I was a head start/ kindergarten teacher. My first three years, I taught head-start in a very poor neighborhood in San Antonio, Texas with Spanish-speaking students. I taught one semester of kindergarten in Alief, Texas before Rich was transferred to Milan, Italy. At that time, I became a full-time mom learning to raise three beautiful daughters in the foreign countries of Italy and England. When Molly was in Second grade, I resumed my teaching career by substitute teaching in Plano one year and then kindergarten for three years, when I decided that I would rather be home with my teenage “students”.Favorite Color-- I guess I can’t choose just one color. I usually enjoy “shades” of color when it comes to home decorating or personal dress such as sage, burgundy, teal, or peach, rather than straight primary colors.
Favorite Food—Gee, I can’t choose just one. In general, I like ALL food (can’t you tell?) I like all ethnic foods: Mexican, Italian, Indian, Thai, Chinese, and all the old stand-bys, such as barbecue. In other words, I like variety. Now don’t forget the desserts such a pecan pie, Coke cake, cobblers, and chocolate! Of course, I like healthy stuff, too, such as spinach salad.
Favorite Drink — Hands down, a good Margarita, frozen or not, depending on my mood. Of course, I also like my hot tea and diet cokes!
Hobbies — Nothing specific. I really enjoy reading the newspaper and other periodicals such as Reader’s Digest and Southern Living. I like to look at cook books, and sometimes, I actually try to cook a new recipe. Someday, I would like to take some art classes, as I enjoyed that when I was in public school. (All right, I didn’t say I was good at it!) Of course, I like to travel and see and learn new things.
Favorite Books/Movies/Television Shows —Very eclectic. Years ago, I enjoyed The Agony and the Ecstasy, the story of Michelangelo. More recently, I enjoyed The
Secret Life of Bees, which is also a movie that I enjoyed. But I also get fired up by books like Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, which is motivational
and instructional. As far as movies go, I love musicals or romantic comedies such as Pretty Woman. I like TV comedies such as Boston Legal. I also watch the CSI’s,
NCIS, The Mentalist, House, and I love The Closer. Most evenings, you can find me watching and participating in WHEEL OF FORTUNE! which Rich always records. So
now you know. I watch too much television!
Favorite music (genre and/or artists) –Most songs from Musicals and romantic songs like Unchained Melody. I like the “old guys” like Frank Sinatra, Barbara Striesand. Also, singers like Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion. But don’t leave out country western (Garth Brooks, Reba McIntire, LeAnn Rimes) Oh yeah! I like gospel music, too, and choral performances.
Favorite Quote -- “ Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Another one: “ I thought I was poor because I had no shoes. Then I saw a man who had no feet.”
Pet Peeve(s) --Tailgating and certain grammatical errors, which I won’t list, lest I step on some toes. Another peeve: Failure to include required life skills classes at the high school level in money management and handling financial matters responsibly.
Best Vacation you have ever had: Honeymoon to Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta.
Favorite Holmer family memory —The family reunion at “The Castle” in Gatlinburg, TN. And in particular, Rosemary, and Uncle John singing “New York, New York.”
Something most people don’t know about you —I used to sing in school and church choirs. When I was in fifth grade, my elementary school choir sang with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. I was on cloud nine!
Which is your favorite time of the day … are you a morning person or a night person? —Usually a morning person more than a night person. Lately, I seem to be neither.
What is the craziest thing you have ever done? —Leaving Jenny at the soccer field in the freezing cold for forty-five minutes after practice, because I lost track of time!
You're about to sing at a karaoke bar … what song did you choose? —I Found My Thrill On Blueberry Hill! (See below)
A talent you wish you had or something you wish you knew how to do better —I wish I could play the piano! And I wish I could sing better. In recent years, I have lost most of my vocal ability. The doctor said I had “Senile Laryngitis!”
If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be? Wherever my family and friends are.
Someone who’s had a significant influence on your life and why --My high school home economics teacher, who encouraged me to major in “Home Economics” She was very upbeat and positive.
List some goals that you'd like to accomplish sometime in your lifetime...could be related to travels, education, job, family, etc.— Continue travels with my sidekick, Rich. In particular, go to Yellowstone National Park, Mt Rushmore, and Bryce Canyon. I would like to some day finish redecorating and organizing my house, and take some continuing education courses in art. I would like to get back in the groove of cooking healthy food and get into better physical shape. Also, I would like to make more time for entertaining family and friends and find more time for reading.
Describe your style —Hyper but also slow and plodding.
Your favorite sport to watch? favorite sport to play? —Football to watch. I used to like to play tennis and golf. Don’t think I can “cut the mustard” anymore!
What's the hardest or most challenging thing you've ever done? –Taking a graduate education course, in which I earned an “A”.
What are your weaknesses? Definitely chocolate, food, and too much TV. Also procrastinating and getting myself motivated.
Share a time in your life when you were particularly proud or felt accomplished. -- I’ve always felt particularly proud when I see what beautiful, intelligent, and accomplished daughters Rich and I have reared. Jenny, Julie, and Molly have all shown a great resilience when life has thrown them curves. Jenny and Julie are great mothers, and Molly and her sisters have amazed me by their business acumen and their sensitivity to others’ needs. I’ve always been proud of Rich in his business and volunteer work. Recently, Rich was awarded “Member of the Year” for our motorhome club.
