Free

After 3 weeks of wearing one of these (except mine was black & missing the bra feature).
I am free.
Imagine it in July. In the Georgia heat. In the humidity.

It's official...we have a Brace Face among us

Abby went to the orthodontist yesterday to get actual braces put on. I can't believe we have a child in braces! She was very nervous that morning but did great at her appointment. She was so excited to be able to choose colored bands to accessorize her soon-to-be straight teeth.


before




during

after
(not the most attractive photo but works nonetheless)

Welcome to our new world!

Abby's Wyoming Adventure

Gma Judy & Gpa David invited Abby and cousin Sydney to spend a week at their cabin in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Abby & Syd flew First Class and enjoyed a very busy week!

• riding bikes
• nature walks
• collecting wildflowers
• canoeing
• river float trip
• canoe ride and picnic
• art studio
• shopping
• EATING
• bird banding
• swimming
• catching fish in nets
• alpine slide
• watching wildlife
• horseback riding
• staying up late
• Cricket
• being spoiled for a week by Gma

Many thanks to David & Judy for giving Abby a magical week. Abby tends to get lost in the "Sam Shuffle" and for her to have some one-on-one time doing really special things was just what she needed.

Phase 1

Today was the day! Abby had a consultation for orthodontics and not surprisingly, she needs them. Today is the beginning of Phase 1 and I know there will be more phases down the road.

Spacers being placed



Lovely blue color

After 20 minutes, the spacers were removed and bands placed.

Mixing of the putty

The best part of the visit!

Poor pathetic girl

Successful impression

I know Abby doesn't appreciate me taking photos & videos but one day she will

Summer fun

We've been thinking about buying a waterslide for the kids to keep them entertained and cool this summer but every review you read, most are negative.

I was at our local Aldi and they had a Bonsai water slide for $199 which is a good deal so I asked the girl who worked there about their return policy. She said if you don't like the color, you can return it. Perfect.

The photo on the box must have been taken using trick photography with midgets standing next to it because it's sooo much smaller than it appears. Oh well.

Our first try

Sam being brave.

Let's home no one breaks a bone or sues our homeowners insurance.

Happy sliding!

The 4th of July

Every holiday is so busy for moms. So much to prepare and do. I was tired before the day even started. We went to church, I taught Primary then came home to make salads, bbq pork and cupcakes.

This year we went to the in-laws condo in Buckhead. They live on the 32nd floor of a condo that over looks Lenox Mall which is where they shoot off the fireworks. Needless to say the view is spectacular.

First things first...eating

then

swimming

We had to bring our own British guy (our neighbor) to make the holiday really authentic.

Thanks to the British guy for these pics:

Happy 4th of July to all!

Lidocaine: A love/hate relationship

This week tested me.

I decided that it was time for me to visit the dermatologist. I've never been.
That's bad.
My darling cousin was diagnosed with melanoma a couple of years ago and it's so very scary.
I needed to go.

I went to my appointment on Wednesday & the MD examined me from head to toe.

"Everything looks good except for that. I don't like that mole on your leg."

Ok. So, I was told that I was getting a biopsy of a teeny, tiny mole and that involves....

an injection of...





Ugh! Seriously...can't they find something that hurts a little bit less?

I got my injection, whined a bit and off came the mole. Pathology is still pending at this time.

Now...Thursday.

I've really struggled with the idea of sharing this part. Call it vanity on my part. Call it what you want. You can judge me if you like but this is my blog and I need to document it so here it goes....

In September of 2008 I had gone to a laser hair removal appointment (yeah, that's vain too) and found out that the MD who runs the joint was starting to do laser liposuction. Ooooh! I needed more info on that. I've thought about doing it, like millions of other women, but who has the time or money to actually do it and it's just one of those thoughts that pass.

I met with Dr. Kulkin and he said I would be a good candidate. I knew it! The catch for me was the money. How much is it? Since he was just starting it at his practice (don't worry, he'd been training for years), the cost was $1900. That's a bargain!

I consulted w/Todd who wasn't too keen on me doing it but it was my decision so I decided to be a little selfish and do it. Now, I know I'm not fat. However, I am 4'11" and that baby belly wasn't going anywhere. No matter what I did, it just hung out and stayed with me.

I went thru the first procedure using some sleeping pills and pain meds. I was awake but loopy so didn't feel anything or remember anything. Laser lipo is non-invasive, also called "lunch time lipo". It went well, there was a difference and life went on. Not too long after I ended up having my ovarian cyst surgery so I didn't really get a chance to see how the lipo turned out since I was out of commission for 6 weeks.

I was with a friend at her laser appt and the RN asked how I liked my results and my friend piped up and said I wasn't happy. That led to Dr. Kulkin coming in and I was told I could have a revision at no charge. Sweet.

I had my revision on Thursday and things were a bit different. They've changed their technologies 4 times since I went in the first time and now they don't use any meds to knock you out. Let me say that I wouldn't do it drug-free again. It's not that it hurt (well, obviously the lidocaine really hurts) but it was the awareness of what was going on that was a bit creepy.

For all you naysayers out there, I had some excess fat...

see:

Now that you're grossed out, here's the deal...

We all do things to make us feel better about ourselves; get our hair done, get our nails done, buy some new make-up, buy that new dress.

I just did something a little more invasive. Women worry too much about what others will think of them. I don't care. If removing a little of this or augmenting a little of that makes you happy then do it.

Life is too short to worry about what others think of me/you.

The end.