A Quote for the Day..

"A good life is when you smile often, dream big, laugh a lot, and realize how blessed you are for what you have." ~Annonymous

Dreaming in color,
Kristy Kreme

Adventures in Orthodontia

Back in October, I decided to embark on a brand new adventure.... Braces!  Okay, so not the metal-mouth, teeny-bopper lookin' ones.  I got started on Invisalign, clear trays that make slight adjustments to your teeth over time.  I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was one of the best decisions I've ever made!

I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. Deville...  To help the teeth move, attachments are added to some teeth to act as levers, giving the trays more leverage to move your teeth.  Dr. Weber said it was going to take 6 months, but I didn't truly believe him.

Every 6 weeks I went back into Dalseth Family & Cosmetic Dentistry to check to make sure I was wearing the Invisalign trays 22+ hours a day and that my teeth were cooperating and moving as planned.  Sure, the first couple days of each new set of trays were a little painful, but I just planned out my meals accordingly so crunchy tacos fell on days at the end of the two weeks, and pastas and soft foods on tender days.

It really did come in handy this winter, though, keeping off the winter weight gain!  Pretty hard to graze all day when you have to remove the trays to eat and brush your teeth to put them back on.  Last year I gained 10lbs. during the winter, this year... -1lb.

Six months finally came and I was nervous that they were going to extend it out longer.  To my surprise, Dr. Weber said it was a success!  With a little contouring to even out the wear of my teeth from their old positioning, removal of the attachments, and a permanent retainer on the inside of my bottom teeth, I'm done!  Finito!  I've got a retainer to wear all day for the next 6 months, but it's clear and fitted to my teeth and I can barely see it.  SOOOOO COOOOOL!!!!  

Before:

After:

Thank you, Dr. Weber & Miss Holly!!!!  You are the best!  I am so happy I did it.  Now I just get caught smiling at myself in the mirror at work every day.  Not a bad problem to have, eh?  :oD

Smilin' Away, 

Kristy Kreme

Soothing the Craving

Friday nite, I took Jay out to Burger Jones for a date night with some tasty burgers and beers.  Low and behold, as we waited for our table, the Mayor and lil Mayor appeared out of the darkness, ready to dine on some delicious grub as well.  It was an awesome surprise and a delight to have them join us for dinner.

Last summer, BJ had the Nacho Burger on special.  Jay ordered it and I got my standard plain burger.  Tempted throughout the meal by the toppings, I begged Jay for a bite... then another... and another.  It was so amazing.  And every month after, I checked the Specials board each time, hoping and praying for the burger to come back so I could reunite with taste-bud splendor.... but that time did not come.

So, Friday night, I decided to build my own!  Luckily, Chonny was the Exec Chef on duty and he remembered my favorite special from months gone by and was able to recreate... better yet, improve upon.... the dining memories I had.

As we waited on our dinner, we split an order of Poutine - fries covered in beef gravy, bacon, raw cheese curds and green onion... oh my!

Once the meal arrived, I was blown away by the burger I've waited so long to reunite with.  Hand-pattied beef, in-house sesame bun, avocado mayo, jalepenos, beans, Chonny nacho cheese, lettuce, and salsa, fresh cilantro and, you guessed it, tortilla chips!

I've never finished a 1/2 lb. burger ... but this night I did.  I have no idea if anyone was sitting at the tables next to us, I struggled to remember Jay's Chubby Cheddar burger or what was on the TV overhead... I was in my own world with my burger, my taste-buds, and the adventure we embarked upon.  I slowly devoured the burger, impressed by every bite, and my stomach so addicted that it never waivered or asked me to stop....  it was better than I ever remembered and I can only beg and plead for them to bring it back again.

At the end of the night, we retreated home to snuggle on the couch and bathe in our dining euphoria.  Yeah, the name Burger Jones is dead-on.  Go there.  Satiate that Jones.

Loving being a grown-up-eater!

Kristy Kreme