Yesterday was Matt's birthday! I love birthdays! Even if they are not mine, for some reason I just love birthdays. Matt and I are very different in that regard. Growing up his family never really made a big deal about birthdays and they still don't. With this in mind I tend to spoil him probably more than I should and definitely more than he wants. Since I had to work a split shift on his birthday I decided to give him his presents early. The first one he got was new bracelet. A couple years ago I made him a "friendship" bracelet out of embroidery thread. The original one broke a couple months ago and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to make him a new one. He really wanted this DVD set from Hastings called "Ultraman". It's some sci-fi show. I don't really know what it's about but he really wanted it so I got him that. He also had his eye on these folding camp chairs that Home Depot has this year. So I got him one! He has replaced his old plastic chair on the deck with the new one and seems quite fond of it. Last but not least. Matt wakes up all the time with a sore neck. Almost every day when he wakes up he tells me that his neck hurts. Shopko had some memory foam pillows on sale for 50% off plus my discount so I got him a really nice, pretty expensive pillow for not very much money. I hope it is comfy for him and helps alleviate his neck pain.
Yesterday morning when I came home between shifts I stopped and got him some of his favorite coffee from our favorite coffee place in town. I think that was a nice surprise for him. Happy Birthday my love!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Matt is officially signed up for classes!
Yesterday Matt was able to make an advising meeting with someone at the college. Based on the results of the Compass test and the degree Matt has chosen they were able to put together a schedule for him for the upcoming semester. He has chosen to do Network Administration. Although he knows a lot about computers and the components, networking is not his strong point. I am very excited for him to start learning more about things he is interested in and also for him to start earning his degree.
There are a few classes that we think he will be able to "challenge". What that means is instead of having to take the whole class he can attempt to test out of it. For example, one class he has to take covers the basic components of the Microsoft Office suite. Which Matt is already pretty familiar with. He can challenge the class and take a test that sees how much he knows about the program; if it's enough he automatically gets the credit for the class. I hope he can test out of at least a couple classes to save both time and money. I can't wait for him to get started!
There are a few classes that we think he will be able to "challenge". What that means is instead of having to take the whole class he can attempt to test out of it. For example, one class he has to take covers the basic components of the Microsoft Office suite. Which Matt is already pretty familiar with. He can challenge the class and take a test that sees how much he knows about the program; if it's enough he automatically gets the credit for the class. I hope he can test out of at least a couple classes to save both time and money. I can't wait for him to get started!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
The Compass Test Is Done!
Matt went to the school yesterday and finished the Compass test! Unfortunately a lot of material we went over that we found on online practice tests were not on the actual test. Boo! Regardless, he did very well in English and in pre-algebra. Not so well in advanced algebra though. He will have to take an introduction to Algebra class and an introduction to college writing class. Tuesday he will be meeting with an adviser and hopefully get a class schedule set up for the fall semester.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Jeremy's Graduation Present
Last year for Bart's birthday Matt and I made him a custom DS case with the Misfits logo, the Crimson Ghost and his nickname "B-Movie" on it. I bought a plain black DS case and used white vinyl to make the decals. Ever since I made that one I've been wanted to make more. Recently my good friend Jeremy Hovden graduated from Carroll and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to make another one.
For Jeremy's I decided to do a green DS case and black vinyl to make the Tiger Army "tiger-bat". I found a neon green DS case on eBay for super cheap. When I got it in the mail it was a much lighter green than pictured, it was more pastel than neon. Not very psychobilly. I wasn't going to settle so Matt and I had to spray paint it a brighter green. Since we don't have a garage it was kind of a pain to get the painting done having to work around Montana's "Spring" weather. It gets kind of windy by our house, not the best conditions for spray painting.
My original plan was to do the tiger bat and Jeremy's nickname "Jerbehr" just like I had done on Bart's but I just wasn't feeling it and we decided to put "Never Die" instead. (Tiger Army's "motto"). After we got it all painted, got the decals on and finished the clear coat I tried it out on Matt's DS to make sure it fit and still functioned. Of course the Snarr luck came into play and the two posts that hold the top cover and bottom cover together, snapped. It took Matt and I about a week to come up with a solution to fix it. Thank goodness for scrapbooking, we used black brads to replace the broken posts and it looks awesome! I'm glad it's finally finished and I hope Jeremy loves. Congratulations on graduation! You've definitely earned it!
For Jeremy's I decided to do a green DS case and black vinyl to make the Tiger Army "tiger-bat". I found a neon green DS case on eBay for super cheap. When I got it in the mail it was a much lighter green than pictured, it was more pastel than neon. Not very psychobilly. I wasn't going to settle so Matt and I had to spray paint it a brighter green. Since we don't have a garage it was kind of a pain to get the painting done having to work around Montana's "Spring" weather. It gets kind of windy by our house, not the best conditions for spray painting.
My original plan was to do the tiger bat and Jeremy's nickname "Jerbehr" just like I had done on Bart's but I just wasn't feeling it and we decided to put "Never Die" instead. (Tiger Army's "motto"). After we got it all painted, got the decals on and finished the clear coat I tried it out on Matt's DS to make sure it fit and still functioned. Of course the Snarr luck came into play and the two posts that hold the top cover and bottom cover together, snapped. It took Matt and I about a week to come up with a solution to fix it. Thank goodness for scrapbooking, we used black brads to replace the broken posts and it looks awesome! I'm glad it's finally finished and I hope Jeremy loves. Congratulations on graduation! You've definitely earned it!
Here is the finished product.
Monday, June 6, 2011
The Compass Test
Matt got a letter the other day and has been excepted to UM-Helena! Yay! Before he can sign up for classes he has to take the Compass test. I didn't have to take the compass test when I started taking classes because I was a "non-degree" seeking student and it didn't pertain to the classes I needed to take. However, Matt asked if I would help him go over some practice questions.
Now, it's been a while since I've taken an Algebra course and it's been even longer since Matt has taken one. We found some sample questions online and I'm actually doing better on the them than I thought I would. I have been trying to explain how I get the answers and how I can look at a problem and figure out how to "attack" it. It is always challenging for me to explain to other people how my brain works but I think we are making some progress.
We were running into a few questions that went something along the lines of, "If Joey can do the task in 10 minutes and Mary can do the task in 8 minutes and Marco can do the task in 4 minutes how long will it take them if they all work together?" I could not for the life of me remember how to figure this kind of problem out. But, we did a search online and found the formula for it! Hooray! It was a little complex but we finally got it. It only took Matt 2 questions before he didn't even need my guidance! I hope he does really well on this test so he can really get started on earning his degree. I am so excited for him.
Now, it's been a while since I've taken an Algebra course and it's been even longer since Matt has taken one. We found some sample questions online and I'm actually doing better on the them than I thought I would. I have been trying to explain how I get the answers and how I can look at a problem and figure out how to "attack" it. It is always challenging for me to explain to other people how my brain works but I think we are making some progress.
We were running into a few questions that went something along the lines of, "If Joey can do the task in 10 minutes and Mary can do the task in 8 minutes and Marco can do the task in 4 minutes how long will it take them if they all work together?" I could not for the life of me remember how to figure this kind of problem out. But, we did a search online and found the formula for it! Hooray! It was a little complex but we finally got it. It only took Matt 2 questions before he didn't even need my guidance! I hope he does really well on this test so he can really get started on earning his degree. I am so excited for him.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Updating My Resume
Yesterday Matt and I were working on updating my resume. I cannot believe how much stuff I have been able to add to it from just last summer. Honestly, I must say, it's pretty awesome to be able to put Sandy L. Snarr, CPC-A. I feel so official and so accomplished to have a real, professional title. My newest goal is to starting working so I get the "A" off my title. In case you aren't familiar, the "A" stands for "Apprentice". To get it taken off you either need to submit proof to AAPC that you've been working as a coder for 2 years or have a certificate stating you've completed at least 80 hours of a coding class and 1 year experience working as a coder. At the end of last semester my coding instructor gave as a certificate for the 80+ hours and I will be submitting that tomorrow.
I also updated the references on my resume. I asked my other college instructor (Anatomy & Physiology and Introduction to Nursing teacher) if she would be willing to be a reference for me and she wholeheartedly agreed. She has been working as a nurse for over 40 years and now has a very important job at the state dealing with transplant applicants. It is a huge confidence booster to have someone so prestigious see potential in me. I am very excited to really start looking for coding jobs.
My coding instructor came into Home Depot over the weekend while I was working and I got to talk to her about the test and finding a job. Many places in Helena let her know when they have coding jobs available because they know she always knows people who are looking. She told me that she should be getting some leads shortly and will be sending out an email to her students that are looking. Keep your fingers crossed!
I also updated the references on my resume. I asked my other college instructor (Anatomy & Physiology and Introduction to Nursing teacher) if she would be willing to be a reference for me and she wholeheartedly agreed. She has been working as a nurse for over 40 years and now has a very important job at the state dealing with transplant applicants. It is a huge confidence booster to have someone so prestigious see potential in me. I am very excited to really start looking for coding jobs.
My coding instructor came into Home Depot over the weekend while I was working and I got to talk to her about the test and finding a job. Many places in Helena let her know when they have coding jobs available because they know she always knows people who are looking. She told me that she should be getting some leads shortly and will be sending out an email to her students that are looking. Keep your fingers crossed!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)