About Me!

BLAAAHHHg Post #1

To really get this blog thing rolling, a brief introduction seems appropriate—the interesting and the not so interesting.

Born and halfway raised in Northern Utah, I had a pleasant and happy childhood. I wanted to be famous. Rockstar sounded like a good plan to me. By third grade, Madonna, in all her pointy-boobed glory, reigned supreme, and I wanted to be as sexy, sassy, and famous as she. Actually, the pointy bra didn’t make an appearance for a few more years. Either way, my mom was not nearly as impressed. However, I did have a penchant for music, so I did see stardom as a possibility. Playing the piano complimented my constant desire to sing. The problem: I’d rather chew glass than sing a solo. But somehow, rockstar still floated ahead into the future. 

My family moved to the Denver area, where I discovered the choral program. My high school choir teacher influenced and helped to expand my knowledge of music, often taking me under his wing to learn what I needed in preparation for college.

The Metropolitan State College of Denver (now a university) let me into their music program. There, I received my BA in Music Education, Choral Emphasis. Rockstar had fizzled out by then, but that was okay. In the choir, solos weren’t mandatory, but I could still foster my love of music while singing my heart out. Senior year, I had my first taste of directing a choir. Yeah…it was awesome. To bring music to life without a word, my body, arms, and hands commanding the voices in front of me, filled my soul with satisfaction and power I had never before experienced. Beauty beyond measure.

Madonna was still a presence in the ‘90s, but her influence had taken a backseat to real life. Having discovered much about myself during the college years, rockstar just wasn’t for me; too many lessons learned concerning human nature and solos still made me want to throw up.

During that time, the best part of my life showed up, hung out with me a lot, and asked me to marry him. Twenty-five years and four children later, we are stronger than ever. Our children are all adults now. Like a sneaky thief, time stole away the years. Most days, I’m okay with that. Other days, reality leaves a raw and helpless pain, doubling me over with grief.

But most days, I’m okay.

I never taught in the public schools. My firstborn celebrated his first birthday the day I graduated from college. I had decided to be a full-time mother. It’s a choice I have never regretted. By the time our third baby made her appearance, people from church and other acquaintances wanted me to teach their children how to play the piano. So wrapped up in motherhood, I jumped at the idea. I needed an outlet that encouraged me to pull away from snotty noses and food prep for just an hour a day to be my own person. After lessons, the hugs and sweetness of my children sucked me back in, but I was a better mom because my main profession didn’t completely define who I was. Still teaching today, my studio is 30 students strong. BEST. JOB. EVER.

Writing became a hobby during my first born’s second year of life. I loved reading and the time between naps and feedings was plentiful, so why not try writing something I’d love to read? Could I stretch my brain and write a historical/romance/mystery? Imitating some of my old favorites, Victoria Holt and Phyllis A. Whitney, a book in the roughest form of a draft emerged from my mind. MY mind! I did it! Years and a few manuscripts with a bazillion drafts later, self-publishing seemed the way to go.

And now the segway to the present. Exciting new things are floating on the future horizon: my son’s wedding, one daughter’s graduation from film school, an internship for daughter number 2, planning for the future with daughter number 3, travel and other plans with the love of my life, the release of my first book, going back to school to earn my master’s in Piano Performance.

God has held my family and me in the palm of His hand, always protecting and blessing us. Life has had many ups and downs, but He refines and has never left us to fend for ourselves.

---