Well, it seems college is rather expensive to attend. I am going to have to come up with some creative ways for money in order to be able to go. There are grants and loans and other ways, all of that will take a lot of research. Colleges should grant 3 college credits for just figuring out the system of finance. I’ve been looking about going back in to cleaning carpets again. This would be almost cheaper than going to college and I would realize financial a benefit almost immediately. I do not relish the thought of dragging hose and pushing a wand again. I suppose it is the smarter thing to do. My place of employment is not as committed to building an educated staff as the led me to believe when I signed on with them. Things changed. Things always change.
I’ve got some leads on places to clean and I may try and follow up on those. We just picked up a place here in Bloomington; my chiropractors office. It doesn’t pay very much but it is a small office. It will take me probably less than an hour to clean. I’ll make a little pocket change for my efforts. More than anything else I will have a reference here in Bloomington in the event new doors are opened for me to start a cleaning company. There are always options if you are willing to pursue them. I would have liked to gone to college. Maybe someday in the future it will be doable. And then again, who knows, maybe not.
My garden has turned out to be a disaster. Hardly anything has produced and what did grow, the deer has eaten up. I need to grow the dirt. In order for me to do that I need to get my pickup going again. I worked on that last night. I got my head back from Sam. He had to take .0015 off of it. He did not send me a bill for the work. I will have to find him tomorrow and the convention and see what the damage will be. Well I guess that is my entry for this day.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
A day at the Park
Today was a good day. We fed the speaker and his friends after the meeting. We had smoked BBQ. Later our family we went to McCormicks Creek. Nyle rode a pony named "Freckles" for about 30 minutes. When he was tired of riding we went to Subway and picked up supper. We got our food to go and went back to the park. We ate and then we played. Nyle loved swinging on the swing. All the while wanting me to push him faster. "Faster daddy Faster!, he kept saying. What he really meant was higher. I pushed him as high as I dare and still that was not enough for him. He has become quite a thrill seeker. We played hard for about 2 hours. Eventually the rest of us, Jen, Papaw, Mama, and I; wanted to go check out the waterfalls. Nyle did not want to leave the swing scene. It took a lot of convincing but he finally acquiesced. We were about to just pick him up and put him in the car, as he was not co-operating, when he made us a deal. He said, "I want to swing just one more time, just one more time." So we agreed with the understanding I would push him just once. He agreed to our terms and the deal was done. So back in to the swing he went. I gave him a big push, as big as I dare, and let him fly. The swing soon ran down and he got out with little fuss. We then went to the waterfalls. Nyle is pretty good at making and then sticking to his deals.
When we got to the falls there were about 100+ steps to get down there. So I made a game of counting them with Nyle. This is fun learning time. I try to never miss a teaching opportunity within our fun time. Nyle was able to count to 13 almost, if not before, he could walk. We have exactly 13 steps in our house. Every time I carried him up the stairs I would count them off. Soon he was counting them with me. I also incorporated some ABC's in our step counting today. Instead of counting them all we recited the ABC's for a few runs of the steps today. Nyle can already recite nearly all of them. Again, when he was just a little, guy going up and down our stairs I would recite the ABC's. Of course with 13 steps you have to double up on the letters for each step. If you do these things your children will learn them without even trying. It's fun for them and it's fun for the parents.
I think if we work with him he will be able to read some easy stories to the new baby by the time he/she is born. He's definitely smart enough to have some advanced training. Nyle wants to learn to read. He loves books and stories. One of his most favorite places to go is the library. He also wants to learn to drive. He can already drive his electric four-wheeler with some degree of expertise.
I know I am going on and on about my boy, but that's what this blog is about. I want a record of his growing up experience. This is really not to be an entertaining sort of blog. For that you need to go to Heathers Random Thoughts. She has much more interesting things to share.
On a different note I would like to state for the record I am seriously trying to become a college graduate. I went to the local Jr college a few weeks a go and tested out off all the pre-requisite courses. I passed Reading and English with a 91% accuracy the first time I took the Compass test. I did not do so well on the math. So I studied a week and went back and took the math again. This time I scored a 65. My first attempt I scored a 41. I did not study at all the first time I took it. I just went in and asked what I needed to do to get a degree. I shortly ended up taking the Compass test. So with a week of study I was asked to go to college. It's been over 28 years since I went to any school.
I talked to my Coordinator, as the P.O. is now known as, about trying to get a college degree. He said he thought it was just fine as long as I wasn't violating christian principles or involved with courses that would be contrary to Biblical teachings. That comforted me some. I really believe that this is a good move for my family. I intend to do most of my studying during my free time at work. So it won't take away time from my family or other spiritual obligations. So I asked myself, why not? A degree is worth about $60,000 more a year for me and my family. It's "low hanging fruit" for a person in my position. Also, I will be reimbursed for at least 50% of the cost of going from my place of employment. This includes the cost of taking a CLEP test. That is a test you take to "skip" college level classes like, English Comp, Psychology, College Algebra, Calculus, and almost any college course you can name. In fact their are a couple colleges that will accept CLEP credits for up to a Masters degree. You do have to be an alumni for one semester in order for you to be considered as "graduating" from their college. That cost about $2400. CLEP tests are about $80 a piece. You need 120 credits for a Bachelors degree. Each test score nets you about 3 credits. That's about 40 CLEP's for a total of $3200.00 plus another $2400 to be an alumni. So for about $5600 I can get a Bachelors degree. That is about 1/10 of what one will cost you if you go the traditional route. And I get to do it at my own pace with no home work assignments! It's like college homeschooling. So I am going to try it out for a fit and see.
Well it is late and I need to go to bed. I work tomorrow and I need some rest after today's adventures. More will be added later.
When we got to the falls there were about 100+ steps to get down there. So I made a game of counting them with Nyle. This is fun learning time. I try to never miss a teaching opportunity within our fun time. Nyle was able to count to 13 almost, if not before, he could walk. We have exactly 13 steps in our house. Every time I carried him up the stairs I would count them off. Soon he was counting them with me. I also incorporated some ABC's in our step counting today. Instead of counting them all we recited the ABC's for a few runs of the steps today. Nyle can already recite nearly all of them. Again, when he was just a little, guy going up and down our stairs I would recite the ABC's. Of course with 13 steps you have to double up on the letters for each step. If you do these things your children will learn them without even trying. It's fun for them and it's fun for the parents.
I think if we work with him he will be able to read some easy stories to the new baby by the time he/she is born. He's definitely smart enough to have some advanced training. Nyle wants to learn to read. He loves books and stories. One of his most favorite places to go is the library. He also wants to learn to drive. He can already drive his electric four-wheeler with some degree of expertise.
I know I am going on and on about my boy, but that's what this blog is about. I want a record of his growing up experience. This is really not to be an entertaining sort of blog. For that you need to go to Heathers Random Thoughts. She has much more interesting things to share.
On a different note I would like to state for the record I am seriously trying to become a college graduate. I went to the local Jr college a few weeks a go and tested out off all the pre-requisite courses. I passed Reading and English with a 91% accuracy the first time I took the Compass test. I did not do so well on the math. So I studied a week and went back and took the math again. This time I scored a 65. My first attempt I scored a 41. I did not study at all the first time I took it. I just went in and asked what I needed to do to get a degree. I shortly ended up taking the Compass test. So with a week of study I was asked to go to college. It's been over 28 years since I went to any school.
I talked to my Coordinator, as the P.O. is now known as, about trying to get a college degree. He said he thought it was just fine as long as I wasn't violating christian principles or involved with courses that would be contrary to Biblical teachings. That comforted me some. I really believe that this is a good move for my family. I intend to do most of my studying during my free time at work. So it won't take away time from my family or other spiritual obligations. So I asked myself, why not? A degree is worth about $60,000 more a year for me and my family. It's "low hanging fruit" for a person in my position. Also, I will be reimbursed for at least 50% of the cost of going from my place of employment. This includes the cost of taking a CLEP test. That is a test you take to "skip" college level classes like, English Comp, Psychology, College Algebra, Calculus, and almost any college course you can name. In fact their are a couple colleges that will accept CLEP credits for up to a Masters degree. You do have to be an alumni for one semester in order for you to be considered as "graduating" from their college. That cost about $2400. CLEP tests are about $80 a piece. You need 120 credits for a Bachelors degree. Each test score nets you about 3 credits. That's about 40 CLEP's for a total of $3200.00 plus another $2400 to be an alumni. So for about $5600 I can get a Bachelors degree. That is about 1/10 of what one will cost you if you go the traditional route. And I get to do it at my own pace with no home work assignments! It's like college homeschooling. So I am going to try it out for a fit and see.
Well it is late and I need to go to bed. I work tomorrow and I need some rest after today's adventures. More will be added later.
Ooops! I did it again.
By now most all that read this blog will know I am going to be a daddy again. A few days ago, I arrived home from work ready to enjoy a relaxing evening. When I no more than sat my brief case down when Jen handed me a pregnancy test. It had been a while since I'd seen one those things up close. I had forgotten how to read them. My initial response now seems rather foolish to me. After scrutinizing the strip with great intensity, as one would while attempting to read tea leaves, I admitted to Jen I did not understand. Stupidly I asked; "What does this mean?” Now it seems so obvious. There is only one reason your wife hands you a pregnancy test. Your wife will not hand you a pregnancy test to tell you; "I'm NOT pregnant." That would be illogical. At the time logic was not a predominate force within me.
It had even crossed my mind -momentarily- to ask her whose test it was. Thinking, I suppose, that someone might have been handing them out somewhere that day some where she had been. In a flash of desperation I also thought that perhaps she found it and thought I should be aware of that. -Yes, I know that doesn't make sense.. NOW- Almost as quick and seeming more logical that possibly she had received it from one of our friends in the mail. (You know who you are :)
But no, her answer to my question; "What does this mean?” shattered my blissful ignorance like the flash of a lightning bolt. She said, "I'm pregnant."
I immediately sat down and just let my mouth hang open wide for awhile and looked far off in to a corner of the room. Up near the ceiling. I was not seeing, just looking. Momentarily I asked, "How could this happen?" Again, another silly question as I look back up on the moment with more aptitude. Jen said with an incredulous expression, 'HUH?!”.
These moments can be stupefying, and I did not escape the moment, or stupefaction. Yes, I admit it, I was stupificated. -new word-
I didn't sit there very long before I was out cutting the lawn and thinking. I was thinking about how this was going to change things. Would it change things? Well, it will but for the better. I truly believe my son needs a sibling. Being a lone child can be difficult. Nyle will have a buddy. Another plus is that we will get another tax write off! That is nice incentive to procreate. Thanks Uncle Sam! ;)
Our family is also experiencing better living conditions than when we decided to have our first child. We have a better house. I have a better job. I have more stability and job security. And we already know we can be good parents. Nyle is living proof of that. I know how to change a diaper and take care of a baby. Another child should not prove to be burden for us at all. In fact, I believe this is a good thing. I will miss sleeping for the first 8 weeks after he/she is born!!!!
Speaking of sleep. I just noticed how late it is. I am going to bed. I will write more very soon.
It had even crossed my mind -momentarily- to ask her whose test it was. Thinking, I suppose, that someone might have been handing them out somewhere that day some where she had been. In a flash of desperation I also thought that perhaps she found it and thought I should be aware of that. -Yes, I know that doesn't make sense.. NOW- Almost as quick and seeming more logical that possibly she had received it from one of our friends in the mail. (You know who you are :)
But no, her answer to my question; "What does this mean?” shattered my blissful ignorance like the flash of a lightning bolt. She said, "I'm pregnant."
I immediately sat down and just let my mouth hang open wide for awhile and looked far off in to a corner of the room. Up near the ceiling. I was not seeing, just looking. Momentarily I asked, "How could this happen?" Again, another silly question as I look back up on the moment with more aptitude. Jen said with an incredulous expression, 'HUH?!”.
These moments can be stupefying, and I did not escape the moment, or stupefaction. Yes, I admit it, I was stupificated. -new word-
I didn't sit there very long before I was out cutting the lawn and thinking. I was thinking about how this was going to change things. Would it change things? Well, it will but for the better. I truly believe my son needs a sibling. Being a lone child can be difficult. Nyle will have a buddy. Another plus is that we will get another tax write off! That is nice incentive to procreate. Thanks Uncle Sam! ;)
Our family is also experiencing better living conditions than when we decided to have our first child. We have a better house. I have a better job. I have more stability and job security. And we already know we can be good parents. Nyle is living proof of that. I know how to change a diaper and take care of a baby. Another child should not prove to be burden for us at all. In fact, I believe this is a good thing. I will miss sleeping for the first 8 weeks after he/she is born!!!!
Speaking of sleep. I just noticed how late it is. I am going to bed. I will write more very soon.
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