I am on an interesting trip.
Born in Cambridge, Minnesota, I grew up acting in school plays (my first appearance as a green light bulb was particularly inspiring). Always looking for a self-deprecating laugh, I believed my destiny was to be Carol Burnett. Finding out the position had been filled -- quite well actually -- was tough to swallow, but I carried on.
I performed on stage in college at the University of Minnesota- Duluth, in summer stock, and, finally, at Warner Brothers Film Actors Workshop in LA, where no one could be convinced to be impressed by me.
Ever resilient, I proceeded to Stage Two of my career.
In television news, I started out acting like a news anchor and reporter, but then learned on the job at the NBC affiliate in Duluth, Minnesota. By the time I left for an anchor job at KARE-TV (NBC) in the Twin Cities two years later, I had figured out my favorite part of the job -- telling people's stories and having the license to ask people almost anything. At KARE, I started looking for people and stories to uplift the viewers, and in the process won quite a few awards, including a national Emmy (the only one that made it into the living room) and the Grand Award from the New York International Film Festival. My favorite achievement, though, was getting 40 thirty second spots on the air at KARE called "Something to Think About." (check a few of them out on the right side of this page) They were meant to encourage and inspire myself and my two beautiful daughters, and I think they did.
Stage Two is getting a little long, so we may as well move on to Stage Three.
I went looking for a way to be creative, and laugh more, and have a little extra time for my family. I found a job hosting Decorating Cents on HGTV. Based on the premise that you can make a 500-dollar budget stretch all the way around a room, the show inspired viewers to re-use, re-cycle, and re-imagine design. I laughed more and hugged more people during the eleven years and 400 episodes on Decorating Cents than you can imagine. My "work" led me to appearances on Oprah, Live with Regis and Kelly, The CBS Early Show, The Today Show, and Entertainment Tonight to name a few. While at HGTV, I hosted many of the top rated specials, including six Dream Home specials, several Christmas at the White House specials, and The Rose Bowl Parade.
Ready for Stage Four?
So am I. This is the moment where it all comes together. I am planning an optimistic, spiritually centered Stage Four, encouraging myself and all of us to recognize that we are magnificent just as we are, and there is magic all around us, waiting for us to see it. I plan to hug more people, be the "invisible" normal woman on TV, write magical books, and laugh again on the radio (did I mention my radio phase?)
It's going to be great.
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