Where are you from??

Simple question right?  Or how about "Where did you grow up?"

For most, that is followed by a very simple, very brief answer.  For me....not so much.

Here's how it plays out, give or take a few years for each:

Born in Montgomery, Alabama

Mobile, Alabama for preschool age

Pensacola, Florida for elementary school

Brewton, Alabama for middle school

Opelika, Alabama for high school

Auburn, Alabama for college and pharmacy school

Birmingham, Alabama currently (going on over 2 years now)

NOW my parents are moving back to Montgomery, Alabama (talk about a full circle huh?)

Maybe now you understand my stammers and stutters when asked where I'm from.  I generally use the line "My dad is a pastor and we moved every 5 or 6 years so I grew up all over Alabama and the panhandle of Florida".

WAIT....BACK IT UP.....

Those of you who know me well would like me to go back to the line "my parents are moving back to Montgomery Alabama"

Yes folks, that's correct.  My dad has been offered to be Senior pastor at Frazer United Methodist Church in Montgomery....one of the largest Methodist churches in the NATION.  Here's the kicker....he starts the first week of March!  I cannot tell you how excited I am for him.  Without assuming I can even begin to articulate his heart on the subject, I am pretty sure he is joyfully excited and humbly terrified all at the same time.

Words cannot express the Lords' hand in this move.  I won't even try to walk you through it all...trust me, it's WAY impressive.  After college, as my dad prayed about going into the ministry, he worked for a year at Frazer under the mentorship and guidance of the pastor, John Ed Mathison.  Now, all this time later, the Lord is taking him back and asking him to lead this 8 THOUSAND member church.

If you don't know my dad or have never had the privilege of hearing him preach the Word, YOU HAVE MISSED OUT.  But don't you worry, Frazer has great media outlets.  Watch services LIVE here. Services are also on TV, but you will have to check your stations for the channel.  

And if you are still reading....the "where" I'm from has greatly shaped my life.  But its "who" I'm from that I'm most proud of.

S.W.A.T

Any meth user out there who apparently came to my apartment building to buy your stash...sorry.  Pretty sure the SWAT team took it all last night.  Yes I said meth and SWAT.  The whole meth lab thing might be a fabricaction, but the SWAT team definitely is not.  Huge men, black uniforms, black masks, black BIG guns. 

Was there a meth lab below my apartment?  Maybe.  There was a definite huge loud "BOOM" and then lots of people yelling.  And it smelled quite potent. I have NO idea who actually lives there.  18 different people are in and out all the time.  And they are always working on cars..not old cars.  I'm talking Pimp My Ride.  A few weeks ago there was a weird strong smell coming from their apartment, and they blamed it on melting plexi-glass (sp?). ha.  Yeah right.

SO....big BOOM, weird smell, SWAT team, people in and out at all hours of the day, and the cover-up story of car parts....and there you have it.  A meth lab. 

I think I should move.

But seriously, I have no idea what really happened, although they did haul a couple of 'em off to jail. Let's just hope for no more loud explosions or SWAT guys at my door tonight

NEW

These 2 things really really make me happy

This show started this week....

And my favorite place to eat in Auburn just opened in Birmingham!!!!

BIG BLUE BAGEL!!!!!

I ate here AT LEAST 3 times a week in college.  Yes I said at least.  I ordered the same thing every time and practically bathed in their honey mustard sauce.  So if you are in Bham and ever want BBB, call me.  I will probably already be there :)

Random thought, but why is it that little ole' Auburn has better places to eat than Birmingham?  Lunch places especially.  I mean, now that Momma G's and BBB are here, life is a bit better, but I could really use some Breezeway and Byron's BBQ.   

Anyone besides Kelly Starr (Breezeway freak huge fan) share the same sentiments????? 

Fact or Fiction??

First, I think we had a false alarm folks...the nose, while there is still a nice bump, is presumptively not broken.  Whew!

But if you've read my last post, I'm afraid I was a bad pharmacist and told you I was taking "more Ibuprofen then probably allowed".  Forgive me friends.  Do as I say...not as I do.   I was being a bad example.  In fact, there is a definite allotted amount of Ibuprofen you should take per day.   Taking much more could hurt your kidneys over time.  So please, use as directed :)

Now to the title...

Today was quite busy.  Two people were out which made for a large amount of patients to see.  So by 3pm I was brainless.  Shelley and I began discussing laughing about the all questions and comments we get from family, friends, and patients.  These are among the most common falsehoods.

"Tylenol PM helps me sleep better than anything I've tried"

FACT:  Tylenol PM = a little bit of tylenol and a dose of BENADRYL.  So if you need to sleep, a benadryl is the same thing (and cheaper), without the unnecessary tylenol

"I take two vitamins in the morning instead of one.  Can't hurt right?  The more vitamins the better"

FACT: Your body only absorbs a certain amount of each vitamin/mineral/element.  Taking more than that just gives you expensive pee.

"Your a pharmacist. Can you take a look at this rash?"

FACT:  A pharmacist does not know every skin condition known to man.  Please don't show me your rash...I have no idea what it is

"I think Brand name drugs are better than generic"

FACT:  It's the same active ingredient people and completely FDA approved.  Change up a preservative or binder and you have the exact same drug but for drastically less mulah.  So do what you wish, but as for me, I'm going generic

"Advil is better than Motrin"

FACT:  Guess what?  They are the same thing (ibuprofen 200mg) just different manufacturers :)

"I only have to take my antibiotic until I feel better"

FACT:  Bugs are smart.  Take all your dern pills.  Please trust me on this one.  You do NOT want a lecture on why and how these bugs are so flippin' good at avoiding being killed by our antibiotics.

"It's okay to only miss 1 or 2 birth control pills a month" or "I've missed a pill but I know I can't get preggers right now" (LOTS of comments I could insert here...probably the most questioned subject I get)

FACT: Miss one pill....decent chance for a growing belly in the coming months

              Miss 2 pills and I suggest you not waste your money on BC anymore.  It's completely                                  

                         ineffective for the rest of the month.

              Miss 3 pills and consider that bundle of joy "planned"!

Hope that clears up some questions :)  That about covers it for my knowledge of retail pharmacy. But if you have questions about IV drips, platelet inhibitors in percutaneous coronary intervention, vancomycin dosing, or anticoagulation choices....you know where to find me.  I'm happy to oblige :) 

Honker

Considering we are in the "asking for prayer phase" on this blog, I might have another request :)

First, THANK YOU to each of you who commented or prayed for me about finding a new church.  I tried out a new spot today and loved it.  Definitely had some anxiety before walking in, but once I was seated and realized the entire service was on world missions, I was super pumped.  Mention the words "missions" and a country in Africa in the same sentence...and you've got me hooked before the first hymn.

So back to the next request.  Slightly embarrassing, but......

Pretty sure I have broken my nose.   Awesome huh?  There is currently an ice pack propped up on my honker, so it will probably be a couple of hours before I can truly assess the damage.  For those who know me well, you know that if I could change anything about myself, it would be my nose...hate the darn thing.  I already think it's a bit large. Add some swelling on...and well, hence the reference of "honker"
Word of advice, careful when trying to get things off a shelf entirely too high for you to actually reach. You end up with a double big honker.

I really really really don't want to have a broken nose and black eye (the questionable cracked spot is just under the bridge on the side closest to my right eye).   But maybe if they have to fix it, someone could just "adjust" it a bit more than medically necessary??? :)

And yes, in case you are wondering, you can laugh.  It's quite hilarious.  I would laugh along with you, but it hurts. haha!  Now I am going to find a bag of frozen veggies and take more Ibuprofen then I probably should.

Lifted

Yes....2 posts in one day.  Seriously?  How do I have the time????


Do you ever feel its hard to ask people to pray for you?  There are many facets to this emotion.  You may feel you are burdening someone with your "issues".  Maybe fearful of allowing someone else to glimpse your vulnerabilities?  You may worry they will simply say "yes of course" as almost a passing response with little follow-through and real depth to the offer.   Or you may be ashamed your needs aren't "prayer worthy".

I feel these ways sometimes.  Different feelings for different needs and prayers.  But thanks to sweet Erin I am reminded of the Lords omnipresence (her words...not mine.  You know I am not good with coming up with big words like that on my own!) and reminded of His heart for ALL of our (my!) needs and prayers.  I am comforted with believing many of our friends in Christ would love to hear our hearts and prayers.  Not to mention, sharing a need or fear or hurt or joy or excitement is a potential encouragement to another.

So I urge you to share your needs, share your joys.  Nothing is too small or too big.  It's refreshing, comforting, humbling, and healing.

And to "act" upon my words....I will ask you to pray for me as I visit new churches.  I enjoy my current church and love the Sunday morning service and worship.  But the Lord has asked me to move.  He knows I crave more fellowship outside of just one hour each Sunday morning.  But I am visiting alone.  It's a smidge difficult to visit and get connected by yourself.  I would be ever so grateful for a few words of prayer lifted up.  Thanks friends!

"Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."    ~Philippians 3:4-7