Tooth Extraction Eve

It's All Hallow's Eve aka Halloween, but it is also Tooth Extraction Eve.  Tomorrow afternoon I have an appointment with the dentist to get the pesky tooth finally removed.  Surprisingly enough, I'm not all that nerved up about it.  I know the dentist will numb me up good and will also give me some good pain killers for the after party.  I just want the pesky tooth out.  I'm almost ashamed to admit that I waited too long after I took the antibiotics before I called and got the appointment to have it pulled, because just in the past three days the infection has started to set back in.  

I called the dentist yesterday morning and asked if he wanted to call in some more antibiotics for me to take so they would have a chance to work until my appointment tomorrow afternoon and he said no, for me to just be there at 3:30 sharp.  And that I will.

Stay tuned. 

File Under: WTF?

It's been another crazy WTF day here.  Now, all of the neighborhoods and official cities are changing Trick or Treat to tonight since there is heavy rain in the forecast for tomorrow.  

All I can say is back in the day, we didn't let a little thing like rain bother us.  

I'm really scared for my future with these young folks being in charge of things.  

File Under: WTF?

I've read so many crazy posts from friends on Facebook today, all I can say is truly WTF? What were you thinking?

Over and out. 

Hogzillas - beware

During the course of my day today, I saw not one, but four ground hogs out and about.  I'm very disappointed that more people aren't out like us, trying to get rid of those pesky varmints.  

Stay tuned. 

What A Not So Great Day This Turned Out To Be

I just got home moments ago from a meeting at church, only to hear the news about a deadly shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh this morning. 

I've been thinking for the past few months about officially closing Good Shepherd Security Consulting because I haven't had any paying clients in years.  But today's news has changed my mind, and I'm going to keep on keeping on.  

It's not really about the money - sure, I like when I get paid for my consulting services, but truthfully, if what I do can keep one church safer and more secure, than it's all worth it. 

What A Great Day This Turned Out To Be

This morning's ride to work was Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.  It was misting, slightly foggy, and my wiper blades were beyond help.  As soon as I pulled out of my driveway, I just said Jesus take the wheel.  

On the way home from work I stopped at an O'Reily's Auto Parts and got some new wiper blades.  I sprung for the deluxe Rain-X edition, as was recommended by several coworkers.  I paid the blades and turned to leave the store, when the twenty-something (or possibly younger) clerk asked me if I would like for him to put the blades on.  I told him heck yes.  And it took him longer to open the package of blades than it took for him to put them on. 

He went on to say that he enjoys helping the customers by putting on wiper blades and installing batteries, while the older clerks just want to stand behind the cash register.  

As soon as I got home, I called the store and spoke to the manager and put in a good word for this kid.  His mama and daddy sure raised him right.  

We Had To Go To Work Again Today

Our office pool had ten bucks worth of Powerball tickets for last night's drawing.  We didn't get anything back.  So that's the end of our office pool for now.  

As for me, I will be buying Powerball tickets for myself for Saturday night's big drawing.  Yep, you already know I'm a gambler. 

Stay tuned. 

We Had To Go To Work Again Today

Our group from work pooled our money again for last night's Mega Millions drawing.  Instead of winning the $1.6 billion, we won ten bucks.  But we're not giving up without a fight.  We used that $10 and got 5 Powerball tickets for tonight's $660 million drawing.  Stay tuned. 

Tuesday Updates

It's been a little bit crazy at The Compound lately.  Here's the current updates:

The Girls are still not laying any eggs because they're molting.  Their bodies use the protein to grow new feathers instead of laying eggs.  From what chicken experts tell us, this could take up to three months.  So to those of you that have been getting eggs from us, just be patient, and we will get eggs to you as soon as they are laying again. 

The Old Man is still fighting his mysterious rash, but it is improving.  Thanks to the Lord for prayers answered.

My bad tooth is much much better after the round of antibiotics.  I'm procrastinating and have been putting off calling and getting an appointment to get the damned tooth pulled. 

My Sweet Mother is still sweet, and doing her best to put up with me and the Old Man. 

As always, stay tuned. 

A Great Sunday

I was more than happy this morning when the Old Man was able to go to church today. He missed last Sunday due to his bizarre rash and his hip pain.  But today he made it to and from church like the boss he is.  So to me, that made it a great Sunday.  Nuff said. 

Saturday Updates

Our group of 28 players won a whopping $28 in last night's Mega Millions drawing.  But that's ok.  We'll roll over our winnings and buy 14 more games, and I'm pretty sure everyone will be back in for Tuesday's drawing.  As always, stay tuned. 

Happy Friday

The Mega Millions frenzy hit ZCO today, and me and 27 other coworkers pitched in ten bucks a piece and we got ourselves 140 tickets for tonight's over $1 Billion  Mega Millions jackpot.  

I'm not sure I will be able to stand it until 10:59 tonight when the drawing occurs.

Stay tuned. 

I Had To Go To Work Today

Unfortunately, I did not win the Mega Millions lottery drawing last night.  But in my defense, nobody did.  Out of the ten sets of numbers that I played, I had one number.  

But I stopped today on my way home from work and got more tickets for Friday's expected billion dollar drawing.  

Stay tuned. 

Another Missed Opportunity

I found out too late that yesterday was National Grouch Day.  I could have been grouchy all day long if I'd only known.  Maybe I can use a Mulligan and be grouchy today.  

Stay tuned. 

Hurricane Michael Update

I just got a text from my SF and her daughter went up to Dothan, AL today to get her beloved granddaughter and bring her back down to Florida.

As of now, the main thing is to keep the family together as much as possible.  Clothes, toys, and other necessities are coming in for this sweet little girl.  Like I said, the main thing right now is that she's with her Nanny where she feels loved and safe.  

Getting On My Soap Box

First of all, I apologize for not posting yesterday.  It was a bad tooth day and I spent the majority of the day either on the couch or on the bed resting.  Nuff said.

Now I would like to turn my attention toward the weather.  The front moved through and we literally went from having the a/c on to having the furnace on.  Yesterday and today the highs were in the mid 50's.  To hear people on FB talk about it, you would think it was 20 below today in Louisville.  Get over it.  What are you all going to do when it REALLY gets cold? 

I'm getting back down from my soap box and going to have a drink.  

Good News

Praise to the Lord for prayers answered.  My friend's daughter and her boyfriend were able to find an apartment where they can now call home.  That in itself is a miracle, with so many people displaced down in Panama City Beach.  She will be able to have her beloved granddaughter with her, and that's the main thing.  

This, Too, Did Not Go As I Planned

As I type this, I am truly sick to my stomach over a dear friend's daughter losing her home in Hurricane Michael.  Her boyfriend also lost his home, too.  I actually cried when I heard that they both slept last night in their car because they couldn't go anywhere.  

I know, I know -- everyone will be saying "at least you all are ok" and that is first and foremost.  But they both still lost their homes.  

My friend's great-granddaughter has a major soft spot in my heart, and in the heart of my SF's.  She was born two months premature and there were a few times when they thought she wouldn't make it.  But thanks to the Lord, she is now thriving and in second grade.  Her grandmother sent her up to Dothan, AL a few days ago before Michael hit so she would be safe.  

I talked to some of the SFs today and we will do all we can to make sure that the sweet little girl gets her toys, clothes, and her beloved cowboy boots replaced.  I'm not saying that to brag or draw attention to us;  we just love that little girl like she was our own.  She's been through more in her short life than any other child should have to go through, so we want to make sure she is taken care of while her grandma tries to rebuild everything that was torn apart yesterday. 

This Day Did Not Go As I Planned

I've had an annoying tooth problem for a month or two.  It's a tooth that I had had a crown put on about 25 years ago, and had three root canals done about 10 years ago.  To make the long story short, the tooth is abscessed and needs to be pulled.  

I called my dentist last Friday to get an appointment, only to hear the voice mail recording saying that he retired the week before, and he was referring his patients to a dental clinic, which luckily for me is a mile from my office.  I called the clinic and they said they take walk-ins from 8 to 11.  So I was there promptly at 8:00 this morning.  

The fees are on a sliding scale, and they said I would need to pay $60 for today's visit.  I almost fell out of my chair.  I had to ask twice to make sure I was hearing the lady right.  I was more than happy to pay $60 for treatment that would probably cost me triple at a dentist's office. 

When I was finished paying, the lady said that the dentists were in a meeting and would start seeing patients at 9:00.  So I went back to work and then headed back down a few minutes before 9:00.  When I got to the dental clinic, I saw a sign that said that the dentists were in training and would be seeing patients at 10:30.  So back to work I went.  

I came back and was back up in the clinic at 10:20, only to be told that their computer system was down (after hearing them page IT on the intercom a few times) and I would have to wait.  So I waited and waited.  Finally after an hour of waiting, the system was back up, and they printed out my paperwork and then called me back. 

 After xrays and more waiting, the dentist finally came in and he was with me only about two minutes; long enough for him to tell me that the tooth was bad and needed to come out.  He then told me I had three options based on how big my purse was.  One was an implant, which is $$$$$.  The second option was a bridge, which was also $$$$.  Then he said my third option was a partial, which was a whole lot less.  But he also said I had a fourth option -- not doing anything and just chewing on the other side of my mouth. 

He gave me a prescription for antibiotics to clear up the infection, and said that when I ran out of the antibiotics to call and get an appointment to get the tooth pulled.  

So that's how my day went.  But you know?  In the whole scope of things, it could have been a hell of a lot worse.  I got a call this afternoon from a School Friend whose daughter lost her house in Hurricane Michael today.  She and her family are fine, but they still lost their house.  So yep, things could be a hell of a lot worse. 

Stay tuned. 

Happy National Pizza and Beer Day

TWIT and I would like to wish everyone a very happy National Pizza and Beer Day.

Unfortunately, we did not have pizza and beer today at The Compound.  I'm having some major issues with a tooth, and it was all I could do to chew some spaghetti tonight.  But never fear.  When my tooth issues are all cleared up, we will in deed celebrate a belated National Pizza and Beer Day. 

Props To My Hispanic Peeps

TWIT and I would like to give major props to the Gutierrez Family.  Maria of the family was on a local TV channel's daily lifestyle's show today, talking about the family's most awesome Italian restaurant, Tuscany.  

We love all of the Gutierrez family - Maria, Marcella, Tino, and Miguel.  We feel like they are a part of our family.  They've all worked extremely hard to build up their restaurants, and we look forward to each visit with them.  

Public Service Announcement

To the thousands of people attending the St. James Art Fair:

Do all of the car drivers a huge favor and pay attention to the walk/don't walk signs at all of the street corners.  Yes, they apply to you, and they are in sync with the stop lights.  When we are stopped at a red light, then the walk sign will be white, and will show an icon of a person walking.  That means this is when you walk.  When the stop light is green and we are moving through the intersections, the walk sign will be red, and will show an icon of a hand, meaning do not walk.  How hard is that to figure out?

What Happened To Customer Service?

Actual verbatim transcript of a conversation I had with the clerk (sorry - I'm not sure what to call them) in the electronics department at my local Wal-Mart this morning.  And I quote:

Me:  "You all sell Surface Pro tablets.  Do you sell any accessories, like the charging cord?"
Clerk: "I don't know what we sell." 

Nuff said. 

Go Away, Black Cloud

It seems that the Black Cloud is hovering over some friends and family again.  It's time that it moved on out of the way and left those good people alone.  

Thank You, Dr. Amanda

I had to take my Sweet Mother to see a podiatrist this afternoon.  With her being diabetic, her doctor said she'd feel better if she went to a podiatrist to get her toe nails trimmed instead of going to the Asian nail salons.  

Let me preface by saying that in the years that my Sweet Mother has gone to the nail salon in our hood, they've never cut her or caused any problems.  But with her insurance covering this, we jumped at the chance to go to the podiatrist.

Dr. Amanda was awesome.  Not only did she trim my Sweet Mother's toe nails, she gave a very thorough foot exam, and I was thrilled that she got a great report.  

We will be back in ten weeks for another toe nail trim, courtesy of their insurance. 

Just Like I Remembered

The 'Rents made me a special treat today - while I was at work, they made a batch of old school No Bake Cookies aka Wheat Fudge.  We always called it Wheat Fudge when I was in elementary school.  And I've got to say that they tasted just like I remembered.  I've had these awesome treats through out the years, but this is the first time that we've ever made them at home.  And they rocked.  I could have eaten 3 or 4 of them after supper but I held myself to just one.  

Happy Late National Coffee Day

TWIT and I are very sorry to be a day late in wishing everyone a happy National Coffee Day.  It was yesterday.

So, to celebrate, I suggest that we all drink extra coffee tomorrow!  I'm all in. 

Happy National Homemade Cookies Day

I know I am giving this information to you late in the day, but today is National Homemade Cookie Day.  

I am very happy to report that the 'Rents made a big batch of No Bake Cookies today, upon my request.   I can't wait to eat my supper and have a few. 

It's not too late - you still have time to make a batch of homemade cookies tonight.