Refrigerators are family messages boards, bragging spots and fun places for children to learn how to arrange letters and numbers.

Now that my children are older, I use the outside of my frig for some entertainment.  I am constantly adding unique reminders to help me have a good attitude.

Thomas and I went on a New York Life trip to Washington, DC. One day, I decided to take the water taxi on the Potomac to visit, Mount Vernon, the home of the George Washington.

It is not often when you are on a tour of a historic landmark you read a sign that says, “ Please do not photograph the President’s teeth.”

George Washington was a brilliant man who had many talents.  But one thing he struggled with was his teeth.  Throughout his life he had excellent dental hygiene but genetically bad teeth. Contrary to popular belief, Washington’s ‘sto bought’ teeth were made of porcelain, not wood.  

There was a video of how they made his teeth and how painful it was for him to wear the apparatus.  George Washington may also be thought of the father of dentures.
In all the pictures of Washington, you never see him with a big beauty queen smile on his face. Now I know why.  

I remember my mother telling me that her dentist friend, Dr. Felix told her not to marry my daddy because they both had soft teeth.  Come to think of it that was probably the extent of their marriage counseling. And after I experienced root canal number two, Dr. Felix was correct.
 
It is amazing what people buy for souvenirs and what business’ sell to tourists. In the gift shop I spotted a refrigerator magnet of Washington’s teeth.  Well, I had to have a set.

Having an authentic replica (don’t you love that expression) of George’s Washington’s teeth on my refrigerator reminds me of the importance of smiling and having a good sense of humor.  It also reminds me that stuff just happens that you cannot control. George whooped the British and is the father of our country but his teeth gave him a fit.

Although toothless, George Washington had a big bark and much bigger bite for our freedom from England. Thanks to George, we can all smile.