Category Archives: Uncategorized

Three of the Best Bosses I’ve Ever Had

Posted on February 22, 2022 by minndixiemom

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou ******************************************** I’ve had many jobs and even more bosses. My first gig was at … Continue reading →

Posted in career, Uncategorized, Work | Tagged | Leave a comment

My 3-pound universe: Irony, denial and addiction

Posted on September 20, 2021 by minndixiemom

In my early 20s, I went out with a nice guy. Over dinner, he shared that he was on Zoloft for depression. I recoiled. For starters, that’s not first-date material. Secondly, I was rife with judgment. I didn’t want to … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 28 Comments

Generous even in death, Jim Pickett gave the gift of life to five strangers

Posted on July 16, 2018 by minndixiemom

In loving memory of James Michael Pickett, November 7, 1964 – July 1, 2018 Jim Pickett was passionate, kind, entrepreneurial, loyal, and spirited. He enjoyed good friends, great food, and lively conversation. But more than anything, he loved my sister, … Continue reading →

Posted in Organ Donation, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Self-Defense and Situational Awareness: Potentially lifesaving lessons from a former Navy Seal.

Posted on December 8, 2017 by minndixiemom

For years, I talked about enrolling our daughters, 10 and 12, in a self-defense class. One mass shooting after another (Sandy Hook, Aurora, Charleston, and Orlando, for instance) was shaking our nation. After each one, I, like so many others, … Continue reading →

Posted in self-defense, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Teens, Tweens and Social Media Madness

Posted on August 6, 2017 by minndixiemom

BACK IN MY DAY I walked to the sketchy corner grocery store alone, at night, to pick up milk or eggs for my parents. Also back in my day: I played outside long past sunset, until my mom hollered for … Continue reading →

Posted in Parenting, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thank you, Officer, for my speeding ticket

Posted on July 4, 2017 by minndixiemom

Reminders to slow down this Fourth of July and all year long It had been a fabulous weekend! Our daughters were in Atlanta helping a friend celebrate her 13th birthday. My sister, Heidi Hovland, made an impromptu trip to Huntsville, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ala., Holiday weekend, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Father’s Day 2016

Posted on June 19, 2016 by minndixiemom

Belated thanks and apologies to my late father, Gjert Andreas Hovland Dear Dad, This is my 14th Father’s Day without you. I remember when you first passed away on October 9, 2002. The hurt was not only emotional, but physical. … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Hello. It’s me.

Posted on June 3, 2016 by minndixiemom

Hello from the other side.  It’s been a long time since my last blog. Almost a year. A lot can happen in a year, including the release of Adele’s “25,” which surpassed 8 million sales by February. We are among the … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Eggland’s Best ‘Your Best Recipe’ contest winners announced

Posted on November 12, 2014 by minndixiemom

And the winner is… Congratulations to Lidia Haddadian! She takes the cake — and scored $11,000 — for the recipe she submitted in the Eggland’s Best “Your Best Recipe” contest. Haladdian’s culinary creation, Southwestern Chorizo Tostada Bites, helped her clinch $10,000 … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

I’ll be the judge of that

Posted on September 25, 2014 by minndixiemom

And that, and that, and that… Last week, I mentioned how much I love my full-time job as a professional fundraiser at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. This week, I got to dabble in my “other” position: Eggland’s Best CEO (Chief … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment