I'm feeling this more and more lately. When you are flipping through your dh's Sirius radio and all these "Classic" stations are playing music that you are *pretty sure* came out after you got married.... Because I am in college right now (the same one, btw, that all three of my dds also attend), I feel ancient on a daily basis. The students in most of my classes are the same age or younger than my kids. My head may or may not spin around when they call my Mrs. ____ .

Just over $300 a month. More than my car payment. However, we have 5 drivers (two of which are 16) and 4 vehicles (two of which are less than 2 years old).

Thanks. The doc just looked at it, said it was infected, and gave me antibiotics. I guess I need to start thinking about it. I'm currently in the middle of a job search (had an interview yesterday, in fact, while sick) and in college full time, so it'll probably have to be put off for a year or so until I can get time off. Ugh. I don't wanna. However, I don't see this really going away.

Has anyone here had their tonsils removed after 40? I'm starting to have trouble with mine (going to the doctor today in fact for an infection) and the right tonsil seems to be disintegrating? (There are a LOT of pockets forming). I get huge tonsil stones like crazy too. My mom had hers out in her 30s and I remember it taking her forever to recover. MIL had hers out in her 60s and it was an awful ordeal for her. I really wish I'd had mine out as a kid. My oldest had hers out at 5 and never batted an eye. So how awful is it at my age?

One of my dds had a conversation with a classmate in her college biology class that really kind of pointed out the crazy things people think. He asked her (as she was sitting in his class no less) if she ever got to socialize with people and if she had any friends. It was laughable for her because she is incredibly social and lives and breathes hanging out with other people. The professors my girls have had are usually surprised at how well spoken they are and how well they do in class. One of my dds probably perpetuates the stereotype of the weird homeschooler, well, because she's weird. But she's been that way her entire life, and the first 7 years of public school didn't change that any. :hat:

That would bother me too. I've told my kids that they can use "Galilee Academy" if they didn't want to put homeschooled down...lol. That was our homeschool name for a while. Mine have worried a little about the perception, but so far it hasn't been a real issue as far as schools and jobs go.

Not embarrassment, per say, but frustration at the assumptions made about them because they were homeschooled. I told them to just go ahead and say that they enjoy being let of out the basement and talking to real people, because that is what is often assumed anyway. :lol:

I definitely notice it. I have to wash things that come from my MILs house because it smells so strongly of her fabric softener. It isn't a bad smell, just very strongly not OUR smell. I had to change laundry detergent a few months ago from something I've used my kids' entire life. It was disturbing all of us. We've finally gotten used to the new smell, but it still catches me off guard occasionally. I've had people tell me that our house smells good and homey. I think it is because we cook so much. It just smells like comfort food..lol. We lived in an apartment with Indian neighbors when I was pregnant with the twins. The entire building smelled like curry. Some days I thought it was the most wonderful smell in the world. On days my morning sickness was acting up, I was pretty sure the entire building needed to be torched. I can also have some of the strongest flashbacks to childhood with smells. White Diamonds perfume makes me uncomfortable. It feels like my mother (who passed away 20 years ago) is standing right beside me when I smell it.

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

I've had personal experience with hoarders. I had to move one, and it was horrific to see and deal with. This person was caused great emotional distress by getting rid of anything. When we were moving her out, she had the urge to go through every scrap of paper and trash before she would let us do anything with it. It was like it caused her physical pain. To give you an idea of the extent of it: She lived in a two bedroom single wide trailer. We rented a dumpster that was almost as long as the trailer and filled it to the brim. We still had things to take to the dump. Most of it was either actual trash, or things that had been ruined from mildew/mold. There were paths running through the trailer, and you couldn't even get past the doorway of one bedroom. Floor to ceiling. Another hoarded cats. Animal control had to get involved. Again, it was the source of great emotional distress to part with any of the animals. A lot of people have clutter or too much stuff. I think the line is crossed when they simply can't bear to part with things and it begins to accumulate in very large numbers. There's an unreasonable emotional attachment, and they are often overwhelmed at the thought of parting with even the tiniest thing.

We don't drink any longer, but we did when the kids were younger. We don't have a problem with other people drinking socially, but we don't allow it in the house. We both have our own personal reasons for it, but it isn't because we think no one should drink or that it is sinful. For us, we've done a couple of things. 1. We have always emphasized following the law. It is illegal to have/drink alcohol under 21. You can cause the adults in your life to get arrested if it is thought that they are providing drinks. Be responsible, don't do it. 2. We've talked a lot in our family about addiction and consequences of it. Genetically, our kids are pre-disposed to addiction problems. They've seen some horrible results in family members. Again, don't go down that road. If you choose to drink as an adult, that is fine, but you need to be extremely aware of how you view it and be sure you aren't self-medicating. 3. We've taught them, and shown them, that you can have fun, throw parties, and be social, without a single sip of alcohol. I think this is the draw for a lot of teens. It seems like every fun occasion has a drink or three involved. 4. We've talked a lot about how it can dull your senses and cause you to lower your threshold of things you are willing to do. It is more about personal responsibility and not putting yourself or others in compromising situations. So far, knock on wood, drinking hasn't been an issue at all for my kids. One is 20, and has said she might have a drink or two with one of her close friends on her 21st birthday just to try it, but she hasn't had the urge to drink before now. My younger two are almost 17, and their friend group as a whole doesn't drink. They don't see it as something they have the desire to do.

More data analysis. If I were to lean finance, I'd probably just stick with the Accounting major. But the data side is more appealing to me. Part of the description from my university: "Business analytics involves the use of data analysis and computer models to make better business decisions. Organizations use business analytics to answer strategic questions such as (1) which products and services that we provide are most profitable (2) who are our most profitable customers and (3) where should we locate our retail outlets and our distribution centers. Business analytics are also used for tactical decisions in optimizing an organization's day-to-day operations, marketing, purchasing and pricing decisions." I would do an Information Systems concentration, which helps focus more on the IT side, and also deals more with social media and e-commerce.

Thank you! This is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. I actually started off as an art major, and still consider "artist" my part-time profession. So, the creative edge is definitely there for me. The more I learn about this, the more it appeals to me. I love the software/computer aspect of pretty much anything. (Dh and I have been tech dabblers since the days of Atari and TI Computers!) I hated the format of my Statistics class, but really liked the meat of it. My "day" jobs have always been business or computer related. The idea of getting into a newer field with the experience of age appeals to me. I just didn't want to invest the time and money in this if the doors were shut to 40+ year old women. I'm glad to hear that your dh was able to step into it with no age issues. Our area is really growing, business-wise, so the more I look into this, the more sense it makes to me.

The certifications are different though? The program I'm looking is much more computer intensive, and has a focus on information systems. It leans more into data analysis and such. http://catalog.utk.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=20&poid=8609 ETA: Switching at this point would not cause credit issues. The first two years of both of these degrees are the same courses.

I am currently in college myself, majoring in Accounting. While I'm good at it, I'm not in love with Accounting. It is something to get me a decent job that I can stand to do..lol. That said, I've started looking at the Business Analytics major, and it seems like something I would enjoy a lot more than Accounting. The field also seems to be growing at a rapid rate. Our area isn't over-saturated with qualified people in the field yet either. Does anyone here have any experience with the field? Is it crazy for a computer savvy 40 year old to try to get into?

I'm only 40, but have been noticing changes for about 5 years. My mom started having symptoms in her 30s (ending with a hysterectomy at 38), so I seem to be hitting similar ages. I also started my period at age 9, so it makes sense to me that I would start peri earlier than average. I started with hot flashes and weird weepiness. Now I've begun to have period changes, skin changes, and my weepiness has turned into a low grade simmering rage..lol. (seriously, I'd love to not be so angry and irritated all the time!) I wish this process was quicker. Can't the ovaries just pop out one last egg, die a quick death, and let me get on with life? I've been offered a hysterectomy, but I'm not quite to the point that I want to get an organ removed.

I don't really feel bitter about it, per say, but that is probably because my dh has to deal with far more pain and fatigue on a daily basis than I do on my worst days. I do get grumpy about being thought of as the weaker sex, or emotionally unstable because I actually have moods :cursing: (because my dh sometimes has the emotional range of a rock).

My skin is getting thinner and more old-lady-like. My entire body seems to be drying out. I am irritable more often than not. Insomnia and night sweats. Lactose intolerance (I had milk problems as an infant and it appears to have returned) Horrible back acne. Pregnancy like symptoms as PMS...nausea, tender boobs, etc. A huge intolerance for stupid people. Zero sex drive. The time between periods is decreasing. I used to be every 30 days like clockwork. I'm down to 24. Except for the random times I go for two months in between.

My dd works in a very small town near us. The library she works at shares a parking lot with the community center and the police station. Anyway, one night she was pulling out of her parking spot and hit the car next to her. It wasn't a bad hit, but bad enough to scratch up the paint. She left a note on the windshield, but never heard anything. A few days later, she sees a man getting into the car she hit. She walked up to him to apologize and see if they needed to exchange insurance. Turns out he was a cop, and it was an undercover car. He told her not to worry about it, that she gave it more character! lol. The biggest thing about living around here is that my dh is related to EVERYONE. We joke that the girls need to at least look outside of the county for a husband.

There are over 17 full-size bookcases in my house, not to mention the small ones tucked around. We also have random books in pretty much every room. When we moved from TX to TN, we had more weight in books than in furniture and such. What was the question again :confused1:

Our CC has lockers available for commuters. I've also seen several people using rolling backpacks. In my experience, I use my textbooks more at home than in class for most of my classes. I haven't taken my math book to class a single time this semester.

The market for accountants is actually doing very well. (It is my current major, and since I'm 40 I've been careful to research what I'm majoring in.) http://www.afwa.org/2015/11/12/2016-salary-hiring-trends/#.WKighhLys1g http://www.aicpa.org/interestareas/accountingeducation/newsandpublications/downloadabledocuments/2015-trendsreport.pdf What is shifting a bit is more of a focus on information systems related to accounting. Business analytics is also a growing area. I'm actually considering shifting more towards business analytics rather than finance. ETA: A degree in accounting is a solid choice. It can get your foot in the door in a lot of different industries.

It varies greatly by puppy, and many cannot ever be left to roam with no one home. Even my almost 8 year old JRT, who has been wonderfully house-trained and trustworthy most of her life, has suddenly decided that no garbage can is safe if no one is at home...lol. (Not to mention the one time that she got mad at me and pooped on my bed...the one and only time she's had a poo accident inside since she was 6 months old) That said, it does get better. I would say after a year or so, everyone settles in, the puppy destructive phase is generally gone, and things go more smoothly.

A bit of a rabbit trail, but apparently this is becoming one of those lost skills. I've worked in a couple of different offices lately, in which part of my job was filing huge back-logs of paper documents. One of the reasons it was so back-logged? The workers that were supposed to be doing it couldn't correctly alphabetize anything. It was taking them months to poorly do part of a job that took me a few weeks to do completely and correctly. On the Citation machines, I'm in agreement, knowing how to use the tool, why you use it, and when to use it are the more important things these days. Pretty much every professor I've had in college so far has had different citation preferences.

*technically* my youngest two are still listed as homeschoolers. However, they are in their last semester of their senior year, and I haven't had a hand in their schooling at all this year. They are doing a combination of dual enrollment, co-op, and self-study for CLEP tests. We homeschooled for 9 years after pulling them all from public school.