I was born in Los Angeles, grew up in Irvine, and graduated from Newport Harbor High School in 1981.

I attended UC Irvine for a couple years before I transferred to the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1987.

My mom made a brilliant decision when she bought property on Swan River. I fell in love with it immediately and spent every summer vacation here.

It was, and still is, my happiest, most peaceful place.

I worked as a Creative Director in New York and Chicago, creating and shooting commercials.

I still have that belt.

My daughter was born.

And nothing was ever the same.

I moved to Bigfork full-time to care for my mom who started showing signs of dementia. For the last two years Mom has been living at a memory care facility in Kalispell.

I’ve been working remotely for out-of-state clients, as well as hostessing for my friends at Bigfork Wine & Whiskey Lounge.

When I turned 60 I decided to get a Master’s in Psychology — I’ve always been fascinated by human interactions and behavior. I had such a great time learning and writing, and I feel like I have a better understanding of the dynamics that happen every day.

So the mess of student loans was worth it.

Charlie & Lucy living their best life.