User Profile

I grew up in Southeast WI and had a very strict childhood. I was raised Roman Catholic and was a late bloomer. I am the third of four children. My Dad died when I was 23 and that was a defining moment in my life. I served 3 1/2 years in the US Army (good times) and the remainder of 8 years in the reserves. I served at Fort Monmouth, NJ, Seoul, Korea and Saudia Arabia during Desert Storm.

I met my former husband in Korea and for 10 years, I thought we had a great marriage. I was very insecure during our early years of marriage, but after we had our first child, I thought we would be married forever and I was very much in love with him. The request for a divorce was a shock.

I worked in Higher Ed for 15 years. The bulk of my experience was at a private non-profit. It was a good stint. Then, I met a bully boss. That wasn't fun. The last 9 months of my employment was pure hell. I couldn't do anything right for that lady. I have spent the last 4 years trying to figure out what I want to do for the next 25 years, but without much success.

I am enjoying being a stay at home mom. It's just the greatest. My daughter is my world. Seeing her grow in this world is amazing!

I have an American Pit Bull Terrier (I think--as best as I can determine). He is a pain in the butt. As best as can figure out, the last time he was with a family (before us), he was a puppy. He was driven out to a wooded area and released. He spent some time on the street before the humane society picked him up. He spent a year at the society before we adopted him.

He still thinks he is a puppy, although we think he's about 5 years old. Before that, I had the greatest dog in the world. His name was Marley. He was so sweet. He was a shelter dog as well and I believe a terrier. We think he was abused. He would never go into the kitchen. For a long time, we thought our kitchen was haunted because he wouldn't go into it. But, Taz, our new pet, goes into it, so it's not haunted.

Every night, I'd get home from work, and he would sit next to me. Never asking to be petted, but just be in heavan when I did. He was afraid of every loud noise in the world, except my blow dryer. He knew after I dried my hair, he would go for a walk. I wish I would've taken him on more walks. He died in my arms on July 3, 2005. I was singing lullabys to comfort him. When I saw him gasp for air, I started yelling his name. He looked at me and left this world. I still miss him and sometimes, I get angry at Taz because he is not as sweet at Marley. Taz is so much smarter than Marley was though. I am amazed at how smart he is. I think it's memory more than anything.

But, I take Taz for a long walk every morning. I don't want to regret that again. My biggest pet peeve is that people don't take their dogs for walks. Especially dogs in the larger breed categories. Even at the shelters, their last concern is exercising the animals. They need to get out and explore the world, just like humans, to feel alive. I'm sure you've seen animals with dead eyes.

I had some neighbors and I felt like they were the worst pet owners. They had a huge, strong dog and all the fresh air the dog got was when he was let out to pee and poop for 2 minutes.

I am close to my family, despite all the miles between us. I think it's better if I live away from my family because they probably would drive me crazy if I lived too close.

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