Full disclosure: I am borrowing this idea from Nike, who writes a blog I follow, Trying to Find the Key to Wonderland.

To help you get to know me better, I will answer these (sort of) random questions.

Question 1: Do you have any pets?

Yes. They were all chosen by my husband, who is the number one animal lover in our house. We have a female dachshund named Rudi, two cats, Cloud and Zoe, and assorted tropical fish.

Question 2: Name three things that are physically close to you.

At this very moment, my Bible, a pair of scissors, and a water bottle.

Question 3: Do you drive? If so, have you crashed?

Yes, I drive, and I’ve never had an accident beyond a little fender bender.

Question 4: What does your last text message say?

As of the moment I am writing this, the last text I received was actually a picture of a jar of pepper rings and a bottle of Tabasco sauce, sent by my oldest daughter.

Question 5: How many children do you have?

Five. Three daughters, Carly, Erin, and Katie; and two sons, Matt and Andy.

Question 6: What is your ringtone?

Push It by Salt-n-Pepa

Question 7: Have you ever been to a different country?

Yes. Germany and Austria. My parents were immigrants from Germany, and I have lots of family there.

Question 8: Do you like sushi?

I’ve never tried it. I’m scared it will taste yucky.

Question 9: Where do you buy your groceries?

There are four major local grocery chains within two miles of my house, and I regularly shop at all of them. And Trader Joe’s.

Question 10: Have you ever taken any medication to help you fall asleep faster?

No. I don’t usually have trouble falling asleep.

Question 11: How many siblings do you have?

I have one wonderful brother.

Question 12: Do you have a desktop computer or a laptop?

Both. I do most of my writing in my study on the laptop. It’s off limits to everyone else. The desktop computer is in our bedroom, and my husband uses that one, as do my kids when they come by. I use it for before-bed web surfing (a very bad practice, I’m told—it prevents me from going to bed at a reasonable time).

Question 13: How old will you be turning on your next birthday?

Do you really want to go there? I’m going to make you work for it. I was born on the day Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected to his first term as president.

Question 14: Do you wear contacts or glasses?

These days I only wear glasses for reading. I wore glasses from the time I was ten years old. I was very near-sighted and the glasses got thicker and thicker. I wore contact lens on and off starting in my twenties, but I always got tired of them. In my late fifties I had cataract surgery, and my new eyes are capable of nearly 20/20 vision. But I can’t read small print without the reading glasses.

Question 15: Do you color your hair?

No. Do you like my silver highlights? They are totally natural.

Question 16: What is your eye color?

Brown.

Question 17: Which do you prefer, hamburger or cheeseburger?

Hamburger.

Question 18: Can you taste the difference between Pepsi and Coke?

Yes, and I prefer Coke. My favorite beverage is Diet Coke with Lime.

Question 19: Did you go to college?

Yes. I attended Duquesne University, Monmouth College (now Monmouth University), and Glassboro State College (now Rowan University), where I earned my B.A. in music education. I was a voice major and a piano minor. I earned my M.A. in music education at Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey).

Question 20: How long have you been writing?

Since elementary school. I wrote a horrible mystery in eighth grade that I circulated among my classmates. When I was a mom-at-home I thought writing would be a good creative outlet for me that might earn a little income for our family, so I worked as a freelancer.

Is there anything about me you’d like to know that I haven’t answered in this article? Please ask in the comments below. If it’s not incriminating, I’ll reply.