Age: 45 (!)
Relationship Status: Married
Occupation: Realtor, General Contractor
Income: Varies
Astrological Sign: Taurus
What is the first thing you do when you wake up?
I can’t say it’s the same thing every day. Generally, I reach for my phone to see what time it is. If I have text messages, I’ll probably read them since I don’t often get text messages at 7 a.m., so they’re probably relevant to my morning. I try not to read emails until after I take my kids to school; otherwise, I will get sidetracked, and they will be late. Again.
Have you ever felt genuine fulfillment? When?
When I take the time to reflect, I feel fulfillment often. But I have to remind myself to pause and acknowledge how great my life is. I am working on this being a mindset and not a “to-do.” One time I recall feeling overwhelming fulfillment was right after delivering my second child. She was breech, and it was a really hard labor. When I finally saw my husband holding her, and I knew she was safe and healthy, as was my then 17-month-old son, I felt like my job was done and my family was complete. I remember being in the hospital bed thinking, ‘I did it; I can finally close my eyes and sleep’. Haha, the joke’s on me; there is no sleep after kids.
What is your most repetitive, negative thought?
I don’t really have them anymore. I have irrational fears, but I have learned that they are thoughts only if I allow them to be…except for driving over huge bridges. YEARS ago, I felt lightheaded while driving on a bridge, and to this day, I have a fear that I am suddenly going to lose consciousness for no apparent reason and drive over the railing. I wouldn’t say it’s repetitive, but it’s negative. And also, stupid.
What is your most repetitive, positive thought?
That I can handle it. I am fortunate that I have a positive mindset when it comes to problem solving. I am not taking credit for this in the sense that I have chosen to think positively; it’s just the way my mind has always worked. My general feeling in a situation is that things will work out…except if I’m driving over a bridge.
What is one thing that surprised you about adulthood?
How much control you have over where you are. I know I don’t control the outcome of every situation, but I believe that where you find yourself has a lot to do with where you put yourself. Also, seeing how much everyone needs grace. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve tried to keep in mind that everyone is going through something. I recently have tried to use the words “what can I do to help you?” when someone is venting, and it almost always is met with a request. I learned this by being on the reciprocating end of the question.
What are three things you want to put every woman onto?
Any type of exercise you can do routinely, especially if it includes weights. Women need muscle, especially as we age.
Find work that you love, and it’s okay if it takes time. I have a BS in nursing, but I didn’t really like being a nurse. I waitressed. I did pharmaceutical sales. I took a class and became a mortgage loan officer. I did sales for a product development business. Then I became a landlord, then a general contractor, and finally a realtor. I found my career at 42 years old.
Collagen - I didn’t believe the hype, but I started taking it recently and have seen benefits in my skin and nails already.
Rank the following from most to least important:
money, food, sex, love, and laughter (feel free to explain or don’t).
Love, laughter, food, money, sex.
How has your relationship with your parents/ guardians changed in adulthood?
Cue the tears. My mom died when I was 34, 11 years ago. It’s a forever complicated and evolving loss. My parents were wonderful parents to grow up with; loving, strict, engaged, present, giving, fun. Of course, you don’t know it or appreciate it when you’re 8 or 14 or even 20. I wish I had been nicer to my mom when I was younger. She said blue, I said red, she liked my outfit, I changed it. As I got older, my brattiness went away and I began to appreciate who she was. I was about 24 years old and slept at home on Christmas Eve in the bedroom I grew up in. I sat there reflecting on my life and my parents, how great they were, and how much I felt at home when I was home. I stayed up and wrote a long thank you letter to them, acknowledging every game they showed up for, every punishment they gave me, every lesson they taught me. My mom cried and cried reading it, and I am so happy I wrote it. I miss her. I miss her cheering for me and for my siblings. Mostly, I am sad that my kids never got to experience her. My dad is the best. He’s everyone’s favorite. It’s hard to watch him get older and evolve without my mom. I am proud of him.
When do you feel most like yourself?
When I’m with my siblings.
What is the best compliment someone has ever given you?
Asking If my days have more than 24 hours because I accomplish a lot of shit in a day. And when someone compliments my children's behavior. It makes me proud of them and proud of myself.
How do you feel about falling in love?
It’s amazing. Odds are, it will happen a few times and won’t always end well, but is always worth it.
What is one thing you’re sick of hearing?
It used to be, “it goes by so fast”, when my kids were little. BUT, it’s true. It does go by so fast, and constant reminders of that are good!
How often do you feel alone?
Never. I love being alone (traveling or eating out alone is one of my favorite things), but I never feel alone…as in lonely.
What is one thing you hope everyone experiences in their lifetime?
I’m inclined to say she owns her own house, but I acknowledge that’s not something everyone wants. I have watched it bring a lot of people joy and stability, and I remember how amazing it felt sitting on the floor of my first house, thinking, this is mine!
What is one thing you hope no one has to experience in their lifetime?
Losing a parent.
What is the best decision you’ve ever made?
To marry my husband. To be fair, this is possibly not a decision I would have made if it hadn’t been for making some bad decision before that. Alas, even some bad decisions will end up being good decisions in the long run.
When do you feel most at ease?
When I am busy. I do not like to sit still; I prefer to have a huge to-do list.
What does having a successful life mean to you?
I’ve been married for 15 years, my husband and I own multiple properties, and I made a great living. I would trade all of it in a snap for the security of knowing that my kids will be happy and healthy. Successfully raising the two people who represent my heart, walking around outside of my body, is what I wish for the most and would make me feel accomplished.
How often do you think about your body?
Often but in a functional way. I am very cognizant of health, nutrition, and exercise. Don’t get me wrong, I care how I look, but I care more about my labs.
When do you ask for help?
Rarely. I like to be the doer.
What is something you feel strongly about?
Going to church every Sunday.
BONUS: Tell me something good.
Recently learned that I was the 15th top-producing realtor in my state in 2023.
Comentários