Karen Kaufman:
CLASS OF 1967
Wauwatosa West High SchoolClass of 1967
Wauwatosa, WI
Karen's Story
I'm an Artist...three-dimentional multi-media......my income depends mostly on being a certified Massage Therapist......I work with hospice patients alot...massaging the old or terminally ill......then there's my Art.....I'm presently developing a item I hope to get into stores in the not too distant future. Not being terribly consistent it will take a while to build up my inventory but I love being creative. I camp & backpack in the Sierras, play (learning) guitar(Strat), I bellydance for fun (at least used to), swim, travel (love cruises & where they can take you), a little gardening (but I really suck at it), photography (I'm an addict) Nikon DX40, and I like to hang out with my gal friends. Mostly, I love my life with my husband Ken who is my rock.....and my dog Molly, who is an 8 lb Maltese, and loads of fun. The only regret I have is I used to readalot...now I spend it on the compputer...I think I'll pick up a book. A kindle will do. When I was 15 I was in a rock band called "The Rockin' Dillemas"...played rythm guitar,,,My brother gave me one of his Fender Strat so I'm learning all over....love it. I do volunteer work assisting in teaching an Art class for disadvantaged chidren. I like to lay on the ground near the airport just under their take off or landing and watch the huge & loud jets come into landing.
I always wanted to be a gymnest. My family and friends thought that was a expensive idea. As it turns out, they were probably right..I am blessed with a wonderful husband, Ken, who is the one who keeps me happy.
My favorite way to relax is get comfortable & do some breathing excercises., or go to the ocean & take in the sounds & beauty.
Or, go to the gym if I can & work my tush off.
If I'm going to work somewhere, I need to have chapstick, hand cream, and paper & pencil to be able to deal with the day-to-day. And of course my phone.
The one person from my past who I'd most like to see again is Dorothy Williams, because She took me in when I was very ill, (besides being my boss at the time). Very inspiring woman.
My current age is 60. When I was 12, I thought that people my age now would be slow, witty, the beginning of worrying about becoming helpless . I was so completely on the mark. NOT!
I wanted to have my own business wich I'm putting together now.
My best friend would tell you I'm crazy, but people who don't know me very well would probably describe me as shy & reserved, (and a little bit crazy)
My first job was at Marcs Big Boy, where I got paid $1.10/...Expand for more
hr to waitress. What I remember most about it is working on my homework befor and after my shift..Actually, my very first job (other than babysitting) was going to Chicago when I was 15 to be a "Mother's Helper" for the summer where I had Sundays off & made $17.50/week. Basically, a live-in nanny & houskeeper.
My biggest surprise during recent times is being diagnosed with two completely different cancers at the same time....Sarcoma in my right arm (2 surgeries and 6 wks of radiation) and lung cancer for which I take an oral chemotherapy daily, will for life,even though I quit smoking 25 years ago....The sarcoma is in remission, however, the lung carcinoma is being controlled by that $150 pill I take everyday. This has been going on for 4 years and I am gratefully stable....I had a thoracotomy which removed one of my lungs but everything is stable at present.....I'm very lucky & grateful for whats available medically these days.
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My inspiration comes mostly from my husband, my friends, and my teachers.
If I won $100 million, I'd give half of it to my family, then spend the rest on investments, traveling and retirement, and certain charities.
My best friend would tell you I'm gregareous, but people who don't know me very well would probably describe me as shy.
I share my home with my husband, Ken, and my 8 lb Mattese, Molly.
In 10 years, I hope to be selling my art. I'm going to get there by working hard.
My oldest friend who I love dearly is Sandy who I met in high school...I think we clicked because we were both a little crazy and knew how to have a good time.
My first job was at a home in Chicago, where I got paid $17.50/wk to nanny & clean house. What I remember most about it is my one day off on Sunday.
when I was very young my sister & I took trains all over the country, alone. The porters watched over us (though there wasn't much to watch) and I spent the time drawing all of them, mostly faces, and gave them to them to thank them for watching us. We were kids.
After high school I worked as a medical secretary for a Psychiatric & Social Services Clinic & 4 yrs at the VA. I was pretty bored so I hitched a ride with Todd Voight to Aspen.....After 4 years I was ready to move on so I took a plane to San Francisco,,,One year later I hitched down through Los Angeles & down to San Diego basically looking for a desirable place to live. I chosed to stay in Topanga for 10 years until & got married & moved to "the San Fernando Valley" right in the middle of the Warner Center.
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