The Dentist

This might sound like crazy talk, but I went to the dentist and loved it.

A while ago I was having sharp pains in my mouth. It felt like a filling had come loose, so I made up my mind to go to the dentist.

I don't have a dentist in Chicago. I googled it. The first place that came up seemed legit, so I booked an appointment. I went in to the appointment experiencing the same feelings I always feel: fear, defeat, denial. That's when I met Dr. Stec and his assistant, George. We took x-rays of the area of complaint, and it turns out I needed a root canal. And BONUS! They had time to do the root canal that very day! It was also discovered that I needed a root canal on the tooth right behind the one that hurt so much, and as I left the office I promised I would soon schedule an appointment for my second root canal.

I didn't do that. Instead, I scheduled for a cleaning and general exam. See, I had a feeling that there was more trouble afoot, and we better get all the information before we go and do root canals all willy-nilly like.

So yesterday when I walked into the office, I realized that I would probably be there fairly frequently, so I might as well start enjoying myself. And, seriously, it was so fun! We were making jokes all over the place, and general merriment was the topic of the hour.  Of course, I got my cleaning and exam. It was discovered that I had some pretty big cavities (other than the aforementioned root canal cavity) that needed crowns. They had the time, so Dr. Stec and George got started on my crown prep. Really and truly, it was a lot of fun. I go back in two weeks to meet with my new friends. And also get my official crown.

Ombre Day

I've been into ombre for the past two weeks. I  painted my nails blue ombre, and I painted my eyelids blue-purple ombre this morning. My coworkers noticed, and they snapped this shot:

Yup; that's what I look like when I'm at work. Sleepy. Actually, I closed my eyes for the benefit of the shot. You're welcome. 

But then. But then! Suddenly I remembered the rad ombre shoes I've been wearing, so naturally those had to get in the shot as well. 

It's all just another day at work.

P.S. If you enlarge the photos you'll really get an idea of how ombre I really am. It's pretty serious, this ombre stuff.

P.P.S. Today I had the pleasure of receiving a root canal. Does one side of my face look puffier than the other?

Tacos for Breakfast

"Your dentist's name is Crentist?"

Today I had an appointment to get my crown prep and also get a filling refilled. Yes, another one. I feel like I have had a lot of fillings fall out in the past four years. I always wondered about the expected life span of a filling, and it turns out that one was seven years.

I got that filling the year I graduated high school.

And now it's gone.

Sigh.

I'm sure that means there will be a change in my life soon. A new filling for a new era, eh?


Well anyway, my trip to the dentist was great. I commented on some new additions to the office. I was told I was the first patient to comment on the improvements. I chatted it up with the receptionist, found out how her dog was, and the woman holding the vacuum (the kind that sucks up spit) asked me how I accomplished such great eyebrows. I got five pages read in my book, and I have an appointment in two weeks to come back for the real crown.

All in all it was a great trip.

Unfortunately half of my mouth is completely sore, and tonight was taco night.

I dearly love taco night. I'm sad to have missed it.

I guess I'll just have to have tacos for breakfast.

Good Things

I am sitting here waiting for the numbness from my dental work to wear off. My ear is beginning to feel tingly, my lower lip is starting to function again, and my gums are telling me they have just been poked and prodded for an hour and a half. I can't decide if I should slowly sink into the comforting depths of depression as I start to feel the pain, or if I should stay positive and update everyone on the good things that have happened in my life.

I guess option two is best. I guess.

GOOD THINGS:

1) Although it feels like it could happen soon, my face has not actually fallen off.

2) I played catch with Dad after the dentist. It felt good to throw again, and my face was still really numb, so I felt great.

3) My manicure looks freakin' awesome.

4) I gave a good lesson at FHE last night. We read and discussed this talk by Neal A. Maxwell.

5) I started cleaning my room.

6) I met this little guy at the dentist:
Yup, that's a pup at the dentist's office.

7) A few weeks ago I sat on this chair in this alley behind my work as a coworker gave me a haircut right next to the Bio-Hazard bins. It was great.
8) I was driving home from Grandma's and I saw someone recycling their tree. I don't know why they couldn't cut it any smaller, but I guess they couldn't.

9) And finally, the last time I saw the Balls, they gave me the most stellar gift: Their Boo Boo Records frequent buyer card. It was all filled up, and all I had to do was use it.

I will write all about what I got at Boo Boo's in a later post. Right now I'm going to crawl into bed.