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.