I hate going to the dentist. I have never gone voluntarily, or at a time when it was not an emergency. Until recently.

Not too long ago, i told my dentist saga of 2004 [inlink]leetee,24[/inlink] and gave ya'll a shout out asking for recommendations. I got 2, from (e:Hodown) (sorry, but i couldn't find the dude you recommended!) and another from (e:Mike). I was able to find that dentist. To be more specific, (e:Mike) was recommending his hygenist, since he thinks she is "the best". I ended up with a different hygenist, who i thought was pretty damn cool... She explained to me that some people have gum problems, some people have decay problems, and i seem to be the latter of the 2. Fine by me, fillings are better than gum surgery!!!

For the first time in as long as i can remember, i have a cavity count of under 10. They (and me too!!!) are hoping to get these done in 2, maybe 3 appointments. Wow... no going to the dentist for weeks and weeks up until the time i need to get another check up and cleaning. Another first for me.

You see, when i was a kid, a was a wiggly squirmly (and skinny!) little thing. I remember having my baby teeth filled. I also remember the pain, since i don't take to locals very well. I also remember the dentist being impatient with me and to keep me still, he tied me to the chair. I have strong memories of a nurse sitting on my legs to keep me still. But they didn't believe me when i told them it hurt. And my mom didn't believe me when i told her they tied me down. OK, so when i was a kid i was prone to exaggerate.. i could be a drama queen at 4, i reckon. But my little kid brain figured she would believe me. *sigh*

After a long period of not going to the dentist, i returned there (due to an emergency, of course) as an older teenager and held my hands out to be tied. I figured if my mom didn't think it was a big deal when i was a kid, i guess that is what happened at the dentist. I was just being a silly twit for being afraid, everyone gets tied down. When the look of horror crossed the faces of the dental professionals that day, i ran out of the office in tears, and i have never stepped foot into that office again. They sent me a bill and i paid it. Took me another 5 years and some therapy to go back into a dental office again.

So now, as a 36 year old, i have nightmares before i go to the dentist. Last night was no exception. I am scared shitless. Last week, i cried when i was getting my teeth cleaned, i have no idea how i am going to handle today.

I just wanted to thank (e:Theecarey) for hosting a stellar 30th Birthday party last night. Thanks, too, (e:Ladycroft) for all her sweat (and yes, thank you very much for showering!!!) in preparations. And to all who helped make the night a fun one... from being there, or bringing extra chairs to cooking and cleaning. Your mom was a great caterer, (e:Theecarey)!

We had fun. Thanks for inviting us. Was great to meet all the new peeps, some (e:peeps) and some not.

Looking forward to seeing pictures, in case anyone wants to post any (HINT HINT HINT) once they are awake, out of their tents and/or less hungover. I know i took plenty... your camera should yeild interesting things, (e:Theecarey)!

A special shout out goes to (e:Mike). I know i have only hung out with you a total of 3 times, but it was really cool to see you sober...

I know tonight is the big party, but i didn't know if today is your birthday, or just the celebration of it. Either way...

Happy Happy 30th Birthday, (e:Theecarey)!

I just read your journal, (e:Theecarey) [inlink]theecarey,12[/inlink] and i hope reconnecting with family has been and will continue to be a possitive experience. The saying is oh so true -- you cannot pick your family.

As a reminder, (e:Uncutsaniflush) and i are planning on attending tonight's party, if anyone needs a ride, just email me or him before... uhm... i don't know, about 5 - 5.30ish.

As we speak my new pants are in the washer... i am one of those weirdos that cannot, just simply cannot wear something right from the store. I worked retail too long and know the crap they spray on stuff that is shipped to North America and i just could not stand to know that awful bug spray is on my skin! Funny thing is i don't even know if that is what i am going to wear, i just want the option.

Well, we will see ya'll there!! New pants or old ones!

I like rain. When i got up this morning and saw that it was raining, i looked forward to my walk to get the paper this morning. Much better than the extreme heat, if you ask me.

But our basement doesn't like rain much. Last time it rained heavily, we had some standing water, about 6 inches, but it seemed petty to complain about it since the poor people in the gulf coast were actually flooded. Real flooding, not what i was calling flooding, this mere 6 inches or so. We went and got ourselves a little pump, thanks to a really helpful man at Home Depot.

Today, Walt decided to check the basement. Sadly, we were having some backup from the storm drains. We decided to call someone this time.

The phone book yielded the number of the Buffalo Sewer Authority, and i called. The first thing i said was "i don't know if you are the people i am supposed to call about this, but..." and proceeded to tell them the holes in our basement floor that are supposed to carry water out are carrying water in. I was asked for my name, address and phone number. I was put on hold for about 10 seconds and then told someone would be out right away. Huh? You mean i don't have to wait on the phone for hours and argue with someone about it to get someone to unclog some drains? What is this world coming to?

I will say that now, about an hour after i called, we are impressed by the Buffalo Sewer Authority. They were prompt, friendly and accommodating on the phone. I didn't have to wade through voicemail bogs too deeply. When the gentleman arrived to take care of the problem he was quick and efficent. He explained things to me, then re-explained them when i couldn't manage to explain them to my husband (i suck at anything technical!).

Our problem was fixed in less than 2 hours. You rock Buffalo Sewer Authority!

Ok, so who is going to (e:Theecarey)'s birthday blowout? [inlink]theecarey,11[/inlink]

If anyone needs a ride, i am volunteering (e:Uncutsaniflush). I would say i am volunteering us, but i don't drive and i reckon that means i am just another person he will be chauffeuring. You will have to be tolerant of our whims, though... who the heck knows how long we will stay. We were at (e:Ladycroft)'s bash until nearly 5am, after all. So, we could stay 5 minutes, we could stay 5 hours... i think (e:Theecarey) would object to 5 days, however.

Email me or (e:Uncutsaniflush) if you want a ride!

Because tonight, i will be parked in front of the tv and there would be very little that will pry me away.

Some of my favies start again tonight. I am so addicted to Gilmore Girls. I reckon it it is my soap. That Rory is really acting up these days... what happened to the good girl she used to be? She is such a hottie, too. *sigh*

And then, there is House. Hugh Laurie rocks. I've been a fan of his for a long time... back to the days of the Young Ones and Blackadder Then again, i have been such a fan of that Brit Brat Pack of Hugh Laurie, Ben Elton, Stephen Fry and Rown Atkinson for what feels like forever. When i found out that Hugh Laurie was going to be on an "American" show, with an "American" accent, i knew there would be little to tear me away!!!

I have nothing to complain about. My life is wonderful. I have nothing to complain about. My life is wonderful. I have nothing to complain about. My life is wonderful. I have nothing to complain about. My life is wonderful.

If i repeat that mantra, perhaps all the little things that annoyed me today will not bother me so much?

Today was interesting. It started last night even. I reckon if it began after midnight, it counts for today?

We have a mouse in our house. Don't know how long he (she?) has been here, but it appears as though we might need to think about rent soon. Last night, mousey decided he wanted to listen to our cds. Of course, trying to hide behind them doesn't help! We tried to catch him. Instead, he decided to run across my foot! Oh, i behaved like a girl, and i am ashamed. I squealed and fell down from the squat i was in.

This morning, the bug bites i got the other night felt worse than ever. Walt tells me they look better, though... which accounts for something. But damn it, they itch like hell. And burn. I think they are spider bites.

And then, when i was cleaning our streaky bathroom mirror for what felt like the zillionth time, the light fixture gave me a shock. I screamed. Hurt to my shoulder. Poor Walt came running, not knowing what sort of clumsiness i was up to now. Looks like we need to update our groovy 60's light fixture! No more floresent for us, thank you!

I also decided it is finally time for me to go to a dentist. I've been meaning to for the LONGEST time. [inlink]leetee,24[/inlink] Thanks to both (e:Hodown) and (e:Mike) for their recommendations. I couldn't find the dentist you told me about, (e:Hodown), so i went to the one you recommended, (e:Mike). I am getting my teeth cleaned this Wednesday. They had a cancellation. Not with Brenda, though. With someone named Cheryl, i think. The receptionist told me she is gentle. I am SUCH A WUSS.

After the odd morning i had, we decided to go out to lunch. We went to Sahara Grill. Silly me, i wore a white tank top. And they so like to garnish with paprika. They are mad for the stuff, i tell ya. And, not to brag, but i do have quite a chest... particularly with the push up bra. And i had paprika boobies. My poor favie Betty Bop tank top! The food was good, but they got mine and Walt's mixed up. I don't like pickles so much, so i picked them out of my sandwich to give to him.

Last night and now this evening, our poor little iBook is illing. Don't ask me what is wrong with it. I have no idea. Walt knows, i am sure. Or at least suspects. We think we might be able to get it fixed under some sort of warrantee. Thank goodness i am uptight enough to keep reciepts from 2 or 3 years ago, eh?

I don't always go in this direction, but i decided to paricipate in a little retail therapy. I love a bargain and with a coupon, i am unstopable. I got a pleather jacket to replace the one i bought in England oh so long ago on a dreary wet day. I also got a pair of shoes and a couple of tops... and i think with the discounts and coupons, i basicly got the tops for free. Yay me. We also bought some clearance storage bins at Home Depot while we were looking for new bathroom light fixtures... Oh, how i LOVE a bargain!

I had a great time last night. I am very much looking forward to seeing all the pics you smart (e:peeps) with cameras took. HINT HINT. Silly me, i didn't bring our camera.

Thank you, (e:Ladycroft). I hope it was a wonderful birthday bash for you... despite standing on a street corner for so long. Thank you to you too, (e:Theecarey), for helping in the prep and planning. Was great meeting you. And a very big thank you to (e:PMT) for hosting the party. The tour was done with flare, and was appreciated. Since you missed out on ours that one time, you are welcome to come get a tour of our home anytime, (e:Matthew). Lastly, a big thank you to (e:Mike), (e:lilho) and (e:Jill) for the giant baby pic in the "nice room". I will have nightmares for weeks!

Was great to meet all of the new (e:Peeps) i had not yet met in person and to hang again with those i had met before...

Gay Marriage

Thank you, (e:Uncutsaniflush) for you post about gay marriage in California [inlink]uncutsaniflush,110[/inlink] As ya'll may have noticed, i am not very political, but i do have a few issues i stand firmly behind. Gay marriage is one of them. I think every adult should be able to choose who they marry. I understand why it has become a political issue in theory, but i just don't understand why it has to be. I think i tend to be naive about it, however. I assume that everyone thinks in the same open minded way i can...

Taste Good?

A week or so ago, we decided we were going to get take out from Taste Good. [inlink]leetee,10[/inlink] After much confusion due to language barriers, i thought i understood that they no longer had any of the mock chicken and mock beef vegetarian stuff i loved so much. *pout* So, today, when we decided to get more take out, i ordered some tofu. While picking it up Walt asked about it, and it turns out i missunderstood "we no carry" somehow. Go me. I ended up having a pretty crappy tofu dish (imagine hot and sour soup, without the sour, with soft tofu and frozen peas and carrots floating in it... and it wasn't even a soup i ordered!!) wishing i had some of the curry mock chicken. Walt, the sweetie that he is, offered to go back and get some for me, but we decided to strain out some tofu and stir fry it for me.

What's The Green Thing, Paul?

I think my eyes are going... What is the green thing beside a post when it is a mobile post, (e:Paul)? I think it looks like a fish; (e:Uncutsaniflush) thinks it might be a turlte. We both thought it might be a green cell phone. Inquiring minds want to know!


Gadgets

I just saw the weirdest faucet.... called the "dante", it seems as though some people do not know how to turn the darned thing on!

Well, time for me to go attack the ice cream we bought earlier!

Welcome to your 30's!! Hope you have a very happy birthday without one single problem from a student or a parent today, just as an added bonus!