just a quick update - i'm about 6 weeks into classes at SUNY Empire taking 2 classes - one a programming class and one a mandatory degree planning course (you have to plan your entire degree, justify it and have it approved - it a bit different). I'm happy to be in but I forgot how stressful it is to try to manage family, work, and school. Also the degree planning show that I might have about 3 years left if taking 2 courses per semester - that's a little longer than I hoped for. but I'm in and doing it so that's a lot of progress.