The opportunity came in the form of a new job. And I just kind of fell into it! I became the new International Student Recruiter for a local university! And I absolutely loved it!!! The only downside to the job (if there was one) is that I had to travel ... a LOT! Which meant I had to sell my business ... just as it was really getting going. :) The best part about the job was that I got to travel ... a LOT! And I LOVED to travel! Unfortunately, at the end of my first semester there, I had to have surgery on my heel (a spur had gone through the back of my heel and attached itself to my Achilles tendon) which meant I had to be off work for 8-12 weeks. I knew that they wouldn't be able to hold that position for me that long, so unfortunately we had to part ways. But you know what they say. God has a plan, even when we can't see it. And that's how I wound up at Alexander's.

Alexander's is the largest funeral home and cemetery business in Evansville, and I've been a Family Service Counselor at the cemetery for 4 1/2 years now. Half the time, I work with families who have just lost a loved one and try to help them through probably the worst time in their lives. The other half of my time is spent trying to ensure that no one else ever has to walk into a funeral home unprepared and unknowledgeable, by selling prearranged funeral and cemetery packages. Of all the jobs, or "careers," I've had, this is by far the most fulfilling. It can be really tough at times, but it is always, always rewarding.

I've really had a lot of "varied" careers in my life. I moved back home in 1989, after being gone for about 20 years, so that I could once again be near my family ... the spiritual center of my life. Before I opened my business (a women's fitness center), I worked for a large retail chain for 13 years. For the first 10 years in public relations, and the last 3 as manager of our vision center. The optical business is a lot different from anything I've ever done before, so, as you can imagine, I learned something new every day! But apparently, I learned pretty well! In May of 2001, I took and PASSED the American Board of Opticianry exam (better known in the business as the ABO)!! So now, I'm an offical "Certified Optician!" Before that, I worked in university administration for 8 years after going back to college at the ripe old age of 28 and earning my bachelor's and master's degrees. Prior to that, I was a professional singer and I traveled with two bands -- The Reflections and Pizzazz, a group a friend and I put together!

I traveled over most of the country with the bands, but had never been outside the states ... until 2000! In March of 2000, my sister and her husband and I (and about 15 kids from her school!) spent 10 days in Paris and London!! It was unbelievable!! Especially Paris ... I could LIVE in Paris!! I strongly encourage anyone who hasn't been there to go! It's the most beautiful and wonderful place in the world!! And in March, 2001, we went to Italy, which was also unbelievably beautiful!! Janet and I decided we could also live in Sorrento or on the Isle of Capri. :-)) But, since Sorrento is just across the water from Capri, and MUCH less expensive, we're gonna shoot for that. :-)) As a matter of fact, I liked Sorrento SOOOOO much, I just bought a new car that will remind me of it every day! The new Kia Sorento!! Isn't she beautiful?!! They spelled the name wrong, but who cares? It's the thought that counts. :-)) Anyway, I'm becoming quite the world traveler. :-)) I hope to have some pictures posted here before long. :-)) But, those of you who know me well, know what a procrastinator I am ... so it'll probably be 2004 before I actually get that done. :-)) Now, on to more background on me.

In my spare time (which I don't have a LOT of!), I like to read (mostly mysteries, and poetry by wonderful poets like Javan and James Kavanaugh), watch old movies, play poker, swim, and walk -- both for exercise and with someone special. :-) I also love working all different kinds of puzzles, and ALL sports!! I even like to FISH! (That's an OLD picture of me with one of my "big" ones.) And I finally started taking golf lessons in 2001, after watching it on TV for years and wishing I could play like that! Unfortunately, I still can't play like that. :-( But I still LOVE it!!

I've also recently started a non-profit foundation to raise money for small-cell ovarian cancer research. For those of you that have been here before and have visited the page I did for my cousin, Michele (see links below), this is the outgrowth of that. Michele passed away in June of '99 at the age of 34 ... almost a year and a half after the original diagnosis of her cancer. It took me almost a year to figure out just what I could do to try to keep this from happening to other young women and their families, and I finally decided that information was the key. So I've built a web site to serve as a clearinghouse for all studies and research concerning small-cell ovarian cancer, and established the foundation to raise money to find a cure. So, if you have any information to give me, or if you need information to give someone else, please visit the site.