I have used the OTC whiteners, and they didn't work for me, but - caveat - they made my teeth hurt and I know I didn't keep them on as long as I should have. The aforementioned Chiclet-toothed friend claims she did it by wearing the OTC whiteners for a couple hours a day, with no pain, so I guess you just have to try it to know.

I'm thinking of spending the $500 and getting the laser thing done. My dentist says the OTC stuff works better for keeping them white than getting them white.

Beautiful pictures Cashmere!

Beautiful pictures, Cashmere. I especially love the one of you and DH. Your kids are going to love seeing that in years to come.

I came across a photo of (most) of my extended family, gathered together for my grandmother's memorial service a couple of years ago [link] I'm just to the right of the photo of my g'ma, my dad is behind me, and my mom is next to me.

I keep meaning to try the Crest whitestrips or whatever. Speaking of, has anyone used the OTC whitening stuff? Any recommendations or warnings?

Not those, but I have used the Crest Vivid White toothpaste - it comes in separate day and night versions - to good effect.

Gloomcookie, that's a LOT of pretty!

Hush, you, you're deflating my righteous wrath and replacing it with "Aw, golly shucks."

t growls softly

Another sad fact about the family photo is that it was taken on my dad's b-day. He was upset after the memorial for his mom, so he wanted no b-day celebration, which is totally out of character. Poor Dad.

Vincent's voice always gave me shivers--the good kind.

Beverly is me. That voice just slays me. And the wounded nobility and all. ::puddles up:: I just wish they didn't throw in the Rambokitty rides on top of the subway in every, single episode.

Go you Joe with the VA possibility. I'm serious, with your CS background, wit and fixy-ness, you could make a hugely rewarding career for yourself out of VAing. Plus, 99% of VAs are women. You could brand yourself as the "OTHER VA meat." By which I do NOT mean porn.

Pretty photo, GC, even if it was a sad occasion.

Begone~ma to connie's headache and vw's migraine.

Vortex is made of the most legendary awesome, we all knew this. But Nora, I don't think it's beyond normal expectations to confirm arrangements that were made more than a week ago. You've made that effort and either your friend hasn't gotten the messages or has neglected to respond. Call, and don't feel like a nag. Resent that she's making you feel like a nag, a little, but being the grownup often feels like being a nag, so.

Cashmere, your sister is really beautiful, as she should be on her wedding day. But you? My gods, woman, you're luminous! You're gorgeous as a goddess, and the picture of you and your DH is wonderful.

Also, I think Sparky is sassier now that she's an East Coast girl. I like it.

It's the humidity.

I've missed the Joe and Aimee show. I think MiL was...misguided, at best.

I'm with Zen on the tooth-whitening thing. I've never tried the strips. My dentist just zaps the gel on there and hits it with the light as part of my cleaning. It's not the deluxe $500 job, but it goes a couple shades lighter, enough to tell a difference, but not enough to give me chiclets.

I'm having dental work done next month, and I'm pretty sanguine about it, even a little happy, as it will correct a mistake made years ago by a cowboy dentist. If I'da sued, I'd have enough to fund the procedure.

Go you Joe with the VA possibility. I'm serious, with your CS background, wit and fixy-ness, you could make a hugely rewarding career for yourself out of VAing. Plus, 99% of VAs are women. You could brand yourself as the "OTHER VA meat." By which I do NOT mean porn.

Though the porn is a last ditch possibility I suppose.

I wouldn't even know how to begin getting work as a VA, though.