I had a good day, but...

I had a good day, but I'm sleepy and ready for bed. I've tried to go to bed like, twice already but keep having to get up. Once because my little old man peed his bed and most recently because the dryer just ruined one of my jackets (and likely itself) by eating a zipper. It's great to be jolted out of almost sleep by a grinding metal sound. 😒

I'm back in bed again. Paws crossed I don't have to get up again until morning.

We need someone in the Anniston area...

We need someone in the Anniston area to cut grass and weed-eat the ditch. They will need their own mower and weed-eater. Give me your recommendations, please!

I am having a rough day.

I am having a rough day. I have PMS. My back hurts, my front hurts, and I'm SO unbelievably grumpy. Every little thing is bothering me, and a couple of big things, too. Trying my best to keep my composure. 😠😡🤬

I finally decided to update my resume...

I finally decided to update my resume and wouldn't you know - I can't remember the password to my computer. 😂😂😂😭😭😭

So I learned of the existence of polarized sunglasses the other day...

So I learned of the existence of polarized sunglasses the other day...

Just...

WOW.

I've been wearing prescription glasses with transition lenses FOREVER (since probably high school), so I haven't needed a pair of sunglasses in ages. The last time I knew anything about sunglasses is when I was a little kid and the lenses were dark and made everything dark.

For those of you who don't know - transition lenses don't transition when you're in the car and sometimes not in other bright-but-not-direct-sun situations, too. That's a bummer. Also, really bright sunlight can be a migraine trigger for me so that is super bad.

Needless to say I've ordered a pair of prescription polarized sunglasses from Zenni because there are a lot of times in my life that those would have been great to have. I'm really excited to get them. I'm still keeping my transition lenses for mostly indoor use, but yeah. Driving and going outside and even working with my plants in that bright space is about to get a whole lot easier. 😎

Y'all, yesterday was WILD.

Y'all, yesterday was WILD.  Don't get excited; I mean WILD by my standards.  😂

First of all I think that due to my anxiety medication I wasn't feeling especially anxious, but I could NOT sleep the night before my exam.  I tried.  I laid in bed with my eyes shut.  I took Melatonin.  I tried reading myself to sleep on a dark screen (that usually does it).  But nothing worked.  So yesterday - the morning of my test - I finally got out of my bed and all I had was brain fog.  GREAT start, Blu.

I studied a little here and there but overall tried not to stress myself.  I went to the kids house to take the exam because we have terrible internet out here in Talladega so I knew that wasn't going to work.  Kira was nice enough to let me use her bedroom (my old bedroom).  It was away from the TV as well as light and bright and familiar.

I'd taken tests for school with the teacher watching us via our built-in webcams thanks to the pandemic, but this exam required a separate webcam looking at us with a side view from about 6 feet away.  The setup required for that took some preparation.  We got it all set where it could see the things required and then I banished my phone to the living room with Shaun and the kids so I could log in and get started.

For anyone unfamiliar with online testing this exam was conducted using Sentinel - a software that basically locks down your computer screen to only the testing window.  That was all fine and good except that I waited for 45 minutes to be verified and checked in (more on that later) before I got bored of waiting and asked Shaun for my phone.  (Note that they said they were experiencing a high testing volume and that my wait could be more than 15 minutes.)  Upon getting my phone I checked my email and had received over 30 minutes prior a message stating that there was a problem with my connection and to contact tech support.

So I exited the browser and contacted tech support.  We did some troubleshooting with my webcams, she (THANKFULLY) rescheduled my exam for a few minutes away (instead of some other day), and I tried again.  Aaaand... my computer froze up entirely before I got to the testing window.  I waited, hoping it would un-freeze.  No such luck.  Finally, I restarted it and tried AGAIN.  Got much further in the process, but lost the connection again.  Shoot me.  I was just about to close the browser and contact tech support again when I got a message window with a person asking to verify me.  That was a whole thing.

Earlier we'd carefully set up so that the webcam could see me from 6 feet away.  The verification process didn't give a shit about that.  😂😂😂  Have you ever tried to look at a screen (to line up your face in a green box) and a 6-feet-away webcam (that has to see you up close) at the same time?  I called Shaun in the room to help me.  Then I had to show the webcam my ID... but they made us turn auto-focus off so that was a whole thing, too.  Then I had to use the webcam to show ALL of the room (walls, floor, ceiling, testing area... even my glasses) to be verified.  Finally, I had Shaun put it back about where we had it in the beginning so I could start my test.

Ok, as annoying as it was, all of that is good to know.  Next time I'll just have the external webcam at the top of my screen until after I show my face and my ID and pan around the room.  Maybe we'll just figure out where it needs to sit to see me the best and mark it with some tape beforehand so I'll know where to put it after all of the verification is done.

FINALLY, almost an hour and a half after my originally scheduled test time I started my test.  I knew ahead of time that the test had 60 questions and that to pass I needed 70%, or 42 questions correct (meaning I could miss 18).  I went through and did the ones I knew for sure and marked the others for review.  I had 23 that I wasn't sure on.  I basically logic-ed my way through those.  They don't give us a percent or a chance to see what we missed.  All I know is that I passed.

You would think that after ALL OF THAT I'd be celebrating.  Well, I was happy but I also know that I get let-down migraines after a stressful time is over so I came prepared with my medication.  I already had a headache creeping in so I took it and Shaun got us some tasty food to celebrate and then I basically crashed out.  After no sleep the night before and the stress of even getting to the exam - much less the taking of it - I was done for.  I texted a few people and that was it for me.  I slept SO LONG, but I needed it.

Now I'm off to water some plants and chill.  I would like to update my resume and all that, but it can wait.  I have thirsty plants and I've spent too much time on the couch (studying) as it is.  So today is a good day to move my body, I think.  I hope you all are doing well!  ❤

I passed!

I passed!

I got my System Administrator Certification!!!

Kind of graphic but she's ok.

TRIGGER WARNING:  Graphic Photos, Animal... Discomfort?
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Kind of graphic but she's ok. It's just too interesting not to share.

I scanned the comments and got the story:

This girl was eating a rabbit and her tooth got stuck in it - causing her head to be swallowed (into her own self) with it. 😳😳😳 She righted herself after a while without her human having to help. He said he wouldn't have known what to do, anyway.

I'm glad she survived. I wonder how often this happens...

Snakes are weird. I don't know what I'd do if I found our Bruce in this situation. Probably call 911. 😂😂😂

Credit:  Luke Roland Martin on Facebook

I've been studying hard...

I've been studying hard for my certification and the exam is tomorrow. It's going to have 60 questions. When making flashcards for myself I ended up with over 450; if I'm over-prepared then so be it. I want it BAD. I know what job I want and I'm going hard for it.

I know the material really well and I understand it so I'm feeling good. If I fail I'll try to make a mental note of where I messed up and try again (you don't get feedback). But hopefully that doesn't happen because I can't really see how it's possible I've missed any material. I've been thorough and read the book several times.

Anyway... if I've been quiet - that's why. I hope you all are well! ❤️

Ok, so I'm wondering what in the world I said...

Ok, so I'm wondering what in the world I said to make Facebook advertise this to me. 😂😂😂 I mean, yeah, they hit the nail on the head with Lume Deodorant and the Binder Clip handbag that I couldn't live without, but... I'm not into jewelry, metal, or touching things I'm not going to eat or kiss to my lips / mouth (lip balm excluded) so this is way out in left field. Maybe they just used me for free advertising... 🤔🧐🤯

After the terrible "vomit so hard I piss myself" migraine I had...

After the terrible "vomit so hard I piss myself" migraine I had some weeks ago I decided that I wasn't ok.  I'm 100% sure that it had everything to do with my upcoming certification exam, but that doesn't change the fact that I become completely incapacitated when my stress level gets too high and that is just a big downward spiral in the making.  Thankfully I had a telehealth appointment with my doctor coming up and she helped me get right.

My doctor told me I was taking a very small dose of my antianxiety and gave me the freedom to gradually up my dose until I felt that my anxiety (and therefore my tension - which is a big migraine trigger for me) was controlled.  That has been a life-saver.  I'm still not at the max dose of the antianxiety which is great because that leaves me some wiggle room in case I need to up my dose again.  Weirdly, I would say that things are pretty chill here because I really only have the deadlines that I put on myself, but as some of you may have noticed I am terribly HARD on myself sometimes so I guess it makes sense.

Another thing I did was cut out having my morning tea.  For about a year I have LIVED for having a little bit of Chai in some milk every morning.  I know that caffeine is a migraine trigger for me (and can also contribute to anxiety) but I would mix it so that it was mostly milk with a slight Chai flavor and never had any issues.  It was a wonderful way to start my day, but I quit it cold turkey.  You would think with the minimal amount of caffeine I was getting that it wouldn't be a big deal but I did have headaches for a few days.  That indicated to me that I was getting enough caffeine for it to affect me on some level and reinforced my decision to stop consuming it.  Thankfully I am over that and feeling pretty good.

I think the worst thing I have going on health-wise right now is that I sit too much (not always, but lately I'm studying so I'm plopped on the couch with my lappy) and that I have trouble falling asleep at night.  I need to work on some better sleep habits.  My psoriasis is flaring a little bit; since it's an autoimmune thing I can't help but wonder if my recent vaccine has something to do with that.  In any case it's not bad and I'm not upset.  I'd much rather have it on my skin than in my bones!

Anyway.  I've been level enough to put some real effort into studying for my certification and I feel pretty good about it so far.  I'm enjoying the study material a lot and if getting this certification means I get to do the kind of work that I am studying for then I am meant for this.  The platform, the organization of it all, being able to streamline and customize things... I know I'm nerding out but damn I'm excited.  I am so ready to start my career and see where it takes me.  😁😁😁

Well, with that I am off to study and get on with it.  I hope you all are doing well.  ❤

How is it that...

How is it that as soon as Shaun's head hits the pillow / Sindar's head hits my butt they are both snoring? I used to be the one to fall asleep fast. At least they're cute. 😍😂

This is a whole mess, but it's the best I've got.

This is a whole mess, but it's the best I've got. I guess I'm keeping the long pot with the weirdest pieces. 😂😂😂

Crazy Aloe Update:

My big pots came in so... I'm back at it. The left piece is literally growing into a triangle. How do I pot this crazy thing?! So many pieces of this plant are similar or doing something else just as weird. 😂

It's been a minute...

It's been a minute since I posted an update about how life is going so that's what this is.

Shaun and I have made some good progress in regards to emptying / organizing this house.  Family picked up two heirloom bedroom suites of furniture over the weekend so that means we've almost got bedrooms for the kids cleaned out out here.  For the last 6 months we've been slowly but surely cleaning out rooms of the house, as well as the basement, garage, and workshop, not to mention working on the house in Anniston.  Kind of squished into all of that is me studying for my CSA which is coming up this month.

We recently rented a 20 yard dumpster because, well, we needed to.  After Shaun did stuff like replacing the toilets and a sink or two and doing some other repairs and then us cleaning the basement where it had flooded way back and then also us hauling some larger junk to here from the house in Anniston and on and on and on... we legit filled that dumpster up.  It was picked up this morning, thank goodness.  Now all that is left is a garage full of stuff that I think (hope) the family will claim and / or yard sale at their church.  I will be so happy to finally have all of this extra stuff dispensed with - including the house in Anniston.

Speaking of - the house in Anniston doesn't need a lot of work, thank goodness.  It is pretty close to being put on the market which I am VERY excited about.  I really don't like being so far away from the kids (I know they are 21 but they are still kidults).  I also would REALLY prefer them to be here for this stupid tornado weather because there is a basement out here.  Yes, they are good and they come when bad weather is imminent, but I always hated being run out of my house as a kid and I hate doing it to them, too.  It is not a good feeling to be on either end of that situation.

Anyway, we've been busy pretty consistently but I think we got a lot done the last few days especially.  (Or maybe it just feels that way because of the mostly empty bedrooms and the full dumpster being gone.)  For whatever reason, though, I woke up this morning with a tension headache and I ended up mostly sleeping today because of it.  If I hadn't it would have turned into a migraine and that is the last thing I wanted.  I've been feeling good lately (physically / mentally / emotionally) so I don't know what brought it on.  I'm ok-ish at the moment but concerned about being able to sleep tonight.

With that I'm off to rest my body and work my mind.  One of my hands hurts and I'm not sure if I strained it while moving something or if my PSA is flaring up.  In any case I'm about it give it a few days off.  I need to order some nice deep pots for the rest of that aloe and maybe by the time they arrive I'll be up for potting the big crazy pieces.  But for now I need to study.  I hope you all are doing well.  ❤❤❤

So these are the most, uh...

So these are the most, uh... interesting-looking plants I've ever potted. 😂😂😂 The plants are bent and twisty AND their roots are, too. It took me close to 3 hours to manage 7 pots of this aloe. The largest and most unwieldy pieces are still in the pink tote. I think I'm going to need some deeper pots. I've got the potted ones sitting outside and I'm hoping they'll start reaching upwards towards the sun soon. If not, well... they'll have personality. 😜

Late Father-in-Laws aloe uprooted and in a plastic tub.

Late Father-in-Laws aloe uprooted and in a plastic tub. I don't know how that thing was alive. So much of that was growing off of 3 large plants. That's wild.

Same cat for scale (Adrian). She's my lovey helper. She likes to lay in my lap when I work on plants. And by "lay" I mean roll around. 😂 We call her Rollie Pollie. She's about the only cat who behaves when I'm working on plants. Except that she just almost peed in my box of dirt, but that was an honest mistake and I forgive her. 😂😂😂 Look at her sweet li'l face.

If you need me today...

If you need me today - let me just stop you right there. I'm FINALLY repotting my late Father-in-Laws aloe (cat for scale). All of the relatives are getting a piece of this plant. Y'all hear me? ALL OF YOU. 👀

I need to pee, but...

I need to pee, but Sindar is snoring on my butt and it's adorable.

Why is my life so hard?!

The randomness of today:

The randomness of today:

I've been dragging today.  I can't blame that entirely on my COVID vaccination; I couldn't fall asleep last night so I took a sleep aid and they usually make me drag the next day.  Of course the vaccine could have something to do with it, but if it does then that just means it's working.  🙂  I do have a sore, red, swollen place on my arm at the injection site which I definitely can and will blame the vaccination for.  Other than that I am doing ok.

I saw this morning that there is a new reusable menstrual disc on the market so of course I ordered it.  It's PRETTY.  It also looks like it has a nice rim for removal so that's cool.  I like bonus features.  😃  (To everyone I said I'd mail some trial disposable menstrual discs to - I did.  They should arrive by Monday!  After y'all try them if you like them I can help you decide which reusable would be a good match if you want.  Please always feel free to message me about this stuff because I love helping people live their best lives!)

Anyway, neither me nor Shaun felt like doing anything today but the kids kept calling and freaking out about a bird in the wall.  We finally went over there and it turns out a juvenile squirrel had fallen into the wall from a hole in the attic.  Shaun tossed a sheet down the wall and pulled him up and he or she ran off - so that was a good sign.  Shaun closed up the hole so hopefully it won't happen again.  I'm just glad it wasn't a baby anything.  I'm also glad it wasn't a "cut a hole in the wall" type situation.  I guess that was our adventure for the day.

Now we're home and I'm ready to crash.  We have some things we need to move tomorrow and Sunday and I'm super duper hoping that we have the energy to get it done.  Maybe it'll help me work some of this soreness out of my arm.  We shall see.  Have a good night, friends!  ❤

Me and Shaun just got our first shots!

Me and Shaun just got our first shots! Went to Wal-Mart to curbside pickup a prescription and asked if they had any cancellations today. It's the first time I've been in Wal-Mart in over a year. My adrenaline is up, but it's worth it.

Seriously.

Seriously.

If you had a problem with his protest, tell me:  How was he supposed to do it better?

She / they (the first 12 lines sum it up for me personally).

She / they (the first 12 lines sum it up for me personally).