You know that moment you realize

Crap, I have a dentist appointment next week.  I wonder if I floss twice a day every day 'til then if it will make up for all the times I've missed?

Is that just me?

Oh.  Well that's embarrassing.

Last night, I flossed for the 30th night in a row. :)

Habit established.


As I drove home, thinking about how I was about to floss for the 30th time and thereby meet my goal, I suddenly pictured a little calendar covered with stickers. My childhood. Oh yes, lists, and stickers and check-offs! That is what you get when you are raised by one extremely organized (definitely OCD) parent and one early-childhood education professional.

And I wondered, is that why we are this way?

Kim, Kristin and I are all addicted to to-do lists. Kim prefers to type and color-code hers, Kristin and I are both big fans of the handwritten (always with a box next to it to check - I love making the little boxes!). There are worse things we could be addicted to. And at least we are all very disciplined and productive driven individuals, but perhaps too much?? I'm not sure. It's just interesting to me how parents' good work in establishing good habits in their children can actually turn into extreme OCD behaviors.

So, I'm curious- you fellow TDLAA's (To-Do List Addicted Annonymous)- did your parents raise you with little charts and sticker's- some form of a reward system based off of how good you were at your daily and weekly tasks?

Confession: I am a terrible flosser. I admit it straight up every time I go in to get my teeth cleaned. I vow to myself to be better, but just am not. (Linda- Don't tell Peter!!) In every other way I take excellent care of my teeth (intentionally too!). I brush my teeth a minimum of 2 times a day- even keep a tooth brush in my car for when an opportunity might arrise for a mid-day brush. I drink lots of water, don't drink soda (except on a rare occassion at work). I don't eat much sugary candies. I go in every 6 months for a check-up and cleaning. I even fight the good fight against gum diseases with mouth wash.

But, none of that replaces the need to floss. So, February, I am going to floos every day. My dental hygenist told me last time, it only takes 30 days to build a habit. I figure, by March 2nd, I'll be in the habit of flossing every day.