First Time Out

As a former writer, the idea of a blog is intriguing, although kind of time-consuming. I decided to create one so that years from now, while I am suffering from pre-Alzheimer's symptoms, I can look back and remember some trivial parts of my life that I am already notorious for forgetting. You know, like names of dogs and cats that lived with you for a little while. Or people you went to church with that bugged you but because you were together in church you still have to be nice to them.

This is really a journey of being over 50 and returning to college. I started Trinity Valley Junior College in 1989 (I think). I had the vague idea of getting a degree in education. Very vague. Like almost non-existent. I had a four-year old son (Jake) , a six-year-old daughter (Lindy) and a 12-year-old daughter (Raylan) at the time. I took two or three classes a semester until Raylan got into high school then the plan fell apart. We spent the next 12 years (and three kids) following high school rodeos so my college fell to the wayside.

This summer, Jake's girlfriend (now fiance) Kelley announced she was returning to college for a degree in elementary education. I pondered this for a day or so then decided it was finally time for me to do this. According to Oprah and about a thousand magazine articles for "women of a certain age" we are supposed to pursue our bliss now that our child raising job is finished. Bliss may be pushing it.....

So back I've gone. The first class was online. Hmmm....A short mini-mester of one month and I pulled that off with an A. Then the real semester started. I went back to TVCC for enrollment and quickly figured that I am about the oldest one on campus that isn't teaching. I did see Ruth Ann Ables enrolling too so at least I'm not the only idiot pursuing bliss. I took a "basics of math" class which translates into how to teach elementary math to little kids. All I can say is those kids are in a bunch of trouble if they get me for a math teacher. I'm going to have to specialize in reading, for sure. I also took an online class "Nutrician for little kids" or something to that effect. Found out today I got an A in that one (Thanks, Kelley). Now, I've got a math final on Dec. 15. Seriously, what was I thinking? A final? At 51? I can barely remember where I left my keys. How will I remember fraction bars and those wierd graph things that I don't understand?