horror of horrors!

I'm turning into my mother!!

I was afraid this day would come.

I'm in the Atlanta airport. And I was going down the escalator when I saw this awesome backpack this woman was carrying. All those pockets! All that organization!! Did it have a laptop sleeve???

So I leaned over "excuse me. Excuse me. Do you mind me asking if your pack has a laptop sleeve? I was admiring all the pockets. It looks great and mine just doesn't seem to accommodate everything!"

And then we had a whole conversation about how laptop packs are SO much better than bags, better for your back, can carry so much more, etc... all the way to the bottom of the escalator. I usually don't talk much to strangers. (I know. Hard to believe - but true!)

I think I'll have to check into one of those bags!

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FB warm and fuzzies

When I posted on FB we had lost Nikki I was surprised by some who offered their condolences. I didn't realize they 1) read my status updates 2) cared enough to comment on my posts 3) make a reference that they had been keeping up with me via my posts. And I don't mean in a creepy way.

Case in point - I'm friends on FB with a girl I rowed with in college. We rowed together for 3or 4 years. Long time, right? But we never hung out in the same crowd so I'm sorry to say that I really never got to know her well. I knew she was a nice person and I thought her major rocked! (Well, the one she had for the first few years of school- construction management. I thought it was cool a girl choose that.) She commented on my post about Nikki something like "I'm so sorry to hear that you lost her. Especially after just having lost your other dog so recently."

I was shocked! That was so sweet. And thoughtful. And amazing that she remembered. If any of you guys reading this blog said the same thing it was would also be sweet and thoughtful but we "talk" on a regular basis and you all probably know this info like the back of your hand. She only knows it through reading and keeping up with my status up dates on FB.

This made me think. I'm a stalker kind of FB friend. I read posts but only comment on select people. Not all are close friends. Some are people I haven't seen in ages. But they're ones I don't think would be weirded out with me commenting. You know - they post something benign about a football game or food and I make a comment back. Very un-stalker like behavior. If I don't really know you (or haven't seen you in ages) I probably will not be commenting on photos of your kids. Or your husband/ boyfriend.

(Unless you're gay. And then I'm allowed to stare and drool. I jokingly do this with a guy from high school. He has the most rockin' body now that I've ever seen and his boyfriend - and other friends- are the hottests things to hit Ft. Lauderdale since hurricane..... I don't know. I'm so flustered just thinking about it I can't remeber their last big one.)

But I wish I had known some people were watching me more closely (again, not in a stalker kind of way) because I would have loved to have commented on Rower's FB when she had her first child and when she posts the most adorable pictures of her in teenie Clemson onesies.

Perhaps I'll start commenting on the Clemson onesies.

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Many a conversation

Last night I realized how many conversations I have with the hubby that start with "you'll never believe what your wife did this time..."  If only I had a nickle for every cringe...

Even though KVeg has literally been working 70 hour weeks for the past, oh several months, she graciously went and had dinner (and dessert!!) with me so I didn't have to go home to an empty house last night.  The hubby is at the largest rowing regatta in the US this weekend and I have no dog to hurry home to.  And as it turned out, the cats could give two rats' asses that I even exist at this moment.

We went to this great Thai restaurant.  You know, the kind that looks like a hole in the wall but it's where all the natives go.  It's on the main drag in town.  Or I suppose you could say "city" because it's not in the suburbs.  It's the "City".  Lots of businesses, restaurants, etc.  But certain parts of it may or may not get a little dicey after dark.  Just stick to the lighted areas and you should be ok.

We were leaving the restaurant around 7:30 - definitely dark outside - to drive to a place to get dessert.  As we were walking out to the parking lot I was telling KVeg that I had lost quite a bit of weight running and unfortunately was going to need some new pants. (unfortunately cuz y'all know how I hate to shop!)  To demonstrate said weight loss I unbuckled my belt, stuck my thumb in my pants and pulled them out to show the gap - just as a car was pulling in the parking lot - shining their headlights right on me! 

What did I do? 

I panicked. 

I suddenly felt guilty (I don't know why) and scrambled to rebuckle my belt.  As I was doing this it occurred to me that I looked like someone doing something very lewd in a dark parking lot in a not-so-nice part of town. 

What was KVeg doing this whole time?  Laughing at me. 

Later that night when the hubby called I started out the conversation with "You're not going to believe what your wife did this time...."

*tear*

It's not a good time to be a furry friend in our house.

About a month ago Nicole Joan (aka Nikki; aka, Radar; aka Sweet Pea; aka Granny Panties; aka... you get the idea..) had a slew of issues in one week that we later found out amounted to a mini-stroke.  Apparently the blood clot dissolved on its own.

Good news, right?!

Well, in the three weeks since she first appeared to get better.  At least better than she'd been that first terrifying week.  But everything was different.  We now had to make and feed her a special diet (rice and either browned ground beef or chicken).  We had to figure inventive ways to give her the meds she used to take with no issues.  This eventually turned into putting the meds into a cocktail weenie and shoving down her throat.  She hated it.  I hated it even more.  I would think it's like doing something similar to a baby.  It makes them cry (or worse), you hate doing it but you know it's going to make them better. But they don't understand. The worse part of the medication routine was that it wasn't just a series of antibiotics or something.  This was going to be our new "regular" routine.

Last week the hubby was out of town for work.  I took the cats in for a routine check up.  Jax, FIV+ kitty, had a severely abscessed tooth.  Four teeth needed to be removed.  I decided to do it ASAP because I figured he was in a lot of pain.  That was a mistake for me.  I was a little over my head in trying to take care of everyone on my own.  I admit - there was a lot of frustration, sadness and tears.  It's very upsetting to see your beloved doggie decline before your eyes, refuse to take her medication, and have to force feed it to her.  All the while try to medicate a cat by sneaking it in soft food while trying to keep the other cats out of it (and the dog).  Of course I started putting the dog meds in soft cat food so that helped a little but there was still one pill that she refused to take in any form.  So I still had to wrestle with her twice a day.  Very sad indeed.

All the changes in Nikki appeared to be neurologically related to her stroke.  She had marked weakness in her back end and looked to be in considerably more pain.  She had also developed GI issues that stemmed from her brain not communicating with the rest of her body.  This all in addition to the regular old aches and pains of almost being 15.  It was clear she had no quality of life. 

I really hate having to make these kinds of decisions.  Why don't animals just die on their own anymore???  Why couldn't we have woken up one morning to a dog that had peacefully died in her sleep?  Not only is it heart wrenching but the fact that we JUST went through this three months ago was almost unbearable.  And just a little over a year ago we had to make the same decision for our Cabby cat!  Ugh!! 

Since we obviously have had old dogs for a while (so it's no surprise that we are now dog-less) people have asked if we're going to get a new dog.  I say no.  At least not for another 10 - 15 years.  I just can't do it.  I know people will tell you to get another dog soon.  But I can't.  I just can't do it.

I apologize for such a "downer" post.  But this past month has been quite the emotional roller coaster.  Frankly the past few months has been a doggie emotional roller coaster.  I needed to do a little emotional cleansing.  Thanks for listening.

hmmm... I was afraid you'd say that

The half marathon is done.  The medals put away.  The gross, smelly clothes washed. 

But we're still planning on running!  The next event is a 10K turkey trot on - get this - THANKSGIVING!!!  But, as you saw in my previous post, my toes are not feelin' the love.  At all.  So I headed off to my local Fleet Feet to get some info. 

Side Note:  If you're going to run ALWAYS go to your local Fleet Feet!  If you don't have one at least go to your local "real" running store and get fitted for the appropriate running shoe.  DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT just go to Kohl's and buy what's on sale.  You'll regret it.  I promise.

I always go to FF because they measure and scan and watch your stride a bazillion ways to see what shoe is best for you.  And if you're not happy then they'll fix it.  Case in point.  About a month ago when we really started to increase mileage I started getting some of the toe blisters.  I'd had that particular pair of shoes for over a year and they'd been working for lower mileage so I just got the same pair a half size bigger.  You saw my toes after the HM.  I think it's safe to say these "new" shoes aren't working either.

I went to FF today, gave them an up close and personal review of my (toe) issue and got refit.  Gave them back the offending shoes, paid $10 (difference in price) and walked out with a new pair of better fitting shoes.  I should mention that I've been buying running shoes there for the past 7 years and this is the first time I've had to swap out shoes.  But it's nice to know they'll do it.  And I also got some advice on how to take care of my toes until they heal.  Nice bonus....

But here's the rub (pun intended).  I've lost a bit of weight since starting to run.  ANd y'all know I'm cheap and I HATE clothes shopping.  I went over to FF at lunch in chinos and a t-shirt (and requisite cardigan).  I rolled up my pant legs so he could  measure my feet, fit me with the shoes, etc.  Once the shoes were on he asked me to step over to the track and give them a jog so he could see my stride and I could get a feel for them.  (they literally have a stretch of rubber track in the store)  As I started running away from him I realized what a bad decision this was.

1. my pants were literally falling off
2. my boobies were jiggling around inside my bra

Suffice it to say I need to buy new pants and bras.... And it was even more embarrassing to run towards him....

Now all I have to do is make it through the next few weeks at trade shows in pumps and hope my toes can hold up.  If not then I suppose I'll have to sacrifice some toenails....  ugh!

woo hoo!!!

We did it!  We came, we ran and we didn't puke!  I consider that a victory!!

The hubby just had to finish to set a baseline time since he'd never run a half marathon before.  I PR'd by 24 minutes. Um, that's A LOT!!  That just goes to show how unprepared I was for my first HM.  Not to dis my friend I ran it with!! (apologies for ending with a preposition...)  She was in LA and we just met up in Phoenix to run it.  So I was left to train by myself, in Syracuse, in the winter.  Have I mentioned that Syracuse is one of the top 10 cities with the most snowfall in the US?  You can see why I was having such a hard time staying motivated to train...

This time the hubby and I trained together, in the fall.  And did I mention we're both very competitive??  So it's no surprise that it turned out much for me than me than I expected.

My goal, first and foremost, was to PR.  But since that was just running better 13.1 miles faster than a 2:37:07, which is a 11min, 59 second mile, I had no doubt I could beat that - blow it out of the water.  We had been sticking to our training scheduloe and been doing a great job! My big goal was to run a 10:30 min/ mile.  Which would be a finish time of 2:17:39.

Well, since the hubby and I are so competitive we stayed together the WHOLE race.  And we both ended up running faster than we would have if on our own.  We ended up finishing in 2:13!!  He finished in 2:13:13.  I finished 14 seconds behind him!!!  arg!!!!  But that's ok.  We still averaged a 10:11 min mile!!  MUCH better than I expected!!!!

But there were definitely some casualties... (you can understand why I didn't post this to FB....)  I'm pretty certain I'm going to loose some nails.  Worse - I have two trade shows back-to-back coming up where I have to wear pumps!  Ouch!!! 

But the hubby did post other great pics to FB!!

The hubby's set the bar really high to set a PR on his second HM....  I hope he knows what he's gotten himself into...

the big day is here!

Tomorrow is the half marathon! Weather reports range from anything from cold, rainy with wind gusts of 25 mph to cool, and partly sunny. I prefer the latter...

The hubby and I go pick up our race packets today. Of course we'll lay out all our stuff tonight so there will be no panicking in the morning. It's nice that the race is local so we won't have to leave the house until about 6:30 or 6:45!

When I ran I Phoenix amost 2 years ago I think we had to leave the hotel around 5 to get across town (via public transport.), drop our stuff and get situated among the 25,000 people running the half marathon!! (And to get around the 20,000 or so people running the full marathon!) I think there are about 2,000 people running this half and full in total.

So wish us luck!

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almost time

The big race is days away and it couldn't be further from my mind. The hubby is out of town all week and I've been dealing with some serious animal issues - by myself. (I don't know how parents do it, let alone single parents!)

For the past few weeks it's been like having a newborn. Up in the middle of the night. (On a regular basis) sometimes doing laundry in the middle of the night. (But I'm pretty sure that stage has passed. Whew!) A while there we couldn't leave Nikki (dog) unsupervised. At all. Had to call a friend to come sit with her a few hours once.

This week I've had cats at the vet for check ups that turned into a cat needing surgery. As a matter of fact - he's sitting here cuddled up to me still groggy.

And Nikki is getting noticably senile. Ever since her mini stroke about three weeks ago she's definitely not been the same. So this week has been tough especially since the hubby's been out of town. It's hard to focus on a race when so much else is going on. (Did I mention work is exceptionally busy too??)

Right now I just want the pressure of "training for a race" over with. Because the next few weeks are still going to be hell. The hubby will be gone again the following week to Boston for a huge regatta so big he'll be gone way more than just Saturday and Sunday. Then I leave Monday for the week, come home for the weekend and leave again for over a week. By the time Thanksgiving rolls around things should have settled down a bit.

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a week to go

Well, next Sunday we will be running this half marathon. And what was I having for a dinner a week before the HM? Bacon and a gin & tonic. I know what you're thinking - you didn't know alcohol fuels bodies too? (You know, like a bunsen burner)

Two weeks ago our long run was 12 miles. It was cool and rainy and I did great. Yesterday our long run was 8 miles (we're technically in a taper) and I did crappy. Did I mention it was HOT?!?!?! What is it doing almost 80 degrees in central NY in October??? Average temps this time of year are low to mid 60's. You can see my concern. The run yesterday was compounded by us waiting until almost noon to do the run. Why? Because the overnight temps had been in the LOW 30's!!! Go figure... welcome to CNY....

Needless to say I'm a bit concerned about the race. There's nothing worse than breaking your confidence than having a bad long run right before your race. I'm not concerned that I won't finish. But I've been really training and really improvong my pace. I mean REALLY improving my pace. And I want my finish time to reflect that. And of course I'm competitive so I'd like to either beat the hubby or at least finish respectably close to him. Not minutes and minutes behind!

The good news is the forecast is showing (for now) the day of the race to be cool and possible showers. Which, apparently, is when I do my best running. So I'll take it!

(Oh - and no more gin & tonics or bacon until after the HM. In my defense I've been eating exceedingly healthy the past few months. And have lost 15 pounds to prove it!)

Btw - guess where I'm writing this post! At the vet!! No worries. Not here for an emergency this time. I have all three cats here for annual exams. And I had to "capture" all three by myself cuz the hubby flew out of town this morning. (= me driving him to the airport at 4:30 this am...) so I successfully got them ready a bit early and thought the best action was just to bring them a bit early to their 10am appt. Only to get here to find out their appt isn't until 11.... oh well. Better early than late I suppose!! (I do have the day off!)

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the great and not so great

The great!
- losing weight from running!

The not so great...
- swimming in your bra cups
- desperately needing to go bra shopping but refusing to do so for a plethora of reasons

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Still got my Eye on the Prize

Ok.  There will be no prize for me at the end of this half marathon.  I'm not that fast.  Not even close.  But I will tell you I'm frickin' lightening faster training for this HM than I was for my first one just a mere 20 months ago.

I know it has everything to do with my training partner.  Or the fact that I HAVE a training partner.  If anything he keeps me honest.  (or at least I feel guilty if I try to weasel out of something)  I hear it's something called "accountability".  Whatever that is....

Today we had 12 miles to run.  Our longest training run.  I suppose they ("they" being the professional people who put together the training scheduled) figure if you can successfully run 12 miles then you can get through 13.1.  I was not looking forward to it.  Not necessarily because of the distance.  But because it was supposed to be cold AND raining. 

It hasn't been exceptionally cold here yet.  So we haven't had a lot of opportunities to "experiment" with figuring out the right clothing combo for cold temps.  And don't underestimate this.  This is an important component of competing in anything outdoors.  The tough part is figuring what will keep you comfortable, but not too hot.  But remembering that when you start you will feel cold because you have to account for the heat you will produce once you get going.  Tricky, I tell you!!

Now throw in rain.

I was certain we were screwed.

We knew rain was in the forecast so we planned to run as early as we could to try and miss the brunt of it. Alarm set for 5:45AM.  But the dog was up and pacing at 12:30AM.  (had a big scare with the dog all last week.  Thought we were going to lose her.  We didn't but I didn't blog about it because 1) I didn't want to bore you with all the vet details and 2) I was a little emotional about it)  Then I just couldn't get back to sleep.  And then an hour before the alarm went off the hubby had a migraine.  When the alarm did go off I was starting to get one.  And I was in a seriously pissy mood from being up all night.

This run was not starting out on a good note.

We decided to reset the alarm.  Rain be damned.

We started our run at 9:45AM.  The rain storm was delayed and we lucked out!!!  It was 44 degrees and just slightly spitting water.  After a thorough texting session with my BFF in CA (who has tremendous running experience) I altered my apparel choices accordingly (based on the bazillion tops, jackets, etc I had thrown in the car) and we set out.

It was the best long distance run I have EVER HAD!!!!  I even beat the hubby!!  (by only a minute.  But still!  I'll take every little victory!) And it was comfortable!! I don't think I've ever said that about a long run before!  I had dressed perfectly.  The rain never increased.  I was actually able to breathe THROUGH MY NOSE!  That never happens either.  I continually have congested nasal passages.  But the temperature was just right so I could blow out all the runny snot that usually causes me problems.

I know, I know.  That was gross.  But it's a part of running.  Or rowing.  Or riding.  C'mon.  It's just a fact of life in most sports - especially those outside.  At least I carry kleenex and blow my nose and not snot rockets.  But I do spit.  So don't run right behind me, especially slightly to my right or left.  I don't look before I spit.  If you get hit it's your fault, not mine.

So if the weather is similar to today (preferably minus the rain) and my nose is clear I'm feeling very confident about this race!!!  I'm actually looking forward to it!

I'm NOT a Lyrical Genius

I suck at reciting song lyrics. This has resulted in many a laugh for my friends and family.

During a preview for Dexter tonight the music playing was Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus". The hubby was singing along and got to "reach out and touch faith"

Me: Really?!?! Those are the words!?!?!

Hubby: What did you think they were?

Me: Reach out and touch me! You mean to tell me I've been singing it wrong ALL these years????

Hubby: (rolls eyes) like that's any different than usual... (he didn't say that last part. It was sort of implied.)

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WOW! I'm a plus size.

I was just reading an article about a "plus-size" model being outraged that her photos were retouched before going to print without her permission.  Of course - they made her look thinner and she absolutely did not want to send that message to girls/ women/ people out there.

The surprising fact?  This plus-sized model wears a size 10.

Later on the article references plus-size models have more flexibility since they can wear anything from an 8 to a size 20.

So I guess I'm a plus size....

No wonder girls (and women) has such body issues!

Sad situaton

This post is not about running.  And if you're a teacher I'm sure this story will be no surprise to you.  Which is sad.  It's sad that kids grow up in these kinds of environments.

Last year I was a Big Sister to Shaynice.  She was a great girl.  Definitely in need of the BB/BS program, for sure.  At the time she was in the middle of sixth grade at a school a "charter" school in town.  Since I'm not a teacher and don't have kids I had to look up what exactly that meant.  Their website describes it as a "no cost" public school with volunteer enrollment.  Sounds great on paper!  I know that all the kids are inner city kids (because if you live in the suburbs with a good school system why go somewhere else in the first place?).

In trying to get Shaynice more involed and excited about reading I found that she only reads on our about somewhere in the 1-3 grade level.  The school's website also touts parental involvement and lots of other encouraging, great educational things.  Well, I get the feeling that most of the kids are from situations similar to Shaynice's.  And let me tell you - in her situation there is no parental involvement, and no parental encouragement concerning education, let alone most of the other fancy things on the school's web page - in which they try to promote the school.  It's sad for a whole lot of reasons...

But at the end of the year I decided not to renew my participation in the program.  It was a hard decision.  There was no denying that Shaynice needed a positive influence in her life.  But I just couldn't give it 100% of my attention and that wouldn't be fair to her or me.

So, I think I probably have already told you most or all of the above story.  But I've got a bit more...

When we parted ways I told Shaynice that she was welcome to call or text me.  Or heck, write me a letter.  She had my information.  Earlier in the summer I got a letter form her that was short, truly sweet and also included her new address across town.  They had moved apartments.  I really hope it was better than the one in which they were living.  Of course it wouldn't take much at all to move up in circumstances...  I sent her a card back saying I hoped she was looking forward to eight grade, which she was going to be starting at the end summer (which had just started).

About a month ago I got a text from her.  It said "hi J. how r u? parking lot pimp"

What?  Really??  I could only wonder who she'd been around to start talking like that.  I was so disappointed I didn't immediately respond.  And honestly, I then forgot about it and didn't respond at all.

Today I got another text from her.  It said " Hi J. just wanted know what ur doing Da badest bitch"

Really??  This time I owed it to her to tell her why I wasn't responding.  I replied "Shaynice - I'm disappointed that you used this kind of language in this text and your previous one.  I expected better of you.  If you want to send me a text please send me one from the young lady I know you to be."

Her response was "Im sorry thats my mom signature Da  badest bitch"

*shakes head in disbelief*

The Money We Spend

I bought a Garmin 310XT back when I was training for my first half marathon.  It cost a lot.  I had a million reasons to justify why I HAD to have it.  And it truly is a wonderful device.  Quite the testament to 21st century technology!

But there is an adjustment period.  First, you have to learn to use the damn thing.  This is not a "plug and go" type device.  There's software to download, hardware to pair, settings to set (a lot of settings.... more settings than you ever knew you needed.  some you won't even know - which leads to personal research...)  Of course all this information will translate into an assload of data that you can crunch five ways to Sunday.  And if you're a numbers nerd like me you'll begin to see why there are some idiots out there that actually spend money on devices like this.  (I think I just called myself an idiot....)

But when something goes wrong you curse, and bitch, and yell, and (want to) scream "WHY IN THE HELL DID I SPEND SO MUCH MONEY ON THIS PIECE OF JUNK???"  Which was me.  Last night.

The only way to access all the fancy data from your watch is to upload it, via a special UBS stick, to a Garmin website.  From the website you can view and manipulate your data in ways that would blow your mind.  Of course, that only applies if you can get your data there...

I bet you can guess where this is going.  I couldn't get my watch to upload for some reason.  The hubby had tried to fix it for me last week with no luck.  (btw - it holds your workouts in memory until they get uploaded.)  My last uploaded workout was our long run on Sept. 11.  So the runs all last week had yet to be uploaded.  (including my 10 mile disaster on Saturday.... and my really fast three miler -during run-in with biker gang - on Monday)  He didn't have any luck so I finally had to call Garmin. 

Tuesday Evening.
Call 1
Duration 24 minutes
Activities:

• reviewed device manager settings
• reviewed pairing (watch with software)
• re-paired watch with software
• updated device manager software

When all else failed - he had me RESET MY WATCH.  Which means it ERASES EVERYTHING.
Now I knew that was going to happen but I was thinking it would just be my run data (laps, pace, time, etc...)  I didn't even consider that it would erase ALL my settings such as my heart rate zones, personal settings (weight, height, activity class, etc...).  And my watch settings - which is a lot more complicated than you might think.  There's lots to set in this thing!!!!  A million screens that each are customized!

Status of Call:
Now that you reset the watch it will need to reboot.  I'll hang up with you and it should walk you through the initial setup and you should be set.

Guess what.  It didn't fix my problem.  I rebooted, went through the initial setup again (inputting basic settings) and it still failed to connect my data....  So on to:

Call 2
Duration 36 minutes
Activities:

• reviewing what previous guy did (cuz he didn't take my name and record it....)
• have me check a few more settings
• have me give her permission to just have access to my desktop (which was just plain easier...)
• she did a bunch of "stuff" to update firmware (whatever the heck that is...), software and had my switch the USB port I was using.  You know, in case the other one was bad

She "left" me as the firmware was installing.  She said it should work when it was done.  If not I'd have to call back the next day (end of biz hours.  in her defense she was working with me way past their hours as is was.)  Ok.  I'd give it a try.

Status:
IT WORKED! 

However, I went to run today and realized I hadn't RE-re-set my settings!!  ugh!!!!  Two bad runs in a row is not a good way to go.  I need to stop this train right now!!!  So I'll spend the rest of the night (because it'll take that long) to RE-RE-re-set all my watch settings....

Watch out! There's a biker gang in town

Let me clarify.  Apparently there's a white, middle-class, suburban, middle-school-aged boy's bicycle "gang" in the neighborhood across the main street from ours.  And apparently they think they're a bunch of bad asses.

Someone forgot to tell them not to F with Mrs. Coach.  (that would be me in this context.  Not you, Neda.  Just wanted to clarify.)

Yesterday the hubby and I went for a quick little three mile jaunt.  (who in the world would have EVER thought I would refer to three miles as a "quick jaunt"???)  I was booking it (for me) and was actually in front of the hubby for a change.  When we run only 3-4 miles we usually stay around the house - our neighborhood, across the street in that neighborhood...  Very suburban, little traffic...  I can run right in the middle of the road (to avoid the cresting of the road as much as possible!!) and not have to worry about getting hit by cars.  You get the idea....  And I'm sure as y'all know - runners are to run against traffic - so even when I do run in the middle of the road I kinda lean towards my left in the event a car does come up my right side - I can easily maneuver over to my appropriate place.

We were in the neighborhood across the main road from ours.  I had only a half mile left.  I had a short straight-away and then an "S"curve and then done.  As I approached the straight away I saw about 10 boys, I'd guess in the 11-12 year old range, on bikes/ walking/ on skateboards.  You know - generally hanging about.  Thinking they're cool.  Normally I couldn't care less. Except they were in my way as I was running in the middle, on the crest of the road.  The majority of this pre-pubescent gaggle was on my left side of the street and a few spilled over the crest of the road and onto the other side. 

In rowing, or on the water in general, the rule is you always give way to the less maneuverable craft.  So a speedboat would give way to a rowing shell.  Well, I saw this as "a bunch of swaggering, couldn't care less pre-teens blocking the road" should give way a person clearly in the middle of a strenuous running workout.  Apparently they didn't see it that way.

I approached and saw they were looking right at me and obviously not making ANY attempt to move out of my way - either in the middle of the road where I was running or the far left side of the road where I should have been running - because I gladly would have moved to any safe, open spot.  And I didn't want to step out to my right - for my luck a car would have been coming up behind me that I couldn't see. So I did what cyclists normally do, I announced myself.  Instead of "on your right"  I said "EXCUSE ME".  Yes, I said it in louder-than-conversational tone because, well, because me even saying it was really unnecessary in and of itself.  They saw me.  They knew I was coming.

They didn't move.  Of course, 10 pre-teen boys pretty much qualifies as possible mob behavior anyway, and you could see that there were definitely some bullies in the crowd.  One in particular caught my eye.  A larger boy, on a BMX, right on the crest -  directly in front of me.  A clear study in pre-teen sociology, for sure.

Sorry - but I'm not about to let a bunch of pimply kids intimidate me on a run.  Call me crazy.  So as I got even closer - I did not change my course - I faced said bully (so close now that I seriously could have elbow-clocked him in the chin) and yelled "I SAID EXCUSE ME!"  And after I elbowed my through I yelled "THANK YOU" over my shoulder.

Ugh.  What a pain in the ass.  It's bad enough that kids are bullying each other so much more in school these days.  But bullying ADULT WOMEN in suburban neighborhoods??  Are you frickin' kidding me?  Of course it occurred to me to see if any of them followed me.  As I finished my run - thankfully before I crossed the street into my neighborhood - I don't need any of them knowing where I live.  I'm not a fan of cleaning up a TP'd house. - I turned to meet back with the hubby.  He hadn't rounded the corner yet but I saw a suspicious bright yellow shirt on a bike frantically heading the other way....

As the hubby and I were walking back to the house (no gang members in sight) I relayed my episode.  "Is that why I saw three kids on bikes following you??"  Great.... Now I'm that lady in the neighborhood...  If only they hadn't been asswipes in the first place we could have avoided this whole incident.  But I do find it hilarious that three of them thought they were bad ass enough to follow me - only to tuck tail and run the other way when I stopped running.  Geesh!

Potty Mouth

I forgot to share a funny incident while I was running yesterday.  Because, quite frankly, when I was done running I couldn't remember anything especially funny about it at the time.  It was *that* kind of run.  (as in "not worth repeating")

But after I reflected on it overnight I remembered a funny little ditty that did pick up my spirits around mile 7.  Which, by the way, happened to be the mile in which I was about to give up on this run.  But I didn't.  So I'd like to give a shout out to two cyclists.  Who are probably still laughing at me today.

Although a beautiful day to run, I myself, was not having a fantastic run.   Due to miscommunication with the hubby we were no longer running together.

Side note - when planning to run "together" communicate better when starting the run.  I warned the hubby I might have to pee.  He said (and I really quote) "Ok, I can pause my watch".  I took to mean "I'll wait for you."  When we got to a potty at mile 2.5 I tapped him and said I was hitting the bathroom and he mumbled "these shorts are driving me crazy!" (I had watched him fight with them riding up the whole 2.5 miles...) so when I came out of the potty a scant 90 seconds later and he wasn't there I assumed he stepped into the men's room to "adjust".  I waited.  and waited.  and waited.  and waited over FOUR MINUTES.  Finally I asked some college kid stretching if he'd seen my hubby "did he have water bottles like you?" YES! Did you see him?  "Uh, yea.  He went around the circle and kept going."  Son of a....

Ok, so after I steamed about that for about two miles....  I realized my seething was at least keeping my mind off of many aches and pains that I usually did not have to deal with.  But now that I was over the bathroom incident I now had to contend with running over five more miles and I was just not "feeling it".

Around mile 7 I was really getting down and came to a circle in our route back in the woods.  I was going really slow and mentally decided to buckle down.  No more screwin' around!  I was mad at myself for letting the run get to me.  "Mad" really doesn't describe it.  "Angry", "Pissed", "F'in Fed Up"!  That's what I was really feelin'.  And so I told myself so.  Out loud.   My exact words were:

F#%K!  C'MON J!!!

And right as the words came out of my mouth (most likely much louder than I intended... I was wearing my earphones, after all...)  a cyclist buzzed my right side!  I literally smacked both hands over my mouth I was so shocked to see him.  I truly thought I was back there totally by myself! 

Completely embarrassed, I yelled "I'm sorry!!  I was talking to myself!!"  And no sooner had those words come out of my mouth his girlfriend (I assume) came whisking past my left side! 

Apparently they did hear me because he looked back over his shoulder, chuckling, with a "that's all right!"  and they kept going.

So I spent the next mile and a half laughing at myself for being such an idiot and hoping they got a good laugh out of it.

You what?? Where??

I gotta couple of good ones for you today.  But fair warning - TMI which may or may not include grossness and/ or private parts.  Be warned!

I was telling my friend a story the other day and she told me I HAD to put it on the blog.  So I will - but now it will be shadowed by another story about our run earlier today.

Last weekend we did a 9 mile long run.  I had been getting blisters right on the tips of my toes.  Not under my toenails, not under my toe pad.  Just right on the end.  Of course it could only mean I was rubbing on my shoes and the solution was a new pair of shoes 1/2 size bigger.  I was being cheap and was holding off thinking if I could just get the calluses built up I'd be ok.  So the night before the long run I drained the blisters - like we did on our hands all the time back when I was rowing in college - and left the skin covering to help it make calluses faster. (gross, I know.  Welcome to running.)

After our run I was sitting in the tailgate of my SUV in the parking lot and took off my shoes to inspect my toes to see how they fared.  Most didn't re-blister!  Great news!!  But one had blistered up again.  Ugh!  So while the hubby was standing off to the side of my car, stretching, I was messing around with my toe.  I started pushing on it to test whether the blister had gotten worse.  Apparently it found the hole I had poked in the it night before and all of a sudden blister juice spurted THREE FEET out onto the parking lot asphalt!!  It came uncomfortably close to the hubby - who happened to see the incident.  I believe his response was along the lines of "Oh GROSS!!  Did that just come from your toe blister???  Disgusting!!"

Needless to say - that toe has not blistered up since.  (it helped that I finally broke down and bought a new pair of shoes....)

So today our long run was 10 miles.  Y'all be happy to know - per my previous blog post about my dinner last night - I did NOT end up toot, toot, tooting my way through the park.  But it didn't start out so promising....

I had to wait at the park for the hubby to finish coaching his rowing practice.  As I was waiting my guts dropped into 5th gear.  Figures.  I don't even row anymore and was still left to do my business in a porta-pot....  At least I was armed with my own packet of Kleenx - cuz you never know how you'll find the porta-pots equipped. 

Let's say I was in there for, ahem, a bit.  And when I left I felt a lot better and was confident I wouldn't be bothered with this issue again during my run.  But when I walked out one of the novice boys' boats (remember - teenagers!!) was on land, stretching.  Right there.  Nearly right in front of the porta-pot.  Great.... I could hear them now.  A bunch of hee-hee's... "hey look!  Coach's wife's been in the porta-pot obviously shittin' herself!!"  And then it occurred to me I was probably just being paranoid because, well, I was just in the porta-pot shittin' myself....  I sheepishly went back to my car to wait for the hubby...

So we finally got started with our run.  All I'll say is - 10 miles is hard.  I'd say that I'd never do it again.  But that would defeat the purpose of running a half marathon.  So I guess I will be running it again.... 

But some of the *fun* of running doesn't even start until you're done running and get home to see what new and exciting things await you.  (said with the thickest sarcasm I could muster)  Tiffany - you might want to stop reading here.

When you end a long run usually you know if you have started chaffing somewhere.  It might burn like a mother.  It might not even hurt at this point - just an uncomfortable feeling.  On a rare occasion you may have NO clue something has happened.  But everything become crystal clear once you step into the shower and water has rushed over your tender spots.  If you didn't know before you most DEFINITELY know now!!

Now like most girls I keep the lawn edged appropriately.  Don't need any strays hangin' outside the bathing suit, er, um the driveway.  (forgot I was using a metaphor)  And on occasion I trim back the bushes too.  Usually just during the summer.  Why bother in the winter??  As I was running today I noticed the bushes must be a little "overgrown" because I was getting the feeling they might be a bit long and twisting a bit in my shorts.  Nothing bad or terribly uncomfortable - just to make a mental note to take care of it.  You know...

There's nothing worse than jumping in the shower, thinking everything is hunky dory, only to immediately realize HOLY SHITBALLS BATMAN!!  I'm still perplexed as to what exactly happened.  Or exactly how the damage exactly occurred.  But that "overgrown, twisting and tugging" I thought I was experiencing was not an accurate description of what was really happening.  All I know is that it must have been some serious chaffing goin' on.  Which I was unaware of until I hit the shower.  And F#@K!!  It hurt!!

So now I have a new chaffing place I have to worry about.  But the problem is - I don't know how to appropriately "pre-treat" this particular chaffing place.....  Research is in my future.  But fear not!!  You have no idea what running information you can find online!!  Good news is - I'm never the first person to have ANY kind of issue.  Someone has always had it before and has shared their knowledge!! 

So THANK YOU to all those people who aren't afraid (or embarrassed) to share!!!

Potential Tactical Error

I may have made a potential tactical error tonight. I will warn you - this contains bodily functional TMI. Keep reading at your own peril.

Due to a crazy day and even the best of intentions I did not consume the most nutritious meals for breakfast and lunch. Although not entirely bad by themselves - they definitely were not enough to sustain me for our 10 mile long run tomorrow. So when I came home I announced to the hubby I needed a substantial dinner. Not a huge one, mind you. Just a better smattering of veggies and real meat than what I ingested thus far today.

So I chose Outback because 1) nothing beats a salad, slab of steak and some steamed veggies and 2) I had a killer coupon. Who can argue with that???

It did occur to me on the way to dinner "do I want to eat steak before a long run??" Truthfully - I've eaten worse. I decided I'm not concerned about the meat and thus continued on.

So I ate my salad. And my little 6oz steak. And I broke down and got the garlic mashed taters instead of steamed veggies. (We can't all be saints....) I love those taters!! My last delicous bite was actually garlic, not even potato! Yum!!

But before we were even out of the restaurant I was already gassy.

Uh oh.

See, I've come to realize over the past year or two that garlic and onions (esp fresh ones) give me HORRIBLE gas. That's a predicament because I love garlic so much I'd prefer to be "Gassy Aunt Gerty" than give it up. Onions.... it's a toss up. I love fresh ones in salad and I really love sauted ones!! I'm torn.

It's right about now I realize not only have I ingested all this garlic in the potatoes but also a boat load of fresh red onions in my salad!!

Hmmmmm..... a delimma indeed.

But it might not be what you think. I'm not worried about having terrible gas cramps. (Although I suppose that's a real possibility...) I'm more worried about running 10 miles thinking I could conceivably hold my farts in. Well it ain't happenin'. Which means I'll be having my own personal parade, complete with horn section, during my run tomorrow. And I'm sure some spectators will be suspect of said parade when they wonder who's setting off all the stink bombs....

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Sorry Tiff

I have to just say:

• Sometimes there's just not enough Body Glide in the world
• And powder (even Gold Bond) just can't do the trick...

Now if I could find an acceptable way to walk around nekkid all day so as to let all my parts stay air-dried I might be ready to go for my next run.  But this would also require me walking nekkid, legs wider-than-shoulder-width-apart with my armed stretched out and above my head.  (Think crab walking upright.)  I'm pretty sure I'd scare the kids.  Even if I had clothes on...

things I want to un-learn (or at least un-hear)

(Hands held over ears) La la la la

Yesterday after our run the hubby realized he had some, um, chafing issues. More than the expected chaffed "nips" issue (which we addressed a few weeks ago...) According to him - these were a bit more "involved" and "personal".

Of course since I've run a half marathon before he asked me about his "issues". I politely informed him since I don't have the same "equipment" he has surpassed my area of expertise and must consult someone else.

Enter in my FIL. He is, indeed, a life-long runner. Who better to ask than your own dad?!?! He's got the experience (lots more than me!) and more importantly - the right equipment...

So as the hubby and I went to run errands in my car he decided to call his dad RIGHT THEN. Why it couldn't wait, I couldn't say. Did I mention my car has that hands-free, speaker phone thing??? Um, yeah...

So as I'm driving the hubby calls his dad and the conversation is on speaker. Hubby doesn't really point that out to my FIL. I kinda take it as my cue that I'm not part of this conversation.

My hubby then proceeds to tell his father that he's having some chaffing.....

FIL: where? On your breast or your penis??
Hubby: uh, um, down there...

Did I just hear my FIL say "breast" and "penis"???? And I'm NOT supposed to laugh out loud at this??? (Remember - I'm not supposed to be in this conversation...)

So the conversation turns to the finer points of proper running shorts for men. But somewhere along the line I hear:

FIL: but you know, you need to make sure the brief inside hold your balls in, ya know?
Hubby: yea, ok...

OMG! Did I just hear my FIL say "balls"??? That is too funny!! But I CAN'T laugh!! (Btw - remember I'm trying to ALSO drive this whole conversation....)

Needless to say I probably could have gone my whole life not hearing my FIL say breast, penis and balls... but it was pretty funny!!

Note: I almost expect funny shit like this to come from my MIL. But definitely NOT my FIL!!!!

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Running for my Life

Some of you may have read on FB that the hubby and I are training for a half marathon on October 16th.  Starting now I will be randomly posting thoughts, experiences, observations and reflections about this process on my blog.  You know - things I really don't want EVERYONE on FB to read. 

I know why most workout bottoms are black.

Yesterday we had a 9 mile long run.  We usually do these down at the park, well, because, our race IS at the park.  What better place to train than on your course?  Because it was cool that morning I decided to wear my charcoal capri spandex pants.  I generally wear skorts.  But I wanted my knees covered since it was only in the 50's.  And they're charcoal because I got them on sale at my one of my fav catalog workout gear places (www.titlenine.com) and they were sold out of my size in black at the time...

We set out.  Apparently a local shoe store was conducting a couch-to-5K training session so there were LOTS of people already at the park.  They were in groups walking so they weren't too hard to jog around.  When we hit mile 2.5 mile mark we starting seeing LOTS of people RUNNING (as in really fast!) the opposite direction from us.  Apparently participating in a US Army 5K run.  The hubby looked at me "Why do I feel like a salmon swimming upstream??"  We didn't know where their turn around point was.  All we could hope for was that we hit the bridge before they lapped us.  'Cuz they were hoofin' it!  (luckily we did turn off the course - to the bridge - before they caught us! whew!)

The rest of the run was uneventful.  As I was kicking it to finish our run I was passing a lot more people who had come out to enjoy the beautiful weather.  I only had a half mile to go when I looked down.

That's when I saw it. 

My crotch sweat.

Now, I ALWAYS have crotch sweat.  (sorry. TMI, I know.)  But it was REALLY obvious in gray pants!!!  So much so that it looked like I PEED MYSELF!!  This, I realize, would not have been nearly as noticable in the same pants, but black....

Great...  I know my body and I'm pretty sure I'd had this crotch sweat issue since probably - hummm.... mile THREE!  And now I'm on mile EIGHT and a HALF!  So for at least five and a half miles people have been looking at me thinking I peed myself. 

So I'm thinking people are thinking one of three things:

1 - OMG she's leaky and peed herself!!
2 - OMG she's so hard core she didn't want to stop her training run to bother to pee!!
3 - oh, her thighs rub together and create massive crotch sweat too.  huh, I though I was the only one...

So there you have it folks.  This is real reason I prefer to run in skorts.  Y'all are now in the know. 

Carry on.

In other news....

Wow have I've been bad about not posting!!!

The latest and greatest in our world is that 2 weeks ago the hubby came to me at 9:30pm on a Wednesday (I was already in bed doing a crossword puzzle.  That sounds amazingly boring when I actually say it "out loud"...) and delcared he wanted to run the Empire half marathon.

Great! you say??  Well I had been wondering whether he was going to do it or not.  We found out about the new race coming to our town last fall.  At that point he mentioned he'd like to train and run the half marathon.  (There's also a marathon and a marathon relay race -4 people over the 26.2mi)  The two of us ran about 2-3 weeks together last fall.  But as far as I know the last time he "ran" was for CC in high school...  although to be sure, I'm positive they did a little running for crew in college.  But it's crew -  MUCH more rowing than running for certain!

For the most part this was never mentioned again after the first declaration in the fall/ winter.  My FIL did ask us on 2 separate occasions (that I can remember) if we'd be interested in running the relay instead - the 2 of us, him and my SIL.  I thought that was a grand plan since the hubby hadn't made any additional comments about being interested in running the HM.  Plus the relay would be about 6.5 miles per person.  Much more realistic than 13.1 miles for someone who doesn't run.

(for the record - when I deicded to run my HM I had been running on and off for a few years at that point, albeit slow.  Although my consistency would wax and wain I still jogged.  The hubby, when looking for a physical workout, always turns to the rowing machine.  Or cycling.  NOT running....)

The hubby was not on board for the relay.  He wanted to do the HM.  Ok. Fine with me. 

Then silence.

It was never mentioned again.  Until now. 

When he came to me that night to tell me he wanted to run the HM my jaw dropped.  He said "the race is 9.5 weeks away.  I found this great 12 week program to follow!"  That's great but I saw immediately saw a flaw in his logic that HAD to be pointed out.  "You realize you have less than 12 weeks to train for said HM, right???"  He assured me this would not be a problem.  He would just start 2.5 weeks into the program.

I will admit this was not my best "wife" moment.  Instead of being supportive I'm pretty sure I launched into something like "Are you frickin' crazy??  We're not 23 anymore!!  You can't just NOT run and then decide to 'cram' for a HM!!!!"

I'm sure I continued on with something like "Jumping into the plan like that - you're sure to injure yourself!!  Why didn't you do a better job at planning this out?  You've know about it forever!  Duh!"

And of course the most important part of the rant (to me) "If you hurt yourself I don't want to hear about it!  This is ridiculous!!"  To which he replied "you don't have to run it with me".  Of course I don't but I'd still have to hear him whine about this hurting and that being sore....  I'm pretty sure all of that is akin to "don't say I didn't warn you!!" ("and I don't want to hear it!!!")

Like I said, not my best wife moment....

But alas he is still committed - 2 weeks in and we're still going.

Yes, I said "we".  I admit it is a good excuse to get my arse off the couch.  We have 7.5 weeks until the race.  We're not even registered yet.  The hubby said he wanted to run about 3 weeks to decide if he was able to run it or not.  At this point I might as well even if he decides not to.  I'm slow as molasses but I'm able to keep up with the training schedule ok.

So here's to nuthin'! 

(if you don't hear from me I might have died trying to train for this....)

only 7 years

Today is our 7th anniversary. For those of you that were able to be there - yes - that was SEVEN years ago!! Madhatter looked so AWESOME that I was too stunned to say anything (cuz the last time I saw her was when she was WAY preggers at Sweet Teas wedding....) speaking of Sweet Tea - she was preggers with her first at our wedding.... and I believe her hubby (my bff in HS) had just flown into town from Orlando and he had to change in the car!!) How time flies now that I get to hear fantastically funny stories about their kids!

So today the hubby and I decided to go mt biking , out to eat and then sit and partake of the "Northeast Jazz and Wine Festival" that has been taking place this weekend. The mt biking was ok. But I was wheezing (forgot to pre-emptively take asthma meds...) and had about the WORST heartburn/ acid reflux I've had in a looog time. Add to that the humbling of how out of shape I am and I had to call it quits after 30mins. If I had had something for the heartburn ON me I would have gone on longer. But I was burpy and felt like I had an exposed jalepeno lodged in my throat. The hubby has NEVER had heartburn. (Lucky bastard...) so he was trying to empathetic.... but I don't think he truly got it. I felt awful!! And I felt awful for cutting our ride short. But he was sweet about it.

We came home, showered and I napped with NASCAR for a bit before we headed out to an early dinner downtown. We are now sitting in downtown Syracuse, in our camp chairs (and me, accidentally in my "house" crocs.. duh!) Listening to awesome jazz. I tasted some wine in the wine tent to kill a little time. But we're waiting for the main event. I don't know lots about jazz but I know the sax player in the main event is from Tower of Power. And them I know!! (Thanks to hanging out/ dating a bunch of sax players in high school...)

NOTE: it's surprising that I didn't end up marrying a sax player, given my history in HS. Although to the hubby's credit, he DID play sax in middle school... who knew?!?!

So here we are with music playing in the tent behind us, watching this (seemingly homeless) person and his goat. On a leash. In the middle of the square in Syracuse. Go figure.

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Love me some funny stories but....

Y'all know I don't have kids.  But I still enjoy stories about people's kids...  to a point. 

I have noticed some bad trends on FB:

• people posting their to-be-born child's ultrasound pictures.  I find this a little weird.  I can't exactly verbalize why.  It's not that I don't want to see it, although I admit I'm not interested, but it seems a little personal to be sharing on FB. 
• announcing to the world that your kid went pee pee or poo poo in the potty... today.  And announcing such during the whole potty-training process.   I'm excited for you that your kid is finally moving on to that next step.  But must we announce every time they go??  Give them positive praise that they understand and can comprehend.  Your kid doesn't understand your positive praise of their actions on FB.  And I don't want to know about your kid taking a dump. 

NOTE on above 2 bullets: DO share this on your blog!!  This is the PERFECT venue!!!  Because if I know you well enough to keep up with your blog I just might be interested in the intimate details of your pregnancy and your potty training skills.  Which is true - I DO care about friends and family I keep in contact with.  But it just strikes me as icky when I know so much about an extremely casual acquaintance from high school...

Now I'm all ears about funny/ stupid kid stuff!!!  Like, if they fell in the "big" potty because their butt is too small and they insisted on using the potty "mommy and daddy" use!!  Now THAT's funny!!!

I know I'm the queen to "too much sharing" but I'd like to think I at least post that stuff here.  Not on FB....

Just sayin'

I need a padded body suit....

I was on vacation for 9 days.  Came home and still took the following Monday off since my dad and his girlfriend were in town visiting.  The hubby and I stayed home that extra day to take them to the wineries in our area.  Needless to say, when I finally went back to work yesterday I had SEVERE vacation brain.  I made it ALL the way to work and then realized I forgot my phone and my COMPUTER!!  Duh!

Today I pulled a doozy.  I was waiting for the bathroom to open up so I could finish getting ready for work.  (hey - 4 people in a house with one shower???  Note to self - next house WILL have at least 2 full bathrooms.  I don't care what it costs us!)  I was in my jammies and decided to straighten a few things in my closet - namely putting shoes back in their rightful place where I'd just been kicking them off at night.  (In the general direction of my closet - but not actually in it...)

I was on my knees leaning to put a pair away in the back of the closet and then stood up and back.  and WHAM!!  I scraped my butt cheek/ leg down the corner of my bedside table.  OUCH!!!!  Yes, I yelled out.  It HURT!  I told the hubby it was going to leave a great bruise for sure!  Bathroom was still not open so I ran downstairs to use our half bath.  That's when I realized the scrape was BLEEDING!!

I now have a band aid horizontal right in the crack where my butt meets my upper back thigh.  It's lovely, let me tell you!  Can't wait for the bruise to develop....

a Wedding and Vacation

On a happier note, the hubby and I are down south for vacation - the first vacay wemve taken by OURSELVES in 6 years! I'll blog a little about it but will have to wait until we're home to post pictures.

The first day we just drove. That's it. But the secong day we drove all morning the Blue Ridge Parkway in VA. Gorgeous! We saw a mama bear and her two cubs! I was funbling with the camera so only got on picture of mama. I also got lots of other good photos. Then last night we went to Tennis Girl's wedding reception. At a castle. No shit! It was BEAUTIFUL!! So I'll have to post pix of that too.

Today is the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Whoopie. (Said with lackluster enthusiasm...) just so you know, this was not on my "to do" list....

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Sad Day

We had to make the impossible decision today to send our lovable golden, Liam Conner, up with the other pups in the sky.  It was the hardest decision I've ever had to make in my life.  It was sad when we had to say goodbye to Cabby last September but she was very sick and our decision put an end to the suffering she would have ensdured for maybe 24 - 36 more hours.

This was different.  Liam had terrible arthritis and other "big dog" joint issues.  I'm convinced he was going senile.  But then this past weekend he had a seizeure that I witnessed and that made us realize he'd had one 2 weeks before.  So 2 seizures in 2 weeks for an old dog - not good.  I'd been discussing his future with out vet for the past several months.  The seizures pretty much made the decision for us. 

It's been a very sad day.  I had a very interesting softball game that helped divert my attention for an hour or so.  But the house is so quiet.  If you had ever visited or talked to me on the phone you'd know that Liam AWAYS panted - no matter the season.  We'd joke that we were going to get him his own 900-number so he could start earning his keep!!  So for the past 8 years (we adopted him when we was 4) it's been a constant racket here either with his panting or snoring.  (or farting..)  take your pick. 

And now nothing. : (

I love you Liam.  You were a fantastic and loyal doggie.

Attention span of a gnat

It's no surprise to my friends, family, or me, for that matter, that I have the attention span of a gnat.  But don't get that confused with ADD!  I'm talking about keeping up with an interest.  I rotate through hobbies like underwear.  I just have a hard time staying interested.  Most of the time I generally pick something up, put it down and circle back to it months or years later.  Rarely do I give it up altogether.

Cases in point:

• Piano.  I played for years as a kid and stopped all musical involvement around the age of 18.  I bought a piano and started playing again at 34.  LOVING it!  But it can get frustrating sometimes - knowing what you're supposed to do but still trying to regain lost skills.
• Knitting.  I learned to knit when I was 25.  About every other winter or so I work on a project.  Very sporadic but I keep up my skills - I just don't improve upon them much year after year.
• Running.  Well, I've been running since I've been walking, if you want to get technical about it.  But my interest in "training" for anything from a 5K to a half marathon waxes and wanes.  I can't seem to stay in the consistent "rhythm" of it.
• Cycling.  The hubby and I got into this on a whim about 5 years ago.  He's great at it.  Me... eh.  I continued to train for and ride the century rides with him every other year for something for us to do together.  Don't love it, don't hate it.  But I'm not that strong at it.  If the hubby is in the mood the ride one summer I ride.  If he's not feelin' it I'm certainly not out there by myself....
• Triathlons.  Well, this went nowhere fast.  This past fall I started in the pool at the Y, getting the basics of swimming down with the intent of doing my first Tri this summer.  Let's just say I petered out and do not have a tri on the books for this summer.....  so, ok.  Mark one hobby "incomplete".
• Yoga.  I built a Murphy bed on the premise that I needed more room in the guest room so I could do yoga.  First of all that was kinda crap.  I just wanted an excuse to build a Murphy bed.  Plus, once installed, the Murphy bed really didn't give me as much extra floor space as I had hoped for.  It's not the bed's fault.  The room is just that small....

Well, I've added a new hobby to this ever-growing list. 

Classical guitar. 

My piano teacher gives lessons in piano, voice and classical guitar.  She encouraged me to give it a try.  Ensured me it would be relatively easy since I already know how to play piano.  So last weekend I went and bought the guitar, bag and book and have already started teaching myself.  I have my first guitar lesson tomorrow.  Which is good because I clearly need some technique pointers!!!

But not to worry - KVeg commented that if I kept this up I was going to become a one-man band.  No worries.  I can't sing....

And at least if this gets set aside at some point the guitar was a LOT less expensive than the piano!!  (btw - still playing the piano.  just adding guitar to break up the musical monotony a bit...)

Fabulous Day

I know, right?  You haven't heard that sentiment out of me since, well... I don't know.  I can't remember either.

The hubby is out of town, coaching at "State" (NY state regatta).  So I'm home alone.  Showers forecasted for the weekend.

Great.  My favorite.  I figured I'd be in a seriously bummed mood since the funk I've been in for the past, oh, EIGHT months has been seriously affected by the weather.  But strangely enough the weather has contributed to my good mood!!

First of all, last night I ran to Wegman's and bought me a microwave steamable dinner and an orange, pomegranate martini mix. (don't you judge me!!)  and proceeded to have a just fine TV night all by myself.  Then this morning I was up and at 'em and at Target purchasing necessities by 9am.  The day was overcast and threatening to rain at any moment.  But it's in the 60's!!!  So I grabbed a bunch of gardening stuff and headed to the front yard and started weeding, pruning.... you name it.  If it started to sprinkle I just headed inside.  Big deal.  I don't melt!  My goal was to get the front yard ready for mulch by the end of the weekend.  I had half of my goal done by noon today!! 

Whoo hoo!!!

I finished the rest after lunch.  I practiced a little piano while a little rain moved through and headed out to finish.  As usual, I can only imagine what my neighbors think of me. It did not escape my notice that I was the only person on the street out working in their yard today.  And if anyone caught me working in said yard they certainly got an eyeful.  No - no flashing this time around.  I was in capris and a long sleeve T, not a faulty bikini top.  Have you ever seen those wood cut outs that are supposed to look like the fat hind-end of a granny in a moo moo bent over tending her garden?  Yeah, that was me. 

But I was also pruning a sand cherry (ornamental tree) right out front and would pull a branch down to trim it and on more than one occasion would accidentally let it go and it would slap me in the face or head, sending water and little white flower blossoms spraying everywhere.  Really what are you going to do?  Laugh.  That's what I did.  'Cuz I'm sure it was good entertainment for anyone watching.  Especially since I did it more than once.... (followed by me having a complete conversation with myself to remind self to not do that again... even though I did.)

Once all that yard work was done I figured I deserved a Corona while I waxed and did the hair color.  But I have a bit-o-waxin' wisdom to share.

All these years I've told you that I do my own waxing. I do.  I didn't lie.  I prefer the microwave wax that requires no strips.  You apply it, it hardens on it's own but stays flexible enough that you peel rip it off without the need to apply a fabric strip.  I've been using this method for years.  Today, at Target I bought a brand I've never tried before (because I usually buy my brand at Wally World, but they're going through a remodel and I didn't want to deal with that additional craziness....)  When I got home I realized the new brand is the type that comes with fabric strips. 

CRAP!!  I don't want this kind!!  But I'd figure since I had might as well give it a try. 

I LOVE IT!!  It works soooo much better than the other kind!!!!  It gets everything on the first pass!!  Who knew??

WARNING - you must be an experienced waxer.  The wax is thin and will get everywhere!  I have been doing this for years and managed to still get wax all over my hands.  and myself...  Oh well.  I'll take it for the better results. 

BTW - in case you were wondering, I waxed first then applied my hair color and then kicked back with a Corona.... didn't want anyone thinking the Corona impaired my waxing acumen.  But note to self - never try to wax and color at the same time.  That could produce disastrous results....

Now to paint toe nails.  Probably with another Corona.  Or since I've deemed it a girlie "ZooKeeper" weekend, perhaps an orange pomegranate martini.  Was going to go with a dark red but on second thought, with alcohol involved perhaps I'll choose a lighter color.  Easier to hide when you color outside the lines...  Just sayin'

Now what to do tomorrow with definite rain and thunderstorms?? 
MOVIE DAY!!!!  yeah!!! 
Any suggestions??

So gladd (and I love Lady Gaga)

We live right by a high school.  A large one (to me) with well over 500 or 600 students per grade.  When the hubby is out of town I have to go home and let the dogs out and apparently I go home late enough that the school is out for the day because I see many students out walking around the school.  Me not being a parent myself, I can't confirm exactly what all the kids are doing, but I'm assuming it's not a massive walkout happening on a regular basis.  (I hope....)  I know the school day starts really early there (around 7am!!) so I'm assuming school is done for the day.

Today as I was driving through the school zone I saw three high school-aged guys walking together, two of them openly holding hands.  And it gave me pause.  In a good way.  And I'll tell you why.

We all remember what it was like in high school.  The pressure to fit it.  Some people rebelled  on purpose.  Defied "the man".  I understand why.  But I think they missed the point.  They weren't being themselves.  They were trying to make a point.  Then there were others that did their best to just blend in with the crowd.  Tried to fit in as much as possible.  They might have tried to call attention to themselves to try to be popular or something like that.  But in all other respects it was "try to be as normal as possible".  And then there was always that small group that just did their own thing for the sake of being true to themselves.  I don't know why.  Maybe they were oblivious to everyone else and the pressures of fitting in.  Maybe they didn't care about fitting in.  Maybe they were 200% more mature than the rest of us and the joke was on us.  For whatever the reason they figured out how to be true to themselves waaay before anyone else did (or has)...  I respect that.

I was one that tried to fit in.  I always did was I was told.  To a fault.  So much so I know it has severely affected my adulthood.  I'm not blaming anyone - just stating a fact.  It's taken me so long to realize that I've been doing other people's bidding for so long that I never figured out who I "AM" until so late in life that my adult self has suffered.  Don't worry - I'm not setting myself up for doom and gloom - I'm just saying that it's really hard to stop the momentum of the moving ship this late in life and change course.  Possible!!  Just much, much harder.

So back to these boys holding hands.  High school is soooo hard.  I often reflect on how much harder it probably is today for teenagers who are struggling with their sexuality and trying to decide whether to publicize it or not.  Kids are cruel.  Face it - people are cruel.  Adolescence is a hard time to figure out who you are in general.  Then to figure out you are someone that some of society has defined as deviant??  Just for being you???  How bizarre and unfair is that???   And then top that off with the pressure to "fit in" with everyone else??  Wow!

My heart aches for anyone who is demonized, ostracized or otherwise treated as an outcast for just being who they are.  This is why I love Lady Gaga.  She uses her stardom to be outrageous, call attention to herself and otherwise get people to notice her. Once she has your attention she has a message.  Don't hate people for just being how they were born.

I'm glad to see progress being made.  I'd love to think those to guys walking down the street are as openly accepted at school as any "Jennifer and Tom".  But I doubt it.  But I at least hope they have enough support through their friends - and more importantly, other adults in their lives - that keep helping them just be themselves and not hide behind the mask of what others "expect them to be".

I'm glad those guys are strong enough and comfortable enough to come out in high school and be themselves.  I was respect that decision.  This post isn't just about respecting a high schooler's decision to be true to themselves about their sexuality.  This post is about anyone being true to their real selves.   Be it a man who can truly open up to their real feelings and not feel they always have to be strong.  It's a woman who can be true to herself and admit that she isn't superwoman and find ways to better juggle her responsibilities.  This list goes on and on. 

Don't mistake it - this post is about being true to yourself.  But in order to do so you have to be introspective to know what's in your heart.  This is the hardest part.  Carrying it out is actually easier.  The question is - do you have the discipline and the courage to be introspective and face what you find there?

When 35 is old

I thought playing on this co-ed softball team might make feel feel young again.  Remind me of the days when I was 12 playing for the Chemlawn Cuties.  Running the bases, swingin' the bat...

Nope. 

It's making me feel old as dirt.

Last night was our second game.  We still lost, but not as bad as last week.  A mere 6 - 4.  All of our runs were scored in the last inning.  Apparently it takes us 6 innings to get warmed up.

When I arrived I grabbed a ball and started tossing it with another gal in what the other players lovingly call "warming up".  Whatever.  This is not warming up.  This is just "throwing".  I couldn't figure out the semantic difference until I looked more closely at the players on my team and realized I'm probably one of two of the oldest players on the team.  I'm guessing by a LOT.  So yeah, to them tossing a ball around is "warming up".  When you're twenty-two...

However, when you're 35 "warming up" for anything physical should always include:

• stretching all appropriate muscle groups for the activity
• stretching groups you don't think you're going to use, because face it - you're not 20 anymore so you're likely to use non-appropriate muscle groups even if you don't mean to
• increasing your heart rate in some form - jogging a bit, perhaps
• ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT if said activity will require you to raise your heart rate during said activity...
• popping preemptive ibruprofen

After you have done all of the above you can continue on with any additional "warm ups" suggested by teammates.

NOTE - following outlined "35 YO Warm Up Plan" does not exclude you from injury. 

Case in point:  I hurt myself during our game last night.  During said "ball tossing" with fellow "Ball Breaker" (read that how you will) I twinged my right upper quad.  Face it - I'm just not used to standing still and quickly lunging out to field a grounder or sprinting out to first base.  I thought to myself "Self, be careful!  You're not 20 anymore!!  Don't let that twinge turn into a tear!"

Guess what?  I tore that bitch.

Actually I kept on tearing it and tearing it.  'Cuz I'm a glutton for punishment like that.  And I tweaked my left quad too.  But I kept reminding myself there is NO crying in baseball!!  (or softball, or in front of cute boys) 

But I did consult dad on the way home for proper post injury treatment.  When I got home I iced those thighs like Thanksgiving leftovers and popped Advil.  And today?  More icing and more Advil.  I feel like a new girl!!

Take aways:

1. Don't try to act younger than you are because you just end up looking stupid
2. If you decide to disreagrd rule #1 at least go through the proper warm up techniques at least twice (preferably in private so the younguns don't see you and how old you really are....
3. Don't ever discount the healing properties of ice (or dad's advice....)

Chemlawn Cutie

Back in the day I was a "Chemlawn Cutie".  Although today I believe Chemlawn is trying to shake that name and is going with "TruGreen"....

But I felt compelled to follow up my previous softball report.  If you played ball with me back in the 80's, particularly that fateful T-ball year, I'm happy to report I did not do cartwheels out in left field this past Monday.

However I feel the need to defend my cartwheels during T-ball.  I know the ball is stationary, on a tee.  But do you know how boring the game is???  Do you know how many people cannot hit the dang thing??? (it's a wonder any of the participants ever gradutate to hitting a moving ball...) There is hardly any action!!  Especially in the outfield!  C'mon!  Six year old girls rarely hit a softball off a tee let alone into the outfield.  Therefore I had every right to practice my cartwheels.  I had gymnastics the next day!!

Who agreed to this???

KVeg asked me to play on her Bfriend's coed softball team.  Sure I would!!  Then I found out she wasn't playing.  Something about her lack of hand/ eye coordination...  Well this ought to be a blast...

I don't own a glove.  I haven't really played softball since I was 12!!!  C'mon people.  Give me a break!  I haven't been able to make practice.  I'd have to say, all around this was turning out to be a bad idea.  To make matters worse our game was last night..  Let me tell you - I was doing a rain dance in the office like I was a pure blooded Hopi.  Yeah, well, it worked all right.  It was raining.  But apparently they only cancel for lightening, thunder or pouring rain.  I could only muster a drizzle.

I got to the field to warm up.  I was playing left field.  The outfield was a sloppy, wet, spongy mess.  And over the course of the game - which we lost 8 to 1 - I jotted some mental notes for myself for next time.

• Don't wear a thong while playing softball when you're 35.  Especially when you're playing left field and will probably be running lots.
• Don't talk or mumble to yourself in the outfield.  Even though you're used to talking to yourself on a regular basis these people on your team are "new to you" and don't know your habits and probably find this habit odd, if not disturbing.
• Take the constructive criticism from KVeg's BF and a few of the others on the team with graciousness because they are awesome, very polite and mean well.  But that "one guy", not sure about him.  He's coming across as a jerk.  But still smile and nod to him because you haven't figured out where he fits in the scheme of things yet. 
• Be more aware of what you're doing.  You caught that fly ball.  Yeah for you!! But you also apparently celebrated that you caught it before you threw it back in the field and you didn't even realize it!!  Pay attention!!  (although I think you had every right to immediately celebrate because that's the first fly ball you've caught "in action" since you were 12... that was over HALF a lifetime ago....  and did you see that haus that hit it right at me!!)
• Even though you are totally impressed with Jason's skillz you probably ought stop complimenting him on them lest someone think you have a crush on him.  Really I don't.  I truly am impressed with, not his skillz, per se, but his style.  Guy makes it look good!  I give credit where credit is due.  That's all.
• Don't wear the team t-shirt out in public.  Team name is Ball Breakers. Logo is phallic.  On purpose. 

I told KVBF that my feelings wouldn't be hurt if he decided to move me positions.  Do you know how hard it is to run around after balls in a sloppy, soggy wet outfield??  Impossible!  The balls would hit the grass and not bounce, roll, nuthin!  They literally would leave divots in the grass.  I'm not even kidding.  Not much fun sloshing away to a dead-on-the-ground ball....

We'll see how this turns out.  I did have fun so long as no one is competitive enough that they were disappointed in my performance.  I'm positive I'd have more fun if we didn't have to play on a soggy field in the rain.  So for the next few months think of me trying not to get my teeth knocked out from a fly ball on Monday nights after work!!

BWTB

I have been given a new "certification", if you will:  Boobs With Tool Belt

I was telling an old friend (boss, actually) about all the work we've done to the house and about MH dropping my name in her blog and wha-la.  BWTB.

I think I'll have business cards made:

Zookeeper, BWTB
Contractor

Deep Breath

But not too deep 'cuz I didn't schedule Stanley Steemer until May 7th.  Well, go ahead.  I do have a Yankee candle goin'...

• Left beautiful, sunny tolerable weather in Miami for cold, rain and wind to come home - Check
• Most emotionally stressful work week (in at least 5 years) over - Check
• Comfortably (ok , not really "comfortable") snuggled in with the "kids" since being home - Check

As soon as I got home and sat on the couch I had at least one dog and two cats on the sofa with me.  The cats, specifically ON me.  When the hubby got home and saw it he mentioned that they did not do that at all while I was gone.  Not sure if he said it because he was trying to make me feel better (because I was still in a funk over the week) or if he was a little jealous....

Same story at bedtime.  Everyone wanted on the bed.  And on my side.  Reis (orange kitty) jumped on the bed and I made the mistake of moving the book I was reading to see who jumped up.  Reis took that as his cue and immediately stepped up and curled up on my chest - right where I'd hold my book.  Hmmmm.  How to read??  I finally had to move him.  The hubby tried to get the cat to come over and lay on him (to give me a break.  Having all these animals is sort of like having a few small kids sometimes.  Especially if you've been gone a while.  They all want your attention and all at the same time.  It can get old, quick.)  But Reis wasn't interested.  But he'd moved enough to where I could get my book back up in front of my face before he found a new place to settle.

And as I'm writing this I've had Karl and Jax curl up and snuggle on either side of me.  (and the hubby just came downstairs, saw this arrangements and started singing a made up song "crazy cat lady".  I always tell him he'd better not die young and leave me alone with all these cats.  Because I will be a crazy cat lady!!)

I have today off so I'm taking several more deep breaths and trying to finish decompressing from my trip.

How NOT to eat Starbucks yogurt

I'm in the Miami airport. It's early and I decided to stop and get a coffee and a yogurt from Starbucks. I sat at my gate and ate it before boarding.

Have you had a yogurt from Stbx? It has an inset cup that holds the granola. Good idea - it keeps it from getting soggy until you eat it. Who knows how long it sits in the counter before you buy it.

I took the cup out and sat it on my thigh and sprinkled a bit og granola on the yogurt as I was eating it. By the time i was done there was lots left. I was cleaning up to throw it all away in the trash and combining everything for an easier trip to the bin. My spoon was in the empty yogurt cup so I squeezed the granola cup and stuck it in sideways in the yogurt cup, around the spoon. As I was getting ready to stand the small granola cup rocketed out of the larger yogurt cup and spewed granola EVERYWHERE into my lap and floor! Includiing a bit of yogurt that got on the back of the granola cup from the inside of the yogurt cup.

After I initially gasped like an old lady I just started giggling. I mean really - what an idiodic thing to do! Obviously I didn't think that through and paid the consequences. The guy beside looked over sheepishly. I looked right at him and said "it's ok. You can laugh. I deserve it."

I've had a very stressful week and, funny enough, I think this is exactly what I needed to snap me out of my funk.

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why?

I just saw a women in the restroom primping and applying/ reapplying ALL of her eye make-up It made me wonder: Why are women expected to do soo much to themselves to, presumably, look good for men when they aren't expected to reciprocate???

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what i love aboutFB

There are many drawbacks to facebook. (Especially at "our age"). But one great feature is reconnecting with those really positive friends. Not the "hip, hip hooray! Eveything is fabulous!!" one's. I'm talking about the one's that know life can be rough. And they are ther to pick you up. And your job is to do the same for them. Even if you haven't seem them in decades.

Love you Frogger!

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presumputious

I don't even know if i spelled that right. But whatever. It gets the point across.

I came across a FB post from someone I went to HS with that insinutaed, what i could only assume, was that her childhood home was being sold and she was coming home for the wkend to say goodbye.

Not being a sentimental person myself, my first reaction was " big deal. You're an adult. Move on." But then the part of me that I've "worked on" reminded me that many people don't move during their lifetime (at least not towns) and that the sellign of a chilhood home could be construed as painful.

I was 14 when I had that "painful" move. Since then I've never felt "settled". (Much to the chagrin of my parents and husband.) But that's probably a totally different psychosis to be investigated at a different time.

Back to FB. So this person said she'd be in town and posted her number and a message for people to get in touch with her during such and such date.

Really. What are you? F-ing royalty?? Peons should get in touch with you since you announced when YOU will be available??

I can't put my finger on why this rubbed me the wrong way. But it did. I;m not in the town so it matters nothing to me but I thought it quite presumptious? Snotty? Hoity toity? Asinine??? Take your pick.

I like FB because it has allowed me to recoonect with a few faces from the past. Othr than that it's evil. Because people dont have manners, plain and simple.

That's all I'll say about that,

(Please excuse the spelling and grammatical errors. My droid has no grammer or spell check....)

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My mantra for this week:

"Don't forget to wear your big girl panties!!"

Thank god it's a short work week. If I call or text any of you in tears or frustration please remind me of this. (Big girl panties or short week. Whichever seems more appropriate is fine with me.)

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Where would I be without Stanley Steemer??

Have I mentioned we have a zoo at our house??  Needless to say we should have bought stock in Stanley Steemer a loooong time ago.  I'm sure I've blogged about this before (or at least some of this) so hang in there with me...

It's that time of year again where our back yard is a green swampy mess.  Good because the snow is gone and the grass is now green!!!  Bad because the ground is saturated and easily turns to mud.  Like when Liam jumps off the end of his ramp.  He now jumps into a mud puddle he's inadvertently made.  Nice...  We have a steam cleaner for spots and "in between" cleanings.  But it just doesn't get the job done like Stanley.

Even though we try to wipe off their paws and try different products (like the balloon-type paw covers) our carpets look AWFUL!!!  It's an annual ritual that we have Stanley Steemer come and do the downstairs carpets.  Usually I wait until the end of May but I have to host Bunco the second Tuesday in May so we're bumping up the cleaning schedule.

But one twist we've thrown into this whole carpet issue is aging dogs.  Read: incontinent dogs.  Yep.  I am admitting to this on my blog.  And I understand you may never want to come to our house after you read this.  Although I define "good friends" as those that overlook your mess anyway.

Nikki had "picked out" a spot in the living room to sneak and pee when she wanted to be passive aggressive.  This spot turned into the place she went when it was raining outside and she refused to pee outside.  (cranky old lady...)  Finally we smartened up and started buying "pee pee pads" and laid them over her "area".  Takes 2 pads to cover. 

Although I admit not smart on our part - but we NEVER trained the dogs to use the pads.  However, they both figured it out!!  (fakers.  they keep acting dumb to get out of trouble but they're a lot smarter than they let on....)  It started with Nikki peeing on them.  Well, kinda.  She'd squat on the edge.  Not all would get on the pad but the majority would and that made cleaning the rest with our steam cleaner a lot easier.  She's since gotten better with her aim although she rarely needs to use the pads.  But they are a good back up plan!

A year ago we had to put Liam on a reduced calorie food.  Apparently it works but packing the kibble with TONS of fiber.  Poor guy now poops 4 - 5 times a day.  Seriously.  There have been times where he hasn't "told" us he has to go and instead has just walked to the pee pee pads and pooed right on them instead!  I find it quite amazing since we never trained him to use them!!!  There have even been 2 or 3 incidents where we've found where he's stood over the 2 pads and perfectly peed on them too!! (They are super absorbent pads designed for adult dogs....)

Ok, so enough about the bowel movements of my canines.  Because now I fear I'll never see any of you ever again in person....