We Won't Need to Visit the Dentist In Heaven

Sooner or later those 40-year-old fillings give out.

Such was the case for Ma, this August. Bonus points for another cavity, making Thursday's dental excursion even more efficient.

Never before have I packed so much fun into one summer!

The one thing I looked forward to--if it could be called that--was the chance to put on the office earphones and insert my opera CD into their portable player. It helps to mentally and physically tune out all the...noise.

"Oh, that's not working right now."

"Seriously?"

"We're sorry."

"I brought Andrea Bocelli along for nothing..."

The first order of business is the numbing gel, followed closely by the numbing shot.

The latter is always interesting because Dr. G. is very good at hiding the syringe so you don't see it coming. This is helped by the fact that they've taken off my glasses so I can't ANYTHING, except for the 20,000 watt Klieg lights pointing directly into my retinas.

But getting back to the shot, our dentist is quite adept. It hardly even feels like the needle is being inserted into your jaw-bone. And that stuff kicks right in; as evidenced by immediate loss of feeling in half my nose (one of the advantages of work in the front of the mouth).

Once the drugs kick in it's time to start the drilling.

Today's newer equipment has the advantage of a built in water spray that operates simultaneously with the drill. This is very helpful in the event of sudden gushing of blood or those pesky tooth fragments whizzing about.

Of course there are different drill bits. Some are like heavy jack-hammers, grinding away with that, "You may feel some vibrations with this..." ambiance.

Probably where the Beach Boys found inspiration for one of their songs.

Then there is the finer drill; you know...with the alluring high-pitched whine that brings to mind a very small cat having its tail pulled. For a really long time.

You might think there could be no humor in an experience such as this; and basically you would be right. Except, I could hear the piped-in music. When Kelly Clarkson start belting out What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger I just about lost it. I wonder if they detected I was fighting back laughter or just assumed it was the regular gagging they get from patients...

I will say this; it's a swell finger-tapping tune to listen to while having your mouth maimed.

Often, getting one's cavities filled involves a new contraption that is placed over the mouth. I think it's suppose to make it easier for the dentist to isolate and work on particular spots. And while I can't prove that it's made from a coat hanger and old, stretched-out balloons, that's roughly what it looks like. It gets clamped onto your gum and teeth in places which surprisingly enough, do not always involve the previously numbed tissues.

After that comes the packing in of filling material and the sandpapering. Of course, they don't use real sandpaper but rather, three-inch long strips that are so narrow one could never distinguish the 3M logo on the back anyway...I mean if it were there. Which it isn't.

Probably.

But rest assured I did survive the experience, which was followed by a trip to the meat counter at the grocery store. It was there that I and my benumbed mouth plied the butcher with questions concerning grilling chicken. He was very helpful and nice.

I think they make more of an effort with customers who look like they've had a stroke.

Then it was the simple matter of staying awake for the 25-minute drive home. I arrived just in time for my pre-noon  walk on the treadmill.

Lunch was soft food and questioning looks from the kids, ("Has Mommy had a stroke?").

Today my mouth is still sore but sooner or later that will go away.

Just not as fast as this summer.

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The Shopping Trip That Ended Badly

by Ma Hoyt on Monday, 27 August 2012 at 21:56 ·

When Ethan got called to do yard work for the afternoon, I knew that my plans needed a rethink.

Until that moment I had a happy, "Last-day-out-before-school-starts" planned with Carolyn. She was going to drive the Silver Lincoln of Executive Power.

More of a treat for her, really.

The boys could be safely glued to the TV with a movie, while I was gone.

But with Ethan away and Loren sick, the idea of a movie-as-kid-control seemed slightly less feasible.

So I told the two youngest they were coming with us, after which they immediately asked to be compensated with a giant   candy bar for their snack, instead of the regular size.

Oh yes, this was going to SUCH fun.

We arrived at Goodwill where Carolyn shopped for clothes, I browsed books and CD's/DVD's, and Nolan and Trevor inquired as to the possibility of buying them a play laptop and a play electric guitar, respectively.

Repeated "NO's" did convey the message, but at least they tried.

Trying and being denied is not a complete failure if one has harassed one's mother.

We saw two different neighbors at the stores, thus confirming, 1) we actually know people, 2) they are willing to speak to us in public and, 3) we all need food to survive.

Thus heartened I gave in to one more request, for a large dollar drink at McDonald's.

If you're going to spend money on non-essentials, do it economically, I always say.

We took the "back way" home: a smooth blacktop that curves through picturesque farmland.

The farmland gave way to...more farmland. Eventually we entered the town of our post office address, slowing to the proper speed limit and commenting, "You know, you never see police cars around here, anymore."

Heading out of the burg Carolyn brought the last-remaining-Hoyt-vehicle-of-air-conditioning back up to speed. We were nearing our turn-off and all was well with the world when,

WHUMP!

Out of nowhere a bullet, shaped like a German Shepherd mix, slammed into the right side of our vehicle, immediately back of the passenger front wheel.

A small shriek, a semi-large wobble over the center line, a "Just keep going..." from her mother.

"But, shouldn't we stop? And tell someone?"

"There's a car right behind us. We'll get off this road and find a safe place to turn around."

(the boys) "Do you think the dog will live?"

"I don't see how it could."

(the boys) "It moved it's head..."

My informants in the back seat said there was someone on an ATV driving close behind the dog. And that he did not stop.


After some maneuvering we arrived back at the spot and pulled off on the other side of the road. The dog had obviously been able to manage a few steps but now lay prone in the opposite lane from where it had barreled headlong into our car. I didn't like the idea of a truck or car running over the body so I approached and nudged it a bit to see if there was any response.

None.

I could have grabbed it's collar and dragged the body off the road but that seemed rather callous. So I put one hand under the neck and wrapped my other arm around its torso, pulling it off onto the berm as gently as I could. More than a little disconcerting as the body was still warm and pliable.

At this point I walked up the road a bit to where I guessed things had taken place. I saw a track beside a field...a yard, house and outbuildings on a little rise....some cows....someone riding an ATV back behind it all, and then movement ceased.

"Surely the owner will come over to talk," I thought, but all was quiet in that direction.

Somewhat at a loss, I walked a few yards back toward our car and then saw another vehicle pull into the used parts yard, near where we had parked.

I thought THIS was the owner, but no, it was a lady who knew who the dog belonged to; the man who ran the salvage yard. I explained to her what had happened and accompanied her to the man's door.

Concern and shock...checking on the dog...apologies and understanding...recognition that nothing could be done.

When I got back to the car Carolyn was sobbing. Being told, "You're not to blame," while absolutely true, did not lessen reality.

Changing drivers was necessary. The passenger door, however, would not open properly. It had to be forced. Apparently the impact caused damage above a mere dent.

On the way home the brakes reacted strangely. And by strange I mean one had to practically hit the floor to get a reaction. I proceeded gingerly but by the time I pulled into the garage smoke was pouring from the left front wheel area.

I doubt that is a good sign.

And I don't understand how the incident could damage the brakes.

One thing I'm pretty sure of.....that neighbor racing along on his ATV bears some responsibility.

I asked Carolyn later if she was still upset: "Not so much any more. At first I couldn't stop crying whenever I thought about it because I kept thinking, 'What if it had been a person?' "

*sigh*

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That Was Quick

Thought I'd do something novel and post two days in a row. Then I immediately (and unintentionally) clicked  "publish" before writing anything, ha ha.

I think someone needs a nap.

The summer is winding down and frankly, I'm still waiting for the relaxing part to kick in. However, I have TWO WHOLE WEEKS of vacational bliss, so let the party begin.

Well, except for those five dentist appointments on Thursday, starting at 8:10.

And it looks like Derek and Melinda may head out this Friday instead of Saturday. I can easily adjust to this since I only found out recently that they were leaving on Saturday instead of Sunday.

Derek and I may buzz over to Cedar Falls for a special movie night as one last blast of summer.

In other news, still having some dizziness problems, though not as bad as that one day. I think I've pinned it down to an exercise on my "Total Gym," in which my head was lower than my feet. I seem to remember something quite similar happening a few years ago.

Must remember to keep head above feet! 

In other, other news, between Kendra and Derek dropping off some items from their apartments we are trying to fit extra furniture into the house.

You might think this easy with our casa humongousa, but not so.

I have found over the years that poor thrifty families tend to acquire lots of stuff, in the following ways:

1) other families dropping off clothes to be "helpful"
2) constant perusal of second-hand stores which ends in accumulation of extra articles that, while not perfect, might be useful some day and hey...you never know if something will be this cheap or this close to what you can live with, again!
3) hoarding tendencies inherited from parents who lived through the Great Depression

But enough of this. I'm awaiting a phone call and should curtail this writing episode.

Before more needless words acrue.

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Monday to Monday

That's how long we're going between posts, apparently :-)

Tried again to think of why and maybe I've come up with a few reason.

1. Nothing interesting is happening
2. Life is hectic
3. I can't handle the busy-ness as well as I used to
4. I've turned into a lazy bum
5. Social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Google + have taken over cyber communication in my life
6. Writing isn't as enjoyable as it once was
7. I'm tired all the time
8. I'm so far behind I've lost some of the incentive to catch up

9. all of the above

That pretty much sums it up.

Sorry.

Will try to do better!

                          

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The Hiatus

Wowee...didn't realize it had been so long!

That will give you an idea of the kind of summer it's been.

A "non-vacation" summer.

First the reunion in  June--Carolyn got sick right afterward from losing so much sleep.

Oh wait...I forgot about flying down to Texas for Jason's graduation. That was fun in huge proportions!

Came home (from the reunion) and tried to finish up school...I mean, after I got back from 4 days to Indiana for estate business.

Then there were a few other things in there, somewhere...not sure since I must have blocked them out, heh heh.

Finally had a moment to breathe and then went out to my 35th high school reunion, which I must say, was a blast. What I mean is, I drank about 4 Diet Cokes and reconnected and had some good talks with people. Some of those guys I thought were radicals are really quite normal!

Then there was just time to get ready for Family Camp, which, as usual, caused much loss of sleep and Carolyn is now sick, once again. Bad cold.

For my own bit of post-camp relaxation (after a long nap), I started playing "Words With Friends" with Sharon, Jason, and Ardith, last night.

Woohee, good times! All those crossword puzzles are starting to pay off :-D

Well, it's a little different.

THIS JUST IN....I beat Ardith! My smart, smart, firstborn....I guess there is reason to live, after all.

SO----MUCH----FUN. I wonder if I could get the kids to take over the house for a while...

In the morning, Loren travels up to Mayo for more of the routine blood work that is required every 3 months or so. Going to be a busy day, medically speaking. Melinda will be having her wisdom teeth extracted, so yours truly will be driving back the tooth impaired teen.

Then it's back to college in less than two weeks. Again...how the summer has flown.

And to think, I could have been playing WWF.

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