Catching up...

How quickly the last 30 days passed! I did not pass my class, number one. We enjoyed a wonderful visit with our youngest daughter, from Maine, over Thanksgiving, number two. I did not cook for Thanksgiving. Our third daughter with help from two of her sisters, cooked. It was delicious! I took the class over and passed, but my GPA fell to a 3.50, sad. I enrolled in the second concentration for my Bachelor of Business Administration degree with Health Care Management and Management. Say a prayer! Mill Run looked this way in November. It, still, looks this way in December; however, the temperature at night is in the thirties. It feels like Christmas! Will we have a 'white Christmas', probably not. My oldest and youngest, one in NH - one in ME, certainly will! Neither one is coming home for the holidays. The house will feel empty. This weekend will be spent putting up the tree, the house is divided on where to put it. I will try and upload a photo of it and its location and post here. My wish for you and your family is a warm, wonderful, respectful, and peaceful Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of baby Jesus! Merry Christmas from my place to yours!

I DID IT!

Yes, I am now a college graduate with an Associate Degree in Business Administration in Health care Administration. Yea! I am so proud of myself. This has been a dream since I was eighteen years old. My parents could not afford to send me to college, remember, this was before financial aid counselors and government programs for continuing your education! I joined the workforce, married, had a child, divorced, met the love of my life - married, continued to work in health care, had three more daughters, became a stay-at-home-mom and volunteered at the girls' schools, the museum, the library, Junior League, garden club, and at church in the children's department. My life was happy, full filled, and then the youngest left for SCGSAH at 16 and suddenly my "nest" was EMPTY! I tried several things to fill the time - reading, some volunteering, watching a lot of TV and movies, and slowly began to feel VERY sorry for myself. It was time to regroup after a very deep depression that led me to try and end my life, but by the grace of God and my youngest calling for help, my life was spared and it was up to me to decide what I was going to do with this "second chance". I chose to search the Internet for choices to LEARN. I looked at as many choices as possible. I wanted an online program, a degree in the business side of health care and a program that I could finish in a reasonable amount of time ... American Inter Continental University, AIU Online, offered all of my criteria. I made the call and it changed my life! I began in July, 2007 and finished my associate degree on July 13, 2007 - walked across our virtual stage on Saturday, July 26, 2008 at 11:00 AM CST with a smile on my face and a tremendous feeling of pride! Now, I plan to take a short break and return to AIU in November to begin work on by Bachelors degree in Business Administration in Health care Management. If any of my readers are thinking about returning to school, leave a comment and we'll "talk". I love the concept of getting a higher education and I would love to "toot the horn" of my school, AIU. I hope you are not bored with this post - it certainly means a lot to me. :)

PLANES ...

Well, Friday was the day we took our youngest to the airport to fly back to school in the frozen tundra, Maine. Now with the security systems in place, you can no longer watch the plane take off, which somehow makes a mom worry just a bit - I liked seeing the plane disappear safely into the clouds . It is reassuring . Now, I wait for the phone call that she is safely back in her “home-away-from-home” . The traffic was awful. Naturally we did not allow enough time for Friday afternoon traffic in a large southern city and arrived at the airport 40 minutes before take-off - not good, but it all worked out. Thank goodness! So, once again our “nest” is EMPTY. I miss the laughter immensely, but school starts again on Monday for me. I am looking forward to studying, writing, research - brain growth! It is almost morning. I must get some sleep now. Remember, “Y’all come back ya’ hear!”

WINTER BREAK!

Finally! 

My readers(you) know I'm back in college at AIU Online working on a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Health Care Administration, this session ended Saturday, and the Christmas break officially started today - Hallelujah! Of course, I woke up wondering which paper was due today! It is true, habits are hard to break. The three weeks off will give time to regroup, enjoy family and have a Merry Christmas.

My youngest flies in tomorrow for the holidays. I am stoked! September 5th was last hug from her, I am really overdue. I hope she is, too! Of course, she loves the snow - we are not having any for Christmas. I cannot furnish everything ...

Hubby went to watch nature this afternoon (translates to - deer hunting), he did not see anything but tracks, wild hog tracks ... not what a hunter wants with his deer. oh, one thing I forgot to share with you about nature ... about a week ago, I looked out the door ... and a flock of wild turkey was strolling across my driveway! They took their time, turning and watching everything, all shapes and sizes ... it was so NEAT.

Have you realized, less than seven days until Christmas? I have, now. We will be decorating, as time allows, over the rest of the week. The opportunity to be with family is the best part, no special plans, but quality time together.

Algebra ... is it NECCESSARY?

Those of you that read here regularly know that I am back in college at AIUonline. I love everything about being back in school ... except, Algebra! My professor is the best - a wonderful teacher - patient, will give as many examples as we need to understand the equation we are solving. I do understand ... as long as I am in the online classroom with the board in front of me and his voice explaining every step, as he writes the work on the board. When class ends, the screen goes gray and so does my brain ... at least the section responsible for understanding algebra! It is "down to the wire" as they say, all of our assignments are due on Saturday at 11:59:59 PM CT ... guess what, I am a little behind, only 6! So think of me as you enjoy the glorious fall weather we are finally having, as I sit here (inside) typing away while listening to the archived chats. I have faith that I can do this, but pray for me anyway, OK? Another day in my Life after SAHM ...

A Busy Week

Wow, one more day until Friday ... this week has flown by! Lots of activity in school, at home, and among family members. For me, AIU, has kept my focus all week. Algebra for a 58 year old is either a joy or a curse ... for me a CURSE! This is week three(3) of a five(5) week course (online college moves quickly), and I am still working on the assignments for week ONE(1) ... this is NOT a good thing. I have a tutor lined up for the weekend - I hope it is not to late. Each course has a group project, also. My Algebra project is due during week four(4). PANIC has set in. Now, Algebra, is not my only course this session; I also have Computer Systems Management. Thank goodness, this is a course I understand. I am doing really well in this one, an A, and current with all assignments. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Child number four is busy working on her thesis for her senior year, taking care of her cat, Rowan, and working part time at Lens-Crafters. Child number two flew today to visit child number four for six days. She has decided to make a career change and is taking advantage of this time to visit her "little" sister. Should be a good time for both. I hope so. Child number three is in nursing school, recovering from thyroid surgery, works part time at the hospital, and celebrated her second wedding anniversary on the 22nd. Child number one is cheering on the Red Sox while running her company B G W E, which can be found h.e.r.e. Of course, Hubby, can be found in the woods hunting deer, enjoying the beauty, and the quiet! He is quite a hunter; I am very proud of him! BTW - Happy Birthday! Like I said; busy, busy, busy. I left time for all of you, though, did I not? Now, I am so glad all my ducks are in a row!

Survived Second Session ...

Whew! I did it ... I completed my second class at AIU, Marketing 255, with Ms. H. What a fantastic instructor ... learned a lot, will miss her. Oh, did I forget to say that this is one thing I'm doing to fill the time I have since all of my girls have "flown the nest"? I do miss them, but what a joy to have time for ME. I do not have a final grade for this class, but I should have it by Wednesday. I would love to get an A, but will be thrilled with a B. The class was intense, but good. More writing than I have done in years. So far, I'm pleased with my college experience and really enjoy the learning process. My very favorite football team, USC GAMECOCKS, played LSU (#2 in Country) on Saturday and did very good, held their own and gave LSU a good game! Yeah, we lost (28-16), but damn good game! Go Cocks! I am at the beach relaxing and thankful for the R&R.