To Do and To Done

I have a to do list about 1 mile long, but it doesn't matter. Want to know why? Because it's the last to do list of the semester! The lecture portion of school is winding down fast--only 2 tests left. All my requirements for clinic are completed (Thank you, God for getting me through), and there are only a few more appointments this week and the next two.

I'm not sure I can describe the wonderful relief that comes with finishing all the clinical requirements this year. The image I had in my mind for the entire Spring semester was of mountain climbing in Colorado as a teenager. I felt the same weariness in each step toward the goal, the familiar burn in my muscles as I went through each motion, the same awareness that keeping my mind strong was infinitely more important than the physical symptoms my body would show. Strangely, finishing all my requirements didn't feel like coming down off the mountain. It felt like something more comforting and warm--like melting into the hot springs after not having showered in a week on the mountain.

Can you tell I'm a little excited?

Anyway, as school's to do list has turned into a to done list, a few other little projects have been completed, too.

Those cupcakes for the bridal shower? Here they are...



And remember that chair I bought at the garage sale?

Chair before (and Dixie)...




Chair after (not perfect, but oh so much better)...




Also on the to done list? A fun, girly, summer wreath and a painting. Pictures to come.

Crashed

My computer crashed a week ago today, and it's been being worked on in our computer services department since then. Twice they've called to tell me it's fixed and ready to be picked up, and twice I've picked it up, tried to boot up, and been greeted by error messages on a blue screen. Twice I've returned the computer to the help desk and simply said, "Not fixed."

Luckily, they have loaner computers for us to use in the interim, but I've had my hands tied since I can't access my photo files or lectures for class.

The computer help people always harp on us about backing up our data on an external hard drive for such a time as this. I backed up my data....in July of 2010. Yikes.

Anyway, until further notice, I'll probably be blog-less for a while until I get my limping, malfunctioning computer back.

Miss you, blog!

Save the Last Dance for Me

Yesterday I saw one of my favorite (and most colorful) patients. HIPPA laws prevent me from telling you any identifying personal information about him, so let's just say his age rhymes with schmeighty four. In his first appointment with me he told me many things about his teeth, but also suddenly said, "I'll bet you have stinky feet."

I was a little taken aback, but he quickly added, "I was born with stinky feet and a snotty nose, and I've never been able to get rid of either one. I bet you haven't either."

I knew at that point that this guy was going to add a little character to each appointment.

A few appointments later he reached into his pocket and handed me a nail and a screw, with no explanation for either piece of hardware or why he wanted me to have them. (I might have already blogged about that, but I can't remember, and I'm too lazy to look back and find out. The Alzheimer's is really setting in quickly these days.)

I had my last appointment with him yesterday and apparently he came prepared to shock me once again. I thought we'd made it through the entire appointment unscathed, but as we were walking out, he suddenly turned and said, "Take me back to your cubicle, I have something to show you."

Terrified, I complied.

Back in the cubicle, he dropped one more bombshell, "Did you know I used to be a ballroom dancing instructor?"

Yep, you guessed it, I got a dance lesson in my cubicle at dental school. I learned the ChaCha and the Rumba. The instruction included a critique on the way I shake my hips during the moves. Blushing like a fool, I finally managed to finagle my way out of my dance instructors hand hold and usher him out the door.

Strangest moment in dental school? Check. Dancing the ChaCha with a schmeighty four year old.

Let Them Eat Cake

I made the cake for the baby shower. Drum roll, please...




Ta Da!

Thankfully this cake turned out much better than the Plumber's Crack Cake. The shower was thrown by two of my friends who did a lovely job of decorating and planning the shower. They had dainty little brunch foods and pretty, girly decorations. They even had a chalkboard where each guest could write a message to Madelynn (the baby) and take a picture next to the board to put into a memory book for the baby girl.

I was so impressed by all the people who made their gifts for the shower, too. I thought I might be the only one who had created my own gift, but almost half the guests made their gifts in some form or another. One girl brought cute personalized headbands, another used her monogrammer to personalize burp rags and blankets. I brought these two dresses that I made (the pink one and the green one--the purple went to a friend in Abilene).
I love the pink one--I almost couldn't give it up! Luckily, I love Jenny (the mommy), so it was a little easier to give since I knew it was for a good cause, haha.

After the shower I noticed a cool chair across the street at a garage sale. The antique wingback chair was in great condition structurally, but was covered in hideous peach colored velveteen fabric. They had marked the price down from $25 to $20--so I was sold. I bought it and bought some fabric to recover it. Hopefully that little project will be done this week...pictures to follow!