Today went much better than yesterday!

I got to the DMV very early, forgot to bring a book with me and just sat and did practice tests on my phone for the hour or so that I had to wait. Almost none of the practice questions turned out to be on the test I took, go figure, but I passed anyway and that's the important part. They gave me a printout version of my new permit-- the photo looks absolutely awful because of course-- and said that I'd get the card version within forty-five days. Which amuses me since I won't need it in forty-five days if I stick to my intended time table. But, hey, might not be able to make that happen, so might as well, eh?

My brother and I did much better work on his costume today than on Tuesday, pretty pleased to have redeemed ourselves there. He's going to do some work on it while I'm out of town and then I can go over and help some more when I get back. Won't have as much time since my vacation will be over, natch, but it should still be plenty, especially if he's working on it independently. I'm going to bring my costume stuff with me so I can do some work on it on the road. I'm bringing the book I'm reading, too, but I'm less likely to get carsick crocheting or sewing than reading.

Travis's tank is about ninety percent set up. I want to get him a new water dish and some fresh substrate. Might try some plants again, Idk. This tank isn't as tall as the old one and so it'd be easier to care for them without disturbing him. I'm watching him explore as I type this. Kinda funny-- in a bit of a mean way, I guess-- to watch him be surprised by the lower ceiling after he spent so much time not bothering to make use of the old tank's height. This tank does look smaller than I thought now that he's in it but it's within the recommended size range and he's always spent most of his time curled up no matter how much space he has anyway, so I'm sure it's fine. Not like he'll be doing any more growing, old man that he is.

I didn't get as thorough of a cleaning done as hoped but it still looks better than it did. I can already feel myself missing having a day off after the trip, since that would be the perfect time to put on some finishing touches. Alas. I can do a little at a time through the week and there's always next weekend for more involved stuff.

Anyhow, my laundry got left until late and just recently came out. Gonna get that handled and finish packing :)

So, my brother and his girlfriend and I ended up not getting to the thrift stores as planned but they both found what they needed at the fabric and hardware stores we checked. I, however, did not find anything I needed. Not even at Walmart! I swear I see those packages of fake fall leaf decor all over the place every year at this time... but not this year. Go figure!

Anyway, I went ahead and just ordered a package of them online. They should be here early next week, so I'll be able to get to work on my skirt. I still need to crochet the net framework for it but I want to wait until I can actually see how the leaves look when layered, since that'll determine how I need to do the net. As for the bodice part, I'm going to see if I can find some fabric with a wood pattern online and if not, I'll go with Plan B; use foam to make fake tree bark over a shirt and leggings.

I think I'm going over to their place tomorrow to start helping with my brother's costume. I decided to treat this weekend as just a weekend and then I can get started with my housecleaning Monday. A few hours a day should do it and I can work that around whatever schedule we decide on to work on costumes. I also finally ordered a stand for Travis-- a proper stand, not a table or cabinet like I was thinking. I got to thinking about weight capacities and realized a lot of the pieces I most liked the looks of were just too dodgy to risk it. I can just stack some storage cubbies in the lower tier of the stand.

Our main case numbers at work got up to one hundred thousand today and I succeeded at being the one to generate it!! Is this important in any way, shape or form? No. Does it make me happy anyway? Absolutely. Especially because I wasn't sure we were gonna get there this week and if we hadn't, it definitely would've happened next week when I wouldn't have had a chance to even try.

In less pleasing news I'm worried about the amount of work I'm going to be leaving behind tomorrow. I got a lot today and ended up with a significant amount to do in the morning-- aaand I'm expecting even more slides tomorrow than I got today. More slides doesn't necessarily mean more cases, of course, but it can. And even if I get the exact same number of cases, that would still be on top of what I had to leave tonight.

Ah, well. Nothing to do but my best.

Well, I went ahead and switched my PTO from the Monday following TFcon to Monday next week. I'll miss having that day after to settle back into being home but I already feel better about this schedule. The closer I came to having to work one day out of the midst of nine, the more I hated the idea, lol.

In any case, I'm very much looking forward to next week. In the days leading up to leaving for the trip, I want to do some deep cleaning at home. My sister actually does have a vehicle again, can't remember if I told you guys that, and so I might actually get a cheaper stand for Travis off Marketplace after all. It'll just depend on whether there are any available. If I can't find one I can pick up this weekend, I'll go ahead and order one so that I can have him set before I go. I'd like to get his old tank cleaned up and listed on Marketplace as well. I also need to schedule my written driver's test-- or, well, I don't really need to but having an appointment will make a quick in and out at the DMV more likely. Don't wanna waste too much of a day there. I'll also be taking some time to work on my costume during the week, in between cleaning. I can't say I'm looking forward to all that hand-sewing but I am looking forward to the finished product, so I'm trying to focus on that, lol. Should be mindless enough work that I can absorb an audiobook or two while I get it done, at least.