5451

What does that number mean?

Remember how our car was smoking under the hood two weeks ago and we had to leave it with the mechanic?

It was finally ready today. I picked it up after work and that's how much the bill was ...

$5,451.30!

Eeek!

They ended up having to rebuild the engine.

Since it was there, we had stuff replaced that was probably going to break soon.

Plus it had a tune-up ... it was due.

The car is six years old and still had three original tires so we had them replaced.

We bought the car new in March 2004 and it only has about 71,000 km on it. We've been lucky in that this is the first time we've had to put $$ into it.

On the bright side, I put it on my VISA so got some Aeroplan points.

Are you true ...

... to a hairstylist?

I'm soooo not a morning person. I can't imagine getting up a half hour early every day just to fuss with my hair.

When I was younger, I did. I've had bangs and layers and perms. I've moussed and hair sprayed and blowdried.

I have long blonde hair ... nothing too exciting. I let my bangs grow out six years ago because they were too much work.

I get my hair trimmed every six months or so, wherever I may be when the urge hits me.

There is a hair salon across the street from where I work. It is off the beaten path a bit ... a wash and cut is $19.

$19!!

Downtown a mere trim will cost me $60!

I wandered in at lunchtime today for a trim. I figured that if it turned out really bad, I could go elsewhere to get it fixed.

Lee spent about ten minutes giving me a head massage. Very nice start!

The trim was fine ... no funny angles or stray ends.

I'll definitely be back to see Lee!

Monday workout

I went to the gym this evening.

I did Week 4 Workout 2 of the Couch to 5K running program:

* Brisk five-minute warm-up walk
* Jog 3 minutes
* Walk 90 seconds
* Jog 5 minutes
* Walk 2-1/2 minutes
* Jog 3 minutes
* Walk 90 seconds
* Jog 5 minutes
* Brisk five-minute walk

It was tough! I didn't think I'd get through the last five minute jog ... but I did. Yay! I was watching Judge Judy and that helped take my mind off it!

Then I did weights and crunches while listening to my iPod.

I finished off with 30 minutes on the stationery bike ("random" mode) while reading Pretty in Plaid.

Time to go soak in a green apple scented bubble bath ...

Heading to the beach

It was gorgeous this afternoon ... sunny and 12C (54F). Too nice to be stuck inside!

So I went for a two hour walk.

I walked westbound along Queen Street W and then headed south towards the water when I got to Roncesvalles.

I kept heading west along the Waterfront Trail until I got to Sunnyside Pavillion.

I sat on a bench by the Pavillion for a while ... there were lots of people out and about. I love being by the water!

Here's my view of the water, looking straight ahead ...

Then I headed eastward towards home ...

It was a great day to be outside.

A walk to the park

KC and I took a walk this morning to Trinity Bellwoods Park.

We walked along Queen Street W ...

... to get to the park.

Even though it's really mucky, KC had fun running around.

The battle for the pillow

KC is getting old (she'll be 15 in May) so we have a pillow on the floor in the living room for her. We move it to the hallway at night.

She loves her pillow.

Morgan, at times, also loves the pillow.

Tonight there was a quiet battle for the pillow ... KC and Morgan both approached it at the same time.

Who would reign supreme, we wondered.

Seems like there was a truce.

Saturday workout

Gord and I went to the gym this morning.

He did the 60 minute Ashtanga yoga class.

I did Week 4 Workout 1 of the Couch to 5K running program:

* Brisk five-minute warm-up walk
* Jog 3 minutes
* Walk 90 seconds
* Jog 5 minutes
* Walk 2-1/2 minutes
* Jog 3 minutes
* Walk 90 seconds
* Jog 5 minutes
* Brisk five-minute walk

I must say that the thought of doing the 5 minutes jogs was daunting ... I didn't think I could do them. But I did 'em! Whoohoo! And yes, they make the 3 minute jogs seem easy! Listening Aqua's boppy Aquarium helped.

Then I did the fitness test on one of the snazzy new stationery bike (it took 11 minutes) ... my fitness level is average with women my age and weight.

I finished off with 19 minutes on the stationery bike while reading 8 Minutes in the Morning.

Saturday Photo Hunt

Did you play?

The theme this week is foreign.

This is me a couple years ago in a foreign land ... standing in front of Buckingham Palace.

Alas, Liz was out of town that day so couldn't invite me in for a spot of tea.

Friday workout

Yes, a Friday workout!

I don't usually work out on Fridays ... I end up out somewhere after work eating and having a couple drinks.

I worked from home today so took advantage of that by going to the gym this afternoon.

I did weights and crunches. Then I did 15 minutes on the stationery bike while reading 8 Minutes in the Morning. I would have spent more time on the bike but I ran out of time because ...

... I had an hour massage scheduled next door at the spa.

Beret is new and she did an amazing job! She gave me more of a sports massage ... she twisted my arms and legs while digging into my muscles. Sounds strange but it felt good!

It would be nice if I could work from home every Friday!

Friday weigh in

I'm down 1.2 pounds since last Thursday.

Thursday and Friday were write-offs. I went out with friends both nights and ate and drank what I shouldn't have. But it was fun and worth it!

I got back on track on Saturday. I had three fabulous workouts this week. My food intake was good and I drank lots and lots and lots of water.

Weight lost this week: 1.2 pounds
Weight lost since January 4 : 20.4 pounds

Since January 4:

Snoozin'

My day was okay ... not hectic or stressful.

By the time I got home from work, I was starving ... freakin' starving!

Gord made supper. I didn't overeat ... just a small pork chop and 1/2 cup of rice.

Right after supper a wave hit me and I had (yes, HAD!) to have a snooze on the couch. I got up after a half hour and had another half hour snooze in bed. Even Judge Judy couldn't keep me awake.

Gord woke me up just before Survivor came on. If not, I would have still been there!

I'm not a napper and my energy is usually good so I wonder where that came from.

Are you a napper?

Wednesday workout

I didn't go to the cardio kickboxing class at the gym last night because I couldn't see ... my eyes were still dilated from the eye check-up and the sun hurt (yes, hurt!). Plus my eyes were really really tired.

I worked from home today and went to the gym this afternoon.

I did Week 3 Workout 3 of the Couch to 5K running program.

Brisk five-minute warm-up walk then:

* Jog 90 seconds
* Walk 90 seconds
* Jog 3 minutes
* Walk 3 minutes
* Jog 90 seconds
* Walk 90 seconds
* Jog 3 minutes
* Walk 3 minutes

During the first three minute jog, I thought I was going to die! I was disappointed that I could only do two minutes before I HAD to walk. Then I noticed that I had hit the incline button by mistake and was trying to do jog at a 2.5 incline. Eeek! Needless to say, I ramped it down. So when it came time to do the jogs again, I was fine.

Then I did 30 minutes on the stationery bike ("around the world hills" mode).

Happy birthday, Sister Sarah

Today is my sister's birthday!

She lives in Halifax and I hope she has a fabulous day!