Laura Rosen:  

I am married (husband #2, 14 yrs. together, married 7 in Oct. '09) & living in E. Central, IL, in the middle of "corn/bean fields". My husband & I have a 3.2 acre farmette on the out-skirts of a small farm community-Cissna Park (pop. 850). We don't own any farm property, but love it in the country. We have been here for 3 yrs. (in Nov.'09) Previously we lived for 6 yrs. in Aurora, IL & prior was 4 yrs. in Lisle, IL. (no more moving!-LOL) No "human" kids, as I have the 4-legged kind (they give unconditional love even if I scold them & they don't give attitude & they don't want to drive my car, pierce their body or run away with a strange person (LOL). We have 12 dogs (yes, 12 & no I am not a breeder & they are all spayed/neutered now). 10 of them are Shelties (8 are a family-mom, dad & 6 kids from 2-litters-not planned), 1 Chocolate Lab that thinks he's a Sheltie (he was dumped on us when he was a puppy 2 yrs. ago & a Tan Dachshund (9 yrs. old) that thinks she's a Lab-LOL! (adopted her from a family member 2 yrs. ago) My oldest sheltie (13 yrs.) has recently been diagnosed with cancer, so I am trying herbal & homeopathic methods to add to her life & comfort level as much as possible. I also have a diabetic cat (in remission at the present time) & he is 17+ yrs. old & 4 pet rabbits (3 are a family-mom, dad & daughter in their 3 story condo cage-also spayed/neutered) & the single guy just hangs out by himself in his condo cage. Anyone who knows me says I should have been a veterinarian, but I just love my animals & they are wonderful & a joy in my life. I work with my husband out of our home-office doing asstd. Administrative work (computer), as he is an Advertising/Marketing Consultant for Extra Value, Buy Low & Armanetti Liquor stores, along with being an Adjunct Professor at Roosevelt University (Chicago)-(yes, he drives back & forth 2,1/2 hrs. one way when he teaches, usually 1 semester each year-in the Hospitality Dept.), as well as being an Executive Director/Legislative Liaison for the Beverage Retailers Alliance of Illinois Association. He is also on the Board of Directors for the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. He is very active in the Alcohol Beverage Industry keeping up with the latest legislation, etc., (& he goes to Springfield when necessary) & I am his left & right arm in the office. He was previously involved for many years with the Illinois State Crime Commission & we organized & coordinated the Annual Awards Dinner for them (25+ honorees each year), but since we moved that is no longer part of our work. I am basically the one who tends to the house & property (mowing, landscaping, pooper-scooping (LOL), etc. along with running the house (cooking, cleaning, laundry) all the while taking care of the dogs, cat & bunnies as needed (lots of running up & down the stairs from the home-office letting the dogs out-LOL). I am 2nd Vice President for the Cissna Park American Legion Women's Auxiliary, which I am very proud of & do what I can to support the Vets & our community (volunteering, baking, serving, etc.) I also submit monthly articles to the local newspaper updating the community on our Auxiliary meetings & I really enjoy that as well, since I always liked to write in the Bloom school newspaper. I have written several articles personally in our local paper that many people have complimented me on also, so I feel like a reporter again-LOL! I feel like I am living in Mayberry & found my little piece of heaven (just not crazy about the wind, as it gets pretty windy being out in ...Expand for more