(and probably then some...) 
fourty nine years ago. I was the second of two daughters born to my parents, the other being my sister, Debbie, who was hoping for a new kitty instead of a smelly, little sister. (teeheehee) I live in Belding, Michigan, where I have spent most of my life. It's a quiet little town (pop. 6000+), about two hours from Detroit. The people here are warm and friendly, and it has been a great place to grow up... (I'm not there yet) I went through elementary and high school, then off for a year's stint at Hillsdale College. VietNam was raging at the time, and I had been writing to a career soldier stationed there... He came home and we fell madly in love. We were married a year and a half later. After ten years in an abusive marriage, I finally realized that, sometimes, loving somebody isn't enough and I came back home to my family. That was almost 20 years ago... After awhile, I decided I didn't like my life and decided to do something about it. My life lacked the laughter of children, and since I wasn't able to have any... I decided to go back to school and get my degree in teaching. I worked full time and went to school nights, but in January, 1990, I graduated cum laude from Grand Valley State University with a BA in Language Arts and a minor in Elementary Education. I couldn't have done it without the support of my wonderful family... They were so proud of me! My sister, Deb, even gave me a trip to Egypt as a graduation gift!! Believe me, it doesn't get much better than that! A year later I began teaching third grade at Orchard Hills Elementary School, where I've been ever since. It's a GREAT place to work! Full of teachers that really care and wonderful students, too. I have also taught Middle Elementary School in the summer Bilingual/Migrant Program. In 1997, I hosted an exchange teacher from Mexico for the summer. That fall, I participated in the Binational Exchange Program, Mexico/USA and spent three weeks observing and teaching in both urban and rural schools in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, a beautiful city nestled in the Sierra Madres. My host family and the friends I made there will remain forever in my heart not only as good people, but as excellent ambassadors of their country. !En mi corazon, soy Potosina! Gracias a mis amigos y mi familia y espero que puedo volver algun dia. !Les adoro! In March of 2002, I was driving home after watching a movie at the theatre in my neighboring town. During the movie an enormous ice storm had been brewing and on my way home, my car hit a patch of "black ice", crossed the center line, and in an instant, my life was forever changed. The initial impact broke a couple of ribs and gave me a lot of abdominal bleeding, but the subsequent sideways lunging of the car after the impact was far worse-- it tore half my abdominal wall away from my pelvis, leaving me with an emormous and seemingly inoperable hernia. After about six months, lots of tears, and a lot of exercise and help, I was finally able to return to work. I can't walk for long distances or do any prolonged standing on my feet, so I mostly teach out of a wheelchair.... but by gosh, I am alive! I guess God's not done with me yet! Well, that about takes care of my birth, marital status, educational background, career and health status. So, I suppose I should tell you about my interests... I adore traveling. I have visited most of the countries in Europe; the three summers my sister and I went there as teenagers were among the best times of my life. I've gone on four cruises: twice to the Bahamas, the third was to San Juan, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Dominica, Barbados, and Martinique. The last one was this spring break! I went to Cozumel, Mexico, Grand Cayman, and Ocho Rios, Jamaica. It was hard for me, but I did it! I even swam with the stingrays! I've been to Japan, Canada, Mexico, and as I mentioned earlier, Egypt. I've been to Jamaica four times now and Negril is one of my favorite spring break get-aways. Two summers ago I spent a wonderful vacation in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. I speak some Spanish, a little German, a tiny bit of French, a few phrases of Arabic, Urdu, Japanese, and can even sing a song in Irani. So if I ever want to sing to an Iranian, about something totally useless--I'm good to go! I love movies...especially the "oldies": like "Inherit The Wind", "Miracle In The Rain", "Backstreet","Madame X","An Affair To Remember", and almost anything with Bette Davis, Spencer Tracy or Katherine Hepburn. But I also love the QUALITY new stuff. I adore music! (It gives me such joy!) I like almost anything but opera, which just grates on my ears. (Sorry to all you opera fans...) I play the piano (like a fumbling child), and the autoharp, (even worse), but my chosen instruments are: the CD player, the cassette player, the radio, and occasionally, the phonograph. (all of which I play rather well...) I love to read, play cards, and chat with my friends. I enjoy writing poetry, short personal narratives, e-mails to my friends and even research papers! I love to laugh and eat and have fun too! Now, follow me to my Photo Album... But first...please sign my guestbook if you haven't already. 
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