Hi, I'm Heather
Welcome to my Home page!
For those of you who don't know anything about me, I am married to Ken, the love of my life and husband of 28 years. We have two sons Jared and Galen who are a constant source of amazement, pride and joy in our lives. Jared is deeply involved in all aspects of computers and Galen is a budding artist who has just graduated from High School. We also have a big, beautiful and incredibly loveable cat named Pumpkin, who we adore.

My life has changed pretty dramatically in the past half dozen years. I was content to be wife, mother to my two sons, caretaker of our home and my child daycare business. This should have been plenty for anyone but I began to feel that there could and should be even more in my life than that. I answered an ad in our local paper that was looking for singers for a Sweet Adeline Chorus (acapella 4-part harmony , Barbershop style), and after several weeks of classes and rehearsal I passed my audition and became a full fledged member of The Great Lakes Chorus of Sweet Adelines International. Being a Sweet Adeline has been the most rewarding and enriching thing to happen to me in my life besides my husband and sons. Growing up an only child, I had always wanted siblings but never dreamed that someday I would have 100 "sisters"! And they are truly that. Through good times and bad we are there to help, comfort and encourage each other. They are the best support system anyone could ever have. And the singing; don't forget the singing! Through my involvement with them I have had the opportunity to travel and perform for appreciative audiences locally and in numerous places in the U.S. and Canada. Our annual Regional Competition in the spring brings us together with other Sweet Adelines from our region for a long weekend of singing and camaraderie. The annual International Competition in the fall brings thousands together in a different locale every year to crown the World champion Quartet and Chorus. I had my first taste of "International" in November (1998) when we traveled to Nashville, Tennessee. It was truly a magical experience to see and hear the best in the world. Plus having quality time with my fellow Sweet Adelines, and enjoying that Southern hospitality and cuisine made it an event I'll never forget. I can't wait to get back down there to have some more of that "Barbecue"! Last year the chorus adventure was taking our show to the island of Bermuda. We were very well received on the island and by our fellow cruise ship passengers on board the Norwegian Majesty. This taste of international travel has us anxious to take the show on the road again soon. Maybe we'll be performing in your neighborhood! The best so far though was this past spring Great Lakes Chorus placed first in our Regional Competition in Grand Rapids and will be travelling back to Nashville next fall to appear and compete on the International stage!. Looks like my wish is going to come true after all. Winning those blue and gold medals was the best and I also got to take the stage for the first time as a quartet member - part of Hooked On Tonics. We didn't place so high but the audience just loved us and that applause was something I'll not soon forget. Being a Sweet Adeline is the absolute best!

To find out more about my chorus, click below to see our website!

My other "hobby" is Birding which Ken and I share with equal enthusiasm. A few years back we ordered a birding book from my son's magazine drive at school. In it we read about Point Pelee being a Hot Spot for birds in the spring and since we're only a short hour's drive from there we thought we'd check it out. Well, it turns out our Mother's Day visit was at the height of spring migration, and after adding about 20 new birds to our "never before seen" list, we were hooked. Since then we have picked up many of the birders "toys"- binoculars, scopes, tripods, new lenses for the camera, field guides, vests... need I go on? Now it's hard for me to get work done at home for looking out the window thinking there might be a new species in my yard! I have always been passionate about nature and the outdoors, having traveled with my parents in wilderness areas ever since I can remember. I have imparted this love to my daycare children as well. They each have their own pair of binoculars with which they regularly check out the yard for the latest sightings. We take hikes in our nearby woodland and nature center and they can all identify our local blue jays, robins, cardinals, sparrows, and woodpeckers, etc. It is very rewarding for me to see the children's love and interest in nature developing. When they'd rather pick up a field guide to birds, butterflies or insects over a children's book I think I must have done something right.
Right now Ken and I are anxiously awaiting another birding season and can't wait to put that elusive "life bird" on our list.

The newest joy in my life is what you're viewing right now, creating web pages. My new-found friend, Cari, has taught me the basic skills of web page design and sent me off from there. As in other creative endeavors of the past, I found I have a flair for it and have enjoyed seeing what I can put together. I've only just scratched the surface of what I can do and look forward to "spare time" to explore and expand into new areas of creativity. I hope you've enjoyed learning a bit about me.

Feel free to drop me a line anytime to chat. To e-mail me, click the pen and parchment below.
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