A Link To My Photos

http://s231.photobucket.com/albums/ee96/myrab51public/Wiki/JParker/

I'm 53, live in Louisiana with my husband, who is a rig manager for an oil drilling company, and our two Pugs, Sadie Mei and Sophie Linh. There are some photos of them with me on my photo page (see above link). We also have two boxers, Ben and Maddy.

I have a son, age 35, and a daughter, age 34, who has two sons, ages 3 and 10. I also have three step-daughters, one of whom has two sons, and another has one son. I have a twin sister, but not identical, and a sister two years my senior, and six younger brothers and sisters.

My favorite hobbies are cake decorating - wedding cakes and marzipan - (a sample of my work in the link above) and baking homemade bread (the old fashioned way, and not with a bread machine), and I love making homemade pastries.

I also enjoy movies (drama, suspense, thrillers). I also enjoy writing and photography. My favorite things to photograph are natural scenery (wildlife, nature, old homes, humming birds, etc.). I have some awesome photos of hummingbirds that I took while standing less than two feet from the feeder, and I even have a photo of them feeding while the feeder was in the palm of my hand. Imagine what a thrill it was for me when one of them actually landed on my wrist!

I majored in psychology in college, but am a "secret" math lover also. I earned my Real Estate Agent license and my Property & Casualty Insurance Agent license (homeowner and auto insurance) in the mid to late 1980's, while at the same time working full-time, attending college at night, and raising two children. I was certainly busy, but loved it.

After years in the banking, insurance and real estate business, I changed careers and went into office management in the medical profession. I have to say, all of the different areas of work I've been in have taught me a lot about so many different things, but most importantly, about people.

Things I can't tolerate are racism, bigotry, cruelty to animals, rudeness, snobbery, people who interrupt others, bragging, dishonesty, and television commercials that are stupid.

Things I love are learning, sunsets and sunrises, a good practical joke (I've pulled off some good ones, but also been the 'victim' of some good ones, too), being lazy on a rainy day, funny television commercials, the beach, snow (I guess a snowy beach would be ideal), sharing my love of God with others, and giving to people, especially those in need.

I have been so richly blessed, but I believe there is much more the to expression "Count your blessings"; blessings are also to be shared. Every Christmas, my husband and I give to a needy family, but we do it anonymously. We learn what their needs are, whether it's money for bills they can't pay, or food, clothing and toys for them and their children. We don't do this for those who just don't want to work, or those who foolishly squander their money. We help families that are needy due to reasons beyond their control, as in the case of a family where the husband/father had to have heart surgery and was not able to work for several months. Or, as in the situation of the young mother who had to flee her home with her children to escape an abusive husband. She and her children had to flee their home with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

I also sponsor a child in India, through Compassion International, which affords her the opportunity to go to school, get medical care, food, clothing, and the teachings of God, that she would otherwise not have.

I am a staunch supporter of animal rights; I am a Guardian Member of the ASPCA, and giving to animal shelters is another passion of mine. God gave man dominion over animals, not to harm or abuse them, but to care for them. So many people don't realize (and/or don't care) that animals have all of the same feelings, needs and emotions that people have, such as hunger, fear, love, pain, cold, joy, sadness, etc. When one takes on the responsibility of owning a pet, they also (should) take on all of the obligations that go along with being a pet owner by seeing to it that their pet has lots of love, proper food, water, shelter, medical care, etc. Few things make me as furious as seeing a poor dog left to live its life tied to a tree, and with no interaction from its "family". All they want is to be loved, just as we do, and they give so much more in return. Their loyalty and ability to forgive far surpasses that of most people.

Animals can teach us all so much, if only we would just pay attention to them. My dogs have certainly taught me so much over the years, especially patience, unconditional love, and that no one is perfect, but everyone is worth loving, and that everyone is 'somebody'. They also taught me (the hard way) that eating bird eggs gives them Salmonella poisoning! Fortunately antibiotics helped them recover from it, but now I always walk the lawn and check for fallen bird eggs after a spring storm.

As for my contributions to WikiAnswers, few of us know everything there is to know about a single thing, but many of us know a little about a lot of things. And if you have knowledge that someone else needs or wants, why not take the time to help them and share what you know.

My personal philosophy is "If you can't handle the truth, don't ask my opinion." So this is basically who I am, the things I believe in, and how I live my life.