1 Week and counting

I'm in the process of writing this paper and I am distracting myself, because I am so excited for this class to be completed and to have graduated.

Edit: It's now been a week. Paper is written and graded :)

I only have 1 more report to do and turn in next Sunday. One more week of forums. And then I will be done! Graduated ! It is sooo relieving. And exciting.

Next, next I get to see my son, as he graduates from BMT. That is a whole new level of excitement. I am so damn proud of my son. He has rocked this, and pushed through and succeeded.

Life is hectic, but good. I am just - Happy :)

By this time next week, it will be a whole new happy :)

2020 Vision

A new year, a new decade...

Can you believe it's almost 2020??

It slightly boggles the mind how much has happened in the last year.

I can not believe my kid is about to leave for boot camp, how much he's matured (and still has work to do) and how much is going to change in the coming months. Seeing him off to his future is a blessing and difficult to watch. I love him, wholeheartedly, and I will miss him. I won't miss the struggles of him figuring shit out though. I think he will do well in the military, that it will give him a solid foundation for his future work and work ethic. I hope he thrives.

I am literally 1 class away from my bachelor's degree. I can't not express enough how freaking excited I am for that. It will be the first time in about 5 years where I won't have homework, reading or a paper due, forums to post or anything school related to stress over. It is such a huge relief. I will finally have time to focus on the more mundane things of the house, and on those not so mundane things like myself and my relationships. It's almost ironic that Raven is leaving the same time I start my class and ends the same time as my class does. A bit of a minor parallel there.

Mike has sold his house. The holidays are close to over and life is shifting into a new pattern. This year is definitely one for getting back into back into physical shape, for de-cluttering my house and life,  and just breathing a little bit easier.

One step forward. Continue on and just keep at it!

How to cripple today's teens and young adults?

Have an internet outage.

Seriously, I am doing my homework at the Green Turtle right now because it has a more reliable internet than my house and it's due by midnight.

Getting home today, my son and niece (17 and 23 for ages) were both complaining of how slow their cell phones are and how the main wifi was not working and they could not watch TV (I stream it, no more cable) and how they couldn't watch youtube or netflex or whatever.

It's just kinda funny.

Breathe, it will be ok.

It's really not the end of the world to not always have instant internet access.

Love them, it was a good reminder to me if anything. Live in the moment.

A Bits and Pieces Update

Because it's always easier with bullet points:

• I was sick all through the holidays, but that's ok so was my bf's family was as well so it was a happy shared misery :)
• The holidays were pretty damn awesome :)
• I got my kid an XBox, which surprised him, which = awesome.
• I used vacation days so didn't have work for 2 weeks. Which was good because I was sick anyway. It was a nice break though!
• I've had my gardens percolating in my head for a month straight now. I can't wait for spring!
• We've had snow 2 times. Today's was pretty light.
  

This was on January 6th. All powder! 

Too bad I slipped going down my steps on the back porch. Thankfully it was a slow decent and I didn't get the wind knocked out of me this time. Suffice it to say, I am waiting on the treads I ordered to come in from Amazon.

• Work is awesome, I love my job.
• My elbow is acting up so I am wearing my brace again. Blah
• I've started back using MyFitnessPal. It's been a whooping 2 days lol. But hey, I'm back at it :) I have goals for this year :)
• I've started drinking my coffee black (ok ok I put cinnamon in it). No creamer or sugar. Who knew!
• The kid is grounded for ditching school. He's still having a hard time in school but has pulled up 2 of his classes grades this quarter. I've started the search for tutors.
• I miss my friends and family! Working on talking/texting/seeing them more :)
• Life has been busy. I mean, damn, seriously busy!
• I have gotten quite quick at crocheting scarves it seems. My bf asked me about a blanket. I started at him like he was crazy. Made a couple scarves and thought and thought and thought about HOW much time/yarn it would take for a blanket. Ahem. So I've started one. I made the first 4 rows, but realized it's a wee bit too large. So. I am gonna pull them out and make it a tad bit smaller :) Just a tad though. I do have a king size bed :)
• Tiamet, my 13 year old cat, has thyroid issues but not also minor kidney disease. She's at a good weight though and pretty active so I think she'll be ok for a couple years :) I keep an eye on her though :)
• I've also ordered a whole house humidifier because, damn, the air is fucking dry! 
• My size 12 years are just starting to get a little bit loose :) I didn't realize I had bought a size 10 (had this at my bf's house) and they fit pretty comfy. Wow. I still need to let a few more pounds go though before I buy more jeans. I want my 12's loose first :) 
• Yes, I have been pretty good - push ups and squats are done almost daily (notwithstanding those days I fall and stuff)
• I am hoping to get my shower fixed this year, the one upstairs that is.
• I am also hoping to see about getting rid of the pine tree in the back yard. O.o
• I love cooking. A lot. I am researching a pasta maker now :) 
• So this whole month, since I was sick in fact (so going back the last 2 weeks of December) I have not been taking my supplements. I am really missing one of them, the Myo-inositol. But I am curious to see if I get my period on time. Gotta love PCOS and how it tweaks the body! I have a new supplement I will be try, Maca root (it has something else in it as well but can't remember right now). I have noticed my temper is not always filtered, it's not horrible mind you but that's because I'm aware of it, but it's much harder to control (and no, not always successful). Other than that though, it hasn't been bad.
• Apple cider vinegar kicks ass and hands out cards.
• One of my goals, since I barely have time to read anymore, is to take 1 day a month and read that whole day :)
• I've started another college class. I have to do homework tonight. Next class starts in February. Exhausting but I am loving it.

I will attempt to start writing in those brief free moments I have :)

A wee little update...

Its been quite a while!

Hmmm...maybe a bullet list would be the best way to get things up to date:

• Took the kids bowling with my awesome bf. My kid didn't have a lot of fun. I think part of that was not knowing which arm to use for it and because he rather look/play better than he did. He's a lefty and sometimes you can use that or your right hand, everyone is different...I know my Dad is a lefty but plays tennis with his right.
• I had a ton of fun though
• Life is busy:
• Band Booster Fundraiser
• Cleaning house
• Work has been kicking my ass for the most part
• Life in general!!
• Holidays
• Thanksgiving was awesome
• Spent it with the bf's family, who are like him = awesome
• Went black Friday shopping = wow
• Yes, I will be paying off my credit card for another year - YIKES
• Also I gained like 2-3 lbs. Good food :) I will lose it by the end of the year I hope!
• Signed up for 2 more college classes
• Tested and all homework completed, so far in this class I have a B, which I am totally happy with!
• I now have the supplies I need to make my own deodorant, which I plan to do this week :)
• I am Amazon's bitch, it's mostly how I do my holiday shopping it seems
• I live in a great neighborhood - nothing has been stolen off my porch yet :)
• Apple Cider Vinegar is great for helping you stay healthy and not catch whatever people have at work!! So is Oil of Oregano :)
• Oh I do need to make some more chicken stock soon :)
• We had a day of snow! Nothing worth shoveling, but it was beautiful
• We've caught up to Walking Dead season 5. We've only missed a few episodes of that, should be caught up soon.
• I really don't watch a ton of TV anymore or read as much...but I love that the things I do watch and read are always with my boyfriend :)
• The Christmas tree is up, decorated.  Lights are on the house :) It's amazing and wonderful to be able to do that and I just love owning a home :)
• Yes we celebrate Yule more than Christmas, but I love the season and the good things that it can bring in out everyone :)
• Just finished off another scarf :) I am now in the process of making a basket :) Oh and I have like 3 more scarves to do. I love it though :)
• Still very happy I am not smoking!

And most of all, I have absolutely incredible boyfriend and awesome son :) Could not ask for better!!

Also, I have this love affair with music. One of my favorites right now is Pentatonix - I have 3 of their albums and yes ok they are all the holiday music ones, what can I say :)

Here's a sample of why...so incredibly fucking talented!!

Braces and Grades

Good gods, my poor Kid is going have way too much fun at the orthodontist.

Took him to get his teeth cleaned. Dentist asked to speak with me afterwards (no cavities, but getting his 12 year molars sealed).

1. He asked when he's getting braces and jaw surgery, because it's bad bad bad.
      * I was like, starting when he's 15 according to what was said last year.
B. He contacted the orthodontist to get a copy of his x-rays, because he might need them sooner.
+. I was told he will be in for a long haul, not just 2 year braces.
4. The orthodontist called me, so now have an appt to get his teeth x-ray'd again this Thursday.
E. I asked to know if it's going to happen sooner, since the Ex and I will need the Kid on both insurances to help cover the cost of this.

My poor kid :( I do not wish this on him. It will be probably 4 years of braces. Yikes. Oww.

I did talk to the Ex about this too, he said it's from his side because he has a narrow jaw and very similar issues. Lovely.

I met with his teachers (Yes, the Ex was there) and it was basically - the Kid does not do the work. Everyone else does, just not him. He's failing 3 classes and not really trying in math. He could have all A's, but he is just not caring or putting in the effort.

I went home afterwards, had words with him, and then voted. Words, you know, things like.

You will not put your head down in class
Stop all this Timothy shit (he likes to call people Timothy and he thinks it's cool)
No more buying artwork from your friend, if you do, I will shred it.
You WILL DO ALL YOUR WORK IN EVERY CLASS.
You will do all your homework, I will help.
You will pay attention.

You know, those little things...

I tried taking all his stuff away. Didn't really work. Tried grounding him. Didn't work. I've talked and talked and talked. I can talk until I am blue but if the other person is not listening, there is no point.

So...we're cleaning his room this weekend. I think it might need a bit deeper cleaning than he thinks, so will see how it goes.

Right now, it looks like this

It's not horrible. But I think we need to make some changes.

Lots of Attempting(s)

I've been wanting to write for the past few days but every time I start a draft I sorta just stare at it listlessly and then shuffle off to pretend to work.

So I am attempting to get past this.

Let's see.

Last night was a pretty good night. Me and the kid did our homework together :) I am somewhat annoyed over the fact he is not doing his classwork in Science and Social Studies (and sometimes English) but I am not in the classroom and have no idea what is going on. I explained, again, why good grades are important. He did say that he liked us doing that together (cranky mommy aside I suppose) and wants to do it again tonight (because, he has MORE stuff he hasn't finished).

I will have to remind him I have a Band Boosters meeting tonight :(

Class started for me, it's different since it's all online. I will be attempting to keep the snark out of any forum replies I think. It's a challenge, let me tell you ;)

This past weekend was good. We are watching Walking Dead since I've never had the chance to watch it. Freaky and awesome!!

While on vacation, I gained a few pounds. Not shocking I suppose! It was only like 4 lbs but I will be happy when I get them back off and then the attempt to go another 9 lbs after that. I am also attempting to cut back in sugar in a couple things. Mainly coffee and tea. So, the coffee is creamer only (I can drink it and I don't gag so there you go) and the tea, well. I haven't even used honey. I can tell you that I am learning to appreciate the actually taste of my teas more - without them having that sweet over taste to things - but it's an adjustment! One of the teas I am drinking is Spearmint tea, it's supposed to help women who have PCOS deal with hirsutism. Which, let me tell you, is not the most fun thing in the world. I am soooo tired of having to pluck daily. Granted, it's not a huge amount (some women get it bad :(  ) but still, you are always wondering - is there a stray whisker or hair some place that that person is staring at????

My period is not due until the 14th at the earliest and more likely the 16th but I have been having fun PMS stuff going on. Breaking out, back pain, sore boobs. Oh the joys!!

I have been having a hard time just getting up in the mornings. My bed is all warm and warm and who wants to go to work when you are snuggled in? Then again, I have Tiamet annoying the hell out of me in the mornings because, damn it, she wants food!! Which she has no problems expressing for a solid 20 minutes. Love her, but I kinda got the point in the first time :)

I think with the season finally starting to show itself (yay, it's been chilly!!) my body is doing this whole wonky dance of things. I have been craving Tortilla soup, for instance. And I want avocados more. I want to get my yard prepped for next spring and take care of some tree limbs before winter sets in fully. Finances are tight though, which is to be expected and I'm not stressing over them, but tight is still tight. Suffice it to say I will be spending more time watching the DVR shows and crocheting!! Oh and more cooking :) I want to learn how to make a good beef stew and some yummy country biscuits and and and. I probably have a wee bit of ADD with this stuff!!

So much is going on, with the Kid's band, work and life in general. Sometimes I like at the calendar and it's nice to see if full of awesome things. Other times I wonder if I can squeeze in a nap somewhere :)

My birthday is coming up. I will be taking the day off from work. Reading, making lasagna and some form of dessert. A couple friends are going to stop by in the evening. I just want a quiet and happy moment to savor. I feel like re-organizing some stuff too.

I need to put up my Halloween decorations too. Maybe this weekend :)

Friday Freakiness

Well, I accomplished getting signed up for college today, 1 class in my program is available (I'm kinda late in starting for Fall) which is a management 103 class. I'm getting my residency stuff worked out since they had me as an out of state student and I'm really really not. Class starts 10/1 though, all on line, which is awesome. Associates of Science in Business Administration is a start. I will try to figure how many classes I can handle each semester. Thankfully some of my old college credits will transfer over :)

It's exciting and scary. Not freaky bad scary. It's just - I mean, it's been almost 20 years since I was college (holy fuck) and I am not nervous about failing, I know I won't, it's more of this - shit I am getting this done and it's really happening. Oh wait, that almost sounds like when you go into labor !!

My kid is bringing his french horn home today, so we get to practice on Sunday, which is awesome. I love playing still and it gets me back to that :)

Tonight, I don't know what I'm doing lol. Maybe I will attempt to make a cheesecake. And try out this organic sugar wax thing (on my legs, ahem) and see if it works to any degree. Maybe I will read (hahahaha, of course I am reading tonight) and definitely doing a load of laundry.

My period is hopefully winding down. I certainly am not in any back pain today (hey, I even did 1 walk so far and some squats!).

I am not, repeat NOT, thinking about my shower appointment tomorrow.

This is me, not thinking about my shower ;) (I hear her saying, in my head, 'whatever bitches'!)