However, nothing stops Monday following Sunday. Once again, I found myself at my desk, wondering how the week would progress. I had made a decision, last week, one that would impact me tremendously, more tremendous than the swelling on my finger, which I was attempting to ignore. I decided that it was time to change my dentist. I had nothing against my dentist, other than that she was a dentist, and that she was situated a few miles away, and that it took time to get there, and back. This coupled with the time in the waiting room, not to mention the chair, made the whole trip rather burdensome. I decided that if I was to have no excuse for making appointments, I would have to find someone nearer. I queried the Internet by 'local dentists' and inserted my zip code. A number came up, including my dentist. I had been looking for one in particular, but it appeared that he had retired and his son had taken over, grown the practice and was now in a large consortium, which specialised in....! I did not go on. I just need my teeth looked at. At my age, I am not in the market for jaw realignment, chin restructuring, or for that matter, whiter teeth. As long as they are clean and healthy, the rest of me can stay the same! I recall the women at an orthodontist in England, swooning over the extraordinarily handsome doctor who was telling them how their child's appearance could be 'improved' whilst undergoing treatment for straightening teeth. They all thought he was wonderful. As he told me how my daughter's jaw could be less pointy, instead of smiling like a love sick teenager, I told him that my appointment was for her to have braces, and not plastic surgery. I wondered how his jaw would look if I had done what I really wanted to do, to wit, rearrange it! I do not often resort to thoughts of violence, but I do remember thinking it most inappropriate! Perhaps I am, or was too sensitive, but I digress!
Looking at my options, I found a picture showing a delightful looking threesome, that could have been advertising anything from hair colour, to shampoo, to skin care, as well as dentistry. Three very young, very beautiful looking women,, who would not look out of place on a catwalk in any, or all fashion shows, appeared in a picture with the word, "Dentist" next to it. They were situated about half a mile away. I could actually walk there if I felt the need! I could certainly walk back if I drove myself and had to undergo some treatment that needed any kind of relaxation medication! I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Did I want to make it that easy? I did not take too long to decide, took the bull by the horns, so to speak, and called. I stumbled over my words but managed to get my name and phone number across correctly, and was told that the first available appointment would be in about ten weeks. Of course, I said that would be fine! I was told I would be sent some forms and if there was a cancellation, would I be willing to come in at short notice? Why, of course! As I hung up the phone, I went and told Dana that I had made the switch, and that his dentist was no longer mine. Since the original practice owner had left, he had lost some confidence in them and, despite their kindness and patience, I too did not feel as comfortable in new hands.
My list of 'things to do' had a tick next to the first line! I felt somewhat pleased with myself. The forms arrived, I filled them out, and made a couple of adjustments to their 'clauses' to ensure that I would 'consider' work they recommended, rather than sign to 'accept' their recommendations, despite knowing that they could not force me to accept anything they said, without additional consent. Working with the legal profession, day in, day out, has made me rather dubious to the words, "You know what it means".
Getting on with my day was much easier, the more I ticked items off my list. I was really going quite well, and had even given some thought as to what to make for dinner on Wednesday evening, when I received a call from the dentist. My first thought was, (interestingly enough,) "Oh dear! They are going to refuse me for altering their consent form", which would mean that I would have to go back to 'finding time' to go to my dentist, and give me some more time to pluck up the courage to make an appointment.
"We have a cancellation. Can you come in tomorrow?" My head shook from side to side, violently, but I heard a squeak come out of my mouth, that sounded to me, and obviously to the lady on the other end of the phone, as "Yes". She was thrilled! (I think they must take training courses in 'high pitched delighted sounds'.) "Ten, or eleven". I responded with an adamant, "I haven't agreed, yet!" which came out as sounding like, "Ten". Again, the high pitched delighted sound. "Get it over and done with, right!" she sang. I think it would be better if they used a commiserating sound!
From that point forth, I could not concentrate. I left the office, swam, ate some dinner, (I think,) went to bed, got up, pottered around from room to room. I managed to clear out half a kitchen cupboard, tend to the garden, and make the bed, but other than that, I remember very little. At nine forty, my daughter dragged me to the truck (well, not quite dragged,) so I did not have to drive, and dropped me at the front door of the building that is less than a mile away from the office. Having not made a note of the room number, I scrolled the directory, and found out where I had to go. I got into the lift. "Hey, hold the elevator!" said a voice that came from somewhere in the distance. I did not need asking twice. I would hold it for as long as it took. If necessary I could pay the cancellation fee for my appointment. A young woman came into sight and walked into the small compartment. "I am so late", she said. I smiled. I wanted to tell her how I was very brave and was going to the dentist, all by myself, but felt that might look a bit stupid, considering she was young enough to be my daughter. "No, I am really, really late!" she said again. All I could think of saying was, "Oh dear". I allowed her to exit first, and checked the signs on the walls to see which way I had to go. I smelled the surgery. I sat and waited to be called.
"Do you have the forms?" said the young lady at the desk. I gave her one that I had completed the previous day. "Do you have the three pages?" she asked. "I faxed them to you", I said, wondering why she did not have them, as she had told me she had already received them when she called to let me know that torture could be inflicted at an earlier date. "We send them out again to make sure nothing has changed", she sang, in that "I am so happy it's you and not me going in there today" voice, and I was a little terse. "It's been 24 hours. What was going to change?" I cleared my throat, apologised, and said, "I think you will find that I only sent them yesterday." The wheels on her chair allowed her to slide across to the filing cabinet, where she retrieved my file. "Here they are", she said, smile still on her face, but darts flying out of her eyes into mine. "Take a seat". I did.
Surprisingly enough, I survived. Not only did I survive, but apparently, I did 'very well'. My x-rays showed that there was nothing wrong, and it would be advantageous to schedule a cleaning so that they could make sure my teeth stayed healthy. All this took about ninety minutes. I was quite shocked! I do not know why I was shocked, but I always expect the worst! After the x-rays and jabbing with sticks, etc., the hygienist called the doctor. A young nordic model came into view. "Hi", she said, and introduced herself. I recognised her from the picture. Her voice was as smooth as her skin, and I thought perhaps I had not made it through and was looking at an angel. If the smell that was still wafting had been candy floss, (cotton candy,) or cake, I may have attempted to fly! I listened as she repeated the course of action that they would like to take, regarding 'preventative care', and then looked at the notes she had printed off. She reiterated that everything looked good. One thing that they did say, and this for anyone who knows me would not come as a surprise, my tongue "Does not know how to relax". Go figure! I am sure the receptionist would confirm this!
I left the surgery, walked around the corner, and saw the late comer. "Hi, again", I said in a much happier tone. "I am taking the stairs", she said to me, as if I was supposed to follow her. I did not. Instead, I headed for the lift, and went to the exit. Samantha had come to collect me and was surprised to see me walking upright and with a smile on my face! I had even made the appointment for the cleaning. (I do not think they would have allowed me out of the office without doing so, despite my adding the word, "consider". I had already made the commitment in the chair to have the work done, so to let me go without an appointment may have meant they would never see me again! What gave them that idea? My tongue does not know how to relax!!
I arrived home and continued clearing out the cupboard in the kitchen. My finger was throbbing but it mattered not. I tended the garden, prepared some of the vegetables for dinner the following evening, and was in a much better frame of mind, feeling rather relieved, and pleased with myself at having got through the day. Dana expressed how proud he was of me. I was not sure if I should say, "Thank you", or ask why? At my age, to have your husband tell you he is proud of you for not only making an appointment at the dentist, but keeping it, sounds a little condescending, but I did say thank you, as he knows how hard it was!
The urge to tell everyone about my experience at the dentist was quelled by common sense. My mother told me, "No one likes going to the dentist. You are not unique!" It is hard to explain to someone who does not have the same feelings, quite how you feel. As I have said before, it is like telling someone that you have a migraine, and they say, "I have had really bad headaches before." However, the initial appointment was over and life goes on!
My roasted butternut squash was a big hit! Bigger than a 'big hit' as it was 'home grown'. I was so excited! My fruit crumble, and berry custard, which I thought was rather 'ordinary' was apparently like 'pop tarts on steroids''. That, believe it or not, was a massive compliment! I was delighted with the dinner that had been thought up on the 'fly'.
Before I looked around, the weekend was upon us. I was no longer inadvertently swearing at people, by extending my bruised, stung finger into the air, to drain the blood and hopefully lessen the swelling. I was pleased I did not automatically take up the position whilst in the dentist's chair, or they may have changed their mind about me being a 'delight', which according to the 'welcome' letter I received, I was just that! I am sure they hand-write a little message on everyone's welcome letter, (excellent 'PR',) but I decided to take it personally.
Saturday was the first really, really hot day that we had experienced for sometime, and the 'feels like' hit three figures. I was anxious to get to the pool in the afternoon, after we had shopped, as I wanted to swim before the heat became too intense.
We had a wonderful afternoon, and evening. Dana joined me by the pool and he slept as I read. I felt as if we were on holiday. We decided that it would be nice to try a new place to eat, and found a restaurant that he had been to many years ago, that was still, apparently, very popular. As we arrived, we saw that it was, indeed, still very popular, and put our name on the wait list. We did not have to wait very long, but arrived just in time, as the queue got longer. We sat next to a window overlooking the patio. I was glad we did not get seated outside, as we had opted for 'the first available'. Despite the 'mist' fans, I think it would have been quite warm, and was far more comfortable inside.
The weekend went by all too quickly. Last week seemed like an age away. I thought of all the things that had happened, and realised I could have offered a few film titles to any willing directors or producers. Of course, 'The Sting' would have to be a remake, but there was 'The Dentist', 'The Garden', 'The Reprieve', and 'The Brave', but the storylines would have been rather mundane!
Next week is going to be hotter than we have been for a while. I am hopping it will be somewhat eventful, but not in the way that this week was! Perhaps something wonderfully excited will happen, but that will be .............. another story!
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