Just took my Biology test. I don't feel horrible about it.

Just took my Biology test.  I don't feel horrible about it.  If I made a B, that's ok.  The last two-ish weeks were bad and there is only so much I can do.  I guess I could have stayed home and not watched a movie yesterday, but my guys were going and I really don't go out often.  I just wanted to, and sometimes that's a good enough reason - for me, anyway.  I'm responsible and productive like, most of the time, so yeah.

Anyway.  I have to finish Trig before tonight and get ready for class and that long, dark drive.  Thankfully, I made a lot of progress on it over the weekend, but there were a few hard problems I skipped, plus the latest section on graphing.  Maybe after this I can call myself caught up!  That sure would feel nice.  🙂

Happy Monday, y'all.  I think this is the first one I haven't hated in a while.  ❤

Well, today is shaping up ok. 🙂

Well, today is shaping up ok.  🙂

1)  Dad found a mobile home!  We are both SO relieved!  We'll know details about moving soon, and then I guess we'll have to work on getting a household set up.

2)  I did four sections of Trig homework yesterday.  I have one to go, but I will work on it Monday after Biology class.  The rest of this day will be spent studying for my Biology test that is Monday, except for...

3)  The time I will be out of this house watching DeadPool.  Finally.  🙂

So yeah.  Progress on the Dad situation, catching up on school work, and a little bit of relaxation.  😃

The only downsides right now are:

1)  I'm nervous about the test tomorrow (as usual).

2) Since I stopped taking my Methotrexate (which was giving me migraines and nausea), my skin is breaking out and my bones are starting to hurt.  I knew it was coming, but at least I can function with sore skin and painful joints better than I can when I'm nauseated and crying / sleeping because my head hurts.

Y'all - this semester is kicking my ass.  My classes are hard, and I felt like I was floundering even before Lowrider passed away and all the stuff with Dad.  Next semester I'm taking two classes at most.  I wish I could take the summer off, but I need to keep plugging along.

Anyway, happy Sunday!  🙂

ADOPTED 06/29/16 - Foster kid Storm

ADOPTED 06/29/16 - Foster kid Storm.  We went out and took some new pics of him today since the weather wasn't crap for once.  I think he is so handsome.  🙂  He always looks worried to me - like he's got a very serious face.  But he gets a little goofy sometimes, thank goodness.  😃

I don't know why he's missing hair on his rump, but the vet said it was not mange.  He's got a matching patch on the other side.  Maybe he licks or rubs it off somehow, but he's free-range in the dog room so he's not crated or anything.  He's got plenty of room to do things and change positions and he keeps himself busy with dumping the water bowl out and dragging it across the room on the daily.  😠😂  Toys don't last long with him and neither do chewy bones, but he enjoys having things to play with.

He seems to be able to hear a little bit, but calling his name doesn't get him to you.  Mostly you have to get him to look at you so I don't know.  His ears look much better than they did before, but we're swabbing them this week to see if they are ok or not.

Overall he is not a lot of trouble and he's a pretty good boy.  He is fine with Nappy and Faith, but if they crowd up around him he growls and jumps backwards and does this HILARIOUS head-swish to the side - like he has to shake them off.  😂  He has play-bowed to Faith before, but she is just as awkward as he is and so they haven't worked that out yet.  Nappy is too old and arthritic to want to play anymore so they don't.  I could maybe see how he and Emma do, but I don't have the time or energy for more introductions right now.

Anyway, this handsome guy is looking for his forever home.  I really like him and I feel there is a risk of him becoming a foster failure for me because of that, but I think he'd enjoy having a job or something more to do than sitting around here with my lazy dogs so I'm focusing on his needs right now.  He still has some vetting to go before he's ready, but no harm in getting his beautiful face out there in the world.  ❤

Confession Time: Shaun had to damage my scale nail before I could bring myself to take it off.

Confession Time:  Shaun had to damage my scale nail before I could bring myself to take it off.  LOL  I had all of my other nails naked and ready to be painted EXCEPT FOR THAT ONE.  I guess I was making a big deal about it, so he said "Let me see it." and then proceeded to dig a chunk of it off me with his big, hard man nails.  😳  I mean, I guess that was an effective way to make it easier to take off... at least I didn't have to murder it with polish remover for no reason.  LOL

Anyway.  I wanted to use my succulent decal before it dried out since it was more work to make than the cat.  If I had waited any longer I would have missed my chance.  It was already very brittle and the application of it did not go smoothly.  😕

First of all, I had to apply a clear polish to the back of it to soften it up.  Secondly, I dropped it on a fuzzy blanket right after applying the clear polish.  THEN, when I was trying to shape it to my nail, it cracked.  Thankfully, I had the good sense to use the same base color as the background of the decal, otherwise, you'd probably be able to spot the crack.  It was almost a huge nail fail.  🙁  But lots of patience, acetone, and topcoat saved it.  🙂

Overall I think it looks nice, but I'm not as in love with it as I was with the scales.  I'm glad I could make it work, but I'm bummed that my decals aren't storing so great.  I knew they wouldn't last forever, but I didn't even get a solid week out of that.  I guess I can't make them too far in advance for now.  I read that one polish blogger stored hers inside sheet protectors for 10 days.  I was thinking that surely a closed-off stamper would be more air tight, but I guess not.  😕

For anyone who's interested:  My pointer finger is FingerPaints Nail Color Ink-Cognito, my middle finger is China Glaze Nail Lacquer Below Deck, and my pinky is the lovely Barry M. in Dusky Mauve.  I wanted that polish for ages before I finally bought it.  I know that the shimmer isn't showing in that one on the nail in photos like it is in the bottle, but I promise you it's there.  It is SO pretty and I'm so happy to finally call it my own.

Just got a bit of good news:

Just got a bit of good news:  One of Dad's old friends is letting them stay in an apartment for a month - rent-free. Now we don't have to be in such a panic about finding him a mobile home. We're still looking, of course, but this is a relief. 🙂

Ok, so, this will be the third picture that I've posted of this ONE FREAKING NAIL, but...

Ok, so, this will be the third picture that I've posted of this ONE FREAKING NAIL, but seriously JUST LOOK AT IT.  😳  I finally got her in a sunbeam!  LOOK AT THE RAINBOWS!  I guess it's no secret that I am a HOLOSEXUAL!  (<--  If you don't get that reference you're not watching the best nail art channel on YouTube right now.)

So my beautiful scales are coming off today because I've had to re-paint all the rest of my nails save for her and the pinky.  I don't know if it's just that the decal is for some reason very tough or what, but it's lasted all week.  It would probably last a few more days, too, but if I'm having to re-paint the rest of my nails anyway, then I really want to put on another one of my decals - if they haven't dried out too much by now.  I have no idea.

Anyway, I made a 92 on my history test, so I deserve a treat.  Off to paint my nails!  I have to spend most of my weekend studying and doing Trig homework, so I might as well have fun now if I can.

(I don't even know if I can because I really don't want to melt this prettiness off me.  /sad)

Ok, Internet, I need help still.

Ok, Internet, I need help still. Please, PLEASE help me keep an eye out for an inexpensive mobile home for my dad to buy. They are ready to settle back in somewhere. I don't think that hotel living is the best - especially when they are paying out of pocket for it. 🙁

I will comb through Craigslist again later and also the yard sale sites, but please just keep your eyes open for me. They have been checking the Buy / Sell Bulletin. Thank you.

It's been a long, weird day, and I'm glad to finally be home.

It's been a long, weird, day and I'm glad to finally be home.

I went to Wal-Mart and bought some medicine last night because I felt SO CRAPPY.  I took it and almost immediately got weird.  Thankfully I could breathe, but I was so loopy I could barely eat.  I felt like the heaviest jellyfish in the history of the world.  I made it up my ladder and into bed - somehow - and then slept forever.

I woke up still feeling weird and was also extremely drowsy and didn't feel like I could drive because of both of those things.  I ended up skipping class and sleeping some more.  Shaun drove me to work and it was scary even though he's a good driver, so yeah... I didn't need to be behind the wheel.

I still don't feel quite normal, but I can breathe.  My nose is a little itchy, but it's not as bad as it was.  I'm super drowsy so even though I should study history I think I'll just be going to bed soon.  My brain feels like mush and I think it would be pointless to try to put anything into it right now.  I hope that my brain cells are ok.

Anyway.  I'm just a drowsy lump on the couch right now.  Shadow's grumpy.  When I got home he had a whale taped to his forehead for reasons that are still unknown to me.  Shaun is still sitting here beside me for some reason - even though I'm a sleepy grump.  I guess we're all weird today.

Well, I'm checking my notifications and calling it a night.  ❤

Just got this in the mail from Animal Medical Center...

Just got this in the mail from Animal Medical Center along with a card. Just wow. Thank you - from the bottom of heart. ❤

I just learned how awesome it is to sneeze with food in your mouth.

I just learned how awesome it is to sneeze with food in your mouth.

In case you were wondering how awesome it is to sneeze with food in your mouth the truth is that it is not awesome at all. Yuck. 🙁 Don't do it.

This day isn't going great yet. 🙁

This day isn't going great yet.  🙁

I tried so hard to sleep last night, but I've been sniffly and sinus-y for days.  Last night it hit me hard.  Full on face hurt, not breathing, yet nose-dripping-like-a-faucet kind of bullshit.  It was awful.  If I had to guess I'd say I fell asleep around 4.  Had class at 9:30.  Since it was Biology and there is no catching up if you miss I dragged my ass out of bed and went.  Despite being on a Pell Grant and not paying for my classes out of pocket I do take them seriously and am grateful for the opportunity to be there.  Sorry to any of my classmates if I bothered you with blowing my nose, but I gotta do what I gotta do.

I'm home now.  Thank goodness for Mondays off work right now because I need it.  I just took some allergy meds - the only thing I could find here - and I'm hoping that helps me.  If not I suppose I'll make a trip to Wal-Mart and see what I can find.

I'm about to make sure all of my ani-pals are fed and clean, start some laundry, and then take a nap.  Hopefully I will wake up in time to take another look at my Trig homework.  If not, I'll start this week behind (super yay! 🙁), but really I think rest is more important right now.  Especially since I have to drive a long way to  a late class tonight.

I really hope your Monday is going a little better, friends.  ❤

I made a couple of more decals last night.

I made a couple of more decals last night. I just really really wanted to... and like I said - it relaxes me, which I need x1000 lately.

Since I never have time to do super cool things to my nails during the week I'll use these decals when my current polish starts chipping in few days... assuming they hold up. We'll see if they do. I hope so.

There is a really cool nail art mat that I want SO BAD that would allow me to make more decals at a time instead of storing them on my stampers, but I'm not buying it yet. For one, I don't actually have extra money for now, and two, it's not like I have a ton of time to devote to this right now anyway. But one day... 🙂

Thankfully, these two awesome clear stampers were SUPER CHEAP and came with lids that protect the sticky heads from lint, etc, so they are great for storing the decals for now. They keep them safe from being damaged and also stop them from drying out. Unfortunately, I only have two, but I have other stampers I can use for nail-doing for a while.

Anyway. I guess I'm off to do Trig homework. Can't play all weekend, unfortunately. 😕

Dad just texted me...

🙁  Dad just texted me that the mobile home they were looking at is in bad shape and they aren't going to get it.

I'm going to do a quick search of the local yard sale sites, but can you locals all please keep an eye out for an inexpensive mobile home?

Edited to add:  One that he can buy and have put on his land.  They do not want to rent.

I saw Dad again Friday at lunch.

I saw Dad again Friday at lunch.  Shaun and I took him some free sandwich coupons for Chick-Fil-A (we had lunch there and I told one of the employees about the fire and asked for free food coupons.  Thankfully, the manager was nice enough to let us have a couple.)  Since they are staying in a hotel in Oxford for now I figured the least I could do was try to make some of the food easy.  All they have at the moment is a mini fridge and a microwave - and unfortunately, all of those small expenses add up.  🙁

Dad also needed a phone charger and was actually on the phone with Lisa trying to tell her what to get, but I remembered that I had my new one in my purse and gave it to him.  I may not be able to do a super lot, but I will do everything I can to make their lives easier right now.  I don't how else to handle this besides being there and doing any little thing I can.

I texted him a earlier and he was in Munford checking on the remaining animals.  They go every day to feed and love them.  Another family member lives very close by, so they are helping to keep an eye on things.  He said that every time they go over, nosey people stop and ask what happened.  He said he's ready for some peace and quiet, which I can understand.  I would hate being badgered into re-hashing a horrible day in life repeatedly - especially when I'm trying to focus my efforts onto rebuilding.  🙁

I know that I've probably tapped out every last one of you who read my posts, but I'm so close to $1000 on this GoFundMe that I'm gonna share it again.  If I could just get $190 more in there I would feel so happy.  I know - it's just an arbitrary number that I picked, but it's good to have goals and they REALLY need it.  They are hoping to find a mobile home and get it moved this week.  Thanks in advance!

I know this is yet again, not my best photo...

I know this is yet again, not my best photo (yay for cloudy days and crappy house lighting!), but check out my freaking decal.  I made it by myself with only nail polish and stamping plates.  I don't know if every stamping plate would allow me to make a decal this well, but I'm betting that most of them would work - meaning that I have a binder full of images just waiting to be filled in and worn in a whole new way.  😳

I'm really missing this thing called "free time" right now because I want to do this about a thousandy more times.  LOL  The filling in of something so tiny is really tedious, but I think it's kind of meditative for me.  And right about now I think that's something I need.

Anyway, I read that decals can be stored for about 10 days before becoming too brittle to use, so IN THEORY I could make decals for y'all if I have something on any of my stamping plates that you'd like to wear.  Best of all, you could probably stick these down yourselves because that was the easy part.  🙂

To stick it down I put down a clear polish on top of my base color, let it dry a little, then stuck the decal down.  I trimmed as much of it down as I could with cuticle scissors, then buffed it off the tip of the nail, then used a thin brush dipped in acetone to clean the edges and seal the sides down.  Threw on a nice topcoat after that, and I was good to go!  (I know that might sound like a lot, but there was really nothing to it.)

Anyway.  I felt like that was pretty freaking neat.  Jamberry ain't got nothing on me!  😃

As I'm sure most of you know by now it's been a very tough week, but...

As I'm sure most of you know by now it's been a very tough week, but I'm finally starting to feel a sense of "normal" creeping back in.  Not "normal" enough to buy nail polish today, but normal enough to look at it.  LOL  Sally's was having a great sale, but my heart just wasn't in it.  Shaun ended up buying me 3 polishes - he got one for himself.  There was a BOGO on FingerPaints Nail Color, so that was pretty awesome.  🙂

I used one of my new polishes called Ink-Ognito on my middle finger and also on the decal that is on my ring finger.  I haven't had time this past year with work and school to really try this before, but I've wanted so badly to successfully make my own nail decals using my stamper and just nail polish.

As much of a mess as this might appear to be it actually turned out pretty amazing after clean-up and topcoat.  I'll post a nice photo tomorrow when I get into better lighting with a real camera.  LOL  I just thought this looked kind of neat and I was really happy that I was up for taking a few hours to just do something for myself - for no other reason than that I wanted to.  I feel like that's a sign that my stress levels are starting to drop.

Anyway.  Goodnight, all.  Or good morning.  In any case - see you whenever I wake up!

I am so excited for two good newses in one day!

I think I just almost died.  I got an email that my Trig Exam grade had been posted.  Feeling a lump in my throat, I went to check Blackboard.

I made an 88.

I did not make a C or a D.

I have a 90 average in that class.

I am ok.

My head started buzzing and I had to sit down.

Two good newses today!  An un-dead kitten and a B!

After the week I've had these things feel like major wins.

PHEW.

I just saw Dad and Lisa.

I just saw Dad and Lisa. They are holding up surprisingly ok. They are exhausted, of course, but they are hanging in there. I feel much better now that I've put my eyes on them. 

There is a sliver of good news:  Their kitten, Rumpy, was outside and survived. Losing the girls (Annie and PP - the pups) is still tragic, but at this point any good news feels amazing to me. 

Aside from money if any of you could help with some other sized men's clothing it would be appreciated. I didn't realize that Lisa's son had most of his clothing stored at their place. He wears 40x32 pants, XL shirts, and size 13 shoes. 

Thank you x1000 to everyone who has helped my family through this terrible time. It is greatly appreciated.

Dad is talking a little more today.

Dad is talking a little more today.  Red Cross did help them.  They didn't hear from United Way, so I called.  They gave me phone numbers for food and clothing, but were zero help as far as housing - unless they want to be put up in a shelter, which I'm pretty sure they don't.  United Way told me that some missions may help with money for housing, but they didn't give names or numbers for them.  So that wasn't the best.

Dad said that they are looking at mobile homes today.  I feel better now that he is talking a little more.  It is a relief.  But guess what.  Mobile homes cost money.  So I'm asking again, right now, for money, please.  This is what we need.  This is how you can help.  I really don't care if it's just $5 - it would be more than they had and it is VERY MUCH appreciated.

Also, if any of you know of places that would donate money or help him pay for a place, please leave me their info in a comment.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I have regrets. 🙁

I have regrets.  🙁

I haven't seen Dad basically since this semester started last month.  We usually talk or text at least every Sunday if I can't make it out there, though.  Well since I haven't been out there it would follow that I didn't see the pups or kitten, either.  🙁  I mean, look.  Every time we would visit, Annie (one of the dogs) would scream her head off because she was so excited to see us.  LOL  Shadow would play with PP (the other dog) and the kitten.  It was just really nice and it was family.  And we haven't been there in a month and now they are gone and everything is different.  😢

So the house burns and the animals don't make it and I STILL don't go out there.  I keep calling and texting Dad, but every time I hear from him he seems dazed and distant and busy.  I'm sure he's got approximately a billionty things going on right now so I'm trying not to make myself into a problem, but I want to help.  Every time we communicate he tells me not to come down there because there is nothing I can do.  I feel like he's doing this in part to protect me.  I guess any parent probably would.  But I know if the situation were reversed he'd be here with me in a heartbeat.

I am planning to go out there this weekend no matter what he says.  I have some clothes and money from some of you awesome people that I need to take to them.  I know that many of you are still working on things for them and that's ok.  I'll take what I have this weekend and more the next trip.  Tests and studying be damned - I'll be heading to Munford on the weekends just as I was before.  Life is too short for all this "working too hard to see the important ones in your life" kind of crap.  Seriously.

Btw, in two days of asking what Dad needs I finally got ONE thing out of him:  Long Johns.  He's a little thin guy and he's a carpenter and works out in the cold so things that can keep him warm are appreciated.  ❤

Today's Biology lesson:

Today's Biology lesson:  The Laws of Thermodynamics.

Seriously.

OMG - I just found chocolate in my panties. 😂😂😂

OMG - I just found chocolate in my panties.  😂😂😂

I just woke up - late, of course.  I feel like crap.  I'm tired, nauseated, and already fighting a headache.  My face is swollen from crying for like 5 days straight.  I was thinking, "How am I supposed to do this day?  I just want to go back to bed and hide."

So I was getting dressed and I found one of the chocolates that Shaun had hidden.  It was in my underwear drawer.  And you know what?  I cried again.  But they were happier tears, at least.  I can't think of a single better thing for me right now than to be reminded when I least expect it that I am loved and most importantly - not alone.

Kind of the same as when I checked the GoFundMe for my dad.  I've gotten several more donations since I checked last night.  Thank you all.  I will get to the personal "Thank you's" when I'm not about to be late to class.  Everyone please keep sharing and if you have any clothing, etc, anyone at work can accept it for me if I'm not there yet.  Thanks again.  It means a lot to me that so many people are trying to help.  I really appreciate it.  ❤

I hate the way my life feels right now.

I hate the way my life feels right now. It hurts. It sucks. I feel really sad, sick, and stressed. 🙁

For anyone who missed it this morning, my dad's house burned down.

For anyone who missed it this morning, my dad's house burned down.  It's my worst nightmare come true:  Their pets were still inside and did not make it.  I am so sad that I don't even know how to process this.

If you can donate any money, please do.  They have nothing but their vehicles and the clothes they were wearing.

Dad didn't want me to come out there today, but I will be making a delivery of donations in the next couple of days.  He and Lisa are staying with another relative right now.

• Men's Clothes: Dad wears 32x32 in pants, and medium shirts.
• Women's Clothes: Lisa wears large shirts and size 14 LONG pants.
• Size 8.5 shoes for both
• Cash, Gift Cards, Toiletries
• GoFundMe link: gofundme.com/mcp3bvac
• They have one large outside dog left, so dog food would also be appreciated.

Thank you.

My Dad's house just burned down.

Updated to add a list:

My Dad's house just burned down. There is nothing left. Their two dogs and kitten did not survive.  It is my worst nightmare come true.  I'm not even sure how to process this.

Dad and Lisa have their vehicles and the clothes they were wearing - that's it.  If you have anything to donate, please keep us in mind. They are staying with another relative for now.

I don't know what do, but please keep an eye on my page for updates. I'll let you all know how you can help as we figure it out.

Thank you.

• Men's Clothes:  Dad wears 32x32 in pants, and medium shirts.
• Women's Clothes:  Lisa wears large shirts and size 14 LONG pants.
• Size 8.5 shoes for both
• Cash, Gift Cards, Toiletries
• GoFundMe link:  gofundme.com/mcp3bvac
• Can now accept donations directly through Facebook Messenger
• They have one large outside dog left, so dog food would also be appreciated.

Donations can be dropped off at work at 500 Main Street in Oxford until 5, Monday - Friday, or message me and I can try to meet you.  I work from noon until 5 on Tuesday - Friday, but other employees are usually there by 10.

Just woke up coughing...

Just woke up coughing and as I was getting comfy again I found a chocolate under my pillow. 😂😍 It's so unexpected and perfect. Thank you, love, for making my life better. You're the best. ❤

I don't really do Valentine's Day or many holidays, but...

I don't really do Valentine's Day or many holidays, but I'm almost always up for dark chocolate.  Made it home from this craptacular day to find that Shaun had bought some heart-shaped Dove dark chocolates (probably clearance V-Day stuff because that's how we roll) and had hidden them in places I frequent around the house.  That was an awesome way to cheer me up.  I have yet to not smile upon finding one.  🙂

I feel so thankful for all of my friends right about now.  Even if you can't be here hiding chocolate in my house the encouragement and good vibes sent through the Internet helps more than you think.  I feel this past year has just sucked - and the one before it, too... and this one isn't off to a great start, either.  So I know I've been WAYYY more whiny and complain-y than ever before, but hopefully I'll survive and come out even better on the other side.

I appreciate you all and I'm sorry if I'm a bad friend in return.  I'm trying so hard to change my life and it's sucking up my life force, but I hope that one day I can be awesome to you, too.  ❤  Thank you x1000.  Sincerely.  ❤

Made it to class despite needing windshield wipers on my eyes...

Made it to class despite needing windshield wipers on my eyes about as bad as on the outside of my car. Nothing sucks like being alone with your thoughts sometimes. One of my classmates is not here due to a death in the family. If only society could understand how much a part of my family that my animals are. 🙁

I honestly have no clue how that test went. I could have failed for all I know. I legit can't even bring myself to care right now. I just want to go home, but we have a lesson now. 🙁

Everyone please send me all of the brain waves...

Everyone please send me all of the brain waves that you are not using starting at 7 pm.  I have my first Trig test and I DO NOT feel ready.  I know that most of you are probably like "Meh, you make good grades, don't worry, blah blah blah!" but seriously it's been a shit-tacular weekend and I had zero motivation to study.

I can't not think about Lowrider being gone.  The house is too quiet and I feel her absence like whoa.  🙁  Every time I try to sleep all I can think about is how much she must have been hurting at the end.  I really need to pull myself together, but damn.  🙁  I'm really not in a cool place.  I don't know what to do.

I have a migraine coming on - probably because I'm so stressed.  I just took some Excedrin in hopes that I can survive driving to Gadsden and make it though my exam.  Also, I hate driving in the rain and it scares me so yay for that added stress on top of my regular stress.

Guess I'm gonna dry my tears, put on some real clothes, and head out a little early so I don't have to rush.  Everyone stay safe out there.  ❤

It's been a crap day

It's been a crap day, but I suppose that was to be expected.  The house feels weird without Lowrider in it.  She was kind of noisy - we think she was a Bassett mix and they are pretty vocal.  Not to mention that she barely had legs and would noisily shuffle everywhere she went.  😂

We went through a lot together.  She was a heartworm case that had lived at the shelter for over a year.  We had to go through heartworm treatment and her spay before we could even begin looking for a home for her.  After that there was a pretty big issue of house training.  She was no spring chicken and very set in her ways... and also STUBBORN as hell.

It took FOREVER to get her to learn the routine of going out and coming in.  Every single time - several times a day for MONTHS on end - I'd have to get a leash and pull her to where ever she needed to be.  It took even longer to fully house-train her.  After fostering her for nearly 2 years, I caved.  No one ever showed much interest in her and she was such a challenge that it would have taken someone very determined and patient to get her settled in at a new place.

She was such a funny girl.  She was a foster failure and according to her - my dog long before I officially adopted her.  When we would have adoption days at PetSmart she wouldn't walk with anyone else.  If any other volunteer attempted to walk her she would sit and not budge.  If I left her there to be walked by another volunteer she would stubbornly wait at the door for me to return.  Kind of hard to adopt out a dog who believes she is already owned and won't give anyone else the time of day.  😂

I'm gonna miss her noisy shuffling and as goofy as it sounds I will miss nearly falling over her every day.  She kept me on my toes and I guess I liked that.

Missing you already, Short Legs.  I wish the end could have gone a little better and I'm sorry that I let you hurt, but I'm glad you're not in pain anymore.  ❤❤❤

We just got home from the vet. Lowrider has passed away.

We just got home from the vet.  Lowrider has passed away.

When I was getting ready for bed I was making sure all the dogs were in, but she wasn't which was very unlike her.  I went outside looking for her and I found her hiding.  Her stomach looked huge.  I immediately thought "Oh fuck, bloat."

I called AMC and was told that our choices, (if it actually was bloat), were euthanasia or a $1500 - $3000 surgery.  Since I have so little money I decided to consult our regular vet.  He talked me down and told me that her breed didn't get bloat and that she probably ate something she shouldn't have and that if that was the case she'd be ok until the morning.  I didn't think I was being overly dramatic or paranoid, but knowing how crazy I get about my animals I second-guessed myself and I'm sure I wanted to believe him.  I really wanted him to meet me but he wasn't into that.  He told me I could give her an enema - which we did, but it didn't help.  By the time I realized that she was not going to be ok it was basically too late.  We rushed her to AMC and they helped her go peacefully.

I have regrets.  I am sad.  And I will miss my noisy, short-legged girl and her "Sandy Shuffle."  Rest in Peace, sweet old girl.  ❤

I really haven't had the time or energy to complain about my health lately...

I really haven't had the time or energy to complain about my health lately, but it hasn't been great.  I left history class with a migraine coming on.  Barely made it through without barfing.  Cried all the way home because my head hurt so bad.  Excedrin Migraine and a nap to the rescue.  I don't feel great now, but I'm functional.  About to get ready to head to work.

I think today was the last straw.  I've been debating on not taking Methotrexate for a while because the side effects seem to be getting worse and worse - not better.  For anyone who doesn't know what I'm talking about it's a low-grade chemo drug that I take for my autoimmune arthritis.  Yeah - I can walk, but everything else sucks right now.  The headaches, the nausea, the painful sores on my skin and in my mouth that take forever to heal.  My lungs taste horrible.  I feel like I have a sick smoker's breath and I don't even smoke.  I wouldn't be surprised if my hair started falling out soon.  I'm on folic acid to combat the side effects, but it's just not enough.  And all that has nothing on the fatigue that keeps me down for a few days after taking it.  I'm kind of feeling like I'd rather take a ton of NSAID's and antacids than deal with all this.  If nothing else I think my body needs a break.  So I'm officially skipping my meds today.  I might regret it or I might not.  But I can't keep on like this right now.  🙁

Brownian Motion is when the cells vibrate.

Brownian Motion is when the cells vibrate. You see it better after the video gets dark. Very interesting!

Biology lab was really neat today.

Biology lab was really neat today. Pics through microscope below! 🙂 

I have a really cool video of Brownian Motion that I will try to post later. 😃

Cheek Cell

Onion Skin with Blue Dye

Bacteria

Human Blood Cells

Plant Leaf

Potato with Iodine

It turns out Storm's home fell through...

It turns out Storm's home fell through so he's just a foster now.  That's not the end of the world - he's a great-looking guy and a good boy, but he is getting really bored here.  🙁

I came home this evening from class to hear SO MUCH NOISE in the dog's room.  Went to see what was up and mister was throwing the water bowls around (giant horse bowls from Pickette's, like, 12" in diameter) and playing with them (stepping in them, dragging them across the room, flipping them over, pushing them, barking and growling at them, etc.) - water be damned.  😂  Thankfully there isn't too much that can be hurt by dogs or water in that room, but I feel really bad for him.  None of my dogs will play and every toy I get for him he destroys.  He needs an outlet for his energy, seriously.  He is a great guy and he is bored.  He is not bad for entertaining himself, so please understand that.

I need help finding him a home.  A good one.  Even though things are getting a little hairy with his energy levels I don't want to send him back to the shelter.  Applications for him will be taken by Cheaha Regional Humane Society, Inc.  If you know anyone awesome who would take great care of him send them there for the app.  It's not up to me.

Also, I hate to ask for things, but I'm gonna:  If anyone is up for buying him toys or bones or anything like that I'm sure he'd appreciate it.  He goes through everything I buy him at lightening speed.  I cannot keep up financially with his toy needs.  😂

Thanks in advance!  ❤

This weekend has been a mixed bag.

This weekend has been a mixed bag.  I spent too much time being so stressed out over everything that I needed to do that I didn't do anything, which sucked.  That's a very negative loop to be stuck in.  🙁  Making things worse - I took my Methotrexate on Thursday which makes me really tired and brain-foggy so basically nothing got done on Thursday or Friday.  I did very little homework on Saturday, but made a lot of progress on my Trig today (Sunday), even though I had to stop for a nap.  I didn't touch Biology at all, but I did work on History since I have a test coming up Tuesday.

Highlight of the weekend was seeing some friends that don't live close to me anymore.  Low point of the weekend was that one of our parakeets died today despite all of my efforts to nurse her and make her better.  Rest in Peace, Sky.  ❤

I promised Booka a bath since he's chewed up a raw spot above his tail despite his Prednisone.  So I'm about to get off here, wash a dog, then wash myself, and call it a night.  I've got an ass-ton of notifications piled up again, but I can't check them all tonight.  Maybe tomorrow.  I hope the weekend went a little easier on y'all.

Currently re-evaluating my life choices over here.

Currently re-evaluating my life choices over here.  I'm home from work early so I can get to the millions of homeworks I have.  I'm tired - as I have been from the very shitty start of this stupid week.  All I want to do is eat chocolate truffles and nap.  And maybe even shower and cry.  I guess it doesn't matter at this point.

For some crazy reason all of my friends think I can do all the things and while I appreciate that I legit feel like I am in over my head this semester.  Trig is hard-ish - at least the amount of work I have to put in is a lot.  Biology is insane - the class after the test I took 6 pages of new notes and while it's not ALL foreign it's stuff that's also gonna take some effort to remember.  I also have History, which isn't usually bad, but with two hard classes everything feels like too much right now.

Since dropping anything isn't an option yet I feel like if I have to stay in until 60% of the semester is over I'd rather just get it over with and not have to backtrack any.  If I come out with two B's I'll still have my 3.5, but I was hoping to save B's for when things are REALLY harder.  I don't know.

I'm just really not happy at the moment.  I have like zero free time.  I can't do anything really fun like even paint my nails or make jewelry or hang with the animals.  I feel like I haven't ACTUALLY spent time with Shaun in over a year.  🙁  I do see Shadow because he's here all the time, but I've been leaning on him harder than usual for help around the house.

All I can say is that this school stuff had better be worth it one day.  I don't even know what I will do if this doesn't pay off.

Anyway.  I have to go do something productive now.  As usual.  🙁

I feel surprisingly ok...

I feel surprisingly ok considering how little sleep I got. Thank goodness Shadow had a delay because there is no way I would have woken up without him making noise just now. Looked at my phone and it said the alarm was going off, but it wasn't making a sound! Now I have to hustle.

Headache all day turned migraine all night.

Blegh.  Headache all day turned migraine all night.  I took some Excedrin and my head is finally starting to let up, but now I'm not able to sleep even though I am exhausted... I guess because of the caffeine in the Excedrin.  And I have class in the morning.  Was kind of hoping I'd get a weather delay because it's Biology and I don't need to miss that if class meets.

This week is trying to kill me.  🙁

Bald

Just went all "2007 Britney" on my head.  Well... not exactly.  I don't need any particular level of stress to make me want my life easier by not having to deal with hair.  😂  Shaun was trimming it for me and I just couldn't get it short enough.  I haven't felt like myself with hair in a long time.  I think bald is just my thing right now - especially with everything else I have to take care of.  Ain't nobody got time for that!

I haven't checked my notifications in 2 days...

I haven't checked my notifications in 2 days due to exhaustion.  To anyone that I've ignored - I'm working on it now!

I was awake at like 3 am on Monday morning.  I was in my bed - just unable to sleep.  🙁  I think I was too stressed over that test.  Monday was my long day - left the house at 9 am; got home after 10 pm.  Came home, went to Wal-Mart, did some house stuff, and died.  Not really, but dang.  I felt like I could sleep and never wake up.

Got up this morning unhappily.  I wanted to sleep for another few hours.  Made it through school, tutoring, and work with a headache that Ibuprofen wouldn't kick.  Now I'm home and so tired that I will not be moving from my couch until I drag myself to my bed.  Shadow's getting to go to school 2 hours late and I'm jealous.

Anyway.  Highlight of my day:  I got my new animal Bundle Monster plates and I'm super pumped.  There is a Quokka on one!!!  I didn't catch that the first time I saw them, but I noticed when I unwrapped them today.  There is also an Emu and a bunch of other super cool animals.  I can't wait to use them.  Since my brain is tired and I'm head-ache-y I might try my hand at painting my nails.  I feel like a mani with these deserves more time and thought than I can give it tonight, but I'm excited and I want to do something fun.  We'll see if I actually have the energy.  😂

I hope the week is going a little easier on y'all than it is on me.  ❤

I made an 81 on that Biology test!

I made an 81 on that Biology test! Woohoo! It's a B!!! 😃

Biology Test Drama:

Survived my Biology test. I believe I made a C, at least. I wonder when I'll find out...