How to get through college homework

If I'm not listening to science videos I'm drowning out the noise around me with music. This is how I get through my homework every week. Last week Troy helped me pick out new headphones that block out sound. They work great! If I have my sound at a normal level I can't hear what's going on around me. It's great! I get things done a lot more efficient this way.

Tis the Season

The air has been so dry lately that I am constantly drinking water and using lotion and chap stick. Last night and now tonight I have the humidifier going in the bedroom. It helped a little last night so hopefully it will help to tonight too.

Oops! Sunday's Photo

I was so tired yesterday that I realized this afternoon that I forgot to post yesterday's photo. The poor dogs were so tired after being up at Troy's mom and dad's house for the weekend. Sabrina came home and went straight to bed. We haven't hardly seen her since we got home yesterday. Isaboo has been pretty sleepy too.

Childhood Bedrooms

We are up at Troy's parent's house tonight. Us and the 3 dogs drove up this morning and decided to spend the night after Troy helped his dad all day putting in the kitchen floor. Normally we stay in the bedroom downstairs but that is full of kitchen stuff so we are staying upstairs tonight in Troy's room when he was little.

Playing with Water

Tonight I had to get my science experiment done. My science class is completely online. I do my lab work right in my kitchen. This week's lesson is mixtures and compounds. To show how mixtures work the experiments revolved around different liquids and how they combine or in some cases not combine. This experiment did not go right for me. I later realized I was doing it wrong. But I got the idea of what was suppose to happen!

A Section Just For Me!

I was at Target today looking for a frame and what do I find? A whole section of Mickey stuff! This is in addition to the kitchen stuff I found the other day and convinced Troy that I needed three new water bottles. I think I need the pictures for my kitchen and one of the lamps for my living room! Maybe for valentine's day?!

It's been a long day....

I finally just sat down for the day. Granted I sit all day at work, and I sat during class but my brain is always going during work and school, so I'm not really rested. I left the house at 8:25 this morning, worked for 8 hours, came home and grabbed my school bag, drove out to school, rushed over to the Admissions office before they closed to turn in my application for graduation, sat through 2 hours of class, drove home, got the coffee pot ready and made lunches for tomorrow, let the dogs out, changed into PJs, grabbed some dinner and finally I was able to sit down. I feel like I've been going and going all day! I still have to figure out what I am wearing to work tomorrow and then finally I can go to bed. I should squeeze in some homework or at least some Econ reading tonight still. Then tomorrow I get to start all over, except instead of school I have to go and get a new tire put on my car. I'm grateful I have a job and I love it and I'm thankful that I am able to go to school, but it sure does wear me out! I'm going to enjoy my little treat that will use up the rest of today's points than I'm off again to make sure everything is done before I go to bed. Isaboo is looking for some attention too. I have a feeling that one is going to end up in bed with me tonight! That way I get my night time snuggles and my morning cuddles in too!

Homework Rewards

So far this week I have half of my science homework and half of my Economics homework done. Not bad considering that my Econ class isn't until tomorrow which means assignments aren't due until next Tuesday night and my science assignments aren't due until Sunday night. I decided I deserved a break and a treat. Since McDonald's is the only place open after 9pm that serves ice cream an Oreo McFlurry is what I got!

Must Read Something Non-School Related

I have been working on my science homework for almost 4 hours. I decided I needed to. Crawl into bed and start winding down. I thought of reading some Economics but instead decided I needed something besides school work to read.

Uh Oh! It's Empty!

With everything I have going on right now I am relying more and more on my morning coffee to get me through the day. This morning as I was drinking my coffee I was going through my list of things I needed to get done today. All of a sudden my coffee cup was empty!

Monster Trucks!

Tonight was the first time in a few years that we got to go to see Monster Trucks. It's always a good time and people are always surprised that I love Monster Trucks. Tonights show was really good!

My Busy Week

So this week has been a busy week for me. I started my new job! YAY! I started my second class. It was the second week of my econ class. On top of that I had a chiro appointment, had to do homework, it's snowed twice this week so traffic sucked. I am not going to complain! I am extremely grateful that I have a job, I'm glad I have the opportunity to go back to school and I am relieved that I have a car starter and will be happy to have new tires tomorrow! So far I am loving my new job. It is amazing how different two small companies can be run. I really was in an environment that was not healthy for me. It really was a good thing that I was laid off. Had I not been I would have still been there and been miserable. By being laid off I was force to look hard for a new job. Not just randomly looking here and there. By being laid off I found all sorts of services that are there to help people in Anoka County and they made it possible for me to go back to school. Four months from now I will have my 2 year degree, from there I can choose to go on or I can be happy with the fact that I at least finally finished it.

This weekend isn't going to be calm and relaxing for me at all. Again, I am not going to complain. I get a date night tonight! The first real date night since probably September or October. Tomorrow I get to go learn how to make dumplings at Big Bowl, I get new tires and I get to go to see Monster Trucks! Some where this weekend I need to squeeze in homework, dishes and laundry. But that's ok. Right now I'm pretty content with my life.

Mom! I Wanna Go to Bed!

I finished my science homework a little while ago so I started getting things ready for tomorrow and started getting ready for bed. I made lunches, got the coffee maker set up, washed my face... you know, those nightly things you do. As I'm going about from task to task Bear keeps running back to his kennel. He's been ready to go to bed for over an hour! In fact I think while I was doing my homework he was sleeping on my bed! Every time I start heading back towards the bedrooms he hurries into his kennel and looks at me with that look on his face, "Do I get my treat now? I'm in my bed!" Well, I guess it's that time. Oh wait! I still need to figure out what I am wearing tomorrow! to bed... soon.. sorry Buddy!

I Heart My Geek

So no surprise that my husband is playing the new Star Wars game. He's always been a fan of the movies. I like to pick on him and call him a geek. The funny thing is, he sort of agrees with me! But, for better or worse I love him. So I <3 my geek....






and his light saber. ;-)

Guess who's having a hard time adjusting

Guess who's having a hard time adjusting to Momma being gone all day. Tonight I was working on my science homework and she was laying so close to me that I could barely move my left arm. It will take some time for her to get used to it. Until then she's getting extra loves.

Not enough hours in the day

It could be because I am mentally tired from absorbing all of the information for my new job today but once I got home and got dinner ready my brain was fried. This is not a good thing considering I have homework to do for the week and the weekend is pretty packed leaving me only the week nights to get it all done. I fore see some nights at caribou this week to get some homework done.

Schedules Are Changing

Schedules are changing around here this week and Isaboo isn't too thrilled about it. This week I start my new job, my second class officially starts, it's the second week of my econ class and I have a chiro appointment. It will mean adjustments for everyone including the dogs. They are so used to me being home all day and not having a schedule that it will take a little while to get used to the new schedule. Isaboo isn't happy that she has to go sleep in her own bed tonight.

Memories

Growing up most kids have that one friend's house that is like a second home to them. For me it was Linda's house. I spent just as much time there as I did at my own house. As we've grown older we've grown apart but the memories will last forever. The sleep overs, the hours of watching MTV in the basement, playing baseball in the alley, playing school on the front porch and who could forget "Doggy Daycare?" There are many memories in this house and I hope that it finds a new family that will make many of their own there too.

My Favorite Place to Shop

I love when people ask me, "where did you get those pants? or where did you get that shirt?" and I get to answer with, "Misty's Boutique." No one knows of this wonderful place to shop. The service is great! The owner hand picks outfits for me to wear. The prices are even better! Everything is free! Where is this wonderful place you ask? My Sister-in-Law's closet! Misty is the best Sister-in-Law ever! If I need something to wear, she usually has it! There has been many times that I am looking for a specific type of shirt or pair of pants and she's got it! And even better, she's willing to give it to me! Tonight I was able to score 12 shirts/sweaters, 2 bras and 4 pairs of pants! In return I fixed her anti-virus on her laptop! No one has a better Sister-in-Law than I do!

Something Besides Water

I've drank abou 80oz of water today. I'm really trying to get in at least that much a day. Tonight I just needed something besides water!

S-P-O-I-L-E-D

Isaboo has learned that if she skips her night treat by not going into her kennel when Bear and Sabrina go to bed that she gets to stay up and then gets to sleep in the big bed with mom and dad. Tonight I was studying and Sabrina asked to go out. So her and Isaboo went outside. Troy went up to let them in, I hear one set of paws come down the stairs. Daddy let the baby stay up while the other two went to bed.

Doggie Bunk Beds

I swear these two spend the majority of the day like this. Isaboo on top of the couch. Bear on the seat. It's like having bunk beds for the dogs.

I'm Going to Need Some Activity Points

The good news is: I GOT A JOB!
The bad news is: between the steak, wine and dessert I need to get in some major activity points this week.

Another Step Closer

This past fall when we had the drain tile put in down in the basement a lot of the stuff that was in the basement got put into the computer room. Between that and me going through my scrapbook stuff and pulling out what I needed for the Thanksgiving Scrapbook Retreat my scrapbook table and area was a disaster. I am going to need somewhere that I can go to get away from the dogs and to have a table to work at when I am working on my homework so today I spent about 4-5 hours cleaning and organizing all of my scrapbook and other craft stuff to make room for me to work on the scrapbook table. Now it's ready for me to use, whether it's for scrapbooking or for homework or even scanning in the rest of the photos I have so I can give Troy's mom back her photo albums! It feels good to finally get that area organized!

My Beautiful, Talented Niece

This post is actually for yesterday. Time got away from me and next thing I knew it was 3:00am. So I decided that I'd post this in the morning.

There are a lot of similarities between my niece, Sophia and me. This is true most of the time, but as she gets older I have watched her grow into her own beautiful and talented person. She loves to read, she's in drama, she does well in school... those of you who know me are now asking, what do you mean there are differences?? She also plays sports. That's one thing I never did. I was never interested in sports.

Yesterday morning I got to watch the Columbia Heights Girls Basketball team play. Now, I know nothing about basketball, which was probably why it's good for me to go to these events, I watch the majority of the game through the viewfinder of my camera and don't really mind that I don't know what's going on. I only got to watch one of 4 games. I had an event to go to that afternoon so I didn't get to stick around for any of the other games. But, through the technology of smartphones and text messaging I was able to find via facebook and a text from my sister-in-law that the girls won all four games!

I am so proud of my mini-me that's not so mini and becoming less and less of me! I Love You Sophia!

Back to School Shopping

Since classes start next week I went to pick up my books today. One of my classes doesn't have a text book and the other one the material is online so you get an access code. $96 for an online access code! Wow! I also picked up the rest of my school supplies. A couple of 3 ring binders, paper, pencils and note cards. It seems like I should have more than that! But we'll see after the first day of class. It's not like I can go to Target and pick up a supplies list! So for now I'm all set and ready to go next week. I'm excited!

Bear's New Favorite Spot

When Troy's parents moved this summer we got their furniture. This included the foot stool. Bear and Isaboo both love to lay on it. It is not unusual for me to have one on my feet on the stool and the other one laying next me on the couch.

Frustrated Husband+Bonus Money=New Phones

For awhile Troy and I have been talking about getting new phones. We had the old old iPhone 3. Both of us have been having issues with our phones and he finally got fed up today and bought new phones. He used his Christmas money and part of his work bonus to buy us each a new iPhone 4s. It will be nice having a phone that actually loads apps and actually responds when you answer a call. My husband rocks!

It's Offical! I'm a Student Again!

All things happen for a reason. I always have believed that. I'm still unemployed, but there's a reason and in time I'll get a job. Well, one of the reasons why I'm still unemployed is that apparently I was meant to finally finish my two year degree. About a month or so ago I met with a counselor at North Hennepin to find out what I needed to take to get my degree. Two classes she says! In fact I have extra credits toward a higher degree, but I need to finish off my generals first. Hopefully with me finishing my AA degree or at least being in the process of it will help me in the job market. A couple weeks ago I had to go to this informational workshop for the Workforce Center for my unemployment benefits. While I was there the guy told me about this program where they might pay for my classes. I filled out my application and today I met with a counselor at the Workforce center and found out they'll pay for my last two classes. Today I officially registered for those two classes! I'm a student again!

Lazy Holiday Days

So technically today is not a holiday, but since yesterday was and yesterday was a Sunday Troy has today off from work. Last night his days were off and he thought he had to work today until I reminded him that he didn't have to work. So, we spent this morning catching up on some shows. Isaboo apparently needed some cuddle time with Daddy! It's been a good weekend. I got to relax a bit and enjoy my Nook and to finish the latest Janet Evanovich book. Yesterday I went through my cook books and food magazines and planned out most of January's dinners. So it's been relaxing and some what productive. I still have dishes to do from when Amy and Bert were here and I need to run to the grocery store, but really none of that isn't something that can't wait. I might just wait until tomorrow to get back to reality and enjoy the rest of the long holiday weekend.

Project 365 Take Two

Last year I set out on a mission to take pictures every day and to post a blog about one of those pictures. I started out great, but after about 3 months I really started to slack in my blogging. I was still taking pictures on a regular basis but not every day. At some point I realized I was burnt out from being on the computer and being online. I took a break but never really got back to blogging. So this year's goal is to blog 365 days, actually 366 days since this year is a leap year, and share my photos. I have some other goals for this year. Last year I had promised myself to become healthier. I'm on my way there! So far I've lost almost 20 pounds. I have about 50 more to go and I'm determined to do it. I am also determined to find a job! Troy and I were both laid off in October. He was able to find something right away, but I am still looking. I am also going to finish my degree. If not Spring Semester, then for sure in the fall!

This Christmas I received some great gifts! One of which was my Nook! I've had it a week now and I'm already on my third book! I also received my first Coach bag! There's a great pocket on the side of it to hold my Nook! I was in a bit of a funk and had a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit this year. Between the fact that I didn't have a job and we didn't have any snow I was really struggling this year. So I am hoping that 2012 will be better than 2011!

Happy New Year!