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Born and into childhood...
I was born! It was the start of an interesting life. I moved a lot as a child. From birth to 14 were turbeulent years. -
August 1991
My husband and I were young when we met each other. We have been fortunate to grow together over the years, it doesn't happen for everyone. I am not sure where my pictures are from those years. So here is one of the two of us from last month as we were on our way to celebrte his 50th birthday in New Orleans. -
Graduated High School!
By the time I was 15, my life began to stabilize. I attended the same high school all four years and met people who remain my closest friends today. -
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OETA
Directly out of high school, I got an interview to be a production assistant at the statewide PBS station in Oklahoma. Being very active in theater in high school, I had many necessary technical skills. The production manager gave me a shot, and it started an incredible 21-year career where I worked my way up. I met dignitaries and famous people and learned so much about time management, writing, and critical thinking. I was surrounded by people who actively supported me. It was a gift. -
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UCO (The First Time)!
While I was prepared to pursue the career path I did, I was not ready to go to college. I wanted to be a college student. Getting my degree had always been a goal, but I lacked many necessary skills, such as time management, writing, and logic skills. When my children were born and I had made little progress towards my degree, I realized it was time to stop throwing away money and time I did not have toward school. -
Wedding Day!
Married Michael on the fifth anniversary of our first official date. -
Bought our home!
Having moved a lot as a child, buying our home was a big deal for me. I told my husband I hoped he loved it, because we were never moving. Twenty-eight years later, we are still here. I still love it. -
Dad died.
Right after we bought our home and when I was six months pregnant, I lost my father. This had been a period of loss for my husband and me. His mother and sister had died in 1993 and 1995, respectively. My grandfather died in 1996. By the time my dad died, we were exhausted with grief. However, Dad's death seemed to mark the end of this period for us. We transitioned to a period of hope. -
Sean born!
My eldest child was born. -
Sophia born!
My youngest child was born. -
First Emmy win!
I won my first Emmy as the technical director for the Oklahoma Centennial Spectacular, a televised concert celebrating Oklahoma's 100 years of statehood. -
Second Emmy win!
My second Emmy was won for telling the story of the man who moved his family from Detroit, Michigan, to Norman, Oklahoma, to take a full professorship at the University of Oklahoma. In doing so, during the 1960s, he and his family integrated the town. I am very proud of this content, it ranks among some of the best I created. -
Third Emmy win!
My third Emmy win was for the local content my team and I created around Ken Burns documentary the Dust Bowl. -
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Cox Media
Left OETA after 21 years to go learn something new. Cox Media was a great place to do so. I learned a lot about myself during this transition. I am so glad I made it. -
Sean Graduated HS!!
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OETA Foundation
The OETA Foundation was established to support the statewide PBS station. I was hired in 2018 to be their Director of Fundraising Content. This was a critical move in my career, leaving a job I liked to take on this new role. While I created some of the most important projects I've worked on, we were immediately in a hostile takeover by the state of Oklahoma, and it did not turn out well. That said, knowing what I do, I would still have taken the job. I learned so much. And we did good work. -
Sophia Graduated HS!!
2020 was an interesting year to graduate. -
Aloha New Year!
25th Anniversary in Hawaii! -
Winner's Circle
Won an all expense paid trip to the Bahamas for being the top non-sales person in the company. -
Started at UCO (Final time)
After Winner's Circle, I realized I would not achieve my full potential without a degree. My children were on their paths. My son still lived at home periodically; however, I knew that was short-lived, and really, neither of the kids needed either my husband or me in the same way. They were grown. It was finally time for me to fulfill my dream and get my degree. UCO took me back counting all of my original hours. But, that was only 29, so I was off to complete my basics, a few classes at a time. -
Christmas in London
Took the family to visit my son, who was finishing his master's program in London. -
Buy-out!
In September of 2024, my company offered all employees the ability to apply for a buy-out. I did the math and realized that if I could get it, it would allow me to go to school full time. After a very demanding career, I knew I could take many classes and get through quickly. The buyout was my ticket to do so. Thankfully, I was accepted and am thrilled that I have this chance. -
The Nest is Offically Empty!
Our son moved out for likely the last time. Our daughter has lived on her own for two and a half years. It is official, our nest is empty. While we miss certain things, we love having more space and control over the entertainment. We also love having our kids over for meals and just to visit. We are fortunate; they both seem well adjusted and are just good kids.