What brands do you associate with?

Outside of diet mountain dew and Dunkin Donuts kcups which are non negotiable, anything that saves us money on our grocery bill is what I go with right now.

What could you do more of?

Practice more patience

Be more joyful regardless of circumstances

Judge less

Relax more

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

No matter where I have worked or the organizations I have been involved in, the best piece of advice I was given is to greet people with a smile.  It can make all the difference in their day. Call everyone by name to make them feel valued. Treat everyone the same from the janitor to the manager

What things give you energy?

Family – they are the sole reason why I get up each day with purpose and do what I do.

Coffee – let’s be real….I am not getting anything of substance done without it

Music – it makes me move!

What’s your all-time favorite album?

My favorite album of all time. It’s my background album during spring cleaning.  The album has a song to match every mood

Which topics would you like to be more informed about?

I love to find podcasts and blogs telling the stories of everyday people making an impact and doing good and making a difference in the lives of others.  Cooking and gardening are always at the top of the list.  And down the road, how to write and publish children’s books.

What would your life be like without music?

I would call it the great void. A vast emptiness.  I grew up with music. My mom was an accomplished pianist and my dad (before he took off for parts unknown) was a singer and guitarist in a band and that’s how I got hooked on Elvis.  Music speaks for you when you have no words, lifts your spirits, helps you express joy, love, sadness, and can be used to pay tribute. 

How do you celebrate holidays?

One of the best parts of the holiday season is bringing out all our traditions.  The favorite family recipes, Christmas Eve church service, popcorn and a movie Christmas night, and our annual drive around and look at the Christmas lights.  For 51 weeks of the year it’s hectic, at times chaotic and non stop busy. We spend one week just enjoying togetherness

Write about your most epic baking or cooking fail.

I was learning how to can and learned the hard way that a pressure canner and hot water bath canning are not the same. I had the jars of beets in the canner and apparently something was not sealed correctly, the top of the canner blew off and beets shot up to the ceiling leaving a purple “mural”. 

Share a lesson you wish you had learned earlier in life.

Sometimes I count up the time I have spent on pursuits, grudges, and activities that didn’t enrich me, have a lasting impact.  If it is not helping my faith, uplifting my family, and supporting me financially, I don’t do it.