3/11/26 I'm on Chapter 7 of my Fundementals of Medicine class! That's the prereq for the CPC program, for people like me who have essentially no medical background. I took an anatomy and physiology class in highschool and an equine anatomy class in college, but that's about it. I'm having soooo much fun learning all this brand-new-to-me information, as well as better understanding stuff that I'm superficially aware of. It's also really cool taking a class as an adult, because not only is my brain fully developed (yayyy being over 25!), I also know myself MUCH better than I did at ages 18-22 when I was in college. Studying goes much smoother when you understand how you best process and retain information! There's also a ton of latin, and apparently my grandma really liked Latin and took classes, so in this weird little way I feel connected to her. 🥰

3/8/26 Mum and the dogs and I went to the beach because we're having a magical warm spell! I noticed this razor clam shell that looked like a butterfly! 🦋

3/5/26 As some of you know, I've been unemployed since my landscaping job stopped for the season in December. Because I'm going to be moving on the bus to live on the road asap, I knew my next job needed to be one I could do remotely. Turns out that as many hands-on skills as I have, none of them translate over to remote work. 😵‍💫 Ok, ok, Plan B, there's gotta be SOMETHING remote-job wise that I could enjoy that also happens to be entry level... yeaaaah no. I don't want to (and honestly would be terrible at) sell things, and having to take and make calls all day sends my anxiety through the roof (I have tried it, I lasted 4 months). Turns out, the only entry level jobs that EXIST IN THE UNIVERSE are one of those two things.

I had been working through a SheCodes program learning computer coding- thus this website!- and really enjoy it, but realized that the if I were to try to get work in the field it would most likely be one-off projects and contract work, not something steady. If it were just me, I'd be way more spontaneous and less worried about money, but I've got the 3 dogs and 1 cat to take care of too, and two of the four are not considered seniors (HOW!? 😭). Lu just had a dental and Hudson is about to have one- shit's not cheap! I'm hoping that there won't be any emergencies, but if there are I need to make sure I can cover them. So steady job it is.

I knew I didn't want to deal with doing another 4 year degree, nor did I want to further pursue psychology, which is what my bachelor's is in. I had noticed, in my hours and hours of frustratingly unsuccessful job hunting, a lot of jobs having to do with medical billing and coding. It's a field I had looked into briefly about five years ago, but dismissed at the time because I didn't really have the money or the drive to take on a certification program. But now...? I did more research and learned that the job market is great and only projected to get better, that the salary is decent, and many of the jobs I'd seen listed allow remote work. I'm such a naturally curiuos person that the thought of getting to read about cool surgeries or whacky injury reports was appealing!

Step one, Pick A Thing, done! Step two, Get Certified For Thing, loading.. There's something in Massachusetts called MassHire, which is separate from the Department of Unemployment (already a little confusing). MassHire offers workshops, job listings, and job counseling. There is also something called the Training Opportunities Program (TOP), which is through the DoU, but for which ya gotta go through trainings at MassHire to get to?? Yeah, I was confused too. Anyway, TOP helps people find training that will help them land jobs, and there's even funding that can be applied for! I took my butt on down to the MassHire office to inquire about how to get started. While I was there I thought they were super helpful! They signed me up for yet another unemployment-related platform, and signed me up for a virtual class that they said was the intro to applying for TOP. Unfortunately it was a month out (this was in January and the class was scheduled for the end of February) but hey, if it could get me into TOP and closer toward job-ready, I could be patient. Sooo I wait, shovel, wait, cough and sneeze (was sick for the entirety of January and February), wait...

Finally it's class day! I'm all logged in and ready to go the second they let people into the virtual meeting room. It takes a while to get going but once they do- oh. They put on a video. Ok, well, there must be more interaction afterwards, this is just to get everyone on the same page! Huh, the video barely mentioned TOP at all, that's weird... The video ends and the host comes back and says that if we want to make an appointment with a career counselor, we should stay in the call and she'd talk to each of us one by one. Someone pipes up and asks about TOP and explains that she was told this was the first step toward applying. The host says welllll, the carreer counselor can help you apply for that. At this point I'm frustrated. I waited a MONTH for a class I was told had such a long waiting list because it had to be live, only for the host to play a 5 minute video that didn't really even talk about the thing that I was there for. But ok, ok, I'll chill and make an appointment with a counselor and hopefully talking one on one to somebody will be able to get the ball rolling. The host starts running through the list of us and starts assigning appointments as early as the next day- good, this shouldn't be another long wait! Yeah....right...... 15 minutes later she gets to me. She offers an appointment that's ANOTHER month out. I accept it because what the hell else am I going to do. She tells me I can leave the call. I hang up and cry my eyes out.

I am not cut out to sit around all day. I am not cut out for long winters with lots of snow and grey skies. I am deeeeepressed. I let myself be absolutely miserable for a couple days, I had earned it dammit! Then I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and kept going. (If you get the Bluey reference I love you!) I decided that I wouldn't make it through another month, and that I needed to just find a program on my own and figure out how to finance it. The American Acadamy of Professional Coders (AAPC) is the organization that created and proctors the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) test, and they have a training program as well. I got in touch with admissions (shout out Keith!) and talked through the different program options and (hallelujah!) financing options. I figured out that I could cover the downpayment and had enough coming in from unemployment to be able to add the financed rest to my monthly list of bills. I took care of all the money stuff and then BOOM, I suddenly had like six different emails in my inbox with links to classes and textbooks!! I dove right into the pre-req class on the fundementals of medicine, and have been absolutely loving it. I get to learn so many new things! I feel soo good about this choice, and it feels amazing to be able to see a path ahead of me once again.

3/2/26 Sometimes ya just gotta cuss a little, ya know? Me and my Garden Flamingo are sooooo sick of the ungodly amount of snow we've gotten this winter. Maybe the end is now in sight? (Last time I said that it snowed some more.. 🙃)

2/23/26 I've been feeling pretty trapped and restless lately, and I've found that one of the best remedies is to go out and interact with people (if I have the energy to also *deal* with people, haha). Yesterday I did just that! I have a really comfy dark blue crewneck sweatshirt that says "optimistic" across the front in fun loopy lettering, and I decided that was the vibe I needed for the day, so I wore it. Well the universe wanted to make sure I knew this was a good call, because two different people said how much they liked it! The second person, an older gentleman, was so sweet about it too: he was clearly aware that a woman alone may be wary of a man approaching them, so he sort of called to me from a distance at first. This put me at ease right away so I thanked him and told him I had found it at Savers and loved it! We had a nice little chat (he was heading to Savers next after the store we were in) and he told that when he has a hard time at work and goes to his manager, the other man gives him a word to focus on. He said that lately that word has been "perseverance". I said how much I liked that and what a great manager he must have, he agreed, and we went our seperate ways. Not only was it a lovely, kind, and respectful interaction, but I also took it as a direct message: persevere! I really needed that word at that moment, and it was such a nice way to be reminded of it. Thank you random stranger!

2/20/26 Well, I really meant to find a glimmer each day to record, as a way to start the new year out on the right foot, ya know? Instead I got and stayed sick, it snowed a bunch and I couldn't work on the bus, and I ended up in a depressed funk for much of January and February. UGH. Here's to fresh starts and not putting so much pressure on myself. Yesterday was the first really good day I've had in a long time, and I feel like the end of this miserable winter may finally be almost sorta kinda in sight? Let's hope so- I've got adventures to get on with! Here are some cute/funny/feelgood stickers I've seen on cars lately- very glimmery!


01/05/26 Finally felt like myself today for the first time in about a week and a half! Winter colds are the worrrrrrst!!

01/04/26 Breakfast for dinner!

01/03/26 There was a gigantic flock of starlings muttering to each other (really though, it sounded like muttering!) as they flew back and forth between the powerlines and some apparently delicious shrubs.

01/02/26 I finally had a wall of the bus ready to paint and I looooove the yellow color I picked! It gives Winnie the Pooh and sunpuddle naps 🥰

01/01/26 The dogs got to wake up and romp in some actively falling snow today! So happy for them. less happy for me- but still going to call it a win!

12/17/25 Today I brought my Tiny Gremlin (Lu) to the vet for a post dental recheck. First thing the receptionists said when we walked in was, "Where are her pajamas!? She is COLD!" 😆 Made me laugh so hard- I promised them I had her heated seat on in the car! Then when our amazing vet came in, the two of us just sat on the floor in the exam room chatting, with Lu running back and forth between us. I gave her a heads up that we were going to be moving out of the state and explained about the bus. She suggested some spots to check out and hike at, and even said that she has a friend she thinks I'd like in Wyoming and said I should let her know if I end up there and she'd connect us. Like, are you kidding me?? So freaking sweet!!! Made my entire day. 🥰

12/15/25 I made a friend at Homo de Pot (Home Depot) today! It's so fun to meet people in "the wild" who get so excited about the skoolie project- always rekindles my spark on the hard days!

12/12/25 Today I made myself take a break from working on the bus. Instead I napped, puzzled, listened to an audio book, wrapped Christmas presents, and hung out with my animals. It was suuuuch a nice relaxing day, very much needed. Say it with me now: rest! is! productive!

12/11/25 It was a BESTIE DAYYYYY! It's been way too long since I've seen my best friend, and tonight we met up at Old Sturbridge Village for their Christmas By Candlelight program. We had a grand old nerdy time exploring, asking questions, and tasting old-timey treats. It was wonderful to see her and catch up- whole week made!

12/05/25 My mum and I went to our local Arts Collaborative winter show and sale this evening and man on man were there so many lovely interactions! I saw lots of friends from my own days in the Collaborative, and met some new ones as well. The bus project (The Birdie Journey) was discussed at length, with new friends and old, which inspired me to get my butt moving and get the site up to date! So thanks, friends!

10/13/25 A quick note before this story, for the sake of context: when it's especially bright out I have a sunhat that I use at work (landscape gardening) to protect my eyes and face. Because I'm too feral to wear a wear a cutsie sunhat, I pinned it up and stuck feathers in one side (see photo!). Ok, now that you've got that information in your brain, let's continue. At some of the houses I go to for work I get lucky, and there are either kids or dogs outside who I'll get to interact with. One day we pulled up to this house and there was a mama and 3 kiddos playing in the yard. I chatted with them for a few minutes and then they went inside to have lunch. As we were heading back to the truck later to leave, I notice that they've come out to the front steps and that one of the little guys is making a beeline for me. I crouch down as he approaches and he says he wants to show me something. He holds up a toddler-sized baseball cap with a turkey feather taped precariously to the side. So that we could match. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? 🥹 Day made, instantly.

10/13/25 On a more meloncholy nostalgic note, my family traveled to New York state to scatter my grandma's ashes in the same place we put my grandfather's. My mum's cousin brought beautiful flowers for us to leave with her as well. It was a beautiful day and brought us all a lot of peace.

10/13/25 This was my last big crochet project- a snugglely bunny for my friends who were expecting their first (baby boy has since arrived and is doing wonderfully!).



10/13/25 LOOK AT THIS BEAR ROCK. That is all.






10/13/25 WOW I haven't added anything here in forever! Between my full time job and working on the bus every weekend, priorities have been elsewhere. But here I am, trying to get caught up! I'm going to treat this like a photo dump I'd send to a friend and stick a bunch of nature photos below, mostly taken when I was out and about in people's yards for work (landscape gardening). Then I've got a few photos that deserve their own individual posts because they have stories to go along with them, so I'll post those separately.


5/7/2025 Managed to get myself out of the house for a hike with the dogs today, which admittedly felt pretty good. At one point we were going up a slight hill and there was a young maple tree with its branches overhanging the path at eye level. The light was behind it and you could see every vein in the leaves. Simpley beautiful. 😌

5/4/2025 [Mildly] spicy tuna rice bowls for dinner courtesy of yours truly! They were yummy, and the kewpie mayo and nori mix topping really sealed the deal. I also had the privledge to take care of a couple extremely spoiled but equally awesome kitties this weekend. Silly mister T here gave me his belly to admire and even purred for me!

4/26/2025 With help from my super smart little bro, I figured out how to put a "scroll to top" button on the site! Woo hoo!

4/25/25 This week I've been putting the subfloor in on the bus, which has involved a lot of trips to home depot, as well as renting a pickup from them to bring plywood and insulation home. I gotta shout out the Danvers Independece Way HD because everyone there that I've interacted with has been incredible. From my buddy Douglas who set me up with a pro account, guarded my carts while I ran around grabbing what I needed, and even went to find and retrieve something I needed himself, to the guys in the tool/truck rental room who were having a hell of a busy day but were still cheerful with me and had the jokes ready to go- every single person was a total love and made a potentially stressful task so much easier! What a glimmer filled week 🥰

4/21/2025 Best glimmer ever to report today!! About a year ago I made a crochet elephant out of a jersey cotton bedsheet I cut up. He was a little mishapen as he was one of my very first crochet projects, but adorable nonetheless. Since then he's been sitting on a shelf waiting for the right kid to come along for me to gift him to. Well folks, today was the day! My mum teaches two adorable little kiddos who have the most wonderful parents ever. On the way back from a trip to the bathroom, the mom and one of the kids noticed my art hanging on the wall and were so enthusiastic and kind about it. I grabbed a book of my art to share with them (LOVE getting kids excited about things they're interested in, and this one apparently loves art) and then realized they'd be the perfect kids for my elephant to go to! I tried to talk to the mom first but the little one snuck in and literally had their mouth hanging open when they saw the ellie. They were both SO excited and kiddo promised to share with the sibling who was mid-lesson. My heart is absolutely overflowing at their delight. 🤗

4/13/2025 Oh hey I'm 31 now, gross! Highlights of my birthday weekend included muffins from my favorite spot, clay creations, unexpected snow, and my boyfriend's mom bringing me home a cake! Cuteness all around, and despite the fact that I am not a huge fan of birthdays, it wasn't so bad all in all. 🥰

4/8/2025 Naps. Sometimes the best part of the day is naptime and that is valid and a-okay. 😌

4/6/2025 Catch-up glimmer post ready GO! The way vines wrap around each other and twist together and together and together; someone blocking traffic so that I could turn onto a busy street; the sweetest older lady with a tiny chihuahua in her shopping cart basket, and her daughter who stopped to chat and told me that that dog and the others at home are her mom's BABIES and she checks on them with a camera when she's away; catching up with friends; spring flowers blooming; the dogs being soooo excited to see me even though I'd only been away from them for a short time; finding a salamander in the woods; friends' pets being excited to see me!

3/27/2025 The blacksmithing class was AWESOME! My brother and I were exhausted by the end but we had such a great time. If you're ever near Franconia, NH, look up Iron Mike's Forge! Mike was kind, funny, patient, and helpful; I can't reccomend this man enough! An additional smallish glimmer for the week was this gorgeous dried clump of flowers I noticed when I was at the park with the dogs. I can't wait to have a "real" camera to shoot with again!

3/21/2025 I finished the classroom part of my work training today! Woohooooo! I also grabbed my brother and headed up to the White Mountains for an overnight and, tomorrow, a private blacksmithing class. We're both super stoked about it 😁 I'm not usually one to enjoy the snow, but I must say that the light dusting that seems to stick to everything up here is quite lovely.

3/20/2025 Today's glimmer is simple- I passed The Big Test at work training! Woohoooo! I also passed a re-do test which was important as well. I don't learn as well from slides and lectures as I do from on the job training, and I test horribly, so these pass-it-or-lose-the-job tests are scary! I did it though and am feeling much more relaxed now.

3/18/2025 Listen, sometimes you gotta find the silly little things to make your day! Last night I came home from work training frustrated and exhausted, so I decided to buy myself a little gifty that would help me feel better and take better care of myself! LOOK HOW COLORFUL!! This cutie bento box type deal is totally meant for children, but ya know what, adults deserve bright colors too! It made me so happy during my lunch break (aka my 30 minutes of freedom from the torturous monotony of projector slides) today. The other day I found a little Bingo keychain (huge Bluey fan here) and that's been making me super happy as well. Gotta find the little bits of light each day folks!

3/16/2025 I meant to post this the other day but forgot! After my absolute mess of an attempt at pastina in the rice cooker, I went back to something that I know how to do well and that I know is a fan favorite- spam masubi rice! Is it the best for us, nah, but it IS delicious! I added pineapple this time which was a huge win. Also got a nori sprinkle topping type deal from HMart which really made it look (and taste) fancy!

03/15/2025 Y'all because I finally have steady income on the imminent horizon, I get to be back at the gym! If you were to go back in time and tell 13 year old me that that was a thing I was excited about she would laugh in your face, but here we are! Every inch of my body hurts but I feel the best I've felt in months. The gym I decided on has heavy bags so I can keep boxing (oh right, some of you don't know that my old gym was Title Boxing) AND they have a pool AAAAND a sauna! So fancy! Everyone I've interacted with there so far has been incredibly welcoming, kind, and unintimidating. Huge win! Here's to sore muscles!

03/13/2025 Yeaaaah that did not go according to plan. Turns out making pastina in the rice cooker is NOT a go. Oh well, try again some other time! On the bright and totally unrelated side- I got my nose pierced the other day!

03/12/2025 Today I'm attempting to make pastina, aka Italian Penicillin!! I'm cooking half an onion, 3 carrots, and 4 sticks of cellery in chicken stock until they're soft. Then I'll take the solids out and blend them and set aside. I think I'll then cook the pastina in the chicken broth and then add the pureed veggies back in? I'm doing this all in a rice cooker so it's a bit of an experiment! Another happy thing for today is that I upgraded my terrarium to have more plants and moss. Oh yeah, I havent told you about that yet, have I! I have a small terrarium I built for 5 adorable "dairy cow" isopods. Think cow colored rolypoly bugs! They're super cute and the easiest pet I've ever had by far!

03/11/2025 It got to 60° out today! Warm sunny weather calls for one thing: lizard time! Lizard time is where I lay on the ground and simply soak up the sun. It's a 10/10 experience, highly reccomend!

03/07/2025 Today was a good day! I did a Taskr job in the morning and then headed into Boston for an interview. The job title is "ramp agent" at the airport- essentially doing all the stuff that happens outdoors under the plane. It sounded like fun; physically demanding, working in a team and outdoors, getting to work around internationally-traveling aircraft. The interview went swimmingly and at the end the hiring manager said he'd get me set up with a full application. I thought he meant I'd passed the first step and was on to round two, but then he congratulated me and I realized he'd meant I was hired! Gotta love my silly brain sometimes. It'll be about a month before I'm working, but I'm just excited to have consistent income on the horizon- gym membership here I come!