It's Official...

I'm moving to the Beehive State! We load and go on December 27th.

This is both exciting and terrifying.

The bonus is I have already put in my two weeks and will have Christmas Eve and Christmas off! YEAH BABY

THE FURMINATOR!!

A coworker introduced me to this product the other night at work. After watching demonstrations of it here, I was sold. I went on ebay and bought not one but TWO Furminators as Christmas gifts. One will be gifted to me from me, and one will be wrapped up all nice and shiny for a specific someone in my family who loves a cat named Caesar, aka King of Fur, aka Precious.

Scott and Dagmara, do not let the cat out of the bag! No pun intended.

This is my favorite picture found on Amazon. The fact that someone actually took the time to form a cat shape out of shedded (is that a word??) fur bewilders me.

This product will be glorious, I can't wait to try it out on Gretchen and then make my own cat shape out of her fur.

This Made Me Cry...

from laughing so dang hard. My coworkers and I replayed this video at least 5 times last night at work. Even a doctor who was writing admission orders had to see what we were dying over. And she cracked up, too. Enjoy!


The last 20 seconds gets me every time. Maybe I shouldn't think this is funny but I just can't help myself!



(I think this goes to show that alcohol can be just as debilitating and dangerous as drugs...)

Dallop of Thanks

I am truly grateful that holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas bring together family and friends. I guess I am grateful to the government for declaring holidays so that people can get together and celebrate, too.

I fell asleep this morning with a huge smile on my face thinking about how many people would be surrounded by their loved ones today. Aside from being thankful for the obvious reasons : my spouse and family, friends, The Gospel, food, clothing, shelter, etc..., I found myself thinking about how thankful I am that millions of people can gather with their families and friends this week/weekend. Ahhhh, such a warm, happy thought. Seriously, it made me so happy to think about.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Does anyone else have difficulty extracting contact lenses from their eyeballs?

I'm trying to wear contact lenses again.

I haven't worn them for about three years and when I did wear them, it was sporadic and only lasted about three months.

Since I'm older and wiser now, I thought I would give them another shot.

I had an appointment with an optometrist and received a new glasses/contact lens prescription. Of course, she wanted to ascertain that I indeed had worn contacts in the past and made me demonstrate my ability to insert the contacts into/onto my eyes. It only took me about 5 minutes per eye-which was a little embarrassing-and I left wearing my trial pair.

About an hour ago I extracted the contact lenses from my eyes and it took about the same time as the insertion of the contacts.

And now my right eye is all red and irritated.

SOMEBODY, PLEASE, WHAT IS THE TRICK?? Is it really going to take me 20 minutes of my day to insert and extract contacts?

I had problems with this the first time around 3 years ago, hence the reason I stopped wearing them. What am I doing wrong?

Lesley, remember in middle school when you tried to put those colored contacts in my eyes and it became such a desperate situation that you had to pin me to the floor and you still couldn't get the contacts in my eyes? Maybe I should have taken that as a sign from God that I'm not destined to wear contacts...

But destined or not, I am determined. Glasses just make the backs of my ears and the bridge of my nose too sore after a 12 hour shift. I need this change!

Half Marathon Video

Awww, Kevo and Des are the best. They woke up at 7 am on a Saturday to come watch me run and they even took a little video on their phone. Cracks me up that he posted it on Youtube. Hope to have some pictures up soon that they took as well.

I ran the half in 1:25 so I was pretty pumped about that. If I can shed a minute or two off that time in Vegas in December I will be THRILLED. And the best part of the whole dang race???

I DIDN'T HAVE TO STOP TO POOH! NOT ONCE!

That was my major malfunction during last January's marathon. I stopped FOUR times. Killed my motivation to ever run another marathon. Now a half...well, now I know I can conquer the half without having the sensation to stop and pooh! Sorry, my elation is out of control. Just super stoked is all.

Too much info? Sorry again. Being a nurse, I could talk bowel movements and the like all day long. Wanna chat BM's with me? Holla at your girl. I'm a good listener.



I know, the video is not exciting at all. And I look like I am going sooooooo slow. Pick up the pace, Rach! I think my average mile time was a 6:31. Gotta get it down to 6:20...

Happy Birthday Me!!! :-)

Yes, I stole that title from your July birthday blog post, Dagmara ;)

(Somebody named Rachel didn't know that I would steal a picture of her birthday cake and use of for my own selfish purposes. MUWAHAHA)

What does a newly minted 26 year old female do on her birthday? Please, allow me to bore you with the mundane details of my birthday day.

-get home from work at 8:20 am. Go on a short run and try not to fall asleep or twist my ankle while doing so.

-wake up at 2:45 pm to an overcast sky. YES! The sky likes to taunt me. I know it won't rain but I hope for it anyway.

-check out the goods on www.6pm.com. Wail and fight back tears when the shoes I found on the website last night at work are no longer in stock. What the?? A mere 12 hours ago they were in stock.

-treat myself to a manicure. Subtle pink clear coat. Excellent choice.

-pick up my requested Anita Shreve books from the public library. I love her novels. They are so tragic and beautifully written. Oh, did I mention tragic? I've cried at the end of at least two of her novels. I can't get enough. Check her out at www.anitashreve.com.

-pick up my race number and goodie bag for the half marathon I am running at 7 am tomorrow morning.

-indulge myself in the free "pasta dinner" provided by the half marathon sponsors. 'Twas quite skimpy and I left with my belly unfulfilled. I had to come home and cook myself another dinner.

-spoke with the manager of a progressive care unit at a hospital in Utah. (eeehhhhhh!!) And this manager is ok with the fact that I wouldn't be able to start until January. Are the stars aligning? I sure hope so...

-let my friends Kevin and Desirae come keep me company for a while--and they even brought me a cake! Chocolaty chocolate yum yum. They are so good to me. Always trying to help me feel loved.

It's been hard not to be able to celebrate this birthday with my loverman Clark. Glad to say my fortune has been good today. Friday the 13th actually isn't an unlucky day after all. THANK YOU to all of you who remembered this day of my birth and for making me feel important :)

Dessert Choice

Dear Mom Tobler,

I have been thinking long and hard on the idea of getting to choose what dessert I would like for the combined November birthday celebration during the Marathon reunion. ( I'm excited to hear that three of us get to choose what we want--that means LOTS of treats!) I have narrowed it down:



or



You know I could eat the entire batch of your cinnamon rolls in one sitting and that everyone else would enjoy them, too (if there were any left over). It feels like forever since I've had a famous Mom Tobler cinnamon roll. But if you are feeling ambitious, you could make a Barbie doll cake. I haven't had one of those since I was four. Awwww, little Rachel was so excited!



As much as I hate to admit it, I would probably be the only one to appreciate the Barbie doll cake. Maybe the cinnamon rolls are the best idea since everyone would definitely enjoy those. And I promise to make sure everyone has their fair share.

Maybe you should make Clark one of these??



With more masculine colors of course. He's not really into pink. But Clark'll have the final say on what he wants his dessert to be.

Love, Rachel

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.