I woke up today not feeling too shabby.

I woke up today not feeling too shabby. Amazingly, the last two days have been ok. Today, I took Shaun out to eat and somewhere between sitting in a chilly restaurant, taking a stroll through Big Lots, and driving us back home, I am hurting again. No position is comfortable and I kind of want to cry. I honestly don't know what to do. I am so sad. There is so much I want to do in life, but right now I can't even concentrate on my homework.

I know. Supposedly, it gets better. But for how long before it goes to shit again?

Pardon me, y'all. I'm in the gap and that's an awful place to be. It's hard to remain positive here. 🙁

Happy Birthday to my most favorite person:

Happy Birthday to my most favorite person:  Shaun!  😃  Did you realize that this year makes the 8th set of birthdays we're celebrating together?!  Holy cow, time is flying!  ❤

I know that things have been better and easier before now, but thank you x1000 for sticking with me through it all.  Seriously, y'all, this is how it is this year:  He's getting dinner at his favorite place on me.  Even though it's a little far away I'm gonna drive him there because he's not a fan of driving.  That is literally all I have planned.  😕  I don't know what else we'll do, but if it costs money I'll have to borrow it from him!  😛

Shaun, I feel bad that I don't even have a gift for you to open right now, but time is the hardest thing for me to come by lately, so it's the most valuable, anyway.  And I'm not even grumpy today!  😃  I know that my health sucks and I've been ill about that and busy with school so much this past year that I've put you last on my list of things to take care of, but I want you to know that I love you SO MUCH and I couldn't do any of this without you.  I promise that better days are coming.  When I'm out of school and rich and you're my trophy wife I'll have time to spend once again and I'll be happy to buy you any ridiculous thing you want.  😉

I love you and I hope you have a fun day.  Let me know when you're ready to get on with it!  ❤😃

I was less hate-y and miserable today.

I was less hate-y and miserable today. I think my Otezla is finally starting to take effect.

Dr. Edmond's office called me back today. I was on the phone with a customer at work and couldn't answer, but they left me a voicemail and also messaged me here to see if I had another phone number. Looks like they take it pretty seriously when a patient is unhappy, so that's nice.

I also called Dr. Crawford's office twice. I left a voicemail this morning, but still hadn't heard back by this afternoon, so I called again. Thankfully, the nurse who usually deals with me answered the phone. She said they'd been seeing patients all day, which I get. I asked her about my Otezla prescription and she said it was denied, but that they usually have to put it through more than once for it to be approved.

For the record I knew that would take time and it was not the reason I was calling. I was calling because I'm almost out of the Otezla samples they gave me and I didn't know what I was supposed to do (which I made sure to say in the voicemail I left). So I told her that and she said to just come and get more. I had no idea it was so simple. I think that most doctors and nurses assume that they are dealing with people who know how the system works, or at who at least have a clue. I am not either of those people yet. If they had just returned my call on Monday and told me to come get more pills it would have saved us both some stress and frustration.

IN ANY CASE I feel relieved knowing that I can get samples until my prescription is approved. Especially now that it seems to be starting to work!

Tell me again (even though it's the thousandth time I've asked)...

Tell me again (even though it's the thousandth time I've asked) who are the good doctors around here.  Both for GP and Rheumatology in case I need to make some decisions.

I'm pretty annoyed today.

Dr. Edmond's office either didn't relay the message to him that I couldn't take the NSAID samples he gave me, or he neglected to call me back.  I called yesterday and they were supposed to call me back.  I probably should have called today, but he seems hesitant to give me anything because he's not that familiar with Otezla, which I can understand.  I probably would have lost my temper had I called, anyway.  I'm just so on edge right now.

Dr. Crawford is on vacation, so I guess that's more important than one of her patients being in pain.  She seems to want the benefits of being paid for a full-time stock of patients, but they are so slow to do any damn thing that I think she's either understaffed or needs to put in some more hours.  I FEEL like this is RIDICULOUS and I'm LOSING MY PATIENCE.  She needs to get her shit together before she loses one of hers (patients.  ME, specifically).

I don't really have the time or energy to drive farther away to see a good doctor, but I'm starting to consider it.  I get that some things take time, but then again - you'd think a doctor would take pride in running their office efficiently.  I had x-rays done months ago and she's just now trying to do something with them?  I tell the nurse I'm hurting and she's like, "Well, Dr. Crawford's out of town."  Do I give a shit where she is?  NO.  This is so dumb.  And I am SO ILL.

I have to go and take a nap.  Or do homework.  Or something. I don't even know what I can do right now.  I'm slangry (sleepy + angry).

Everyone is about to think I'm crazy, but...

Everyone is about to think I'm crazy, but this cool breeze is killing my knees.  Went to class in what should have been comfortable clothing (sweat pants, tshirt, and light hoodie), and I'm paying for it now.  I just put a heavier jacket and snow pants on top of all that.  If it stays this cool tonight I'm gonna have to turn the heater on in my bedroom.

I know it's still August in Alabama, but I am not even kidding.  If you see me out and I look like it's snowing, please do not try to have me committed for being delusional.  I know the weather is nice.  I'M enjoying it, but my skeleton is not.  😛

I feel like I was running ALL DAY.

I feel like I was running ALL DAY.  I went to class.  Then I went to the DMV to turn in the paperwork for my placard.  Got that, so now I have it if I need it.  Then I took Dr. Crawford the x-rays.  Next, there was a meeting at the McClellan campus about JSU and the scholarship.  Went to that.  Then grabbed an unsweet tea and went to work.

I just got home.  😳  Tired is an understatement.

Update:

Update:

I have my x-rays and the papers that are with them.  I will drop them off with Dr. Crawford tomorrow, but I'm copying everything first.  I haven't looked at the x-rays yet, but from what I read I do have some minor joint damage in my hips and knees already.  At least it's minor.  They also mention "osteopenia" on pretty much every bone, and Google says that's reduced bone mass of lesser severity than osteoporosis.

Wonderful.

Dr. Edmond gave me samples of an NSAID called Nalfon.  I took it with lunch and about halfway through my evening class today it took the edge off the pain and I started to crash.  I'm assuming it's because I'm exhausted because tiredness wasn't listed in the side effects.  I'm sorry if I ignore anyone, but I'm probably going to nap shortly.  I do have homework (even Algebra that I REALLY want to do), but I can't think straight right now, so whatever.

Also, Dr. Edmond signed my parking papers.  I will go and pick up my placard tomorrow.  I don't usually have trouble getting a manageable parking spot for the classes at Ayers, so I'll do it after class.  No biggie.  It looks like I will mostly need it for the classes at McClellan, which are on Monday and Wednesday.

Anyway.  I'm off.  It's been one hell of a day.

😕

😕

Dr. Crawford's office just called me. They want me to get copies of my x-rays for them to send to UAB. That sounds a little scary.

Ugh. Third parking lot away again this morning.

Ugh.  Third parking lot away again this morning.  I feel awful.  Appointment with Dr. Edmond at 2:30.  I am so done with this.  Even my hands are starting to hurt.

Guess it's time to get on with my day.  😕

Because I'm a super nerd...

Because I'm a super nerd I went and had my loose leaf Algebra textbook bound today.  They do that at Office Max for pretty cheap.  I paid $3.29 and even got flimsy front and back covers.

The textbook came with 3 holes punched in one side of the pages and were clearly meant to be put in a binder, but the pages are so thin that I felt like I was gonna rip them out when I turned them.  Now it's spiral bound, and even though that sounds like probably a crappy thing to do the pages feel more secure.  It's also saving me from having to carry my regular binder plus another binder with my book pages in it.  That's quite an armload for me and I just want things to be easy right now.

This might be me...

This might be me... considering that I was a called a filthy-mouth jerk this week.  LOL

Sometimes I don't know how to deal with myself.

Sometimes I don't know how to deal with myself. I am so thankful for the people on the Inspire PsA boards. I found out today that I should have an NSAID prescribed for pain. Most of them have something they fall back on for pain when they are between medications or having a flare - and both of those situations describe me right now. Ibuprofen isn't working for me, and neither is the arthritis pain reliever that Shaun picked up at the drug store. I am so miserable and sore. My muscles even hurt.

One of the nurses on the board advised me to take it easy when I'm in this shape. I thought that maybe the extra walking (like the 3 parking lots away at school) would be good for me, but she said that it sounds like muscles and tendons are involved, so I shouldn't push it. She even recommended getting a rolling backpack and definitely seeing about a parking tag for when I need it. (So you are not alone in your thinking, Denise!)

As much as the thought of it bothers me I'm going to see about the parking pass and NSAID early next week. I just feel like complete and utter crap, and there is something about chronic pain that keeps me exhausted and grumpy. It is really bothering me that I'm only 32 years old and having problems functioning already. It doesn't make me super excited about how the rest of my life is gonna feel. 😕

Ok... school in the Fall seems to be a big deal ANYWHERE.

Ok... school in the Fall seems to be a big deal ANYWHERE.  I was at the Ayers campus today and holy wow - all the young'uns.  😳

My class was all the way full, but everyone likes Mr. Hamilton so I'm not surprised.  He remembered me from 2001, so that was pretty cool.  My only complaint was that two of the students who sat behind me WOULD NOT SHUT UP.  They were best friends and apparently couldn't cope without the whole world knowing it.  I am not just being overly sensitive - they were bothering another girl, too.  What do y'all do in situations like that?

I am planning to sit NOT near them next week, but the class is full and if I don't get there early (I suck at being an early bird, so it's entirely possible that I won't), then I might get stuck near them again.  Is it appropriate to tell them (nicely) that they are being douchebags and to STFU?  Or do you tell the teacher?  Tell me how to handle things in college.  I'm all grown up now, but clearly my classmates are not.  Yuck.  🙁

Apparently... school in the fall is a big deal...

Apparently... school in the fall is a big deal... at the McClellan campus, anyway.  When I got to school today I had to park in the farthest away parking lot.  The third one.  And I called myself "getting there early."  Apparently, a few minutes won't cut it.  Thankfully, I was early enough that I wasn't late to class, but it took me a while to hobble over there with my bad hips and knees and short legs.  LOL  Everyone keeps urging me to get special accommodations and after today it is VERY TEMPTING, but walking is good for me - even if I hate it right now.  😕

It's been a long day. I got SUCH a late start.

It's been a long day.  I got SUCH a late start.  I had things to do at work, so I haven't been home for long.  😕

So... the Otezla isn't helping my skin and bones yet, but I'm starting to feel the side effects.  It's mostly abdominal pain, which sends me running to the bathroom because I'm not super sure what's about to happen.  You're welcome for that image.  LOL  Thankfully the side effects are SUPPOSED TO fade, and the pain in my joints is SUPPOSED TO let up, and my skin is SUPPOSED TO clear, so maybe I'll be in good shape sometime soon.  I hope!

So before work I stopped by the college bookstore to get my Algebra book since my first day of class is tomorrow. I am super psyched about that!  😃  Yay college!  Yay classes!  Super yay Algebra!  I can't wait!  😃

Speaking of the college bookstore... they had a tablet for sale like the one I just got for $64.  Exactly the same model - and they were selling it for $130-something!  I love Amazon.  For real.  I also really like my tablet.  I'm still learning all the cool things it can do, but I know already that it does everything I need it to.  That was $64 well spent, I believe.  🙂

Anyway.  So excited about tomorrow!  Ms. Wheeler.  ALGEBRA!!!  Yay!  😃

I know, I know.

I know, I know.  What I'm about to do is looked at as pretty low-class, but I'm gonna do it.  I need a release, and hell - this woman is right in my line of fire.  Anyone know Cathy Colorado?  If so, feel free to tell her what an ignorant fucking holier-than-thou bitch she is.

As most of you know, Happy Tails Lost & Found Pets of Calhoun County is a group I started so that people who have lost pets and people who have found pets can come together in an effort to reunite these animals with their families.  The rules are simple:  Post lost and founds only.

You would think that any simpleton could do that, but here comes Cathy - posting animal cruelty posts.  My awesome admin Savannah messaged her and asked her to stop since that is not what the group is for, and wouldn't you know that Cathy fires back several messages detailing how Savannah must not care about animals and it's Savannah's fault that there is animal cruelty around here.

What. the. fuck.

Savannah - who is spending her spare time patrolling a lost and found site to keep it running.  Savannah - who, as I type this, is fostering 5 homeless puppies - which is no small amount of work.  Yes, Savannah is the problem.  The problem is certainly not keyboard warriors like Cathy who think the best strategy is to post the most horrible shit in people's faces.

Not only can Cathy clearly not read and follow rules, but she apparently gets off on trying to bully other people by using manipulation tactics like "It's all your fault if you don't let me post what I want to post."  That is ignorance at it's finest.  There is no logic behind that.

So yeah, I know.  We shouldn't let people like this get to us, but sometimes they do.  If anyone is interested I'll be posting screen caps of Cathy's conversation with Savannah.  I think Savannah held her composure quite well.  She did better than I would have, for sure.

I think I need to stop and pray to Furbaby Jesus before I go to bed tonight.  We've got a Barbara over here.

I had one success today that I'm proud of.

I had one success today that I'm proud of.

You might recall me bitching about Saks High School giving out supply lists on the first day of school.  The principal emailed last week and said that he hoped all the students had a great first day back, and if we had any feedback to let him know.

Well, I let him know EXACTLY how I felt about supply lists going out on the first day.  (I kept it professional - no curse words, but it was strongly worded.)  To recap:

•  Everything is picked over and sold out (Shadow had to do without some things last week)

•  Up late on a school night shopping because I work

•  Missed tax-free weekend (for a single parent, that was SUPER not cool)

Much to my surprise he wrote me back and said that those were all good points, he was surprised he hadn't heard from more parents on that, and that they would give out lists at orientation next year.

I WON!  😃

I wrote him back and thanked him and also apologized if I came on strong.  I've been met with so much opposition on every little thing at the lower schools that I was expecting to be ignored or dismissed, honestly.  So that made my day!  😃

I'm having a bad attitude day.

I'm having a bad attitude day. I don't know if it's because I'm hurting, or because I didn't accomplish everything I wanted to over the weekend, or what. Maybe it's the Otezla. Depression is a side effect and I'm having a hard time giving a shit about anything right now.

I'm sitting in my car outside of work... eating a grilled cheese and pondering life. I haven't even been in yet. It has taken me half the day to even get ready to come here. Ridiculous, I know, but it's not for lack of effort. I seriously feel tired from just trying to get here.

Anyway. Gonna finish my food and try to get on with this day. Wish me motivation and energy. I've got a severious deficiency of both.

I feel like complete and utter crap.

I feel like complete and utter crap.  I started Otezla on Friday, but it's not helping my skin or bones yet.  BOO.  I had big plans for today, but nope.  Not happening.  I might get part of it done - and if I do, that will be with Shaun's help.  😕

On a lighter note I just heard the most bizarre meowing outside of my bedroom door and then "Clink!"... followed by some normal-sounding "meows."  I was like "What the crap?!"  I opened my door and Snaga was standing there - eyes looking all huge.  She'd brought me a piece of hardware the I use to keep the kitchen door locked.  That's pretty heavy and I'm surprised that a cat would carry it.  LOL  She's so weird!

Tort Walking.

Tort Walking. So proud of Tort Baby. He just ate a leaf that was growing on a live plant. FROM THE GROUND. LOL  How uncivilized!

Am I the only person out there...

Am I the only person out there who is kind of sketchy about starting a new medication when I'm home alone?

I was woken up wayyy too early because the dogs needed out.  I had done some research yesterday on Otezla and found out that it contains 171mg of lactose - which, as I've aged, I've been less and less able to tolerate.  Even a sip of a milkshake will make me feel REALLY bad.  So, since I was up I decided to go to Wal-Mart and get some Lactaid pills because I am not really trying to feel like shit.  Pun!

I've taken my first pill with some breakfast and a Lactaid chewable.  I'm heading back to bed because I truly wasn't ready to be awake.  But also because if the pill makes me feel bad, then maybe I'll sleep through it.  I'm taking my Zofran with me.  Nausea is a common side effect of Otezla and I hate feeling nauseated.

Bonus Vocabulary Lesson:  Almost all of you have been using "nauseous" wrong.  "If you're nauseated you're about to throw up, if you're nauseous, you're a toxic funk and you're going to make someone else puke."  The incorrect usage is one of my pet peeves and I don't know why it's such a big deal to me.  I honestly don't even know how I know this.  LOL  But I do!

nauseated vs. nauseous on Vocabulary.com

Made up my bed and...

Made up my bed and only got whacked by the ceiling fan a few times.  I consider that a win.  😃

Nothing like fresh sheets.  Goodnight, Internet!

I'm starting Otezla tomorrow.

I'm starting Otezla tomorrow.  My methotrexate is losing effectiveness.  Figured I should probably switch before I'm all crippled up and pissed off and hating life.

I've been exhausted all day and I'm pretty gross.  I think I'm gonna take a shower, then consider painting my nails.  They are starting to grow back and will probably start breaking off without a layer or two (or 5) of reinforcement.

I kind of hate the Internet lately.  I don't know what it is, but I'm barely on here... and when I am I'm not that into it.  I like a few things here and there, but for the most part, it's not entertaining and it's just full of stress and sadness.  I mean, on the one hand if everyone is getting all riled up, maybe things will change for the better.  But I'm not holding my breath.

I think I'm gonna get my hair cut this weekend before my new semester starts.  Most people would probably love to have hair that grows fast, but I really dislike it.  It means I have to spend money to maintain looking any kind of way.  The temptation to shave it again grows stronger every day.  I don't have time for this "looking some kind of way on purpose" BS.  As short as it is it's been pulled up since a few days after it was cut the last time.  I really don't give two shits if I look like a pineapple.  I mean... priorities, right?

Anyway.  I'm off.  Anxiously awaiting the arrival of my tablet.  Gonna download some textbooks all fancy like!  😃

I'm thinking about...

I'm thinking about getting an e-reader or cheap tablet - mostly for textbooks. Anyone out there do that instead of lugging books around? Do teachers seem to care if you have digital copies instead of paper books?

I like that e-books are usually cheaper and require no tree murder. 🙂

Got my grades for the summer semester.

Got my grades for the summer semester. All A's! 😃

My GPA is now a 3.46 - and that's including that one semester from a hundred years ago when I made a B and a D. I have another year + to bring it up to 3.5. I think I can! 😃

My Sophomore. ❤

My Sophomore. ❤

He's so much freaking taller than me. LOL And he smiles all big so you can check out his braces bling. 😃

I hope he's having a good first day back!

If you're offended by cursing, then...

If you're offended by cursing, then you probably shouldn't read this.  It's pretty hilarious, though.

And Frank... just dang.  Come on, man.  Why you gotta be like that?  LOL

It's been a long day.

It's been a long day.  I hate shopping more than anything, but Shadow needed some clothes for school - which starts tomorrow, so I sucked it up and went.  Tax-free weekend, so woohoo for that.  And we found some really good deals, so that helped a lot.

No school supplies yet.  I guess Saks is doing that awesome bullshit they did to us last year where they give out the lists on the first day of school, so we get to pick through leftovers to find what he needs.  Wonderful.

Anyway.  My little boy starts 10th grade tomorrow.  He's officially a Sophomore.  It's kind of hard to believe, but he really looks the part now.  He's grown a lot and his braces were the finishing touch.  I'm gonna try to get a photo of him before he gets on the bus in the morning.  😃

This might be a long post.

This might be a long post.

I'm a at a weird place in my life.  I have found since starting college in January that my priorities have shifted majorly in that time.  I almost don't even feel like the same person that I was before I started school.  For the first time in my life I have a major goal.

Before that all I cared about was having my independence and being able to care for Shadow by myself, which I accomplished by 2002 or 2003 when I moved out on my own.  Since then, it's been one struggle after the other just to maintain any sort of "decent" standard of living.  By "decent" I mean a roof over our heads, and that's about it; keeping this house from falling apart all around us has been a chore and major financial drain in and of itself.  There were years when most of Shadow's clothes were hand-me-downs or bought by my mother.  There have been years when I couldn't drive myself to work because I didn't have a working car.  There have been years when we wouldn't eat if it was not for food stamps.  And I'm just so tired of that.  I'm done with it.  I'm not doing this anymore.

Even though this past semester was hard I survived and I came out on top.  I don't have all of my English grades yet, but so far, so good.  If I make an A like I'm expecting to I'll have A's for all three of my summer classes this semester.  School is definitely my priority and takes precedent over every other aspect of my life except for the well-being of my family - which includes Shadow, Shaun, and the animals.  School is the only way I'm going to make any big change in my life and I'm beyond ready.  I'm actually very excited about the future and what it holds.

I can't even nail down all of the things that are going to change for me in the next few years.  Shadow is about to start the 10th grade, so he'll be graduating high school and officially an adult before I know it.  If I get that scholarship to JSU I'll be a full-time student and scraping by on grant money and student loans.  When I graduate from there I am taking a good job and I don't care if that means leaving this neighborhood or even this state for a while.  Shaun and I have even discussed living on the same piece of land.  Neither of us are 100% sold on the idea of living in the same house, but we have time to figure shit out.

I don't know.  I'm having a hard time doing anything but focusing on my goal.  The thing is - I don't make decisions and plans often, but when I do I'm ALL IN.  So even though I've only had a couple of days with no classes, I'm antsy.  I'm ready to go back and get on with it.  I know that I probably do need to relax for a week before the new semester starts and I definitely have some things to catch up on around here, but it's really difficult for me to focus on doing anything that isn't moving me forward.  I don't know.  I think my brain must be wired weird, but I felt so lost without homework last night.  I had to restrain myself from doing the last section of Algebra homework over.  At least on Monday, I can go to the bookstore and figure out what books I need to get.  That will be fun.  😃

I think a spider just fell out of my hair.

I think a spider just fell out of my hair. That would be the third one in my life. Does that happen to other people, or nah?

Damn Yankees owner Dave Mogil has been found guilty of aggravated animal cruelty.

Damn Yankees owner Dave Mogil has been found guilty of aggravated animal cruelty.  I believe the maximum sentence is 10 years but sentencing will come later.

THEY GOT HIM! 😃

Thank goodness!

HELL YES!!!

HELL YES!!!  Algebra grades are posted... not the final grade, but if I did my average correctly, I passed with an average of 99!  😃😃😃

I made a 199/200 on the final exam. I am SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW!  😃😃😃

Watching Shadow trying to diaper Emma...

So... Watching Shadow trying to diaper Emma while she's focused on trying to beg a treat off me was pretty funny. She kept wagging her tail and throwing it back in his face. She was pretty cool about it, though. Most dogs aren't really cool with people fumbling around with their butts. LOL

Waiting for grades is NO FUN.

Waiting for grades is NO FUN.  😕  The ANXIETY!

I haven't seen a grade from English since like, the 2nd week.  I have NO CLUE how I did in that class, though the first two grades were A's, at least.

My average in Algebra is a 95 and I think I did well on the test.  Unless I majorly screwed up today, that class should be ok.

I'm just anxious to see where my GPA stands after the summer classes are figured in.  I have a 3.25 now, and I need at least a 3.5 to qualify for the JSU scholarship.  I know that there are ways to calculate it, but it's complicated and I haven't figured it out yet.  I haven't had the time or energy to devote to it.

I know that there is Academic Bankruptcy, but I don't want to do that if I don't have to.  It would wipe that whole semester from 2001, but I don't think it looks good to do that.  I don't know.  The problem is a D from when I wrecked my car and ended up in the hospital.  I missed a final exam of a class I wasn't doing so great in and never dropped.  Yet another reason why I never bothered with college before.  It was too big and scary and I was having a hard time navigating everything I needed to do all by myself.

Anyway.  The wait continues.  😕

Holy ouch. 😳

Holy ouch.  😳  I was just moving a squirmy cat, Harley, and he started fall and he scratched down my side a short ways before digging a claw in and then falling to the floor.  It wasn't far and the cat is fine, but he pierced my side.  I bet that's gonna look nasty in a few days.  🙁

I have got a terrible headache.

I have got a terrible headache.  I don't know why.  Gonna take something and try to study for my Algebra final in the morning.

How do you feel about it, Hali?  I made it through the review last night with mostly no issues.  😃

Just heard from the vet.

Just heard from the vet. Emma's test results are in. She was negative for anything fungal, including Blastomycosis. They don't think she has a bacterial infection... they are leaning more towards viral. They are cutting down her dose of Prednisone and continuing her eye drops for now.

I'm not ready for it to be Monday. 🙁

I'm not ready for it to be Monday.  🙁

I had a hard time sleeping last night because I was nauseated.  I was like that off and on for basically the whole weekend.  Zofran can only do so much, unfortunately, and it just wasn't enough.

I went to class this morning, but was asking the teacher to explain the simplest things.  I feel like my brain just won't switch on.  Not so great, considering that the final is Wednesday morning.  😕

I'm heading to work, but I am not working a long day.  I need to finish studying and rest - not to mention work on my final presentation for English.

I am SO BEYOND READY for this semester to end.  Almost there.  I just need to survive this week.  If my health would cooperate that would be GREAT.

I gotta go find Tort Baby.  He played "Hide and Sleep" last night and won.  I hope he's awake and hungry now... otherwise, I might have to leave the seeking to Shadow today.  LOL

All good on my Algebra...

All good on my Algebra... except for the last section.  Section 11.6 is kicking my ass.  Parabolas. Graphs.  Blegh.

How are you doing, Hali?  I'm gonna watch the video she puts up and also maybe hit YouTube and that website that matches our book.  😳

Furbaby Jesus is KILLING ME. KILLING. ME.

Furbaby Jesus is KILLING ME.  KILLING. ME.

How many Cher's and Pledges can we get for this scalebaby?

You might be a Barbara if... this page doesn't crack you up.

*****

The comments.  I can't.  LMAO

"Squirt some breastmilk on it!"

"I would but I won't."

"The herpetologist is somebody who fixes herpes...or whatever."

"Please rescue this feral tort I found in the woods."

"I would save it myself but my husband is allergic to shells and my son is allergic to my husband."

Today has been weird.

Today has been weird.  I slept off and on until about 5:30.  P.M.  😳  I don't even have a sleep hangover, though.  I feel ok.  I think I needed it.  My skin is breaking out and my bones are getting sore, but Dr. Edmond wants to keep me on Methotrexate until next month before we try something else.  It could just be work / school / house / financial stress causing me to flare.

Shadow is still really sore in the mouth, but the pain is fading.  He's been taking Aleve every few hours still.  He was having trouble getting his rubber bands in last night, so I did it for him.  Thankfully, he's got it under control today.  He's really not happy with having braces right now, but the first week is always the worst.  It's super sore and a lot to get used to.  Hopefully, he'll be all sorted out before school starts.

Emma's doing fine still.  We're still giving her Prednisone and eye drops, but no word on her test results.  I called the vet on Friday and they said that if we've heard nothing, they will call Auburn this coming Friday to check in.  I hate to keep waiting, but she's doing ok.  Her eyes look almost normal except that they stay dilated a lot.  Sometimes she snaps me when she takes food, which she never used to do.  But other than that she seems to feel ok, so I am ok.

Well, finals are this coming week.  I'm off to do some Algebra.  The stuff we did last week wasn't as fun to me, so I've gotta put in some serious effort to make sure I've got it.  Still planning to pass that class with an A.  🙂