"The circus is a jealous wench. Indeed that is an understatement. She is a ravening hag who sucks your vitality as a vampire drinks blood – who kills the brightest stars in her crown and will allow no private life for those who serve her; wrecking their homes, ruining their bodies, and destroying the happiness of their loved ones by her insatiable demands. She is all of these things, and yet, I love her as I love nothing else on earth."

My new blog: http://kateszoolife.blogspot.com/

My Last Post As A Carnie

Well folks, I have survived the circus an entire year and I am soooooooo happy to announce that the Nashville Zoo has hired me as a zookeeper. It has been such an interesting journey since I first moved onto the train last June and I hope everyone has enjoyed keeping up with me. Because of high demand I will start a new blog when work starts up again- I will let everyone know the title so you can find it.

Love,

me

The Healing Continues

The thumb is healing well. The bloody mess is finally over with and now it is healed over with only my scar showing. It is still incredibly sensitive which limits my ability to really do anything with it. I am finally able to pick up a glass of water....it hurts, but at least I can do it. I went to the doctor last Friday and meet with people in the next few weeks to get a fake thumb and to schedule a surgery to improve the function of what I have left of the thumb. They basically will go in and cut the webbing between my thumb and forefinger. That will give me more depth there which will make it easier to grab a hold of things.

Life is still relaxing at home. I went to Mizzou this weekend and got to see some old friends. I had a GREAT time!

As Requested

here is an update:

i have been going to physical therapy once a week. the nub is looking much better and the pain is gone as long as i dont accidently hit it on something. i still cant really hold things very well, but i imagine that will get better with time.

the animal walk was great. i was able to raise $915. we had good weather and a really fun time.

since i have been home i have had 2 places call me asking me for an interview- safari-like places in both winston, OR and glen rose, TX. i interviewed with TX yesterday and am hoping that one works out. it seems like a great place and i am ready for a change.

casey was here this past week and we had a blast. we went to a concert in mps, saw the twins beat the sox friday night, hung out with the fam, celebrated his birthday, went to the mall of america and rode a rollercoaster and went to the falls.

it has been 4 weeks since the accident. hard to believe!

Thumb Update

i'm not sure if people are still checking this- but i figured i would give an update as to how i'm doing. circus flew me home last friday. i have been enjoying my time sleeping late, walking my dogs, watching tv, and doing whatever i please. i have been justifying eating ice cream for breakfast and watching tv for hours on end with the fact that my thumb was amputated :) i go to the doctor tomorrow to get stitches removed and hopefully get some idea as to how they next several weeks will go. i can't do a whole lot with my hand still. some things i can manage doing with just my fingers but i try to just leave it alone for the most part. my left hand muscles are still pretty weak and i'm hoping that in time i will build the strength up to what my right hand is...or i guess once used to be. the real challenge is going to start when i can "use" my hand/thumb (nub) but physically can't. i have no doubt that i will eventually get used to it but i know it won't happen without frustration, tears, many cuss words and an endless amount of patience. well- i will keep everyone posted.

check out my website- i accepted the challenge to raise $1000 for the MN animal humane society 2008 walk for animals on may 3rd. make a donation if you can! i am at $270/$1000. not bad after only 1 day!

http://events.animalhumanesociety.org/site/TR/Walk/General?px=1179745&pg=personal&fr_id=1060&s_tafId=5172

Goodbye Right Thumb

Yes....i am an amputee. there was an accident on loadin on monday, a forklift smashed my right thumb and there was nothing the dr. could do to save it so he had to cut it off below the knuckle. crazy. i fly home tomorrow and will take my time healing and learning how to be a lefty. gotta pack up and say bye to the circus world for now.

DC w/ Mom

Hard to believe that my mom has already come and gone. She came to the show on Sunday and by pure coincidence won the Asia elephant painting. Sunday night we went out to eat with Kathy Crawford and I enjoyed a big bed, a bubble bath and TV at the wonderful hotel. I had to work for a few hours Monday morning but we spent the rest of the day wandering around Old Town Alexandria. I think that this is the most beautiful part of the country I have been so far. I love the houses, the buildings, the cobble stone sidewalks, everything. We had drinks with my friend Tricia and met up with my mom's work friends for dinner. Tuesday was explored DC. We went to the National Zoo where I finally got to see a panda bear for the first time ever. We went to the Jefferson memorial, FDR memorial, and the National Cathedral. We ordered food to go from the Cheesecake Factory and rented a movie at the hotel. The next morning was back to the circus. Ugh. She left yesterday evening and I have been doing my best to stay positive and remember all the good things I like about this place. We have a few more days here then off to WV.