Every January …

My husband and I, every winter, say we're going to close up the house and go to the beach for a couple months. Or weeks. Depending on which one of us you're talking to. Last year we couldn't go because his mother was sick. This year we can't leave the dog, and she doesn't travel well.

It's always something.

Winter took a hike yesterday, however. It was warm enough to be outdoors without a jacket, and today will bring a high temperature in the 50s again, although it'll be cloudy. Yesterday was a glorious day to … go to the dentist.

Hah!

It wasn't as bad as I anticipated, however, and we are moving right along in Denture Adventure, the Sequel.

I signed up for a dental discount plan with very reasonable monthly premiums which will end up saving me about half the cost I was originally quoted for all the work I need done. I was so skeptical, for no reason, apparently. Maybe the dentist is inflating prices and the discount plan brings fees down to "normal." Whatever that is.

I've never had dental insurance and have always (fortunately!) been able to afford dental services as they happened. And I've had a lot of work done, including braces as an adult, root canals, periodontal treatment, a permanent bridge, cosmetic bonding, and an upper denture, along with routine cleanings.

But I'd much rather pay half the quoted fees than full price.

Since I'm home this January and since it's going to be mild and since my Tuesday walking-by-the-river date got cancelled due to ice, my friend and I rescheduled it for today. I've been consistent with the treadmill and not hating it, thanks to that resolution to read some of my Kindle books. I've almost finished this one. Trying to decide on the next.

Day 3 of the Whole 30 went well. Each successful day builds on the previous one, and I'm already 10 percent done and haven't been uncomfortably hungry except last night, because I skipped lunch. I would have eaten something mid-afternoon, but I was otherwise occupied in a dentist's chair.

I had planned ahead, though. Dinner was in the slow cooker when I got home and I didn't have to do a thing except fill my bowl.

It's not very kind of me to refer to the president as #PresidentSnowflake, but I can't help myself any more. He is coming apart at the seams, blaming everyone and anyone to see what might stick instead of manning up and offering to fully cooperate. And I think it will get worse before it's all over.

That said … be kind. And I'll try harder.

Here we go again

The dental hygienist asked me yesterday how long I'd had my upper denture. I was surprised to learn – after searching THIS BLOG – that it's been five and a half years. I thought three. Maybe four. But I've been fighting this damned appliance for going on six years now.

Sigh.

But I did think it was way cool that I'd written about the process and could go look it up. 

Considering that our bathroom floor is tile and the sink is Corian, I'm surprised it took five years to chip a tooth. I can't tell you how many times it's slipped from my grasp.

I'm looking at more dental work in the future (thus, the title of this post), beginning with scaling and planing next week in preparation for four extractions and a partial. I wanted a permanent bridge, but I don't want to pay $6,000 more for it than for what a partial costs. Call me crazy.

Or … you could call the president of the United States crazy. Because he is. And the sooner Congress wakes up and realizes it, the better off We The People and OUR democracy will be.

In case you haven't seen it, here's what I'm talking about. Not just crazy, but juvenile, petty, and narcissistic, as well.

And here is my reaction.

And I mean that: Congress AS A BODY needs to add a few parts. 

This isn't funny. At all.

I know it's kind of ironic to add this, after my graphic insult to Congress, but here goes: Be kind.