What I learned today at the dentist

I think I'll just do a top ten, why not?

1: Thank GOD for dental insurance, otherwise I would be penniless.

2: Drinking coffee through a straw is not a good idea.

3: If your mouth is numb on one side, do not attempt a smile. You will look like the Joker. Or Elvis, with his lopsided grin.

4: When the dentist and his assistants continue to engage in conversation with you, with their hands in your mouth, just make a few small noises here and there to show that you're still breathing, don't attempt to talk.

5: Floss. I've said this before. But please, do it.

6: I thought I had a high threshold for pain. But, when the dentist says "please tell me if you feel ANYthing", and you do, tell him. A few quick shots and you wouldn't feel a brick thrown at your cheek.

7: Pharmacy technicians are not happy people. Oh I kid, I can't generalize like that. But really, I've found that most of them are just irritated by your presence. What I learned: A big smile can change that. But see number 3. That's probably why it worked, he thought I looked like a clown.

8: Singing at the top of your lungs in between the comings and goings of the dental assistants provides sheer entertainment for their day. Try it.

9: I don't enjoy the elevator music version of The Lion Sleeps Tonight near as much as the one with words.

10: I love Trains new song, Marry Me.

And there you have it!

See you soon friend,
Tiffany

PS tomorrow needs to include a soft breakfast. Scrambled eggs? Join me.

"You cannot find peace by avoiding life."— Virginia Woolf

Last summer (2010) I stumbled upon a blog that had me so riveted I read every post written, from beginning to end, in one day. It was like reading a book I had just bought that I fell so in love with, I couldn't put the book down.
Her name is Whitney, and her story really does resemble a fairytale. Her bio begins with "I'm a 25-year-old former anti-romantic who followed my heart 4,757 miles to London to find my Prince Charming....."
That had me at hello. I told you I was a romantic at heart. (sshh don't tell anyone)

I've yet to meet Whitney but I know I will at some point, thank you social media. She lives in Dallas and we know some of the same people, one day I will be asking for her autograph.

Every once in a while Whitney shares stories from other people who write to her. As Valentines Day 2011 comes to a close, I've just read one that reminded me that I need to stick to what I've recently said. Live life out loud. Get out. Do more. Say yes. Go go go and go some more.
It's been a great year so far, and there's a lot to look forward to.

If you are in a place where you need to be reminded how truly short life really is, read Whitneys February 14, 2011 post.

Go here:
http://www.fairytalebeginning.com/

You should probably have kleenex handy. I'm just sayin.

I hope you had a day filled with love. Mine had lobster tail that can only be described as succulent, a toast of champagne, a chocolate covered strawberry, warm hugs, phone calls from neices that I would hang the moon for, and an Elizabeth Barrett Browning sonnet that falls perfectly in tune with Whitneys post today.

"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach, when feeling out of sight for the ends of being and ideal grace. I love thee to the level of every day's most quiet needs by sun and candlelight. I love thee freely as men strive for right; I love thee purely as they turn from praise; I love thee passion put to use in my old griefs and my childhood's faith. I love thee with the love I seemed to lose with my lost faith. I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears of all my life! - And, if God choose, I shall love thee better after death."



See you soon friend,
Tiffany
PS The Virginia Woolf quote is one I am giving a standing ovation too. It's true.

I saved the best for last

You know what I like?

Soft blankets.
Fluffy, warm towels from the dryer.
A song coming on the radio that I LOVE but haven't heard in a long time.
Snow. Oh come ON! I know.....I hear you. But I do like it. It's pretty.
The beach. There, I've redeemed myself, you summer lovers.
The smell of chlorine and coppertone.
Sunrise, and sunset, equally.
Inspiring blog posts.
Books that stay with me, days after I've read them.
Wine.
Fire. I should say contained fire. Fireplace....firepit.....even the flame of a lit candle.
New pillows for my bed.
Down comforters.
A text from a best friend "I <3 U"
Singing out loud.
The dentist. aHA! gotcha. Well, I do have to say that I'm grateful for them. I don't enjoy them, but I'm glad they exist.
Football.
Gumption.
The color pink.
Spa days that include massages and pedicures.
Hoops and YoYo. (hallmark dot com people)
The sound of rain, and the smell it brings after.....especially in the Spring.
My new interest in international recipes. Pad Thai coming soon, to a Tiffanys near you.
Puppy faces. Have you seen "Boo" on Facebook? I melt.
Ice-cold beer.
Coffee of unlimited proportions.
Paris.
Autumn.
A locket dangling from a necklace.
People who give time to charities.
Halloween.
Pigtails and cowgirl boots. They go hand in hand.
Lip Gloss. Never leave home without it.
My sisters, who share my sense of humor.
Smiling.
Laughing so much my stomach hurts.
Butterflies.
Barbecue grills with charcoal in them, turning white from flame.
Movies.
Song lyrics.
Faith. Unshakeable, faith.
Poems.
Falling asleep in the sunshine.
Trips I can look forward to, months in advance.
Lopsided grins.
Bubble gum. I don't partake often, but I still like it.
Paintings.
Yoga.
Time.

I saved the best for last. It's the one thing we think we don't have enough of and sometimes we are correct. The knowledge of "only 24 hours in a day and we should sleep at least 8 of them", leaves us with the decision of what to do with the remaining 16 hours.

I hope I use them wisely.

I hope you do too.

See you friend,
Tiffany





PS I can make you a pancake with your initial in it for Breakfast. No really. I can.

With cabin fever comes clarity

So I've learned a few things, being iced-in, working from home all week due to the inclement weather Dallas has had since Tuesday.

1: If you send a plea to the Weather Gods through your blog, they will answer. They will REALLY answer. Focus stage right.

2: When you absolutely have to get out of the house to stock up on necessities, wait until there is snow on top of ice, and go at 6:30a. It's the most peaceful existence in the world. The crunch of the snow beneath your feet and the sound of your breath are the only audible things that exist. Had a few childhood memories come back to me so quickly, with such vivid clarity, that I almost didn't want to go back inside. With firewood being a must in North Dallas this week, I am happy to report that I'm fully stocked.

3: I'm quite the chef when snowed in and my imagination wanders to all kinds of possibilities based on ingredients I have on hand. Like blueberries for example. And yes they are cookies. Delicious.


4: I'm spoiled. Did you just gasp? I did too at the admission. With "rolling blackouts" comes no electricity. I was reading a book by the fire going in the fireplace anyway, but all of a sudden I found ten reasons to need power. I sat there for a while, and then thought, what do I need it for right now. I'm warm, I can see what I'm reading, and I'm not hungry. Get over it.
I did, and it came back on within the hour. Of course this happened several times, but that's okay.

5: I'm a fire bug. Thank you Dad, for teaching me how to build one. After I stopped reading, I was sipping a glass of wine, staring into the flames leaping off the logs in my fireplace. Thinking.....always thinking. You can do quite a bit of mental organization this way. I imagined my life in folders, and began gently placing certain things in them. Some will be filed away for better use later. Some, will be tossed.

6: I love social media. Even though I was sitting in my apartment without these friends present, I was having so many conversations with various people during that time, because social media makes that possible. I knew what they were doing, drinking, eating, watching, and how they feel about ice storms. It was fun.

7: I absolutely love getting texts from friends that care about my living conditions enough to text me to make sure that I'm okay. Another thing I love about them is they make me laugh out loud with very few words.

8: Kittens are tiny furry beasts bent on destruction and mayhem.
Except when they're sleeping

9: After 3 days of being iced in, one can inch towards madness. I say this lightly, I'm fine. But only because I got out and walked today, in the winter wonderland. It's important to get exercise and fresh air every day.

10: The Superbowl is nigh. I actually didn't learn this while being iced-in. But it's a fact nonetheless. I have no idea what kind of weather Dallas will have on Sunday. But I have a feeling the weather gods decided to make the Steelers/Packers right at home by blowing arctic gusts over the Stadium in Arlington. May the best team win!

I hope wherever you are, you're safe and warm. And you have a lovely weekend.

See you soon friend,
Tiffany

PS I bought fresh watermelon and canteloupe this morning. Oh Texas, how I love you for that. It's February after all. That's what's for breakfast at Tiffanys!