Foaming Flouride

I have been dreading this afternoon ALL week. Yes, Rachel informed me I was as bad as Sethy. What can I say? I've had odd dental experiences. I was an adult before I realized that Novocain doesn't work for me. I thought dental chairs were meant to be torture devices.  We change dentists every few years, and with time we discovered with large amounts of Novocain and lots of time and I sort of numb.....

Last time this dentist worked on me he hit a nerve and my whole face went numb. I couldn't talk. It was alarming.

Arielle drove me today in case that happened again. It made for distracted driving.

Today - they DIDN'T numb me at all. I did not know this was the plan until I was laid back in the massage chair, watching Psyche.

Um.....is that the drill?

Yes.

I haven't been  numbed.

These aren't bad, we're just going to do them without anesthesia.

Oy vey!

It wasn't as bad as many of my experiences.  I thought he was done, when he said, "I'm going to take care of this small one too."

THEN I had my 4 month cleaning.

THIS WAS NEARLY THE FINAL STRAW!  ::snort:: Have YOU ever had foaming fluoride?

The kids came out last week talking about gagging, and foaming and I basically told them to buck up. I've never had fluoride like this. I came home and researched and it seems you usually have a tray they put it in - but not here. She said to open up and filled my mouth with the stuff. Y'all it EXPANDS....and it FOAMS....and she said, "Swish." I tried......she said for a minute or so....soon it was exploding out my mouth, while I tried not to swallow and to swish...she turned around and grabbed another bib thing and wiped my face and chest....and said, "Just another minute." ::snort::

I know we didn't have this at the Misawa AB clinic.  This is the first time we've had it at this dental office. Have you had foaming fluoride yet? What do you think? Better than the old gel? I think it may be better if they put a bit in a tray instead of squirting it in your mouth.

Now I understand why Arielle nearly threw up and Alex (who has spectrum sensory issues) came out of the office appalled and sputtering last time.

Queen Mother Visits Our Home

I met with three lovely young mothers this a.m. They always bless me; I hope I bless them.  I think we have another five times to meet together.  I'll never be able to see a bag of M&Ms again without thinking of them and our times together this year. ::grin::

We were graced with the presence of the Queen Mother Joy for lunch and the afternoon.

If there is one regret I have about the past year, it is not spending enough time with Rachel and family. I knew the schedule would get busy when the PWOC year began...I didn't realize how crazy the rest of life would get at the same time.

We enjoyed an afternoon of reconnecting and I know the kids enjoyed playing.

So happy we're going to be here when Eliana is born....I didn't take a lot of photos but I couldn't resist this get up. She told us she was an old queen.

Every queen needs some minions

Lightening up

We are doing some school - finishing up some lose ends.

My big project for the day involved paperwork.....I threw away two bags of paper.....

I pulled receipts together to close out the final PWOC purchase requests....

I printed out things I thought would be helpful for next year's PWOC president and program chairs...

I assembled continuity notebooks.....

My desk is much clearer.....

I feel free - er.

It's a good day.

Volunter Appreciation "Banquet"

Once a year the chapel has a Parish Appreciation "banquet."  It was suggested something more "personal" be done this year and it ended up being a BBQ at our home.  It is always fun to open your home to friends. Today was no exception. I was far too busy to take photos but here are a few that were captured.

Ron is a jewel!

 

Margaret is asking for us to settle in the area when we retire.

 

Too sweet!

Desiree and Quentin

Landon and Stefan

When all the food was put away, the dishes cleaned, the last counter wiped....I looked at Cynthia and she looked at me.....and we KNEW it was our turn to bounce....Ashely was sucked right into the excitement.

Best Deployment Coping Device EVER

Found the safe spot.

 

This was a totally fun way to end a great day! 

Vanilla Ice Cream - Vegan (Chocolate Covered Katie)

INGREDIENTS: makes 3 - 4 servings
2 C milk of choice (see note)
1/8 heaping tsp of stevia or 1/3 C sweetener of choice
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS
Whisk together the ingredients.  Choose one of the options below (we chose ice cream maker):

Pour into popsicle molds and freeze.

Vitamix method - freeze in ice cube trays until solid. Pop frozen cubes into Vitamix. Bled using the tamper until completely smooth with a soft-serve texture. Serve immediately as soft serve, or transfer to a covered container and freeze up to an hour for firmer texture.

Food Processor method: freeze in ice cube trays until solid. Pop cubes into food processor. Allow to thaw just long enough for your processor to be able to handle the ice cubes without overheating. Process on high, stopping to scrape down the sides. Scoop into individual bowls. Serve immediately, or freeze each bowl up to an hour for a thicker consistency and texture.  A food processor will yield more of a soft-serve consistency than the other methods.

Ice Cream Maker Method: Pour the mixture into a large container. Freeze for 30 min or refrigerate for at least 4 hours (this was our option). Pour chilled mixture into the ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Once a smooth texture has been reached, scoop into bowls - serve immediately or freeze each bowl up to an hour for thicker consistency and texture.

Notes: For the best ice cream - like taste and texture use either Cashew Cream or full fat canned coconut milk as your milk of choice. It will be fine with others but the texture will be less creamy. We used two cans of coconut milk and one can of coconut cream and were happy.

We froze what we didn't eat and just let it thaw a bit before eating. Arielle and I like this. I do find it rich and don't eat much at a time.

WhatEVER

I noticed cobwebs up  high... since Michael had all the kids asking me what I needed done.... I mentioned it to the boys. I did NOT expect to find this! Personally, I'm not sure a guy with arthritis should be at the top of this thing.

After Arielle and I kept yammering about "safety first.....

Cleaning Windows - they really didn't want Mike
on the ladder or she never would have been up there

 

Everyone seemed to like setting up the backyard for tomorrow's BBQ better. LOL

 

Then there was THIS.  I believe I'll go talk with doctor at the next appointment and see if ladders are really a great idea! ::snort::

 



Hugs of All Kinds

This has been a fantastically busy week. It's a week of endings - and we are just back from a 2 week road trip.   It's a week of new stress and continued stress, dentists, high emotion and well....today IS Friday!

Thank God.

A good friend is one who knows you can't talk and simply comes over and sits on the porch and rocks with you for an hour while discussing distracting topics and then tours your trailer and listens to the improvements you hope to make. That's a good friend. Cynthia, what a blessing you were today. Thanks for the gift of presence...without any pressure to talk.  You were a heavenly hug - a God sighting even.

We got quite a few earthly hugs today from the Campbell crew too!

Nolan & Elise

 

Arielle & Stacia

Clara

Even Yuuki needed a drink

Cole

AND....Stephanie brought a big, pink box of sugary hugs with the kids. ::snort:: It's been a good day. This may be our last all day with the kids. Steph and the kids are flying home to be with her parents while Brenner finishes his special duty overseas.  They'll get back right before retirement.