Tuesday Morning Torture

I like many Americans dread going to the dentist. In fact, I'm learning just how many of my fellow citizens live in fear of the dental chair. WOW! There is just something about those wickedly sharp torturous tools on the counter, the sound of that drill in my ear, the white knuckle grip I have on the arm rests as they start into my mouth, etc. It's just not really something I look forward to, but I go twice a year just like they recommend.

I've been going to the same dental office for several years now, and I always had the same dental hygienist, Mary, cleaning my teeth every time, and I was quite happy with that pattern. Well, about 3 years ago, I got switched from Mary to the new hygienist,Carrie, who was fresh out of school and VERY thorough. However, while I knew that I was probably getting the cleanest teeth ever, Carrie's touch was less than gentle, and I would be sore for days afterwards. Not just a sore mouth, but tender gums, bruised cheeks, swollen lips, etc. I'd leave the office feeling like I was just in a fight (not that I'd know what that feels like, but I could imagine). Anyway, Carrie was not a pleasant change for me. I missed Mary, but I didn't know what to do about it.

Was the switch permanent?
Was this punishment from my dentist for not flossing more?

I saw Carrie twice that year, and then miraculously, I got moved back to Mary's roster. [sigh!] So for the last year and a half, I have been quite happy with my dental experience. I still didn't look forward to my dental cleanings, by any means, but I felt better about going when I knew I was going to see Mary.

Well, today I headed to the dentist, checked in and sat down comfortably. A moment later the receptionist stuck her head out the window and said, "Melanie, I will let Carrie know that you are here." I just smiled and nodded, and then I wondered if she could visibly see the change in my demeanor. Oh no, I thought. I'm going to be so sore all week, and I wanted some ice cream tonight, but now eating ice cream will be painful! UGH! I just sat there, flipping through a magazine and pondering if I should talk to the receptionist on the way out about getting put back on Mary's list. Hmmmmm...

Soon I got taken back into Carrie's domain, had my chair leaned back and got my bib strapped on. And as you can imagine, I was trying to be as pleasant as possible, but inside I was rather annoyed. I was trying to mentally prepare for the pain. Carrie came in all perky and happy, we traded the usual polite niceties, and then she started in with the tools. And I waited for the pain. Then I waited some more. But I didn't feel anything. Carrie was still being very thorough, but there was something different. She was using a much more gentle touch. Before I knew it, the appointment was all over, and I was saying my goodbyes and getting my next appointment set up.

I got to my car and just started laughing with relief. The third time's the charm, I guess. Carrie did an awesome job. Thank you, LORD! That was a much more pleasant experience.

Good Morning!

We are thankful for that which we’ve been given.
Or is it We are thankful for the time we’ve been given...?
I’m not sure, but either way, I love that line in M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village.

1. I’m thankful for the love of a Heavenly FATHER. I’m still struggling under the weight of some big burdens right now, but in the midst of it all, I still can feel HIS love wrapped around me. Sometimes, I’d like to be held a little tighter to keep the struggles at a distance, but HE is right there in the midst of them with me, reminding me that I am never alone.

2. I’m thankful for some awesome girlfriends that have been such a loving encouragement to me lately...

2a. On Friday night, Becky got me out for a walk and talk when I really just wanted to crawl into bed and hide under the covers for the whole weekend. Then on Saturday, she and I headed to Conner Prairie to use up my get-in-free tickets. WOOHOO!! That was spontaneous and fun. I’ll have to post the photos later.

I’m sorry to report that I have a new nickname from Becky. She now calls me “Little Miss Muffet.” Yes, there was a spider incident on Saturday. This villainous, massive spider jumped down right in front of me at our picnic table. I screamed, and he/she jumped down to the ground at my feet, and I moved quicker than I thought possible. YOU KNOW WHO was laughing the entire time. I confess that I, however, was not as easily amused.

2b. Sunday after church, I spent the day with my friend Kristen. We had a delicious lunch out and then headed back to my place to talk more and just hang out. We caught up on all that GOD was doing in each other’s lives and discussed prayer requests. It was a refreshing afternoon. Later, we watched a couple of movies while Kristen crocheted, and I dismantled another non-PVC-free magnetic photo album. I was reminded again just how much I love Dan in Real Life. There is just something awesome about that movie that touches me and makes me smile every time.

3. I’m thankful for my sister. She might be 2 years younger than me, but she is always a good source of Godly wisdom for her big sister, too. Thanks, Sis, for your time, your prayers and your love!

4. I’m thankful for my wonderful parents, and for their example as prayer warriors. I love how both of them always remind me that they are praying for me. I needed to hear that this weekend.

5. I’m thankful for my job. Yes, I’m past whelmed right now. I’m completely overwhelmed, but somehow, I know that I will survive, and the projects will get done. I am reminding myself that I need to be thankful for the overtime funds. My England trip is only seven-and-a-half months away, and I’m hoping to buy a new camera for the adventure, and so the money will come in handy for sure.

6. I'm thankful for Diet Mountain Dew. I know Miss-Already-Far-Too-Wired-for-Her-Own-Good probably doesn't need to have caffeine, but I had a Diet Dew with my granola bar for breakfast this morning, and WOW! am I ever happy! That's some good stuff! I can't make a habit of it, but it sure got me going this morning.

7. I’m thankful for today--for this moment and that moment and the moment before that. None of us know how much time we have been given. There is a lot of unknown things about life, lots of uncertainties and doubts, but this much we can know for certain – GOD is WHO HE says HE is.

And the Word was
And the Word is
And the Word will be…*

May GOD reveal to each of us the blessings and bounty in our lives this week!

*Taken from Sara Groves’ album Conversations (1999), song entitled The Word [Thanks, Bethany, for first introducing me to the musical stylings of Sara Groves!]

Dear eHarmony,

Thank you for once again sending me unsolicited emails trying to entice me to return to your matchmaking site by indicating that I have multiple matches waiting for me. Thanks for the heads up, but I feel the need once again to decline.

I am trying to appreciate your slightly intrusive interest in my prospective matrimonial pursuits. However, I feel the need to be honest and to define our relationship at this time. I have decided to continue my romantic search on my own without the aid of etools, lengthy questionnaires or computer compatibility profiling.

I understand that the above listed methods you utilize have proven romantically enticing and effective with a percentage of the population. I’ve viewed your commercials. I’ve read articles about your service. I’ve heard first-hand accounts from those who have had success at finding love through your processes. I wish these individuals all the best in their endeavors, and I'm happy for them, but I just won't be joining their ranks at this time.

No, I'm not seeing another dating or love link website--honest. Although, I did hear from one of your rival Christian dating sites just today. They suggested that I join up and come "Flirt with fellow sexy Christian singles." But somehow, that tag line didn't lure me or get the reaction they had hoped for. I'm quite sure that their service is not for me either.

Don't be too disheartened. It's nothing personal. It's not you, it's me. Call me old fashioned. Call me cautious. I'm just wanting something more, and I've already got SOMEONE working on it. You see, my Heavenly FATHER and I continue to have some great conversations on this very topic, and HE knows my deepest thoughts and longings. HE knows me better than I know myself, and I'm learning to trust HIM in all things including my future hopes and dreams. My life is actually not my own. It belongs to ANOTHER, ONE much greater than myself. My existence on this planet is just a tiny fraction of the bigger story...the story of HIS redemptive love for mankind.

So while others may find your services helpful and valuable to them, I don't think you and I are a match. And until GOD says otherwise, I'm just going to leave all of this in HIS more-than-capable hands.

Thanks anyway.

Me as a Snake Charmer??

Yesterday, one of my attorneys (Carl) brought me a clip from his Survival Guide calendar on "How to Escape from a Python." This sparked off an interesting conversation...

Him: Let me get this straight--you hate spiders, but you don’t mind snakes?

Me: Yes, I know. I’m a walking contradiction. But, you see, spiders are actually out to get me. They deliberately taunt me. Snakes don’t do that. I’m not a fan of poisonous snakes really, but I do like pythons and boa constrictors.

Him: Are you kidding me? You LIKE pythons?

Me: Yeah. Why is that so weird? I like constrictors and non-poisonous snakes. I had a baby king snake named Slick as my pet at Camp Spearhead. I would carry him around in my hands or in my pocket, and the campers loved him. He was so sweet. He’d curl up in my pocket and sleep.

Him: You had a pet snake? I’m not buying it. Bring in the pictures.

Me: Will do. I’m writing myself a note now. Now did you want to see the boa constrictor photos, too?

OK, so maybe it seems odd that I have such a deathly fear and loathing of spiders, but I don't mind snakes. I can't explain it really. It's just the way things are.

So today, I brought in these photos**, and Carl was quite shocked. He said he was so sorry he didn't believe me. Now I could not find any good photos of Slick the king snake to show him, but these shots of me and Tip, a red-tailed boa constrictor, did the trick. Carl wouldn't stop talking about it all day...

1. He called me a snake charmer, which just made me laugh. Right! That's so me.

2. Then he started calling me a "daughter of Eve." Ommmm...aren't we all sons and daughters of Eve?

3. Later he accused me of being from the House of Slytherin (Harry Potter), and I just hissed at him in return. So, he said that was all the proof he needed. I quite clearly can speak Parseltongue, which definitely puts me in league with he who shall not be named. I tried to defend myself. I insisted that I was just a muggle, but he wouldn't have any part of that.

So the debate was waged all day. HA! It was a good, much-needed stress reliever, I think. Carl even insisted on buying my lunch today because he hadn't believed my story yesterday. It all just made me laugh!

**Photos from 2002

Footballization: Defining a New Word

Footballization **
Function: noun
Date: September 19, 2008
1: the action, process, or result of making a populace obsessed with the game of American football
2: the abuse of the medium of television to play continual extended coverage of every football game being played in the United States on the 4th Thursday of the month of November
3: the over-use of airwaves to chronicle, discuss and feed the over-stimulated-sport-fanatic-masses with all things relating to American football

Usage Example: see previous post

**Taken from the unabridged dictionary of Mel Bradley, 2008**

I Love Autumn!

Every year about this time, the excitement starts to build. Maybe it's the sight of candy corn at Meijer that gets me going, but whatever it is, I know that fall is on the way, and I get psyched. Yes, I think autumn is my favorite time of year.

THE WEATHER: I know everyone thinks it gets cold or chilly too fast, but come on, it's lovely and refreshing. It's just jeans and sweater weather. [Say sweater weather 5 times...it's quite a tongue twister. HA!] I guess I'm still a Michigan girl. I still seem to have the cold water of the Great Lakes flowing through my veins, and so I love the cooler temps of the fall, the crisp autumn air, the swirling wind, etc. It's wonderful!

THE OUTDOORS: I love to rake leaves into piles and crash into them. Can't get enough of that awesome crunch sound! And who doesn't love a hayride (besides Kristen--sorry to bring it up, but I know you have your reasons)! I think I went on at least one hayride every year in Michigan, and then at camp, I was on a hayride at least twice a week. I loved that. We'd sing loudly and just have a great time! Of course, there is the downside of having to pull pieces of hay or straw out of my hair for the rest of the day thanks to the boys (you know who you are), but those were still really good times!

I love the smell of fall, too. There is just something in the air (beside pollution) that tickles my nose. That fresh scent lingers in the great outdoors. I love bonfires and roasting hotdogs or marshmallows, too. It's delightful.

THE FOOD: Candy corn is pretty awesome! I should look up the WW points for it. Hmmmmm...1 oz. is 2 points. I wonder how many pieces that is? HA! I love pumpkin stuff -- pumpkin pie, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin muffins. YUM! I love going to an apple orchard and picking my own apples. I miss Michigan's apple orchards. Apple-picking make me think of caramel apples and apple cider and... OOPS! Diet Girl is digressing here. Somehow this conversation is going to lead back to donuts, I just know it, and I just can't have that!! Hee hee!

THE SEASON: With fall just around the corner, that means that Thanksgiving is coming up fast. Only 10 weeks from yesterday. WOOHOO!! Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday despite the over footballization of the day. Uh-oh! I think I just made a new word. Anyway, I love Thanksgiving: counting my blessings and the gifts GOD has placed in my life, spending time with family, eating tasty food, taking an adventurous walk with my nieces and nephews, playing board games if it's cold or going to the park if it's not, making memories and capturing them on film, etc. Yeah, it's a favorite day of mine. I really enjoy it.

Well, autumn is on it's way this year, and I'm ready.

Come On -- Learn to Take a Compliment, Mel!

It happened yesterday at work. A random co-worker that I don't know very well came up to me and gave me a compliment about my appearance, and I could literally feel myself blushing. I said thank you, and then I headed back to my desk. But inside my head, I was already churning...Why did she say that? That was nice of her, but it's not true.

Now, I don't know if lots of women struggle with this or not. But I know a few who do, and I am one of them. I just don't seem to know how to take a compliment well. I start to blush, I act flustered, I get embarrassed. I don't know how to respond. I have learned over the years how to outwardly respond more graciously to compliments, i.e. thanking people for their kind words. But inwardly, I still struggle with the proper response. Why am I questioning another person's sincerity? Am I giving off a false sense of modesty and humility?

I am not my own. I was bought with a price. I was created and formed by THE GOD that made the heavens and the earth and all living things. So when I laugh off or reject the kind words of others, am I rejecting the gift of GOD in my life? Am I mocking the beauty of HIS creation? I hope not. But just thinking about this today has me challenging myself to be careful how I respond to compliments.

Psalm 139:13-15 [NKJV]

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

LORD, thank you for making me the way that you did. I am your handiwork. Help me to be more grateful of that fact. Help me to receive compliments more graciously from others. YOU do not make mistakes, LORD. Help me to be a reflection of YOUR beauty and the joy of my Salvation.

This Song Is In My Head...

And I can't seem to shake it this week. Not a bad thing to have playing over and over in my head at all.

Remember surrender.
Remember the rest.
Remember that weight lifting off of your chest.
And realizing that it's not up to you and it never was.

Remember surrender.
Remember relief.
Remember how tears rolled down both of your cheeks.
As the warmth of a heavenly father came closing in.

I want to do that again.
Why can't I live there.
And make my home.
In sweet surrender.
I want to do so much more than remember.

Remember surrender.
Remember peace.
Remember how soundly you fell fast asleep.
In the face of your troubles your future still shone like the morning sun.

Remember surrender.
Remember that sound.
Of all of those voices dying down.
But one who speaks clearly of helping and healing you deep within.

I want to do that again.
Why can't I live there.
And make my home.
In sweet surrender.
I want to do so much more than remember.
Remember.
Oh surrender.
I want to do that again.
Oh why can't I live there and make my home.
In sweet surrender.
I want to do so much more than remember.
Remember.

Remember surrender.
Remember the rest.
Remember that weight lifting off of your chest.
And realizing that it's not up to you and it never was...

**Music and Lyrics by Sara Groves

Distractions

I took the back roads through Clermont to get to my doctor appointment in Brownsburg this morning. You know me. I love country drives and finding a million and one ways to get from point A to point B. Driving along 2-lane country roads reminds me of life in the thumb of Michigan, I guess.

Today I was enjoying the country drive along the corn fields and small town life so much that I passed the road to my doctor's office. That's never happened before. It made me laugh. I was just so distracted listening to tunes and enjoying the drive. By the time I realized I had missed my turn and gotten back to that corner, I was almost late for my appointment, which is a first for this anal, retentive, got-to-be-on-time girl. My Dad instilled the values of punctuality in his kids, to be sure.

As I sat waiting in the doctor's office, I started thinking about life's distractions. Sometimes these distractions are good--like how GOD sometimes keeps us busy focusing on others instead of worrying about our own problems. HE's been doing that a lot lately in my own life. I turn to HIM with something that is burdening my heart, hoping HE can give me answers to my questions and direct my path. Instead of providing me with all that understanding I think I need, HE puts me into action by providing opportunities to help and serve others. And if I'm not careful about my attitude and if I am far too focused on my self, I might just miss those chances to be used in someone else's life. These distractions are sometimes HIS answer to my questions. HIS way of saying: Just wait. And while you are waiting, here is an opportunity to share MY love...

UPDATE: **Monday Morning Madness

I woke up to very little water pressure in my apartment. Not fun! Some of you may recall, I had 8 days last year without any hot water, and so I get a bit on edge with water problems. I still shiver when I think about those cold showers. Hee hee!

Today, I think that a water main broke or something. At least that is my unofficial diagnosis from my drive-by perusal of the situation. There was lots of running water outside on one side of the complex, and there were guys working underground when I left before 7 this morning, and so hopefully, I'll have better water pressure tonight. [Fingers crossed!]

So I'm continuing to count my blessings:

1. I had enough water to get ready with a bath this morning. A bit out of the ordinary, but I'm clean.

2. My hair is just fine in a pony tail for one day. And hey, I think I'm starting to look older than 14 in a pony tail. I think I could pass for 18 now. WOOHOO!!

3. I did laundry yesterday and ran the dishwasher on Saturday night.

4. If the mayhem continues, I can always take showers and get ready at the fitness center here at work. That could be interesting, but it could work.

5. I don't have to pay for a plumber or maintenance on the pipes if something is wrong. Now, that is really a cool perk of apartment life.

See, things are looking up already! I hope everyone has an incredibly wonderful Monday! Enjoy your day.

**UPDATE: WOOHOO!! I am pleased to report that I had lots of water pressure when I got home.