Where I've Been

As mentioned in the previous post, January has been completely taken over by the NAMM show. Now that it has come and gone and February 1 is right around the corner, I can finally sit down and catch up!

I might write about this every year, but my level of exhaustion post-show gets worse and worse as the event becomes more my responsibility. This year was no exception as I shuttled around Los Angeles and Anaheim to gather materials, renovate our booth, contract union workers and make sure every little detail was taken care of. I was given a little more creative freedom in regards to the overall "look" of our display, so I took the liberty to spruce up some walls with paint, upgraded light fixtures, a few rugs and plants and storage/platforms. It felt like I was working on an HGTV show and it was so fun! The end result was a space that seemed larger, warmer and cozier than before. I promised my family some photos, so here they are!

Moving!

Well, the 10' UHAUL is rented tomorrow. It's actually happening - we're moving!

Here's a friendly reminder to my future-self: do not try to sell all your stuff and buy new stuff at the same time! We have been carting around the same Craigslisted furniture for the last four years, so we thought it was about time for some upgrades. The Craigslist hunt is fun and exciting but oh so tiring and sometimes disappointing. The selling process is the most tiring part since you want to style up and clean your items and than you are on beck and call the moment someone shows interest. We've had a few funny *and weird* run-ins throughout this entire process, but also many successes. More on that later.

Until I have the time and energy to post a proper update, here's a cheeky little vintage sign that reminded me of what summers used to be like before they were taken up with grown-up things like moving apartments, selling furniture, and working full time!

Haters Gonna Hate

When we discovered Gerald without his left arm a few weeks ago, we thought someone may have  had a rough night and decided to take it out on a poor garden gnome. This morning, Gerald was found face-down on the concrete with his other arm knocked off! 

We have a Gnome-hater in our midst...not okay! (Photo collage by Jackie :))

Growing Old.

(She swears she's not a cat lady, but I beg to differ.)

We can't believe our little sister (I'm including J and B into this post) moved out this weekend. She's on her own! I feel like Anna Paquin in Fly Away Home when she lets her little clan of geese fly away and start their own adventures. 

We already miss our "fountain of youth"...thank goodness she's only 2 miles away and can still come over for pizza nights. 

Dentist Fail.

I learned my lesson the hard way: 5-star Yelp reviews aren't always accurate.

I thought I was being a "big girl". I had found myself a great doctor in LA and I was way overdue for dentist visit.  Knowing absolutely nothing about the dentists in the area, I went to the trusty internet and starting going down my list of dentists that accept my insurance plan. Dr. Tristen Nguyen had amazing reviews on Yelp and her office was only a few blocks from work. Perfect.

Not perfect.

After what seemed like 1/2 an hour worth of x-rays (they took a picture of each tooth and every angle possible -- ahh!), Dr. Nguyen proceeded to scrape at my teeth with a tool I had never seen before - the "Cavitator" (or something similar, the title was hard to make out from my angle. Might as well been the "I'm-going-to-carve-my-initals-in-your-gums" tool). The high pitched squeal of the tool combined with my spewing spit and my tongue being sucked to the side by the sucky tool (you know the one) made for a terrible experience. As if going to the dentist was enjoyable in the first place. THEN she took a measly 2 seconds to "polish" my teeth and floss.

I didn't even get a toothbrush.

Maybe I was babied back at home, but I definitely missed my childhood Christian-themed Dentist office. I always thought the Bibles in the waiting room and Christian Rock playing on the radio was a little overkill, but if all the dentists in LA are like this, maybe I won't be getting my teeth cleaned until I go home again.

Loyal readers (all 3 of you): does anyone out there have any good recommendations? I have 6 months to find a new dentist! Search starts now.