Earthshine

Do you ever have one of those days when something totally random brings something else totally random to mind? No? Well, me neither. I mean, why would my husband brushing his teeth make me thing of a field trip I took in, I think, 4th grade... If you bear with me for a few minutes, I think I can explain.


Growing up, what can I say?... I was gifted.... And by gifted, I mean I was in the Quest program in my elementary school. The Quest program (for the life of me, I can't think of what it stood for or meant) was for those labeled "gifted" (whatever that means) that allowed us, once a week, to go spend some time with a teacher doing some pretty cool stuff. The teacher was Ms. Dawkins. And I will forever love her. Anyway, Quest got to go on a field trip. I think it was my first overnight field trip. It was a first for many things, actually, but we will cover that in a minute. We went to Earthshine. A quick search on the Internet proved that Earthshine is actually still up and running.


We got to do a lot of cool stuff there. There couldn't have been more than 20 of us, probably less than that. But I still have quite fond memories of the trip. We got to kinda go back in time and do things like the pioneers did them.

I remember feeding and taking care of the animals.

Making candles.

I vaguely remember something about an Indian.

Sorry dude.... gimme a break. I was in 4th grade.

We got to go on some cool nature hike things.

And there was definitely some awkward 4th grade
team building/circle of trust thing going on.

It was very rustic. I remember being impressed, even as
an ignorant 4th grader, how quite and peaceful it was.

And beautiful.

It was the first time I had made chicken and dumplings. I haven't done it since, but there is always a first for everything. It was also the first time I had seen the reproductive organ of a male horse. Lets just say that image stays with me today. It was also the first time I had shared a room with anyone other than my sister, or otherwise family. (Now we are getting closer to the point).

My friend Caroline got to come with me on the trip and we roomed together with a total of 6 girls in the room. It was a 3 or 4 day trip, so the first morning we woke up and I noticed that Caroline got dressed, then went straight to the bathroom and brushed her teeth. Before breakfast. I thought it was probably pretty polite of her (no one wants to smell morning breath, right?). So, I determined that I would follow her example the following morning.

I got up. Changed. Brushed my teeth. Went down for breakfast. Guess what? It was horrible.... Everything tasted funny. We had Orange Juice!!! If you have not had the pleasure of brushing your teeth and drinking orange juice, DON'T. I would not recommend it. After that meal, for the life of me, I could not figure out why Caroline wanted to brush her teeth before breakfast. I determined never to do that again.

Well, today, not that it is any different than any other day, hubby brushed his teeth before he went downstairs to grab his breakfast and run out the door. As I wallowed luxuriously in bed, not having to get up right that second because hubby could get the girls their morning addictions (chocolate milk for Kari, juice for Kaitlyn), I pondered on the situation. Surely, he is only doing it because he will be eating his breakfast in the truck, and therefore doesn't have time to brush them before he comes upon many unsuspecting office people. Nope, not true. He does it on Saturday's too. And, while pondering in my half awake state, it brought to mind my experiences at Earthshine, my friend Caroline, and that dad gummed horse.

My point is this: It made me curious... What does the world, at large, hold as socially, morally, and hygienically acceptable practices, as far as morning teeth brushing? I will admit that I am a "as long as I brush my teeth before I leave the house, it counts" kinda gal. And always before bed. To this day I have a fear of toothpasty-orange juice. It haunts me in my nightmares.

I have posted a new poll on the side of my blog. Take a moment, if you please, to vote on your teeth brushing habits. Maybe I can put my orange juice fears aside, and dream about unicorns and rainbows, if you can tell me that my oral hygiene is ok. Please?

*All pictures technically stolen from the Earthshine website*