Well, I finally got my implant on Tuesday. It was unpleasant -- not painful, just weird and unpleasant -- and took about 2 hours. They had do do a "sinus lift" or "sinus augmentation" first, whatever that is, due to the bone loss caused by the infections that eventually led to the loss of the tooth.

I had a funny money moment when I saw a sign on their counter that payment was due at time of service unless other arrangements were made in advance. I'd only received one of the credit cards I intend to use, and I didn't have it on me. So I made up a quick fib that I hadn't received my health card (my FSA spending debit card) in the mail yet. I thought that would be easier to understand than trying to explain my scammy-sounding plans to charge chunks of $500 to various credit cards.

The receptionist said it was fine; I could call in and pay, or I could pay the next time I came in (I have a follow-up in two weeks). So that bought me some time to decide which would be less embarrassing, LOL. We got two more of the credit cards in the mail; just need a few more. I think the total cost will be $3400, but looking back at my notes it seems some of that was based on my interpretation of my dental insurance coverage, which might not be entirely accurate. I'll have to call and make sure what I actually owe. But assuming I'm right, even if I used my Discover card (which I need to spend $750 on) we'd be looking at 6 cards to use. I was picturing paying online, which is how I've handled these things in the past. I'm a self-conscious person, so whether I do this on the phone or in person, it's going to be kind of embarrassing. Might need to work myself up to it...

At least, if I doesn't work out, I'm not counting on the bonuses to be able to afford this. Most will be reimbursed by the flex spending we already had taken out of our paychecks. The rewards are just so I feel like I'm not spending a fortune on this!

Recovery seems to be going well. I took today off as well, and I'm really glad I did because one of the meds didn't agree with me last night and I got sick before bedtime, and spent the night on the couch feeling nauseous, not really getting any sleep. My mouth is sore and I'm trying to not talk or use it much. Because of the sinus part, I guess, my nose (mucus) is affected as well (bloody). My cheek has only swelled a little bit, but he said the worst swelling would probably be tomorrow or Friday. Great, I'll be back at work then!

I haven't felt around with my tongue and can't open my mouth wide enough to try and see it with a mirror. My regular dentist has to do something as well, so I imagine it's not completely tooth-looking yet.

Other than that wild card, finances are looking pretty much on track. I actually wish there was a bit more to do, since I'm just hanging out at home. But I'm reading a fascinating nonfiction book about the history of American con men and swindles, centered around one particular "mark" who got fleeced in the early 1900s and spent years tracking down all the men involved in the con. It's called "The Mark Inside" -- really good so far.

We've used up more of our surplus on cab rides to daycare -- it's just too cold in the mornings. Monday we used a cab both ways. Tomorrow we should feel better about using the stroller both ways. Can't wait for this deep freeze to leave! Using a cab so much seems extravagant, but I have to remind myself that it's $50-$60 total, compared with however much we'd be paying for insurance, gas and repairs on a car, not to mention the initial outlay of buying a car in the first place.

We had to move our meal plan around to put the softest meals on the first two nights after surgery, but other than that we've been sticking to it. This week I happen to be making three recipes I developed myself, either based on something I had at a restaurant or adaptation of a recipe I found online. Sunday we had tofu spring rolls with a delicious dipping sauce it took me years to copy from a now-closed restaurant; tomorrow we're having BBQ sauce pasta with tofu and veggies, a copy of a unique meal I had years ago at a restaurant; and tonight it's pinto beans and rice, a combination/enhancement of some online recipes that I at first ad libbed, then wrote down the recipe once I realized how good it was and how much we all loved it. It's no huge departure from Mexican food, but it's a really successful variation on some of our tried-and-true standard meals. Here it is if you're interested:

Pintos and rice bowl (makes 6 servings)

Beans ingredients:
2 cups dry pinto beans, soaked 24 hours, cooked until soft, left overnight in cooking water
1 T olive oil
1 onion
4 cloves garlic
2 t cumin
1.5 t paprika
1 t salt

Rice Ingredients
1 T olive oil
2 cups rice
1 onion, minced
3 garlic cloves, minced
3T tomato paste mixed into 1/2 cup water
2.5 cups mock chicken broth
1.5 tsp salt
3/4 tsp black pepper
1.5 tsp coriander
3/4 tsp paprika
3/4 tsp oregano

Optional Toppings:
Chopped tomatoes
Chopped avocado
Chopped onion
Chopped cilantro
Pickled jalapenos
Shredded cheddar cheese
Salsa & hot sauce

Instructions

In a saucepan or deep skillet, saute onion in olive oil for a few minutes, then add garlic. When they soften or brown, add beans, all other beans ingredients and some of the cooking water. Bring to boil, then lower to simmer while you prepare rice. The beans will soften further, almost into refried-beans texture.
Add oil to another (pref nonstick) saucepan and heat over medium/high. Add in rice and brown, stirring frequently, for about 3-4 minutes.
Add in onion and garlic. Cook onion rice mixture, stirring frequently, for about 4 minutes, or until onions are softened.
Add in broth and bring to a simmer.
Stir in tomato paste, salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, and coriander. Bring to a simmer.
Reduce heat to low, cover & simmer for 10 mins. Remove from heat & steam for another 5 mins. Fluff with fork.

Serve rice topped with beans and any of the optional toppings.