Best Photos From 2020

 2020 was a crap year, but I got some fabulous photos this year and I'm going to share 14 of my favorites

Merry Christmas!

 

Sharing a little of our white Christmas joy with the world today.

Hope if you celebrate, that your day is full of blessings and the wonders of the season!

Silver Fox Friday

 The Friday before Christmas. GAH and I'm pretty sure none of my silver foxes are going to end up under my Christmas tree this year.

~pouts~

The unfairness of it all...

It really isn't like I ask for much..

World peace...Trump to go to hell in a hand basket....the rest of this country to return to some sanity and Dr. Minchau under my Christmas tree

Oh and I would promise to give him back to the wife and kids after the holiday (assuming he wants to go..LOL)

I'm also pretty sure that the people in the photo that I conveniently cropped out should have a naughty arrow pointing at him, cos he really looks damn ornery.

~sigh~

And can I just say that reindeer sweater looks damn sexy on him? Ah that reindeer sweater.

Oh and my offer to do a Sexy Endo's calendar still stands. He can be Mr. June...

And while I'm wishing for impossible things....How about the 12th Doctor....to take me traveling through space and time

I Want To Be The Pretty Friend

 I keep thinking, all my life I've always been relegated to the goofy friend or the one that was just odd enough that everyone always ignore.

However, I was the one friend that got to touch Brad Sherwood, From Whose Line. So that kinda made up for being a goober most of the time. God that was ages ago..and I was so skinny.

I'm that friend that opens her mouth and words fall out.  However, maybe I'm the fun friend? The one that gets everyone in trouble?

Or maybe I had a good run of luck there. Cos I remember that night and it sure as hell was fun. So who needs to be the pretty friend when you get to touch Brad Sherwood's backside

Do I Need Another Root Canal

 Ok, so this serves as a review..a tale of woe and a Christmas Greeting.

Like most of us...2020 was not my year. It really really wasn't my year though. Long about Aug my teeth started giving me the bird. (Well if they could, that's what they were doing)

Let's talk about he fun that is waking at 3 am to stick an ice pack on your face.

There isn't any fun in that, just saying.

That resulted in the wisdom teeth being sent packing...and dang if they didn't take a few friends with them. GAH!

Oh and the tooth fairy didn't even leave me any offerings.

How wrong is that?

But no...life continued to kick me in the backside in the form of not one but 2 molars that needed root canals.

Oh yeah baby! (said in my best Austin Powers voice)

Funsville trolley stops here.

So that's how I ended up in the Uniontown office. OK, there's more to this part of the story, but its embarrassing, so I'll keep that to myself. 

First let me say, Dr. Minchau is probably up for sainthood for putting up with me.  Hands him a tarnished halo. (Its the only one I could find) My nickname is Anxiety Girl. I have the ability to squeeze a stress tooth so hard that it put my hand to sleep. I also may have requested a whiskey sour during the intermission between root canals. 

(I'm still waiting on that whiskey sour, btw)

I also have a good friend who is a dentist and his been putting up with my moaning and groaning about my teeth, probably longer than she wants to..

And I got a little present today

Now my question since it is my molar, and all of those puppies have caused me nothing but grief, Dr. Minchau, do you think it needs root canal therapy? 

In the Quest For The Perfect Photo

 Anyone that knows me knows I love the GAP trail. For those of you not from my PA area that's the Great Allegheny Passage trail. I tend to walk parts of it in the Cedar Creek Area or near West Newton.

Cedar Creek has the best parking access in the off season and it also has the Gorge Trail. I didn't do the Gorge trail today because, well, it was rainy and I really wanted take in the beauty of the Youghiogheny River, but I was lured in by the sound of the waterfall that is under the GAP bridge.

Let's just say the trail access is blocked, so seeing the waterfall is damn near impossible. I might not have had to go to the lengths that I did if my Nikon's batteries hadn't given up the ghost as soon as I got into park.

So guess who crawled over tree limbs and slid on her ass down the hillside then stood in the middle of the creek to get a couple of pictures?

That would be me.

And the perfect photo?'

Silver Fox Friday

 In the continuing saga of Andrea has a huge ass crush on her endodontist and would throw herself in front of a bus to get his attention, I bring you exhibit A aka probably my favorite picture of Dr. Minchau. (aka McDreamy). Also if anyone wants to put him under my tree this year..I'd greatly appreciate it. I'd return him safely to his wife when I was finished with him. LOL...maybe...

Have I mentioned he might be a little bit dorky? 

Of course he is. If he weren't I probably wouldn't crush on him.

I don't know what he's about to do with that balloon and I probably don't want to know.

Andrea doesn't like normal. That's no fun. 

Can I also mention. Dr. Minchau has a voice like John Malkovich. Which come to think of it is probably a good thing since he drills people all day. (Gotta keep them calm ya know) People like me call that the "come to bed with me" voice. Well he's got one of those voices.

Allow me to present exhibit B..which is the movie trailer for Dangerous Liaisons from 1988. And yes I watched this movie when I was in high school. Cos I've always had a naughty side. Can I also say, I crushed really hard on John Malkovich back in the day because of that voice?

You Know You Are An Adult

When you get excited about buying 50 cent packages of Scentavia drier sheets at work.

Yup that's me.

I have enough drier sheets now for a few months.

My car smells like lavender now too.

Adulting sucks.

I am happy though, that I don't have a favorite spatula yet.

The Good Thing About Crushes

 I have to say there is one thing that crushing on the dentist has done for me and that's renew my love for music.

Its really been along while since music mattered to me or brought me any amount of joy.

So Dr. Minchau...thank you for being so damn gorgeous and for reminding me that I'm actually alive. See, I really haven't been for a very long time. Heck when my ovaries exploded...I didn't even know they were still there. I thought they dried up

Since 2008, I was a full time caregiver and I pretty much lost myself. I'm still not sure if I've found me, but I think part of me is coming back.

I've struggled a great deal since my mom passed away in 2018. I have spent so much time taking care of other people. I have totally forgotten how to take care of me.

Of course everything blew up on me this year, but it also reminded me to take care of myself better. Also when you have a pretty damn gorgeous set of eyes staring into the hot mess that is your mouth you kinda start feeling self conscious.

I've lost 5 lbs since I had those root canals.

Heck I've even managed to start wearing makeup again.

So Dr. McDreamy, I thank you kindly for giving me part of my life back.

Silver Fox Friday

Allow me to present a photo of my favorite silver fox. Remember him from last week?

So yeah this picture came from his office's Facebook page.

Can I just say that Dr. Jeff Minchau has to be one of sexiest dentists I've ever encountered in my life?

OK. So maybe I haven't encountered that many, but all of them were old guys.

But back to Dr. Minchau

I mean for the love god...look at those leggies!

Sigh

And those hands...

THUD

Now why would anyone want to put a cream pie in that smexy mug? Huh Huh? And its a shame that I did not know of his smexiess at the time because I  would have offered my services at getting him cleaned up.....

SLURP!

But there are a few things wrong with this picture. Cos again...I'm versed in the art of tossing pies at my boss. Yeah..I may have a slapped a pie on my supervisor's mug last Christmas. I'm so sorry Josh #sorrynotsorry

Someone's aim was a little off and they definitely forgot once you finish the facial pieing,  you slap that pie plate on the top of your victim's head. Just saying

But first of all, how do you even want to pie this guy?

Looking at him sitting there like that, I am not thinking...wow, his face would look great covered in whipped cream. I'm not saying whipped cream may not figure in to the fantasy...but still. I'm thinking more of "Would you like a lap dance?"

Did it just get hot in here?

My New Look

Before the haircut

After the haircut

 

Why I've decided To Go Gray

 I have to admit a huge part of the "I'm not coloring my damn hair" thing is laziness. 

But here's the real deal.

A few months back I was having my walk on my favorite trail....The GAP from West Newton towards Allegheny County. There were a lot of people biking the trail, because it was a gorgeous day.

There were a bunch of ladies there, and this one had the most gorgeous grey bobbed hair. I mean it was absolutely stunning.

I think that was the moment I knew, it wasn't worth the time or money to keep coloring it, and trying to remember to buy freaking hair dye and then find the hour to actually do it. Yeah again. I am so freaking lazy.

I may spend a lot of time doing my makeup when I want to, but never my hair. I've always hated doing my hair. I think that's why for the longest time I wore a super short pixie cut. I loved that hair, but then caregiving and getting to the stylist became a pain, so suddenly I had long ugly hair.

The one thing I have learned is that there is a wonderful thing called Purple shampoo and it actually makes my hair shimmer.

I think I'm greying gracefully? Doncha think?

I've Got A Crush On You

Who would have thought that a sexy dentist would make me want to blog more often.

My running joke is that I want root canals on all my teeth, as long as Dr. Minchau does them. (Not really....but I would gladly spend a few hours with a numb face staring into those baby blues)

But there are things out there that make root canals look fun. (And seriously the needle is the worst of a root canal)

Top 5 things that make getting a root canal seem FUN!

1. I'd rather have a root canal than cook Thanksgiving dinner. Cos no one is  thankful for my cooking even though they gobble it up.

2. Id rather have a root canal than work my shift in lumber at Lowes.

3. I'd rather have a root canal than walk the block to my car, cos no one on my block knows how to freaking park.

4. I'd rather have a root canal than go to the damn mall Christmas shopping.

5. I'd rather have a root canal than do the grocery shopping.

Silver Fox Friday

 One of the authors I follow on Facebook does this feature. In an effort to get back into blogging again, cos I am failing miserably at at, I'm going to try to bring the hotness to Fridays here at the blog.

Let's start with some celebrity hotness.

My favorite silver fox?

Peter Capaldi aka the 12th Doctor

Next up is Jon Stewart, who I've had a bit of crush on since he hosted a late night talk show on Mtv wayyyyyy back in the day. My crush grew when he took over The Daily Show.

Now lets move on to a real honest to god Silver Fox. 

Who knew endodontists could be hot?  I mean when you think of professions which might attract sexy, make your ovaries explode kind of men, endodontists do not come to mind.

In fact, when I think dentists....this is more the type of guy I imagine

Now I'm going to share a fun little story with you. 2020 has sucked for my teeth as you might know from reading my sporadic posts here. Well I finally got told...ROOT CANALS for 2 of my teeth. I've already had one last year on the molar from hell. (That's another story all together and is also why I will not ever eat popcorn again) so I know..I'd rather have a root canal than a cavity filled. Root canals are  painless in comparison, at least to me. Well except on the wallet...they hurt the wallet BIG TIME!

So sick of dealing with the offending teeth...I started going through Cigna's website. I could go back to the endo I saw last year. Rebecca did a good job and again..no pain and only a little loopiness..but I thought...are there any other doctors not halfway to Pittsburgh.

Mmmm....

Have I mentioned that CIGNA has photos of their doctors?

Have I mentioned that MMS Endodontics has not 1 not 2...not 3...but damn it to hell 5 smoking hot doctors in their practice.

How in the hell does that happen?

Where did they grow these guys?

How do they all live in Morgantown? Is there something in the water down there that I'm missing? I mean it is the same river that flows past Charleroi, unless they are getting Cheat River Water? What is in the Cheat River that I don't know about?

So yes, I chose my dentist only partially by the fact that they have good reviews you know ....in how they do their job. (Cos that is important)

90% of my decision however was made by,OMG if I am going to be tortured, I want something pretty to look while its happening.

So let me tell you about Dr. McDreamy....Dr. McStudmuffin...erm...Dr. Jeff Minchau.

Have any of you ever seen Coupling? 

He walks in and my mind is going.....

Oh Jeffrey! 

First let me say..that the said make my knees weak...endodontist is about a year younger than me and three times as married. (By that I mean...kids....little biddles erm CROTCH GOBLINS....that sort of thing)

Damn and freaking blast...not that my hot mess of a mouth would inspire any lust from even a single man..but back to the fantasy.

It's always pleasant to have a super hot guy playing around in your mouth. Of course most times when I'm doing those kinds of fantasies...drills ARE NOT INVOLVED!

Now my problem here is I can't go all grabby grabby of pics of said dentist. Well I could but cropping would be difficult and McDreamy here doesn't have many photos by himself. Why is that? Huh? Huh?

Dude....cameras would love you. Maybe all of you could do a dental calendar?You know like those Australian firemen?  The  proceeds could be donated to charity. I'll take the pictures! FOR FREE! I have people that will vouch for my photography skills! Here's my flickr page to use as example

Root Canals aren't painful when there is so much eye candy to look at.  

Yes, Root Canals are SEXY!

Seriously, who is thinking anything hurts when there's a pair of baby blues looking at your tonsils!

So there you have it...a real honest to god SILVER FOX....Ladies..if you need a root canal...I'm just saying...

Giving Thanks

 I finally got to see the horseshoe bend in the Monongahela River, on the weirdest weather day of the year, I think

I really thought I was going to blow over the hillside and land in the Mon somewhere near Newell.

Its funny that I used to drive by this area, 5 days a week for 4 years but never paid much attention to this beautiful curve in the river.

I'm thankful I can appreciate the beauty of it now.

Giving Thanks

 I think at this point my giving thanks should be that I still have all my teeth. I've had the worst possible time of it year, with having my wisdom teeth and 3 other molars yanked from my face.

Now I'm staring at 2 possible root canals.

So, yeah, I'm thankful most of my teeth are still in my mouth, but I'm really sad about all the dental work I've got to go through and my smile is just downright yucky.

Wish me luck next week when I make a change of dentists.

Giving Thanks Day 1

 Its November and though it has not been the best of years there is still much to be thankful for.

In an attempt to get back to my blogging roots, I want to highlight each day some of the things I have to be thankful for this year.

Today I am thankful for the Youghiogheny River. It is truly one of the prettiest rivers in my area. I love the Yough along the GAP trail from Cedar Creek to West Newton. Its even prettier in the mountains at Ohiopyle, but I haven't had the chance to visit there in ages.

A Miserable Month

 I'm just not all happiness and light.

About the only joy I've had this month came from subscribing to Britbox and watching Mrs. Brown's Boys over and over again.

Now I'm not saying its been an altogether crappy month, because it hasn't.

I've been to Mingo Park a few times and I have loads of pretty pictures of The Henry Bridge to show for it.

But this month also marks 2 years that my mama has been gone.  That's an anniversary I would like to forget.

Last week I had 6 teeth pulled. 3 wisdom teeth and 3 molars. Getting back to eating and normal hasn't been easy for me, but I'm getting there.

I'm struggling with life right now

I'm hoping after the election my anxiety will go down, but I'm not so sure.

I can't concentrate on reading. I can't concentrate on much at all right now.

I'd like to sleep the rest of 2020 away

I Need A Pick Me Up

 So I got bad news at the dentist.

I'll be going sometime in Oct for some extractions. Of course they are the kind that require surgical removal.

I know more are bad and I'm feeling totally depressed about it.

I spent so much of my life taking care of people and not myself.

Now I'm falling apart and sad and I just don't know what to do.

I have a friend recommending permanent dentures. How in the heck can a person afford $40,000 for dentures?

I'm going to be fearful of someday paying a grand or two for them?

I'm only 46.

This makes me feel old and ugly. 

No mind you it's not all of my teeth coming out now, just 3 or 4. (and one of them is a wisdom tooth that is taking the molar with it in solidarity) But it just makes me feel awful.

I also know there's not really anything I can do to save the other teeth, because I have periodontal disease :(

I'm just feeling very depressed and unloved today

Reasons Why I'm Bad At Blogging

I'm a bad bad blogger.

However, too much work, makes it really hard to blog.

Here are some other reasons I suck at blogging now.

1. The news is too depressing to comment on.

2. The pandemic is making life really boring.

3. There is no interesting new music or tv.

4. Artist I love are making bad albums right now. Looks at Erasure and Elvis Costello in anger.

5. I'm having a horrible time concentrating on reading.

And lastly

6. STRESS

With The Happy There Comes The Sad

I'm really down in the dumps. Trips away usually do that to me. I don't know why. Whenever I was a little girl and we'd go on family vacations to Erie or Lancaster, I'd spend a lot of the drive home crying, even though by the time I was about an hour from home, I was anxious to get there and back to the familiar.

That's how I feel right now.

I went to my brother's Friday and Saturday. I haven't done an overnight anywhere in over 10 years. It was a lovely night. I played with his cats. I watched bad tv. We ate good food, and I saw Gorge Metro Park in Akron and we went to a gorgeous winery that isn't too far from his home.

If you are ever in Canton, OH, make a point to visit the Gervasi Winery, it is worth it. The food is superb on the Piazza and if its slushie season, get a Fromanza! It will leave you with the warm fuzzies.

But now I'm home and I have that feeling of dissatisfaction again. I want things I can't have. I feel bad about myself because I saw pictures of myself and I'm old, fat and ugly. The feeling fat and ugly started at the winery because everyone was there in their pretty sundresses and I haven't had any pretty clothes in years. I miss pretty clothes and places to wear them.

I miss the calm I had before my mother passed. I'm more anxious now than I ever was, because everything is bottled up now. I have no one to talk me down when the anxiety hits hard. There is no one that understands anymore.

I have a waiting for the other shoe to drop mentality that won't go away, even when things aren't going wrong.

Some days are better than others.

I just wish I could learn to calm down.

July In Review

Apparently I vanished this month. I'm not sure why. I'm mostly guessing work. Nothing much going on..and general blerghyness.

In recap..

Have some photos from my July adventures