I'm really digging...

I'm really digging Intro to Advanced Math. It's like an English class, but for math. 😁

I'm here for it. ❤️❤️❤️

I'm here for it. ❤️❤️❤️

Why is my dog in the sink right now?

Why is my dog in the sink right now? Faith is so weird. 😂😂😂

I think the ECE (English Competency Exam) went ok.

I think the ECE (English Competency Exam) went ok.  I finished with a whopping 4 minutes to spare.  I had to write (with my hand!) a whole essay in 90 minutes.  That was stressful.

Now I'm home.  I have a ton of math homework to do and I need to work on Java because apparently I suck at it, but I'm taking the rest of the night off.  Tomorrow is a new day.

I hope your Monday has gone well.  Mine has been productive, at least.  ❤

It is amazing all the ways I can be triggered...

It is amazing all the ways I can be triggered to think of the dogs I've lost.  Facebook popping up memories is a big one - which I learned the hard way the other day when I suddenly found myself having a silent-ish cry in the student lounge.  But now I'm in the library doing homework and the nursing students a couple of tables over are studying.  The subject of blood transfusions came up and now I'm all in my feels.  Holding back my eye leakage and trying to get calm because I already have a bad headache blossoming and I'm taking the ECE shortly.  I might need to go and stare out of the window for a while...

Oh my gosh.

Oh my gosh. My nose is THOROUGHLY (and kind of painfully) exfoliated, thanks to Leon. That boy loves to lick and nibble noses. 😍😍😍

Watching Faith watching Kira...

Watching Faith watching Kira play a scary video game is giving me life right now. 😂😂😂

Y'all, I'm trying to study and this kid is over here causing a ruckus.

Y'all, I'm trying to study and this kid is over here causing a ruckus. I don't care what a groundhog says; Nom says it's spring. The look of disapproval on Faith's face right now is so severious. 😂😂😂

I know this is probably going to sound so crazy...

I know this is probably going to sound so crazy, but my resume is dead sexy right now.  It is giving me life.  That is all.

That inexplicable feeling when...

That inexplicable feeling when your goat-dog is jumping around on the couch and knocks some kitten food to the floor so she goes and sprinkles some tinkle near it (to claim it, I guess.  Dog logic.  😂) and when you go to clean it up she alternates between trying to sit on your hands and twerking on your forehead.

Faith - you are the best thing ever.  ❤  I need your weirdness in my life.

This cookie knows me so well.

This cookie knows me so well. (China Luck, Oxford, AL)

This photo got me by the heart today.

This photo got me by the heart today. Almost all of these sweet kids are dead and it happened within the span of 2 years. Dahlia was adopted out into a great home and is hanging in there, despite her age. Faith (in the back) is still with me, as is Booka (not pictured). Of course the Guinea Pigs are gone, as well. Little guys don't last as long. 😥

I'm stuck in a weird place in life. I still mourn my losses. The future looks ok - assuming I get there. Now feels strange, hard, and transitional.

I was invited...

I was invited to join the Kappa Mu Epsilon National Mathematics Honor Society last week. I decided to go for it so I joined today and the induction ceremony is in March. I am pretty excited.

The picture has nothing to do with that. It's just a picture from the 9th floor of the library. It was a really nice, relaxing view. I don't usually sit there, but today I did. I've really been trying to keep my stress level in check. I'm seeing and feeling the effects it's having on me. I got my shoulders to actually relax the other day and it was such a foreign feeling. Not cool.

I feel like...

I feel like a real CS student today. I just had to create a GitHub account for an assignment.

Me and my gramson, Leon.

Me and my gramson, Leon. Getting some late-night snuggles over here. He's a back-sleeper, and he's tired. 😴

I woke up at 4 this morning with a terrible headache.

I woke up at 4 this morning with a terrible headache.  I took some pain reliever and went back to sleep, then woke up at 7 and took some more.  I went to math class, then slept in my car for a few hours because I was pretty sure I couldn't drive myself home.  My phone woke me up with the reminder that my last class was about to start and since I was already at the school and felt less bad by that point I went to it.  When I got home Shaun took me to the doctor and they prescribed me something.  I don't know what because I haven't picked it up yet, but I hope it helps.  These headaches are getting wayyy out of hand and I really can't afford to have something hindering me this badly with all I have going on at school.  I will fall behind for sure if I have to miss classes over this.  🙁

I'm off to get some dinner with my guy.  I've felt so bad lately that I miss his face.  Not cool.  I hope you all are having a great day.  ❤  I am hanging in here as best I can.

I had to bring a chair to my room for this redonkulous mutt...

I had to bring a chair to my room for this redonkulous mutt; otherwise she was in my lap, or squished behind me in my chair, or even worse, standing / sitting / laying on my keyboard / homework. I swear this child is half goat. 😂😂😂 Thankfully she has accepted this offering and settled down next to me. She looks pretty comfy. I hate that I'm about to have to wake her up to tuck her in for the night. 😔😴

I really thought...

I really thought I was going to have a productive housework day and visit my family after that since I had a small break in school work.  But instead I got a migraine and puked 3 separate times.  Poor Kira looked horrified.  It was a pretty rough day.

I finally got up and moving a couple of hours ago.  I'm doing laundry because I'm out of clean towels.  I'm gonna get a shower in a little while and go back to my bed again.  I definitely don't feel 100%, but I'm much better than I was.

I don't know what is going on with me, but I am having a ton of tension headaches that seem to be quickly turning into migraines lately.  The thing is that I don't feel that stressed.  Sometimes I feel antsy like I want to walk or (gasp!) exercise, but if it's not convenient I just don't.  I probably should, though.  It's just a lot easier to plop down and do homework, but clearly something that I'm doing in my life is seriously not working right now.  I definitely need to figure that out - fast.

I'm trying my best to be ready for this week.  I don't feel that I am at the moment, but maybe I will after a good night of sleep.  I hope you all are doing well!  Get ready because Monday is coming!  ❤

I am straight DEAD, y'all.

I am straight DEAD, y'all.  Kira and Leon are so precious together. 😍😍😍

He was really quiet at his foster mom's house, but he has been so chatty since he got here.  He talks to Kira so much.  All these precious little purrs and trills and meows.  And he slept with her all last night.  I don't think you understand what a big deal that is.  She's tried to sleep with several of our dogs and cats, but usually by about 15 minutes later she has put them back out.  But not Leon.  He snuggled her and slept when she slept.

His little eyes are red and he's been on eye drops, and Kira is being the best mommy.  Shaun helped her medicate him last night and she did it herself today.  Baby boy doesn't even hold it against her.  He still comes and rubs his face on her face and meows to her and kneads her like crazy.  They are so smitten with each other and it is the most beautiful thing.

My heart is so happy watching this bond grow. 💕💞💓💞💕

The quest for a kitten is over.

The quest for a kitten is over. Meet Leon. He's the sweetest, snuggliest boy. Kira is so, so happy. 😊😍❤️ And they are precious together.

So these were the other nails I did last month.

So these were the other nails I did last month.  Tonic SLAYS. ME.  These are the most beautiful and shifty polishes ever.  If you're interested in owning some, I'd head on over to the Tonic Polish group and see what they are releasing on Sunday, because I promise you it's pretty.  Some of it is limited edition due to lack of pigment, and some of it will be back.  This is how it goes when you're a single-person indie polish maker and you've suddenly (and rightfully) become one of the most sought-after indie polish brands.

Pardon my claw hands and wonky angles, but I just needed for y'all to see the color changes and the flakies in this ONE. SINGLE. POLISH.  I also stamped on it with a shifty stamping polish, so in certain lights it blended in, and in others, it popped.  I remember staring at my fingers a lot when I wore this.  I've got several Tonics that do that to me, including my proposal set that I hoard like treasure and rarely wear.  LOL  I'm so bad because I love them so much that I never want to run out, but you just can't enjoy them the same in the bottle as you can when they are on you and with you all the time.

Anyway, I just popped in to show these off.  Even though I felt pretty rough yesterday, I have a little bit of energy today so I'm gonna get up and use it instead of sit here at the computer.  I hope you all have a lovely weekend.  🙂

Kira wants a little kitten.

Kira wants a little kitten. We've been to all of the local shelters, as well as PetSmart and PetCo. I know kitten season is almost upon us; does anyone know of any that need a good home?

Has anyone missed nail pics?

Has anyone missed nail pics?  LOL  I sure have missed having time to paint and take photos.  Even when I do manage to get that much done I haven't been cropping or posting my pics.  Blegh.  Priorities.

Well, I did these a month ago.  I used a magnetic polish and I'm posting two pictures because I don't want to deal with the video I took.  There is a super cool shift that a photo just can't catch, though.  You can see it most on my pinky finger.  Magnetic polishes are cool because from one angle they might look one color or shimmery, but from another that same space will appear dark and deep.  It's really captivating in person.

Anyway, I have a few more photos I'm going to get ready to post tonight and I guess I will put them up over the next few days. I have felt rough for most of today, so I'm taking it easy and doing something fun.

❤❤❤

I just declared myself a double major.

I just declared myself a double major.  Worst case - I fail and still have one degree.  Best case - I work hard and get two degrees.  Either way - I'm excited!  I'm getting to take some maths I am interested in.  😃

Just finished my math exam...

Just finished my math exam.  I feel pretty good about it, actually.  I'm sure my proof was a mess, but I think the professor can tell where I was trying to go with it.  He said he expects that for the first test and that he grades generously on those.  Now I'm just waiting for the grade!  Paws crossed that it's at least a B.  🙂

My first exam of the semester is tomorrow.

My first exam of the semester is tomorrow. It's a math test. Judging by the tension headache I've had for the last two days I might be a little stressed about it. 😂😭😂😭😂

Guess what!

Guess what!  I got a 60/50 on my Mega Man game.  I guess it was pretty good!  😃

Guess what else!  I talked to Dr. Case today about possibly double-majoring.  That has been my plan off and on, but then last semester was bad and I just didn't give it another thought for a while.  I've been waffling between Math and CS since I was at Gadsden, though, so I thought I'd talk to someone about it.  Turns out that the overlap for those majors is kind of a lot.  Like, as it is now to get a BS in Math with my BS in CS there would only be 6 extra classes.  Considering that I'd rather take summer classes than go through an internship right now that really wouldn't end up adding more than a semester to my school time and it would open up my job prospects a lot.

Not only that, but if I ever have regrets about my major and want to come back there would be a lot of classes that I had to re-take in order to get another Bachelor's degree.  So basically, Dr. Case told me that if I was considering on any level double-majoring to go ahead and do it because it would never be this easy again.  And I really think that I'm gonna go for it.  YOLO and all that.  But also I really want to be wanted in the job market.  We have struggled for too long to get by and this is the way for me to change it.  I want me and Shaun to be able to retire and enjoy life one day and I really want Shadow and Kira to have the opportunity to explore and build lives for themselves.  It's ridiculously hard to get by these days.  I think that most of us are not thriving and that is not cool.

Anyway, I'm off to do homework and study (imagine that).  I'm sorry for not being around, but I'm over here changing my life.  It is pretty hard work, but today felt pretty good.  I hope everyone is having a good start to the week, as well!  ❤ ❤ ❤

I am dead tired.

I am dead tired.  My Mega Man game is due today at midnight.  I worked on it for about 20 hours this week after school and got nowhere fast.  Then last night for whatever reason I started making serious progress.  I really couldn't make myself stop once I was rolling like that so I worked on it until 3 this morning.  😳  I got up and went to my 8:15 class, then worked on it more in my Game Design class, before my Java class, after my Java class, some more after dinner, and just NOW turned it in.  I am hoping to get a good grade on it because I am honestly pretty proud of it.  I made a freaking 70 on Pong.  😕  I'm trying not to beat myself up over that, but the teacher wasn't specific about what he wanted and I was just learning to use the program, so meh.

I have a busy weekend full of studying for my Math 300 class.  It's turning out to be one of my favorites so far.  We have a test on Wednesday and I am determined to be ready.  Speaking of that class I got sassy with the girls behind me this past Wednesday.  They whisper about dumb crap all through class and I finally had enough and turned straight around and looked at them both in their eyeballs and said "Can y'all stop?"  LMAO  I know that wasn't creative, but it just came out.  Maybe they are SO SMART that they don't need help learning the language of math, but I'm not so I want to hear what my teacher is saying and be able to focus.

Anyway.  I'm gonna check on my ani-pals and either do my nails or crash.  I honestly don't know which at this point.  But I hope you have a nice weekend.  If I'm not around it's just because school is keeping me busy.  ❤❤❤