Adventures with LINKEDIN

One of my classes this semester is Web 2.0 A lot of the things that we go over, I was aware of. IE How to use the full Windows Office Suite. Word, Excel, and Access. And though there are few things in that portion that I was not already aware of. There are some things that I was not, and it is always good to expand your knowledge. The other section of this class, Shows things that I did not know existed, or had heard about here and there, Or started but never finished because other things got in the way... What those things are, I have no idea. but I digress. This weeks project was to start a linkedin.com account. I already have one, though I started it and did not finish it. This was a prime time to play around with it and see what else it may have. 

Groups: I was not aware that linkedin had groups. IE, you can do a search of things that interest you, and there might be a group about it. When I say might be, That is because I did not find many groups with the interests that I had when I did my original searches. Which in m y case, the groups that I searched are far more niche like. That said, I CAN start a group in this area, and see who joins. Another thing that I was not aware that linkedin was capable of.

Business: IE businesses you may be interested in working for. This was slightly familiar to me, I was vaguely aware that this was an option of linked in. But I was not aware to the extent.

All in All it was an interesting experience. and I suggest that everyone looks into linked in further.

Going for my degree in Computer Science at 49 years of age.

Normally I will post DIY projects that I have tried. Starting this summer, I decided to go back to school and get my degree in computer science.

This is an exciting time for me, however it is very daunting. A 49 year old brain take a little more work to absorb the material that I have been given. However, I feel confident that I will succeed.

I do have a few suggestions for the older adult that is going back to school.

1.) Do not be surprised when the books for a class cost more then a class. I have had that experience.  Note that I am an AVID book lover. I have more books then any one person should have. Collection? Over active obsession? A Problem, that I should seek "help and possible medication" for? Call it what you will, but I LOVE BOOKS! Still the one time that one book for one class cost more than the class itself. Even I was taken aback for a moment. But, this is part and partial with college. So far warning.

2.) Have an ACTIVE support system! This is your family, Friends, and people that you live with. Without a support system, you are going to have issues. Even with an active support system, there will be some things that they do not understand. In my case: Why I have no time to do things with them that I have always done with them without a seconds notice. Trying to explain Over and Over again, that THIS is the new normal until I have the degree in my hand. is a conversation that I have at LEAST twice a week. That and this question, which is asked of me every day from my Mr Man. Him: What are you doing tonight?
Me: Studying.
Him: Oh......Ok..........

I will say however, that if it were not for him, I may very well be living on canned beans for dinner. Which leads me to...

3.) Nutrition - Try to remember when you are studying to eat. Now, I KNOW that this sounds silly, after all I LOVE to eat. But when you have a full time job, and you have over loaded yourself with 3 classes that you are taking online, at night, and on the weekends. There are going to be times when you find yourself either not eating, or worse yet, eating something quick and easy. IE: stuff out of a can, Sometimes straight out of a can. At this house we call that "Boat Food" YES I KNOW... Ewwwww GROSS! But when you have no time to cook and you are by yourself, you do what you do to feed yourself. By the way, Through this process, I have discovered the CAUSE of the Freshman 15.

4.) Money - Yes it is a given that college cost money, and yes I know that it is a financial strain, I am doing the pay as you go with a Community College. This means, I pick classes for each semester, I pay for those classes in installments, and I pay for my books at one time. Because I have not figured out a way to pay for them in installments as of yet. College also means that you are not able to buy as much for yourself and others as you were formally used to. Christmas this years is what my man and I refer to as "SKINNY" My thought in the process is, If you are over the age of 10, and you are not a child or grand child of mine, You not be getting a present from me, I am sorry, but all of my extra money is going to college. When asked what I want for Christmas? I simply say, Nothing, But if you do want to get me something, Put the money for said "OBJECT" in my College fund.

5.) Time - Though I know I already touched on this one, I do have a little more to add to the issue of time. If you have a Birthday when you are going to college, and Who doesn't. and you want to celebrate it, Make sure that the classes that you sign up for are NOT happening the night of your actual birthday. Trust Me, you are only setting yourself up for disappointment. I made that mistake this year. though being that it was Birthday 49. It was not that big of a deal for me, Though I am sure that I would have RATHER gone out for a birthday dinner, then go to school and take a computer programming class. Next year however, Will be the BIG 5-0 and I will NOT be at CLASS for my 50th birthday! So, I looked ahead, Found that it will land on a Thursday, and I will NOT have a night class on a Thursday! I also happen to know that my Mother has a group that does a Mother Daughter Banquet the Thursday before Mothers day, So with this in mind, Thursdays are out of the question.

I found an interesting article from the Huffy. It is more about financial considerations, but still worth the read.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/17/back-to-school-adult-education-student-loans_n_1773801.html

I also saw this very brief clip from Yahoo about a 49 year old women returning to school. It is short, but does touch on my thoughts about returning to school. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGu60Ta0ANg

I will re-touch on my schooling projects from time to time. But for now, Back to your regularly scheduled DIY projects.

Super easy DIY Home made Yogurt.

Today I thought I would do a Step By Step

EASY YOGURT MAKING.

When I first looked for a way to make my own yogurt,

I was a little more than intimidated by the other blogs that I saw trying to tell me how EASY it was.

Umm, Not so much. 

I did find one that was pretty straightforward. Still made the process a little daunting.

So, with a little trial and a couple of errors, I now have a pretty easy yogurt recipe, and I am thrilled to show it to you all.

My Mom uses the Microwave method. But this is the Stove Top one.

What you will need:

1 non stick pan.

(I made my own double boiler as you will see in the pictures. But a regular pan works just as well.)

1 candy thermometer. (I got mine at Wall-mart for about $1.50.)

1/2 gallon of milk (This time I used whole milk, But I have also used 1%, though it was a thinner outcome, it still works.)

At least 1 cup of PLAIN yogurt.  Here By known as Yogurt Starter.

(I use Dannon, Because it gives the best results, and they don't use corn syrup. And I love the taste. This is personal preference.)

1 or 2 plastic large stirring spoons.

at least 2, 32 oz plastic containers. (I used my empty Dannon containers.)

1 towel

1 heating pad

Aluminum foil. Enough to cover your pan for the set up time.

1 hour of prep time, then 8 to 10 hours to set up.

And 1 refrigerator.

Step One:

Pour your 1/2 gallon of milk into your pan. Putting the Thermometer on the edge. 

Heat the milk till it reaches 200° You will need to stir the milk with a plastic spoon every 5 minutes to prevent sticking to the pan.

I cheated this time, it was ALMOST 200° But it still needs to boil, which is around the 200° mark.

Take the milk off the flame and now comes the waiting time. The milk needs to cool to somewhere between 100° and 125°.

**NO HOTTER THAN 125!!!**

You now get to add your yogurt starter. (Plain yogurt)

**(If you add your starter with the milk hotter then 125°. Your yogurt will NEVER set up. And you will have a hot mess.)

Sorry about the picture being fuzzy the lens steamed up each time I tried to take a picture.

Dannon Yogurt as Yogurt starter. 1/2 cup measuring spoon.

I used ½ a cup of Dannon this time; I have used as much as 1 cup. Which is one serving size of a regular yogurt cup.

REMEMBER 100° to 125° NOT ONE DEGREE HOTTER!!! When you add the yogurt starter.

Yogurt starter in slotted spoon ready to be stirred into warm milk mixture.

I put the yogurt in through a slotted spoon. I have noticed that it mixes in easier. Otherwise you will need to make sure that it is completely mixed in.

Now is the time for set up.

Place a folded towel on the counter next to an electric outlet. Putting the pan on the folded towel, cover the pan with aluminum foil, and place the heating pad over the foiled pan and set the heating pad to high. (The Towel helps hold the heat in the pan, and protects the counter.)

Now comes the wait time, anywhere from 8 to 10 hours. This is why I normally start this project at night.

Around 8:00PM to 9:00 PM. Because it can sit there doing it's yogurt thing as I sleep, and in the morning it will be set up.

set up yogurt with whey

You will need to remove as much whey as possible.

I press gently down on the top of the yogurt and the whey pours into the spoon

Now I spoon out the yogurt into the Yogurt containers.

Yes I know it looks clumpy, but we will fix that in a second.

I use a hand held whisk and after about 10 turns and it is as smooth as silk.

yogurt right before whisked smooth.

Put the lids on and put in the refrigerator till cool.

Homemade yogurt ready to enjoy.

After about 2 hours you have your own homemade yogurt!
Feel free to eat it with fresh fruit, add your favorite Jam or Jelly. Or eat it plain like the French do.