What principles define how you live?

Integrity – doing the right thing even when no one is looking

Kindness – treat everyone with respect and kindness. You don’t know the battles they are fighting or the road they are walking

Commitment – your word matters. When you give it, keep it.

What have you been putting off doing? Why?

Two things:  getting started on writing a children’s book that I have wanted to do. I just need to suck it up, grab the confidence and GO!

The second is to forgive some past grievances and let go of the grudges and bitterness. But man it is hard to let it go.

When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?

In a shocking revelation for those who know of my coffee addiction, the time I felt grown up was when I got to have my first cup of coffee.  My grandfather always told me it would stunt my growth. Ha ha. I got the last laugh. I am over 6 feet tall.

If you had a million dollars to give away, who would you give it to?

The phrase “it’s for the kids” tends to be an overused cliche. But if I had a million dollars, it would be split up to fund cancer research and to treat and cure kids’ cancer and support families who are helping their child fight this disease.  A portion would go to rescuing children from human trafficking.  I find it abhorrent that one human being would deal in the trading of another human life. 

What’s something you would attempt if you were guaranteed not to fail.

I love politics and was involved in several campaigns several years ago in Minnesota and my husband ran for office twice.  I desire to run for a local office myself; however it has become a nasty and hateful, cutthroat process.

What was the hardest personal goal you’ve set for yourself?

One year from now my goal is that my business I have started is self sustaining and profitable to the point I do not have to go out and work for anyone but me.  I do not want my loyalties and hard work and time furthering someone else’s lifestyle, wealth.  I  want to literally be my own boss where my kids work with me.

Who are your favorite artists?

I do listen to Christian music during my morning commute as it gets my head right for the day.  I love classic country when I am cleaning but hands down, my reigning favorite is anything Elvis.  His range, his style, and having a song for any mood are unmatched.

What is your favorite hobby or pastime?

My favorite hobbies are amateur landscape photography and designing floral wreaths for sale on Etsy. And of course with a coffee in hand 😄

Deviant art photography profile: lainey4231

Photocrowd profile: Elaine Sycks

What would you do if you lost all your possessions?

I have gone through this one time in my life.  When I was 7 we were away visiting my grandparents and when we came home, someone got into our apartment and literally took everything except for a steel mattress frame because they couldn’t get it apart. I remember church people dropping off items, my maternal great aunt bringing a car load of groceries, and a lady my mom worked for giving us money.  If that happened now, I would pray and lean into family and community again.

What’s a topic or issue about which you’ve changed your mind?

I used to love snow.  The sparkling white under streetlights of freshly fallen snow, sledding in it, the beauty of a white Christmas.  Not anymore. I can make it look like winter in my house without it, don’t have to kill my back to shovel it, be on the road with other people who can’t drive in it. 🤣