It has been such a busy couple of months. Some awesome things have happened, and some very sad things have happened.

One awesome thing, for anyone who doesn’t know yet, is that Sweet Donnie and I are getting married on May 16th, 2009 at The Billings Depot. Please remember to send me  your address if you’d like to attend. It’s amazing how much work goes into actually having a wedding! I am still looking for the perfect dress, working on bridesmaids dresses, linens, the food, the cake-wow, it’s a lot! I can understand why people choose to elope, but I know I will never regret having a wedding.

My workplace is in a total shambles. Lots of people are sick, and I was floored last week by the nastiest flu, which later migrated to my nose, causing a sinus infection. I could have made a man out of mucus to rule the planet. (That’s only funny if you’ve seen that particular ATHF episode.) I’m recovering, slowly. The worse thing that has happened at Dysfunction Junction recently is that late in the day, on New Year’s Eve, a snide memo went out to everyone, informing us that our PTO was basically cut by 52-67%. For me, that means that if I take no days off, I will have 4.9 days worth of vacation time AND sick time for an entire year. What a bunch of crap. I hear a local hospital in my area just slashed their PTO as well, but those people still earn at least 1 day a month, which isn’t great, but at least reasonable. When you work in mental health, you need mental health days so as to not wind up like the patients you are treating. I will just have to take days off anyway.

Very exciting news here…I am one week away from completing all my clinical supervision, and at that time, I can send all my paperwork off to be reviewed, and once it is approved, I can take my licensing exam! I will then be an LCSW, which means I am insurable, and can take insurance. I will be starting private practice immediately, sharing offices with Dr. Paul Cimmino. It’s the moment I’ve been waiting for since the day I started school! My hope is that I can build my practice fast, and leave Dysfunction Junction behind.

The Seestor and Aric have been working on some terribly exciting things with both music and a patent, and they are evidence that The Secret really works. Miracles have happened to progress their work, and I’m so happy for them.I miss them and can’t wait to go back to Colorado and visit as soon as possible.

I went and saw Coraline the night it opened, and was pleasantly surprised and happy with the animation and what they did with the storyline. Like with Stardust, some things had to happen to make it a movie that worked, and it definitely works. Here’s my plug for Mr. Neil-go see it! But make sure you see it in 3D or Real D or Imax or in a kickass format.

Joe came back safe and sound from Iraq, more or less. He had a sinus infection, so I like to think that perhaps I caught to nasty Iraqi sinus thing, which is why my body had such a problem fighting it off. I loved getting to see him and hang out with him, and listen to his war stories. I’m so grateful he’s safe.

A sad, sad, sad thing. My Alley-Kitty, better known to most as “Monkey” or sometimes “Crack Baby” became suddenly and violently ill. I had to put her to sleep on January 24th, and I think it was about a week before I was functional again. My boss said he just didn’t get why I was so upset. Truly, that cat has been with me my entire adult life. It was like the end of an era, with me planning on getting married and entering a new phase. Monkey was a naughty kitty, as anyone who ever roomed with me well knows, but she was loveable, had an awesome purr, and amazing eyes. I still miss her. I don’t think I’ll get another cat for a long long time. I would like a puppy, but I think I’ll wait until Donnie and I are all situated before that.For people who aren’t married and don’t have children, pets become very much like children. They are constant companions that need love and care, and you get used to having them around. I was glad I was able to send her to heaven and bury her where her new home would have been. I hope I never have another pet that becomes suddenly ill like that. There was just no time to prepare for the loss.

I’ve been far less social than I normally would be in the last year, and I miss a lot of people. Call me up, or expect phone calls from me soon. I’m getting itchy feet and spring fever for sure-I’m about ready to go out and play!

Ah, and one last thing, a word of warning to anyone thinking about that Acai Berry/Colon Cleanse diet. It does not work. Period. It is a waste of your time and money. I’m only mentioning it because every freaking time I pop online, there’s an ad for it. If you don’t cancel it immediately, they will charge $90 for each product to your card. This is my public service announcement to ya ladies! Acai by itself is a wonderful berry. You can buy Acai at any health food store, or get it frozen to make smoothies with. It comes in a sorbet form. Try that instead. =)

I hope everyone is well! I no longer check my myspace much, it is easier to reach me through the original blog at kellykrings.com.