Wednesday, October 12, 2016

What's Good and What Sucks. Plus a $100 Giveaway!

It's never ALL good, is it?

Although you'd never know that by looking at social media. Geez. It's either Trump vs. Hillary doing a smack down and talking about pussies or everyone showing me their podium finishes, fancy vacations and cute pets.

Yeah, I do that too. I know.

So, this past week has been filled with the usual good vs. not so good stuff. Seems there is usually a down side to everything good, or if you are an optimist, a silver lining to anything sucky.

What's Good:

Guess who just got certified as a therapy dog? Yes, this adorable rescue pup. And, her handler (me). I've never had a title like "handler" before. My first name should be Chelsea.

Taken this weekend at Rabbit Mountain. Also known as Rattlesnake
Mountain. See the rattler to my left. JK. It's a stick

Isn't she something? If you are old, sick, depressed, dying - Heidi is your panacea. Your lifeline. I promise.



I am not sure where we will volunteer. I'm thinking pediatrics, nursing home or even hospice. The reason I really felt strongly about doing this is that when Emma was 4 (now she's almost 16!!) fell off a stool and shattered her elbow, we were in the hospital for three days. She had to have emergency surgery. She was so inconsolable with the trauma and the pain. Literally the only time I saw her smile in 36 hours was when a therapy dog came in the room. It's amazing the effects animals can have on people.

What Sucks:

When we did our team evaluation (after taking an online class and getting her health screening, stool sample and a million other things), the evaluators had no problems with Heidi, just with ME. Apparently, I wasn't advocating for Heidi correctly - meaning that I wasn't making proper eye contact with her and giving her enough reassurance. Waaahhhh. In the end, we did pass.

What's Good:

Look who came home for a long weekend from ASU?? This guy.



He loved being met at the airport with a fathead the size of the plane he flew in on. Moms are the best.

What Sucks:

He left yesterday. See you at Christmas.

What's Good:

Got out for a couple amazing runs this weekend.



What Sucks:

I am now sick with a cold and running makes me feel gross. It's not a snot rocket. It's a snot nuclear bomb coming out of me.

What's Good:

I have the best giveaway for you all.

Have you heard of Expertly Chosen ? This is such a cool website to find gifts specific to people's interests. Like, running, for example. When you go to the site, you can select a person's individual interests, how much you'd like to spend and other conditions such as if you want the gift to be eco-friendly, organic, educational, hand made, etc. Then the site produces a list of products for you. In running items alone, there are so many things to choose from: cookbooks, socks, hydration stuff, etc. Even Garmins!




Want a $100 gift card? Enter here (US only):

$100 Expertly Chosen Giveaway


What Sucks:

I can't win my own giveaway. Shucks.


What's a running gear item you need right now? I need new Salomon shoes. I love my Speed Cross 3s (see above picture with Heidi), but they are a half size too small.



SUAR

26 comments:

  1. With the weather getting chillier around here, I'm always on the lookout for a new pullover or vest! Thanks for the opportunity to win. That's a cool website!

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  2. I need more shoes because I start training for my first marathon soon!!

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  3. I need a larger Nathan handheld water bottle! I have the tiny one but I want to size up for this season.

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  4. I just got new shoes, Brooks Pure Grit 5 trail shoe. Haven't worn them yet as I'm still putting the last few miles on my Pure Grit 4's. So sad your giveaway is "not available in my region" (Canada).

    I need a few more weeks of no snow!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the head's up. Didn't realize this didn't apply to Canada!

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  5. A new watch desperately - mine now misjudges distance by up to two miles!!

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  6. I can't enter either, but that's no surprise. It's like they think Canada is on the other side of the world and there is no postal service or Fedex, or anything. Personally, I think all American's should not enter contests that don't allow Canadian winners too. What I apparently need is a new butt. The old one seems to have stopped working, which sucks for running and biking.

    So in consolation, I'll give you a list of good and bad. You pick which is which.

    SUAR's blog, most honest ever.
    Beth herself, most photogenic cheetah skirt wearer ever. (who does take those photos? or does she set a timer and run past again, and again and again?)
    You've upped the bar, next time he's gonna expect a brass band, and don't even think about what the next kid will expect.
    SUAR blog readers, best ever.
    It could be worse, you could have a snot mucous-monster in your head, sending it's slimy tentacles out your nose and back again, and down your throat, and everywhere else they can go, and when you pull on the end, you can feel the tension everywhere.

    You're welcome.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh you are hilarious. I have a personal paparazzi following me around taking photos, aka, Ken.

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  7. I am about to start training for the Boston Marathon and I could use some new light shoes for some speed work. I can't enter the contest because I am from Canada, too. Love your blog.

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  8. Heidi sounds like the perfect dog. I love the idea of therapy dogs. Animals have such a calming effect on people and bring much joy! I hope you feel better soon!

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  9. Yay for you and Heidi! My golden, Tucker and I volunteer at our local library. The kids sign up to practice their reading skills to dogs. :) We also visit a long term care facility and do stress reliever sessions for med students during exam time. Heidi and Tucker look like they could be brother and sister. Love that she is a rescue. Too bad you couldn't get Kreidi certified as a duo. :)

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  10. Oh I love it that Heidi is an official therapy dog now!!!!
    We rescued a golden mix about 8 months ago. She is the best thing ever!!!!
    Even though I still have 5 years left until my oldest goes to college, I am totally going to get a fathead to greet him when he comes home to visit!
    I have thouroughly enjoyed reading your blog over the years beth. You always manage to make me laugh and keep things real!!!!
    You rock!!!

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  11. I work in a pediatric hospital in St. Louis and we love when the dogs come for pet therapy. The kids love to pettin and walking the gentle dogs and it makes them forget about their pain for a little while.

    Pam

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  12. Yeah us Canadians are always getting "shut out" (except when it's Gold Medals in Olympic Hockey!) Love the site though - hopefully they ship to Canada!
    Great story about Heidi and her "handler" - I am sure you will provide a wonderful and much needed service. Too bad we can't offer "Therapy Cats" - I would offer up ours but he "talks" too much. (must be the Siamese in him).
    I just ordered my first pair of Vibram Fivefingers Seeya LS - have never tried them but some friends at the gym and fellow runners love them. Hopefully they "double" as snowshoes for the upcoming "Farmer's Almanac" shit-storm winter we are in for!
    I am a Suacony gal at heart.
    take care,

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    Replies
    1. The agency I am volunteering for actually uses therapy cats, rabbits and llamas!

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  13. Love reading your blog - thank you for your honest, funny, and informative posts! Right now, with the days getting shorter and most of my runs taking place either at 5am or 8pm, I need some new reflective gear and some lights!

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  14. Wow Canadians love you! I'm one too. Heidi is adorable. I had a Heidi and I had a Golden Retriever and I miss them both so much. That giant face is the best! I bet you'll win Mom of the Year.

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  15. What about the cat? I think the cat should also be a therapy dog. Can you look into it?

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    Replies
    1. lmao. Yes, he would make a wonderful therapy dog. As long as he does not fight with the patients and nurses

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  16. I have been away from blog land for too long. of course, the first one i read is yours and boom! this fun contest :D
    I need some good run shoes for the trails - I tried solomon and did not love 'em. running in brooks cascadia trail now.

    congrats mz handler

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  17. I could use some new shoes. Because my therapy dog aka Cujo, I mean Cocoa, keeps eating all my shoes. I just keep replacing them which has been kind of nice but my husband is very unhappy.

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  18. So wonderful you are doing pet therapy with Heidi. I have done pet therapy for the last 11 years with my two dogs. Chewie was good with kids and visiting an assisted living home. Jake is good with kids and mostly does READ to Rover at schools, libraries and Boys & Girls Clubs. They just need to find their niche and it is rewarding beyond words. Good luck!
    Kim S.

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  19. I'm looking for new shoes to start my training plan after gaining weight.
    Thanks for useful information, Beth.

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