Sat 24 Jan

Getting ready to head out around 9 am. Yesterday we learned that our initial flight was canceled so they rebooked us on KLM leaving at 4:25 pm. Means we can't do church in Chicago as planned, but we can catch the service online. We will have a 6.5 hr layover in Amsterdam on Sunday, so we can find a spot to watch on a phone. Hopefully everything will go smoothly and safely today. Food: 7:15 am Wildberry oats, 1/2 c skim milk, 83 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 23 Jan

Last day of preparation before the month-long exodus to Spain. Temps this morning are -21°, though thankfully the wind is at least temporarily calm. Good day to stay home and get organized. Food: 7:55 am Wildberry oats, 1/2 c skim milk, 80 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 22 Jan

Down to +3° again this morning, and tomorrow promises to be considerably colder. We're getting more of a real winter this year in Wisconsin after several mild years. Can't complain too much. especially since we get to escape to sunny Spain for a month. Food: 8:10 am Wildberry oats, 1/2 c skim milk, 85 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 21 Jan

A whole month past solstice; it's getting lighter in the mornings now. Temps at +9° this morning, so not quite so bitter as the last few days, but predicted to get worse again soon. Got to start reviewing my already-packed items and figuring out what remains to add so I'm not rushing at the last minute. Food: 7:55 am 78 g almond kringle, 89 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 20 Jan

Oooh, frosty morning. -8°, though winds don't seem as strong. Roto Rooter guys are here as Bob's shower backed up yesterday in the basement. Massage this afternoon if no one is sick. Food: 7:55 am 80 g almond kringle, 96 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 19 Jan

The cold is here. This morning it's -7° with a -20° windchill at the moment. No OBT today due to cold and also MLK holiday and Salvation Army staff being out of the building. Will only venture out this evening for choir practice. Food: 7:55 am 62 g OH almond kringle, 95 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 18 Jan

Today's the day the bitter cold moves in, along with winds to make nasty wind chills. Won't be going out any more than necessary, and not walking to church either. Indoor walking will have to suffice. Food: 7:55 am 75 g Costco cinnamon loaf, 98 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 17 Jan

My Apple watch decided I should get up and move every hour after I went to the bathroom at 2:30. Did not make for a restful night after that. Today I need to remember to go to HSP to collect hats and other items made for the OBT folks by the Prayer Shawl group. I'll have to drop them off on Wed morning since we are closing OBT on Monday due to the extreme cold in the forecast (windchills should be really nasty), and the fact that it's MLK day and the Salvation Army staff will not be in house and would have to make a special trip to let us in. Food: 7:45 am 86 g Costco cinnamon loaf, 98 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 16 Jan

I am annoyed. Bob asked me to pick him up when he dropped off his car for service, but I do not believe he ever said it was at a different location than the last two times I did this recently. I waited a long time outside the Nissan dealership, texted him twice with no response, and finally gave up and drove home. En route, I got a call from him saying he was waiting at Check's and had seen me drive by. Now I will not have time for breakfast before Body Pump. I am annoyed. Finally sitting down to breakfast at 10:17. Food: 10:15 am 61 g Costco cinnamon loaf, 98 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 15 Jan

Finally got our Apple watches around 5 pm yesterday. I had trouble setting mine up and Bob figured out that I didn't have my phone updated so it took a bit of time to download and update the phone first. All set up now and getting used to new procedures. The size of the watch didn't bother me at all which was a pleasant surprise. I found a watch face that gives me easy access to the information I want, at least at this point. It needs to be charged every day, but I find it easier if it gets to be habit. Food: 8:00 am 58 g Costco cinnamon loaf, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 14 Jan

Got my lab draw done this morning so I'll see if the Citrus Bergamot is doing anything to help control cholesterol. Should get our Apple watches today; kind of excited to try a new device and say bye-bye Fitbit. Food: 8:05 am 98 g Costco cinnamon loaf, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 13 Jan

Social Justice committee meeting at 6:30 tonight. I think I missed the last one because I wasn't feeling well and there may have been some breaks over the holidays, so it feels like it's been a long time since I attended one. Otherwise, my day is free to start planning my packing a bit more for Spain. I will contact the wine rep who promised to put us in touch with the winery in Spain for a possible tasting. Food: 7:55 am 78 g Costco cinnamon loaf, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Jan 12 Mon

Had a lovely time visiting with the daughter yesterday, and got our Madison errands done as well. Her thoughtful Christmas gifts to us were little care packages of multiple Lush products in sizes we can take to Spain if we like, though at least the face mask I will use here where I can keep it on while I soak in the hot tub at night. Food: 7:55 am 78 g Costco cinnamon loaf, 105 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 11 Jan

Both Bob and I ordered new Apple watches yesterday; have decided to ditch Fitbit as it isn't working as well as it used to. They sold out to Google who has effectively ruined it, probably because they prefer to sell their high-end smart watches. Had a good time at the choir party at Sharon's last night. Bob and I were the stars of the word game. I had a long chat with Fr. Steve, but it was better than I would have expected. Sharon put out a huge spread of food and refreshments. Food: 7:55 am 1/2 c Wildberry protein oats, 1/4 c skim milk, 94 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 10 Jan

Dusting of snow out there, not too cold at this point. Choir sings for Mass tonight, then party at Sharon's house with lots of food and the Packers/Bears playoff game. Two weeks from today, we get on a plane to Spain. Food: 8:00 am Wildberry protein oats, 86 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 9 Jan

Already 9 days into the new year, how quickly it passes! Not going to gym for the video today, and will evaluate whether to do Pilates mat again since I was so wiped after last time. Looks like the rain continued a bit last night, and it's above freezing this morning, so hopefully not iced over. Food: 8:05 am 1/2 c Wildberry Protein Oats, 3/4 c skim milk, 106 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 8 Jan

Back to Bootstrap after several weeks off with the holidays. Board meeting for OBT tonight at Trinity. Did my whole Pilates mat yesterday but felt pretty wiped out for the rest of the day. Food: 7:55 am 121 g Costco cinnamon roll, 106 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 7 Jan

Not going to gym today as Nichol canceled and it is just the video, and the pavement outside is shiny with ice. I'll just stay in and try to do a Pilates mat for a change. Maybe get to taking down some of the Christmas decorations. Food: 7:55 am 68 g Costco cinnamon roll, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 6 Jan

Taylor's birthday! Hope she has a good one. I have Spanish group today, and it has been long enough since I last attended (since I skipped the previous one), that I am sort of looking forward to it. I just need not to commit too often. Food: 7:55 am 89 g Costco cinnamon roll, 106 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 4 Jan

Free day today. Cantored with Deb yesterday evening and no other commitments on the calendar for this weekend. Only 3° at this point, though it should warm up somewhat later. Food: 7:45 am 57 g Costco cinnamon loaf, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 3 Jan

Needed two doses of ibuprofen last night between hip discomfort and restlessness. Will go to the Winter Market this morning for eggs since I'm down to only two. Had to throw out the really old cartons as the eggs had started to solidify, and had to send Bob to the grocery store for a dozen for the frittata for Hartmans. Cantor at 5 pm tonight. Food: 7:50 am 56 g Costco cinnamon loaf, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 2 Jan

Lunch with Heather today! Should be fun. Pretty soon time to think about de-Christmasing the house before Spain. Can't forget Taylor's birthday next Tuesday. Food: 7:50 am 79 g Costco cinnamon loaf, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 1 Jan 2026

Happy New Year! Hard to believe it's been 26 years since Y2K and all the frou-frou about the new millenium. Hartmans are coming for brunch this morning, so I need to get cracking soon to get things prepared. I have the baked French toast trays ready to go into the oven, but I need to prepare a frittata and Nueske bacon. And prepare the table. Should be doable. Food: 7:15 am 67 g Costco cinnamon loaf, 109 g blackberries, coffee