Peace Corps

Saltan from the rooftops



"I believe strongly in what the Peace Corps does. It is about change: changing of yourself, changing of your mind, changing of your soul. Finding that gap between who you are and what you really stand for and being here is going to put you to that test...I think once you take that step into Peace Corps, you're next goals in life almost seem like a breeze."

I did not change the world when I served as a volunteer. I changed my world completely. Service was challenging, some days were hard. But it was ALWAYS worth it.

DWTS

So while I could talk on about the routines, I thought I would just keep it simple:

Marie Menounos broke some ribs, but she is Greek, so no worries. Happily no Windex cure.

Jack Wagner was one of the last ones to be saved, and I bet he was sweating it.

Donald Driver dances well, so I am hoping he makes it as the crowd starts to thin.

Gavin DeGraw, I hate to say it, is just not that memorable. Bottom 3 already.

Roshon Fagan, as a Disney product and a talented dancer, did not belong in the bottom 3. Shows that talent isn't enough.

Sherri Shepard is having fun. Proud Mary is rocking the house. And I agree about the jive. It kicks butt.

Melissa Gilbert was the first one safe. I was happy for her, but she needs to step up the game.

Katherine Jenkins said Mark wanted her to shake all her naughty bits and did so with enthusiasm. I still worry she won't have a big enough fan base to sustain her later in the competition.

Jaleel White's second dance did not live up to Week One's high standard.

Gladys Knight was the second safe. She is elegant even when sharply critisied. A class act.

William Levy- I say again...Why, oh why did I ever stop watching novelas? I am sure he is getting the suave vote!

Martina Navratilova may be fluid on the tennis court but she has little dancing grace. It is reasonable that she was sent home last night.

And then there were 11...

The Ohio State House and SB 310

John and I got on the road early. But instead of work and school, we were headed to Columbus. We were going to attend the Senate Agriculture, Environment & Natural Resources Committee opposition hearing regarding SB 310. A first for me. Outside of voting, I don’t get involved in politics.

But Rex is my son’s pet… And the CinCity Reptile Show was my cousin Big John’s baby. This was important.

The following snakes are considered “restricted snakes” in Senate Bill 310 as currently written:

• Green anacondas;
• Yellow anacondas;
• Reticulated pythons;
• Indian pythons;
• Burmese pythons;
• North African rock pythons;
• South African rock pythons;
• Amethystine pythons;
• Boa constrictors
• Species of the Family Atractaspididae (Mole vipers, stiletto snakes, burrowing asps)
• Species of the Family Elapidae (Coral snakes, cobras, tiger snakes, mambas)
• Species of the Family Viperidae (Pit vipers, adders, rattle snakes)
• Boomslang snakes (Tree snakes)
• Twig snakes
• Any other snakes designated by the Director (So anything can be added at any time later… I have an issue with that.)

So I took PTO, kept John out of school, and we headed for the State House. We were meeting John and Nikaya and the opposition group in the lobby at 9:30am.

The drive was easy, and I found a parking garage near the highway and John and I walked the half mile to the Statehouse. It was colder than I was expecting, but a beautiful bright morning.

We arrived at the State House.




I have never been to the Ohio State House before. I have never been to ANY State House before. And this was worth a visit, even without the hearing. The Rotunda is beautiful. The carved marble staircase, the ornate ceilings- it was amazing. I will do a post with more pictures later.

We went to the first hearing room to hear testimony for the committee members:

Senator Cliff Hite (Chairman)
Senator Tim Schaffer (Vice Chair)
Senator Lou Gentile
Senator Troy Balderson (Sponsor)
Senator Dave Burke-
Senator Capri Cafaro
Senator Gayle Manning
Senator Bob Peterson
Senator Joe Schiavoni

It was standing room only. John and I sat with Big John and Nikaya in the front row.

Chairman Hite stood with John for a picture before the first session (there were three over the course of a long day that included moving four times. It was clear they had not expected the crowd.)




John and I were interviewed for NBC after the first session recessed for lunch, and a documentary team interviewed both of us in the second (and larger) hearing room before the start of the second. I promised the woman working with the team that we would e-mail her pictures of John and Rex.

The testimony was informative and impassioned. Economic issues were raised along with alternative options for many of the concerning elements of the bill. The speakers were eloquent and represented many of the pet owners and businesses that would be financially and emotionally impacted by the ban. Big John shared what this will mean to his new business.

It was also brought up that certain groups currently pushing for passage of this bill are actually exempted from following the restrictive rules. Funny how that happens…

As evening settled in, I let John know we needed to head home- it is over two hours to get to the State House. With 15 speakers to go, we had to leave at 6pm. But Senator Hite promised to hear everyone…

As we walked back to the parking garage, John pointed out that politics was just like school: “You sit around all day listening and have recess.”

Smart kid!

John made the cut and was on the local news:
http://www2.ohio-votes.com/news/2012/mar/27/4/opponents-testify-against-exotic-animal-ban-ar-979902/

Mad Men

I am pretty excited. Yesterday, after a rain shortened NASCAR victory for Tony Stewart, that coincidently saved Jimmie Johnson some points, I got to sit down with a two hour helping of Mad Men.

After a 17 month drought, Don Draper and company are back. SCDP is still struggling financially, after losing Lucky Strike as a client, made obvious by the secretary sharing between Don and Roger.

Lane is all out of money, personally, and cannot pay his son’s school tuition, Joan’s mom, living with her to help with Joan’s son, is the nightmare mom. Peter is living in Connecticut- odd for a man who does not drive- and is the Big accounts man in the little office. And Dom experiences the drawbacks of having a YOUNG wife. Megan, in fairness, loves him for all he is, including Dick Whitman.

So much fun.

CAN'T wait for Sunday night!

Rex the Corn Snake

I usually stay away from political stuff, as I see both sides of most arguements. In this argument I understand the concern about safety, but we need to not overreact to tragedy.

In October of 2011, Terry Thompson, a clearly unbalanced individual, released 18 Bengal Tigers, 17 Lions and other large animals from the "Animal Preserve" he ran with his wife in Zanesville Ohio.

The animals were legally owned, and in an effort to prevent future tragedies, Ohio lawmakers are putting together a wide reaching ban on "exotic" animal ownership. And I am good with there being no pet lions or tigers in my neighborhood.

So what does this mean to me?

We have a corn snake, Rex, who has been part of our family for over a year. He is one of the "exotic" animals that would be included in the ban.

My cousin, John, breeds and sells snakes, as a large portion of his income. He will be put out of business. All snake breeders in Ohio will be out of business.

Did I mention that none of the dozens of animals released in Zanesville were reptiles? And what do these lawmakers expect us to do with the animals we own?

So I want to help stop the passage of the law as it is now written. The folks need to rethink the phrasing of the bill.

Help me save Rex.

How can we make that happen? please see the information below:

Boots on the Ground Ohio/ SB310 Opponents Hearing

A proponents hearing was held yesterday in Columbus, Ohio in the Senate Agriculture, Environment & Natural Resources Committee regarding SB 310. This bill if passed as written would be a de-facto ban on many reptiles as well as many other animals in Ohio. USARK opposes a ban on ANY reptiles. There is no argument that can logically support that reptiles pose any significant public safety risk to the citizens of Ohio or anywhere else. Turn out for the proponents meeting was anemic. One HSUS representative and one ASPCA representative testified; along with reps from several Zoo’s.

The time to act is NOW! We must get “Boots on the Ground”! Call in sick to work if you have to! We must generate Calls! We must generate Emails! DO IT NOW!!!
It is imperative that opponents of SB 310 attend the opponents hearing next week in large numbers. The hearing is tentatively set for Tuesday March 27 at 2pm in the Senate Building. The date could change. We will update on Friday. USARK is helping to facilitate a groundswell grass roots “Boots on the Ground” campaign to get as many Ohio stakeholders to attend the hearing as possible. Please email ohioarlupdate@gmail.com for instructions on where to meet for briefing prior to hearing. Andrew Wyatt of USARK will testify. “NO SB310” pins will be distributed to all who attend. This is very important that the Reptile Nation attend this Hearing in Force.

Meanwhile, in the lead up to the Hearing, we need to generate an avalanche of Phone Calls and Emails. Below are the tools and the contacts you will need to make your voice heard.

Call In Campaign:

Senator Cliff Hite (Chairman)- Phone: (614) 466-8150
Senator Tim Schaffer (Vice Chair)- Phone: (614) 466-5838
Senator Lou Gentile- Phone: (614) 466-6508
Senator Troy Balderson (Sponsor)- Phone: (614) 466-8076
Senator Dave Burke- Phone: (614) 466-8049
Senator Capri Cafaro- Phone: (614) 466-7182
Senator Gayle Manning- Phone: (614) 644-7613
Senator Bob Peterson- Phone: (614) 466-8156
Senator Joe Schiavoni- Phone: (614) 466-8285

Sample script: (Make it your own and tell your story. Keep it brief and polite)
My name is_________. I am an Ohio resident and I would like to respectfully register my opposition to SB 310. I have grave concerns for the negative and unnecessary impact of SB 310. I work with reptiles that pose zero public safety risk and a minimal occupational risk in the state of Ohio; especially when taken in the context of traditional livestock and pets. On average there is less than one death per year in the US because of a captive reptile, compared to 25-30 deaths related to dogs, and dozens more due to horses and cattle. It is simply impossible to make a logical argument that ANY reptile poses a serious public safety risk in our state. Reptiles were not even involved in the situation in Zanesville.

SB 310 is over reaching and prohibitive, and will have a negative impact on me and my family. The trade in high quality captive reptiles in the state of Ohio is approximately $30 million per year. There are tens of thousands of people and hundreds of thousands of animals involved. More than 90% of the impact of SB 310 is to the reptile industry; and again, reptiles were not involved with Zanesville and pose virtually zero public safety risk.

Please remove ALL reptiles from SB 310. NO on SB 310.

Thank you.

Email Campaign:
Click here to send email to Senate Committee: http://usark.org/campaign.php?id=37

Zumba

In my continuing efforts to get in better shape, I tried Zumba with 2 lbs hand weights today.

Ouch!

I mean it is only 4lbs. No big deal.

Except I am still tired 8 hours later.

Bah Humbug!

My teacher, in an orthopedic boot due to an injury, still moves better (by far) than me.

Which means I need to work harder.

I need a hot shower.

Movies

I don’t like scary movies. I am a romantic comedy kind of girl.

Historical accounts, period dramas… They are more my style. Pride and Prejudice, Band of Brothers : I just can't get enough.

Every now and again, I am in the mood for a real tear-jerker. Oldies but goodies include The Champ and Kramer vs. Kramer.

Do I have favorites?

I have eclectic taste, some big hits I love and yet some "great" films people rave about are ones I just do not get.

I LOVED Gone with the Wind, yet Titanic is 3 hours (or days as it seemed at the time) I am never getting back. Erica, just so you know- I am still annoyed...

And How Clint Eastwood won anything for UNFORGIVEN is beyond my understanding.

I loved Dead Again, Conspiracy Theory, and even now Silence of the Lambs creeps me out.

Top Gun still makes my heart race, Sixteen Candles is still charming, and I LOVED The Hangover - it had me laughing out loud. As a Harry Potter fan, I found the movies very entertaining.

My must see list of films:

1. 12 Angry Men- Powerful jury room story
2. 16 Candles- High School teen love story
3. A Christmas Story- How it was way back… a Christmas Classic
4. A Fish Called Wanda- fun to watch again and again
5. All the President’s Men- Watergate story
6. American Graffiti- how we got to “Happy Days”
7. And the Band Played On- AIDS in the early days, moving
8. Apollo 13- Space Race drama
9. Back to the Future- Marty McFly and the DeLorean
10. Beauty and the Beast (a)- The Best Picture cartoon
11. Beverly Hills Cop- fun and so funny
12. Big- Tom Hanks and FAO Schwatz- the dancing piano
13. Born Free- Just watched this again with my son, still wonderful
14. Bringing up Baby- funny, one of my mom’s favorites
15. Casablanca- Here’s looking at you, sweetheart
16. Close Encounters of a Third Kind- A different type of Alien movie
17. Conspiracy Theory- I loved this movie nobody ever heard of
18. Dances with Wolves- Post Civil War Western tale
19. Dead Again- excellent storytelling
20. Desperately Seeking Susan- Fun story in NYC, with Madonna playing a character just like her.
21. Die Hard- Action all the way
22. Dirty Harry- Make my day…
23. El Norte- Guatemalan children trying to escape to a better life
24. ET- still makes me tear up
25. Fantasia (a)- it has gotten better with age
26. Father of the Bride- Steve Martin goes crazy when his daughter gets engaged
27. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off- The day we all dreamed about in High School
28. Forest Gump- A new look at US history
29. Four Weddings and a Funeral- Best wedding movie ever
30. Gandhi- A great man who did gentle good
31. Glory- Black soldiers in the Civil War
32. Gone with the Wind- This is what a classic is
33. Good Morning Vietnam- funny disturbing and true to life
34. Goodbye Girl- What do you do when he leaves and sublets your apartment?
35. Goodfellas- Being made
36. Grease- Sandy Danny Rizzo and Kenickie still go together
37. Groundhog Day- do it over till you get it right
38. Harry Potter (3, 5 and 8)- best 3 of the 8.
39. Hercules (a)- Love the gospel singing muses
40. His Girl Friday- Reporter story with an excellent cast
41. In the Name of the Father- Terrorists? Not so fast…
42. Independence Day- Love Will Smith dragging the alien through the dessert
43. Indiana Jones 1-3- Indiana was the dog…
44. It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World- excellent cast and funny
45. It’s a Wonderful Life- The heart warmer for Christmas
46. JAWS- Still scares me… that music…
47. Karate Kid- the bullied kid gets even through greatness
48. Kramer vs. Kramer- crying already
49. Lawrence of Arabia- Personal Bias- my grandpa served under him.
50. Little Women- Lovely story of sisters
51. Lord of the Rings Trilogy- perfection
52. Love Actually- Christmas romance alive and well in London
53. Mary Poppins- "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!"
54. MASH- The Police Action that wasn’t really a war
55. Meet me in St. Louis- Love Ms. Judy
56. Miracle on 34th Street (original B & W)Santa works at Macy’s
57. Mission Impossible- Heart racing action
58. Monte Python and the Holy Grail- British humor
59. Muppet Christmas Carol- Classic Muppets
60. My Fair Lady- Diamond in the rough to pure gem
61. Nightmare on Elm Street (1 and 3)- Scary to be killed in your dream
62. On the Town- Fun silly and a great look at New York City
63. Out of Africa- I loved this tragic love story
64. Philadelphia- AIDS discrimination of a dying man
65. Pretty Woman- Cinderella works on Hollywood Blvd
66. Princess Bride- Fantastic fantasy
67. Rain Man- harder to watch now than at the time
68. Risky Business- “Terrific!! I’ve got a trig midterm tomorrow, and I’m being chased by Guido the killer pimp”
69. Rocky Horror Picture Show- Better on a Friday at midnight with toilet paper flying overhead
70. Roman Holiday- The princess takes a day off in Rome
71. Romancing The Stone- slapstick adventure comedy
72. Sabrina- Sometimes the love of your life just isn’t
73. Saving Private Ryan- WWII with your every wide open
74. Say Anything- “ She's gone. She gave me a pen. I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen.”
75. Schindler’s List- I will never forget that little girl in the rich red coat
76. Sense and Sensibility- Mr. Ferris and Cornel Brandon win
77. Sherlock Holmes- a new way to see Holmes and Watson
78. Shrek (a)A new look at fairytales
79. Silence of the Lambs- CREEPY Dr. Lecter
80. Sound of Music- “Somewhere out there is a lady who I think will never be a nun”
81. Splendor in the Grass- Natalie goes crazy for love
82. Stand by Me- Buddy film
83. Star Wars, Empire and Return of the Jedi- the newer don’t measure up
84. Terminator (1 & 2) “I’ll be back” and he was.
85. The Champ- the last ten minutes will make everyone cry
86. The Commitments- Like a visit home
87. The Godfather, I and II (Three was pretty awful)
88. The Hangover- Hilarious and original
89. The King and I- a splendid musical love story
90. The King’s Speech- The man who didn’t want to be king
91. The Muppet Movie- Personal Bias- The Rainbow Connection was my graduation song
92. The Outsiders- What happens on the wrong side of the tracks
93. The Philadelphia Story- Reporter, Heiress, and Ex… What could go wrong?
94. The Producers- A musical… About Hitler… FUNNY
95. The Quiet Man- Ireland and John Wayne
96. The Shawshank Redemption- Prison and the nightmare of an innocent man
97. The Sting- Con man gets conned
98. The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (The original)- My dad counted the money…
99. The Ten Commandments- always good during Easter week
100. To Sir, With Love- Race and poverty
101. Tootsie- When you can’t work any other way…
102. Top Gun- Best recruitment tool ever
103. Untouchables- George Stone… Hot Hot Hot
104. West Side Story- “I want to live in America!”
105. What’s Up, Doc? “Hi Daddy”
106. When Harry Met Sally- Can men and women be just friends? “I’ll have what she’s having.”
107. Who Framed Roger Rabbit- Cartoons in Hollywood and tunetown
108. Working Girl- Making your way to the top in an untraditional way
109. Yentl- Studying means she must be a boy
110. Young Frankenstein- Still making me laugh. “Put the candle back!”
111. Yours, Mine, and Ours (original)- blending families

Yes, I know some "great films" sre missing- perhaps because I haven't seen them or because I thought they were rubbish. This list is just my opinion.

New foods

So far this year, a wide variety of sushi, snails and frog legs have been added to my list of exotic foods I have eaten.

I will try anything once.

I have had eel, rabbit, deer, octopus, crab, shrimp, lobster, alligator, bison and all the standard beef, pork lamb, duck, assorted fish and chicken.

Alligator was a surprise hit.

And now a friend is sending me some moose meat… I am so excited.

So what is the best meat you have ever tried?

I am open to suggestions.

Biggest Loser

7th place.

Yes the weigh in was right after the week I could not exercise, but still.

My current Biggest Loser position is 7th Place.

And I have lost 10lbs since the first week of January. That is about a pound a week. I could stand to lose up to 2 a week.

I spin twice a week, dance, go to Zumba class. Clearly exercise is covered.

7th place

I have till May 21st to up my game. The first prize is increasing as penalty pounds are calculated.

MyFitnessPal is going to be part of the solution. Tracking what calories I am taking in and paying attention to the choices I am making.

Today’s small victory- water, not soda, with my vegetables and rice in brown sauce.

Every journey starts with the first step.

DWTS

Reality television really is not my thing. With one notable exception. I absolutely love Dancing with the Stars. I have watched since the first season, and love the concept- take someone who doesn't and teach them to dance...

This week it was the foxtrot or the cha-cha. And here are the stars in the order they appeared:

Marie Menounos from E! I had no idea who she was, and since her dancing of the cha-cha is only so-so, I predict an early departure.

Jack Wagner- Can I tell you how much I loved this man in 198_: pick a year?!?! And my boy Frisco Jones, who serenaded my teen self, has aged poorly. And that is being kind. He was a little stiff dancing, but I don't know if it was just nerves. Still don't see him making it to the semi-finals.

Donald Driver (Green Bay Packer)Now this boy can dance! WOW. The first to rock the house! He was awesome. He will be around for a while.

Gavin DeGraw (Singer/ Songwriter)Has a hit "Not over you" that I have never heard. He was charming and gentle and has a lovely smile. There is a tenderness there. Just not sure how long it will carry him.

Roshon Fagan is a Disney actor/rapper, and someone else I had never heard of before last night (though my son knew exactly who he was). He is no Romeo, but is talented none the less. Just a little too hip/hop for ballroom.

Sherri Shepard (The View)"God is GOOD" was her comment after being encouraged by her partner Val to rub his butt. She is fun, but I am not sure she will have enough votes to continue when so many are so much better.

Melissa Gilbert, or in my world, Laura Ingalls, danced a difficult routine in a skin tight body suit with tassels and was great. She wore heels that were wickedly high (and considering her spinal fusion I was surprised). Not the best but not the worst, I think she will show improvement.

William Levy (Hot Novela star)Why, oh why did I ever stop watching novelas? This was a reminder of what I have been missing. Even dancing in his grandmother's shoes! Hopefully he will be in it to the end.

Martina Navratilova was lovely but so so nervous. Another one at the bottom of the board, and not unjustly.

Katherine Jenkins(Classical Singer)was graceful poised and a brilliant dancer. Sadly, her lack of a US voting pool may bring her depature far earlier than is fair.

Gladys Knight was stunning in Red and I only hope to move twenty years from now as well as she did. Her fame may be her biggest asset.

Jaleel White(Steve Urkel)was campared to Gregory Hines. I totally agree.

With only six points seperating the top and bottom of the leader board, ANYONE could go home next week.

Biggest Loser

Our third weigh-in was today. I have lost ten pounds since the start in January. So no penalty pounds even with no workout in the last week. I am sooo happy!

I was also back to spinning class today after the week off and am exhausted... a smelly.sweaty mess. So I am heading for the shower and then bed... with perhaps a little DWTS detour... we will see after the shower.

Reading

I told someone this weekend that I have not read the Hunger Games. I also mentioned I have yet to read any of the Twilight series.

She was shocked. As a person who reads ALL THE TIME, I do understand her surprise.

I have friends who have put their lives on hold to read both of these series, and I just am not interested.

I tried to read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and was bored with the first two chapters. So I haven't read that series either.

What on earth am I reading?

I just finished the 18th Stephanie Plum mystery and I loved them all. They made me laugh out loud. The Wedding Letters took me a while but was a lovely story.

I have a Tom Clancy and a WEB Griffin in the wings. But they are all so much more of the same.

I have even read some Danielle Steele again.

I really miss Harry Potter... I long for books that capture me in the same way. So someone needs to find me a new author and quick... Danielle Steele?!?!

HELP!

Butterfly Benefit, 2012

It is St. Patrick's Day and I will spend the day in Louisville, at a Silent Auction and Fashion Show. It is Leslie Rader's fundraiser that honors her daughter who died of Epidermolysis Bullosa.

Eight years ago, Leslie lost her daughter, Lauren. Afterwards, wanting to help other families struggling with EB, Leslie and her husband Bryan created the New Family Advocate Program through DebRA of America.

The New Family Advocate Program provides assistance to new EB families by sending a care package full of EB friendly wound care products, practical information regarding wound care and issues related to the care of an EB child. In addition, a home visit to the family by an experience EB caregiver can be arranged at the request of the family after bringing their baby home.

The Raders are amazing people who do incredible work. I am honored to support them, always.



The proceeds go to the DebRA programs that help families coping with EB,

Kindness…

When I was a very little girl, I used to rescue the flies and ladybugs that were drowning in our swimming pool.

I would scoop them up in a handful of water, watched as the water ran through my fingers, until the insect was standing on my damp hand. Then, moving to the driest fingertip, there was buzzing of wings (to dry them off, perhaps?) and then, in time, the creature would rejoin the world, taking off from my fingertips.

My first attempts at lifesaving. I didn’t rescue bees or wasps, afraid of being stung in the process of my kind act.

Isn’t that still the way?

It is so much easier to do a kindness for someone who will appreciate it. Who will acknowledge the effort.

Being a nurse is about providing kind service every day to everyone you work with. My role as I see it is to serve the person who needs my assistance, and to me it really is unimportant if we share a worldview or not. I will help in any way I can, even if my belief system is different, because I am no one's judge.

Being a nurse means being an advocate, no matter what. It is something I love and feel called to do. I am just so happy that after 20+ years I still like the work. I am blessed.

Oral Surgery

On Tuesday, I faced up to one of my big fears and for the first time in 10 years, had oral surgery.

In April of 2002, I had a tooth that required root canal, so my AMAZING dentist, Dr. Robert Vavolizza DDS referred me to an endontist. I hate when it is something Dr. Bob can't do...

No one but Dr. Bob had done anything dental related to me since 1987 when my wisdom teeth were removed. I trust him. And dental stuff scares me.

So the root canal failed... and the pain was unbearable ( and I have given birth for goodness sake!)

After 4 days, my tooth was pulled. The oral surgeon filled the hole with fake bone and mentioned getting an implant at a later date... I was not feeling it.

Dr. Bob mentioned the idea of an implant each year when I saw him...

I wasn't feeling it.

I moved to Ohio and realized I would need a new dentist... Major problem... I had been seeing Dr. Bob since I was 18 years old...

I got my kids set up with Marie Callen, an AMAZING peds dentist... but she doesn't see adults...

Then I found Dr. Gilles... and his son- also Dr. Gilles...

And Dr. Ross Gilles, that is the son, and I chatted about the idea of an implant. Clearly he caught me on a good day. Or maybe it was just time. And I am trying new things this year after all.

So he made the referral and I went to see Dr. Bonomo.





Dr. Bonomo is nice, knows his stuff and we set up the surgery. His staff reviewed the pre-med antibiotics and post-op care I needed to follow... And I considered cancelling right up until I showed up in his office.

I was not willing to do anesthesia other than novocaine injection, so I was awake and breathing through my nose, chilling with my I-pod... And Dr. Bonomo humored me by taking all the photos so I can show you all that it was not nearly as bad as I had made it in my head all those years...

The surgical set-up is a bit intimidating.










This is Dr. Bonomo...
I teased him that this is a bit too "Little Shoppe of Horrors" for my taste


So this is our starting point.

My molar has been missing since 2002



My pre-op x-ray shows where the fake bone was installed in 2002



Before



Exposing the ridge- you can see the bone



The guide post in place shows the implant will be straight and level



X-rays of the guide in place





The implant



Dr. Bonomo is ready to install my implant



Implant in place



Side view



Implant in place and stem removed



X-ray of implant in place


Capped for now


So I am still on my antibiotics and am being careful of what I eat. I am a bit achy and swollen, but the pain meds keep it bearable. I go back to Dr, Bonomo in a week for follow-up and back later to have my stem installed- then I will be able to have Dr. Gilles make my crown. All in all, not too bad.

Which surprises me... in a good way!

The Hafla

We did get the video of our Dunyavi routine uploaded to YouTube, so if you have not seen it, you can check it out at:

http://youtu.be/1crfBpIQZKQ

Dance like no one is watching...

45 today... 45 new things this year

I am 45 years old today. 2348 weeks, not that I am counting…

1408 weeks since I became an “adult” at 18. Which seems like a million years ago.

And in this, my 27th adult year, I have decided to do new things every month with the lofty goal of trying 45 new things by this date in 2013. Because I will try almost everything legal once.

A short term bucket list if you will… And since 45 is a lot to fit into 12 months, I started in January...

First, I danced at that place with those people… The nine of us made a deal- like “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” so I can’t say more. I am sorely tempted though. And no, there is no publically available photographic evidence of who all was there (that was our first rule). Sorry!




Just know that it is A) Harder than it looks and B) An arm workout like none other.

A good time was had by all!

I also ate at a French restaurant and had (insert gasp here) snails and frog legs. My first time for both. I am not even sure what snails qualify as… shellfish? Even after eating them… they are hard to describe. Like mushrooms. Sort of. And the legs were like any game meat- a bit on the tough side and not something I will need to try again.

February was raw fish- which goes against everything I ever learned in my YEARS working in Infectious Disease… Kyotos in Montgomery. I went with a friend and her husband, who ordered for us. A boat shaped tray was delivered with about 10 choices of types. And it was all really good. I had eel, tuna, salmon and other stuff, with veggies and rice, of course. Each piece is the perfect mouthful. I am surprised at how much I enjoyed the adventure. So much that I had it twice the following week. At this point I am officially a convert.

I also bottle fed lambs out at my cousin’s house. She had a baby and her husband had the animals and the other children to take care of, so I turned up and did what I could. The lambs are so little. I want to do it again.

On March 2, when my son worked with my cousin's husband on a dessert for Cub Scouts "Blue and Gold", I had my cousin dye my hair. So now I am a redhead. I am thinking I might go darker red next time, but considering how much gray hair we had to cover, it came out really nice, even if it looks a little pink in some lighting...



And to really stir things up, on March 10th, I performed with my Dunyavi class at a fundraiser. With live music in front of a live audience. Including people I actually know. Not sure if we will win "America's Funniest Home Videos" with the footage, taken by my son on his I-pod... I was actually impressed in looking at it how well we all stayed in time. I have no real memory of it, it is all a blur. My hands shook so bad even after we finished that I almost spilled my soda.

On the 11th I hosted a Lia Sophia party and to tell the truth, I am seeing the upside of being a girlie girl- some of the jewelry is so pretty...

Yesterday I posted my first YouTube Video (of us dancing at the hafla).

Today I am heading to the dentist to (finally) replace the tooth I lost 10 years ago... My very first (and God willing last) implant. Why did I wait so long? Let's just say it took me a while to warm up to the idea.

So that means I need to do another 35 new things by this date next year. Glass-blowing, driving a tractor, and a hot air balloon ride are on my list, but I am hoping some of you will have ideas of things to try, so please leave your comments.

And wish me luck!

Remembering those in need

A year ago today, Japan suffered a 9.0-magnitude earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown. The people of Japan are marking the anniversary in solemn remembrance, but there is still so much rebuilding work to do.

Last week Kentucky and Indiana suffered a string of tornados that destroyed neighborhoods. It will take a long time for these families to rebuild and start over.

On May 22, 2011 an EF-5 tornado killed 160 people in Joplin, Missouri and destroyed 7000 homes. I can’t even imagine…7000 homes just gone… I am not even sure my town has 7000 homes. Rebuilding has started, but they are still removing debris in parts of the city.

August 29 2005 was the date Katrina hit Louisiana and the other southern states and I still remember then Representative Barak Obama stating the incompetency of the government rescue efforts in the first few days was colorblind. I remember the stories of tragedy, but I remember too the huge volunteer effort that so many took part in. In October we heard:

"Experts tell us we're entering a 20-year period of increased severe-storm intensity," said Senator Jim DeMint, Chairman of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Disaster Prevention and Prediction and one of the sponsors of the briefing. "Hurricane Katrina was likely the worst natural disaster to ever hit America, and it is likely just the beginning. The fact is that we're only in the first inning of a nine-inning game, and we need to do everything we can to maintain and improve accurate predictions of natural disasters." http://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2005/11/

And I remember coming home on Christmas night 2004 and hearing reports of the huge earthquake in the Indian Ocean. As I headed up the stairs to bed, I wondered how big an earthquake had to be to make a tidal wave. When I awakened on December 26, the news was all about the 9.1–9.3 magnitude earthquake that was followed by a tsunami that killed hundreds of THOUSANDS. A number that is hard to conceive. ( Between 230,210 – 310,000 are dead) And seeing the photos of Banda Aceh before and after was heartbreaking.

Things I did not know-
•In Banda Aceh, the city closest to the earthquake epicenter, the tsunami arrived about 15 to 20 minutes after the earthquake was felt.
•Many buildings in Banda Aceh withstood the earthquake shaking but were destroyed by the tsunami waves. (Over 9.1 and the buildings withstood it)
•Likely because of the area's low elevation, the first tsunami wave that struck Banda Aceh did not have time to recede before the arrival of the next wave: the second tsunami wave rode over the first, and the third rode over the second. http://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2005/03/

I bring these up to point out that even though some of these events were seven/eight years ago, folks still need help. Please remember the charities like the American Red Cross that support folks when tragedy strikes. And in the weeks and months to come after these disasters. Every little bit helps when you lose everything.

Dance like no one is watching.

With my sushi this morning, I got a fortune cookie with the message:

Dance like no one is watching.

Just perfect for today.

On Saturday evening, March 10th, I am performing with my Dunyavi class at a fundraiser. Yes, I have clearly lost my mind COMPLETELY. And of course Ms. Lindsey invited everyone we ever knew to the performance- no pressure… so where before I was not at all nervous (“None of these people know me so what difference does it make”) now I need to not totally suck…

Dance like no one is watching.

We have practiced twice in the Fairfield Ampitheater on the lawn, and also at Tanza, where the Halfa will be. We know the routine and it is all for a good cause...

I am a little nervous.

Dance like no one is watching.

I will try.

Blue and Gold

My son had his Blue and Gold dinner on Saturday. It is the biggest award ceremony in the Cub Scout year and we had over 170 folks for the event this year and we had a soup/salad/sandwich meal that was simply wonderful.

The boys (with a male adult) made all the desserts.

John participated in the MC’ing of the event along with the other boy in his den. Each den did a skit, then received their rank badges.

And I thought… how little the Tigers looked. Was John ever that small?... How hard it must be for so many little boys to all sit still for any length of time…

But mostly what ran through my head was… how quickly the time ran by. It was the fall of 2007 when we signed up and he started as a Tiger. Countless Cub-a-rees, Spook-a-rees, Pinewood Derbies, Rummage sales, car washes and camp-outs have come and gone. Beltloops and arrow heads have been earned, rivers have been cleaned up, and leaves have been raked.And who can forget about popcorn! John has met wonderful adults giving back to the community… he has grown up with his den.

He received his WEBLOS rank badge and as I pinned it on his uniform, I felt proud of this amazing young man.




So proud!