A Bit of Unusual

I frequently feel like I am the weirdest moment in other people's day.

For instance, I recently went to the doctor because one of my pinky toes has been turning sideways and feels funny.  I figured I needed new orthotics for my shoes and was looking for a referral to a podiatrist but instead I was sent for X-rays and an MRI of the lower spine because my toes tingled when the doctor raised my leg, a "positive sciatic test".  Anyway, my HMO puts you through a whole rigmarole before the doctor will talk to you about your actual problem, checking on all your medications, weighing you with your shoes, coat, and purse still on you, etc.

This time, the nurse asked about my activity level.
Me: Well, according to my Fitbit I've been doing over 10,000 steps a day.
Nurse: [Lengthy silence while she stares motionless at the computer screen]
Me: Is there not a field for that? You could just say 20 minutes.

Then, later, when scheduling the MRI the clerk made me answer the gamut of questions to see if I'd want to sue them after the MRI.

Clerk: Have you ever had surgery on your heart, where they might have inserted something metal like a pacemaker?
Me: No.
Clerk: Have you ever had surgery on your head, where they might have inserted something metal like a metal plate?
Me: No.
Clerk: Have you ever had surgery to implant anything in your ears, where they might have inserted something like a cochlear implant?
Me: No.
Clerk: Have you ever had surgery on your eyes?
Me: No.
Clerk: Have you ever had surgery to repair a broken bone, where they might have inserted surgical pins or screws?
Me: No.
Clerk: Have you ever had any surgery at all?
Me: No. [Pause.] Is that in case they left something inside you during surgery?
Clerk: [Confused look at the questionnaire.]  I never thought about that before!

Pinteresting

Maybe it's because of who I follow, but I've noticed the things on Pinterest fall into a few distinct categories.

1.  Pretty pictures of wishlist type things - travel destinations, quaint forest cabins, fairy gardens, etc.

2.  Household hints that simply cannot all work ("Replace every cleaning product ever with an equimolar and therefore neutralized solution of white vinegar and baking soda!")

3.  Beauty tips, nail polish colors, outfit ideas, hairstyles

4.  Ludicrous, delicious-looking foods

This is partly why I think that men don't use Pinterest.  The other reason is that I did the math and men don't use Pinterest. 

While I'm happy seeing the first three pass me by, I did want to try some of the foods.  But really, when are you going to ever bake an Oreo in a chocolate cookie in a brownie in a tiramisu?  I wanted an excuse to cook some of the ludicrous foods so I threw a Pinterest-themed party.

Sadly, I forgot to photograph the food.  This is the closest I came:

Here you can see the pulled pork sliders, pigs in blankets, pizza dip, the ham and potato pancakes, the macaroni and cheese with tater tots, and the "cross between alfredo, lasagna, and mac'n'cheese".  Along with the guacamole-stuffed eggs that came later that made up the the savory dishes.  

The desserts I didn't get any pictures of but they were the stars.  We had Tofutti pumpkin cheesecake, pistachio toffee, Butterfinger blondies, brownies with peanut butter cups and marshmallow fluff, homemade peanut butter cups, and apple dumplings made with crescent rolls, Mountain Dew, and Nectresse.  

There were also activities.  I set up a craft station in the guest bedroom with things to glue on magnets and the ten Biblical plagues hand puppet kit I had.  My friend Jen brought her daughter Mariella who made this gem:

That is the puppet for the wild animals plague.  According to Mariella it's going to a birthday party.  It's so cute.

I also made a pinata.

I learned a few things about pinatas.  For instance, they have an upper weight limit on the candy you put in them.  And then, if you're butting up against the upper weight limit on your pinata, you should take that into consideration when you're having it.

Yes, that is a grand total of three feet off the ground.

Still, it did take three adults for it to break open.

And after spending probably 15 working hours making a pinata it was gratifying to see adults sprint for the candy and fruit snacks.