Halloween 2015

Halloween this year was quiet.  Jerbs had to work, so I just hung out at home with the dogs and relaxed.  I fully intended to Netflix myself an X Files marathon but then I just wound up watching HIMYM, because, y'know, I need to see that series for a 10th time.  After Jerbs got off work we went to Michael's and Joann's and bought Halloween stuff for 60% off, which is always fun.

But we did do some Halloween stuff this week.  We carved pumpkins.

My pumpkins.  The one on the left was a stencil
that came with the carving kit.

Jerbs' pumpkins.  Both just freehand.

We put up a festive Halloween wreath.

I converted my summer wreath into a Halloween wreath
for our door.  I just changed out the ribbon and flowers.

I did Halloween stuff at MHC.

My office mate and I put up some decorations
in our window at work.  I think it turned out cute.

I made black velvet homemade Oreos for the
Halloween potluck.

And our complex made a nice gesture.

Not Halloween related, but this was a Happy Fall gift from our complex.
It had candy, an ice scraper, and chapstick in it.

And that's it!  I can't believe tomorrow is the start of NOVEMBER . . . this year has gone by so dang fast!

Another Irene Adventure

Let me tell you about that time Irene disappeared for 13 hours.

This all started yesterday.  Jerbs had to work but I was home all day.  It was not a great day for being at home; I tried to do laundry and washed two loads before I realized that the washing machine was leaking pretty badly, so our laundry room got pretty flooded, and I had to clean up the mess, which was very, very unpleasant.  Thankfully we are very lazy, so there was a pile of towels waiting to be washed on the laundry room floor, which prevented the flood from hitting the kitchen too.  It's mostly aggravating because this happened a couple months ago and maintenance replaced the pump.  Hopefully we'll get a whole new washer/dryer this time . . . but we'll see.  And that all doesn't have much to do with Irene disappearing except that after the massive clean up, I was tired and grouchy and had a headache and decided to take a nap, and I'm pretty sure that's when Irene slipped out of the house.

At any rate, Jerbs got home and after she'd been here awhile she asked where Irene was, and I just kind of shrugged, because really, Irene's a cat.  She hides a lot so when I don't see her for hours at a time I don't worry about it.  And neither does Jerbs.  So we ate dinner and put up Halloween decorations, and then Jerbs took the dogs for a walk and when she came back, she noticed that the screen on our living room window was completely loose at the bottom.  We searched the whole house and Irene definitely wasn't here; Jerbs asked me when I'd last seen her and I think it was when I was cleaning the laundry room.  (And I won't tell Jerbs this but I'm not 100% sure on that, it might have been earlier).  But my assumption is she went out the window while I was asleep.

So we walked the entire apartment complex, no Irene.  We drove to the little shopping complex next door and all the other complexes on the street, no Irene.  We came home and I put ads on Craigslist and Facebook.  By this time Jerbs was completely freaking out because Irene is her baby, and I felt like the absolute worst human being on the face of the planet for losing her cat.  There were definitely some tears.  This was at almost midnight, so I had to go to bed, but Jerbs insisted on staying up to see if Rene came back.

At about 2:30 in the morning, Jerbs woke me up to tell me that Irene was home and safe.  Jerbs heard her meowing and went outside and saw her at the bottom of our stairs and went down and got her, and that was that.  Thank.freaking.goodness.  I was so relieved.

It was just odd, because normally when Irene gets out she immediately starts yelling to get back in, which definitely wasn't the case here.  So we figure that she got out while I was asleep, and cried to get back in but since I was sleeping I didn't hear her.  We think that she eventually gave up and just went to sleep somewhere where she felt safe, and was either too asleep or too scared to come to us when we were calling for her.

That freaking cat, I swear.  But as annoying as she is, I'm very glad she came home.

PASSED!!!!!!!!!!

I passed my CPC exam!!!

I found out while I was at work today via the AAPC website.  I immediately called my boss, who was very congratulatory and sent out a company wide email congratulating me.  So that was exciting.

I'm still in shock.  I honestly thought I was going to have to retake that test.  Like . . . I really didn't think I'd pass on the first try.

Granted, I barely passed with the minimum score for certification.  But as my boss pointed out, people hiring you don't ask for your score, they just look at your certification, so who cares?  I freaking passed!  I think I'd have done better if I hadn't rushed, but I was so consumed with finishing before time was up that I definitely went faster than I needed to.

I'm so happy!!  And SO proud of myself!!  My co-workers were all very proud as well, and that felt good.

Also, today is ICD-10 implementation day and it's already a disaster . . . kinda glad I'm on vacation!

And on that note, Jerbs and I are getting ready to leave for SLC so I'm off to finish packing!

CPC Exam

So I took my CPC certification test today.

I honestly have no idea how I did.  Like . . . I really just don't have a strong feeling either way.  I don't feel like I did super awesome, but I don't feel like I bombed either.  If pressed I would say that I probably didn't pass and am going to have to take it again.

Let's see.  It sucked to get up that early on a Saturday.  The test environment was a little bit cramped, so I couldn't spread out as much as I'd hoped I'd be able to, but whatever.  The AAPC is apparently very serious about preventing cheating and stuff, so it was a very interesting experience.  The test was split up by CPT section, so that was nice, since all the practice tests weren't and I wasn't expecting it.  There was also a whole section on anatomy, which I definitely had not studied in preparing for the test, so . . . yeah.  I'm sure that section of my test is a complete disaster haha.

I finished in 3.5 hours, which is pretty fast, so I don't know if that's good or bad.  I definitely think I was rushing because I was so paranoid about not finishing in the time allowed, and I overdid it a little.  But by the time I was finished, I really didn't see the point in going back because I'm just not someone who really changes their mind on tests like that, so I just handed in my test and left.  The lady next to me wasn't even half finished and seemed to be really struggling, and I felt bad for her.  It kind of made me realize how lucky I am to be getting hands on experience in this field, and how lucky I've been to have my boss there to guide me, since she just passed her exam 6 months ago.  (Almost exactly).

Now I just have to wait.  Test results show up on your account on the AAPC website before they're officially mailed to you, so I'll be logging on regularly the next few days to see how I did.  I hope I find out before I leave for SLC on the first so that I'm not thinking about it during the wedding weekend, but I'm not sure that'll happen.

I'm crossing my fingers but not getting my hopes up.

Salt Lake City Trip # 1: Bridal Shower

This past weekend (3 day Labor Day weekend woohoo!) I made the trip to SLC for Theresa and Jenna's joint bridal shower.  I went by myself, and holy hell, that drive is ridiculous.  By the time I got home I was pretty much dead on my feet.  It didn't help that I didn't sleep well at all last week, that I had to go to urgent care Friday morning, aka the morning I left (long story), that I had to stay later than anticipated at work the day I left, and that I had to make a stop at job # 2 before I left.  Plus I had to pick up my rental car so . . . yeah, it was kind of a stressful send off.  It was definitely one of those things where I felt rushed and unprepared even though I'd known I was making this trip for a long time, and I found myself really frustrated with that.  Honestly, I need to get over this whole procrastination thing . . . but that's neither here nor there.

I finally got on the road to SLC around 3 PM, and I just drove and drove and drove.  For the trip up I went through Page on the 89, and once I actually got into Utah I had some issues.  Apparently the bottom part of Utah is just all these small towns along the 89, and the 89 just curves and curves and curves through all of them.  By the time I hit this part of the trip it was dark, and curvy roads that I'm not familiar with in complete darkness=basically when I'm at my worst driving.  I kept having to slow down and it just sucked.  Twice I thought I had missed something in my directions and had to turn around and retrace my steps.  Finally I made it to the point where I moved from the 89 to the 15 North, and that helped a lot.  The 15 is a highway highway, and the speed limit is 80, and it's well lit and smooth, so that part was a lot easier.  I definitely had a moment when I saw the first sign that had the distance to SLC on it where I was just so disappointed, because I saw the sign and was just like, "How the hell am I still so far away when I've been driving so long??"  But really, at that point all you can do is drive, so I did.  I got checked into my hotel around 1:30 in the morning.  I pretty much got to my room, took off my clothes, and fell into bed.

Saturday was the day of the shower and, not surprisingly, I spent a good chunk of it getting lost trying to find Theresa's apartment, because addresses in Utah can sometimes be said backwards, if that makes sense.  I got confused but eventually figured it out, and I rode with them to the shower.  (I made them late and felt terrible, incidentally).  The shower was outside, and it was beautiful but insanely windy, so there were a lot of pauses where we just had to hold things down, but it was a lot of fun.  Jenna's sisters did a great job of hosting.  I also met a few new people who live in SLC, so that was exciting.  It was a great group, and I'm looking forward to seeing them all again at the wedding.  (In less than a month, eek!!)

After the shower Theresa and I (and their roommate, Zach) went back to their place, where Theresa and I watched football and talked about wedding details.  Later, the two of us and the Goldmans went to the Girl Scout camp that Jenna ran over the summer, which was awesome!  It's a really beautiful camp and I loved getting to see it.  We saw deer at the camp, and moose on the drive up and down (one each way!) so that was really cool.  The camp is near Provo, so it was quite a drive, but the Goldmans are awesome company.  After Trefoil we had dinner at Red Iguana, a Mexican place, which pretty much made my day because I actually found out about Red Iguana a few weeks ago and had been planning to eat there during the wedding trip, so when that was already the plan, I was thrilled.  And the food did not disappoint, some pretty solid amazingness right there.  (I'm already craving it and can't wait to go back).  It was a long and exhausting day but so much fun.

On Sunday we all had breakfast at Theresa's, she made some delicious stuffed french toast.  Then we went to David's Bridal and picked out new bridesmaid shoes, and then we visited the venue where the wedding and reception will be taking place.  The place is absolutely incredible, like mind blowingly beautiful, and completely perfect for Jenna and Theresa's wedding.  It just fits them, and seeing the venue just made me even more excited for the wedding.

I left SLC a solid 3 hours later than intended, but it was worth it to see the venue.  I took a different route home so I could go through Las Vegas (this route was completely the 15, and it's the route Jerbs and I will take when we drive to SLC for the wedding) and pick up my bridesmaid's dress from Kelly, another bridesmaid who lives there.  I spent some time just chatting with her, so that was nice.  Once I had my dress I got on my way, only to get pulled over for speeding right outside Boulder City.  I thought the speed limit was 65 so I was going 75 (I know, I was speeding, but I thought by only 10 mph), and it turns out the speed limit where I was is actually 45.  So yeah, good job Ica.  Really everything about this situation was not in my favor, because I was speeding near Vegas at 2 AM in a car with California plates so . . . yeah.  The cop asked me if I'd been arrested before, which freaked me the fuck out.  I mean, why ask that unless you're planning on arresting someone?  I was terrified I was going to end up in jail in Boulder City in the middle of the night . . . but thankfully, he just gave me a speeding ticket.  Which yes, sucks, but I didn't even care, I was just thankful I didn't get arrested.

Then I had to turn around just outside of Kingman for gas, because I'd thought I had enough gas for the trip and about 20 miles out my fancy rental car told me it could only go another 45 miles with what was in the tank.  I knew I couldn't make it to Seligman on that so my only choice was to turn around (in one of the little cop parking places that you are definitely not supposed to turn around in, so yay).  I was so upset.  I got gas and finally finally finally got on the road.  At this point I was so tired I don't even know how I made it home.  I was also really really angry so I was pretty much hating life during that drive.  I finally got home at like 3 in the morning and just crashed, and felt much better after I got some sleep.

This morning I tried on my dress, and I am thrilled because it fits perfectly and I actually kind of like how I look in it.  Having my dress here kind of makes it sink in a little more that the wedding is coming up, and fast!  I can't wait!

Final Passed, CPC Course Finished

I passed my class final with a 90 and averaged an 88 in the class.  I'm really really happy with that score.

Now I just have to prepare for the exam and hopefully pass that!

And So It Goes

I feel like my life goes like this: nothing going on nothing going on nothing going on FIFTY THINGS GOING ON AT ONCE.

Right now I just feel a little overwhelmed.

MHC--Is busier than ever.  I have more job duties than ever, which is fine, but I'm honestly feeling a little . . . burnt out, I guess.  It's just getting a little monotonous, same thing day after day after day, to the point that some days I just genuinely don't want to be there.  A couple of co-workers are just on my last nerve too and that's frustrating.  Not for any new reasons either, just the same issues over and over and over again that no one seems to want to address and fix.  I mean, overall I'm still really happy at my job, I think it's just some burn out.

SHAF--Is still behind, and I have zero desire to get it caught up.  I'm going to, but it takes a lot of effort on my part.  We just get busier and busier there, and between my full time job and the non-work stuff I have going on, I just don't have the time I should to do my second job.  I like working there and the money helps so much, but I don't know how much longer I'm going to be able to do it.  And Theresa's wedding is at the beginning of October, and I'm pretty much going to be in SLC the whole first week of the month, which is during SHAF's billing cycle, and I don't even know how to tell my boss that.  She's not going to be happy.  Honestly, if it came down to it, I'd just quit.  I mean, I'm already thinking about it anyway, and if it came down to choosing between that job and the wedding, believe me, there is no contest.  But we'll see.

CPC Course--I'm actually finished with all the chapter work for the course, which is awesome.  I just have to take the final now.  I actually already took it once, last night, and got a 69% . . . and you need a 70% to pass the class.  Missed it by a freaking point!  Fortunately you get two tries, so now I have to re-take it.  I just have to be finished before September first, so I don't have to pay the extension fee (you have 6 months to take the class, and my 6 months are up at the end of August).  And yes, I realize that September first is the day after tomorrow at this point.  Once the class is finished I take the actual certification test, and that's on September 26th.  I need to pass with a 70% to get my certification, and I'm really really really really really hoping to do it on the first try.  The test is actually an in person proctored exam, so that'll be fun.

Aside from that . . . I finally got my oil changed Friday after going a shameful amount of miles without one.  My check engine light came on on Thursday and as soon as it did I realized I hadn't changed my oil in over a year.  (Good job, adult Ica).  The light went off as soon as the oil was changed, so now I'm just kinda praying that my engine continues to run correctly.

Dogs, cats, and Jerbs are all fine and dandy.

I'm going to SLC next weekend for Theresa and Jenna's joint bridal shower, and I'm SO excited about it!

Move In Day Nostalgia

Today was move in day at NAU.

It was an overcast day with a few thunderstorms (AKA perfect), and I found myself thinking about how much college me would have loved a move in day like this.  Coming back up the mountain to rain after a hot summer in Kingman would have made me so very happy.

Back then move in day was my absolute favorite, because I was always so glad to come back up to Flagstaff and be back in school and see all my friends.  And I knew that a beautiful fall was right around the corner, so it was always just a happy time for me.  (Now I hate move in day, because I much prefer living in Flagstaff when it's not crawling with douche bag college kids, but I digress).

Earlier this week, I went on a Dunkin' Donuts run in the afternoon, and there were some flag line girls practicing in the parking lot next to DD (DD is right by campus, so they were in the parking lot of what I think is Disability Services . . . that's what it was when I was in school, anyhow).  It definitely made me nostalgic for marching band and football games.

Add all of this to the fact that I've been reading through my old LiveJournal, which encompasses my whole college experience, and it's just been a nostalgic kind of week.

As much fun as it is to look back on my college days here in Flagstaff, it also helps me to really understand why I want to leave Flagstaff, but that's for another time and another entry.