My 13 year old granddaughter will be wearing one of these Herbst appliances very soon, but it's not intended to correct an overbite or underbite. She had been experiencing headaches for about the past two years, and for over a year her jaw has been making a loud clicking sound as she opens and closes her mouth causing her pain each time. She was finally taken to a dentist who then referred her to an orthodontist. They thought it may be TMJ, so the doctor ordered an MRI of her jaw area. It was not TMJ. The right side of her jaw isn't even connected, and the clicking noises are coming from left side of her jaw . The orthodontist said he has never seen a case so sever as this in a child before...only saw cases like this with adults who have been in a traumatic auto accident, or who have had a forceful blow to their face. Her mom doesn't recall any such things ever happening as she was growing up. But I do remember when she had a root canal and cap done at the age of 3 or 4 years old. I distinctly recall how she cried in pain for hours afterwards and I couldn't find a way to comfort her. I even drove her back to the dental office where it was performed that same day and they insisted nothing was wrong with her. The orthodontist who just recently requested the MRI be done, said she has a smaller mouth than most others. I have a gut feeling, and from after talking with others about this, that there's a possibility that when they did the root canal procedure it may have partially dislocated her jaw and that her jaw never went back into the normal position as she was growing all these years. The Orthodontist does not guarantee that wearing the Herbst will even solve her problems in the end, which is heart wrenching to even think of. It's even more heartbreaking to know the pain she is going to have to endure wearing this appliance. But worse, if it doesn't work, they said surgery is the next option. I've heard that with surgery nerves will be cut and loss of feeling in the chin area occurs causing the person to always drool. That would be so traumatic for any teenager to have to deal with. This is so difficult to even imagine what might happen in the long run. I just pray that wearing the Herbst will completely correct her condition. Please, if there is anyone else who has had this similar condition, please let me know how your results were with wearing this appliance.

Here's a few, Moni... http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=12767448 This is a sold pattern of stuffed koalas, but I'm sure you could get one from them. http://dollmakersjourney.com/kangaroo.html I'm sure you could adapt this and make it larger, Moni. And it's FREE! This one is adorable for a baby's room! http://www.funkyfriendsfactory.com/product/PT-KANGAROO.aspx This book has a gator/croc in it- it's pretty cute! http://www.amazon.com/Toys-Sew-Patterns-Animals-Accessories/dp/0307345416 You can probably look at the book before buying it at a local bookstore, it's a current book. Here is a link that might be useful: Koala sock doll

So happy to see more joining in! Thanks mac. You lead a charmed life weather wise. To add to the "fun" yesterday the power went out for about 6 hrs. It is a good thing I heat with a wood stove as well as propane. shaxhome I wish our weather could even out between the two of us. I would happily give up some of my cold to off set your dreadful heat. We actually do get to 40 the odd time if you include the humidity. In our summer the humidity plays a large role. Gorgeous pics all! jekeesl I enjoy photographing moths & butterflies too. I had no idea any butterflies bit. The closed wings of a Red Admiral. So many patterns in this dragonfly. Tree frog - one of my favorite critters. Pulsatilla Rheum p. Atrosanguineum breaking ground. Tradescantia The very common Agriope aurantia.

@M R Thanks--I love your windows. The layout that I have posted shows Crown molding but that is just because I could not get it out of my layout. All windows are 8' high to match all of the doors and doorways--set at 8'. For the 36" high cabinets I thought about doing the outlets sideways. Do you have some going up and down and sideways? What is your flooring? I thought I might like a stone look for flooring but can't find anything that I like. I was so set on a Maple cabinet color called Nutmeg--but of course--it is discontinued. First I wanted Natural Maple but some of the ones I have downstairs (no windows) have turned yellow and I don't like that. My plan layout was set when I wanted Natural Maple cabinets. I have oak and painted cabinets right now and do not want either one of those so my choices are getting slim. This is what the dining room windows look like. These windows are 3' w x 6' h. If my math is right--there is 24" above the windows and 24" below the windows for balance--maybe I should keep them that way. I still want to change the size of the windows in the Study/Bedroom. I think they are two 3' w x 6' h. I don't think we need windows that low in there if it would ever be used as a bedroom. My Laundry Room is on the west wall too but I can't go that low for that window. Thanks for sharing your photos.