Car Parts

Does anyone else stress out at the thought of having to take their car in for an oil change, for fear that they will call you and list the myriad of expensive things that need to be taken care of? I know Amy does, because we've discussed this in detail, before. She does seem to be the queen of this happening. Sorry Amy. After reading one of your recent posts, I've begun praying for your car to be okay.

I just had to take my truck in. After talking to my dad, he suggested I get my belt changed. I also needed an oil change. I was able to keep the anxiety relatively low, and it turns out that I need a new belt, a new pully (or something like that) and an oil change, and it's going to cost me...$150!!! Merry Christmas to me!!!

Seriously, it's a gift that it's not that expensive. Mom and Dad, this is what your Christmas money will be buying me. As my sister Yvonne says, "The practical gifts are great!"

Riding the Christmas Train

Who knew Chicago Transit Authority had a Christmas train? I had heard about it, but was one of the lucky ones whose L travel last night collided with the route of the annual Christmas train.

The inside of the train has upholstery on the seats in Christmas patterns, the plastic covers of the flourescent lights, above, are green and red instead of white, the poles are candy-cane painted, the advertising along the walls have cute little joke ads about the North Pole such as:
Need a new eye doctor? Come see Dr. Yule C. Better.

Doll makers and assemblers needed ASAP at The Toy Factory, run by Kris Kringle. Too cute!

Halfway through the train, there is no car, but a flatbed, in between cars. On it is Santa with his sleigh. He is shouting Merry Christmas, and Christmas carols were playing throughout the train and on speakers outside the train so those around could enjoy the train. There were CTA workers dressed as elves in each car, handing out candy canes as people entered and exited the train. I found out that Santa wears a battery-operated suit to keep him warm. Glad to hear he is kept safe from sniffles during his travels!

Dental Work, Take Two

I went back to my dentist for part two of the root canal today. Hooray! One more visit and we're all done! That's the good news.

Here's the bad news. My jaw feels like it's going to split in two and my gums feel like they're going to expell my tooth, they hurt so bad! Boo!!!!

Then, I had to go back to my dentist at 12:30 because my temporary filling fell out, I was already starting to lose my numbness, and it hurt my jaw even more. So now no talking, bc my tongue keeps rubbing against the filling and keeping it from setting, hence it falling out the first time an hour after I got it in. At least they didn't charge me for a second visit and filling. So now I'm sitting at my desk, in severe pain. I finally was able to drink some tomato soup down in order to take a lot of ibuprofen. I want nothing more than to go lay on a heating pad in my bed and sleep until another two hours go by and we can consider it 'set'.

My Dad, the Big Game Hunter

Those of you who know my dad know he's a big hunter and gun enthusiast. He just got home from his bi-yearly big game hunt, this year being a buffalo hunt. He went with a couple of his friends, plus my uncle Jim and brother Todd. I don't know if Todd got one, but know that Jim is still out there through Wed to catch a different type than Dad and his other buddies got.

I've only had buffalo meat one time, and I recall it tasting almost exactly like roast beef. I look forward to some yummy meals when I'm home for Christmas! (I'm going to lie to Amy about the meat in the chili at my Mom's and have her try some!!) J/K.....

Teeth

I remember Jessica Simpson saying on an episode of Newlyweds, "I hate teeth. I hate everything about them: I hate cleaning them, I hate flossing, I once didn't take care of a cavity for three years and then had to get a root canal."

While I don't completely agree with Jess (I'm all about fixing my teeth when I hear they've got problems), I don't like dentists and dental insurance right now. Here's been my last month....

Four weeks ago, I discover a crack in my back molar. I call my dental insurance. They tell me I need to pick a new dentist, and then I get to wait three weeks until Dec. 1 to go see said dentist.

Two weeks ago, my tooth broke.

Dec. 1, I see dentist. Dentist tells me I need a root canal and writes me a referral.

Dec. 5, I see endodontist. Endodontist tells me he won't do a root canal until I've had my wisdom tooth extracted and had gum cut away. He also tells me that I'm seriously infected, and it's infecting my gums. Then he says that he will have to do the root canal procedure to even see if the tooth is savable, but that it probably isn't. Translation - spend $1500 on dental procedures (that's after insurance pays) before we even know if the tooth is savable.

Dec. 6, I go back to my dental practice and see a new dentist. I was going to have the daggone broken, painful tooth I've been dealing with for a month, extracted and be done with it. The new dentist is also an endodontist and was like, "It's not that bad and doesn't look infected." She did the root canal right then and there. Not only is she able to save the tooth, it's not infected, and my gums are fine. Another fun side note - my first dentist didn't tell me I had two cavaties, but wrote it in my file. When I showed up this morning, the receptionist says, "Is there some reason why you don't want us to remove your cavaties and give you fillings?" In addition, I'm wondering why my first dentist wrote me a referral to see an endodontist instead of having me see one of the two that are in my practice.

While I could have been ridiculously irritated, I was just very grateful to get my teeth taken care of!! I go back next Friday for the final step in the root canal. YAY!!!

Hallelujah!!

No, I am not singing about the advent season. I'm rejoicing New Year's Day, when Chicago officially (legally) becomes smoke-free indoors.

What makes a perfect day?

This machine. In my office. We 'gifted' our office with this gift instead of buying each other gifts this year. What makes it really special? It was half price on JCPenney.com.


I'm enjoying my first latte...