About Me:

Aloha! I'm Wendy Kennar. I'm the mother of a seven-year-old son and a wife living in Los Angeles. I was a public school teacher for twelve years until a chronic medical condition made it necessary to leave my teaching career.

I've always been described as "quiet" - really, I'm just biting my tongue. I've got lots to say, and lots of thoughts to share, I just prefer to write them. That's the purpose of this blog. Each Wednesday, I post a personal essay offering my observations and thoughts.

A few fun facts about me: I've wanted to be a writer since second grade, when my teacher, Mrs. Jones, made me a "book" with a yellow construction paper cover. I have never learned to whistle, have always preferred sunflowers to roses, and have spent my life living within the same zip code.

Through the years, my writing has been published in the Los Angeles Times, Christian Science Monitor, United Teacher, GreenPrints, L.A. Parent, DivineCaroline.com, RoleReboot.org, XOJane, and Brain, Child Magazine. Additionally, my personal essays have been included in several anthologies, including: The Barefoot Review, Beyond the Diaper Bag, Lessons From My Parents, Write for Light, Being a Grown-Up: A User's Manual for the Real World, Ka-Pow!, How Writing Can Get You Through Tough Times, Breath and Shadow, The Grey Wolfe Storybook, and Sisters Born, Sisters Found.
I am a regular contributor at MomsLA.com, and you can also find me at Goodreads.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Feel free to comment and share my blog with others!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Secret Foam

         Only people who have lived with me know my secret.  And now, it’s only my husband and toddler son who are subjected to my dark side.  Well, not dark, but my white, foamy side.  
I am a messy toothbrusher.
I am not one of those people who can wander from room to room while brushing their teeth.  I need to be standing, perched over the sink, hoping any droppings make their way into my sink basin and not onto my orange slippers.  It’s one of the only things I do without multitasking.
I was taught to use a pea-sized ration of toothpaste.  I do that.  My husband insists I need to brush with my mouth closed.  I try to do that.  But still, I foam.  First at the corners of my mouth.  Then a trickle starts, working its way down to my chin.  And then, the dam breaks, and the bristles of my toothbrush can no longer contain my tri-colored Aquafresh.  My toothbrush has transformed into an uncontrollable stick of foam.  My hand is covered, and the trail continues down my wrist towards my elbow.  A river of spit and toothpaste that won’t stop until I use one hand to scoop up and rinse off the white goo from the other.
My messiness is nothing I’m proud of.  And it worries me.  How will I properly teach my young son to brush his teeth?  Will this be our first example of, “Go ask your father”?

7 comments:

  1. LOL! I love it! It's so messy! Before I read your last sentence I thought maybe, Paul should teach him to brush his teeth.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gee whizz I had NO idea! I love this latest installment! Maybe it's the toothbrush you're using? Well, as long as your son learns to: a) brush his teeth and b) clean up if it gets messy, I think it's okay for you to show him what to do! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I really don't think it is a big deal, and I am sure Ryan will do just fine with his brushing. To be honest I have never brushed walking around as I always do it over the bathroom sink. Your writing amazes me.
    love,mommy

    ReplyDelete
  4. As always, I enjoy reading your blog. I have a similar experience when I shave. Congratulations on your article in LA Parent.

    Love, Dad

    ReplyDelete
  5. Honey,

    This article is so funny! You are an amazing writer!

    I Love You!

    Paul

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hey Wendy,

    Congrats on being published. Come on by and check out my blog, www.staceyjwarner.blogspot.com

    See you in class.
    xox,
    -stacey

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh Nancy...you make me laugh.. thanks I needed that. I miss you terribly.. Don't worry about Ryan learning how to brush his teeth..Paul can teach him..Or he can be messy.. It will be fun to see who he takes after in brushing teeth.. Love you

    ReplyDelete