I returned to the dentist today to have the tooth filled.  The tooth has been bothering me for over two weeks.  I went into the dentist Friday, but he had to postpone the drilling and filling until today.  Many of his staff were out sick.  Everyone was back today.  Because he postponed me, he told me Friday that both that visit and today's would be free.  Such a deal!

He had to numb the tooth twice, because the first time didn't work right.  After he began drilling, he found that the tooth in front of the cavity has a crack, and he said that cracked tooth, not the cavity, is likely the cause of my recent pain.  I had been telling him the pain is in the tooth in front of the one he was thinking was the problem.  Anyway, he drilled and filled the cavity, and he wants me to return for a crown on the cracked tooth, at a cost of one thousand dollars.  yikes!  He says that if I don't crown it, it will likely split apart, and then it will need to be removed.

When I got home, I went through more stuff that I have to organize for the move.  Several things went into the garbage, some went into a pile to go to the swap meet a week from today, and a couple of things went into the pile to keep.

I am amazed at the amount of stuff I have acquired during the twelve years I have lived here.  Much of it is work related, computer parts, software, and such.  Other stuff is simply things that I thought I might want someday.  Yes, I am gatherer, often taking free things with the thought that "someday it might come in handy."  It almost never does.  So, I am getting rid of a LOT of stuff.

I finished the oil in this bus, preparing it for the move.  I tried to use the small air compressor that I have to blow acorns and leaves out of the place where the spark plugs are, but my compressor is very weak.  Instead, I disconnected the wire from the spark condenser, so that I can try cranking the bus for the first time.  I also disconnected the gas line, because I don't want the bus to start yet.  I merely want to confirm that the engine will turn over and that the starter works.  I am fairly certain the engine will turn, because I have cranked it a bit by hand.

I need now only move things out of the driver's seat, so that I can get to the steering wheel and key and all.  Then I will pull my car around and jump the battery.  I've tried charging the old battery, but it simply will not take a charge.  If the engine will crank, I will purchase a new battery.

Until next time --

Dave Clingman
aka whstler