Ummm...Hi. Remember Me?

Yeah, it's been awhile. But November?? Has it really been that long since my last post?

Wow. Sorry about that. My bad.

So what's new?


On my end, I have finally completed the coursework for my AAB degree with University of Phoenix. Applied for the diploma today and graduation will be in late June.



And my writing career is being resumed....

What, no pic? I thought we had a pic...oh well...

My latest book is soon to be released. It's a smart-ass comedy/romance/murder mystery of sorts called It's All Fun and Games Until Somebody Gets Murdered. It's currently awaiting processing with the publisher, but if you'd like a sneak peak, just visit my author's page. You'll find info there on both books I've written -- Erotic Adventures of Steve and Brooke and the murder mystery.

Meanwhile though I continue to search for work. I was laid off from my last job in December and have been unemployed ever since. The time was spent wisely, as I was able to concentrate on my schoolwork and various book projects.

So that's what's going on in my world. What's going on in yours?

Today is the First day of...

Today, I took the first step in changing my life. It was my last day on the job at MU.

Some people would think I was nuts, but really, I think this change is for the better. In fact, I can now focus on the next step I want to accomplish - finishing the science class I am taking for college. There are only 4 weeks to go, so it shouldn't be much of a challenge but I do have about a week's worth of travel coming up during that time span so I really have to get down to business and get a few assignments done early.

Following this class, I need to get my divorce settled. I have been trying to keep my marriage issues private and not air any dirty laundry out of respect for her, but today she threw the first stone by publicly stating her wish that she would get served with divorce papers. While I am willing to oblige her with that request, I will simply state for the record that she is the one who first chose to walk away from this marriage. That said, my intention is to get the ball rolling on that over the next week and hopefully it will be resolved relatively soon.

Step 3 is trying to find a new job. In this economy, it's going to be tough enough. However, I am expanding my search zone, so to speak. For more details, see step 4.

Step 4: Moving to Indiana. Those who have been paying close attention are probably already aware of this step, but the move is scheduled. In just a few very short weeks, I shall be loading up and heading east to Muncie, IN. After 16 years with MU and all of the crap that has taken place in my life last year, I think a fresh start is definitely in order, and what better place to do that than in another state with someone who lets me know in no uncertain terms everyday just how much I mean to her. And in return, words from me cannot express just how much she has meant to me and still does each and every day.

Hang in there Tammy. I'll be home soon.

Happy February!

Where does the time go?

I've officially completed my recent block of classes and now I'm taking 3 weeks off of school in order to regain my focus. Work demands were pulling from my allotted homework & class time and honestly, I thought there was no way I was going to pass these courses.

To my pleasant surprise, I made it!

So I take a break now and gather my wits, and when classes resume for me on March 9, I will only be taking one at a time. First up, Cultural Diversity. Stay Tuned..

Meanwhile, I'm conducting a search for a new car. Well, new to me anyway. I may have been successful. Stay tuned on that one too...

And finally, the voting season on Idol begins tonight! Do you have any favorites? I've seen a few people that I like, but I would prefer not to emotionally invest myself in someone that Fox has forcefed down our throats in the early audition/Hollywood rounds. I'm going to try and hold off from publicly supporting someone until we get to the top 12.

Beginning a New Chapter in Life

Hello again. I thought I would make a quick post to let you know about something going on in my life. It's been quite some time and I really didn't think I would be in this position ever again in my life, but I am.

And you know what? It's kind of a good feeling, although a little scary at times.

Want to know what it is? (Deep Breath)

I'm attempting to finish getting my degree.

I am 44 years old with 3 kids and a good job. Yet I never finished college. In fact, I dropped out in 1987 after taking only 3 semesters at the University of Missouri and 1 semester at St Louis Community College.

I don't know yet how many credits will transfer over, but I'm starting out by going for my Associates degree in Business. After we see how that goes, I might go my bachelors degree. Like I said, we'll see.

I've signed up for online classes with the University of Phoenix. Originally, I only submitted the request for information from them because I was trying to complete an offer through cashfiesta and earn $50 (complete 4 offers, no credit card required and they send you a check). I figured I would just fill out the form and they would send me an email and maybe I would have to click on a link.

I never expected their office to call me.

I avoided answering the calls until I saw that they weren't going away so one afternoon I went ahead and took the call. The guy on the other end was an enrollment counselor and started talking to me about why I wanted to go back to school and what I was interested in doing. I told him I was just gathering information and wasn't really sure about it, couldn't afford to at this point in time and didn't really have time to take classes somewhere.

He then proceeded to tell me about the online program and financial aid obligations (student loans & Pell grants) and how I would not have any out of pocket expenses (with the exception of getting computer and internet access, which as we all can obviously see isn't much of a problem since I'm online posting this). In fact, if for some reason the financial aid didn't go through, I wouldn't even be starting classes!

So....I took another breath and said, OK. He sent me a link to the online application and a detailed explanation of how to fill it out. I faxed him a couple of forms so that he could request my transcripts from MU and SLCC and see what credits would transfer over.

That was all on Tuesday of this week. Two days ago. Yesterday I heard back from the bank on my student loans. Everything looks good and they are working with the school now to get funds to them. Anything over and above my tuition costs will be sent to me.

I have a new student orientation workshop next week and should begin classes on July 28.

Dear God what have I gotten myself into!

Stay tuned....