Whee!

Jan. 19th, 2012 08:17 pm
margotvankapelle: (fridaylove)
I must be in a slightly manic mood -- my paycheck was larger than expected and I managed to pay off 2 of our utilities all the way down rather than the bare minimum, with plenty of paycheck to go, even not counting Boe's paycheck (Lord, that's a nice thing to say!) -- because I spent about 60 bucks on patterns.  Like I need more patterns, right?

*sigh*

It's an illness, I tell you. 

School has started out well, although at the moment I'm rather bored, as a lot of it is common-sensical stuff, especially in my Fundamentals of Nursing course...People really need to be told not to post specifics or pictures about their patients on Facebook?!  I mean, really now.  That's one of those "duh" things.  Medical Terminology is another of those classes I can probably sleep through safely, since languages are extraordinarily easy for me, but several of my classmates anticipate having difficulty and have asked me to tutor them, so it's safer for me to pay attention in class.  Just in case.  And Patient Interaction is just a Communications class dolled up as "Pay attention to what your patients are saying and don't be a dick to them."  So yeah.  I know things will get a lot more interesting later on in the quarter, but man, the first few weeks are always a bit of a snoozefest.

In other news, there is no other news.  More of the same, I guess.
margotvankapelle: (prozac for breakfast)
We're discussing laws and ethics in psychology and counseling.  Things are getting...interesting.  Whee!

And done.

Nov. 17th, 2011 02:16 am
margotvankapelle: (clowns will eat)
9 pages of content along with title page, abstract, and 2 pages of references (APA style, which I prefer).  All formatted and ready to go, all I need to do is print the thing out on campus.

*buffs nails*
margotvankapelle: (prozac for breakfast)
Whoops.  I have a 5-10 page paper due tomorrow.  I'm on page 2.

I am not particularly bright, have you noticed?
margotvankapelle: (irrational)
I failed my second math test.

In my algebra class, grading goes like this:  4 tests graded at 20% of the total, and homework at 20% of the total grade.  I got a 66% on my first test and a 59% on my second.  My current homework average is at 76%.  That's not enough (assuming I'm calculating this correctly, which yeah right) to get me by with a C of 70%.

I am taking extra tutoring this semester both through my college and privately.  I don't know what else to do.
margotvankapelle: (irrational)
I really don't know how I did on my latest math test (taken this morning).  I forgot the freaking distance formula (distance between 2 points); this is something one learns in high school...I know we covered it last semester in my remedial algebra class.  How is it that I can be so stupid?

All of the formulas I was freaking out about and writing over and over in order to avoid forgetting them? Yeah, only 1 was on the test.  *headdesk*

Stupid, stupid, stupid.
margotvankapelle: (irrational)
The tutor is helping, but the extra 2 hours of algebra I did today is doing some good as well. 

I'm doing very well in Abnormal Psych and Microbiology.

Not so much in Advance Human Physiology.  But if I don't pass with at least a C in Physiology, that's okay, since I'll be able to re-take it in future semesters without jeopardizing my seat in the nursing program.  

So, as you can probably surmise, my primary focus this semester is on algebra and making sure I pass THAT class.
margotvankapelle: (irrational)
In my algebra class, I am lost already, and my confusion is only getting worse.  My acceptance into the nursing program is conditional upon completion of my current algebra class -- if I do not pass the class this semester, I lose my seat in the January 2012 startup and I will have to wait until the August 2012 startup to apply again.

I am already using the college's tutoring service, which is free, but I am only allowed 1 hour of tutoring per subject...I need more than that.  So I have to hire a tutor.  Good thing Boe has a job now.
margotvankapelle: (snerk)
I GOT INTO MY COLLEGE'S RN NURSING PROGRAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
margotvankapelle: (centrifuge)
So, I've been sick, right?  And while the antibiotics are doing their thing, I'm still hacking crap up, you know? 

Did I mention that my Microbiology class has a lab component?

:D

Guess who is pretty darned stoked about culturing her own sputum sample, and doing all sort of fun staining to the smears?

:D :D :D

That'd be me.  *buffs nails*
margotvankapelle: (ooooooo)
1. Boe is never truly happy unless he has a major project in the works. We have just mailed off to the state attorney's office an application to incorporate a not-for-profit organization. What is going on? Click here!

2. Boe suprised me on Tuesday by meeting me at the door with some paperwork in hand. The paperwork was an application to regularize our marriage in the Catholic Church, and the rest of it was the schedule for the RCIA program. Boe wants to become a Catholic. I'm still stunned...this is something I never expected or looked for. 

I've gotten my first round of homework done, and my abnormal psych class promises to be a lot of fun, except for the giggly Goth Lite teenage girls behind me making inane comments sotto voce the entire class.  I'm trying to decide if I want to do my research paper on Reactive Attachment Disorder or on the Attachment Therapy controversy.
margotvankapelle: (ooooooo)

So to recap:

Random Gamer Guy is gone...but not before stealing a pack of Magic: The Gathering cards Boe had picked up that Friday.  I don't care too much, except Boe is unhappy, and that makes me unhappy.

Boe's temp job is finished up, and now we wait to hear from the agency for another assignment.

I might have tied one on last Friday to celebrate Random Gamer Guy's departure; the hangover served to remind me that I am not as young as I once was, and that my liver hates me.

Boe and I held a little backyard barbecue on Saturday.  Everything was delicious and (as is par the course for me) since I bought too much food, we'll be eating burgers and hot dogs the rest of the week.  But they are delicious, and that's the important part.

My college's financial aid office is screwing around with me, and I don't like it.  My account has been flagged for verification Every. Single. Year. and this year was no exception.  I turned in copies of my tax return on July 18, and my account is STILL "pending, under review."  This means that they have not released my financial aid to the bookstore so I can get my books.  Because school starts in a week, I'm sure all of the used copies of the textbooks have been sold, so I'll either need to rent textbooks (which is what I'm considering) or buy brand new ones.  I am tempted to go to the financial aid office tomorrow and break some heads.

And the only paperwork I'm waiting on to complete my nursing program applications (yes, two:  one for the LPN program and one for the RN program) is my highschool transcripts.  I called my alma mater a week ago Tuesday to request 2 sets of official transcripts.  The said they'd be in the mail that same day.  I should have recieved them by Wednesday.  They are still not here.  I am tempted to go down there and break some heads too.

I am so excited at the prospect of being able to work on sewing projects!
margotvankapelle: (adulthood)
A couple of things:

I took the TEAS V test today...er, yesterday.  I did OK, but man, I am really rather weak on my chemistry knowledge.  So that brought my scores down, but the scores are high enough to qualify for any of the nursing programs around here.  In addition, my sister is mailing me her TEAS refresher book so if I want to retake it, I'll be better prepared.  I can take it twice in 2 years, and the higher score is the one the school will look at.

Oh, and speaking of chemistry  (although it might be better classified as biology),  I'm trying my hand at a sourdough yeast starter.  I'm on day 2 of my new "pet".  It came about as a result of wanting to make fresh yeast rolls for dinner a couple of nights ago.  I had a small chunk of extra dough left over, so I put it into a tupperware container and added  warm water, then swished it around for a bit, then loosely put the lid back on.  It smells half-yeasty, half-beerlike.  The longer I leave the starter out, the sharper the sour flavor will become as local yeasts will colonize in addition to the commercial yeast I used for the rolls.  I'm looking forward to eventually making some sourdough pretzels later on in the month.

Now that Boe's sub job is over,  we spent a day doing some major spring cleaning up to and including windows in the living room and kitchen.
margotvankapelle: (reading is fundamental)

Last week, I checked my credits at school and found out something interesting:  I have all of the prerequisites for the LPN (licensed practical nurse) program done.  So I might as well apply for the LPN program this semester, in the hopes of starting the program January 2012.  If I'm not accepted*, that's ok, since next semester I'll be finishing up the prerequisites for the RN (registered nurse) program anyway.   I have a 4.0 GPA and personal recommendations from 3 instructors, all of whom taught my tougher classes.  I'm scheduled to take the TEAS V test on Wednesday.   We'll see. The worst they can say is "no."

 

*The LPN program has far fewer slots available any given semester than the RN program (30 slots vs. 60).  It's actually tougher to get into the LPN program. 
margotvankapelle: (marie antoinette grumpy)
Yep, it sure does. Logarithims, you can kiss my fat butt.
margotvankapelle: (ooooooh)
Boe got his first paycheck. That was lovely! I even dropped a hundred bucks on groceries to stock up instead of making do with the goods from Mom's latest Cook-a-thon and very little else.

I made a peach pie for Boe in order to celebrate. :-)

On the work front, Boe has recieved calls from school in Lancaster, Virginia, and Pinedale, Wyoming. (I'd prefer Virginia -- Pennsic's only 8 hours away, after all -- but Wyoming starts their teachers out at about $11,000 more.)

My lovely, smart daughter Mel's 22nd birthday is today. She is doing really well in school and will graduate in the summer of 2012 -- sooner than I will!

In costuming news, there is no costuming news. I can't seem to manage any creative stuff while I'm quietly freaking out about our financial situation and am frustrated out the wazoo.

Princess just came thumping down the stairs with a feather duster larger than she is in her mouth. I am totally charmed.

My stepmom is having a booze-laced hen party this evening, so I am going over a bit early to help with hors d'ouevres and whatnot. I also made a cake for the occasion, as they have never seen the work I can do and I kind of wanted to show that off just a little bit. It's chocolate cake with cream cheese icing...yummy!

Photobucket
margotvankapelle: (peekaboo)
So a few days ago I asked your opinion on how I should best handle the baby rabies/OMG KIDS NAO that my hormones are putting me through.  I recieved comments that were well thought out and respectful, even the ones that counseled against what I was leaning towards. 

I don't really know how to put this, but because I use my LJ as my rant-space before taking issues to Boe, I'm afraid I've created a rather skewed portrait of him if you only know me through this medium.  I don't mean to do this, it is a by-product of the way I handle issues within my relationship.  Boe is a good man, who truly feels awful that he hasn't obtained fulltime employment yet and who wants me above anything else to be happy.  He does a lot around the house -- more than I do, in fact -- and generally I am happy with our relationship.

It's been within the past 3 years that I have really started to feel capable of being a mother.  Prior to that, I was so worried that my depression issues would result in me being a bad mother that I never wanted to *be* a mother.  I was afraid that I would inflict my own brand of crazy onto some poor kid and royally screw them up.  I also underwent some bit of grieving that I could not carry a pregnancy and therefore cannot have biological children (as our budget will probably never allow for the high costs of surrogacy).  Boe and I have talked about adoption, and we came to the conclusion that we were probably too old for traditional private domestic adoption and most likely could not afford private adoption anyway, as fees tend to run between $12,000 and $35,000.  Therefore, we limited ourselves to special needs adoption through the foster care system.

In the state of Indiana, a special needs adoption is the adoption of any child from foster care who is:

a.  mentally, physically, or emotionally disabled, OR
b.  above the age of 6, OR
c.  a minority, OR
d.  part of a sibling group that must be placed together per a judge's order.

What Boe and I are considering are a sibling group, single children above the age of 6, or children with mild emotional disabilities.  We do not feel that we have the time, energy, or patience to work with children with severe disabilities.  Unfortunately, I don't feel comfortable adopting a minority child because I have a close relative who likes to drop racist/sexist/other ugliness terms into everyday conversation.  That's not fair to a child who already feels unwanted and unloved. 

In my mind, the whole debate came down to:  Should we start the paperwork and classes after Boe gets a permanent job, even though I'll still be in school and our income will be okay, but not fantastic, or should we wait until after I graduate from college, and have a much better income, even though it's very likely that Boe will be on the wrong side of fifty before finalizing an adoption?
margotvankapelle: (magic8ball)
I made a post in[livejournal.com profile] adoption , and I wanted to throw it out to my f-list as well.  Let me know what you think, I am getting so very very turned around on quite a few issues (as I am sure you all probably already knew!), and I could really use advice on, well, everything.

When Boe and I have discussed adoption, it has been with the assumption that we'll probably be adopting from the foster care system, since the financial costs of that method seem to be lower than for private adoption, and it gives us the chance to adopt a sibling group (we're primarily interested in adopting a sibling group since they are traditionally difficult to place.)  However, my hormones have really done a number on me and given me a raging case of baby rabies. As in, OMG BABIESRITENAO! sort of baby rabies.  So in my idiocy, I've been scoping out private adoption facilitators, which makes the whole "wanting a baby immediately if not sooner" feeling stronger. 

In addition, Boe -- who has always wanted to have children with me -- is of the opinion that we should go ahead and start the classes and whatnot now and as far as finances go, we'll just work it out the same way we would if I wasn't infertile and we had an unexpected pregnancy.  On the other hand, I can't help but fret that the course of action that Boe is suggesting would be irresponsible...but I'll be 35 before I graduate, and Boe will be 47.  I mean, yeah, Larry King can father a baby at the age of 927265, but that doesn't mean that we can or should.

So what on earth do I do in this situation?  If it was a question of me not being infertile and we had an unexpected pregnancy, we'd just muddle through as best we could while trying to juggle sketchy finances and a newborn.  But in this case, where having children requires not only money, but time, effort, and one hell of a lot of red tape, the right path to take is not nearly as clear-cut.  Wait until I'm out of school, even though we'll be (depressingly) a lot older than the ideal? See if we can adopt even though we're not *quite* where we need to be financially yet?  Foster care adoption, private, or "lady, you are clearly way too nuts to have kids"?

I mean, 35 is -- in my opinion -- really pushing the boundaries of age-appropriateness of first-time parenthood.  And that doesn't mean that I'd become a mom at 35; the classes and stuff can take up to a year, then there's the wait to get a home study done, and then there's waiting to be matched, and and and and and.  Realistically, it can take 2-3 years for placement through the foster care system. 

Hell, if we knew that I could carry a pregnancy, Boe and I would have gone the "family friend and a turkey baster" route.  But I can't carry a pregnancy, and we can't afford fertility treatments at $10,000 per round of IVF, embryo adoption in this case requires a surrogate, and we certainly can't afford a surrogate -- which would require us to go through a lot of the same hoops as an adoption would to boot.


My life is not turning out to be anything like what I had hoped...hrmph.
margotvankapelle: (SEWALLTHETHINGS! by tonyadmay)
Boe got me a mobile WiFi hotspot.  I am on the internet..AT HOME.








I can do homework at home!
margotvankapelle: (Default)
My next completely off day is Thursday, the 17th. In looking at my calendar, the last time I was off of both work and school was Sunday, February 6. Life, as they say, is a box of chocolates...but in my case I seem to have acquired the mixed-nuts variety.

Let me see. Since I last posted, I have had about $8000 slip through my fingers, what with getting Boe a car, insurance, catching up on the utilities and mortgage, sending some money to my mom for safekeeping, paying for CNA classes, and getting new (much-needed!) glasses.

My sole splurge has been purchasing this and this.  They should be the last patterns I'll ever need to buy for SCA/Adria stuff.  So it was a worthwhile investment rather than a momentary pleasure.  I've been reading the instructions and the documentation and dreaming in my few off-hours, and I am really kind of hoping that this is my niche.

Boe's teacher's license will be in within a week.  My sister's giving me leads to jobs for Boe in Tampa Florida, where she lives.  My sister is lonely down there, she can be very shy and the only family down there are her in-laws.  So it would be pretty cool indeed if we wound up moving to Florida. 

Boe did not get the job in Vermont, or so we're assuming since we never heard back from that school.

Time for math class, gotta go.

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