Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Painting, Ponderings and Pap Smears

How's that for a title? My apologies to the three males who read this blog!

If you are hear for the give away, Click Here.
(Your also welcome to read this post!)

Yesterday I had my annual check up at the doctor, and can I tell you how awesome it is to be stationed at a remote duty station? It is awesome, because we get to see doctors who aren't at the Base clinic. Not that military doctors aren't fine clinicians. It's just that organization of those branch clinics can be a nightmare. 

A nightmare I am SO VERY GLAD not to be participating in!

Who knew that a girl would be so thankful for a well-woman check up!.

Speaking of such personal issues. Some of you may know that I have a tattoo on the small of my back that has the Song of Solomon verse "I am my Beloveds, and he is mine" written in Hebrew script.

Well, there I am sitting on the table with that dreaded paper gown opened to the back. The Doc puts the stethoscope on my back, and I am taking in deep breaths while she listens to my heart.
Then she stops, but I can tell she is still looking at me. At my tattoo. Suddenly, in a rush of epiphany, I remember that this doctor is Jewish. (She was my doc when we lived here before.)

And she begins to read. 

Out-loud. 

In Hebrew. 

She's cool with it, and asks what the story is behind it, and I feel grateful about two things: That is she is not offended, and that the tattoo actually says what I wanted it to say. 

How embarrassing it would have been to have her reading it and it say something really crazy...

Anyway, I love my doctor here. She is very personable, right down to reading your tattoo's in their original language.

I also got a flu shot. And today I don't feel so good; kind of achy, and a little off. Not lay-down-in-the-bed-and wish-the-world-would-swallow-you sick, but just enough to make being awake a little annoying. I have only had the flu shot one other time and this didn't happen. Is this normal?

I am going to take this feeling-kind-of-funky opportunity to skip my workout this afternoon and paint the rest of my entry way instead. 

Since I have spent the majority of this post talking about very personal things let's switch gears and talk about the weather. 

It's cold here. 

I am not complaining as much as I am wondering what happened to the fall? I mean the low last night hit freezing. As I type there is a frost warning until tomorrow morning.

It seems that 18 months in the desert was just enough time to thin out my blood and turn me into a weather wimp.

The good news? I plan to pull Cookie the Heating Blanket out tonight and put him on my bed! I do believe that this is the first time I have had to use that blanket in October!

La Vida Dulce!


19 comments:

Jackie said...

This made me laugh...especially the when you said she stopped and you just knew that she was looking at your tattoo...oh my! Like you said, it's nice to know it says what it's supposed to!

meh said...

Dr.'s and nurses see alot and alot of what they see they don't necessarily enjoy seeing. I bet it made her day to see such a cool tattoo with such a sweet story behind it!

By the way, I am unashamed to admit that my heating blanket has been out a couple weeks now!

mattie said...

Yep flu shot gets me in a funk for a day or so every time...I figure it's still much more manageable than the alternative though.

Lindsay said...

Im still laughing at the title!! Glad the visit went well.. Sammy got his flu shot today.. so if hes a little fussy I will remember how you said you fell. I didnt know you have a tattoo.. Glad it says what you thought! I have a small Jesus fish on my inner ankle :-)

Genny said...

Spending the afternoon painting...good for you!

Michele said...

It is so nice to have a doctor so personable!! What a cool tattoo too - very sweet! Hope Cookie the blanket keeps you warm tonight! My favorite thing about cold weather is the seat warmers in my car - that is about it. I am a "fun in the sun" kind-of girl.

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear your tatoo says what you wanted it to!

Chel said...

Um, ok, I've always wanted a tattoo & that's fabulous. Would you be willing to share a photo? You could email it to me. :)

Becky said...

Hey So first things first I am so proud of you that you got your flu vaccine today, as you don't want to feel the way you did when you took me to the airport that one year! Secondly the flu shot was a little stronger this year as they are predicting a bad year, hopefully you painted with the arm you got the shot in this will work out the stiffness and aches. you should be great by Friday the first 24 to 48 are the worst Advil and Route 44 diet cherry coke will take care of it. Still warm in Texas ;-)

Becky said...

Amen meh a lot they don't want to see......in places they don't want to see....

mer@lifeat7000feet said...

I didn't know you had a tattoo...but how very cool!

Stay warm. We're in the 70s this week and burning up! I'm not complaining though because with the exception of last week's snow, we've had a very mild month. Hope that's not going to mean a hard winter.

Oh, I SO want an electric blanket. I'm just a tad jealous!

Woman Interrupted said...

Great Story...had me laughing and my husband wondering "what's so funny?"

Tanya said...

I love following your stream of consciousness here! It's great. Okay, my comments.

1- Yes, it's perfectly normal to feel that way after a flu shot. Being near NYC, we get them annually. There's always a day or two when we're not quite right.

2- Love the tatoo!! I'm curious about the conversation that ensued. I've always wanted a tatoo, but I'm terrified of needles and perpetually indecisive which makes me a terrible candidate. :)

3- We had snow yesterday. Enjoy your much warmer NC weather!

Tiffani said...

I need/want/desire/wish for a doctor in that dept!!!!! The one who delivered my babies moved WAY up North and I've been dissatisfied ever since!!! So, yay for you!

I know you've had lots of tattoo comments...I have 2 little teency's but I like them...hubs has one (big) one across the top of his back...I absolutely LOVE what you chose to say with yours...and wish I would've thought of something more significant to say (cause a sunflower doesn't say much ;)!

The Buntens said...

Oh, it is cold here! I don't like it at all.

I am so glad your appt went well and your tatoo says what you meant it to say!

The Buntens said...

OH, feel better!

Carrie and Jim said...

What a neat experience with your Doc. I mean hearing her speak in Hebrew. Those appointments are never fun/easy we just get through them any way we can.

Michelle@Life with Three said...

I know you've eluded to that tattoo before -- one of these days you'll have to give us the whole story! ;) Anyway, stay warm. It's been chilly here in Georgia, too!

Melissa said...

Oh, I miss cold weather! We moved from Charlotte and this stinkin Texas weather is the pits. All 80's next week:(