I used to work as a Nurse's Aide and then in pathology as an Anatomical Pathology Technician (I assisted with autopsies Forensic, state, pediatric, and federal and did much of the evisceration) without certification or a degree.

Then I came within one class of a Computer programming degree only to suffer organ failure and when I tried to resume my studies three years later, they told me (a) that I must take a certain number of credits (a whole semester) at the technical college I transferred to (I had moved and gotten married), (b) I'd have to take most of my classes over again anyway because the technology had changed (I had, as a single parent not getting any child support, taken 5 years to get as far as I had), and (c) that the major I was working toward no longer existed as it did (again, because the technological fields change so fast). All in all, I would have had to take three quarters of my classes over again. And what if I got sick again (I did)?

I came so close.

Things have changed quite a bit since I was younger. One must be certified or have a degree in order to get more than minimum wage...unless you're a successful entrepreneur or artist or something. I'm afraid I don't have time to network and otherwise bust my butt to sell my art -- I barely have time to make my art. I did try but have a lot on my plate with Autism and health challenges a concern for several family members.

I take a state test to be certified in the health care field in a week, so not much art for a while.

My brothers both have their PhDs, their wives have PhDs, my cousins are all successful, all of them making well over 100,000 a year, last I heard, and even my third cousin is a professor and has a PhD. Between being toward the autism range (I still have no friends locally, not because I lost them but because friendship never seems to happen for me no matter how caring, honest, and ethical I am, not that I've given those up or ever will!) and not having even a Master's degree, sometimes I don't feel as if I fit my family. I'm rather bright, though "different," but had trouble getting out of the gate and off on to a good start after having suffered incest, then horrendous domestic abuse (I left the abuse in '94, thank you), then ill health (which does not qualify me for Social Security, heh). Not giving up. I am a survivor and I have a good attitude.

I am, however, afraid for my financial future. All working adults here lost their jobs early this year. I had been helping out my daughter, watching the grandchildren, since daycare centers usually try to get rid of my very autistic grandson Caleb within about 2 weeks, and how can she work (she left her abusive marriage, after a few years, and he isn't paying child support regularly at all) when she's constantly thrown in the lurch like that? She's trying, but her new job is now cutting back on her hours. She only worked one day this week. Landlords may not be so understanding about Caleb's tantrums and profound hyperactivity. She has to keep an eye out that nobody abuses Caleb because he's especially vulnerable, not being able to speak and only having mastered a few signs (sign language). It difficult for her to hold everything together. The stress is incredible!

I want to be there for her but now I have to get a paying job from which I know I'll have a steady paycheck and I fear for my daughter...guilt, guilt, guilt.

Perhaps after attaining my certification I can work nights, watch the kids during the day, and sleep in the evening, hoping that my hubby and my youngests grown siblings can help guide her through her teen years. But I might have to work double shifts in the health care field.

I don't know how we're going to work this out.

And now we're taking out my husband's retirement money or it's out on the street with us, a teenage daughter, autism in the family, and all. That's just too much to overcome and could put an end to my husband working toward certification so that he can get hired somewhere else. (He worked for the government for many years, salaried, and worked such long hours he it wasn't possible to get certified or get a college degree. He was coming home 8 or nine p.m. at the earliest most nights, constantly exhausted.)

Oh, and does anyone know what U.S. stores carry Future Floor Polish? It's used on polymer clay. I live in the Midwest if that's any help.