Category: Life

Life

My Teeth Freaking HURT and Where Oh Where is Myrtle?

Karen

My teeth hurt.

They’ve been hurting for about a month now. I haven’t broken or chipped anything. I know this because I went to my dentist two weeks ago and he looked around, tapped a few teeth, took an x-ray and all I got was an “hmm … there might be a tiny dark spot here,” (pointing to a back molar).

He “guessed” it might be an abscessed tooth, prescribed an antibiotic and sent me on my way.

And here I sit, still in pain.

Luckily, the pain comes and goes. And since I’m still not eating all that much solid food (I promise, I’ll vlog about that soon), my teeth don’t hurt.

Until I eat something and then, YEEEEOOOOOOOWWWWW, MAMA.

It’s weird, but the pain is more of an ache. Like a deep, in-in-my-gums ache. Like more-in-my-jaw ache. So I’m guessing my dentist is right, I probably DO have an abscessed tooth and I’m betting the antibiotic that he prescribed is not strong enough to knock this stupid infection out, which is why I’m still in pain. It seems like I’ve taken this type of antibiotic before and my body’s response?

I LAUGH at your pathetic antibiotic. HAHAHAHAHAHA

*sigh*

My dentist made an appointment for me with an endodontist, (someone who works on tooth roots and gum issues), but when I told the girls I work with who I was going to see, they promptly told me horror stories and scared me so bad that I canceled my appointment and am now on the hunt for a new endodontist. (And lest you think I’m a scaredy cat – one of the girls I work had two, TWO, root canals by this doctor and both of them “didn’t take” and she ended up having to go to ANOTHER endodontist and having BOTH TEETH done AGAIN. Tell me that doesn’t scare you to death … having to go through TWO root canals TWICE!!! Um. No thank you).

I know who I’m going to, I just need to make an appointment. I’ve been putting it off because … well … I don’t really know why I’ve been putting it off. Probably because we don’t have dental insurance and OH MY GAWH, PEOPLE, NO DENTAL INSURANCE AND I’LL LIKELY NEED A ROOT CANAL.

Pass the smelling salts, please.

But contrary to popular belief, I’m not a complete idiot and I know putting it off will just make it worse, so yes mom, I’ll make an appointment tomorrow. *smile*

And speaking of teeth – Jazz went to the orthodontist today … he has to go back July 10th to have some sort of impression made (I’m assuming for his permanent retainer for his bottom teeth) and then back again July 26th TO HAVE HIS BRACES REMOVED! YEE-FREAKIN-HAW, YA’LL! He was supposed to only have them on for two years, but it’s now been two years and EIGHT months so it’s about past time to have these things removed. PLUS. He’ll have them off just in time for his senior year so SCORE!

Men. It’s now time for you to stop reading and go do something … manly. I’m thinking your lawn needs to be mowed, or maybe your oil needs to be changed, or HEY LOOK! Sports! Because you’re not going to be interested in this next part, I assure you.

Ladies? I’m in full-blown perimenopausal mode.

I know, right?? How do I know this?

Because I have a freaking hot flash every 20 minutes!! Because I haven’t had a period in over two months now!! Because … because … well, that’s pretty much it. Did I mention I haven’t had a period in over two months now?!? I mean, I’ve been irregular for about a year now, and by irregular, I mean I’d skip a month, then have a period every two weeks, skip another month, then hemorrhage the next month … you get the idea.

But I’ve never skipped more than two months in a row before.

I went to my OB/GYN a few months ago, (I TOLD YOU TO STOP READING, GUYS. Don’t blame me if you start cringing, I did warn you), for, erhm, personal female reasons, and my doctor was all concerned and “here, you need to take this card and keep track of your periods for me. Oh. And I also want to see you back in July. Oh. And I want you to have a breast exam.”

Because I’m 46 years old and have never had a breast exam.

I KNOW, RIGHT????? I suck. But good gravy, I’m putting that off for as long as humanly possible because I can’t stand to have my hair cut, let alone some strange person man-handling my ladies. (And yes, you can cuss me out and call me an idiot, but I’m stubborn and never do things when I’m supposed to – just ask anyone I know. It’ll happen … eventually. Calm down).

But here’s the thing. I haven’t had a period since I saw my OB/GYN back in April so when (If. I’m pretty sure I’m going to cancel my appointment because, whatever, I don’t need to go back. I’ll go back for my annual unless something strange happens) I see him again, he’s totally going to think I was just too lazy to keep track – this will be AFTER he lectures me for 1. not keeping my July appointment and 2. not having a breast exam.

I’m like the world’s WORST patient, ya’ll.

Anyway … these hot flashes are getting out of control. And they are freaking embarrassing!!!! And they always happen at the worst possible moments!!!!

Something had to be done.

So I started talking to one of my co-workers who has already been there done that and she suggested flaxseed. Hmm. Never heard of it, but okay, I’ll try it. Because if I can find something natural that works as opposed to taking a drug, I’m going that route.

I went to the health food store and in the process of trying to find flaxseed, (I had to break down and ask this one guy who worked there and when I asked him where to find flaxseed and he said, “What do you need it for?” and I said, “I’d rather not say .. it’s a woman thing,”), I found something else I thought I’d try instead.

It’s called, “AM/PM Perimenopause Formula.”

I know. How original. Here’s what it looks like:

I have to say, it seems to be working pretty good. I take one pill in the morning and one at night. The one at night seems to work better for me. It knocks me out cold and I don’t wake up hot and sweaty. (Well. I usually wake up at 5:00 a.m. kicking the covers off, but I used to wake up every two hours kicking the covers off, so we’re making progress). And I don’t feel like I’m a walking flame when I’m at work.

These hot flashes, guys. They’re weird. My skin is cool to the touch, but it’s like someone lit a flame inside my body and the warmth starts in my legs, travels up my body and before long, my cheeks and ears are bright red, sweat breaks out on my upper lip and I’m scrambling to find something sturdy enough to fan myself with. It’s really a bizarre feeling.

Anyway. This herbal stuff isn’t stopping the hot flashes completely but it has certainly cut them WAY down and I’m cool (ha!) with that.

So between my teeth hurting, my hot flashes and my emotions playing a mean game of see-saw, I’m a hot (ha!) mess.

(P.S. – Wondering who Myrtle is? She’s what I call my monthly visitor, who hasn’t been visiting lately. I told you to stop reading, guys!

Getting into Shape

My First 5K Experience

Karen

First 5K

So … that was fun. No really, I’m not being sarcastic – it really was.

I psyched myself up for this by thinking, “Okay self. It’s just another work day. Get up, take a shower, put on makeup (yes, I put on makeup because HELLO. I have to work with these people and OMG – gross), get dressed and get out the door, just like any other work day.” I didn’t think about it, I just did it.

Which is pretty much what I do on a daily basis when I go to work.

I got to the facility by 7:35 a.m. I was supposed to meet the other girls from work at a specific sign by 7:30 a.m. I just about didn’t make it because as I walking to meet them, they were walking to the starting line.

There were people everywhere and I wish now, I had taken my camera. However, one of the girls I work with had someone take a picture of all of us with her camera phone and she will likely email it to everyone on Monday.

We got into the back of the line. I wish now, I hadn’t. But one of the gals I work with brought her dog and people with strollers and dogs had to line up at the back of the line to stay out of the way of the more serious runners. But next time, I’m totally positioning myself at the front of the line because once we got going, the competitive side of me was a bit irked whenever I saw the runners were already heading back when I hadn’t even walked half of the course.

The day was PERFECT: sunny and cool. I wore a t-shirt and shorts and even I was almost cold. Of course, I warmed up fast once we got going.

The city shut down a few streets for us, so everyone had plenty of room to do their thing. I heard from veteran 5K-ers that they tried to keep it to the sidewalks one year and it was just a mess.

I took my Ipod and I fully intended to just speed walk my way past the other girls and sort of lose myself in the music, but to my utter annoyance, I had one gal from work insist on keeping pace with me and talking to me. I wasn’t annoyed with her, per se, but rather when I get into the workout zone, I really don’t want to talk to anyone and just concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other.

Not to mention, I’m the world’s worst small talker and it was just uncomfortable trying to come up with things to say to her.

There’s definitely something exhilarating about walking with a bunch of other people – the energy was palpable. But again, I wish I had been more at the front of the pack because by the time I crossed the finish line, they were already starting the awards. It was cool to cross the finish line though. I guess the chip on my shoe told them who I was, because as I was walking across the finish line, the announcer called out my name. I was a bit surprised to hear my name, and a bit embarrassed, simply because I was one of the last to finish. But oh well, it was still fun and I really enjoyed it.

I grabbed some ice cold water and watched the awards for a bit before I left. I really didn’t see a reason to stick around – most of the activities were geared toward the kids. I was surprised, though, to see Reliv had set up a booth and was selling products. I don’t know WHY I was surprised other than the fact that I didn’t think Reliv was big enough to participate in events like this. (My in-laws sell Reliv).

As I was driving home, I was surprised to see Kevin driving the Mazda next to me. He hadn’t gone with me this morning, which was cool, I hadn’t really expected him to, but I couldn’t figure out why he was out and about so early. When we got home, he said he had driven to the halfway mark and was waiting to take pictures, but he couldn’t figure out why he didn’t see any runners/walkers.

The “race” was over before he even got there. He thought it would take us much longer to get through it.

I finished in just under 45 minutes. Which is pretty normal for me. I usually walk three miles in 45 minutes on the treadmill.

I had fun. And I think I’d like to do more 5K’s. In fact, I had two gals try and talk me into a few more walks coming up. One of the walks is a night walk at the end of July, which I think would be interesting, not to mention smart, considering the days get to the unbearable point at the end of July.

So that was the start of my weekend.

Now back to our regularly scheduled lives…

Politics

What Conservatives Believe – Part Seven

Karen

7. American Exceptionalism – successful with our military, economy, science and culture. There is NO other country in the world like America and that’s something to BE PROUD OF.

I know what you’re thinking, “Geez Karen, what an arrogant attitude.”

I’m NOT saying Americans are better than other people in the world. What I AM saying is that we’re exceptional in the fact that we have grown, evolved and become a force to be reckoned with because we, as a people, refused to lay down and whimper in fear to our “masters.” We have stood up, as a country, and become strong, innovative, wealthy and successful because of our willingness to be strong and take it in the chin. America does not follow others, we prefer to lead by example.

We are not willing to follow one leader, we want to be a COUNTRY of leaders. We are exceptional in our acts and we strive to provide opportunities to anyone who is willing to take a chance, to stand up and be strong, to withstand criticism and rejection, at every turn, and MAKE ourselves independent of power-hungry demigods.

THAT’S what makes America exceptional.

Don’t want to take responsibility for your life? Don’t want to make your own decisions? Don’t want to work hard to support yourself?

Move to France. I hear they just elected a socialist president. I’m sure you’ll fit right in.

See ya.