Ok, first let me say this. I'm not a fan of uploading a bunch of random photos of myself like this on an art site. I'm fully aware this is not myspace, facebook, tumblr, and so on.
So this is not something I will be doing very often. I'll go back to uploading my jewelry, as well as fursuit piccies and art.

However, there is a story here to be told. And I wish to share it all with you.
This is dedicated to all who have stood by me, who has accepted me even when I couldn't accept myself, and who have helped me achieve what you're seeing in this photo.

As some of you know, I just underwent some major oral surgery. I had 24 extractions and let me tell you... that was nothing short of a trip down the brimstone road. Freaking hurt like hell! >,<

For ten years I couldn't smile. For if I did, I would reveal the one thing I wanted to keep hidden from the world. The thing that everyone judges on, that kept me from jobs, that kept me from being social. [ok more social.] And to really be me.
I couldn't accept a simple compliment. How could I?

I had a mouth full of rotted teeth, what was left of them anyways. There is Nothing pretty about that. And though my bf truly saw me as beautiful, I couldn't see what he could see. I tried. It was hard.


Thanks to the help of many, support and just wonderful awesomness, I can smile!
I Feel beautiful. I AM beautiful. I don't care if others do not think so. That's perfectly ok. It is after all an opinion. But it's one that I can now look in the mirror, smile and say "Angel, you're beautiful! Never stop smiling!"

So this past Saturday,  JTigerclaw  Christian_Wolf and myself hung out. We went to a local pool hall, and for the first time in a decade, I smiled, laughed openly and just Glowed! And others responded. I had an open smile for everyone. Didn't matter who it was. And thus, they smiled too.

No tight lipped grin, but a bright, warm smile for everyone. Didn't matter that my butt was handed to me by a very good pool player ;) I had a great time!

I cannot begin to tell you all that has helped what this has done for me. Despite the soreness, and a few other things, it's been so worth it.

This is one VERY happy kitty. So this beer is on you...ummm...hmm except..i REALLY hate beer.

And that will be shown to you very soon. As my wonderful boyfriend took shutter pictures of me and my epic beer face as I took that awful sip in your honor. >,<

I will make it into an epic GIF for you to enjoy at my expense ^___^

Thank you everyone for giving me back my life!