Wasn't sure whether to put this here, in introductions, or "day brighteners..." :) just wanted to share a baby picture of the newest member of my little family....
Her name is Lucky... she's three weeks old and was found abandoned in an industrial warehouse... The mother was found nearby.... apparently tragically killed....

WEll you certainly put a smile on my face..what a cutie!! Good LUck with your new "baby"...You are an angel for rescuing her..I am sure you will be blessed! Thanks for sharing!

>* An Angel Walked The Beat Tonight....
>
>* * * A drunk man in an Oldsmobile
>* * * They said had run the light
>* * * That caused the six-car pileup
>* * * On 109 that night.
>* * * When broken bodies lay about
>* * * And blood was everywhere,
>* * * The sirens screamed out elegies,
>* * * For death was in the air.
>
>* * * A mother, trapped inside her car,
>* * * Was heard above the noise;
>* * * Her plaintive plea near split the air:
>* * * "Oh, God, please spare my boys!"
>* * * She fought to loosen her pinioned hands;
>* * * She struggled to get free,
>* * * But mangled metal held her fast
>* * * In grim captivity.
>
>* * * Her frightened eyes then focused on where
>* * * The back seat once had been,
>* * * But all she saw was broken glass and
>* * * Two children's seats crushed in.
>* * * Her twins were nowhere to be seen;
>* * * She did not hear them cry,
>* * * And then she prayed they'd been thrown free,
>* * * "Oh, God, don't let them die!"
>
>* * * Then firemen came and cut her loose,
>* * * But when they searched the back,
>* * * They found therein no little boys,
>* * * But the seat belts were intact.
>* * * They thought the woman had gone mad
>* * * And was traveling alone,
>* * * But when they turned to question her,
>* * * They discovered she was gone.
>
>* * * Policemen saw her running wild
>* * * And screaming above the noise
>* * * In beseeching supplication,
>* * * "Please help me find my boys!
>* * * They're four years old and wear blue shirts;
>* * * Their jeans are blue to match."
>* * * One cop spoke up, "They're in my car,
>* * * And they don't have a scratch.
>
>* * * They said their daddy put them there
>* * * And gave them each a cone,
>* * * Then told them both to wait for Mom
>* * * To come and take them home.
>* * * I've searched the area high and low,
>* * * But I can't find their dad.
>* * * He must have fled the scene,
>* * * I guess, and that is very bad.">
>
>* * * The mother hugged the twins and said,
>* * * While wiping at a tear,
>* * * "He could not flee the scene, you see,
>* * * For he's been dead a year."
>* * * The cop just looked confused and asked,
>* * * "Now, how can that be true?"
>* * * The boys said, "Mommy, Daddy came
>* * * And left a kiss for you.
>
>* * * He told us not to worry
>* * * And that you would be all right,
>* * * And then he put us in this car with
>* * * The pretty, flashing light.
>* * * We wanted him to stay with us,
>* * * Because we miss him so,
>* * * But Mommy, he just hugged us tight
>* * * And said he had to go.
>
>* * * And told us not to fuss,
>* * * And he said to tell you, Mommy,
>* * * He's watching over us."
>* * * The mother knew without a doubt
>* * * That what they spoke was true,
>* * * For she recalled their dad's last words,
>* * * "I will watch over you."
>
>* * * The firemen's notes could not explain
>* * * The twisted, mangled car,
>* * * And how the three of them escaped
>* * * Without a single scar.
>* * * But on the cop's report was scribed,
>* * * In print so very fine,
>* * * An angel walked the beat tonight
>* * * On Highway 109.

Fed-x,
That really hit home. I lost my dad 7 years ago.

LUCKY IS PRECIOUS!!!!

SHERRI

Yes... I realize I am NOT right when it comes to my kittens.. but what can I say?? I am a lonely women with no children (yet....)
So... this is the only baby I have in my life til JD gets home.... :)

Let me try that again....

could be on a calender--i think you should submit the pic--too cute!!!!

sherri

What a cutie!!! thanks for sharing your "baby" with us!!!

ow! 'he's so cute! i love cats, when I lived back with my parents, I had 28 cats :D

now I have a baby rat. when I have a picture, I'll add it also, if you want to see it...hehehe

I'd love to see it Soraya... :)

Gosh... Sounds like a simple task, but it is rather hard to sum yourself up once you sit down to do it.

Well, I am 28 years old. I was raised in Iowa. I went off to college at Iowa State to get a degree in psychology. I got married and moved to IL. I got divorced (very amicably after 5 years... just realized we wanted different things from life)... I then decided to go back to graduate school and got my master's degree in counseling from Northern Illinois Univ.

Professionally, I have worked in a children's home for abused/neglected and emotionally disturbed kids, I have worked with the adult developmentally disabled population, both in residential and day training, I was a substance abuse counselor for a number of years. I recently implemented a dual diagnosis treatment program in a state prison (which is where I ended up meeting my JD... so obviously I am not there anymore and the program fell apart within a few weeks of my leaving)... I am now working as an in-home therapist with children... most of whom are in foster care and DCFS involved.

I am not really close with family and they know little of my life. I have learned the less they know the better. I do have one brother who is married and I am soon to be an auntie.
I have many good friends here in IL.

As far as hobbies and free time activities go, most of you know I love cats... and have three... the youngest is 6 weeks old today... I also own a house (ok... so in another 22 years if all goes well I will actually OWN it...).... But I enjoy taking care of the yard and gardens by myself and undertaking home improvement projects. I am also into crafts-- cross stich being my favorite. :) I enjoy traveling, but being a single woman in social work doesn't afford me too many opportunities for exotic travels the past few years... but still enjoy my weekend escapes/adventures. I am a pretty quiet person and enjoy my time at home just reading, writing, listening to music, etc. etc.

That's about it for now, I guess... If anyone has curiosities about other things, feel free to ask!! :)

You sound as though you are a very interesting individual. How did you and JD Meet? Are you able to communicate about most things in your life. Does he understand you and you him?

Tell us more about what your career is about. Thanks for letting us hear from you.


Donna

Donna.... to respond to your questions...
JD and I met when he was forced by DOC to paticipate in the program I oversaw.... He really doesn't have an addiction history, but he had manipulated the system to get closer to home... I got to know him and at first he just knew me from the program (saw how I dealt with problems and issues with him and the other guys..) That's when he decided he was going to try to get to know me better on a more personal level.. he obviously suceeded.... :)
We understand one another amazingly well... although we come originally from very different worlds, we also have a lot in common.... From the way we think, the way we react to things, to common interests in movies, music, etc.... I am able to tell him everything and he tells me everything... We have a very close relationship for all the barriers we have to endure...
As far as what my career is about, basically I do therapy with kids... the kids on my caseload right now range in age from 6 to 17.... Most of them are in foster care. Many of them have been abused and/or neglected, removed from their homes... most have psychiatric issues, some were drug exposed prenatally... They have a wide variety of issues. I also do family therapy with both their families of origin (some of them still have contact with their birth parents while in foster care)... I also work with the foster parents and biological families to help them learn how to parent and help the kids deal with their issues. It's challenging, but fun... I enjoy having a small caseload and having a lot of variety in my week... most of the time is spent out of the office, seeing kids at home or taking them out into the community... and of course I work closely with all sorts of others--- teachers, psychiatrists, probation officers, etc.....
:) Thanks for being interested... Hope I answered your questions!!

WOW! you're job sounds interesting but tough! I love cross stitching but am not too good at it yet-and never seem to have much time to get better-I still need the printed material--hahaha! thanks for sharing a bit of your life with us...heard you like cats huh? My sister runs a no-kill shelter here on my father's property and she has an American bobtail (she has no tail just a lil nub) anyway she just had 4 babies on thursday--want another?--hahaha!! :D

your job sounds indeed very interesting. and i also love cats (among all other animals). we used to have 28 cats back home, when I still lived with my parents, at this moment they only have 1 left...

Amelia...
Thanks for the offer for another kitten, but I think I have my hands full for now!! I always joke with JD that if we don't "live happily ever after" I am going to pursue my "alternative destiny" which is to be the crazy ol' cat lady with a house full of cats...
I grew up out in the country and used to have dozens of cats... living outside of course... :)
I love the idea of doing a no kill shelter... perhaps a goal for the future if I can ever live in the country again.. Amelia.. tell your sister she's got a good heart... :)

Dear JDS:


Man oh Man, what a person you must be. Your career must be one of the most satisfying in the world to a point. I am sure you have disappointments at times, but I am sure that your kids come out on top of the world.

When a person can combine a Career with helping others, that is just about the ultimate goal. My hat is off to you. Great Job Girl. I just know that things will work out for you and JD. God Bless and Good Luck!


Donna

Thanks Donna... :)

figured since people are sharing ink... I would post a pic of mine... (only one so far... )
It has meaning... it is an eastern symbol that represents the body and the soul.... Aside from the two pieces in the middle, the black is one continuous line that spins in infinity... (ok... it's not the best picture so that is hard to see... trust me on that one... they didn't pick the needle up off my skin when doing the outline... ouch!) The black represents the body.... which is indeed eternal as it is constantly "recycled".... The white represents the soul, which is "trapped" inside the body.... I suppose tattoos are revealing of a person's beliefs/style as much as anything else... :)

beautiful!! and knowing what it means makes it even more beautiful! thanks for sharing...

I have a new joy in my life...
Meet "Sterling".... my first blood nephew born just a week ago.... I am in love all over again.... :)

ow what a cutie! such beautiful baby!!! Congrats

aaaaaaaaaaw! what a sweet little guy!! COngratulaions!! sometimes I forget how small and precious they were at the start-especially when they are running around terrorizing!! Enjoy these first moments they grow up so quick!!!thanks for sharing him with us!

what a beautiful baby!!! God's greatest gift!!!

how are you doing woman I have not heard from you in a while..

Hi JDs!
Thanks for the suggestions! You sound very cool! I like your tat. I gave myself one when I was 17 using a razor and India Ink, OUCH! It's faded too much to tell what it is without explaination. Your nephew is really cute!
Thanks for being here!
Veronica

Hi, What an adorable kitten! We had a cat named 'Lucky' once too, it was a black and white one. I love cats; once we had over 30 of them on our farm, what a trip! And we STILL had mice around! And what a precious little baby! Congratulations on the new nephew. And your tattoo - looks like the Yin/Yang symbol?

Hey there Isadora... "Lucky" now has the nickname "Luci" after Lucky Luciano, because she is such a little rascal... I grew up out in the country and miss the days of being able to have 20-30 cats!! :) I wrote a letter to JD the other day expressing my concerns about a kitty who was hanging out in my backyard and he responded in a letter thinking I was going to take it in... he's telling me "there's only so much room in the house for cats baby.." :)
And yeah... my tat is similar to a yin/yang... it is actually a symbol that represents that body and soul....
:) I wish I had a scanner, I would show you all Sterling's 6 week picture I just got in the mail... :)

what a cutie shawna.. I love the tat too..

Cute kitty and interesting job and life.

That's such a cute kitten, an adorable nephew and I love your tattoo, Shawna. You have such an interesting job. I love cats myself. I hve one at the moment and he thinks he's king of the domain. His name is tigger, Randy named him.

Think I'll join in and let ya all know about myself. I am 30 years old(31 next month), I have been raised in IL all my life.I am a C.N.A(certified nurses aide) and have been for 12 years now. I own my own home, have one child, two sisters, Darla 40 and Donna 25 (26 in Oct.). I have one cat as well. Who goes wherever I go just about. My parents live here in the same town that I do. My dad is a truckdriver and mom she stays at home with her cat and dad's little dog. In my spare time I either work outside, play with Randy, cook things,or watch wrestling with Randy. I met Ron in a very weird way. My friend had a guy friend she wanted me to write to cause he asked her for someone to write back and forth with. So, being the kind-hearted soul that I am I agree to it. I write to him for awhile and he tells me that his ex-wife and son came to see him and they got back together so we had to quit writing. But, he gives me Ron's name. Well, I'm kinda not into writing people I don't know. One day I get a letter from him. Introducing himself and things of that nature. An we had the same interests an everything. It was like God had sent me a present I didn't know that I deserved so much. So, we write back and forth to each other and really get to know each other. Then we start talking on the phone. An now we know when the other is upset, happy, or in other moods. It was like I got a present I didn't ask for but I am SO GLAD TO HAVE IT! Now other than The other things I've told you about I love to collect candles! Ron says I'm candle crazy! I have almost 100 candles and I keep on going. Other than the wrestling, Ron has got me hooked on Hockey now! I also like to go for walks when I can. Well folks, that's me- all that I can think of anyway. If you have any questions about anything go ahead an ask me, you won't offend me. Until next time, take care.

MICHELLE:

WELCOME TO PTO.... MAKE SURE YOU POST YOUR STORY IN THE INTRODUCTION SECTION OF THE FORUM TOO. YOURS IS VERY INTERESTING STORY... WE HOPE YOU WILL STAY WITH US AND POST OFTEN...


BEST WISHES
DONNA

MICHELLE- THNAKS FOR TELLING YOU ABOUT YOURSELF-YES, PLEASE POST IN THE INTRODUCTION FORUM TOO-- I TOO HAVE A "RON"AND I AM ALSO A CANDLE NUT! SO WE HAVE AT LEAST TWO THINGS IN COMMON, AND I AM SURE MANY MORE-GLAD YOU'RE HERE!!

Hi Michelle
Welcome to PTO....thanks for sharing your story with us. Glad to see another neighbor joining!