NTI for TMJ

I kind of wish I had a picture for this post, but none yet. Just wanted to give an update for those of you who have seen my facebook status and are wondering what is going on and why I have a lisp! :)

I have been having mild jaw pain for quite awhile now, along with my jaw popping while chewing, and feeling like it would lock if I opened it too wide. My dentist has been monitoring it, but this past week the pain was getting really bad. Yesterday it was terrible, so I called so see if I could get an appointment, and they took me in right away! I was pretty impressed with that!!!

So I went in and my jaw has definitely gotten worse. I can only open my mouth about 1/2 the amount of what most people can. (Dad, if you are reading this, I can already hear the snide remarks about how much I open my mouth!) End result....I now have a prescription for muscle relaxers and also a little mouth guard, called an NTI, that fits over my front teeth and basically makes me look like Bugs Bunny. Most people only have to wear it at night, but I am supposed to wear it ALL THE TIME, unless I am in public. Praise the Lord for that "unless!"

Last night when we got back from our youth leaders meeting, I put it in and Jackson started laughing. I said, "Does mommy look pretty?" He honestly replied, "No, mommy looks EWWWW!" I said, "Oh, that makes mommy sad!" The poor kid started BAWLING, and said "No, mommy pretty!!!" I hope he is always this tender-hearted! :)

Hot Dogs, Anyone?

Our yard sale this past weekend went really well! I was slightly disturbed when I opened the garage door Friday morning at 715 to finish putting things out and there were 5 people milling around in my driveway, and money left on the table for stuff that was already gone! (The yard sale was supposed to start at 9!) Friday we were really busy with constant customers. I had made cookies the night before and sold all of them, so that was exciting too! Friday night I thought I'd be smart and make a double batch of cookies, knowing that they would sell too!

Then Saturday came....Saturday was a strange day. Jon had planned to make hot dogs and sell them, because he had heard from a friend that they always make more $$ selling hot dogs then the junk from their house! Around 10 am, a guy came and, without looking at anything else, wanted to know if we had started the hot dogs yet (I had put this in the Craigslist ad)....we hadn't but Jon threw one on the grill quick. The guy said "I'm starving...just slap it on the bun cold!" So we did and asked him if he would like ketchup or mustard. His response was, "I don't need that crap!" He left as quick as he came.....just for the hot dog!

The ironic part....that hot dog was one of the 3 that we sold! We ended up eating more than we sold. And, about the cookies....not a single one sold!! We did end up doing very well overall and sold a lot of our stuff. The rest, we boxed up for the next yard sale in a year or so!

E-Town Fair

We went to the E-town Fair tonight and I thought I might as well go ahead and post some pics while I have a few minutes. We tried to win Jackson a goldfish but failed miserably. Luckily, he thought the fish were there just to say Hi to....he never realized he could have been taking one home!! He loved the rides again (some he even got to ride with Jon!)....his favorite was the Ferris Wheel! I think he is too young to have fear! We did have some good luck with the ride tickets though...just as we were about to buy some, a lady approached us and sold us her leftovers for half-price! Yay for bargains, even at the fair! :)







In other news, not much has been going on. I have been getting stuff together for our yard sale this weekend. Stop by and see us! Friday 9-? and Saturday 8-? I'm hoping to get rid of a LOT of stuff!

Fair Side Note: Evidently the Garrett County Meat Rabbits sign is not as sick as I thought....tonight I saw a 4H stand about the same thing. I don't know if I'd want to eat a rabbit, but I guess you never know!

The Zoo!

Yesterday my parents took Jon, Jackson and I to the Pittsburgh Zoo. We had such a fun time - even though Jackson has evidently deciding that throwing up on the way to the zoo should be a new tradition. He is now 2 for 2 (see my earlier post on Lake Tobias!) Jackson loved everything about the zoo and was so excited at seeing each new animal. There were 2 new baby elephants born this summer, and the Daddy elephant was named Jackson, which he is still talking about! Here's just a few pics from the zoo....


We made it home this afternoon and Jack was happy to see all his books and toys but was sad to not be getting all the extra special attention from Pap and Grandy!
Thanks Dad and Mom! We had a fun week! Next time try and make it a little warmer so we can swim ;)

Fair Pictures

We had a great time at the fair yesterday. Jack loved seeing the animals - especially the pig and duck races - and really LOVED the rides!!! Here's a few pictures for your viewing enjoyment.

(Yes, that sign means what you think it does....anyone have any good recipes?)

Thoughts & Happenings of the Week

I really wasn't looking forward to the Olympics. I thought maybe I'd watch some if nothing else was on TV when I actually wanted and had time to watch it. Now suddenly I am addicted! It started with the opening ceremonies - we didn't watch the entire thing but I have always found it interesting to watch as each country marches in. This year it really hit me as amazing that so many countries come together peacefully for these games! And of course my heart melted when the Chinese walked in and the little boy walked beside Yao Ming to carry the flags. If you didn't already hear the story, the little boy was a survivor of the earthquakes that hit China a month or so ago. 20 out of the 30 children in his class died. He not only freed himself from the rubble but went back to help rescue 2 classmates! What a kid! And of course he is totally adorable.

I am currently in Maryland with Jackson at my parent's house for the week. We have plans for most of the week and I'm hoping to squeeze in a few visits with friends as well! Jon is coming up Thursday night and we will all go to the Pittsburgh Zoo on Friday! Today's big adventure - Walmart! (Note: I am from the boonies.) I just love how around here, going to Walmart is an EVENT! (also note: I am not making fun of the boonies. I love the boonies.) Anyway, pictures to come at some point this week.....it is Garrett County FAIR WEEK after all, and that is a much bigger event than even Walmart!

Expanding Vocabulary

Said by Jackson today to the dog before going upstairs for his nap - "Night night, Jakey. Night night, Sweetheart." I wasn't sure where he picked up "sweetheart" but I found out tonight when Nana walked in and said to Jackson "Hi Sweetheart!" J has since realized that mama thought hearing him say sweetheart was pretty funny, and has begun calling everyone and everything by that name!

New Favorite

Jackson's new favorite activity is playing in his toy box. Every day he crawls in and sits, sometimes for an hour or more, playing and pretending with all his toys. I love listening to him pretend! I hear him making up entire conversations with his little people, dinosaurs, or veggietales. I am loving how great he is getting at entertaining himself!

Beach Pics

For some reason I haven't felt like blogging lately, so I have a little catching up to do. I already posted beach pics on Facebook, but for those of you who don't have facebook, here's a few from our recent vacation to Bethany Beach, Delaware. (and sorry about the last one, I couldn't get it to rotate, so just tilt your head!)