Before I forget...
Wendy, I'm studying to be a mental health counselor. Currently I work 2 1/2 days a week and have clients ranging in age from 6 to 45. Problems range from AD-HD, depression, anxiety, PTSD, bereavement, domestic violence issues, marital (read sexual) problems, Bipolar Disorder, parenting issues (as in, don't set rules, kids walk all over them, no consequences, and then to me, "Why does _____ act like this, O Wise Counselor?". I also sit in and help with an anger management group. God bless them - the people in that group have VERY little insight as to why their anger is a BAD thing. I work in a community mental health agency, and we service primarily Medicaid patients, court-ordered clients, and the children of adults who have private health insurance. We don't see adults with private insurance because they can generally get service anywhere, but people who are court-ordered or are Medicaid recipients tend to be denied services by private practices, who have to employ someone full time just to handle all the necessary paperwork. At our agency, we have LOTS of billing people because we are the only community mental health agency for an entire county of about 60,000 people, a lot of whom are middle- to lower-income families. A large population of Appalachian mountain families, which is strange since that region is about 4-6 hours from here, but apparently they just love Ohio.
Anyways, it's quite challenging because we have to keep up with LOTS of paperwork to keep our state funding and to serve so many clients. Probably more info than you wanted, but it's a pretty fascinating profession. My heart's desire is to work with adolescent girls through adult women with mood/anxiety disorders, abuse issues, eating disorders, etc., but when you're just starting out, you get whatever clients the agency gives ya!
The pupper-doo is fine; he's not even limping. What a trooper. Admire his picture for a second... it'll make you fell all warm and smooshy inside.
Brad, good to hear from you, and Michelle, you had lots of posts today! You go, dubai girl!
Jen, did you ever thinking of buying a yellow and black checkered car? You could earn some money from your booming child-taxiing service.
I've never managed to respond to the last several posts in a post before, so watch me while I traverse the tightwire without a rope... er, looking back at the posts!
Mommasita, have a great vacation! Rest, relax, and don't worry about
DCL. Still 20 days to make your final decision!
Tammy, good luck with the dessert decision. Christal, wtg on the weight loss! When I went to the doc, they told me I'd lost 7 pounds since my visit a week ago!
That was quite a surprise, since I have been watching my intake but not doing much for my energetic output (aka exercise, but that's an AWFULLY dirty word round here...). Missy, what kind of dog? Sue, Trish, Steve, Emily, John, Paul - just hi and hope to "read" from you soon! (Okay, I did cheat and look down, but that'll be our little secret).
And now my post is nearly done, but let me tell you our fun 4th of July news. It's my grandma's surprise 80th birthday party on Sunday (a few months early so out-of-towners can attend). We've got 37 people coming from NY, Maryland, Texas, and all over Ohio. We're all showing up at her church and will be sitting in the pews when she arrives - even my father!!!!!
Well, she'll probably beat a lot of people there, but you get the idea. DSis and I are singing a duet; I lead worship at my church every week, so it's no big thing, but singing in front of ALLLLLLL my family - that's a bit nerve wracking. Then we're going out to a nice camp and having lunch. It should be lots of fun.
Have a happy Canada Day/ Independence Day/reward-for-most-unique-locale day for Michelle and family!
I will take any pound, any way..
Bringing car in for an allignment this afternoon, then football tonight, and off in the AM...IT is not supposed to be the best weekend, but any weekend anyway is nice..right?
and i still can't decide which night to try and do Palo's (try because DS wouldn't stay at flounders last timeand we had to cancel, but we are hopeful this time)
it is getting tough! Everyone knows I bake so the dessert menu is up to me..how do you think 65 people would feel about jello?? 
I have got to stay out of there!! They have the same sales as Disney Direct, but you don't always get the extra percentage off. My DH has no clue what was purchased today 
) So I can kinda relate, but I'm not baking for over 60 people!! Good luck!
thought about trying the coolwhip fourth of July special also. Throw in making cookies with DGS and couple more pies (lemon, pecan..etc and large choc fudge cake (for DH), may just be perfect) 
