Weekend Happenings

Good Friday morning!

In Blog Linkage yesterday, I asked everyone to go to tara whitney photography under My Blog List to look at her picture essay entitled "These are the places my eyes like to land." In the Gallery today, I've posted a few pictures of places in my home where "my eyes like to land." I haven't posted all of them. Once you start looking, you can get a little carried away... but it does make you aware and appreciative of the little things you sometimes take for granted.

THE TOOTH SAGA - THE FINAL CHAPTER

That's right. You did not misunderstand. It's OVER, baby!

I went to the dentist yesterday hoping, hoping, hoping the second permanent crown would fit. They immediately took me to MY chair. The same hygienist who's been working with me the entire time put her hand in my mouth and said, "Little wiggle," once again ripping the temporary crown from my mouth.

NOTE - I was watching something on TV the other day, and a child was about to get a shot. The child asked the doctor, "Is this going to hurt?" and the doctor responded, "Yes. Very much." I LOVED that! Be honest! "Little wiggle" does not describe the removal of a fake tooth cemented to your gum line. It just doesn't! I even bleed! The hygienist needs to say, "Gigantic yank... uncomfortable to moderate pain... some blood." THANK YOU!

I digress. "Okay. Let's get this crown on," she said and she started for my mouth.

"Wait! You have to 'numb' me first!" I sat up.

"Are you sure you want to be numb? We usually just put these on without numbing."

"I have to be numb. It hurt last week... A LOT! Isn't that it in my chart?"

"I don't have your chart. It's just a crown. This isn't a doctor's office," she replied, not unkindly.

I'm shopping today for medical alert jewelry (bracelet, necklace and earrings) that ALL say, "Numb her up!" Obviously, charts do not do the trick.

"Well, I have to be extremely numb." She smiled, left the room and my dentist came in with his Novocaine needle to do the job.

I'm not saying he did his best job ever, but by the time the hygienist came back to fit my crown, the numbness went from the top of my head down the left side of my body. I couldn't even tell I was wearing a bra. Big thumbs up!

After four attempts of putting the crown in, checking the fit with dental floss and then popping it back out to drill it down to size, I was again very thankful I had insisted. The fifth time she put the crown in, it still wasn't right. She popped the crown out with the dental floss. The crown came out with a pop, hit the back of my front tooth and immediately went down my throat. I swallowed my new permanent crown.

Thankfully, I am blessed with a very good gag reflex, and I was able to "return" the crown to the hygienist. "Wow. That was close," she said. And then I resorted to the "thought conversation" I had with her last week. "Ya think!"

Two more times, in and out, and it was time for the dentist.

He walked in, put the crown in another two times (if you're keeping up, we're up to nine "ins and outs"), and then on the tenth attempt pressed down with his entire upper body weight, and said the words I had been longing to hear for six months... "Okay. You're done!"

"Forever?" I asked.

"Well, if you get home and it doesn't feel like a good fit after the numbness wears off, you'll need to come back, and we'll work on it some more."

There was a little problem with that theory.

1. A little over 22 hours later, I'm still numb in a few places.

2. This thing could be sticking straight out of the front of my mouth, and I would not go back.

3. This is in no way a reflection on my dentist or his staff. They did a good job. This was totally me. If we had been on a date, I would have said, "It's not you. It's me. But it is most definitely OVER."

And that, my friends, is THE END of my tooth saga that started early December. Thank you for your concern over the last few months. You can now move on to someone else who truly deserves your love and compassion.

Easter "Oldie"

No one knows your family like you. If you have teenagers, and you have watched Passion of the Christ yourself, this would be a good weekend to sit down as a family and watch this movie together. Again, I highly urge you to preview the movie before watching it for the first time with your kids.

That being said, this movie makes the story of Jesus' death on the cross (and His resurrection three days later) very real and vivid.

I love the egg hunts, the Easter Bunny, the new Easter outfits... but none of those things are reminders of what really happened on this day those many years ago.

"Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold here is the place where they laid Him." Matthew 16:6. And that place, sweet friends, was empty. Jesus was, AND IS, very much alive and well!

SPECIAL GUEST - LEANNA BROWN - PART TWO

LeAnna had to take a little Ibuprofen last night because of the pain in her autographing hand, but she's a trooper. She's willing for Part Two to be posted today. She may have to sign with her left hand, but she's a giver. That's one of the things I love about her.

12. You are at home ALL day long by yourself with no car. Do you go stir crazy or thoroughly enjoy every minute of the day?

I enjoy every minute of it! I was blessed to be able to stay home with my children for ten years and I was NEVER bored! I heard so many women saying they would lose their minds staying home all the time, but I LOVED it! (I totally agree with you on this one. However, I would have to say that the "losing your mind" thing really can happen. I'm not saying it would not have happened in the workplace. I think it was going to happen when I turned 45 no matter where I was working... in or out of the home. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!)

13. Movie lover or shopping lover?

I'm definitely a movie lover. I hardly ever go shopping except out of necessity! I could watch movies ALL weekend long!

14. What is one food you cannot force yourself to eat?

I cannot force myself to eat Brussel Sprouts. They just look WRONG! (Again, I'm in total agreement. Sometimes I look at a food and wonder, "What kind of idiot thought, 'I think I'll eat this.'" Parsnips also come to mind!)

15. How many times have you moved in your life?

I've moved four times so far. The last three moves have been a block apart! I don't like change! (Word of Warning - If you live near LeAnna, don't get too attached to your house. Chances are in the next year or so she and her brood will be moving in!)

16. Are you a "glass half-full" person or a "glass half-empty" person?

Sadly, I will probably be known as a glass half-empty kinda gal. I like to say I'm not really a pessimist, just a realist. I also like to be prepared for the worst, but I'm REALLY excited if the worst doesn't happen! Sad, I know...

17. What are reading right this minute?

I am reading Nicholas Sparks' "The Last Song." (Are you going to see the movie? Sorry, guys. I was just wondering out loud.)

The final part of LeAnna's interview will be posted Monday, April 5. You will not want to miss it. And if you see LeAnna out and about this Easter weekend, be sure and give her a shout-out from A Simple Life. Show her "the love!"

Weekend Happenings

We have a very typical Easter weekend, I'm sure. Today and tonight are up for grabs. Kids here and there, and Mikie and I will be monitoring the comings and goings.

Saturday we'll be spending the day with Mikie's family (Code for I GET TO SEE MY GREAT-NEPHEW, MATTHEW). We'll be celebrating Easter AND Mrs. Faulkner's birthday, so it will should be a good day.

Sunday will find the Faulkner Five worshipping together at the 9:30 a.m. service at our church, and then we will go to my Mom's house for Easter lunch AND Survivor - Easter Island. I've worked everyone up into such a frenzy, I'm afraid they may be a little disappointed. Only time will tell. I'll have a full report Monday morning!

Have a wonderful Easter weekend. Make memories. Cherish the moments. But most importantly, remember the reason we celebrate this day. We serve a RISEN King!

I'll be back Monday with so much Spring goodness you won't be able to take it all in. I'll have a Spring Fling Party, Part Three of LeAnna's interview, tons of pics in the Gallery and the Weekend Review.

Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda