Wednesday: Dental Appointment and a New Blouse

Today, I spent the morning preparing myself for the dental appointment, both mentally and physically - I checked my blood pressure in the morning (it was good), I took my blood pressure medication, I remembered to take the medical clearance given by my doctor with me, etc., and I presented myself at the dental clinic at 11:00 a.m. exactly.  I was asked to wait a little bit, which I was glad to do as it gave me a few minutes to read my prayer book.  Then, I was called in, seated on the chair where I waited a little longer (I always remember reading something Erma Bombeck wrote about how sitting in the dentist's chair was just about the only time she got to actually sit!) and was finally seen by the dentist.

He studied my charts and checked my mouth and, at the first opportunity, I asked him what exactly were we doing today.  I said I was told I was to have a deep cleaning and I was surprised by that because I thought I'd have the extractions done first.  I also said I didn't want implants and bone grafts.  He said he understood and agreed to do the extractions first.  So, today's appointment turned out to be another examination!

He prescribed another dose of antibiotics in preparation for the extraction of the tooth in the upper right jaw (a molar).  I am to start taking the antibiotics one day prior to the extraction, which is scheduled for next week, Thursday (dentist will be away over the 4th of July holidays).  It sounds like we are doing one tooth at a time, which is fine with me.  Less stress to my system, I believe.  I remember that the last time I had a tooth extracted (about 9 or 10 years ago, as daughter was still in high school) it took me several days to recover from the swelling and the pain.

I am feeling much better about my dental procedures, now.  I guess I could have saved myself a lot of mental anguish had I spoken up at that first visit, but I am not very assertive when it comes to such things.  In fact, I found myself apologizing to the dentist for refusing the implants, today, and he ended up assuring me that I had nothing to apologize for, that he will recommend what he thinks is best but ultimately, the decision is mine to make.

It was a bit cooler, today, and I contemplated running a few errands, since I had the rest of the afternoon free.  Instead, I came home, had some lunch, and then, started to sew my blouse.  After I machine sewed the bias bindings to the armholes, I began to experience some visual distortions - I call them "dancing white lights" but my eye doctor called them ocular migraines.  I used to get migraines when I was younger and the visual distortions used to precede the headache.  Later, however, I would get only the visual distortions without a headache.  I haven't had one in years, though, so, I got a bit worried when I experienced one this afternoon.  I stopped the sewing and lay down on the sofa.  The visual distortion lasted only a couple of minutes, but I rested with my eyes closed for about half an hour.  There was no headache.  I really don't know what caused it, but I think maybe it was because I was stressing so much about the dental appointment?

Later, I finished sewing the blouse.

New Lace Blouse

It is a very simple and plain blouse, but I like it.

There was a length of lace left over so I hemmed it and made a scarf with it.  I can wear it as a regular, straight scarf or tied into a bow:

Scarf to Match

It can be pinned to the blouse to dress it up, a bit more:

Blouse with Bow

It is a dusty beige-pink color, but I can wear it with a black or white skirt.  That is one more unfinished project completed!  Woo hoo!   Only some dozen or so unfinished projects left to do!  But I am thinking of making myself a black blouse, so I didn't put away the sewing machine.  I have some black fabric in the stash, but they are mostly remnants from other projects and I don't know if I have enough for a blouse.  I will take a look through them this weekend and see.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Dental procedures have been sorted out!
- A new blouse and scarf to match!

- The visual distortion was short-lived
- I didn't get a migraine headache
- Emails and phone calls from friends; video chatting with daughter

Wednesday's To Do List:

- Dental appointment - DONE (New appointment made)

- Finish sewing the blouse - DONE

- Finish cleaning the bathrooms - DONE

- Clean the litter box - Will do before going to bed

Thursday's To Do List:

- Office

- Bank

- Pharmacy

- Dust and vacuum living room and dining area.

- Water the front garden 

How was your Wednesday?  Do you have unfinished projects or works in progress as some people call them?  Are you like me, starting new projects before finishing ones already started?  Or are you someone who finishes one project before starting on another?