I feel like rambling, so... here I go.

I feel like rambling, so... here I go.

I got some skating in today.  The weather here is really cold in the morning, but sometimes it's the 60s - 70s° F in the afternoon.  Today was gorgeous and I should have spent more time outside, but I did what I felt like doing.  I almost fell on my face due to running over a rock that I didn't see, but I caught myself.  One side of my back hurts a bit when I skate lately.  I don't know if I'm doing my posture wrong or what, but I'm not a huge fan of that.

There is apparently a very nice women's care center here in Cincy and I have an appointment there on Friday.  They do a range of things excluding ob, which is fine because that is not what I need.  I probably need my hormones checked and this IUD checked.  I'm so grateful for the care I'm able to get now that I'm out of Alabama.  I know there is a lot to love about Alabama.  It's beautiful.  But I will never live there again.  I love myself too much to put me through that.

I'm gonna talk about my ears now.  I used to wear earrings all the time, but when I worked at my last job I stopped.  I spent so much time on the phone there that my earrings were uncomfortable and I eventually just said "Screw it" and took them out.  This probably happened in about 2010.  (Btw, I'm not blaming anyone and I wasn't even upset about removing my earrings - it was a choice I made and it was fine.)  My lower lobe piercings were a size 2 gauge at that point, I believe.

I could've decided to start wearing earrings again anytime in the last 5 years because I haven't spent much time with a phone held to my ear, but I never did.  It's no secret that I was in a rut about my appearance by the time I graduated college... and during school there was a lot more to think about than my ears, as was also the case after graduation and with us moving.  And to be honest I was kind of over the "body jewelry / all that's available are barbells / horseshoes / captive-bead-rings / variations on that" type of look.

Anyway, at work a lot of the people have stretched lobes and it looks so good and I have started to miss my holes.  The guys at work usually wear very nice-looking plugs and I finally decided to see if anything had changed since I last shopped for earrings and OH MY.  YES.  YES IT HAS.

Ok, so...there is some really beautiful stuff out there.  Nice wood and stone plugs and tunnels (instead of just metal or acrylic plugs with like, peace signs or someone flipping the bird or pot leaves on them).  Not only that, but there are dangly plugs and tunnels with dangles that thread through!  I'm so fucking excited!!!  I love dangly and pretty earrings!  Obviously, now that I'm making the big bucks I ordered (quite) a few pairs of earrings.  In a size 2 gauge.  That - as you might have guessed - will not even think about fitting in my ear holes. 😂😂😂

That means I had to order some smaller stuff, too, to get back to my old size.  I misjudged and thought I could get a 10 gauge in there... nope.  I've shrank all the way back to a 14 gauge.  I've gotta start over basically from the beginning.  But that's ok.  It's a journey!

I liked my ears at a 2 gauge.  Not too big, but big enough to see through.  I'll be able to wear my old jewelry or my new stuff.  And I've also been thinking of ways to modify my EVEN OLDER regular earrings so that I can wear them, as well.  I love the threading-through tunnels idea.  I think it looks so cute!  I know that's not exactly a new idea, but I definitely like the way it's being done with petite little chains better than what we were doing before.

Well, I have a little bit of homework to do for my job.  Yesterday was the office Halloween party and this precious pupper was there (his name is Chewy and we wore him out with ALL OF THE ATTENTION) and I think most of us got VERY LITTLE done.  Kelsey dressed up as Wednesday Addams.  I went as Three-Hole-Punch Blu.  If you don't get my costume, then you clearly are not a fan of The Office.  The few people who got it appreciated it, so that was nice.  But yeah, we have a group presentation coming up on Tuesday with a test run on Monday, so I'd like to go ahead and get my part finished.

I hope you all are doing well!  I am.  I really am.  I miss home, but I started to realize yesterday how much I'm going to miss my office mates when it's time to head back.  But there are bigger problems to have, so I'll take it.  Talk to you all soon!  ❤️

Someone rescue me...

Someone rescue me from this cold, wet hell. I'm having to defrost my car. Gross.

Today has been rough.

Today has been rough.  I'm about to talk about my period and IUD, so fair warning on that.

I think I'm starting perimenopause.  For much of this past year I've been a sweaty mess at night.  That wasn't a huge sign for me - maybe I was simply hot.  But my current menstrual cycle was (I'll spare you the details) almost a week late and a bit weird.  I'm usually like clockwork, but lately the lead-up to actually bleeding has been longer and longer.  Like I'll feel like it should be here, but it's not.  So PMS has definitely changed for the worse because it's been dragging out.  Such fun.

I was never much of a cramper before, but since having my IUDs I have been.  I can live with cramps, but what hit me this morning had me considering Ubering to an ER (because there is no way I could have driven).  I love my ParaGard IUD, but I'm thinking that our time together has come to an end.  This is not the first time I've felt like I was giving birth to it.  If anyone has ever had one inserted and had their cervix sounded open beforehand, then you know exactly the feeling I'm talking about.  (Btw, that feeling is totally worth it ONE TIME for the security / effectiveness of this birth control, but not so tolerable for a random or monthly occurrence.)

There have been some non-period times that I've sat the wrong way and it hurts in my cervix - which I know is not normal.  There have been quite a few times that has happened and left me catching my breath from the pain.  Today was even worse, though.  I'm kind of wondering if this IUD has embedded in me somewhere.  I can't think of a reason why a cramping uterus would hurt my cervix so much, especially if this never happened before I got this last one.

Anyway.  Fun times.  While I was having the doom cramps and considering just dying in the bathtub so as not to leave a huge mess when I inevitably gave birth to my insides, Shaun was looking up places in my area that I could go for help.  I'll be calling and trying to make an appointment this week because I don't think I can deal with perimenopause changes AND extra pain from an IUD.

Or, I just need to find out if I'm correct with my self-diagnoses here because I could be totally wrong about what's going on.  Either way, today was NOT ok and now that I'm working I don't need to have chunks of time where I am straight-up not functional - especially if they are expected to possibly happen monthly.

After the cramping subsided, I slept for a few more hours and re-started this day.  I've been crampy, but ok since the doom cramps subsided.  Hopefully, that doesn't happen again.

I hope you all are doing well.  I'm not 100%, but I'm ok and I'm hanging in here.  ❤

Every morning I wake up and am SHOCKED...

Every morning I wake up and am SHOCKED by this. Kelsey leaves her coffee and sometimes her breakfast on the counter unattended while she showers. My first instinct is to put it somewhere "safe."

I have endured enough kid spills (as well as cat feet and dog noses) in my food and drink for so long that leaving anything without a lid alone is insanity to me.

Yet here her coffee (and often breakfast) sits, undisturbed. 😳🤯🤯🤯

It really is a whole different world out here for me. 😂😂😂

P. S. I love her cauldron mug. ☕🧹

Now that my love has made it home safely...

Now that my love has made it home safely...

I am so happy that I got to see him.

He was SO exhausted from travel when he arrived on Thursday, but he was a good sport.  He went back to the office with me (we were having a Happy Hour) and hung out for a bit.  He met most of my coworkers and had a drink or two and played with James and I showed him around.  It made me really happy because I want him to know the things that are going on in my life.

He was SUPER hungry so we didn't stay all that long.  I took him to this place called Urban Grill on Main.  I'd been there once and the food was good and they had outdoor seating on their "ark" with heaters.  I wanted to treat him because he's so good to me and he came all this way to be with me.  He got a pretty expensive steak, but he liked it so it was worth it.

After that we went to the hotel.  We normally don't go to fancy ones, but we stayed at The Summit Hotel which was DEFINITELY more upscale than where we normally end up.  It's beautiful and full of art and has tons of food all day - not just breakfast.  They had two levels of indoor parking.  They even offered Room Service, but we didn't take advantage of that.  Shaun booked the hotel and travel and said he found a deal for a price comparable to what we normally pay, so that was nice.  He's a great deal-finder.

He was in town for the BLINK Cincinnati 2022 light festival that went on this weekend, but we didn't make it to that.  I wanted to go, but not more than I wanted to stay in and cuddle with him.  It's getting cold here in Ohio which is NOT my jam.  The day temps were pretty nice, but as you might imagine the BLINK light festival happened at night and outside.  I'm going to look up some pictures and be satisfied with that.

We did go to the Cheesecakery (where I posted some photos from) and those desserts were AMAZING.  I had some Red Velvet Cheesecake pops that were just perfect.  We also tried a Mexican restaurant (because of course we did), but aside from a GIANT mall that's pretty much it.  (I wanted to go to the mall because I saw a girl in a shiny jacket / pants combo and I became obsessed with finding it.  I failed.  But...)

I found a store called Akira and it was playing 90s music and had clothing I would've worn back then... and still now if I had anywhere to wear it to!  They had some ridiculously shiny holographic boots and I STRAIGHT UP got tunnel vision and fell over a bench trying to get to them.  🤣🤣🤣  Y'all don't even understand the pull that "shiny" has over me.  Does that explain my nail polish situation?  Ha.

Anyway, most of the weekend was pretty chill, which was nice.  Shaun kind of roofied himself on allergy medicine either Saturday or Sunday.  I can't even remember.  He hasn't been on his regular allergy meds in over a year, but over the weekend he found himself back in an allergy-inducing environment and took more meds than he needed.  I guess he lost his tolerance, but he got a good nap in! 😂

We watched some shows together and ate and cuddled and slept and hung out and it was so nice.  I have missed him tons, so seeing his face in person was the best thing ever.  I've missed the kids and the animals, too, but the natural way of kids and parents is to have some space as the kids age.  That's not usually the case for spouses.  I've been keeping in touch with everyone, but it's just not the same.  I think Shaun feels much better having seen my current neighborhood and apartment, though - now he knows it's safe.  He also likes my roommate - as I knew he would.

I feel pretty amazing that we are weathering this separation so well.  I trust him with everything - kids, pets, house - anything that's important to me.  And he trusts me, too.  And we both know that this is temporary and that it's for the security of our family, so we can get through this.  I am not usually a holiday person, but this year I'm grateful that they're happening because they're going to give me a break to be home.  And hopefully it'll be less than 8 weeks after the last holiday that I'll be home for good.

Well, I thought I'd pop in and drop a quick little novel... so there you go. Most days I come home after work and crash out. I'm pretty exhausted, and this cold weather only makes me want to curl up in some blankets and rest - which is exactly what I'm about to do now. I hope you all are doing well! ❤️

He's making a face...

He's making a face because I'm taking pictures of him (my eye candy) and the other desserts. I literally do not care. It's a coffee shop and cheesecake bakery. Look at this yumminess!

Chillin' outside and waiting for our drinks. Can't wait to dig in!

Look who's visiting! ❤️

Look who's visiting! ❤️

Me and Kelsey...

Me and Kelsey went to a tiny skate park after work. It even had a shallow bowl! But I was too scared to go in it. I guess I don't need to put myself in the hospital before Shaun comes to see me. 😂

I've had a pretty chill weekend.

I've had a pretty chill weekend. I sat around on the computer for most of yesterday. I found out that my phone is backing up far more stuff to my Google account than necessary, so I cleaned that out and changed some settings. I ate cereal and talked to Shaun. I also ate some delicious pumpkin bread that Kelsey made.

Today the weather is too beautiful to resist. Earlier, I skated for a bit and then showered. More recently I felt compelled to go walking around the apartment complex and I took some pictures of the trees and other plants. There is one tree that I think is super cute. Another, I used to think was ugly... but it's growing on me. And some of them are changing color and showing out. It's actually really beautiful here. I do love being surrounded by nature - as long as I am not the one having to fight it back. 😂😂😂

Anyway, I am off to try Kelsey's potato soup. Then I'll probably do my nails.

I hope you all are having a lovely day! ❤️

Passed my CAD.

Passed my CAD. There were some technical difficulties and it took over an hour to get the test started, but I finally did! I'm excited to have that checked off the list.

We're also officially halfway through the training program, so that's exciting. I'll be a full-on Technical Consultant in no time!

I gotta study for my CAD exam retake tomorrow, but FIRST:

I gotta study for my CAD exam retake tomorrow, but FIRST:  THESE SHOES. When I say they set my little "teenager in the 90s" heart aflutter I am dead serious. They were on sale so yes - I have a pair of each color. They are so SHINY and BEAUTIFUL and bring me SO MUCH joy.

Anyone who knew me back then knows funky shoes were my jam... and the taller, the better due to my lack of height. 😂 Now I gotta get some tall socks because I didn't bring any tall ones with me.

Also, unrelated (but I'm proud of it):  I drove to work and back today without navigation for the first time. 

Anyway, don't judge me. I'm out here tryna live my best life. 😁😁😁

I had to re-start this day around 4 pm.

I had to re-start this day around 4 pm. I fell asleep for a while not long after I got up having decided to do things. I guess my body had other plans. I'm glad that I don't feel sick from my vaccines, but I definitely do feel extra tired. My body must be very busy.

I did some work stuff and the cleaning I'd planned on. I'm gonna put away a little bit of laundry, and then I am probably done for the night.

Kelsey is always super productive on the weekends. She wakes up early, gets groceries, cleans, cooks meals for the week, and manages to do some work stuff, too. I really thought I sort of had my shit together... until I met her. 😂😂😂 I'm just kidding. I'm doing fine, but she is next-level energetic. Maybe it'll rub off on me while we're here together.

This is PART of the food she made today. Lentil soup and fresh-baked bread. My soup is usually from a can with "bag of bread" cheese toast, so this was definitely an upgrade. She also made baked beans and potato salad. I haven't tried that yet, but I will tomorrow!

Goodnight, friends. I have a feeling that I'll be crashing out soon. ❤️

I've been a lazy lump today.

I've been a lazy lump today. I think my body needed the rest. I'm not feeling sick at all, but my arms sure are sore! 😂😂😂

Currently catching some sunbeams like a cat and waiting for the Ibuprofen to kick in. 😂

It's been a little minute...

It's been a little minute since I have checked in, so here I am.  I'll try not to get TOO long-winded here.

Today I got my COVID booster, a flu shot, and a tetanus shot.  Why not go all in, I guess?  I may have regrets tomorrow, but for now I'm ok - just a little sore.  After I got home I went skating and did some laundry.  Super exciting day, no?

Earlier this week I failed my CAD (Certified App Developer) Exam.  On the bright side, I failed it JUST BARELY.  I was actually pretty shocked that I failed it because I felt good about most of the questions, but after getting my breakdown back it looks like most of the questions I missed were in one section (all sections have to be either above 70 or above 75 to pass), so missing more in one section is what got me.  My scores were passing in all but one category.  But at least I know what to work on!

I am weirdly not upset by this failure.  College had me stressed and kicking my own ass every time I didn't do as well as I felt that I should have, but this whole environment is so different.  It's not going to cost me thousands of dollars or months of time to re-take the exam, and those things happening were real possibilities in college because there were no do-overs.  I can take this exam a couple more times before I'm in trouble.  I think I'll pass on my next try, though, because I was already close.  Kelsey keeps reminding me that I was sick and not on top of my game last week and over the weekend, which is true, so it just is what it is.  🤷🏻 

Other news?  I feel like it has finally sank in that I'm here for a while... that this is my life.  Like, I'm gonna be here for more than 3 months, actually.  From August - November is training, and then I'll be put on a transition team for 2 - 3 more months before I am able to come back and work from home.  I'm not excited about that, but I'll be ok.  I just really miss my family.  Shaun, the kids, the animals, my house that I love, the new friends I've made... it was a lot to leave behind.  But Cincy is charming.  I'm in a very nice area in a nice apartment and everything is clean and well-kept here and in the neighborhoods around me.  I'm making friends here, too.  Kelsey, obviously.  But there are also some cool people at work.

Shaun is going to visit me soon.  I'm planning to be home for the holidays, so there is that.  Hopefully it will break up some of the away-ness and make it easier to hang in here.  I'm not thinking about leaving or anything - this is the kind of opportunity that you don't pass up.  But it's not easy.  I guess if it was, then more people would do it.  And I did not spend 5 hard (yet rewarding) years in college to earn an opportunity like this only to say "Nah."  I'm here.  I'm settled.  I'm learning.  It's hard, but I can do hard things.  It'll be ok.

Anyway, that's about all that's on my mind.  I'm about to get ready for bed because it's late-ish here.  I hope you all are doing well.  If you're not, keep trying!  That's my plan, anyway.  Goodnight.  ❤️