I love to Hula Hoop and I have since I was a child. I once won a contest with more than 250 other adults participating. I have an orange sparkly Hula Hoop in my office next to my desk for when the mood strikes.
My ancestors came to America from England in 1623. I love researching my ancestry.
I have dreamed of being an author since third grade. I wrote to Robert McClosdskey, author of the children’s classics Make Way for Ducklings and Blueberries for Sal to tell him I wanted to be just like him when I grew up. He wrote back and told me he was an illustrator, but good luck with my dream. I never gave up. My first novel, Here, Home, Hope was published when I was in my 40s. Things happen for a reason, when they’re supposed to, as long as you believe in yourself.
Family is everything to me. I love my four young adult kids and my husband. My favorite times are when we are all together. Oh, and my two dogs, Tucker and Frankie, round out the pack.
My book, REAL YOU INCORPORATED: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs was one of the first business books for women. It was based on my experience working with my husband to build the first national residential real estate brand acknowledging that women are the key decision makers in all real estate purchases—influencing and making 91 percent of all home purchases. Until Real Living Real Estate was launched, all home buying and selling advertising in the U.S. was directed toward men. Not kidding. I’m proud of that accomplishment—and the fact we stayed married after working together closely for seven years!
We moved to California about ten years ago and I now have a view of the beautiful Pacific Ocean from my office. I won’t take it for granted because I remind myself to stop and enjoy the view everyday. My office is where I wrote my latest novel, BEST DAY EVER. Being able to look out at the ocean as I wrote helped calm and center me as I got in the head of my unreliable narrator, Paul!
A favorite quote: A smile confuses an approaching frown. Oh, and the famous Eleanor Roosevelt line: Do one thing everyday that scares you.
As a follow-up to the above, I love to paddleboard in the ocean. I am not terrified of the great white sharks lurking below. I’m only frightened of the waves. Getting in and getting out are the challenge for me. Otherwise, I’m so happy out on the water.
When I laugh, I honk. Sometimes, I snort.
I’m almost always smiling. I feel very blessed to be living the life of my dreams.
