The Texas Rode's visit the Tennessee Rode's

This summer we had a few people come visit us from Texas. It was the talk of the house for weeks leading up to Reagan coming to visit. Josh, Janna and Reagan came for nearly a week to Tennessee to check out the Smoky Mountains, East Tennessee, visit us and lots more. The first weekend they were in town, we stayed with them in their cabin in Gatlinburg. We managed to get the kids through the Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg, the Knoxville Zoo and a trip to Chuy's for some yummy Tex-Mex.

Super creepy looking shark above our heads

Trying to get 3 small children to take a picture together and all look and smile at the same time is nearly impossible.

Taryne must always get a map at the zoo.

Later in the week, we had them over for a "play date" and dinner. Taryne and Hayden were so excited to visit with their cousin.

Just Frustrated...

When I woke up this morning, this article was in my newsfeed on Facebook. I still can't understand why people are okay with this. I guess they just don't realize what is actually happening and how these things keep getting approved. Well, I know how this is getting approved...big Ag companies are giving millions of dollars and putting their former employees in the EPA, FDA, USDA and other offices and these people are pretty much making it happen without true independent research.

It is so frustrating because in the months since we switched to non-GMO and organic, we feel completely different and while we realize nothing will ever be completely chemical free, we can reduce our exposure and intake by purchasing non-GMO and organic foods. I guess I still just don't understand how so many other countries in the world ban GMOs and other food additives or at least require a warning label, but not in the US.

The amount of pesticides/herbicides has increased dramatically after the initial decrease after GMOs were first introduced. And now we have added another plant with an additional resistance and to a chemical that is actually worse than Roundup. Really? I for one am extremely frustrated with this country's handling of things when it comes to our health, wellness and even the environment. We simply do not care. And we wonder why obesity, diabetes, cancer and so many other ailments are higher in the US than most other developed countries. Our Western diet along with so many other things are contributing it and we only want to treat the symptoms and not fix the problem.

Okay, soapbox rant over! :)

Officially ABD

You are probably wondering what the heck "ABD" is, right? Well that s my new "title" along with Ph.D. Candidate. I have officially passed my proposal defense (the meeting where I present my idea, research questions, method). I have "promoted" to Ph.D. Candidate from Ph.D. Student.

So, ABD means "all but dissertation". All coursework for the doctor of philosophy degree has been completed, I have passed my comprehensive exams and everyone on my committee believes I am ready (and prepared) to move on to the data collection phase. I want to thank you (those few that read this) for your patience and understanding with my lack of posts over the last 2 years. It has been very stressful and the time is often not there to even take 5 minutes to write down ideas or share pictures.

Currently I am working to finalize my survey (I chose survey over interviews because I have no desire to transcribe hours upon hours of recorded interviews and then code them and find meanings) and submit it for IRB (Institutional Review Board) approval. Once approved, I am cleared to collect data for my dissertation.

In case you are wondering, my dissertation is over what motivations people have to attend college football games with an RV. My research areas are in sport tourism, marketing and intercollegiate athletics. There is very little information out there on "who" the people are that travel to college sporting events with an RV. So to collect data, I will be doing paper and pencil surveys to those in the RV parking designated areas on college campuses on game weekends. Yes, I will be coming to TAMU and I am so excited to see Kyle Field in person. (squeal!!)

If all goes well, I will have collected all my data by end of October or the beginning of November at the very latest. I will then only have chapters 4 and 5 left to write and should have that completed sometime in December. The goal is to defend my dissertation in late February but no later than the first week of March. Once I defend (and my committee tells me I passed, which happens the same day as the defense) then I am a "Dr." but will not actually graduate until May.

So that is basically my next few months in a nutshell. Anyone want to come to Knoxville and help me? :)

While I have completed and "checked-off" so many things, I still have a lot to do.