Sweet

Last night I had the pleasure of hanging out with my 3 nieces, all 6 years old. One was feeling under the weather and we mainly camped out upstairs with her. Coloring, crackers, apple juice and countless episodes of the Smurfs were involved plus a little time with The Beaver.

As the evening progressed I parried with 6 year-old logic and tried to discipline a crafty little one who snuck some bread after we brushed our teeth. She pulled some classic moves, when I discovered the heist I asked what she thought we should do. She looked up at me under her long lashes and meekly offered "Waste it?". She's a smart one, offering to take the high road. Love her. I was trying to be firm and keep the smile out of my eyes. She ate her bread reasoning that it wouldn't hurt her teeth and heaven forbid we waste it.

Phil joined us later in the evening and brought with him his Wall Street Journal. As he completed sections of the paper he placed them on the floor. "S" grabbed the paper and began to "read". This lasted a good 10 minutes and the WSJ is not known for it's pictures.

Deep discussions were had with one who had just lost her tooth, we secured it safely under her pillow and as I was tucking her in she asked me what I thought the Tooth Fairy looked like. I asked her what she thought and she gave a glowing description and snuggled in wondering what she would bring. Sweet innocence. I love how she believes.

Childhood is beautiful and motherhood divine. I can't wait.

My Views & To Do's

There is finally evidence of a bit of Christmas Cheer in this home:
The tree is up, fluffed and thanks to it being prelit, it sparkles. I have yet to further adorn it's boughs; I may not. It is simple and clean. Haven't we been counseled to simplify?



It is dark and dreary out, my house is borderline too cool and I have yet to touch the thermostat.

We're thrifty like that...

Preferring more economical ways to warm up.



I find it does the trick.



I must brave the elements and leave my cozy abode to replenish our supplies. Phil will be most appreciative as hot dinners have been lacking around here. A lot of this to do. And I have enjoyed it.



A trip to Sprout's is in order, healthy goodness to buy and meals to cook. I think today calls for a hot & hearty pot of Chicken & Dumplings. Then there are gingerbread men to bake and decorate with the youth.

It is more than drizzling now; I may need another cup to go.

Six Words

After dressing Camden for his funeral and saying goodbye for the Last Time: May 5, 2006

I fleetingly entered a giveaway on another photographer's blog. I didn't win but it made me think. The photographer, inspired by Hemingway, challenged you to write your own story in just six words. It was rumored that Hemingway was challenged to write a story in a single sentence, and has since become the standard to which micro-fiction should aspire. His story is as follows:

"For sale: baby shoes, never used."

Amazing. Perfectly succinct and to the point.

What could I write? Obviously the pinnacle of my life to date has been dear Camden. How do you sum up the birth and death of a son? How do you describe the deep scars that are etched in your heart? The longing, heartache and yet, the happiness? With only six words.

I am not the only person who has encountered trials; others who entered the contest spoke of cancer, betrayal, and loved ones lost. I felt Hemingway already wrote my story. How could I say it better?

I know my life is not just about Camden's birth and death. The most important thing I have learned is that our life together is not over; we have a second chance and that is the one that matters most. Without the knowledge that I have, my life could be defined just by loss and that would be tragic. So here are my six words:

Eternity. Knowing makes all the difference.

What are your six words?

To do, to do...

1. Finish editing 2 shoots from last week. Begin editing the FOUR sessions from this weekend.

2. Perhaps tackle the mountain of paper that is threatening to overtake my desk. It is no longer a threat actually; it has overtaken the office. Someone procrastinates filing.

3. Spread some Christmas cheer. Maybe.

I am just not feeling it this year, perhaps the 75 degree weather has something to do with it, perhaps not.

4. Quit lolly-gagging around with the blog and get my disheleveled rear in gear. Shower and perform the magic of make-up and a blow dryer to get party ready. After I finish editing because I know nothing else will get done until the photo season is over.

How to Bake an Apple Pie

Prepare the crust the day before and let chill in the refrigerator until ready.

Thanksgiving morning arrives, wake early and begin peeling Granny Smith apples, a lot of them. Toss with yummy goodness and transfer to pie shell. Sample a few. Smile.

Make crumb topping, place over mound of apples and transfer to hot waiting oven.

20 minutes into baking take a peek, remove protective foil from crust and see juices dripping onto oven floor.

Get baking sheet lined with foil and place under pies. Problem solved.

Right.

15 minutes later notice smoke coming from the oven through the little vent near the back burner. Remark to husband about "smoke". Open oven to see this:


(Fire was much larger but due to current crisis status the photographer did not capture the blaze in all it's glory.)

Mildly freak out. Notice the pie drippings have obviously caught flame and are dancing dangerously large in the middle of the oven. Worry about the integrity of your now smoked apple pies, remove from oven. Grab something metal to pull out the fiery droppings, continue freaking out.

Remove lower oven rack with baking sheet, run it outside.

Return and repeat stupidly "What do I do? What do I do?"

Husband takes over. Mildly caustic remarks are exchanged. Have the "clarity" to grab your camera and document the event as hubby is bravely taking control.

Set off fire alarm. Grab oven mitts and jump wildly in the air waving the mitts at the alarm to shut it up.

Return to "help" hubby.

Succeed in fire extinguishing efforts. Put pies back in oven to finish baking. Fret over smokiness.

Look around the house and realize you cannot see for all the smoke inside. Open every window and door. Turn on all the fans. Go outside to breathe freshly cleansed air thanks to the rain.

Smell yourself outside. You stink. Like you spent the night in a fire pit. Return to the crime scene. Remove pies from the oven. Let cool.

Sigh with relief that they are still gloriously wonderful and oozing thick apple juices, the same juices that started this mess.





Set oven to "Clean" and begin taking care of the aftermath of Thanksgiving baking/fire fighting efforts. Enlist help of husband and tackle the neglected house, especially kitchen. Sweep twice, mop last and finally make yourself presentable for dinner.

Juggle 4 pies in the back seat as you drive to dinner. Arrive safe and sound. Eat. Be thankful.

Pinch Hitter

This past week has been a hairy one for me. Lots of photography shoots and then the hours of editing that comes with it. When this happens my domestic duties take a back seat. Usually the weekend consists of full house cleaning, laundry, preparing good meals and meal planning/shopping for the next week. Didn't happen this week and cereal has been a frequent visitor around these parts. I managed to do the laundry, Phil folded and it is now taking residence not in our drawers and closet but on the couch. At least we have clean clothes, right?

Saturday we are driving home from a shoot and I tell Phil he is in charge of Sunday dinner. He agrees. We had Ranch Rotisserie Chicken Wraps after church, went to more meetings and then Phil whipped up some homemade spaghetti sauce. He brought me a plate of steaming spaghetti and Parmesan complete with a salad where I sat at the computer editing. We ate together in the office and then he went to clean up the kitchen. As he came back to retrieve my plate he said "I feel like your wife!" I laughed agreeing that it was a role reversal. And that was fine by me! It is nice every once in awhile.

Phil can wear many hats and for that I am grateful. He makes a good pinch hitter and a mean spaghetti sauce.

Manly Phil

Domestic Phil

(Taken when we were first married circa 2003, I don't think he's donned an apron while vacuuming since)

Morning Ritual

Phil has a morning ritual. After showering, dressing, and eating in preparation for his daily departure he likes to inspect the "grounds". True, our "grounds" are hardly stately nor majestic. They aren't vast and supreme. But they are ours and Phil lovingly tends them as much sweat and effort have been invested.

Usually while brushing his whites he roams. Wandering from front to back, tree to tree, bush to shrub he casts a meticulous eye over the greenery. And he does this almost every single morning. Me, on the other hand? I usually exit via the garage door in my black chariot and as I shift from reverse into first gear I cast a quick glance to make sure the garage door is closed before I pull away.

On one such morning, Phil was meandering in the back yard and turned his eye to the hopeful navel orange tree. I say hopeful because "someday" this young slip of a tree will produce succulent, juicy citrus, one of Phil's favorites. And hopefully we shall still be here to see that day. But probably not.

Wait! What is this? Something has been feasting on the glossy leaves! Shock & horror!



What the?!



"Heather!! Get out here!"

I, having just arisen from my cozy warm slumber, groggily slip on my glasses and slippers and join the panicked Phil to inspect this interesting specimen.



"Can it be a caterpillar?" we ask ourselves. We lean in for a closer look.

Whatever it is it's not pretty! AND it has eaten the leaves! That alone is grounds for immediate removal. But neither of us make a move to touch it.



Do you see it's eyes and gaping mouth?

Freaky is the consensus. Mildly disturbing. But it may turn out to be a beautiful butterfly and it's last meal was our glossy green citrus leaves. Whatever it is, it better be pretty.

An Attitude of Gratitude

In the spirit of Thanksgiving I want to list some things that are important to me and that I am grateful for.

I am grateful I get to work with the Young Women of the Church. I have learned new skills, greatly expanded my speaking abilities and conquered public speaking, made countless new friends and hopefully have served as a good example to these beautiful girls.

I am grateful for my testimony of the gospel.

I am grateful for an education and new found talents.

I am grateful for a healthy, strong body.

I am so grateful I married a wonderful man. He is my best friend.

We have fun together. We travel the world together.

Berlin, Germany

Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy

He works hard for us, both at home and work.

We mourn together. Work together. Pray together. Hope together.

I am grateful we are an eternal family.

He misses Camden. He will be one incredible father to our future children.

He is kind, patient, compassionate and brave.

I am so grateful he is mine.

Being a Grown-up

Whenever I have school-age patients I always ask about their life, which invariable is consumed by school, homework and the like. As I was cleaning up after one teenage girl this week I thought about how life was so "hard" when you were that age. So many things to worry about...Yeah right!

Things were simple back then with my blessed hindsight and adult perspective. Now there are bills, earning an income to pay those bills, responsibility to so many people and so many things, marriage, work, church, family to worry about. The list goes on.

We are still on the path towards medical school and Phil has backed away from the Obama-induced ledge that threatened to change our life plans. So far we have only heard from Nevada and that is where we will be going if Arizona doesn't want us. Then we can return to the simple student life, right? Hah! Just throw in the absence of income, hopefully children, and a whole lotta responsibility. But love and hope. And plenty of it.

Things I say

I present the following phrases I say every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Open.

Close your lips like a straw. (Patient attempts to close around suction and water spills everywhere.) No! Like a straw! (Patient thinks I am a moron and it is my fault they are wet.) I give up and suction without their "help".

Do you have any concerns with your teeth? (Blank stare often follows) Are any of your teeth hurting? (Comprehension dawns.)

Q: How often are you flossing? (Bloody casualty that is their mouth as evidence of NOT flossing) A: Oh, 3 or 4 times a week. (Me: Psshh, yeah right! Liar, liar...) Proceed to give floss lecture education without sounding condescending and all-knowing. (Patient doesn't listen or nods so I will shut up.)

Spend more time brushing on the insides of your teeth.

Open.

Turn towards me.

Open. Open! Stay OPEN please. (Patience thinning)

Open like this:

When working on kids:

• Open big like an alligator! (We are pretty big on opening your mouth)
• Talk about sugar bugs pooping on their teeth. (Gross? That's the point.)

I love Thursdays

Thursdays mean:

Phil takes a break from his laptop and coding. For 2 whole hours.

We watch The Office and our new favorite, Kitchen Nightmares. Together. No laptops are invited.

We eat Mac & Cheese.

Yes, from the box.

I added broccoli. (I get home at 7:30pm, give me a break!)

I am done working for the week.

Phil resumes coding and will work into the night. Sigh.

I leave the dishes for tomorrow morning.

Did I mention I am done working for the week?

I have 2 fun shoots this weekend.

I don't mind that kind of "work".

Happy Thursday.

Food for Thought

Relief this election is over.

Concern for the future; the country's future, my family's future. But hoping & praying for the best, whatever that may be.

Phil & I have serious concerns with medical school and the future of health care. Is it worth us sacrificing 10 years of our life and plunging into considerable debt when we may be taxed to oblivion and have a harder, longer road to secure our personal future, climb out of debt and make an honest living? We have some pondering and praying to do.

On another note, I elected not to pursue the newborn hospital photography gig. I am keeping busy enough as it is and still have my church and family responsibilities, while I would have liked the experience and opportunity for growth I need to focus on our life plans and goals. And I like my life right now, I feel like I have a nice balance. Thanks for your encouragement and support.

How do you feel about our country's future?

And the date went...

Kevin's date was Saturday. Phil called relentlessly to get the update. You know it's a bad sign when someone is avoiding your calls. And it was. Bad news.

Kevin wasn't feeling it, so this was his first and last date with that amazing girl. We loved her and didn't know the girl from Adam. She owns her own home, has her degree, works at Intel and is in a Master's program at Thunderbird. What the heck is wrong with that boy?!

I hope she finds some amazing man, it just isn't Kevin.

We are officially off the lookout. If he wants a wife, he can find her.

In other news, I did a photo shoot Saturday and love how they turned out. The mom just called me and told me I almost had her in tears as she was looking at the sneak peak on the photo blog. That is why I love photography. I am also pursuing a part-time gig with a photography business that specializes in newborns at local hospitals, I will meet with them tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Mystery Girl...

I am pleased and proud to announce that Kevin, Phil's best friend since elementary school, has secured a date with the girl I approached in the temple. Hooray! I am so proud of Kevin for following through and can't wait to hear how he likes her. High hopes? Absolutely. Possible disappointment? Probable. Just gotta have faith.

After this we will remove ourselves from the matchmaker role and let Kevin live his life in peace. I promise to stop harassing the poor boy every time he graces our home. Hopefully I will have a new girlfriend...

All in a day's work

I finish scaling my second patient of the morning and proceed down the hall to let the doctor know I am ready for exam. He finishes with what he is doing and as he walks by me to my operatory he asks if I have the munchies. Perplexed, I answer no.

He washes up and greets my patient. Still puzzled over his remark I ask the office manager who overheard our exchange why he asked if I have the munchies. She laughs and tells me both the doctor and the assistant are pretty sure my patient has been smoking pot. Great! I knew he reeked of smoke but I thought nothing of it, I chalked it up to his pack a day habit, thinking perhaps cigarettes smell differently by brand...

Ignorant? Maybe. Innocent and naive? Most definitely. I don't think that's a bad thing though. I still don't think I will be able to recognize it. And I am okay with that.

The doctor's next patient is a transvestite. S(he) is currently trying to get a grasp on the ways of being a woman, though it is an awkward transition. Acid wash jeans that are too short and heavy make-up. Someone needs to help her or s(he) needs to pick up a fashion magazine. Very nice person though. And yes, last time I saw her, I made sure I called him "she" and did so well until the very end as I was presenting her to the front desk and slipped. S(he) didn't bat an eye though. For that I was grateful.

Yep, all in a day's work here at our office. And no, I don't have the munchies, thanks for asking.

**Note to Patrick: I would love to talk cameras with you, just email me please, you can find it in my profile.

Burning the Midnight Oil

It's late.

I'm TIRED.

The only thing keepin' these eyes peeled are my blessed contacts.

I'm going to go grab my man and drag us both off to bed.

PS: Isn't he adorable? Check them out here.

(Mostly) Mindless Musings

Wednesday morning. Pumpkin pancakes made and devoured (I'll post the recipe soon), dishes washed and semi-put away, Phil & I sitting at our respective laptops clicking away; this is a common scene. He, of course, is very busy and productive coding for his latest work project as he waits out the morning traffic before he heads far away to north Scottsdale. I, on the other hand, am not very busy nor productive, catching up on fellow reader's posts, checking emails, trying to think of something to say for my own blog. This is all I've got.

My agenda includes:

• Exercise, since I ate one too many pumpkin pancakes (they were good!)
• Shower and dress for work.
• Meet co-workers at the Olive Garden for a birthday lunch. Try not to eat too many bread sticks.
• Go to the office to see my patients; scale, polish and rinse away. Throw some education in there that will promptly be ignored and/or in one ear out the other.
• Return home, what's for dinner? Maybe chicken and spaghetti squash...
• Wait for Phil, eat, read scriptures, bed for me and more work for him.
• Repeat.

That's life around here. I am enjoying my part-time work status with my weekends full of photography and church duties while Phil is coding his little heart out 24/7 trying to make his deadline. He literally codes at least 12 hours a day. This is a glimpse of my life to come. Med school will soon consume us both. That is good and bad, but mostly good. Good things to come with time and hard work. And patience, lots of patience.

P.S. On the way out this morning, Phil grabs his keys, badge and sunglasses. "Something stinks over here." "Must be the trash, I'll take it out" I say. He leaves. I go to investigate.

The stink is from Mr. Phil himself. He left his lunch out all night and the contents included beans. We all know what happens to beans. Ultimate stink! Being the kind wife I am, I consider leaving it for him to take care of when he returns home. Alas, I do not. Because I am a kind wife. But I did call him to inform him of the stink and of my great sacrifice.

For Journaling Purposes

Saturday we attended the temple with some good friends Melody & Johnny. We drove separately because I wanted to hit the camera shop afterward to purchase a new lens. We enter the temple juggling our things, among them the car keys. Phil usually hands them off to me for safekeeping. We paused in the doorway and each of us thought to ourselves that I should take the keys. We both ignored that lovely little thought. Phil took the keys and we each went our separate ways to change.

Waiting for the session to begin a very attractive young woman walks in and takes her place, I personally note her beauty and Phil leans over to me and says "she would be perfect for Kevin" (one of our best friends). I dismiss his crazy thought, since really, we don't know her or her situation. We had a nice session, walking back towards the locker room Phil tells me I need to talk to this girl for Kevin and get her number. I am flabbergasted and protest profusely. He is very stern and adamant that if I see her I need to get her number. I jokingly ask if he is inspired and he replies yes. Great, now I have to ask her. We returned back to the locker room to change.
I am nervous. I don't see her anywhere. As I am folding my clothes she emerges from her changing area. I quickly dart a glance in her direction, the butterflies in a frenzy. I quickly inform my friend of the situation and she cheers me on, giving me the courage I need to approach her.

I do it! Ahhhh! I actually walk up to this pretty girl and ask if she is single, dating anyone and interested in going on a blind date with our good friend. She shyly replies yes, she is single, no, not dating anyone and yes, she is open to a complete stranger approaching her in the temple asking for her number. Success! I have never felt so awkward in my life. I return to Phil triumphant.

We exit the temple, walking towards our cars. Phil starts looking for the keys.

"Do you have them?" he asks me.

"No." I reply. "You kept them."

We stop dead in our tracks and I conduct a pat down of Phil's extremities and pockets while he digs deep in his temple case for the elusive keys. Nothing.

He and Johnny return to the temple to search inside while Melody & I shoot the breeze in the hotness of Arizona mid-October. After a time the boys return. Empty-handed.

Frustration abounds. Long story short: We hitch a ride home with our friends, hire a locksmith to effortlessly "break-in" (scary actually how easy it was), order a new key for my car, pick up the car and yes still make it to the camera store for me to buy a new lens. (Pics posted soon with my new beauty.)

Crazy day and Phil & I both committed to me being the safe keeper of future keys. As of today our keys are still MIA, probably sitting patiently in the temple waiting to be found. Come home keys! Come Home!

To Do

Things have been a bit serious around here lately but I have nothing witty & lighthearted to share or a nasty dental experience that I know you love. So all you get is my Thursday breakdown.

• Plan meals for the week-Done.

Thursday: Salmon with Parmesan Roasted Veggies over Salad Greens
Friday: Minestrone with Breadsticks (Phil won't be thrilled, not a soup fan, he can deal since I am the cook around here)
Saturday: Green Pizza from a fellow blogger
Sunday: Meatloaf, Mashed Potato Casserole & Salad
Monday: Leftovers?
Tuesday: Stuffed Bell Peppers
Wednesday: Broccoli Chicken Calzones

• Exercise: Elliptical at the gym and home workout-Done.
• Grocery shopping-Fry's & Safeway
• Finalize & Assemble YW lesson handout
• Finish cleaning house-floors & dusting
• Cook dinner
• Scriptures, Gunnell Budget Review & Long-term planning (aka Save as much as possible before med school), Vote on Props
• Bed!

All right, I better get crackin!

Talent

My amazing and oh so talented brother-in-law has some serious skills. And he is offering them to you! Perfect Pencil is his new venture and I encourage you to check out his work, enter this raffle and you may just get lucky! Or better yet, send him a photo and he will draw an amazing rendition which will make the perfect gift, one from the heart which will be treasured forever.

When Times are Tough

This weekend proved difficult for me and my family. As I struggled with an unfortunate outcome I turned to a book that has brought me much comfort. When Camden died our bishop's wife gave us a lovely gift, a book by John Bytheway titled "When Times are Tough, 5 Scriptures that will help you get through almost anything". I would like to share a few passages that have helped me the most.

"No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, the the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially as we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God...and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven." Orson F. Whitney

Life is hard. We all know that. While trials are bitter and difficult at the time we experience them, who would want to miss out on all that growth-growth that might not be possible any other way? The strongest parts of my testimony have come through difficult times.

An important passage that has stood out greatly comes from Boyd K. Packer.

"Do not suppose that God willfully causes that, which for his own purposes, he permits."

Read it again. There's an important difference between causing something to happen and allowing it to happen. Some things are just the natural consequence of living life here on earth.

Howard W. Hunter: "Please remember this one thing. If our lives and our faith are centered upon Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong. On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and his teachings, no other success can ever be permanently right."

I am fine now. I have gathered myself together, picked up the pieces, put on my happy face and am ready for the next task. I do know that we have a loving Heavenly Father that is acutely aware of the happenings in our life and the challenges we face. I know that He loves me and wants me to be happy. I have an amazing network of family and friends that support and love me. Armed with this knowledge one can get through almost anything.

Dear Camden

Dear Son,

I haven't written in a while. I miss you. We went to your grave yesterday. It looks very nice, the grass has been trimmed and it is growing all around your headstone, they also repaired the vase. I bring a bottle of water to wash the beautiful black granite that has your name on it. I love how it glistens after I clean it and wash away the dirt and grime that collects between our visits. After we clean your grave we also wash your cousin Jonathan's. I stood after my bottle was empty and your dad and I reflected on the time that has passed. April 2006 seems so long ago and we would have a 2 1/2 year old. We stood silent for a moment, each absorbed in our thoughts. And then my thoughts started leaking out of my eyes and I began sobbing. Your dad held me tight and I continued to release my anguish as I buried my face in his neck. We miss you terribly.

Yet as much as I miss you I know that all is well. You are waiting for us and I will have the opportunity to raise you. I am grateful for this knowledge, grateful that we are an eternal family. Grateful for a loving Savior that has made all of this possible. I know I shall see you again. Sometimes I fear I am forgetting things. Forgetting the way your skin felt and how you smelled so sweet. That worries me but again, it is for naught. I needn't worry. I have pictures of you to help me remember. I remember kissing your thin little lips, they are just like your dad's. I remember your crooked little fingers, each hand with an extra digit courtesy of your T-13. Your little eyes that refused to open and your throaty cry. I love you.

Love,

Mom

Book of Mormon Chart

I had a request for the Book of Mormon chart and since I don't have access to your profile or your email (Patrick) I decided to post it for all! Start reading tonight. Just click and save the pic to your computer and hopefully that will let you have a full page, if not then email me through my blogger profile and I will send it to you.

(And Taryn, I am so there with you at Cheesecake Factory come our collective freedom from no sugar and your no dairy. Bring it on!)

So, I lied.

Not much of a hiatus, I know. How Chicken Little of me. I did tell Phil that we need to get away though. We will do "something" next year, before med school and before penniless student living. Something to look forward to on all accounts.

I am proud to report I have been 100% sugar-free since Sunday! I am doing awesome. I even had the ultimate test today. We had a birthday lunch for a girl at work and where do we go?? Oh, the Cheesecake Factory. And cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts. (Who am I kidding? I love them all.) But especially the Chocolate Coconut Cream Cheesecake: "Coconut Cheesecake with Chunks of Chocolate, Topped with Layers of Coconut Custard and Whipped Cream all on top of a Chocolate Macaroon Crust." Heaven on a plate but not on my thighs. I am proud to say that I resisted.

I feel like I am doing pretty good! And a girl in my ward told me I inspired her to join the sugar-free ranks. My goal is no sweet elixir until Thanksgiving day, where I will commence with some pie. If this sounds familiar, it is. I said the same thing last year. But I mean it this time!

Phil & I have also set a goal to read the Book of Mormon together before the end of the year. He got a chart from one of his Sunday School teachers that breaks down the chapters. If we read about 6-7 pages a night we will make it. You should join us. Other than that it is business as usual. Phil is deep in the throes of coding for a project at work and I am deep in the throes of... not much. Maybe something will come up.

We are looking forward to a relaxing weekend full of inspiring words and spiritual motivation, the counsel of which I will ponder, pray and get buoyed up for all that life throws.

And I need to visit this little guy. I miss him.

How we doin'?

Well, I haven't been 100% sugar free since Wednesday I hate to admit. Thanks for the support and helpful ideas. So far today (it's only 10am!) I am good. Baby steps. I just need to stay busy and not focus on it so much. I did buy some sugar free treats and they are not up to my standards! I want flavor!

I just finished writing about 6 recipes that I will post as the week goes on, so be sure to check out http://downrightdelish.wordpress.com/ for tasty new ideas and let me know how they work for you. Do you have any suggestions for recipes? Maybe I should work on a few sugar free recipes.

I think I am going to take a blogging holiday. I have hit a writer's block, nothing interesting or exciting to say and we don't need more mindless dribble on the web from yours truly. I really wish I was here, I should go work on Phil, plant some seeds. Hasta.

Sweet Stuff

I have attempted this before. And failed. Miserably.

Hi. My name is Heather and I am addicted to sugar. I love it. I crave it. I eat my midday and evening meals and feel an instant need for something to satisfy my sweet tooth. This is a problem.

In effort to kick my habit to the curb I am hereby abstaining from it's sweet seductive and intoxicating hold starting today. Right now. Right. Now. At this moment, this morning... Um, maybe this evening after my last hurrah. Everyone should have a last hurrah, right? Just one more cookie, cake, ice cream, chocolate, etc. one more rendezvous with the ones that I hold dear.

I can do this. I can be strong. I am greater than my weakness. I am in control. The first few days are the hardest. It will get better, easier. Okay, here goes nothing.

A Revelation of sorts

(Got my game face on)

My satisfaction with work varies constantly throughout the day, as does yours I'm sure, mine directly correlates with the people I see. I look over my schedule multiple times a day, skimming over patient's names, reading through their chart, past notes of previous visits, reading their x-rays, preparing myself for a mouth I have forgotten or haven't seen before. Sometimes the notes spill forth a plethora of information, other times they leave no hint of what's to come. I like the former, chart notes that are succinct and detailed, painting a clear picture of the state of disarray and disease.

My day on Tuesday included a patient that had not been to the dentist in over 20 years. His chart notes indicated that he reports brushing 1x/week! Once a week!? Gasp! The hygienist who was lucky enough to see him the week before diagnosed him needing a deep scaling and root planing, bring on the nitty gritty! This is when we as hygienists whip out the big guns and get down and dirty. (It is fun! Sick but fun and satisfying.)

Here's the kicker. The front desk informs me he only wants a "cleaning", none of this dig down and deep rehab stuff. This is a problem folks. Legally and ethically I am bound to perform what he needs not what he wants. If I just do a regular "above the gums" cleaning (the happy easy polish one) I am neglecting the underlying disease and he will continue to get worse. The doctor and I concur that I will reassess and make my own diagnosis and perform at the very least a gross debridement (think deeper than a regular cleaning but not the full monty). The front desk calls the patient and informs him of our decision, he will be in at 3pm today.

I am nervous. I hate confrontation and the front desk reports he already has his panties in a wad since he didn't get his "cleaning" and the hygienist who saw him earlier was just a temp. Great, off to a good start. The gentleman comes in with his biker-esque attire, long scraggly beard that has a pony at the end of it and reeks of his most recent cigarette, which he informs me he just put out. How kind of him, since I will be occupying the vessel he just polluted with toxic smoke. How very thoughtful.

We begin the reassessment and I find that I can perform the necessary procedure in the hour we have together. I then launch into full super hygienist mode. I educate him extensively on the conditions of his mouth, what has caused his diseased mouth-even going into the microbiology happenings. I bravely ask why he chooses to brush only once a week. He replies that he has never had a problem (ie: cavity) and figures he doesn't want to "risk" upsetting this so called balance by brushing more. I get him to see things my way and convince him that he is not doing himself any favors by only brushing once a week.

He responds so well! Turns out he is an awesome patient and very enthusiastically embraces my bossy doctrine. He delights in my supreme "digging" skills as he incredulously remarks during the procedure that I "am even cleaning behind the teeth?" and "Wow, you really get in there!".

We part ways with him thanking me for my time and glorious skills. I find myself very satisfied at the moment. Today my job rocks. And I am good at it.

The old adage holds still. Don't judge a book (mouth) by it's cover, even if it reeks of cigs and has a ponytail beard.

Happenings, or lack thereof.

Things have settled down around here. Phil finished his interviews and we haven't heard from any other schools yet. He feels really good about the way U of A went, both of them. He really fell in love with the downtown Phoenix campus and we are both hopeful for an acceptance there, only 5 more months of waiting to hear from them! He has one more interview with Midwestern University in Glendale at the end of the month but they are really expensive and he already has the acceptance from Nevada, who he would choose over Midwestern so we are probably going to decline this one. Other than that, it has been work as usual.

As you can tell, I have started a photography venture and am excited about the response. Thank you for all of your wonderfully kind words and support. I am anxious to book more shoots and improve my skills. Buying a nice and thoroughly intimidating camera has challenged me and I have enjoyed seeing the results as I continually learn my camera and the concepts of photography, and I have found there is a lot more than "point and shoot" involved!

I hope to be able to build up my business in such a way that we will have some income when Phil is in medical school, no matter where we live. This is more fun and creative than battling the forces of plaque and calculus and will hopefully be more flexible once we have children. I am so looking forward to that time when I get to stay home and be a mother. Since that day is not yet here I need to get myself ready for work, off to battle the world of gingivitis! (Yeah right. More like off to repeat myself over and over and yet never see results from those patients that I labor over. Will it kill you to floss??)

Shameless Commerce

All right, I have been working on this for a bit. Nothing spectacular but it is a start and I will continue to add to it as time goes on. I am very excited to announce my new little business. You have seen snippets here and there on this blog and I now have a separate blog just for photography. Check it out and let me know if I can take pictures for your family.

http://heathergunnellphotography.blogspot.com/

9.11.01

Where were you on September 11, 2001?

I was at home, 18 years old and newly engaged to Phillip. He called me and told me the news, I turned on the TV and watched with my family the eerie footage of an airplane crashing into one of the Twin Towers. As the day progressed I watched at work on a small 12" black and white set as the buildings crumbled and people jumped out of the windows.

Remember what happened. Remember that we are free and brave men and women are fighting hard to preserve that freedom. Remember to thank them and your Father in Heaven for the freedoms that we enjoy and take for granted.

And most importantly, remember to vote this election. Be informed and make a wise decision, the decision that is best for you and your family. Exercise the freedom to choose, the freedom that men and women have died for. If you don't vote, you can't complain.