As a child, my sister and I lived all over the world. We had an idyllic childhood growing up in Granville, Ohio, a Norman Rockwell-ish small town; at the age of 10, my father kidnapped us during a messy divorce, drove us from Ohio to Mexico, and met his lover there. After traveling all through Mexico, they were married in Mexico City. We then moved to Barbados for 3 years, then Florida, and finally settled in Houston. After 3 years we were reunited with our mom but never lived with her again, only visited during holidays and summers. She moved to NYC and worked at the United Nations; she had been a German refugee from World War II and was fluent in 4 languages. I loved her very much and losing her that way was something that shaped my life and grew my faith. This tumultuous childhood has always been a very integral part of who I am, yet my sister and I have led pretty normal all-American lives. I have a degree in political science from Texas A&M and a degree in Interior Design from the University of North Texas. I was married right after my college graduation at Texas A&M to my college sweetheart, and after 12 years the marriage ended. That’s when I moved to Dallas to be close to family, started a whole new career and life, and eventually became a foster parent to fulfill my longing of being a mom. After 3 years of fostering 9 different children, I adopted my daughter, Lily. We became a family. I raised her in Lakewood – she started kindergarten at Lakewood Elementary and graduated from Woodrow last year. And, after more than 30 years of being single, I’ve met the love of my life, and we’ll be married on June 25! We went to high school together in Houston, didn’t know each other well, and reunited 2 years ago on a FB page called “I Was Raised in Memorial”. I also discovered White Rock Lake in the last 2 years; I mean REALLY discovered, it after living 5 minutes from it for 30 years. This love affair with WRL, my love for my fiancee, and helping my daughter leave the nest, have been highlights for me of the very difficult last 2 years we’ve all endured in the world. I’ve really grown.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Besides my 19-year-old daughter, Lily, I’m very close to my sister, Peggy, who lives in Forest Hills, and her 2 daughters, Lauren and Hannah, who live in Hollywood Heights. My nieces have precious families of their own now, and we all see each other often living so close together. And, of course, as I said above, there is my beautiful daughter, Lily, and soon, my fiancee, Randy. We’ve always had a dog and a cat, but now, we have 2 cats. We love animals!
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I was a middle school English teacher for 9 years, but after moving to Dallas I went back to school and got a degree in Interior Design, which had always been a passion. I’ve been an interior designer for 30 years, working both with my own company and for others. There are 2 things I love most about what I do – 1. meeting the people I work with and getting to know them; many become friends, and 2. getting to be creative.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Some of my favorite restaurants are Terilli’s, Meso Maya, Dream Cafe, Garden Cafe, and Smoky Rose for the patio!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I’m a 30-year Lakewood resident.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Miss Marian, the crossing guard at Lakewood Elementary – we began a friendship when Lily was in kindergarten, and still have it. She is amazing! She greets every person she sees, loves the children, loves the parents, and loves the Lord!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Hawaii.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Favorite movies – You’ve Got Mail. TV show – Frasier
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Grow. Learn. Be open, get out of your comfort zone – try new things. Be yourself, be authentic, and reach out to others.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Photographing wildlife in Alaska or Grand Tetons.
Q: What is your go-to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
James Taylor
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I really miss Zuzu’s, which was on Mockingbird and Abrams. Lily and I used to eat there at least once a week and were so sad when they closed.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love how Lakewood is like a small town on its own. I love the trees, the lake, and people out walking.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Hopefully, still living in Lakewood, or maybe in the mountains of Colorado? with my soon-to-be husband, enjoying WRL, and building my photography business.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Switzerland.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and the best single day on the calendar?
Probably May – it’s spring, not too warm yet, and beautiful. I don’t really have a favorite holiday anymore.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Maui, Hawaii.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My fiancee.
Q: How do you ignite kindness in your community?
There is so much meanness and hatred in the world today. I’ve really tried to give beauty and peace to the community by posting my photos of the lake on social media, and sometimes I write words of kindness and love. I just really try to be kind to everyone and hope that it spreads – kind to the checker at the grocery store, to the guy who brings me water at Gloria’s. I try to ask them how their day is going. I smile at people a lot. I think kindness is much more contagious than anger.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
gardenias, honeysuckle.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Love, comfort, beauty.
