Dental Drama

I know I am not the only one that has some serious anxiety surrounding going to the dentist.  It's a rather common fear.  But situations like this certainly don't help me!

When I went to the dentist a couple of weeks ago for an exam and cleaning, I had a back molar that was broken (which I knew) and also had some decay at the gum line. The doctor recommended a root canal to save the tooth. To say that I wasn't happy about that would be an understatement! 

My dentist knows about my nervousness when I visit and suggested "conscious sedation" to help me through the procedure.  After talking with my husband (who has had this several times) and my primary care doctor, I decided that was certainly the way to go. 

I arrived bright and early Monday morning for my procedure.  I was feeling jittery, but ready to have this over with and behind me.  

I was given the medication to relax me, and given a blanket and made comfortable while it took effect. Once they were ready to begin,  I could hear what was going on but didn't feel any concern or anxiety about it at all.  Not even when I heard something along the lines of  "if we try to keep going, it's just going to crumble".

As it turns out, the decay was more extensive than anticipated from the x-ray and they were unable to do the root canal.  They put in a temporary filling for the time being and sent me home.  Not at all how I had expected the day to go.  Quite disappointing and frustrating!

The next day, the office called to go over my options.  It appears that I am now looking at having the tooth extracted and a dental implant put in its place.  Needless to say, I'm not looking forward to that.  I have shed more than a few nervous tears thinking about having to have even more extensive dental procedures. 

How do you feel about going to the dentist?

In The Middle of My Mess

I know that it's true for many of us when I say - the past few weeks have been stressful.  Heck... I could change the word weeks to months or years and the same would still hold true.  Am I right, or am I right? Yeh... I'm right.

There's the usual pandemic, political, and natural disaster madness going on in our world that we are all having to cope with.  Besides that, over the past couple of weeks, I have also experienced the following:  I had a cold, which of course I worried might be Covid,  a very sick dog, a reminder from the facility where I get my mammograms that I need to go have a followup to monitor some calcifications, the discovery of my mother's ovarian tumors, a disagreement with one of my sisters, my mother's surgery, her stay in the hospital, more over-the-top family drama, and all while my monthly cycles have gone completely berserk.  

Y'all... I'm just tired.  

I would like to have just a week or two when I don't have to worry or feel stressed about much of anything. I guess that's not how life works though - is it?

The good news is that no matter how out of control, chaotic or uncertain things may seem - I know that God has a plan and that it is all under His control.  In the middle of my exhaustion, my anxiety, and my fears - I know that He is working it all together for good.  

Does that stop me from being afraid or feeling worried?  I wish I could say "Yes, of course". But it doesn't.  I often need a reminder of His goodness and His faithfulness.  And even then... sometimes... more often than I care to admit... I still have doubts.  I still have anxiety.  I still have fears. Because I am human.

Fortunately, God knows this about me.  He understands and He meets me right where I am in the middle of my messiness.  Which is a good thing. Because life gets pretty messy sometimes. 

Why Complaining is Bad For Your Health

I do it. You probably do it, too.  Most of us love to complain about life's frustrations, challenges, annoyances and complications .  Research says that in a typical conversation, we complain about something about once every minute.  It's a common thing.  Just a harmless way to let off a little steam.

Wrong!!  

According to science - all that complaining can actually be harmful to our health.  Here's how:

Negative talk is a slippery slope.  You see, the brain can rewire itself.  Whenever we have repeated thoughts, they create neural connections.  The more these thoughts are repeated, the stronger those connections become and other neural connection cells decrease.  As the connections become stronger the brain focuses more on the negativity.  This makes it easier and easier to focus on negative thoughts while pushing out more enjoyable, positive thought processes. This can lead to an increase in stress, anxiety and even worsen depression.  A 2014 study by the University of California found that chronic stress may cause changes in the brain that makes people more susceptible to anxiety and other mood disorders.  Frequent complaining may also shrink the hippocampus, the area of the brain related to memory and problem solving. 


All those negative thought processes have an affect on your physical health also.  

Whenever you complain, your body releases higher levels of Cortisol (aka - the stress hormone).  High cortisol levels can be harmful to the heart, cause an increase in blood pressure, and lead to a higher body weight. One study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry in 2004 found that pessimistic people had a higher risk of death from heart failure than those who are more optimistic.  

It's not just your own complaining either!  Listening to others moan and groan causes damage also.  That's right - secondhand complaining is bad for your health.  So, if you want to kick the complaining habit and improve your mental and physical health - surround yourself with positive people!

This post is in no way intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new healthcare regimen, and nd never disregard medical advice or delay seeing help because of something you read on this website

How Are You Doing ?

How are you doin? It's a mad, mad world we're living in right now.  Things are changing everyday thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.

Many of us are living a life we couldn't have imagined a month ago. Businesses closing.  Grocery store shelves are emptying as fast as stockers can fill them.  We're being told to stay home as much as possible.  Limit the number of people we gather with.  Keep a distance of at least six feet from anyone we encounter.  Suddenly we're a nation of homeschoolers - whether we want to or not. 

It's enough to give you a big ol' tension headache.  And good luck finding any Excedrin in stock at the local Walmart to help with that! 

Which brings me back to my original question.  How are you really doing? 

I thought I was handling things well, until I found myself crying one morning last week for pretty much no reason what-so-every.  That's when I had to take a deep breath and start asking myself, "What exactly is making you so anxious?"  It didn't take long to come up with a whole list of things (and y'all know how I love a list), but what it all boiled down to was that feeling of having no control over the situation.  

I can't control how long this will last, what's going to happen next, or, for the most part, whether my family gets sick or not.  I certainly can't control whether will be able to find what I need at the grocery stores, when the schools will be able to reopen, or what others are doing.  All the worrying in the world is not going to change any of that. 

With all this uncertainty,  is it any wonder we are feeling stretched to our emotional limits?

We all have to take care of ourselves right now.  Especially if we have others we need to care for and support through all of the changes and uncertainty.  That means finding ways to cope with our stress.

So, what are things we can do to help manage our anxiety levels?

Acknowledge Anxious Thoughts and Emotions  You're not the only one feeling this way.  It's only natural to be concerned and stressed during a time like this.  If you try to ignore those feelings - instead of going away, the pressure will keep building until you eventually  break.  It's better to accept them for what they are.

Set A Routine  When things feel out of control - control what you can. Setting a routine for yourself can give some familiarity and comfort to your days.  Scheduling your days, especially tasks and work assignments can be especially important if you are telecommuting during these days of quarantines and social distancing. 

Talk To Someone  As we are recommended put some distance between us, it's easy to feel isolated.  Reach out to others!  Have conversations with the other people in your home.  Call someone.  Skype or Facetime with people you can't visit in person right now.  

Talk About Something Else  We are all consumed by thoughts of the virus right now, but we don't have to be.  Find topics other than the pandemic to discuss and get your mind off it for a little while.

Turn It Off  Sure, we want to stay aware of the latest news and information.  But there's a fine line between staying informed and becoming overwhelmed.  Turn off the tv, the computer and maybe even the phone for a while to give yourself a break. 

Self Care  Make time to care for your physical, emotional and spiritual health.  Enjoy your favorite hobby.  Pray and/or meditate.  Step outside to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air

Get Some Sleep  Lack of sleep makes every little stress that much more difficult to handle.  It also contributes to anxiety and depression.  It also makes you more susceptible to illness.  Be sure to get your beauty rest!

We're all trying to find our way though this new normal.  Which doesn't feel normal at all.  

Be kind to yourself and others.  Practice patience.  Better days are coming.  

What I Want Them To Know

I have seen many parents giving voice to concerns over what they should tell their children today.  I see my own mostly grown offspring expressing disbelief and anxiety.  And I myself have wondered what the future holds for our nation.  This is what I want my children to know:

I can't explain the results of the election to you.  Or any other election, for that matter.  Every person who voted had his or her own reasons for choosing the candidate they did.  I don't know most of them.  I don't know their lives, their situations, or why they think the way they do.

I know you are confused.  You may also feel fear.  You may feel disillusioned.  You may be angry.  That's ok.  Feel what you feel.  Feel free to express that in a constructive and respectful way.  But do not allow yourself to be overcome by it!

The election may be over, but now is the time to make an even more important decision.  You must choose how it will affect you.  Will you become bitter and disillusioned and give up?  Will you let the momentum build and sweep away everything you dreamed for your future?  Will you roll over and play dead?  Or will you let it make you stronger and more determined to work for what you believe?  The choice is yours.

I see people talking about moving to Canada.  Are we really ready to give up on our home?  To run from the challenge?  Or do we take a stand?  Continue to try to make a difference where ever and when ever you can.

You may feel insignificant.  You may feel outnumbered.  You may think there's nothing you can do.  Believe me when I tell you that one determined person can change the world.

You know what is right and what is wrong.  You know to treat people with respect and kindness.  Just because someone else calls names, belittles and demeans others, or participates in "locker room talk" does not make it ok or mean we must follow that example.  Jesus told us to Love each other.  He didn't say to only be kind to those who have the same opinions as us.  In fact He said the exact opposite!

We can let the divisiveness continue to grow and tear our country apart even further.  Or we can decide to work with what we have been given and look to how we might make the best of things.  We must try to find some kind of middle ground where we can meet, while also continuing to stand up for what we believe is important.

Doubt and Anxiety

Doubt and anxiety are eating me alive today.


I thought quitting my paying job was the right decision.  It wasn't a choice I made lightly.  I agonized over it.  I prayed and prayed over it.  I thought that was the right path for the next phase of my life. I would stay home, have my little Etsy shop, take care of my family and manage my home - and all would be right with the world. It all seemed so clear.

Now things are fuzzy.

As we look into the face of expense after unexpected expense my anxiety increases. Queen B's Busy Work isn't buzzing, it's crawling along on it's best days. The items I took to the consignment store still sit on display, unsold. Instead of the bright sunny future I pictured as I made plans, things are looking tight, grim and bleak.

I have a gnawing, nagging, nauseous feeling in my gut. I am doubting myself and the choices I have made in the past year.  I feel guilty for not having a steady income coming in like I used to. I find myself wondering if I should go apply for a part time job - any part time job.  I am beating myself up for leaving my previous job. 

This isn't the way it was supposed to be.