I really need to learn how to say things with fewer words. Earlier tonight, I began typing the story of my trip to the specialist in such detail that I’m quite sure absolutely no one else would’ve been even the least bit interested in it. Soooo, after airing out my frustrations in great detail for my OWN benefit, I have condensed the sordid details into this, hopefully more presentable public commentary.

In a nutshell, it cost me $125 to find out precisely what was wrong with my jaw (news flash: I already KNEW that), and to find out that without at least another $700 for the oral apparatus (not including the additional $500 for follow-up treatments to accelerate soft tissue healing), I’m basically screwed. No possibility for finding treatment elsewhere -- he’s got the market for TMJ treatment cornered in this small town.

As for the diet plan, that’s basically screwed also. Without being able to get treatment for this condition, I’m limited to eating very soft foods right now, most of which are the very types of foods I DON’T need to be eating to lose weight.

So it’s back to square one on all fronts. But this is cool, I just need to approach this problem -- as it seems I have to approach ALL my problems -- from a slightly different angle. Poverty, like most every other adversity, can encourage defeat or can inspire creativity to overcome -- I choose the latter...too stubborn to do otherwise. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, for attaining both healing and health. And I’m already developing Plan B...

(Maybe I really AM the ‘cranberry sauce,’ and maybe that’s a GOOD thing...*grins*)