Peeps and Pops

Hello all!  How is everyone today.  We had a nice day today with sun and 50 degrees!  Weather has been crazy here.  It snowed twice this past week, but c'est la vie!  Life in Ohio!!

Just a couple of things to say this time.  It's been busy these past weeks.  My granddaughter's birthday was the 20th.  She is now 14!  We had a family get-together for her on the 21st at my dad's house. She is just growing up way too fast!  Then my Dad's (Pops) birthday was the 24th.  He turned 80! That's hard to believe too.  We usually celebrate his birthday the say day as my granddaughter's, but this year we all went out to a restaurant to just celebrate him. It turned out real nice and my Dad was so surprised.  He just thought I was taking him out to eat and didn't expect everyone else that came too.  We ordered a really neat cake for him.  He's always working in his workshop so we went with a "tools" theme.  I just have to share a picture!!

Tasted really good too!

In my "college life" I've been staying busy too.  Finished Computer Applications and ended up with an "A" in the class.  Working on Introduction to Management now.  Had several chapters to read and some quizzes to do these last couple of weeks.  Not too bad so far.  Tomorrow the group that I was put into had to present one of the chapters with a Power Point and then have an activity for the class to do centered on Teamwork.  Two of the members worked on the Power Point and one of the other members and I worked on the activity.  It is called "Sneak a Peek" and involves the other teams not presenting to replicate a structure that we built from Legos.  However, only one member can come up and look at the structure.  Then they have to relay back to the team instructions to build it. Every minute or so another member can sneak a peek until someone builds it correctly.  That team is the winner.  We decided to give out some kind of little prize and since Easter is coming we chose to give them peeps.  Then we changed the name to Sneak a Peep!  I had the job of getting the peeps.  I saw a cute idea on Facebook on how to make Peep Bunny Race Cars.  So I made 5 of those for the winning team and then am bringing regular peeps for everyone else.

Hopefully I'll get to write some more this week.  If not, Happy Easter to everyone.

See ya later!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy Saint Patrick's Day to all.  I apparently have a little Irish in my background, but mostly I'm of German descent.  I learned an odd fact about the way German's "celebrate" this holiday.  Apparently there is quite a rift between German's and the Irish.  (Not sure if that is still true today, but at one time that was the case.)  So, because of this dislike of the Irish, the German's took to wearing Orange on March 17th in protest of St. Patty's Day!  I've heard before that you can wear either orange or green today, but didn't know why.  I always just stick with green.

Anyway, I learned that tidbit tonight at school.  We had our final for Computer Applications, which took two hours to do!  Quite the work out.  My poor brain was fried when it was over.  But after that, we were introduced to the next class - Introduction to Management.  The teacher for that class gave us the head's up on St. Patty and the Germans!

She also gave an overview of the class and it doesn't seem like it will be as dull as I thought.  Two reasons:  The teacher is very nice and interesting and she said she has learned the most about teaching this class from the Horrible Bosses movies.  We are going to have discussions on some of the awful bosses we may have had in the past, or maybe even have now.  I do have some stories to tell on that front!  I've been working since I was 16 so that is 40 years in the work force.  At the beginning it was sporadic to say the least, but still that's a lot of time to evaluate the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of the bosses I've had.

One story goes something like this.  I worked at a different bank early on and had this one boss who apparently was very paranoid.  She always assumed if she could see any of us talking to each other, that we had to be talking about her.  In one of my reviews, she marked me way low on being respectful to her, or something like that.  I was shocked, because I couldn't for the life of me know what she was talking about.  I asked her when was I ever disrespectful.  Her comment was that I hadn't done anything directly to her but she could just see my body language and knew I was thinking bad thoughts about her.  Another evaluation, she said that in June (mind you, evaluations were in December) she saw me talking to another teller on a break and knew we were making fun of her because she had a garage sale!  The think is, neither one of us knew anything about this garage sale; and I had now explanation of what we were talking about that day in June because 6 months had passed.  My guess is that we were deciding what to eat for lunch.

I have never seen Horrible Bosses, but am thinking I need to watch the movies.

With that, I think I'd better sign off for now.

Feels Like Spring

Finally we are getting some weather that is above 20 degrees.  Last weekend it got over 40 degrees and we were all wearing spring jackets and running to the ice cream stands!  Felt like a heat wave. LOL.

Today the time and temperature sign at the Bank said it was 51 degrees.  So excited to actually feel like Winter may be over.  I really need to move to a warmer climate!  Guess that's another part of getting older.  When I was in school, I loved the snow.  We couldn't wait to go sledding or ice skating and stayed out in it for very long periods of time.  I used to build snow tunnels in the drifts that would go half-way up the front of our house.

Now, I only really enjoy looking at the snow around Christmas because it makes the decorations look so pretty.  The thing is, we hardly ever have snow at Christmas anymore.  It doesn't show up until January, or we have some in October that soon melts away.   I just want to be on a beach somewhere, reading a book and listening to the sound of the waves.

So now we are warming up a bit, and the snow is mostly all melted away.  Birds are singing and we saw the sun today.  Stepped outside to enjoy the day and stepped into mud puddles!  Mud is everywhere.  That's the downside of the snow melting!  Things don't look very pretty outside right now.  It'll probably a few weeks before we actually see some pretty greenery sprouting. But at least I can feel it coming.

My kitty seems to feel it too.  She cries for us to open the drapes and pull up the blinds so she can look outside.  As soon as the door opens, she runs to peek out the window.  As long as we have had her, she hasn't set a fool out the door. I don't know if she has ever been outside.  It's cute to see her want to see what's going on, but I do worry she'll sneak out the door one day and take off running. Maybe, we'll have to get a kitty harness and take her out sometimes.

On another note, my Computer Applications class is essentially over.  I just finished all my homework and submitted my last project for this class. We take the final exam this coming Tuesday and then start right into the next class - Introduction to Management.  That doesn't really sound very interesting, but maybe it will be better than it sounds!

I'm a little concerned about the final coming up because I just don't remember things as well as I used to. I'm pretty good at figuring out how to do things in the various programs that are part of Office 2013, but I don't always remember the correct terminology for things. Wish me luck!

Have to end with a picture of my youngest grandchild.  He just turned one in February and loves MTC (Marion Technical College) as much as I do!!

That's all I can think of this evening.  Take care and I'll talk to you again soon.

The Revenge of the Couch

Well, here's my story. 

Tonight my husband, Rob,  and I were relaxing and watching some House of Cards episodes. I was reclined on the couch with my feet up, leaning back on a couple of pillows. The pillows slipped a bit so I was trying to scoot myself up and back so I was more upright than laying down. 

Then it happened. 

The couch rebelled and attacked me by stabbing me in the rear. IT HURT!! But that wasn't enough for my unruly couch. It then totally grabbed me and I could not get up. I was attached to that couch somehow, and was in a bit of a panic.

My loving husband didn't seem to notice a thing.  I had to holler to him to please pause the show and come rescue me from the couch. Now mind you, the couch and chair are right beside each other.  I jsut don't know how he didn't know that the couch was trying to swallow me whole! 

When I finally got his attention by telling him the couch had me in it's grasp and I couldn't get up, his reaction was to first laugh and then second grab the camera!  The thing is, there wasn't anyway to get a picture of what was really going on because I was fastened to the couch literally by the seat of my pants.

After some strange maneuvers, he was able to unattach my pajama bottoms from the broken spring in the couch and I was free. We went on to finish the episode we were watching and all was right with the world again. 

However, I now have a hole in my PJ bottoms and my rear end hurts!  

Talk to you again soon!

I'm Loving It!

I just got home from school a little while ago, and I just wanted to say that I absolutely love this class!  It is Computer Applications and we are learning about Office 2013 - Word, PowerPoint, Access and Excel.  I use Word and Excel about every day at work, but really just knew enough to do what I had to do.  Now I'm learning so many shortcuts and other fun stuff that these programs offer.  As I has said before, though, the problem I have is remembering all the neat things I'm being taught!

It does help that our IT department installed Office 2013 on my computer at work.  We did have Office 2007 and there are a lot of differences between the two.  So at least I'm using some of what I'm learning every day.  I only wish I loved my work as much as I'm loving this class!

This was week 4, so next week is our last full week and then we take the exam the week after for the first two weeks of class.  After that we are on to the next class.  I can't remember what that class is at the moment though!

I know this is probably an odd thing to write about tonight, but I'm just feeling so satisfied with this experience that I had to get it out.  Many of you probably think I'm a little crazy!  I think it just goes back to the fact that after all these years, I am finally in college.  Some days it's hard for me to believe that I'm actually doing this.  I really wish I would have taken this step sooner in life, and yet, I wonder if I would have appreciated it as much in my younger years as I do now.  Guess I'll never really know, but again, I am so happy I'm doing it now.

In some of my earlier posts, you'll notice that I was stressing quite a bit at first.  New things don't come easy for me, and probably don't come easy for a lot of people.  It's easy to get comfortable with the status quo of everyday life and get comfortable.  But take it from me, it does a body good to step out of that comfort zone and try something new.  It doesn't hurt a bit!!

And, I always stop at McDonald's on my way home and treat myself to a Caramel Frappe. I'm lovin' it!

Al Capone's Speakeasy

Just finished up some homework, so I decided I'd get on here and tell you a little about the underground Speakeasy in Bucyrus, Ohio.

Back in the day (way back), it seems that Bucyrus was a wild little town!  During the years of prohibition, we had more than once Speakeasy operating and quite a few brothels so the guys could find a little company.

The one that I included in my speech a few weeks back is located beneath the Crazy Fox Saloon/Weaver Hotel just off the town square.  When this was a hopping place, Bucyrus boasted a large tunnel system under the city.  These tunnels were used for many things: getting coal into the businesses to use for heat, shuttling money and ice between businesses and the quick get-a-way if needed!  At that time the above-ground structure was the Highway Grill, and below was where the liquor flowed.  It was quite the popular hangout for many gangsters, most notably Al Capone who would stop by on his trips between Chicago and New York City.  His presence was kept very hush-hush, but for those that knew his secret they would realize Al was in town when they would see his private rail car pulled off near the brothels.

The tunnels would get him in an out of the establishment that boasted very thick, brick booths which are still there today.  Sometime in the 30's, the place closed down and the tables were taken apart and just thrown here and there is the basement.  It fell into great disrepair until is was renovated and re-opened in 2003 as a tourist destination.  Everything is just as it was in the 20's with original tables, woodwork and brick booths.  Also original is the hand-operated elevator that you can take instead of the stairs if you so desire. Most of the cities tunnels have been filled in, but there are still remnants under the Crazy Fox.

The local theater group has put together a show based on the history of the speakeasy.  It is full of song and dance, and of course a special appearance from Al Capone himself! I've been to the show twice and it is a real treat.

You can find information about the Speakeasy and other things to do in town at www,bucyrus.org. For a small town, we do have some interesting things to see!

Well, I'm thinking I'd better head to bed now.  I'll be sure and talk to you again real soon!

My Memory is So Bad . . .

Just got home from college.  I am really enjoying this class – Computer Applications. I can relate so much better to learning to do things on the computer than I could when I had to do speeches!  The only issue I have is that I learn so many neat things in class, but then can't remember them all when I get home!

This whole memory thing seems to be an on-going battle for me.  Senior Moments. Brain Farts. Mental Lapse. Brain Freeze.  Whatever you call it, it can be quite annoying. I’ve come to believe that I have so much knowledge in my brain there just isn't room for any more so that is why I forget stuff!  I doubt that is a scientific fact, but it works for me!  I love the jokes about senior moments that I see on Facebook because I can so relate to them!  Just today, in fact, I was on my way to school and totally missed my turn-off.  I don't know what I was thinking, but I must have wanted to go on to Columbus and by-pass Marion altogether!  Maybe the Cheesecake Factory was calling me.

Then there are those times when I run into someone at the mall and they start talking to me about things we used to do.  “We had so much fun when we drove to the lakes and met those hot guys!”  I’ll reply, “Oh, I remember that.  We had a blast!”  The conversation will go on for a while and we’ll promise to keep in touch.  As soon the she leaves, I’m thinking, “Who in the world was that?  I don’t have the faintest clue what trip to the lakes she is talking about!”  Why do they remember me, and I can’t place them from Adam?  The joys of aging I guess.

There are good things, however, to not having such a great memory.  I can watch movies over and over and they are still good.  Now there does have to be a little bit of time in between viewings, but my husband is always amazed when he catches me watching something that I just watched a few weeks ago.  Doesn't matter to me though, because I'm still enjoying myself. Same goes with reruns on TV.  It’s always new to me!  

PS:  I am laughing so hard right now that I might just pee myself!  I went into my blog today to decide what to write about and I realized that I wrote this post last night and totally forgot to post it! Beyond that, I was supposed to tell you about the Speak Easy yesterday and forgot that too!  Once I compose myself, I'll tell you about that underground Speak Easy.  I promise!!

Back At It!

It's 2:00 AM and I am finally getting back to my blog.  Things around here just got a bit hectic, and I can't seem to get over my sinus infection or whatever it is so I haven't been on top of things!  Today was a Monday holiday (President's Day) so I really tried to catch up on things.  First on the list was dusting and sweeping the floor.  Now isn't that an exciting way to spend a day off work!  But it needed done.

 Oral Communications is over and I ended up with a 97.3, so I'm happy with that.  It was a calmer week since I didn't have to worry about putting together another speech!  I finished the last of my homework for the first week of Computer Applications.  Learned how to do Power Point presentations using Office 2013.  Looks like this class is going to have a lot of homework!  It seems so funny for me to be talking about my homework!   But, like I've said many times, I'm not too old!!

In my post on January 24th, I was talking to you about my second speech on things to do in Crawford County (Ohio).  I told you a little about the Bratwurst Festival in Bucyrus, and said I'd tell you about my Main Point 2 the next day.  Well the next day has come and went several times over, so I'm going to go back to that.  My second point in that speech was talking about the Hatchery Festival in New Washington, Ohio.

New Washington is a small town of about 900 people in Northern Crawford County.  The Bank that I work at is in New Washington.  The last weekend in June they hold the Hatchery Festival.  I know that seems like an odd name for a festival, but it comes from the fact that the New Washington in the birthplace of the Baby Chick (Hatchery) Industry. In 1885, a young man of 14 named Michael Uhl build an incubator that could hold 120 eggs at once.  His father wasn't too thrilled with his endeavor, but once he saw how many chicks he could hatch he realized he might be on to something!  A few years later a man from Canton, Ohio asked if Michael could ship some baby chicks to him.  So the young man put 19 chicks into a carton covered in burlap and took it to the railroad station to ship to Canton.  At first the railroad didn't want to take the chance that they would die en route, but after some discussion, they shipped the chicks.  All 19 arrive safe and sound and an industry was born!

So, in 2001 when the town wanted to have a festival as a fund raiser to raise money for their beautification project, it seemed natural that they should call it the Hatchery Festival.  Like any good festival there are plenty of food stands along the streets.  They also have rides and a parade and fireworks on the last day.  A really popular event is the Harley Davidson raffle.  It's a fun three days if you're ever near New Washington, Ohio the last weekend in June!

Tomorrow (actually tonight) I'll tell you a little about the Speak Easy in Bucyrus.  I have school from 6-10, but I took a vacation day so I had a 4-day weekend.  That's always nice.  Everyone take care, and I'll talk to you again soon.

Back in the Saddle

Just wanted to get a few comments posted tonight.  I've been away from the Blog for awhile because of funeral arrangements and then I managed to get sick.  Had a Sinus Infection and then the Flu on top of that!  Haven't been doing much but sleeping.

Feeling better and get to go back to work tomorrow.  I've been off for a week and a half.  It's always hard going back after begin off so long, but I'll get into the groove once I get there.

I gave my second speech this past Tuesday and got an A+.  I was excited but I think the teacher was a little lenient with me!  I just went to class long enough to do the speech because I was so sick.  Then came home and slept some more.

We were supposed to get a big snow storm this weekend, but it mostly missed us.  We had a couple of inches this morning, but now it's just raining.  The problem with that is the temperature is dropping and it will probably be icy driving in to work.

I'll get back to this in earnest this week.  Everyone take care and I'll talk to you later.

Not Enough Time

Well, I've been working on my second speech.  This one is an informative speech.  We just have to inform the class on something.  Anything.  The problem with such a broad spectrum to choose from is that I keep changing my mind!  I finally settled on talking about some things to do and see in Crawford County, Ohio.  I live in Bucyrus, the county seat of Crawford County. The school I'm attending is in Marion County just slightly south, so I thought there might be some information I can share that would be new to the class. I am going to talk about the Bratwurst Festival held in Bucyrus, the Dutchtown Hatchery Festival in New Washington and the underground Speak Easy back in Bucyrus. I have the speech written, but haven't had much time to actually practice!  We've been getting things put together for my Father-in-Law's funeral.  Calling hours are tomorrow and the funeral is Monday.  I have to do my speech on Tuesday.

Here's a condensed version of Main Point 1 on my speech:

Bucyrus claims to the Bratwurst Capital of America. The town has a strong German heritage and many Bucyrus butchers over the years have created their own recipes for Bratwurst.  The most well know is Carle's. They have a nice store in town that sells lots of meats and cheeses.  It's a favorite stop for visitors to town.  Anyway, with such a background, the Bratwurst Festival was first held in 1968.  It's called the Eatingest Festival in Ohio because there are so many food stands.  Bratwurst is grilled on open flames and is so good, especially with sauerkraut on a rye bun.  Yum!  The festival also has a queen's pageant, 3 parades, live entertainment and rides.  It's a lot of fun.  

If you're ever in Ohio the third weekend of August, you should stop on by!  It's actually held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  

I'll tell you about the Harvest Festival tomorrow!

Talk to you later!!

Ups and Downs

Just a quick post today.  I wanted to let you know that my speech went well.  I missed a few things here and there, but it turned out to be pretty good.  The class seemed to like it and best of all I got 100% from the teacher!  I was so excited and so glad it was over.  Of course, another one is coming up next Tuesday, January 27th, but I took some time to enjoy my success.  By the way, my speech was on How to Take a Selfie!  I might print it on here one day.

That was the up side for this week.

Today, was quite the opposite.  We received word that my father-in-law passed away at about noon today.  He had been in failing health for about a month, but we really thought he would bounce back. Tomorrow the arrangements will need to be made.  It's gonna be a tough few days.  I am so glad that we have God to lean on in these times.  He will supply the strength for this family to get through this, and we'll come out the other side remembering what a great man John was.

I need to get to bed early tonight, so that's all I have for tonight.  Prayers are greatly appreciated.

Until we talk again, may peace fill your souls.

Speeches and Bella!

Haven't been on for a few days because I've been swamped trying to get my speech together, visual aids done and practicing.  Tomorrow is the day!  I think I'm ready.  I know what I want to say if I can just spit it out!  I get tongue tied as soon as I start talking out loud.  I was up til 4:30 in the morning last night practicing!  Today my friend, Barb, at the library was kind enough to let me practice with her.

I also had to start researching on the speech I'll have to give on the 27th.  Whew - the pressure is on. And this is only the first class on my college journey.  I do believe, however, that once I get through these speeches, I'll feel better about the rest of the upcoming classes. My mantra these days is, "I can do this, I can do this!"  I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.  I'm just glad there will be a lectern to hold onto.

Not much else exciting going on in my world.  I've just been concentrating on being ready for my speech.  I have been having a lot of fun with my kitty, Bella, though.  We got her from the Humane Society in October, 2014.  She was about 5 weeks old then.  She is all black which seemed quite appropriate since we were getting her right before Halloween.  Bella is short for Belladonna since we were trying to come up with a good black-cat name.

Anyway, Bella has started playing fetch these days.  We don't have a dog, so I'm not sure how she got the idea.  But she will carry one of her cat toys in to where I'm sitting and lay it down.  Then she starts rubbing on my leg and mewing like crazy.  At first I didn't know what in the world she wanted. But my husband told me to pick the toy up and throw it into the other room.  Sure enough, she will run and get the toy and bring it back for me to throw again!  Wish I could get it on film to send in to America's Funniest Videos!  Just love my kitty though.  She makes me laugh. (Here's a picture of her snuggling in my laundry basket.)

What else can I tell you.  Oh yes, we watched the movie, Earth to Echo this past weekend.  Have you seen it?  It's really a cute movie.  That's about all I have to say today! I'll talk to you again soon!

Class Overload 2

First I just have to say, WAY TO GO OHIO STATE BUCKEYES!!!

National Champions.  O H - I O

Now I have that out of my system!  I had my first full class of Oral Communications this evening. I'm trying to wind down now so I can go to bed!  I have so many thoughts going through my head that I know I won't be able to fall asleep just yet.

We have to give our first speech next Tuesday.  I will be the 6th one to speak, and I am more confused about it tonight than I was before I went!  Our first speech has to be a "To Do" informative talk.  In other words, we have to talk about how to do something.  I think I mentioned before that I don't really know how to do anything that would make an interesting speech.

This last week I did some brainstorming with my daughter and granddaughter.  We came up with doing something on how to take the perfect selfie!  Took me awhile to come up with enough content to do a 3 - 7 minute talk, but finally got quite a few ideas down on paper.  Was feeling good until class started!  Ms. Cleo's first point on her first PowerPoint slide was, "Say something worthwhile, useful and pertinent".  She then went on to remind us that this was college and our speeches should be reflective of higher learning!  Well I could hear my bubble bursting.  Honestly, how worthwhile and pertinent is a speech on how to take a selfie!

Seriously, I was in a fog for most of the rest of the class wondering what I would talk about now.  I'd already put in several days of work on my idea.  Trust me, not only is my body sagging going into the late Autumn of life, but apparently my mind just doesn't work as quickly either.  Absolutely nothing was coming to me.  What finally got my gears turning again was when a girl in the back asked if it was okay for a speech to be about something that may seem trivial at the beginning but actually had a deeper purpose by the finish?  Ahh, now there's a thought.  Ms. Cleo looked a bit puzzled at first, but she then became intrigued and gave the all clear sign.

On my way home, I began to think about why I was even considering something on a seemingly frivolous topic anyway.  Finally the simplicity of the answer came shining through.  It is all about relationship.  My relationship with my 13-year old granddaughter.  She is the queen of selfies and was more than happy to help me out on this project.  Little things like this just bring us closer together and build a forever relationship.  Obviously, we have the grandparent/granddaughter thing going, but this is something deeper yet.  A real friendship.

I think I do have the makings of a speech.  I will let you all know how it goes!

God bless!  Talk to you later.

(Any ideas on how to "promote" a blog to reach more readers?)

Take all my Burdens

One of my Facebook friends posted the prayer below today.  It spoke to my heart and I asked permission to borrow it!  The item in brackets is my addition.  I hope this touches you as well. 

"Lord, today, as every day this past week, I ask that you give me strength and patience as I continue to trust you and wait on you.  You know my burdens, you know my heart and you know my needs.  I continue to lay my burden down at your feet, not pick them up and try to fix things on my own (I need reminders to not do that).  I love you, trust you, and worship you.  I pray a blessing over my family especially my children {and grandchildren} and ask that you cover them with your wings of love, safety, and salvation.  I pray for their hearts to turn to you and they ask you to guide their lives.  I pray for eyes to be opened, hearts to be softened.  I pray a hedge of protection around them and ask for them to hear your truths and deny satan's lies.  I love you Lord, I know you are for us, not against us and you are in control.  Not my will, not my kids' will, but yours be done, in all our lives.  You have already won the battle although it feels like a battle brewing in this life.  I choose to trust you and not listen to the lies of satan.  I cry out to you, Lord, to take over!  I pray all these things in Jesus' name, Amen."

Praying you all have a great week. Til we talk again!

One Word

K-Love radio station is my favorite. I listen to it most of the time. If you don't know, it's a wonderful contemporary Christian music station with the the tag line positive and encouraging. It is exactly that!

Recently one of the on-air hosts was recommending a Web site www.MyOneWord.org.  The premise is the futility of New Year's resolutions. How many times have you made a resolution fully determined to stick to it only to have given up by spring? That is totally what I would do.  Usually I would determine to lose weight or eat healthier.  It just never seemed to work.  Honestly, as long as there is chocolate and potatoes in the world, I don't have a chance!

However, the My One Word site instead suggests picking just one word for the year. This one word should reflect something that God is going to do internally in your life this year.  On the other hand, resolutions are usually an external change that you decide to make on your own. I've heard people talk about their "word for the year" but never really grasped the purpose behind this practice.  Check out the site. It makes sense.

So for this year I'll try another new thing and make my word Renewal. Renewal in my spirit and in my mind. I really believe this is a God thing. Beginning with my decision to go back to school.  Yes, my daughter finally got me headed in that direction, but I have to believe that God's hand was in the situation.  Everything this year so far is moving in the direction of new things - renewal.  I'm excited about the prospects and a little afraid. But with the Lord on my side, I can do this!

On the college front, I've had a lot of reading to get done and four quizzes to do before class on the thirteenth.  I have read 4 chapters so far and took the four quizzes.  I am now at a 96.3%.  I really hope to keep to 100% for a least a little while!  But it's okay.  Some of the questions are a bit tricky, and sometimes I tend to over-think.  I should know to go with my first instinct and not second guess myself.

Still having weird dreams though.  The chapter I was reading before bed last night was on research. My dreams had me freaking out because my husband threw out my Reader's Digest magazines and I was convinced I needed them for my research!  It was tense in my dream.  When I got up today, though, I had to laugh because I don't get the Reader's Digest and wouldn't be using that for research anyways. My nerves are still a bit on edge and it's only been one class!

That's about all I can think of for today.  Talk to you all again soon!

Misc thoughts

Been checking out some other places to see blogs and decided to join the Blogspot community.  Still testing the waters.  Boy some of the blogs are quite an eyeful!  Yep pictures are added.  I might be too old for those.

I found one that gave me a couple of ideas.  So I'm going to share a few random facts about me.

1. Some of my favorite TV shows are Grimm, Once Upon a Time, Downton Abbey, CSI, Criminal Minds and Hannibal.  Wonder what a psychiatrist would say about me?  I like weird!

2. I hate, hate, hate winter.  I used to love it as a kid and went out to build snow forts.  Many times they would start as tunnels into the big snow drifts in our front yard.  But as I've said, "as I grow older" the cold just doesn't agree with me any longer.  I would love to live in Tennessee or Georgia.

3. Been having a small crisis of faith lately - sort of.  Trying to get the fire back!

4. I love to read and they have to be suspense and/or murder stories.  Again, how would that above mentioned psychiatrist like that!  Used to read anything Stephen King wrote until he killed off the little boy in Cujo.  I got mad at him and haven't read his books since.  I bet he was crushed.

5. I really love musicals and Broadway shows.  I'd like to see Into the Woods on stage.  Watched the movie and am now really curious about the play. I've seen Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Wicked, The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast.

6.  Cooking is a totally foreign concept to me.  I just don't have the patience to wait on things.  If I put an egg on to boil, I'll go get involved in doing something else and burn the egg and pan up before I realize the kitchen is smoking! I have one daughter who follows in my footsteps and another who can cook anything.  I don't know where she got her talent!

I suppose that's enough randomness for now.   I will also be throwing in made-up names in my posts instead of just he, she, the teacher, etc. You are now notified that the names have been changed to protect the innocent.

Thanks bloggergirl42.blogspot.com for the ideas.  (I changed my template.  What do you think?)

Class Overload

First I want to admit that it has taken me two days to figure out how to do another post on this blog! But figured it out, I did.  Yea me!

Anyway, last night was my first night of my new college journey. And it was an adventure.  For the last few nights before going to class, I had the weirdest dreams.  I would be wandering around the halls of some nameless school trying to find the right room and never finding anyone to help me.  Or, I would be driving around, talking to someone on my cell phone and telling them that I wasn't going to make it to class and I really should call someone and let the school know.  In one, I just couldn't make myself get out of bed at all.  Yes, anxiety was trying hard to hold me down.

It wasn't a whole lot better all day Tuesday.  I had a hard time concentrating at work and was overcome with such an urge to hunt down some chocolate and eat it all!  As I was driving to Marion I it felt as if something was squeezing my chest.  The pressure was so annoying,  I really thought I needed more chocolate.  (Chocolate cures all that ails you.  That's a fact!)  It wasn't just that I was starting college making me nervous, but also knowing that the first class would be Oral Communications.  The thought of giving a speech was paralyzing.  The last time I got up in front of a class to give a speech was in 7th grade.  And that ended with me passing out.  I fell straight back and hit my head on the chalk board.  I remember now, that when I finally came to and realized what had happened, my first thought was that I would never have to do a speech again!  It didn't work.  My teacher just had me do my next speech sitting at her desk. And, apparently I am about to do another. Oh my.

As the fates would have it, I made it to school safe and sound. Found the class room.  Played the good student card and sat in the front row.  My daughter was there from the college and just asked me to please not faint!  She greeted me as Sylvia See - to keep things professional.  That was so strange to hear!  The first 2 1/2 hours had various speakers telling us about the program, tutoring opportunities, how to find our class assignments online, the library and so on.  A lot of information was jammed into that short time. And today, if you asked me what info was presented the only part I remember is when the Dean of the ASAP program explained to us why it was considered an accelerated program.  It boils down to this:  A "traditional" class runs for 16 weeks with 48 hours of classroom instruction.  Our class will run 5 weeks with 20 hours of instruction.  We will be expected to have 12 to 20 hours of homework a week.  Talk about my brain exploding at that point!  Then to top it off we all had to have our picture taken!  My daughter failed to mention that little fact.

The last hour and a half was the first portion of Oral Communications.  Love the teacher.  She put me, and I assume the whole class, right at ease.  She was so down to earth and approachable.  I was surprised to realize that the anxiety had slipped away at some point.  Either that or I was comatose from suddenly realizing how much homework I was going to have!  Our teacher jumped right in with our syllabus.  We have five weeks of class and will be giving three speeches in that time.  The first will be given on January 20th.  It's a speech on how to do something.  Well, I know how to type and . . . well, not sure what else!  Should be a short speech!

After giving us that exciting information, we had to find someone we didn't know and interview them.   Easy for me, because I didn't know anyone.  Once the interviews were done, each pair had to get up in front and introduce the person we interviewed.  I am so proud to let you all know that I did not pass out!

We got out just a hair before 10:00 and as I was driving home, I really felt good about everything. Still a bit overwhelmed, but I think I'll be okay. I did feel like I needed to reward myself, though, so I went through McDonald's and had a Caramel Frappe.  I think I "deserved a break" yesterday. 

Today I read the first chapter in our book (we have to read through chapter 10 by next week), and took my first quiz.  I got 9 out of 9 correct!  So far, I'm at 100%.  

Yep.  I'm really doing this.  Woot!  Woot!

Not Too Old

Many times I have heard that you are never too old to . . . . . (fill in the blank); however, I never really took this adage to heart.  There are so many days I feel too old for most everything.  Every time I have a doctor’s appointment for this or that, the doctor will invariable say something like, “You know, as you age . . .”!  Or when shopping for clothes I’ve been told that “as your body ages, things move around”.  And on and on and on.   Thanks everyone, but tell me something I don’t know.  But honestly, can I really be too old for everything. 

I love going for walks.  I’m pretty good at my job.  I read a lot. I watch TV and play mindless computer games.  And, well, we eat out a lot.  Hmm, doesn’t sound very exciting I guess.  I have to admit, I’m not very good at trying new things.  I think I’ve become too comfortable in my own little world and don’t step outside to see what’s out there to discover.  Am I too old to discover?  These were things I mulled on for several months last summer.  But I never really made an effort to change anything.

Thanks goodness for my daughter.  She has a good way of getting people out of their funk, and she gave me just the push I needed.  Sure, my body has changed its shape, and my eyesight isn’t as good as it was once.  But so what!  I don’t feel that old.  In fact I am shocked when I look in the mirror and see this old person looking back at me.  In my mind’s eye, I’m only 35, but no younger.  (I don’t ever want to go through high school again!)

So, what did my daughter get me into?  Going to college!  I have now signed up for an accelerated adult student program to get a degree in Business Management.  I don’t have a business to manage, and am not sure where this will lead, but I have always regretted not going to college.

I jumped right into the process.  Step one was to fill out the FAFSA forms.  Let me tell you, they have certainly simplified this process since I had to do these for my daughters!  That was a blessing. Next, I applied to the college and requested my transcripts.  I really had to wonder what good it would do to know what my grades were in high school – well over 30 years ago.  I actually took typing – on a real typewriter.  We used Xerox paper!  There are young people today that don’t know what a typewriter is used for, other that some kind of retro decoration.  I ran into this issue at work when a sweet 21-year old did a money order for a customer who then wanted their address added to the remitter line.  I was walking through the lobby when she asked me if I knew how to make the typewriter in the back room put words on this check!  I helped her out, but then the roles were reversed the very next day.  My granddaughter put Instagram on my phone, and I didn’t have the first idea of what to do with it.  My young co-worker helped me out! 

But I digress.  After the process was completed, I was accepted to the college. Then after I submitted an essay on how I would find the time to do homework and was interviewed, I was admitted to the program.  (Homework – now that is a scary thought.) Very soon after, I was contacted by the kind finance people to let me know that I was not eligible for any grants or scholarships, but I could file some more information and get a student loan.  As it turns out, I’m not too old to incur additional debt!  Thank goodness my daughter was able to provide me with two of the books I need for the Spring Semester.  That only left one more for me to order.  I did that today and it was only $130.00!  I’d better learn something really good from that book!

So here I am at 56, with a brand new Student ID, textbooks, a tote bag and a schedule telling me that I will be tying up every Tuesday for the next 28 months from 6 – 10 PM in a college classroom.  Tomorrow I go for orientation and then the first hour of my first class - "Oral Communication".  Oh dear Lord, what was I thinking!!

My motto for 2015 is “All Things New Again”.  Here I go with a renewed resolve to try new things, step out of my comfort zone and live a fuller life.  My second new thing is starting this blog!  Here I go!