Rants From The Airport

I'm sure in the new year I'll try to be less ranty. Or less judgmental. But for now ... I must post my rant (typed into my iPhone) from my last airport trip.

Please explain the muffin top pants and terrible shoes that people wear at the airport. Ever see those ass cheeks that are squeezed together so hard that you think the ass crack is going to explode out the top of the pants? Why are you wearing pants that are two sizes too small for you? Gold platform shoes ... in a snow storm? Really, you are not a Vegas showgirl. And even if you are, should you be wearing that out in public? I'd venture a guess that your mother taught you to dress better than that.

And what about those people who fart in public and they think you wont know who in the crowd did it. You are sitting next to me!! I totally know it was you, and so does everyone else! The restroom is right over there ... try a little walk.

Now my next question ... who came up with the tight low-rider pencil thin jeans that men are wearing these days? Your pants used to be baggy and showing off your underwear. Now the pants are SO tight that your satin boxers don't fit down the jeans. Yes, I can see them sticking out the top. If the ladies are muffin tops, the men are mushroom tops. maybe your next fashion conquest will be a man thong. At least that way I wont have to look at your Micky Mouser drawers.

You've walked by three times, I have a little comment. What the fuck is up with the fingerless weight lifting gloves? You are in an airport! Is there a Gold's gym on your way home? You should probably change out of those tight cowboy jeans before you do any squats ... I fear they might split down the back!

Is the real purpose of modern fashion to just show off tits, ass and other goods? If that is really the point, I'm going to have to design a new line. I'm thinking a bullseye flap that opens over and mans crotch (that way ladies can check out the goods before going home with you). For you ladies, I'm thinking let's do a see through shirt and chaps. Why fuck about?

I guess I'll never really understand the changing fashions. And I'll never understand how people can leave the house and show total strangers as much T&A as they do.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Just want everyone who reads my blog to ... well have a great holiday! Eat, drink and be merry.

Christina

Moab 1/2 Marathon

Well Erin, Krista and I found out that we made it into the March Moab half ... YIPPY! Now I'm just worried that it is the same weekend as a motorcycle race. I really hope not. But, if it is ... I'll be in a pickle!

You might be wondering why does it matter that we got in. Don't you just pay and get to run. NO NO NO. This is a lottery race. So, getting in is like Christmas presents.

Cat Abuse

When you are enough to give the best.
Get your kitty her or his very own wig! I know my kitties
would love it. Moab would really get into it.

Evening of Snow and Parties

Today was a pretty fun day. Mike, Krista and I went up to the ski hill to snow shoe around. Then I returned home to finish up 5 dozen cookies and get dressed for a cookie exchange. I'm of course pretty tired now. But, am ready to hike up the ski hill again tomorrow!

Cloned Cats

These cats would scare the crap out of me at night. But, nice to see we can now clone cats and make them super hero glow in the dark!

Holiday Snow

It really feels like the holidays when it snows! I just love it. Yesterday it started up around 2 and didn't really stop. It is still sort of snowing now. And of course the schools are on a delay - but not the lab.

This past weekend a group of us drove up to Denver for a baby shower. It was great fun to hang in the car and to see Karen (and her lump). The drive home was through crappy weather. But, what do you expect while driving up to Colorado.

Sunday I finally got holiday cards done, presents wrapped, and packages put together for shipping. I always worry that during the holidays packages wont get there on time if you wait too long!

I'll post photos of the snow. I'm hoping that it keeps coming down so I can go home and snowshoe! Now where did I put those snowshoes??????

Morning Commute

This photo was taken this morning while I was driving up to work. It is a bit out of focus - and you have to look to see the herd of elk in the back ground. But, they are there. I was stopped for 10-15 minutes while they crossed the road.

Addressing Global Warming!

Prime Rib Dinner.

This past weekend Mike and I went to Cruces for his motorcycle banquet
dinner. It was at a hotel where it was suppose to be a prime rib
dinner. I was not interested in the chopped meat - but they did have
some lettuce and cheese/crackers.

Mike finished 8th over all for the experts. I got a bit of shopping done while down there - then we returned home.

Moab
is allergic to her food (we think). So, today I'm going to go get
something new and see if that helps her tummy! Hopefully it is
something as easy as that.

Mike leaves tomorrow for 2+ weeks of travel. I'll have plenty of time to fiddle with Moab's food while he is gone.

Spin Those Wheels

It was a balmy 35 degrees out this morning. I, of course, found that to be the perfect peddling into work weather. It was a lovely morning. Although the sun didn't really come up until I was almost at my door. And I'm sure it will set early. I love the bike - and it loves me.

Details:
55 minute ride.
New head light - ROCKS.
Thought I had a flat I was going so slow
My buns could have fallen off from being so cold ... but a couple of jumping jacks helped!

Lonely Tires

I haven't biked to work in a week. My butt misses the bike and my tires miss the road. It was 16 degrees out this morning. I decided not to bike in. The question is - what is TOO cold for biking? I'd say anything below 20. But, I'm not sure on that. If it doesn't warm up soon ... I might just don the face mask and bike in anyway.

I bought a new head light for my bike. I like it a lot. Rechargable and sleek. Now I just want to use it!!!!

Oh The Weather Outside Is ....

Day after Thanksgiving snow!!!!

Turkey Day Hike

A group of us went on a hike out Deer Trap masa today. It was a very nice day for a hike!

I'm thankful for the sun and the cool air on my face.

Caching

I went out caching in White Rock today. I got two of Mouser's caches .... and one from Mesa Mike. It was a really nice day out - although now I don't feel too well.

What to do to make the head stop banging!

Weekend CRAZE!

As I sit here drinking a warm cup of java ... I look back on the crazy
busy weekend. Cooking club on Saturday night. Prepping for it on Friday
night and Saturday. Then a birthday party for Ellie on Sunday.

The mess before the birthday party was enough to send me over the edge. Moab had an accident (poo)
all over the living room carpet. I had to steam clean the carpets and
clean her (which bathing a cat in a sink is odd with one person). Then
Bend tripped me while I was taking some trash out. He of course
screamed, I fell into the side door - my right shoulder and right side
of my head going through the glass in the door. The glass - not that
balling
up glass - went into sheets and went EVERYWHERE. Part of my shoulder
got cut up and Bend was in hiding for a couple hours after.

I'm happy it is Monday. I'm happy I have yoga tonight. And I'm really happy that it is a short week!

This is a photo from my dad's hunting trip.

Morning Again

Mike was suppose to call me from China last night - at midnight. I never heard from him ... and when I call his cell ... I hear someone speaking in Chinese. I'm a bit worried that he got there and he wont be able to contact me :(

The ride in this morning was great. It was a bit warmer ... I wore a neck warmer ... and I put some heavy duty cream on my face (it has been getting chapped from the cold air). I was a good temperature the whole way up! I think Krista might bike up with me on Friday. Yippy! Bike buddy.

On another note. Last night I had a large gorgeous fire going and was relaxing in front of it all evening. Bend and Methow were as close to the fire as they can get without burning themselves. But, Moab was no where to be found. I looked for her (half heartily) during the evening. But, before bed I started to get worried. That is when I heard the saddest meow ever. I had locked her in the gear closet after I got out the neck warmer. Poor kitty was in there all night. I felt TERRIBLE! Hopefully she forgives me by the time I get home tonight!

Sunset & Weekend

Here is a photo of a sunset I took last week (wait ... can't find the photo). Here is a photo of Mike racing. He won the championship for Heavy Weight Twins. Yippy Mike!!

LIFE WISH

One of the things that I miss about Seattle is the morning bike commute. This past weekend I decided that I'll just start commuting by bike here. It is a bit more intense than my ride in Seattle, but well worth it. I've biked into work on and off - but people always try to scare you with the, "You might get hit by a car." I let this stop me for a while. But, while reading a climbing magazine ... there was a quote from a guy that I took to heart. He of course was talking about climbing without ropes. I'm only talking about bike commuting. "It isn't a death wish - but a life wish."

Details of this mornings commute. 38.8 degrees out. Left the house at 5:40. Was physically in my office by 6:40. Showered, dressed with first cup of coffee in hand by 7am. I now feel like everything is right with the world! My plan is to come in by bike Tuesday-Friday each week. Now all I need to do is get a bike locker outside my building!

Inapropriate Airport Shoes

I thought about blogging about what people wear to the airport. It is amazing watching everyone walking around. I could sit there for hours. People crying. People laughing. It is like watching a movie with my own sound track playing through my iphone.

I have to say though - most people wear shoes that they just shouldn't be wearing in an airport. They can barely carry their luggage.

Yesterday I saw the Los Alamos Arch for the first time. I know - I know ... how long have I been here and why haven't I hiked up there before? Good question. It was very cool. Plus the scenery was amazing. No photos. I was busy just checking out the great views.

Monster Truck

Here is Ty's birthday cake. The question of how to incorporate pumpkins and monster trucks was a tough one!

Ty loved the cake and wanted the trucks for himself ... which wasn't surprising.

Cleaning Garden!

During the breaks of frosting and chilling Ty's Monster Truck cake ... I cleaned out the garden and went for a run. The cake still has a bit more work to do - so I'll post photos once I finish. Here are before and after photos of the garden .... and I found a bunch of carrots hiding .....

Last night a group of us went out to see The Bad Seed. If you have a chance you should go see it. It was pretty funny.

Costumes

I just got this photo from my sister-in-law. My little nieces are WAY too cute!

Being that they live in Texas I'm sure that they were warm enough - in case you were wondering.






From a friends blog I'm posting this other photo. What a great idea for costumes!

Happy H Day

Happy Halloween!!

I hope that each and every one of you stuff yourself on candy and other sweets! The sun is getting ready to set and as soon as it is down I'll take photos of my ghoulish pumpkins.

On a totally separate note - I have a new bothersome peeve. Have you ever noticed that if there is something that you want or don't want ... that you never really get what you want? Does this sound like the refrain from a Rolling Stones song .... "You Can't Always Get What You Want!". This has been happening to me a lot lately. Is it being unlucky? Or wanting something more than you should? I have no idea. But in the realm of silly things that I wish I didn't have to deal with ... FINGER NAILS. As you can see from the photo ... my nails just grow out of control. I trim them ... they grow super fast. Once a week I'm clipping away and they just keep on coming. Oh the audacity.

Illness

I'm not feeling terribly well today. A bit of a headache ... okay a lot of a headache ... and just sort of under the weather. As I sit here on the couch, a bowl of delicious soup in hand ... I find that my sick feel good movie is on, "Independence Day". What rocks about this would be the fact that first I don't have to put it on and also that it appears to be some lengthened directors cut. I've seen this movie so many times that each extra scene is freaking me out. When did they come out with a 2 hour and 40 minute version? And why don't I own it? And how can we forget my favorite line in the whole film, "I've got complete failure in the staff."

I found that this version is probably the extended 2 disk special set. It is now on my amazon wish list!!!

Yellow Fingers

I know ... who says such a thing. Last night Dana, Karin and I carved pumpkins. Karin did an old school Charlie Brown pumpkin. Dana carved one of my mini pumpkins from the garden. She did a super cool ghost. I did two large pumpkins. One with a flaming skull head and another with the 70's style standard head. I'll take photos tomorrow night once it becomes dark out.

But today - the pumpkin goo still has my fingernails died yellow!

Two Bits

I just finished watching The Astronaut farmer. It was a very nice movie. Note on POTKU - I wanted to be an astronaut until I was probably 14. I was sort of obsessive about space as a child. I guess that is what you get when you grow up in a place where you can see the stars.

I also saw a preview for I Am Legend - which I happen to be listening to right now. I'm pretty excited to see it. It is coming out in December sometime ... I'll be seeing it in the theater ... anyone interested?

F* Geocache

I've tried for this geocache from Mouser twice now. And with no luck. Today we hiked for like 2 hours and never found it. Here is the exciting photo from the lovely hike with NO geocache at the end. Fing Pissed At U Mouser!

Dark Mornings

This morning I woke up at 6am. Not unusual for me - but it was darker than it seems most mornings. I laid with Moab until 7am - and it was still dark. I decided to get up, make a cup of coffee and look at when we'd be falling back (and thus making for a much brighter morning). Turns out that the Bush Administration changed the time for this and now it is set as:

Beginning in 2007, Daylight Saving Time is extended one month and begins for most of the United States at:

2 a.m. on the Second Sunday in March

and lasts until

2 a.m. on the First Sunday of November.



Why does our administration feel the need to screw with daylight savings?


On a totally separate note, I bough a Venus fly trap a while back (I'm sure I blogged about it). And it bloomed. I've never even heard of a blooming fly trap. I'm surprised it even likes it in this dry climate.

Americans Or Just Idiots?

In my haste to hit the publish button I forgot to rant about a new radio commercial. I wonder if all people are this idiotic ... or most consumers ... or no one and the commercial will never work. You be the judge. This is how the ad goes. "My son comes home from Bill's house and asks, why don't we have duel swivel seats, dvd player mini van. We tell him that if he likes Bill's family car so much - he can just go live there. So, he's moved out. This message is for Bill. If you hear this - we bought the new mini van. Please come home."

Give me a fing break. Parents go out and buy a new car because some kid says he wants it - or needs it? What in the world is happening to us?

Pumpkin Glow

Had a couple of busy days. Yesterday was ABQ, Santa Fe, and then Ellie hanging out for an evening of eating take-out Chinese and drinking Cosmopolitans - while watching The Fifth Element (and don't even argue that it is a good movie). Of course the photo of me was taken by Ellie, while I try to avoid her crazy use of my Iphone. Tonight was the local pumpkin glow. The Star Wars pumpkins were amazing!

Mouser's Thoughts on Moab

Social Mind Of A Man

Can anyone out there answer this question for me. I'm attending a conference right now - and I look around the large auditorium. This is what I notice.

There are cluster of men - but there is ALWAYS 1 seat between two men. If there is a lady near them ... then there can be man, lady, man. Or there may even be man, man, lady. But there is NEVER man next to a man next to a man.

What is up with this? Is there some type of region that men aren't allowed to cross over?

I'll Eat Your Baby

Need I say more?

Fridge Review Recipe 2

Given that it is starting to snow outside - my favorite "clean out the fridge" minestrone recipe is needed. This soup can be doctored for any veggies you may have sitting around the house. Corn, peas, broccoli or zucchini. The bread is also good for mixing in any type of flour or nuts you have ready to be used.





Snowfall Minestrone
1 lb. turkey kilbasa (diced)
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 yellow onion (diced)
1 green pepper (diced)
4 garlic cloves (diced)
1 can petite diced tomatoes (16 oz) [including juices]
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1.5 teaspoons fennel seed
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
salt & pepper to taste
1 can kidney beans (16 oz) [drained and rinsed]
28 oz container of chicken broth
1 cup of penne noodles

1. Heat oil in a dutch oven. Add meat, onions, pepper and garlic. Brown up ingredients.
2. Add in rest of ingredients (omitting the noodles).
3. Simmer the soup for 30-40 minutes.
4. Add the noodles and cook until soft.
5. Serve with asiago cheese on top.

This bread is designed for a 2 pound bread machine.
Becca's Whole Wheat Wonder Bread
1 2/3 cup water
1/3 cup honey
2 tablespoons oil
2 teaspoons salt
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cup white flour
2/3 cup rolled oats
1 tablespoon yeast

1. Add ingredients into your bread machine in the order given above. Select the Whole Wheat bread. This will take ~ 3.5 hours.

Fridge Review Recipe 1

I've been working on using up items in the house and inventing my own recipes as I do. This is the Fridge Review. I'll post recipes as they are invented and only if they taste good.

Bean Chicken Chili Stew

2 grilled chicken breasts (shredded)
1 can black beans (15 oz), rinsed and drained
1 can pinto beans (15 oz), rinsed and drained
1 container of chicken stock (28 oz)
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons fresh puree green chili
2 bay leaves
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder

Add all of the items to a stock pot. Heat over medium heat until boiling. Reduce heat until beans are soft. Serve with fresh herb bread or tortillas.

Cats of A Fancy

From this past weekend I have a couple of photos of the kitties. Methow works hard to get some last moments of sun. And Bend tries to push into Methow's captains chair.

Thanks goodness I'm not allergic to them.

Stomach Has Spoken

Most of you know that my stomach has been killing me lately. I've tried removing crap from my diet. Just eating rice. All kinds of stuff ... and nothing really seems to help or work. I was worried I was allergic to dairy, then soy, and maybe wheat.

The results of my allergy scratch test are in though. I'm NOT allergic to soy, wheat, cats, MSG, garlic, or dairy.

Given that my favorite food is mac and cheese I was VERY happy about the dairy bit.

Now ... what am I allergic to. EGG, PEANUTS .... and the FREAKING KILLER ... CHOCOLATE!

Can you believe it. Who in the hell is allergic to chocolate? The answer ... me.

Now that more of my crappy stomach stuff has been sorted out ... I'll get back to posting about my irritation with the world, my lovely house photos and maybe a cat shot or two.

No I Don't Think So.

Why is it that there are people who like to make incessant noise? There is a guy in my building who whistles at the top of his lungs all day long. I think it actually give me a head ache. I have no idea why he does it - and there is no reasoning for the noise ALL THE TIME. I know he thinks it is a "sign". A sign that he is happy. I think he might just have some type of OCD.

This past weekend was spent in windy Deming - motorcycle racing. I have some photos of the kitties to post later!

Bathroom For 2

For most of you who have been reading my blog - you know that the bathroom has been under remodel since Christmas break of last year.

Today marks the end of this chapter in home improvement. Thank goodness. I was getting tired of spending most weekends working on it.

This past week I sealed the grout and then tested out that you can shower without water splashing out of the shower area.





It will be left like this - so that the bathroom (which is small) feels more open. Plus Methow likes to come in and drink the left over water in the bottom of the shower. Also the shower heads are those rain maker heads - which spray down and not out.

Today is also the first official day of fall for me. I did my closet transition - which involves moving all of my summer clothes into bin and taking all the winter clothes out of the bins and putting everything away again.

I know there are lots of people who never do this "transition". But, since the closet it tiny - there is no way to keep two seasons worth of clothing in it. Unless I just went with the same outfit all year round.

Paranoia Be Damn

Alright. Maybe I am a bit paranoid. But, isn't everyone? "Why are you looking at me?" "Stop staring!"

My food experimentation reached a very interesting point last night. I've been trying to figure out what I'm allergic to: dairy, soy or nuts? Or maybe all three. My latest break through is that soy is in everything - and everything I eat with soy in it makes me sick. Last night I got a pizza with soy free crust, sauce and toppings ... but with cheese, and I'm fine. I have an appointment with the allergist in 1.5 weeks. At that point they will tell me exactly what I can't eat. But darn that soy!

What Is That?

Ever feel like everyone on the planet is looking at you? Lately - I feel this way. I went to Trader Joe's and people were jumping out from boxes to ask me if I needed anything. And I notice they are staring at me. Do I have something on my face? A booger? What is the deal?? Is my third eye showing again? Someone please enlighten me!

Weekend Woha

What else to say really? I love weekends. Sometimes I wonder if I'm made to work - and then I think about the time I was unemployed and how it drove me nuts. I do need human contact - but the weekends always seem to be too short.

Today was a busy day. I went for a hike with Phil and Ellie in the Jemez. There were showing me all the edible mushrooms near their house.

I came home to assemble Hunter's 6th birthday cake (which is when I noticed the cats have made the transition to the den for winter without me) - and the of course party the afternoon away. Now I need to clean up and have a cup of tea ... awaiting the eminent doom of MONDAY!

Running

I just found an interesting stat on my Nike/IPod page. It keeps track of distance run each month. Here are my totals so far this year:
Jan: 8.81 miles
Feb: 18.71 miles
March: 30.42 miles
April: 21.26 miles
May: 12.33 miles
June: 38.3 miles
July:48.93 miles
Aug: 24.99 miles
Sep: 27.7 miles (but there is still tomorrow).

Rumors

Since the days of Nanos (a director here at the lab) there have been more rumors than employees. Tonight while out to dinner I heard more. I hear them every day. Most days. And with any rumor you know there is a chance this one could be true ... but there is an equal if not greater chance it will not be true at all. But, you keep listening. You keep wondering if this one. This last one you heard is going to be the one. I wish that I could stop listening to them. Stop caring about them. But, they are like a train wreck. I want to hear it so that if/when this one is true - I can think, "Yes. I hear that from Jane Doe 2 weeks ago."

Since these rumors are all about work. Funding. The Lab. That sort of thing ... I don't feel too terrible about listening to them. Normally when they are about people I feel wrong listening or even remotely encouraging that type of behavior.

Rumors from this evening:
1. They will be RIFing people regardelss of budget.
2. DOE/NNSA are talking about shutting down either LLNL or LANL. 10 year, long plan out closure.
3. They will start giving us comp time.

I'm really pulling for #3 to be correct :)

F*!$

People suck. Not all people - please allow me to clarify - but some people. I'm not sure if I posted about this a while back - but in June of 2006 I was in a tiny car accident with an elderly man from California. The cops came and said it was neither of our faults. That neither of us had the right away and it was just a bumper bump ... this type thing just happens every now and again.

I got a call a month or two ago that the old guy is suing for more money. He doesn't believe that what was given to him was nearly enough. Today I got a certified letter from Farmers telling me that he is suing for over $50,000 ... which is what they will cover. They have recommended that we get a lawyer ... because if he is awarded anything over $50,000 ... they wont pay and we are suppose to. This whole thing pisses me off. What in the hell is wrong with people???

To make myself happy I took one of my small gnomes on a backyard adventure. There is nothing like a traveling gnome to make anyone fell better. At least for a little bit!

Bugs

Seems like there are more bugs out this year than ever. I keep running into spider webs and rescuing bugs from inside the house. This praying mantis was in the garage. It appears as if something is wrong with his side. Any ideas?

Leaves Of Change

I was just walking back from the library and I noticed that some of the trees are starting to change color. Fall is an incredible time. My hand are always cold - which means my rings never fit properly. The smell in the air is different from all summer. More of an earthy type air.

Fall is football, squash, curry, costumes, orange, browns and golds. Fall is the death of green and the hibernation of folliage.

While working on cleaning up the side of the house and building a wood shed (I'm freaking tired as all get out from all the work this past weekend) I found these two critters. Anyone know what the brown one is? I think the spider is a very large Orb Weaver.

Reasoning With The Devil

Last night the question of the "purpose" of a blog came up. Is it to bitch? To journal for the world. I've totally asked this question before. Ranting? Day dreaming? I say all of the above. And whom ever finds the will or time to read it - should enjoy.

What is going on here. In this neck of the woods? Well our budget is crap and last Thursday (for those of you NOT in New Mexico) our director came out and said that they are making plans for a RIF (reduction in force). Up to 2500 people. The idea of getting rid of people or laying off doesn't scare me too much. The idea of what my house will be worth when 2500 are let go does. I'll have a house that isn't worth 1/8th what I paid for it. How long will I be forced to live in this town until I can sell it?

Last night we were looking at jobs elsewhere. It makes me very nervous to take a job somewhere else and have a mortgage here. Although there was a job for someone on oil drilling platoforms. Moving around the world, out on those deep-sea-rigs .... sounds dreamy to me!

Lately there has been a large influx of praying mantises at the house. I've taken a bunch of photos - but have yet to upload them.

Also, I've watched a bit of the food network and want to know ... why is it that the British lady has the most amazing vocabulary out of all the other cooks? I like to just listen to her show for her verbal conquest of the English language. Any ideas on how to buff up ones arsenal?

Gardening

I was out getting veggies from the garden and from the fruit trees when I found this. Amazing. I love to see how things will grow one way or another. Nothing can really stop them! The peaches are flawless and smell amazing. I like to rub the soft fuzzy outside skin on my face.

Travels

Mike got home very late last Wednesday night. I was at the airport for ours (which normally doesn't bother me ... except for what the sign said). As you can see there was no real information and I wasn't sure if they were going to be landing at any minute or not. He was on the Atlanta flight. I've never actually seen a message like this. Turns out, this is what ABQ puts on the signs when there is lightning and planes can't land. Really informative!




Friday morning (very early 4AM). We went to San Antonio to hang out with my brother and his family. We saw their new property, went to the river walk, and went to Sea World. It was a fast and fun trip! His wife is incredibly sweet as are his girls. It was also pretty interesting to watch my brother as a dad. Not often I get to see him be the responsible one.

Pearly Whites

I went to the dentist yesterday. Yes ... I do love getting my teeth cleaned. Hmmmm ... clean teeth. Anyway ... I had both the cleaning lady and the dentist tell me I have beautiful perfect teeth. I've never really thought of my teeth as "perfect or beautiful". Do people get them saying this as well? I just want to know if they are blowing smoke up my behind.

So tarter builds up on my teeth very quickly (which is why I go in all the time to get them cleaned). The new cleaning lady told me something very interesting. One of the main ingredients in toothpaste is a type of wax. The wax is great for taste (which is why they add it - and took out soap). Historical Note: [Until after 1945, toothpastes contained soap. After that time, soap was replaced by other ingredients to make the paste into a smooth paste or emulsion - such as sodium lauryl sulphate, a common ingredient in present-day toothpaste.]But, after about a week of wax building up on your teeth ... they become a bit sticky and stuff sticks to them, such as tarter. She recommended going to just regular soap. "Try brushing with mint soap for a couple of weeks and see the amount of tarter build up you have." So ... I'm trying it. The first brushing was terrible. I thought I was going to toss my cookies. But, it has been better since. I'm interested to see if it works. I'll keep all those interested people posted.

UPDATE: I am using Dr. Bronner's Mint Soap . Which is actually what she recommended. She is said the bar soap with just a couple of rubs of your toothbrush ... or a TINY bit of the liquid. Last night I put TOO much liquid on and I thought that my inners were going to come up. This morning ... a tiny bit and I was much better!

Los Alamos Tri

Saturday was the 33rd annual triathlon here in Los Alamos. Erin, Dana, Ellie and I did it. It was quiet an experience. We had not tried doing each of the events one after the other. So, the day of was a bit ... I'd have to say fun. My legs felt like jello and the run was by far the hardest for me.

We did it in ~2 hours. It was something like 50 minutes for the bike (20k), 15 minutes for the swim (400 meters), and 35 minutes for the run (5k). The rest of the time was trying to get clothing on or off or just breathing very heavy. Running in wet clothing is not only uncomfortable ... but unflattering as well(not the picture is AFTER the race ... we totally should have done a pre photo). Next time we are going to need some other clothing.

Thanks for a great time ladies! Shall we do the Vegas 1/2 marathon next?


A few more notes. First a HUGE thanks to Avivah for coming out and supporting us. The Knit and Bitch sign just rocked. And running or biking with people yelling your name ... makes me feel like a super star!

I also read in the paper that for our age groups these were the placements:Dana took 15th, Erin 16th, Me 17th and Ellie 26th. Sucks for Ellie that she was in a different age bracket than us. She would have been like 13th in our age group.

YIKES!

I saw this article the other day. I just can't belive that someone could live with a pencil stuck in their head! I'll say it again. YIKES!