Rotting Teeth

So, I have never been a fan of the dentist. I would say that I am someone who has suffered from a mild anxiety regarding the dentist. Half of my problem is that I know I am going to get in trouble for not flossing or taking care of my teeth the way I should.

I am someone who often gets cavities. I feel like every time I head into the dentist a spot of decay will be discovered somewhere inside my mouth. I usually sit and wait through my cleaning for the hygienist to make her discovery and inform me that I will need a filling. Usually I am not surprised.

I also hate needles. Therefore, the dentist has always been somewhere I have gone to get reprimanded and then informed of that I will need a filling which will involve needles. Thus, my dislike for the dentist. This may be why I went through a 3-4 year stretch without visiting the dentist, and ONLY made an appointment after one of my teeth literally broke in half from eating a raw pasta noodle.

Thankfully, I have found a dentist that I really like. I met Dr. Scott Singstock a couple of years ago. He is actually friends with my neighbors. I had expressed to him my dislike for the dentist and he convinced me that if I came to him things would be different. So, reluctantly, I made an appointment to see him. He was a fabulous dentist and didn't do the things that I hated my old dentists for. I had other dentists who would ask me questions while their hands were in my mouth, so I could not answer. I have had other dentists who would breathe into my mouth while they were working. I have also had a dentist that felt the need to tell me step by step everything she was doing, and at one point during a crown said "if you weren't numb, this would REALLY hurt." Thanks...exactly what someone with dental anxiety needs to hear.

So, today was my bi-annual trip to the dentist for my cleaning. I should have stayed home. Although, I think Dr. Singstock is a fabulous dentist, he delivered me the news that I had 5 cavities. FIVE! He tried to sugar coat the entire thing (no pun intended) by saying that it wasn't uncommon for women coming off of pregnancy to have a lot of cavities. This is due to the increase in food that they are eating...aka I stuffed my face a lot more than usual. He was so nice to not yell at me for not flossing (although he did explain the benefits) or guilt me into feeling like I was failing my mouth.

So, I have another appointment in two weeks to take care of my rotting teeth. Scott asked me if I had ever had nitrous---he knows my fear of needles. I have never tried the stuff, but from what I hear it is good. Thank goodness for a dentist that understands me! So sad for a mouth of teeth that are prone to cavities.

Messy Girl

Below are some cute pics of Belle eating cereal. She loves it!! As you can tell, she isn't quite the cleanest when she eats, but we don't care. We think she looks cute covered in food with her belly hanging out!

Paul and I Are In Trouble

Mod Podge

So, I have always had a love for decoupage, or Mod Podge.  It all began in high school and I carried my love for Mod Podge into my college house on Bemis.  My roommates and I decoupaged vases and pictures in order to add a little decorative flavor ro our college house.  To be honest, it looked more like kindergarten work, but we enjoyed it for an evening craft.

I have since Mod Podged stuff for Belle's room.  I made letters with her name, and some random crafty designs for her wall.  I seriously think that this stuff is the best.

So, my crafty self was itching again today.  Often I will take this itch and crochet something, but today I really wanted to make something cool for my house.  Therefore, Mod Podge was needed!  I went off to Michaels and bought a few things.  I came home and Paul was unsure what to make of everything.  I had black paint, a wooden letter, a wooden plaque, a file box, and some jazzy paper.  In the end I Mod Podged some pretty cool items, which I will post pics of soon.  Michaels didn't have everything I wanted, so I had to settle for what I could get today.  I created a plaque with the initial "T" on it over some cute scrapbook paper.  I also created a cute new file box for me and Paul's mail.  Our last system was messy and I hated how it looked. 

My college roommates will attest to my love for Mod Podge, but I promise that my skills have improved.  I will post pics soon of my newest creations :-)

Paul's Favorite Soup

I don't pretend to be an amazing chef, but I found a soup recipe that Paul is obsessed with that I felt the need to share.  It is THE EASIEST recipe and Paul devours it.  I don't always measure very often, so I apologize for the lack of specifics.

MEATBALL SOUP:

• 1 32oz bag of frozen meatballs
• 1 large bag of frozen mixed vegetables
• 3 cans of diced tomatoes
• A small shaped pasta...I put in like half a box
• Beef broth...I put in one of the big boxes, rather than cans
  
• Water...about 4 cups?

Put it all in a pot and let it boil ten minutes, or until the pasta is cooked through.  This recipe makes A LOT.  I usually make it and freeze a huge batch of it to use later.  I also added onions once and it was a good addition to the pot. 

Seriously, I think that Paul could eat this soup for every meal.  I thought I would share it so every other woman out there can appreciate an extremely easy meal that tastes good and makes a lot.  ENJOY!