I've been a good girl today.

I've been a good girl today.  I came home from work, studied some, and then cleaned my room.  Go me!

It's been a weird week of "bad headache + nausea" days interspersed with "actually ok" days.  I don't know what that's about, but today I didn't feel bad and I am thankful for that.  I think I've been pretty productive, actually.  So that's nice.

I still have more Cal homework, as well as some Psychology to do, but tomorrow is another day.  I think I've tired myself out and I'm ready to wind down.

I hope everyone's week is going well.  I, for one, am glad that tomorrow is Friday.  🙂

Well. Made a 93 on my Calculus test.

Well. Made a 93 on my Calculus test. Glad it's an A. Sad it's a low A. LOL But I'll live. 😀

To anyone who runs pages: I have a question:

To anyone who runs pages:  I have a question:

I have been thinking about merging Polish All the Things and Happy Nails.  I don't see why they couldn't be one page.  Does that seem like a bad idea?  I post nails and jewelry both on Instagram under "Polish All the Things" because nails are things, too.

I feel like it would make more sense to merge PATT into HN because I have more likes on HN, but I'm concerned that I could not change my URL.  I guess I have a lot of things to look into.

Any thoughts or tips or reason for / against this?

Home from Calculus.

Home from Calculus. I always feel wary of feeling good about tests, but I really think I did well unless I went temporarily insane or something. I should find out on Wednesday. 🙂

I'm on the couch now and not moving for a while. I've had a headache all day. Neither Tylenol nor Excedrin Migraine has touched it. 🙁 Hopefully, it will go away soon.

My mom.

My mom.

Hey friends, I just spent some time this weekend...

Hey friends, I just spent some time this weekend going over my Polish All the Things inventory and re-listing some things on Etsy.  I mostly haven't made anything new since I started school, but I do have plenty of items left if anyone wants things for the holiday season.

There are a few things up on the PATT Facebook page that aren't yet on Etsy, but maybe I will get them listed in the next couple of weeks.  It really all depends on how hard school is kicking my ass, but anyway.  We'll see, and I will definitely make an effort.

If any of you would be so kind as to share my shop and keep me in mind if you do any holiday shopping online, it would be greatly appreciated.  I have a tub of things I've made sitting in my room, and it would benefit me in more ways than one to get some of it moving out of here.

Here's a link to my Etsy shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/PolishAllTheThings

Thanks!  ❤

Went over the practice test again.

Went over the practice test again. I think I'm ok. (I sure hope so!) I might try it once more tonight since Mondays are so slammed that I literally have no time to study. 😕

Now it's time for a shower and to wait to hear from my zombi-fied family. LOL I also wouldn't mind food. I'm getting hungry, and unfortunately I haven't been grocery shopping yet this week.

Later, friends. I hope your Sunday is going well!

I am super happy right now.

I am super happy right now. I went over my Calculus practice test and some things just clicked! I will go over it a few more times before Monday to make sure it sticks, but PHEW! That feeling of relief sure is nice. 😃

Since my water marbled nails were coming off...

Since my water marbled nails were coming off and Shaun told me to rest my brain I TOTALLY rested my brain.  I didn't even use it to be very creative, unfortunately.  But sometimes you find a color that's unique enough that it really doesn't need much else.  😃

I haven't bought any polish recently because, well, at a little over 1000 bottles it's honestly kind of tough to find anything new or exciting.  But then I found Moo Moo's Signatures and HOLY COW.  😳  She's got some really interesting colors going on, as you can see from this yummy green with the beautiful pink shimmer.

So, I treated myself.  I bought a few, actually, but this is the one I was dying to wear.  It's called Exotic Foliage, which I think is a perfect name.  It makes me think of some crazy leafy plant in a place far, far away.  So, I stamped an accent nail with a plant, put a dark stone on there, and called it done.

What do you think of this color?  It's giving me life right now.  ❤❤❤

I just got home.

I just got home.  I woke up, studied, got sick, went back to bed, woke up, went to lunch, studied at lunch, went to work, and came home.

I don't know why I am feeling bad off and on lately.  I'm not a huge fan of it, though.  😕

On the bright side I've got the best guy ever.  When I left work I told him that I was going to study when I got home and he told me to rest my brain instead.  So... looks to me like I will be doing my nails tonight.  🙂

Ok, today was better. 🙂

Ok, today was better.  🙂

Y'all, I'm ALL ABOUT CALCULUS right now.  Like, it gives me the feels.  I get excited.  My brain is like "explode" (in a good way).

My teacher emailed me some help after last weekend when I was having a hard time.  My notes were not incorrect and he explained why.  When I explained it to Shaun I think I exploded HIS brain, too!  He kept coming back to it, like "That's so cool."  I'm like, "Yeah.  😳"  LOL

So this whole week I have taken some time before work to study, and my teacher gave us time both today and yesterday to ask questions and get help.  Also, he gave us a practice test for the test that is coming up on Monday, so I really have no excuse to not ace that one.  There are some problems that I REALLY need to practice on, but I have some days to do that, so I will.  🙂

Other than that I found a pen this week on the ground at school, and a freaking pencil in the parking lot at school.  They were both in good shape!  SCORE!  😃

I am not really sure what's going on with me today, but I'm not feeling so great.

I am not really sure what's going on with me today, but I'm not feeling so great.  I went to work for a whole hour - maybe a little longer, but not by much if so.

Overall, I've been feeling much better since the Celexa kicked in.  But the last few days I've felt really drained and tired, and my stomach hasn't felt too great, either.

Hopefully, it will pass soon.  I feel really guilty for leaving work when Shaun has been working so hard to help me.  But if I take a step back and look at all I do - all the driving, all the studying, all the cleaning, all the stress, and still working on top of that - well, maybe I shouldn't be surprised that I'm tired and drained.  I feel like I used to handle it better, but maybe "level" me is struggling a bit with that pace.  I don't really know.

Like I said - it could just be something that is going to pass, and I really hope it is.  If not, I don't know what.  I guess I will have to find a new way to adapt.  I just don't think it's normal that I would totally climb in my bed and go to sleep right now (at 7:30 in the evening!) if I didn't have so much left to do.  😕

I did these on Saturday.

I did these on Saturday.  I guess you could say that I was inspired to water marble some more after I did it on my friend Deb.  I haven't done this in probably 2 years until this weekend, but it was fun.  🙂

I'm really digging this polish.  It is light gray with FLAKIES IN IT, Y'ALL.  FLAKIES.  😳  They give it just a little bit of color and shimmer - not too much.  I love it, which shouldn't be any surprise to anyone who really knows me, because gray is one of my favorite colors.  (Fun Fact:  Gray, Brown, and Green are my top 3 favorite colors.)

Anyway, not a super lot to say about it.  I just wanted to post because I thought it was pretty.  The thumb is my favorite.  🙂

Calculus has frustrated me almost to tears this weekend. 🙁

Calculus has frustrated me almost to tears this weekend.  🙁

I had something in my notes that seemed contradictory and I couldn't understand it.  I emailed the class (teacher included) late last night on Blackboard, and much to my surprise he wrote me back this morning and explained it.  I feel A LITTLE better, but OMG.  I feel like I have a thousand more questions now.

I will talk to him after class tomorrow and if I can't get worked out someone is going to have to tutor me.  I am not willing to get behind.  I have enjoyed most of it so far, but at the moment I am trying not to panic.  I feel like this is such a big deal and I want to do well.  I'm trying my hardest.

And with that I'm sticking my nose back in my book.

Later, friends.  ❤

Today started great, but I've been staying up too late the last few days.

Today started great, but I've been staying up too late the last few days.  I am still up about 3 hours later than I'd like to be, but I'm calling it a night very shortly, so that will be ok.

I ended up not getting far AT ALL in my Calculus homework.  🙁  I've had it confirmed by two people who are WAYYY more experienced at this math than I am that a number in my notes is incorrect.  That could be my error copying it down or the teachers - I have no idea, and I am not upset.  I just feel relieved that I am not insane and that I'm not (for some reason) unable to understand the material.

Unfortunately, I spent so many hours trying to figure it out that I didn't even start my homework - that was just me going over my notes so I felt confident enough to tackle it!  Tomorrow is a big day,  but hopefully I will find some time to get through some problems and get comfortable with it.

I hope your Saturday was great.  Goodnight, all!  🙂

It's been a pretty good day so far!

It's been a pretty good day so far!  Is there anything a girl needs aside from friends, food, and NAIL POLISH?  I think not.  😃

I reconnected recently with someone I hadn't seen in YEARS.  We chatted and I did her nails a few weeks back, and now she's hooked!  I got me a nail polish buddy!  😃  We've mostly been stamping, but I showed her how to water marble today.  Got lucky and the first polishes she picked worked!  It was great.

We ordered pizza and talked and did nails.  She even brought her son that Shadow and I hadn't seen in forever, so it was a good time.  I hope we can all hang out again soon!

I know most of my friends are probably watching the game or relaxing, but I gotta get into some homework now.  At least I got to have some fun today.  😃  Happy Saturday, friends!  ❤

So I just took my holo and chrome nails off.

So I just took my holo and chrome nails off. They definitely stuck better with proper application. I'm not sure if it's because I used cheap gel or what, but I had noticeable tip - wear within a few days. I dealt with it for all of this time because I didn't have time to take them off properly. They started chipping, though, so that was my cue. I knew I would pick at them and ruin my nails if I didn't get them off ASAP.

Well... about half of my nails sustained more than minor damage during removal. 🙁 It was my fault, of course, but it's hard to be that patient when your fingers are wrapped up in foil and you can't do anything. 😕

Overall, I think I would do it again if I wanted temporary chrome or SUPER DUPER HOLO nails, but I'd use a peel - off base coat to save myself some time, trouble, and damage. I would just do it knowing that they wouldn't last long. It was definitely a neat experiment and I'm glad that I have these options, but I honestly prefer working with regular polish.

Now I'm off to try to salvage my nails. I've got peelies and craters and all kinds of bad junk to smooth out. 😕

Today started out ok, but things got shittier as the day progressed.

Today started out ok, but things got shittier as the day progressed.

On the drive home from work I got enough sun to make me sick.  Woo.  I currently feel like a pile of turds.  I am nauseated and I'm sure the only reason I don't have a migraine yet is because of the ass-ton of Tylenol I took in an effort to head it off.

Then once I was home I found that my stupid natural inclination be helpful might have backfired on me in a big way (to the tune of almost $200).  The resolution of this situation remains to be seen, so hopefully it will be amicable.  If not, screw humans forevermore.  Hopefully, I can get more information tomorrow.

And finally, I didn't do as well as I wanted to on either of my Calculus tests.  On the re-take of the first one I actually scored a point LOWER than on the first round.  Thankfully, the first test score stands so it didn't hurt me, but damn.  I don't feel happy about that.

On the big new test... damn.  I made an 87, but I am SO DISAPPOINTED with that.  First of all I missed the first question, which was worth 8 points.  On the sheet with the stuff I had to memorize it was formatted in a way that I didn't see all of the stuff I needed to memorize.  There was a bit of smaller text at the top, which I thought were directions.  So... when that question popped up on the test I had ZERO CLUE.  😳

Then, I also didn't finish a problem.  I was so mentally exhausted from tutoring on Monday I didn't even realize that I didn't finish it.  I basically didn't even work it!  So.  That happened.  Thankfully, I still have an A average in the class (just barely; it's a freaking 91), but I'm allowed to re-take that test with the final, so I probably will.  Hopefully, I don't mess up any more major than that.

Looks like it might be time to cut back on work so I can focus on school more.   I'm too frazzled and I'm always rushing around.  I feel like I'm pushing myself too hard right now.  I want to study a lot more than I have actual time to do.  I feel like I'm spending too many of my good, awake, "able to do things" hours at work and not directing that time and energy where it needs to go.  😕

Anyway.  That will be fun to figure out.  But for now I'm gonna try to get my mind off the stress and just rest for this evening.  I'm too exhausted to attempt studying, cleaning, or really anything else.

Goodnight, friends.  I hope your day went better!  ❤

I accidentally left the house without sunscreen on my face this morning.

I accidentally left the house without sunscreen on my face this morning. I got burned in the car way home, and now I feel like crap. I hope the migraine doesn't hit while I'm in Gadsden at my Calculus class. 🙁

This has been one busy day! 😳

This has been one busy day!  😳

I took my Psychology test this morning and I hate to say that I neglected studying for it because I was so focused on Calculus... but I did.  Still managed to make an 89, though, so I'm not even upset.

Then I tutored for FOUR HOURS STRAIGHT.  😳  I think my tutoring coordinator has lost her mind this semester.  I am tutoring English 093 (I think), Speech (which I haven't had since 2001), Math 100 (that's actually pretty fun), and get this:  BIOLOGY 103 with Dr. Lee - the class I STRUGGLED to make a B in!  I don't mind the rest of it, but Dr. Lee's BIOLOGY 103?!?!?

I told that student I'd bring my notes to her, so she should just focus on absorbing the information in actual class.  It goes so fast it's like you either copy the notes or pay attention - you legit cannot do both.  Maybe that will help her.  Then I can help her study them during tutoring.

Anyway, when I finally made it home I was so mentally exhausted that I didn't even study in the few minutes I had here.  I snacked and got ready to head to school.  Got there at 5:15.  Took my test, which I feel pretty good about.  Then I re-took the first one.  Was REALLY thrown off because the numbers were different (which makes a lot of sense not to give the EXACT same test twice), but I think I did ok.  Even if I didn't I still have a 92 from the first time.  So the only major anxiety will come from finding out how I fared on the main test today.

I got home at almost 9 pm and I am exhausted.  I've been up and running since 6:30 this morning.  I think I'm about to throw on some comfy clothes and sit my butt on the couch for a few.

I hope your Monday went well, friends!  ❤

I'm calling it a night. I'm exhausted and I have 3 tests tomorrow.

I'm calling it a night.  I'm exhausted and I have 3 tests tomorrow.  THREE.

I did work on Calculus - the actual math of it.  Maybe I'll be ok.  I feel fine about it, mostly.  I will probably go over it another time or two before the actual test, but I think I'm fine.  I also finished a homework sheet for the class, which aided my studying.

I'm trying my hardest in that class.  I am enjoying it so far, but it is not going to be something I can get lax on and do well with, it seems.  I guess I'd better get used to it since I will be taking a Cal class for the next two semesters.  LOL

Anyway, crashing out.  My brain is tired!

Am I the only parent who thinks...

Am I the only parent who thinks that my kid is lucky as hell that I don't only know him by smell? I think I would be one of those animals that are like "Nah, that one's not mine." 😂😂😂

When he spends the night somewhere and comes home smelling different I have to make him shower or at least change clothes. It's super disconcerting when he smells "wrong."

Shadow's not the only one. I do this crap to Shaun, too. I dislike it when he smells too much like other people, or places I haven't been. Or beer or sunscreen. I'm like, "You have to go away from me until you smell right."

I can deal with their body odor better than I can deal with them smelling wrong. I don't know what that's about, but my nose keeps an eye on these boys! LMAO

I just caught myself stuffing my daily half a Celexa into a pill pocket. 😳

I just caught myself stuffing my daily half a Celexa into a pill pocket. 😳

So I USUALLY do this thing every morning (I have been doing this for years) where I don't pee until the animals pee and I don't eat until the animals eat (except for extenuating circumstances, of course). How's that for motivation? If they are uncomfortable, so am I. I am no more deserving of comfort than they are, so we feel it together and I am good with that.

Today after I got everyone fed I was about to grab a bowl of cereal and take my Celexa. Booka came into the kitchen kind of snort-grunting at me and showing me his butt (above his tail where he itches), so I was like "Oh, you need your Prednisone, right? We'll take our meds together." (Yes, I baby-talk my animals, but we do have serious conversations, too.)

So I'd just cut my Celexa and it was on the counter. Then I grabbed the bottle of Prednisone and there was a previously cut one in the bottle, so I grabbed it and put it on the counter so I could get the pill pockets.

Wouldn't you know that those pills are the same color? LOL I got the pill pocket and stuffed a pill in there and was just about to close it up when I saw that the inside of the pill was white. Thankfully, I noticed that wasn't right and switched the pills, but I came closer than I am comfortable with to giving that to my Boo Bear. 😕

I am sure that happened because he hasn't been taking Prednisone daily for quite a while now, but his skin has been bothering him lately so he's back on it until we get it under control again. Now I will know to watch out for that. Hopefully I'll be sure to stick to my system and medicate him first from now on!

I feel ok about maybe 75% of my upcoming Calculus test.

I feel ok about maybe 75% of my upcoming Calculus test.  I haven't even done any math yet today, but I did kick the ass of the last definitions.  It is literally a whole front and back of a sheet of notebook paper's worth of stuff to know.  WORD. FOR. WORD.  😳

This is it.  (You've probably already seen part of it, but repeating helps me.)  (Feel free to skip this post if you don't care, but my freaking hand is SO TIRED of writing and I'm running low on paper; unfortunately, that is what sticks it in my brain.)

•  Five Things Osborn Wants me to Know About Calculus:

1)  Calculus is a way of measuring change, including change in time and and space.

2)  Calculus can help address counterintuitive notions in physics and economics.

3)  Calculus is effective in "managing infinity."

4)  Calculus problems tend to lead to algebra and / or basic math problems.

5)  Calculus is a set of procedures which convert any function or combination of functions into a derivative, which describes the relationship between the variable at a particular point.

-  The two fundamental idea of Calculus are:

1)  The derivative.  This is a way of measuring instantaneous change.

2)  The integral.  This is a sum of numerous pieces.

-  A tangent is a straight line that touches a curve at a specific point.

-  A derivative, as it relates to the tangent, is the slope of a line that is tangent to a curve.

-  The three main purposes of Differential Calculus are:  1)  precision, 2)  approximation, 3)  maximum and minimum. 

-  Differential Calculus is the arithmetic of infinitely small differences of variable quantities. 

-  Integral Calculus is the deduction of magnitudes from the ratio of small changes of other magnitudes. 

Examples I also have to know:

1)  "Speed of Car."  Differential Calculus deals with finding speed of a car based on position.  Integral Calculus deals with determining the distance traveled when only the speed was known.

2)  "Road."  Differential Calculus is concerned with changes in elevation of the road, slope / steepness, and with guessing or determining what happened between measurements.  Integral Calculus is concerned not with the road itself, but with the area under it and how the area changes.

3)  "Vase."  Differential Calculus is about the rate at which a liquid is poured into the vase.  Integral Calculus is about how high the level of the liquid rises at a point, and how high this level will get over a time interval.

So yeah.  I did it.  I just went back and checked myself before posting and I had an "a" where there was supposed to be a "the" one time.  I'd say that's not bad.  I feel accomplished.  I think I am gonna take a dinner break and then see if my brain is awake enough for some actual math.  Woo!  LOL

I think I'm done. I can now write this...

I think I'm done. I can now write this after the other WHOLE page of stuff I can write off the top of my head:

"Differential Calculus is the arithmetic of infinitely small differences of variable quantities.

Integral Calculus is the deduction of magnitudes from the ratio of small changes of other magnitudes."

So, two sentences in one evening isn't very impressive, but it's progress. I'm exhausted after a week of work and school. I still need to memorize 3 descriptions of each of the types of Calculus, but it's not happening tonight. 😕 I also didn't do any math, but it's easier to remember words when I'm tired than new-ish math concepts.

Gotta get my brain working this weekend! Blegh. Wish me luck.

I feel so lame and boring lately, but...

I feel so lame and boring lately, but I have two tests on Monday... well, actually, three!

I have Psychology in the morning, a new Calculus test at 4, and then the re-take of my first Calculus test after that.

So... big surprise here:  I'm off to study.

Thankfully, my chrome and holo gel nails are hanging in there.  Not a single one has popped off!  All I've got is some tip-wear showing, and I guess that is not a good enough reason to take time away from studying to re-do them.  Maybe if I make enough progress I'll re-coat the tips or either add something to them.  I don't know.  But I need to try to be a good girl and keep my priorities straight.  😕  Next weekend should be less stressful if I can just keep my patience in check until then.

Anyway... Happy Weekend, friends!  If you don't see me around the Interwebz, you know why!  ❤

We finally found a thing that Nom WON'T eat...

We finally found a thing that Nom WON'T eat:  cherry tomatoes.  The kid will eat DVD cases and flip flops, but not freaking cherry tomatoes.

He is the weirdest tortoise ever.

Ooh! I just touched Beyonce and she didn't run!

Ooh!  I just touched Beyonce and she didn't run!

Granted - I BARELY touched her at the base of her tail, but she was looking right at me, so she knew I did it.  She was laying down with Snaga and I guess she was comfy.

When I fed all the other cats earlier they all wanted to be petted, so of course I did.  Beyonce was nearby (maybe 2 - 3 feet away), so I just looked up at her a few times while I petted them, like, "This could be you, too."  LOL  She always watches, but never approaches.  She was just waiting for me to move so she could eat.

I hope I can wear her down one of these days.  I'm trying hard!

Been working on Calculus.

Been working on Calculus. It's getting more complicated, so it's going to take a good bit of effort for me to get ready for the test on Monday. I still feel good about the 2/3 of the definitions I know. Still gotta tackle the last bit. I spent today on actual math and I'm gonna need more work on that before I'm comfortable. We're learning about the Epsilon - Delta definition of limits. It's neat and I understand it (mostly), but the math looks different. Gonna take some getting used to.

I've had a few people check on me...

I've had a few people check on me (y'all are amazing!), so I thought I'd post an official update on my mental well-being.  I'm currently waiting for my Melatonin to kick in, so the plan is to not make this a lengthy update, but damn I like words, so we'll see.  😛

The short answer is yes - I'm doing ok.  THANK GOODNESS!  I feel basically stable.  I've been going to bed around the same time every night (close to now-ish, if it hasn't been a particularly hard day that causes me to crash sooner).  Unfortunately, I usually still wake up around 3 am, but I just stay in bed and kind of drift in and out until I get up at 6:30.  (This semester brought a lot of changes because I've never been one to willingly follow a schedule, but it's for the best right now.)

I never did up myself back to the full dosage of Celexa and I'm not sure if I will.  My appointment with the mental health center is in late October, so as long as nothing major comes up I'm just going with what I'm doing for now because it seems to be working.

My jaw has mostly stopped clenching, though I'm burning through gum and gummies, too.  (Gummies make a nice low-calorie chewy snack, I've found.)  I'm not eating like a horse; in fact, my appetite has decreased a bit, but I really think that I was overeating before because I felt like crap.  I have more energy and I haven't yet been exercising as much as I'd intended, but I am walking a good bit more and tend to work more around the house in the evenings instead of coming home and just being a lump on the couch.  So I call that progress.

Anyway.  This is better.  I am having a bit of what I've found out is called "emotional blunting" but with my over-feeling self it kind of feels like a vacation.  It's not major, but I am able to watch, you know, American Ninja Warrior with the guys and not cry.  (Seriously.  I was ridiculous before.  I mean - that's me and it's ok, but I don't have time to deal with myself right now.  LOL)  It's not like I don't care about things anymore because I super do, but some things just aren't taking a toll on me like they used to and I need that - for a while, at least.

So, there you go.  No more death thoughts.  No more couch-lump, unmotivated Blu.  The only bad health thing at the moment is that my Psoriasis and Arthritis are flaring up a little, but it's not super bad yet.  I need to make time to see a doctor, but my schedule is busy - at least for a few more weeks.  I hear that we finish one class kind of early in the semester, so if we do I will have a bit more time to worry about me.  In the meantime I'm just working and going to school, as usual!

Super thank you to everyone who helped me and who checked on me.  I need friends like that in my life.  I'm so thankful for you all!  ❤

I just had a great lunch.

I just had a great lunch. Went by Captain D's and almost hit the drive through, but changed my mind and went in instead. So glad I did. I made a new friend!

An old guy with a cane was approaching the door as I was, so I held it open for him. I asked him if he wanted to order first, but he said he had nothing to do and all day to do it, so I went ahead.

Got to a table and when I saw him come in just decided to ask him to sit with me. We chatted over lunch. He complimented my nails and said that he does them for his wife in the nursing home (who he goes to see every day). He says the polish itself makes a difference in the application, and his favorite brand is Essie even though he could buy a bourbon for the cost of it. LOL He loves his little one-eyed poodle and only lets him go out "on a string." He was also driving a surprisingly bad ass little truck he custom made. 

I swear, my day is made. 😃

Go forth and make some new friends, y'all. It's the best! ❤️❤️❤️

Ha! I just petted Beyonce!

Ha!  I just petted Beyonce!  That'll teach her not to relax enough to fall asleep out in the open!  😛

Seriously, she popped straight up and ran.  I probably shouldn't have done it, but I haven't touched her in over a year.  It was irresistible.  She's fine, btw - just sitting in the middle of the floor looking SUPREMELY annoyed.  LOL

Ten + sheets of paper (front and back)...

Ten + sheets of paper (front and back), plus using my colorful new gel pens to make me want to do it and now I can write from memory what I wrote for Calculus yesterday, plus another third.

•  The two fundamental ideas of Calculus are:

1)  The derivative.  This is a way of measuring instantaneous change.

2)  The integral.  This is the sum of numerous pieces.

•  A tangent is a straight line that touches a curve at a specific point.

•  A derivative, as it relates to the tangent, is the slope of a line that is tangent to a curve.

•  The three main purposes of Differential Calculus are:  1) precision, 2) approximation, 2) maximum and minimum.

I think that part was probably the easiest.  The last third looks a little tougher.  I would read it right now to double-check, but my brain is processing.  I don't want to cause a glitch or a system meltdown.  LOL  I think it's time to step away from my desk and make some dinner.  😃

Yes, I actually spent money to own this.

Yes, I actually spent money to own this. If you don't know what Simply Nailogical is, you need to fix that. Sooner rather than later. 😛

Today was pretty good. 🙂

Today was pretty good.  🙂  Did some nail stuff (see previous post for pic of chrome / holo nails), saw some friends and family, and I STUDIED.

Watch this.

Five Things Osborn Wants me to Know About Calculus:

1)  Calculus is a way of measuring change, including change in time and space.

2)  Calculus can help address counterintuitive notions in physics and economics.

3)  Calculus is effective in "managing infinity."

4)  Calculus problems tend to lead to algebra and / or basic math problems.

5)  Calculus is a set of procedures which convert any function or combination of functions into a derivative, which describes the relationship between the variable at at particular point.

BOOM!  ^^^  All that from memory - as required on my next test.  I also have 18 graphs that I need to be able to label, but I feel pretty good about them.  I ALSO have one more page of things to learn word for word, but I had to start somewhere.  I have 6 more days to get that locked in.  I think that if I put in some effort every day, I can do it.

Anyway.  Guess I'm going to get ready for bed.  Tomorrow starts early!  First Aid class meets at 8.  That's too early for me, but it's a fun and informative class, so it's cool.  🙂

Y'all. 😳

Y'all.  😳

So I did my nails again last night.  My first application of gels on myself was a complete fail, as all but 3 had pathetically peeled off within in a few days.  Since I am a bad person and did not remove all but those last 3 properly my nails took a little bit of damage, but nothing major.

I'd cut my nails down after the photos of the scale chromes because I figured I wouldn't be taking pictures for a while.  Well, obviously I was wrong.  So, bask in the glory of my silver chrome and holo nubs!  LMAO  Seriously, the chrome is so reflective you can see the reflection of the rainbow from the holo nail next to it.  WHATTT?!?!  😳

I took my time and did it correctly last night - buffing and all.  I used SUPER thin layers of polish so that I didn't flood my cuticles and overall I think this is better.  Hopefully this time they will stay on for more than a few days.

Y'all know I can't just have a hand full of matching nails, so I tried out my new holo powder as an accent nail (ring finger, if it isn't obvious.  LOL)  All I can say is "DAMNNNN."  I have some holographic polishes, but NONE of them compare to the strength of this powder.  I am in shock and awe.  The holo is even visible in regular lighting inside the house, which isn't always the case for holo polish.  Also, it's not completely visible here (because certain angles turn it back into a rainbow), but the center line down the holo nail looks chrome to my eyes IRL.  I just don't even have words for how amazing I think that is.  😳

Another great thing about the powder is that it can be used over any color (as can the chromes, actually), but I only have black gel for now, so that's what I used last night as a base for all.  I've seen photos online that show the base colors peeking through when used under the powders, so that is something to try another day.  I also need to see how I can mix and match gel with regular polish to extend wear, but I don't have the time for that right now, unfortunately.  😕

ANYWAY.  It was super hard not to stamp over these because that is just what I always want to do, but I think that my scale stamping actually took away from the beauty of the chromes on my last paint job.  Who would ever guess that less can be more?  LOL  Since these are true gels TECHNICALLY I should be able to stamp over them and even straight up paint regular polish on top of them and then be able to remove it with non-acetone remover without damaging the paintjob pictured.  When this mani starts wearing out I might try it just to confirm.  But not yet.  SO NOT YET.  I'm hoping to enjoy this one for some days.  😃

I'm THRILLED to report that this day sucks less...

I'm THRILLED to report that this day sucks less than just about all the rest of the days this week.  I am still congested and coughing, but it's much less bad than before and I have no terrible headache to go with it.  Woo!

I slept SO MUCH between last night and this morning.  I really think I just needed a bunch of extra rest to kick this crud.  When I finally got out of bed after 11 I sat around for a while having cereal and playing on here and generally just taking it easy.  Then I got up off my butt and the kid and I cleaned the house.

I think I'm about to dig into my next Psychology assignment, then the rest of my weekend can be devoted to Calculus definitions.  I have 2 typed pages of things that I need to know for the next test, word for word, plus 18 graphs that I need to be able to label.  Not to mention that I need to be able to do the math that goes with it, but I'm less afraid of the math than I am the definitions.  LOL

Anyway.  Happy Saturday, friends.  I hope your day is going well!

For a long time...

For a long time I couldn't think of anything I cared enough about to make into a cover photo.  But, this is one of my favorite pictures of me with a rescue dog (from October 2011).  It is a candid shot of me saying goodbye to Olive, (now known as Hazel), who was one of my foster dogs.  We were dropping her off at the transport to head up north to her wonderful forever family.

I was happy for her, but saying goodbye is never easy.  We went through a lot together and I loved her.  That is the case for most of my fosters.

I always feel so sad when I send them away.  They don't know why I'm suddenly putting them on a big scary truck for a long journey.  They can't possibly understand why they can't live out their years with me despite our bond.  How do you ask them to trust you that this is for the best when there is such a language barrier between you?

I feel that this is the part where they feel betrayed by me.  I always hug them and tell them I love them and I'm sorry for this, but that the journey will be worth it and life will be better.  I sincerely hope they come out on the other side knowing that I wanted great and beautiful things for them; that I was not simply discarding them as many of them had been done before.

I've loved animals all of my life, but...

I've loved animals all of my life, but I've been a volunteer in the animal rescue community since 2007 - almost 10 years now.  The things you see and hear, and some of the choices you have to make - it does change you.  I am 100% sure that compassion fatigue is a major contributor to my battle with depression now.

"One of the hallmark signs of [compassion fatigue] is that you cannot undo what you've been exposed to, and your worldview is forever changed."

https://www.thedodo.com/compassion-fatigue-working-animals-1986934409.html

Gel Nail Chrome Scale Fail.

Gel Nail Chrome Scale Fail.

Try saying that 3 times fast!

So these were done with the chrome powders I got last week. Chrome powders only work on certain types of gel polish, so that's what got me to FINALLY try gel polish.

UNFORTUNATELY I haven't had much experience with gels... literally, this was my first attempt at using real gel polish. I did a good bit of research on it several weeks ago, but by the time I sat down to try it out last night I guess most of what I'd read had gone out the window. 😕

First, I forgot to buff my nails. Then, even though I knew that thin coats were better when using gels - old habits die hard. I did ok, but gel flows easily and I flooded my cuticles. 😕 With regular polish I would just use an angled brush dipped in acetone to fix that, but that doesn't work on gels once they are cured.

So... my terrible solution to that was to clip the polish off me with cuticle nippers... while I was tired. Hence the chunk missing from my ring finger. LOL Since you can't just swipe a gel off and start over, it's on there for now. I'm sick and I have to study for another Calculus test, so it is what it is and that's ok.  Gotta keep my priorities straight (yay for adulting).  😛

I mostly wanted to try out my new stuff and now that I see how beautifully chrome and color-shifting these powders actually are, I'm happy.  I have never seen a nail polish that can achieve this effect quite so well, so these are pretty cool.  Also, if you're experienced in applying gel polish the chromes were super easy to apply.  You just buff it into your gel topcoat and seal!

Pardon my wonky camera angle, but it's hard to get a good pic when you have an interesting finish.  There were 8 powders in the set I bought.  These were my favorite 5 all used over black.  I also bought a silver for Shaun, of course.

I woke up on the edge of a migraine.

I woke up on the edge of a migraine. I am still coughing, congested, and blowing my nose. This feels AWFUL. 🙁

Yay, Friday. 😕

😳

😳

This chrome!!!

Pics tomorrow. 😃

We're still feeling pretty rough over here.

We're still feeling pretty rough over here.  I'm still coughing and blowing my nose and feeling generally run down and icky.  🙁  Shaun looked horrible earlier, but he's at work anyway.  I wish he'd go home soon and get some rest.

I'm pretty bummed that it's only Thursday.  I'm REALLY looking forward to a weekend of no other obligations except for studying.  But even if that is "all" I have to do that's gonna be some work because I have 3 pages of things to memorize for my next Calculus test (definitions and such, word for word).  The test has 6 parts and is worth 125 points.  I feel like it's gonna be a doozy.

I have no more fosters for now, and NO - that is not an open invitation to refill my house.  😛  I still have plenty of animals to care for.  I wish I wasn't so busy and had time to really enjoy all of them.  Unfortunately, they don't understand when I tell them that I'm working so hard so all of our lives can be better one day, but maybe a good many of them will hang around until then and find out.  I sure hope so.

For now I'm off to clean my litter boxes (I try to make that a morning chore, but some days it just doesn't happen), and if I'm too fried to study, perhaps I will do my nails.  I got my chrome powders in last week and I have REALLY wanted to try them, but I'm properly adulting and making school the priority most days.  Go me.  😛

Anyway.  Later, peeps.  Hang in there.  Just one more day until the weekend!

Beau / Roger chilling out with Tracy before heading into rescue.

Beau / Roger chilling out with Tracy before heading into rescue. He remembered her, for sure. I know they don't forget the ones who help them. ❤️

Safe travels, sweet boy! ❤️❤️❤️