Beginning

Born in a midwestern state in 1970, I was the second of three children. There would be two girls and a boy. My mom stayed at home and my father worked as a police officer and an MP in the Air National Guard. We lived in a small house, three bedrooms and one bathroom, until I was 11. At that time my mother became a police officer and we moved to where she is today. My father was extremely strict and the disciplinarian in the family. Mom did what Mom's did then.

Doing what we were told was required, not an option. So much so I remember being afraid of my father. Afraid to the point that I opted to be with my Mom most of the time. I still don’t understand exactly why that was. We (the kids) were never beaten by him. Never mistreated. I sometimes think it was the whole package that scared me. A typical police officer, he was a strong, rough man. Daily he witnessed things that he never wanted us to experience. After having my own children, I believe fear came out in his parenting. He wanted to protect us from everything. So unless he could, we weren't allowed to do anything.

A redheaded overweight child, I had my share of issues and ridicule. Additionally, A’s were the only acceptable letter grade, so I learned about stress at an early age. In fact, headaches started in kindergarten. The self induced stress continued throughout my high school years. Although good at making friends and involved in extracurricular activities, I never learned how to be confident in myself. Studying and getting good grades continued to be my only focus.. until my job.

I got a job, with the help of my father, when I was sixteen. Working was my escape. At work I was my own person. As long as I was working, there was no restrictions at home. Like everything else I had to be perfect at it. And I was. The rest of high school I worked, most of the time 40 hours a week. I loved the feeling of accomplishment I got from working. I loved feeling like I was helping people. I would go on to work not one job, but at many times two and three jobs at one time. While taking college classes, I'd waitress, sell jewelry at a local jeweler and work at the local race track. I bought my first house at age 23. At 26 I owned a jewelry business with a friend and at 27 was on my way to having two houses. I was definitely a worker, after all, my Dad had always worked more than one job. Once my mother joined the police force, she did as well. I think this is when I knew "work" would always drive my life.