The Dentist

I would like to say first that although this blog was not inspired by Abby, I would like to dedicate it to Abby because one day she will be the most kick-butt dentist there ever was in Tweety Bird scrubs.

So I sit here, VERY frustrated for the moment because I need to be fundraising, aka talking to people. But alas, I just back from the dentist, where I got the last 2 of five fillings in the past month. The right side of my mouth is tingly, limp, and generally just not there. It's a non-mouth. I bet the woman behind the counter secretly loves when she gets co-pays (or $300, half of what you owe for your fillings, whatever) from persons having just gotten fillings. Because I am so self-conscious that I look the way I feel. And when I talk, suddenly my lips and tongue serve as these evil obstacles to avoid when trying to speak. Grr. And next to me sits a granny smith apple. Ooh I'd love to have that apple right now. I can just hear Granny Smith now, "Jaquelin, come have an afternoon snack...eat me!" And to that I say, "No Granny Smith, I will bite my mouth to bits if I eat you right now." So I sit here at my computer, realizing that my options are suddenly limited for what I can do right now. I could go for a run but I'm taking another day off, with the permission of my coach. Because my legs decided to be in a fight with me today (but I DID look smashing...and a little TOO serious, especially paired up with my reflective vest...with my fuel belt on).

So while we're on the subject of the dentist. Er, or while we're in an entry entitled "The Dentist"...let me share with you some observations that I was able to make.

1. First and foremost, Abby has the most spectacular scrubs compared to most. Solid royal blue? Who does that dental hygienist think she is!? I should have told her that Tweety Bird, Betty Boop, and Pooh Bear were all floating around on scrubs, waiting for her at WalMart.

2. Second, the dentist put a "rubber blue dam" on my mouth while he did the fillings. And while I appreciate the procedure and safety that comes with this dam, I felt like I was being tortured. Not so much in the physical form, but in the verbal abuse form. They were saying things and I couldn't respond back. "What kind of dentist do you go to!?!?" You may be wondering. Well, folks? I go to the kind of dentist where they assume that I go by Jackie.

Oh. My. Gosh.

If I compiled all the times I've been called Jackie in my life, it probably wouldn't surpass the amount of times that putrid name was directed toward me in the last 1.5 hours of my life. If I knew, before they put the dam on my mouth, that they were the assuming type, I'd let them know before. It was like they were placing the dam on my mouth so they could flood my ears with the name, yet my polite-yet-secretly-very-frustrated corrections would be trapped. It was a rubber blue dam of putridness. It put a bad taste in my mouth. Oh, wait, my mouth is still numb from the anesthesia. I think they put "Jackie" into the needle with which they numbed me.

3. Before I freak out about that (that's funny, get it?...cuz I already have had a cow), I will move onto my next thing. I think I take this for granted because I don't have to do it. That is, if there are 2 people working on my mouth, and I have a dam of putridness, and a numb mouth, what do they talk about? Not only can I not really talk, but they are doing things to my mouth. Not only that, they are doing things to my mouth with big fat silver tools that make noise and cause enamel and tooth to shoot out of my mouth into the air. WHAT ARE THEY DOING IN THERE!? Why do we put our trust into these people? I'll tell you why. It could be because they have their teeth certificate, and they graduated from teeth school, and maybe their scrub style passes our personal test (not today, not today...). I think that ultimately, it's because they are really good at what they do and don't say when they are using those tools in our mouths. They don't say things like, "oh shoot", "oops", "I hate it when that happens", "oh no, where did it go?". You get the idea. My dentist was very calm the whole time and who knows? Maybe there was an emergency in my mouth but how would I know? His talk about Sean Penn and Lance Armstrong with his assistant was pretty tame. UNLESS dentists have top secret meetings with their co-workers and talk about code words/phrases that actually mean "I've really screwed up in here", or "we'll just give her a discount". I mean com'n, talking about how his niece is turning 35 tomorrow!? Is it just me or is that a tell-tale sign that my mouth will never be the same?

Those are my main dentist observations for the day. In the next couple of minutes I plan on saying some things to myself to make sure I look normal when I talk. Because I have GOT to go fundraise. I'll just tell myself over and over not to freak out when people call me Jackie. Let the flood gates open and the dam--the rubber blue dam--be broken.

LOL. It's been awhile, I know.

Fuel Belt

 This is called a fuel belt.

 I bought one yesterday.

 I will start wearing it when I run.

 I am, without a doubt, officially a runner.

 Because you know what?

 I wear lots of water bottles around my waist.

My Life Would Suck Withoouuuut Youuuu

Same chorus, different verses....

-Jesus.

My life! (sung by KC)

My life! (sung by J + K)

Would suck! (sung by KC)

Would suck! (sung by J + K)

Withouuutt yooouuuuu!! (sung by KC with J + K)

-Family.

My life! (sung by KC)

My life! (sung by J + K)

Would suck! (sung by KC)

Would suck! (sung by J + K)

Withouuutt yooouuuuu!! (sung by KC with J + K)

-Friends.

My life! (sung by KC)

My life! (sung by J + K)

Would suck! (sung by KC)

Would suck! (sung by J + K)

Withouuutt yooouuuuu!! (sung by KC with J + K)

-Food.

My life! (sung by KC)

My life! (sung by J + K)

Would suck! (sung by KC)

Would suck! (sung by J + K)

Withouuutt yooouuuuu!! (sung by KC with J + K)

-Exercise (more specifically, endorphins...).

My life! (sung by KC)

My life! (sung by J + K)

Would suck! (sung by KC)

Would suck! (sung by J + K)

Withouuutt yooouuuuu!! (sung by KC with J + K)

-Kids.

My life! (sung by KC)

My life! (sung by J + K)

Would suck! (sung by KC)

Would suck! (sung by J + K)

Withouuutt yooouuuuu!! (sung by KC with J + K)

I should copyright this.

Running 101

Hey guys! I know! Two days in a row! Did I mean to just rhyme, NO!!

So as I was running earlier this evening, I thought to myself, "Self, my bloggers have been so good to me and I have not loved them back. I need to blog again. But what am I going to blog about?" Well, coincidentally, I thought about running. Actually that's not a coincidence. Actually it makes a lot of sense.  Because of course I thought of running. I was running. Well whatever. Anyway...I have decided to give you some pointers on running. Do you remember my Coaching 101? And B's Coaching 101? I don't remember who started it. But whatever. Both B and I are officially certified through experience to give all of you pointers. As one who is training for a marathon, I feel like it's time to be handed the pretend certificate that says I can give Running 101 pointers. So, thank you for the certificate. Let's begin.

*Don't be afraid of running. It seems that many people say they can't run when in fact, I think they can. Yes, it takes practice to do it comfortably...but anyone can run. 

*If you enjoy listening to music while you workout, then heck, put the ear buds in and go. Just be careful of cars. People have differing opinions about this, i.e., my father. But...hey Dad if you're reading this, LOVE YA! Anyway...it's important that you run on the left side of the road unless there is a sidewalk on the right side. Otherwise, there is only one set of eyes looking out for your life, rather than two sets. Unless of course there was a passenger, or you turned your head, or there's some random deer that can get in front of an oncoming car to save you if need be, but let's not be ridiculous. Just go with it. I am certified to tell you what's up. And your chances of living after your run are up if you listen to me.

*You are a runner if you run regularly, even if you don't have the "runner's body." I have had the hardest time calling myself a runner because I'll be honest, I've got a muffin top that can't be beat. Well actually muffin top is being nice. I do NOT NOT NOT have a runner's body. But I run. And I'm proud. And I guess....that means I'm a...runner!? Still trying to get used to that.

*If you want to invest in runner gear, don't spend loads of money on brand name clothes. I have learned in the past month, while running with Team in Training, that Marshall's and TJMaxx (actually I don't know the latter for sure, but it's the same thing so I just assume) carry some pretty good stuff for little money. Wouldn't you rather get 3 shirts, spandex, a sports bra, and some socks all for $10 than a headband for $10? That's what I thought. Okay fine you can't get ALL that for that little, but almost.

*Some ways you can look like a more intense runner than you really are....

-When it's glove weather out, or even if you don't plan on wearing them, if you carry one glove in each hand while you run, you look like a runner.

-You can also probably get the same effect if you stuff them in the back of your pants...but just make sure they stick out a little bit. I'm not telling you to just stuff them down your pants, period...that would be weird. 

-You might get tired and it's okay to slow down to almost a crawl when there are no cars around because who are you going to impress? The deer whose "eyes are on you"? He's not going to do anything. That's why you need to stay on the sidewalk or the left side. Don't depend on the deer. He's probably actually making fun of you when you are slow as molasses. Stupid deer.  Anyway, as far as the fast-when-cars-are-passing-you thing...we all do it, don't judge.

*Make sure that if you use hair ties (and I certainly hope you do if you have long hair), you have some good, strong ones. It's no fun to break it during a run. 

*If you trip over your shoelace during a run, don't just get up and keep running. Because you WILL just trip again. And when you trip over your shoelaces again within 5 steps of starting again, learn your lesson and tie them tighter. Don't accept rides home from nice old men who saw it all. Rather, keep running home because when you arrive you will feel like a warrior who conquered a battle. Because, well, you did. Between you and your stupid shoelace. And the deer that's still laughing at you.

*YOU CAN RUN!!!! I dare you to try it if you're scared. Because you know what else? And I know you know this if you are a Deep Thoughts by Jaq Hubbard fan....RUNNING GIVES YOU ENDORPHINS!!!!

Decisions, Decisions...

Recently I've been faced with a tough decision that comes back again and again every day at approximately 3pm Monday through Friday.

It's called Team in Training. It has taken over my life, which is totally fine because I love it, but suddenly I find myself deciding between the training route, or the fundraising route. I'm supposed to be running or cross-training Monday through Friday. I'm also supposed to raise something like, oh yeah, 4,300 dollars. Wouldn't that be neat if it were 4,300 pennies? Hugs and high fives? Gum wrappers? But no, we're going with dollars. 

I think I've done an okay job of balancing which route to go day-by-day but there is a feeling of guilt that has taken its residence in my head and my heart since the day I initiated a "big" event for fundraising, happening in mid-April. This feeling of guilt will remain in me until the event is over and done with (already looking forward to that day...hopefully at this time I will be taking my share...3 of use are doing it together...and will be satisfied with how far it brings me to my goal). Some days I feel it more than others. Like, on days when I do nothing, meaning no fundraising and no workout, that's the ultimate guilt. If I do a workout rather than fundraising, I feel less guilt because at least I trained. If I fundraise, I feel pretty darn good. The thing is, though, the feeling returns the next day. It's a vicious cycle. Thing is, I don't mean to complain...I'm really excited about being a part of TNT because it's so great that I can do this for myself but at the same time, the fight against cancer is so much harder and it's really humbling. I can't say that from experience, but I've heard about and met some great people who have been through all the crap that comes with having cancer. They're amazing!

I guess it's just that, well, I can always do better. And my mentor, bless his little heart, says that with my "pretty face" I have the potential of doing really well asking for donations. But I don't so much have the force that's required. Ugh.

So in summary, my two main routes every day at 3pm are workout or fundraise. But then sometimes I'm thrown a curveball and my famous friends are on Oprah, or watching television and popping some popcorn and calling it a day is tempting, or...I have to do grad school work or Landmark work. Or...you get my drift.

Let's talk about some awesome things...

*My friends are famous...

*My sister is preggo and is due July 16th...

*I have a really exciting April and May I think...

-My preggo sister is coming to visit like 23 times.

-I am going home for Easter.

-I am going home again for Preggo's baby shower (which also is a curve ball sometimes...I should probably help plan it, no?!).

-In May I am taking part in the annual Dodd Memorial Day Weekend camping trip for the 4th year in a row...LOVE IT!!! 

-OBVIOUSLY the marathon May 31st:)

-AND I get to go to the Outer Banks for the Hubbard vacation late June...AND Amy is coming. So far, anyway.

*And the last thing that is awesome? I am blogging again. Actually, you all know that I shouldn't jump to conclusions. 

MUAH!!! AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE ONE AND ONLY AMY DODDDDDDD:)

 

You Know You've Blog-Slacked When...

...you log into your blog and realize that they changed the format of the site since you last blogged.

...friends continually ask when you will blog again.

...some friends TELL you point blank that you're a blogging slacker.

...in the middle of the night you can't go back to sleep for many reasons, one of them being you feel bad that you haven't blogged (for real!).

...in your mind you don't get mad at your friends who don't update their blogs very much because, well, that would make you a hypocrite.

...your friend gasps when she hears you say, "I'm going to blog."

...the title of your blog is "You Know You've Blog-Slacked When..."

Stick With Me Please....?

...I know I've been MIA. I won't deny it. There's no reason. I've actually started a couple of different posts and then just...exited out. I can't really explain it. But if you persevere and believe in my blogability, I thank you.

I think my 2 reasons for not blogging are:

1. I don't have anything to write.

2. I DO have something to write, but am tired just thinking about writing about it (cuz' remember, first year teaching...it truly is a demanding year).

So do I have anything to write about tonight? No. But I DO want to check in and say HOLLAAAA!

My marathon training and fundraising are going well. It's ironic that ever since signing up for a marathon I've been running less....my coach said I can't do things like go out and run 14 miles randomly. I guess there's something called overtraining. Dangit. 

As far as fundraising, I've been stressing out a little bit. So far I have about 25% of the funds, which I think is GREAT!!! But I also think that God enjoys using these moments as stretching moments and opportunities for me to draw closer to Him, realizing that it's not me who is raising this money by myself. So yeah, my prediction of the next few months is that it will come to me thinking, "eeek!" because I can't seem to raise all the money and then when I've drawn closer to God because I've been asking for His strength, He'll swoop in and be the Savior He is and will always be, and I will raise all the money I need but just barely. That's my prediction anyway....it always seems to happen that way.

I just found out today that Landmark has to make up the 3 days we had off for snow days. Which means we go until Wednesday the 17th of June, which means I have the 18th-25th of June to go to Nags Head, before I leave for my marathon in Seattle. Which means I'd have to be able to get to Nags Head from Wednesday to Wednesday which doesn't work. DANGIT 2 years in a row I've missed Nags Head. I miss it. But I can't complain too much. I'm really excited about my marathon and Team in Training and helping cure cancer. Yay. (With a little bit of "boo" on the side....)

Work is work. I have been getting SO FRUSTRATED with myself because of that whole thing where you care WAY too much what other people think of you. It has recently been taking over my life.  My mom, with her motherly wisdom, reminded me that that was the devil being like, YES I'VE GOTTEN HER!!! Well those weren't her exact words, but you get what I mean. The devil has won when I let those kind of STUPID things get to me. Ugh. 

On a much lighter (and girly) note, I've gotten into a book series. Recently I've attempted to get into the Harry Potter series and the Twilight series, but neither of them kept my interest. Turns out I'm just not a wizard/vampire kind of person. So what kind of person am I, you ask? I am a shopaholic kind of person. Yep. The shopaholic. I love her.

Tomorrow I am running 8 miles I think with the team. We are learning more about stretching. Then I am hanging out with my "little sister" and she requested that we go to the Mass Reserve trails so she can take pictures and stuff. I think that's awesome. She's a real catch, I've gotta say.

Okay well I have to say I'm proud of myself for blogging, although I have a feeling it was REALLY dry. Well, maybe I'll try for 2 in a row? We'll see. Oh and I meant to post a cartoon at the beginning of this blog because recently I feel like that's what you should do if you're a cool blogger. That or a YouTube video of you in Amsterdam or something. Welp, oh well.