Chas’ Crazy Little Letter: My Medical Update & Fall Prep!
Good morning and welcome to my kitchen table! Grab yourself a warm cup of coffee or a cold glass of iced tea and let’s catch up.
As we head toward fall, I can feel the cooler weather starting to sneak in, and I just love this time of year! But before we dive into all things autumn, I wanted to sit down and share a very personal life update with you. If you start seeing me wearing braces in my upcoming videos, I want you to know exactly why!
When I was a kid, I struggled terribly with TMJ and wore braces. Fast forward to now at 53—after a full year of searching for answers—my doctors finally discovered that the joints on both sides of my jaw have deteriorated.
Because of this, I am facing a major jaw reconstruction surgery, including a custom artificial jaw replacement that is being fabricated for me right now! The braces are actually helping prepare my jaw for the procedure. Surgery won’t be until early next year.
As intense as that sounds, I am looking at the glass as half full! This jaw issue caused my airway to shrink down to just 20 mm (a normal airway is around 150 mm!), which is what has been causing my severe sleep apnea. This surgery is going to open my airway back up so I can finally breathe easily again, and I am so grateful to have a path toward healing! You can learn more about the surgery here: joint replacement and orthognathic surgery
Since I will be recovering down the road, I am getting a head start on getting the rest of my house beautifully organized and easy to manage…
Easy Bathroom Transformations (Big & Small!)
I put together a brand-new video to show you some of my absolute favorite budget-friendly ways to organize your bathroom. We are tackling both big transformations and those brilliant little tweaks that make a massive difference in how your space functions. The best part? They are all so incredibly easy to do!
Can’t see the video? [Click here to watch it on YouTube!]
This Week’s Free Gift: The Fall DIYs Series!
To celebrate the changing of the seasons, I want to help you get a head start on your autumn crafting! This week, you can sign up for my free Fall DIYs Email Series. It is packed with my most popular, low-cost homemade crafts, beautiful seasonal decor ideas, and easy upcycles to make your home feel warm and welcoming.
Something for Everyone!
Whether you are looking for a quick organizing shortcut for your kitchen cabinets or a delicious, comforting recipe to bake this weekend, I want to make sure you find exactly what you need. Browse through these popular favorites from the archives:
Deal of the Day: Amazon Basics!
As we reset our homes for the new season, it is the perfect time to stock up on everyday household essentials. Amazon is currently running some fantastic hidden deals on their Amazon Basics line! You can find deep discounts on everything from kitchen organization tools to fresh bedding and cleaning supplies at a fraction of the regular price.
Let’s Chat!
Hearing from you makes my entire week, and I truly love reading your stories. Let’s catch up in the comments below! Did you ever have to wear braces when you were younger, or are you simply looking forward to the cooler fall weather arriving?
Drop a comment below and let me know—I read and reply to every single one!
Sending Hugs,
Chas
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I am 4 1/2 weeks post operation of both TMJ replacements in both my jaws, plus chin replacement. I have poly arthritis and have had multiple total replacements. I started my journey in 2020. I just had mine July 15, 2026 and I can say the jaw feels better but my face is still swollen, sore, and numb. Good luck to you.
I find this article because I am so bored. I have a messy craft room that is calling me. Thank you for teaching your art.
Hi Tracy, I’m so sorry to hear you have had to go through this too. I’ll reach out to you via email as I’d love to chat if and when you’re up for it. Hugs to you!!!
Wow! Good luck with your upcoming s
urgery.
Thank you I appreciate it. It won’t happen until January, but giving everyone a heads up.
Oh my gosh, Chas! Best of luck on the surgery and recovery!
Thank you I appreciate it. It won’t happen until January, but giving everyone a heads up.
Wow good luck with your surgery and a speedy recovery. Sincerely Barbara
Thank you, Barbara. I appreciate it. Most likely, the surgery will be in January as it takes a while to build the custom jaw piece.
Truly best wishes for you upcoming surgery.
Hi Karen, thank you. It’ll be a while until it happens; it takes 6 months to fabricate the custom jaw piece. It’s looking like the surgery will most likley be in January.