If you can't make it better you can laugh at it. ~Erma Bombeck

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Thursday, August 14, 2008

It's never to late to make your dreams come true.

For those of us who graduated from high school in the early 70s college was "a good idea" but not the virtual necessity it is today. Back then there were still great jobs available for HS grads and, if you were smart (and lucky), you landed one in a field you enjoyed and it grew into a life-long career. Such was the case for Hubby.


After a false start as a draftsman he was hired as a night-shift computer operator at the age of 19. By the time I met him he was the 25-year-old manager of that data center. As the years went by he steadily advanced in his career, becoming the VP of Information Systems for his second employer in 1991. When that company's ownership made some seriously bad business decisions causing the company to flounder three years later he was quickly snatched up by one of the largest medical concerns in the Houston area where he has remained. He is very good at what he does and extremely well respected not only within the organization, but also throughout the the information systems community at large. Because of this, the question of his educational background never bothered anyone. But him.


Throughout the first 20 years of our marriage he sporadically attempted to attend college. However, the demands of running 24-x-7 technology departments would always take their toll on his efforts. Even so, he never gave up on the dream of getting a degree. The advent of Internet-based distance learning provided him the opportunity to finally reach for that previously unreachable sheepskin-shaped star.


We did loads of research and finally found Kaplan University's on-line degree program. While they are accredited by the same folks as the University of Phoenix, their tuition costs run about half or less, and include free shipment of any books and/or software that may be required to complete the classes, but cannot be made available online. Their course structure and scheduling allowed great flexibility and was ideal for students who had to work for a living while attending school.


With the enthusiasm of a starving kid set loose in a cookie factory, in mid-2004, at the age of 50, Hubby threw himself, heart and soul, into his studies. For the next 3-1/2 years through all of the trials with my Girl and some pretty enormous changes at work he kept pushing himself toward his goal. His normal routine involved getting up at around 5:30 a.m. to arrive at work by 6:30, leaving work at 6:00 p.m. (or later) in time to get home for whatever seminar he was supposed to be attending online or to work on homework. He rarely hit the sheets until well after midnight. He rarely took time off even on the weekends. For that 3-1/2 years there was virtually no family time. And I would not have had it any other way because I had never before seen him feeling so good about himself. I was honored to be the behind-the-scenes support that helped put that smile on his face every time he got an assignment back with a 100 on it.


In March 2008 Hubby completed his courses, earning a his Bachelor of Science in Management with Information Systems Emphasis. He not only accomplished this in 3-1/2 years, he did it with a 3.99 GPA. (Would have been a 4.0 but he challenged one professor on a paper. He won that challenge, but then on the final, when an essay question could have been interpreted either of two ways, the professor chose the "screw you you insulent, impudent, peon" interpretation. While Hubby again challenged the decision, this time the dean chose to defer to the professor's decision robbing Hubby of that 1/10 of a point that would have allowed him to graduate with the highest honors. I don't understand why some people have to have that type of god-complex control issues! But that's a topic for another day.) This accomplishment makes Hubby the VERY FIRST male in his entire family - uncles, brothers, cousins, 2nd cousins.. you get it - to graduate college. Sadly, not a one of his family members has bothered to send their congratulations. Again - that's a whole 'nother topic of discussion.


On Saturday, August 2, 2008, at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Hall, Hubby finally took the walk of a lifetime. I cried like a baby. So here, I proudly present the man of my dreams as he finally fulfils his:







Congratulations, honey. You never let anybody shake your will to succeed and I could not be more proud and honored to be your wife. Your example of never giving up and always believing in yourself is a gift to all who know you.


24 comments:

  1. WAY TO GO!!!, Damama's Hubby.
    I sure do admire people with such determination.
    Hope that diploma is proudly displayed!

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  2. That's fantastic. Please extend my congratulations to your husband. I can see how proud your are of your husband working so hard and succeeding at a lifelong dream.

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  3. Wonderful, wonderful man! WELL DONE HUBBY! I'm soooo pleased - no wonder you're proud!

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  4. Well yay for him. And for you. All that behind the scenes stuff is really hard too.
    Glad it's over though. And boy does he look happy!
    So what did you do to celebrate - other that the obvious of course. And get you mind out of the gutter. I'm referring to your photos and your post. ;)

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  5. Congratulations Hubby and Damama. Job well done. And a 3.99 GPA is nothing to sneeze at. Woohoo. Again, congratualtions. Margie

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  6. CONGRATS TO "MR DAMAMA"!!!! I'm going to make sure my hubby reads this! (and me, often) He graduated high school in '97 and I graduated in '98 and neither of us have been able to finish college yet. He takes it REALLY hard as he hates that he's working at Wal*H-E-double hockey sticks and not earning enough that I can stay at home (i just started another fast-food part time job) with the kids.

    Tell your hubby, for me & mine, that he's truly inspiring!

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  7. CONGRATULATIONS!!! THAT IS AWESOME!!! I am also the only one in my family to ever earn a degree too! So congrats from a fellow only graduate :-)

    BTW, Damama, I earned the Mean Mommy award today ;-) Check out my story! LOL You would be proud of me!

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  8. hey, don't MY congrats mean anything? I'm a family member!
    LOL

    Love you both, and congrats to the old man again!

    DaBug

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  9. I stopped by today just to check in on you and I just loved DaBug's comment. :) Margie

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  10. He looks very distinguished! Congratulations all around.

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  11. I was the first in my family to earn a college degree too. It is a big accomplishment for anyone, but to go back with all the adult responsibilities is incredible.

    Wow, Mr Damama, just wow!

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  12. What an exciting and major accomplishment for DaHubby! Congratulation from ABQ to both of you! xoxo
    Sandra

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  13. Way to go HUBBY! What a tremendous accomplishment! :)

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  14. Lisa - Thanks for the reminder to order the special frame. It will look a lot nicer in it that in its pleather binder, won't it!
    ===============
    Annie - I am proud of him in so many ways that they are uncountable. This one is definitely some wonderful icing on the cake. Thanks for stopping by.

    Everybody else - I recommend you go read some of Annie's stuff. She's another funny lady with a great writing style.
    ================
    Dragonstar - Wonderful man, indeed. I'll pass along your praise.
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    Jules - You silly nut! We took a mini vacation to Branson. I'll post some stuff about that next.
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    Margie - Thank you! Yes, 3.99 is darn good and I wouldn't be so frustrated if he'd gotten it because it was what he earned... but when the Dean says 'well, yes, I can see where the student's answer could be correct also, but I'm going to let the prof screw him over anyway' I tend to get just a weeeee bit pissed off! GRRRR ... (I can hear you saying BREATHE DAMAMA. BREATHE!) ;o)

    I'll be sure to tell him that you agree that he's an inspiration. Thanks again!
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    AZ - GOOD FOR YOU, TOO, THEN! Hopefully BB and Miss Bug will follow in your footsteps.
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    DaBug - LOL! Of COURSE your congrats mean a lot. I didn't even think about the fact that people might think you were included in that *other* group. Sorry. LOL! And we love you, too.
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    Margie - Ain't he just too cute?? Smart, too! LOL!
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    Goldenrod - He will love hearing that. Thank you.

    And welcome, newcomer. I'll pop over to your corner to check it out soon.
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    Robin - Hubby tells every kid he can get to listen that they better be smart enough to do college straight out of HS because waiting all those years makes it even harder. So, WOW is a very appropriate descriptor. Thanks!
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    Sandra - Hey sweetie! How you feelin'??? Thanks on Hubby's behalf. As for me, awwww shux. ;o)
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    Tammy - Thank you. I'm glad it was him doing the work cuz I'd never have been able to do it!
    ****************
    THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH FOR THE WONDERFUL KUDOS. I'm copying Hubby with all this so he will see it for himself. xoxoxo

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  15. Congratulations Damama's Hubby!

    Hmm...see, there is still hope for us! lol:)

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  16. That is fantastic. Congratulations to Dapapa.

    KEEP BELIEVING

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  17. I liked what you said over at Mrs. G's place today and had to come have a look-see at yours.

    Congratulations to your husband and to you as well. You're right, it's never too late to reach out and grab that dream.

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  18. Wonderful Congrats!!!
    It is truly never too late!
    Seeker Man starts school next week...we are praying for focus and determination.
    Pax, E

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  19. Wow! Congradulations!

    I guess I should get off my tail and finish college now? It's not like I have anything else to do on my 3 days off a week and my company will reimburse me for the tuition if I take courses and get a degree related to my job-something in the computer informations system would work. I only have 1 1/2 years left, if I go back to George Mason. :)

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  20. That is awesome. Congrats to BOTH of you, he couldn't have done it without your support!

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  21. Good for him.
    I awarded you the Brillian Blog Award at my blog. I just love your blog it keeps me in stitches.
    Thanks for sharing all that great stuff.
    Vanessa

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  22. Good for him.
    I awarded you the Brillian Blog Award at my blog. I just love your blog it keeps me in stitches.
    Thanks for sharing all that great stuff.
    Vanessa

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  23. WOW!! Good for him, I am thinking of taking an online course myself.

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  24. Brandi - There is ALWAYS hope. What's usually lacking for most people ...coughmecough... is the desire.
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    Angie - Hey, girl! I gotta get over there and check on you. Hope all is well. I feel like such a rotten Damama for not keeping up.
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    Rudee - Thank you. I actually posted that comment months ago but since she re-used the post it was kind of cool to get top billing! LOL! Thanks for stopping by here. I'll come over to see you soon.
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    Elizabeth - Good luck to SM! I'm sure he'll do just fine.
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    mommee - 1-1/2 years can seem like an eternity when you are having to do it around family time -- especially with a family as big as yours. But you are a determined lady and can do anything you set your mind to. good luck with whatever you decide to do.
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    Vanessa - AWWW! An award for me? I am SOOOOOO BAD about picking them up and I am SOOOOO SORRY to you and several others who have given me awards only to have the languish in No-mama's land for ages on end. I'll truck my behind over there soon to pick it up. And If I don't, you can truck yours over here and kick mine! ;o)
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    Kristi - YOu should, girl! Might juts be something that would truly make you feel better about yourself. ;o)

    **************
    Thanks again to all. I'm still passing the kudos on to Hubby.

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WELL HOWDY!! Thanks so much for popping in to leave a note. PLEASE be sure to check the box by "E-mail follow-up comments to..." so that you'll get my response to your comment. I almost always respond personally And sorry for making you do the Word jumble mambo. I wish there weren't A***ole spammers running rampant in the blogverse!

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