1 Year Jaw Surgery Anniversary

Yesterday, August 17, 2012, marked my one year anniversary of my jaw surgery. One year ago, both jaws were cut and moved into new positions; top jaw back, bottom jaw forward. Since then, I've healed up, my numbness is gone, wounds have healed, gotten a new job, moved to our first apartment, gotten engaged, and started my adult life at age 24. All in 2012, baby!

Celebration dinner after I said yes!

The newly engaged :-)

If you're having your jaw broken soon, or any surgery, good luck!!!!!!!! 

Chicken Noodle Soup and Mashed Cauliflower

In efforts to reduce my intake of carbs, I've opted to temporarily eliminate carbohydrates from my diet. Tonight's dinner consisted of chicken noodle soup and mashed cauliflower and both were delicious. 

Chicken, carrots, celery, cabbage, onions and semolina pasta.

Cauliflower was boiled until very soft, and mixed together with a little butter, cheese and a good helping of light cream and garlic. Yum!

Family Vacation to Las Vegas

http://emilybee.hubpages.com/hub/Vacation-in-Vegas

Yellow Cake and Chocolate Frosting Recipe

http://emilybee.hubpages.com/hub/Yellow-Cake-for-Easter-or-Other-Occasion

Happy Easter!

The first yellow cake ever made for enjoyment on Easter sunday. Topped with chocolate buttercream frosting. This was a trial run for my grandmother's 90th birthday cake next week !

Doug's Easter basket. The Easter bunny and I share the same initials ;)

20 Liquid Recipes

Hello! Check out my Hubpage account where I post articles called hubs on various topics. Most recently, I published my hub titled Liquid Recipes for Weight Loss or Post-Surgery Diet.

Teacup Piggies are Trendy and Cute!

http://emilybee.hubpages.com/hub/I-Want-a-Little-Tiny-Teacup-Piggy

Impatient Much? Chill Out!

http://emilybee.hubpages.com/hub/Impatient-Much-Chill-Out

Bargadacious Sketchers Sneakers

Sketchers Shape-Ups retail value is $60 on Amazon, originally $25 at Tjmaxx, and this week final clearanced for $10. Bargain! The pink color (additional pink laces included) gives the sneaks a little something extra and the Shape-Up design is made to simulate walking in soft sand. 

Arched in the sole, proper posture when walking is to rock from heel to toe. These shoes are designed for a low-intensity workout and all-day wear. They are extremely comfortable and are designed to help tone up the buttocks, calves, abdomen, and back.

Sketchers Shape-Ups XF (Extended Fitness) sneakers offer extreme daily comfort, style and many health benefits such as improved posture and circulation, reduced joint stress, and tighter adnominals, buttocks and thighs. My advice is to wear these sneaks as often as possible to add to your general  workout routine.

JCPenny jeans on clearance for $10 dollars (prior to JCP's new CEO implementing new strategy to rid frequent sales) paired with new Sketchers Shape-Ups.

Bargain jeans are comfortable and sensible. As mentioned, I got these jeans for $10 bucks on sale, down from $35. JCPenny clothes fit well and I routinely shop there for new flattering outfits at record prices. Until now. JCPenny's new marketing strategy makes every item one solid price with one monthly sale. A pair of jeans can be bought for $25 dollars. Call me cheap or on a budget but jeans are not deserving of that much hard earned cash.  JCP used to be my favorite store before this new pricing strategy was implemented. Sadly, my visit yesterday revealed nothing more than a lack of inventory, and higher prices. 

Ellen - The new spokesperson for JCPenny. 

I adore Ellen and I'm not sure of her involvement with JCP as of right now. JCP's new CEO Ron Johnson made the decision for their new marketing strategy. However, I do know that customers like getting a good deal and JCP this week was lacking in the good deal department. However, I have not yet observed JCP's monthly sale and will update on that at another time.

Argan Oil and Keratin Therapy

This current duo, the Renewing Morroccan Argan Oil Conditioner and the Ever Straight Brazilian Keratin Therapy Anti-Breakage Serum, work together and create luscious, soft, revitalized tresses. 

Directions: Use the conditioner (blue bottle) after shampooing with coordinating Organix shampoo, or any generic shampoo. Leave in for several (five or more) minutes, massaging into every strand, particularly dry ends, from root to tip. Finger comb thoroughly to distribute product. Rinse.

My hair immediately after product is rinsed. It exudes softness which previously was non-existent after washing my hair due to excessive dryness.

Hair that retains and absorbs water is healthy hair. 

Next step: Apply the Keratin Serum.

Directions: Rub between palms a nickel sized amount of product. Massage onto hair concentrating on dead areas and ends, and not the scalp. Coat the whole head. Brush through hair to distribute product evenly.

Let your tresses be untamed!

Or, apply heat for a mere 10 minutes to achieve a smoother look. 

The Ever Straight Brazilian Keratin Therapy Anti-Breakage Serum conditions and softens hair prior to applying heat and speeds up this process 10 fold for much less damage to hair by creating a barrier between hair straightener and hair cuticles.

**As dead hair results when it is excessively fried, I do this hair treatment every three days including the deep conditioning with the Moroccan Argan Oil and the Brazilian Keratin Serum. Don't worry about excessive oil - this serum should be termed Brazilian Keratin Silk because that's what it does to your hair.

Plus, each day you go without washing your hair is beneficial to you (less opportunities to strip your hair of essential oils). Use a shower cap to keep your head dry during showering.

Breaking News - Jaw Surgery to Bargadacious Beauty Aficionado

Today is day 178 on my jaw surgery blog. I've decided I do not want to neglect (delete) this blog and by continuing to utilize it I can therefore make updates about my jaw on here occasionally, while transferring the primary topic to beauty!!!!!!!! I spend the majority of my excess cash (money not spent on bills) on beauty stuff, whether it is hair products, makeup or fabulous things that make my skin glow, or heck, even a pair of new kicks and this is probably the reason I've survived working in retail the past eight years. It's what keeps me going!  I must add though that the thrill for me is getting the aforementioned items at an unspeakable price because that is what makes these products worthwhile.

Anyone who wants to unsubscribe to my blog, no hard feelings, I do understand that there are people whose skin is too fabulous for words and are not interested in expert advice. I would have reverted to my original blog (Emily's Blog) but with less than 300 views and my jaw surgery blog at almost 3000, I get the feeling that people are more interested in procedures to break ones jaw then my everyday life . Try Googling Operation Break My Jaw and you'll see I am the first result shown! I do realize that I will also be gaining viewers inadvertently who are seeking out jaw surgery related info, but all my jaw stuff from six months ago is still present on this blog and once again I'll update about my jaw from time to time. Cheers!

Day 148 - First Snow Fall of 2012

Happy New Year!

Today we received the first snowfall while living in our new apartment. This is a view from our porch.

I have been MIA in the blogging world lately, up until now. The holiday season and moving has kept us busy. I also got a little bored talking about the status of my jaw. Everything is going great. I still have severe back pain, but my surgeon recommended I see a physical therapist who would also be able to work with my jaw in hopes of having it open further. As of right now I'm not currently seeing one, and we are doing other beneficial maneuvers before making an appointment, such as massage. 

Doug is working hard at Apple. He goes in to work during winter weather advisories because we all know how crucial the purchase of a Mac computer is. He is dedicated and good at what he does. 

Santa got us all the Harry Potter movies and Doug has become an even bigger fan than I was when I was into these many years ago. We both are reborn again Potter fans. The proof is in the books. Books 4 and 5 were retrieved from my childhood bedroom at home and book 6 was retrieved from Doug's attic of his parents' house. Consider where we were in our lives during the initial Potter craze. I read up to book 5 and perhaps it was the thickness of these books that ended my interest in them for I never continued on in the series after that. A little while later, a little more southern in our state, a little Douggie was acquiring Potter book 6 of the series out of total spite. His high school girlfriend at the time was a Potter fanatic and so he went out on his own and bought the book before she was able to get hers. He never even read it. To top the cake, I also found a brand-new, never used, Harry Potter deluxe edition board game of mine. Let's get this party started! Woop woop.

Our joint Harry Potter collection at the moment. Doug's working on acquiring the rest of the books in the series.

Snoopy Pumpkin Spice hot chocolate, Snoopy Mug and my cold-weather attire keep me cozy and warm on snow days :)

 Hope you all had a great Christmas and holiday season. Make it a great new year!