Hello! I am the owner of Sanity Seekers – Roadtrips for Women. I am a mom of three boys and I have a hard time sitting still! I have worked at various jobs in our community, Senior Center and the Middle School, and I am a member of the Saratoga County Children’s Committee, The Saratoga Mom Prom committee and the Prevention Council of Saratoga County TUFF eNUFF mud run committe. I have volunteered countless hours at Lake Ave Elementary School, even becoming PTA president. I seriously never saw that coming. I love being a part of this community and volunteering is such a great way to get involved. You don’t have to have a lot of money to participate and be an active member of your community. Worker bees are always needed.
I started Sanity Seekers a year before the pandemic. As with most business I had to adapt. I was able to build a community of awesome women who were eager to help their community. We collected over 1,000 books and donated them to the Red Book Shelf in Albany, we collected gently used instuments for We Are Instrumental, we collected money and were able to give all the school district food service workers a nice gift to thank them for all their hard work feeding the children of our community and we collected warm winter clothing for Schenectady Street Soldiers. During the pandemic I started SANITY ON YOUR DOORSTEP packages. This was one of my favorite things to come out of the pandemic. So fun dropping off a gift to someone who was not expecting it. It was such a wonderful opportunity to spread a little love during such a difficult time. I am back to organizing roadtrips and in person events for women. Sanity Seekers Sunday Drives have been a hit. Every Sunday we take off and explore our beautiful area. It has been so much fun. I am also going to start up the Sanity Seekers Happy Hours again. We meet up at local bars for a few hours. Supporting local businesses and finding a bit of Sanity along the way.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband and I just celebrated 26 years of marriage! We have three boys 22, 20 and 17 and Gerald the dog.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I am the owner of Sanity Seekers – Roadtrips for Women. I was a travel agent before I had my kids. When I was pregnant with my first son, the travel industry really starting changing so I decided to leave it and stay home with my son. 20 or so years later, I decided to start my business. I have had many part time jobs in the community but when I turned 50 I jumped in and came up with the idea for Sanity Seekers. I literally did everythng in one weekend. Came up with the concept, name, logo, etc… and just started. My engineer husband was a bit freaked out but he has been very supportive. I love being my own boss and figuring things out as I go. It has been a learning process and I am amazed at all the awesome women I have met through Sanity Seekers!
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I love a good happy hour and Cantina is one of my favorites. I also love the Hattio( Hatties Patio) and my favorite breakfast spot is Sweet Mimi’s.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
We have lived in Saratoga for 25 years. My kids went to Lake Ave Elementary, Maple Ave and then the High School.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Oh that is a hard question. There are so many amazing people in our community. My friend Heather Straughter is an interesting person on so many levels! She is hilarious and she does so much good in our communtiy! I am inspired by her work with Jake’s Help from Heaven. The endless hours she puts into this organization is incredible and she also serves on many other community boards. Her love of travel inspires me and I live vicariously through her vacation photos. I also find Gail Veitch one of Saratoga’s most interesting people. She is the matriach of a family who has served our community for years. She is one of the original Saratoga Mom Prom ladies and I work with her on the Saratoga Children’s Committee. I am inspired by her kindness, her love of family and community.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Iceland. I had a chance to go years ago as a Travel Agent and I didn’t go and I regret it to this day! I also want to go to Boldt Castle in the Thousand Islands. I am from Syracuse and I have never gone. I am going to make it happen this Fall ! #roadtrip
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
My favorite movie will always be The Princess Bride. And I love competition tv shows. My favorite is The Amazing Race and I am a sucker for Bravo TV.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Live your life now. Do not wait.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I would like to buy a little camp on a little lake with no motorized boats.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Indigo Girls
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Virgil’s Coffee Shop. I loved bringing my kids down there and knowing it was a safe space. I don’t even drink coffee but Kathleen always made me feel welcome. She would read to my kids and it would give me a chance to take a breath and then continue on with my day.It was a lovely space.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I would have lunch with Ellen Cuminale at Scallions. I would orded the tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich that we had for my Birthday years ago during restaurant week. I am a simple gal.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I absolutely love our State Park. I have walked so many miles in that park. Picnics, concerts, golf, hikes, graduations… so many memories.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Sitting on the dock on a little lake with my husband. Maybe taking my grandkids on an Adventure Tuesday.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I am pretty much an open book.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Kauai
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
May. Springtime! I love all Holidays. Dec 10th is the best single day on the calendar.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Sanity Seekers of course!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My husband. He is really the best person I have ever known.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Puppy fur and peonies!
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Love safety and laughter
