Gender

Female

Location

Parker

Birthday:

November 1

Age:

Way Corp group(s) I was in

14th Way Corps

Where I live

Parker, CO

Married or Single

Married

Maiden Name

Lockwood

About Me

After graduation from the 14th Corps in 1986, I married Jim Kaplan, Sept 6, 1986 to be exact. We spent our first year of marriage at The Way College of Emporia, where I was the administrative assistant to the CEO of the campus. We went to HQ in 1987 and we were there for the next three years. Both of our children were born while we were on Staff. Our daughter, Katlynn Rose, aka, Kate, was born 10/24/88. Our son, James Ernest-Thorne, was born 10/23/90. Yes, I know, no we didn't plan it that way, lets just say, "road trips" and leave it at that. We went on volunteer staff for about 5 months after James was born, then we took a corps assignment in Palm Springs, CA. We were there for 5 1/2 years and they were probably the worst and longest 5 1/2 years of my life. No it is not paradise! After our corps status changed in 1995, we began preparations to get out of CA--we felt we needed a new beginning. Jim had been in Denver as a WOW and I had passed thru a number of times, so we decided to move to Denver, CO and finally made the move during the summer of 1996. We have been here ever since. We lived first in Aurora, for about 7 years. Then in Sept of 2002, we bought a house in Parker, which is about 45 miles south of Denver. It is a small, country town and we love it. We are very much at home here. I have continued in the management/administrative field for various companies in the area. I just changed jobs, this week as a matter of fact. I was working for a private country club about 2 minutes up the hill from me. Now, I will be working for a locally owned credit union--which I am very excited about. Kate, my daugher, is 19 now, and will be going back to Metropolitan State, here in Denver, for her degree in social work. She is a musician and plays the viola. I don't think I am being partial when I say that she is beautiful and just an all around great person. James, who is 17, and a senior in high school, is about to graduate. He is currently taking college classes studying diesel mechanics/engineering as well as finishing up his final requirements for graduation. He is my cowboy. He just bought himself a Ford F-350, crew cab, long bed, standard transmission diesel pick-up truck. It's a monster, but it is his baby and source of entertainment, so I can't complain. Except when he needs to put fuel in it and he comes to us with the hand out ...$$$$$. He is working for a local construction company as a first year mechanic, but only working a few hours after school, doesn't leave much $$$ for entertainment, girls AND gas. Jim and I started our own electrical contracting company about 5 or 6 years ago, JK Electric. It keeps him busy and has been growing steadily. He has teamed up with several other folks in the area, some of whom are now on this site, to do remodels, service etc. God has continued to prosper us and we are very thankful everyday that we have our health, strength and vitality. Life has been good to us over the years. It has dished out it's share of challen ges also, but overall I have much to be thankful for. It is great to be able to reconnect with so many people who have been through some of the same things and have survived and thrived.

My Interests

I love gardening, one of these days I might actually get my back landscaping done. I grew up gardening, canning, freezing, pickling, jellying and so forth. When I was a kid it was WORK, now its relaxing--go figure. I also love to read. I have been known to sit up all night and spend entire weekends with my nose in a good book. Sometimes I just can't put them down. I also am passionate about health through nutrition. I guess my background as a nurse has brought this about. I have been know nto crochet a bit, more like in fits and starts, but that is kind of seasonal-I have to be in the mood for that. I enjoy throwing parties and entertaining when possible.

Employment or Career

When we moved to Palm Springs, I started working for a small jewelery shop located in the Marriott Rancho Las Palmas Resort. After the first year, I became the manager and stayed there for the entire time we lived in Palm Springs. After moving to Colorado, I worked a number of jobs. I was a project coordinator for PakMail Corporate. From there I was the Office Assistant/Accounts Receiveable Mgr/Front Office for a small advertising speciallty company. When the economy forced them to downsize, I went to work for Alan Brown, yes that Alan Brown, and his company, CinemaQuest, Ind. and was his office manager, shipping manager, assembly manager, data entry manager, customer service manager, girl Friday and all around gopher for 5 years. When I decided I needed a little break, I took a job with a brand new private country clup 2 minutes up the hill from my home in Parker. There I managed the snack bar, during the golf season, and during the snow season, I worked at the front desk and assisted in the offices with various projects and stuff. It was with great reluctance that I decided to leave there (change of ownership) and just last week, went to work for Bellco Credit Union, a locally owned company. I will begin as a teller, but with much room for advancement, the current branch manager has made it known that he would like for me to take over in his position as he advances. So, it seems very promising and it definitely is a great company to work for. I 'll keep you posted.

Music I Like

Any Josh Groban (I have been to both of his concerts here in Denver-I almost became one of the screaming females around me), Eagles (been a fan since the dawn of time), Andrea Bocelli (he is absolutely amazing), Classic Aerosmith (sorry--Steven Tyler blows my mind), Led Zeppelin. I also really like Iron and Wine, any kind of blues, classical piano and violin (been known to cry)

Books I Like

The Kite Runner (amazing), currently reading "Everything is Illuminated", an unusual book, but quite absorbing. "Morgan's Run" made me sob (by the same author as "The Thorn Birds"

Television I like

I'm a sucker for "ER", sorry that it will be going away. I watch "Law & Order" every chance I get and I am getting sucked into CSI: Miami (somebody save me). I can't stand reality shows for the most part, except "The Biggest Loser", somehow I can't help myself. This is the worst one, I sometimes get hooked on "Deal or No Deal". I know those people are stupid, but I still think that one day they'll hear me scream, "You idiot, take the money."

Sports Teams I like

Colorado Avalanche (hockey-I love hockey), Colorado Rockies (they almost made it!), Denver Nuggets-basketball (love Mello and Ai), I'm mad at the Denver Broncos

My Email Address:

belinda@kaplanhouse.com