My Second Childhood

In my early teens, I had brace apparatus on the teeth. Now, in my early 50's, my teeth had become so crooked that they were affecting my ability to chew. So, I decided it was time to get them fixed again.


Just call me tinsel mouth!
Christmas 1971
So I went in this morning and we started the procedure of straightening the teeth. Doc said we're starting on the top ones first. They have to be pushed out, then he can install the braces on the bottom ones.

I had forgotten how much is involved with getting braces.

First, the technician took two x-rays of my jaw. Then, I had to endure the ice cold gooey impressions that have to be made. [yuck!] Then, the technician makes a wax impression of the teeth while closed.

I must have looked like a dog with it's tongue hanging out for that one!

Then I'm moved over into another torture chamber room where that little technician can hurt prepare me for the Orthodontist. My mouth was spread open with some strange apparatus like we were filming the movie "Brazil".

Then the teeth had to be scrubbed, waxed, prepared with smelly adhesive, blow dried ... you name it. It was like having my nails polished (only this didn't feel as good).


" ... and when you smile for the camera ..."
Let me tell ya, it was arduous for this middle-aged lady! My jaw and head hurt after all the pushing and pulling. I'm gonna need several Margarita's to get over this. And I still have to have the bottom teeth braced in a few months.

Gosh, it's gonna be a long two years.



And on a side note, a prayer request please ....


Amberlee
Our little niece gave us a scare yesterday. She was taking a nap after school and her mom glanced over at the couch to check on her. She was rigid, eyes rolled back in her head, vomit foaming from her mouth and generally unresponsive. Her older brother (who happens to be training to be a nurse) checked her vitals, then called 9-1-1. After several tests the emergency room doctor said she had a virus. I still don't know the name of the virus or if it's an accurate diagnosis. Her Mom took her to their usual pediatrician sometime today. If I learn more, I'll let everyone know.

Non Sequitur and Wizard Of Id Cartoons

Notre Dame Students Make A Stand

"Public display of mourning is no longer made by people of fashion, although some flashier kinds of widows may insist on sleeping with only black men during the first year after death." -- P.J. O'Rourke
I feel like our country is the widow. Something died (morals? faith?) and now, like a common harlot, the widow is sleeping with the consequences.

But I read this at FoxNews today "Some Notre Dame Students to Forego Commencement in Protest of Obama Visit". Maybe young people will be the salvation for the country after all. It's very encouraging.

Go Notre Dame!

Oh, yes, and a side note, Neil Cavuto of Fox News interviewed former Vice President Dick Cheney. The piece will air tonight at 6 PM EST.

Sam And The Snake

Sam Jr. and Maxie
Our miniature Schnauzer, Sam Jr., doesn't know when to quit. He's really bad about pushing an issue with whatever animal life is in front of him. He's so contentious that he always has to be Boss Dog in every situation. He darn near got killed by a German Shepherd that lived next door to dad in North Carolina.

For the newbies at my blog, Sam was my father's dog until he died in 2006.

Today, Sam encountered his first snake.

Well, not really his first. The first one that I know of was a Coral Snake in the back yard. I caught him flipping it up in the air one day and put a stop to that! Coral snakes are poisonous. I picked it up and put it out into the woods.

Yeah, I like snakes. So, I saved the little guy's neck (if he has one).

But this time, before I could react, Sam approached the snake, it instinctively coiled and struck Sam right in the throat. Ouch! Now he has two bloody tooth marks on his throat. Rat snakes have very sharp, needle-like teeth.


Actually, this is a good thing. We were hoping that he would mess with a non-poisonous variety first. Southeast Georgia has multitude of Rattle Snakes and they are pretty deadly. Whenever I go strolling in the woods, I'm sure to wear my snake proof boots. They don't always rattle, you know.

So, now poor Sam is laying on the floor, trembling and licking his feet. I put an antiseptic salve on the wound and comforted him as best I could. He'll feel better by morning. But that'll larn 'em. He was lucky ... this time.

Me And The Rhino Virus

YUCK!

That's the only thing I can think of to say.

Hubby and I are suffering from a mild rhino virus this weekend. There's no pucking or anything else disgusting (isn't that a lovely mental image?), but we're moping around the house looking sullen and feeling tired and headachy, mumbling one syllable answers to our one syllable questions.

Such fun.

We're definately not good company today.

Well, at least it's not too bad. Since hubby doesn't feel like cooking I get my favorite meal of junk food (i.e. turkey hot dogs on whole wheat buns with cole slaw and mustard toppings ... drool).


Hey, you don't think I'll sprout a nose horn after all this, do ya?

[giggle]

I pray everyone else is feeling fine and having a wonderful weekend.

Me and my yucky feeling will leave now until my next post. Try not to get too close to the screen. I wouldn't want to spread this Bad Boy.

Now I Know Why It's Called Sweet Home Alabama

Now I understand that song! I've been to southern Alabama many, many times and was not really enamoured. This trip we journeyed to northern Alabama. The Birmingham - Tuscaloosa countrysides, in my never-to-be-humble opinion, are absolutely breathtaking!

This journey to far off lands was to visit the greatly acclaimed Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Leeds near Birmingham. Well, everything good said about it is true. The BVMM is one of the best motorcycle museums I've visited to date.


First, though, we went a little further into Alabama to visit my new good bloggy friend, Gator Mom and her delightful family. This is the first of what I hope are many visits with Gator Mom and family. They sure are nice folks and we had a splendid time. 'The boy' is an intellegent, well-rounded young man. We plan to do something special for him, but don't tell. [shhh] Hubby has something he wants to give the boy that I think he will really treasure.


The museum has multiple over sized statuary scattered about the 720 acres. I wish I had made a note of the name of this one. These out front were about 12 feet high and quite impressive. The driveway up to this place took a while to get there from the highway turn off.


The museum is five floors of vintage motorcycles and a few automobiles, bicycles, and outboard motors. These are all real working machines.


Even the elevator was impressive! It was completely transparent. I have a fear of heights but rode the elevator anyway and I'm glad I did. At least I can say "I did it once".


One of the Easy Rider custom choppers was located for the museum. This was the one that the film crew used in the wreck at the end movie. So, it had to be refurbished and reassembled for display. There are strict rules about DO NOT TOUCH and DO NOT SIT ON BIKES. I can't tell ya how tempting it was to hop on some of these beauties and ride off into that lovely Alabama sunset!

"No officer, I didn't touch the bike!"
Yeah, it's a mannequin. First time I saw this I had to do a double take.


Here we are in front of one of the vintage Triumph displays. I had to drag him away from the Triumph's. :o) "Silly boy, PUT THE CREDIT CARD DOWN!" [lol]

Oh, and a special note, there is a superb Bass Pro Shops practically 'next door' (as next door as over 800 acres will allow). The driveway up to this place alone is worth the stop. It's so overdone with the 'outdoorsy look' that it reminds me of DisneyWorld. The inside was wall-to-wall outdoor clothing, fishing equipment, guns, pet products, etc. There was even a simulator for children to play Nascar. Back to outside: the landscaping was to die for! I now have some really good ideas for future yard projects, on a smaller scale, of course ... (my husband just sighed and rolled his eyes ... ha ha)


Sadly, it was time to leave. We hugged Gator Mom and family goodbye with promises of writing, calling and visiting. It was raining when we left. The roadsides were all green and lush with profusions of lovely nameless wildflowers.

We left Birmingham heading southeast and drove over a small mountain. We're hoping to go back again as much as possible. I just want to live at the museum! Do you think they'd notice if I built a house right on the grounds? [lol]

There are many more photos. The whole enchilada has been uploaded to MyPhotoAlbum. Enjoy!

Zobama's Express From Pajama TV