Saturday, August 1, 2009

PF Changs (again)

I went to Greenville for my friend Sheri's 40th Birthday. I also got to hang out with Teresa and Anna Victoria again. FUN!!




You gotta love Karaoke! I love it so much I have a machine at my house. If you come to visit you WILL be forced to sing! :)

Cool cake!!!








20 year High School Reunion

Those of you on Facebook have already seen these pictures. I had a BLAST going to my 20 year reunion. It's been so much fun re-connecting with everyone! :)




































































































































You need your eyebrow done...

One of my favorite things to do is get a pedicure. For some reason the girl always tells me "You need your eyebrow done." Just one? I don't have a unibrow do I? Anyway, I get that done at the beauty shop so I always turn her down. Lauren just likes the massage chair so last time she didn't even let them pain her toe nails. She just soaked her feet and got the massage. I'm posting this so late that it's already time for another pedicure. It's one of the things on mine & my friend Alyce's to do list today after lunch and the movies! :)



















Saturday, July 11, 2009

A Rik story...

I was sitting in bed reading one night when Erik came home from work a couple weeks ago. I look forward to our conversations late at night so I can hear all about his day. Somehow we got on the subject of unfortunate things that happen to people and how there is a lot of good in the world but a lot of evil too. He actually thanked me for always protecting him and keeping him safe while he's been growing up. And I quote: "I mean it must have been so hard on you Mom. You were so young and had to do so much on your own, and you did such a good job taking care of me and protecting me." Wow. Of course I had to tear up at that. I thanked him and hugged him, and I reminded him that I may have gotten him this far, but that it's up to him now to be safe and stay on the right track and continue to make good decisions. I love my boy!

Update minus pics...

It's been a while since my last post so I'll try to catch everyone up. Let's see... Erik has a "newer" jeep. It's about a 98 model I think. Main thing is - it has A/C that works! Woohoo! :) It's a gas guzzler for sure, but now that Jordan (Erik's girlfriend) has a car too, he doesn't have to drive as much.



Erik stopped working at Taco Bell a while back. Well, with our whole "If you don't work you don't drive" rule, he decided to find another job. He now works as a host at Stefano's (a yummy Italian place not far from us). He looks so handsome (if not a little like Johnny Cash) in his all black host attire. I'll have to get a picture later.



Lauren has switched her major, again. First she was an early education major, then graphic design, and now has settled on nursing. Apartment living is not all she thought it would be and she's mentioned maybe moving back in when her lease is up in a few months. I'd be thrilled of course if she moved back in (seeing as how I never wanted to let her go in the first place) - but now I'm going to have to let her have her closet & dresser space back that I kinda took over when she moved out. :) Anyway, I'm not really counting on her moving back in. I'm sure she'll change her mind again, as we women are prone to do. Lauren is still working at Ruby Tuesday but she has also started her training to work at Stefano's (where Erik works) as a server. It's so great to see them get along so well together. They have become such great friends and Erik helped her get the job there.



I can tell hunting season is on the horizon again when Lee starts going to do work days with his hunting club, like he has this morning. He's like a kid in a candy store ever since he got his four wheeler for Father's Day. I can't wait to ride it myself! I'm looking forward to our beach vacation week after next so he can have some forced relaxation. The man works too hard, even on the weekends!



As for me, I'm doing well. Working, playing, going to the beach when I can. Life is good. Here are a couple more funny patient stories from this past week:



Most of you are familiar with the Panoramic x-ray machine that you stand in at the dental office, and it takes a full x-ray of all of your teeth & jaw at once. You have to stand there and hold on to the handles and be very still while it moves all the way around your head and then back around. I took one on a little boy last week and here is the conversation we had while I was positioning him for the x-ray:



Me: "Ok, now hold real still while I go out of the room and push the button."

Patient: "but my nose itches!!"

Me: (I reach over and scratch it for him)

Patient: "NO!! It itches on the inside!!"

Me: "Umm, that's where I draw the line, you'll have to do that yourself!"



I always love the little ones that come in for their very first cleaning appointment ever. One little boy I had yesterday was just so smart and so good, and he did everything I asked without any hesitation or trouble! Here's our conversation after the cleaning:



Me: "You did great! Now that wasn't bad at all was it?"

Patient: "No. But I really don't like cherry flavor" (the polish)

Me: "Oh, ok, next time we'll use another flavor and you can tell me which one you want."

Patient: "Yeah, ok. My Papa told me about everything you were going to do, and I think you did a really great job."



So good to get compliments from the patients but I must say one coming from such a little person was a million times better!!! :)

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Happy Father's Day

One of the hardest things in the world must be trying to raise someone else's kids. The deck is already stacked against you. I mean, how do you ever really feel like you are "in" the inside circle of a family unit that you marry into? I have no step children so I don't know. Lee has stepped up and been Lauren & Erik's Father for 11 years now. He's been there through the temper tantrums when they were little. Through good times & bad, he's been there steadfast, my rock and support system. He's the one that was firm but fair when I was exasperated and ready to throw in the towel when Erik and I were going through our tough years from the time he was 12 until he was about 16. I'm not proud to admit this, but there was a time that I decided that I just couldn't "parent" Erik anymore. I actually kicked him out. I was so angry and frustrated and scared that I decided this was the best option and was ready to just give up and admit that I was a failure as a parent and keep Erik and I from verbally and physically hurting each other. It was that bad. Lee was the one that came home and told me how wrong I was for giving up on my own child and took me up to the police department and tell them what I had done so they could get us some help. Luckily Erik was just up the street at his friends house the whole time and he was back in his own bed the very same evening that I kicked him out. What I'm trying to say is this: It's tough being a parent when the children are biologically yours. It seems like it would be a whole lot easier to give up if they were your step-children. Lee has never given up on them and chastised me for doing so. We owe so much to him for how much of a positive influence he has been in our lives. He is very generous but at the same time he teaches them a good work ethic. For example, he bought them both a car but insists they pay for the insurance and maintenance and taxes, etc. He truly loves Lauren and Erik and wants the very best for them. Thank you babe, for all that you do. We love you!!




That being said I must say something about the man that raised my wonderful husband. Lee's Dad (Harry) is definitely one of the best people I've ever been fortunate enough to know. He is without a doubt the most dependable person I've ever known. He has this "tough guy" exterior but there isn't anything he wouldn't do to help someone. I see that by all of the things I know he does for others. I know that every week he is going to call or come visit and that if we needed anything he would be a phone call away. He's the hardest working man I have ever known and I see that this is where Lee got his work ethic from. Happy Father's Day Dad! We love you.








I have to talk about my own "Step-Father" who became my Dad when I was 3 years old. Again, he stepped up and became a Dad and was very good to me. He didn't have to be. Thanks Dad. I will always love you.





And last but certainly not least....My second Dad. This man took me in as a teenager and treated me as his own child. He gave me a safe haven when it was crucial and changed my life. He's the most sweet, gentle soul I've ever met and an angel. I love him with all my heart. I love you Dad. A million thanks for everything you did to help me. Happy Father's Day!!




Saturday, June 6, 2009

Fun in Greenville!

Last weekend I went to Greenville to have dinner with some of the girls I graduated high school with. I also got to stay with my friend Teresa and her family for a couple of days since she lives there. We had an awesome time catching up and hanging out in the hot tub!! :)


This is Teresa's daughter, Anna Victoria. She was too funny wanting to wear her spongebob pajama pants everywhere she went!





I was so impressed with Teresa's green thumb, her flowers were beautiful!!



Love this girl!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Kids say the darndest things...

Today I had a patient that brought his 4 year old daughter with him to his appointment. The idea was for him to get his teeth cleaned first so that she could see that he was okay and then I would clean her teeth next. While she was waiting for me to get finished, she wandered back and forth from coloring her dental worksheets that I gave her to coming to see what I was doing and asking questions, etc. The following conversation ensued:

Little girl: "Guess what my Daddy has?"
Me: "What?"
Little girl? "A peeeenisss"
Me-(LAUGHING!!)
Little girl: "You know why he has a peeenisss?"
Me: "why?"
Little girl: "because he has a x chromosome and a y chromosome"
Me: still LAUGHING but very impressed.
Father: "bet you never thought you'd hear that today!" (as he turned 10 shades of red)

Apparently they went to a bbq over the weekend and the kids were asking about the difference between boys and girls. She paid attention! Too funny!!

Patti's Playlist


Get a playlist! Standalone player Get Ringtones