(What you won’t find on social media … even if you are approved as a friend)
Born: Metter, Ga., because it was the closest labor unit to Swainsboro at the time. We moved to Effingham County sometime in the early ’90s.
Status: Married to my wonderful husband of 17 years, Patrick Kirkland. We met in a bar in Virginia Beach in 2002 and have been fussing at each other ever since.
Alma Mater: ECHS Class of 1999, AAS from Tidewater Community College and BAS from Strayer University
What’s on TV: Nothing at the moment, but I’m really looking forward to the new “Game of Thrones” show when it airs.
Most spontaneous thing I have ever done: Quit college in my first semester at UGA. I wouldn’t say it was a mistake. College for me was a circuitous route that finally got me where I am now, but I definitely didn’t put a lot of thought into it when it happened.
My coffee order — at my own shop: First thing in the morning, I have a drip coffee with oat milk. If I want something sweet, then I get an iced white chocolate mocha with lavender and hazelnut, with whipped cream mixed in and 2% milk.
What I drive: A 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid. It might not be flashy, but it gets great gas mileage. One day, when my kids are grown and gone, I’ll get that Porsche I’ve always wanted.
What I am reading: All the things. I’m currently listening to “How to Kill a City: Gentrification, Inequality, and the Fight for the Neighborhood” by P.E. Moskowitz. I’m reading “Blood Over Bright Haven” by M.I. Wang on Libby, and “Oryx and Crake” by Margaret Atwood is sitting on my nightstand. I’m patiently waiting for the next book in the “Dungeon Crawler Carl” series to be released in the spring.
Favorite movie: “The Princess Bride,” no contest. There are a ton of others I enjoy, but that one will forever hold a special place in my heart.
Something you would never guess about me: That’s a tough one. I am very much what-you-see-is-what-you-get, so there aren’t a lot of surprises. However, the one thing a lot of people are surprised to learn is that I have only ever failed one class in my entire life: home ec in ninth grade. Here we are almost 30 years later, and I still couldn’t tell you how I managed to bomb that class so badly.
Actress that would play me in a movie: I had to ask around for this one because I’m no good at pop culture. The overwhelming consensus was Melissa McCarthy, a la Sookie St. James in “Gilmore Girls.”
Favorite thing in my closet: Any of my cozy hoodies and cardigans. I’d much rather be cold and bundle up than swelter in the summer heat.
App I can’t live without (no judgment): My initial response is the Weather app, but according to the timer on my phone, it’s Libby, Kindle or Facebook.
Worst habit: Social media, hands down. I spend entirely too much time scrolling social media instead of being actively engaged with my friends and family face to face.
Strangest coffee request I’ve ever received: Ooh, this is a hard one. I don’t judge anyone for their coffee habit because “judge not lest ye be judged.” Also, did you see mine? However, the most memorable request we’ve ever gotten was to cater coffee for the cast of “Alice” when it was filmed in Springfield. It was during COVID-19, and they were filming overnight. We brought them coffee, and one of the cast gifted my youngest daughter a cloth face mask with the movie title on it.
Weirdest thing in my fridge: Oh gosh, please don’t judge me. Right now, we have a whole serrano ham. It was a white elephant gift at my husband’s Christmas party, and we’ve been slowly whittling it away.
On my office walls: Invoices. Lots and lots of invoices.
One person you’d love to have a cup of coffee with: This is another tough one because I could go on and on, but if I had to choose just one person, then it would have to be Julia Child.
Favorite go-to comfort food: Chicken and dumplings with a touch of hot sauce mixed in. But it has to be good, homemade chicken and dumplings with vegetables and a creamy chicken stock that tastes like it took hours.
First thing I do in the morning: Ugh, social media and email. Gotta catch up to make sure no one has tagged or messaged the business. Then, if there’s time before work, maybe a few minutes of reading before the house wakes up.
Pet I’d have if anything was possible: A cougar or a puma. I want to pet one so badly, but the murder mittens scare me away.
Most used emoji: 😂 What can I say? I often crack myself up. Also the heart and the facepalm because I love to show love and also keep myself accountable when needed.
First job: You could find me at any of the TimeSavers in Springfield after school. My mom was the manager, so we often got roped into helping cut the grass or put away the truck or stock the cooler before we were actually getting paid.
What I like about Effingham County: I love the fierce loyalty and independence of the people in this county. I am blessed to have some of the best customers in this community, and I get to see their kindness every single day.
Snack I can never say no to: Pumpkin Delight Little Debbies. I buy several boxes every year until I run out around spring. Then I wait patiently for them to hit the shelves again.
One drink on the menu that secretly matches my personality: Sweet Georgia Brown. It’s spicy and sweet and just a little nutty.
What song always gets me dancing: So many hard questions. I’d love to be able to say just one song, but music plays a big role in our house. “Happy” by Pharrell will always get me going. If you’re ever in the shop, then you will probably have the questionable pleasure of hearing me sing along to whatever is on the radio. This morning it was “Respect” and “Natural Woman.” If you ever hear me absentmindedly whistling “A Spoonful of Sugar,” then you can guarantee I’m stressed out and trying to self-soothe.
Favorite value in others: Kindness.
Advice I’d give my teenage self: Stop trying to fit yourself into the box they define for you. It’s OK to blaze your own path.
Talent I’d most like to have: Being a good storyteller. I always tend to ramble and lose my audience.
Dream date: April 25, figuratively. Something that isn’t too intense or too boring. All you need is good company.
Attribute I like best about myself: My kindness
And least: My inability to laugh at my own mistakes. I have to be dramatic and defensive first.
Most ridiculous thing I believed as a kid: Oh gosh, all the things. I was a very gullible child, and I’m not much better as an adult. I recently had an Aussie gentleman convince me drop bears are a real threat in Australia. Spoiler: They’re not.
My hero: My mom. She raised me and my sisters to be strong, independent and successful women because she is one herself. She survived cancer and lives her life with joy and brings a smile with her wherever she goes. I hope one day that I grow up to be just like her.
My bucket list: I’d love to travel with my husband to the places he got to visit while in the Navy, most especially Greece and Italy. I’d also love to take a tour of Scotland and hike through the Highlands.
My motto: I’m sure if you asked different people, they would tell you something different, but I have two guiding principles: 1. What’s done in the dark will come to the light. My mother always taught me that it’s easier to tell the truth and face the consequences than to tell a lie. I didn’t believe her in my younger years, but I learned to respect that wisdom as a young adult and teach my own children the same. And 2. Don’t allow your inability to do everything to undermine your ability to do something. I would love to be able to save the world, but barring that, I’ll settle for making whatever small changes I can effect in my little corner of it.
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