TACKLE Going Back to School at 50

Some people think I am crazy.  But for me, going back to school at age 50 is finishing something I started 20 years ago. 

From 1978 to 1980, I attended Millersville College, PA majoring in Business Administration.  I put my education on hold to move to Virginia and open businesses and raise babies.

Later, from 1990-1991, I enrolled in George Mason University and, guess what, I had more babies.  I started to wonder if the schools put a fertility drug in their drinking water.

The children are growing up fast and I am growing old faster.  This summer I decided to reapply to George Mason University (Mason).  Admissions said my file was purged, so I was concerned that I may not qualify with my old credits.  Thank goodness the decision was mailed to me quickly:  Accepted.  I didn't have time to dwell on the fact that I am 50 years old, still managing businesses and have two teen daughters remaining at home.  How would I have time to fit in school?

The $250 deposit and orientation reservation were due pronto!  The BIS program (Bachelor of Individualized Study - Communications) had an advisor available to discuss a game plan.  Ok! Ok! I'll do it!

As soon as I was locked in Mason's system, the information started to flow.  Instructions to look up my G#, sign up for a Mason email, get a parking pass and read the online catalog were sent to me.  Mason now offers catalogs only online to save the trees.

The day of orientation I was greeted by the big man on the Fairfax, VA campus:  A statue of George Mason, who is holding his draft of the Virginia Declaration of Rights.  The statue is the center of the 806 acre campus that enrolls over 32,562 students. 

I felt like George when I arrived at the entrance to the Johnson Center.  We were grown ups in a sea of wide-eyed, energetic students.  George was dressed up in balloons with green and gold paraphernalia.  At first, I felt sorry for George being poked, prodded and decorated.  But after studying his pleasant facial expression, I realized he liked the attention.  He was proud of his campus and the members of the George Mason Patriot family.

Moving inside the Johnson Center, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I was not the only old timer.  I met a few adults re-entering the coed world.  Their reasons for hitting the books varied from filling time (empty nest), unemployment, boredom and a career change.

Scheduling classes has changed drastically since the stone ages of my college years.  Gone are the lists of classes in the dingy hallways detailing open and closed classes.  The online class registration was a snap.  Mason Ambassadors (student volunteers) jumped or danced to your rescue with any questions or inquiries to get you up and rolling.

The commute wasn't too awful from Manassas.  Forty five minutes at rush hour is manageable.  I have already thought about the weather during the upcoming fall and winter semester.  The campus has 5,389 residential students so I doubt the campus closes with snow.

I'll think about George when I am trekking north on those cold, slippery mornings in the winter.  He'll be holding court in the snow greeting the youngsters and the old fogies.

TACKLE the 150th Sesquicentennial in Manassas

It started as a normal summer day.  My office was busy with everyone complaining about the 100 degree temperatures.  I left early for a public speaking class and fought the traffic that was unusually heavy. 

It wasn't until I came home to take my evening walk that I remembered the historic events surrounding the Manassas, VA area.   

My friend and I took a walking path that leads to the school originally founded in 10/17/1893 by former slave Jennie Dean.  She chartered the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth providing a residence, academic and vocational training for African American students.

Our walk was interrupted by the sight of the school property littered with little white tents.  Camp fire smoke was looming above them.  The surprising scene reminded us that the July 21 - 24th events for the 150th Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War and the Battle of First Manassas was in full swing.

                                         

Four days are packed with events mapped throughout the Prince William County area.    Civil War           re-enactors provide living history with mock battles, camps, parades, singing and balls.

All ages will enjoy the walk back in time with costumes and gear commemerating the July 21, 1871 First Battle of Manassas.  Uniforms and clothes of the period dot the streets of Manassas as re-enactors stay true to their character. 

Approximately 375 cavalry horses are expected to participate in the July 23 & 24th 150th Anniversary Battle Re-enactment at Pageland Farm, Gainesville, VA (adjacent to the National Battlefield Park).

Suffocating heat and humidity is sticking around for the weekend fesivities much like the weather during the battle in 1871.  The re-enactors wear the traditional wardrobe and must be suffering with the heat wave.

Wool coates and multiple layers of clothes were the standard dress during the day that over 5,000 young men died, wounded or went missing.   Let us never forget the sacrifices of these soldiers and their families.         

TACKLE My Moment

I have to admit that today I broke down and watched the new Rebecca Black video, "My Moment" launched on You Tube recently.


Earlier in the year, my oldest daughter posted Rebecca's goofy "Friday" video on facebook and that catchy tune stuck in my head.  Rebecca Black is a viral star.  That phrase probably didn't exist before You Tube was created in February 2005.
                                                         

Rebecca's mom invested $4000 in the song and video and it went viral March 11, 2011.  "Friday" has over 160 million views.  "My Moment" is her follow up video.  She is an adorable girl and very perky. She looks like one of my daughters.  She is enjoying her fame even though music critics listed her first video "Friday" as "the worst video ever". 

                                 "My Moment" by Rebecca Black (July 18, 2011)

                                 

Despite the criticism, she gained international popularity, had been on major television shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Glee.  She had been recognized by MTV, Ryan Seacrest and was a part of the Katy Perry video Last Friday Night (TGIF).

                               

Not bad for a young teen from Anaheim, California.   Rebecca is having fun with her fame. We all have moments when we want to sing and dance with happiness. This could just be her "moment" of glory or the continuation of a career.

The videos have a lot of dislikes but people are still listening, making Rebecca Black a part of pop culture history.  Here is "Friday" from the spring 2011, in case you missed it.

                                                 "Friday" by Rebecca Black

                                

TACKLE a Whale

A few years ago, my oldest daughter planned a family cruise to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico .  One of the highlights of the trip was particpating in a whale watch. 

The boat was large and stable, but we still freaked out when we saw these gigantic mammals peaking out of the water.

My husband showed me this video on You Tube from the Great Whale Conservancy (skip to 2:00).  It is a clip of a humpback whale that was tangled in a fishing net in the Sea of Cortez.  A few people spent hours trying to free him from the mess.  They succeeded and the whale gave them a show for an hour.

    
The sound of the whale reminded me of the fish named "Dory" from the Disney movie, "Finding Nemo", who bragged that she spoke "whale". 

I can't imagine the feeling of seeing the whale jumping and dancing like they did on this rescue.  That whale deserves a Tony Award for his performance on the stage of the Sea of Cortez.  The rescuers deserve a medal for bravery for getting the job done! 

TACKLE Cats

This was posted on eHarmony and I thought it was kinda funny in a weird kinda way.

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP4NMoJcFd4&feature=player_embedded

Someone mentioned it in my writing class tonight comparing it to a Hemingway story about a girl obsessed with cats.  So I had to see what all the fuss was about.

The story goes that Debbie (the cat lover) posted a video to get matched on eHarmony.  I doubt Debbie found a date.  However, the cats may have found a home.

TACKLE the African Queen

My middle child has always been an animal lover.  The only TV network she would watch was the Animal Planet.  We have had countless living things in our home (some without my knowledge).

Her first pet was a Daddy Long Leg Spider that she found in the basement at age two.  She was giggling while it crawled all over her arms.  Horrified, I flicked the spider off of her and she started to scream.  I gently placed her friend outside.  That was only the beginning of her private rotating zoo.

During the past eighteen years we have rescued and housed dogs, cats, guinea pigs, hamsters, chinchillas, birds, iguanas, turtles, hermit crabs, fish, lizards and the bearded dragon. Each animal became an obsession.  She is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to animals.

She read books and volunteered with animal shelters and adoption clinics.  She took a year of nursing in high school for medical knowledge.  She developed a fascination with the Great African Elephant, an endangered animal.  She became a vegetarian and then a vegan for animal rights.  Then she set off on her quest to go directly to Africa and volunteer her services.


I remember her sales pitch very well.  The month long adventure would cost about $4,000 and the experience would be priceless.  My reply was for her to show me the money and then we would talk.

She worked every spare second waiting tables (with a full school course load while playing a varsity sport) and came up with the money.  Now I had to pay attention.

She had researched many organizations and PoD  was the best option.

 


PoD checked out to be a quality worldwide volunteer organization.
The cost includes the plane ticket and the 
lodging and the experience would be priceless. 

My next hurdle would be to educate my daughter on travel abroad.  Navigating an airport can be a challenge, especially to Africa.  She would change planes four times and she never heard of a boarding pass.  

The week before the departure I put on my travel agent hat and sat down to organize her on her upcoming adventure.

She was more worried about her hair, the wardrobe and seeing the elephants.  I worried about getting her to the destination.  Nightmares of getting lost, missing her plane and getting kidnapped plagued me and my oldest daughter. 


She packed a cheap digital camera and a tiny cheap notebook computer to communicate.  She was advised to not look like a tourist or too wealthy by keeping her valuables out of sight. 

Saying goodbye at the airport was difficult.  I kept chanting, "Don't cry" to myself.  As soon as I turned the corner I broke down and bawled.  My hubby was confident that my daughter would be successful in her travels.   





She sent me a text from each airport and bombarded facebook with pictures and messages. 

Greeted with a rainbow at the South African airport made her giddy with excitement.  

The Elephant Park is exposing her to research, animal care and meeting people from all over the world.   

She enters college in the fall majoring in Biology with a goal to become a wildlife conservationist.  This will be a stepping stone to that goal. 


My daughter; the next "Jane" of the jungle.

TACKLE the U.S. Open's Wardrobe

Congressional Country Club

I have been exposed to the sport of golf twice before the U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club, Bethesda MD.  When my hubby announced we were gifted tickets for the final day of the tournament, I immediately thought, "What in the world will I wear to this golf thing?"

He was like a kid with free tickets to an amusement park.  It would be Father's Day and he was a father that deserved a day of celebration.  Raising six girls can be challenging for the only man in the house.

I have to admit that I had a fashion meltdown the night before the U.S. Open.  It was a hectic weekend and when I finally checked out my golf attire, I was not impressed.  I googled "golf attire".  What do spectators wear to watch golf at the prestigious Congressional Country Club?  Presidents golf at this place for goodness sake.

One blog said to dress in a sundress and small heels. I have a closet full of this summer ware.  Dress classic and fashionable.  I looked at our tickets and noticed a terrain of hills, grass and dirt.  Heels? Fashionable? No way.

Bubba

I bolted from the house at 9 p.m. to raid the nearest Target (the only store open until 10 p.m.).   I needed a pair of shorts, a shirt and shoes that would look preppy but comfy.  We were leaving early in the morning and it would be very hot.  Bingo!  I found something acceptable to wear in 20 minutes.

The next morning packed with a hat and towel, we began the day of observation at the 13th hole and saw Bubba Watson, longest average drive (325 yards) of the tournament.  That is the best golf stat I can quote you about the game.

Fashion stat:  Bubba had the coolest golf get up.  I was impressed with his courage to wear this rebellious outfit.  He is really the only player I can remember because of his clothes and fun name.


Yang


Then there was "Red", I mean, Yang.  Later, I suggested we go to the 1st hole to watch everyone tee off.  We squeezed through the crowd and glimpsed the brightest red pants on the planet. 

Yang couldn't be missed against the plush green turf of Congressional.  The pants were a brilliant move to stand out since he was paired with Rory.

Rory, the Winner! 

Rory was the one to watch that day.  He was an Irish lad with a cherub face and a game to beat.  He was on fire all week and triumphed to win on this final day.

The hill with the view of the 10th hole and the 18th hole was the place to be.  It was steep and muddy.  The cute yuppie girls in their little sun dresses and heels were sitting in mud with splatters all over their fashionable outfits.   I sat on my towel in my sensible Target clothes and tennis shoes and was content.

Smiling because I didn't wear heels. Comfy was key!

I was a fashion success.   Rory was a golf sensation.  Tiger Woods was probably home shaking in his Nike shoes.

TACKLE Fatherhood

Pap: The Ultimate Handyman

Fathers come in all shapes, sizes and specialties.  But good dads all have the same characteristic:  Unconditional love for their children.  Their kids can lie to them, humiliate them and cuss at them and these dads will not waiver in their love.

Don't get me wrong; there will be consequences to the bad behavior, but there will also be forgiveness. 



My dad, Pap, can do anything like build a car, build a house or build a boat.  He can manage and operate a successful auto repair shop, even though he dropped out of high school.  He has more common sense that anyone I know.  He has guided me through good times and taught me survival skills during the worst of times.
 

He always believed in me.

If I was ever stranded on a deserted island with him, he would figure out a way to get us home.  He is a comic, a gentle bear and tough as nails.

Thank God, I have Pap as my parent.

Daddeo: The Budget Guru



Dad-In-Training

My husband has the patience of Job.  He is a man who raises six women and is calm in the storm of estrogen that hits our home.

He is gifted in accounting and budgets, keeping us in the black during the expensive years of raising children.

I have been blessed with a husband who is an intelligent and compassionate man.



Today's young fathers are strong role models to their children.  There is a surge in young men joining the military for jobs and college.  Discipline and commitment are taught in their training creating strong, confident men that are fathering the next generation.   

My son is a new father taking his role very seriously.
My son and is wife will raise my grandson to take on the challenges of the changing world that he will face in the future.

Happy Father's Day to the men that work so hard to keep our lives happy!

TACKLE High School Graduation With a Goofy Group Photo!




Goofy Grads and Friends

Patience.  Parents of high school seniors should remember this word during the end of the final school year.

Relax, because you will miss your child one day.



Seniors are very different from their parents during this phase in their lives.

They know it all; parents know zip.
They are free; parents are chained to their phones for senior updates. 
The world is their oyster; parents crave a vacation.  
They dread packing for their senior beach week house ; parents enthusiastically help them.

On graduation day, they are excited, proud and worried.  Reality is right around the corner. 

Celebrate   

Before an evening ceremony, an open house graduation party can include home movies, posters, tons of food, music and goofy candid photo shoots to create memories.


Friends, family and neighbors should be invited to congratulate the senior.



Congratulations Class of 2011!

The graduation march on the massive stage made parents cry.
This was the same cry from that first day of  kindergarten.

Now the graduates will go out into the world--that is their oyster--and with their own patience, find their place in society.



Child # 5 is getting ready for senior beach week,
a month long trip to Africa and college in the fall.



TACKLE an Award

Nothing makes a parent prouder than hearing their child's name announced from a stage.  The High School Spring Athletic Awards are a showcase of all the athletes for that season.

My two daughters played lacrosse and both played great this season.  During the program,  my youngest daughter was awarded "Offensive Player of the Year" and she is only a sophomore.  She was so surprised that she looked shocked for a minute.

To top off the night she also received the honors of 2nd team all district for her lacrosse skills.  Hard work, dedication and that new lacrosse stick must have paid off this year.  

TACKLE Tubing

 Apple, Mama Bear, Pebbles and Bug (Our Trail Names) on a Tubing Adventure

What could be more perfect on a hot, humid day than plopping in the refreshing Shenandoah River?  River tubing is an inexpensive, simple, fun time that will leave memories for a lifetime.


You will need directions or a GPS to find Shenandoah River Outfitters http://www.shenandoahriver.com/  .
It is an off-the-beaten-path canoe, kayak and tube outfitter located on the scenic South Fork of the river.

Old school buses transport your party to the beginning and from the ending of your trip. Lifejackets are supplied but, bring your water shoes, sunscreen, hats and coolers with munchies and drinks.

Tie your tubes together so no one floats away.  This train technique was helpful when it was time to exit the river to have lunch from our floating cooler.  We were so hungry that our sandwiches and chips tasted like a steak dinner.  The rapids were fun but not scary.  Thank goodness there was no threat of head trauma from a rock.

We floated past vertical rock walls, mountains, jumping fish, turtles, rope swings and people in canoes and kayaks.  The river level was high and the current was fast so we ended the trip in a few hours.  Watch for the numbered trees to signal the exits with a waiting bus.

The best part of the trip was no cell phones, iPods or electronics.  The only activities were chatting, giggling, munching, splashing and admiring nature.

TACKLE a Surprise Visit

There was a knock on the door.  My husband was told it may be a solicitor.  Since he is the guard dog, he answered the door.  Surprise!  It was our Air Force daughter home for the Memorial Day weekend. 

I had been sworn to secrecy but, in the final hours the news had leaked to everyone but her dad.  It had been 4 months and our little girl was home.  Friends and family enjoyed visiting while listening to her stories of evolving from a local girl to an airman. 

The visit was short but the memories will linger until our next meeting.  Back to tech school for months of learning and continued building of new friendships and experiences in the military life.  

TACKLE High School Graduation Preparation

The countdown continues... The high school graduation looms in the near distance.  Classes are wrapping up for the year.  Multiple dresses need to be bought for all of the various fun activities planned for the next two weeks.  Senior beach week is paid in full.

Tonight was the senior dinner
at the quaint Inn at Vint Hill, Warrenton, VA
http://www.innatvinthill.com/

Teens were trying to stay composed while bursting with excitement knowing that their era is ending. 

During the dinner the awards to the Senior Class of 2011 were announced.  Titles flew around the room... female and male winners for  "Best Smile",
"Best Couple", "Most Likely to Succeed",  "Best Hair". 

As predicted, my smart, funny, athletic, talented daughter received the female senior title, "Senioritis".  The male award winner was missing.  His case is so severe that he couldn't attend the senior dinner.

TACKLE Senioritis

Every spring an epidemic hits high school seniors across the country.  Senioritis is a disease that can cripple 12th grade teen children.  My senior daughter's symptoms began after Christmas break.  Signs that seniors are affected include deafness to alarm clocks, repeated absences and tardiness and a decreased interest in grooming. Their wardrobe consists of sweats, athletic shorts, t-shirts and flip flops.

Grades can slip causing panic attacks in parents.  My daughter insists that she can achieve good grades under pressure.  

In elementary school my child cried if she missed the bus in the morning.  Now she is threatened with the punishment of riding the bus to wake her up in the morning.



In the last month the only time she was awake before 7:00am was to call AT&T for an emergency cell phone issue.  I almost had a heart attack when I saw her in the kitchen in an upright position.  


She is the fourth of seven children in our family.   Experience has taught me that the only cure for senioritis is a graduation ceremony.

Our high school gives awards to their seniors for their achievements.  My daughter proudly announced her anticipated award: "Worst Case of Senioritis."


The Senior and the Bearded Dragon

  

She starts college in the fall and she plans on scheduling only afternoon classes.  Every college freshman has that same desired class roster.  She also thinks she can smuggle her pet, Germin, the bearded dragon, in her dorm room.  Good luck!   
  

TACKLE the Globals

  

Theresa Ellis with John Zogby, who currently sits as Chairman of the Board and Chief Insights Officer of IBOPE Zogby International.   Mr. Zogby was formerly founder, President and CEO of Zogby International.

Super pollster John Zogby was the keynote speaker at the Community Associations Institute (CAI) National Conference in beautiful Boca Raton, Florida on May 5, 2011.  My husband and I enjoyed his entertaining and interesting presentation highlighting his book, "The Way We'll Be: The Transformation of the American Dream."  His book points out where we are headed--politically, culturally, and spiritually based on thousands of surveys and polls.      
  

John Zogby notes in his book that he is not trying to predict the future for us, but polling does point the way.  He lists four dominant adult age groups:

1. The Private Generation born 1926 to 1945: loyal and faithful. 

2. The Woodstock Generation born 1946 to 1964: the baby boomers.

3. The Nike Generation born 1965 to 1978:  just do it.

4. The First Global Citizens (The Globals) born 1979 to 1990: our future.  

Our seven children are primarily "The Globals".  Their ambitions range from serving their country to saving the elephants to keeping us informed to finding their coveted iPhones.  They are a humble group, many changed by the misfortunes in today's society.

They are connected with the world with social networking.  Their friends are their network. They are storing information in their heads with Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google on a daily basis to use in their future.  This generation, "The Globals" will be an incredible generation, leading the way to a better tomorrow for the world. 

   
IBOPE Zogby International is a premier global public opinion polling and market research firm that offers timely, accurate results at http://www.ibopezogby.com/
John Zogby's book can be found at  http://www.randomhouse.com/book/196060/the-way-well-be-by-john-zogby 

Hipsters, part of the "First Global Citizens (between the age of 18-29)

   

TACKLE South Carolina Family Vacations

You will love South Carolina! The Palmetto State won our vote as the place for our second home over 5 years ago.

Our southern paradise, Surfside Beach, is in south Myrtle Beach.  Highlights include an affordable pier home with a view of the ocean, no mosquitoes, mild winters and a golf cart ride to the old fashioned downtown. "Just down the road" is a fishing pier with live music, an oceanfront cafe and bar and pristine beaches to swim and surf.

The locals welcome tourists and outsiders. They will come visit "for a while", wave and say "Howdy" and recommend their favorite Calabash style restaurant.

Fishing, crabbing, boating and eating are all favorite pastimes, especially in nearby Murrell's Inlet's Marsh Walk. Ten minutes away, "y'all" can enjoy the nightlife at Broadway on the Beach with shows, music and shopping. If you are "fixin" for the 4th of July experience of a lifetime, go to the beach and experience a war zone display of fireworks.

Our family members unite in the Lowcountry by car or by the cute, nearby airport. My city slicker daughter, a designer in Manhattan, even loves this place. Last week she plopped on the sleeper sofa and gushed, "this place just feels good".

We all need a getaway where the family can reconnect and make new memories.
Visit this website for more great ideas in South Carolina: http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/
Reasonably priced rentals and houses:
http://www.rose-real-estate.com/

TACKLE Sun Poisoning

Spring break is the first official exposure to the sun when you live in the north.  Our family travels down to the Grand Strand of Myrtle Beach, SC every Easter. 

This year was no different.  Fun in the southern sun, until you forget the sunblock.  We preach to our children until we are red in the face to protect their skin from the rays.

Our fair skinned teen daughter (green eyes, pearly white skin) snuck out without the Coppertone.  After falling asleep on the beach for four hours, she reappeared with, you guessed it,  a severe sunburn!  At first, she was giddy with excitement hoping that the red would turn to tan by morning. 

Unfortunately, her skin rejected that idea and turned to sun poisoning instead.  Half of her face was bubbling and the rest of her body had a severe hell-itch.  She hid indoors for the rest of the trip to avoid the high school baseball team that were in Myrtle.

We treated her, after much research, with oatmeal bubble baths, benedryl, vitamin E and ice packs.  One week later and now owning a big brimmed sun hat, she is thankful there is no scarring and appreciates sunblock.

TACKLE Google for Seniors

My father, a  mechanic, has owned an auto repair business for over 50 years in a small city in Pennsylvania.  His "solid as a rock" shop has always generated ample revenue to support his family.

My dad turns into an accountant during tax time.
During a random, "How are you doing, Dad?" call, I noticed he was stressed.

The customer count was down and he was worried.  I reminded him that it was a bad economy and asked him how he was marketing. His business was generated with old-fashioned techniques; word of mouth with a good reputation.

I told him to fire up his old dusty PC in the back of the auto parts office so we could check google.  My dad can perform a computerized 4 wheel front end alignment with Hunter Equipment, but he has little interest in the informational technology world.

Twenty minutes later, we tried to google "car repair" in his city. Commands like "www" were perceived as "double u?", the "F5" key were "F" and "5" and when we had to "delete cookies", he refused to throw out his Oreos?  

 Finally, twenty businesses popped up in the search engines, but not my dad's shop.

     "My buddy, Sam's Tune Up is listed, but where am I?" he asked.

Sam was grabbing customers because he had a webpage.   My dad said that he also had a bunch of webpages with Yelp, Merchant Circle and Superpages.  After explaining that they were free listings, I told him it was time to have a have a webpage so new and old customers knew his shop existed.

I called the website builder listed on the bottom of Sam's Tune Up's page.  Within one day, carrepairwebsites.com had my dad's shop popping up on google.  My dad was tickled pink when I told him he had website.

Next hurdle is to convince him to activate the voice mail feature on the shop phone system.
  

TACKLE Piercings and Body Modification

Many parents fear the day that their legal aged 18 year old comes home with a tattoo or an odd body piercing.  A pair of pierced earrings are considered acceptable with most parents.

When we recently went to our daughter's military graduation, we couldn't help but notice all of the girl's faces with scars from closed piercings.  When you join the military, jewelry piercings are removed and tattoos must be approved.  

Many civilian jobs also require professional appearances.  If your child won't conform, they don't get the job or the opportunity in that field.

Four out of our seven children have had body piercings.   I cringed and yelled at all four.  Now, they only have scars.  My son has two tattoos and I had to control myself when I saw them on his skin.  He will probably have them his whole life.
I know people want freedom of expression, it is art, it is cultural and all of that stuff, but instead, try non piercing jewelry or paint a shirt and wear it.  They can be removed and changed as your life changes.   Piercings and tattoos are so permanent.  If you remove them, you are left with scarring.

When my children came home with the piercings and tattoos, I had nightmares that they would become extremists like the "artists?" on the website listed below.
Very scarey; click here:

                                                      http://www.oddee.com/item_96602.aspx

TACKLE Grandchildren

There is truth to the saying that "grandchildren are different".  Yes, you can give them back to their daddy or mommy when you are exhausted.  However, when you have them in your possession, you don't want to give them back.

Grandparents get joy in every milestone.  Smiling, sitting, crawling and walking are amazing because this innocent being is a part of your own child.

There is also something special about seeing your own child emerging as a parent.  That is when they suddenly have flashbacks of your parenting skills and are grateful for what you have taught them.  



TACKLE Old Age

Survival Skills: World’s Oldest Man

I loved this article. This gentleman is adorable. Our senior citizens can provide a wealth of wisdom based on experience.


Walter Breuning, age 114, on heartache, neckties, and death


http://www.mensjournal.com/survival-skills-worlds-oldest-man

 

TACKLE Continuing Education

You can't succeed without brain stimulation. Your body needs exercise to stay healthy and fit and so does your brain.

We have children who are being educated in the military (hefty college GI bill) and in a traditional college setting. Three daughters are still in high school. We have their graduations for the next 3 years.

To continue education, they will work, save, go to in state schools, get aid or scholarships or consider the military option. Student loans will be avoided, because they can financially cripple our children when they graduate college.

Education and work experience are critical to a successful career. Whether it is traditional college, specialty school, the military or online classes, it is important to keep on learning.

My husband and I attend seminars and take online courses. I have recently tackled 6 college online courses while raising a family and working full time to keep the brain conditioned.

Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA www.odu.edu/ offers a four year degree online. Ed2go www.ed2go.com/ offers a variety of online credit and non-credit courses. Both programs are accommodating to a busy lifestyle.

Great sites for college and future planning include: "Petterson Guide" www.petersons.com/ and "CollegeBoard" www.collegeboard.org/

Today, there is little excuse not to continue your education, because there are so many options available.