Mon 31 Jul

Yesterday was a picture-perfect day, weather-wise, and I was disappointed that we weren't able to make better use of it by hiking somewhere. Bob was tired from the drive from Madison the day before and wasn't up for anything beyond a Schmeeckle walk. It was lovely there as well, but I couldn't shake the disappointment of not taking better advantage of such perfect hiking weather. My bad for not appreciating what I had instead of wishing for more. Food: 7:55 am Morning bun, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 30 Jul

Today would have been my mom's 105th birthday. Happy Birthday, Mom! Nice drive down to Madison, berry crepes at La Brioche, shopping at TJs, Costco, and Woodman's, and dinner at Lombardino's. Pleasant day, though a bit warm with the bright sun shining through the car windows. Otherwise the temperatures were just around 80, a nice respite from the higher heat and humidity. Food: 7:50 am Chocolate chip danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 29 Jul

Nice walk to the Market, but no David! However, we stopped at the food cart in the patio of Father Fats and had delicious chocolate-frosted banana-filled eclairs and an order of powdered sugar-covered donut holes with iced coffee to take the place of our pastries. Yum! Food: 8:00 am Banana eclair, 3 donut holes, iced coffee 9:10 am 102 g blackberries, Nespresso

Fri 28 Jul

Last day of work today. It's been nice working with Rachel and Taz, but I'm ready to get back to normal life and not having to get up at 5:45 several days a week. I'd also like to get back to Body Pump. Food: 6:40 am 3/4 c homemade muesli, 1/2 c skim milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 27 Jul

Hot. The bedroom was at 89° almost the entire night. Not conducive to good sleep. Today may be the hottest day this week, falling slightly thereafter. Food: 6:45 am 3/4 c homemade muesli, 1/2 c skim milk, 102 g blackberries, coffe

Wed 26 Jul

Thunder, lightning, and a little rain this morning. Need to beg a ride to work from Bob since I don't have a parking permit. Will be tough to get many steps most of the day as I'll be on my own in the store and can't get out for walks. I'll have to lock up the store when I need to use the rest room. Food: 6:45 am Bear claw, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 25 Jul

Nice to have the morning free, only day this week. Temps at 66° for now, I'll enjoy it. Got pretty tired yesterday with morning at ASI, afternoon at OBT pretty busy. Hopefully just an afternoon 12:30-5:30 at the ASI store will be less tiring. Food: 7:50 am Kouign amann, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 24 Jul

Good day yesterday with a morning walk in Schmeeckle, coffee date with the Bootstrap buds at the Coffee Vault, short hike at the Ice Age Trail in Hartman Creek State Park, and beer and pizza at the Wheel House. Today purports to begin the hot streak, and contains 8-12 at the ASI Store and 1-4 at OBT. Hoping to have at least one coworker at OBT today, and maybe a few less towels. Food: 6:40 am Chocolate croissant, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 22 Jul

Pleasant weather to walk to the Farmer's Market; Emma was selling today. She said David is mulling over retiring, a thing I have sensed from him. That will change our morning routine and we may not get to the Farmer's Market as often if he's not there to provide our pastry needs. Doesn't sound imminent, though. Food: 8:55 am Mixed fruit Antwerp square, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 21 Jul

Suzuki 8-1 today, then free for the day. Was unsurprisingly exhausted after my busy day yesterday. Board meeting went til after 7, so I was too tired to even eat a decent supper. Had a piece of string cheese while doing my Duo and AC and called it a night. Food: 6:50 am 3/4 c homemade muesli, 1/2 c skim milk, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 20 Jul

The suitcases came home yesterday! Both of them! I was so happy. I'm wearing my right knee sleeve now since it proposes to be a very busy day today with ASI Store 8-12, Bootstrap 1-4, and OBT board meeting at 5:15. Figured my knee could use a little extra support. Food: 6:45 am 3/4 c homemade muesli, 1/2 c skim milk, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 19 Jul

Day off from Suzuki today and no other commitments! Tomorrow is extremely full, so I'll take the opportunity to rest up today. Would have gone to Body Pump, but FedEx is scheduled to drop off Bob's suitcase, possibly between 9:40-1:40, and they will require a signature. Sure wish they'd bring mine, too. Food: 7:45 am Honey bear, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 18 Jul

Short day at Suzuki, only 12:30-3:30 with the morning free to make more muesli, get Duo done, etc. Sure wish we'd get more word on our suitcases. I miss my CBD roll-on. Right hip was really sore last night. Food: 7:50 am Kouign amann, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 17 Jul

Busy day ahead: 8-12 at Suzuki, walk home, grab a quick lunch, walk to OBT for 1-4. Expect I'll be a little wiped by the time I get home this evening. At least I'm remembering to dress a little warmer so I'm not freezing in the ASI store. Food: 6:40 am Bear claw, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 16 Jul

Sunny, slightly cooler, afternoon thunderstorms possible today. I work at the Suzuki store from 12-5:30, so I'll walk there immediately after church. Taking a small lunch to hopefully eat before the shift starts. Hoping it's not storming yet at 5:30 when it's time to walk home. May have to call for a ride home. Food: 7:55 am Blueberry danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 15 Jul

Walked to Farmer's Market and David himself was there, so had a nice chat. He's been busy with his beekeeping and noticed that there were beehives in one of my online vacation photos. There were thunderstorms in the night, and it's quite a bit more humid today, noticeably so. Food: 8:50 am Mixed berry Antwerp square, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 14 Jul

First day of work at Suzuki Institute store today. Glad that I don't seem to have as many hours this year. Hope it all works out well. Food: 7:45 am Prune paczki, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 13 Jul

Got my new Fitbit yesterday so I could once again track steps and sleep. Told me I had an 87 sleep score last night with lots of deep sleep. Also got my schedule for working the Suzuki store yesterday; I start tomorrow. I appreciate that I'm scheduled lightly, only 45.5 hours over the two weeks, which is plenty for me. Michael came over and chatted awhile, and I gave him $2000 toward his cat's unexpected surgery to ease their burden and worry. Food: 7:50 am Polish turnover, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 12 July

Just realized that 48 years ago today, I got married to Steve. Not the smartest thing I ever did, but things worked out okay in the end. Part of the process of growing up, I guess. First morning home from a wonderful European vacation. Still waiting for our suitcases to follow us home. A too-quick transfer in Frankfurt, Germany didn't apparently allow the airline enough time to get our luggage off the plane from Milan and transferred clear across the airport to the plane to Chicago. We barely made it ourselves. I think we were the last people to board the plane. Travels were safe and we had a wonderful time. My knees has some soreness, but they made it through the hikes, even though we sought to skip some sections and modify others. Got lots of beautiful photos and I didn't even gain any weight! Couldn't believe my eyes when the scale showed right where I left it. We ate well, but I guess the exercise was sufficient to offset it! Food: 7:35 am Polish cream horn pastry, 102 g blackberries, coffee