OOOPS

I know that I was so excited about the 8 week history class, and how I had a goal to take 2 classes each semester so that I could finally graduate.  Welllll......I discovered that that big idea was a bust.  As soon as the history class started, I knew I was in trouble.  It seems that taking a class that is 8 weeks long instead of 16 weeks means that the prof. crams 16 weeks worth of history into an 8 week class ~ I actually figured it would be challenging (=snort=), but in our very first class (Monday), some students were required to write a 500-600 word essay on the readings that was due on the very next class, which is Wednesday.  I was glad not to be in that group, especially since some of those kids didn't even have the book from which the first reading comes from.  No, mine was due the following Monday.  So, on my day off, I spent the entire day reading and writing.  And, our first test was yesterday.  

I'm driving home on Monday, and asking myself "what are the pros and cons of taking this class?"  and I could only come up with one pro and a whole list of cons.  So, as soon as I got home I dropped it.  So I didn't have to take the test, which was a huge relief, because my online class has a test this weekend.  And I didn't really want to wait until today to start studying for it.  

So, I guess I bit off more than I could chew.  If I didn't have to work full time, I could have done it.  In the meantime, I have decided that, since this degree probably won't make much if any of a difference in my professional life, if it takes me an extra semester or two, it's worth it to keep my sanity.  

God, I wish I had done this when I was younger. 

Love, 365

Spring!

Wysteria blossoming...& taking over our backyard

We left the backdoor open yesterday despite the cool temperatures....the fragrance of the blossoms was too wonderful to resist.  Wysteria don't make a particularly good cut flower...they're pretty for about 24 hours, then drop the flowers and wilt.  Romeo usually trims it in late winter, but never got around to it....the blooms aren't as large as they would be if he had, but wow, there are so many, there's no point in complaining!

Week 1 of history class done, only 7 weeks to go.  I believe I will be counting them down, hoping to keep my head above the flood.  Two things: one student asked the prof. to repeat something, who responded with "I don't repeat myself", which on one hand is somewhat understandable, but not very conducive for learning....poor guy was searching his notes to answer a question & didn't hear the prof.  Two: he told us that he would post readings (on Learn, the online platform) that aren't in our book (more about the book later), but when I looked on Friday & again yesterday, the reading wasn't there.  AND I'm to write an essay on that particular reading.  So, I tried to find it on the web ~ mind you with only the last name of the author and nothing else (yeah, no first name, no book title...).  Finally believed I found the book at the UNM library, so had to drive down there to check it out (& pay $2 parking to boot), then come home.  I was lucky to have figured out the book, what with no first name or title, but the page numbers matched for chapter 16, so lucky-lucky-lucky ~ especially since I am not one of those normally lucky people.  You can bet that I'm giving the prof. a bit of chaff about it.  

****Update to that: I just checked and saw that the readings have been downloaded.  Little relief to those of us that need to write the essay with less than 48 hours to read the material and write the essay.  I also noticed he did not reply to my e-mail, which does not surprise me given his ego.  Sheesh.  It's also possible other students sent e-mails regarding the readings.  But given the fact that I was nearly the only person on the first day of class to have the required book, I would be somewhat surprised.  Again, sheesh.

The bed was delivered yesterday, and not without a tad bit of drama.....the sales person ensured me that they would pack up our old bed as #2 son is taking it with him when he moves to Austin in 3 weeks.  The delivery guys were really grumpy about it too....apparently there are things they aren't allowed to do, like take apart the existing bed frame, or help putting together the new bed frame.  They weren't happy about the delay either.  It's possible they are "timed"....I wish the sales person had told me to be sure to take apart the bed & frame and have the new one ready.  It's also possible that I misunderstood.  But the bed is amazing!  I slept very well, and so did Romeo.  One thing I didn't realize, is how much larger king size bed pillows are.  When Romeo put one of the king size pillow cases on our standard pillows, he was surprised....I suppose at some later date I'll buy some.  It's certainly not a priority, since really, theres only so much pillow you can use, ha ha.

Well, gotta run.  

Love, 365

Here we go.....

Texas sunrise

Don't ask me why I'm wasting my time blogging, when I need to finish an assignment, and put my pack together for the new class that starts today.  I guess I just need a "warm up"!  

Last week was spring break at UNM...I had all these plans of organizing and catching up with note taking, and I didn't do any of that.  I justified it by telling myself that I really did need a break before the craziness of the new class starts.  I might kick myself later, or be glad I took that little break.  Seriously, today is the first time I've turned my computer on for a week.  

And the computer was a bit snarky this morning too.....I think I forgot to turn it off, and put it on sleep because the intention was that I would be getting back to it soon.  So, the battery was down to nothing and it always takes awhile to come on when I do that....it's never intentional, but it happens once or twice a year.

Feeling a little foggy....

Although I have been trying to be mindful about maintaining a certain level of activity, I do have an annoying issue lately....my right ear is plugged up, and has been for about 4 days now.  I have been noticing that I have been developing a bit of tinnitus, it is louder in the plugged up ear.  Which is probably allergy related, but geez, I wish it would open up already...it's driving me nuts, and I can't hear as well.  Suppose I will sit toward the front of the class today so that I can hear what the prof. is saying.

I did find two classes I can take this summer, which is the semester I was most worried about.  There just aren't as many classes available, and I do want to continue with my goal of two classes per semester.  One class is every Friday, so, without saying anything to anyone at work, I quietly put in for two Friday's off (I'm already off every other Friday).  The only class I can't make it to is the last one.  I figure I will let the professor know after 2 weeks, and make sure I can submit any assignments due that day early.  Of course, this is assuming that I will get into the class.  I've noticed that 3 credit classes that are "short" (like the history class that starts today, which is 8 weeks instead of 16) are really popular.  So, there's always the possibility I won't get in.  All I can do is try, and then make plans if I don't.

Otherwise, things keep rolling along.  Romeo is really happy to have his spring break this week.  I know he has a list of things to do (and none of it is from me), but I figure he will do about half of it.  He's always underestimating how long it will take to get things done....don't we all??

If you're on spring break, enjoy!

Love, 365

Hey! Where'd my hour go?

One of my sister's chickens...note the beautiful feathers around her neck...

Of course, I know where my hour went.....it's in a time bank that I can't access until November.  So, for 8 months (give or take) that hour is just hanging out.  Probably taking a nap, ha ha.  I really hate losing that hour, but love the extra hour of daylight after I get home from work.  I can garden, or walk the dog (because I hate walking in the dark).  When my classes start in just over a week, I will leave that class and still have lots of daylight left ~ not to mention feeling safer walking back to my truck.  

I am not a morning person.  So losing that hour makes for a tough one to two week adjustment of a fairly regimented schedule.  I know how much sleep I need to feel good....but even though I will go to bed at my usual time, I will not be able to fall asleep easily.  And when that alarm goes off, I will hit the snooze button often enough to create the rush to get to work on time.  You know, the one where you get to work and discover you forgot your lunch....or like the time I got to work and discovered I completely forgot to put on my makeup.  Horrifying, lol. 

Here in the Land of Enchantment (New Mexico) there was a bill proposed that would eliminate the time change completely, so we would be on DST all the time.  But that bill was shot down, so for now, we will have to continue to lose and then regain an hour.  Does it really save energy?  I believe that studies have showed that the answer is "no".  I'm not sure why we, as a country, continue to engage in DST....but my guess is that it has to do with money.

Love, 365

Have you bought a bed lately? And dealing with salesmen....

Approximately 17 years ago, I bought Romeo and I a sleep number bed.  And yes, it was expensive back then as well.  But I wanted something that didn't have springs, and the sleep number bed was the only game in town ~ that I knew of, anyway.  It has air chambers that allow you to soften or firm up your side of the bed.  That was also one of the main reasons I purchased it.  Romeo likes a firmer feel, where I prefer something a little softer.  Ours was pretty basic.  No "remote control" for adjustments, we had "add/remove" buttons (one on each side) that are attached to the motor (which is quite loud - unless you're an idiot, you don't decide to firm up your side at 3am - if you want to live to see the sunrise).  It is time for something new.  My side of the bed must have a small leak, as I have to firm it up every 2 to 3 weeks or so.  I don't like the Tempur-pedic mattresses - a friend bought one a year ago, and I just didn't like it.  Everything else is either memory foam or spring based.

Sleep Number has a confusing web site, so I decided to walk into the store yesterday to see and try the beds myself.  I did find the bed I want:

It is not cheap.  Drat.

Then I tried this one:

Intersting option.  Considered only because Romeo snores.

The second option is basically twice the price of the plain model, due mainly to the base.  I asked about bedding, and apparently you could put two twin fitted sheets (with some modification, I'm assuming) instead of purchasing the specific sheets that fit it ~ also quite expensive.  

So, I spoke to Romeo, and he doesn't believe that raising the headrest would make any real difference in his snoring.  I read a few reviews that state that the adjustment is only for mild snoring, and then tried to convince the reader that if the snoring is worse than mild (what ever the hell that means) then the person should be evaluated for sleep apnea.  Thanks for that.  

The sales person I was working with was a really nice guy.  But while cruising through the web site, I noticed that the offer of free delivery is good until 3/19, where he told me the free delivery expires on Sunday.  You see?  That's the kind of BS that really pisses me off.  

Romeo mentioned that the flex bed would be great if he was disabled, but not really necessary at this stage of the game.  I'm the one who's thinking that with a 25 year warranty, perhaps we wouldn't have to buy another bed again......and then a few minutes later realized how stupid that thought is.   No matter how great a bed is, you're not going to want to have it for that long.   When you look closely at the warranty, it's really not all that spectacular, although I have no idea what the warranty is on other mattress brands.

It's the second line that hits ya in the wallet, and obviously between years 21-25 they don't expect you will still own the bed. 

So, I guess I've decided, although spending that much money on a freaking bed is irritating.  Especially when I'd much rather spend it on furniture.

Happy sleeping!

Love, 365

Ugh....it's been a tough week.

Petrified clam...

I have been cognizant of the fact that my current class requires tons (100 pages the week before last), and then writing a decent assignment nearly every week.  You probably have already read how excited I get when I have to write.  Yep.  Last week I was on vacation, and was able to postpone the assignment until today (4 days late, technically).  I finished it a few minutes ago.  Not too bad, considering I haven't finished my notes on the second video lecture.  Luckily I have spring break coming up beginning on March 12. Instead of catching up on tv, or embarking on a small project, I will be catching up on my notes and organizing my notebooks, because on the 20th, my history class starts.  I am already concerned about how to manage both classes, knowing how much reading I have to do for one, and I just realized I haven't purchased the book for history.  Crap.

I enjoyed my time with the family though.  And although Romeo and I have been talking about moving back to Texas after retirement, I have serious reservations now that I have experienced the traffic both in Austin (notoriously known for how horrid it is) and San Antonio.  After I texted him that I arrived, but I don't know if I could deal with the traffic if we decide to move back, he replied that perhaps we would have to be way, way out of town.  But the sad part is, that even if we do, there will be occassions where we would have to drive in either of these places.  I'm so spoiled with Albuquerque traffic......even though I've bitched about it in the past (& probably will do again, lol), we just don't have anywhere near the population in either of those places.  And that's the thing ~ it's the sheer number of cars on the road.  

~I would miss having the mountains just behind our house.  And the four seasons.  I don't know if I can give it all up, even though I know that it would be great to be near family.  And son #2 is planning on moving to Austin in April.  So it would just be Romeo and I here in New Mexico.  I guess I will not fret about it and just see how things go.  It will be at least 4 more years before we would be ready for retirement, so it's not like we have to decide right now....but the older one gets, the less exciting it would be to move that distance.  Ugh.  

Love, 365