DBE Death By Exercise

A few weeks ago, while shopping with one of my most favorite gal-pals at the Maxx, we found ourselves in the workout gear section. (I'm not even sure what the proper term is for that section- shows how often I workout!) She mentioned she'd signed up for a 5k with her work...I joked that if I ran a 5k, the person trying to rob me must be a really horrible thief. Then something happened...you guys- something came over me, I kind of wanted to do the 5k too. It was the strangest feeling. I'm the valedictorian of the couch-to-5k dropout program...where was this odd urge coming from!?

Okay, so maybe it was a chicken-or-the-egg situation...because we'd found these really cute workout pants that matched- which naturally, made me want to buy & wear them somewhere. Then I had to get shoes b/c you can't jalk (jog + walk) a 5k without good shoes! (Who needs an excuse to buy shoes? Not this girl.) In just a few short hours, I went from making fun of the 5k to joining in on the party.

Side note: We might've had to rush right home & try on our workout gear...that may have occurred- while I'm not confirming nor admitting that we did that like two 6 year olds with new dress-up gear.

The 5k started at 7am the following morning- and we were amped. We had a healthy, runner-friendly dinner planned- like total pros. Then the power went out. Like...O-U-T out. It stayed out until midnight. It was like 300 degrees outside- and oh yea, we had been horseback riding so we smelled wonderful. (We ended up having to eat dinner at Outback b/c we really had no other options closeby- but that disaster is a post in itself.)

Running on just a few short hours of sleep, literally, we arrived early to the 5k lineup. We had decided that we should run the very beginning because...well, because of peer pressure. Other people were running & we couldn't just walk...that would be tragic for all involved. (Or just for me. Whatever.) The few minutes jogging nearly killed me. Death by exercise...DBE. I thought I was going to pass out. I was looking into rental homes as we passed by, deciding whether or not they were rented...contemplating if they would report me if I just dove right into their pool. I pushed on...legs on fire. At mile marker 1, I started to feel a little better...a little less panicked. About a half mile later, the burning fire going up my legs disappeared. At the moment, I was pretty sure my legs had just gone numb from the pain. (I learned this was lactic acid build up on my muscles...who knew!)

I felt pretty good about myself once the pain stopped & I realized I really wasn't going to be hauled off in an ambulance. That is, right up until I saw a 5 year old jog passed me. At first, she kind of deflated my happy bubble. But after a few minutes of watching her, I realized- I want to be that little girl. If she can do this, so can I! (And I think I should be entitled to get piggy back rides when I get tired too...just saying.)

So far this whole workout thing is going good...this is the most I've ever kept up with working out in my entire life. Who knew working out in the mornings could give you so much energy and motivation!? I'm definitely not in shape enough to run the next 5k- but I know I'll be able to run more than I did last time...and as long as I can top myself- that's all that matters! Whoop whoop for me! ;-)

Diamonds, A Girls Best Friend

When Little Miss was born, one of the first questions people asked (after "When are you having another one?!") was "Are you getting her ears pierced?! You should just go ahead and do it while she's young & won't remember it."

While I understand this theory, I couldn't imagine letting (and paying) someone to put something sharp through my baby's skin! I had a hard enough time letting her get shots! I always kindly responded, "Oh...when she is old enough to ask for earrings- I will gladly take her to get her ears pierced!"

Over the last 6 years, I've asked Little Miss if she'd like to get her ears pierced numerous times. For the most part, she has emphatically told me absolutely-the-hell-not if it is going to hurt even the slightest little bit. And I was totally fine with that.

About a month ago, Little Miss's great-uncle bought her a beautiful angel necklace with matching earrings- not realizing her ears weren't pierced. She was thrilled with the necklace...so thrilled in fact, that she asked me (a first) about getting her ears pierced.

"Would you let me get them pierced?" she asked, eyes wide & curious.

"Of course!!" I said. (Kind of excited b/c quite frankly, how cute would my little diva be in some sassy little earrings!?)

"But........will it hurt?!"

"It will hurt a little. Not as bad as a shot- but kind of like that," I explained.

"I'm going to ask my friends," she told me.

I can only assume she decided to ask her friends because she knew she would get a response that would make her feel brave enough to move forward with the ear piercing. One friend said it stung, one said it didn't hurt at all...because she had them done when she was a newborn & didn't remember it- but she failed to mention that part.

A few days later we had to go to VA & decided it would be fun to get her ears done while we were there. I began researching piercing locations because you know...I'm nuts & couldn't possibly just go to the Claire's. We selected a location and all our tummies were a-flutter with excitement.

We walked around the counter and looked through hundreds of pairs of earrings before choosing the perfect ones. A younger little girl was getting her ears pierced while we looked...and she was a total champ. She didn't even flinch! (Clearly her parents drugged her. No way homegirl didn't flinch at all!) This got Little Miss all amped- she was sure it wasn't going to hurt. She climbed into the chair with her head held high...until she saw the piercing gun.

"Is that a gun?!" she asked.

"Yes, this is what pushes the earring through your ear!" the clerk said.

While she looked more nervous than before, she was still determined to go through with it. Deep breaths...one, two, three...one ear done!

The look on her face went from excited to horrified. Her eyes filled up and her face turned blood red.

"They...lied to me!!" she yelped, tears rolling.

"Who? Who lied to you?" I asked.

"My friends!! This HURTS!!!!!!!!!!" she exclaimed.

It was safe to say I was positive we would be coming home with only one earring at that point. We talked and snuggled for a few moments and decided that it would be silly to only have one- so bam, the next earring went in. Even though both the clerk and I told Little Miss the second ear always hurt less, she was positive that it hurt even worse than the first one. The only thing that could possibly make her feel better was a trip to the Build-A-Bear store...which ironically (or strategically) happened to be located right across from the piercing place. Oh happy day!

We decided it would be fun to put the receipt from her ear piercing into her new bear...to remember all the fun from the day. (Little Miss kept reminding me that there was nothing fun about the piercing- it hurt & her friends lied to her...it was an awful day.)

Now, almost three weeks later- Little Miss has taken amazing care of her new ear piercings...cleaning them twice a day & turning them often. She says they only hurt the first day & now she loves them! She's been showing off her earrings & letting folks know that diamonds are a girls best friend. (They don't lie to you about piercing pain!) Just a few more weeks before she can change them!

I caught a little video of the blessed event...tears and all. Warning: it will make your heart hurt a little.



Thankfully, Little Miss has forgiven her friends for stretching the truth! Whew!!