Family: Husband Steve (retired from Baxter Healthcare); son, Matthew, his wife, Brianna, and grandchildren, Ella, 8, and Jackson, 4, living in China; daughter, Lindsey, Tulsa, OK.
Beauty regimen/secret: Exfoliate with a Buf-Puf facial sponge and use lots of sunscreen. I use Neutrogena SPF 50. Avene Retinol .1% may be my “secret.” I am convinced it helps slow the aging process.
Gift shop: I have too much stuff in my life right now so I am not doing much buying for myself. I do like to shop for family and friends all year wherever I may be. I am always on the lookout for something I think they might like.
Place to lunch with girlfriends: Once a month my “horse friends” (we call ourselves the Rowdy Riders but we are not really that rowdy!) eat lunch at Sean’s Restaurant. It’s so nice to keep in touch and share experiences with friends on a regular basis.
Restaurant for an evening out: Our go-to place for an evening out is usually Big Creek. The atmosphere is so nice and relaxed, and the food always good.
Spot for a picnic: Any place on Lake Norfork or just in the yard with my grandchildren!
Way to spend an evening: In nice weather I have been known to stay outside until dark rather regularly. There is always something to do with the horses, a farm chore, or “working in the yard” as my mother would say. I prefer to call it gardening and growing things. When I do come in I like to enjoy a glass of wine with my husband, Steve.
Outdoor activity: Of course, it’s horseback riding or, for that matter, anything to do with the horses. We have four here on the farm, one in reining training in Oklahoma, and a hunter/jumper pony leased to a family in Fayetteville.
What I am passionate about: The three things I am most passionate about all have horses at their center—my family, teaching horsemanship and riding, and the Horse Tails Literacy Project.
Volunteering: I have been the local coordinator for Horse Tales Literacy Project for seven years. From the very beginning I knew that using horses to bring the joy of reading to children right here in our community was what I wanted to do. It is so important to get classic books into the hands of children, books they get to keep forever. If you can spark their imagination you will make children want to read, and that is what the horses do so perfectly. Touching the horses brings the books to life. As a member of GFWC Cameo Club for 35 years, I am so proud of the contributions we have made to our community over the years. For the last seven years, the women of Cameo have donated thousands of dollars to buy children’s books for Horse Tales Literacy Project.
Way to relax: It is hard to beat enjoying a glass of wine while watching the horses and gently swinging in my wicker swing in the front yard.
Music: I still would rather listen to good old rock ‘n’ roll, Motown especially, and I am a big Jimmy Buffet fan. We travel to one of his concerts most every year.
Place to vacation: Any place with a beach is my favorite destination. We have been fortunate to travel to some beautiful beaches around the world. Every summer for the last 36 years we have spent a wonderful week at Gulf Shores, Alabama with a large group of family.
Way to treat myself: I think I take good care of myself, but I also push myself maybe more than I should. There will be a time to sit back and rock on the porch some day when I can’t go full steam ahead like I do now.
Way to celebrate a friend: I hope I celebrate a friend like I would like to be celebrated—taking time to listen, offering to help if I can, and joining in with the happy times and the sad ones.
Dream for the future: It’s time to stop dreaming and make your dreams happen.
Advice for younger women: Enjoy every moment. Take time for yourself. Treasure your family.
What you love about February/March: Spring is happening. I get the urge to dig in the garden. Days are warm enough to go riding all day.
Best thing your mom taught you: Don’t ever pass up the opportunity to do something you want to do. You may never get another chance.
What people probably don’t know about you: I have called on newcomers to the Twin Lakes Area for many years as an advertising method for many businesses and professionals in Mountain Home. Many people probably don’t know that Welcome Home is my business that I own with my partner, Cindy Wilbur. I frequently get the comment that it is so nice that I volunteer my time to call on newcomers!
Bedtime ritual: The older you get the longer the ritual! I am dedicated to my skin care, and then I read for a short time before I am out like a light.
Makeup: I use Cover Girl and have for many years, but I would not be without NutraLuxe Lash MD conditioner to nourish my eyelashes and make them grow longer and thicker.
Body of water: That said, I have two favorite bodies of water—the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Norfork. It’s really nice to have one of my favorites only 10 minutes from home.
Motto: A smile and a kind word will take you a long way. M! February/May 2014
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