We just got Shadow's locker and schedule for his senior year.

We just got Shadow's locker and schedule for his senior year. Last SHS registration day ever! 😁😲😭😍🙃

I just took my last Literature quiz.

I just took my last Literature quiz.  Before the final I have a 98.6 in there.  Woohoo.  I have a study guide for the final, so I'm not gonna sweat that class too hard.

In Calculus, even with that 67 and the 56 I made on Wednesday I have an 86.4.  We have one more exam (not counting the final) in there, plus he's letting us re-take a couple of exams.  So that means I have a chance to pull those grades up and come out with an A.  I am going to work hard and try my best to do it.  I am going to be so disappointed in myself if I come out with a B.  😕

Backpack, books, and parking decal.

Backpack, books, and parking decal. I sure hope I'm not sick to death of math after I get done with Calculus. 😳

I'm about to take these off; I've been wearing them for probably a week.

I'm about to take these off; I've been wearing them for probably a week.  I've been meaning to post, but I've been too crazy to bother.  For anyone who follows me on Instagram @Polish_ALL_TheThings you might have noticed that I still haven't even posted my last mani there.  Maybe I will do it this weekend, but no promises.

I haven't felt super great and so therefore I'm not feeling creative, so this is what it is.  However, the special thing about this paint job (to me) is the polish.  It is one I've wanted since August of 2014.  It's an indie polish, so it was only made for a short time.  I got it in a destash and I am so happy.  The color is "Refresh...ing" by Colors By Llarowe.

Side note about my nails:  I REALLY REALLY like the way this shape looks and despite my arthritis / grip problems the shape has proven to hold up on me better than any other so far.  But I think I might have to round the points just a touch, or either start sleeping in gloves.  I have woken up 3 times within recent memory because I was being stabbed BY MY OWN SELF.  🤣🤣🤣  Twice in the face and once on my side if I'm keeping score.  I haven't left any marks, but they are definitely sharp enough for it to hurt.  They feel AH-MAZING when I have an itch, though.  🤤

Anyway.  I'm off to paint my nails.  I don't have the brainpower currently to do Calculus and I've done enough Literature for one day.  I'm gonna chill tonight.  I think it is necessary.

❤❤❤

I didn't sleep enough.

I didn't sleep enough. Some creature hit the top of my windshield while I was driving. Not sure what it was; I only heard it. ☹️

Well, I was NOT cool today.

Well, I was NOT cool today. I left the house with barely any gas in my car, left my money at home, bombed the test, and cried. 😭😭😭

I feel like I am juggling SO. MANY. THINGS. 😳

I feel like I am juggling SO. MANY. THINGS.  😳

My day so far:

• Medicated 3/4 of my dogs (as I do daily) because they are old.  Some days go smoother than others.  Today wasn't horrible.
• Made Shadow help me feed everyone.  He's so good and I'm so glad to have him home right now.  He is a big help.
• Sat petrified, feeling overwhelmed, thinking of what I should do next.
• Called UAB because (yay), I got my approval letter in the mail on Monday, but I'm not "in their system" to make an appointment (boo), so 3 phone calls later and I am STILL waiting to know what's going on.
• Sat petrified, feeling overwhelmed, thinking of what I should do next.  Wondered for the 98257358165th time if all of this was REALLY going to be worth it one day.
• Checked Blackboard.  My last Cal grade was upped from a 92 to a 93.  I do not know why, but I am not complaining.
•  There is a breakdown for the final exam now available, so I need to work on a study guide.  Also, I still have a little more literature to go before I'm done with this week's assignments.
• Sat petrified, feeling overwhelmed, thinking of what I should do next.  Looked around the room.
• Dealt with Amazon returns because a seller sent me bad / expired / counterfeit Seresto collars.  I can't afford to be out $150 for flea medication that doesn't work, so yeah.  They are allowing me to return the collars for a refund, thank goodness.  Speaking of money...
• Still trying to decide if I should borrow money from Shaun now for bills, or hope that if I wait until I'm paid on Friday that I don't get any late fees.
• Checked my email because I knew I must be missing something.  Yep, a message from Disability Support Services.
• Communicated with DSS from JSU in case I'm not cool by the time my classes start.  I've got to get documentation from a doctor about my Psoriatic problems.  They want to meet before classes start, so hopefully I can get that and my Student ID knocked out on the same day.  I asked to know what kind of documentation I need, and told them a day I'd be free to do things.  I'm waiting to hear back.
• Started a shopping list
• Looked around the room some more.  Felt overwhelmed.  Damned the recycling that is piling up and needs to be carried to the recycling bins.  (I can't stand clutter.)  Came to social media to get distracted so I could calm down.  Got bored and posted this status.  It somehow feels like a stress relief to write down the things I've done.  Terribly sorry if it's boring; keep scrolling if you want.  I'm just trying to survive.

Still to do:

• Clean my litter boxes
• Drop off the recycling
• Make Shadow an eye appointment (time for a check-up; he's fine)
• Put away my laundry
• Prepare for the Calculus test that is tonight

Tomorrow I go to the final exam review for literature, then Job #1, then Job # 2, back to back to back.  Maybe I can do my last literature assignment after I get home, then have the time that I'm not working on Friday, plus the weekend, to get a my head wrapped around what is going to be on the Calculus final.

I have to get up.  I think I've done most of the little things that were nagging at me today.  Maybe that freed up some brain space so that I can concentrate on bigger things.  I sure hope so.  I also hope that all of my friends and family are having a nice week.  As for me, I'm hanging in there.  ❤

My backpack came in the mail today.

My backpack came in the mail today. Now I gotta wait forever to use it. 🤣🤣🤣

I am dead tired. Not sure why, exactly.

I am dead tired.  Not sure why, exactly.  I only got up early, took a big, heavy dog to the vet by myself, came home and washed her, cleaned Booka's stinky ear, did some literature, made some food, drove 45 minutes, sat through 2.5 hours of Calculus, and drove another 45 minutes...  😜

If my phone doesn't hurry up and finish charging so I can go to bed...  🙄😴

I made a 92 on the last Calculus test!

I made a 92 on the last Calculus test!

😁😁😁

I have made sleep and good food a priority for about 2 weeks.

I have made sleep and good food a priority for about 2 weeks.  Ok, so last night I had spicy fried cheesy potato balls and cake with ice cream for dinner... 🤣🤣🤣  But before that I was being pretty good - I swear!

I still suck at having a bedtime (I rebel against that so hard!), but as long as I go to bed in time to get enough sleep for the next day I feel ok, mood-wise and stress-wise.  I have also been making it a point to not OVER-sleep, too, which is something I am always tempted to do - especially when I am stressed.  That has been giving me a few more hours a day to be productive, so that's nice.  Sleep is my favorite thing, but I am experiencing less drowsiness and fewer sleep hangovers, so I guess there can be too much!

I'm using my extra time to study and get ahead on some things.  I've been thinking a lot about things and doing some planning.  I'm trying my best to be totally prepared for classes at JSU even though they are still about a month away.  It just takes the stress off to know that I'm not going to be running around at the last minute scrounging for books and supplies and parking decals and student ID's or any of that.  If I do overlook something that I need to do, at least it will be just one or two things instead of all the stuff I listed + whatever I missed.

I don't know.  I feel like self-care is something that I'm terrible at doing, and I bet that many of us are.  But there comes a point when you just have to.  A huge part of that, for me, right now, is that I have read so much about how hard of a major CS is, and that a lot of people drop that as their major because it is too difficult, and all this different stuff that makes me think I'm about to be in over my head.  I've got a couple of good friends who've assured me that I can do this, but I just really want to be my best self when those classes start.

Since I have been eating and sleeping better I feel like a more calm and functional person.  Don't get me wrong - my skin and my bones are still giving me a lot of trouble, but I feel more equipped to handle life.  And with that I'm off to do my LAST LITERATURE ASSIGNMENT (besides the final, of course) in hopes that I can focus on Calculus the rest of the week.  If I use all of my re-take opportunities, that will put me at having 4 Calculus tests between now and August 9th.  😳  I need to be on top of things, for sure!

I hope you all are having a great week.  Maybe this Monday won't be too hard on us!  🙂❤

Textbook rentals from JSU:

Textbook rentals from JSU:  $208 and I have to go to the bookstore.

Textbook rentals from Amazon:  $73 and they come directly to my house with no lines.

Yeah.  I know what I am doing.

It is my favorite season for having a double-coated dog:

It is my favorite season for having a double-coated dog:  Dog-plucking season!  Too bad I only have one pluck-able dog left.  I miss you, Scooter.  ❤

It is too hot for heavy food.

It is too hot for heavy food. Dietary staples right now: Cacao Soylent, salad, and popsicles. 👌😂

Ordered my rolling backpack...

I love it when I'm trying to study, but...

I love it when I'm trying to study, but the person who lives next to me is inconsiderate and decides to have a screaming fight.

I can't wait to get away from the trash in this neighborhood.

The only reason I don't call the cops anymore is because I legit hope they will just end each other.

I feel pretty good about the Cal test I took today.

I feel pretty good about the Cal test I took today. Will find out how it ACTUALLY went on Monday, but for now I'm feeling ok. 😊

Is $60 a redonk price for a backpack with wheels?

Is $60 a redonk price for a backpack with wheels? I've seen some that are tons more expensive, but it still seems like a lot.

I know this probably sounds super lame, but...

I know this probably sounds super lame, but I emailed two of my JSU professors to see if digital books were ok for their classes.  One has responded already, and she seemed perfectly nice.  One of my professors is also my adviser, so I've met him.  These little communications and interactions make things seem more real and less scary.  Woohoo!

Yesterday wasn't great, but I did get a piece of good news.

Yesterday wasn't great, but I did get a piece of good news.  I called UAB and they said that I'd been accepted into their financial assistance program.  They said that I should be getting a letter soon saying that I can see one of their rheumatologists for free.  I don't have that letter yet, but hopefully it will come soon and the wait won't be long.

My hips and knees are what gave me so much trouble the last time I was having a bad flare up.  While they are uncomfortable now, what is really concerning is that my forearms, hands, and fingers hurt.  I am losing my grip - to the point that my hands keep sliding off of things.  This has caused me to break 3 nails in the span of 2 weeks, which is - yes, the least of my problems, but one that makes me super sad nonetheless.  It is a blow that I don't need.  It is especially a bummer because they were all the same length and shape for once, which was a damn accomplishment for me.

Yesterday I saw the doctor because she told me to come back.  I thought I was having labs done for UAB (she was not clear with me on anything), but that was not the case.  Basically, I paid $25 to have her tell me that patience was a virtue (regarding UAB taking so long) and for her to write me a prescription for horse ibuprofen and send it to the wrong pharmacy.  I could have just decided to take 800 mgs of ibuprofen for free for all the damn good it did me to pay her to let me sit there, stressed, waiting on her to inconvenience and frustrate me.

Anyway.  I was looking at parking at JSU and since the building that all of my classes are in are so far away from any of the parking spots that I'm allowed to use it looks like I will be walking uphill halfway across campus every morning.  I guess I need the exercise, so whatever (whatever unless my hips and knees start hurting again), but I am probably going to have to invest in a rolling backpack because my grip / arms won't hold out that long if I'm trying to just carry stuff like I usually do.  I hate to admit that I actually considered asking Shaun to drop me off every morning, but I am trying hard not to be that pathetic yet.

Guess what else.  I have a Calculus test tomorrow.  And I was wrong when I said I have 3 in 4 weeks - I have 4 in 4 weeks.  The final exam was not counted in the 3 before and I thought it was.  So that is super fun.

I am off to repair one of my nails and to file the another one into something other than a jagged mess.  Then I have to study!  (Are you shocked by that news?)  I hope things are going great for you all.  I feel like I should be so excited and happy about a lot of things right now, but I just can't.  I'm tired and sore and it was all I could do to even make my hands cooperate enough to type this post.  Fun times.

I have broken a nail AND a flip flop.

I have broken a nail AND a flip flop. I legit don't know which is worse. I have been lost today because my GPS wouldn't work. My car has run hot. The duct tape on my backpack strap is melting and getting sticky crap all over me. I have worked today, now I'm at the doctor, and I have school later.

I'm pretty sure it's a Monday. 😑

Relaxed ALL day.

For some reason our literature work has doubled...

For some reason our literature work has doubled for the last month of the semester.  🙁  But I am done for the week.  No work and no homework and no school tomorrow.  I am beyond excited to have a day just... off.  😃

Not a very impressive go at "nail art," but...

Not a very impressive go at "nail art," but who needs that when you're wearing a Tonic Nail Polish, anyway?  This polish is called Come Wander and it's beautiful!  It's obviously holographic, but it also has flakies in it, which are more visible in other lighting.  They are the flashes of pink you see towards the center of my nails.

It's been a busy week, so there has been no real time for nail art, but I did file the talons down and put some paint on them a few days ago.  I'm not doing a thing for work or school on Saturday, so maybe I will have one last nail art hurrah before I'm back on the grind for the last month of this semester and work.  We shall see.  🙂

I made a 67 on the Cal test that I previously bombed...

I made a 67 on the Cal test that I previously bombed, so that is better than a 38. I'm not sure I can be done with it, though. If we get another chance at it, I'll probably take it again. 🙁

I made a 167/200 on the new one, so that's an 83. I made a dumb mistake that cost me 5 points, which is annoying. The other problems, I missed legitimately. 

My Cal average is a 90 right now. That's ok, but I'm not thrilled. It's so close to being a B that it stresses me out.  I need to really step it up in Calculus if I'm gonna come out with an A. I loathe scraping the bottom of the "A" barrel. 😡

In better news, I made a 99 on my Literature mid-term essay. I think my average in there is a 97 right now. 

I guess I need to get home from class, eat, and do some homework. Woohoo. You're all so jealous of my super fun and carefree life, right? 😜

I have not felt well since last night.

I have not felt well since last night.  After I got home from school I felt a migraine coming on so I took Excedrin.  I hate taking it at night because it keeps me up.  About 4 this morning I emailed my tutoring job that I wouldn't make it in because I was still not asleep and was supposed to be there at 8:30.  I would have been useless.

I haven't been out of bed for long today.  I don't feel as bad as I did - I think the rest helped, but I don't feel good by any stretch.  Between stress and psoriatic crap I'm not in a great place.  On the bright side I checked Blackboard and have the grade for part of my literature mid-term.  I made a 93 on half of it.  Still waiting on the grade of my paper.  At least one class seems to be going ok.

And with that, I'm off.  I don't know what I'll do, but if I can get my head clear I'll work on my literature assignment for the week and try not to think about Calculus.

Should have grades back on Wednesday...

Test day.

 

Wednesday, August 9th is the final exam for Calculus III.

Wednesday, August 9th is the final exam for Calculus III.  That is a month from today.  We have 3 tests scheduled (not counting the one tomorrow) within that time.  😲😳😳

I genuinely hope that I never have to take another summer semester in my life.

I feel bad and I'm stressed to death.

I feel bad and I'm stressed to death.

Focusing my frustration on getting things done.

Focusing my frustration on getting things done. Going over Calculus notes. Isn't it pretty? Look at all the numbers! ❤️

I just turned in the last of the paperwork that UAB wanted.

I just turned in the last of the paperwork that UAB wanted.  They said that they would be in touch within three business days, so hopefully I will know if they can help me next week.

It's a sad state of affairs when someone who works as hard as I do has to accept "drug trial" treatment for a medical condition, and worse yet that I had to jump through so many hoops to find out if I'm worthy of said help.  No one should have to go through that.  This is not the country I want to live in.

Yes, I'm changing my life so this won't be an issue FOR ME forever, but so many others don't have the ability to do what I'm doing.  Just because I will eventually dig my way out of poverty doesn't mean that this issue will go away.  Even if free healthcare isn't ever an option, there has got to be something better than this.

Rant over, I guess.  Pardon my grumpiness, but my skin is coming off, it hurts to wear clothes, my bones ache, and I'm getting very close to losing a thumb nail.  I don't feel so good.  #neverthelessshepersisted  (<---  Giving zero shits right now if that is used out of context.  It is giving me life.)

Done with Lit mid-terms and feeling pretty good about them.

Done with Lit mid-terms and feeling pretty good about them.  I have two Cal tests on Monday, though, so it's not a play / relax / do your nails kind of weekend.  Boo.

After the Calculus tests on Monday, we only have two more exams, one of which is the final - and that's it.  Semester will be done.  My time at Gadsden will be done.  I hate that I can't savor the flavor more, but right now all I want (desperately) is a few weeks off.  But my time is coming.  😃

It's 3 a.m. in the mornin' and...

It's 3 a.m. in the mornin' and I will try not to bust out in Eminem lyrics.  🤣🤣🤣  If anyone else is awake because it's a holiday and your schedule is jacked, raise your hand!  🙋‍♂️😜

Thankfully, it's been a pretty productive day.  I made some flash cards for my Literature mid-term and I'm getting anywhere from 95 - 100% when I run through them, so that is comforting.  I also picked a topic and started on my literature mid-term essay.  None of this is due until Sunday, but I'm planning to take my exam on Thursday and hopefully have the essay completed then, too.

I found out yesterday that we're allowed to re-take the Cal test I bombed when we take the new test on Monday, so... that's a lot of Calculus, but I'm planning be ready.  We'll find out the rest of what is on the new exam tomorrow in class, and I've got my paws crossed that it won't be anything awful.  We'll see.

Other than that I spent the rest of the day comforting scared animals, approving members and posts in Happy Tails Lost & Found Pets of Calhoun County, and resting up.  I'm trying my best to take it easy because it IS vacation time (from one of my jobs), but I do want to make sure I'm on top of things for school.  It is what is going to change my life, so it is the most important thing.  Yay, priorities!

I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday.  I hope you all had a good time, but not so good that you couldn't care for the innocent lives in your charge (be they human or otherwise).

And with that, I'm off.  I'm gonna get some sleep so I can try to be "normal-ish" the rest of this week.  LOL  ❤

Neon nails!

Neon nails!

I think my camera just couldn't handle the neon yellow.  My skin looks dead and the neon doesn't quite pop.  I don't know what to do, but I have mid-terms coming up, so I can't edit on this photo all day.  😜

So even though it's been rainy here the inspiration for these was the sun!  The hot, blinding, Alabama sun.  ☀️🌞☀️🌞☀️

These are not colors I'd normally wear, but I had an idea and ran with it.  The base is an orange to yellow gradient, and then I've got some sparkle thrown on there, then topped with a metallic red stamped image.  I think they look interesting, but I'm not sure if I like them.  LOL  I will probably take them off and do something for Independence Day soon.  I feel like these hurt my eyeballs.  😂😂😂