Comments

I just wanted to let everyone know that I have changed my blog settings so that anyone can post comments now. I had unintentionally set up the blog so that only those with a special email account could post. So, if you feel that you'd like to comment on any of my posts, please feel free! I'm still learning about the settings and whatnot for this blog site and I just figured out how to change that feature.

I'll be posting a longer blog sometime this weekend. I just wanted to make sure everyone knew about this change.

That's all for now...

The Dentist

Today I went to the dentist. I've been dreading going to the dentist for the last 8 years. (Yes, that's how long it has been since I've seen one.) The thing is, I liked the dentist that I had growing up. He's a friend/client of my dad's and a really nice, wonderful person. But, years ago, he decided to stop taking the dental insurance that I have and ever since then, I've been too lazy and scared to find someone else. This summer, I asked a coworker of mine if she liked her dentist. After a glowing recommendation from 3 people that go to this office, Lance decided to be our "guinea pig" and go.

I'm so glad he went. And not only that, he loved it there. He made me an appointment yesterday for this afternoon. Now, I'm not scared of doctors (and good thing since I see them so often) but I am scared-as-all-get-out of the dentist. I'm not sure why...maybe it's because you can't see what they're doing to you or the noise from them scraping your teeth. Whatever the reason, I'm not a fan of dentists.

Until today. I'm so glad I went! They are absolutely the best team I think I've ever been to. The hygenist was a doll...we laughed and talked (as much as you can inbetween scraping my teeth and poking at my gums). Not once did she or the dentist make me feel bad about not going in so long and she was very warm and comforting when I told her I was nervous about being there. They also had the cool DVD set up so that I could watch a movie with the cool headgear while they were inspecting and cleaning my teeth. (Today, my movie of choice was Spider-Man). I didn't even know the dentists were set up with that sort of thing until recently! It really did help. I found myself distracted with the movie much more than I was thinking about what was being done to me.

They told me that my teeth looked really good for not having been to the dentist for so long. I do have to go back to their office 3 times in the next 4 months (once for a filling, once for a nightguard fitting and in December for a cleaning). I also have to see a specialist about a tooth that I had worked on probably 12 years ago. I cracked this molar when I bit down on a Tootsie Pop when I was about 15. It isn't bothering me at all, but the dentist just wants to take a precaution and have it looked at a little closer to make sure it's ok. Worse comes to worse, I have to have another root canal on it. Good thing is, I'm not scared to go to a dentist anymore.

I can't believe I just wrote so much about the dentist! It was a big deal for me...

In other news, I bought a portable GPS system last weekend to take with me in the car. I used it for the first time today and it's AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! I'd highly recommend people getting one of these. I've come to not rely on Google or Mapquest for my driving direction needs anymore since they've done me wrong so many times. I absolutely love this little gadget.

That's all the news on my end! I hope everyone's well.

Work

Today I started my 8th school year working in special education. I have to say...I have a good feeling about this year. I really think it's going to be a good one. I'm working in a classroom with a young teacher and one other aide who I've been working with since I started with the district. We all work well together and have a good time. We got a new classroom, so most of the day was spent setting the room up and getting everything ready for the students. They start tomorrow. I still miss working at the preschool, but it was sooooo incredibly nice getting off at 3pm and feeling like I still had some of the day to do whatever I needed to get done. It has been a year since I've only had one job and have ended my work day so early. It will definitely not be long before I'm used to this schedule again.

Lance went to the beach with some of his friends today. They went last week, too, but didn't end up going in the water because of how cold it was at the coast. Today was a pretty warm day, so I imagine they had fun playing in the waves. I'm glad he got to go and hang out with his friends today.

Thank you again to those of you who have donated to Team In Training to help Leah and Justin reach their goal for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's December marathon. I am going to be handing over the checks that I have to Leah shortly and I know she's going to be so grateful and appreciative. I have been really touched by everyone's support. Please know that it's not too late to donate! If you are still interested you can send a check to me or visit their website. Let me know if you need the details.

Have a great week!

Lovely, Lovely Massage

After talking about getting massages for about two years, my friend, Laura, and I FINALLY went and did it yesterday. Boy was it worth the wait! She had never been before and when I asked her afterward how she liked it, she said that it was great. I had been twice before but this was the first time that I had a male working on me. I must say...it was a little different than my other massages. He took the term "full-body massage" quite literally. Now...before anyone freaks out (my mom gave me a look of horror when I told her this yesterday) there wasn't anything creepy about it and he asked permission before he did anything. As I type this, I realize that this probably sounds really bad, but it wasn't that bad. The thing is, I went to get a massage and relax and because he was a male, I couldn't relax. For that reason alone I will be asking for a female next time I go. He was very nice and very professional but for the money that I'm paying for that massage, I want to relax. He added a reflexology component to the massage, which was something that I hadn't experienced before. It was nice, but I'll probably just stick to the standard massage next time.

After our lovely massages we headed across the street to The Cantina for Mexican food. It was delicious! She had enchiladas while I had BBQ shrimp quesadillas. Yummy! We had a wonderful time catching up and laughing about my massage experience. She only lives about 20 minutes from me, yet we only see each other about once every couple of months or so. She's such a great friend.

Today is the first day that I have absolutely nothing planned since I quit the preschool two weeks ago. I can't believe it! I almost don't know what to do with myself...almost. I do think I'm going to head to a movie later and I definitely have to get some laundry done. Not too shabby. I start work on either Wednesday or Thursday of this week. I'm not sure yet. I'll have to call my teacher later to find out the scoop.

Happy Sunday!

Asian Art Museum

Lance and I had such a great day today! We decided to hop on BART and head out to San Francisco to go to the Asian Art Museum. Neither of us had been there before, so it was a real treat! As soon as we got there, we found a docent waiting to take a couple of guys on a tour, so we decided to join them. He guided us through the Yoshitoshi and Manga exibits on the first floor. Apparently, this was the first time that they had been shown outside of Japan, so it was really special. After the tour, we headed into the museum's cafe, Cafe Asia, for some lunch. We were surprised at what we found on the menu! We expected regular cafeteria style food, and instead, Lance ordered chicken tiki masala and I had the pork roast. It was delicious! After lunch, we headed up to the 2nd and 3rd floors to check out the rest of the art. The museum ended up being much bigger than either of us expected it to be, so we started getting a little overwhelmed after a while. We decided that we would come back and check out the rest of the art that we skipped over on another day. It was a really fantastic day! I hope you all get to check out this museum sometime.

Here are a few pictures of our trip. They allow pictures to be taken on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the museum, although you're not allowed to use flash. I have a new camera and have not learned how to turn the flash off yet, so I didn't get any interior pictures (aside from our lunch). Maybe by our next visit I'll have that figured out.

Asian Art Museum

San Francisco

Lance's Chicken Tiki Masala

My Japanese Pork Roast

Goofing around on BART on our way home

Silly, silly man!

My Cousins

Last Thursday night, my cousins Linnea and Shirrell drove up from southern California to spend a few days with us. We had so much fun! We went shopping, went to a movie and played Mexican Train at my parent's house until the late hours. They left yesterday morning. I was so sad! I wish we lived closer. I'm trying to plan a trip down to see them sometime in the next couple of months. I hope I get to see them again soon!

Linnea, Me, Shirrell

Back Home

Lance and I had a wonderful trip to Santa Barbara and Solvang! We arrived home last night after spending two nights in Santa Barbara and one night in Solvang. Everything was great...great food, great weather, great people. We ended up doing a lot for only spending two full days away. We hit two breweries, the Santa Barbara Zoo, the beach, two Missions and a museum. And that doesn't count all the eating we did! We ate Hungarian Goulash, Schnitzel, Swedish Meatballs and Crepes...just to name a few! It was fantastic!

I've posted some pictures of our trip. The first three are from the Garlic Festival last weekend. Bre, Jon and Lance all tried the fried Rattlesnake and Alligator. They said it was really good, but I didn't try it.

Enjoy the pictures!

Bre and Jon enjoying some Alligator and Rattlesnake

Lance enjoying his Rattlesnake

At the Garlic Festival in Gilroy

The Firestone Brewery in Paso Robles

Lance VERY much enjoying his beer

I'm VERY much enjoying my water

The Brewhouse in Santa Barbara - Lance ordered a Habenero beer...yikes! Spicy!



The Santa Barbara Zoo was located on the street right behind our hotel



The giraffe with the very crooked neck. Don't worry...she's not in pain! In fact, she's perfectly healthy and actually gave birth recently. What a trooper!

Lance's Schnitzel...yum!



My Hungarian Goulash....sooooooo yummy!


Old Mission Santa Barbara


East Beach in Santa Barbara
I stayed on the beach....


...while Lance had fun playing in the water


The Hans Christian Anderson Museum in Solvang. We picked up some great books here for our little one.


Old Mission Santa Ynez (or Santa Ines)

Downtown Solvang

Yummy, creamy ice cream. It was soooo good!

Simpsonized!