MOTW - Aug 25 - Sep 3 2013 - Gail (Kueluck)

[kueluck]

Thanks, but I don't know about the deserving part.

[flybyferns]

Hi Gail,
This is way overdue for you
I'm looking forward to this . It's great !
Fondly, Lynn

[N3XU5]

Congratulations Gail. Everyone break the wine bottles. jk

[Jenste]

Monday, tell us all about you! We know you obviously like amphibians, but we want to know about the rest of your life. Details about you, your life, hobbies, families, past times, favorite colors, poems you have written etc etc....just use this post to brag/boast/bore us how you please.

[kueluck]

OK folks, I'm 53 years old so we got several years to cover. Grab your favorite drink, reading glasses and here we go.

I was born in Chilton WI 5-17-60. It's a farming community, so I'm really just a small town girl and like it that way. Big cities make my head hurt with all the noise and the masses of people, keep it simple is my way of life. As a kid I was a tom-boy, climbing trees, going up ladders then jumping off the garage roof, looking for critters of any kind as long as it had 4 legs or less, just playing in dirt and having a blast at it. As a young girl my Daddy (who passed away when I was 11) would take me trapping with him to gather the furs, go on trips to the swamp to find the good deer hunting sites, and fishing at the fair grounds and out on lake Winnebago. I LOVE a good fish fry in WI as long as it's fresh perch. MMMMMMM. And during the winter let’s not forget those wonderful weekends taking the snow mobiles out and riding the trails and zipping across the frozen lake.

As a teen things really didn't change much. Hiking, camping and looking for critters once again played a big part in my life. Short story, well maybe not so short. I must have been 13 or so, but I was riding my bike around town and saw some boys poking a stick at something. When I checked it out it was a rat. I biked home, got a box and “saved” the rat from the boys torture, while doing so one of the boys got bit. Served him right thought this 13 year old girl. Well I brought the rat home, which moved kinda slow and didn't really look all that healthy, but what does a 13 year old know. So I let it go under the house. Well the next thing you know is there's a cop at the house cause the boy ratted, get it, “ratted” on me about being bit and me bringing the rat home. Let’s just say that back in the day parents didn't have “time out”, corporal punishment was put into place. Lesson learned, next time someone gets bit by my rescue, eliminate the one who's doing the torturous act.

OK, so at 16 I started to date in high school and married my high school sweetheart when I was 19. LOL Now that was a big mistake, but after 6 years of marriage (if you can call it that) I woke up and declared that I will not tolerate the abuse and got out, and get out I did. After the divorce I went shopping, saw a really cute outfit on a poster. The poster was at the United States Navy recruiting office. Why not? I'm single, no ties, what have I got to lose.

Age 25 I joined the USN and loved it!! Something I recommend every one, and I mean everyone should do. Finish high school, then join the armed services, then if you choose college so be it or continue to serve in the greatest military in the world. While serving in Alaska on a small island called Adak (closer to Russia than US soil) I met my soul-mate TJ. We did 3.5 years in Alaska,(I got out after 4 years since our rates conflicted and I didn't want to be seperated),then a few more years in Washington State. Our government decided to do away with his job (he was a WT Weapons Technician) and at that point there was nothing else he wanted to do. So we took the money and moved to NC (his home state). Back then we loved going to the State Parks in WA. This state is so beautiful and we miss it bunches. Especially when it gets over 90 degrees here in NC. I hate hot weather.

As of today, I still love the outdoors, hiking, kayaking, working in the yard, camping & looking for critters. Building snake cages, and putting together vivs give me great pleasure. I also enjoy a glass of wine now and then, and my favorite is Native Vine in Lexington NC, also enjoy the Slightly Askewed in Elkin NC. I love comedy movies & love to laugh. That’s why I married TJ, he makes me laugh a lot. Sometimes without even trying. I'm going on 26 years with the same wonderful man I met in Alaska, and if I could clone him, I would be a multimillionaire. He's IS the perfect husband. I’m also going on 15 years of employment with a promotional products company as their credit manager. The owner calls me the bulldog because I don't back down to those who slack in paying their invoices. He once heard me say “I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of your wife...........but when can I expect payment on this invoice”. Some may say this is cold-hearted, but it's my job and I plan on keeping it.

I'm not a big socializer, my friends are few and I can count them on one hand, but they are for life. My BFF is my husband TJ and I wish more wives could say the same thing. My friend and neighbor is crazy. Certifiable? Maybe, but she's a real hoot to be with & it's nice having a friend live right next door tat shares the same love of critters.
Life accomplishments? Noble Peace-prize. NOT. Published writings. NOPE. Recorded music or video. Does YouTube count? But, I have served my country and stand behind all the rights of the Constitution, I support Christian organizations, have not received a parking ticket, moving violation or been in jail, I get along with family and in-laws, and love myself so others can also.

And the most important thing is my life is Jesus Christ. He is my Lord and Savior and if you don't know him, you REALLY should check Him out. We have been to Haiti for missions and helped with Operation Blessings after Katrina hit in LA, and seeing the things my Savior can do is amazing.

[Mentat]

Thanks for sharing your story and having served in the USN Gail ! Got couple laughs reading about the rat, parking tickets, and certifiable neighbor !

[Jenste]

Tuesday, tell us about your amphibians. How you came to keep them, mistakes/learning curves, species kept, breedings, how you found Frog Forum etc....we heard enough about you on Monday, let us hear about them frogs!

[kueluck]

Happy you got a few laughs outta this. To much sadness & anger in the world. Make one person laugh a day to make it a successful one.

Thanks for sharing your story and having served in the USN Gail ! Got couple laughs reading about the rat, parking tickets, and certifiable neighbor !