After high school I worked as an medical assistant/office manager. I got married in 1980 and went back to school, first to UC Santa Cruz and then transferred to CSUH where I graduated with a degree in Liberal Studies/Biology. It took me a few extra years to get my degree since I was working full time while caring for two step children full time. I gave birth to a son in 1982 and a daughter in 1989. We lived in Wisconsin from 1991 to 1994, then Walnut Creek, CA until 1996 when we moved to Kansas. In Kansas, I worked as a para educator, working with special needs students and as substitute teacher. I also was a volunteer for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate). In that role I was able to assist children who through no fault of their own were stuck in volatile family situations. In 2009 we moved to Arizona where we are currently living. 

I love to travel and have been to almost all of the United States. I’ve also seen some of Europe, Mexico and Canada. 

I still have a brother and some very close friends living in the Bay Area, so I am usually there at least a couple times a year.