Wednesday, April 30, 2008

C

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt

Lunch: Half roast beef/cheese sandwich; half turkey sandwich

Dinner: Four sunflower rounds; three hard-boiled eggs; crackers

Drinks: One Propel; four JC minis; two glasses wine

Walked 14,000+ steps

Skies cleared but it was cold this morning, down to about 34 degrees. Very busy day at work.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt

Lunch: Banana

Dinner: Pizza (three slices); crackers, peanuts

Drinks: Two Propels, small hot coffee, four JC minis, two glasses wine

Walked 12,500+ steps

Another day of mostly drenching rains. Productive day at work. Saw dentist and scheduled implant for couple weeks from now to replace tooth I lost over 30 years ago.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Buckets of Rain

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt

Lunch: Banana

Dinner: Dried Cranberries, crackers, cheese, peanuts

Drinks: Propel, Bottle Rancho Zabaco zinfandel; two Pilsner Urquells

Walked 10,500+ steps

Overslept this morning and missed my morning walk. First day back at work was a good one, no major issues. Skies opened up mid-morning with rains and it rained rest of day from that point on. Still got my walking in. On a major reading spree, ripping through books on Gary Gilmore and George Washington simultaneously.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Last day of vacation

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt

Lunch: Cheese, crackers, raisins

Dinner: Grilled steak, rice, olive oil, dried cranberries

Drinks: Two hot coffees, six Pilsner Urquells, bottle wine

Walked 11,500+ steps

Cloudy, mostly damp day, in the low 50s. Got a lot of reading done. Back to work tomorrow.

Last of the Sunny, Warm Days for a while

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt

Lunch: Raisins, peanuts, cheese

Dinner: Grilled steak, cauliflower, olive oil

Drinks: Four margaritas, one bottle wine, Propel, one hot coffee

Walked 13,200+ steps

Seeded the bare spots in the lawn today and after 8 straight days, the yard work is mostly over for now.

Friday, April 25, 2008

A Ton of Dirt

Friday, April 25, 2008

Breakfast: Stonyfield strawberry yogurt

Lunch: Peanuts, banana

Dinner: Mexican...tortilla chips, various mexican appetizers, steak fajitas with peppers, onions, tortillas, tomato, rice, cheese and refried beans

Drinks: Five margaritas, three Propels, one hot coffee.

Walked over 10,000 steps

Woke up early this morning from a series of very bizarre dreams including a vivid one in which I relived my last day of high school - some 28 years ago! Spent most of that dream running through the hallways trying to find the classroom where I had my final exam.

Walked with dog through East Boston camps in Westford. Closed on equity loan for house to get all the repairs done. Spent another day of intense yard work, re-raking all the yards and spreading at least a ton of dirt (that I paid $120 for) through areas of the yard that either needed it or had large holes to fill.

The spectacular week of warm April weather ended around 4PM today as clouds moves in and temps dropped into the 50s (after being in low 70s most of day). Looks like it might be a couple weeks before we see the 70s again and it is very unusual having 7 warm days in a row this time of year.

Grilling Season Begins

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt; raisins

Lunch: Peanuts, crackers

Dinner: Three pork chop sandwiches with jalapenos, olive oil, peas, block of cheese

Drinks: Three or four Propels, six or seven margaritas

Walked over 10,000 steps...

Finished ripping down the fence today and other yard work. Bought a chimnea at Home Depot so I can burn some deadwood and branches outdoors. Got the Weber grill going for another year and threw on some pork chops and jalepenos which I ate by the fire in the chimnea. It is difficult buying a chimnea at the Home Depot.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Summertime!

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt; mushroom & swiss cheese omelet, English muffins, wheat toast, hash browns.

Lunch: Banana

Dinner: Ribeye steak, shrimp, asparagus, rice, bread

Drinks: About 6 Propels, five margaritas

Walked: 12,000+ steps

Temperature was already in mid 50s when I woke up and soared well into low 80s. Even at night, it was still in the low 70s. Trees are budding everywhere. Torn down most of the fence today and cleared a ton of brush out of the woods. Arms covered with cuts and scars.

Burgundy

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt

Lunch: Banana, peanuts

Dinner: Roast chicken, cauliflower, olive oil, cheese

Drinks: About six Propels, four JC minis, two glasses wine, three Pilsner Urquell beers

Walked 10,000+ steps (12,000+ steps day before)

Another great day for yard work in this "working" vacation. Mid 70s. Got some more fence torn down and a lot of raking done.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Patriot's Day

Monday, April 21, 2008

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt

Lunch: Banana, peanuts

Dinner: Mexican...steak fajitas, tortilla chips, appetizers (mix)

Drinks: About 6 Propels, a large Red Bull, three silver margaritas, three glasses wine

Another day of yard work, most raking of yard is done. Now I'm raking out some woods to make the yard bigger and taking down more fences. More removal of stumps and my arms are tired.

Poison Ivy medicine (steroids) continues to cause me to retain water. Despite the very large intake of fluids last few days, very little coming out. Poison Ivy still itches all over too.

Spectacular day today after a cloudy, cool start. Temperatures right around 68 most of the afternoon and mostly clear.

Removing Tree Stumps

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt

Lunch: Banana, peanuts, crackers, bread

Dinner: Mancotti, olive oil, meatballs

Drinks: About six Propels, three Pilsner Urquells, three glasses wine

Walked over 16,000 steps

Another great day for yard work. After a chilly start (and 5 mile walk in Groton), temps warmed into mid 60s. Got some tree stumps removed and lots of raking and exercise. Wish I could spend the whole summer doing this.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Under a Hot Sun

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt

Lunch: Cheese, bread

Dinner: Cheese, bread, stuffed shells, meatballs

Liquids: Six Propels, Three Pilsner Urquells, One other type of beer, Three glasses of wine

Walked 11,200+ steps

Another very warm day, mid-70s, more like mid-May then mid-April. Spend almost entire day outdoors. Started taking down fence in yard and cutting brush. Will be doing yard work the entire vacation - the yard needs it. Even got to finish "Mosquito Coast" and will start another book tomorrow. Poison Ivy still very itchy but at least the swelling is down. The side-effect of my medicine (steroids) is high water retention. Drank all that liquid and hardly any of it is coming out, probably put on five pounds of weight today even though I had a huge amount of exercise. Got a bit of a sunburn too.

Boston Bruins beat Montreal to tie series at 3-3. Red Sox won too.

Yard Work Vacation Starts Today

Friday, April 18, 2008

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt

Lunch: Banana

Dinner: Raisins, cheese, peanuts, Mexican sampler (burrito, taco, rice, enchilada), tortilla chips

Drinks: One Propel, four JC minis, two Silver margaritas

Walked over 11,000+ steps

Very warm today (upper 70s) but had to work inside most of it. After long day at work, my vacation kicked in around 6:30PM.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Steroids

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt

Lunch: Banana

Dinner: Steak & Broccoli, chicken wings, bread, mushroom soup

Drinks: One Propel, Four JC minis, two silver margaritas, two glasses wine

Walked 11,200+ steps

Poison ivy got a little better and my left eye opened up again. Still very itchy. Temperatures got into 70s.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Emergency Room

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt

Lunch: Banana

Dinner: Baked chicken, squash

Walked 12,800+ steps

Poison Ivy worsened, left eye almost glued shut. So after work, I call doctor and get sent to emergency room for a 3 hour wait. Ended up getting pills that I have to take next 10 days. Meanwhile, I am itching all over.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Poison Ivy

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt

Lunch: Banana

Dinner: Wheat Pasta, olive oil, peanuts, cheese, raisins

Walked over 11,000 steps.

Got bad case of poison ivy.

Rancho Zabaco

Monday, April 14, 2008

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt

Lunch: Banana

Dinner: Flatbread pizza from Whole Foods, peanuts, cheese

Drinks: One Propel, Two Pilsner Urquells, two glasses wine

Walked 12,200+ steps

Monday, April 14, 2008

Another Day of Yard Work

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt

Lunch: Crackers, cheese, raisins, peanuts

Dinner: Raisins, crackers, bread

Liquids: One Propel, three Pilsner Urquell, four JC minis, three glasses wine

Walked 12,500+ steps

Got in another 4 hours solid yard work despite cool, cloudy and mostly drizzly skies. Will be very sore tomorrow.

Raking of Leaves

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt

Lunch: Two hard boiled eggs, raisins, peanuts

Dinner: Ravioli, meatballs, olive oil

Liquids: Three Propels, Two Pilsner Urquells, 4 JC Minis, one glass wine

Walked 15,500+ steps

Five mile walk this morning, then weather cleared and it popped into the low 70s for a short while before the clouds and rain moved back in. Got in 5-6 hours of heavy yard work.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Long Meetings are over

Friday, April 11, 2008

(Noting that on April 8, I walked 15,000+ steps but forgot to mention it.)

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt

Lunch: None

Dinner: Roast chicken, squash, raisins, peanuts (lots)

Drinks: One Propel, four JC minis

Walked 10,500+ steps

Gave a long meeting this morning to the staff and finally the long week of meetings is over and time to get back to work. The day flew by and had to leave early to attend a wake. Weather was cloudy, damp and cool - typical of April around here.

Out of New Jersey

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Breakfast: Eggs, bacon, sausage, banana

Lunch: None

Dinner: Porterhouse steak, broccoli, chicken wings, bread

Drinks: Two large Foster beers.

Walked: 12,500+ steps

Started the day with long 10,000 step walk through suburban New Jersey. Long day of meetings including a presentation that I gave and then drove back home. Despite leaving at rush hour, hit almost no traffic all the way home and returned by 9PM.

First really warm day of year - topped 70 degrees.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Another Day In New Jersey

Walked 15,000+ steps yesterday...

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage

Lunch: Roast beef & cheese sandwich w/ lettuce & tomato, pita bread

Dinner: Rice, chicken, lettuce, broccoli

Drinks: One coffee, One Spring water, four Foster lagers

Walked 10,800+ steps

Coming home late tomorrow night

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Pine Barrens New Jersey

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt

Lunch: Broiled Fish; rice; broccoli, fried portobello mushrooms

Dinner: Roast beef; rice; three chicken strips.

Liquids: One Propel; One Coffee; One bottle Spring Water; One Heineken; One Amstel Light; Two glasses red wine.

Drove down to New Jersey today for my business trip. Had a coffee for the first time in about three weeks. Smoked a cigar (or tried).

Monday, April 7, 2008

Cool and Damp Monday

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt

Lunch: None

Dinner: Raisins; Chicken Cordon Blue; Peas; One Hard boiled egg, chunk of swiss cheese.

Drinks: Two Pilsner Urquells; One Propel; one bottle zinfandel wine (Rancho Zabaco)

Walked: 11,000+ miles

Missed my morning walk by oversleeping. Very vivid dreams. One dream was my parents joined a cult and when my wife and I went to visit them, we wanted to get out of there fast. Last day of work before national meetings in New Jersey. Sort of an eerie, slow day at work. Calm before the storm.

Cold and Damp

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt

Lunch: Crackers; raisins; two hard-boiled eggs, peanuts

Dinner: Beef and pasta, rice, bread and olive oil; peanuts

Drinks: Propel; four JC minis, four Pilsner Urquells, two glasses wine

Walked 14,000+ steps

Did yard work most of afternoon in raw, cold weather. Upper 30s with stiff east wind off the ocean and near constant drizzle. Reading "Mosquito Coast"

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Wheelbarrel full of leaves

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt

Lunch: Dried cranberries, crackers, peanuts

Dinner: Macaroni; chicken; cheese; bread & olive oil; broccoli; crackers; peanuts

Drinks: One Propel, 4 JC minis, two Pilsner Urquells, two glasses wine

Walked over 16,200 steps

Another cool, cloudy day but sun came out in afternoon and it got mild. Got some solid yard work done in the afternoon. Still a lot to do. The ticks came out in force today, so had to give the dog tick bath.

Rainy, Cold Friday

Friday, April 4, 2008

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt

Lunch: Bagel

Dinner: Chicken wings; egg foo yong; seafood pad thai

Drinks: Propel, three Pilsner Urquells, two fog cutters

Walked over 10,000 steps

Wrapped up one of my most productive weeks (at work) in a while. Rained most of day so did 2+ mile walk in Burlington mall. While it was cold today, it did not get below freezing overnight.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

This Side Of Paradise

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt

Lunch: None

Dinner: Dried Cranberries, crackers, corn chips, fish, cous-cous, spinach, quesadilla

Drinks: One Propel, four JC minis, two glasses wine, two Heinekens.

Walked 13,500+ steps


Another hard-driving day at work but left early. Got almost all my monthly reports done. Spring is springing. Buds on the bushes and trees. Longer days. Snow almost completely melted. But still too cold to go out with no coat. Was in 20s this morning but got to mid-50s during day - with wind.

Forever Yellow Skies

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt

Lunch: Nothing

Dinner: Crackers, dried cranberries, peanuts

Drinks: Three Pilsner Urquells, One Propel, two glasses wine

Walked 12,500 steps

Worked almost 12 hours straight today...

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Goonies Are Not Good Enough

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt; 12 blackberries

Lunch: Banana

Dinner: Cheese & Crackers; raisins; two hard-boiled eggs

Drinks: Two Pilsner Urqells, glass of wine, One Propel

Walked 11,000+ steps

Raw, cold Monday. Rained most of day. Went to Boston in the morning.

See Emily Play

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Breakfast: Stonyfield Strawberry Yogurt; 12 blackberries

Lunch: Two hard-boiled eggs; raisins; crackers; bread & olive oil

Dinner: Chili, bread & olive oil

Drinks: Two Pilsner Urquells; 4 JC minis; glass wine

Walked over 10,000 steps

Finally a somewhat warm day - got a lot of leave-raking done in the yard. Hit 60 degrees at one point.