Who is Cindy?

I was born and raised in southern California, growing up in Carson. I am the middle child of three. My sister Carolyn is one year older and my brother James is 5 years younger; they are both sighted. The cause of my blindness is unknown, but it is referred to as Optic Atrophy. As a small child I had a little vision allowing me to see colors and shadows. I began reading Braille at the age of 5 and attended Frances Blend Elementary through the sixth grade, a special school in the L.A. City School system for the blind. I was fortunate to be able to have this education and still be able to live at home. For seventh and eighth grades I went to a Catholic school and then public schools from ninth grade on. My family moved to Port Orchard, Washington in 1979. So I spent my Senior year up here and graduated from South Kitsap High School, Class of '80. I tried college directly after graduation but wasn't too successful. In 1998 however, I did graduate from Olympic College with my AA Degree and am about 7 classes away from my BA in Organizational Leadership, which I hope to return to in the near future.

My work life is as a ParEducator for the Visually Impaired in the
Central Kitsap School Districtteaching Braille, access technology and independent living skills. I've been doing this now for twelve years, and although I enjoy working with the students and their families, I do see some changes for employment on the horizon. I just don't know what that will be as of yet.

I'm very involved in theAmerican Council of the Blind serving on the Board of Publications and Immediate Past President of the
Washington Council of the Blind which although may not be one of the larger state affiliates of ACB with 440 members, is absolutely one of the most active, enthusiastic and vibrant ones.

In my spare time, when I have spare time, I enjoy going to Karaoke with my hubby and friends, watching DVS home videos (movies with description for the blind), going to local country concerts, listening to country music onKMPS and just doing things with my family. For relaxation, a hot bubble bath is always nice, and I'm totally hooked on my skinny, grande, sugar-free white chocolate mochas is my drink of choice these days. My favorite food is Chile Rellanos (Mom makes them best, but Tim is a close second) and the desserts I find the most yummy are: plain Cheesecake (if it's good, it doesn't need toppings), Pineapple Upside Down Cake (my favorite birthday cake growing up) and Hot Fudge sundae (with whipped cream, nuts and lots of cherries).

I have a wonderful man in my life, Tim Van Winkle, who is truly my soul mate. He is not only my husband, best friend and someone with whom I am deeply in love, but he is also my brother in Christ, and for this I am humbled and blessed. I know that God has special things planned for us in our life together. Most precious of all is how he has taken on his fatherly role of Amelia and Amanda. The girls love their new Dad, and we're truly a family!

          Who is Tim?

Tim Van Winkle was born in San Francisco in 1966 but lived all over the country, moving around as a Navy Brat. He says that some of his fondest memories were living in New Orleans, but he did live in Everett through high school, but that was just too far away for our paths to cross.
He spent 17 years of his adult life in Phoenix Arizona where he honed his painting skills. Yes, he is a painter by trade and currently works for Sabelhaus West Painting.
The things he truly loves to do are: play guitar, sing, listen to and play the Blues, druell over hot rods, motor cycles, etc., go fishing, and do things with the family.

          Amelia Brigid

Amelia is 21-years-old and is expecting a baby with a due date of February 1. Her relationship with the baby's father did not work out and Amelia is living at home. She's very excited and scared about the big event coming up in her life, but I know she'll make a wonderful mother.
She currently works as a Cashier for Albertsons in Poulsbo and has worked for that store for almost three years now. I know she enjoys her job, but wishes she made more money so she could afford to move out of the house. She really doesn't know what she wants to do with her future, but we know it will include a new little life and that whatever it is she does, she will bring great joy to many.
You can find out more about her by visiting her MySpace page at www.myspace.com/ameliabrigid

          Amanda Hollise

Amanda is 17-years-old and anxious to begin driver's training. She attends Olympic High School in the eleventh Grade and is also attending Olympic College through the Running Start program.
Amanda is very involved in Rainbow Girls, a service organization for young women. To learn more about the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, visit the official web site at: www.iorg.org
In Rainbow, girls 11 to 20 learn leadership skills and gain self confidence through community service, memorization work, fund-raising and by working together with their Rainbow sisters. Amanda is serving as Worthy Advisor in her Assembly, equal to President, for a second term. She was appointed Grand Choir Director for Washington-Idaho Rainbow for the 2007-08 year and served as Correspondent to Arizona for the 2006-07 Grand year.
Amanda loves the color green and is very into frogs. She also loves to read fantasy books and does role play at Gaia Online and she enjoys crafting with duct tape, beads or whatever she can get her hands on. She's also very artistic and loves to draw, write and sing. In fact, she performed a song she wrote at the 2006 talent show at the WCB convention and was a big hit!
You can check out her MySpace page at www.myspace.com/mandarrluff

          WHERE WE LIVE

We live in Bremerton, Washington, on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula. Bremerton is a Navy town located across the Puget Sound from Seattle, in Kitsap County.
Link to government, informational, and public & private business sites in Kitsap County by going to www.kitsap.com
Learn travel information, tourists attractions and other fun things happening in Kitsap county by going to www.visitkitsap.com
Read our local paper, The Bremerton Sun by going to www.thesunlink.com
Since I do not drive, I use Kitsap Transit Access as my main mode of transportation. And you can learn more about Kitsap Transit, by going to www.kitsaptransit.org
For more treats about Kitsap County, such as store & restaurant delivery, check my Local Perks page.