The awesome Dr. Wheeler...

The awesome Dr. Wheeler had this graphic (or one very close to it) when she was explaining asymptotes to us.  LOVE IT!

That might be almost enough to make Laurel not hate Algebra.  😃

Ok, Algebra times!

Ok, Algebra times!

I have a test on Wednesday.  And we're doing all kinds of stuff - including equations with Logarithms.  I feel shaky at best on those.  Gotta get to work.

While standing in my living room petting cats...

While standing in my living room petting cats Shaun apparently didn't pay enough attention to Calypso.   She leaped from the couch and clung to his chest.  "YOU SHALL HOLD ME NOW!!!"

Bun, on the other hand, has a less dangerous method when she wants to be held.  She will stand up against your leg with her arms up.  If you don't pick her up she will climb you.  If you pet her back she will just lean all the way back into your hand until you might as well scoop her up and cuddle her.  It is the cutest thing that any cat has ever done.

Tobi and Adrian both like to be petted, but they don't attention-seek like their sisters.  They are more playful and don't have time for all that.  LOL

My goodness, Tort Baby is busy today!

My goodness, Tort Baby is busy today!  He wanted out first thing and he hasn't been still since he got out.  He's climbing everywhere.  He's playing Spiderman again today.  😃

Shadow just helped me clean out the fridge.

Shadow just helped me clean out the fridge.  That helped my sanity, somehow.  Still kind of in panic mode about how I'll get through next year, but I can't do anything else until I hear back from Medicaid.  The healthcare.gov website sent my info to Medicaid, so I can't edit or delete the application.  Not that you can fudge that stuff, anyway.  It looks at your tax records.

I'm gonna be doing a lot of scholarship-looking over the next few weeks.  If you hear of anything I might be eligible for, please let me know.  Note:  If I have to be going full time I will not be eligible.  Three-quarters time is all I can handle while working.

Anyway.  Happy part of the night:  Caught Calypso massaging Snaga's back and Snaga looking like she was in heaven.  LOL  It was adorable.  Snaga isn't a fan of the other cats, but she may end up liking that one!  🙂

Guess what I am NOT thankful for? This stupid ass state!

Guess what I am NOT thankful for?  This stupid ass state!

I sat down to follow up on my insurance crap since I keep getting emails that if I don't change it by 12/15, my premium will go from $28 to $108.  So I'm in the marketplace thinking "Why are all of these plans so expensive?  I can't afford any of them!" and I look for the tax help thing.  This is what it says for my income level:

"Below $15,930

Since your state hasn't expanded Medicaid you probably won't qualify for Medicaid based on your income alone. You also won't qualify for savings on a Marketplace insurance plan."

So basically I can't afford insurance for next year.  I'm gonna be crippled up and unable to function by the time winter rolls around.  This is seriously not ok.  I have so much to do, but this stupid backwards state would rather see my crippled and begging for disability than going to school and trying to better my life.  I feel so sad and angry and frustrated right now.  🙁

Happy Birthday to me! I've had a good day! 😃

Happy Birthday to me!  I've had a good day!  😃

I slept in with no guilt, so that's always a good start!  😃  Woke up to presents at my door - thanks to the awesome Mary Beth, who always manages to surprise me with something awesome.  This time it was a Jack Skellington hat - just in time for the cold weather, and some smelly-good hand soap.  😃

After that me and the best Shaun ever trekked to Birmingham to meet my new doctor.  On the way he gave me a card.  I'd told him not to buy me anything else because that dishwasher a few months ago was plenty.  Well, he got me a card... a 32 gig SD card to go in my phone!  And also a really cute card that the SD card was hidden in.  It had a squirrel and a kitten on it.  Who doesn't love that?

So in the waiting room at the doctor I got a coupon code for my birthday to one of the sites that sells awesome nail polish.  I ended up pre-ordering that flaky one that I wanted, plus getting another I'd been eyeing, AND getting them shipped for just $13 total.  SCORE!

Then finally it was time to meet my new doctor.  He seems like a good and smart guy.  He examined me and asked a lot of questions.  He seemed happy with my spreadsheet of medications and dates that I had on my tablet, so heck yes for that!  😃  He is not convinced that I have Psoriatic Arthritis because it usually affects smaller joints like hands and feet, not larger joints like hips and knees.  He's testing me for Rheumatoid, just to make sure.

Since I've been doing mostly fine on the methotrexate he wants to keep me on it for now.  He also wants to see me back in 6 weeks to see how I'm feeling and how my test results turned out.

Also, THIS IS THE COOLEST THING EVER.  His nurse dude had to get some blood from me, so I'm used to that.  But he had this tube attached to the thing that sticks in your arm, that then lead to the thing where they pop the glass tubes that they fill up off and on.  That means that they are not snatching the needle while it's in your arm!  Most of my blood-takers have been pretty good, but I had one who was straight brutal.  So that just freakin' made my day!  Seriously - it's the little things, but it made a HUGE difference.  I don't have a bruise or anything and my arm isn't even sore.  Woohoo!

After that we ate at Outback.  It was nice to have a date with Shaun.  I "see" him all the time, but it's really different when I'm crazy and busy versus a time when I don't have anything else needing my attention.  Of course, after Outback, we made a quick trip to Ulta.  They didn't have a lot of polish that I was interested in.  Shaun bought me a lip gloss and a dark gray polish that I didn't have, so that was nice.  THEN, we made the long trip home.

Now I'm here.  I see that I have an ass-ton of notifications, so thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes!  I will go through them in a bit when I'm settled in.  Of course, all of the animals need to be checked on and all that first.  And this house is messy and driving me nuts.  After sitting around so much today I have the energy to work on that, so I'm gonna take advantage of it for a while.

Later, friends, and super thank you to everyone who thought of me today!  ❤

Just got home from Munford. It was a fun visit. 😃

Just got home from Munford.  It was a fun visit.  😃

At Dad's he gave me my birthday card early.  Also, a marker, which I was more excited about than he expected.  LOL  He also put anti-freeze in my car, woohoo!  While we were outside I noticed that the sibling of my foster kittens that they kept is, in fact, a female.  I think she's gonna go on the transport at the same time as mine and get fixed.  They are done having a kitten situation over there, for sure.  I am so glad they are willing to do that!

On the way back in his house I noticed that the tire stem valve caps on his blazer type of truck were big and pink.  I was like, "Dad, I like those caps!"  He was like "Really?  Someone gave them to me."  I was like, "So you don't know they're pink, do you?"  Dad:  "Aww, shit, they're pink?  You want 'em?"  LOL  Dad is color blind, so someone pranked him.  We'll be swapping valve caps on Thanksgiving.  It was too cold to bother with it today.

Anyway.  Went by mom's after that.  She gave me some fuzzy pajama pants that I am ALL ABOUT.  One is TMNT and the other is Cookie Monster.  Hell yes.  No complaints there!  I am about to shower and put them on my myself.  😳  It's so chilly today that I'm getting stiff.  My hands don't want to work and I feel like my body is seizing up.  I need a hot shower to get me warmed up.  Thank goodness I get to see my new doctor on Tuesday!  🙂

How is it almost 2 in the morning?!

How is it almost 2 in the morning?!

I slept A LOT today.  Like, 12 hours, no problem.  I REALLY needed it, though.  I've been dragging all week.  I've got a "to do" list a mile long because I just couldn't keep up.  😕

I just finished my Literature that was due, but I need to start thinking about the final, which is a paper and presentation.  I also need to do some history and also some Algebra this week.  We're doing Logarithms in Algebra and I get it and I can do it, but I need practice.  It doesn't come as easily as I'd like.  😕

We don't have class next week, but there's Thanksgiving (meaning I'll be driving everywhere to see family) and also work.  AND, TUESDAY, I get to see my new Rheumy, finally.  😃  So it's a busy week, even without classes.

I don't know why, but we have a week off from school before finals.  I am SO not complaining, though.  I will use that time to study and perfect my paper.  So far I'm doing ok again.  If I can manage to not screw up in the next few weeks I will have all A's, which will put my GPA at 3.59, counting that D from 2001.  Then I will finally be in the running (assuming I can maintain at least a 3.5) for the scholarship to JSU.

Looking back, this year has really flown by.  I've stayed so busy that it just seems like yesterday when I started school.  I'm really enjoying my classes, but juggling everything is really hard.  SUPER hard.  Maybe next year (and the next and the next!) will fly by, too, and I'll be working a rich-making job before I know it.  LOL

Anyway.  I guess I'm off to do something else now.  Goodnight, any of you weirdos who are still awake.  😛

Well hello, little dude!

Well hello, little dude! He's so small. I just noticed him coming up my leg. He left a snot trail, but you can't see it because of the flash. 

I took him back outside. He must have hitched a ride in on my boot.

Look at my sexy little Tort Baby.

Look at my sexy little Tort Baby. This is how he's sleeping tonight. The weather is so mild that he's not even worried about having a blankie or even going all the way in his house. LOL

The weather sounds really scary right now.

The weather sounds really scary right now.  I'm not leaving my house until this lets up.  I hate driving in the rain, but this wind, tho.  😳  Stuff is falling all over my house.  😕

I saw that Nom was awake and...

I saw that Nom was awake and offered him a blackberry. He not only did not eat it - he rammed me, too! I don't know what I might have done to offend that tortoise, but he is not friendly tonight. If he doesn't get right soon I might have to have him checked out. He's NEVER refused food before!

With it cooling off my bedroom is drying out.

With it cooling off my bedroom is drying out.  I've woken up with dry sinuses for the last few days.  I found this video because (even though I keep Bruce's house dampened), I worry that it won't be enough.

OMG, I was SO PLEASANTLY SURPRISED when I watched this.  EVEN IF you don't have a reptile and don't need to make one of these, if you like animals at all this video will probably make you smile.  This dude with his snake, tho!  I love their relationship.  She makes a great assistant.  LOL  She makes her exit at around the 8 minute mark.

Also, this video caused me to Google "rainbow boa" photos, which I recommend you do.  They are ABSOLUTELY STUNNING.  When I get money one of these days, I'd love to have an Olive Python and probably one of these.  I would want to kiss them with my eyeballs they are so pretty.  😳

Aced another History exam this morning.

Aced another History exam this morning.  96!  Woohoo!  🙂

Gave flea meds to 11 cats ALL BY MYSELF.  Shaun is sick, so... he couldn't help me.  I feel accomplished, though.  Cats are awful.  LOL

I think I have just heard gunshots outside of my house, but I am not sure...

Anyway.  I know that I have a lot going on with classes, but I feel like I want to do computer stuff.  I think I'm gonna try to learn Java from the Internet.  I know there are a thousand tutorials out there.  I just feel antsy and like I'm not doing enough...  I will probably feel that way until I finally graduate.  😕

Anyway.  I feel super tired.  I think I'm heading to bed soon.  ❤

I need advice. It's about career / school stuff.

I need advice.  It's about career / school stuff.

When is it the right time to look for another job when you are planning to switch careers?  I haven't had any major computer classes yet - so far it's only been stuff that I already knew how to do.  It looks like I won't get TOO into the computer classes until I transfer.  I will have a couple eventually at GSCC, but I'm not sure which ones yet.  I'm still covering basics, basically.

I don't know why, but I'm kind of freaking out about the transition - both from GSCC to JSU and also from SCM to whatever new job I get.  I know that technically I don't have any good reason to worry about that stuff just yet, but I feel like it's all gonna be upon me before I know it.  I've been so busy this year that it has just flown by.

Kind of, what I am thinking (and Shaun agrees) is that I should not worry about the job stuff just yet.  Because I feel like so much is changing all the time right now with a different schedule and classes every semester, and learning a new job would just add more stress.  Plus, my current boss is flexible with me and my school schedule, so I worry about switching things up and not having that.

I just don't want to ruin my chances at a great job when I'm out of school by not doing more now.  I don't really know what future employers will be looking at or thinking when they see my resume.  I just don't know what to do.  Seems like a lot of companies want experienced people.  When I get out of school I will have experience holding a job, but not necessarily in my new field.

So.  What do you think I should do?  I feel like my life is tricky right now.

Feels nice and crisp outside.

Feels nice and crisp outside.  Like actual fall.  I've kind of been looking forward to it.

But my hips, tho...  🙁

A little over 2 weeks until I see my new rheumy!

I will survive.

It is weird.

It is weird.

I slept for most of the day.

I slept for most of the day.  (Seriously, I didn't get out of my bed until 3:30 this afternoon.)  I probably needed it because I slept like crap all week.

Shaun worked on moving my modem around the house until we could get a better connection in the back room.  Then we ate dinner at Los Arcos and came home and watched Mockingjay, Part 1 on Hulu.  I haven't really done anything else aside from feed the animals.  LOL

I think I'm gonna do homework until I get sleepy, and then call it a night.

Yay for a (so far) restful weekend.  I feel like my stress levels are in check... at least for the next day or two.  😛

I feel really excited about my life today. 🙂

I feel really excited about my life today.  🙂

I met with my adviser and asked her an ass-ton of questions.  She believes that I will be ready to graduate GSCC in the Spring of 2017, so that's awesome.  I will have a General Studies degree with a concentration in Computer Science.  Woohoo!  😃  Then it's on to JSU!

Registration for classes isn't open yet, but I am eligible for Priority Registration this time, so I'm pretty sure I'll be able to get the classes we planned out.  Even without being eligible for Priority Registration in the past I've always gotten what I need.  Probably because I'm a freak and I get up as soon as registration opens and add my classes like I'm opening presents on Christmas morning.  LOL

So... I'll be taking Trig at the Gadsden Campus.  That's a hike.  One the bright side and also the dark side, the class starts at 7.  Wait, let me clarify - 7 PM.  That's ok with me because my brain will be awake and ready for that, but it's a LONG class - ending at 9:45.  Thankfully, it only meets one day a week.  I will also be taking biology and another history.

So you would think that would be enough excitement for one day, but it wasn't.  I was concerned about having money for summer classes next year since my Pell Grant will be used for Spring and Fall.  Thankfully, Student Support Services has my back.  They have a scholarship that I will be eligible for, and it sounded like it was a pretty sure thing that they would help me.  So that is awesome.  😃

But, that's not even the end of my school day excitement.  I had seen a job posting for math tutoring a while back and briefly considered trying it, but chickened out.  I didn't mention it, but my adviser did and asked me how I felt about it.  I told her that I wasn't sure if I would be good at it, but that I'd considered it.  Well, she took me to meet the tutoring coordinator.  We talked for a while and she wants me to come fill out the paperwork after I get my spring schedule secured.

Yes, I already have a job, but we slow down during the spring and summer and usually only work 4 days a week.  If I tutored one day a week that would help make ends meet, and (even though I'm not really a people-person), I do like to help others.  I think I'd just be tutoring the other Student Support Services students, but I'm totally ok with helping SSS out after all they've done for me.

All in all I'm feeling pretty excited about school and life in general.    This morning was unexpectedly awesome and I'm so glad it was.  I feel like it renewed my energy supply for a while.  😃  Yay!

I had an Algebra test this morning.

I had an Algebra test this morning.  I made a 98!  I'm excited!  😃😃😃

I wasn't on here much yesterday, but that's because I was studying and also doing very important work around the house.  Since Pomona passed away I decided to move Nom into Pomona's large and empty old house.  Then I moved the turtle into Nom's old place.  Everyone got an upgrade.

I did that purposefully so that all of my good habitats would be occupied.  Really, the last thing I need is to take in more animals right now, so I figured that would be a good deterrent.  Maybe not, but it's worth a shot.

And for anyone who was worried about Bruce, he's cool.  His breathing is fine, his nostrils are clear and cute as ever, and he's had no more scary, giant, noisy snake farts.  I need to get some new photos of him soon.  I swear, he's so big and beautiful!  ❤