Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Squeezing Fear

Sacha knows I like to squeeze the toothpaste in the middle, I always have. He says, Mommy, I know it is you! I can't help it, the plump spot just aching to be squeezed, tempting me like a pinch to a fat baby's cheek.

There are certain things you aren't supposed to do. The rules of life seem to dictate don't do it. Often we think we can't do something, though in reality, we can, yet we don't do it, blaming it on rules of this or that.

If I could I would I can so why don't I?

The first symbolic act of conquering fear: squeeze the toothpaste.

Comments

27 responses to “Squeezing Fear”

  1. Lee

    Life has never been the same here since they introduced plastic toothpaste tubes. It’s just not the same, not right at all. How can you be rebellious with something that doesn’t hold its shape??

    Reply
  2. susan

    Be bold! live life, love with all of your heart. Most of all, don’t live with fear!

    Reply
  3. kali

    hehehe…I admit to this one too…shhh!!

    Reply
  4. Shannon Lewis

    How did you manage to post something that applies so perfectly to my life right now?
    Let’s just say I’ve decided to squeeze the toothpaste.

    Reply
  5. Dawn

    Oh yes, Corey…I also am a middle squeezer. I started buying DH his OWN tube years ago so that the squeezing controversy would end in our house. :o)
    Leave it to you to post about toothpaste…and to photograph the tube on that lovely linen piece…

    Reply
  6. Maggie

    True defiance is squeezing in the middle & LEAVING THE CAP OFF!!!!

    Reply
  7. andrea

    Yes, I can not resist either. I squeeze my paint tubes from the middle and then am not able to get it all out so I have to cut them in half to get the rest that is stuck in the top and the bottom.
    🙂
    Lucky you, even French toothpaste is beautiful.
    a.

    Reply
  8. expatraveler

    I just think that is too funny. I don’t have to share yet so mine’s a one sided conversation of do what you want, just don’t make a mess.

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  9. Jeanne

    Giggles you make me laugh!
    I love your posts and photographs!
    Rabbit, Rabbit
    Happy April 1st……..
    Love and smiles across the miles
    Love Jeanne

    Reply
  10. ULLA

    Yes, and that is exactly what makes us so unique! Wonder how many of us do the same…
    Here’s a ‘Fish’ for you today… thrown behind your back… (hehe)

    Reply
  11. Sandi

    Thought I would peek in and see what was new on your site…. wow! I am going to enjoy catching up!! I am not a middle squeezer… I have never seen such a beautiful photo of a toothpast tube – it wouldn’t be so if it had been sqeezed neatly -from the bottom up…. it reminds me to live a little. I think I will test out the middle today!!! 🙂

    Reply
  12. cruststation

    Yeah, why have so many rules in life? live a little. For me I really don’t understand why some people have hang-ups about squeezing the toothpaste or leaving the toilet seat up…why??

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  13. robinfox pampered inparis

    corey ,the biggest obstacle was not mentioned, getting him to brush his teeth!! your wit is too much, as always robin

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  14. julie

    lol, i NEVER start squeezing from the end of the tube…i never have…i’ve always squeezed in the middle!!! i say, we have no fear!!!!

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  15. Gina

    Sort of like Mr. Whipple “Please don’t squeeze the Charmin!” Then you just want to : )

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  16. Jennifer Stewart

    Oooh, I ALWAYS squeeze in the middle, too! 🙂
    Jennifer

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  17. Mary Jane

    Today I’ll squeeze the toothpaste…as always you make me laugh out loud…

    Reply
  18. mikaelah

    what a great post … I am all for squeezing the tubes and will look on toothpaste battles with my son in a whole new light! He should get toothpaste on the doorknobs! I love the phrase … “a fat don’t do it!” It is such a juicy way of saying no!

    Reply
  19. mikaelah

    you are so right about squeezing the toothpaste and since ours no longer comes in the tubes my son is inventing new ways to mess with it. He wanted to show me his new style last night and I just could not bear to look … we have toothpast on door knobs and in unusual places. He has taken the toothpaste challenge to a new level…and after this post it makes it a lot easier to smile as I wipe down the bathroom. You are such a delight.

    Reply
  20. snowsparkle

    oooooh no! i can’t even imagine doing it. i’m embarrassed to say that i always run the tube against the edge of the bathroom counter to sqeeze the paste to it’s fullest and most powerful potential delivery… near the business end of the tube. i promise i will try to squeeze in the middle at least once this week just to know what you’re talking about.

    Reply
  21. Linda Mathieu

    I always squeeze the tube in the middle. My husband, of course, doesn’t and it drives him crazy. I make the tube as flat as a sheet of paper at the end trying to get every last mm. out.

    Reply
  22. jennifer

    this is GREAT!!!! i find myself more often than not obeying the ‘unseen/unspoken’ rules…afraid of breaking them…but WHY? i shall begin by doing as you’ve suggested (currently my tube is cinched at the end with a binder clip…keeping all the paste up tight to the tip…this squeezing in the middle thing is going to be a BIG first step). i’m off on a road trip to seattle this aftternoon…i shall find more ‘rules’ to challenge and/or break along the way. thanks for the nudge, corey. 🙂

    Reply
  23. Holly

    Again…simple pleasures. Unwritten rules broken and it feels so good!

    Reply
  24. Beth

    Gosh – even your toothpaste is pretty!

    Reply
  25. gracia

    Me too! I’m also guilty of the mid tube squeeze… such a lovley, cheap thrill. As always, I love reading your tales and seeing the world though your eyes… take care, gracia

    Reply
  26. D

    Yup, I do the same thing! I can’t stand squeezing it from the bottom to the top. When you start squeezing the life out of the toothpaste, it’s time to get a new one!

    Reply
  27. Marie-Noëlle

    You have problems with tooth paste ?
    Personnally, I can’t help licking the spoon after stirring a sauce -any sauce !- or after helping myself with jam… I know, it’s terrible ! But I just can’t help it !!!

    Reply

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