Toni McCannon:  

Life After high school, I attended Harford Community College for a year then finished my A.A. degree in Animal Health Technology at Essex Community College in Baltimore County. While working at a few veterinary clinics over the next 5 years or so, I discovered that that salaries paid to vet techs were never going to be enough to keep me in a style to which I could become accustomed. Nearly simultaneously, the first love of my life decided that I wasn't "the one" and married his other girlfriend who just happened to allow herself to get pregnant. Nice strategy. Having my father die about that same time from post-surgical complications didn't help matters too much. I moved on to bigger and better things by attending the University of Maryland, College Park from 1984 through 1986. During that time, I got my first federal government job with the Department of Agriculture but because the job was not a permanent appointment, I needed to move on eventually. After three years in private industry and a broken engagement to a naval officer (does anyone else see a pattern here?), I returned to the federal government in 1991, this time with my wits about me. I have been with Club Fed ever since. I have moved around a couple times, living in Prince George's, Montgomery, and now, Frederick County, Maryland. In the early days, I moved around to be close to school or to work. Sometimes, it was to get out of a bad housemate situation which was finally remedied when I got my own place in 1993. Oh, and in my copious spare time, I managed to complete a Master's degree in Technology Management in 1996. I now reside on an eight acre farmette and all is well. Except for the occassional wild creature that makes it into the house!!! That, as they say, keeps it interesting. My snake trapping skills are put to the test annually. Fortunately, they are the small, non-venomous types. Not sure what I'd do if I had to face down a 6 foot black snake. I hope walk away from a well-paying government job to run a small, home-based business from my farm in the very near future because the commute to Rockville, MD is becoming more brutal by the day. My proposed business is all about herbal products whether it be selling the herbs themselves, creating handcrafted herbal bath and body products, and running an herbal bed and breakfast farmstay. Throw in selling the eggs from my free range chickens. In 2006, I finally finished my horticulture certificate program at the USDA Graduate School which is partially responsible for my deep interest in all things herbal. I am also studying landscape design but don't know if I'll finish that certificate as some of the classes are pretty labor intensive. I've also taken some classes in Feng Shui, Tarot, and a few of the other metaphysical arts. They have been beneficial in helping me focus my energy and intention on various goals that I've had over the years. I have achieved much over the years and my disappointments have been few. I have never married and I have never had children which may or may not be surprising to anyone depending on who you are. Just me and the cats for now. Chickens are coming soon. Maybe even a dog. I have traveled around a bit. Mostly up and down the east coast (Myrtle Beach, Savannah, and requisite spring break in Florida). I've also been to Texas, Hawaii, and California. Not really int...Expand for more