I studied all weekend for this test!

Got to class, sat down, pencil in hand - I was ready - and then my professor handed me this! No final for me! I'm done!

Semester Grades are in!

SEMESTER TOTALS
Hours Attempted:  6  Hours Earned:  6
Honor Points:  24.00  Grade Point Average: 4.000

How cool is that?!!!

Finally!

The term paper is done! Finished! Submitted even!

Six Word Saturday

To participate all you need to do is describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words. For more information, go to Show My Face. and Cate will explains it....feel free to explain or not explain. Add an image, a video, a song, nothing.


Finally! Two monitors - up and running!

My Weekend

For a 3 day weekend it sure went fast! Wrote one paper, took a test and turned in my topic for the term-paper in one class, did a little work in the other. Had the "sendoff" for the local Guard Unit headed for Kuwait on Sunday and then I spent all day yesterday upgrading both computers in between doing all the normal weekend chores. Reactivated my Skype account and installed a webcam on mine so that I can "see" the grandbaby when he gets here and then installed Skype and a webcam on the other one so that Biz can see and talk to his daughter while she is in Kuwait! Went to get my taxes done last night - almost glad to be back at work.

Almost Friday - Already

Does anyone besides me notice that the days are going by faster and faster? I could swear that I just started on this "team project" yesterday and I just realized that it is due the coming Monday! That's just 3 days away. And why is it that it seems to be just me and ONE other team member (who is also a non-traditional student) doing all the work on this thing. There are two other "team members" who (kids of course) have done ... hmmm.....NOTHING! Was I like that when I was younger? I don't remember ever shirking my responsibilities...

Ok - done ranting now.

PB WIKI

I'm using pbwiki to set up a team assignment for one of my classes. Has anyone used it before? Not sure I like the interface - looking for advice/input.

On a personal note - I DID NOT LIKE WHAT THE SCALE SAID THIS MORNING - and I've been good!

Why I haven't posted for a few days

• September 12, 2011

• 12:00 PM Module 3 due

• September 13, 2011

• All day Quizzes 1-4 END (& DISAPPEAR) TONIGHT MIDNIGHT!

• September 14, 2011

• All day Group Discussion 1 ENDS TONIGHT MIDNIGHT!

• September 15, 2011

• 8:00 AM Unit 1 Exam

• September 16, 2011

• 11:00 PM - 11:59 PM Server Maintenance Window

• September 17, 2011

• All day Unit 1 Exam CLOSES 8 pm tonight!

I think that about sums it up. This "getting a Masters degree" thing at my age, while working full time and trying to do some remodeling on my house is starting to wear a little thin. Seems like all these upper level classes want you to do is: write papers; read countless articles, books, etc.; watch documentaries; discuss said articles, books, documentaries; and take exams (which usually consist mainly of essays). I'm tired!

Busy

 I took these pictures yesterday before I went in to work. We are finally getting some rain here - of course right at the time the farmers are needing to get into the fields.

 This is the building I work in.

 I've been pretty busy the past couple of days. Lots of homework with the two classes I'm taking this semester.

Stopped last night and bought this. Think I'll go back and get a bunch more while they're on sale. I like Mums, they're pretty low maintenance and that's definitely what I need.

Weeding at Heather's house

Went to the Quad Cities Campus Friday- these are from the tour of the new Riverfront building.

Went straight from work to help Heather weed.

This is what we started with

And this is how we ended

Bummed

I've been bummed out all week. Not liking my job right now, not feeling appreciated or even listened to, tired of going the extra mile and not getting anywhere. Really disillusioned by the meaning of "Equal Opportunity". Anyway, been listening to old country music all week and didn't realize why until last night. Seven years ago today, Dad died. That explains a lot.

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.

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...........

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.

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!