The only thing I really like at the Comic Expo are the panels, and none of the panels are really grabbing me, so I'm skipping it.

Laura, I toddled down to CVS and got the 'no boil' kind. Thank you so much for reminding me that DVS is basically The Magic Box in my neighborhood.

I _really_ like that this version does not actually cover the teeth. I had bad fantasies of bacteria trapped against the enamel, cancelling out the benefit.

It is going to be super weird getting used to this.

At this point, I should probably just sleep in a coffin. Black out curtain, ear plugs, night guard. I iz a delicate flower.

Upside of all this, not only did the endodontist NOT laugh at me for making my own toothpaste, he actually said I should bottle whatever I'm doing and sell it. Except for the infection brewing for TEN YEARS, according to him, everything else is perfect.

SWEET!

Bonny, I had a lexan (bulletproof) plastic guard I chewed a hole in, and then snapped the end off. My recent dentist demanded a look at it, and behaved as though it was some now-extinct insect he'd heard of but never seen. He was all set to "prescribe" me another one, no doubt just as spendy as the old one.

But I discovered the boilable kind in the drugstore. Clear, soft plastic, you boil and then shape it onto your teeth, and wear it till you chew through it. They're about $12 for two at Rite-Aid. Those are very small--child size, because I have a very small jaw. There is a larger size for about $20, but I had to cut away so much material to be able to fit it into my mouth, and then I kept spitting it out in my sleep because it interfered with my breathing when I lay on my side. Which I do. But the smaller one is amazing. I wake up with *no* jaw ache or pain. If I go through these every couple of months it will be entirely worth it. I don't have a brand name or a picture, but I'm sure you can find them in a local pharmacy. Evidently a lot of people grind their teeth in their sleep.

I will get my traps together at some point, I feel sure.

Happy Birthday, Erika!

Bonny, as far as sleeping in a coffin's concerned, I like the room dark at night. Afternoon naps are one thing, but serious sleeping requires dark. I have the LED numbers taped over on the clock because they're too bright. Our next-door neighbors took down the ivy-covered wall on their porch, thus revealing the double floodlight that shines all night long, and lights up my cellular shade like a jumbotron. A cardboard panel made from a couple of flattened packing boxes slides between the window and the shade, and I haz DARK. And then in the morning, the panel pops out and spends the day behind my desk, so everybody's happy. (And I haz DARK)

Beverly, I'm a bit worried about the spitting out too.

The one I bought has two 'platforms' that go between the back teeth, and a band that tucks between the bottom teeth and gum. link.

It's super soft and the bit between the teeth (see what I did there?) is nice and thick, but not obstructive.

If this one does not work, I will definitely get the boiled kind. And a small.

The one I have is actually adjustable, which is nice.

I'm wearing it around the house to get used to it and because I'e noticed that I grind when upright as well.

Perhaps I can train myself not to!

I guess the good news and bad news is that I don't have any jaw pain, ever. If I did, I might have gotten to this before grinding off all my enamel.

Sorry about the bad link tag there. I can feel a certain angel stompie glaring at me from afar.

Ugh. I need to borrow more money from my parents. I hate borrowing money. But I'm not going to have enough to cover my next rent check, because, even though I started working on August 15, my first paycheck doesn't come until September 30. And I know that I'm lucking in that I can borrow money from them, so that I don't end up spiraling into worse money issues. But I still hate asking.

I know the feeling, Hil. I'm sorry for the necessity.

I'm glad the one you have is working, Bonny. Makes a huge difference.

Can I have some kidney~ma for ltc? One of her kidneys isn't draining properly and we have to go for a test on Monday to figure out if there is a physical cause. Her pediatrician said it is probably nothing to worry about, but I'm still worried.

sj , you can have all the ~ma in the world. I'm just sitting here, amazed that you have your baby, know she is a baby girl, and are dealing with being a parent (I'm really sorry about that last bit -- it's hard).

So yay, ltc (she's a little teacup, yes?)! I hope her kidney problems resolve. I am so happy for you and TCG. It's hard being a parent, a first time parent, and a parent of a child with health challenges. My hope and prayer for you and your baby is that everything will be okay, and if it isn't okay, it will still be okay. All my best for you and your daughter.

Hey, Bitches. :)

Thank you, Cindy. We got the results of the test today, and everything came back normal. ltc (yes little teacup) is on an antibiotic, which we're hoping resolves the issue. We go back for a follow up ultrasound in a couple of weeks. The poor thing is all gassy from the antibiotics, which I hate.