Stephanie Meyer, Watch Your Back

My first day of fiction writing went like this: I sit down next to a blonde kid with an afro and sports jacket, the kind with elbow patches that professors usually wear, and an expression on his pasty face that says, "I am a self-proclaimed writer, a professional. I don't need this class. I'm just taking it for pure pleasure." I'm surprised he wasn't smoking a pipe or something.

Then the teacher announces that we are to write non-stop for ten minutes, just make sure we use the words, "broken," "angst," windshield," and "bucket," in the writing exercise. Then he says "Go!" and 30 pens hit paper with a mixture of angst and excitement. We all scribble away anxiously and the silence remains unbroken except for the sound of our concentrated breathing and the scratching of words flowing onto the surface of our future novels.

Ok, I can't think of a way to use windshield and bucket, but I can say that, while the exercise was fun, I am not too confident in my creative writing skills. Therefore, when afro kid turns to me and says (in an annoyingly sophisticated voice), "May I?" and makes to reach for my paper, I am taken by surprise. Normally I try to be nice and tend to make excuses for myself in my insecurity, but I was so surprised by his audacity that I just snorted (with disbelief in my voice), "No." His surprise was written all over his face. He couldn't believe that I had turned him down, and dejectedly turned back to his own scribbles.

The teacher goes on to tell us that, while he hates to put restrictions on our creativity, that is just what he is about to do. He further explains that we are to restrain from participating in genre writing: no thrillers, mysteries, romances, etc. In other words, no vampire stories. Darn. I am no Stephanie Meyer, but I considered walking out right then and there (I'm kidding).

Edward's cousin will just have to wait for my next fiction writing class.

Late-Night Wisdom (Teeth) Continued

Well so much for the drowsiness that those pain med bottles like to brag about. They're all talk, no action. I watched midnight creep by, then 2 a.m., then 4. I finally gave up a half hour ago, thinking maybe I could catch the sunrise or conk out on the couch. So here I am, but at least my mouth is no longer oozing drool or pain. The meds followed through on that part of their big talk.

Since I fasted before the procedure, I was starving after the numbness was gone (thank goodness it went away. The doc acted a little nervous about the location of the nerves and warned me about what could go wrong, aka paralysis of the lower jaw). But I digress. The hunger...my brother-in-law, who was very kind and also gave me a ride home from that wonderful place they call the dentist, bought me a Kiva juice. If ya'll haven't had one, you are seriously missing out on one of God's great gifts. Try the Berry Delicious. It is true to it's name.

Berry, BERRY DELICIOUS.

Then when the Hubs got home from work he bought me the most amazing soup from Paradise Cafe, Zesty Tomato. Once again, folks, ya gotta have it. But the best part of my day was the sweet treatment that came my way from another of God's great gifts...my wonderful honey. Thanks, hon, for the special treatment, and not only that half gallon of perfect goodness.

You're my favorite. You get the blue ribbon.

P.S. Once again, forgive the goofiness...

I'm Still Doped...FUN FUN FUN!!!

Pain, Amoxicillin, and Drool

Well, the wisdom teeth are finally out.

I had one chance in high school to have it done, when my dad so lovingly suggested we cross the border to Mexico where they do it cheap. Seriously, Dad? Seriously? I said no thanks

(of course!), but the last three months they started hurting so badly that I even started regretting that decision. Yeah, they hurt THAT bad.

Thankfully it never came to a trip across the border, because, as I mentioned earlier, we finally got insurance. School starts up again next week,

so I went ahead and got all four of them out.

WHAT A WACKY EXPERIENCE!

I go into the operating room, sit down, they stick an IV in my arm, I make a comment about how much I LOVE the James Christensen painting on the wall (Who wouldn't?), and then I'm waking up to a BLURRY James Christensen painting on the wall while trying to spit out the bloody gauze in my mouth. I didn't even know the IV was the anesthesia! Then I vaguely remember walking into another room, but nothing, NOTHING else. I've never been put out before, but,

WEIRD!

Did I mention how fun the blood and drooling is?

Or the numb tongue that feels like a foreign object in my mouth that gets in the way every time I try to swallow?

Or the PAIN? OH, THE PAIN!

Ok, I admit, I am fishing for sympathy, as I pretend I'm the only one who has ever had their wisdom teeth out.

However, I still wouldn't mind a smoothie or icecream, or homemade soup...(Hint, Hint)

By the way, I apologize for any weirdness or bad spelling. I'm doped up.

Now THAT is fun.

Reminiscing

When I stumbled on this picture today I couldn't help but smile. I always do when I see this particular one, and what rednecks we were. Well, we still are, but we have learned how to hide it. We have moved up a notch from mis-matched socks and hand-me-downs, but we still have the country in us. Yep, some moments in my life I can't help but think I would be willing to trade a day of bustle and unimportant business for

one barefoot day in that small town.

Oh to be young and dirty and not care!

More on Kids

I miss my family when I think about these kiddos. Its been more than two years since I've seen most of them, and some are even TEENAGERS (When the freak did that happen?)!!! I'm no longer "Aunt Tandice," but just "Candice," or "Candio," which doesn't make sense at all. They shouldn't be old enough to talk, or even decide that I deserve a nick-name, or any of that. I remember the day when I got fuming mad because my two toddler nieces got into my makeup and perfume and spread it all over their faces and the walls of my bathroom. Now they are almost old enough to wear it for real and know that lipstick does not double as blush and eyeshadow. And get this, my nephew Tanner has a

FACEBOOK ACCOUNT!

It's just too much.

I stole these pictures from my sister-in-law, Cat, who took them about ten years ago at an easter-egg hunt. Those were the days. I hope I have kids that are this chubby.

Little Michelin Babies. * Sigh.*

Aunt Tandice

I have been an aunt since I was 8 years old. I remember how exciting it was the first time one of my nephews said my name: "Aunt Tandice!" Wow, was I a proud little nina. My older siblings always told me that because they had to babysit me when I was little, that they had the right to recruit me as their babysitter as much as need be...And they really took advantage of that! Considering that I have: 8 siblings, who each have from

2 to 4 kiddos = 7 nieces & 17 nephews, they have kept me busy for the last thirteen and a half years. But I really enjoyed it, as it is really rewarding. And now that I am married, it is especially fun to see how much those kids love my husband, and vice versa.

This weekend we were able to baby sit once again, and the guinea pigs were 2-year-old McKenna and baby Cooper. They are so much fun, and I think that in that little girl I have a competitor for Brick's #1 fan. Man does she adore him. But I adore him more.

But maybe not. It's a toss-up.

A NOTE: Brick is starting to tease me about how much I blog. I admit, it is beginning to be an obsession, and the funny thing is, it took me a long time to get my own blog because I didn't think I had an interesting enough life. Well, that still might be the case, but I do enjoy my life nonetheless, so whether or not anyone else does as well, I will continue writing about it.

Creative Itch

Since I finished Spanish and Brick started working, I have become bored and my creative bone has started itching. It does that sometimes. I am my mom's daughter, and she has a VERY ITCHY creative bone. My sister-in-law Burg's received an awesome "flirty apron" at her bridal shower this last April, and I thought it was SO cute. So, I decided I would try out my new sewing machine and make one for myself.

This is how it turned out...

Happy People

These are my parents in the Phillipines. Have you ever seen two bigger smiles? I guess the lesson I'm getting from this is:

Service=Happy

Although I think if that were totally true,

the cow would have a HUGE smile....

FLAMBAM UPDATE

Last month was quite eventful as far as news goes...and I have yet again been reminded of how blessed the two of us really are. Every day I get email forwards from people complaining about the economy, health care, and just our country in general. So for Brick to have FOUND A JOB in this economic climate is big news indeed! He is now working for Verizon Wireless and (drum roll...) we finally have insurance (and GREAT insurance, at that)!!! It has been a little bit scary the last two-and-a-half years without it, and now we can breath a sigh of relief! The second bit of news is that I am finally done with my Spanish class TODAY! Another BIG sigh of relief. I will have a couple of weeks off and then it is on to my next and FINAL semester. I can't believe I made it to graduation. I knew everyone thought I would have a baby by now and would have to quite, ha ha. Well, I'm glad to say I have been able to accomplish it, and I am not at all afraid to say "good riddance" to school!

EL FIN Y ADIOS!