I just upgraded the computer to Windows 7 and can't get the D-Link to work again.  From what I'm reading on the internet, it has been discontinued and no more drivers will be issued so I guess I'm going to have to buy a new one.  Won't be able to call for a while.

I came home last night totally P Oed!  One of my classes was divided into 2 parts with two different instructors.  The first part was just the Office programs (which I already knew) but the instructor was very good and made the classtime enjoyable.  Monday the new instructor took over and  it blows!  This is all done by distance learning where I am sitting in a classroom (alone) looking at 2 screens from the actual classroom in another location.  One screen is supposed to show the instructor and the other is for the presentation, board, whatever.  The first night this new guy turned the cameras off and I couldn't see anything!  It was just like listening to an audio tape.  Me, not wanting to disturb the class, e-mailed the instructor and asked him to please turn the cameras on.  Last night I did get to see the presentation but the other camera was turned on one student in their classroom.  Absolutely no interaction at all until the last 10 minutes when he decided to walk out in front of the camera and I got to spend those last minutes looking at his behind.  I'M NOT HAPPY!

On the bright side, I got another call from WIU about another job.  Keep your fingers crossed for me.  If I can get on there I can take classes for free.  I'm not giving up - WIU is where I want to work.

Leaves, leaves, and more leaves

I did manage to get some of them mowed today.  I started raking and decided that was just ludicrous, don't know why I even attempted it since I go through this every year.  It is now raining which will just knock more of them off.  By tomorrow you won't be able to tell that I mowed any.  My yard will look like crap.  To make it worse, deer season (bow) is in and I already have deer bones in my yard.  Gotta love Kimmy and Vagrant.  I let them both in last night and Vagrant went straight to the milk bone container and plopped himself down and looked back and forth from me to them like he was saying "There they are, aren't you going to give me one?"  Kimmy is much more polite about it.  She'll gently take one out of your hand and go eat it.  With Vagrant, you have to be careful not to lose a finger in the process.  I've decided the best way to deal with him is to just throw it to him from at least 6 feet away.

I've been sitting here working on a presentation I have to give tomorrow night.  I HATE public speaking!  I'm sure I'll get through it though.

Anyway - I'll have to call sometime and fill you in about the "secret".  No announcements yet.

Scenes of Fall in Illinois

Our road

The path between me and Richard's

Right in front of the house

My red, white, and blue mailbox and marker

All the leaves right by the driveway

The driveway-more leaves to mow

my new sign - McCoy Coat of Arms

The tree beside the house - one of the prettiest

The deck

Can't leave Kimmy out!

Asian Beetles

They have hatched!  I literally had to turn my windshield wipers on yesterday to get them off so I could see.  I don't know if you guys had them in Texas or not - probably not as bad in a city.  Do you have them in England?  They're not even as bad in Carthage as they are here at home.  They come out of the fields every fall and make life miserable.  Anyway, Kimmy doesn't seem to mind them.

I'm sitting here drinking a beer. Does that tell you what kind of day I've had? I had class tonight that was nothing but lab work.  Usually the instructors lectures, then we do a lab - more lecture, lab....  Tonight we had to do all the labs on our own.  I came home and took the assessment online and I don't think I did very well.  I guess I need the lecture to reinforce it for me.  Good thing I had a strong A going.    Tomorrow will be better. Sam is NOT here so at least I can just sit here and relax now that I have all my homework done.  In fact, I think I'll have another beer!

Exciting news I think!  I suspect that Heather may be pregnant.  Let me tell you why.  Last Friday she called and wanted me to meet her in Macomb for dinner.  It was cold and I really didn't want to go anywhere.  About half an hour later she called back and Faron told me to get off my "___" and go to meet them.  I immediately thought - she's pregnant!  I pulled into the restaurant and saw that Kathy (Faron's mom) was also there and I just knew there was going to be an announcement!  Unfortunately her dad didn't show so no announcement was made.  You'd be proud of me - I kept my mouth shut- thought they wanted to tell everybody at once.  Now she's coming over tomorrow to "go over her insurance" with me!  What else could it be!  DO NOT tell Jery as I'm not sure and she'd kill me if he knew before she got the chance to tell him herself.

Another Weekend Gone

Time flies when you're having fun! I spent another weekend fighting with programming problems. I was stuck on one and ended up having to email the instructor for help. Of course it was a stupid mistake on my part - but it's working now. I did have Saturday pretty much off as I was waiting for an answer from the instructor, so I sat down and made a Christmas sock from a pattern that Heather found for me. I took a picture of it-pretty cool - red, white, and blue with a snowman (as you know - two of my favorite things). Anyway, I'll post the picture. I also took a picture of the "self portrait" I told you about so you can see what I'm doing in "college". That's about it - fought with Sam all weekend when I wasn't in front of the computer. I'm really tired of being taken advantage of!

School - blah! I'm too old for this. Let me tell you about my classes.
First there is Graphic Design- which I thought I'd really like. Our first project was to create a self portrait using only text - about drove me nuts but I got it done, tried to upload it to show you but can't get it to go.

Next comes Programming. This one makes me think. It is actually my favorite class but also the most challenging as I've never had any experience in it. Last weekend I spent about 10 hours working on one problem. It was to create a program to prompt an operator for their birthday and then tell them their zodiac sign and their horoscope. Took me FOREVER to figure it out. I actually did a little victory dance when I got it to work! Sam thinks I'm nuts.

Operating Systems - VISTA. Can't say I'm not learning anything but do not understand why I have to learn Vista as most businesses have avoided it like the plague. I hope most of what I do learn will apply to Windows 7.

Introduction to Information Technology - I'm learning to use Office 2007. Let's create an Excel file, a Word file, Powerpoint, Access. You're kidding, right? I've been doing this for 12 years! Should'nt have any trouble passing that one. I do like the instructor though, and she has a son in the Air Force.

All in all, I guess it's not that bad. Homework is time consuming though and I've been neglecting my house a little. It stayed clean all summer long but could use a little work now. I'm done canning for the summer - did my Apple Pie filling and applesauce last weekend (after I finished the programming problem). I've canned so much this year I had to go buy two more shelves to put my jars on. I had two and had them so loaded they actually started to collapse!

Craft shows have started. Me and Marla are going in together this year with her candles and my crocheted stuff. Had our first show in Carthage last month and did pretty well. Spoon River Drive was last weekend but it was cold and we didn't do very good. We'll try again this weekend but I think it's supposed to be cold again so who knows. Next month we have the Altrusa show in Macomb then another show in Carthage right after Thanksgiving. My goal is to make money for Christmas. I worked on things all summer long when I didn't have anything else to do. I figured out that if I could sell everything I made, I'd have over $1000. I'd be happy with half of that.

The animals are all doing good. Vagrant still thinks he lives here. Richard has just about given up on him. He'll come after him, take him home and within half an hour, he's back. I think he likes it here. Kimmy enjoys having someone to play with though and he's not a bad dog - just not the brightest crayon in the box. Can't help but love him though.

I've rambled on enough. I still have homework to do and Sam is already snoring. Later...........

Kimmy and Vagrant lounging on the deck after their walk. Kimmy and Sam go for a walk every night and Vagrant always comes back with them. Notice that Kimmy is looking much thinner - I think the exercise is good for her.

Plan B

Ok - scratch the idea of going to WIU. They finally got my transcripts evaluated and they say I can't possibly complete a degree in Computer Science in less than 3 years. TAA will only pay for two. Soooooooooooooo -  That leaves me with the option of going to Carl Sandburg for another Associates Degree. I really have NO desire to go to CSC but what else am I going to do. I guess I shouldn't complain too much since it is free. All I can do is make the best of it and see what happens. I'm hoping WIU will just hire me before August so I don't have to worry about it anymore.

Paperwork

I spent my first two weeks of being unemployed washing walls. My house is clean. Last week I started on the paperwork for going to school. I have been accepted to WIU and Carl Sandburg (my backup in case TAA denies my request to go to WIU), I have all my transcripts in to both schools, and my FAFPA done. I am now waiting for Western to evaluate my transcripts so I can get all the information to TAA. What a pain!

Got my pool up and discovered I have a leak - two in fact. I did manage to get it down to a very slow trickle but can't fix it completely until the water is warm enough to get in and patch the inside too-yes the patching material does work under water. Anyway, I tried to do it last night but the water was just too cold. I can stand a lot but not 50 degrees. Hopefully I won't loss too much water before I get it fixed. I was really counting on that pool to give me something to do this summer since I'm not working.

VFW Women's Auxiliary

Went to my first meeting last night and have already been elected to office! I'm afraid the women's auxiliary in Macomb is badly in need of new blood. Most of the members are older and the officers are staying in office for the sole reason that they can't get anybody else to do it. They pounced on me!

I'm hoping I can recruit some new, younger members. I know there are lots of people my age out there who have parents who served and now have sons and daughters serving. It seems only natural that we shoud step up and take on the responsibility now.

Home

After a week in Texas it is COLD up here! 34 degrees and it's 9:44 am. The wedding was good and I can hardly wait to see pictures. All in all it was a pretty good trip but I think we ran poor Jery and Camii ragged. I know they were both tired and sick and probably had things of their own they needed to get done.

More Goodbyes

Just got home from another goodbye to friends from work. It's hard watching your friends leave one by one even when you know you won't be far behind them. There are some that I will miss very much and some that I won't miss at all. Of all the times this has happened, I think today was probably the worst so far. Two from my own department said goodbye today. I have just one more month before I'm done and it is going to be a VERY long month.

Cut it off

I found David Wilkerson's blog! I remember David Wilkerson from "The Cross and the Switchblade." We are talking YEARS ago. I even went to see him one time and I must say it was awesome. I do not really get into religion but this man is worth listening to. His topic today was Cut them off.

If it offends you cut it off. I'm reading that this morning thinking - Sam. Cut it off. Not that I could, or would say anything against him - there is simply nothing there. Cut it off. I'm going to have to do that.

Quiet

It's 6 am on Sunday morning and my house is once again very quiet. My son, daughter in law, her brother and cousin just left to go back to Texas. I'm amazed at how fast this week has flown by. In a couple of weeks I'll be flying out to San Antonio for the wedding ceremony and in another month, they'll head off to England for three years. I don't know when I'll get to see them again and it makes me very sad. It's bad enough with them in Texas. Maybe I'll have to go to England! Actually, I may just do that.

We had another party here Friday night for some of the people who couldn't come to the first one. Heather and Faron have been over quite a bit along with some of Hud's friends. All in all, my house has been very full for the past week. As I sit here this morning, I have a very heavy sense of being all alone again. Although I have always been somewhat of a solitary person, at times it gets to you - and this is one of those times. I must admit that I will not miss the video games. I have never had much of a tolerance for them and that has evidently not changed. I did not mind the wii fit with the aerobics, sports, and balance games but honestly just do not understand the attraction of the rock band, bunnies.......................... whatever.

I will however, get back into the "normalicy" of my life. Actually - maybe not. My "normalicy" is about to change with the job ending and the whole school thing about to start. I have been working on transferring all my contacts from my work computer to my home computer, signing up for the online job search sites, updating profiles....................... There are some people I will definitely want to stay in contact with.

Oh well, it is now 6:30 and I am going to start working on making my house mine again. Not that the kids messed anything up really but we all have our own sense of order and I need to get my mind on something besides my son being gone.

School

I'm a little disappointed! Went out to WIU today to evaluate for tests and talk to an adviser about going back to school. I was really hoping I could get a degree in Computer Science with the allowed 2 years. After seeing the requirements, I'm not so sure I can do it. It is possible if I take a full load for 4 semisters and also 2 summer sessions. That is - IF - the right courses are offered in the summer. I'm not looking forward to calculus either - love math - have never had any problem acing all math classes I have taken - BUT - it's been a long time! So now I have to do a little investigation into what is normally offered in the summer. My last day at work is April 20 and I really want to be in school by summer. A lot of others are wanting to take the summer off and start in the fall but for me - If I'm going to do it, I want to do it ASAP. No laying around all summer in the pool and then not wanting to start in the fall.

On the other hand - they signed me up to take 24 tests in three days. Not worried about any of the clerical ones - I did their little "practice test" when I got home and scored 30 wpm more than the requirements with 99% accuracy so I should be able to slow myself down a little and get that one perfect!

Another note - my son is home for a week! It's been really nice having him here but I'm TIRED! It's amazing how fast you fall back into "Mom" mode and can't fall asleep until everybody is home for the night. He brought his new wife, her brother, and her cousin. I think they're a little in awe at the country life since they are all from the city (San Antonio). Hud and Camii are heading to England in May for 3 years. I can't imagine anything better than being in your twenties, being a newlywed, and being in England! They got married in January so that she can go with him but they are having an actual ceremony on April 9th so I'm headed to Texas two weeks before I'm done at work! Looking forward to it!

What to do

I was talking to my old college roommate today. She told me to try to go for forensic computer technology. That actually sounds really interesting to me but I don't know if I have the background for it. I made an appointment out at WIU to go over my transcripts and see what I can do with 2 more years. I'm really not looking forward to going back to school at my age but I don't see that I have any other choice. Oh well - I'll survive one way or another.

Starting over AGAIN

Well - it's finally happened. My last day of work will be April 28th. Now I have to decide what to do. I can go back to school - AGAIN. I'm too old to go back to school. Maybe not but the truth is that I have absolutely NO desire to go back to school but what else am I going to do?What do I want to be when I grow up? What will they let me go to school for? They will only pay for 2 years. I do have all the basics done if it will transfer but will I remember any of it? Is all of my previous schooling outdated? What can I do in 2 years that will enable me to get a job in this area? How do I live on unemployment during those 2 years? Questions, questions, questions - need answers! I'm taking tomorrow (or today I guess) off and going out to Western to hopefully get some answers. I dug out my transcripts. I have 165 credit hours without counting all my continuing education courses. This should not be happening!
On the bright side if there is one - Got my notice Monday, told Sam and haven't seen him since. I guess he thinks I won't be able to feed him every night anymore. Go figure!

Recipe for Happiness

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk everyday. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about what is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

4. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli , almonds & walnuts.

5. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

6. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

7. Eat breakfast like a king or queen, lunch like a prince or princess and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out chargecard.

8. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

9. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

10. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

11. You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

12. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

15. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

16. Forgive everyone for everything.

17. What other people think of you is none of your business.

18. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask and believe .

19. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

20. Your job won't take care of you when you are in need. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!

21. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

22. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

23. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You'll be smiling before you know it.

Found it

Found the letter from Hud's commanding officer. He sent it to me when Hud got airman of the month last year, Which, by the way, Hud never bothered to tell me about that. I laminated the letter and will keep it forever.

Need a favor

I need proof that Hud is in the service to join the American Legion Aux. I think I have a letter from his commanding officer. I'm on a roll!

I need a life

I've decided that I need a life. I've known this for quite some time but have never really done anything about it. Today I decided I have to get out and do something. I'm joining the VFW Women's aux and applying for admision to the Eastern Star. I have already contacted both organizations for admission information. For anyone who knows me - the "Sam" situation is no better than it has ever been. I'm stuck in a relationship that is not even what I'd call a relationship and is in NO WAY fullfilling. I figure women's clubs will at least get me out of the house once in a while. I need to network, socialize, DO SOMETHING.

Sometimes you just gotta look at the other side

Deep Thoughts For Those Who Take Life Way Too Seriously:

1. Save the whales. Collect the whole set.

2. A day without sunshine is like, Night.

3. On the other hand, you have different fingers.

4. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.

5. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.

6. Remember, half the people you know are below average.

7. He who laughs last thinks slowest.

8. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.

9. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the
cheese in the trap.

10. Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have.

11. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

12. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.

13. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.

14. How many of you believe in psychokinesis? Raise my hand.

15. OK, so what's the speed of dark?

16. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

17. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.

18. Every one has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.

19. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?

20. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

21. What happens if you get scared half to death twice?

22. I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.

23. Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?

24. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what
happened.

25. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.

26. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear
bright until you hear them speak.

27. Life isn't like a box of chocolates . . . it's more like a jar of
jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow..

WHY MEN ARE NEVER DEPRESSED:

Men Are Just Happier People-- What do you expect from such simple creatures?

Your last name stays put.

The garage is all yours.

Wedding plans take care of themselves.

Chocolate is just another snack.

You can be President.

You can never be pregnant.

You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.

You can wear NO shirt to a water park.

Car mechanics tell you the truth.

The world is your urinal.

You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.

You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay. Wrinkles add character.

Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.

People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.

New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.

One mood all the time.

Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.

You know stuff about tanks.

A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.

You can open all your own jars.

You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.

If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.

Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.

Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.

You almost never have strap problems in public.

You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.

Everything on your face stays its original color.

The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.

You only have to shave your face and neck.

You can play with toys all your life.

One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons.

You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.

You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife.

You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.

You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.

No wonder men are happier.

Car pictures

Me and Heather just booked our flights for the wedding!

Life here is just grand! Don't know how much longer my job is going to hold out. Don't know how much longer I'll be able to live here. Don't know what I'm going to do when I don't have a job anymore. Could go back to school but for what? And I'm too OLD to go back to school. Heather wrecked her car. Life is just GRAND. But I guess it could be worse. Heather is ok and we have flights for the wedding. That at least is good! I'm going to try and upload some of the pictures of Heather's car. Will probably take a while.

It's COLD!

Wind chills of -45. I DON'T LIKE THIS!

The Kids

Wedding

I have an idea. Since you kids are planning about coming home in March, how about having some kind of reception/party here? Just a thought. Let me know what you think.

Kimmy is fine. Don't know what she did but her foot was REALLY sore and swollen but not broken.

Should have been a vet

Ok - just spent over $300 at the vet:
Kimmy - shots
Pandora - ear mites and shots
Macy - spay - ear mites and shots

Came home tonight and I think Kimmy may have a broken foot. She actually snapped at me when I tried to look at it. Gonna wait till morning and if she's no better it'll be back to the vet to spend some more.

I should have been a vet.

The Three Stooges

Thought you might like to see pictures of the animals. Kimmy is indeed FAT. Pandora is still the queen and Macy is the newest member of the family. She came from Vicky's sister who rescued her from her neighbor when she hitched a ride in his truck from Blandinsville to Tennessee. Marla couldn't keep her because her dog was intent on killing her so - Vicky knew I was looking for an outside cat and that's how she ended up here. She is actually Sam's cat - or thinks she is. I guess I'm just the one who feeds her. She goes to him every time he's here. Anyway - Kimmy is very tollerant of her and lets her chew on her tail and everything. Pandora says that she hates her but they run back and forth through the house together all the time. I'm waiting for the time I find all three of them curled up together.