Have I mentioned my fear of the dentist?

I hate the dentist. I despise the dentist. I abhor the dentist. I....can't think of another really strong word to describe how I feel about the dentist. I feel about the dentist like the Shark feels about her eyeballs. It's that bad. Two years ago, I broke down and went to one. Got a cleaning, some xrays and was told that for not having been to a dentist in well, let's just say 10+ years, that my teeth were phenomenal. I chalk that up to good oral hygiene on my part. I'm no stranger to the floss. I prolly got some good genes in there too.

Now, the interesting part is that I was great with my kids and the dentist. They went every 6 months like clockwork. Two of them had orthodontia work, all in all, no biggie for them. Or at least I thought.

Picture this: Tuffy. First cavity ever. Needs to be filled. He's nervous not knowing what to expect. I walk back with him and they have clearly NOT made any kind of seating arrangement for a family member. I forget that this isn't the pediatric dentist anymore. No chair for Mommy, no hand holding for the patient.

The tech explains the dentist will be in any moment to get started. She mentions a Novocaine shot. Tuffy flips a quick slide glance at me. This is a boy who has nearly passed out from getting blood drawn. I ask, "Will he be getting any gas?" 'Cause you know what? I freaking need the gas JUST TO GET THEM CLEANED! Never mind drilling and ewwwwwww stuff like that. I figure, let's make the kid comfortable for crying out loud! Even if he doesn't need it? I need him to have it. Just for MY peace of mind.

She tells us sure, gets him hooked up and then very politely informs me that I can wait in the waiting room where it's more comfortable if I'd like. Yeah, I'd like. The very smell and sounds of that office is going to send me right.over.the.edge.


I head back out to the waiting area, and get involved in a nice Reader's Digest. Mere minutes later, they escort him out, and he is FLYING.
'zactly how much of that gas did they give him??

He couldn't feel his mouth, nor did he care. I teased him that he was drooling and he totally fell for it, wiping at his mouth.



YUP! While dentist = bad, bad, bad! Laughing gas = good, good, good!

I've been fllashed!!

We were at the cabin all weekend (upcoming post), and came home to find I had been FLASHED! There were pictures of flashlights taped all over the front of the house,and this big sign and definitely more chalk love.

Seems my YW weren't finished with me either. I'm right in the middle of typing up this post and the doorbell rings. I get up off my ever widening bootay to answer it and found this hanging on my doorstep

I have to admit, I have never been "flashed" before, but me likey! Me likey a lot!

I love you girls!! You're the best!
xoxoxoxo

Deseret News 10k - Downhill adventure!

I did this one last year, in fact it was my first 10k ever, and I enjoyed it then, so I figured what the heck!
It helped that I got an email from Becca asking if it was true that we were doing the same race! Yippee!! Someone to at least start with and watch whiz past me, and then meet up again at the finish!!

Double bonus? The Shark planned to come along for moral support. How good of a BFF is that? Really?

Friday, July 24th, dawned bright and friggin early. 4:30am to be exact. I got up, got my Monster gulped down (remember, I AM letting myself have one for race days), ate my pre-race banana nut muffin, and proceeded to get ready. Woke Splenda up, and we headed to the Shark's. Did you know that a Shark can come bounding out of her house at 5:00am, like it's nothin? She could have been sleeping for crying out loud! But nope, here she is, armed with a camera, and lot's of encouragement.

Splenda totally takes the wrong way to the U and I am freaking out on the inside. I'm so scared that I won't get there in enough time to get warmed up and stretched. We are making small talk, and I am having a conversation in my head that goes something like this: "Crap. Crap. Crap!! I am not going to have time to properly stretch this stupid IT band, I am going to end up hurting even before I round the corner, and I think I want to pull my hair out because it's taking SO LONG TO GET WHERE I AM SUPPOSED TO BE!!!" Or something like that.

With Shark's navigation and Splenda's good paying attention and listening to her skills, they drop me off and I head to the start line where I am to meet Becca. I am about 10 minutes of where I want to be in my timeline, but there is nothing to be done, and now I am just focused on getting warm, getting stretched and working it out in my head. I had checked last year's finish and I was 46:39. I set a goal for 45:00 or better. I'm thinking even 45 and some change, and I would be happy.

I hang around the start line, doing my thing, watching for Becca, watching the other runners, and getting myself mentally ready to go. I get grabbed from behind and there is the cutest Becca! I heart her!




She is a runner that I could learn more than a few tricks from!

We talk and keep warming up. I hear my name and there is Shark and Splenda. They found a parking spot and decided to come see us off! Now, I am totally and completely happy and relaxed. Legs feel good. Quads a little sore, but I know that once I am running I won't even feel them.

They let the handwheelers go first, and I note that while this event is bigger than it's ever been entrants wise, there are fewer hand wheel racers than last year.

Now it's our turn, the gun goes off and we are right in the thick of it! LOVE IT!!! nothing like jostling runners right out of the gate!

It begins to thin out pretty quick and Becca and I are side by side for now. However, I can tell, her pace is MUCH quicker than mine, I have started too quick, yet again, and I know that I won't be keeping this up for long.

We stayed together until the second turn, onto Foothill Blvd. It was then that I saw her go by. I tried to keep her in my sights and use her as a pacer, but she was too quick. Couldn't keep up. I settled into a good pace and started counting my road kills.

It's a great course. Almost entirely downhill. Thus, you can get a great time, but you also have to be careful that you don't pound your legs too hard. I was feeling good and adopting the "ugly" run that helps downhill. Basically let go and run very loose. Loose arms, loose legs. Looks ridiculous, and I am sure that by the time I hit the parade route, the on-lookers were highly amused if not confused. But it felt good and I felt strong. The only challenge I seemed to have was keeping my air. Taking a week off, it's amazing how quickly you lose your fitness level. Hard to get it back, quick to go.

I was also dying for water. I really expected it at mile 3, but nothing. It wasn't until mile 5 that there was a water station. Blessed water. I took a gulp, dumped the rest down my back and didn't miss a step. I was amazed that I was actually feeling that good. And no knee pain at all. I was so pleased.

I finally rounded that corner from State Street to 700 south. The down hill is over now, and we are doing a gradual, slight upward grade to Liberty Park. I have kept a woman in my sights for the past 4 miles and I am determined to kick it up a notch and pass her on the way in.

I found a nice spot in the road and dug hard. I was trying to keep my leg speed quick without going to huge strides. That felt good. I passed the lady, and a few more dudes and then saw the FINISH banner. Hear Shark off to the side and give her and Splenda a smile. Give it everything I have and push those last few feet in.





I catch a glimpse at the clock. CRAP!! CRAP CRAP CRAP!!! 47 something! Not only short of my goal, but slower than last year. Are you freakin kiddin me? Not.Pleased. Not.Pleased.At.All.

They cut my chip off, I move through the gate and try to process what I just saw. Slower than last year. SLOWER THAN LAST YEAR!! What was it? My knees weren't hurting, my legs felt good. I was having trouble catching my air, but nothing that should slow me down. It must be the 5 extra ellbees that I am carrying this summer vs last summer. I don't know.

Meet up with Splenda, Shark and Becca. Becca has kicked BUTT! Her time? 45:18 Well done girl, very well done! We have some water, stretch and watch other runners come in. I really am feeling good, I just can't believe the number on the clock. Ouch!




We walk around the park a little bit, grab some orange slices to munch on and look to see if they have posted any official times yet. Nope. Nothing. Becca heads off to meet her other friend who's in town and Splenda, me and the Shark make our way back to the car and head for home.


Notice how great Becca looks. I'm not sure she even broke a sweat to be honest with you.

While I am stretching in the front seat, I review the race in my head. What could I have done differently. Was there any point that I could have given more instead of holding back? Could I have pushed any harder? The answer was very clear. Nope. Not a dang thing. I gave it everything I had. There wasn't any point in the race that I held back, or slowed or even considered letting up. I ran as fast as I could. The whole time.

Even though I did every trick I knew, I still fell short of my goal. And you know what? I'm okay with it. It took me a couple of hours to get there and find that peace with myself, but really, I'm okay. Now. I couldn't have changed anything. I ran the fastest that I was capable of running. So there was nothing I can beat myself up about. I guess I just need to train my body to go faster than it thinks it can.

For now, I am pleased. I can live with this one. No beating myself up this time. Nope. I'll take it and be happy.

Official Time: 47:12
12th woman of 110 in my age group
30 roadkills.


Yep, I'll take it, and just keep training, just keep training, just keep training.... (picture Dori the fish).

And a HUGE thank you to my Splenda Daddy and the Shark. My support group, my entourage, my besties that I can rely on. They know what to say, when to say it, and when to just be quiet.




Next up? A quick 5k for Splenda next weekend. I think I'll use this one for sprint training.

Funny Bone Friday - Things I may have heard, or said, or just thought in my head

"You're gonna be your own bobble head doll."

"As a former African-American, I appreciate that."

"You gave birth to a freak of nature, but that's no reason to treat him like one."

"Purple Mountain Majesties"

"It's not worth rolling around in the gutter about."

"Neither grass nor carpet should be crunchy."

"That day I lost a loser."

"The walls were very thin. I am still scarred."

"She's the ultimate Dairy Queen."

Slang Gang Word of the Day

Brought to you today by the collective comments during a random discussion between the Evil Genius, the Giggler and M-Cat

Pull a Tom Cruise

In reference to when Tom Cruise forbade his wife Katie Holmes to reprise her role as Rachel Daws, Bruce Wayne's love interest, in the sequel to Batman Begins, The Dark Knight.

"You mean Splenda Daddy won't let you post that? He totally pulled a Tom Cruise!"

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful the Shark is home. And that she always makes sure I have a Thankful logo to use. Like this one. Even if I don't see it until I use another one. And that she knows despite that, I still love her. The Shark is home. With all her wit, sarcasm, daily calls and texts, and overall humorous sunshine.

I am thankful for Google searches. Kasey was diagnosed yesterday with a Mast Cell Tumor. There is an off chance that it is just a bite that he had some weird reaction too, but that is not the vet's thinking. He was very clear with us and left us with some instructions to watch it for a couple of days, and then to have surgery to remove it, stage it and give us a prognosis. I immediately came home and googled. Everything I found concurred with what the vet said. We got a little more insight as to his particular tumor based on what it looks like and the fact that there is now another one. We got some very informative data about staging and prognosis, so that when the time comes we can make some well researched decisions.

On that note, I am thankful for Kim at Abraxas Pet Resort groomery who told me to get him checked immediately. If she hadn't I would have ignored it. Plus she is an awesome dog groomer. My canines are always happy to see her!

I am thankful for our great vet, Dr Gillespie at Jordan River Animal hospital. He has been with us since our last golden that we had to put down, the puppies, and our current four legged family members. He is smart, sensitive and understanding. I also like that he doesn't try to guilt me into a bunch of testing or procedures that may not be necessary.

I am thankful for Google Translator. I have some women from Chile, that are FB'ing me and emailing me, but they don't speak or write English and I don't speak or write Spanish, but we can now still communicate by a simple copy and paste and translate action. LOVE IT!

I am thankful for Mama's in Chile who look out for and love my son.

Anything in particular you are thankful for today? Look hard, you'll find something.....

Wednesday Wrandom Wrambling's

I like days off work. I can get so much done that it's a rewarding feeling at the end of the day. Plus then, all the chores I get done that day, don't have to be done on Saturday.

Friday is Pioneer day. A couple of years ago, our youth did Trek. It was an amazing experience. Our stake is going again next year. I hope I get to go along again. I think that since I have already had the chance, I won't be offered again, and I know you shouldn't campaign for things like this in the church, but I really, really want to go. It's a humbling, spiritual experience and one that everyone should experience at least once. Even you Martie - the non-camper.

Friday is also the first race since I took a week off for rest on my body. I know it's just gonna trash my knees again, because the course is all downhill. Some have suggested I pass on it, and just let my entrance fee be a donation. Nope. Can't do it. Mentally. So trash my knees I will, then spend the rest of the weekend icing them and popping the Lortab.

Speaking of the rest of the weekend, it will be spent at the cabin. MIL's cabin. In the most beautiful country ever, nestled amongst beautiful trees and away from people. Taking the 4 wheeler, dirt bikes and Sissy. Good.Times. A much needed break from the city, people, work and everyday life.

Seems that my question of the day sparked quite the heated commentary on FB. While I try not to be a pot stirrer on purpose, I did realize it would prompt feedback. I just had no idea the magnitude. And I'll be the first to admit, I love a good dialogue with educated people about current issues. I DON'T like know-it-all's or those who argue for the sake of arguing. If one is passionate about it, has solid facts, and is respectful, I love those exchanges. But if arrogance or disrespectful arguments enter in, then I am done. I think I will choose more wisely, the questions I pose publicly and instead talk privately with my own trusted sources about issues I have strong feelings about.

Took the big Freakshow to the groomery for a nice close cut shave before we head to the mountains. I pointed out to the groomer, a "something" I had found on him just last night. It was a huge growth of some sort. I know it wasn't there before, or had been there very long. She told me he needs to get it checked and biopsied ASAP.
Crap! Keeping my fingers crossed he just has a nice new beauty mark of some kind and nothing worse. While I love my dogs immensely, I also realize that in the hierarchy of things, they are still animals. Okay, so I have my dogs ashes on my mantel and a bronze of her paw, but again, I realize that they are animals. If this turns out to be something awful, I guess we'll have some hard decisions to make. Keep fingers crossed.

Just realized that I have spent too much time now on the computer and should get to work on my list of chores to be done today.......