he got right into the swing of things. A week later he was looking more like this.
Quite frankly I think he still looks pretty much the same only more in control of things, as is the usual case.
I got to see him today before they left for Orlando. Yes! They went to Orlando! Who drives into a possible rather large storm?
A native-born Floridian with children who have been promised a vacation, that's who!
Whoops! I just checked and Nicole is now a hurricane.
Oh god, oh god, oh god.
I got to see him today before they left for Orlando. Yes! They went to Orlando! Who drives into a possible rather large storm?
A native-born Floridian with children who have been promised a vacation, that's who!
Whoops! I just checked and Nicole is now a hurricane.
Oh god, oh god, oh god.
I'm not really worried about us because I don't think we're going to get more than some very good wind gusts and probably a lot of rain. But who knows what the conditions are going to be like in Orlando?
I have to stop worrying. I just have to.
I have to stop worrying. I just have to.
So yeah, I had a dentist appointment at 12:30 just for a teeth cleaning but oh- wait! I hadn't had x-rays in forever so let's do that! And they did the kind where they do eighteen x-rays which involve jamming very awkward and overlarge things into your mouth and STOP LAUGHING! It wasn't funny. And then the hygienist cleaned my teeth and then the new dental partner came in to examine things and the dentist I've had for about thirty years generally comes in, pokes around for a second and says, "Looking good! Keep it up!" and I go home and don't think about it for another six months. But not this new guy.
Oh hell no. First of all, if he's reached puberty yet, I saw no signs of it. In fact, when he walked in and sat down, I blurted out, "You are a child!"
I'm sure he appreciated that. And my hygienist tells me he's incredibly good at what he does. INCREDIBLY. His implants are PERFECT!
Okay, okay, okay.
But he finds two cracked molars that need crowns first thing off and if that ain't bad enough, he starts talking about bone loss and how he might have to send me to a periodontist and how they can do bone surgery and I'm like SHUT THE FUCK UP AND GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME WITH THAT SHIT! and so on and so forth although only in my mind and in real life I'm saying, "Uh, so. Okay. Well."
I'm sure he appreciated that. And my hygienist tells me he's incredibly good at what he does. INCREDIBLY. His implants are PERFECT!
Okay, okay, okay.
But he finds two cracked molars that need crowns first thing off and if that ain't bad enough, he starts talking about bone loss and how he might have to send me to a periodontist and how they can do bone surgery and I'm like SHUT THE FUCK UP AND GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME WITH THAT SHIT! and so on and so forth although only in my mind and in real life I'm saying, "Uh, so. Okay. Well."
And then he reminds me that I must floss and brush every day which I already do like it's my job and I've always been told that I take such very good care of my teeth but did he notice that?
No. He did not.
I'm sorry. I'm a little upset. I now have an appointment to get two crowns next month.
What in hell was I talking about? Oh yeah, Levon's birthday. So after my appointment, I went by Jessie's house and got hugs and gave Levon his present which they took with them for the boys to work on in the hotel room while the hurricane is raging outside.
I also gave Jessie a loaf of banana bread to take with her, sliced and wrapped up in tinfoil. It's got delicious crunchy sugar topping on it and it's a very fine banana bread.
I read the boys some books while Jessie finished getting the van loaded, then there were more hugs and kisses and off they went. I had thought I'd go by Joann's fabrics to buy the flannel for Maggie's name blanket but it was 3:00 and I just did not have it in me so I went to Publix because we're perilously close to running out of cat food and that would not be a good thing.
I read the boys some books while Jessie finished getting the van loaded, then there were more hugs and kisses and off they went. I had thought I'd go by Joann's fabrics to buy the flannel for Maggie's name blanket but it was 3:00 and I just did not have it in me so I went to Publix because we're perilously close to running out of cat food and that would not be a good thing.
Tomorrow, as I have noted before, I have a mammogram and dexa scan scheduled at eleven and I'm going to get those done and get on back home and wait for the storm, or whatever it turns out to be once it gets here. Rob Nucatola says that it will all have passed by Friday afternoon or something like that and I believe him with my whole heart.
I have plenty of food, both for humans and cats, a massive generator, vodka and Ativan and the good sense not to mix them. I live in a house that has survived countless storms for the past 163 years and will no doubt survive this little blow-by.
May all be safe and well for us all.
Love...Ms. Moon
Yikes to the crowns! But they don't last forever, no matter how well you floss. May Nicole be gentle.
ReplyDeleteSo far Nicole has not been unpleasant in the least.
DeleteI hate that, when the new doc comes in and tells you a bunch of stuff you don't want to hear. I hope that hurricane dies out as it moves north. Do not want any possiblities of falling trees here in Atlanta.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure this new guy has enough experience to know what is truly needed and what is not.
DeleteAnd you shall be crowned! How lucky for you! Oh dear.
ReplyDeleteDisney has closed it's business because of the storm as you know already- I thought for sure family would not carry on with their trip. I thought wrong. They know what they are doing, probably.
Levon's baby face just cracked me up! Little man baby!
Yes. The parks have reopened and the kids are having a great time just being at the resort hotel in Orlando.
DeleteLevon has always had a very interesting face, I think.
That baby's saying is this what all the fuss was about then? And in the second pic he's yeah, I guess so, I got work to do around here.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the crowns, as a recently crowned dental patient. The bill is what hurts.
Let's hope Orlando escapes the main event.
Levon was born ready to get to work, wasn't he?
DeleteDamn, dental work is crazy expensive!
Orlando didn't get much of the storm.
I hate it when the new dentist comes in and says that one should be pulled. We could do it right now. I didn't. It will have to go next time, though.
ReplyDeleteYou need time to prepare for these things. I mean- we've had these teeth for a long damn time, right?
DeleteAnd this is why I avoid dentists as long as possible. I am fortunate to have had really good dental care when young, some fancy stuff done to my teeth about 15 years ago and now I count on those things. I hate dentists with a passion. Probably because of all the dental care I had when young. They didn't use anaesthetic on kids back then.
ReplyDeleteLevon had those eyes that see everything. I hope they still enjoy their holiday.
I've been very lucky most of my life with my teeth but I think that the years I spent crunching ice are coming home to roost now. I never do it anymore. The need or urge just disappeared.
DeleteI wish Levon many, many happy returns of his birthday, all of them a safe and fun trip, and you much great good luck with your medical and dental visits.
ReplyDeleteThank you, messymimi. All is pretty darn okay around here.
DeleteWell, I hope the hurricane dissipates and Levon has a good birthday. He's so cute.
ReplyDeleteCrowns, you would probably have to sedate me to get that done. I have a healthy fear of dentists.
I think Levon had a great birthday and will be birthdaying it up for an entire weekend.
DeleteI swear- I think I'd rather be sedated than get all that Novocain. I hate that shit.
It is not bad here, just rainy and some gusts, nothing over 30 mph. I'm sure Jessie and her family will be fine. I hope Legoland is open.
ReplyDeleteI think Legoland already reopened.
DeleteIn that third picture you can see Levon thinking "I'm getting the hang of this". I hope they get to where they are going safely and then safely home again. My dentists talk about bone loss which happens where teeth have been extracted but not replaced by implants mostly and I've had several extractions since I was thirty and implants weren't even heard of then. So I have bone loss and can't afford to get anything done about it. I'm okay with it, as long as they can keep saving what I have left. Dexa scan?
ReplyDeleteA dexa scan is where they check out your bone density. Getting old has so many disadvantages, doesn't it? And pure pains in the ass. And other places.
DeleteI am hoping that the storm passes on through without bothering anyone and that all your chickens -- animal and human -- are safe and sound.
ReplyDeleteSo far, everyone's good, dear Elizabeth!
DeleteWhen I came to the States 22 years ago and went to a dentist for the first time, he advised to have 7 molars with big old fillings crowned that looked to be (on the verge of) braking?I didn't and only last year one cracked and got a crown! I'd go for a second opinion somewhere if you could bring up the courage ..
ReplyDeleteYeah. I am thinking I need to have my old, regular dentist look at these and give me his opinion.
DeleteI think that dentists are like vets....they basically want your money!!
ReplyDeleteHoping that Levon and the family will be OK in Orlando. Just been googling the hurricane, but as not familiar with that sort of weather I didn't understand much!
I believe that a lot of them are looking for more work to do for more money. Eventually, this guy will settle in to reality.
DeleteHurricanes are a different kind of storm. I've been living with and through them my entire life and I still don't really understand all about them. So don't feel bad.
Is Legoland even going to be open with that storm coming across the state?!
ReplyDeleteMy dentist has wanted to give me a root canal on one of my lower teeth for years now. I just keep saying no. I'm not sure it's smart but I don't see evidence of any further deterioration so I'm rolling the dice.
Yep, it's re-opened.
DeleteThe way my dentist explained this to me when I needed a crown last year was calm and sensible but the way this one explained it it sounded like some horrific thing if the tooth cracks all the way and a piece of it falls off. Yuck. So I don't know.
Sweet baby Levon! I had forgotten that he shares a birthday with Gregg. That little one is growing up so fast!
ReplyDeleteDon't you just hate dentists that ALWAYS find something new (and expensive) to worry about?
Yes- our boys are birthday buddies!
DeleteMy old dentist seemed to be pretty chill about recommending new dental work. This guy is not there yet, though.
Hope that Levon has a good (safe) birthday. I can understand Jessie taking the risk...staying home with two highly disappointed boys makes facing a storm seem like a piece of cake (banana cake was appropriate).
ReplyDeleteI also went to the dentist yesterday. Just a clean and a check up...and yes, the x-rays with the attendant mouth scaffolding. More fortunate than you, I've had the same hygienist and dentist for 25 years. Poor women. I have a complicated dental history--not helped by the fact that I am allergic to local anesthetics. Meaning I get nothing when I have work done--that has included root canals, fillings, crowns, etc.. Let's just say I have a high pain tolerance (Lamaze breathing helps). But not giving me anything freaks out docs/dentists. My dentist looks in my mouth and always hopes she doesn't find anything needing work. She decided this time there wasn't too much of interest and I agreed. :)
Okay, Mary. You must have the pain tolerance of a bulldog! My god, woman! I would die if I had to get that work done without anesthesia of some sort.
DeleteHappy birthday yesterday, Levon! I always wonder, when a newborn wears that bemused expression, what they're thinking. Something along the lines of "what the hell just happened here!?!" And very happy Birth Day to Jessie!
ReplyDeleteFrom the weather reports this morning, it sounds like Lloyd is getting a bigger thrashing than Orlando will. Hang on down there! And postpone that mammogram and Dexascan if the roads are bad!
Chris from Boise
PS Those new young dentists are so filled with their brand-spanking-new knowledge that they like to see problems everywhere. Can you la-la-la right past all that talk of dental surgery, and make sure your old dentist does the crown work (so he can give you a second opinion on everything)? Our 'new young dentist' settled down after a couple of years in the practice, if it's any consolation.
I think you are exactly correct about the "what the hell just happened here" reaction after a baby is born. The mothers often have a similar expression! It's pretty mind-altering for all!
DeleteWe haven't gotten any scary weather yet but supposedly there is more to come. We shall see.
The way the hygienist talks about the new dentist's skills, I would not mind having him do the work but I'd like my old dentist to give me his opinion as to the urgency of this situation.
Google says that Legoland Theme Park will be open this afternoon so that is good news for Levon! A birthday trip he will remember forever!
ReplyDeleteSorry about your new dentist. I always hate when they do the xrays as that always makes me gag! Hope you can talk them out of messing with your teeth too much!
Yep! I love that you googled Legoland to see if it was open! They're heading over there tomorrow. I think Levon will indeed remember this birthday.
DeleteI'm pondering the whole dentist recommendation thing. I believe I was too quick to agree to it all.
I've been watching the FL weather as our son and girlfriend are there on vacation. A hurricane first for these Kansans. Enjoy your blog. I have cats that look like yours.
ReplyDeleteOh boy! Yes- your son and his girl are going to remember this vacation!
DeleteIs your orange cat a biter?
Happy birthday Levon! He’s getting to be such a big boy. For once, I’m safely out of town for a hurricane. My husband said it was mostly some rain and very little wind in the ft lauderdale are. Hope it’s the same or less for you. I commiserate on the crowns, I’m terrified by the dentist. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteXoxo
Barbara
Thank you, Barbara. I'm glad that Ft. Lauderdale didn't suffer too much.
DeleteI just found out that my dentist - Samantha - retired last week. She was the only dentist I have ever felt comfortable with. I will just have to be brave and grip the armrests of the dentist's chair till my knuckles go white. Happy birthday (yesterday) Levon! Sorry I forgot to send you a present>
ReplyDeleteOh, no! I know you must hate that! Maybe the new dentist will be a good one that you can also feel comfortable with.
DeleteFuck that dentist (not literally though maybe if he was good looking and you didn't already have a man). My hygienist told me I needed to go to a specialist because I have a loose tooth (not very), the mate to the one on the other side that did eventually come out but it took 20 years and I'll be in my 90s if this one follows the same pattern and who gives a fuck about one tooth in your 90s. And when I told her I wasn't going to do that she ratted on me to the dentist! Sorry, can't afford a specialist, can barely afford the dentist I have. And she found a cracked molar over two years ago and I need another crown (this will make 9 in the past 5 years or so). I said OK. It does not bother me in the least so I will let it be. And I hate those fucking x-rays because I have those bone growths on the inside of my bottom jaw and those things hurt like hell.
ReplyDeleteYou'd think they'd have a better technology for taking those x-rays, wouldn't you? I don't really understand the whole process. It is very uncomfortable.
DeleteThis dentist isn't old enough to even entertain the thought of having sexual congress with. I swear- I don't think he can grow a beard yet. Doogie Fucking Howser for sure.
i love it when you write about the kids. My middle son looked Exactly like Levon when he was the same age. We called him Woodstock
ReplyDelete