One Week To Go...

I have so much blogging material floating around in my head, I can't keep it all straight. Things have been busy, busy, busy around The Homestead.

First, and foremost, and most importantly, I am quitting my job. Or rather, I already have, but my last day is next Friday. That's right, folks, one week to go.

It's very difficult for me to write about this, because, well, I really do love my job. In theory. But in reality, in execution, I hate it. My boss has worn my thin and I am about to my breaking point. And I don't want a job to break me, so I'm moving on.

I was offered a full-time position at the animal hospital I work (as a vet tech) and have decided to pursue that route. I've have been "teching" for 5 years, on and off, and the more time I spend away from it, or the less time I spend actually doing it, the more I miss it. The more I realize how much I LOVE it. That's it, I love teching.

I also recently learned that I can apply to take my Registered Veterinary Technicians licensing test, without having to go back to school. Since I have a bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Pre-Vet (my original plan was to go to Vet School) and I have loads of hours experience actually teching, all I have to do is turn in my application, get approved, and pass the test. IF all that pans out, and I do pass, I will be a RVT, basically a registered nurse for animals. I never, ever considered going the tech route because they don't make a whole lot for how hard they work, but if you love it, that's all that matters. This I have figured out.

So, starting April 5, I will have a different full-time job, and will be taking a significant pay cut. Which sucks, but its not the end of the world. We may not be able to put as much money into savings each month, and we may not be able to work on the house anymore, but the bills will still get paid. The upside is, if I do get licensed, I will get a significant pay increase, which will put me almost back to where I am now, and I will actually be enjoying my job!

The impending pay cut brings me to our in-progress yard project. Before our extra money runs out, Cowboy H wants to overhaul the yard. So, last weekend we started. We haven't finished yet, but hey, its a work in progress. I have taken lots of photos, I have fallen on my butt, and I have killed my lawn. You will be updated as soon as possible.

Another thing buzzing around in my head is my Photography Class. Our assignment for this week (given out last week) was to take Self-Portraits. But not any old self-portraits; these were self-portraits of WHAT WE ARE NOT. My fabulous friend Choleesa who has her own crazy world, upon hearing the assignment, turned to me and said, "Well, if there's one thing I'm NOT, its a cowgirl". So, last weekend we made her a cowgirl. And My Maria modeled along with her.

Since we are still in the film half of this class, I don't have immediate images of our little "photo shoot" but we did develop our film last night and ohmygoshtheyrockoutofthisworld!!!! Since they are Choleesa's photos (I just directed the shoot and took them) you will have to go to her world to check them out, once we get them developed, but DON'T MISS THEM. The butt shots are exceptional. And Maria looks pretty good, too. My self-portraits were not as exciting, but fun anyways. I was a "professional career woman", you know, pant suit, black pumps and briefcase. When we get them printed, I'll give you a peek.

Okay, I think that's enough words and not enough photos, but I haven't had time. I've taken them, just not processed and uploaded them yet. I promise they will be coming. Please don't stop loving me over this one long-winded post.

Oh, and lastly, the dogs dug their way out of their run last night. These two, I swear. The funny thing is once they got out, they couldn't get back in, so they were without food and water for who knows how long. Serves the little suckers right. All I can say is at least we're tearing out the backyard right now anyway! I guess they were just doing their fair share of the manual labor.

Yeah, that's it. They're such good little doggies they were just trying to help!

See ya on the other side (if you're still around)!

Broken Dreams

Well, okay, maybe that's being a little dramatic.

I finally received a call from the vet's office yesterday, and sadly, they are taking back a previous tech of theirs.

Bum.Mer.

Oh well, life goes on. I'll keep searching for other options and will keep my heart open to any opportunity.

In the meantime, at least I still have a job. As much as I hate it, I have it, which is a lot more than some people have right now.

And I've also got this guy.

Which is more than I could ever ask for.

Peek-A-Boo Tuesday: Ch-ch-ch-changes

Today, I am opening the door to my soul and sharing a little secret that just recently came to be.

Typically, I do not talk about my job on this blog. I have introduced you to what it is I do, but I haven't really spoken about it since then. Thing is, my job is taking its toll on me and I am ready for a change.

So, I put a resume in with an equine vet who is looking for a tech. And I crossed my fingers.

I'm still crossing my fingers, but I haven't given up hope.

I am so ready for a change.

I'll let you know the outcome, whatever it may be.

Why I Got to Go to Vegas

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to get to go to Vegas for five days, during the extra special time that is NFR and Cowboy Christmas. I have never attended either of these events and was really excited I was going to be there at the same time as them. But, it wasn't all fun and games for me.

Well, it was fun, but there were definitely no games involved.

Except for maybe the one about how to assemble the AV fastest...

Anyway, moving on. This is really why I went to Vegas:

Convention lighting is horrible.

The company I work for attends the Trade Show at the American Association of Equine Practioner's (AAEP) Annual Convention each year. As the tech support and product research/development girl, I get to go. That's our booth above. Let me highlight the sections for you.

The Electronic Equipment and New Product Section:

The Collection Section:

The Freezing, Evaluation and AI Sections:

See those lobster claw looking things in the middle of the table? Those are Scrotal Calipers. They make a GREAT stocking stuffer.

And my favorite, the Foaling Section:

We worked really long days, and our booth saw a lot of traffic, so we were on our feet all day each day. By the time 6:00 rolled around and they started shutting off lights in the convention room, we were beat. After indulging in some 5 star dining (truffled mac and cheese anyone?), it was all we could manage to get up to our rooms and pass out.

Cowboy H had a few days off work, so on my last day there, we got to shop around a bit.

Inside the beautiful Venetian.

I'll show what I got for Christmas, if he actually gives it to me! In the meantime, you can all take a guess. Maybe I'll send out another 8x10 if someone gets it right!

So, Mama H, What Do You Do?

Anyone have a less than common job? A job that requires you to chuckle, smile timidly, and say "Funny you should ask" or "Oh boy" or "Well, um, there's no short answer" whenever someone asks you about it? A job that you can't just describe in a few simple words? A job that the majority of the world would have no idea even existed?



No?



Oh.



Well, I do. And it makes meeting people for the first time slightly awkward. Especially if small talk is in order. And mingling. And alcohol. I always dread the inevitable question: "So, Mama H, what do you do?" And I smile. And I chuckle. And I look at Cowboy H. And I try to deflect.


"Oh, I sit at a desk."


"Yeah, I'm a research assistant."


"Um, for a company you've never heard of."


"Uh, well, its called, uh, Animal Reproduction Systems."


Now, unbeknown to them, my new acquaintances are going to hear about stallion penises, and mare vaginas (or artificial ones), and sperm counts, and semen extenders. All because they asked "So, Mama H, what do you do?" It started so innocently.

See, I work for Animal Reproduction Systems. We make all kinds of products, supplies, and equipment for large animal reproduction (i.e. artificial insemination programs for horses, cows, pics, etc.) We make semen collection devices (Artificial Vaginas, or AVs), sperm counters (Densimeters), semen extenders (E-Z Mixin and E-Z Freezin).

Explaining all this isn't really that bad for me, I can say penis without batting an eyelash, but for my new acquaintances, its rather embarrassing. And, if Cowboy H is nearby (and he usually is because he loves witnessing this conversation) it only gets worse. Because he has to bring this up:



"Hey, honey, tell them about the elephant, the elephant dick."



Sigh. I just love him.



My first major "project" at my job was developing an artificial vagina (AV) for the elephant breeding program at the San Diego Zoo. Here, take a look:


To give you some perspective, I am almost 6 feet tall. Which means the AV is more than 3 feet tall. Which means, well, elephant penises are about 3 feet long.


I bet those female elephants thank us each and every day.