What Did You Eat for St Paddy's Day?

Our family ate green mashed potatoes topped with mock beef stroganoff. And for dessert, a green jello poke cake topped with cool whip and green sprinkles!

Tanner & I prepared the meal while Hayley was at dance. When she came home and sat down at the table, I told her we were having green pistachio salad with beef gravy. In addition, I had already dished up two plates so she was looking at the plates and seeing green pistachio salad topped with a hamburger gravy. She looked very confused and did not look pleased that this is what we were having for supper. Then Tanner and I let her in on the joke, it wasn't pistachio salad it was green mashed potatoes! :) She looked SO relieved! Then we all happily gobbled up the yummy supper!

As we were eating, it was hard to believe it was mashed potatoes because it did NOT look like mashed potatoes! They were SO green! Gotta have fun when you can!

Monday Was A Big Day!

I did it!!! I actually did it!!! I got my lower braces on and received my bite plate on Monday! In 3 to 4 months, I will get rid of the bite plate and get my uppers braced. My teeth have been slightly tender but nothing too major. Mainly my teeth are tender only when I'm chewing. Only one bracket has been bothering me so I've been keeping wax on that one. My big discomfort is coming from the bare wire that goes across my extraction sites. The wire has put two nice grooves in my cheeks!! YIKES!!! It is actually quite painful and you can't put wax on a big bare wire; it just doesn't stay! Trust me - I've tried!!! Here's to my cheeks toughening up so I am pain free!

After my extractions, I lost 8 pounds within two weeks. Prior to being braced, I decided to do some celebrating so I ate out at my favorite restaurants for 9 days in a row!!! Yes, you heard me correctly, 9 days of eating out!! Some of the foods were difficult and even painful or uncomfortable to eat but I dug my heels in and ate, ate, ate! For heaven's sake, I had been on boring soft foods for almost 3 weeks!!! But there was a consequence! I gained 3 pounds in those 9 days!! But since I've been braced, I've lost those 3 pounds in just 4 days! YIPPEE!!! Here's hoping to shedding more!

Being it's such a pain to clean my braces and you really have to brush every time you eat, unless you like carrying around a convenience store in your mouth, I've cut out all snacks. It's just not worth it! That's mainly why I'm losing weight. Plus, it takes longer to eat now (since my extractions & being braced) so I get full faster, thereby reducing my portion sizes! Most times I'm eating only half the portion sizes I used to eat! CRAZY!!!

Being you don't hardly see my bottom braces when I talk or smile, I decided to choose a colored lig (rubber band) - light pink. HOW COOL! I'm thinking purple next time! Might as well have fun with it and enjoy it; however, I won't be picking too wild of colors. They had told me I could pick up to three colors to create a pattern if I wanted! No, thanks! One color is plenty for me! However, on my top front teeth I will have clear (ceramic) braces and will not put colored ligs on them as that defeats the purpose of getting clear braces!

This is what my bite plate looks like. Very similar to a retainer except it's thicker behind my front teeth to stop me from biting off my bottom brackets. (If you look closely, you can barely see the bite plate between my top front teeth.) I have to wear this 24/7 - even eat with it!! My back molars do not touch! It definitely makes for a creative eating experience! Hence, the reason why I visited all my favorite restaurants the nine days prior to being braced! :)

Oh, boy! I lisp something fierce!! As soon as the ortho put in the bite plate, I tried to talk! I was shocked! It was NOT GOOD! I looked at my ortho and asked if I would ever talk normal again! He lauged and said yes, but it is going to take some time! :( I have to retrain myself! The first day was absolutely TERRIBLE!!! Not only was I lisping like crazy, but I was spraying spit EVERYWHERE! I went straight back to work after being braced so I had no time to practice! It's getting better but as my boss so graciously pointed out, "It sounds like you have a wad of gum in my mouth!" (It's a good thing I like my boss!) :)

Recovering

Well, it's been two weeks since I had my teeth extracted. I'm recovering - SLOWLY but surely! On surgery day, I was told no sucking on straws, no spitting, and no carbonated beverages for 48 hours to prevent dry socket. Just to be on the safe side, I waited at least a week or longer. For the past week, when I brush my teeth, I spit VERY lightly. I had my first carbonated beverage this past Saturday. I still haven't sucked on a straw. However, I believe I've developed a partial dry socket!! If I spit too forcefully, I get an "electric shock" in my top right extraction site. If I talk to excitedly, I get "electric shocks" in that same site. (Which means no yelling at the kids & the hubby; they're happy!) If I say the "p", "b", and "f" sounds to forcefully I receive that very nice "electric shock." Otherwise, I have no pain in that site.

Because my oral surgeon is in SF, my Ortho said he'd see me if I developed any problems or had questions about my surgery. A week ago I stopped into my Ortho's office to confirm that I'm healing properly because I was still in quite a bit of discomfort. He assured me I was healing fine and said it's normal to still be in discomfort as I had a pretty major surgery done. He volunteered to remove my sutures which were all still in (I only lost one, that I know of, on my own). My oral surgeon had said they'd dissolve in 2 to 5 days. Well, they didn't. I asked the Ortho if there was anything wrong with leaving them in. He said, no, but that if they weren't out by last Thursday I should stop back to have them removed. Well, guess what?! Last Thursday they were still there! So I stopped back and my Ortho removed them. It was a rather painless but uncomfortable process! He kept commenting about how many I had. Yeah, I know tell me about it. I've had to feel them for the past 10 days! YUCK!! Also, my Ortho thought I was still healing fine. He didn't think I had a dry socket but that if it really bothered me or got worse that I should contact my oral surgeon. When I got back to my office, I realized the Ortho had missed a suture - a LONG one!

So when I got home at the end of the day, I decided Dean & I had to play dentist. I sterilized small scissors and tweezers. I didn't want to just pull on the suture in case it hadn't been cut by the Ortho so I had Dean try to cut the suture but he just couldn't do it. (I would call this, failure to perform!) So I finally grabbed the tweezers and gave it a pull and out it came! I gave a HUGE sigh of relief and Dean laughed at me!

I am still eating only soft foods which is getting rather boring and frusturating! For two weeks I've lived off of: applesauce, pudding, yogurt, soup, mashed potatoes, peaches, mandarin oranges, malt-o-meal, cottage cheese, and scrambled eggs. I added fluffy pancakes yesterday. I tried some pasta last night and that just gets stuck to my teeth and gums. It's a pain to eat right now. So far I've lost at least 7 pounds. I'm pretty happy about that and hope to lose a bit more! I've cut out all snacks because it's just a pain in the butt to have to clean out my extraction sites everytime I eat. Therefore, I'm eating only 3 meals a day - which feels weird!

On Saturday I had my first can of diet coke in almost two weeks! Prior to my surgery I was a diet coke-aholic! I always had one in the morning to start my day and then if decided to have another, I made sure it was a caffeine-free diet coke. So generally I had two cans a day! So Saturday when I opened my pop and took a whiff I was in heaven! Oh, I just couldn't hardly contain myself. I couldn't wait to take a drink! However, when I actually had a taste, it just didn't taste right. I kept drinking it but I just didn't enjoy it like I used to. THEY BROKE ME!!! I want my love for diet coke back!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

HAPPY

VALENTINE'S

DAY

May you get kisses from everyone you love

And chocolate from everyone else!

I'm Taking the Plunge!

No, I'm getting married (I already am)! I've finally decided to get braces to fix my gaps and overbite.

To understand how huge of a deal this is for me, you need to understand what happened during my childhood. When I was approximately 12 years old, I started the process of getting braces. This involved extracting three or four teeth. Then I was to have braces and the last step would be a couple bridges to replace teeth I am missing. (They say missing teeth is usually genetic but my parents and grandparents do not have missing teeth so maybe it goes farther back??)

The first step involved extracting teeth. My childhood dentist, who I wasn't too fond of then and definitely hate now, got the honors. Well, to say the least, it was NOT a pleasant experience. I don't know if I didn't have enough local or what but I was crying and moaning and he was yelling at me to, "grow up!" From that point on, I NEVER looked forward to going to the dentist, even for a cleaning. So after the extractions, I went to the ortho my parents had chosen (because he made trips to my small town) and had my records appointment, which involves xrays and molds. He was a very large man with very large hands and was not gentle about anything. Shortly after that, I called it quits. There was no way I was getting braces!!! My dad tried to talk me into getting braces by saying, "you'll never get married if you don't get your teeth fixed." Now please understand, I was daddy's little girl and my dad & I are still close. As you may know, I did get married and my teeth did not deter him!

So fast forward approximately 20 years and here I am - making the decision to finally get braces! The number one reason - because I want that perfect smile! The second reason - because both of my kids will need braces and I will NOT allow them to refuse treatment!

Last December I had my first consult. I originally went to see if I could do the Invis*align but was told that it wouldn't work for me. So then I contemplated whether I was truly going to do this and in January, I had a second consult. Even though the second ortho is almost $1000 more, I felt better with the doctor, the staff, the office, and all the technology!

Both orthos told me I had to have teeth extracted which seems counterproductive considering I am missing teeth! The problem is that I still had four baby teeth, two of which were fused to the bone and the other two possibly were. Plus I had a partially erupted wisdom tooth that needed to come out, which my dentist had warned me about, because it was coming in at an angle. He had decided being it wasn't bothering me that we'd wait until it was fully erupted or it bothered me. But now that I was having four teeth removed, we decided to take the wisdom tooth now.

Because of my past experience with extractions, my ortho suggested I see an oral surgeon and because I had a complex case involving teeth that were fused to the bone. That appointment was yesterday! I had 5 teeth extracted!!! And I survived!!! However, it hasn't been easy road to recovery. Sure, they totally put me out so the last thing I remember was being given general anesthesia and then I awoke in the recovery room. But recovery has been slow and uncomfortable. The most pain was yesterday two to four hours after the surgery when I had let the local wear off but didn't yet have my prescriptions to take being we had the surgery in SF and had to drive back to W to get them filled. Then when I finally got everything in me - Sudafed, Ibuprofen, Vicodin, and Amoxicillin - they didn't stay in me for long. My medication schedule is crazy - take this one every 4-6 hours, take this one every 6-8 hours, take this one every 6 hours, and take this one twice day. Plus today I had to add a prescription mouth rinse, Peridex, to the schedule twice a day! The only way to keep track of this is to carry around a notepad with me and jot down each time I take a pill and when I can take it again! And let me tell you, it's not easy swallowing these HUGE pills with a sore mouth and pokey stitches!!!

I have been on a liquid / soft food diet the past two days and I'm sure it will continue tomorrow. My jaw / mouth is VERY stiff - probably from not chewing and talking. Yesterday I was icing it quite often and today it's a heating pad. I really HATE feeling all the stitches! I can't wait until I'm fully recovered. Braces are sounding like a piece of cake compared to these extractions!

Four Things

4 Jobs I've Had
Assistant Loan Officer
Cheerleading Coach
Deposit Verification Specialist
Teller

4 Movies Watched Over and Over
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
10 Things I Hate About You
Armageddeon
Pacifier

4 Places I've Lived
W*t*rt*wn
M*d*s*n
F*rg*
Br*tt*n

4 Shows I Watch
Friends
Big Brother
Survivor
ER

4 Places I've Been
Orlando, FL (four times)
Las Vegas, NV (twice)
Olympia, WA (twice)
Nashville, TN

4 People Who Email Me Regularly
Jenn
Kari
Jessica
Laura

4 Favorite Things To Eat
Cheesecake
Pizza
French dip sandwiches
Cheese sticks with marinara sauce

4 Places I'd Rather Be
Hot, sunny beach
Hot, sunny beach
Hot, sunny beach
Hot, sunny beach

4 Things I Look Forward To This Year
Our annual 4th of July trip to Wisconsin
My sister's wedding in July
A weekend getaway with Kari to my first Supercross Race
A hot, sunny summer

4 People To Tag
Anyone
Who
Enjoys
Memes

We Were On the Go!

Last Thursday, the kids and I went to SF to stay overnight at the Ramada. (I ended up seeing approximately eight deer running in a field not too far from the road! YIKES!) We made one quick stop at Kohls, grabbed some pizza, checked into our hotel, ate pizza, and then the kids played at the water park for about 2 1/2 hours!!! I was busy snapping pics and catching up on reading my magazines - I didn't get very far - still have many more to go!

We got up EARLY Friday morning because the kids had dentist appointments at 7:30. They go to a pediatric dentist who they love! My hubby would prefer they go to a dentist in W but I enjoy the pediatric dentist too much to change. (Also, I had a bad experience with my childhood dentist - more on that another time.) Plus it gives me an excuse to go to SF. And the kids and I have looked forward to these mini vacations twice year for the last four years! NO CAVITIES!!! Then we grabbed breakfast and we were on our way home. Although the kids didn't have school, I had to work. :(

Saturday was another big day of traveling.

9:15 The kids and I were on the road to the good ole town of M - where we previously lived.

10:15 First Stop - I dropped the kids off at The Swensons, our old neighbors. Kelly so graciously offered to take the kids for the day. My original plans were to visit them as our last stop of the day. Our kids often played together in the neighborhood.

10:30 - 12:45 Second Stop - My good friend, Julie, was hosting a l*ia so*phia party! I walked away with too much jewelry! Just ask my hubby! :) I can't wait until it arrives!! Also, I finally got to see baby, Treyton and big girl, Alonna! They were so precious! Alonna quickly became my friend. And let me tell you, she is one fashionable girl. She was into all the jewelry. She kept playing with it and calling it her "pretties".

12:45 - 3:15 Third Stop - Lunch with my good friend, Maria, and her son, Jordan, at the best Chinese place - Ch*na Moon! YUMMY!! Then we headed back to Maria's house to chat for a bit more. Jordan sure is growing up into one handsome man!

3:15 - 5:30 Fourth Stop - I chatted with The Swensons while the kids continued to play. They put on an awesome costume parade for us with many costume changes.

5:30 Fifth (and Final) Stop - The gas station and then on our way home! However, while filling up with gas, I proceeded to read my fortune from my fortune cookie that I had received at lunch. I wish I wouldn't have! It read, "Today you should be a passenger. Stay close to a driver for a day." I was freaked out! Normally I'm not superstitious but come on. Here I was doing all this driving and now I get this fortune!! Nice! Needless to say, the drive home was a tense one! Even more so - I hate driving in the dark! I only saw one deer on the side of the road but luckily it wasn't a stupid one - it ran AWAY from me rather than TOWARDS me!

It was such a COLD weekend that I would have rather spent it indoors but at least it was just cold (REALLY COLD) - there were no ice or snow storms!! All in all, it was a really fun weekend!

Hayley is Stylin'

Shortly before Christmas Hayley mentioned that she wasn't seeing as clearly as she used to. So we did what any good parents would do, we took her to the eye doctor and sure enough - she needs glasses. She only needs a very slight correction but it makes her see better.

At first she thought she'd be getting contacts. Then I had to burst her bubble. There is NO WAY she is responsible enough for contacts. I told her maybe in another year or two she may be ready but she's definitely not ready now.

So her back-up plan was to find a pair of pink glasses. Although there were many pairs of pink glasses we just couldn't find the "right" pair. So then I found a purple pair. She put them on and we both said, these are "it". So here's the result! (The frames are Adi*das in a medium purple color on the arms and tops of the while the bottom of the lenses are rimless.)

So What Have We Been Up To, You Ask?

I'm so glad you asked. Let me tell you! (Sorry it's so long!)

Let's start with Christmas. On Sunday the 23rd, my sister, Shar, from SF came to town. We pretty much played games all day on Sunday & Monday (Christmas Eve). On Sunday afternoon, my sister, Kelly & her 3 kids came over to exchange gifts and have cider and Christmas goodies with us.

Kelly's kids - Taylor, Brianna, & Alec / My sister, Shar

My dad arrived on Monday. We went to 5:30 church. I really enjoy Christmas Eve service. It's fun singing all the Christmas songs. After church, we drove around and looked at Christmas lights (a family tradition). When we finally starving, we came home and cooked pizza from P*p* M*rphy's. YUM!

Christmas morning festivities began at 8 am. I'm sure the kids were up/awake much earlier! But I, on the other hand, enjoy and need my sleep! :) The kids were thrilled with their presents - mainly the PS*2 and Gu*itar H*r* that they received from us! We basically played that all day! I cooked a big meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, yams, green bean casserole, stuffing, pistachio salad, strawberry pretzel salad, cranberries, olives, pickles, buns, and of course, dessert - Milk Chocolate Cheesecake, for my dad & sister. Usually I also have my other two sisters, Kelly (and boyfriend & 3 kids) & Jodi (and boyfriend), to feed but they made other plans this year. Hopefully I'll have them back next year! It just didn't feel the same! We ended the night with a movie, I N*ow Pron*ounce Y*ou Ch*uck & La*rry, which we found out 10 minutes into the movie that it is NOT a kids' movie so the kids were sent off to watch something else! YIKES!!!

My Two Best Presents - My Kids

The Guitar Hero was a BIG hit!

My sister, Shar & Tanner

Hayley & I

Tanner & I

(Yes, I won!)

Dean & I

(I'm objecting to Dean winning! I was positive I did!)

Dean reacting to his win over me!

(Acting like a dork!)

Me imitating the dork!

The day after Christmas was depressing. I had to work. The last four years I have not worked but instead attended college full-time. I got used to having 4 to 5 weeks of vacation this time of year! That is the ONLY thing I miss about college! And of course, the summers off, too! I know, poor me! It's rough to be a grown-up! :) I'm definitely taking all of Christmas week off for upcoming Christmases!

Dean's sister, Jodi, her husband and their two kids (including the new baby, Campbell, who was born 3 days before Thanksgiving) were in town. We were invited over to Dean's mom's for pizza and visiting. Campbell is SO cute! I really enjoyed holding him.

This past Sunday, we took the kids sledding and snowboarding at St. Anne's Hill. I was SO cold! But the weather didn't seem to bother the kids. I bundled up as much as I could and we stopped by the gas station and I got the biggest hot chocolate I could buy but I was still frozen and miserable! Seriously, I have issues! (I sleep in flannel pjs with 10 blankets on my side of the bed - NO JOKE!)

Tanner on his new snowboard

Hayley taking her turn on Tan's snowboard

Now onto New Year's! This is the first time in a LONG time that we've actually had New Year's Eve plans. I guess last year we did get invited to Dean's sister, Leah, who lives in town (we were living in a hotel at the time). However, we were back at the hotel and in bed by 10:30 so I don't think that really counts! :)

This year, my department at work decided to get together. The party started about 7:30 at my co-worker's house at the lake. We had lots of munchies, drinks, and games! LOTS of FUN! We got home about 2 am and went straight to bed. However, my sleeping problems decided to rear it's ugly head. Although I was in bed at 2 am (way past my normal bedtime) and had been up since 6:30 am the day before (I had to work), I just couldn't fall asleep. I had drank caffeine-free pop all night at the party. I finally fell asleep about 4:30 am! Only to wake up at 7:30 am and could not fall back to sleep. I finally rolled out of bed at 9:45 because I figured I was not going to fall asleep. It was a VERY long day yesterday! Three hours of sleep is NOT enough! Last night I went to bed at 9:00, fell asleep about 9:30 and didn't awake until 6:00 am but then fell back to sleep off & on again until my alarm went off at 7:00 am! It felt GREAT to get a good night's sleep but I'm still tired today. It's crazy, people! Really! Who can't fall asleep after being awake for 20 hours?!?! Who can't fall back to sleep after ONLY 3 hours of sleep!

Isabel & Hayley playing a game of Twister

Dean & I

Collin & Jen

(They hosted the party)

Nick & Amy

Happy New Year!

HAPPY

NEW

YEAR

Hoping 2008 is a healthy & happy year for you and your loved ones!