37 “Telling Tidbits” About Kathryn Bechen

1. I was born in Hawaii and moved to North Dakota when I was two years old. And yes indeed, I remember the climate change!
2. I‘ve been organized since I came out of the womb. Or as someone once told me, “It’s in your DNA.”
3. I began writing as a child and won my first honorable mention writing award for a poem I wrote when I was 17.
4. By the time I was ten, I was moving furniture around in my room to “create a better decorating look.”
5. My first published newspaper article I wrote when I was 26 years old was a feature story about famous financial wizard Warren Buffett and his mother.
6. My friends over the years have told me I’m inspiring, thoughtful, amazing, kind, persistent, wise, and persnickety, amongst other things. Thank goodness they forgive the persnickety part, which I prefer to call “discerning.” :)
7. A New York decorating magazine editor found my website in 2006 and e-mailed me asking to hire me to write articles.
8. I think a bubble bath and a manicure/pedicure can cure 90 percent of life’s ills. Well, at least they cure mine!
9. When I say to my hubby, “Hey, I have another home spruce-up idea!” he rolls his eyes and says, “Again?!”
10. I had my first full-time summer job when I was 12 years old.
11. I went into a bank when I was 17, asked to borrow money to go to college, worked many jobs to complete my B.A. in English and become a teacher, and repaid all my college loans.
12. I’ve taught reading to six year olds and have helped successful executives get their offices and lives organized.
13. I know I'm blessed when my hubby of nearly 30 years hugs me and says, “You’re still the wind beneath my wings.” Ditto!
14. I’ve taught school in a one-room school in a remote rural area. And yes, it was like Little House on the Prairie.
15. I met one of my magazine editors serendipitously while buying cat food and she’s hired me to write over 30 articles since then.
16. I left the plains of South Dakota to work as a nanny in New York City when I was 18. And no, the job wasn’t like The Nanny Diaries.
17. Writing for me is like breathing; I can’t not do it! And yes, sometimes I wake up at 3 a.m. with an article brainstorm.
18. My favorite words in the English language are “please” & “thank you" and I notice and appreciate people who have good manners.
19. An AP news reporter/writer found my website in 2010 and interviewed me about the topic of "Decorating Without Divorcing." That feature article has now appeared in 50+ media outlets across the world, including ABC News, MSNBC, San Francisco Chronicle and the world's largest global newspaper, Metronews.ca.
20. I have a shelf of treasured books, signed by their authors, many of whom I know personally or have met at least once.
21. I donate 10 percent of the sales of my e-books to child abuse prevention.
22. I detest camping and I love Bed & Breakfast inns because there’s a mint on my pillow and breakfast on a silver tray.
23. My idea of attending a “sporting event” is going to a museum, taking a walk on the beach, or dining at a beautiful restaurant. Seriously though, I do enjoy going to a baseball or basketball game once a year or so.
24. I’ve had a love affair with houses since I was five years old and will spend my last dime on home decorating magazines.
25. I’ve tested allergic to over 100 things since I was diagnosed with allergies at age 23. And yes, this has been challenging but I’ve risen to the challenge, most days.
26. I’ve lived in a cute miniscule cottage, a beach condo, and a brick bungalow, to name a few. I currently live in a beautiful high-rise apartment set amongst palm trees and I LOVE it.
27. I treasure my gal pals because they’re my “sisterhood of faith.” And we can commiserate about bad hair days!
28. I enjoy my guy friends because I'm intrigued by how the other half thinks. And yes, they sometimes mystify me!
29. I’ve never had children of my own but I treasure the heartfelt cards and notes I’ve received from my students over the years and a framed one hangs in my bedroom.
30. My favorite animal is the Scottish Fold cat. And yes, I was the “cat mom” to two adorable Scottish Folds, Beau & Monique, for nearly 15 years.
31. I’ve had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ since I was a child and I consider him my savior, redeemer, God, and ultimate prince of grace.
32. I don’t like to talk about politics. At all.
33. I'm documenting my entire life story via scrapbooks.
34. I’ve traveled to 32 U.S. states and have stayed in over 60 Bed & Breakfast inns in 17 U.S. states.
35. I strive to be a tolerant and forgiving person, but I admit I’m human so I have to work at it.
36. I choose my close friends, business associates, and confidants carefully and then am fiercely loyal to them.
37. Sometimes, like Moses in the Bible, I say to God, “Could you please send someone else!?" And He answers, “No, this assignment’s for YOU!”

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