Nitrous Oxide commonly known as Laughing Gas

I love nitrous oxide. This colorless and odorless gas makes most of my dentist visits worth while. What a great little gas those clever scientists came up with. Usually I get so giggly that the dentist has to walk out for a minute while I gain composure, but not this time.


Yesterday I had a dentist appointment. I was expecting to have 12 cavities filled and a root canal. You might be thinking, “Geese does this girl ever brush or what?!” and yes I do, but I also I drink so much coke that I have several small little cavities between my teeth (not to mention I do have a weak spot for sugar). With my appointment I was planning on going in and having it all done at once; one appointment and one afternoon off work. But that was not the case.

When the dentist took me back, I only had 5 fillings to do and then he scheduled my root canal for another week or two. Great news for me! This meant less time in the chair and a lower bill.

I immediately requested the gas and got situated in my chair watching “The People’s Court”. I don’t know what it is about that show that holds my interest. Maybe it is the commonality I feel I have with the judges—I too deal with stupid people on a regular basis and am surprised that they have made it this far in life. But anywho—I began watching it. The hygienist started the gas and within a matter of seconds I was about gone. My eyes were getting heavy, my head was spinning and I just got into that happy mode.

I could move my toes, feel my heart racing and still open my eyes, so I thought I was fine. Soon all I could feel is my heart racing and I didn’t feel like I could open my eyes. The dentist had started working on my teeth and I did not feel a thing! They asked me to open my mouth and I thought I did, but nope, I was too numb. They put a block in and the hygienist helped keep my mouth open.

But the numbing started worrying me. I started tapping my own hand to make sure I was not dying or having a reaction. I thought to myself, “I hope I can still give the dentist some sort of a sign that I am not ok because I can’t speak”. He asked if I was ok and I didn’t really respond. I was responding in my head but not out loud. He turned down the gas and said, “Do you feel this?” Shaking my head, he took it as a no. He said I think you are pretty numb. After realizing I still had control of my head and hands—I calmed down. Everything was normal; thousands of people get the gas every day right?

Soon the gas started wearing off a little. I couldn’t feel him working on me but I did not have that panicked feeling of I am going to die in the dental chair while getting my cavities filled--WHAT A WAY TO GO.

I made it through the appointment and everything is fine. I just had one of those little things that gave me, as Marilyn would say, a fright. I am sure I will post again with the excitement of my first ROOT CANAL (now that is something to look forward to. Just kidding).

The Sweetest Thing

After 2 ½ years of dating Clayton—things are pretty comfortable. Let me explain, it is the kind of comfortable where we love spending our time together but we don't always have those butterflies because we are always around each other...but every so often we do. Sometimes it is a simple kiss or even going out on a “date” if you have not been on one in awhile. I am sure those who are married could relate. So here is the story of my sweet little surprise.

First a little background; we returned from our trip on Wednesday the 25th in the wee-hours of the morning. My vacation days were all used up on our trip so I had to get up and be to work by 8 am. After work, I unloaded our loaner car; completely exhausted I knew I still should clean and return the vehicle to my Dad but quickly changed my mind and put it off another day. Clayton too had to work on Wednesday--that night we both were so tired, we made dinner and crashed watching our game shows.

Now onto the meat of the story (Mike please stop drooling). Thursday morning, I woke up still in a fog from being worn out and in vacation mode. I go into work not only dreading work but dreading that my night is going to be a rush to clean and return the vehicle. Keep in mind I have only had a couple of hours of sleep because on our trip we did not get to sleep in and driving thru the night a couple times really wore me out.

I text Clayt to say good morning like usual and he wasn’t sure if he had to work or not since he does not have a set schedule. He wasn’t feeling well, so when he said he was just going to stay home, I thought that was fine. I spoke to him a couple of times throughout the day to check on him and he kept saying he didn’t feel too great….

At 5.30p I pulled up to my front door in the hot Durango, after a long day at work, thinking I do not want to clean, I do not want to unpack or do anything in this heat! I just want to make some dinner and go to bed!

I walked in the front only to be welcomed by the smell of fresh detergent, Windex, and other cleaning supplies (I consider that smell welcoming at least). I thought to myself, “Did my Mom clean or something?” I first noticed my kitchen was cleaned (dishes, floor, everything top to bottom). Getting a little curious I began examining the house. The bathrooms had been cleaned, my carpets vacuumed, my LAUNDRY done (folded and put away!!!), my entire luggage was unpacked, the kitchen of course and there was dinner unthawing in the kitchen. As I passed my Mom’s room she just smiled and said, “Clayton was here when I got home”. HOLY CRAP! He had lied to me to come over and clean everything. Never in a million years did I think that is where he was all day, or that he would do everything for me by the time I got home. I was shocked! I almost started crying I was so happy!!!!! I was able to make our dinner and take a little nap while waiting for him to come over.

It is things like that that really make me feel like he cares and notices when I need extra help—not me asking him for help but him just doing it by himself. That whole day I was dreading going home to my messy-returned-from-vacation house and yet I came home and it was spick and span! It was so nice and thoughtful of him!! I got butterflies simply because he took the time to do something for me out of the ordinary. I loved it--a very sweet surprise indeed!

P.S. Clayton I don’t think you read my blog; but if you do and I embarrassed you—I am sorry. You are just too sweet not to mention!

The moment you have all been waiting for!

Our Adventures in Oregon

The weather was perfect; A balmy 85 degrees, a little cloud cover but mostly sunny. We had a marvelous time golfing, going to the Coast, seeing the Red Woods, and touring CP my “home town” (also known as Central Point, not to be confused with Clayton Paul). Our first stop was my old house (houses) and then Bear Creek Park. It is a wooden maze castle. I LOVE IT! Clayton thinks he would like designing play grounds like this!

Saturday: We went golfing with my two soccer buddies, Ryan & Nick. It was a lot of fun. I actually made contact and was hitting ok. There were a few holes I was a little over par—but mostly I didn’t keep score. Clayton enjoyed the nice green course and one he had not played before.

We also visited a cute historical town called Jacksonville. It is a fun place to walk thru and visit a couple of shops.

That evening we met up with Ashlee. She is my best friend in Oregon and we were staying with her. However she had just returned from a Trip to Alaska with her boyfriend. So—they took a nap while we were golfing and met up with us for dinner along with an old friend of mine (Amber and her husband Mike). We ate at the Roadhouse which was delicious!!!

Mike & Amber

Ashlee

After dinner we went to see Chuck & Larry with Amber & Mike. While waiting for the movie to start we played scrabble in a coffee shop (just sippin’ our Italian soda’s). I did not really like the movie. I was a little disappointed but I should have guessed that. By the way, we saw 2 LDS churches the whole trip and about 1 million Dutch Bros' (coffee shop). They are like drive thrus all over the place!

Sunday: We drove around to see the Rouge River (got lost on our way there and made a short detour). We went to the House of Mystery (http://www.oregonvortex.com/). Check out the photographs on their page and you will see how interesting it is. The tour was not super great or anything—but it is a very intriguing place. Later in the evening we were going to have a BBQ with friends, but when that fell through, we went to dinner with my friend Tom and his girlfriend Kayla. Tom and I have been best buddies since I was in the 6th grade. It was really nice to see him! We saw their condo and their puppy (shih tzu and Maltese mix). We took pictures of him to show Chloe her new boyfriend. Tom is a cop in Medford (town adjacent to CP). It was fun to hear some of his work stories. After dinner we went to see Transformers (for our second time; highly recommend this movie).

Chloe's Boyfriend! Hopefully their long distance relationship will pan out.

(I love the look of "WOW")

Monday: We visited the Coast. We drove to the Red Woods and walked thru the enormous trees. I believe in giants after seeing these huge trees! The pictures do not display how big they really are. It is amazing!

THESE ARE THE ROOTS OF A FALLEN OVER TREE. JUST THE ROOTS!

We also drove over to Battery Point Light House. When the tide is out you walk across the bottom of the ocean to get to it. We missed a tour but we took pictures of the lighthouse and the view of the ocean.

Finally, we took a drive over to the harbor. I had so much fun getting my feet wet. As a kid I went to the coast every weekend, but my step Dad did not allow us to get wet “if you get wet you go home”; we played on the beach a lot, but never enjoyed the water. So, Clayton and I let the waves crash against our calves. We did not swim, because there are so many rocks on the bottom that it isn’t too safe—but just getting our toes in was great!

Tuesday: Our long drive home. I got a little teary leaving (as usual). I sometimes miss certain things about Oregon but I would miss my family here more--so it is always sad to leave but so nice to visit! We stopped and saw the Smith River, the Rouge Gorge and Crater Lake. It is absolutely beautiful. It looks like a fake background in the pictures, but it is not! We were standing right there!!!!

Smith River

The Rouge Gorge is awesome. Enough water flows through here to fill an OLYMPIC POOL in one minute (over 400 gallons!)

And, there you have it!

2 MORE DAYS!

Well, I am getting to the point where I cannot control the excitement any longer! All weekend I was dreaming of all of my friends from High School. Each time I woke up I was more excited than before and couldn't get back to sleep. I don't know if I can last 2 more days!

I have always been the kind of person who gets super excited (just ask Clayton--I almost get my feelings hurt if I am super excited and he is like "muah, its ok"). For instance, as a kid I would make a countdown to come visit my Dad every summer. Each day I would tear off a number and have my suitcase ready like a week before I came here! For school, I had all of my stuff in my backpack ready with the folder tabs labeled and my crayons in order (yes I would dump them out and re-organize them everyday**Yes a little hint of OCD there.). And I still wake up at the butt crack of dawn for Christmas and usually can't fall alseep either!

Ok, back to the current trip. I am overwhelmed with excitement and trying to get ready....and it is a little stressful. I have got the oil changed, new tires, some new clothes--that aren't so snug on my newly aquired gut, luggage and snacks--all ready to go. Tonight's job is hair cut, pack and get our music ready. We are trying to make a mix of music for every couple of hours--it is a long drive so we need something to entertain us besides the passing yellow lines. I am just so excited! I am struggling to think of what I still need to do. JUST TWO MORE DAYS TO GO.

Now, much to my dislike of myspace, I got an account because all of my friends are on there. I did not know this before this weekend--but one friend has like 200 of our high school classmates on her space!!! I saw one of my friends who I have been trying to track down for years and saw her baby! Holy cow, a baby!!!!! It is wierd because not many of my friends are married, let alone have kids. They just don't get married at 17 and have 6 kids like they do here :)!!!!! Anyways, seeing all of their pictures made me so happy and nervous! They all look basically the same, still weighing the same, looking great etc.....so hopefully I won't totally shock them! I just dyed my hair last week so I am sporting almost black hair and the last time they saw me it was mostly blonde.....so we will see.

We have so many fun things planned (going to the Coast, Redwoods, Golf, P-A-R-T-Y!) and the time is just not going by fast enough. I cannot wait to get the drive over-with and the party started!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will be sure to take lots of pictures and post when I get back.

Sorry, as you can see by the discombobulated post--I am anxious and a spacecase. See you when I get back!

My Four's

At Jen’s request here are my fours:

Four jobs I have had:

1) Obviously the Bank where I work now.
2) I worked at a CPA firm as Auditor (Nerd Alert, I know)
3) Real Estate Office Secretary, Weber State Department Secretary, blah blah was that a telephone ringing?
4) Favorite job (well, volunteer job) I used to volunteer at Elementary schools when I was in high school and at Weber, as well as coach Kinder Soccer Coach. I loved it!!!! If my schedule would allow for it now, you better believe I would still do it.

Four Movies I Love: Too many to name but here is one from different categories not in order
1) Fight Club/Momento (Edited) Great mind boggling movies.
2) How to lose a guy in 10 days
3) LOTR—amazing graphics, story and cast!
4) Most movies with Jim Carrey (except the MASK—hated it), Chris Farley, Will Farrell or Martin Lawrence (if it is clean).

Four Places I have Lived:
1) West Point, Utah (age 0-4)
2) Roy, Utah (4-5)
3) Central Point, Oregon (5-19)
4) Clearfield, Utah (19-current)

Four Favorite TV Shows: Oh you mean the few shows on TV that are worth watching without all of the SMUT. Yes, I am bitter about the downfall of television and what they allow on TV!!!!!!
1) Prison Break (won’t miss an episode)2) American Idol3) Jeopardy, Family Feud, or the Price is Right 4) Extreme Makeover- Home Edition!!!!!! Clayton and I love this show; we got to help out on the Bountiful makeover!

Four Vacation Spots—that I have been:
1) Caribbean Cruise
2) Hawaii
3) Does Bear Lake count?
4) Oregon count?
Hummm, I guess I need to go on a real vacation.


Four Favorite Foods:
1) Cotton Candy
2) Cake Batter Ice Cream with Sprinkles
3) McDonalds old #2 meal (2 cheese burgers)
4) My mom’s roast, potatoes and carrots.

Four Hobbies/ Interests:
1) Soccer, I love to play! I am quite out of shape, but I enjoy the sport very much.
2) Watching movies--yes it is a great hobby
3) Arts/Crafts—I am no artist, but I like to do things that gets me out of the regular mundane (aka nerdy stuff).
4) Mario Kart (64 edition, wanna challenge?)

Four Places I'd Rather Be: (there are more serious things that I won’t post on my blog about where I would rather be, but for the time being…)
1) Hair free—except for my eye brows and head. Obviously I wish my facial hair was non-existent and that laser hair removal actually worked!
2) 30 pounds lighter
3) On the beach—sipping a nice fruity slushy sitting next to Clayton
4) Sitting under a willow tree reading a good book

And there you have it folks.

Just a few things for your enjoyment.

After seeing the cute new baby Kate, Clayton, Mike and I were talking about "cute" babies (And no we were not just being polite about Kate Metcalf--she is an absolute DOLL). Any who--Clayton made the comment to Mike that I had "cheeks" as a baby, which is an understatement. Sure we have all seen those wonderfully cute chubby babies that just make us smile. However, every once and a while we see one baby that makes us think, WOW, look at those cheeks! Here is a perfect example of Robinson Cheeks for my friend Mike (and anyone else who enjoys a bit of PUDGE). Yes, that is them sitting on my shoulders hiding the neck that is under there somewhere. Don't feel bad if you are uncontrollably laughing, because every time I look at this picture I crack up.

By age three I had mostly grown out of them. Wait, not really, I am just sporting them with a lovely tube top that was so popular in the 80's.


OK, so that is for Mike and Clayton's enjoyment.

Next is my cute dog....when we returned from Clayton's family reunion, Chloe found and fell in love with our air mattress. We left it on our living room floor to watch movies and lounge around with our sunburns, and she loved it. It is not only easy for her short little legs to climb up on, but we couldn't get her off of it. As soon as we would start letting the air go out, she would look up at us like what the heck, this is my new bed! Needless to say it is still out taking up most of my living room.


She is getting so big. Here are some pictures to compare her 6 pound growth so far....
This is the first week we had her.....
And this is just in the last two weeks...
Look at that cute fluff! Chloe got her first real hair cut today, and it is a bit shorter, but we still love her!

Well I think that is it for now. Oh, 8 more days until we leave for Oregon!

SCROLL DOWN

Sorry, I saved the pictures of my house to a draft and now it has been wiating so long, it posted below "lightening speed".....so scroll down to see the pictures (finally) of my house.

Lightening Speed

It seems like life is flying by, no time for pictures, posts or even toe nail painting (that's right it has been awhile). But, I am still alive, soon to post the pictures of my house like I have been promising for months.

For starters--I am stoked for July 19th. Clayton and I are heading to Oregon! I cannot wait to take him to see where I grew up, meet my friends and visit the sites. I will be taking plenty of pictures to post there.

We also just got back from Mesquite. Nothing too exciting and DONT EVER LET MAIDS CLEAN YOUR ROOM. I had stuff taken or missing from my room and the hotel did nothing about it! They were my fav PJ's!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But lesson learned, never have your room cleaned and make sure you can totally get along with the people you go with (wink, wink). It was fun but short, hot and a little bit of a bummer; all a story for another day.

House--anyone know how to get rid of box elder bugs? Honestly I have a least 200 at my back door every night. I spray off my large porch and 6 feet of dead lawn, but they are like bunnies--mating like crazy populating my backyard. My cute yard I had (with all my hard work) was ruined in the first week by the hot sun, not enough water, a trim from the yard care guy about to the ground and the bugs. So I am trying to water, feed and control the small area that is left with a little bit of greeness. So if you know any tricks, bug killer that actually works, let me know. Ortho MAX has not done the trick regardless of my 400 sprays a week :).

Pup--Chloe is doing great. She is getting her new teeth in, can go up and down the stairs, loves to sit on the porch and watch the next door neighbors, and is pretty much potty trained. She is just a big fluff ball--almost 9 pounds now and is a great guard dog. Instead of protecting our front door or strangers, she just runs right up to them with her tail wagging a million miles an hour. I am seriously considering getting her a little buddy to play with. With all of the people food we feed her, she might get chubby if I don't get her a play mate for all of the time I am at work and she is sleeping or watching her cartoons.

Well, I guess that is it for now. I promise I will post again shortly, maybe before another 2 months go by! Happy Sunshine.

Home Sweet Home

I finally have pictures of my house! That only took me forever and a day. So here is the beautiful tour of my Condo. I am by no means a great photographer--but what can you do.


Here is the kitchen/dining area. We eat in the living room and have seriously ate TWO meals at my table; pretty sad (the table was my Christmas gift last year from Clayton, I absolutly love it!).


My large back yard. Yes, that is a 50 foot hose rolled up, but it was cheaper than a short one. I laid those pavers myself, along with the sod and have the scar to prove it. NEVER TRY TO PUSH A CART WITH PAVERS IN IT. IF IT HITS A BUMP IT WILL FLIP OVER YOU. Get one of those flat bed thingys. Thank goodness for the nice guys at Lowes who picked it up off me! The back yard, although HUGE, is hard to keep clean from the box elder bugs and most of my "grass" is not thriving per say.


The main bathroom (a little sissy but oh well my mom likes roses). The bathroom downstairs is cuter--brown and light blue. But it is only a half bath so it is hard to take a picture of it.


Here is my living room. The curtains are now hemmed so it is not one big red to brown wall and we are looking to get rid of my D.I. chair and get a love seat. I really like the brown and red. It is a little dark, but those are my new favorite colors.


My bedroom is my favorite. I have never got to choose colors or decorate a room, so it was a lot of fun! Again, RED, BROWN and TAN. Thank you for all of those who helped paint. It turned out really well even if you can't see it with my crummy camera and lame photo taking abilities.

So there you have it. My home sweet home! (Landlord free)!

Pictures of my Cute Little Chloe!

Hooray for Pictures! This is Clayton's first picture with his favorite pup Chlo Chlo!
This was originally where she slept and spent her time while I was at work.......

(yes, it could double as a baby play pin).

Now, this is where she roams while we are gone and she sleeps with me in my bed (Sorry the pictures are so dark. I really need a better camera). She has such a cute little mo-hawk. I like it with a little pony tail but she scratches at it.
However, Clayt just likes the fluff on top.
Look at that cute pink bone tag. SIMPLY ADORABLE!!

P.S. This is the new house--even if you can't see too much of it. Those pictures are up next in line to get. Sorry it has taken so long....

After her first bath--she was pooped. She was cold and shivering so we heated up a rice pack for her to lay on to stay warm; hoping not scare her of a bath.

Oh look at that cute little bear face! She is the cutest puppy in the whole world (still sporting the collar, no longer the "death collar"). At our last vet visit she weighed 4.3 pounds; she is training to be a guard dog as we speak. Shootin' for the stars~
AAAAAWWWWW She loves her soccer ball! A dog after my own heart.

Yes, she is terribly ferocious! Just look at her thrash her animals.

Well, I guess there is not much more to say--these cute pictures say it all!