About three years ago, I set about a journey to obtain some 'pretty teeth.' You see, I grew up with ugly spaced out wacked out teeth. My bite was all wrong, they hit each other when I chewed, my gums would expand and get sore. Most of all, I had this big space between my two front teeth. I suppose for a while it was my signature look. Wow - what a thing to be known for, huh?

So back to three years ago. I went to the orthodontist, plopped down a chunk of money and got braces. Yep braces like all teenagers have nowadays. I didn't realize you could get mouth claustrophia. Within a day, I realized that I couldn't just take them off when I wanted to. After a little bit of hyperventilation, the moment passed. 34 months later, I got my braces removed! Weird actually how they became sort of a security blanket to ensure that my teeth wouldn't become all crooked and jacked up again. But oh my, does it feel good.

The other part of this journey involves getting two 'dental' implants. {I've been told to be sure to use the word 'dental' in front of implants, so as not to confuse people with which type of 'implants' I am getting.} Anyway, in December, I had the oral surgery for the titantium posts to be inserted into my gums. Not as bad as it sounds or as I thought. I was a little nervous after all. Then last week came phase 2 of the 'dental' implants - impressions of the posts to create the abuttments and temporary crown (fake teeth really). I will get those on or about March 24. In a few months after that, I will have my teeth professionally whitened and my permanent crowns inserted. Yippeee!

In the meantime, me and my retainer are going everywhere together. The only time it's out is for me to feed my trap. Then it's time to brush and push it back in. The other reason I need to wear it right now is because I have two gaping holes in my mouth where the 'dental' implants will finally reside. I look like a hillbilly without the retainer. Kind of fun actually to watch people silently react. Hee Hee Got to have some fun somewhere!

Well, anyway. Thank God for dentists, orthos and oral surgeons. Because of them, not only do I have 'pretty teeth', but I have healthy teeth that should hopefully last the rest of my life. P.S. If I happen to die anytime soon, I'm donating the dental implants because they cost a fortune!

Yesterday was my 43rd birthday. So far, the 40's have been pretty good. Of course, it's had the usual ups and downs of life. But there is something beautiful in being in your 40's. Different level of maturity, knowledge of self, understanding of others, and hopefully growth and nearness in your walk with God.

I am thankful for the air I breathe, my family, my friends, the ability to run, the beauty outside and my dog named Bubba. {He's really a cool dog.} I'm sitting here remembering that everyday I need to wake up and thank the Lord for all the blessings He has bestowed upon me. It is to Him that I am thankful for all of the tangible, and most importantly, the intangible things of life.

Hope you too take a minute to thank Him for what makes you uniquely you.

This is my 'teacher' photo. Where is the apple?


Model switcheroo

Just gigglin'


A little more gigglin'


Peace out baby!

Every year, our staff is blessed to spend an entire week away from the office - relaxing and learning how to 'sabbath.' It is not as easy as it sounds. This year, we went to east Texas and spent a few days in and among the pine trees. The mornings were cool. The sun sparkled off the lake at our retreat site. Worship was intense and deeply moving.

Some of us spent time playing flag football. Some read. Some played their guitars among the trees. Some watched movies. Some of us went horseback riding.

I got 'Marge.' And no, she doesn't have a big blue beehive of a hairdo nor is she married to Homer. She did, however, have spunk. She wanted to pressure me into who was boss, but I showed her. Well, I tried to anyway. I sure would love to spend more time riding horses. It's been years since I had gotten in the saddle. I hope it's not years before I do it again. Thanks to my friend Denise, here are a few photos of my favorite part - the helmet!

P.S. I really am a dork in real life!

From the Web-site of 'ActiVote - a nonpartisan effort getting Americans to vote':

The history of voting in America is a story of ever-increasing voting rights. The rules for eligibility have changed substantially since America's founding, and continue to change today. When America was young, only white males over the age of 21 were allowed to vote. Some of the landmark changes since then: Black suffrage which gave the legal right to vote for African-Americans was established at the end of the Civil War. However, due to numerous restrictions, many blacks weren't actually able to vote until the 1960s Voting Rights Act. Women's Suffrage brought about the 19th Amendment which gave women the right to vote in 1920. This amendment resulted in an international movement. However, women were unable to vote in Switzerland until the 1970s and as of 1990, women could not vote in Kuwait. In 1971, the legal voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 as a result of the 26th Amendment.

Voting was not secret in the United States until the mid-1800s. Prior to that, voters would be sworn in and announce their choices by voice. The secret ballot box was seen as a means to increase voter participation, but also has problems with fraud.

In the United States, we utilize an indirect election system whereby the Electoral College formally selects the President and Vice President. The Electoral College consists of 538 popularly elected representatives which is equiavlanet to the number of Senators and Representatives of the specific states. While Electors are technically free to vote for anyone eligible to be President, in practice they pledge to vote for specific candidates and voters cast ballots for favored presidential and vice presidential candiates by voting for correspondingly pledged electors. Each elector casts one vote for President and one vote for Vice President. In order to be elected, a candidate must have a majority (at least 270) of the electoral votes cast for that office. If no Presidential candidate receives the majority of electoral votes, the choice is referred to the House of Representtives. If no Vice-Presidential candidate receives the majority of electoral votes, the choice is given to the Senate.

There is much debate about the features of the Electoral College and whether or not it protects the rights of specific groups. Numerous constitutional amendments have been introduced in Congress seeking a replacement of the Electoral College with a direct popular vote; however, no proposal has ever successfully passed both houses.

Anyhooo - get out and vote. It is your privilege to vote. Early elections are taking place now. to find your voting location in Texas, go to www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/pamphlets/earlyvote.shtml.

P.S. I will be glad when it's all over. Things can get back to normal......