Needlephobia Success

Some of you might know about Monica’s incredible fear of needles. She can’t hardly even watch a needle going into somebody on a TV show without cringing. I make fun of her for it, but it is not funny at all to her (which is, of course, why I might of her about it). Monica has had some bad previous experiences with needles and giving blood, and also has a close family member with an intense fear of needles as well. I can’t blame her for this fear.

At her last doctor’s appointment the other day, she was determined to give blood samples. I was surprised because she turns all shades of purple, her eyes get bloodshot, and she totally tenses up any time she is in the doctor’s office and knows the needle is coming. This time, though, it was different. She did have abnormally high blood pressure, and the Dr. asked her if she was taking any blood pressure meds, but it turns out she was just so nervous about the blood test and the needle! As is our policy, I wait in the lobby and the nurse calls me in when it is blood time. I was finally called to the plate and I went back to assist. . .

The determination was evident on Monica’s face. The nurse came in and let Monica lie down for the major procedure. We had a great nurse, too—one that was nice, had a good sense of humor, and did not mock Monica for her fear (like the last nurse did). Monica asked how many tubes of blood they needed, but the nurse said, “You don’t need to worry about that, that’s my job.” She stuck Monica, but Monica took it in stride and kept breathing heavy and squeezing my hand as she kept her eyes closed. Then, as quickly as it began, it was over and the blood was taken.

Monica confessed it wasn’t really that bad! She doesn’t want to do it everyday, but she made a huge step towards conquering the fear. The Dr. made her a deal that if she gave blood now, she could skip a year—great motivation for Monica. We got the results from the test and I must say that my wife is perfect. Not that it is anybody’s business but ours, but I have a really healthy wife, and it must have a lot to do with my good healthy cooking. Yeah right! All that to say I am so proud of my wife for winning the battle against the needle. She is awesome!

Be Careful Little Eyes What You See

A married couple in a session the other day mentioned success with Covenant Eyes, a program that emails a spouse and/or other accountability partner about the websites one visits. If you or someone you know is looking for some good accountability measures, especially when it comes to looking at bad stuff on the internet, this is it. It is only like $6 a month and there is a Mac version—I know it is hard to believe, but Mac people also have problems with this sort of thing, too. It can be installed on multiple computers, cross platform.

I am avoiding using the "p"? word, but it seems like all we're taught is to not look at it. That might have been easier before the internet, but now that we have it, we got to do something about it. So, take a look at the Covenant Eyes website. It is my experience that most guys would not argue with having this safety net—they want help, and they want something like this.

I'm sure this will work for more than the dirty picture addiction. In fact, I thought about using it this summer to see just how much Monica went onto the Big Brother website. Of course, then she would also see how much I go to espn.com.

New Friends on the Block

About a month ago, another couple about our age moved into the neighborhood, two doors down. We were kind of shy and after a couple weeks I talked to the husband and threw a football with him and another neighbor for a few minutes. Later that week we stopped by for a sec to say hi and check out their house. Turns out they needed a kitchen table and we were going to hang out with our friends that night who were selling a kitchen table, so we took pictures of the table and they bought it! That's just a fun fact for you.

The next week we had a cookout with them at their house and got to know them pretty well. He's a Ph. D student in biology at Memphis, and she is a nurse. Then, we experienced the weirdest thing—we left their house and walked home two doors down. It was awesome! Two nights ago we played Yahtzee at our house and they walked home. I think it is so much fun to have friends that close.

This is a dangerous thing because our friends living at a longer distance joke that we don't want to hang out with them anymore because they live so far away. And, our friends who have lived fairly close to us might wonder why we didn't hang out with them since they have always been in close proximity. For those far at a longer distance—we still like you. For those closer—let's hang out more. The point of this blog, though, is that it is really cool to have friends that live within comfortable walking distance—I highly recommend it.

OU Blues

In my mind OU is still undefeated, but that doesn’t mean Jack. UPDATE: The officials of that game have now been suspended for one game due to their bad call on the onside kick (see comments for link). Probably not a fitting punishment since this really hurts OU’s post-season chances.

Here’s a funny difference between Ben and Monica:

We went to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the OU game because we did not get the game on TV. I’m frustrated because OU is on one small screen, while we have to watch the Notre Dame vs. Michigan game and Louisville vs. Miami game on the other big screens—both unimportant games for sure. Monica goes to Old Navy next door because she just wants a cute football shirt to wear while we are at BWW watching the game. So, I am concerned about the game, and she is concerned about looking cute at the game. To each his or her own, I guess.

She has been very good about sympathizing with the Sooners and me. We might have a future OU fan—as long as she can find a cute shirt!

TV Time Distortion

Apparently, there is a difference in time between watching Big Brother: All Stars 3 times a week for 1 hour each time and watching a 3 hour football game. Monica and I are constantly arguing about TV watching times. My side argues that all her shows add up to more than my sports watching, and her side says my side watches sports all the time and it adds up to more than her shows.

The solution: Look at this through the other side's perspectives. We both refuse to do this, so we remain in gridlock. This shall be the eternal battle until we move to some third world country where we only get re-runs of Walker: Texas Ranger.

Only a brave man would comment on such a topic of the TV time distortion problem—I dare you!

Home Group Last Night

Awesome!

I came prepared to lead it one way, but it went a different way—which was by far a way better way to go! I am in awe of how our group works through Scripture and applies it to life—I just have to have a topic and then stay out of the way (which is my preferred way to lead).

Plus, Cali got to sit on and attack Mike and Christi.

How Do You Know?

A little joke for your day: How do you know when Ben and Monica are starting to feel good about their finances? A: They get hit with a huge vet bill, and have to start all over again.

In all seriousness, this is pretty petty stuff. Our money woes are no different than yours, we just have a blog to complain about them on. We are still clinging on to our "no credit card debt"? thing, but man are you asking for it when you make that vow.

In other news, Cali gets to wear one of those head guards so she doesn't lick her armpit sores - we like to call it her satellite dish. She is so pitiful! We are going to try to be home more so we can take it off and just monitor her . . . poor puppy!