A New Year: Hoping for the Best Year Yet: 2025 – 05

Changes

Hello again! Not only do you have to check my website’s Blog if you want to read the latest post, but the posts will be shorter (one of you called it a Blog-ette :-)). That’s because I can only write when I have time and I don’t want to let it sit until I will have time again. The good thing is that the posts will not come only once a week but more often. So here goes:

Dental Joy

Earlier this week, I got a new crown on my #1 wisdom tooth. The tooth, including the filling, had broken clear in half, without me noticing. The dentist discovered it at my six-month checkup. The procedure was painless, and the new crown feels smooth. But at night, when I put in my Invisalign retainer – which I use at night to keep my upper and lower teeth from moving – the top one did not fit. Oops. I had just seen a special at the dental office for $499 a set. (They sell them by the set, even though one of them is still good). I called the dentist and left a message with the receptionist. I never heard back.

This morning, I took the matter in thy own hands (literally). I planned to cut off the last part of the retainer, which would cover the new crown. Well, the scissors did not work; the plastic was too hard. So I got the wire clippers from the garage and yes! I could clip off the last part. I filed the sharp edges with a nail file and…Yes! It fits! The retainer goes on as before! Hooray!

Would you believe that five minutes later the dentist’s receptionist called back to make an appointment! The dentist was going to adjust the retainer. I said,”the retainer is hard plastic, it can’t be adjusted.” “Well, he is going to cut off the last part.” I said, “really? I just did that myself, with a wire clipper, and I filed the sharp edges with my nail file. It fits perfectly.” We both had a good laugh.

Caregiving

Although taking care of Mike is a physically demanding job, especially at my age, that does not mean we are not having fun. Mike may not remember anything, but he is responsive. He reminds me daily to open or close the blinds and pull up the clock weights. We make jokes, especially before going to bed, and I would not miss this for anything: to make the most of the little he has left in life while we still can.

Our Chef

Yesterday was the third time that our Chef came to cook for us. After a little while, the noise in the kitchen and the music of  André Rieu on the TV, and Lani barking occasionally became too much for Mike. I put Lani in the guest room, turned the TV off, and then the smoke alarms went off. In every room. Pandemonium! With a broomstick hit on the nearest alarm the noise stopped, and I opened the patio door. I guess it was all worth it. For dinner last night we had pork loin with cranberry sauce over wild rice. Delicious!

Enjoy Life! Stay well!

Until next time,

Ronny