BATTERED, BRUISED AND BETTER FOR WEAR!

Such a coward I am, and a not very smart coward either.

I have a 'thing' about dentists. I don't like them. The dentist we go to is a super dentist, as far as dentists go. His assistant is pretty, charming and friendly. They're fast, reasonably pain-free and let you make payments on the bill if you need to. They don't click their tongue and look down their noses at you as if you were a naughty child.

But, they still drill in my mouth. They still use those pokey things and stick them in my teeth. They still scrape, and grind and ... I have goosebumps just typing the words.

What happens then, is that I only go when something starts to hurt a little. To be honest, I usually tough it out until it starts to hurt a little more than a little. I choke down aspirin, tylenol, etc. until I finally tell Randy, "My tooth hurts. Can you make an appointment for me?" He does. I go. And I generally survive.

This week found me white-knuckled in the chair again. I didn't wait AS long this time before I asked him to call, because I am learning. I was in and out of their office in a jiffy, and only numb on the lower 1/4 quadrant of my face for about 5 (long) hours. They make sure I feel no pain - as a result, I turn into a real 'numb-skull'! (Oh come on, you KNOW you were thinking it! I just said it!)

So my tooth is better for wear.

Swine flu shots became available locally this week. Several days of free clinics at the mall and hospital. Randy got his the first day. Said he hardly could feel anything when they injected him. Wasn't sore afterwards. (I'm not cowardly about shots, getting blood work or stuff like that, but painless ALWAYS gets higher marks than painFUL.)

So, I missed the first day (even after emailing several folks to let THEM know). The 2nd day I wrote it in BALLPOINT PEN on my hand. I forgot that day too!

On the third day I finally made it to the clinic! Aha! Basically walked in, filled out a 60-second form and they took me back to shoot me. It didn't hurt, but my ears perked up when the nurse said 'uh-oh'. UH-OH?

She said I was bleeding. 'Musta hit a vein', is what she told me! I asked if I was going to die? (One can never be too sure about these things! If I was going to die- I was going to have to speed up because I had a LOT to do that day!)

She assured me I wasn't going to die, but 'that's going to bruise real good'. And, she was pretty much right, judging from the quarter to 1/2 dollar sized black and blue mark on my arm.

I'm bruised, but hopefully better for having done it!

I chemically altered my hair color this week. I have an allergy to the p-phsomething chemical in hair color. I've learned that if I buy a potion with a name like LIGHT BROWN or DARK BLONDE (esp. dark blonde) it isn't AS bad as the others. Somehow I pulled the wrong color off the shelf. (I described that whole experience last time.) I knew it was going to be bad because before I walked out of the bathroom my head was burning and stinging angrily.

But by-cracky I paid $14 for that box of stuff and I was going to use it. And since that time, I've pretty much been in some form of misery or another! The first day my head simply continued to burn and sting. My scalp, neck, anywhere the dye had washed had some discomfort. The second day a rash (purple, Randy says) developed on my scalp, back of ears and neck.

I got my hair cut that day. I explained to the lady that it wasn't some dread communicable disease so she would cut my hair. She got it up off my neck in the back which helped a bunch.

The third day the little bumps turned to little blisters (like a sunburn gets those tiny blisters). Now on the 4th day, I'm back to basic itching.

But, I look better for all that! -- not really sure about that either (trying to encourage myself here!) as the color is just a little 'weird' if you ask me (not Shiba colored, Aunt Nita)! I'm not so worried though. It will soon enough grow out another stripe down the middle and I'll try it again with the RIGHT color! (Next time you see me I'll be the one wrapped head to toe in gauze! - just so you know to say 'hi' when you see me!)

Morning work has picked up the pace this week. MANY things to get done in not so much time. I was given permission to put in a 'few' extra hours, 5 this week. The up-side is that my boss has either come to the conclusion that I can/will get it done and hasn't been as 'intense' as he's been known to be. Either that or he is taking happy pills. Either way works for me! (I should be careful what I say in a public blog, huh? If you're reading DY ... hi!!) Seriously I am SO thankful for the extra hours and I do try to do my best.

Marvie's birthday is next week. I'm sure he isn't reading this -- don't think he gets online. But wouldn't it be FUN to send him birthday cards? Marv is my baby brother. Send him a card (if you want) to Marv Hinkhouse, 10375 County Road G-44X, Muscatine, IA 52761. *tee hee* I think he'd get a kick out of it. (I was blessed with the BEST brothers! -- and sisters -- and sisters-&-brothers-in-law ...whew! Got everyone covered right?)

Couple of prayer requests -- please continue to keep Ryan's Uncle Roger in your prayers. He is so seriously ill with the swine flu. They aren't anticipating the best for him. I saw God give my son-in-love, Ryan, his health back in a miracle this year -- I know its possible.

And a second 'silent' request for a miracle. *wink* He knows. Let's pray for each other always. Jesus is coming SOON. I pray that He makes us all aware of what it is in our individual lives that might be keeping us from Him.

Characteristically super long ... See you next time!