I am constantly receiving Instant Messages, asking me for pics and stories about who I am. So, I figured, I'll create this site for a little fun, and also alleviate the problem of having to email the same pics and recite the same stories over and over. (HOW efficient I am, eh?) So here goes... remember, you all ask for it anyway. Nothing exciting; no heroes or heroines, no great battles to the death, certainly no Harlequin novel .... just ME.

I grew up first in central Wisconsin, then in Southern California where I still reside. Because of this I was lucky enough to experience both the simple country life, therefore deriving a deep appreciation and love for nature and life itself; as well as the city life, giving me the ability to learn about the hardships and practicalities of dealing with all types of people.

My childhood had its downfalls, but I was raised "right" by my mom, in my opinion. My mom's side of the family is generally very talented in the arts, and certainly musically inclined; my father's side of the family is also very musically inclined.... Hence, my deep love for music, as well as my desire to sing my heart out. That is what I do; for a living as well as for my therapy.... my escape from reality one might say. (Well, reality still slaps me in the face; maybe I should say my way to cope with reality!)

I've sung and performed most of my life. As a child and teenager, I sang in choirs and appeared in talent contests and the likes. I also had the lead in every musical my schools put on, from first grade till graduation, so I guess I can act a bit, too!

I quit singing in public when I was fifteen years old; upon discovering that I was pregnant. See, in 1986/1987 (my first pregnancy duration), teenage motherhood wasn't as acceptable as it is now, and I just up and quit singing. A pity really; not only was music my life emotionally, but I also had a doting mentor.... who had "connections" as we musicians say, wanted to take me under her wing, and prepare me for flight. However, she was like a second mother to me, and her approval meant the world to me. I didn't trust her enough to continue believing in me if I revealed to her that I was about to become a teenage mother.... so, I lied to her, told her I was going off to live with my dad for a while when in reality I was switching to a school that had a program called T.A.P. (TeenAge Parenting). I look back now and kick myself in the ass, knowing, as an adult, that she not only would not have judged me, but she would have pushed me to continue singing and pursuing my musical career. (I'll never know "what could have been" had I continued with my musical endeavor at that point in my life.... however, "what if's" just don't count in this world, and I wouldn't trade a moment of my life, good or bad, as I can't imagine what kind of person I would be now if I had continued living a sheltered life. All I know is the saying "That which doesn't kill us only makes us stronger" rings true.... at least, in my life!)

My friend Tom put a stop to my public singing drought nearly ten years later, about two months before I turned twenty-five; he practically bullied me into singing in front of a karaoke audience.... I never knew a person could shake and tremble as much as I did that night; I was terrified! My first band was formed at his insistence. He is extremely talented, and has a country band of his own, called Curtis & Crosby, that is currently creating a CD, performs all over Southern California as wel. Although Tom and I have our own musical projects, he still writes for/with me sometimes to this day, and we still get together to perform side by side when we have the mutual time. As a matter of fact, I am preparing to (finally!!!) create my own demo CD, and most of the musicians working on my CD will be the musicians in Tom's band. (I do some musical writing of my own too, but what he writes for me truly suits me; when one knows another inside and out, it's easy to write a song that suits them perfectly!) Tom is indespensible; as a friend as well as a musical colleague.

Honestly, there isn't too much to say about me. I was obviously a young mother; sixteen when I had my first son, and nineteen when I had my second. I was married when I was eighteen, and separated at the age of twenty. As I said earlier, that which doesn't kill us only makes us stronger.... and I'll tell you, being on my own with one-and-four-year-old boys when I was only twenty, myself, didn't kill me, so of course it made me stronger!

Now, at the age of thirty (this is November of 2001 as I update this particular page), I am finally going back to college, majoring in Computer IT (Information Technology). Ha, I did it all backwards, didn't I? Had children when I was a child, got married at the age of 18, separated at the age of 20 and divorced not long after, and now I'm doing the teenage thing and going to college! Oh well, at least I'm doing something with my life... I'm finally deciding what I want to be when I grow up!!! <wink and grin>

As far as what I enjoy doing....

I also love driving to the mountains with my Rottie to go hiking. Taking my guitar to the mountains or the beach is both relaxing and exhilerating. I am an extremely outgoing, social person, and I absolutely love going out with friends. Honestly, although "classy" places are very nice, I have to admit that I prefer little "dives" where I can walk in wearing old jeans OR a sexy little dress, according to my mood.

I'm not really out to please other people. The saying that you can't please them all is certainly the truth, so I tend to live my life for myself. Not that I don't care about others' feelings; that couldn't be further from the truth!!! I've just found that in working on my own inner peace and happiness, I ultimately have the ability to attract people into my life that I have common interests with; people with whom I can truly have a connection. And, because of that, I don't HAVE to try to please them, nor do they need to try to impress me. We simply live our lives together.... we laugh, and love, and are pleased simply by being in each other's company. Who could ask for anything more?!?!?

I've never been accused of being a boring person.... at least, not to my face! I just haven't led the exciting life of immense travel and adventure that many people hope to hear about a person. I don't live out a soap opera or a feature film.

I'm just ME.