RECAP

Here's a recap of my most recent visit to SLC. I have decided that there are 2 things I strongly dislike about Salt Lake (and no, it does not have to do with the weather. Yet. The weather was fabulous, if fact.):

1. Anytime you order a milkshake at any restaurant/fast food joint (excluding McDonald's and Burger King), it looks like this:
THIS IS NOT A MILKSHAKE!! First of all it comes in a cup within a cup and second of all it is served with a spoon and not a straw! I have been duped TWICE! I have learned my lesson. I will never order another "milkshake" in the state of Utah ever again. You cannot imagine how bummed I was when my brownie "milkshake" tasted like vanilla. And all my brownie bits were at the bottom of the cup. I almost asked for my money back when I was halfway through. I was that disappointed.

2. This city shuts down early. I mean, waaaaayyyy early. Downtown Salt Lake dies around 9 pm. Downtown areas should never shut down before midnight. It should be a written law.

And I just want to mention that we finally ate at a Cafe Rio and we weren't impressed. At all. This place is ridiculously expensive (especially when they ask you if you want you burrito enchilada style and if you want sour cream, guac, and pico de gallo. if you don't read the menu thoroughly you won't realize that the above extras cost a dollar a piece! Clark's burrito came out to over $10! We could have gone to a nice sit down restaurant. what a scam.) I honestly believe you get better food at Rubios--for way less. So there.

Anywhoo, here are a ridiculous amount of pictures. I just love to go overboard when posting. Can't help it. We are just too beautiful :)

At a random venue in Layton(??) to see Strung Out. Clark's face cracks me up in this one. He's my special boy.


They're getting old, but they still know how to rock.


The base player ran off stage a few times to partake in the fun in the mosh pit. But no one wanted to mosh with a guy with an instrument.


My husband is a better cook than your husband. Don't be offended. He's just that awesome. Fried chicken and twice baked potatoes. I could never pull this off.


I made Clark hike Ensign Peak with me. He was not enthusiastic and said he didn't want to "waste" our whole day.


Clark sped ahead, I literally had to run to keep up with him at first. He really didn't want to waste much time enjoying Utah's beauty and a bit of history.


Hello downtown neighborhoods.


Looks like someone got a little tired. Should have paced himself. At 5,000 feet hiking can be a little strenuous.


And the time it took us to get to the top?? 17 minutes. Not exactly the "all day" hike Clark was anticipating.


Awww, I think he enjoyed himself after all.




Yes, Clark, that's a big nest.


All time favorite pose from my all time favorite youtube music video.


I love fall colors.


A charming park in downtown.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLARK!!! Is that a used ABBA CD from Zia Records? Why yes, it is. I am an awesome wife. Only the best for you, Clark.


What's this?


A homemade scarf! This is the extent of my domestic abilities. I've been promising him one for years now. But there was never any reason to make one for him while living in AZ.


Look how I came through. A used Abba CD, a back scratcher, hand lotion, a scarf and a 16 gig nano. Like I said, I'm kind of awesome.


Ready to hit the town. We can clean up nice sometimes.


Looking good fellas.


Next door to the jazz club that ended up being under new ownership without the same musical connections as the last owners...lone behold, a naughty boutique! We may have mingled for a few minutes inside. Always entertaining. Roooaaaahhhhrrr.


Can you guess what is taped to the window? Stocking stuffers I suppose.


Tomas, Clark and Nate trying desperately to figure out if any clubs have live music on a Wednesday night. The verdict? Hells no. It's Salt Lake and the city dies at 9, especially during the week.


We're sad our fabulous idea to watch live jazz did not pan out.


But we're happy to be together. I am, anyway.


My so so cute shoes! I just have to advertise for this website I found while browsing the internet at work. The website is http://www.6pm.com/ and I found these super cute shoes for $13!! The really sweet deal is no matter how much you buy shipping is only $6.95. I may have splurged and bought a few more items. But when shoes are only 12 bucks a pair you can't go wrong. That is definitely my female mind using pure logic and reasoning to justify spending money.


A possible picture for Christmas cards. Clark said I made him feel pregnant with my hand on his stomach.


So I think this picture might be more appropriate for Christmas cards. Yeah!???


No live jazz+dead city at 9 pm = eating out again for the 5th time that day. But I think Clark still enjoyed his birfday.



It's always a good time when we're together. Though we didn't get dressed up for Halloween (we don't yet have many connections in Utah) we have perfected our ideas for our costumes for next year. But I'm still kicking myself for not getting dressed up to go to Hollywood Video.

My favorite quote of the week was from Tomas: "You know, it's a good thing you run because I've noticed you have quite a sweet tooth." As evidenced by my need for a package of toaster streudels one night, ice cream basically every night, and Halloween candy. Yep I like my sugar. I go crazy without something sweet.

PS We finally got a Costco membership. It is so fun to walk around and not buy anything and then buy a sausage dog, pizza, frozen yogurt and a churro. Cheap and delish. Well worth the membership fee. And our glasses and eye exams will be, too.

I can't tell you how hard it is to leave Clark at the end of my visits. Each visit gets more and more difficult. Though I have my beef with Salt Lake I really do hope I find a job opportunity soon so I can move up there and be with him and take a huge pay cut and like it. Oh yeah, and suffer through the inevitable, miserable cold winter too.

If only I had a few million laying around...

http://www.azcentral.com/style/hfe/decor/articles/2009/11/05/20091105castle.html

one of my dreams, so close by, so out of reach.

Birfday Boy

Clark is 26 today!!! We are celebrating by going to a jazz club tonight in downtown SLC with some friends. here's the link: http://www.slctravel.com/zanzibar.htm

Jazz hands, jazz hands, jazz hands, jazz hands!! We're pretty stoked.

Happy Birthday, Clark! You are such a wonderful husband and I am so glad I got to spend an extra day here in Salt Lake to celebrate with you. You fill my life with such joy, I love you!

Pedal Update

Had an appointment with the podiatrist earlier today. Had a few x rays taken, had my foot fondled...looks like I probably don't have a stress fracture after all! Most likely just a flare up of my lateral or central fascia.

WHEW!

BUT if the pain doesn't go away in 10 days I have to go back in to get more x rays since stress fractures sometimes take up to 2 weeks to manifest. Taking a couple days off from running has already made my foot feel much better though. Went out for a run earlier today-after the doctor's approval-in new Brooks shoes and it felt pretty good. Still a slight throb but nothing like the other morning where I could hardly bear weight on it.

I am so so thankful for my ability (and desire) to run and for my overall good health. I know I often take running for granted and I need to remember to thank God every day for this wonderful gift! I really don't know what I would do if I couldn't run. In my opinion, no other form of exercise compares.

But that's just me.

(I hope I don't look like this in my upcoming races...)

Still akward, but getting better

I really haven't been happy with the length of my hair since I chopped off more than 10 inches in June. I just got my hair re-DID by the girl who fixed my color back in August. She is a gem. A jewel. A real self-esteem booster.

After she finished coloring my roots she asked me if I wanted a trim. Well, noooooooo, I am trying my darnedest to grow my hair out, I told her. Yet somehow she convinced me to let her trim my hair. Thankfully she took off only the teeniest tiniest amount possible. Then she asked me if I wanted her to texturize (am I even saying this right??) it. What does that mean, I asked? She explained it to me, then she done did it to my hair.

(I'm a little pissed off that none of my hair dressers in my 25 years of life have suggested this little trick before now. Just a little.)

My hair is so much lighter and it lays so nicely now. Ahhhh, I almost feel trendy.

And my hair is already down to my shoulders. Less awkward of a length for sure. I have to admit, things are looking up.





PS, I get to see my husband/best friend/lover in 4 days! EEEEEEEEeeeeeeee! (That was my squeal for joy.)

Bad Fortune

I'm going to see a podiatrist on Tuesday.

I don't know what's up with my left foot but I think I may have a stress fracture. I'm hopeful that the pain is only plantar fasciitis but usually plantar fasciitis creates pain in the heel and I have pain in the metatarsals (though I'm not sure which one exactly). This sucks.

And I have a half marathon in November. May have to skip that one, though I was so looking forward to winning some $$ in a local road race.

And I have the half marathon in Vegas in December. May have to push the limits and actually run that one. Already got a hotel and paid the entry fee. I guess I'll just keep my fitness up by using the aquajogger and the elliptical machine at the gym.

I hate substituting anything for running. I never feel like I'm getting a workout.

Wish me luck that the pain is just in my head and that it's not as bad as I think it is....

Good Fortune

I have been missing one of these hair barrettes since April. Is it sad that I know the month I actually lost my clip?

The other day I was rummaging through a purse I don't currently use looking for some lip gloss I haven't used in months...and stumbled upon my "lost" barrette! I cannot tell you how thrilled I was!

Firstly, I was given these barrettes from a dear friend of mine who lives in Spain who I rarely get to see nowadays (I hate growing up) and secondly, they were bought from a street vendor in Spain. So they are pretty special.

Oh, how the little things in life can make me so happy!

A Little Help for Doctor and Juris Doctor Tobler

Kyle tried to post the link to beautiful pictures of his family. He got the website wrong. Bored at work, I found the right website. These photos just should not be missed. Please click on the link to view Kyle and Kim and Charlie and Greta looking so fine.

http://www.sarawilhelmphotography.blogspot.com/

What a beautiful family.

(Kyle Tobler family: I sure hope you don't mind me exploiting your beauty and photogenic abilities on this blog.)

Echo Canyon Killed My Legs

Seriously, my legs are aching.

I decided to go for a hike up Camelback Mountain today, after an 8 mile run. I've had plenty of days where I go running and then hike several miles. This usually occurs in Nevada with the Tobler parentals. Nothing has ever compared to this, though. And I think the trail is only 2.4 miles total? Felt a lot longer.

Here's what the official City of Phoenix website says about the Echo Canyon Trail. And yes, Echo Canyon did match the difficulty level described by the website.

I did my best to capture the difficulty of the hike on camera. It wasn't easy, being that I needed both arms/hands for balance and guidance.


Awwww, the hike starts with stairs.


I'm not sweating yet....ppsshhhhhh, who said this trail was hard?


What the??


Oh snap.


True evidence I made it to the top.


Part of the Valley.


Oh, you rich people.


Part of the trail on the way down. Going down was just as hard as going up. Lots of close calls and loose rocks.


Oh what a cactus.


Seriously steep.


And goodnight, Arizona. I was so hopeful for an awesome sunset...instead I got this.



In other news, I have applied for two jobs in Utah! And I already got one rejection email for...the orthopedic floor. That's right Clark. I'm not good enough to pass out oral medications and turn people at regular intervals. Those SOBs. But the nurse recruiter did call me and he is going to get in touch with a few telemetry managers at a couple of hospitals, even though there aren't any telemetry job listings on the internet. What a nice guy. Wish me luck, and if any of ya'll want to say a few prayers for Clark and I, that would be cool, too. We really want live under the same roof again.

Ensemble of the Month *

Off the shoulder top, of course. Basic black will do.


Skinny jeans are all the rage, you know. Especially amongst chillun who never experienced the skinny jeans of the 80's and early 90's because they a.) had not been conceived yet or b.) were merely toddlers.


Any color high top Reebok kicks that were popular when I was in kindergarten. Though I believe red and black were the only colors available 2 decades ago. Thank goodness yellow and orange and pink are available now. For 20 years I was worried and stressed that I may never own a yellow pair of Reebok high tops. Serenity now.


Jewelry that screams you are five years old at heart.



*NOTE: This is NOT the ensemble of the month. I am totally kidding and just wanting to vent about fashion absurdities in our present time. Great music came from the 80's. Great fashion did not. Not that I am trendy or an elitist fashionista but COME ON. I'm just looking forward to the day when skinny jeans are no longer popular amongst the masses. **shudder** They came and went in the 80's and early 90's. (Thank goodness for the grunge scene right?) Fashion trends are cyclical so they're bound to get the hell out of society again. For the benefit of society, might I add. If you are a skinny jean wearing guy/gal, please watch your muffin top. I thank you kindly.

SO OVER IT

I am over being a homeowner.

So completely over it.

We've owned our house for over a year and I still haven't painted one wall.

Not one.

This was what I was most excited about, too. At the beginning. Now I don't want to ivest any money/effort into what may become a rental property.

And our backyard is still a mess. I know if we are to rent the house out I should attempt to make the backyard presentable and a safe haven for little children buuuuutttt I lack desire to make any progress in reseeding the grass and clearing out rocks. Sucks to be the kids in the family that may move in in the future. They can play in sparse rocks and dirt and dying bermuda grass. And they can learn to water grass at an early age since what exists of our lawn does not have an underground sprinkler system. Too bad, suckers. Give those kids some responsibility, they are too spoiled nowadays anyway.

And the homeowners warranty= another added yearly expense. I hate it. That is an airplane ticket to Europe right there.

I am actually looking forward to regressing and moving into an apartment if (and when) I move up to Utah with Clark. Maybe it is "throwing away money." Call it what you wanna call it, I'm tired of owning a house. Too much work/money involved in this aspect of the "American Dream." And it is way too easy to accumulate unnecessary items/furniture/crap with a house and lots of space.

Maybe I'm just tired of material things and tired of striving to achieve the American Dream and need to find a cabin in the woods and live in minimalist spledor. I've always wanted to.

Apology

I'm sincerely sorry Arizona, for all of the stupid and silly things I've ever posted about you being hell on Earth.

You're not. Sometimes you feel like it but you're not. Shame on me for exploiting your bouts of extreme heat.

The weather is beautiful. I love it. I was about to go insane and then all of a sudden the temperature dropped into the 80's. I can walk outside without breaking a sweat now. I can even run in the middle of the day.

Perfection.

I'll try not to trash talk you when next summer rolls around. Because I know it's five months of miserable heat and seven months of gorgeous weather. That's a pretty good trade off. (Maybe only four months of miserable heat??? I stop counting after the first hot month and just look forward to fall.)

And plus, I really have to enjoy you now since I may not be around to enjoy every single month of mild weather.

Don't dupe me, Arizona. Keep the temp mild and the air pressure low. I really don't want to take back my apology.

Love, Rachel

PS, some rain would be nice. Maybe some thunder and lightening, too. We didn't have a fantastic monsoon season this year. Just a thought. But I don't want to push my luck.

How I Roll on a Saturday Night

Six Pack. Everything tastes better in a bottle.


This is hard for me to put down right now.


But I did so I could watch a movie and get loads of caramel cemented between my teeth.


Mood music for???


Well cooking is never complete without good tunes. Does boiling tortellini = cooking? In my book it does.


Thank goodness for simple preparations.


Yes, I like tomatoes. A lot.


The one thing missing: a husband for company.


If Clark had been here, Saturday night would have been complete and perfect. Though I would have had to make two containers of the tortellini because I finished off every last stuffed noodle like a starving hound dog. And did I mention my 14 mile run went amazingly well? It did, hence the need for a six pack and milk duds.

No Thanks

Thanks but no thanks, I will not be vaccinated against the H1N1. Come what may, I simply refuse. I don't know everything regarding the matter, but I've done a little research.

Thimerosal, the preservative found in the newly formulated vaccine, frightens me. I know I have most likely been exposed to it since I was vaccinated against Hep B as a wee child, but I don't want no mo' in my body. There are way too many disconcerting links to neurological disorders.

Oh, and it was banned from from most countries 20 years ago BUT NOT the US of A? Go figure.

http://www.naturalnews.com/011764.html

Also, the mere fact that the vaccine has been formulated within MONTHS frightens me as well. The efficacy and safety of the H1N1 vaccine has not even been truly proven. Yikes.

I'm not an expert or a doctor, BUT COME ON. Very unnerving information.

And preggo women or women planning on having babies, take a gander at this article:

http://www.naturalnews.com/027019_H1N1_pregnant_women_mercury.html

Now don't get me wrong. I still get the annual flu vaccine( because I have to). And I still get the flu yearly anyway. But at least the flu vaccine I receive comes in a prefilled syringe and does not contain preservatives (though it is manufactured with Thimerosal, it undergoes a purification process so that by the time the vaccine is injected into your muscle, YOU DON'T GET A SURPRISE PRESERVATIVE). And yes, the vaccine Fluarix underwent legitimate clinical trials.

Maybe I'm being risky with my own health, but I'm not an 85 year old with an extensive medical history and compromised immune system and I'm definitely not a vulnerable fetus. And for the past 25 years of my life I've gotten the flu at least once a year regarless of vaccinations and I'm doin aight.

Any thoughts on this issue?? I know it is a controversial topic but I'm curious as to what ya'll think.

My Favorite Aromas

are not perfumes.

Perfumes are in an entirely different category because you spray them onto your body. I don't spray my favorite aromas on my body. But that is just me.

I cleaned today and mopped so I have a specific aroma floating pleasantly about my nostrils. Ahhhhh.

**This is such a nonsense post but being a single wife I need to keep myself busy somehow. I can't force myself to work more than three shifts a week (though I did muster up the strength to do an extra shift before my trip to SLC; that was painful) and I can only clean so much, read so much and watch so many movies.**

So here are my top three aromas (not perfumes) ever:

1. Spiced Pumpkin.

I love fall. I love the foods associated with fall. I love the mouth-watering Spiced Pumpkin smell. Enough said.

2. Freshly cut, baled and stacked hay.


What? I grew up on a farm. It's reminiscent of my past summers at home in Washington. I loved running around our farm simply to smell the freshly cut hay. Never got old and still never does. One of the things I most look forward to when going to Pasco, aside from seeing family and going fishin.

3. Pine-Sol


Is it weird that I actually love the smell of a cleaning product?
I clean everything with Pine-Sol now. Lysol makes me want to gag and throw up and it can give me headaches. But Pine-Sol is such a welcome, fresh smell. It means things are sanitary and clean--without the headache! I use it in the kitchen, bathroom, on the floors...loving this woodsy smell. It makes cleaning an almost pleasant experience.


What are your favorite aromas?

Sssshhhh...Don't Tell

any of my primary children that I went to a show on a Sunday. They would be very disappointed. After all I have taught them...

"Do as I say, not as I do." I am fond of this adage. It definitely applies in this situation.

The Get Up Kids came to Tempe. I absolutely could not miss this show. They haven't toured since 2005. I never got the chance to see them when they called it quits in '05. I got dang lucky. They're back and rocking it four years later.

Making sure the camera will work. Check. Don't ask my why I added this picture. Maybe so you could see how nicely this one turned out as opposed to the pictures of the bands.


I conned my coworker Rhoda into going. Yesss! She brought along her bro and her bro's gf. The more the merrier. Doesn't she look excited? HA!


Sad that NONE of my pictures turned out. This was the best and this is TERRIBLE. I saw people taking pictures on their camera phones in front of me and their pics turned out way better. Needless to say, I am frustrated.



Clark, I tried and tried and wasted so much time trying to upload the video I took of this song. I hate our camera and the SD card. I'm not backing down this time.
Wish you were there to listen to this song live with me. I didn't think they would play it and they DID. It reminded me of freshman year...I don't want to give out too much info but I know you remember :)
Sorry it's not my recorded version but it'll do. I'll show you the one I recorded when I see you in 4 weeks.

Glamorous

Or not.

Nursing actually isn't glamorous AT ALL.

Take my current shift for example.

I have cleaned up one patient SEVEN times. And it isn't even 2 am yet.

SEVEN times.

The pooh has been loose and runny and outright nasty. He probably has c. diff.

Clostridium difficile = bacteria that causes runny, gag-or-throw-up nasty smelling pooh.

I called the doc to get an order for a rectal tube. I don't need to explain this one; the important thing to know is that it drains pooh.

I tried to place the tube. My charge nurse tried. No luck. And the patient was in so much pain because a.) a huge tube has been folded to fit in his bum and b.) he has hemorrhoids.

No rectal tube system = patient that continues to pooh...a steady stream that just never seems to end. Beautiful visual image, don't you think?

Oh, the joys of nursing.

Close Call

So I almost didn't make it home from SLC Tuesday evening.

Almost.

While Clark was attending a super exciting class on oxygen therapy from noon to four I decided to blog about our happy reunion and go on an afternoon run because a.) I was in Utah and b.) I was not in hell on earth Arizona. (PS 70 degree weather is so much more enjoyable than 100 degree miserable face melting heat.) Within 10 minutes of my return to the bachelor pad Clark arrived home early- a joyous surprise! He asked if I wanted to accompany him to the hospital downtown since he had to drop off some evaluation forms. Of course I wanted to go--I wanted to spend every last breathing living minute with him. I stepped into the shower to get all nice and shiny and clean and I started to feel a bit woozy and nauseous. That happens to me sometimes after runs and usually subsides within minutes. No biggie, right?

WRONG.

As I continued to get ready my nausea got worse. And worse. And worse. But I wanted to go to the hospital with Clark and savor every moment with my husband so I swallowed the nausea, filled up my water bottle and got into the Lumina.

The drive from the bachelor pad to downtown is only 15 minutes. The ENTIRE drive I could not get comfortable. This bout of nausea could not be shaken. I tried to turn left in semi fetal position with no success. I tried to turn right with no success. I put my head between my knees and then rested my forehead on the dashboard. NO SUCCESS.

When we arrived at the hospital parking garage I told Clark I would wait for him in the car. He left me with the passenger window down (bless his little heart) and I quickly double bagged two grocery bags that were miraculously laying on the floor.

WABAM!

Up came 2 bowls of cereal, partially chewed grapes, every ounce of water I consumed that day and probably some of dinner from the night before. It was a hefty load. I really hope no one saw. I was in a state of post emesis euphoria immediatly following this episode. I felt like I could have done cartwheels and backward handsprings for hours. But instead I merely walked the bags to a nearby trash can and disposed of the undigested waste. Clark came strolling up just as I released the hefty load from my grasp and we quickly got into the Lumina and made our way back to the bachelor pad. The nausea had made yet another guest appearance.

Back at the house Clark pursuaded me to lay down and take a nap. He would wake me by 6:30 in order to get to the airport in time to catch my flight. Magically I was able to fall asleep for a good hour. By the time I woke up and got my belongings together I literally felt too ill to move. Standing brought on nausea. Hugging Clark brought on nausea. How sad, I couldn't even hug my husband to my full potential. Sitting down and not moving made the nausea a little better but really I just felt like wretching my brains out. Clark and I discussed the situation and decided that if I really could not make it through checking in, getting through security, sitting and waiting to board the plane, and sitting through the flight, that I better call Southwest and reschedule my departing flight for the next day. Since I felt like I was dying I decided to do just that. I called Southwest and lone behold, it would cost me $100 to change my flight. So I told the kind agent on the other line thank you, but I will try to fly. Uuugggghhhhhhh. The point of no return. Too cheap to reschedule a flight= flying sick.

Clark gave me all sorts of pep talks on the way to the airport. Talks about how much better it would be for me to get well at home rather than on a twin size bed in a bachelor pad and to NOT drink tomato juice on the flight even though I love tomato juice and always get it on flights because it is free. At the terminal I mustered up the biggest hug "in my arsenal" as Clark always says. We said our good byes, xoxoxo, and I walked into the terminal to find the Southwest lines completely empty. That never happens. I walked right up to a kiosk and checked in within a minute. Still nauseous I made my way to security where there also was NO LINE. What the fudge, the SLC airport is awesome on a weekday evening.

**Note to self: always, ALWAYS fly out of SLC during the week and at night**

Walking to the gate my nausea started to subside. Could it have been the super non-stressful check in? Quite possibly. Little by little I felt better and decided to get a Superfood Odwalla drink. Yes, I spent $4 on a drink. Ridiculous, but I needed nutrients and fluid. The color alone probably would have made me throw up but I pretended it was pink or orange rather than barf green and it went down smoothly.

On the flight I asked for ginger ale (I fought the urge to request tomato juice) to ease the random nausea attacks. I kept my focus on the drink napkin with the outline of the United States that illustrates all of the southwest airline hubs. I started planning our future Tour de America and that kept me preoccupied for a full hour. Ahhh, the power of the mind.

So I made it to PHX in one piece without throwing up or making a scene. I've never been sick on a day of travel. I've never had to travel sick. I've never had to call an airline to try to reschedule a flight and then say no thank you, I am too cheap to reschedule and I will suffer and fly in my miserable condition.

I never want to experience that again. Too close a call, I tells you.

Oh, and when I got home I was greeted by Gretchen who meowed like crazy and then threw up TWICE right by the front door. I'm pretty sure she did it for the attention though.