So I made these cool little chocolate lava cakes for my husband's birthday last night and naturally, I put a birthday candle in each one (they're about the size of a cupcake) so he could blow them out after the girls and I (also known as the Howling Dog Choir) sang "Happy Birthday". He blew out the candles and took the first one out and all the wax was gone from the bottom of the candle; the wick was just hanging there. Perplexed, he took the remaining candles out and they all were missing their bottoms. As I was wondering what kind of reject birthday candles I had bought, he was struck with the revelation that the molten chocolate "lava" was so hot it had melted the wax. Oh yeah, that's it. Well, a little wax never hurt anybody. Just ask Vincent Price...

Grover lost her first tooth this morning. And when I say "lost", I mean it. She came up to me and exclaimed that she went to push on her wiggly tooth with her tongue and it was gone. Sure enough, there's a big hole where her "wiggly" tooth was. I suspect she swallowed it while she was eating breakfast. That's my girl - so engrossed in eating that she doesn't notice a tooth fall out. I told her we would have to write a note to the Tooth Fairy to explain what happened so she could still get her money even though there was no tooth to leave under her pillow. What does a tooth go for these days anyway?

I had lunch downtown with a friend today at a nice little cafe situated on Moore Square, which happens to be where a large contingent of Raleigh's homeless hang out. We were seated by the window and normally that would be a good thing, but today I found it incredibly difficult to eat my Farfalle al Salmone while watching the poor and destitute shuffle by. In no way do I mean to sound condescending; in fact, I felt indescribably guilty. Not for having done (or not done) anything personally to contribute to their situations but rather that I, myself, am currently without gainful employment and yet there I sat enjoying semi-haute cuisine without worry as to where I'll sleep tonight.

"And homeless near a thousand homes I stood,
And near a thousand tables pined and wanted food." - Wordsworth

I was searching for something on the Internet and came across this little gem: Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. In case you're looking for an alternative to Creation and Evolution theories (aka "Intelligent Design"), this should appeal to you. It certainly seems as plausible an explanation as any for the formation of the universe. Even if you're firmly rooted in your beliefs as am I, hopefully you have the open-mindedness and sense of humor to see the entertainment value in this. I mean, really, who couldn't laugh at a deity that requires his gospel be preached while wearing full pirate regalia?

Fishmonger, for some reason I thought of you when I saw this site. Can't imagine why...

As ridiculous as it sounds, I have to go to Physical Therapy for my big toe. This would be the same toe that was involved in surgery last year to correct a bunion. In case you're unaware (I can't remember if I've mentioned it before and am too lazy to look it up), a bunionectomy involves shaving off the excess calcium deposits that have built up on the bunion joint, breaking the bones to re-align the foot properly and inserting screws in the toe & joint to set them so they can heal correctly. It is incredibly painful and requires two weeks of keeping your foot elevated and iced, after which point you can begin to hobble around on crutches. Typically, you are pain-free after about 6 months. However, if you're me (i.e., atypical) then a year after surgery, your foot will still hurt... which it does. I went to the podiatrist a couple of weeks ago and he took x-rays which revealed that while my foot has healed perfectly from the surgery, I have developed bone spurs on the big toe and bunion joint that rub together when I walk. After much discussion (and too much suggestion on my part for being the patient in this scenario), he recommended orthotic inserts for my shoes, physical therapy and cortisone shots.

So I went to PT yesterday where the twenty-something therapist twisted, pulled, stretched and otherwise contorted my big toe into totally unnatural positions in an attempt to restore minimal range of motion. Evidently, since my toe doesn't bend upward as much as it should, it is causing the pain when I walk not only in the toe but on the outside of my foot because I am compensating for not being able to walk correctly. He also told me that I shouldn't walk around barefoot anymore ( ) and that I should always wear sneakers with my orthotics. Despite my affinity for shoes, my preferred form of footwear is au natural. If I have to wear shoes all the time (especially my ugly new tennis shoes) I will go nuts. OTOH, I could go barefoot and be in constant pain. What a choice.