Animal House

I realize I haven't posted anything in quite sometime, but I have been keeping busy with nothing all that interesting to write about! Well, this is the best I can do right now...
My current employers LOVE animals and insects even. They are always fishing creatures out of the pool in order to save its life and buying cat food to feed any cats in the neighborhood. In the winter time they keep their garage door open for dogs that need a warm place to sleep and where most people don't want raccoons near their house, they enjoy watching the families eat food from their bird feeder. Now, I have seen many different kinds of animals in the feeder because they can find some really good food in there. You can find some bird feed, hamburgers, hot dogs, fruit, crackers, any left-overs, and my favorite-KrispyKreme Doughnuts! I must say, they are the most animal-friendly people I have ever met! Along with this, they love wild animals as pets such as the bird, Corkey and the rabbit, Peanut. Of course they also have a dog, Daisy. Their animals are precious, but Corkey must know that I don't like birds because he is down-right mean and violent towards me. I don't let him out of his cage because he will fly right at me and try to bite my fingers.
The living conditions for the animals are wonderful; they each live in a mansion. Let me tell you, if I were an animal, I would want these people to be my care-takers!

Gracie Mae Archer

As time draws closer to moving, I dread leaving my dog Gracie. She is so lovable and fun. The other day, mom said, "You are really going to miss that dog." Well DUH! I don't want to think about it! She really is like my child and I must say, Stephanie and I are darn good parents! (Although, I should give most of the credit to Stephanie since she spends more time with her.) Knowing how much we all love Gracie, it is hard to imagine all of the other dogs and animals in the animal shelters who don't/won't get to experience loving, responsible owners. It truly breaks my heart. As Bob Barker always said, spay and neuter your animals so we don't have to think about the neglect and final punishment (euthanasia) of innocent, helpless animals.

Back to the hometown of Cherry Mashes and the Pony Express

St. Joseph has really been growing on me since I have been visiting more often.  Maybe it is the theory of appreciating your roots or the fact that there really isn't any pressure when I go home; it is just family time.  Well, this weekend at home was interesting and busy.  Between appointments, work, and get-togethers with friends, it was difficult to find time for dad!  Actually, Steph and I had our own day with him which was special, but we weren't all able to be at one place at the same time.  Regardless of the logistics, I am happy to have time with my dad.  He is an amazing man who is always looking out for the best interest of others.  I am blessed to have such a kind-hearted father and I love him VERY much!

This weekend Steph was working with the 'dogs'-really just Lucy, but with our dogs, you can't put special attention on just one-physically you can't!  McDuff is the Diva/Depressed dog.  He expects full attention and only your best, but has been depressed since the addition of new dogs and some appearance issues.  He had 11 teeth pulled at once and now has no teeth to hold his tongue in his mouth. :( Gracie is anything but graceful!  She is a load of energy and doesn't halt, but it makes for a lot of fun!  Lucy is the mommy, a feminist, and we wonder if she was a linebacker once before; she's built like one.  They are such funny animals and I know life would just be boring without them.

The girls (except me) got new phones this weekend at the cost of conversation.  They sat on the couch for too long playing on their phones.  No ones voice was heard while they were busy tapping on their keyboards.

Finally, upon our return to heat and misery, Springfield proved us again that no plant can survive a measly weekend without a little water.  It would be our luck that the day we leave after a week of flooding and torrential downpours, mother nature deceives us and sucks the water out of every last leaf and petal!  I am thinking that Steph's hope to have a garden in the back yard may not work out. 

Apple

I must admit that I never saw myself as an apple person.  That is, a user of an Apple computer.  However, a new machine has come into my life and could not have made me any happier! I LOVE my iMac...it is absolutely amazing and I love my iPod Touch (it came for free with the purchase of my computer) just as much. It is so cool!  I can see another investment in the future, perhaps the iPhone but that is a hot seller right now, so I will wait until all the fuss dies down.  In fact, I was at the Apple Store in KC the first weekend it came out and people were waiting in line for the store to open.  I was really impressed with the organization of the employees and how they handled such madness.  I was at the store for some one on one assistance in transferring files from one computer to the iMac and making more sense of the capabilities of this computer, but of course I didn't get out of the store without getting some information, wanted or unwanted, about the new iPhone.

The Last Summer

I had expected to be working a lot this summer, but due to the job market, economy and other factors it looks as though I have quite a bit of free time, specifically, 5 days a week.  So, I have filled my free time with packing and that also includes cleaning, re-organizing and getting rid of all the stuff I have accumulated over the years.  I am beginning to realize the challenges in down sizing; from a spacious house to a small apartment.  I filled 3 boxes with just books!  Hopefully, my roommate will not freak out when she watches me move into our apartment.  Now that I think about it, hopefully DAD won't freak out when he sees all of the stuff I am storing at his house!

At this time, I have managed to fill in my time pretty well, but not productively.  I watch a lot of TV and have discovered my love for wedding shows; Say Yes To The Dress is a favorite.  Also, I have been reading and shopping.  Now, I had not planned to spend much money at all this summer and instead save, save, save for grad school.  However, what else will I do with all of my spare time??!  Thankfully, my lovely banker-Mikki Harris-found my despair as an opportunity and asked me to watch her girls when needed.  I am so excited and hopefully I will be able to make up for some of my spending!

It's Official-I'm a Graduate!

As most of you probably know, I graduated from Missouri State University on May 15th, 2009 with my B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders.  I plan to pursue my Doctorate in Audiology and work with hopeful-qualifiers and recipients of cochlear implants through Aural (Re)habilitative strategies.  To do this, I must first go to grad school (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) and endure 3 more years of classes and serve a 4th year in a clinical practicum, somewhere. Wish me luck!

There were about 2,000 individuals who graduated on that Friday with me, but in 3 different ceremonies which took place in the brand new arena thanks to John Q. Hammons (a very giving donor).  I was very lucky to have my support team with me; Mom, Dad, Stephanie and Grandpa.  

The ceremony itself didn't exceed 90 minutes and when my turn came to walk I was rewarded with an empty diploma case...I STILL haven't received my diploma! Afterwords, we met Uncle Fred and Aunt Kim at a Brazilian Grill named Rodizio's; it was AWESOME!  We experienced about 10 different kinds of meat which were sliced table-side, plus a choice from a salad bar with 30 types of exotic toppers and sides; not your average salad.  Our selection for dessert was amazing and my personal favorite was the expresso with a banana rum liquor.  All I can say about this restaurant is that it IS an experience!

It was sad to see the family leave the next day, but I am so happy to have the love and support from my wonderful family, near and far!  

The Plan

Well, I didn't think it would come to this, but it seems that keeping a blog may be the best way to keep up with everyone and everyone keep up with me!  It will also be a method to organize my life, hopefully.  My intent is to share my stories and experiences with everyone in a show-and-tell manner, if you will.  My sign I and II teacher has a blog and posts a new picture every day; her efforts have inspired me and I am going to try to do the same thing.  So, you can at least expect a new picture every day with a brief explanation if not a more detailed version of my day!  Let me know what you think as I get started...please send any suggestions or requests!

Sorry Steph, but I couldn't resist.  Take a bite outta crime!