Out of the Blū: September 2025

Monday, September 29, 2025

Friday, I saw a balloon launching on the way to class.

Friday, I saw a balloon launching on the way to class. Today, there was a whole flock. The view when they were rising in front of the mountain was spectacular, but it wasn't a safe time for photography, so you get the power line view instead because I was stopped at a light.

Sunday, September 28, 2025

Press-On Update for the No Natural Apex Gang:

I've found a thick glue that's working.

It fills in the gap.

It's less messy.

It comes with a remover.

I can't send this out with the nails, unfortunately, but if you're definitely going to wear press-on nails, then I would say to try it out. It will last through several sets and will likely be worth it.

My nails will come with glue and a small application kit, but it's not thick glue like this.

Curvlife Quick Drying Semi Solid Nail Glue

Friday, September 26, 2025

My Kitty Cat, Scar, when he knows it's time for his inhaler.

My Kitty Cat, Scar, when he knows it's time for his inhaler. He lays right by it and waits.

Don't get me wrong - he's 100% a brat, but he's also a good kitty. 😂❤️

I had to recover from a headache when I got home from class.

I had to recover from a headache when I got home from class. I had a pretty good day; I'm still really enjoying myself. ...But I did get stressed and internally melted down because I couldn't find a file in my computer. 😬

I was supposed to be learning to use Tailwind for my projects, but instead I was panicking and searching my folders and repositories for a file I'd just used the previous day, or possibly the day before. I was hung up and couldn't stop spinning out for about 45 minutes. It was so dumb.

I eventually found the file and made a note in my Rocketbook about its location. We'd done something different in class and weren't uploading those files to the student server like we had been, so that was part of my confusion.

Anyway, I was fine after that, although headachey. I don't love it when I lose control of my brain like that, but I did need part of the data in that file to move on to the next thing, so it wasn't completely unwarranted. But I know that even if I hadn't needed it I would have done the same thing. I struggle to make progress when things are in disarray or don't make sense or I feel lost. I need to feel oriented and calm to be at my best.

Week 2 of 12 is in the books. I feel like I've learned so much. I have a lot of homework this weekend, but that's to be expected. At least I'm really into doing it. 😊

The couch is lumpy and just sneezed. 😂

I only had to use one streak freeze...

I only had to use one streak freeze, and I missed that day by literally 2 minutes. I forgot that Duo doesn't operate on Blu time - by that I mean it's the same day if I haven't gone to sleep. 😂😂😂

Thursday, September 25, 2025

Bear said "What's on your head, Papa?" 😂

I don't know how he fell in again. 🤦🏻

He's been knowing where the splash-pad and stairs are since last year, but I'm starting to think he might like taking a dip. 😂😂😂 I have no explanation for why he's done this so much this summer.

We watched this in class today.

We watched this in class today. It's pretty interesting if you like nerd stuff. 😊

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

We're officially starting on our Personal Website Projects in class...

We're officially starting on our Personal Website Projects in class and I'm so excited I could puke. 😂

Shadow gave me a snack for school this morning.

Shadow gave me a snack for school this morning. I have the sweetest kid. ❤️❤️❤️

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Bear doing the most this morning. 😂😂😂

He also had me on the class Zoom looking crazy. He was snatching the blanket off the back of my chair and pulling me backwards. I don't know if anyone saw it, but I know it looked questionable.

Come get y'alls nephew. 😂

Sunday, September 21, 2025

My flat ass pancake nail beds...

So this is one of the Natural-style press-ons against one of my bare nails. The Natural style of press-on has a lower apex than the Sculpted, and I think that any apex at all is too much for me, as evidenced by all of the space between my nail and the bottom of the press-on.

If I wanted to wear these, I think I'd need to fill in that gap with a hard gel and then glue it on. But that's a lot of trouble.

What I did when applying these was apply glue, then jam them down to my flat nail bed until they dried. Jamming them down flat caused them to push under my cuticle. Also, when I released them, of course they returned to the rounded shape, pulling my flat ass pancake nail beds with them.

Needless to say, it was not a good time. 0/10 stars, do NOT recommend. My nail beds and cuticles are still sore and I removed them on Friday.

This is why a sizing kit is super important. Be better than me. Don't hurt yourself over nails. Make sure you order a good fit and don't force anything that's not working.

For comparison, this is Shaun's nail bed. He has a very strong apex. He'd probably fit perfectly into one of these nails.

These bloomed yesterday and they're giving me life.

These bloomed yesterday and they're giving me life. They're so pretty!

Bear is enjoying them, too. For such a wild child, he's very gentle when smelling the flowers.

I love how sweet he is with "our" plants. He's the best helper in the land! 😊❤️

It's 4pm.

It's 4pm. This is the first time I've picked up my phone today. I have only left my bed to feed the cats and pee. I've been half awake, half asleep, in my head.

I am not ready to engage with anyone yet.

What is this called? I don't feel depressed. But maybe a little overwhelmed?

Help me with the words, please.

Is it a thing to not be ready to be a person yet?

Saturday, September 20, 2025

This is Shaun's favorite thing about me. 😂😂😂 /sarcasm

He's like "What is all of this stuff in the bed? Why is everything on the couch?"

Because I NEED IT! 😂😂😂

Friday, September 19, 2025

I'm writing this little posty-post...

I'm writing this little posty-post, having a late dinner, and dragging my tired butt to bed.

The first week of Web Development bootcamp is officially behind me.

I don't think I realized until this week that I am getting actual college credit for taking this class at CNM. Like, I'm really a student again. I get my student ID on Monday. I am not complaining. I just thought it was like a career thing or something, and not considered an actual class. So that's neat.

This is 100% everything I wanted it to be (so far). Even before it officially began on Monday, I was learning things through the pre-work and making connections with people.

For example, part of the pre-work was an HTML course on LinkedIn. I took it, even though I've been messing with HTML since the days of Myspace. I knew from my time at JSU that it's a markup for web pages, basically the bones of your website. But this course on LinkedIn went IN DEPTH, like, telling the difference between <em> and <i> (which both make things appear in italics) or the difference between <strong> and <b> (which both make things appear bold). [If you care, the difference is that they are dependent on the context of the needed bold or italics.] Also, <center> is deprecated. I didn't know that. HTML has officially left as much styling as possible to CSS.

I wasn't too concerned about picking up HTML or CSS because I've dabbled in them for ages and felt ok about it. JavaScript has been hard for me for many years, though, and I feel like I'm finally starting to get it. We have 5 small coding assignments to do, due Tuesday. We did the first (and easiest one) together as a class so the teacher could show us how to run and check them. I finished one yesterday, and two today. I'm mostly done with my 5th (it's supposed to be a challenge for extra credit), but we haven't gone over the information I need to complete it. I asked the teacher if I was allowed to Google, and he asked me what I was doing. I told him, and he told me to just wait for the material on Monday. I told him I thought it was labeled a "challenge" for extra credit because it was harder because we didn't know what we were doing yet. 😂 So I'm feeling really good about things so far. And I'm really enjoying all of my homework. There is just kind of a LOT of it.

Even though things are moving at a fast pace, there is a lot of hands-on work and problem-solving and I really think it's what I needed. I've been curious how all of this works together for a long time, so I'm very interested in all of it. Our instructors take the time to explain everything really in-depth. Maybe I needed my hand held to pick up JavaScript. Or maybe repeated exposure to it is finally paying off. Or maybe the fact that I'm doing this for myself and not a grade or work has taken the pressure off and I can just think and absorb and try without pressure. I don't know. But I'm really proud that I've completed 3.5 coding assignments after only 1 week with just referencing my notes (and 1 small Google because I knew what I was trying to say, but not the syntax for saying it). It's a big deal for me.

I also love my classmates. We're a mix of everything. We have 5 girls and 4 guys. We have at least 2 people who have moved to the US from other countries, possibly 3. One person is Native. We're from all different backgrounds/levels of experience. And we're just having the best time getting to know each other and help each other. I think I'm gonna be so busy and having so much fun that these next 11 weeks are going to fly by.

Anyway, that's how it's going. Great so far!

Here's a pic of one of the code assignments from today. 🙂 I know it's not very impressive to anyone who knows how to do this already, but I'm so grateful to be making progress!

We take Habibi's tower when she eats...

We take Habibi's tower when she eats because we know she'll poop soon after and we don't want poop on the tower because it's hard to clean.

She really loves her tower, though. She's giving it a little hug! 😊

I got the nails off.

I got the nails off. It's the first thing I did when I got home today.

I soaked them for almost an hour in hot, soapy water.

I might try them again in a few months, but in a different shape, or maybe I'll try the techniques that Robin and Jilanee mentioned on my last post.

And maybe I'll use sticky tabs instead of glue.

We'll see. 😂

Thursday, September 18, 2025

My nails are too flat for my own press-on nails...

My nails are too flat for my own press-on nails, which I found out after lopping my nails off in preparation to put a set on. 🙁

I persevered regardless, got glue everywhere, ripped off a couple of fingerprints, messed up a pair of scissors, and now my nail beds are aching. I think I'm about to soak these off. Thankfully, I only applied them to one hand before realizing that this was a terrible idea. 😂

I'm a dang mess. I love doing nail art, but I have the worst luck with enhancements because of how flat my nails are. I have a decent c-curve, but no natural apex/arch at all when you view my nails from the side.

I still try enhancements out every few years, anyway. I guess just to make sure nothing has changed. 😂😂😂

I gotta water my babies this weekend.

I gotta water my babies this weekend. I'm excited to spend some time in the greenhouse. 😊

Afk time.

Afk time. Making a post office run with the pups. Bear is getting some sniffs out the window.

Look at my baby goblin. 😂😊

I think these guys like it in my sunny bathroom.

I think these guys like it in my sunny bathroom. They're both growing like crazy!

The big one is the leaf you gave me, Caitlin!

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Baby dog! ❤️

I love his funny face. 😊

Monday, September 15, 2025

Got these today! I'm so happy.

I'm planning to mail the sizing kits tomorrow. If you want one and haven't let me know, now would be a good time! ❤️

Home from the first day of class.

Home from the first day of class. It went well. But I'm exhausted and have homework.

Also, Google said it would take me 36 minutes to get to class. I left with an hour to get there, and was still 5 minutes late. 😬 I guess I will leave even earlier next time.

Bear just got paid $103 for going viral. 😂

I guess he's slowly, but surely paying us back for his knees. 😂😂😂

Best thing about morning traffic in Albuquerque:

Saturday, September 13, 2025

Toebean makes some serious biscuits...

Toebean makes some serious biscuits after Bear goes to bed. He's kneading through this blanket and my clothes and I still feel it. Some of the cats don't mind if we trim their claws, but he has strong opinions about it.

If I don't pay enough attention to him before he settles down to cuddle, he grabs my skin (arms and/or hands) with claws and demands to be petted.

I can't complain too much, though. I do value direct communication. 😂

Friday, September 12, 2025

Orientation was today.

Orientation was today. It went well.

There are 9 people in the Web Development boot camp. Five of us are women!

This is the first time I've ever seen us outnumber guys in a STEM class.

Shaun is doing his best.

Shaun is doing his best. We're in the same league this week. 😁

Thursday, September 11, 2025

These are the first 2 sets I wanted to sell, but...

These are the first 2 sets I wanted to sell, but the mood nails are a mess. That pigment would be better suited to nail art rather than a whole set. It peels and flakes easily, and I can't sell that to anyone. They do look amazing, though. There will definitely be new sets featuring it encapsulated in gel so it won't budge. 😉

I found out that my shipping cards and sizing kits should arrive Monday, so I'm super excited about that. I've got a few friends who want a sizing kit, so I should be able to mail those out on Tuesday. I'm getting ready to send shape and length choices over to those who have previously inquired. I might need to add some measurements to the charts, though, so expect that later tonight. I'm trying my best to make sure this is an easy process.

I'm super thankful to everyone who has encouraged me along the way. If y'all scroll back about 12 years, the difference between where I started and where I am now is night and day. ❤️❤️❤️

This one fell off, too. 🙁

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

I'm not-so-patiently waiting...

I'm not-so-patiently waiting for my mailing cards to come in so I can start listing nails.

I did these tonight. It's been forever since I've done nail art, and I miss it.

Pardon my own grown-out mess. I'll get to them. 😂

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Just had a little rain come through.

Monday, September 8, 2025

It's cooling off, so we spent a little time outside today.

Cub is a house dog. He laid out for a while, then went back to the couch. Bear shook the ever-loving shit out of Shaun's shoe, then took a break to dangle his feet in the pool with us. 😂

I'm telling you, he's a big participator. 😊❤️

Sunday, September 7, 2025

Bruh.

Bruh. If I ever lose Shaun, I swear I'm not even gonna attempt to find another person who's so willing to try to understand me.

I've discovered that I struggle with transitions. It's probably yet another neurodivergent thing to add to the list of things I'm learning that I struggle with. There's been a lot of discomfort in my life, and I didn't always understand why or what the cause was. But the more I learn about neurodivergence, the more I feel like I understand myself.

Shaun does this thing sometimes where he tells me "Goodnight" and kisses me. Then he brushes his teeth and comes back through and starts talking to me again. And it's SUPER FRUSTRATING for me. I get grumpy because I feel anxious. Then he's like "Are you mad? Is something wrong?" and I'm just like "I'm fine! I just want you to go to bed!" which (understandably) does not assure him that something isn't wrong. 😂😂😂

Because once he tells me "Goodnight" I have transitioned very quickly into "Not-Shaun time." Him starting to talk to me again is prolonging the transition and causing me discomfort. I said that to him a few minutes ago and he was like, "Oh, so you shut down after "Goodnight."" and I'm like "YES!"

So I think he'll stop talking to me after telling me goodnight. I feel like I sound like an asshole, but I hope he does. 😂 It would be much less frustrating.

In general, I struggle with going to bed and waking up/getting up. If I'm ENGAGED in an activity, I will not stop to eat or use the bathroom or sleep until I literally feel sick from not eating or it feels like a bathroom emergency or I'm passing out from exhaustion. I've been this way for as long as I've been out on my own and left to my own devices.

I have zero balance. I'm either going hard or doing nothing. I don't really have a moderate/medium setting. And I am quite sure it's frustrating for the people around me at times, but I don't know what to do about it.

I feel like routines are important for me, especially in the morning and at night when I have to take medication. If my morning gets thrown off (like it did on Friday when I was woken up early to get my flu shot), then I'm grumpy until I get back to something that is part of my routine. On the instance of Friday, it was walking with Caitlin. I was fine once she picked me up and my routine was resumed. Before that, I asked Shaun and the kids to please stop talking to me. 😂

(And I could only be so honest with Shaun and the kids because I rarely mask for them anymore. They know me and understand me. I really suck it up for almost everyone else, though - often to my own detriment. But I'm working on that.)

The problem is that strict schedules feel like prison, so I struggle with them, too, even though they are helpful for me. So, I really don't know how to win at this, but I understand if anyone feels frustrated with me, because, I, too, often feel frustrated with myself. 😂 I've wondered for literally YEARS why I can't just function like a "normal" person and I believe I'm slowly, but surely discovering my answer. Fun stuff.

Anyway. I hope y'all are doing well. I'm mostly good. Just prepping for the bootcamp and inching closer to making press-on nails to sell. I've invested time and money into it, so I hope it works out. I guess we'll see.

Saturday, September 6, 2025

We got our flu shots yesterday...

We got our flu shots yesterday and I slept a lot today. My arm doesn't hurt much at all, but I have been RUN DOWN. I managed to do a ridiculously small amount of housework today. Now I'm off to see if my brain can focus on some reading for the bootcamp pre-work. If not, I'm going back to sleep. 😂