Well, I've been gone for a while ..... more than 3 years.  Things got a little crazy for a while.  I was diagnosed with breast cancer; had a mastectomy, rebuild, chemo, and radiation.  Everything is fine now, and will remain that way.

Then my mom was diagnosed with Smallcell NeuroEndocrine Carcinoma ~ just a bulldog of cancers.  The traditional western doctors said there was nothing they could do.  I tried and tried, but could not convince her to go to any alternative doctors.  She followed her doctors plan of chemo to be more comfortable (yes, it did help loads) but didn't extend her life, just made it shorter.  She died 8 months later.

Being the youngest sibling, no one was happy to find that I was Trustee & Executor of the Estate.  At the same time, the company I had been working for, for 12 years, was being sold and changes being made ..... not good changes for employees, just the investors.  My husband, a self-employed contractor was having problems too.  He was paying for supplies and employees, yet his customers were bouncing checks, having credit cards declined, paying partial, and some just up and dissapeared.  So he had to close so we wouldn't lose our home.

I asked my siblings for help, several times, in dividing moms stuff form her house and the little vacation home.  No one would help, they were too mad.  So I decided to sell everything and equally divide the profits.  I hired an auction house to come in, and we went to the house.  It was empty!  I called my sis and told her and that I needed her help in a police report when she told me: My siblings took everything and left me a dining table because "it had only 4 matching chairs" and a mirror.  Thats it, two complete households, and thats it.  So I sold the houses and split it evenly (I had the bank/escrow company write checks directy to them).  Funny how they could come together for that.  I guess they needed to blame someone and I was the easiest target.

Then we moved about 6 months ago.  I finally found a job at Wal-Mart working 16-20 hours a week.  My hubby is working at the sports staduim, but they are laying off, and he is the newest hire ......  So I thought I should go back to school and get a new degree.  I am going to get my CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) License.  Then, once I am established in a new job, I will return again and get into Radiography.  I had orentation yesterday ...... I have to buy scrubs, books, stethoscope, bloodpressure cuff, and name badge by the August 31st.  Then I have to have a physical, 2-Step TB test, CPR certification by September 16th.  And then my car wouldn't start this morning   *&^%$#@!.  I am so frustrated.

I know everything happens for a reason.  I know a door must close for another to open, but this hallway is the pitts.  I'm not tyring to whine, and am not asking for someone to save me .... I have to save myself.  It will all work out in the long run, I just wish this marathon would end soon.  Oh, I didn't mention that I have a 12 year old by going through puberty!

Thanks for listening.  I hope everyone has a bright day!

It's just been hitting you one thing after another hasn't it.   *hugs*  I'm sorry to hear about your momma.  As far as going back to school, besides the possible financial stress it could cause, I think going back to school is a great thing, Plus the nursing profession is one of the best you can get into especially as an RN if that's what you're wanting to aim for.  


All the best of luck!  Oh and don't worry if your brain's a little fuzzy in the start. It will get back into the swing of things


Bramble

Thiodora, sry to hear you have had such a hard run   .  I too have returned to school this year, and boy is it an eye opening experience. After not having studying for 14 yrs, it sure is an adjustment to go to uni.  But, I am loving it.  I am a mum of three, hub has his own business but financially things are very tough.  I just keep reminding myself I am getting a qualification in order to help provide a better quality of life for my family.  It truly is worth it!

Wishing you and your the very best of luck, and I hope things turn around for you real soon!

A

Huggles Thiodora and Welcome Back to the castle.

As wonderful as family is, they are also the first to screw you about, especially in rough times. I'm sorry to hear they did that to you, but so proud of the fact you were far far bigger than they in the end. You so could have gotten them in so much trouble going against a court ordered Trusteeship like that.

Hold steady the sails there girl, you'll make it. CNA is not really that hard, as long as your heart is in it. I kow I got mine over 20 some odd years ago. I do not follow that path currently, but am still in a nursinghome setting, just in the office now. I wish you the best at getting placement following graduation, and do, by all means, only use it as a jump off point!

Wow, sounds like you have some "lovely" family members, Thio.  Ah, well.  Nice thing about family is that if you leave them alone, most of the time, they will leave you alone.    I hope things improve for you.  As I always say, climbing back up again is an effort, but its the only way to see the light at the top.  I think that going back to school is a step in the right direction, no matter how things in your life are going.  One can never have too much education!  And if it helps you to get a better paying job, then it is a treasure.  I, too, will probably go back to school in the next couple of years.  

Best of luck in school.  I, too, am in school.  It can be difficult.  Good luck in your endevours.  I am pleased to hear that you are such a gracious person to divide things as you did.  You are a wonderful spirit.  I believe in praising things that are of virtue and so I commend you for this quality.  What we admonish in this world makes a difference and your decision to not exploit your position and to display such grace should eventually be returned to you, Lord and Lady willing be.  So blessed be and take care.

Blessings,

Lady Tamara*

Thank you all for your words of encouragement!  It will be tough, but not doing it will make the rest of my life harder.  At least in the end I will be able to get a better & higher paying job.  Things that are worth while usually aren't easy.  I am thankful that in these hard economic times that not only do I have a part time job (as sucky as it is, it is honest income) but I also have the ability to go back to school and improve my self and have the support of my husband, son, and friends ...... so many people have none of those things.  I am sorry for dumping on you all, sometimes I have to see it in writing to come to terms with it (whatever "it" maybe).  Thanks again for listening, it is much appreciated.

We are always here to 'dump' on, that's what this 'family' is for!!!! (hug)

You're welcome Thi!  If you ever need a "Pick me up" just let us know. I'll be sure to bring some cocoa and cookies

Thiadora,
One of the things I truly love about the castle is how caring everyone here is.  It truly is an online family.  And...the hot coca and cookies sound damn good, my tummy is rumbling away now Bramble!

A

You'll probably be in good company returning to school. With the economy the way it is, my community college classes are about 50/50 between recent high school graduates and returning or non traditional students. I taught a class this summer with only one student under 25.

*give Akina come cocoa and cookies*

I was 38 when I went back to school and got my bachelors at 43.  I think the most challenging thing I ran into was learning how to study and even more challenging, training friends and family to leave me alone to do it.

I set regular study times that were a "no call zone"  It helped alot.  The other thing I did the last two years of college was take a night auditor job at a hotel.  This gave me endless hours of uninterrupted study time and i got paid to do it!

I've gotton through my first week of classes.  Yay me!  I am not the only 40 year old there either! Wooo Hooooo

The lecture class will take the most, but the clinical & labs I think will be okay, the hardest part of them will be trying to communicate with those that English is not their first language.  I admit, that is one issue I have ...... if you live here, work here, and go to school here, please learn the language!  About 30-40% of the students in the classes don't understand English.  I appericiate that they are trying and out to better theirselves, I am no different, no better, however it does frustrate me when we do not finish the lesson because the instructor is spending so much time trying to get those people to understand the lesson.  And I feel guilty for being mad .....

Well, it was only the first week, I am sure things will change.

Thank you to all who have given me words of encouragement!  Words do make a difference!