I have never understood bumper stickers. That is to say, I have never understood the need or desire to use bumper stickers--I usually don't have a problem understanding the message. So, I am continually perplexed by cars I regularly follow on my commute to work with stickers all over them. I am convinced that one car in particular is held together entirely by bumper stickers. I don't think any more stickers could possibly fit on this beast. It's hideous. My favorite is the one that says, "Dear God, Please save me from your followers". I chuckle at that one each time, but it doesn't change that fact that I think bumper stickers are tacky (not to mention stupid to put on a car, particularly when it's for a politician who isn't going to be running the whole time you own the car).
When I ended up behind this giant bumper sticker with wheels this morning, I got thinking about what I would write if I were to create a bumper sticker. These were the two winners I came up with:
* Driving the speed limit is NOT a crime. Speed up!
*Tolerance is not a sin!
I thought that those effectively cover two of my biggest pet peeves: slow drivers and bigoted, hateful, close-minded people.
So, with this in mind, to the old man in the tan Corolla with "I <3 Taiwan's Independence" (as do I, of course), the middle-aged woman in the really old gray Accord with "whY aRe yoU yoU?", and the young lesbian in the red Echo with "Pro-Constitution/Anti-Bush", I say to you that I tolerate you (even though I don't understand why you put these stickers on your car), but that you really get on my nerves on a regular basis as you are three of the slowest drivers on this earth! SPEED UP!!!!
Friday, November 30, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
And then... (A long update)
So, I had a great rest of my birthday last night. I had an incredible dinner that could only have been made better by having my family there. Otherwise, it was perfect. I was surrounded by great friends, amazing food, my favorite cake (triple-layer chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, raspberry sauce, and fresh raspberries on top), and my beloved furry friends (Matza, Peanut, and Lacy). It was wonderful. I spent a great deal of the day on the phone talking or texting friends and family who called/texted to wish me a happy birthday (and oh my word, talking with my nephews was one of the best things of my day--they couldn't be sweeter if they tried), as well as reading multiple e-mails, FaceBook and MySpace comments, and cards in the mail. I couldn't have asked for anything better, as anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I don't really have any needs and I clearly fulfill many of my wants. So, the best gift for me this year was to simply have time visiting with friends and family, whom I love tremendously. It was just a nice day and a great kick-off to my 27th year.
Today was not nearly as fun as yesterday--nor would it be considered a great day even if yesterday was a normal day. It all started with my dental appointment that I had planned on only lasting an hour or so. Three hours later, I was out the door with a $5,000 potential dental bill (plus another $5000+ in related expenses---more on that in a moment), an appointment to go in again next week, and a whole heap of stuff on my mind. Good thing it's a bit slow at work (I wrapped a present at my desk to kill some time today), as I spent my afternoon trying to get everything figured out. Essentially, the problem is that I need braces. I know--you wouldn't think it to look at my teeth as they are perfectly straight and already look like I've had braces (though I haven't). But, as I have what's called a deep bite (as opposed to an overbite) and I grind my teeth to the point I've gone through two $500 custom mouthguards this year, I have no choice but to get braces to help stop the grinding and save my teeth from being destroyed. I had a consult with an orthodontist last year and she said I could get away without having to have braces for about two years as long as I wore my mouthguard every night without fail. Well, here I am a year later and it's not looking possible to wait that second year.
The dentist is having me come in next week to get impressions of my teeth in order to send them to Invisalign (the clear braces that are more like a mouthguard, but have to be worn all day and night). The people at Invisalign will look over my impressions and see if I even could get away with going that route (as opposed to the $6000 metal bracket braces). They will also send back pictures of what my teeth will look like throughout the progression of me wearing the braces. Here's the 411 of how this will work and the pros/cons:
Pros:
-It turns out my dental insurance actually covers $1500 of adult orthodontia, which is amazing since adults are not usually covered under most plans.
-I will have my teeth problem corrected and will ultimately save myself teeth problems and extra expense and pain in the long run.
-There are payment plans available for Invisalign, to where I could stretch it out to a five year period and with the insurance of $1500, I'd reduce my monthly payments to less than $100/month.
-It's less unsightly to do Invisalign than metal bracket braces.
Cons:
-It's $5000.
-Did I mention it's $5000?
-I could not be "normal" and have the problem of having too big of teeth for a small mouth. Instead, I have the exact opposite issue. (Yes, I have a big mouth--but my teeth are too small.) So, rather than having to worry about finding enough space for my corrected teeth to fit, the dentist says I'll actually have major gaps--to the point I'll look like a donkey in the front teeth section. My teeth will be kept together in the back and all of the spacing will be concentrated into the front teeth, which brings me to my next problem...
-I would need to get veneers for my front teeth, as I'm not going to look like a donkey and the veneers would cover the gaps.
-Veneers will run me about $5000 more than the cost of the braces.
-I won't have my same dental coverage as of next fall when I go to law school, so if I'm going to take advantage of saving 25-33% (depending upon if I go with Invisalign or metal), I have to do it soon. Plus, I don't want to have to go to a different dentist right after having them put on, so I want the bulk of my treatment done while I live here in Raleigh. This puts pressure on me and my decision.
-Oh, and it's $5000.
Neutral at this point:
-The dentist said my entire profile and looks will change, as my teeth will be brought further forward. This could improve my looks (heaven only knows how appreciative I'd be for that) or make me look worse (which would suck). So, this is a neutral point for me right now.
There are also some other problems going on that the dentist is concerned about, but I won't scare/bore you with those details until I know more. I've ordered my past panoramic x-rays from my dentist and the ortho for as many years as I could get a hold of in order to help my dentist do a comparison to what showed up today. Once that is done, I will be able to share more details and be more informed. (My feeling is that it's nothing and that I'm just fine, which the dentist said could very well be the case.)
So, there you have it...today was not nearly as fun as yesterday. BUT, the good news is that yet again, I have no cavities. GO ME! Well, it's about three hours past when I had hoped to get to bed, so me and my freshly cleaned pearly whites are going to hit the hay. May you each be experiencing great dental health and may your ortho bills be non-existent. :) Those are my thoughts at this late hour.
~me
PS--To those whom I have not yet spoken with, THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart, for making yesterday such a tremendous day. Sure, today sucked, but I know it'll be just fine as I have the best people in the world in my life regardless of whether my day is good or bad and how big my dental bills are. :) So, thank you!!!
Today was not nearly as fun as yesterday--nor would it be considered a great day even if yesterday was a normal day. It all started with my dental appointment that I had planned on only lasting an hour or so. Three hours later, I was out the door with a $5,000 potential dental bill (plus another $5000+ in related expenses---more on that in a moment), an appointment to go in again next week, and a whole heap of stuff on my mind. Good thing it's a bit slow at work (I wrapped a present at my desk to kill some time today), as I spent my afternoon trying to get everything figured out. Essentially, the problem is that I need braces. I know--you wouldn't think it to look at my teeth as they are perfectly straight and already look like I've had braces (though I haven't). But, as I have what's called a deep bite (as opposed to an overbite) and I grind my teeth to the point I've gone through two $500 custom mouthguards this year, I have no choice but to get braces to help stop the grinding and save my teeth from being destroyed. I had a consult with an orthodontist last year and she said I could get away without having to have braces for about two years as long as I wore my mouthguard every night without fail. Well, here I am a year later and it's not looking possible to wait that second year.
The dentist is having me come in next week to get impressions of my teeth in order to send them to Invisalign (the clear braces that are more like a mouthguard, but have to be worn all day and night). The people at Invisalign will look over my impressions and see if I even could get away with going that route (as opposed to the $6000 metal bracket braces). They will also send back pictures of what my teeth will look like throughout the progression of me wearing the braces. Here's the 411 of how this will work and the pros/cons:
Pros:
-It turns out my dental insurance actually covers $1500 of adult orthodontia, which is amazing since adults are not usually covered under most plans.
-I will have my teeth problem corrected and will ultimately save myself teeth problems and extra expense and pain in the long run.
-There are payment plans available for Invisalign, to where I could stretch it out to a five year period and with the insurance of $1500, I'd reduce my monthly payments to less than $100/month.
-It's less unsightly to do Invisalign than metal bracket braces.
Cons:
-It's $5000.
-Did I mention it's $5000?
-I could not be "normal" and have the problem of having too big of teeth for a small mouth. Instead, I have the exact opposite issue. (Yes, I have a big mouth--but my teeth are too small.) So, rather than having to worry about finding enough space for my corrected teeth to fit, the dentist says I'll actually have major gaps--to the point I'll look like a donkey in the front teeth section. My teeth will be kept together in the back and all of the spacing will be concentrated into the front teeth, which brings me to my next problem...
-I would need to get veneers for my front teeth, as I'm not going to look like a donkey and the veneers would cover the gaps.
-Veneers will run me about $5000 more than the cost of the braces.
-I won't have my same dental coverage as of next fall when I go to law school, so if I'm going to take advantage of saving 25-33% (depending upon if I go with Invisalign or metal), I have to do it soon. Plus, I don't want to have to go to a different dentist right after having them put on, so I want the bulk of my treatment done while I live here in Raleigh. This puts pressure on me and my decision.
-Oh, and it's $5000.
Neutral at this point:
-The dentist said my entire profile and looks will change, as my teeth will be brought further forward. This could improve my looks (heaven only knows how appreciative I'd be for that) or make me look worse (which would suck). So, this is a neutral point for me right now.
There are also some other problems going on that the dentist is concerned about, but I won't scare/bore you with those details until I know more. I've ordered my past panoramic x-rays from my dentist and the ortho for as many years as I could get a hold of in order to help my dentist do a comparison to what showed up today. Once that is done, I will be able to share more details and be more informed. (My feeling is that it's nothing and that I'm just fine, which the dentist said could very well be the case.)
So, there you have it...today was not nearly as fun as yesterday. BUT, the good news is that yet again, I have no cavities. GO ME! Well, it's about three hours past when I had hoped to get to bed, so me and my freshly cleaned pearly whites are going to hit the hay. May you each be experiencing great dental health and may your ortho bills be non-existent. :) Those are my thoughts at this late hour.
~me
PS--To those whom I have not yet spoken with, THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart, for making yesterday such a tremendous day. Sure, today sucked, but I know it'll be just fine as I have the best people in the world in my life regardless of whether my day is good or bad and how big my dental bills are. :) So, thank you!!!
Monday, November 26, 2007
My Birthday: The Should-be National Holiday
Good evening, friends, neighbors, countrymen...but please don't lend me your ear, as that'd be nasty and I have two perfectly good ones of my own, thanks.
It is now 5:11 on the eve of my birthday. I have 19 more minutes to be at work, but as I don't have anything going on at my desk right now, I shall write a blog instead of work. I suppose I could've done this at any point during the day, as I've put maybe 30 minutes of actual work in today. The rest of the time I have spent shopping for handheld vacuum/spot cleaners. I had a great deal in my shopping cart at homedepot.com, but by the time I did my price comparison shopping and debated over spending any money, the item was gone. Alas, such is my lot in life for being poor/fiscally responsible.
So, what, you ask, am I doing for my birthday? Well, it all started off with me making a mad dash to get ready for work, only to have to go back in my apartment twice for forgotten items, and subsequently arriving at work 18 minutes late after driving in dense fog. I arrived to find the obligatory birthday card from my co-workers on my keyboard and my boss telling me he was taking me to lunch for my birthday, along with some of the other managers.
After a swamped morning of....well, nothing but partaking of Cyber Monday, we headed off to this Mediterranean restaurant I've heard a lot about. It was most delicious. I won't attempt to spell the various foods I had that I hadn't tried before, but suffice it to say, it was most delicious and worth going back to eat again. We rode in my boss's BMW, which I must say is certainly a vehicle to which I aspire in regards to purchasing. It was so comfortable.
I spent my afternoon looking for good vacuum deals and reading reviews, along with chit-chatting with co-workers. I am about to shut down the laptop and head on home so I can go to my "surprise" birthday dinner with a bunch of friends. I know what part of the menu is too, but I will be surprised about some of it. I love surprises (not to be confused with the kind of surprise that involves someone jumping out at me from a dark place or closet/grabbing me during a tense moment in a scary movie), but I always manage to find out information beforehand that ruins it for me. So, I'll go act surprised and just enjoy the evening with some great friends. I wish my family and Darin and Cammie Jan could be here, but I'm grateful for the friends that I will be able to spend time with and I'm also glad I was able to spend a few days with Darin and Cammie Jan anyway. I'll see my family next month, which will be here before too long anyway.
So, though my day wasn't entirely exciting, it has still been a great day and I look forward to having a great evening too--and hopefully a great year ahead, as I embark into my 28th year of life. Thanks to those in my life that truly enrich it and make it a life of which many could be envious, as I have such great people around me. Not everyone is so fortunate and I'm grateful that I can be one who is. Happy Birthday to me, I say!
It is now 5:11 on the eve of my birthday. I have 19 more minutes to be at work, but as I don't have anything going on at my desk right now, I shall write a blog instead of work. I suppose I could've done this at any point during the day, as I've put maybe 30 minutes of actual work in today. The rest of the time I have spent shopping for handheld vacuum/spot cleaners. I had a great deal in my shopping cart at homedepot.com, but by the time I did my price comparison shopping and debated over spending any money, the item was gone. Alas, such is my lot in life for being poor/fiscally responsible.
So, what, you ask, am I doing for my birthday? Well, it all started off with me making a mad dash to get ready for work, only to have to go back in my apartment twice for forgotten items, and subsequently arriving at work 18 minutes late after driving in dense fog. I arrived to find the obligatory birthday card from my co-workers on my keyboard and my boss telling me he was taking me to lunch for my birthday, along with some of the other managers.
After a swamped morning of....well, nothing but partaking of Cyber Monday, we headed off to this Mediterranean restaurant I've heard a lot about. It was most delicious. I won't attempt to spell the various foods I had that I hadn't tried before, but suffice it to say, it was most delicious and worth going back to eat again. We rode in my boss's BMW, which I must say is certainly a vehicle to which I aspire in regards to purchasing. It was so comfortable.
I spent my afternoon looking for good vacuum deals and reading reviews, along with chit-chatting with co-workers. I am about to shut down the laptop and head on home so I can go to my "surprise" birthday dinner with a bunch of friends. I know what part of the menu is too, but I will be surprised about some of it. I love surprises (not to be confused with the kind of surprise that involves someone jumping out at me from a dark place or closet/grabbing me during a tense moment in a scary movie), but I always manage to find out information beforehand that ruins it for me. So, I'll go act surprised and just enjoy the evening with some great friends. I wish my family and Darin and Cammie Jan could be here, but I'm grateful for the friends that I will be able to spend time with and I'm also glad I was able to spend a few days with Darin and Cammie Jan anyway. I'll see my family next month, which will be here before too long anyway.
So, though my day wasn't entirely exciting, it has still been a great day and I look forward to having a great evening too--and hopefully a great year ahead, as I embark into my 28th year of life. Thanks to those in my life that truly enrich it and make it a life of which many could be envious, as I have such great people around me. Not everyone is so fortunate and I'm grateful that I can be one who is. Happy Birthday to me, I say!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
A day of thanks...
Greetings from Darin's computer. I'm typing this on his computer, while he sits on the other couch working away on his blog using my computer. Unusual, yes. But, that's not the only thing out of the norm today. Overall, this, by far, has been one of the most unusual Thanksgiving days I've ever had. How, you ask? Well, I shall share with you how. It all started this morning, when Darin and I ventured forth for breakfast--at Bojangles, where I enjoyed delicious boberry biscuits. They are most choice. Anyway, following this, Derriere and I took a short drive through the amazing roads lined by trees with amazing colors before coming back home to watch TV for a while. We finally got out and about again, heading over to my complex's gym where we worked out for hours and hours. OK, well, maybe not hours, but for a good 20 minutes at least. After that sweat-provoking experience, we headed off to my friend's indoor pool (even though it was warm enough today that we could've swam outside just fine). After swimming for a bit, we came back and cleaned up and then headed off to that ever-popular Thanksgiving dinner--Chinese food. I had sweet & sour chicken. I suppose sweet & sour turkey would have been more apropos, but given my disdain for that nasty poultry variety, I wouldn't have eaten it anyway. So, after our festive dinner, we headed off to our next part of the holiday meal--hot fudge sundaes at McDonald's. Oh, we did take a little detour to CVS, where we bought some bags of peanut M&M's to go with our hot fudge sundaes. Anyway, we are now at my house watching TV and waiting for Cammie Jan's arrival. We will go collect her from the airport in about fifteen minutes or so. I just checked the flight arrival website and she's flying along at 601 MPH right now and is 180 miles away. So, she'll be here shortly.
Despite the rather unusual Thanksgiving day (we're doing our Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday), during which nothing was the same as my usual traditions, there is one thing that remains the same--my gratitude for so many things. I am especially grateful this year, as so much change and progress has happened in my life during the last 365 days. I am grateful for my mostly-good health and for my job, home, vehicle, dog, etc. But, even more than this, I'm grateful for my family and friends. I have such a tremendous and fun support system that I truly love and I could not survive without. My mom, sisters, bro-in-law, nephews, and grandma are all amazing and I miss them tremendously. However, that's not my only "family" that I'm grateful for. Besides many others, my dear, long-time, always faithful and wonderful friends, Darin and Cammie Jan, particularly mean a lot to me. I am so happy they're here (or almost here) and that we can spend some time together, even if it is only a few days. It's better than nothing. Sure, I talk or text them almost daily, but it's even better to have them here in person. Above all else, I'm particularly grateful for the lessons my Heavenly Father has allowed to come into my life since last Thanksgiving. I don't even feel like the same person, as so much growth and maturity has come into my life. It's amazing. So, my thoughts on the eve of this fun and unique holiday are that I'm so very blessed with things much more valuable than any material possession. I am blessed with a family and friends that couldn't be any better and with good health. What more could I ask for? Nothing--unless I wanted to be really greedy. So, to all who read this, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! May it truly be a day of gratitude and may the year ahead be another year of great blessings and joy!
Despite the rather unusual Thanksgiving day (we're doing our Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday), during which nothing was the same as my usual traditions, there is one thing that remains the same--my gratitude for so many things. I am especially grateful this year, as so much change and progress has happened in my life during the last 365 days. I am grateful for my mostly-good health and for my job, home, vehicle, dog, etc. But, even more than this, I'm grateful for my family and friends. I have such a tremendous and fun support system that I truly love and I could not survive without. My mom, sisters, bro-in-law, nephews, and grandma are all amazing and I miss them tremendously. However, that's not my only "family" that I'm grateful for. Besides many others, my dear, long-time, always faithful and wonderful friends, Darin and Cammie Jan, particularly mean a lot to me. I am so happy they're here (or almost here) and that we can spend some time together, even if it is only a few days. It's better than nothing. Sure, I talk or text them almost daily, but it's even better to have them here in person. Above all else, I'm particularly grateful for the lessons my Heavenly Father has allowed to come into my life since last Thanksgiving. I don't even feel like the same person, as so much growth and maturity has come into my life. It's amazing. So, my thoughts on the eve of this fun and unique holiday are that I'm so very blessed with things much more valuable than any material possession. I am blessed with a family and friends that couldn't be any better and with good health. What more could I ask for? Nothing--unless I wanted to be really greedy. So, to all who read this, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! May it truly be a day of gratitude and may the year ahead be another year of great blessings and joy!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Thanksgiving
As I sit here at work, wondering why on earth the office is even open since I have nothing to do, I can't help but think of the upcoming Thanksgiving feast! I am so blasted hungry. Fortunately, we're closing at 3:00, but I don't think that'll be soon enough. I will most likely have devoured my fist by that time. However, though the hairy fist would be tasty I'm sure, I think I will just hold off on that and dream of how tasty the feast I have planned will be. This, dear reader, is what I have planned for the Thanksgiving consumption:
Appetizers: Seasoned Oyster Crackers; Ricotta-Blue Cheese dip with green apple slices, crackers, and cheese straws
Sides, etc.: Cranberry-Orange Sauce (I make this every year and it just gets better and better each time); Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta; Orange-Scented Green Beans; Mashed Red Potatoes with Brown Gravy; Sweet Potato Casserole; Pimento Cheese Stuffed Celery, Olives; White Yeast Rolls
Main Dishes: Peach-Glazed Cornish Game Hens with Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing; Turkey Breast Cutlets with Pan Gravy
The best part in all of this is that it's for a grand total of three people (counting myself). So, there will be more than enough for all and we'll have some mighty tasty leftovers too. :) I also can't wait for Darin and Cammie Jan to get here--I am bouncing off the walls in anticipation. It's been almost a year since the three of us have been able to spend time together and as they're very much a part of my family, it will be great to have them around.
Well, on that happy note and with those thoughts, I'm heading to the kitchen to scavenge for food. Perhaps I'll find a crumb or two to tide me over.
Appetizers: Seasoned Oyster Crackers; Ricotta-Blue Cheese dip with green apple slices, crackers, and cheese straws
Sides, etc.: Cranberry-Orange Sauce (I make this every year and it just gets better and better each time); Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta; Orange-Scented Green Beans; Mashed Red Potatoes with Brown Gravy; Sweet Potato Casserole; Pimento Cheese Stuffed Celery, Olives; White Yeast Rolls
Main Dishes: Peach-Glazed Cornish Game Hens with Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing; Turkey Breast Cutlets with Pan Gravy
The best part in all of this is that it's for a grand total of three people (counting myself). So, there will be more than enough for all and we'll have some mighty tasty leftovers too. :) I also can't wait for Darin and Cammie Jan to get here--I am bouncing off the walls in anticipation. It's been almost a year since the three of us have been able to spend time together and as they're very much a part of my family, it will be great to have them around.
Well, on that happy note and with those thoughts, I'm heading to the kitchen to scavenge for food. Perhaps I'll find a crumb or two to tide me over.
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