I’m lovin’ it!

Not only was today my first real college day (switched to a hybrid class), but also the first day of Hillary’s confirmation hearing! I am full of wonder and a little in awe of it all.

I saw my advisor yesterday and switched my online computer class to a hybrid class that meets once a week. My advisor teaches the class and I’m really impressed with her. I love the way the class is set up too. You can work through the assignments and finish as soon as you’re able. Too bad high school wasn’t set up that way. I think I’m going to like all of my classes, but English will probably be my least favorite. For whatever reason, I’ve never cared for the subject. I still don’t have my History or English books - hoping I’ll get them soon.

It’s been an eventful day. I’m thankful!

Today’s the day my boy goes back to college. I’m not happy about him going back to the dorm. I like having all my kids here where I can see them every day. I’m going to try and get out of here by noon, but the kids aren’t moving very fast this morning and I hate to rush them on his last day at home. The weather’s warmed up - it’s around 50 degrees - and it’s looking like thunderstorms might be in our future.

I think I’ve had this computer class on my mind all through the night. I really want to drop it and take something else. The extra software I need to have really bothers me since there’s no money right now. I have no idea how I’ll end up getting it and I just don’t see the sense in worrying about it when I don’t have to. Monday morning, I’m talking to my advisor or someone about it.

Today is Friday and I’m SO tired! I’ve put about 400 miles on the car this week, just running back and forth trying to get this college stuff together. What made everything that much harder was having my computer be unavailable due to a Trojan Horse dropper thingy. Anyway, all’s clear now and everything’s good.  I’m having to reinstall and remember way more than I’m really in the mood for right now. On with the college stuff!

I’m officially a college student!!! I’m also a nervous wreck about it. I’m taking 4 classes and they’re all online. I haven’t had a chance to figure anything out about them yet, since today’s my first day back on the computer. I have English 101, General Psychology, History of the US (since 1865), and Intro to Computers. I now have my Psych book, but everything else had to be ordered. I should have them by Tuesday or Wednesday. The WIA program pays $700 on books, so I’m covered there. I’ve got a lot of software that I need to get for my comp class, but hopefully I’ll know people who can help me with that, since that comes out of my pocket.

After going to Orientation and finding out that I’m not too old for this, I wish my car was dependable enough for me to be able to attend classes at the college. Oh well, maybe another time. For right now I guess it’s enough for me to do, figuring out how to get into everything.

I’m off to check out my stuff! See ya!

I took my test at the college today and it pretty much turned out the way I thought it would. I’m good with the first 2 r’s, but that rithmetic’s not my best subject! Oh, my goodness! The problem’s were full of x’s, powers, and parenthesis, and I had no idea what they wanted me to tell them. I had one year of (very basic) Algebra, thirty years ago. I didn’t like it then, and I’m not any fonder of it now. Luckily, I don’t have to take any of that freakin’ Algebra-like math for the Diploma I’m wanting. Tomorrow, I have to attend the New Student Orientation. That lasts for at least 4 hours. I just keep telling myself, I’m getting there!

I stopped at the bread store on my way home and boy did I hit the jackpot! I spent $13 and brought home a load of bread stuff!

I got:

• 9 loaves of white sandwich bread (very fresh) 3/1.69
• 1 loaf of Sara Lee Hearty & Delicious Country Whole Grain White (very fresh) .75 ea.
• 3 packs of Earth Grains Blueberry Bagels (very fresh) .75 ea.
• 3 packs of IGA hot dog buns (fresh) 3/1.69
• 2 packs big seeded hamburger buns (fresh) 2/1.99
• 4 (grab bag size) Gardetto’s snack mix $1.00!

and I got a Diet Pepsi!

Awesome!

Tomorrow’s the first day back to school for the kids and the day I go to the college to take my entrance test. I think we’re all dreading it in one way or another. Tuesday, I have to go to New Student Orientation. That’s the day I’m really dreading. Talk about feeling old! I have a feeling it’ll be a long four hours. Hopefully, by Wednesday, everything will finally be taken care of and I’ll be officially enrolled. This has been the longest process.

My boy doesn’t go back to school until next week, so we have him at home until Friday or Saturday. It’s going to be hard letting him go again after having him at home for so long this time. We’ve really enjoyed the time off this year and I don’t think any of us are looking forward to it ending. Normally my kids are ready to get back to school by now, but this year everything’s been so different. I guess it’s because they’re all growing up.

Anyway, here’s to our first real step into the new year!

It’s finally here! A new year - with HOPE! It’s been SO long and I’m truly excited! After so many bad years, one right after the other, I really have HOPE for the future again! I received a $325 electric bill today, but at least I know there could be a light at the end of the tunnel and I might get to see it in a couple of years! I’m not expecting everything to get better instantly, but at least I am hopeful! Right now, this minute, it feels nice for a change.  I can’t imagine what Inauguration Day will feel like!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Today I signed up for the Lifeline Credit with my phone company. It’s available to many low-income and senior citizen households. I’m not sure about the areas that are covered, but it’s definitley worth calling your local phone company and asking if they have it. It’s going to cut my bill by $14 a month. I’m going to need it to pay my outrageous electric bills.

I used to love Black Friday. Then, I learned to love Cyber Monday. Above all, my favorite shopping day (since I was old enough for it to matter) has always been the same. I LOVE the second day after Christmas.

Unlike most people I know, I’ve never cared for shopping on the day after Christmas. Why on Earth would anyone want to stand in those ridiculously long lines to return things when you could wait a few days and spend a fraction of the time. It’s just never made sense to me.

The second day after Christmas has always been the day I go shopping for my favorite item: wrapping paper! The wrapping paper is usually less than half price by now and it’s a steal considering it can cost around $5.00 for a really nice roll. Depending on where you shop, you can oftentimes find wrapping paper for a quarter a roll throughout the next few days!

Tissue paper is also on my list now. I’ve lucked out before and found it for a dime a pack at the dollar stores!

Gift bags are another item I’ll be checking out. The holiday themed bags usually start out around 2/$1.00 and after a few days they drop even more.

What you have to remember is that if you choose to wait a day or two and see if the price drops, someone else may grab up your items and be happy with the price!

Happy shopping!

I love to bake, especially during the Christmas season! This year, everyone on my gift list received baked goods of some kind or other. The following recipe is probably the easiest, not to mention the cheapest, cookie recipe that I’ve ever used. A wonderful lady that I worked with shared the recipe with me and it turned out so well that I now make it every year for the holidays.

The ingredients are simple:

• 1 Cup peanut butter
• 1 Cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg

Mix all ingredients together until smooth.  Roll into balls (with sugared hands) or drop by teaspoonfuls onto a prepared baking sheet. Flatten with a small glass dipped in sugar or using a fork to form a crisscross pattern. Bake in a preheated, 350 degree oven for around 8 minutes. The cookies should be lightly browned on the bottoms. Allow them to cool for a few minutes so removing them will be easier.

I was so surprised at how well these cookies turned out. So quick, easy, and affordable! They make a great homemade Christmas present!

Tomorrow night’s Christmas Eve. Once again, I’m not ready. It seems like no matter how much older the kids get or how much less I feel I should have to do, there’s just never enough time to get it all done. All the cookies aren’t baked. The candies aren’t finished. The gifts are never wrapped until Christmas Eve. This year we didn’t even get all the popcorn stringed. My sister and her kids are coming over tomorrow and I think I’m supposed to be cooking, but I’m not sure since it was too late to call after the realization came. I’ve never cooked Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve so maybe that’s why it slipped my mind.

Either way, ready or not, it’s coming.

Thank goodness!

Merry Christmas!