I just got back from the orthodontist, where I received my first ever orthodontic appliances - expanders. Top AND bottom expanders. The bottom one is fixed, only to be removed by the orthodontist when he sees fit (hopefully much sooner than the 4 months he talked about). The top one is removable (for eating), and thank God, because I sound mentally challenged with that thing in, not to mention the fact that I can't imagine it being much of a turn on for Otis. They said I would get used to talking with this thing in my mouth, but I think they lie.

Eating has already proven itself to be quite a challenge. So far I've learned that I CAN NOT put hot soup in my mouth and expect to be able to use my normal evasive maneuvers to keep my tongue from getting burned. When I tried that my tongue got stuck underneath the bottom expander and then burned. Also, chewing is going to be interesting considering there is about one spot where my molars actually meet up right now. I probably won't be eating publicly until I can figure out how to eat like an adult again. Right now my attempts at eating resemble that of an infant who was just introduced to solid food.

I keep trying to remind myself that I chose to do this, so I can't complain to anyone but myself. Also that I only have to have the expanders for 4 months, or 360 meals. Sounds like it's time for a diet!