Out of State Possibilities

Arts/Eats and Beats is going on in Royal Oak, Michigan.  It is a party with an outdoor venue, featuring artists and musicians from all over the US.  Local restaurants opened their doors with a wide variety of foods to enjoy along the streets.  There were carnival rides for the little ones and beer for the adults.  All in all, it is a good place to go this weekend.  We walked the streets and then went to the stages to hear the music.  A young band that is up-and-coming was there. Maybe you have heard of the Dale Earnhardt Jr.Jr....I learned how they started out and got permission to use the real Dale Earnhardt's name for their band.  They are pretty good and had a wide selection of music.

As I learned about their band, I learned also about this great event that happens every year in in the Detroit metro area.  It was fun. 

It is the holiday weekend, lets all be safe. If you are in school at Granite State College, enjoy the break and relax.  If you are thinking about starting back to get your adult education degree, then it is the weekend to enjoy and not worry about homework, because that will come.  Have a great weekend and be safe!!!!!!

Good Morning fans and friends,

I just woke up and saw that Westland is going to be selling Rain Barrels with some of the proceeds going to the cancer foundation.  My mum died of cancer so whenever I can give, help promote research, I am in for it.  But, it is not just for the cancer research fund, it is for the rain barrel.  I have always wanted one to water my flowers, garden and save the water that comes from the sky and recycle it.  I think it is a good thing for our earth as well as a good example of conservation. My grandparents had two of them at their cottage in Canada and I can remember at a young age, putting a dipper in and getting out a bucket full of water.  The Cottage didn't have running water, so we used it to wash our hair, water the garden and yes, even flush the toilet.  I know I won't use mine for all those reasons but I do think it is a good way to reuse our water that comes from the sky. 

I have to research it and see where the best down spout to put it under. But, that is no different than researching a subject for school.  Learning again is what I am talking about, learning about something new, exciting, is all part of life.  I just found out that Granite State College is offering a Masters of Science Degree in Project Management.  I am so excited and want to get signed up as soon as I learn my new job better. I want to be proficient in this new position before I put other information in my brain.  Taking these classes is a great education and career advancement opportunity. I am so excited about this new class, I have told other colleagues about the program and who knows, maybe a few of us will go to Granite State College and take these accelerated adult studies classes. 

OK, I am off to get my rain barrel.  I hope you all have a great weekend!!

I had such a nice Sunday afternoon.  I was invited to an old friend's house for a farewell party for both her young adults; they are leaving the state. One is moving to Seattle, Washington and other to Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  She had never had them so far from her before and unlike me, with mine all over the US, she is going to be so sad.  It is always an adjustment to see them go and do their own things but it is part of growing up and living. Her son is going back to school at the university of Alabama.  Her daughter is going back to Seattle to live and work.  Both of them have turned out to be such nice young adults that have already gotten their Bachelor's and Masters degrees....something any parent would be proud of.  I watched these kids grow up and have known them for years; they are like my own.  

I just encouraged them to be happy, keep learning, keep going to school and dream.  I may sound funny to say, Dream, but some dreams are small and some are big. My dream was to get a college education and I got that from Granite State College. My next dream is to get my Masters Degree and I will be heading right back to Granite State College for that. Why? Because it works for me. Online adult education classes give me the ability to get my education and still work my full time job. 

Focus: HOPE has established a memorial fund to honor the organization’s co-founder Eleanor Josaitis, who passed away today at the age of 79. This women was such a pillar in the community, helping rebuild Detroit after the riots years ago and carrying on a dream that we all are worth something, each life is valuable. 

Her famous words, "Let your light shine and make the world a better place" What wise words!! Yes, she was a wise woman. She was the woman that stepped in after the Detroit riots to educate people on equality amongst the races. She was also the co-founder of Focus Hope which helped feed, educate young Americans and mainsteamed them into society. She was given many awards throughout her lifetime, including the 1999 “Distinguished Warrior” by the Detroit Urban League and the Ford Employees African-Ancestry Network's 2002 Heritage Award and the National Caring Award from the Caring Institute in Washington D.C, just to name a few. She will be missed as she passed away this morning. She inspired young people to keep learning throughout their lives, embrace life and as she used to say, "let your light shine to make the world a better place." Going to school, learning is just a way of life.

Granite State College is a good place to start that dream, vision. Give them a call, make an appointment, work in those adult college classes in the evening or weekend. It can be done, it is never too late.

Yep, it was a great weekend. It started out with a golf outing and learned how to set my golf ball when teeing off to use my driver...it worked and I have never seen my ball go so far!!  After that on Friday night, I enjoyed a day at the Detroit Dream Cruise. We went down Mustang Alley as we reminisced about the old Stangs as well as the new upcoming ones.  The power they have is remarkable and the old relics brought back some fond memories of cruising days.

We first stared in Royal Oak then went through Birmingham where we were hit by a sudden storm.  The rain came down so fast and furious that big branches of trees ripped off and tents were flipping. Some of the cars took off early as they were calling for hale and Collectors do not want hale damage to their beautiful vintage cars.

It has been over 30 years since I've been to Birmingham. The last time I was there my son was in a baby buggy being pushed down the main street. He is now 31 and everything has changed in Birmingham. Speaking of change, life has its' way of changing for all of us. Some times in our life everything is good and other times it is low and depressing. School is a great avenue to get a fresh start on life. It gives you a goal, a plan and plans seem to help one focus on the Now and Present. Granite State College can work with you to get the goal heading in the right direction.  Either on site classes or on line adult education classes,this could just be the right plan for you.  Don't wait another minute, get a plan and follow through with it, one class at a time.

It is Sunday and a week after my trip to Tennessee to visit my grandson.  If you are not a grandmother or grandfather yet, I pray you get to enjoy that life experience some time in the future.  His eyes just light up when his Grammy comes to visit.  He seems to know that in his short life of four years, that Grammy gives him all the attention, love, fun and special moments he so enjoys.  We talk about everything and he is very inquisitive at this young age.  His voice yells out, "But Grammy, why?" so many times throughout the day. 
 
Why this, why that? Isn't it great to want to learn, want to discover, want to experience everything that is right in front of you every day?! In this picture to the right, we were at a park with a megaphone, where one talks in one end and at the other end of the park. Grammy is talking back.  He kept saying, "Grammy are you there?"  When I talked to him, he would look inside with wonder with curiosity and confusion, wondering where the heck was I.

So cute, so memorable. 

Just as he learns, we all learn. We all have that desire to learn and grown.  Sometimes I think we get in a rut and forget to grow our minds.  Our minds are muscles and need to be worked. It is known fact that when we get older we need to read, do puzzles, play Scrabble, etc.  It just shows that learning is a life-long process. Granite State College gave me that avenue to learn and grown. Whether it be working towards an Adult Education Degree or just working on Adult Continuing Education Programs, they all involve learning.

So if you are reading this, thinking about what I wrote about learning, get started and contact an adviser. They are so helpful and can get you started to learning, growing and working that brain of yours.  Until next time, have a great day!!

Learning, it stays with you no mater how long it has been since you learned it. It doesn't matter if it is something you learned in school, or something you have learned along life's path, you just don't forget. 

Why I say this is because I had an opportunity to go golfing, a date actually, and I hadn't golfed in years.  I loved it when I did it but like I said, it had been years. With attending Granite State College at the Manchester NH college campus over the past few years, and just learning a new job twice at work, I just didn't have the time or the opportunity to golf.  Well, I just played this afternoon and I have to tell you, I all came back to me. I did fairly well in fact, and hope I play some more real soon.  I love the sport, love the challenge of planning my swing, what club to use and just getting the ball in the we hole. 

So, if you think you will never remember what you learned in school or in life, think again.  You never loose it, it is there, it just needs to be ignited again.

It is a Saturday in Dearborn, Michigan. The birds are singing like crazy, the nice cool breeze is blowing and I am thinking, "This is summer, where is the sunshine? Did I leave it behind in South Carolina or is it just fate that I am not going to see it much in Michigan at all?"  

I tend to believe that it will shine, sometime, someday in the future...I am praying it shines before I go back to work on Monday. 

I think I will do little planting today, maybe some sunflowers like I had in SC and see if they get as tall in Michigan. It will be a experiment, a learning factor to find out where they grow the best.  Here are a few of the spectacular sunflowers I had beside my home in SC. 


















I had so many different sunflowers last year, the one on the left was just so cool and I had neighbors coming from all over to see it.  It looked more like a marigold than a sunflower.  I saved some of those seeds and that is what I am putting in this afternoon in my Michigan back yard, the learning begins. 

Learning about flowers or learning about education, is just part of life that keeps us going. They say even in your aging years, you need to keep learning, keeping the mind fresh and awake is the key to longevity. Going to Granite State College opened up my eyes to learning and it can do it for you too.  You will not only get an awakening, you will meet some great friends, people who are in the same spot in their life as you are.  Maybe you just got divorced or maybe you are laid off or don't have a job. There is no time like the present to go back and get that adult education degree.

Have any of you moved and can't find some of your belongings at the other end?  Well, that happens. It has happened to me almost every time I have moved.  What is missing, is always the question and what just about drives you nuts looking for it. 

That exact thing, happened this time with my move from SC to MI.  An iron is lost and a couple boxes I had packed earlier are also missing in action.  The movers were so great and nice, I have no clue where these items were put or delivered too.  Well, the movers are coming out tomorrow to take a look in my attic to see if they can find the items.  I hope they do, I hope they find everything I have lost.  Hopefully it will not be too hot up in that attic in the morning.  

Moving brings back my memory of my move to NH. Learning the area, finding some friends, learning a new job etc., all very exciting.  I also had to find an adult college program to transfer too from Aquinas College in Nashville, TN.  I found a college that took all my credits and continued my education at Granite State College.  They had an adult education degree program, they had Accelerated weekend intensive classes that helped me move along to that piece of paper while raising a family and holding down a full time job. I mostly liked their evening college classes - they included other adult learners just like myself. 

So, whether it is finding belongings after a move or finding a college to finish your adult college degree, stay positive and you can do it. We can do anything we want to do bad enough, I am a believer, I am proof it can happen.

Well, all my fans and friends, I am in my new home in Dearborn, Michigan.  It has been twenty-three years since I left and some things have changed and some remain the same. 

I thought about blogging this morning as I was on Facebook and saw a picture that brought back many memories of great times in Dearborn. One at Camp Dearborn where everyone would end up on the weekends.  You went to school with your friends during the week and on the weekend, the picnic baskets were packed, swimsuits bundled with towels and it was off to Milford, where you played with those same friends, on the weekends. Fun, lots of fun and fond memories.  Then I came upon another picture of the Ford Rotunda which sat way back off the road on Rotunda Drive.  I was very young when it burned to the ground but I can remember my grandfather taking me there to sit on Santa's lap.  That was a long, long time ago. 

Many memories are coming to mind with this move back to Dearborn. 

Good memories of Granite State College, where I earned my adult education degree, roll through my mind as well.  Memories are good no matter what they may be about because memories make who we are and the experiences we embark upon through our life.  Going to college and earning my adult college degree was one of my finest memories.  It is where I gained confidence in myself and grew as a person. It actually got me my job in Dearborn, which brought me home!!

Another move is underway. Boxes are everywhere to be seen!!

The day started early at 6am when the truck arrived to load up my belongings and head to my new adventure/destination.  I have a new address, actually an old address, as I am moving back to the same city I was raised in.  I am sad to leave my newly-built dream home, but I am also happy to be back in Michigan and close to my dad who will be 90 this year. 

I am moving into a much smaller home, eight hundred and one square feet to be exact.  I have been running to the dump and goodwill the past few days; pitching stuff I don't need, don't have space for or just tired of moving it from one state to the next.  I figure if I haven't opened the box from my NH days, which was 4 1/2 years ago, I didn't need it.  I was surprised the boxes that came in that category.  We all tend to save things for sentimental reasons and yet, someday someone else will pitch them for us when we are dead and gone. 

There is one thing no one can pitch though, and that is an adult college education from Granite State College.  The value in an education is so great and the good example of continuous learning will be passed on for generations.  Whether a grandson says someday, "Grandma went back to school," how cool is that? I hope I have been a good example for my family and I pray they keep going to school all of their lives.  An adult college degree is priceless, kind of like the commercials on TV about Master Card.  There are just some things that don't have a price on them and a dult college education doploma is one of them.

Got to get back to the movers... more later.

It is another rainy day in Michigan this morning. I am sitting at Panara Bread on Michigan Avenue and just reading about this restaurant. It is a different kind of Panara Bread, it is one of three non-profit ones.  You order your food and they give you the estimated amount for a contribution. They only give change and you drop your contribution in a box in front of the register. I just think this is such a good cause with so many people out of work here in Michigan, what a great way to help others.  I am going to try to come in often and contribute as I don't want it to close, we need good places like this.

I am not sure if any of these located near the Concord New Hampshire college campus. It would be a great place for one though with people going to their evening adult college classes after work, they would surely get the business when classes let out.

Well, I faxed an offer on a house today. This is the first time in my life I have ever wrote a check to pay cash for it.  It will be mine, all mine and I will have the title to the property; man that is going to feel good.  It is a small home, only two bedrooms, only 800 sq feet but it is only me, the kids are grown and why do I need anything bigger? I don't!!

Got to run...have a good day, I hope it isn't raining on all of you.

After many, many trips with Realtors, I found a home. I new place to hang my hat and call home. It will be so nice to get settled into it and paint, decorate and enjoy my new surroundings.  I went to church this morning and learned of a needlework group that meets once a month, so I am excited about that as I have always wanted to learn how to make socks.  I have an old friend who I met up with for coffee this morning, that was nice also.  It is funny how things just come together the way they do. Sometimes the things we worry about most, just never happen or it all seems to just work out, some way, some how.  School was like that for me, it just happened when I found Granite State College. It was there when I needed an adult college education and when I wanted to transfer my credit from Tennessee.  They all worked with me and helped me to put a workable schedule together. 

This house is a lot smaller than the house I left in South Carolina, but I am excited about it and excited to get it just the way I want it.  A new beginning again, new experiences and new friends.  Life is good in Michigan!!  I also am here with my dad who will be 90 this year, I am happy to be here to enjoy him and help him in his aging years.

What a lovely Easter Sunday as I attended the church I grew up in. It brought back lots of fond memories and the hymns that were sung, just reassured me that, nothing has really changed. Twenty-three years later, I sat and enjoyed coffee with old friends and made a few new friends.  It was a beautiful day. It was not as warm as I have known my Easters in the past, but it was nice. The daffodils were blooming in Michigan and I heard from three of my children.  I even met a lady who has a knitting class on Monday nights that just caught my attention as I have always wanted to learn to knit. I think I will join this group and learn all about it.  I wish my friend from Granite State College could come with me as we both have grandchildren to knit for.  But, she is up in the great state of New Hampshire enjoying all the great things the state has to offer. I will tell her all about it once I start my new knitting class and will probably send her something at some point.

I hope you all had a great Easter and enjoy your family and friends. Friends and Family is what it is all about. I have made so many friends throughout my life. One of my best friends I made when I enrolled in Granite State College to get my adult education degree. We are still friends today and will always remain close friends even thought there are hundreds of miles between us.

Michigan is where I find myself these days after twenty-three years of being moved around, from TN, NH, FL and SC, I am back home. Michigan is where I was raised and even though the town has changed, it still feels good to me.  I miss my kids so much but they are scattered all over the US and there are flights to each town where they reside. I certainly have lots of places to visit.  I will end up in the south, I think but for now, I am so happy to be in Michigan. 

My cat is staying with my old friend until I find a home.  I miss her so much, she is part of my life now the that the kids are all grown. So looking for a new home is the first thing on the agenda. 

Work is going well. I am sure it was my adult college degree that got me the promotion to my new job.  I am so glad I made that commitment to go to school at Granite State College, even though I was older when I started an adult college program. It is still the best thing I have ever done for myself. It was proven with this job promotion that all that studying has paid off!

Another move means another house to find, another place to call home.  This time, I don't want much, something simple and small is what I am looking for.  This move is a bit challenging as Michigan home prices have dropped so much and the questions is, will they drop anymore? I guess it is all relevant as my home in SC still has not sold and I don't need a big house payment.  I go out tomorrow to scope out some areas that I am interested in.  It is similar to when I moved to NH and scoped out Granite State College.  It was everything I needed in a college and when I moved to SC, it was the college that could move with me.  The online classes for adults made it possible for me to continue my education without a bump in the road!! It was great. I am hoping this house hunting trip tomorrow will be as smooth as my education was.

It has been a long day and I need to get some rest for my busy house hunting day I have tomorrow...till the next post!! You all keep learning!!

It has been a last couple of weeks.  Between interviews, job offers, moving, leaving the home I had built to my liking and my oldest daughter's wedding last Saturday, can I breath now?   I am driving up to Michigan where I will reside and call home for a few years. I am hoping to get south again someday and retire where it is warm most of the time, but for now, I am Michigan-bound.  I grew up in Michigan so it is like going home to me.  I made so many good friends in South Carolina just like I did in New Hampshire when I lived there and attended Granite State College. Not only college pals, I had my work pals too, they were great times and as I prepared for Amber's wedding, I though of where I was in my life because of my adult college education with my new job just days before me.

Ten days later:

I am in Dearborn Michigan and have had three days at my new job. I love my new team and I will learn the job in time, it is a learning curve. Learning has always been part of my life and my days ahead will be even more of a challenge as I learn how to perform my new job.  I enjoy learning new things, functions and embrace new experiences.  I miss my daughter who reside in SC with her new husband but they have their life now, and I want to retire someday in a nice manner.  This new job will give me dream to do just that. I believe I will move back down south when I retire as I don't think I could stand the snow too long but one never knows what the future holds for us.  I may go back to school and get my Masters degree...

Wedding are such happy times!!!

Here it is, Saturday morning and I have been up since 6am, waiting for the Realtor to come and tell me what my house/home is worth.  If any of you have moved, you know the hassle it can be. The trashing of stuff you have toted from one residence to another that you never even unpacked after four or five years. That is what I am finding to be true in my case. There are boxes that left Michigan twenty-three years ago. I trashed a few when I left Tennessee seven years ago and I have taken some of them to New Hampshire, South Carolina and now wondering if I need to take them back Michigan once again.  Why? Why do we save these trinkets and trash? I even move the rocks that lined the street my grandparents cottage was on. I think it is just the sentimental part of us, or at least me. I take them as they were happy memories, the past and somewhere deep inside, I care about them and what they represent. Therefore, I have trashed some and others will get loaded on the truck and taken to Michigan and who knows where else they may travel too. 

I went through my school papers and books from Granite State College while in the attic the other day. I got rid of some of the papers I had written but, some I saved. I saved them because I remember the hard work I put into my adult college classes. The research the study groups I was part of and the endless hours I spent figuring out my math problems for business statistics.  So, I kept them so some day I will show them to my grand-kids what their Grammy did in life and how they can do it too. Distance learning universities are out there, Granite State College was my salvation since I moved so much. I just kept on going doing on-line classes either from home, the book store or sitting at Panara Bread having a bagel on Sunday Afternoon. 

I am rambling and I really need to run the vacuum.  I will let you know how it all pans out..Guess I will have to buy a shovel this next winter.  YUK!!

OMG, what a crazy month so far. With my daughter's wedding coming up and job interviews, what will this year bring? 

Yes, it has been crazy in my world. My daughter's wedding is coming up in just a few days and every thing that needs to get done is flying through my head. From hair appointments, getting chocolates, flowers, pressing the dress, finding shoes and the list goes on and on. The showers are done and we all had a blast. The Bacholrette party was something I will never forget. Every bride needs one of these and the group that was enjoying it with her was the best, fun, exciting, res-cay etc..it was fun. We stayed in a cabin up in the Georgia mountains and it rained the whole time. It had a metal roof so the noise of the rain was quite soothing after a few drinks the night before.  My daughter had fun and I had a new experience under my belt. I had only wished my friend from Granite State College in NH, could have been there with us to celebrate. But, miles away and her fear of flying kept her in New Hampshire.

The wedding will be here before I know it so I have to get my act together this week. I have sewing to do this week, doctors appointments and lets not forget the next interview for the job in Michigan. Yes, I may be moving again just like I did four years ago when I moved from New Hampshire to South Carolina. It will all work out, time management is a skill I learned while I was attending my adult education courses a few years ago. I can do this and I will.