*update*

The cracked tooth is not the one that was hurting. I'm looking at a root canal on Monday on #18, then eventually a crown. A crown on #19, if it stays pain free, but it must be crowned asap so the root does not get compromised. If it hurts before I can crown it then I need an additional root canal before the crown. A huge huge filling is also needed in the back, on tooth #20. He said ideally it should be hollowed out and crowned as well, but as he put it, while grimacing: "that depends on your financial situation"

Countdown...

My teeth are in bad shape. Through a combination of genetics and growing up in the country with fluoride free well water my teeth lack the necessary enamel to fight off cavities. I am 26 and almost every tooth in my mouth has been filled, several have been filled in multiple places and I am at risk for cracks. I have lost two teeth to decay, one was pulled out and the other I opted to crown, only because it was near the front and a gap would have been visible.

In one hour I'm going to my Dentist to talk about having another crown on a lower molar that cracked and broke about 4 years ago. It never bothered me until now. The tooth shifted about a month ago and the nerve is exposed. I knew something was wrong when I suffered excruciating pain while eating room temperature yogurt. The timing is perfect, as it always is, we've got an expensive trip planned and I had just enough saved to travel comfortably...now I'm looking at a grand to fix this damn tooth.

I'd pull them all out and get dentures if I could. Come to think of it, I probably should. It's only going to get worse with time. Good thing I absolutley love my Dentist. How many people can say that? It's unfortunate he's an older guy because I know he won't be around forever. I will miss him so much when he stops practicing.
Most dentists use a little swab with a local anistetic before the shot, but not this guy, this guy has a fancy device that uses pressure to inject that stuff painlessly into the first few layers of skin, so the final shot does not even hurt. Not even a prick. I think he's the only dentist in existence that can make a shot into the gums a pleasant experience.


My fingers are crossed...I really really really hope I don't need a root canal. They are a breeze but they hurt my wallet the most. What a way to start the weekend...:(

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

In bloom: Giant Amaryllis




Current fiber projet: 2x2 ribbed scarf with Plymouth -expression. I love this yarn! This particular color looks almost like camouflage. It's a gift for the next holiday season. I hope to have an item for nearly everyone I exchange gifts with by October. After that I can sit back and relax. No holiday shopping, no malls, no stress. 2010 is a year for giving the gift of warmth!





I'm also currently shopping for a DSLR camera. So far I really like the Nikon D3000. It's between the Nikon and the Canon Rebel. I'm not rushing into the purchase but I feel like I have a deadline because I'd like to give my mother my canon powershot, and her birthday is quickly approaching.

Math is hard, let's go shopping!

Using double pointed needles is like crossing a line from novice knitting to advanced beginner shit. It is no joke. These things scared the crap out of me. I finally sucked it up and tried them after I realized that I could never graduate from scarves to actual clothing items without learning how to knit on these things.



I had a pretty good experience with them. Even though my hat ended up about 2-3" too short and Brian says I look like Meg from Family Guy.
They work pretty much the same way straight or circular needles work, they just move individually and it's easier to lose stitches. Finishing the hat felt very awkward with so few stiches on several needles, but I'm happy to report a finished hat...not bad looking...even for a Meg hat.



Knitting makes Otto very very sad. It takes all the attention away from him! Poor neglected little one.

Spring flowers...in my kitchen!

In March of 09 I was invited by a friend to attend the annual Home and Garden show in Timonium, featuring a building devoted to the MD orchid society members and vendors. After spending way too much money on wine and trinkets we ended up leaving with two orchids that we had no knowledge of caring for...we bought them because they looked cool. Chris' orchid is dead now and for some reason mine is not. Not only is it not dead, but it has bloomed again! I am so proud.

In January a little bloom started peeking up...yes, the stem is fuzzy. It's covered in fine hair.




February:



March:


In the past year I have amassed quite a collection of orchids and they all seem to love our kitchen window. The kitchen is a good place for them if you happen to have a Southern or Eastern exposure. Orchids will die in a North facing window. I have murdered a couple this way. They are easy plants to grow with some strong sunlight, the right humidity, and lots of patience.





The 2 phalaenopsis orchids that I have will bloom in the next month or two. I am excited to see how they turn out because one of them I 'rescued' from a home depot clearance shelf. The poor thing still had some green roots under all the dead debris and now it's one of my most robust plants. I wonder what color the blooms will be?!

Two heartbeats at my feet

A few months after becoming a homeowner with a yard I began the search for another piece in my domestic puzzle.

I searched for many months and narrowed down my breeds. I applied for several dogs through rescue and was denied more times that I can even count. One morning I came in to find "lola" on petfinder.com, in a rescue in WVA. A 4 year old French Bulldog. I contacted the rescue and applied immediatley...I was the first applicant.

The two months that followed were a roller coaster ride. The foster had grown attached and after many failed meetings she decided to keep lola. I had already bought things for her and Brian and I were preparing for our lives as dog owners. I sulked for weeks. I was so put off by rescue at that point I made up my mind to do exactly what I was trying to avoid....get a puppy.

That is how Otto came to be with us. In hindsight I wish I had researched the breeder better and gone with a more professional one. I knew that pet stores were bad places to buy puppies, and internet dealers were bad, but I did not know what to look for in a breeder. My decision was hasty and I regret it. I love my dog but I regret my determination in acquiring him.



January 1, 2009 I brought home a 6lb Boston Terrier that we call Otto.

Then, very unexpectedly, almost one year to the day of application and the same week as my 26th Birthday I heard from the rescue woman again.
I expected more hesitation from Brian but I think he knew it was futile.
Circumstances had changed and she had to place the dog in a home.

Osa had a rough life before her introduction to life as a pet. Used as a breeder in a MO puppy mill and caged for 3 years, kept pregnant, and forced to nurse puppies that would be sold in pet stores. If you ever wonder where puppies in pet stores come from....they are bred by dogs like Osa. Some of these dogs have never been outside. They are dogs that are not socialized, kept pregnant, and killed or dumped when they fail to produce puppies.

She is between 5-6 years old and is perhaps the sweetest little dog that I have ever met. Otto has adjusted to her and occasionally I catch them cuddling or licking each others ears. They have squabbles but I am convinced that Otto secretly loves her. How could you not? He does not prefer to share me with her but things have settled down a lot and they accept each other.

That is the story of my spoiled beasts. I tried to keep it shorter but it's a long story and I enjoy telling it. They are a lot of work but I love every minute with them. It is such a joy to come home to them. Otto is still very much a crazy puppy and we are 2 weeks away from finishing our advanced training class. I will post a video of what we have learned in a few weeks.











Yes, I know what a huge jerk I am for dressing my dogs in matching lumberjack coats and photographing them for a Christmas card. I could not help myself.

No, You're a towel.

Hello internet! This here is my very first blog. I created this to keep a record of my accomplishments mainly through photos and sometimes with words. I am too lazy to create a year in pictures...but that is something I would like to do eventually.

A short summary of my life:

I am Alexis, I live in the suburbs of Maryland with my partner, 2 adorable smooshy faced beasts named Otto and Osa, and One grouchy old Bearded Dragon who I call Ichabod. I am a new knitter, a dog lover, I bake, and I have a window full of orchids that I have been sucessfully keeping over the past year. They are close to blooming. More on this later.

Life is good.