Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam (teacher)

Good news everyone. I have a calling...I will be enjoying the presence of three to seven 3-yr olds every Sunday for two hours. There will be singing, there will be coloring, there will be laughing and there may even be a little learning. Can't wait.

Christmas Kindness

I am grateful for nice strangers/neighbors. Yesterday morning on my way to boot camp my car sounded weird. I got out, inspected the car visually and deemed all satisfactory. Went to boot camp, got tortured and returned home. When I was again leaving for work I noticed the sound had gotten louder and more concerning....so I got out to perform another detailed 3-point (flats, dents, leaking liquid) visual inspection...and this time found that my back right tire was nearly on the rim. I put my hand on my head and thought "Crap, this is gonna take forever" when what to my wondering eyes should appear, but my unknown neighbor and his dog Powder walking near. He offered to help...so I drove around the corner to his house...and he used his power jack to lift my car in about 3 seconds and put the spare on for me. I thanked him profusely (and will thank him with cookies later today) and drove around the block to Discount Tire for a free flat repair. All of this only took 1 hour out of my day and I never had to touch a tire...making it the best flat tire experience I've ever had. I am a lucky girl. Thank you dear neighbor.

The 29th, 9am...passcode Snickerdoodle.

My little sister is something else. From day 1 when she was brand new and I was 7 years, 11 months old...I have been amazed and impressed by her. She makes me laugh like no one else can. Her wit is instant and she also has some pretty impressive dancing skills. When did this amazing dance moment occur, you ask yourself? Well, it was just this past Thanksgiving when she invited me into the computer room to "teach me a dance." Apparently I was not a quick learner because it soon turned into a solo. And what a solo... Enjoy.

Bubba, Chico and Jonah X3

So...a while back when my good friend Areta moved, I inherited her 2 water frogs. Not because I wanted them, only because she's a frog hater and was going to let them die when she moved to Utah. On the car ride to my house the frog water sloshed all over the inside of my car and I thought "this is ridiculous." Well, now it's been a few months and the dang frogs are growing on me....they are Bubba and Chico...as it turns out...Bubba is a female and Chico is the man of the tank. Things have gone well for the happy couple...and to fast forward...we are on their second set of tadpoles. Things didn't go so hot with the first set and my attempts to save a few so that they could grow up strong and healthy...well, it failed and they all died.

Now there are 3 tadpoles in the tank with their cannibalistic parents. I know I should remove the tadpoles to their own water but this proves difficult as they hide under the rocks are are ridiculously small. I have intentionally been feeding B & C frequently in hopes that it will diminish their desire to EAT their offspring. Still, to my dismay I have watched as Mom and Dad Frog have attempted to gobble each baby...but for some reason...the tadpole goes in...and then comes right back out. Maybe it's the flailing tail that gets in the way. Regardless...I have been horrified and very angry with the piggy parents. As each day passes and the tadpoles get bigger, I know they have a better chance of making it. I'm trying not to hate B & C for being so terrible, I know they don't mean it. I've decided if these tadpoles make it, I will name them all Jonah. And I will call it a miracle.

Gorbachev & Luck

Friends...I have the amazing abilty to burn my forehead nearly every time I attempt to use a curling iron. I suppose this is why I was born with naturally curly hair...in a gracious attempt to spare me from such injuries/deformities. No matter, sometimes I fight nature and try to have "straight but curly" hair...and end up looking like Mikhail Gorbachev. Yes. Just in time for Thanksgiving...I may have a nice scabby on the middle of my forehead. Past experience has taught me that the longer it burns in the morning, the darker the scab. Today's burning lasted only until about 10 am...so only a moderate scab. While Mikhail's looks to be a birthmark...I feel a special kinship...with this unknown Russian leader. Who knew?

Now. Completely unrelated story (are you surprised?). Yesterday in relief society, we were asked to stand, state our name and one word that describes us...ONE WORD...how in the world?? Many of you are instantly thinking "random," "wiggly,""talkative,"...I'm not sure what you're thinking. But among the many words I considered, "Lucky" stood out. Yes, indeed. Other than the curling iron difficulties, and a few other bumps and bruises, life is pretty good. I chose lucky specificially because I have amazing people in my life, friends and family in both Arizona and Utah who love me and let me know they do. I love this. I am learning important lessons in my life. Some of them are big, some are small. Some hurt...some don't. But all in all...I'm a lucky kid.

I Fought the Law and The Law Won.

There is a thin line between bravery and stupidity. Today I spent a little time on each side of this line. It was Me vs. The State of Arizona (and Officer Krugar...possibly related to Freddy). I knew I was in trouble when he arrived with approximately 182 (okay, fine 6) pages of notes and certificates. I tried to uncrumple my ticket and hearing pages so my table would not look so naked....as his table was looking quite serious. No matter...he went first and used big words and even had something that would become "Exhibit A." At that point I began looking for the trap door button under my desk that would cause my disappearance from the courtroom.To make a long story short (and considerably less painful), the law (and Mr. Krugar) won. I am out $260. For all of you who may feel inclined to mock...don't laugh too hard...my little city court has the money that would have bought your Christmas present.

*This photo may not be an actual photo of Officer Krugar....but it comes close.

7 Things Tag (from Mogeets-slightly modified)

7 things I can do:
1- endure 1 month of boot camp
2- make kids laugh
3- text very quickly
4- sleep in flannel sheets all year long
5- drink a lot of water
6- make friends with all kinds of people
7- beat anyone at tetris

7 things I cannot do:
1- drive a car with a stick shift
2- eat cheesecake (hate it)
3- the splits
4- watch a movie at night without falling asleep
5- run a mile in under 10 minutes. (not yet anyway).
6- eat fish with the skin still on. sick.
7- clean my room without getting very distracted

7 characteristics I love/value in my closest friends:
1- consistency
2- gentleness
3- sense of humor
4- intelligence
5- hugs
6- great laugh
7- easy to be with

7 things I say most often:
1- "Hey, come on back" (to my clients)
2- "What's up?"
3- "What happened?"
4- "Stop it, have you been practicing!??" (when my kiddo clients beat me at a game)
5- "I lived" (when roommates ask me how bootcamp was)
6- "Okay...call me later."
7- "I love you."

7 favorite foods:
1- chocolate milk
2- plums
3- apples
4- sweet potato fries
5- cafe rio salad
6- blue bunny bunny tracks ice cream
7- tinga

7 things I miss about Utah:
1-Sunday nights at home. Grilled cheese...or cookies...pajamas and just good times.
2-Fall. Crunchy leaves and crisp air.
3-My family. Being able to go home on the weekends.
4-The cabin.
5-My friends.
6-The mountains.
7- Running into people you know everywhere you go.

7 things I want to do before I die:
1. Run a marathon.
2. Go skydiving.
3. Be a mom.
4. Ride a unicycle.
5. Have really short hair.
6. Have my own therapy practice.
7. Complete a service mission in a Spanish-speaking country.

I Fought the Law and...(to be continued)...

I am a good person. I am a good person who sometimes gets a ticket. (Or in this case, two). First ticket covered by 4 torturous, yet reforming hours of traffic school which transformed me...yes, into a born-again safe driver, if you will. However, on September-something a tragedy happened and I had another brush with a motocop (Why are they always motocops??? I don't even get full-sized vehicles...). I was given a ticket and today went to court with a wonderful and moving monologue prepared to defend my innocence...or at least assist the judge in deciding that I do not deserve what I was given. Well, to my dismay, said monologue will be tucked away for 4 more weeks because we have to subpoena the motocop to come and defend himself in this case....to be held November 12th. I want you all to know this: I went approximately 10 years with ZERO brushes of the law and have recently had...well...two tickets. (The Ensign incident doesn't count here). I would invite you all to pray for me and my cause. Specifically I invite you to pray at 10am (Arizona time, please) on November 12th. Pray that I will represent good people everywhere who miss a sign and get punished with a $260 ticket (which as it turns out, is the highest fine you can get until you accidently kill a person...or have to go into the courtroom). Pray that there will be justice and mercy (maybe slightly more mercy). Pray that the cop will not show because he's busy moto-bullying others out on the streets of my serene town. I will keep you posted on how your prayers and my time spent googling "How to fight a ticket" work out for my benefit.

Much Love,
Jules

Sore. Jacket. License.

1. Started Boot camp. No, I did not join the army...this is boot camp for women...where 70 crazy souls meet in a parking lot 3 times a week and do ridiculously difficult exercises. I am on day two. I had trouble walking down stairs after day one. I have high hopes that after the first week things will start feeling better. I have been exercising regularly so I didn't think it'd be this bad...but apparently many of my muscles were still sleeping. Now they are all VERY awake.

2. Cute little 6 yr old was freezing in my office the other day. His little legs and arms were splotchy purple and I offered him my denim jacket. He took it and put it on saying "It looks like a jacket from the 80's." My thoughts were: "WHATEVER...denim jackets are back in!" followed by "You're only 6...you weren't even alive in the 90's, let alone the 80's so you don't vote!" and then "Maybe he's right...maybe denim is not in" and then "I don't care, I'll wear it forever." He's a pretty darling kid...so the 80's comment was enough to keep me from loving seeing him all wrapped up in it with long-y sleeves...

3. Work is picking up in both agencies...feeling good about this...OH! OH!! The best news of all, I am officially an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)....which means very little to most of you, but means I spent the last two years jumping through MANY MANY MANY hoops to prove that I am worthy and able to be an independant therapist...free of supervision and...well, more hoops. It cost me about $800 and 2 years of hoop jumping and I'm very happy and proud to be done with that...hooray!

You Don't Say...

I love working with kids. SO much I love working with kids. Quote of the day from a darling 8-yr old girl:

Kiddo: My mom yells at us sometimes. Usually when we bug her when she's watching her Soap Poppers. She watches three: Guiding Light, As the World Turns, and the Young and the Wrestling.

I am very proud I did not laugh out loud...but soap poppers?!? the young and the WRESTLING....how very appropriate! So darling...cute, cute little wonder. Watch out moms...kids are sharing all your little secrets!

Jury Duty

Whelp Friends. Not what I thought. I was grateful to be given the number 5 and taken from the big, hot, stinky room to the little, cold, dark courtroom where 55 potential jurors would be whittled down to 12 to decide the verdict in a 4-day trial involving a young man from a local gang involved in a drive-by shooting. I was not chosen. (I've been told that mental health professionals rarely are). Neither was the guy who said "The way I feel right now, anyone who does these crimes should be FRIED!" (Big surprise he wasn't picked, huh?). It was an interesting day...full of a LOT of waiting, but less waiting for me than the bored jurors-to-be who sat a full 8 hours in the juror assembly room doing nothing. I am, however...grateful for the legal system. And the following paragraph on the superior court website aimed at providing help for distress post-jury service...you will find my favorite sentence in large red font. I'm pretty sure this online counseling was not approved by anyone licensed. However, I may write it down on index cards and start giving it to clients. I recommend printing it out, & taping it to your mirrors. Sounds like a cure-all to me?

"... it may be helpful to be aware of the symptoms if they arise. Some temporary signs of distress following jury duty include: anxiety, sleep or appetite changes, moodiness, physical problems (e.g. headaches, stomach aches, no energy, and the like), second guessing your verdict, feeling guilty, fear, trouble dealing with issues or topics related to the case, a desire to be by yourself, or decreased concentration or memory problems. Symptoms may come and go, but will eventually go away. Remember you are having normal responses to an unusual experience.

To help yourself, it is important to admit any symptoms you may have and deal with any unpleasant reactions."

summer time...

So...although Rigo is an amazing animal, I am not okay with him being the first thing you see when you hop on my blog. I found this picture on my cousin's blog and it made me smile...back in the day. If you look closely, you will notice that my dear little brother has the hose pointed almost directly into my eardrum. It looks intentional. But I'm still smiling...I think we were having a heck of a time...and my white tiger swimsuit...hot.

Rigoberto: Illustrious Warrior

Tonight as I walked out my front door and made my way towards my car I was jolted with an unexpected bump on my leg that was most surprising. Similar to the way it feels when a cat rubs up against your leg, except the motion was considerably more...vertical. I saw a dark shadow slink off to the front of the house and was thinking the culprit was either a cat or a very injured bird. Wrong. It was this very large creature. Frog, toad...I do not know.

I was late to meet my friend, but had to take time to go get my camera to capture him on film...because, are you KIDDING me?!?!? We're talking this guy is nearly the size of a dinner plate. I cannot even fathom how his tiny (in comparison) legs are capable of projecting his roundy body through the air. And I do not know why his bum is painted white. Seems maybe he stole some the paint off our house in the shuffle.

My roommate has seen him before so maybe he lives here. I will call him Rigoberto. Rigo for short. The name means illustrious warrior...and if nothing else, a frog can dream. And after all...he may just be...my prince? I'll probably not be kissing him anytime soon to find out...

Be Back Soon...

Oh Man!

This picture accurately displays what I remember about the incident. A flash of lights, a shiny cycle, a faceless man and a moment of ugliness.

Yes. I got a ticket. Did I deserve it? Possibly. It's just that I was late for girl's night and was on some dumb road too far away from where I was headed and...either way, I broke the law and must suffer the consequence. Which in this case means cough up $177 or $133 and 4 hours in a class for other felons like myself. (Okay, so I'm not a felon but it felt like it).

Not only did the Ensign NOT save me this time, I also had the bad fortune of not having my insurance card with me. SHEESH. Double bad.

And quite honestly, I may go to jail after someone catches me using this copyrighted photo. Here I'll give credit. It's from fotosearch.com. Or you can get it straight from google images like I did. See, no jail time required.

For the record. I have been pulled over only 4 times in my 14 years as a conscientous and safe driver. I received tickets only 2 of of those times. Neither ticket was for heinous crimes...just a smidge of speeding. I am obviously all about full disclosure here. Don't judge. Maybe you've never even been pulled over...but don't get a big head. Maybe you've killed more bugs or let a door crash behind you in front of a little grandma or something equally wicked. We all have our stuff.

On the bright side, once I got to girls night...it was a splendid success. 24 hours of nothing but fun...punctuated with me occassionally remembering and lamenting that I got a ticket. Luckily my girls night friend happens to be a therapist and was willing to let me process my crime and its consequences all through our time together. Therapists make the best of friends!

More later. Big things to tell you people. Just a hint...new job, new house, new ward...

Tagged by Anna-6 Random Things...

Alright Anna...never say never.

1. I, like Anna, am a regular flosser. Running out of floss is a major problem. I have decided I should call Glide (my favorite floss brand) and ask them to start making the last little bit of floss a different color, to indicate to the religious flosser that it's time to buy more. Nothing like running out with only 1.3 inches in your hand. That's the worst.
2. I won the big wheel race in preschool on the last day of school. I remember coming around the last curve on my Strawberry Shortcake machine 'o power and thinking something akin to "die suckers!" when I knew I was going to win. I have remained a little competetive since.
3. Foods I do not like: mushrooms (look like eels-sick texture), olives (fun to play with but not so great to eat), and cheesecake (again, a texture thing).
4. I love getting up early. I don't often go to bed early so sometimes getting up early is not so fun, but I love waking up and exercising and doing errands before most people are awake. Feels like I'm getting a head start...must be tied into my competetive nature.
5. I love water. I'm convinced Gilbert water is toxic and drink only store-bought water...but even still, I enjoy being well hydrated.
6. I wish I were an artist. I am not. My therapy kids laugh at even my stick figure drawings. I am practiced in only a few items...stars, palm trees, and turtles.

I love...

dipping apples in organic peanut butter. best treat ever.

that i have a green stuffed frog in my office as a legitimate "work implement"

having my hair played with

getting inspirational texts from Rufio, my life coach

"interpretive dance"-style swimming

good hugs

hearing "i love you" at the end of a phone call, except for when i accidentally say it to co-workers or AT&T customer service representatives...

the way kids talk

making a mistake and not getting in big trouble

when kids in therapy choose any game other than jenga. i'm pretty much burnt on on jenga. candyland burnout is not too far behind.

my new phone. yes, lindsay-you were right. it's amazing. thanks for being forceful with me.

sleeping in a big, warm bed (preferrably w/ flannel though this is now the "off-season"...)

having a week off of work to go home...missing a week of AZ heat in july-lucky!

the feeling i feel after having a great run

loving and being loved by amazing people

100+ Scorpions!!!

Well, without pomp and circumstance I will tell my faithful readers that we have survived 100+ scorpions. My good friend Tere is in town from PA and asked to scorpion hunt. She was braver than most and despite finding about 18 within the first 5 minutes, she stuck in there til the end. As did the ever-brave Natals whose black flipflop has sent many a scorpion to scorpion heaven...if there is such a thing.

In other news. This week was a crazy, busy, painful, interesting, yucky, confusing, exciting, and devastating week. I am happy to know this week is not ever happening again. Beyond happy. Estatic I dare say. Goodbye June 16-21, 2008. I will miss you ZERO.

The end.

Mexico-Part II: Massive Papercut

Don't let this man's rugged good looks fool you, he's a man and yet he's a mouse. While our trip to Mexico went without incident for the first 4.5 hours, it was in the hotel lobby that trouble reared its ugly head. In the form of a papercut. A massive papercut. Mom was checking us in, Lindsay had some paper that Rand BADLY needed to see (a map, a list of the amenities? Not sure what)...Lindsay's cat-like (Rufio or Maxx?) reflexes kicked in and in the shuffle, Rand came out the bleeding loser. Literally. As he said "Shut up! I just got a MASSIVE papercut!" I knew that statement alone would pretty much assure that he would be the most teased Blair for the duration of the trip. I do feel bad that he got cut...pretty deep and right under his fingernail. However, I think we all would agree that MASSIVE was just a titch strong of a word for the injury. We were all careful to use the word as often as possible throughout the week.

I'm having blogging ADHD. Mexico posting will be completed...later.

Mexico: Part I

Welp, I've been feeling guilty about not posting about Mexico yet. I'm tired and need to get to bed this very minute. So...Part I...Mexico is beautiful. Here is photo evidence:

Next, although yoga/tae kwon doe/crazy body movements may be relaxing, energizing and/or healthy for mind and soul...you need to know that what you do on the beach doesn't always stay on the beach. I don't know this man, but Lindsay and I felt...inspired by him. If you listen closely you can hear us laughing a little. Sometimes admiration comes out in the form of laughter. Or something. Wanted to share with you all. Just an added bonus for you all, my dear friends...

Better Every Year

As this first photo depicts, I may be 30 but I am obviously no worse for the wear...obviously.

I am 30. What does that mean? Well, I'm in a new age bracket for running...that is something. I figure if I keep this running thing up I'll be placing in my age group by about...55. So stick with me on this folks...

My birthday weekend was amazing...full of friends, my AZ families, ice cream, swimming, pure cane soda with twist off lids, fun presents, texts and phone calls.

Sunday was the real day...I was 100% narcoleptic in church and everyone was exceptionally gentle about this. Party that night with friends/AZ family that obviously included the eating of at least one scorpion and also some cake and ice cream. Natals EXCEEDED all expectations when she appeared with her balloon arch extraordinare (see photo). Also in this photo is Amsers, my SDOA (Slide Divers of America) teammate.

I missed all my family and friends in Utah and wished I could have had everyone all together but I am so grateful for what I do have here. I am loved and lucky and very happy.

Including a few photos...just for fun. Thanks to everyone for the fun...calls, texts, presents, coming to the party/ies and really just for being such amazing people. Love you all.

Better than Cake?

Today I turned 30. While many things happened, this video depicts what I feel most people will remember as the "take home message" of the birthday party. There were many delicious food choices available tonight (cake, ice cream, fruit, vegetables, etc). But for Mark, husband of my darling friend Cami...those simply would not do and he chose to impress the guests by eating a live scorpion. I had a feeling that things would take a dangerous turn when the men and boys asked to borrow the black light...so yeah. I pretty much lost all control of my own party but will go down for having maybe one of the coolest birthdays in history. Thanks Mark!

I had a great birthday weekend...more photos and stories to come.

To My Kool-Aid Mom

This is my cute mom. And this is a darling picture of her...on one of her recent trips...in tulip country...in Montana, Canada, or Oregon....where were you Mom and why do I keep forgetting? Well, no matter. It's darling and I have it on my desktop and I love it. It makes me miss home and Sunday nights with grilled cheese and a movie. I'm excited to see you in Mexico in just two weeks.

As Mother's Day is here I'm using blog time to tell you all that I love my mom. She is darling and thoughtful and thinks of the cutest, kindest things to do...from green pancakes for every St. Patrick's Day to red heart Valentine's pj pants on my mission (those were just barely retired Mom) and everything in between.

A few things you might need to know about her...
1-She has a darling dimple on her cheek below her right eye. My niece Ashley has inherited it also and I love it on both of them.
2-She is what you might call a "city girl" but has been known to use the term "muscle it" whenever she's been faced with physical feats...such as driving a 4-wheeler or pretty much anything that involves being out-of-doors with my father.
3-We had a lot of fun but don't think it was all fun and games, I suffered through miserable years of having to re-do jobs such as the bathroom or cleaning out the junk that took turns living in my closet or under my bed... don't worry, I am DANG good at getting even the little knobbies at the back of the toilet...and I know how to make the bathroom sparkle. I'll freely admit my bathroom is not always as clean as hers are...but I know how and take pride in my abilities. For that I'm grateful.
4-She loves surprises. She probably gets less sleep than most small children on Christmas Eve.
5-She is loved by lots of people...including me.

Happy Mother's day to you mom...also to the many people in my life whose mothering affects my life as well as the lives of many others. I love you all...

American River Parkway Half Marathon

13.1 miles is far. I already knew this but yesterday I knew for sure. It was a great day. The weather was perfect, the course was through beautiful green trees. (I got teased for saying that Sacramento was full of "Big tall short little bushy trees" and while my words were scrambled...I was merely saying that they are so different than palms and I appreciated them). I especially enjoyed the banjo band around mile 4 and the curious band of senior citizens dressed in green and white who were assembled to play for us as we passed mile 8. I wanted to slow down long enough to talk to leader of their shindig. They were darling.

While the day was almost perfect, there was a glitch, which in this case means a big problem. We discovered about 2 minutes before the race started that running was prohibited. Yeah, so I registered for the walkers half thinking I'd run part and walk part...but apparently that was foolish thinking. Walkers are serious about walking and discriminate against those who run. Lis (who was registered to run but decided to come with me after having knee trouble and warnings from the physical therapist) and I figured we'd get a few miles in and run anyway. Yeah, that didn't work so well. I laughed when I heard the ladies behind us scream "WALK LADIES, WALK!!!!" I could hear them even over my music and it was both disturbing and comical. So in all we ran less than one of our 13.1 miles and were both really disappointed. I did over 120 miles of running to train...and didn't plan to be not running at all but whatever. It probably won't be my last half-marathon.

Around mile 10 I started feeling done with the idea of it all and I later warned Lisa that I was tempted to punch the cheery girl at the water station near mile-marker 12 when I heard her high-pitched enthusiastic squeals aimed in my direction. But instead of violence I nicely took the dixie cup o' Gatorade from her little hand and said "Not more excited that I am" when she said "I'm like, so excited that you are almost done!"

We finished in just over three hours which put us 65th out of 394. I'll take it. For the first (and maybe last) time ever, my name was on the FIRST PAGE of race results. Maybe I should ditch running and become a professional walker. I may have some real potential. Never. I'd rather be a slow runner. Forever. I just have to try not to think about the fact that some runners can complete a FULL marathon in the time it took me to do a half. I will get that thought right out. Let's be honest, some Kenyans could complete a marathon in the time it might take me to chug through a 10k. Whatever. They're from Kenya. It's not my fault I'm from Kaysville.

I'm grateful for the experience. It was a nice weekend. I slept every time I sat down (even before the race) and I'm pretty sure Chandra's parents wondered about their daughter's new narcoleptic friend. Not sure why the severe sleepiness but I'm hoping a good 9 hours tonight will get me back on track and ready for the real world ahead. Thanks Lis for loving me even during miles 9-13.1. I'm sure you could have found a nicer exercise buddy for those miles but I'm glad you stuck with me.

It was a good trip and I'm beat. I'm taking a few days off and then will get back to training...my next goal is to complete a 10k race with a decent time.

Photo 1: Hazel, Me, Lisa, Chandra. Hazel and Chandra did the 5k and had a good time. They were nice enough to take us early and wait for us after their race.

Photo 2: My race number and finisher's medal.

Photo 3: Lis post-race chilling (literally, ha!) with frozen hash browns which apparently are just as nice as ice.

Photo 4: Lisa and I. Note the "I love Mom" shirt. Yes, do I own 5 dry-fit shirts? Yeah. Do I use them, Nah. My $1.34 shirt(s) (I have 6) from Old Navy is tried and true. I don't even care about the random people who make smarty pants comments.

The Half is Here!

Alright folks. This race is really happening. In 3 days. My bags are packed, I've managed to keep all joints, limbs, and muscles in good working order (though I DID almost disqualify myself from this event by falling off a curb during a very exciting conversation while walking with my darling friend Cami two weeks ago...luckily my quick reflexes (or divine intervention) saved me from any kind of ankle damage).

Now I have to not get paranoid. Tonight I packed every thing I will possibly need on race day in my carry on (just in case of lost luggage)...who cares if I have to wear sweaty shorts for the 2 days after, so long as I am happy on race day, all is well. I'm even tempted to wear my running shoes on the plane, just to make CERTAIN nothing happens to them....but that seems a bit extreme. I wonder if it's normal to be this paranoid. I have been exceedingly careful this week with my body...to avoid random meteors, falling palm branches, anything that could jeopardize my ability to participate in this dang race. Truth be told, the only injury I've sustained in the past 4 months involved laughing too hard with Areta last weekend while stretching to reach the gum I'd dropped in the car-which resulted in a strained muscle in my back for about 2 hours. All better now.

I'm excited. Nervous. Thankful. It will be an amazing experience...whether we are fast or slow...the company will be excellent, the scenery beautiful, and I will be grateful to be having the chance to do something that once seemed impossible.

150 in 11

So...this morning I completed my goal of 150 miles in 12 weeks...1 week ahead of schedule. :) I'm ready for the 1/2 marathon a week from Saturday. I'm so excited. I've got my shoes all figured out, have found some great double-layer anti-blister socks (WrightSocks) and have made friends with body glide. It's a great life.

No Nalgenes?!?!? NO!!!

Friends, this is a dark day for me. I just read an article that Nalgene is taking away a bit of my heart in the form of its polycarbonate water bottles that may have been predisposing me to cancer now for the 6+ years I've been best friends with them.

This surely is a joke. A late April Fool's trick? Right? Sigh. I've been through all the stages of grief in the last 5 minutes: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. I'm a quick healer. I've decided that the good news is that I have a good reason to stock up on BRAND new non-cancer BPA-free water bottles. This could be a good thing. But will I really throw my old ones away? Do I really have to stop using them? Because cell phones, microwaves, fluoride and the slew of burnt things I've consumed in my life might have already gotten me, right?

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/cancer/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100200558&GT1=31025

cRazY!

I love my job. Most of the time. There are days when I come home and when my roommates ask about my day I say "Well, today I am tired of dealing with the severely mentally ill." Please note the word SEVERELY. In all fairness I need you to know I'm talking about 2% of the people with whom I work. I have a great love and respect for my clients, their struggles and their strength. I am not tired of the kids ever. Sometimes tired of clients that tell me about the T-Rex and all of its capabilities, cat CPR and other bold animal rescues/deaths and/or funeral services, but even that is at least interesting. But today tired of people whose difficult life circumstances render them almost incapable of authentic and normal human communication. I feel bad for them. But sometimes I just feel bad for myself that I have to deal with them. To cheer myself up, sometimes these lyrics play in my head and make everything better. I used to tell my friend Tere that I was going to pipe them over the intercom at our job. Just pretending I would one day do it made a lot of days survivable...here are the lyrics...and if you get really serious about this, go watch the video. It's even done in inkblots. That smart Gnarls. He's something else...

I remember when, I remember, I remember when I lost my mind.
There was something so pleasant about that place. Even your emotions had an echo.
In so much space. And when you're out there, Without care,Yeah, I was out of touch.
But it wasn't because I didn't know enough. I just knew too much.
Does that make me crazy? Does that make me crazy? Does that make me crazy? Possibly.

And I hope that you are having the time of your life. But think twice, that's my only advice.
Come on now, who do you, who do you, who do you, who do you think you are?
Ha ha ha bless your soul, You really think you're in control?
Well, I think you're crazy, I think you're crazy, I think you're crazy, Just like me?

My heroes had the heart to lose their lives out on a limb. And all I remember is thinking, I want to be like them. Ever since I was little, ever since I was little it looked like fun. And it's no coincidence I've come.
And I can die when I'm done. Maybe I'm crazy. Maybe you're crazy. Maybe we're crazy. Possibly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd2B6SjMh_w

Friendly Officer

Last night I was driving home after a long walk/talk with a very good friend. I had quite a lot on my mind following the conversation that had just occured. As I was driving I noticed I was being followed by a police car. I thought "Am/was I speeding?" "Have I done something illegal?" followed by "Did he just see me texting?" (Yes, I may have sent a little baby text. And I guess I did not fully complete this baby text while completely stopped. Judge not.)

So on come the lights and they swirl through the air as my heart starts pumping faster than it has on any of my recent runs. I find a safe place to pull over. Mr. Officer walks up with a flashlight, asks how I'm doing and if I know why he's pulling me over. He asks me if I've had anything to drink and I laugh as I say "No, sir." All the while I'm frantically pulling stuff out of my glove box looking for insurance/registration. He then asks me if I've been reading, which I thought was a weird question. Then he shines the light on the magazine that just popped out of my glove box and says "What is that?" I flip it over and before I can say anything he smiles and says "Oh...the Ensign. So I guess you weren't drinking." He's back in a flash with everything and announces "No ticket. But no more reading the Ensign as you drive okay?"

Saved by the Ensign.

Seven Things...

Anna, here you go...as promised...7 things about me that people may or may not know.

1. I've always wanted to pull a fire alarm. Lindsay actually did this in 3rd grade and I've always been jealous. Now that I'm not in 3rd grade I don't think I'd get away with it.

2. My first kiss was under a desk in 4th grade.

3. I race unsuspecting people. Let me explain. I'll see a person who looks like they're headed to the same place I am...to the door of a building, up the stairs, etc. I make a point to see if I can beat them. My friend Megan once expressed that she felt it wasn't fair that I was racing people who didn't know they were racing me. I told her it IS fair because I always give them the headstart. What these innocent "racers" don't know is that I get ticked off if they beat me (though it rarely happens). Megan asked me, "please at least tell me when we're racing." Mogeets, I promise to do so. But the rest of the world, watch out!

4. I am pretty much opposed to catch and relase fishing and hunting for the sport of it. If you need to eat the animal fine...no problem. But come on, ripping a fish out of the water by his lips again and again...ridiculous. There's a nearby lake full of traumatized fish. I wonder how manly these men feel being able to catch a fish in a lake FULL of gimpy fish. DUH-you're GONNA catch one!

5. I speak 4 languages. English, Spanish, "Ithig," and one that my parents invented on a road trip wherein my name would be Jibulibe. (Mom, what's it called?) I'll admit that the last two are not considered "real."

6. I almost missed the deadline for mailing grad school applications for several schools because I was riding a unicycle. Or attempting to.

7. I love old, hard cinnamon bears. Sher gives them to me for my birthday in a bag that's been opened for months...just growing harder by minute. She loves me. ;)

horrible hunting

I try to keep the scorpion talk to a minimum. But it's just that tonight we found 15, which is 20% of all that we've found in all the time we've lived here...so kind of a big deal. Our friend Ammon brought over a really great black light and we decided to go looking for them. We found one (dead) inside within the first minute...and from there found a total of 15 (with the majority being outside on the stucco wall). This big guy to the left...was HUGE...the picture for sure does not do him justice, but his torso was about the circumference of my pointer finger...we're not talking a little flat baby scorpion. ENORMOUS. And the worst news is, he's one that got away. The others we managed to kill. Sigh. I had big plans to have my favorite AZ "nieces and nephew" (the family that I have come to love as my own) over for movie night OUTSIDE this weekend...complete with projector and everything...but I don't think I can feel good about it now knowing the backyard is TEEMING with dangerous insects. And scorpion stings are even more dangerous for the wee ones...dang. I'll have to plan something else for the little wonders...

the best day...

i had pretty much the best day. i needed a break from work and spent it with one of my favorite friends...from 8:15 am (okay 8:17, I did arrive late...) until about 11:15 pm, it was non-stop talking, laughing, playing fun. she was prepared with grapefruit, pineapple and strawberries dipped in chocolate for breakfast...got to spend quality nerf time with her darling son, she cut my hair, we had good talking time, ate lunch at applebees, shopped and found great beads at michaels for bracelets, picked up the cute kids and played after school, made preparations for garage sale for tomorrow, ate excellent the excellent dinner she prepared, more garage sale prep, followed by more talking and laughing...ended with s'mores and lava cake. pretty close to as perfect a day as possible. i'm so grateful for days like today where everything feels just exactly right. so grateful to know and love this darling friend and her family...they have become such an important part of my life, an extension of my family. i'm a lucky kid.

camping!

This past weekend a bunch of us went camping...had a great time...until it was time for sleeping. I've decided camping must be like having a baby...you look forward to it for a long time and make all the preparations. You have a lot of people who are also excited...and it all starts out really fun and exciting. But when it comes right down to it...there are many miserable hours of pain (freezing for camping, labor for pregnancy) that make you think "I will NEVER, NEVER do this again." And after the worst of it is over, you start to relax and then you start feeling better...and within not long at all you think "That wasn't so bad...just that little part in the middle was rough but I'm ready to go camping again" (or have a baby). Those of you mothers out there are probably shooting eye darts at me for comparing being cold to having a baby...listen, I'm just saying...it could be KIND OF similar. A little.

Now...note the picture to the right. You will see two white objects.
They are marshmallows. Yes, both of them. The one to the left is a
small mini marshmallow you use for...well, rice crispy treats or something. The MEGAmallow to the right is from Mexico and is about the size of three jet-puffed mallows. I do now know why Mexico has created such a large marshmallow. It did make for some fun rounds of "chubby bunny" (with the winner being able to shove three of these suckers in the mouth). I tried roasting one. It took about 7 minutes longer than I had patience for and created about 17 minutes of mess to clean up after attempting to make a s'more out of it. Still, it was fun.

The photos below are proof that staying up late+sugar+1 hour of sleep=fun pictures at 5am. :)

Quote of the Week: (from a 7 yr old)


"I had a bad case of the chicken pops."


Yeah, I hate the chicken pops, they're the WORST! (Seriously, so cute...)


So, it's 11:31pm and I'm getting up in 6 hours to run...because I'm 4 miles behind where I should be because my nikeplus/ipod gear malfunctioned halfway through my 10k yesterday and I got NO credit for my run...which causes me great consternation. To my greater dismay, when I called nikeplus to to see if the run could be recovered and to troubleshoot (if this happens in the half-marathon...I will NOT be a happy kid)...the man with whom I spoke actually had the audacity to say "Oh unfortunately, we are just like twins because that happened to me too." Dear Customer Service David, you live in different state than I do, work at NikePlus customer service and we have quite possibly NOTHING in common, so NO...we are NOT "just like twins!!!!!" So please don't use your little catchphrase customer service lines on me ever again, got it?


Phew. Did that come out sounding harsh?

Update...

Today I ran my 100th mile with Nike+. I bought it in January and am such a fan. If you run...you need to have one.

I set a goal to run 150 miles in 12 weeks prior to my 1/2 marathon May 3rd. I'm currently 5.6 miles ahead of where I should be, having run 84.6 miles since setting the goal. Feeling pretty good...

They're back. Number 63.

Well, our pest control people told us that scorpions start coming around after it hits 85 degrees. Sure enough...a few days ago we were there and today Nat found our 63rd. It's seriously getting old. From now until November, every little string, hair, or moment of breezy air on my bare feet makes me crazy in thinking I'm about to be stung (killed) by a scorpion. We may be moving out though...so we'll see.

Next, this has nothing to do with scorpions, but just a request for my readers who frequent the gym. A little treadmill rule...when there are TWENTY-SIX treadmills, NEVER jump on one directly next to an exerciser already in progress when there are TWENTY-FIVE others UNOCCUPIED. I feel strongly about this. Let's use the "every other one" rule...like men at the movies...no need to be cramped at the gym. This week I found an "out of order" sign on a treadmill and felt very tempted to steal it and make a copy so I could put them on the machines on each side of mine in hopes of avoiding such moments. For the love people.

Other than that, life is good. I'm more than halfway to my goal of 150 miles in 12 weeks...the 1/2 marathon is in 6 weeks...my left foot seems to be back to normal and my bellybutton is healing up.

Happy St. Patricks Day and stuff...

Today has been a great day so far. I have the day off (due to attending a conference Saturday, that I must admit was a huge disappointment beginning with the fact that the keynote speaker chanted/yodeled for a full 30 minutes. Seven minutes into it I got out some paper to do the math and figured out I was paying her $13.70 an hour to yodel at me-not okay. From there things didn't get much better).

Anyway...where was I? Yes, a great day. I got 6 miles in at the gym where I was amused by a cute little elderly woman wearing the greenest pants ever created. Then got laundry and other work done. I'm about to finish up the laundry and will head out with my cute surrogate family to go to a drive-in movie as the kids are on spring break. I think we're seeing "Horton Hears a Who" and something else. Can't wait.

I enjoy not working on a weekday. Shopping is nice and calm, the gym wasn't crowded... and to top it off...I received a visit from a group of 8 pre-adolescent girls who were going door-to-door in effort to sell the lotion they had "made." Further investigation let me to understand that they'd "made" it by "mixing a bunch of lotions together" (and I'm gonna guess some water too as the lotion was the consistency of...well, water). Although their product was ridiculous, it was well priced .50 for a small bottle, $1.00 for the large...they had a jingle that they all sang together and they also did very well at answering my "What are you planning on doing with the money you earn" question. Apparently they are saving it for college and charity. I almost laughed out loud. At least someone has coached them on what to say. I scrounged up a few bucks and told them to keep the lotion and have a fun day. An hour ago I saw them out in the park behind my house enjoying a picnic. I have a sneaking suspicion that my $3.00 may have gone towards the candy and not college or charity, but I'm okay with that. I'm a supporter of kids being kids and also enjoyed the shrill screams and celebrating I heard after I closed the door.

New Hair.

So Sher kindly let me know I'm in trouble for my lack of blogging. I should remind her that I was faithfully blogging when no one else (including her) was. I know, I know...I should cut her some slack, what with having twins and all...but still.

So Pally, here's my post. And my new hair. As promised. This was the best picture of my hair I could get without asking someone to take the picture... New cut, new highlights. And the bling necklace, I made it. For reals. (Okay, Areta, you get credit for the necklace (she showed me how) and the hair...thanks, you're the best!)

New Shoes

There is really something so exhilarating about new shoes. Quite honestly...this only applies if they are shoes in which you will be enjoying life-outside. Translation: strappy, stiletto, trendy, sexy, dangerous shoes-you do not win my vote, you do not make my life happy, you only make me miserable and sad. Asics, Merrill, Keen, Teva and the like...yes, you are in...I choose you.

When I was little I heard a fairy tale about kids who needed new shoes and fell asleep and some elves worked feverishly through the night to make them new shoes that they happily discovered at their bedside in the morning. I will not lie, I prayed and "wished on stars" for new shoes quite often as a kid. I often begged to wear new shoes home from the store, right Mom? And we both agree that in our next life, you will let me. Just kidding Mom, I KNOW they were for school.

Anyway. My dad was in town tonight for a visit and he (and mom) are responsible for the purchase of these new Asics...my, uh...Valentine's Shoes. They are pretty much the exact shoe I bought last...loved them so much...going back for round 2. They are different however, in that they are the shoes with which I will train and complete a Half-Marathon in May. I have done many 5k races...never anything longer. I am excited for the challenge. I have 12 weeks to train-plan on running/walking 150 miles between now and May. Did 8.24 miles this past Saturday. Sunday my body reminded me 8 miles was a new distance for me. Will be back for more tomorrow... with my long walks/runs planned for Saturdays with whomever I can trick into 2+ hours of fun.

I love new shoes. These Asics and I are going places. To you little elves- sleep on; Mom and Dad have got you covered tonight.

New Friends

You know the feeling you get when you start to make friends with someone new? Someone you think is just fun...someone you know you will laugh with and talk to and someone who will make your life better, even if just for a few minutes at a time at school or work? I love that feeling. It feels like 3rd grade. Being the new kid and meeting tall, sassy Danielle and realizing she could make me laugh HARD. I'm grateful for this feeling. Even more grateful for years down the road when the excitement has long since transformed to a calm, steady and peaceful assurance; and you recognize that some of these friends...have become your friends for life.

Animal Catastrophe

I love my job. More specifically, I love that my job involves working with children. And working with children involves hearing some pretty amazing things.

For instance...here are few snippets of recent sessions:
6 yr old girl: Oh, something very bad happened. Mrs. Smith, my teacher, her pare..t died. (Little girl says word that sounds like a cross between parent and parrot).
Me: Her parrot or her parent?
6 yr old girl: Her pare..t. (Exactly as she said it the first time, offering no help to me).
Me: A person or an animal?
6 yr old girl: An animal.
Me: Got it...keep going...
6 yr old girl: Well, my teacher, her parrot was trying to lay an egg but it got stuck and they put a warm blanket on it but couldn't find a vet and so it died. But my teacher will always be in my heart.
Me: (thinking, wait, did your teacher or the bird die and your teacher will or the bird will be in your heart, huh?) "She will? How come?"
6 yr old girl: cuz she tells me I'm smart and I know I'm smart 'cuz I can spell pretty much every word except immigration. That one I can't.
Me: You are very smart, your teacher is right.


Then today, with a 10 yr old girl who told me about all her animals who have perished and others who are still living. She didn't allow for me to talk...so I'm just providing my thoughts...
10: "I call my cat diabetic because she's so skinny."
My thought: "Do you mean anorexic?"
10: But Diabetic is girlfriend of my black cat, i know, black cat bad luck... but they are boyfriend and girlfriend. But the black cat is spayed so that won't really work out for them...and on Valentine's day she'll be so mad. But at least they can be friends.
My thought: no thoughts...just laughing

continuing...
10: and another time I accidentally almost killed my fish when I was playing and I crashed the fish tank and the water all spilled out and I saw my fish and scooped her up and ran to put her in a bottle. And she was shaken up but she lived.
Me: How did you crash the water tank?
10: Oh, I was juggling.
My thought: Of course, and why wouldn't you have been? Kind of like the time I almost missed the deadline to turn in a grad school application due to riding a unicycle in my house. (True story).

Bottom line. I love kids. I'll take 'em sad...I'll take 'em happy...I love their crazy stories and pretty much everything about them...

Spirit of the 5k

A 5k is considerably shorter than a marathon. About 23.1 miles shorter. Which is right about perfect for me. Today I ran my 11th race. Much to my dismay my odd-even-odd-even race number pattern was shattered. Another even this time...204. Dang. Anyway...it was good and cold. I am not as fast as I want...NEED to be. But I'm working at it. Work on my speed...distance...eventually move up to a 10k. This is the plan. Thanks for going with me, Natals...the speedy. I think she was out of sight within the first 100 yards...good job kid!

In other news, my luggage made it safely home. I'm sure you've all been worried.