My Life in Pictures

I don't currently have a newborn pic of me, but I was born April 15 (Tax Day!), 1975.

Oh, the tragedies that occurred on that day: the Titanic sank (1912), Lincoln was shot (1865), Civil War officially began (1861).

I share a birthday with Leonardo da Vinci (1942) and Adolf Hitler (1889).

Rhythmic movement always puts me to sleep.

I love to dig and play in the dirt so much that maybe I should've pursued a career in archaeology.

The stuffed bunny is Alfie; he now sleeps with my 3 year old daughter. Too cool.


This is a bittersweet photo; my brother, on the far right, passed away in 1997 at the age of 29; 2 of my cousins pictured, sisters, also passed away within a week of each other a few years ago in their thirties.

I loved to read - and still do!

This outfit was made by my mother to match the outfit on the 3 foot Raggedy Ann doll she also made.

Um, boyish. I was quite the tomboy. I LOVED to climb trees. That reminds me, no reason I can't do that now...

I think the whole family was sick for our portraits. But I managed a smile. :)

I liked Math.

I was a gymnast from age 4 to 18. I cried beginning my first class (I always cried at firsts - and I still get kinda stressed...), but I didn't want to leave by the end. I competed in high school. And I got injured a lot. I have turned to yoga to maintain flexibility and strength in a gentler way.

Sadly, it has been cut down.

Oh, man. The perm years. My husband calls this the graveyard picture.

Apparently, I also had a thing for sweaters...

... and turtlenecks.

Yeah, we were dorks. So?

West Side's graduation was held at the Eastern States Exposition fair grounds.

Jim was a year ahead, so already in college.

Valley of Fire in Nevada outside of Vegas. What a trip!

the full story

more about our wedding

We stayed at the Xpu Ha resort in the Mayan Riviera - 2 hours south of Cancun, Mexico. In July. H-O-T

This pic is in the blazing mid afternoon sun of Tulum.


Ask my husband about the coco frio...

the full story

I got to dress up as Catwoman one Halloween - a goal. :)

There was no sitting down that night.

This was only 7 months... Syna was a big baby - 10 lbs 4 oz.

more about Syna

1. I believe "brevity is the soul of wit;" or so I say because I am lazy.

2. I (and my husband) have been a vegetarian since my brother died of cancer in '97. I lost 10 pounds by just giving up milk. Since, there have been stints of raw foodism, veganism and some fish eating. I don't purchase products containing animal products or that have been tested on animals. This includes donating only to humane charities. My 5 year old daughter is a lifelong vegetarian. :)

3. Even though my physical practice is less than consistent, I try to live a yogic way of life.

4. I love numbers and often only pick "random" numbers that are powers of 2. I consider myself a Math dork.

5. I said I would never get married. I was engaged to my high school sweetheart on 02.20.02.

6. I said I would never have kids. My daughter was born 02.04.06.

7. I said I could never be a teacher. Teaching high school Math was one of my most fulfilling jobs.

8. I said I could never be a work from home mom. It is the MOST fulfilling thing I have ever done. I also know how fortunate I am to be able to do this.

9. I love puzzles (mental and physical) & games.

10. I've had nude photos professionally done by a stranger.

11. I love people but have a personally difficult time maintaining relationships (husband and daughter excepted).

12. I procrastinate like a champ. My best technique is to clean everything before I actually work.

13. I am a photographer but have little confidence in my work and don't see myself as a businesswoman. I would really like to change that.

14. Creating a community center that offers positive alternative ways to spend leisure time is a dream of mine.

15. We throw out 1 small shopping bag of trash per week for a family of 3; we reduce, reuse, recycle everything possible. We compost, bring our own reusable bags shopping, buy wooden toys, base purchases on packaging (none, recycled materials, glass, aluminum, cardboard - plastic only when there is no other option). This is why:

click for video

16. We use nothing disposable in our home. Syna' diapers (and I guess TP) are the exception; we used cloth diapers until they couldn't comfortably hold the amount of waste our growing daughter spewed. :)

17. I use and consume only natural products. No artificial colors, preservatives, sweeteners nor environmentally harmful chemicals. Vinegar cleans most anything; Dr. Bronner's hemp soap cleans the rest.

18. I'm addicted to sugar. When I fast from it for even a short time, I dislike the flavor. But it always creeps back into my diet.

19. I love my new house but not the area in which it is located.

20. I've been best friends with my best friend since we met when we were 5.

21. I have a strained relationship with my mother. I really want an open, close relationship with my daughter.

22. My (paternal) grandmother is my roll model.

23. I'm a PC, Nikon, dog person.

24. I try my best to "live simply, so that others may simply live."

25. I am totally aware of how lucky I am in this life and am so grateful.

Many thanks for
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