Monday, April 30, 2012

Atkins Diet

Today I officially re-started my diet after splurging over the weekend once again.  I do really well during the week at work but weekends are so hard to stay focused.  I'm going to continue trying though.  I logged my food and water intake at the Atkins Community website as well as my current weight.  Let's see if I can stick to the diet.  Just took my measurements for the first time (should have done it in the beginning but forgot).  Not happy with what the results were.  Time to get serious.  If I can quit smoking cold turkey then I can lose this weight I have packed on over the years.  My goal weight is 140 pounds within the next year.


Hubby is watching the movie The Darkest Hour that the kids and I went to the theatre to see.  I liked it but expected a lot more than what they gave. LOL  Still had to buy the movie, go figure. ;-)

Kerensa

Sunday, April 29, 2012

The light at the end of the tunnel has arrived


WHOOOO HOOOOO!!!  I just finished my very last assignment for the Spring Semester, my Information Engineering Technology final exam.  There were 7 questions and all had to be in essay format with a 2-hour timelimit.  Took me 1.5 hours to complete but I got it done.  I'm freeeeee!  Well, at least school-wise, until the Fall semester that is lol.  So after I was done I took a walk outside to check on my two little piggies, Sarge and ChewyBaka.  It was time to clean their cage so since it was such a nice day out I left them out there to play and eat some grass (don't worry, they were safe and hubby was out there with me working on planting some of my new flowers). They are loving it out there.  I need to let them out more often.  Think I will have hubby build them a bigger play area to romp around in.  Check out the pics I took:

Chewy - Sarge
Look at Sarge posing and Chewy being shy
Wish this one had turned out a bit brighter


So anyway, now that I'm done with my final final (*VBG) I think I will go back to sewing and watching my recorded shows.  I have finally got caught up with The Secret Circle and Secret Life of the American Teenager.  Now I am onto: The Vampire Diaries (9 episodes), House (9 episodes), Fringe (1 episode), and the new season of Secret Life (3 episodes).  Later couch patater.

Kerensa

Thursday, April 26, 2012

The end is near

Yes, the end is near, but not the end of the world, only the end of the spring semester at the University of West Florida term A. All of my homework and final papers are turned in.  All I have left to do is my final for my Engineering technology class on Sunday.  It is all essay format ugggg, I would prefer multiple choice lol.  Ah well, I'm sure I'll do just fine.  But now that I have no homework guess what I am going to do???

Yes, I am going back to working on my NYE mystery quilt! :)  I have been thinking about it all day so while hubby is cooking dinner (bacon cheeseburger quiche and cheddar biscuits, all low-carb recipes of course since we are on the Atkins diet) I am going to turn on The Secret Circle (I have 8 episodes to get caught up lol) and start sewing.

Yes, I am excited!

Kerensa

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Ranting and then some

Can you see my expression?  Do you hear the relief in my voice?  No?  Oh well, too bad, you don't know what you're missing. hehehe I've said that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, well every day that light seems to get dimmer, then it gets brighter then dimmer, what the heck is it?  A beacon of some kind?  Maybe a close encounter in my future? Who the heck knows.  All I know is that I cannot wait for this semester to be over so that I can take a deep breath and release some of the stress and tension I have.  Working full time and taking a full course load is very time-consuming as well as leaving hardly any time for "me time".  That is a goal I have for myself going forward: no matter what I have to do, every day I will make time for myself, even if all I have time for is to read a chapter in a book, or sew a few blocks together, or watch one episode of a tv show.  I WILL HAVE ME TIME!

Today I put the finishing touches on my 61-page case study, my 18-page NPPM (Network Policy and Procedures Manual), and my Dictionary of Networking Terms for my Site Networking class.  I have 2 more days in which to fine-tune them before they are due then this class will be OVER!!! (do you hear the relief yet?)

I have already turned in my final portion of the group case study, my peer evaluations, and my completed personal journal in my Information Engineering Technology class so until the professor turns on the final exam on the 29th I am done with that class! (can you see my expression yet???)

I have one more module to work on for my Macroeconomics class this week but I completed my final paper and turned it in the other day.  Have I ever told you how MUCH I hate economics classes?  uggggggggg  I've been done with my Oceanography/Marine biology class for the last 2 weeks, just waiting on my final grade in that class. 

I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but not holding my breath, that I make the Deans list again this semester.  But as long as I pass all classes with at least a C I will be okay, not happy, but okay. I think I put too much pressure on myself to succeed but if I don't, what do I have to look forward to?  I want to shine like that beacon I spoke about before, but I don't want to dim, I want to be the brightest beacon out there, the one that screams, look at me, I'll rock your world with everything I know and can do.  I want to "BE THE BEST I CAN BE" and then some.

Went out with my sister-in-law last night just to get out of the house.  We went to a few stores so I could find some things for Sydney and my mom then we went to the theatre to watch Mirror Mirror with Julia Roberts.  It was okay, the dwarves made the movie but it certainly is not on my "to buy" list.  I wish we had gone to see 21 Jump Street or the Three Stooges instead, or even Cabin in the Woods.  I just wanted to laugh and have a good time.  If it weren't for both of us being on the Atkins diet I would have suggested we go out to the club for some dancing and drinks. I haven't been out in a very long time.  Being a grown-up can be depressing sometimes. ;-)

Well, I have some cleaning to do and then it's me time to read Stephen King's 11/22/63. Later Tater.

Kerensa

Sunday, April 15, 2012

End Zone reached!

Well, I finally got into the zone and after 8 hours of research and typing I finished my 15-page macroeconomics paper!!!  It is not due until the 29th of April so I have 2 weeks to refine it and add/remove as I need to to make it perfect.  I did horribly on my timed quizzes, got 100% on all homework assignments, and anywhere from 90-95% on all essays so right now my average is 85%.  If I can get a good grade on my final paper then I might still make the Dean's list this semester again! :)  *fingers crossed* 

I'm totally exhausted but feel good that it is done.  Now I need to work on the homework I have due this week for my Networking class and chapter 14 is due for Economics next Sunday.  Soon I will be able to breathe and relax woooo hooooo!    I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

Kerensa

"not" in the zone

I am so happy that school is almost over!  However, I'm having to cram to get the remaining work done and I'm just so exhausted.  I totally forgot that I had a final paper due for Macroeconomics that I should have been working on during the whole Spring semester so now I have to rush to get it all researched and written before Sunday, April 29th, plus get the other two classes done and study for the final exams.  At least my Marine Biology class is already over so that is one less class I have to worry about.  But I so can't wait until May 2nd as that is the last day of classes and then I have the whole summer off!  Then I can get back to working on my NYE Mystery from last year.  I'm jonsing to get sewing again.  I'm all caught up on The Secret Life of the American Teenager and am now onto Switched At Birth, which is a really great show.  I can't believe my kids keep getting me into these new shows.  I've been so busy that I only have time to "listen" to the shows on Netflix.  I still have tons of episodes to watch on the DVR in the living room and in the bedroom.  I'm so far behind on Pretty Little Liars that I'm ready to give up and just delete all remaining 7 episodes, but I so want to find out who A is! lol  On top of those three shows, I have episodes galore of: The Secret Circle, The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, The River, Fringe, Once Upon A Time, Glee, Cougar Town, New Girl, The Middle, Raising Hope and the entire season of House, not to mention 12 movies that I recorded when we had the free trials of HBO and Showtime and Starz LOL.  OMG, I will never get all of these watched before the new seasons start unless I watch them while I'm quilting this summer.  Not to mention that the final season of Eureka is coming back tomorrow night and Warehouse 13 coming back. I really need to get away from the TV ;-). 

Other than that I'm not doing much else.  I want to learn to hand sew so that I can sit in the living room and make a quilt using those little hexagon templates.  I'm so going to be the cool nanna (when we have grandchildren) who makes quilts for every grandkid and probably for every occasion!   

Sydney informed me yesterday that she is going to be capped next month to become a senior at school and of course, she has to have special clothing: a white blouse, a blue or black skirt, and blue or black dress shoes.  At least I have a few weeks to get it all together and ask for 1/2 day off that day so that we can get ready.  I'm so excited that she is getting interested in doing things at school.  She even is thinking of going to the Prom this year (maybe she said) but for sure next year for her Senior prom. 

Jamie went to MEPS in AL last week and scored 109 out of 110 on the ASFAB test!!!  I'm happy that he finally made up his mind as to what he wants to do with his life but I'm also scared because he has informed me that if he does not get his first choice, Information Security, then he is going for infantry.  Now there is nothing wrong with infantry, my dad was in infantry, a mechanic, but Jamie is my only son and I don't want to lose him.  I have to let him grow up and live his own life, it's just really hard for me.  :/  It is time for him to get out on his own though as he thinks he knows everything and listens to no one.  :| 

One last thing before I go...yesterday the hubby and I went to Ashley Furniture and purchased a new living room set. 




I'm so ready to relax in my new rocker recliner!  I bought 2 of them, one for me and one for Randy.  The kids' sofa also has recliners on each end so they won't fight about who gets to recline and they won't be right up on each other! LOL  Gotta wait 7-10 days for the furniture to be delivered from the warehouse. 

Okay well, I really need to get working on my paper.  Later.

Kerensa

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Tests....have I ever said I hate tests?

Took my macroeconomics chapter 12 test this morning, and made a 67.67% :(  That is a crappy D!  I don't know what it is about timed tests but I suck at them.  I make 100% on every homework assignment and 90-95% on every essay but the tests have been horrible.  I suppose it is because I second-guess myself on a lot of the questions.  My main goal is to make the Dean's list every semester (or President's list with a 4.0 GPA) but if timed quizzes hold me back I will be extremely upset.  But at least my homework is done through Wednesday since I also completed my engineering homework and journal entry. 

Now I can relax and try to get caught up on the Secret Life of the American Teenager on Netflix that my kids got me into.  I'm on the last episode of season 3 getting ready to watch season 4.  The new season has started and there are already 2 episodes that we need to watch plus the newest episode tomorrow night.  Not to mention all the other shows I have recorded on the DVR that I need to get caught up on. I'm so glad this semester is almost over.  It will take me all summer to get caught up on my favorite TV shows, but my main goal this summer is to work on my NYE mystery quilt and get the top completed and ready for quilting on the longarm. 

Other than that I'm just chillin'.  No other plans for today but being lazy...

Kerensa

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Marine Biology Final and then some

So yesterday was my Marine Biology final exam at the UWF main campus in Pensacola.  I used 38 of the available 39 minutes allowed to take the quiz of 50 total multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions.  I know for a fact I did not make a 100% because there was one question I honestly did not know.  As for what I did make, I don't know yet as the instructor has to grade it but I can't wait to find out.  I'm okay not making an A or B, although my goal is to make the Dean's or President's list every semester.  I will be happy just passing all of my classes.  So this class is over, I have three weeks left in the remaining 3 classes (Macroeconomics, Information Engineering Technology, and Site Networks).  Can't wait until the end of this semester so that I can get back to a more normal schedule and get working on my NYE mystery quilt that I started back in December.  :)  The clues stare at me every day and holler out "Sew me...sew me...sew me...you know you want to sew me...c'mon Kerensa get me sewn together NOW!!!" LOL  As long as I don't respond to them, out loud, I might be okay, right? ;-) 

After the final yesterday I talked Mom into going up to the Wind Creek Casino in Atmore, AL for a mother/daughter afternoon.  We had a lot of fun talking on the way there and played some slots, I left down $50 and she left up $500 lucky duck!!!  I quite enjoyed spending time with Mom again.  We need to do things more often, other than going shopping at Wal-Mart. 

Today I have to do the dreaded grocery shopping now that bills are paid.  My lovely daughter has begged me to let her get her nose pierced and I caved in.  I hope she knows what she is doing.  I don't think I could handle something sticking inside my nose all the time.  She has very bad allergies and is constantly sneezing and blowing her nose but doesn't want to listen to me that it will be harder with the nose piercing.  But, she is almost 18 and I need to treat her as such.  This is part of her birthday present since I have the funds right now.  I hope she likes it.

Alas, I must move ahead and get to studying.  We need to leave here around 9:30 so that only gives me a 1/2 hour study and then get ready to head out.  TTFN...

Kerensa