Oh No!!!

That was my morning yesterday. I had a great start, going to the lake and running with Steve. We both were running late to leave for work. We both left at the same time but he was a head of me. I got just to the end of our neighborhoods road and was ready to turn on to the main road, when my SUV made a loud grinding noise! It also wouldn't drive. I was stuck! I quickly called Steve and he turned around and came back. Lucky for us, the guy in our neighborhood owns a tow truck and we found out  he was a mechanic for 35 years. He listened to the car and told us it was an CV axel, and he thought it was coming from the passenger side. We left the car parked on the side of the road, because our insurance we get free towing. I wanted to know where we were towing it before moving it. I just used Celina's car since she was in Denver and went to work. After work, I called three auto shops and found a good one that my customer recommended. They had a 4.7 rating so that had to be a good sign. An estimate for $500. Not bad since I was really worried this was the end to my 2009 Highlander. I love that SVU. So, I'll pick it up later today. No need to get a new car and I get to not have a car payment, which I love! I'm holding out as long as possible for a new SUV. I want the same one! Maybe white instead of gold/tan. 

Since I have today off from work. I don't have a car to use. I'm going to tackle some of my todo list. Painting and laundry with some around the house cleaning. 

I think if I get my car back this morning, I might just get a pedicure. I still have a gift card and I would love to just get that done. Of course, nothing else would get done. hum.. maybe save it for April or May?? 

Outside.. what a run!

I love getting outdoors and going for a run. It was 33*F this morning, but the cool air felt great as I warmed up, taking off all my layers, gloves and headband. It sure helps when Steve wants to run with me. He is taking a gym break. Because he doesn't have a spleen to fight off infections, he wants to remain germ free. Avoiding the gym for a few weeks is probably a good idea. Plus, I just want him to start liking running outdoors more than inside. 

We just ran a quick 1.3 miles around the park lake and drove home. It was 16 minutes of mostly running and a little bit walking. Running at the gym is far easier than to run outdoors, so its going to take a little while for Steve to get up to speed. He easily runs 3 miles in the gym at a 10 minute mile pace and varies the incline to get some resistance. 

I skied this winter at least 5 miles when ever the snow conditions were good, so I had no problem going back to running. It felt good and I wanted to run faster but also stay with Steve and I didn't want to push it too much and hurt my heal again. For the longest time, my heal hurt and at one point I had to stop running because I just had a hard time walking. Finally fixed that issue by wearing heal inserts in all my shoes! Plus, while my heal, healed I wore shoes all the time. That did the trick and now my feet feel great! So, I mile of running on hard surfaces will be good for a week. When the snow and mud dries up, it will be back to dirt trails where its easier on my feet. I'll be logging more miles every week during the spring/summer/ fall and going into the winter. 

Sunday, we had a 60 degree day. Steve and I took Zoey to the park where we ran this morning and walked the same trail around the lake with the dog. She is always so happy to go! 

I found my next tub. I don't really care for the vessel tubs, this one is a bit more my style. It was so fun looking at the Parade home. So many nice decorating ideas. I just wish I could go out and buy a new couch, end tables etc..  The only thing that I really don't like about our house is the main floor, oak floors. They are narrow, very golden and I hate it. I think we should just buy some wide plank vinyl type flooring that looks and feel like wood to put over the top. The next buyers can decide if they want real floors and it will be perfectly preserved under the flooring. Its on my need to do list!!! Since Steve can easily do the floor and the cost is fairly cheap, I don't see why we shouldn't do this! 

Here comes the sun and 60's!

We finally have a day of sun and 60*F temperature to look forward to for Sunday! It's going to be a crazy windy day on top of the warm temperatures. The wind is already blowing around everything as I'm looking out our front window. I still plan to take a walk around the lakes with the dog this morning and in the afternoon, a day of the Parade of Homes tour with my kids.

Last night we went out with our neighbor friends to Hastings and Cannon Falls for drinks and dinner. It made getting up this morning with daylight savings time much later! I usually never sleep in, but when you spring ahead and lose an hour, it's more like 9am. That's late!

It is a small world some times. Our neighbor friend come to find out, is a workout partner with a woman that was a short term customer of mine. We finally figured out how we both thought we knew each other. The short story is that I connected the dots and confirmed it was indeed the same woman customer that I walked out on for a job. I've only walked away from two jobs, this was the second mid - job I walked out on. She was having company, I was feeling sick but still showed up, tried to work and kept feeling worse. I went straight to the doctor after I left her house and found out I had strep throat. This is how sick I was! She chased me to my car and begged me to finish, not understanding that I had to go because I could not even swallow and was not up to the task. That was the end of a monthly job at her house. It was at least 9 or 10 years ago and the last job I ever had to walk away from. Such is life, I understand that she was in a bind, having company coming over. Nothing I could do about being sick and attempting to do a job that I couldn't finish. Most people would be understanding, but nope not this woman. So no regrets on my end.

On another note, the neighbor woman, is also on a transformation journey. I feel like this is what I need to jump start fitness level and lose weight. I'm back to doing daily planks, lifting weights. Starting up walking around the lakes and will soon run and bike. This winter I cross country skied as much as possible but didn't really watch my diet. I'm back to fasting but will still have a few PB pretzels in the morning and eat during the day if I'm hungry but keeping it low calorie to stay under 1500 calories for the day, target range 500 - 1000. Mostly just save my meal for dinner to keep the calories lower. Here we go.. Time to do some transformation. This photo was taken last year, when I was in my fasting transformation. I did it two times, here's going for a third. Plenty of time March, April and May to lose weight for summer!