Getting ahead

Wow...This is the first semester EVER that I have been ahead of my classes with a 4.0 to boot. It was always hard to get started, and constant interruptions made it nearly impossible to complete research and writing in a timely manner. I managed to do it, but - wow - was it a chore. It's amazing how much better I can focus and think about the task at hand when there's no baby noises or weird TV sounds.

The dogs are getting SOOOOO big. When Clark came to our home, he was smaller than Frodo. Now he and Eddie are twice Frodo's size. They both weigh 22 pounds (as of three days ago). They are a complete mess...mostly potty trained (they both still have peepee accidents when they're excited or it's really dark. They are able to make it through the night without a potty excursion at 3 in the morning and that makes me happy and well rested. They get along very nicely with Mr. Frodo and the cats. Java has even decided it's okay to sleep or lay near them without too much fuss. Rilke still keeps her distance, but for whatever reason, she has always been the target of other animal's affections. Poor baby...she hates to be social and they just force the issue.

Eve has a wonderful new opportunity at work. She is being trained for extreme safety so she can go out on rigs. Her first job, after training, will be a month in Brazil on the Leo Seqarious rig. I am excited for her! It's an awesome opportunity to get outside of her comfort zone, learn new things, and see some interesting places. It'll be hard at first because I have trouble with being alone in a house at night. I am scared of everything! Fortunately, three dogs should keep me feeling safe. I also have Chris and our friend, Rob to call if I get too scared.

Eve and I are looking at houses, now. It just makes sense for us to settle down for good. I am almost 50 and if I don't get on the stick...I will be retirement age with nothing of my own. We found a place that's 3127 sq feet on 2.5 acres for an awesome price. It's rural enough to meet our needs for space and close enough to the city to make life very easy. We're going to look at it this weekend and will keep you posted on the progress.

I have made a decision about my education that will most assuredly make my parents crazy - especially Dad. I have chosen not to go away to school. I am staying in Kingwood. I was accepted at Fielding University in Clinical Psychology with a focus on neuropsyc. It's a bold move. I have a 600 hour residency requirement, so twice a year I have to travel to Santa Barbara, CA for 2 weeks. I also have to go to Austin once a month, and a couple of other locations throughout the year. I chose this program because I get to work with various professors in multiple settings so I get the most of my degree. This is a four year program, but my practicum and internship will be here in Houston. At the end of the day...I still have a PH.D. in Clinical Psychology, just not from Rutgers...I think it's the right move to make, but dread...ABSOLUTELY DREAD...revealing my decision to Dad. Oh well, it is what it is and ultimately, I am the one who is getting this education.

Well, gonna go clean house...love to all