Monday, April 27, 2009

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Waaaay Better Than Birthdays!

I have to be honest, I tried not to think about the day I was scheduled to get my braces off because I really didn't think it was going to happen.

Oh and you know what, it almost didn't (soooo my life). So, on Thursday, Steve met me at the ortho for the 'big day' with his camcorder in hand...and we waited. They took the wires out...and then decided to put them back in! Back and forth...back and forth. Apparently, a bottom tooth moved and the doc was trying to force it back. Fiiinally, it was time...they took the top ones off first...than when the tooth on the bottom had moved -- they uninstalled the bottoms. I totally forgot how much getting your braces off hurt -- a lot of yanking that is not so very pleasant...at all.

But then...once they were off -- it was a magical day!!! Better than any birthday imaginable. I got this fantastic gift basket of goodies from the ortho's office -- including lots of gummy things...and a special framed certificate (that now hangs in my office) that says "Congrats Ortho Student you Have Graduated!!!"....

...sadly that bottle is non-alcoholic. Then I go to work...and I find out my parents sent me flowers!!!....


All day long people are saying " you look beautiful" and ya di da di da....they don't do THAT on your birthday!-- crazy!! And....people give Mike & Ikes and gummy Life Savers as gifts....sooo goood!!

And then lots and lots of celebrating!! Everyone wants to have a margarita with me!

If you still have your braces on...just you wait -- it's a day like no other -- I really had never thought about it -- but it was fantastic!!!

Thanks to everyone for your such kind words...it's an amazing feeling of being loved.

...Did I mention I was crying on the way to the ortho's office when I was going to get them off? What an emotional journey -- I couldn't believe I had survived. I was more emotional when I got my braces off than when I graduated from college...what a ride.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Meet the Wire-LESS Lady!


More pictures later...promise!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Prepare the Mexican Celebration!





They are coming off on Thursday, April 23rd at 9:10 AM PDT.

Holy shiiiiiiiiiiiit!!!!!! Can you believe it?! I really can't.

Wait till I share the rubber band freakin' madness I have in my mouth till next week. 4 bands -- one mouth...it's not pretty. But who cares?!?!

What's 9 more days of rubber and metal?!?! Gosh that sounds dirty.

Monday, April 13, 2009

So Freakin' Close

So, I was at the ortho on Thursday and really walked in with a can-do attitude.

The assistants asked the usual..."how are you?" but today instead of the usual "ooh fiiine," I replied "realllllly hoping for some gooood news!!!!" This method totally worked!

The doc comes over....checks and says...."The next time you're here...we'll take them off!!!!!!"

I almost peed in my pants!!!!

But....because this is MY life....

the doc proceeds to do a little 'detailing' and then says, "you know what...i really want to give it three more weeks."

"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTT?"

Luckily I used the BF as an excuse -- and said..."you know I'm throwing a party of my boyfriend and oh gosh, ya know, it would be sooo swell if I could have them off before then...blah blah blah"

Soooo she says...ok --- instead of coming back in three weeks for a check-up, come back in a week.

Ooookkkk!!

So, I go to schedule an appointment at the front desk and all the receptionist has open is on Tuesday - soooo like 4 days later -- ha.

I wasn't going to pass that up! I said...yes! So, I am praying my teeth have moved since Thursday afternoon -- because I'm going there tomorrow morning.

More updates soon! Fingers crossed...

Sunday, April 5, 2009

The Sad Donkey

For some reason, the rubber band bag of bands I am currently using has a sad donkey on the side of it. I have a few thoughts on this...
  1. Why would the manufacturers of ortho rubber bands decide a donkey, let alone a sad donkey, would be appropriate to put on the side of a bag?
  2. Aren't donkeys known for their horrendous teeth?
  3. Sort of ironic that this is my rubber band bag at this stage in the game.
Back at the ortho on Thursday.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Take a Guess at What This Means



This lady will not be leaving anytime soon.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Tomorrow Could Be a Big Day

Tomorrow I'm back at the ortho's office. I don't want to get too excited but tomorrow could be the last check-up [insert scream!!!!].

Please, if you could just send me some happy braces-free vibes, I would oh-so-so appreciate it!

If I get good news...I will post immediately!!!!!

Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!

On an incredibly random side note: today in a sexual harassment training session, I asked in front of a room of people if like age, and sex and race...braces-harassment was also covered legally.

His answer was, no.
Braces lose again.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Let's Cement More Crap In My Mouth! Why Not?!

I had a 9 AM this morning back at the ortho. As it turns out, I had a loose bracket. The other doctor was there - who I had never met. It was sort of weird, I felt suddenly like the unpopular girl...this doc should totally know me my now! Ha.

Any way....he was about to take the bracket out all together saying, "you're almost done, right?"

ME: "YES!"

HIM: "Let's leave it out. Bite for me...."

ME: [I bite...]

HIM: "Hmm...nevermind...let's re-cement it"

Ughhh burned again.

And by the way, every time I go to the ortho now, I always hear other people either scheduling an appointment to have their braces off...or getting their braces off. These are the dental gods punishing me.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

The Emotional Rollercoaster of a Wired Lady

I was back at the ortho's office on Thursday and feeling very optimistic about potential news. Here I am...looking happy and excited about the prospect of today hearing those magical words..."you're getting them off!"


Here I am, even happier, as most metal is removed and I get to...floss without wires!! Ooooh the nerd I am.

Then....here I am after leaving the appointment...

Not quite the look I am hoping for. As you can see, my braces are very much still on (actually, more metal was even added, I had no idea this was possible, but I stand corrected) -- and my rubber bands are in even more bizarre positions.

So bizarre....they had to draw me a little map....


I don't know if I should be more upset they had to give me a map because I still have bands or...if I should be mad because it took them almost two years to share with me the fact they even have maps. Hello!? Would have been helpful around month 18!

So, more metal, more bands...and more braces.

The only potentially good news was the doc did say...she thinks next time might be my last check-up. I wish I could believe her.

I go back tomorrow because the new lady who strapped the wires back on screwed up and cut one too short.

The real next check-up will be in about 3 weeks.

No braces coming out party planned yet.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Change Has Not Come

While yesterday was indeed a historic day...

for the Wired Lady...no change has come. The ortho visit resulted in zero news!! Same old..."blah blah...yes, you look great!...blah blah...ok...see you in 3 weeks!"

Lovely.

What I do know -- they were happy to see I actually wore my rubber bands this time. My back teeth did drop (phew!) and I can't have any larger of a wire put in my mouth (I am at the limit -- they don't make 'em any thicker).

What I don't know -- what's next.

I swear, every time I go, she does a little tweak...a little shave of a tooth here and there...and that's it!

"You're close...you're close." -- yeah, whatever that means.

Lisa, the dental assistant offered as optimistic news as it can get...."I promise, you will get your braces off...sometime this year."

Thanks. I'm tempted to get Steelers colors put in.

Monday, January 19, 2009

A Historic Day

Ooh that....and I have a check-up at the ortho's office tomorrow.
:)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Look Like Anyone?

JAMES LORING BAER BLAGDEN

One of my co-workers sent this to me today. Not sure what I should make of it but either way, love the wired-tips from the office!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Thrilling Monday

Hold onto your hats folks because today was craaaazy.

Guess what?! I went to Dr. Yamada's office and....picked up new rubber bands! How insane is that?!!!!



A day in the life of a Wired Lady. Jealous?
At least by bag doesn't quite look so much like crack anymore.
Trust me...my camera apparently sucks taking close-ups.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Crack Cocaine or Rubber Band Bag?

So, I was walking to my car in the parking garage, after a long day at work, and as I pulled my rubber band bag from my purse (in every attempt to be 'good'), and all of a sudden realized...how freakin' shady this must look!

Just as I stopped myself from trying to pry open the damn thing (crappy plastic keeps riping - wish it was a Ziploc), some dude (also walking to his car) gave me their weirdest look.

I have to say, I deserved it. Pre-ortho round #2, if I saw someone holding a tiny white plastic pouch in a dark parking lot...I would pass judgement.

No, no need for A&E's "intervention" -- only my bicuspids to drop!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Fine, Look Hot Dakota...Just Keep Your Mouth Shut


At first I was pissed that Dakota Fanning (as seen at tonight's People's Choice Awards) got her braces off...before me!!!!

Damn you Dakota, why do you have to look good? Why couldn't you have turned out like all the other awkward and ugly child actors who try to keep working?!

I want to remember Dakota, in a way I can relate to her...

But THEN...after trying to grab a closer look of tonight's appearance...I noticed...THIS...


Her teeth are so not straight! Where did the metal plates go?!

Phew...my self-esteem hasn't totally been shot to the ground...entirely...yet.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Wire-Free and Proud to Be --- My Favorite Holiday Photo

This was a hilarious attempt by my father to take the yearly Cousins Christmas Photo. Say hello to Aunt Barbie...again!

Any photo where I have escaped a flash of metal, is one, you know...I gotta share.