I won 3 contest in the last 3 weeks at Thriftyfun.com, netting me a total of $75. Earned another $10 off of Helium, received back an overpayment of $45 for an event I paid for that was postponed (I will have to pay that again later when it is rescheduled, should I go), a friend had successful surgery to remove a brain tumor, and I have earned another $100 from adsense for clicks from my blog. Also, I was contacted by a company to receive some free kitchen items. I have to use them then give an honest review on my blog. Then, they may or may not elect to have me be a "regular" product reviewer. I have received the first of three items to review. The first was a stainless steel cakepan. We made a cake in it today, and after it is emptied and cleaned, I will post that review. (I want to see how well it cleans up first). Then I have coming a stainless dipper, and a stainless bread pan.

I hope this string of good happenings keeps happening!

I have been wanting to add some college credits in emergency management, safety, fire, and EMT to my college transcripts. Even though I hold certificates in these areas, college credits/hours usually carry more weight. However, they are often 300+ per credit hour, and since I am already certified I hate spending that much money to repeat my learning.

Last night, I was taking a CE class, offered free, online through the university of MO in collaboration with FEMA. Bingo. I can pay only $76 per credit hour to have my certificates and CE classes I have already taken converted to college credits and be added to my college transcript. (I get to take my CE's for free, so I would not be double paying).

I went through the list, and I have almost 200 CE's. I compared that to those that were marked they would convert into 1, 2 or 3 credit hours. It looks like 40 of them would convert. After they are converted, it seems I would have to take 2 classes, and would then have an associates in emergency management. And, the 2 classes I need to take are only available on campus, but as weekend workshop classes--and they are FREE. I don't think $3040 is too bad for another degree???

Right now, I am a volunteer fire fighter and EMT. With the Assoc., I could go up to officer with a paid district and get paid, or, even teach some of these classes.

Right now, I teach fire safety classes, CPR and first aid. Some classes I teach are free, as PR for our dept, and for other groups who contact me directly and are out of our fire district, I charge, but only to cover any materials I have to purchase.

Sooooo.........I guess I have some thinking to do now!

I'm tired of it, and more is coming down now, mixed in with rain. We have 20 inches in the yard now, and are getting more now and again on Wednesday.

I have 2 kids I watch on Mondays, and I hope this doesn't prevent me from watching them this coming week. The roads and our driveway aren't in the best shape. I kind of like that extra $70 a week I make watching them!