Can I just say ouch?

Now, before you start snickering, here me out… I went to the dentist today. For a root canal. Are you trembling yet? You should be.

While the root canal wasn’t that painful, it was scary. I’m a bit of a wuss when it comes to my teeth (like you aren’t…) so for me, it’s more the vibration and the sound of the drill. Ick. Ouch. Ug.

Unfortunately, dentist wasn’t able to complete the root canal. Through my numb brain (they had to inject me 6 times) I heard something about calcification…whatever that means. And oh, by the way, you’re headed to a specialist.

Remember what I said about being a wuss? All I could think of at that point was oh heavens, please let them just carry me over there in an ambulance right now so that I’m still numb when I get there. The drilling was rather traumatic. Not to mention all those injections.

No such luck. Two unanswered phone calls to the specialist and a two week wait before I can get this puppy finished.

So today, I’m camped out on the couch, working as much as possible, day dreaming about the one medicine I know will cure this poor tooth. Romance novels. Seriously… there’s something about a good, upbeat, optimistic novel about love and family and forever that totally lifts my spirits and for a while eases all worry and pain.

As much as I love apples, I’m thinking a romance novel a day would really keep me in top shape. Between you and me, kisses help too. Now if my darling husband would just finish work for the day. My cheek needs a kiss. And I need a good book.

Off to the library.

I came across an article on Yahoo recently about the army and how they’re changing basic training. Instead of running five miles a day, they’re working on strengthing the core.

This is the first change in routine from the army in 30 years. And when you read the article and why they’re making the changes, it makes since.

The article goes into all the details but it had me wondering if I’m going about my exercise in the wrong way.

I love riding my bike, I walk on the treadmill, I occasionally do aerobics. Sometimes I life weights and if I’m feeling particularly balanced, I give the balance ball a go. But as a writer who sits on her fanny a majority of the day, well, what types of exercises should I be doing to build a better me?

I’m not really sure. I think it’s time to consult the experts. Stay tuned.

This is neither writing nor reading related, so I’m sorry if you’re looking for something inspired. But it’s my blog and I can blog about what I want to, yes?

So I’m on the lookout for a cute new tote for spring. Preferably something colorful, classic, not too big or small, with some stripes. Why stripes? I don’t know. I just feel like stripes.

So far, all I’ve found is this cute little market style bag at etsy. $18, not bad. And this other etsy bag is rather cute too. A little more expensive.

This might be the winner, but it’s a smidge more than I wanted to spend.

What do you think? Have a preference? Know of a bag that fits all my criteria?

At my house, we call this massage “mooking” and our one kitty, Snickers, just loves to mook a soft blanket. If she ever mooked her sister, my heart would probably explode. Maybe it’s good she hasn’t ever mooked her sister.

Have a great day!

This one’s for DarlingHusband.

Click the cartoon for more awesome cartoons from Inky Girl.

There’s a song from my childhood that I absolutely adore. And what’s more, my dad loves it too. I guess you could say it’s something we share. He used to play it on the record player. And when I was big enough, I would do the same.

It begins: Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Is it any wonder I love the song? I love my kitties and my middle name is Rose.

The last line of each verse is “these are a few of my favorite things.”

Today was filled with favorites.

Lazy Saturday mornings and sweet doggie snuggles
Cold winter weather and Kitty cuddles
warm husband hugs and Vermont Cheddar Mac and Cheese.
These are a few of my favorite things.

Now it’s your turn. What are a few of your favorite things?

Here are all the lyrics to the song.

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel so bad

[Repeat all verses]

Maria – My Favorite Things lyrics

I came across an article* on Esquire.com the other day that I read twice. Once to myself and once to DarlingHusband. It’s one of those articles that has a good bit of shock value, enough to well, shock you, and leaves you thinking, pondering, and even questioning your own morals.

It’s called I Think You’re Fat.

The author, A.J. Jacobs, takes a journey which requires him to lie…less often. Theoretically, he’s not supposed to lie at all. Can you imagine?

A world where no one lies.

What would it be like? Would we have more wars or less? Would people finally communicate with each other? Would feelings be hurt? Could our relationships, friendships, and associations handle all that truth?

As I read the article I found myself firmly in the anti-Brad Blanton camp. Not because I don’t believe in honesty, but because I didn’t like the way he came off in the article. Brad Blanton you see is the psychotherapist behind this movement called Radical Honesty and author A.J. Jacobs sets about meeting with Blanton to discuss things. I’ll let you read the article.

Upon finishing, and then rereading, I still felt like Blanton uses his “honesty” movement as an excuse to be an ass(sorry Mom, no other word would do) but on the other hand, Jacobs’ relationships (some of them in some ways) were improved. There is something to be said for being completely honest with those around you, even if you get that weird feeling in your stomach and wonder “what the hell am I doing?”

But at the same time, using honesty as an excuse for being rude is never okay, in my opinion. Neither is it an excuse to be a selfish asshole (sorry again).

One of the things I admire most about DarlingHusband is his honesty. An example, if a client sends him an email asking about a project and he doesn’t have it done yet, he’ll write them back and tell them it isn’t done. He doesn’t “hem-haw” around the matter. He doesn’t ignore the email. He doesn’t make up an excuse. He simply tells it like it is, sticks to the facts. That is SO refreshing, don’t you think?

But I digress. The point is, you know deep down when its okay to tell a white lie that will spare a person’s feelings. And you should know that the majority of the time, honesty is the best policy. (That’s not a famous quote for no reason, people.) Perhaps we all need to toughen our skins and (as Blanton hints at) learn to communicate better.

—
* Amazing what stays on the internet. This article is from 2007!

There’s a line from Jerry MacGuire that I’ve been thinking about lately. Jerry’s girlfriend says “we always said we’d be brutally honest with each other…”

Have you ever had to be brutally honest with yourself? Maybe you’re just not going to get that promotion and it’s time to look for a new job. Or, you simply can’t afford your home and it’s time to call the bank. Or maybe you need to stop smoking or lose one hundred pounds. It’s those moments where we look inward and give ourselves a serious talking to that…well, I like to think that it builds character.

Those moments of “take no prisoners” honesty can really make a difference. It’s these moments in my own life that have caused me to change course, make the tough choices, and become a better person for it. It’s these moments that lead me to my true self. Well, perhaps I’m not all the way there yet. Does any person ever truly know themself? And what about the fact that we’re constantly changing?

Is it time for an honest appraisal in your life? Do you need to ask some tough questions? Whatever questions you ask and whatever the answers are, good luck.