kLUtZ

It seems like this past week reminders of my "fractured" past keep popping up. Allow me to explain.
On a fall morning in September a few years ago I went for a run. (Shocking) This run was not like any other run. Apparently I thought it would be fun to see what concrete tasted like. Long story short, I'm a klutz and fell to the pavement with nothing but my face to break the fall. Good times.
At the time, I was so embarassed, I quickly got up and looked around to see if anyone saw me and did the nervous giggle. (You know the one where you are trying not to cry or crawl into a hole and die) Whew, no spectators as far as the eye could see. I dusted myself off (I had pavement cruggle on my hands) and began to run again. I looked down and "what the?" I had blood on my shirt, where is that coming from? I felt my chin and a little pool of blood formed in the palm of my hand.
My first thoughts "Oh dangit, now I can't finish my run! I was just starting to feel good too."
I ran back to a gas station and asked the cashier if she had a bathroom I could use. She looked at me blankly and pointed to the southwest corner of the store. I immediately understood her blank look when I saw all the blood covering my face. Turns out cuts on your chin bleed a lot.
At this point I called my Mom to come get me, it was clear I wasn't going to finish the run because of my spur of the moment decision to eat pavement. While waiting for my mom I noticed my jaw felt funny. It was popping and my teeth didn't come together on one side. It didn't really hurt much, it just felt different.
When we got home my mom called my dentist explaining how my teeth didn't come together anymore, she asked if we should come see him first or go to the hospital. (it was clear I would need stitches at this point) His reply "No, no. Just go to the hospital."
So we did. I believe my last words before going back to get an xray of my jaw were "Don't worry Mom, there's no way my jaw is broken."
In comes the ER doc, "Um. You're jaw is fractured."
Dang.
In short, I had to have my mouth rubberbanded shut for 6 weeks and I was the laughing stock of everyone and their dog.

Fast forward to last tuesday at my dentist appointment. (Reminder #1 of my clumsiness.)
How are you Natalie?
Good, how are you?
Good. (side smile) Have you been on any runs lately?
Ooohoo, so funny, it hurts. You're killing me Doc. (that was sarcasm there)
He told me about how the ER doc called him that fateful day and told him about this patient they had in common. The dentist immediately knew who he was talking about and said, "She has a broken jaw right?" They then proceeded to have a good laugh.
I'm glad I can provide some sort of entertainment for you fools. (again with the sarcasm)
Reminder #2
Today I was putting up Christmas decorations and I found some wedding pictures that I wanted to frame. Inside one of the packages of wedding pictures I found....
these babies. (When I pay for something, I take it home!-who can tell me where that quote is from?)
I don't know why we have them or why they were with my wedding pictures (maybe my Mom was gonna frame them) but they are big and fractured. Maybe I can use them as spooky Halloween decorations next year.
Proof yet again, I am a klutz.
That is also why my Mom makes me wear a football helmet when I run. Special. :)

p.s. just in case you're wondering, concrete does not taste good. I do not recommend it.