Happy Days are Coming

Today is wonderful. The flowering trees are beautiful and fragrant. Although it has rained all night and day long it is still a wonderful day.

Work has been amazing. I get such satisfaction from working. My sister had her third child today. A boy. He is adorable. It does not hurt as bad as I thought....I get to sleep tonight and tomorrow night.. I truly do want my own children but I realize I have missed that boat and so I am waiting for the next vessel to come along.

My eyes are super green. I want to focus on them...and the few wrinkles that are surrounding my eyes. I turned 36 Friday. It was a day....I am now closer to 40 than 30. How sad. truly sad. I have not accomplished many of the 'standard LDS' things. But I have worked hard and been a good woman and tired to follow the commandments of God to the best of my ability. I do not get love. I do not  get a family. But I do have friends who blog and share their families with me. I feel part of their family. It is comforting to know they are out there.

I spent my birthday with Dan in Hermiston. Why? I had to do something. I am fine. It is fine....What I want to focus on is that Thursday Dan calls me up and says what do you want for your birthday? I said I had not thought about it since I assumed you would forget. He did not forget. He said he called my sister Jo Ann to find out what I wanted and what she was getting me. I was irritated. Why is he calling my family? Well I let it go. I think of something I want. I tell Dan. He said too bad it is too late he already got me something. Well Friday comes and goes and no present from Dan. I ask about it on Sunday. He said he did get me something....a $4.99 breakfast at Shari's. I just stared at him. And it hit me like a brick. He is an ass.

I want to thank Josh. He has helped me in a way no one else has. I appreciate him and his listening ear. I am truly thankful.

I also want to thank Jo Ann. Her packages and letters give me such joy. It is wonderful to get snail mail. I love her thoughtfulness. I love her so much!

Rain-Free Day

My brother Daniel came to visit me. He showed up late last night. We slept in a titch today and after a great breakfast at Black Bear Diner (Daniel voted best OJ, sausage, and pancakes) we headed to historic hwy 30.
This highway is lovely. It has a sacred grove appearance. Daniel who has been to the grove confirmed my theory. There are several waterfalls and small and large hikes. We went on a small one. I almost died. The hike was 2/3 mile round trip. I am embarrassed to say this. Daniel laughed at me and told me I had to exercise every day. I laughed because he is my younger bro. I should be schooling him. Anyway, the hike was amazing. Here we are at Bridal Falls.

I am getting good at self portraits. This only took me one time. Still have those lame sunglasses on my head ha ha ha.

After the hike and a trip to Portland's Saturday Market complete with elephant ears Daniel and I met Dan and Anna at Wunderland. It is a nickelcade. So fun so germy. We gave Anna all our tickets. She got Daniel this super bad. He was trying to to the Jones look away stare but it was lost in translation.

His hearing aid was chewed by a dog. So he is without any assistance. I did not realize how much the hearing aids helped him. It has been a challenge communicating today. I guess I am going to check out the deaf branch tomorrow. I am excited.

My counselor says I am still attached to Dan. He thinks it is alright. Yesterday my name was removed from the loan and title of his vehicle. I was thrilled. I ran down there signed the papers and almost jumped for joy. It has been a concern for me, knowing there was a loan in my name and I was not in control of ensuring payments were made on time. I am so happy but still attached. Well at least I am not crying daily anymore so I am happy about it. Life is good.

Help Hygienists

Oregon Dental Conference was this past weekend. Thursday, Friday and Saturday full of great speakers and hundreds of vendors. The classes were amazing. They were exactly what I wanted to learn about....that is what happens when you fill out the course evaluations ha ha ha. Well my classes brought to mind several questions. I would like some help with them.

1. What is the difference between periodontitis and periodontal disease?
I have a very strong memory of Jeff in the pod next to me explaining that the patient did not have periodontal disease but had periodontitis. It has scarred me and I have had a hard time letting myself use that word. I know it is silly but he just rubbed me the wrong way. Now I am over my pettiness and would like to know the difference.

2. Is it better to so OCD on a tooth and remove tooth structure and create this hourglass root surface or leave the roughness (which might be root surface) or refer it to get a flap laid etc.?
I just dont know. I hate reshaping the roots. I hate leaving roughness. What do I do?

3. Leukoplakic lesions. . . watch or refer?
The speakers said you cannot diagnose white patches without a biopsy. But biopsy-ing every lesion is a little redundant but then I am worried about missing cancer. I guess I need more practice identifying those lesions.

4. Lasers??? How do I get training. My current DDS does not believe in them. I am afraid I am going to be left behind if I do not get some training to stay current. Some of the offices here have been using lasers for 15+ years. I am so behind.

I guess that is about it. Any advice would be appreciated.

Weekend Fun

It is a Delta tradition to eat 10 cent hot dogs. My sister Jo Ann came to see me in Portland instead of enjoying hot dogs in Delta. Dan met us for dinner and he bought her a hot dog.


Today Jo Ann and I along with Dan...went to the Maryhill Art Museum across the Columbia River on the Washington side. Here is some lawn art and a peacock. It was a wonderful visit to the museum.

Jo and I at Historcal Falls. One of the many waterfalls in the columbia river gorge.

Self portrait at Multnomah Falls. Only a Utah girl would have her sunglasses out while it was raining. So far Jo Ann and I have had a great time. It has rained every single day. And is forecasted to rain more. I missed listening to conference. I feel bad about it. But it has been good to have Jo here with me. Even though I am missing my family in Delta-they are eating cotton candy, playing cards, listening to conference and having fun-I am trying to enjoy my life here and now.