My childhood:
Was spent on and/or around USAF bases from birth to 13 yrs. of age. I was born (of course I was born!), the youngest of 3 with 6 years between each one at Brookley Field AFB, Mobile, AL 2.8.1958.
We then went to Charleston, So. Carolina,(I don't remember much about that one!). Then dad was transferred to Yakota AFB, Japan. We lived there about 4 or 5 years then dad was transferred back to Brookley AFB,Mobile, AL.
We lived there about 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 years (note all schools attended are listed below under "MY EDUCATION"). Then off to Eglin AFB in Ft.Walton, FL. for about 1-1/4 to 1/2 years. Then to Naha AFB, Okinawa for 3-1/2 to 4 years.
The last one was Warner Robbins AFB, GA. for 1-1/4 years when dad had a massive heart attack and retired with full medical. Having the unique and most valuable educational experience in those military schools,I was 2 grades ahead of the local public schools when we moved to this area in 1971, and through much unwarranted hassle of one particular Assistant Principle I was both expelled and quit in 1974 at the end of 9th grade. After much urging I tried other High Schools in the area where I could earn my H.S. Diploma I graduated 1976. Also during that time just before leaving that school, I was being tutored in Math (I sucked at Math,then and now) by whom I thought was a friend, who, offered me a glass of Tang, but didn't tell me it was laced with shroom juice! I had either an allergic reaction or someone had picked the wrong ones, as I ended up in the ER at Pensacola Navy Hospital with a serious case of OD. The Dr's told my family had they not got me in when they did, I would have died in about another 15 minutes or so. It was my tutor's irresponsible actions and my dumb luck and optimistic trust that changed my life completely. Although I didn't Narc on him, I grew up quite a lot then, gone was the innocence of trust and optimism. Gone was my brain for almost a full year!! Although true I did graduate, but because of brain damage however short termed, I ended up in special classes for the slow learning or learning impaired. Once my brain was able to shake off most of the 'effects' and I started returning to my old literal self, I was moved up by 2 grades, however they would not return me to regular school, as the damage was so severe,still.
*I was the stereotypical military brat when we first moved here. I truly believed that retirement meant you were waiting for your next set of orders and civilian meant you were waiting for your uniforms from the cleaners.*
Two bad marriages later and jobs that took me away from home (at the time it was life or death situation) I attended Faulkner (then was Faulkner State Jr. College). Among many of the classes I took,I have to admit I enjoyed the Creative Writing Classes most under Dr. Hill and Dr. Coffman.
Due to a serious back injury 12.1986, AL Rehab sent me to retrain (when I was able to walk upright again)in 1.89,my daughter, Amber was about 2 weeks old. Which during this time I had managed to accomplish many things that medical specialists said would not happen; I have been walking upright w/out back surgery w/the help of 3 damn good Chiropractors and I had 1 child already. Several OB-GYN's and Indocrinologists told me from 1978 to 1986 I would never be able to get pregnant,forget carrying it full-term. The last one, an Indocrinologist from USA (University of So. AL.) who insisted on calling me Iodine, also insisted that a bottle of rubbing alcohol had a better chance of getting pregnant than I did...I guess Professionals don't know all that much after all! 1.15.1991,Joey was born. For many years after the kids came I wanted to find that particular doctor, not to cause him harm (financial or physical), but to have both my kids, and then husband (the kid's natural father)-with me and simply say,"Hi! Remember me? I'm Iodine, this is my husband Alcohol and these are my little Mithiolates!" I worked full time,was taking a full schedule at Faulkner and trying to raise 2 little kids. I had also made Dean's List several times and President's List at least Once (some come-back from high school,eh?).
That was when my sister Nancy and her family moved back home. Her son, Dan (we were raised like brother and sister from 1972-1985)and I had begun to re-bond he was the 3rd person to hold Joey when he was born. Dan and I are still close and the weirdness of it is,even when he is miles away,if he's depressed I feel it,if he gets hurt..I know it. I love my niece and nephews equally,but I am closer to the older ones,Mike and Dan.
I have been writing short stories since the age of 14 (along with poetry and parodies,and much later-erotica;I had an erotica pay site 1996 to 2001)and wanted to be a published writer,so I took courses. I am currently on sabbatical from Faulkner CC until further notice. I (along with many others) had been sent for retraining as a result of plant shutdown where I had worked for 3 years. There were alot of us PHI refugees sent back to school via WIA programs.
The buzz at Faulkner was that they were planning on dropping the "Intro to Computers" CIS190. All I can say is,"By the bristly beard of Odin,I hope not!" I wish I would have taken it before I took any of the other computer and networking classes! There are people that have never sat in front of a computer in their lives (except cashiers,etc) that are lead to the harder classes instead of urgent guidance to CIS146,156 and 190,first. The little bit of computer know-how I had was self taught and didn't count for much in classes. I say they should keep it in the curriculum and urge all newbie students that are in for Computer and Networking degrees to take CIS146,CIS156 and CIS190. But,that's just me!
My first computer was a Commodore 64 and had been abused before I got in 1992,it stayed in the shop more then it did on the desk! The kids' dad got custody of that one! My next computer was a Packard Bell I had bought in 1995 for my writing for fear that my roommate/little brother,Greg would throw my typewriter out the window (closed or open),he could sleep with radios or records playing, tv going but couldn't sleep with the clickety-clack going on. My 3rd Computer was a birthday/pity present;Compaq 4505 Presario,which was built to only last 2 years at most....it's still running,but very moody! The 4th computer is "Frankie" which started out as a class project! I ran out of time and patience and took it to the shop where they brought him up to specs (boy did I take it up the ol' wahoo on that one, I should have stood on the sidewalk in front of the shop yelling, "Rub my nipples!" and then upon query as to why I was yelling such, I would have replied with, "I like my nipples rubbed when I'm getting screwed!"! We are a 3 computer-household now. The Compaq-Miracle (miracle it still runs), Frankie-(the kid's computer,now and upgraded to 40 gb) and Wendy's Toy-(80 gb birthday/Christmas present from Vince about 2 years ago)
Vince:I met Vince a month after he moved from Minnasota to Foley 2.1996 and we started dating,not rushing into it. By 3.21.96 we were an item and were quite serious about each other. I have never felt so strongly about any man in my life. I knew he was the one my heart ached for. Vince, needless to say is the basis of the "Once Upon a Life" story...and yes, I DO past life regressions on my own. I met him in the 1300's in Scotland,then again in the late 1300's in the Scotland lowlands,then again in Ireland. The next time I met him was during the American Civil War;he was Union and I was living on a Plantation in the Southern part of So. Carolina. The next time our souls met was during WWII,and he had been a soldier then as well. This time when I met him he had been out of the military for several years and was temporarily a cook at Waffle House. I realize alot of folks may think my 'cheese has slid off my cracker' but until you actually experience meeting someone and knowing you have met them before and then start getting little videos in your head from another place and time that look and feel both alien and natural at the same time,you may not understand. Vince's and my soul (along with good many others) have been chasing each other over the centuries and once we did have that opportunity to actually get to know each other (not biblically,either!) we both had "flashbacks" of other times and other places. There are others that are old souls as well and upon reading this will immediately know and understand that of which I write. There is a small family cemetary on a piece of property owned (previously,that I know of) by the Clan McLeod on the Isle of Sky, my original grave is marked by a stone with some kind of symbol or Celtic word. The place used to be a farm, one of the sons of that family died in the actual battle during the "William Wallace" affair. If you walked out from where the house used to be,there was like a block building just walls and behind that were bushes..then the cemetary..if you walked the length of a football field you would come to the cliff overlooking a big body of water. As of current, we have been together 10 years and married 7 of those years. We were married by M.R. Crow-Dog in an eclectic ceremony, featuring the Culture/paths of the Lakota, Irish Celt and Asatru. Our guests which were all cool Christians really enjoyed it, and several mentioned they wished they had done something similar. The 'feast' consisted of dinner on tailgate! We actually had a tailgate party!
MY EDUCATION:
I attended Adalia Williams Elementary,Mobile, AL (Public).1963-1965.
I attended Wright Elementary,Ft.Walton,Fla.(Public).1965-1966.
where I attended Naha Middle (on base).1967-1970.
I attended (of course)Robbins Elementary/Middle,WR AFB,Ga. (On base).1970-1971
I started Freshman at Foley,Jr.High 1971-1974.
I graduated Fairhope High 1974-1976.
I attended Faulkner from 1981 to 1984 (undecided/liberal arts)off and on.
Faulkner from 1989 to 1992 Graduated.Dual Degrees:AS Bus.Admn. AAS Personnel Mgmt./Supv. Tech..
Writer's Digest School of Writing 1995 Graduated 8.1995. (JL Camau,Instr.).
Faulkner from 8.2001 to (not completed) Computer Networking.
It's ALL about ME!!
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