Ten Things You (Maybe) Didn't Know

Hello! I've told you a lot about my writing, but not much about me. So, let's get to know me.

Here are 10 things you (maybe) didn't know about me.

Ten: I live in Michigan.

I haven't always lived in Michigan, but I do currently. I've actually lived in five different cities in Michigan throughout my life. I've also lived in Indiana, West Virginia, and California.

Nine: I work with children and families.

I knew at a young age I wanted to work with children. A practically raised my youngest sister and started babysitting as soon as I was able to. In High School we had to take home one of those simulation baby dolls. I took mine for the weekend and when I returned it, I asked if I could have it again. (The teacher was a tad concerned it didn't have the effect it was supposed to). I worked in a daycare while in college and worked with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. When I came to Michigan I began working in a preschool classroom and did that for eleven more years. I also worked summers with children between 2 grade and high school. Currently I work as an RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) in an autism clinic.

I also enjoy teaching and because of this I teach several different things to families. Including Conscious Discipline (a parenting class), Lively Letters (a language program), Baby Sign Language, A.C.E.'s training, and a trauma informed class. If I find a topic that I enjoy, I want to share it with others, which means I end up with a lot of skills under my belt.

Eight: I married a man I met online.

So when I was in high school I was fairly active in online chat rooms. I met one of my best friends that way. This is also how I met my husband. I was looking for people to help me with my project, CALNVAK (see past blog for more details) and I came across his username which was Vampiregod. I thought it was funny and I messaged him and informed him that he might be a God, but he really should worship me.

This lead to an on again/off again relationship that lead to me running away from home (at 18) and moving to West Virginia to live with him. Couple years later, we got married. To this day we have been together for twenty-four years and married for almost eighteen.

Seven: I have two children.

When my husband and I got married we discussed having two children of our own and then fostering when they were older. So far, we have had the two children but we haven't yet started fostering.

Our first child, Elaine, is now eighteen and in college. Our second, Cassandra, is only ten and in fourth grade, though she acts much older.

Six: I have three cats (and a turtle) - plus a bird.

Growing up I have always had pets. Most of my childhood I had dogs and then when I moved in with my boyfriend (now husband) his family had cats. Now we have three cats, a turtle and my daughter's bird.

Writing Partner - Sophia

Sabrina

C.C.

Zara

Mika

Five: I have my Bachelor's Degree (finally).

I started college right out of high school. I went a week then dropped out. I returned a few years later and finished my Associates Degree while I lived in West Virginia. While in West Virginia I gave birth to my first child. When she was two I moved back to Michigan.

Once here I started college for my Bachelor's degree.

I was nearly done with my degree when there was a problem with the college. So I transferred to another college and thus... added time to my degree. I went a couple semesters before finding out I was pregnant with my second child.

I'd done the, pregnant, work, school thing before and it was a lot, so I left with a couple semesters to go.

Fast forward nearly ten years later... and I returned to school and finished my Bachelor's in December 2025. I might continue onto my Master's, but for now I am just celebrating my finished Bachelor's.

Four: I was in color guard.

My siblings were the sports kind of people. Basketball, Football, ect. But I did play volleyball briefly and I was in color guard. I loved twirling the flag and marching to the beat. I wasn't in it long and I know some movements still, but I didn't retain much of it past that. I do wish I would have had a chance to work one it longer.

Three: I play the flute.

Along with volleyball and brief color guard, I was in band and chorus. Band was longer. I played the flute. I loved it and won second in a competition once. I have the flute still and keep saying I'm going to clean it and start to play again, but life never seems to give me time. I stopped shortly after I was put into marching band because I didn't like trying to keep up with movement, playing, and focusing on the song piece. It was too much at once. (Says the person who now needs to multiple task at everything).

Two: I was in modeling.

On top of volleyball, color guard, band, and chorus. I was also in drama (another story there) and I did modeling. Keep in mind these weren't all at the same time. (I also did Girl Scouts growing up if we're adding activities). But in high school, I went with a friend to a modeling school for several months. It wasn't horrible, but considering I'm really not a "girly girl" it wasn't for me. There is a lot of pressure in modeling and so much damn drama.

One: I was born in North Pole.

Yup. I know Santa. (I really do... I have the pictures to prove it). But my birth certificate states I was born in North Pole, Alaska. For those of you who know much about Alaska... North Pole is a small city near Fairbanks. So depending on what certificate you look at, it'll read North Pole, or it'll read Fairbanks. I didn't live there long after I was born, and I'd love to go back one day, but yup... I was born in the cold snowy state of Alaska during 17 hours of daylight and mid-50s weather.

What interesting fact did you learn about? Let me know in the comments below, and let me know something about you!