Weblog 256
January 9, 2011~ 12:00 am
It's been terribly COLD here the past few days.... snowing on and off, and folks are grumbling about the weather, but there's a slowing down and an austere beauty to January winter that can't be matched.
There is a clean calligraphy to the crisp black and white lines of the season that I love. Thoughts are more linear, cleaner. Things become simplified without the riots of color and noise that are present the rest of the year. It's the post-holiday quiet that many feel as a despondency, I feel with tremendous peace. Winter finds a craving for warmth in small spaces. Fire- that most elemental thing, becomes magical.
And what is fire, at its most symbolic? Fire is life amidst the frozen landscape. Warmth in the heart. Affection for all things and people dear to us.
It rises up from a spark, bright red against the snow, and changes everything. We gather about the buttery warmth of lamps, in front of hearths, staring into light-animated faces, and we feel more alive because of the muted outdoors that surround us-- when we walk on ground so hard, it cracks underfoot. Sounds are crisp. Even the sounds of fire as it spits and crackles. All things announce themselves in the cold; every piece of wood has a voice. We hear our houses speaking when the furnace kicks on-- the hum and the hardwood creaking, the ductwork making metal-talk all around us. And I like it. Every lit house I see as I pass in a car at night, conjures images of warmth inside, and of coziness.
A Disney-like confabulation in my head, gnome homes. Cheerful and protected. I imagine pots of stew boiling on the range and pies baking. (It's more likely the people inside are having take-out pizza or grabbing a fast sandwich...lol) but no matter. That's what it is to be a romantic, the view is prettier- and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Wayne and I had to skip our movie night. Snow was threatening, and with the temperature hovering at about 15 degrees, the trip back home could have been nasty slick for him. We'll just keep 'American Scary' for next week, if the weather's better-- it's a look at vintage Horror Television hosts, those flamboyant fellows in local stations all over the U.S., who sent shivers up our spines back in the 50's and 60's, dressed up as vampires, counts... and hamming it up something awful. LOL!!! (We'll love that when we do view it. We both grew up with 'Chiller Theater' and 'Shock Theater' and have fond, fond memories of Saturday nights, crouched in front of our television sets and watching old scary movies and eating snacks galore.) What's not to like- reminiscing about that stuff? It'll be great fun!
My other big enjoyment this past week has been listening to one of the CD's Wayne bought me for Christmas. This one is Sting's winter set
and it's crept right into my soul. It's a mixture of Christian and pre-Christian themes that center on the birth of Christ and the mystical nature of this dark, cold season. It's quite haunting. The musical arrangements are original and captivating, and listening to that in the car to and from work every day, I've grown so fond of it now I'm sure I'll continue listening all this week as well. (When I really really enjoy a CD, it's a sure bet I'll listen over and over for a couple of weeks before I'm ready to move on. That's the way this one's caught me.)
This is also the last week for these teeth. Am I nervous? No... not about pain or anything like that, I'm worried about how the dentures will fit in my mouth. Worried that I'll look like Frances, the Talking Mule. Worried they'll be HUGE.
Other than that....all systems are 'go'. (If I end up looking like an ass, so be it. Better an ass than in pain, I say.) The scary thing is that the sister company to my own dental place just closed its doors, and a lot of people are without the dentures they paid for, or have guarantees that won't be honored. (That place was 'Allcare Dentistry'. I went to 'Aspen Dental'- which, as I understand it, was the company the founder of Allcare used to work for till he decided to compete on his own.) Guess that didn't work out, right buddy? I'm hoping Aspen is a much more solid business. It's been around since 1964, so that bodes well, but if I get screwed, you can BELIEVE I'll raise holy hell over in my 'bitch blog', that's for sure! Anyway, nothing ventured nothing gained, as they say. Wish me luck this week. I'm gonna need it.
January 10, 2011~ 7:15 pm
BLUE BUBBLE GUM! MINT FLAVORED! - that's what the stuff was like they squirted into my mouth this afternoon to make the impressions for the new teeth on Friday. I was so relieved.
It went in like cake icing-- felt cool, set up in minutes --and they took it out with no problems. (I told them that if some of the glued-in teeth came out with them just dig them out of there and give them back. I'd superglue them again till Friday. LOL!!) Luckily that stuff didn't harden the way I'd feared. It was very pliable and pleasant-tasting. I was out of the chair in a half hour-- they even took me early because I got there about 20 minutes before my appointment. I got to pick the shade of my new teeth and met the young technician who'll be making them right there at Aspen. Everyone's been so sweet so far. I met the other female dentist who'll be doing the relinings when they're needed, and all the tweaking after the extractions on Friday. Another thing that relieved me is that they take them out for me the first time on the day after, so I'll be going back there on Saturday. (I was a little concerned about what that would feel like with me nervously and gingerly yanking them away over the incision sites.)
It's all going along very nicely. I'll be picturing that young fella this week, sculpting my new smile, working like a little shoemaker at his bench......
And there they will be....LOL!!! (Certainly much more attractive than the mouthful I have now!)
My little 5 year old granddaughter is VERY interested in this whole process. She was right at the door when I visited on Friday, telling me all about how HER teeth are 'getting sort of loose'. I told her that's what SUPPOSED to happen to baby teeth. Her new ones will come in strong and white-- and people know much more now about taking care of teeth from childhood on, and she'll have her permanent ones for a long, long time. (She's a worrier over health issues. So cute.) She said, "Gram, does this mean you won't have to cut up your pizza anymore?" "Yes! That's why I did that, Kay! I can't BITE INTO things." She got this sweet, knowing look and said, "I sorta figured." She also gave me my Christmas gift. A lovely silver and gold ANGEL key ring, which I immediately put on my purse zipper. It says, "Angel to watch over you." (And it's working, Kay. It's working.)
I told my newest dentist Christine, that I was concerned the abcess would act up again before Friday, so she wrote another script for amoxicillan which I filled right after my dental appointment at Giant Eagle in the same shopping center. I had to wait- so I availed myself of their food court. Had a WONDERFUL meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, green beans and dinner roll with a cup of Columbian coffee. (Only 4.99, total.) That's a real deal, I think. And the prescription was FREE. In fact, BOTH my antibiotic prescriptions were free there. (Giant Eagle now has a policy that all antibiotics are completely free when you fill your prescription there. Amazing.) Of course, as I said-- I had to wait, and there was one OBNOXIOUS Italian guy in line who sounded like EXACTLY like CHICO MARX...lol! He was railing on and on about wanting to see the manager.. that he'd been waiting over an hour. He was SCREAMING over the counter at those poor over-worked girls. (His eyebrows met in the middle so I suspected 'werewolf', and immediately wondered about the phase of the moon.) They told him the manager was right in front of him....a very unruffled, dark-haired pretty young woman, who said, "Sir. You're yelling. That doesn't help things. We're going as fast as we can." He continued to demand a manager and they kept telling him, "You were TALKING to her, right there." "THERE???" he said. "Her?? Ah....(some words in Italian, and then 'puta'.) LOL!!! What a jerk. He paid (AFTER he didn't know how to swipe his credit card) and stomped off. (In this day and age, you have to worry about nuts with guns in those situations. I kept watching as he walked away and out.) "What an ASSHOLE!" I said to the people standing in line with me. Everyone laughed.
Hey.....as Phil Collins says, "just another day in paradise", right?
January 11, 2011~ 7:45 pm
Some bad weather blew through the area today. I chickened out and left work around noon, and got home a half hour before the snowstorm started up. Cozy nap... reading.... relaxing. A nice 'break'.
What I found today was a TREMENDOUS artist, who combines playing cards design (a fascination of mine) with Medieval flavoring. The PERFECT COMBINATION!
CLICK on that marvelous king to enjoy the formidable talent of Ukranian artist, Vladislav Erko. The man's a genius.
(This deck of cards is nicely in keeping with my current reading material as well.) I'm reading "Wolf Hall", an entirely humanized version of the reign of Henry XIII at the point where he wants to ditch Katherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn. The focus of the story is the much maligned historic figures of Thomas Cromwell and Cardinal Wolsey-- both of whom, in this account, are fleshed out in revolutionary ways, making them not only likeable, but lovable. (In this rendition of 16th century history, it's the saintly Thomas More who comes across as intolerably stiff and besotted with his own powers.) It's simply amazing what British author Hilary Mantel has done to turn this portion of British history on its ear in the most riveting and surprising manner. I'm completely captivated. Wonderful reading!
January 1/13/2011~ 6:55 am
I read the most throught-provoking piece last evening. Are we truly a SHIP OF FOOLS....
unaware of the strangeness of our existence in comparison to our ancestors, even ones who lived a scant half-century ago? Do we believe all we want and desire just grows on trees, to be PLUCKED....... because we want it? Of COURSE WE DO! We need to realize how selfish and spoiled we've become. Treat yourself to some real food for thought- read Raptitude and let those brain gears turn.
January 1/14/2011~ 4:55 pm
It's OVER WITH! And HERE I AM, grinning it up 5 hours after surgery!
MY God! I should have done this ten years ago! (I still look a little sleepy/relaxed there, the intravenous happy juice still in my system, no doubt.) I have very little discomfort, and miniscule swelling. Aspen Dental is TOPS in my book! For temporary, immediate dentures these babies are not only comfortable, they're PRETTY! (And not too large... I had fears I'd have 'chicklet teeth' but honestly, these teeth look like my own, back when I was a teenager and they were still very attractive.) My oral surgeon was topnotch. Very relaxed, very funny and sweet -and he said he wished all his patients were this easy. I was not 'a flincher' as he said, putting the IV into the back of my hand. "Pretty soon, you'll be enjoying this," he said, and he was right. I wasn't asleep-- I knew what was going on --but it felt like I was watching a movie of the extractions being done to someone else. LOL! The oral surgeon's name is Dr. Ciarallo -(for all you Pittsburghers out there who may be contemplating dentures, he's a wizard).
I have nothing but praise for Aspen Dental. TOTAL SATISFACTION. Wonderful, caring staff. (And I'll even tell you the price, since ALL dental work is expensive, and moreso, if you ask me, if you continue to go for more and more 'restorative procedures'.) I went for the top of the line '2 sets' of dentures- the immediate, which are worn for 6 months along with trips to reline and tweak, then I'll be recast for the permanent pair, guaranteed for 7 years. The whole deal came to a total (surgery and anesthesia included, all visits back to get me to finally receiving the permanent set in a year) ... 9,681.00. BUT! with my dental insurance (Guardian Insurance) I received a discount of 3,178.00 because Aspen participates with my plan and Guardian's actual payment will be the yearly maximum, which pays 1,000.000. (With the insurance payment and discount, I saved 4,178.00, to bring my out of pocket total down to 5,528.00.... NOT BAD!!) Truly, if you're suffering with bad teeth and you now have an idea of the cost and how well I fared, and you live in the Pittsburgh area --go to ASPEN DENTAL. (The office I chose is in Brentwood Towne Center.)
I'm like a little kid here, grinning around and looking at myself like a monkey in every available mirror....
and for the first time in about 6 years, LIKING, really liking what I see!
And I couldn't end this entry without a BIG THANKS to my sweetie, Wayne, who fretted for both of us-- who showed up at my house an hour early today (worried about the snowy roads) and went through all of this with me. IT MEANT THE WORLD to have him there, hand-holding and making me laugh...keeping me calm (even if HE wasn't.) After the procedure, Wayne did a run to the store to get my prescriptions filled and pick up some Jello puddings, Yoplait yogurt (KEYLIME PIE FLAVORED!) and creamed soups. He's even coming over early tomorrow for my appointment at 8:00, for my dentist to remove these for the first time and check the incisions. HE'S THE BEST....HE'S ALWAYS BEEN THE BEST.... and I love him to death! (Thanks, honey!)
***
(Return To Weekly Archives)
It's been terribly COLD here the past few days.... snowing on and off, and folks are grumbling about the weather, but there's a slowing down and an austere beauty to January winter that can't be matched.
There is a clean calligraphy to the crisp black and white lines of the season that I love. Thoughts are more linear, cleaner. Things become simplified without the riots of color and noise that are present the rest of the year. It's the post-holiday quiet that many feel as a despondency, I feel with tremendous peace. Winter finds a craving for warmth in small spaces. Fire- that most elemental thing, becomes magical.
And what is fire, at its most symbolic? Fire is life amidst the frozen landscape. Warmth in the heart. Affection for all things and people dear to us.
It rises up from a spark, bright red against the snow, and changes everything. We gather about the buttery warmth of lamps, in front of hearths, staring into light-animated faces, and we feel more alive because of the muted outdoors that surround us-- when we walk on ground so hard, it cracks underfoot. Sounds are crisp. Even the sounds of fire as it spits and crackles. All things announce themselves in the cold; every piece of wood has a voice. We hear our houses speaking when the furnace kicks on-- the hum and the hardwood creaking, the ductwork making metal-talk all around us. And I like it. Every lit house I see as I pass in a car at night, conjures images of warmth inside, and of coziness.
A Disney-like confabulation in my head, gnome homes. Cheerful and protected. I imagine pots of stew boiling on the range and pies baking. (It's more likely the people inside are having take-out pizza or grabbing a fast sandwich...lol) but no matter. That's what it is to be a romantic, the view is prettier- and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Wayne and I had to skip our movie night. Snow was threatening, and with the temperature hovering at about 15 degrees, the trip back home could have been nasty slick for him. We'll just keep 'American Scary' for next week, if the weather's better-- it's a look at vintage Horror Television hosts, those flamboyant fellows in local stations all over the U.S., who sent shivers up our spines back in the 50's and 60's, dressed up as vampires, counts... and hamming it up something awful. LOL!!! (We'll love that when we do view it. We both grew up with 'Chiller Theater' and 'Shock Theater' and have fond, fond memories of Saturday nights, crouched in front of our television sets and watching old scary movies and eating snacks galore.) What's not to like- reminiscing about that stuff? It'll be great fun!
My other big enjoyment this past week has been listening to one of the CD's Wayne bought me for Christmas. This one is Sting's winter set
and it's crept right into my soul. It's a mixture of Christian and pre-Christian themes that center on the birth of Christ and the mystical nature of this dark, cold season. It's quite haunting. The musical arrangements are original and captivating, and listening to that in the car to and from work every day, I've grown so fond of it now I'm sure I'll continue listening all this week as well. (When I really really enjoy a CD, it's a sure bet I'll listen over and over for a couple of weeks before I'm ready to move on. That's the way this one's caught me.)
This is also the last week for these teeth. Am I nervous? No... not about pain or anything like that, I'm worried about how the dentures will fit in my mouth. Worried that I'll look like Frances, the Talking Mule. Worried they'll be HUGE.
Other than that....all systems are 'go'. (If I end up looking like an ass, so be it. Better an ass than in pain, I say.) The scary thing is that the sister company to my own dental place just closed its doors, and a lot of people are without the dentures they paid for, or have guarantees that won't be honored. (That place was 'Allcare Dentistry'. I went to 'Aspen Dental'- which, as I understand it, was the company the founder of Allcare used to work for till he decided to compete on his own.) Guess that didn't work out, right buddy? I'm hoping Aspen is a much more solid business. It's been around since 1964, so that bodes well, but if I get screwed, you can BELIEVE I'll raise holy hell over in my 'bitch blog', that's for sure! Anyway, nothing ventured nothing gained, as they say. Wish me luck this week. I'm gonna need it.
January 10, 2011~ 7:15 pm
BLUE BUBBLE GUM! MINT FLAVORED! - that's what the stuff was like they squirted into my mouth this afternoon to make the impressions for the new teeth on Friday. I was so relieved.
It went in like cake icing-- felt cool, set up in minutes --and they took it out with no problems. (I told them that if some of the glued-in teeth came out with them just dig them out of there and give them back. I'd superglue them again till Friday. LOL!!) Luckily that stuff didn't harden the way I'd feared. It was very pliable and pleasant-tasting. I was out of the chair in a half hour-- they even took me early because I got there about 20 minutes before my appointment. I got to pick the shade of my new teeth and met the young technician who'll be making them right there at Aspen. Everyone's been so sweet so far. I met the other female dentist who'll be doing the relinings when they're needed, and all the tweaking after the extractions on Friday. Another thing that relieved me is that they take them out for me the first time on the day after, so I'll be going back there on Saturday. (I was a little concerned about what that would feel like with me nervously and gingerly yanking them away over the incision sites.)
It's all going along very nicely. I'll be picturing that young fella this week, sculpting my new smile, working like a little shoemaker at his bench......
And there they will be....LOL!!! (Certainly much more attractive than the mouthful I have now!)
My little 5 year old granddaughter is VERY interested in this whole process. She was right at the door when I visited on Friday, telling me all about how HER teeth are 'getting sort of loose'. I told her that's what SUPPOSED to happen to baby teeth. Her new ones will come in strong and white-- and people know much more now about taking care of teeth from childhood on, and she'll have her permanent ones for a long, long time. (She's a worrier over health issues. So cute.) She said, "Gram, does this mean you won't have to cut up your pizza anymore?" "Yes! That's why I did that, Kay! I can't BITE INTO things." She got this sweet, knowing look and said, "I sorta figured." She also gave me my Christmas gift. A lovely silver and gold ANGEL key ring, which I immediately put on my purse zipper. It says, "Angel to watch over you." (And it's working, Kay. It's working.)
I told my newest dentist Christine, that I was concerned the abcess would act up again before Friday, so she wrote another script for amoxicillan which I filled right after my dental appointment at Giant Eagle in the same shopping center. I had to wait- so I availed myself of their food court. Had a WONDERFUL meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, green beans and dinner roll with a cup of Columbian coffee. (Only 4.99, total.) That's a real deal, I think. And the prescription was FREE. In fact, BOTH my antibiotic prescriptions were free there. (Giant Eagle now has a policy that all antibiotics are completely free when you fill your prescription there. Amazing.) Of course, as I said-- I had to wait, and there was one OBNOXIOUS Italian guy in line who sounded like EXACTLY like CHICO MARX...lol! He was railing on and on about wanting to see the manager.. that he'd been waiting over an hour. He was SCREAMING over the counter at those poor over-worked girls. (His eyebrows met in the middle so I suspected 'werewolf', and immediately wondered about the phase of the moon.) They told him the manager was right in front of him....a very unruffled, dark-haired pretty young woman, who said, "Sir. You're yelling. That doesn't help things. We're going as fast as we can." He continued to demand a manager and they kept telling him, "You were TALKING to her, right there." "THERE???" he said. "Her?? Ah....(some words in Italian, and then 'puta'.) LOL!!! What a jerk. He paid (AFTER he didn't know how to swipe his credit card) and stomped off. (In this day and age, you have to worry about nuts with guns in those situations. I kept watching as he walked away and out.) "What an ASSHOLE!" I said to the people standing in line with me. Everyone laughed.
Hey.....as Phil Collins says, "just another day in paradise", right?
January 11, 2011~ 7:45 pm
Some bad weather blew through the area today. I chickened out and left work around noon, and got home a half hour before the snowstorm started up. Cozy nap... reading.... relaxing. A nice 'break'.
What I found today was a TREMENDOUS artist, who combines playing cards design (a fascination of mine) with Medieval flavoring. The PERFECT COMBINATION!
CLICK on that marvelous king to enjoy the formidable talent of Ukranian artist, Vladislav Erko. The man's a genius.
(This deck of cards is nicely in keeping with my current reading material as well.) I'm reading "Wolf Hall", an entirely humanized version of the reign of Henry XIII at the point where he wants to ditch Katherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn. The focus of the story is the much maligned historic figures of Thomas Cromwell and Cardinal Wolsey-- both of whom, in this account, are fleshed out in revolutionary ways, making them not only likeable, but lovable. (In this rendition of 16th century history, it's the saintly Thomas More who comes across as intolerably stiff and besotted with his own powers.) It's simply amazing what British author Hilary Mantel has done to turn this portion of British history on its ear in the most riveting and surprising manner. I'm completely captivated. Wonderful reading!
January 1/13/2011~ 6:55 am
I read the most throught-provoking piece last evening. Are we truly a SHIP OF FOOLS....
unaware of the strangeness of our existence in comparison to our ancestors, even ones who lived a scant half-century ago? Do we believe all we want and desire just grows on trees, to be PLUCKED....... because we want it? Of COURSE WE DO! We need to realize how selfish and spoiled we've become. Treat yourself to some real food for thought- read Raptitude and let those brain gears turn.
January 1/14/2011~ 4:55 pm
It's OVER WITH! And HERE I AM, grinning it up 5 hours after surgery!
MY God! I should have done this ten years ago! (I still look a little sleepy/relaxed there, the intravenous happy juice still in my system, no doubt.) I have very little discomfort, and miniscule swelling. Aspen Dental is TOPS in my book! For temporary, immediate dentures these babies are not only comfortable, they're PRETTY! (And not too large... I had fears I'd have 'chicklet teeth' but honestly, these teeth look like my own, back when I was a teenager and they were still very attractive.) My oral surgeon was topnotch. Very relaxed, very funny and sweet -and he said he wished all his patients were this easy. I was not 'a flincher' as he said, putting the IV into the back of my hand. "Pretty soon, you'll be enjoying this," he said, and he was right. I wasn't asleep-- I knew what was going on --but it felt like I was watching a movie of the extractions being done to someone else. LOL! The oral surgeon's name is Dr. Ciarallo -(for all you Pittsburghers out there who may be contemplating dentures, he's a wizard).
I have nothing but praise for Aspen Dental. TOTAL SATISFACTION. Wonderful, caring staff. (And I'll even tell you the price, since ALL dental work is expensive, and moreso, if you ask me, if you continue to go for more and more 'restorative procedures'.) I went for the top of the line '2 sets' of dentures- the immediate, which are worn for 6 months along with trips to reline and tweak, then I'll be recast for the permanent pair, guaranteed for 7 years. The whole deal came to a total (surgery and anesthesia included, all visits back to get me to finally receiving the permanent set in a year) ... 9,681.00. BUT! with my dental insurance (Guardian Insurance) I received a discount of 3,178.00 because Aspen participates with my plan and Guardian's actual payment will be the yearly maximum, which pays 1,000.000. (With the insurance payment and discount, I saved 4,178.00, to bring my out of pocket total down to 5,528.00.... NOT BAD!!) Truly, if you're suffering with bad teeth and you now have an idea of the cost and how well I fared, and you live in the Pittsburgh area --go to ASPEN DENTAL. (The office I chose is in Brentwood Towne Center.)
I'm like a little kid here, grinning around and looking at myself like a monkey in every available mirror....
and for the first time in about 6 years, LIKING, really liking what I see!
And I couldn't end this entry without a BIG THANKS to my sweetie, Wayne, who fretted for both of us-- who showed up at my house an hour early today (worried about the snowy roads) and went through all of this with me. IT MEANT THE WORLD to have him there, hand-holding and making me laugh...keeping me calm (even if HE wasn't.) After the procedure, Wayne did a run to the store to get my prescriptions filled and pick up some Jello puddings, Yoplait yogurt (KEYLIME PIE FLAVORED!) and creamed soups. He's even coming over early tomorrow for my appointment at 8:00, for my dentist to remove these for the first time and check the incisions. HE'S THE BEST....HE'S ALWAYS BEEN THE BEST.... and I love him to death! (Thanks, honey!)
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Labels: Aspen Dental, Brentwood Towne Center, complete satisfaction with Aspen, Dr. Ciarallo Oral Surgeon
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