Hi I'm Dawn Nicole Maree, (aka Niki Dawn, Niki D and Darling Niki D). I am 40-something and have been residing in the Coachella Valley for over 10 years now and absolutely love it. I live up on a modest ranch in Sky Valley and am a Big Sister volunteer through Big Brothers-Big Sisters of the Desert. I am a Certified Theta Healing Practitioner and am a law of attraction beliver. That's the tip of the iceberg, but if you want to know it all, I have to start at the beginning...
Born and raised in Southern California in the sunny Inland Empire town of Rialto, I am the youngest of 3 children. I was born Dawn Marie Gruber and enjoyed my childhood immensely. My parents (who incidentally are still married after 50+ years), owned and operated a heating and air conditioning business, so at the young age of 10, Dad put me to work in the office learning how to be a secretary/bookkeeper.
Even then Dad was into cutting edge technology so whatever new gadget there was, you can be sure he was one of the first to get it and incorporate it into his business. This served me well cause he put me to work on a huge antiquated computer and I fell in love. Back then, the keyboard and computer were one piece with a small black and white screen. The whole computer was about 4 times the size of what computers are now a days. I don't even remember what we did on the computer (there was no internet back then). I think it was just typing and data entry for accounting or inventory purposes.
The best part of the family business was that we had a lot of luxuries and I was a "little" bit spoiled. We did a lot of camping and those were some of the best memories of my life. We had all the toys to go with it. The motorhome, motorcycles, boats (big one 37'), horses, dogs, cats, etc. I never wanted to grow up! LOL.
At age 19, with the gentle prodding out of the nest by my parents (like a kick in the pants), my parents swiftly sold the house I lived in all my life said they were moving to Palm Desert and only had room for grandma to go with. Bottom line was that I couldn't go with! So instead of pouting, I saw it as an opportunity and seized it. I grabbed my brother and proclaimed off to the beach we go to live!
From 1986 to 1991 I lived in Orange County quickly climbed the corporate ladder from receptionist/errand girl to Director of International Marketing. I leap frogged my way quickly adapting to new environments and eagerly taking on additional responsibilities. Always in the right place at the right time, doors opened for me and position were actually created to accomodate me. It was amazing and still is to this day. I attribute it all to the law of attraction.
In 1991, I got married to a pastor-to-be (feels like it was a different lifetime) and moved to San Diego. What a beautiful place to live. We were very involved in the church, praise band, community, home studies, etc. Our whole lives were about serving, but unfortunately with giving out to so many, we forgot to give to each other. It's a long story, but after 4 years, we got divorced. Looking back, I see how this chapter of my life served it purpose to get me to where I am now.
Even then Dad was into cutting edge technology so whatever new gadget there was, you can be sure he was one of the first to get it and incorporate it into his business. This served me well cause he put me to work on a huge antiquated computer and I fell in love. Back then, the keyboard and computer were one piece with a small black and white screen. The whole computer was about 4 times the size of what computers are now a days. I don't even remember what we did on the computer (there was no internet back then). I think it was just typing and data entry for accounting or inventory purposes.
