Smile for Me

Nature has a way of showing some love in unexpected places.

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Today Nature told me she loved me with a smile... on a smile.

(artist's rendering. not actual tooth)

 Yes siree. Today at work I saw a tooth with stain in the shape of a smile.

I love you, too, Nature. Thanks for the reminder!

Ten on Tuesday!

One of my favorite bloggers, Chelsea, over at Roots and Rings has created a fun little Tuesday theme called Ten on Tuesday. Every Tuesday, she posts 10 questions that she answers and invites all of us to answer, too. I've decided to join in the fun because it's a great way to talk about myself without appearing self-absorbed I can't wait to learn more about each of you. So yes, that means you're invited to play along, also! Feel free to answer in my comments, or write up your own post linking back to Chelsea's blog!

Ready, set, learn!


1. What are you going to be for Halloween?
I am going to be a raving college football fan at THE BIGGEST GAME OF OUR SEASON! You may see me on tv. I'll be the one wearing black. After the game I'll likely be found dancing like a she wolf, or crying in a corner. Either way, there will likely be an adult beverage or ten.


2. Have you ever been on television?
Yes. I was in the background of a local news feature on our Campfire retreat when I was 6 or so (yes, it counts). Also, I was on the Jumbotron at a college bowl game once (that one might not count).

3. Do you have a toilet paper preference?
Soft, not too thin, and always coming from the top of the roll.

4. When you're pregnant, will you find out the sex of the baby? (Or if you've already had babies, did you find out the sex?) Why or why not?
Absolutely! I don't do surprises well. Plus, you better believe that nursery is going to be fully decked out in anticipation of our little one.

5. What are three items that every kitchen must have?
A dishwasher, a microwave, and a secret stash of Tootsie Rolls. (Martha would be so proud)

6. Do you enjoy Christmas shopping?
Actually, yes. I like the way the mall smells around Christmastime.


7. What is your go-to recipe? (The thing you cook more than anything else because it's easy and mindless.) Please share the recipe.
Spaghetti. Cheap, filling, fast, and easy (why did that description make my beloved Spaghetti sound like a transvestite hooker?). And the recipe is as exactly as you think with one small change: I don't put salt in the water before I cook the noodles. I know, I know... the back of the box specifically says, "add salt," but I like to live on the edge.

8. Do you sleep on your back, belly, or side? 
Mmmm... side-belly. It's a combination sleep move. Sleeping on my back gives me paralyzing nightmares. Seriously.

9. How do you feel about Tom Cruise? 
Will Smile Steady still be considered family friendly if I use the phrase "douche bag?" No? Then I think he seems like a fine young man.

10. What books are in your "books to read" stack?
I could always read my Bible more, especially after rereading this post and finding words like "transvestite hooker" and "douche bag." I also have a thing about reading books that have been adapted into movies before I see the movie. Right now I'm finishing up The Time Traveler's Wife, and next in line is My Sister's Keeper.

So that's it for this Tuesday. Join us! Answer any of these questions you'd like in the comments, or make a post of your own.

And if any of you are unfamiliar with Chelsea, I encourage you to go read through her posts, because she really is one of my favorites. (You are too, really you are.)

Until next time!

Work Force Friday: Gag Me

There are many lessons to be learned in the dental world. For example, if you pinch someone's lip or cheek with your fingers, they likely won't feel you giving them a shot. If you turn on the suction every time you feel your stomach preparing to growl, you might just get away with it unnoticed. And if you toss a little salt on the back of patient's tongues*, they won't gag when you're taking their x-rays. Tools of the trade.

There are actually several ways to prevent gagging. Wiggle your toes. Think of pink elephants. Lift your leg and draw circles in the air with your foot. You know, normal everyday stuff. :)

And now that I've been practicing for a couple of years, I know that there are some odd causes for gagging, too. Certain smells, obviously will do it. For many people (my husband included), brushing their tongues will cause a gag reflex every time. And according to a patient earlier this week, Q-Tips will do it, too. Apparently, every time her dad has ever cleaned his ears with a cotton swab, he's gagged. Weird, huh?

Then I got to thinking about lots of those weird little connections. Whenever Hubby cleans his ears, he coughs. And plucking my eyebrows always makes me sneeze. So I want to know that we are not the only ones with this quirky physiology. What weird connections have YOU noticed?

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*I want to make it clear that I do not pour salt into the mouths of all my patients, only those with EXTREMELY sensitive gag reflexes.

If you were stranded on a deserted island...

Soooo, LOST. You know... that one show. That one I am mildly obsessed with watching on a daily basis until I get all caught up? The one that has caused me to neglect you in order to further lament the mysteries of that stupid island? The one that has infiltrated my dreams at night? Yeah, that one.

There are some men on that island. You may have noticed. And after some debate, I come to YOU, my loyal readers, for some feedback.

Ready?

Josh Holloway and Matthew Fox

Jack or Sawyer?

Jack:

Jack

Jack

Jack

Or Sawyer:

Sawyer

Sawyer

Sawyer

All votes are appreciated, whether you watch the show or not. And to prevent any accusations of Smile Steady being a sexist blog, I'll throw one in for the boys, too. Both of you.

Kate or Pam? (LOST is lacking in the attractive woman department during season 2, so we'll compare Kate to Jenna Fischer of The Office.)

Kate or Pam?

Evangeline Lilly and Jenna Fischer

(My heart belongs to Sawyer)

(although Kate doesn't look too bad with a little bit of make up...)

Blogging is Fun

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I really love this whole blogging thing.

It's great fun, and I definitely don't see myself quitting anytime soon.

That said, I've come to a realization... I am not very good at it.

I've always had a problem sticking to what I start. My husband calls me fickle because I have some new harebrained (hairbrained?) idea every week. Did you know that I considered getting a master's in Construction Science after I graduated from dental hygiene school? It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Unsurprisingly, he gave a good chuckle when I told him I was starting a blog. He never thought I'd stick with it. And I didn't. The first one lasted about a week. The second made it about 3 weeks. I then made a "we're married" blog that got a whopping ONE entry.

When Smile Steady finally came to life, he just kind of shook his head. We'd been down this path before. And I have to admit I'm as shocked as he is that it has lasted this long. And the longer I go, the more I want it to last.

But then I start to feel pressured. I didn't expect to really gain any significant readership, and when it happened my main goal was to please. And I got stressed out trying to write something everyday. My natural reaction? Stop writing altogether. Why do something that stresses me out? I've got enough of that as it is.

But I CAN'T! I just can't quit you. I'll feel a lot better, though, if I lay something out for you: I may not be able to post regularly (as if you haven't figured that out in the last 2 months), and I might be the blogging world's worst commenter (I see you all nodding in agreement), but I really do enjoy this and I want to keep going... if you'll still have me.

(sigh)

Why was this such a difficult post to write?

Shakira Makes My Heart Pitter Patter

That's a lie.

Shakira does not, in fact, make my world go round. She does, however, bring a smile to my face with her super sexy dance moves.

(I use the adjectives "super" and "sexy" loosely here)

Now some of you may be thinking back to her "Whenever, Wherever" days, when she most definitely could belly dance circles around me. (That link is optional- purely for reference).

But no ladies and gentlemen, Shakira has come out with a plethora of new dance moves for your viewing pleasure. I present to you: She Wolf.

(That link is NOT optional. YouTube won't let me embed it, so you must click it. Please do so now.)

Now let me give you a hypothetical situation. Let's say a group of astonishingly attractive young adults get together for some college football on a Saturday. There may or may not have been some libations. Now let's say this group's team wins (of course), and everyone is in good spirits. Is there really any harm in dancing the night away like a bunch of She Wolves?

This guy doesn't think so:



(No that is not my husband. Thank goodness someone else thought of this before him)

I had an excellent weekend.

Ahwooooo!

Work Force Friday: More Lessons

I know we've gone over this before, but some of your comrades still don't seem to understand proper dental office etiquette. Listen up:

• When your dental hygienist is rinsing your teeth, don't close your mouth until the water has stopped. And if you do, please refrain from giggling loudly and exclaiming "she sprayed me in the face!" because I DID NOT.
• I don't give full frontal hugs to strangers. 45 minutes together does not put us on that level.
• Whiny men are so unattractive. Please don't fake cry as I lean you back. It's not cute and I don't think you're charming. And finally...
• The "I'm gonna chomp my teeth down real hard right before you take a look in my mouth" routine isn't funny. It wasn't funny the first time, and it certainly isn't funny the 17th time. I'm gonna be pissed if I lose a finger one of these days.

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As always, feel free to leave a link to your own tales from the work force in the comments!