Wisdom Teeth

I'll admit it. Although I try to mourn with those who mourn, and comfort those in need of comforting, I'm not very sympathetic when it comes to getting wisdom teeth extracted. I think this stems from two main reasons.

1. I never had my wisdom teeth out. Although I am no stranger to pain (can you say natural childbirth?), I have endured two major surgeries and given birth to three large children. The thought of a 30 minute outpatient procedure leading to days of coddling doesn't seem right.

2. I think I have unresolved resentment of a childhood issue. When I was 8 or 9 (everything happened to me then) I had to have EIGHT teeth removed. Four were baby teeth, but four were permanent ones that were waiting to come in underneath the baby ones. So, just like wisdom teeth, they had to cut open the gum, remove the teeth, and stitch it up. The same time I had my EIGHT teeth removed, my older sister had four wisdom teeth removed. Even my young eight year old brain knew that eight teeth was more than four teeth. Yet, I remember (this is the resentment part) sitting on the couch for the first day with my sister and we both had ice and ice cream. But, the second day, she got to stay on the couch and continue to do nothing and have milkshakes and I had to get up and do her chores. What's up with that? I had twice as many teeth pulled but she got to have twice as many milkshakes as I did. Not fair!

I was not looking forward to the day when my children would need their wisdom teeth out. After seventeen years of denial, Kelsie's turn finally arrived. I had to schedule it during the one time of the year that Chris goes out of town to see his dad, but with our weird summer schedule, it was really the only time we could do it over the summer. I was a little nervous about the procedure because I don't do well with health issues; bleeding, needles, vomit, etc. I usually let Chris take care of all that, but I was VERY brave and did quite well. I didn't faint when I went back to see her in recovery (yes, I have done that) and I only had a little headache from the stress of the situation which a couple of Advils took care of quite rapidly.

Kelsie sailed through with flying colors. She was a little cranky and angry the first couple of hours...but that was it. She was quickly back to her normal self except for the fact that she couldn't eat much and kept putting bags of frozen peas on her cheeks. After twenty-four hours, she is just using Advil to take care of the pain.

I know there are more serious cases that require more care (and sympathy) but I am SO glad that Kelsie's was an easy case and an easy recovery. I like to hope that I would rise to the occassion if she really needed my help and sympathy...but for now, I'll continue to live in denial of the pain of losing one's wisdom teeth.

HOW TO GET PAINT OUT OF CARPET

Yep. "HOW TO GET PAINT OUT OF CARPET" was my google question for about five minutes until I realized there was no quick cure for the puddle of sapphire blue paint on the carpet in Trevor's room. I was finally finishing up Trevor's room last week. I had installed the baseboards and was just doing some touchup painting before the room was complete (besides adding a closet door, but it's a weird size and I just haven't made it to the Special Order desk). Since I was just doing some touchup work I thought it would be easier if I just put paint in a paper cup instead of lugging around the big gallon of paint. Worked great. There were a few areas that needed a second coat since Suddenly Sapphire is such a dark and vibrant color, so I had the paper cup on the floor (I know, stupid mistake) while I was cleaning some stuff in Trevor's room. He was at EFY so I thought I'd have the room all finished and clean when he came home--I was trying to be such a nice mom. Next thing I know, I look around the corner and the paper cup had somehow fallen and there was a nice puddle of blue paint on the tan carpet.

My heart started pounding and I started panicking. I tried googling for help...but no easy and sure fire ideas came to me. I thought about taking a picture for the blog--really--but I did not want to waste any time at all in my feeble rescue attempt.

I started blotting and blotting. I went through one roll of paper towels. I started dabbing with water and blotting. I went through another roll of paper towels. I did this for four hours until I needed a dinner break. I was starving, exhausted, and my shoulders were killing me. I told Chris "We're going to In and Out and I'm getting fries and a shake and I'm not sharing with anybody." Hunger and stress had clearly taken it's toll.

I came back from dinner and dabbed and blotted for a couple more hours. I thought it was looking pretty good before I went to bed. Not perfect, but better. The next morning it didn't look as good as it seemed to the night before it so I contined my blotting, scrubbing, and stressing. I went through at least four rolls of paper towels (thank goodness I had bought some from Costco) and all my white hand towels.

And now? There's still a very slight blue tint to the area of carpet, but it looks so much better than I ever dreamed it would. I thought for sure the room would need new carpet or a permanent rug over the area, but it's not too noticeable. I'm still going to work on it a little bit more...I think I can get it looking even better. And yes, I've learned my lesson.

Reunited...and it feels so good!

My little family is finally all back home together.

Branden graduated from 6th grade on a Wednesday and Saturday morning he left for his first ever week long Boy Scout camp. I was a little more secure sending Branden to camp than Trevor, since Branden is a little more cautious. But, a week is a very long time for a 12 year old! However, he loved it! He only called me on the last day to see when Chris was coming up (Chris was driving up to bring back scouts). He earned six merit badges (woo-hoo!). His favorite was wilderness survival where he had to build his own shelter outside and actually sleep in it. SCARY...for me...but he did it! He least favorite was pioneering...too many knots for him. He also earned swimming, enviromental science, photography, and orienteering.

Two days after he came back Kelsie and Trevor left for EFY in Santa Barbara. They had a fantastic time and can't wait to go again.
They came home today...so now we're finally ready to start our summer with everyone home.

While they were gone I learned some things:
1. Branden entertains himself pretty well. The house was extemely quite while he was home. I would see him read for a couple of hours, watch TV, read some more, play video games, read some more. He was perfectly content staying home and keeping his pajamas on all day.

2. The bathroom stays much cleaner with Trevor and Kelsie gone.

3. The living room and kitchen stays much cleaner with Branden gone.

4. And...I finally figured out which son keeps peeing on the seat!

I missed each one of them when they were gone and I am so glad everyone is back home!