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 14 Jan

Chilly morning, but no wind so not a bad walk to the Farmer's Market. And it was worth it because we got pastries! Gotta eat fast and pack up so we can get down to Laura's as close to 11 as possible; she's hoping to go hiking this afternoon. We're taking her Christmas gifts and picking up sushi en route. 9:00 am Pear raspberry danish, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 13 Jan

Haven't had a Friday the 13th for awhile, at least that I remember. Week seemed to go by quickly. Planning to drive down to see Laura tomorrow to give her the Christmas gifts. Food: 7:55 am Costco cinnamon loaf, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 12 Jan

Michele texted that they'd like to meet at the North Shore to hike together in July. Replied that our European hikes go through July 10 and we'd need some time to recover, so possibly July 30-Aug 4. That may be later than they were thinking. Had a really nice belated birthday dinner with Taylor and Michael last night. Biryani turned out great and they loved it, had a nice spinach salad on the side and the chocolate cake was a real hit. Tried vegan popovers but they didn't raise. She also really liked the little greenhouse for starting plants in the house. Food: 8:10 am Costco cinnamon loaf, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 11 Jan

Michael and Taylor are still testing negative, so we're going ahead with the birthday dinner tonight. Glad they didn't get Covid from the party. Food: 7:55 am Blueberry muffin, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 10 Jan

Waiting to hear whether Michael and Taylor will come tonight to celebrate her birthday belatedly. Someone at the party they attended in Milwaukee this weekend had Covid. They tested negative after work last night, but I'm leaving it up to them if they're comfortable coming. If they feel fine, I would be okay with it, just being a little more careful. Food: 8:00 am Blueberry muffin, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 9 Jan

Packers didn't pull the rabbit out of the hat last night. Listened to the entire game on the streamed Packers Radio Network since the game was on NBC and we don't get an NBC channel. It was a hard-fought game, and not over til the fat lady sings, but it didn't go the Packers' way. Food: 8:00 am Chocolate chip muffin, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 8 Jan

Might actually watch the Packer game tonight. We have leftovers from Biaggi's we can eat during the game, and it might be worth watching. Had a very nice day in Madison and discovered that Woodman's sells Renard's string cheese! I got three more packages and should be able to keep myself supplied on our regular jaunts to Madison. Food: 7:55 am Chocolate chip muffin, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 7 Jan

No David again at the Market. Starting to go into withdrawal. Did get some $1 muffins and will look for additional at Costco today for the remainder of the week. Had one Mexican pastry left for today. Food: 9:00 am Apple cinnamon turnover, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 6 Jan

A little cooler today, 21°. Hopefully Nicole will be teaching Body Pump today. They had to get a last-minute sub on Wednesday who taught a different class so I didn't stay. We tried Mama Elda's last night since I was quite tired after Bootstrap; we were favorably impressed. Best refried beans I ever had, and good fajitas. Food: 7:55 am Cherry puff pastry, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 5 Jan

Mick called this morning. He had a hard time getting Leone out to the couch this morning as her shoulder is sore and her legs are weak. Mick himself has a cold so he asked if I can come over to assist if she needs to move again. As long as it's before I leave for Bootstrap, I'm happy to help. Food: 7:55 am Concha, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 4 Jan

Managed to do my Pilates mat yesterday, and planning to go to Body Pump today. Need to get back into a regular exercise routine. Food: 7:50 am Coconut pershing, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 3 Jan

Back to the routine of a new year. Nothing else out-of-the-ordinary this week; yesterday I had coffee with the Bootstrap buds. Weather is still mild, though I think they're forecasting rain today. Fell back asleep after the alarms for about 20 min. Food: 8:10 am Strawberry turnover, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 2 Jan

Had dreams about bugs, beautiful and exotic but in the house where I was supposed to be working. Not fun. Meeting the Bootstrap girls for coffee at Emy J's this morning, and probably another quiet day at OBT since most places are closed down for the holiday observance. Last week Eric thought we should be there for the day after Christmas when most places were closed, and Dave came in as well, but not one client crossed the door and there was only one person in the building, a stranger who asked us if we knew where the "vault room" was. Food: 8:00 am Blueberry turnover, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 1 Jan 2023

Happy New Year, once again. We've done this a few times. Didn't quite make it to midnight, but closer than usual. I was able to finish my Bookbinders book with a slam-bang finish of their wedding, so I didn't have an urge to go to bed earlier. Enjoyed my first glass of the sparkling Vouvray that Michael and Taylor gave me for Christmas, but didn't have a second glass. Saved it for another time. Food: 8:00 am Creme horn, 101 g blackberries, coffee