Gavin's Lost Some Wisdom.....Teeth

Greetings:

I guess the big news in the past week has been the removal of Gavin's wisdom teeth.   We went in for a consultation last Wednesday and got good news.    The doctor said Gavin's case was one of the easiest of the week.   Only one of the teeth were erupting and the other three were still under the gums and nice and straight too.    The plan was to go ahead and pull those babies out on Friday morning.

He had three options:

1. Just get local anesthetic and have them removed (12 shots total)
2. Get local anesthetic and laughing gas
3. Get an IV and be put under

At first he wanted option 1 but I talked him into option 2.   He thought it was cool during the procedure because the doctor would tell him what he was doing.   Unlike most people, the sounds he heard didn't gross him out.    Makes me sick thinking about it.   

The procedure went fast and he was done more quickly than I expected.    I wasn't expecting him to need 5 prescriptions after it but luckily our usual pharmacy is right across the street from the surgical office.    They gave  him prescription pain killers (barely used them), prescription strength Ibuprofen (used it a lot), steroids to help healing (took last dose today), an antibiotic to prevent infection, and a prescription mouth wash too.    He had a few moments of bad pain but he did really well with the process.    He was quite puffy on day 2 and 3 because he wasn't on top of the icing process.    We can see some signs of bruising now too as parts of his jaw are yellowish in color.    

I'm just glad we were able to get it scheduled and done this summer.   Next on the agenda is to figure out senior picture ideas.    I am very  much OK with Alissa doing some fall shots with him in NE Iowa.    The question will be when we can get up there with her schedule and his football schedule.   Or maybe we could do some shots at Ledges by Boone.    I do want a professional photographer to take some too down this way, especially with his athletic equipment.   I should probably line that up at some point.    

I'm starting to feel a bit old as the "list of things to do" for Gavin's final year of high school is starting.

1.   Wisdom teeth out

2.  Senior pictures

3.   Figure out college options---he's still indecisive but he needs to do some visits

4.   FAFSA stuff 

He's made it somewhat clear he doesn't want to move with me to Ames next year.    Further pressure for him to figure out what he's going to do because if he does end up going for a trade and attending a place like DMACC, we'll also need to get apartment stuff figured out too.     

Guess Gavin was the focus for this one!

Update Time---Nothing Too Exciting

Week 3 of the summer program---not too shabby.     Things have been running smoothly.     We are starting to have a few kids presenting issues but manageable so far.     We had our first puker today too.    Fun times as I'm the custodian for the program.

I am done teaching my summer class for ISU.    I can't submit final grades yet but everything is ready to go.   I would like to teach the class again in the future but I doubt they'll offer it again in the summer of 2018.   Enrollment was too low.    DMACC is somewhat panicking too because their summer enrollment was quite low.     They aren't happy with the looks of fall enrollment either.    I'm curious to see how much I'll end up teaching for them in the fall.     All I am doing for them this summer is the occasional coaching class.   I taught this past Friday and it went well.

I'm excited for the upcoming 4th of July and potential family visit.   I hope the weather cooperates.   I always like the festivities in Ames.    The following weekend is Summerfest in Ankeny so may have some more fun after the holiday too.

Gavin has his consult tomorrow for his wisdom teeth and their extraction on Friday.     He seems pretty indifferent.  

The living situation with Dan and his son has provided ups and downs.    His son is getting more comfortable with me so there have been more situations with him getting grumpy or upset.   I made "root beer pulled chicken" for dinner tonight.    It was one of those recipes posted on Facebook and it caught my attention.    He wanted nothing to do with that dinner option sadly.    It turned out OK but was more bland than I expected.   I'm trying to lighten up with being a neat freak as that's been stressing me out too.  

Here is a review of some movies I watched recently:

"San Andreas":  features The Rock and is one of those natural disaster movies.     It was so bad it was good.   We mainly enjoyed the bad acting and unlikely events.  

"The Machinist"  features Christian Bale as a blue collar worker that is dealing with insomnia.    It basically turns into a thriller/horror movie as he doesn't know if events in his life are truly happening or not.    Interesting twist at the end.     It is the movie he dropped like 100 lbs for so he'd look really sick and tired for the role.

"Aloha"  features Bradley Cooper and Emma Stone.     It is connected to military aspects when a guy returns to Hawaii as a contractor after leaving the service.    It includes a love story and ethical decision too.    It was rather lackluster.

"A Little Chaos"  features Kate Winslet.    It is one of those old English movies.    Kate Winslet is basically a female landscape architect creating an outdoor dancing space for the current king.   It also has a love story as she gets quite friendly with the head architect.   It wasn't great but wasn't bad.

"Antichrist"  I've been watching all the movies created by Lars von Trier and this is one that makes up a trio that got a lot of attention.     All his movies are artsy.    This one doesn't even have a connection to anything anti-religion so the title confuses me.    A couple goes to their cabin to help them deal with the death of their toddler.     The mother basically loses her mind and goes nuts.    It turned into a horror movie pretty quick.

"Melancholia"   Another Lars von Trier movie.   It features Kirsten Dunst and Keifer Sutherland is in it too.    The end of the world is approaching so that is a main issue in the movie.    Kirsten's character is super depressed and has mental issues.    That is a major focus of the movie too.    Very artsy but very weird.    I had wondered what I had watched by the time it ended.  

"Paper Towns"   It is one of those teenager focused movies.     Two opposite sex friends grew up together and he thought he was in love with her.      They have a fun night together but then she disappears and essentially runs away.    He think she left clues behind so he could find her.    He eventually does but the love story doesn't go well.  

"She's Funny That Way"   The main famous actor is Owen Wilson.   I don't know why I added this to my movie list but I sat through it.    It explains how an escort ended up becoming an actress and lots of character story lines cross and meet up in the movie.    Meh.

"Vacation"   The next National Lampoon movie that came out in 2015.  I remember wanting to see it in the theater and I am grateful I didn't waste the money.    It had funny moments but I wasn't wowed.
"The Hangover III"    It had it's funny moments too but they should have stopped after making the second movie.    Mr. Chow is the main character and issue.  I'm surprised they got all of the actors to take part in the movie again.  

"Ricki and the Flash"   Features Meryl Streep.   It was a pretty decent story.     A mom basically left her family when her kids were little to chase her music dreams.    Her now adult daughter is having a crisis so she comes back to try and help.    It was a good story and decent movie.    

I think that's enough for now!

Week 1...Done

And the first week of Summer Youth Fitness is done!    The week went fairly well.    Only major issue was on Tuesday as I had to close the pool due to low staffing.    Placed an add in the local newspapers and hope to hire another 2 life guards by roping in some high school kids.    Seems to be a huge shortage of life guards in Central Iowa though.    It's already making me worry for next year as getting staff this summer (pool-wise) was like pulling teeth.

I've been really happy with the program too because my energy levels are fantastic.     It is much easier to move around the building and outside locations all afternoon.     I'm getting a lot done and even extra stuff too thanks to being peppy.    I only fell asleep early one evening this week too so it's nice to be able to function after a long day.   Next week will be brutal though as it's supposed to be so hot.  

Dan's boy is participating in the program and thankfully Dan was able to bring him on Monday and Tuesday since I was plenty busy teaching in the mornings and doing prep work for the program.    He did have to come early with me on Wednesday and did OK.     We didn't have to come until noon yesterday which should be the norm for the remaining weeks.     I had a somewhat uncomfortable talk with Dan yesterday about some concerns.    At times he seems really disengaged from Jude which A) puts more work on me at home and B) just isn't great parenting.   There have been issues that have popped up (e.g. Jude making a mess) and it happens right in front of Dan and he doesn't seem to notice or care.    He explained that after work he just wants to relax and is tired.    I guess I was a bitch and said "tough, parenting is a 24/7 job".   Plus if he's that wiped out, he shouldn't be working double shifts if it affects his interactions with his son.    I guess I put my foot down about it all because it was eating away at me, especially the past few nights.    I don't mind helping with Jude but I'm not the primarily parent.     I also had to do the hand-off of Jude to his mother last night.    I wasn't happy about that either but it went OK.    She was way too nice (in an overkill way) and I got out of there quickly.     It was a bit funny because I pulled into the drive way and got out to unload Jude.   Before I knew it, his older brother was running at the car and then she was outside quickly too.    We think they were quick to respond so I wouldn't walk up to the house or the door.    Sigh.  

I'm getting somewhat excited about the Fourth of July holiday.    I think our plans are to attend the Ames parade.    Fireworks are the night before on July 3rd.    I think we'll do the use thing at Hilton but come early with outside games and have a fun evening.    Not sure if we have Jude or not and I'm not sure if Gavin works yet.     Speaking of Gavin, he has now been at Hy-Vee for a year.    Ask him about it and he just shrugs.    Shocking.  

Dan and I are planning a long weekend in Milwaukee in July too.    On July 13 we'll drive there as we are attending a concert that night.    (Toad the Wet Sprocket)   It will be the first time (I think) that I take a day off from Summer Youth Fitness.   Makes me a bit nervous due to my Type A style with work.      On July 14 we are likely going to do a river cruise in Milwaukee (historical focus) and also visit a nearby cave that gives tours.     In honor of his Dad, we'll likely do the Harley museum too even though that really doesn't interest me.    Still have some gaps in the agenda and may do something on July 15 before we head back to Iowa.    Not sure yet.     We are also thinking about a trip to Cleveland in August (first weekend).     We may go to Cedar Point Roller Coaster park one day and attend a Cleveland Indians game or two as well.    Baseball games would be for Dan's birthday.   Still no clue as if kids are coming with and how many.   I would like Gavin to come and it may work with his football schedule too.     Dan's kids?    Too early to tell.  

Guess that's enough of an update for now!    Enjoy the heat.