Saturday, December 30, 2006

Winding Down 2006/SNAGS~TAGS

                

2006 is quickly closing and 2007 is approaching.  Maintaining my two journals was never much of a problem because I kept the two separate.  Decisions, decisions...never an easy task for me.  Today I will update my personal life in this journal as my worries traveling into 2007 are worries which would compromise my children.

I'm ending 2006 much the same as 2005; ill.  Becky was very sick on Christmas Day.  I started feeling yucky on Wed. when she called and said she had a positive strep test.  It was a given that I would end up with strep, and I did.  I went yesterday for a throat culture.  I should be up and running to bring in the New Year; last year I was flat on my back.

My meltdown before Christmas was due to my deep concern with Megan.  My BF had gone to eat at the restaurant Megan is a waitress at.  He called me as soon as he got home and said he thought Megan was deeply concerned about her grades at college.  It has been a growing concern of mine.  Her university is an old, prestigious university in Pittsburgh.  The cost of tuition is totally outrageous. It's extremely difficult to be accepted into it but her high school grades were excellent.  Her grades are lacking now.  She did screw up the first semester last year because of too much party time and not enough studying.  After a discussion and my enforcing the fact that I would not co-sign any more huge loans, she buckled down but did no better the second semester.  She was crushed and spoke with her advisor and professors.  Starting the junior year semester this fall, she attacked it with total concentration....then in the midst of midterms came the cervical cancer diagnosis. She blew them, which I can readily understand.  She request a tutor and was being tutored by her intermediate accounting professor; yet, still, she got a "D" in that course.  Decisions need to be made by Jan. 8th.  Megan is so upset by all of this and won't discuss options.  Her advisor is arrogant.  I've spokenwith him before as Megan signed a full waiver when she started her schooling.

She thinks I want her to drop out of school.  That is not my intention.  She needs to take Int. Acct. 1 over again.  Loans will not pay for a course failed.  The course will be $3,000 out of pocket.  Megan's grades on tests and quizzes are A's and B's.  Megan test scores on midterms and finals are awful.  I'm questioning the fact that she got a "D" in a course while being tutored by the professor.

At this point in time, I am dropping on my knees and passing this onto God.  I plan to make some phone calls and appts. with some folks at the university on Jan 2 when they reopen.

Sorry, this is so long...last year Megan did the accounting for both the professional honors business fraternity she was accepted into despite her grades and also for her regular sorority.  She has since given up the accounting duties as it was spreading her time too thin.  My point is I drove her to Pittsburgh to an accounting firm which handles the overall accounting for these fraternities last spring.  She was only supposed to keep a running tally of all the transactions.  In actuality, she had completely done all the accounting on numerous Excel spreadsheets.  The accountants were in awe so the child understands the ins and outs of accounting but can't apply it to course work.  Somehow, she is missing the professors' expectations.

So, this is my deep concern as we enter 2007.  Far too much time and funding has been invested in this university.  Somehow, someway, Megan has to find the magic link to make this all click.  She still has three semesters in which she could bring her GPA up.  Will she?  I simply have no clue.  She is confused and frustrated beyond belief right now.  Mama wants to make it all better.  I would like her to switch majors but she is taking that the wrong way.  So, it's one week later and everything is still up in the air...not a situation that I care for but nothing can be done until the school reopens.

Sorry I rambled on so long.  Thisis just eating away at me.  I've never had to encounter anything like this.  My BF has provided enormous support with this as that was his major.  Megan will listen to him.  It's hard for me to discuss anything about this with her as she feels I'm being judgmental.

On the shelf this goes for a few more days until steps can be taken.  Thanks for putting up with my venting!!

HUGS & LOVE to all.......CHRIS

(A couple of snags or tags.  The same background but, of course, I've been playing with it.  I found some older things on my hard drive that I will put up later.)

                     

                     

 

                

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

dont ever apologize for writing...we are friends and want to hear it. I have absolutely no college experience so i can not imagine what Meg is going thru. She is a smart lady and i pray that she finds the answers she needs and continues to live her dream. I pray for you too....i want you healthy and content in 2007. I am so glad the BF is there to help!
XO lj

Anonymous said...

 Chris, so sorry about all of it.  It is hard sometimes for our kids to recognize our concern and take it the right way. I am sure it is a worry.  I hope everything works out.

                     Julie

Anonymous said...

Ihope all becomes clear for Megan in 2007 ,and that you have a wonderful 2007 .love Jan xx

Anonymous said...

Loved that top tag! :)
Hoping all turns out well with Megan, & want you to get to feeling better quickly!
Many hugs,
Sugar

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry Megan isn't doing too good. I hope it can be sorted, sometimes you just get a tutor who inspires you and you get good results. Let's pray she will do better this next term, I know it's not nice not to be able to help your kids at this time but it's all up to her, maybe it's pressure getting to her. Happy new year Chris. Jeannette xx  

Anonymous said...

Hi Chris. Love these tags!  I don't know what to say about Megan.  She's gotta be stressing out, as well as you.  I hope you get it sorted out soon.  And get well soon!  
Hugs and love to you....Pam

Anonymous said...

Love the tags as always!  I wish I had words of wisdom regarding Megan and school.  My son hated it, but ended up with a great job and plans on going back down the road.  Time will tell.  Sending good vibes your way
love ya
d

Anonymous said...

Christ ~ I am so sorry that you are going through all of this now. You are in the best place, though and being on your knees and giving it to God is all you can do. He WILL take care of the rest!  I've been there and He got me through! Your tags are beautiful - thanks again for sharing them with us.  I hope you feel better and can at least enjoy the new year rather than feeling miserable. Take care ~ Caroline
http://journals.aol.com/caromarls/ANewAdventure
http://journals.aol.com/caromarls/Homeiswheretheheartis

Anonymous said...

Chris... It will work out.. it will.  Just let go and let God handle it.  There is only so much you can do, and the rest is up to Megan.  I know you stress about it, and I don't blame you..  We all want the best for our children, and when things aren't going well for them, we want to 'fix' it for them.  Sometimes we just can't do that.  We can only advise and support just so much, and the rest is up to them.
As for you being sick!  That is not the way you are going to start your New Year!! I forbid it!! lol  No seriously.. I will keep you in my prayers.. that you feel better and will be able to bring 2007 in with those you love and feel perfectly healthy doing it! :)
Thank you so much for your friendship for the past few months.  I value it more than you know, and I am always here for you.  I admire your spirit, your wisdom, your strength and your loyalty.  I wish you everything good in the coming year, Chris.. and I mean that with all my heart!

Speaking of hearts........ I heart you!!  :)

Love you
Jackie
http://journals.aol.com/siennastarr/Hopefloats/

Anonymous said...

(((((((((((((((((((((HUGSTOOYOU)))))))))))))))))))I am sorry your going through a hard time right now.I am glad you have you Bf to help you get throuh this.I know its easy said than done,I know this has got to be worring you alot.God is with you,He is there for you and your family.He is in control.We here in J-land are here you to and we love you.Happy New YEar to you all.

Anonymous said...

I will keep your daughter in my thoughts and prayers that all decisions about school and her grades and things related will work out....
take care
Ellie

Anonymous said...

Chris, keeping Megan in my prayers, Wishing you a wonderful "2007" Hugs Lisa

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year, Chris, and hope it all works out for Megan. She has had a lot on her plate by the sound of it.

Anonymous said...

As a college prof myself I would say that the cervical cancer is a reason to grade appeal. You should be able to but each college has different policies. First let me tell you that the students who have the most trouble in college are the ones who get As in H.S. I know that doesn't makes sense, especially when that is what we look for to admit but they are usually the ones that did not have to struggle in HS and study a lot etc. Then they get to college & find they can't balance with freedome (like your daughter), balancing things they did not have to do before necessarily (laundry, finances etc) and new classes they may not have ever taken before along with being an adult & not being reminded of assignments ETC! My students have a hard time adjusting! Then put in their the illness & you can see that. I also have a dear friend & colleague who is an acctg prof & those courses are tough. Has she ever taking accounting courses before? You do know that students on avg change their major 5 times & take 5 yrs to graduate right. YEP! They are also suppose to study 2-3 hrs per credit hour...so for a 3 credit hour class that is 6-9 hrs a week & that is just for a grade of C with avg difficulty for the student. If they want an A or if it a difficult class for them they have to study more. My students do not study anywhere near that amount of time. They are very honest & report it on their exams! Well, good luck & email me if you want!

Anonymous said...

I don't blame you for wanting to get this off your chest ~ I can understand your frustrations but what with Megan's cancer scare it's not surprising that she is not doing well.  Surely she can repeat the year??  Would that not be better for her?  Why would she think that you want her to drop out.  No parent would ever want their child to drop out.  Hope things get sorted xx

Jenny

http://journals.aol.co.uk/jmoqueen/MyLife

Anonymous said...

its always hard with kids huh:) hang in there it will get better:) keeping you all in my prayers

Deb

Anonymous said...

I am going to be praying . . . hard.  I know the feeling.  My son had top grades in high school, great SAT's, but barely passed some of his courses. He was 2,000 miles away when I freaked - he said don't worry mom - they won't see my grades - all they want to see is my sheepskin.  Back in college my self, I asked one of my professors.  She said he was right.  I never thought he'd make much money as a philosophy major.  I was wrong.  My heart is with you and Megan as she struggles through.  Blessings for the new year, Penny http://journals.aol.com/firestormkids04/FromHeretoThere
http://journals.aol.com/firestormkids04/TimeforaLittlePoetry

Anonymous said...

What a way to start 2007 for you and your daughter.   I'll pray that your daughter will sit down with you and talk about school and the decisions that have to be made.  Good Luck.
Missie

Anonymous said...

Hugs Chris, I know just what your going through, My daughter doesn't talk to me about school either, and she is just in her first year. I know things seem impossible now, but they will work out. As mother's we tend to want to fix everything for our children. I know I still do. But then again there comes a time we have to let them deciede how best to approach thier own problems. I know the thought puts us at wits end. My bf is supportive of me and my daughter as well, but honestly she would confide in him first. Is it possible she might confide in yours to help you better understand what is going on with her. Please vent all you want, you know how to get in touch with me should you need to vent even more. Here's to hoping you have a Happy New Year filled with love and laughter to last you the whole year through. Love Ya Indigo

Anonymous said...

aw boy i hope this year will be a better one for me too.

Anonymous said...

love all the graphics...splendid job!!!  Thank God megan will be okay!!  We are having a tough time aren't we friend!!! ..Guess what..I just got garnished again!!!!!   i give up...I just found out today and have to wait for the dang bank to open up again..don't know if they got it all or is I still owe some....Right now I have zero dollars in the bank...what luck I am having...ding bat missed work all week but two days last week and he got less than 200 dollars on his check and can you believe he kept most!!!  I am fed up with this year...but also know to count my blessings...and beginning to wonder if I have flocked the coat of Job!  Hugs,TerryAnn

Anonymous said...

Chris, I`m sorry to hear about the problems Megan is having at school. Although  it`s not at all unusual for college kids to go through this, I can only imagine the frustration it must cause.
I love you and will continue to pray. xo
penny

Anonymous said...

Life can be so hard for college students in this day and time...and sooooo very expensive!  Keeping Megan as well as you in my thoughts and prayers...in hoping the right decisions are made.... Always here for you Chris
Hugss..~Terri~