Things...

Ok. It's after midnight on Wednesday night. I'm still up! Why?

1. Just finished editing and adding to my research paper. It is due at 3pm today (since it is now Thursday). Nothing like waiting until the LAST MINUTE to get this writing done. Well, I have always said that writing under pressure is the best way for me to write. I had all 4's and 5's on my writing as it was. You could really tell I had the flu when I was writing it with all the grammar errors.
2. I turned in my print versions of my grant proposal this evening. Yeah! I'm completely done with the class. It was EASY for me. I think it was equally as easy as my grammar analysis class. I'm such a GEEK (but cute). I just know I'm getting an A in this class.
3. I napped for about an hour this evening. With EVERYTHING I did today, I needed some rest time. When I got home from grant class, I immediately made dindin for us all, got Cassi to finish her homework, and had us be quiet. Rob worked tonight and needed a short nap before work.

Well, I FINALLY got approval of my internship. YEAH! The professor who will be my anchor professor told me (and you didn't hear it from me) that the department head is retiring this year and is taking his time approving anything. But, I sent my professor the information he needs to get that book ordered for me to buy through the bookstore. And, I have a meeting Monday with my supervisor of the internship. Can you believe that I'll get a grade for this internship? I just know I'll get an A. Hmmm? Is it too early to expect a 4.0 for spring semester. I could actually graduate with a 3.75 overall GPA.

OOOH!

But, yesterday, I got an interesting phone call. At the beginning of the month, there was a career fair at CSU. One of the employers there was Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). They are hiring. But, I've known from experience, they are only looking to hire people in this area who in school for accounting. My mom and dad are both employed here. But, because of the fact they use technology heavily in their jobs, they have a whole IT function.

So, when I was there, I stopped, as a last minute idea to the table. Talking with the recruiters, I explained how my mom and dad work at DFAS and I've got technology experience. They took my resume and said they would forward it to the technology recruiters as they were both accounting recruiters.

Yesterday, I received a phone call and email. The IT department is based in Columbus, with support to the Cleveland office. They wanted my current GPA and unofficial transcript.

Oh, but if I could get hired there... My last semester of school would get broken up into 2 semester, taking 2 classes each semester and pushing my grad date to fall 2008. But, I would be working too. And, yes, I would have daycare for Cassi in the morning before her schooling starts and in the afternoon. I would love this option to happen as I REALLY need to work. But, I don't want to think about it right now. I'll start to obsess.

And, if I stay with my original plan, I will have access to research EVERYTHING grants. I may be able to find foundations willing to give me money to pay back my student loan bills (and Rob's), along with funding for my business stuff. That would be nice.

With all this said, I'm finally starting to get tired. The next few days will be CRAZY. Later today, after we get up, I will be at Cassi's school til 12:30. This week, there is a book fair. I volunteered to help the kids pick books and things they want. Cassi got 3 books (plus a couple other things nI bought her for Christmas). Friday morning, we're walking in the school's walking club before school starts, then heading to our church to help pack food gift baskets, then off to school for my grammar exam. After the exam, I've just got my final.

I'll be tired come Friday afternoon.

Pray for me!

Lots of love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

10 Things I Can't Live Without...

OK. From VegasPrincess (VP), my sister-by-proxy, who's home recovering from whatever she ate to make her sick, I'm following up with my list of

10 Things I Can't Live Without...

Anyhoo, my list of 10 (in no particular order):

1. My hubby Rob (oops, started to say Marie's Joe)
2. My CHILD Cassi (is she just one kid or a crowd?)
3. My family (including Marie and sister-by-proxy VP)
4. My computer (yep, I'm a geek, but cute!)
5. My cat (Dina, pronounced Deena)
6. My cell with text messaging (can't get enough, but only if you're IN)
7. Dr. Pepper (but only 1 can a day please)
8. My home
9. Notepads that are small enough to carry in my purse (to remind of me all the stuff I need to remember)
10. My car (because we live in the boonies - west burbs of Cleveland and need to drive to get ANYWHERE!)

OK. That's my 10. Typically, I don't get a chance to do tags when they come in email, but like to do them when I can. Not emailed but suggested by VP.

Lots of love,
Cathy
8^ )

Numbers...

My daughter is OBSESSED with numbers. When she asks "when are we going to the store?" and I say "later" that isn't good enough. You can't tell her words like, later, soon, a few, etc.; words that aren't exact numbers, she gets mad.

She wants EXACT times, EXACT amounts, EXACT EXACT EXACT when it comes to numbers.

So, yesterday, dad called, letting me know Cassi was ready to come home. He would bring her home at 2.

"Pa! Not at 2, at 1:55!" she shouted.

Dad says to me that NO, we're not leaving at 2. We're leaving at 1:55 pm.

Next thing we know, they get here at 3pm. Cassi decided she was watching a TV show. At 1:55 pm, Pa says to her it's time to go.

"No, when this show's over. I'm watching it," she says. When that show was over she wanted to watch the next show.

We thought they stopped on the way. But, it's just hilarious how she's so obsessed with numbers.

Thought I'd share!

Lots of love,
Cathy
8^ )

Wanting to Write...

Have you ever...

Done something?
Wanted to write about it on your blog?
Thought about it all the way home from where you were about what you wanted to say?
Got home?
And those thoughts left you?

That happened to me yesterday. I tried to boot up my laptop but had trouble with my internet connection. Rob played with it while I was at my last craft show and couldn't get hooked at home.

So, my WONDERFUL thoughts vanished. When I think of new ones, I'll write.

Lots of love,
Cathy
8^ )

The Paper (an Update)

As I thought, I just met with my professor about my paper. Besides having the flu while writing the paper, I felt there just wasn't enough "stuff" in the paper. My professor thought so too. But, she pointed me in the right direction for additional information.

While working with her this morning, I've got the notes on what needs to be added and where it should be added. I asked her if she wanted to see it before I turn in the final draft. Only if I want her to see it.

So, I'm going to try to work on it tomorrow. Even if I don't get her to see it, at least it will be done.

Otherwise, even though there's not enough "stuff" the five major components to the paper are 4's and 5's, dealing with focus, etc.

In my grammar class, I missed last Wednesday because I just needed that EXTRA day of rest after being sick. Definitely helped. But, while I was gone, the professor gave back our grammar exams from the Friday before. Even sick and the fact that I missed 2 days didn't drop my average. I figured if I was going to bomb a test from this class this would be it because I was sick and missed important class days.

I got a 95%. Only because 2 of the problems were stupid errors, plus I had a 1% point bonus from an exercise a few weeks back. Because this class deals with detailed analyization of grammar, we diagram out sentences as part of our process. There was this sentence that he told us if we got it right, we would get a bonus point for the exam.

Well, no one got it right but me, but because everyone tried, everyone got the point. Kinda made me feel crappy because I was the only person to get it right.

OK. That's about it for now. I'm feeling the need for a snack. And, I want to look at moving my car to my "good" parking lot before class. I've got class today and Wednesday. Off Tuesday.

Lots of love,
Cathy
8^ )

My Research Paper - Fears

OK. As I was just saying, tomorrow is my Composition Theory class. For tomorrow's class, I have to have completed my rough draft of my paper completed. The paper has to be 10 pages typed and double-spaced. I've got about four of those pages done. Plus, the inclusion of the cover, table of contents, works cited, and appendices.

Because I think and write segmented, I figured my best bet would be to write my paper segmented. And, as I thought, the paper is working out that way. I've been be-bopping around my paper, typing stuff where it belongs in the order.

Here's my fears. I've had this professor before. This is my professor from my Technical Writing class. Yep, if you're remembering, I had to do a segmented research paper there as well. So, my professor knows how well I can research and how well I can write. Because this paper deals with some topics that I'm not completely familar with, I feel that when she reads the paper, she might become disappointed. That disappointment will be because she knows how well I write and I don't think this paper will be as good. Yes, I understand each paper has its own differences, but I have a reputation to uphold.

But, also as I said, I've been sick since Thursday. Yesterday and today have been the worst of the days, the flu or at least a sinus infection. But, I feel like I'm getting better today.

As it stands, I've still got about 6 pages left to write for this paper.

Oh, wonder what I'm writing about? My question is: How do I teach writing to children with learning disabilities?

It's very close to my heart as my child has a learning disability. This LD gives her trouble in every aspect of her school life. As she grows older and goes into the higher grades, that trouble will continue. I want to be able to stay current with the teachers to be able to help her at home. I figured it was a good topic to write my research paper about.

And, my other classes? Grant class - 2 points less than acing the class, Grammar analysis - 94% on all tests.

Ok. Gonna go. I've got to start working on dinner as Rob will be going to work tonight at his part-time job.

Lots of love,
Cathy
8^ )

The Spring Schedule (And Books)

So, I've been able to register for everything but my internship. As it stands, I have to wait for final approval and a specific section to be created for me to register.

Here is what my schedule will look like in the spring:

Monday: Imaging Africa (non-western class for gen ed requirement) 4-6 pm
Tuesday: English Senior Survey (my only lit analysis since my first semester) 10am-noon
Magazine Writing 6-8 pm
Wednesday: Imaging Africa
Thursday: English Senior Survey and Magazine Writing

Now somewhere in between there, I have to come up with 10 hours a week for the internship. Plus, Cassi and Rob and the house and PTO,...............

As far as my books are considered, I've got the open-ended book scholarship. I've talked with my anchor professor regarding my internship. Basically, there is no book required for the internship. After explaining the scholarship to the professor and suggesting a book that would be good for me to have, he agreed we could get the book required through the bookstore. Once the spring semester starts, I'll be able to get the book with my scholarship.

Cool!

Ok. I'm sitting here with Cassi, helping her get her homework done (yep it's Monday night). I'm also trying to complete my research paper that's due tomorrow. ACK!

Wish me luck! I've been sick this weekend too. So, I slept for a while this evening while Cassi played on her computer and watched some TV.

Lots of love,
Cathy
8^ )

Blonde Hair

This is a funny story. I had a craft show on the 3rd of November. A vendor from another table came over and saw my chore charts. She thought they were so adorable. But, she has 2 little girls, one girl with blonde hair and one girl with brunette hair. The chore chart I had was for a brunette-haired girl. She asked me if she purchased that one could I also alter the hair for a blonde.

Sure, why not? I'll give it a try and print it out. I saw her on the 10th at another craft show we were both doing.

So, while I was at the first show, I had my laptop and worked on the hair. Now, how do I come up with blonde hair? Rob happened to be around at the time and started looking through my photos for someone with blonde hair.

And, who did I find?

My old supervisor from Ernst & Young, Barb. I have a photo of her with Cassi at 5 years old. I copied pixels of her hair and pasted them into the chore chart. With manipulation of those pixels, I was able to come up with a blonde-haired little girl's chore chart.

She was so happy at the result. She told me how she talked to her girls about getting the chore charts. She said how they were excited to be able to start using them.

I'm glad too!

Just another way I can use photos for graphic manipulation!

Lots of love,
Cathy
8^ )

Even George Carlin Grows Up, Sort of...

Ok. This one is a forward from my mom. Real hilarious, but has some vulgarity. If you don't want to read, I would stop now.....


New Rule: No more gift registries. You know, it used to be just for weddings. Now it's for babies and new homes and graduations from rehab.
Picking out the stuff you want and having other people buy it for you isn't gift giving, it's the white people version of looting.

New Rule: Stop giving me that pop-up ad for classmates.com! There's a reason you don't talk to people for 25 years. Because you don't particularly like them! Besides, I already know what the captain of the football team is doing these days --- mowing my lawn.

New Rule: Don't eat anything that's served to you out a window unless you're a seagull. People are acting all shocked that a human finger was found in a bowl of Wendy's chili. Hey, it cost less than a dollar. What did you expect it to contain? Lobster?

New Rule: Stop saying that teenage boys who have sex with their hot, blonde teachers are permanently damaged. I have a better description for these kids: "Lucky bastards."

New Rule: If you need to shave and you still collect baseball cards, you're a dope. If you're a kid, the cards are keep sakes of your idols.
If you're a grown man, they're pictures of men.

New Rule: Ladies, leave your damn eyebrows alone. Here's how much men care about your eyebrows: Do you have two of them? Good, we're done.

New Rule: There's no such thing as flavored water. There's a whole aisle of this crap at the supermarket, water, but, without that watery taste.
Sorry, but flavored water is called a soft drink. You want flavored water? Pour some scotch over ice and let it melt. THAT'S your flavored water.

New Rule: Stop screwing with old people. Target is introducing a redesigned pill bottle that's square, with a bigger label. And the top is now the bottom. And by the time grandpa figures out how to open it,
his ass will be in the morgue. Congratulations, Target, you just
solved the Social Security crisis.

New Rule: The more complicated the Starbucks order, the bigger the asshole. If you walk into a Starbucks and order a 'decaf grandee, half-soy, half-low fat, iced vanilla, double-shot, gingerbread cappuccino, extra dry, light ice, with one Sweet-n'-Low, and One NutraSweet,' oooooooohhh, you're a huge asshole.

New Rule: I'm not the cashier! By the time I look up from sliding my
card, entering My PIN number, pressing 'Enter,' verifying the amount, deciding, 'No, I don't want Cash back', and pressing 'Enter' again, the kid who is supposed to be ringing me up is standing there eating my Almond Joy.

New Rule: Just because your tattoo has Chinese characters in it doesn't make you Spiritual. It's right above the crack of your ass. And it translates to 'beef with broccoli.' The last time you did anything spiritual, you were praying to God you weren't pregnant. You're not spiritual. You're just high.

New Rule: Competitive eating isn't a sport. It's one of the seven deadly sins. ESPN Recently televised the U.S. Open of Competitive Eating, because watching those athletes at the poker table was just too damned exciting. What's next, competitive farting? Oh wait, they're already doing that. It's called 'The Howard Stern Show.'

New Rule: I don't need a bigger mega M&Ms. If I'm extra hungry for M&Ms, I'll go nuts and eat two.

New Rule: If you're going to insist on making movies based on crappy old television shows, then you have to give everyone in the Cineplex a remote so we can see what's playing on the other screens. Let's remember the reason something was a television show in the first place is that the idea wasn't good enough to be a movie.

New Rule: And this one is long overdue: No more bathroom attendants.
After I zip up, some guy is offering me a towel and a mint like I just had sex with George Michael. I can't even tell If he's supposed to be there, or just some freak with a fetish. I don't want to be on your webcam, Dude. I just want to wash my hands.

New Rule: When I ask how old your toddler is, I don't need to hear '27 months.' 'He's two' will do just fine. He's not a cheese. And I didn't really care in the first place.

New Rule: If you ever hope to be a credible adult and want a job that pays better than Minimum wage, then for God's sake don't pierce or tattoo every available piece of flesh. If so, then plan your future around saying, 'Do you want fries with that?'



This last rule is PERFECT! I am very old-fashioned and once worked in the corporate world. They DO NOT want to see that you're pierced or tattooed. If you have a tattoo, that's your business, but make sure it can be hidden!

That is all.

Lots of love,
Cathy
8^ )

The Halloween Picture

It's a little blurry because this comes from my cell phone. She REALLY had a good time. I had someone explain to me that she looked like the snow queen from The Chronicles of Narnia movie. That sounds good to me.

But, I promised. So, here she is!

Lots of love,
Cathy
8^ )