Oh I teared up. I even covered my mouth up in shock (I was holding a folder with all my class info) I am still wowed.

That sounds so amazing!!! I've heard of Craig Morgan but for the life of me can't think of songs lol I'm horrible that way. I probably know some. Just can't connect to think what they are. No clue on the other two tho possibly I've heard some songs. I don't listen to regular radio much just YouTube usually. What fundraiser was it for? That's an amazing amount!! And so cool for them to do that.

I would have, too. Ahhh that's so incredible, and I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU OMG.

He sings 90s country haha. International Harvester was one that I was so glad he played :P

Oh, I deleted that part on accident haha. For St. Judes! Which, I told the kids.. when you're watching competitions, and someone is going for St. Judes, that's who you root for haha. There's just something about kids with cancer that just kills me, more than any other thing.

There's a big radioathon every year, and so this will go towards that. $15,000 to start it off. INCREDIBLE.

I am getting a freaking headache and I am getting so freaking irritated. I am getting told so many different things and its so stupid. I get told I can take a class, I get told the class will count for credit, I get told I can't take the class unless it leads to some certificate thingy? WHY can't I take the class anyway? I don't care about the certificate thing and I just want to take the class because it TRANSFERS AND I NEED IT at the next school!!! WHO is it that I need to talk to so I can make sense of all this stupid garbage? I'm about ready to say F this at SCTC and just enroll at Mercer already even tho I am so close to getting the associates degree.

I am about to pound my head against the wall. I'm already freaking ENROLLED in one of the classes....if I am not supposed to be able to take it, why the hell am I allowed to enroll in it???

edit: So this is my reply to the most recent email. I hope I don't sound utterly stupid.....

I am afraid I don't really understand the whole certificate issue? I was told by Ms. Meyer that the classes would count for the degree, so I don't understand why I have to be able to get a certificate? Is that an ECCE requirement? Or an Interdisciplinary requirement? I'm sorry if this is causing issues for anyone, I just don't understand why I am being told I can take the classes, why I am able to enroll in the classes, and then I get told that I cannot (should not?) take the classes. It is very confusing to me. If I continue in Exceptionalities and then take the other two exceptionality classes (2360 and 2362) in fall will that get me a certificate?

Edit again: Ok so the dude in charge asked for my # and then called me. I think we got it all figured out, but I am NOT taking classes I really NEED at Mercer, but eh. Whatever, as long as I am taking classes that I CAN take and will do whatever it is required to get me finished. Phew. However his advice is to drop one of the classes i am signed up for right now, and take it in fall instead, and take one of a set this summer and the other of the set in fall. (he says the class is easier to take in a 16 week period and almost too much to do in a 8wk period but they have to offer it) And this ends up giving me 3 certificates total - I earned one last semester with the 3 classes I took. I'll earn 1/2 and 1/3 of one this summer, and then the other 1/2 and 2/3 in the fall. ARGH anyway tho. SO FRUSTRATING!!! Oh and he said the certificate thing is a SCHOOL thing, and that interdisciplinary studies is a new thing for the college so everyones on a learning curve with it and they don't have a lot of students who switch in or out of it.

Ugh, that sounds really frustrating. :(

Do the certificates do anything for you?

Not really as far as I can tell? I think if I was to work in a child care center (daycare) that they would. But for me, no. I also have to do a fingerprint/background check. So yay. More to figure out on top of everything else.

The public speaking teacher also said (via an announcement posted in the online classroom) his class is intense because it is better taken as 16week course. But oh well. They didn't have it online in the fall 😝 I'm going to hate recording myself but I would hate standing in front of a class worse!!

You don't have to have your clearances to work in the school?! o.O You should already have them, I would think!

I need to have fingerprints and background checks (both state and FBI) to volunteer anywhere with children, and DEFINITELY to work.

Yes. I have that. Got it done either when I became a sub or when I became a para...have not done it since that I remember? But I've kept up my certification so maybe they've done it to update it w/o me knowing when they redid my para certification after 5yrs (so like 2yrs ago)??? But ... This is a more extensive one or something? It's weird I know....that I have to get a different one when Ive already been cleared....

Well, you have to do them every 5/10 years or so.

They can't do them without your knowledge though, you have to do them.

It's just very odd to me haha.

Well I dunno. I don't remember doing it again after the first time? I think really it was when I became a para, but I can't see being a sub unless I'd done it too? I was a sub for 4yrs before I became a para. I've been a para 7yrs now. I am sure that if I needed to do them again they'd have told me? Otherwise I'm sure I'd have not kept my job??? Maybe its more than 5yrs here in GA before you have to do them again? No clue. But I've printed out the instructions for this one that is required for the practicum class in the fall.

Have done the 2 syllabus quizzes for the 2 classes I'm staying in. Will hopefully be enrolled in the other one tomorrow and will get on to do that one. I also just finished reading Chapter 1. So from what I can tell, I have to read 2 chapters, do 2 assignments, and take 2 quizzes each week for this class. And do work ethics (AGAIN). This is the ECCE class. This first weeks stuff is due the 30th. For the public speaking, I have until the 1st of June, and I have to read 3 chapters, watch videos, write observations of the videos and do an assignment. Then record a 2min intro of myself and post it.

I am seriously hoping I didn't overdo it this semester hahahah. It always takes me a bit of time to get into a groove tho, so I think I'll be ok. Last summer I felt I had so much free time after doing my classwork. Thats why I'm trying 3 classes. I hope I can. If not, I'll drop one and then only do 3 in fall, and do 2 in spring.

Maybe! It could definitely be different. But it's weird that you don't have them now haha. :P

Either way, it's not an awful process, just takes a long time. Here, at least!

Yea, one of the announcements she posted in the online class said something to the effect of 6-8 weeks? So I gotta get on it now so it'll be ready in the fall.

Edit: Ooof. Well. I need to know my date of hire? No clue hahaha especially since I don't know if I should put that for as a sub or as a para? LOL I'll have to stop by human resources I guess.

Ugh, what an annoyance! haha. That all sounds much more complicated than here.. or maybe not :P

Well all the rest of it was my personal info. But I had to select a center I work for (surprisingly the school system was listed!) And then list my hire date. I don't know it. So human resources here I come lol

All I know is I am trying to do what I am supposed to do.

Oh, yes! Sorry, I didn't mean to make it seem like I was doubting you. It's just so weird how it's so different between states.

Like, even El has to have their clearances done this summer, because they'll be 18. And they need to have them done for school before the second semester, because that's when they start their being in classrooms, etc.

Nah I didn't mean it that way. I just mean I'm trying to get stuff done.

I am so tired. So ready for school to be over. Kids have ONE more day!

Oh, good. Even when you've been friends with someone for.. who the hell knows how long, at least a decade? :P It's still hard to just.. be online, sometimes!

Ahhhh. so close to the end of the year!

Last week I asked Isabelle what she was doing in school and she goes "Enh.. recess, mostly!"

Today they were watching Matilda in science?? class. Apparently they've been reading the book LOL

Hidey ho, ladies! 🌹

I've been doing so much outside work that I've been too exhausted to really interact much, as the muscle soreness and tiredness last for days, even if I only work for one full day. I've ordered out so much this month and that should tell ya that if I'm too tired to cook all the things I often mention, then I'm too tired for anything other than laying on my bed or couch. Well, tired AND sore. It sucks that I have to work so much harder to get back in decent shape and the suffering until then is irritating, lol. To be honest, I'm hoping it's just age and being out of shape and nothing else going on b/c I still haven't found another doctor yet - not that I've been trying to, either.

I wanted to have the house all cleaned up for when my daughter arrived last week and I did clean it off and on, but then I would beat myself up with outside work that I struggled to do anything inside and it just got all cluttered and dirty (kitchen) again.
Just dropped her off at the airport. Gawd I hate that drive. I'm always on the road for over 2hrs b/c it's on the other side of the river from me (on the KY side) and I have to go through downtown to follow the route and it's just insane traffic. At least I didn't cry this time. I think it's b/c I know she'll be home in early mid July, so it's not much longer. :D I'll get more one on one time with her, then.

The roses look good, Kat. Very nice little area you have them in.
Mine look so ragged, lol. I lost the sticker for what type it is so I don't know if it's supposed to bush out or climb but I know I need to do more trimming on it. I really don't know shit about rose care. At least my lilies will look beautiful, even though they keep moving somehow and it's driving me nuts. Even the newer ones I planted within the last couple years have moved so I think towards the end of summer I'm going to dig them out and move even more of them, again.
It sucks that the main area where my tiger lilies started is now the skimpiest area. I took some babies and planted them on the other side of the front bush area and they are coming up quite nicely and it's just going to look uneven. (These, like my Easter lilies, are no less than 7yrs old. Easters are closer to 10.)

I've got lots of pics to share but I'm going to wait until tomorrow b/c there's a couple more I still want to take of how things look now b/c later on in the summer, it will look different. :D

Oh... some new things. I finally got the title for my car and got rid of it. Then I decided to do what I've been wanting to for years now and once I found they offered (not free) training, I learned how to use a handgun. Two weeks later and after trying out a couple of 9mm, I now own my first .380. The 9's are too heavy on my wrist right now, but you can rent them and I still want to practice with them at least once a month. I try to get to the range at least once a week. I should be able to increase that next month, but ammo for my gun is more expensive than a 9mm. By like $10. 😔 I think once I was able to just deal with the anxiety of getting the title - which was just a lot easier than the website tries to make it out - I made my gun training appt and knew that I would lose $75 if I got too nervous and cancelled so I went through with it and honestly just forcing myself into situations that make me that nervous and getting through them has been a huge stress relief and minor confidence builder.
I'll be taking my CCW class in July (for the conceal carry) mostly b/c they teach SO much more about a gun, ownership, how to defend yourself and even how to break down and clean your gun. Wholly hell I thought that's what the training was for! lol It's $119 and you have to buy at least 100 rounds of ammo so for me, that will be another $48. Pricey, but I can manage it with the raise I just got. Ohio recently became a constitutional carry state, so I don't need the CCW but it will be worth it. I'm not really into concealing things, anyway. Hell, I don't even carry it on my body at this point in time. Still too afraid of it, but that's also why I go to the range to practice.

I'll be back tomorrow... hopefully by then the stupid Masq will start. Instead of saying "latter" half of the week, how about END of the damn week! grrr I got things to do and I'll be camping in the first part of next week.

whoa you have been busy outside, you'll have some gorgeous pictures to show!! Congrats on your gun/permit. Glad you are getting the lessons and the training at the range. Thats all great stuff for someone who wants that! :) Ryan owns guns, and he taught me to shoot some of them, but I really just personally don't care for them. He took them all with him when he moved out. I am ok with that.

I agree, I know they are vague to avoid disappointment/frustration if it doesn't start on time for whatever reason, but that is also frustrating!!

I LOVED Matilda the movie. I have not read the book, and honestly if I ever knew before recently that there WAS a book, I must have forgot. I should get it and read it. Also yea. The last few days are mostly play around time. We had 4th grade classes come borrow some of our "center" stuff (blocks, legos, k'nex, drawing boards, etc) because they were having "PreK Day" and they needed "center activities" and the kids brought stuffed animals to school and everything and it sounded so cute LOL Some grades did an outside fun day pretty much all day, or watched videos if the kids got bored of being outside....

We always get extra recess anyway so we've mostly kept to our regular schedule. May or may not take nap tomorrow, we still have the mats, but the other PreK class sent them home today. I've sent home just about everything (material wise) from the classroom except their nametags (cubby, closet, etc) and I've cleared off the bulletin board and door decor and everything already too (did that this afternoon).

I have to go back the two days in May after Memorial Day then I'll be off for summer til like July 20something. I do not THINK we have any post-planning professional learning, but we will possibly have a faculty meeting at least. Might not. Will have a lunch on Wed with everyone to say "good bye" to those leaving and all.

Signed into my new class, did the syllabus quiz on that (did I read it, yes I did, one question hahaha). Printed off the due dates and the first assignment information. Read Chapter 2, took Chapter 1 Quiz. Wrote out on paper Assignment 1, need to type it up and submit it. Need to do Assignment 2. Need to read 3 chapters for the other class too still. Ugh. So much reading. Good thing I like to read. Hope I dont fall asleep reading it all lol (Ignore me and my schoolwork bragging/babbling if I do too much of it --> I think I mostly do it to keep track of what I've done and what I need to still do, and I think it gives me an accomplished feeling to note down that I finished stuff).

Kat, your college fiasco sounds very stressful. I'm glad it seems to have been worked out, though. Time for summer break!

Ok, here's some pics for anyone interested. Gonna separate them so they're not all clumped together.

front yard

This is where most of my lilies are. New ones are the bright green and smaller ones towards the fence line. Since they've moved and grown, I'm nervous about trimming around them so I'm going to have to dig up the clump of grass and just work on pulling stuff around the fence line. Maybe I'll take a chance and move those small ones, which are stargazer lilies. I forget what the bright green ones are. The big guys are the Easter lilies and all the little ones surrounding them are the babies.

This is the front garden where I always put tomatoes. Need to do trimming in the front.

Bush area that I started working on since February, when it was warm.

backyard garden

Where it was, with the pools I had to cut up and after a major rainstorm in February.

Next phase, after turning it over and breaking up the clumps with a hoe. The big blue pool had to be trashed in stages since there was SO MUCH of it.

Landscaping fabric down and fencing put up.

Seeds sowed and extra straw on the fabric to keep moisture around and deter too much heat off of the black fabric.

food

Made sushi for my daughter. Crab sticks, avocado and cream cheese.

complimentary kitty pic

Picked up a couple of new solar lights and had to share this.

That face....

Oooh its all coming along nicely! Even the sushi looks good hahaha and I don't eat sushi. I should try some NON raw fish types. I'd probably like it. I keep wanting to make smores sushi hahahah (its a snack!, roll out thin rice krispy treats, spread chocolate spread (or melted chocolate) and marshmallow spread, add sprinkles if desired and roll it up, cut it like sushi) LOL :)

And awww that poor cat. He is like, WHAT is this thing, why does it look like me, why did you put it here? LOL Love it. He looks like my Cheddar :) The face is a little different.

And...yes/no on summer break. yes it is summer break - I have two more days of work - no kids. But I have college classes, so not really summer BREAK :P Oh well. I'll still enjoy not going to work!