I had good intentions...

... of volunteering to be a poll observer. This would be the first election I'd be involved with.

Then I went to my dentist for a routine check-up. Everything changed.

During my very painful visit for a routine dental exam, Dr. C invited a gum specialist to view my gums. What I'd let bother me was continuing to use a different brand of toothpaste when it hurt. The entire left side of my mouth and my tongue were ulcerated. 

I was prescribed "Magic Mouthwash," which I figured was some funny miraculous rinse. The compound prescription was pricey, too. $44 for my local pharmacist to mix five specific ingredients to measure out precisely. I shake the bottle and swish and spit three times a day. It's gone a long way to comfort the angry tissues in my mouth. The same dentist (#1) recommended a biopsy. He is ordering another night guard (retainer) for me because I've nearly broken through the plastic with my teeth grinding. 

By the end of the day, my cheek had ballooned into a distressing bulge, hard as a rock to the touch. It also hurts when it is touched.

Finally met with a dental surgeon (#2) who did not perform a biopsy. I was diagnosed as having a blocked salivary gland. That explains why I'm so puffy from my left cheek to my ear. That referral recommended an even more specialized specialist in Raleigh (an oral and maxillofacial surgeon). 

l now have an appointment to see Dentist #3 on December 30th. Although I hope the issue will be long gone by then. This whole thing stems from my not drinking enough water. It also may be the cause of my acid reflux and digestive issues. That's another story to be resolved, one way or another, in February 2025. Something to look forward to

Now you know as much as I...and why I had to beg off from fulfilling my plans to be an indoor poll observer. 

The best laid plans... of mice 🐭 🐭 and 👨🤵 men ...

And Then Again...

On top of the microwave is where I store my cappuccino mix, boxes of instant cocoa and hot cider drink mix, and two plastic containers of tea bags and Wyler's drink mixes, plus a skinny box containing Melita brand coffee filters.  

Unfortunately, I left the kitchen without remembering to put the wire basket in its place in front of the microwave. When I came back inside after gardening, I noticed bits of brown paper on the floor.

Wouldn't you know, Tulip got into the coffee filters! She gnawed three of them. 

That'll teach me! Which of us is teaching the other?

I told Tulip I was sorry today

Since yesterday, I'd been having trouble with my smart TV. And this wasn't the first time my curious cat walked behind the TV, disturbing all the wires.

The first time this happened, my friend Connie helped me out. As luck would have it, she was at my house this morning. I told her all the steps I took. Connie took a look and repeated the same steps (usually she fixes things I can't). The TV and Netflix still were not working. Every cord was in its place. 

Then, like lightning (🗲), another idea struck me. 

On a hunch, I called Spectrum to ask if there were any outages in my area.

Damn! That was the problem all along. Spectrum promised the internet and cable would be working again after 2:00pm.

~~ 🐱 ~~

So...

        Tulip, I owe you my sincerest apologies! 

                    I'm so sorry to have blamed you. 

                            You understand why, 

                                        right?

Snidely Whiplash, Part Two

Because my previous post took forever to load.

• Below is a fix I implemented when an open box of drink mixes kept on top of the microwave ended on the kitchen floor and beneath the fridge. I put the loose flavor packets in a knock-off Tupperware container. It took no time at all for that plastic bin to be knocked off as well. (A knocked-off knock-off container).

       I took this photo of the container: 

• Minutes later, I heard a CRASH. I hadn't closed the container top, more concerned about posting the photo above. See below.

So, Tulip, my dear, I haven't completely given up in my efforts to civilize you.

It's a darned good thing you're cute.

Curses! Foiled Again!

Wasn't that Snidely Whiplash's catchphrase?

As much as I hate to rain on Tulip's parade, I just had to:

• Invert a clear plastic bin over the two magazine racks. She kept climbing on the peninsula to chew on the paper.  Every day I'd find scraps of paper on the floor. The paper could be kleenex, unfiled bills, paper towels, etc. They're directly beneath the cat wind chime next to the silk flowers.  

• The white bin to the right is my stock of pill bottles. Couldn't leave them uncovered any more. (Do you wonder why?)

I'm not the most observant person

Roughly three weeks ago, I noticed the padlock to my outdoor shed was removed. I was perturbed that one of my neighbors didn't replace it. It's never locked - it just keeps the barn doors closed.

My weed whacker had recently been restrung. When I was about to trim my yard yesterday, it was nowhere to be found. This is a Kobalt battery-operated string trimmer. I keep the batteries for my lawn tools (blower, mower and the missing weed whacker) inside, so I wondered aloud what good it would do the thief, unless they had a Kobalt battery already.

Not that they could do much about it, I filed a police report. They're going to review other thefts in the area, see if there's a pattern. Naturally, they'll contact local pawn shops. That's likely where the trimmer will have ended up.

So I suppose I need to go to Lowe's for a replacement. Bummer.

🎕