Just Scraping By

I had to go to the dentist this week, and I'll tell you, there aren't very many other things that will get me to shake in my boots like this visit does. Now, I have the sweetest, most gentle dentist known to man. He plays the French Horn in a bluegrass band for Pete's sake. He always tells me when something might hurt, and he always checks to make sure I'm not gagging, which I think is nice. He also carries good magazines in his waiting room, and has nice Muzak playing in the office. I love him so much, that I even paid for the visits myself when my lame insurance wouldn't cover him. But his niceties do not make this experience any better for me.

I always try really hard to brush and floss when I'm supposed to, but invariably, I seem to always have some tartar that needs to be removed. Which brings me to the picture above. Who's idea was it to take those sharp metal prongs and think, "Hey, let's scrape your poor teeth as hard as we can with these tiny but deadly weapons?" I keep waiting for one of my teeth to actually pop out of the socket, because in the words of Kristen, that ain't right. Plus, my hands are always really tired afterward because I unleash the death grip on the poor chair. This is the only way I can get through all of the scraping!

And the polishing! This has definitely improved over the years, but I hate hearing the whir of the motor and the gritty polish sitting in my mouth until it's time to rinse. I think putting my teeth in a belt sander would be preferable.

But mercifully, I escaped with nary a cavity and a nice new pink toothbrush for my trouble. And I have another six months before the reign of terror begins again.

I Do it and I Love it!!

I came to the realization a while back that I am One of Those People Who Squeezes the Toothpaste in the Middle. I didn't used to be that person. I was raised to squeeze from the bottom and roll the tube up as you go. I did this diligently for years. I know it makes more sense to squeeze from the bottom. But now that I've squeezed from the middle, I don't think I could go back. Who else out there wants to admit that they're middle-squeezers?

Oscar the Grouch

I am going to sound like a big baby saying this, but I don't care--I hate taking out the garbage! While I am so very grateful for the good people who haul my garbage away every week, I cannot explain how much I hate taking out the garbage. Not only do I have to gather the trash from each individual garbage can in my house, but then I have to wheel the big can (mine and the actual trash can) outside in the 16 degree weather, over my snowy driveway that I haven't had time to adequately shovel, and try to find a place for it on the curb. Boo!

Which leads me to the next chore that I can't stand--shoveling my driveway. I know my driveway is only about 4x4, but I still hate having to do it. Dad raised us to shovel as soon as it stopped snowing so there wouldn't be any icy bits on the sidewalk, but I am now ruing (sp?) that responsible streak. Julie totally had the right idea this year by hiring out this task. Do you think if I gave your shoveling crew like $5 they'd come and do my driveway when they're done with yours?

And furthermore, can we talk about changing the filters in the furnace? Again, the end result of heat in my house is so much appreciated, but I totally put off replacing the filters because I don't like doing it! Where are the oompa loompas who are supposed to do this stuff for me? So if anybody has a particular affinity for any of these tasks, please let me know--I can pay you in baked goods or hugs.

I Heart the Bachelor!

I am loving this season of one of my favorite guilty pleasures, The Bachelor. Probably even more than the actual episodes are the blogging recaps after. I've talked about my affinity for EW.com's (Entertainment Weekly for any rookies out there) TV Watch, that is always a must. This year EW has added Our Host Chris Harrison's blog as a link where he talks about how crazy these women really are behind the scenes and what really happens during the "Most Dramatic Rose Ceremony . . . Ever!". But my new favorite is a blogger named Lincee. Her posts are sarcastic, hilarious, and I love them. She writes exactly what you are thinking, but so much better. Tuesdays are even better than Mondays because we discuss the episode at work and read some of the blogs together - just cracking up. I can't wait to see how this one is going to end.

Commuter What?

I have already addressed my dislike of TV meteorologists expressing their gratitude for the "moisture" during a big snowstorm in another post. Now I have another snow-related pet peeve: the phrase "commuter special." As in, "It's going to snow through the morning, so it looks like it'll be another commuter special tomorrow morning." What, I ask, is so "special" about a longer, scarier, white-knuckled commute? To me, a commuter special would be when I make all the green lights on 2300 East. Or, better yet, if a limo were to come pick me up and I could enjoy the morning paper and a sparkling Martinelli's on my way to work while a handsome chauffer named George drives. THAT would be special.

I Heart Michael's

I love Michael's Craft Stores! I have recently discovered their $1 area and everytime I need something for a YW handout or activity, they seem to have exactly what I need. Last week I needed little books for an idea where the girls would learn about Jesus Christ by reading a scripture a day for a month, each day write what they learned or what their thoughts were and when complete it would qualify for a Faith Experience in Personal Progress. I found the cutest little books that said "Believe" on the front and then each page was also labeled. The inside has a label with the scriptures to read and the Living Christ. This week I was looking ahead for some books that I can use for Gratitude Journals for a future activity and found exactly what I needed . . . little journals that have a monogram on the front. I was in the aisle writing down each girls name making sure I didn't forget anyone and then crossing it off as I found each personalized journal that I needed. I got 21 names right - and will be back on Monday for the A, B, and R that I forgot - but not bad. It's become my new favorite stop for some creative inspiration.

What I Like About Winter

January is about the time when I am sick of winter weather and ready for some warm sunshine. Since it may be a while before that happens . . . here are a few things that I actually like about this season.

• Valentine candy! As soon as Christmas is over, the stores start getting ready for Valentine's Day. I was so excited a few weeks ago to see my favorite jelly hearts and cinnamon hearts with sugar right at the entrance of my favorite grocery store, Harmon's, taunting me to buy them . . . and of course, I obliged. They are so yummy! I like to have 1 jelly heart with 1 cinnamon heart - it's a nice blend. Beware, you must get the Sweet's brand of candy. I made the mistake, in my desperation earlier, to pick up a bag of Brach's jelly hearts at Smith's . . . so not the same. After two or three, the bag ended up in the garbage. Harmon's will hook you up with the good stuff.
  
• University of Utah Gymnastics . . . Red Rocks. I'm not a fan of football or basketball, but once January hits, I love going to the gymnastics meets. We have been going off and on since we were little. I can't hear the song, "Let the Music Play" by Shannon without wanting to just get out and do my own little floor exercise dance (don't worry, this is so not happening). The team gets great support and the meets are always fun.
  
• Layers - I like bundling up in my sweaters and scarves. In the summer, there is only so much you can take off (it's a hot life, as my mother always said), but in the winter when it's cold, I can pile it on. Check out the jaunty new hat that Melinda and I each got at a boutique. Cute, right? I test drove it at an outdoor activity with the youth and it was a big hit. (P.S. My eye is all better . . . thanks, Mindy Pugh for asking.)
  

• American Idol - I love when this show gets going. Unlike some people, I don't enjoy the audition weeks as much . . . I feel so bad for the people who get humiliated. But, once it gets going with delightful covers of "classic" tunes . . . I'm hooked. Can't wait to see who comes from the SLC. Check out Brent's blog for his hilarious oberservations and comments.