Happy Side Affect

While trying to keep up with my full time job training (there is A LOT to learn!) and my classes is keeping my head swimming...Troy being out of work has had some surprisingly positive side affects.

Before I get to that, I have to tell you all...5 days into my new college semester I had the realization that I was in the wrong major.  I did not want Computer Programming.  What I wanted was Systems Administration.  SO, I had to drop 2 classes that I didn't need.  However, I could not pick up the 2 Cisco classes I will need that run concurrently, half a semester each.  SO, I did get to sign into Statistics because it is only the last half of the semester and I picked up a Database Pro class that is an online class.  The instructor said it was okay if I came in a week late as long as I got caught up quickly.  I am not a fan of Access.  I like Excel better.  BUT I would have been half way to being caught up by tonight except for a few things...the class is using Access 2010 and I have Access 2007.  SO my OS instructor gave me a link to get a free downloaded copy of it...but it was corrupted and was missing a piece of registry.  SO my cousin gave me a link to use a free 60 day copy of it until I can find a cheap student version.  I could not use it on my PC unless I uninstall my Office 2007...which I did not want to do SO I am downloading it onto my laptop.  Always something. 

Now...for the happy side affects.  Troy is finding out what my life has been like...and he's finding out that job hunting IS as TJ and I have been trying to tell him it is for the past 5 years, or so.  He is finding out it is all online.  That is not really the happy side affect, yet.

It is actually healing our family.  Troy has had to step down off of his high horse and have a dialogue with me.  I have listened and made adjustments and he has listened and made adjustments.  He has kicked TJ's butt and while TJ has not liked it...and complained to me about it, I think he was unhappily surprised that I took his dad's "side" about some things.  TJ has made some changes, also, and been stepping up more. AND Troy has really been helping out.  He has the coffee maker ready for me in the morning so all I have to do is push the button, he sometimes has a lunch ready for me to take, he does dinner almost every night, he has vacuumed and dusted...while looking for a job.  I get up at 5:50 a.m. during the week and make sure Bethany has something to eat for breakfast, let the doggies out, feed them, pack food for my lunch, eat my breakfast, drop Bethany off at her bus then fight my way through the traffic to get to work 20-25 minutes early.  When I get home Troy has dinner ready, I wash the dishes (or Bethany does), I sit with Troy for about an hour so we can talk, then I do homework and go to bed.  Except for Thursday night...I go straight from work to class and get home at about 9 p.m.  I talk with Troy for a bit then go to bed.  Friday night, I don't do much homework.  I spend that time with Troy.  I have to spend a lot of my weekend doing homework cuz I am playing catch up with some things.  I have 2 more weeks of full time training at work then I have 6 weeks of part time work.  Then I have 4 more weeks of full time training.  I hope, then, after that, I can get hired in full time. 

If I get hired in full time after the first of the year, I will have to adjust my college work load to part-time becuz I cannot keep up this full time work and full time college. 

Troy is still plugging away looking for a job.  But he is doing very well.  And our family has gotten closer together.  And he and I have gotten closer.  There is a better understanding between us.  It has been a big adjustment for us all but we are getting it.

The dogs were confused that I was gone all day and Troy was always here.  They do not like that even when I am home I don't have much time to sit with them.  But when I DO sit down, Jack is right on my lap, snugggling up to me...or Lucy.  Max has found my lap empty a couple of times so that he can have his turn.  But since I am not home so much anymore, when I sit down in a chair, I am never alone.