I am a 50 year old, happily married woman, living near the beautiful Chesapeake Bay in MD.  I am an artist, and love to paint land and seascapes. I have a studio at home, and at Savage Mill, in Savage, MD.  We have a beautiful 24 year old daughter, and are helping her with her first home.

I have bipolar disorder. It disrupts my otherwise idyllic life, and I was recently hospitalized for severe depression and sucidal gestures.  I am recovering - I spend most of my life recovering.  I am sober, drug free, and don't smoke. I am starting a yoga program to improve my physical health. I also am working on impulse control and organizational skills (when I am not fighting the illness).

I grew up in a dysfunctional family, with an alcoholic father.  I learned early on that life was all about work and perfection. That message followed me through most of my adult life. It was only after I got sober, that I realized it is not only okay to play, it is critical to our health.

I used to have a great career, and made lots of money for 20 years.then bipolar disorder struck hard, and I have been enjoying an encore "career" of painting.

Through all this, I managed to obtain an MS degree in psychology, after getting a BS in Chemistry.  I wanted to go to art school, but my father would not pay for it, so I couldn't go.

I would like to paint more often, feel more stable, and enjoy more of life.

I would like to lose some weight, and regularly exercise to maintain a healthy body.

I will stay sober, and attend support groups regularly.

I want my home and my life to be clutter free!

 I would like to increase the awareness of mental disorders in the general public.