:iagree: :iagree: :iagree: The modern Christian church has emphasized salvation by faith to the point that many seem to have forgotten passages like James 2 and 1 John 2, and it is absolutely to our detriment. I agree with Patty Joanna that orthopraxy should flow from orthodoxy--that is a nice way of putting it.

Yep, conscious enough to respond to and make requests during the appointment. It feels like going to sleep and staying asleep for the most part, though. My dentist is certified in IV sedation and is a member of the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology. Last I knew, there were only two dentists within easy driving distance of me who do IV sedation. I'd rather drink something than get poked, of course, but whatever it takes. ;)

Oral sedatives don't work for me, either. A Valium made me giggle for a few minutes and then it totally stopped working (I felt just as anxious and aware as ever). I was given another oral sedative (Triazolam, I think) at the dentist and it did nothing for me. They said they gave me the same amount that would knock out a big burly man, and I just sat there reading a magazine. I left without letting them do the work. Laughing gas didn't help much, either. It just made it feel like everything was vibrating. The wonderful dentist whom I see now uses IV sedation. Technically it's conscious sedation. I can apparently follow commands and I usually remember a few minutes of the few hours I am out. However, it really feels just exactly like falling asleep and waking up with everything done. I love, love, love it. I would recommend it to anyone with dental anxiety. It's totally worth the money, if you can afford it.

Here's an article on another football player, Brandon Marshall, who has also chosen to kneel during the anthem. He says, "I prayed long and hard about it and I felt it was the right thing to do. It is what it is; I’m standing up for what I believe in. I know my family will support me. I’m not against the police. I’m not against the military. I’m not against America. I’m against social injustice. This movement is something special. People are going to bash me on social media but at the end of the day I’m going to go home and sleep peacefully knowing what I did was right. I will not lose any sleep.†When Marshall received a blow to the head during the game, some celebrated on Twitter. :( Marshall's response, “So many people have trouble understanding and empathizing. I saw somebody say ‘Go back to where you’re from.’ I’m from Vegas. It’s hate and it’s exactly what we talk about. People celebrating a possible concussion are proving my point."

And people don't understand why Kaepernick refused to stand for the anthem. This is why!! Racism is alive and well.

Unbelievable. :mad:

My husband had this pulled up on his computer and was about to send it to me when I clicked on the thread. Too funny! Thanks for sharing!

For me, it was Kurt Cobain's death, because my boyfriend (now husband) woke me up from a nap to tell me. I was grumpy and groggy and said something to my husband's roommate's girlfriend (now wife) that I regret to this day. I hope she doesn't remember it as well as I do. :(

I'm sure you've probably heard Wild World, and I love his version of Morning Has Broken. Beautiful.

Speaking of Journey videos (well, sort of), I think it's cool that the woman in Steve Perry's video Oh Sherrie was really the Sherrie for whom the song was written. It's also fun that the video kind of mocks other 80's videos while still remaining plenty corny itself. :)

Oh, a lot of it was definitely intended to sound garage band-ish. I agree that Nirvana in particular seemed to be going for an indifferent or jaded vibe with their vocals. Smashing Pumpkins and Pearl Jam, not so much, IMO. They were all a big part of soundtrack of my late high school / early college years. I still love my 80's pop, though, too, and a tiny bit of the 70's music my parents played when I was little (yay, Cat Stevens!). :)

:ohmy: Stoned, maybe. Just picked up their instruments? No way!!!

I think sometimes it is seen as proof that the hens are really cage-free and living a more "natural" life. It bothers me, though, and I wouldn't buy them intentionally.

Okay, the yellow dye that makes food look orange. Cheetos, for example, contain yellow 6. The dye I mentioned in AZO medications is technically yellow as well, but turns pee orange. Thanks for the clarification!

One more random suggestion--she doesn't eat a lot of orange, artificially colored foods, does she? I know a family whose children wet their beds when they consumed orange foods. AZO, an OTC UTI drug used to numb the urinary tract, is actually just a type of orangish yellow dye.

You are so sweet to apologize, but it's all good! I actually thought you were pretty restrained in your response. :) I'm sorry for any offense I caused. It is a bit of a hot-button issue for me, obviously. Sometimes it's hard to know when to say something and when to stay out of it. I understand you wanting to help your future SIL while still giving him and your daughter space to make their own decisions as a family. I have many years before I have to deal with that and I know it won't be easy! ;) ETA: And thanks for letting me know about my message box. I'll make more space!

:smilielol5: :smilielol5: :smilielol5: Have you tried Lindsey Stirling? Even my formerly Amish mother-in-law likes her. And here's a fun dubstep parody: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RBpdOLOSyY

It was actually the Beastie Boys. Loved that scene! :laugh:

:iagree: The epidural didn't make me feel out of it at all. I was totally aware of what was going on, just much more comfortable.

Some pain meds make me very nauseous, but I didn't have that problem with the epidural. Possibly they gave me something for nausea at the same time, as a preventative. You could definitely ask for that, if you want. But if an epidural is not for you, I understand. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

I used to have a very real fear of needles. I had an epidural and honestly, it just felt like pressure. I'd recommend it to anyone. I went through over 24 hours of unmedicated labor before I started the meds, and I wish I'd just gone in and had it done right away. There's not a blessed thing wrong with being medicated if you need it. As others have said, your peace of mind and comfort are important. I love pain control meds and am unashamed. :) :) :)

Black people have been murdered by law enforcement officers, and not all of those murders have been dealt with justly. The fact that murders are also committed by black civilians, in larger numbers, doesn't negate the horrible injustice that is occurring or lessen my concern about it. However, words are powerful, and I want to be truthful and accurate in what I write. I will change my post to read "very little" instead of "nothing." (And there is no snark intended, JoJosMom. I appreciate your input.) Edited for clarity. I should never post first thing in the morning. :)

Oh, Teresa, I am so sorry. Deepest sympathy to you and your family. I have prayed and will pray for all of you. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

Pam, I think you are most likely correct. Based on the other essays I've read on Watson's website, I would say he seems to be a thoughtful man who is very much concerned with doing right and speaking rightly. My reaction towards his respectful disagreement with Kaepernick may have been too hasty, especially regarding the particular point you've addressed here. I will edit that portion of my post.

Thanks for sharing another perspective, MSNative. I know nothing about football, so I looked up this player's website and definitely liked some of what he had to say on other issues (like, for example, his commentary on whether or not the U.S. is a Christian country). Just a few thoughts: As a Christian, my beliefs about nationalism, militarism, oaths, and allegiance all come into play in my own decision not to salute the flag and not to say the pledge. That's probably another topic for another day. However, I'd say we probably all have a line at which we would no longer be willing to stand during the National Anthem and/or salute the flag. The question is how bad things need to be before we feel we can no longer participate, either as a matter of conscience or as a matter of protest. Colin Kaepernick has reached that line, and Ben Watson hasn't yet. Watson sees this country as imperfect. I see it as worse than that, not only because of racism but because of the number of deaths for which this country is responsible, both here and around the world. That doesn't mean I'm not intensely grateful to live here. I am. But we all have our line. Secondly, I am not black, but I can't see that blacks ought to just be thankful they are no longer met by protestors outside of schools. People are being murdered, and very little is being done about it. Thirdly, unlike Watson, I don't believe in always supporting "members of our armed forces who follow orders regardless of their personal sentiments." If following orders means killing unjustly, no, I can't and I don't support that. I do like his acknowledgement that this land is a "mixed bag of good and evil" and admire his resolution to "continue the fight against all injustice and preserve the greatest attributes of the country, including Colin Kaepernick's right to kneel."