Musician’s Widow

Photo Share is my personal replacement for Weekly Winners, since that link exchange is no longer happening. It’s just my own challenge to take great photos through the week, as it gives me a venue to share some of them on this blog. Consider it my own little P.S. on the week before.

Photos this week taken with my Sony DSLR A230. Edited using Lightroom 3.

Glenn Miller Orchestra

Glenn Miller Orchestra

Glenn Miller Orchestra

Masked

Valentine’s Roses

Valentine’s Roses

Valentine’s Roses

Coloring

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Ahhh… Valentine’s Day. The holiday that is hated as much as it is loved.

Singles hate it. Couples enjoy it. Many find it unnecessary. Others hinge their entire month on it.

I, personally, like it. It was the day that my now husband and I said, “I love you,” the first time. (I think it was along the lines of, “Dammit, Denise, you know I love you!” hehe) And I gotta admit, I do love getting roses every year. I even got a special gift for my husband this year, and I can’t wait to give it to him when I see him next week.

I adore getting Valentine’s from my niece and nephew. And I love to find something for them. I especially love trying to find something that ISN’T chocolate or any other candy.

Valentine’s Day, to me, celebrates love in general. Romantic love is the love that gets the most focus, but I don’t think it needs to get ALL the focus. You love your family. You love your friends. You love your pets. Heck… love yourself! Celebrate it all!

I hope everyone out there had a wonderful day. I hope you all know that you are loved. Happy Valentine’s Day!

On Sunday, I got to see the Glenn Miller Orchestra for the second time in my life. I blogged about my first show two years ago; it was a show that knocked my socks off. I have an appreciation for the music they play and the days on end they spend on the road each year.

With a new band leader and a new female lead singer (at least new since two years ago) it was like a whole new show, even though I recognized several of the musicians. This year, my parents and I purchased a CD, so I can enjoy the music any time I want to now!

I really wish they’d play close to Nashville sometime, so my husband and I can see them together. But, hey, its also a really nice perk to tax season in Texas! I already have next year’s show on my calendar. Who cares if I am one of the youngest people in attendance… great music knows no age limit.

With all the fun under my belt, it was time for me to go get my teeth cleaned yesterday. I haven’t had a cleaning in… I don’t know how long. I know some of you are going, “Ew.” Others are nodding in agreement. It is what it is.

I’ll be honest here… I had forgotten what to expect, and I went in braced for tons of bad news about my dental health. My blood pressure was definitely elevated and my pulse was 116. Worked up a bit? Uh. YEAH.

But all went well. I love how my teeth feel now, and I got a mix of good AND bad news. So I’m choosing to bask in the good news versus wallow in the bad. I go back in a week to have a TON of work done. I love sedation dentistry. I am blissfully unaware, and they get about four visits worth of work done at one time. Love it.

It was Fat Tuesday, so I followed my dental appointment with work and then splurging myself on a good dinner and a Shamrock Shake from McDonalds. (OMG HEAVEN in green.)

I blame Nashville for my love for Mardi Gras. It was never a big deal growing up, but when I moved to Nashville I discovered how much fun it can be.

So, I wore my beads and didn’t care if anyone else cared. It let me have a little subtle fun.

Lent is kicking off, and I was going to give up alcohol. However, that’s pretty difficult when you’re a bartender.

My mom, however, gave me a book to read through Lent. Rediscover Catholicismlooks perfect for this goal. (Moms know best!) I am still strongly Catholic and my faith is as strong as ever. However, I do think I’m in need of a “reboot” to the passion of my beliefs. This might just be the thing I need… it’ll do more than giving up alcohol!

So what are others giving up for Lent? Or are you giving yourself more of a challenge of something to do through Lent instead? I’d love to hear and be able to lend support if I can!

Feeling better this week, which meant I actually took a few photos! YAY

Photo Share is my personal replacement for Weekly Winners, since that link exchange is no longer happening. It’s just my own challenge to take great photos through the week, as it gives me a venue to share some of them on this blog. Consider it my own little P.S. on the week before.

Photos this week taken with my Sony DSLR A230, and edited using Lightroom 3… or using my Droid Razr and Instagram. You can probably figure out which is which.

Medications… finally got antibiotics for my tooth!

Puppy door stop.

Open

Flowering

Beads

Masks

Mardi Gras masks

Lone Star Bock

“My wisdom tooth is bugging me,” I told my husband last Tuesday. A gnawing pain in the back of my mouth had me slightly on edge and in a mood. I figured some Advil before bed, though, and I’d feel better.

Wednesday night, though, the sharp stabbing pains started, when I touched my far back molar — not the wisdom tooth. Crap. Not the first time I’ve experienced that sensation, but again, I figured some Advil and I’d be fine. I added in my favorite “toothache remedy” of chewing on a garlic clove. It’s helped me kick many random toothaches through the years. Surely that’s all this was.

Thursday, I woke up and discovered several small mouth ulcers in the area of the pain. My gland under my jaw was tender and swollen, but that always happens with an ulcer. I’d just have to suffer through this.

And suffer I did. All weekend. The ache in my teeth and in my cheeks from what I thought was just an ulcer was not a new sensation, but nor a welcome one either. Advil dragged me through.

Monday came and I seemed to feel a bit better. We debated my seeing a dentist after I admitted that the ulcers had subsided, but the toothache remained. I felt better! But not well. So the next morning my mom called a dentist for me.

Yes, my mom called. I’m 32 years old, and I still love that Mom will call a doctor or dentist for me. And I am not ashamed to admit that. I’ll do it if I have to, but I love that she’ll still do it. It’s such a subtle comfort for me.

The dentist saw me an hour later. My old dentist I had years ago. Walking in the office was actually more like a hug of help than the pangs of fear I usually feel about dental work.

I left with an antibiotic, pain killer and an appointment for a root canal. Abscessed tooth definitely took the win on this one.

Tooth – 1. Denise – 0.

Anyone who has ever had a toothache like this can understand why I’ve been MIA. No interest in anything. Just that evil ache. As of yesterday, I discovered I can only open my mouth about 2 cm, making eating a challenge. I can open it a bit wider if I massage my jaw muscles to loosen up and let go a bit. I notice as I write this that the pain has subsided greatly, and my focus is slowly starting to return. The little bit of swelling in my gland has drawn up to expose the goose egg on my jawline. That, too, seems to be very slowly shrinking. I welcome the relief and hope it continues  subsiding. I’m ready to be back to normal… I’m ready to be me again!

Today’s post comes to you from Texas! I’ve been MIA on the blog all week due to travel and a nagging toothache/mouth ulcer. If you have had one, you know the agony it causes. I’m hyped up on Advil at the moment, so I thought I’d post as fast as possible before it wears off! LOL

Photo Share is my personal replacement for Weekly Winners, since that link exchange is no longer happening. It’s just my own challenge to take great photos through the week, as it gives me a venue to share some of them on this blog. Consider it my own little P.S. on the week before.

Photos this week taken with my Sony DSLR A230, and edited using Lightroom 3… or using my Droid Razr and Instagram. You can probably figure out which is which.

My sweet Bailey in his favorite spot of the house.

Rose from my husband… he surprised me with half a dozen upon returning home off the road.

Wedding rings

Folds of a rose.

Fellow weary traveler.

Past. Present. Future. Forever.

Orangey goodness