HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

day THIRTY TWO.  Today was Halloween, and I've been going all day long.  I worked 8-4 then ran home and got ready for all the trick-or-treaters.  We sat outside for at least two hours and handed out 10 bags of candy.  There were so many people and lots of really cute costumes!  It was fun, but it was SO cold!!  I started out wearing a witches hat but couldn't see very well with it, so I didn't wear it too long.  I LOVE candy but unfortunately couldn't eat too much this year because of my splint and braces. 

Symptom wise I'm still pretty numb.  I don't have much feeling, but I can feel pressure.  I'm still swollen as well.  I think that's going to last for months.  And my jaw still hurts if I go for an extended period of time without my rubber bands.

 



My hair drives me crazy.  I've been trying to grow it out for years, but I have horrible split ends and it just breaks off (thanks to straightening my hair and getting highlights for the past 13 years).  One side of my hair is dramatically longer than than the other.  I normally get it cut to even it up, but I haven't in a while... hints my uneven locks.

Carla sent me another sweet something.  She really is the best friend ever.  She gave me lots of Halloween goodies!! Thank you my love!!!

I'm so tired.  And sore.  My entire body is sore from working in the yard yesterday.  That's pretty bad,

goodnight!

pansies.

day THIRTY ONE.  I worked in my yard almost four hours this afternoon.  I had no idea how long planting flowers actually took.  I bought six bales of pine straw, four bags of dirt, and six flats of pansies and went to town.  I definitely took my time, but I enjoyed being outside.  The sun was shining, and it wasn't too cold.  It was definitely a perfect day to work in the yard!  I can't wait for my garnet, white and pumpkin orange pansies to grow and get much bigger!

I also went and saw my grandma at the hospital.  I hadn't seen her in almost a week, and she looks so much better.  She's not in the ICU anymore, and supposedly she's going to get to leave the hospital in the next few days.  I sure hope so!!

I wore no makeup today, so my pictures are much different from the ones I've been posting. 

I also took an angled picture of myself.  I still think I'm really swollen.  I'm starting to think I might look like this forever!!

BIG cheeks!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Friday, Friday, Friiiiiiday + Saturday!

days TWENTY NINE and THIRTY.  I worked Friday 8-4 and ever since I got off, all I've done in shopped (sort of!).  I had some amazing coupons and such, so I've taken advantage and gone shopping!  Pier1 marked their Halloween stuff 50% off yesterday, and I had $80.00 in Pier1 rewards plus $10.00 off a $100.00 purchase, so I spent a little over $100.00 and got everything for $2.00 and some change!  I worked in my yard a little bit Saturday morning then went to the mall to spend a little more money!  Gap had 40% off of select items as well as Francesca's.  I got a couple tops, a scarf, and a really cute pair of wedge heels from those two stores.  I had a coupon for $40.00 off of a $75.00 purchase at Express, so I got a pair of red jeans.  I like to think of them as being garnet for my Carolina Gamecocks!  The Loft also had 40% off of everything in the store.  On top of that, I had an additional 25% off AND $20.00 in rewards.  I bought it up at The Loft and love everything I got! 

On the way to the mall, my sister and I saw a lady all dressed up with a little boy walking down a very busy road... definitely not something typical.  We asked if she needed a ride, and she quickly said yes!!  We drove her to get a rent-a-car but every place was closed (we took her to the first place, but she called the rest of them).  We then took her back to her car, let her get some things out of it, and took her and her son back to their house.  We spent about an hour with them, and they were a really nice family.  I'm glad we got to help them out!!

Tomorrow I'm going to do major yard work -- new pine straw, dirt, and lots of pansies.  I'm hoping it won't be too cold.

This has been a good weekend.  I just wish it could last a little longer!! I am excited about Monday though because its Halloween!  Halloween in my neighborhood is HUGE.  I bought $60.00 worth of candy and really hope I don't run out!

And now the reason I blog (almost) everyday.. here are my Friday & Saturday pictures!

Friday --

Saturday -

I also did a Friday, Saturday, Friday comparison.  I had sunglasses on in my second Friday picture, so I used Saturday's instead.  Besides me having makeup on, I honestly can't tell much of a difference in my swelling.

FOUR weeks

days TWENTY SIX - TWENTY SEVEN - TWENTY EIGHT.  I know I say the same thing in every post, but I really can't believe that it's been four whole weeks since my surgery.  I've already been back to work one week, and I can't believe that either!  I still sound silly when I say certain words, but I'm pretty used to talking with my splint in my mouth.  To my surprise, I haven't had too many people ask me about my surgery.  That is okay with me; I don't like telling my story a million times!  I am (still) pretty disappointed that my splint was supposed to come off in 5 short days, but because of scheduling issues, I have to wait 12 
l o n g  days.  I'm still numb on the right side of my face, mainly my lips and right above my lips.  I have noticed that more people have been asking me lately when my swelling will go down.  I don't think it really looks like I'm swollen in my pictures, but I still am.  I feel like I look like a monkey.  I seriously cannot wait until the swelling goes down.  I've noticed that my sunglasses fit completely different on my cheeks now.  They sit a lot lower on my face and actually leave indentations on my cheeks.  When looking at pictures, I can tell that my cheeks look smaller, but I don't know if that's just an effect of swelling or if its a permanent change?  The red spots are still on my face and not fading at all.  I haven't asked my doctor about them, but I will be doing that at my next appointment.  I've been putting vitamin E oil on them, but I still can't tell a difference.

So without further adieu, here are my pictures for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday...

Tuesday, October 25 -


Wednesday, October 26 -

I didn't wear my rubber bands to work on Wednesday, and by the time my shift was over, my jaw really hurt.  It felt like I kind of had to force my teeth to bite together, and when I did that, it hurt.  Strange.  But I've had my rubber bands on since then, and it doesn't hurt anymore!

Thursday, October 27 -

And lastly, since I do write a little bit about other stuff going on, I wanted to post a picture of the cookie cake I bought my technicians.  Tuesday was Pharmacy Tech Day, so I got a cookie cake and gave each of my techs a gift certificate.  Just a small little something to show that I appreciate them!!

before & after

I really wanted to compare a picture of me before and after my surgery.  Obviously the lighting is different and one picture is closer than the other, but I am SO happy with the difference.  I've always hated my extra gummy smile, so I'm glad that is finally fixed!  After I got my first set of braces off (eighth grade), my orthodontist recommended I have gum removal surgery.  Following her advice, I had the surgery, but it clearly didn't help too much; however, my gummy smile is finally gone! Thank goodness!!  Now I can't wait to get my splint off to see what it looks like to have teeth that touch!  I know I've still got a long way to go, but I know I'm headed in the right direction!
   

My mom asked me today if I knew what I knew now, would I go through the surgery again.  I thought about it and didn't have a definite yes or no answer.  After looking at my before and after pictures, I can confidently say YES!  I have been so self conscious about my mouth for years.  Hopefully after all is said and done, I will no longer have any complaints!!

twenty five days.

I can't believe it's been almost a month since my surgery. CRAZINESS!!  I was off work today, so I went and saw my grandma in the hospital.  She's got a long way to go, but she's strong and I know she's going to be okay!  Other than my visits to the hospital, I didn't do much.  I took a big nap.. I think I slept almost three hours.  I was definitely tired from work!

I've got nothing else going on... so I'll just post my pictures!

Friday -- Saturday -- Sunday

I've already been back to work three days now.  I can't believe it!! I've been pretty busy, so I didn't have time to post anything, but I did take pictures each day.  My 84 year old grandma got sick on Friday and had to go to the hospital.  She had emergency surgery, and the doctor's didn't know if she was going to live through it.  Thankfully, she did and she's doing much better.  She's still in the ICU, but I think she's going to be okay.  My oldest sister lives in Tennessee, and I hadn't seen her in over two years.  She came to be with my family, and I'm so happy I got to spend some time with her.  It's been too long.  Any and all prayers for my grandma are appreciated!!

FRIDAY --


SATURDAY --


SUNDAY --


I'm still numb in the exact same places, and I'm still swollen... same story, different day!!  I've still got the red spots above my lips too.  I have no idea when they'll go away??

That's all for now. I am sleepy!!

three weeks

day TWENTY ONE.  Today was my last day before I go back to work. I am excited to see everyone at work but not too excited about actually working.

I read a lot of different blogs.  One of the bloggers that I follow did an eye makeup tutorial the other day.  I love makeup but normally wear the same eye shadow everyday; however I am always looking for something different.  I went out today and got a couple of the things she talked about, and after TWENTY ONE days of no makeup, I put some on today!  I forgot how different I look in makeup.

I look a little ghostly, but its just the flash on my phone.

While shopping, I also bought a super cute little Kate Spade clutch.  I tried to get a picture of it offline, but it's tiny.  I love it and can't wait to carry it!  

Kate Spade -- Gia Sparkler

And just to keep with a routine...

Crazy what a little makeup can do for a girl!!

no good news.

day TWENTY.  I got up this morning excited.  I just knew my doctor was going to tell me I was going to get my splint off next week. I was wrong. He told me I needed to wear my splint two more weeks.  That meant the earliest I can have it removed is November 1.  I was not happy but knew it would be here soon enough.  Once my splint is removed,  I have to immediately go to my orthodontist's office to get a stronger wire.  When trying to coordinate the appointments, I learned my orthodontist is not going to be in the office the entire week (October 31 thru November 4), so I have to wait an extra SEVEN DAYS to get my splint off.  To say I'm disappointed is an understatement.  I'm so upset, but there is absolutely nothing I can do about it.  So November 8 is the big day. 
I CANNOT WAIT!

I only got pictures in my sunglasses today. Oh well!  I'm bummed today. 

happy Wednesday!

What's wrong with your face?

day NINETEEN.  I went and got my nails done today.  I've gone to the same place for close to two years now, and I know everyone there.  I walked in the door today, and the second I was inside, the owner said to me, "Oh my gosh! What's wrong with your face?"  I thought I was looking pretty good, but apparently not!  The girl that actually did my nails told me she didn't even recognize me when I came in.  Wow!! I really don't think I've changed at all, except for my bite, but I guess I have??  Now I'm really not looking forward to going back to work.  I do not want to have to explain my surgery to every person that asks!!
Back to my nails... I've been getting a "gel manicure" since the start of the year.  I've now found out that it's actually called a shellac manicure.  I love it!! It costs more than a basic manicure (around $30), but each manicure I get lasts around 4 weeks without any chips! I love it and highly recommend it to anyone who gets their nails done!

I go back to my doctor's office tomorrow.  I'm really excited because I find out when I get my splint off.  I'm really hoping that it will be sooner than later!  I'm also getting my hair done tomorrow, so please excuse my greasy hair and dark roots in the following pictures.  Look for some blonder locks tomorrow!!

 

It just started pouring.  This rain is bringing in much colder weather.  Today the high was in the 80's and tomorrow it's in the 50's.  I am not looking forward to colder weather, but I do love leggings and jackets (neither of which I can wear to work!).

I'm doing yet another live CE tonight.  I wanted to get my 15 hours of CE's knocked out while I was recovering, but I've only gotten three hours done.  Oh well!! I've got until the end of the year!

I'm definitely rambling tonight, but I've got 30 more minutes on this CE, so I wanted to say that I really am trying to figure out how to get a header for my blog.  I worked for a while and got a new background, but I still can't figure out how to get a header without paying for one.  I also don't like the title "a journey through my little life," but I have no idea what to call my blog.  Maybe with time I'll figure it out??

Three more days of freedom.

day EIGHTEEN.  I have three more days until I go back to work.  These three weeks have flown by.  So sad!!  I've got nothing new to blog about dealing with me, so I'm just going to post pictures!!

I did forget to post on Saturday that I got two more cards in the mail! One card is from my BFF Carla.  She always gives the cutest cards!  I also got a card from work!  Almost everyone in the store signed it and wrote me a little note, so I thought that was really sweet!!

 

I'm multitasking again... I'm listening to another live CE online!! Hopefully it'll go by fast! 

goodnight!!



SUNDAY funday!

day SEVENTEEN.  I didn't do anything too fun today, but I stayed busy, and that's what I like.  I'm pretty sure no one reads this except two of my friends (love you CRJ & MBC), but I still want to write down what I've done during my recovery process.  Mostly blah, boring stuff, but I still want to be able to read back on what I was doing and what I looked like each day!!

Today was gorgeous outside.  I got out and worked in my yard a little bit.  I planted lots of mums and pansies and hung one basket of snap dragons!  I also got the last of my outside Halloween decorations out!  Thank you Suzanne and Katie for your help!!

Mom came over after my yard work was all done, and we went around the neighborhood and elementary school that's right by my house.  She walked and I rode my bike!

I've still gone the same two symptoms, swelling and numbness.  I feel like I'm a broken record...  I have noticed that my stitches are starting to hang down a little bit.  It's not gross or anything, but when I put my rubber bands on and have to pull up my lips, I see some danglers.  Luckily, they are dissolvable!

I struggled with pictures of me (what's new!), but I am putting two up.  I can't believe that I haven't put on any makeup whatsoever in over two weeks! These pictures are very scary but whatevs!

My night ended at my grandparents' house.  My grandpa found a stray little cat.  They took her in, and they're saying they are going to keep her.  She's very friendly and really cute!!  Who knows what her future holds, but I do know she's a happy kitty tonight (poor thing was only skin and bones).

And lastly, I've got two pictures of sweet Jack I wanted to post.  I'm definitely a crazy cat lady when it comes to him!!

Jack looks so scary in this picture, but I really just caught him mid-yawn! Sleepy Jack!!

goodnight!! :)