As a child, risks were not something I liked to take. I was very breakable with casts, splints, slings and crutches being a much too common addition to my attire. As I grew I became slightly more comfortable with taking risks as I learned more of my capabilities and limitations. I would consider myself a “late bloomer” into puberty and I avoided bringing attention to myself so as not to provoke the hurtful comments and actions of classmates. I have never been an athlete, struggling with breathing issues and self esteem. I gave my best to dance and cheering, but struggled with the demand for perfection. I was always very creative in my thoughts and artistic skills. I knew what it felt like to not be treated kindly and I knew how much I enjoyed creating things. I never looked at an item and believed its sole purpose was what it was created for. Everything could have multiple purposes and I loved to create something new from anything old. I often sold my creations and crafts at my church fairs as I also designed the fair atmosphere to fit the yearly themes of winter wonderland, Santa’s village, fisherman’s wharf and more. Giving the visitors to the fairs a full immersive experience.

I went to college for graphic design, but sadly did not finish. Although today, the graphic design world is so digital, I would have had to learn it all over again anyway. I fell into a wonderful job at an interior design showroom and loved every detail of the beautiful colors, textiles, patterns and designs. A premiere Interior Designer, connected with me and offered me a job as her assistant. My talents and love of design grew and flourished. Upon her retirement, I attempted to try the business on my own. The introduction of internet shopping made it so much easier for people to have access to what was previously available only to the designer world. This was a challenge as people did not want to pay me for merely my ideas and there wasn’t enough profit for it to be worth my effort. Not to mention the many frustrations of sub contractors, out of stock and damaged items.

With young children at home, I started a business with stiffy bow gift baskets, then childrens craft classes and Dinner Memories personal chef intimate meals. Although these entrepreneurial tries fit with my Mom schedule and helped me to feel productive and valued, they were not a cash flowing career for me.

As my daughters got older and I had more time for a “real” job, I decided to begin a new career in real estate. I love houses and loved helping people find the best fit for them and was able to share my design ideas as well. This was a great fit for me except for the emotional aspect that was dragging me down. Home purchases are a big deal and bring a lot of emotions with them. The happy and exciting emotions are great and rewarding. As an extreme empath, the difficult issues and emotions came home to bed with me every night. I never knew anything about separating my own emotions from anyone else. I felt them all, whether I wanted to or not. As the real estate market took a low turn and my emotions were burnt out, I knew I needed to find something else to bring me success.

I was offered an opportunity to design a corporate trade show booth which ended up landing me a job as an International marketing and event manager. I had truly found something I loved while using so many of my skills. After thirteen years of traveling the globe, designing and executing trade show exhibits, events of all scales and learning new marketing skills, I was feeling the grind and lack of value from the corporate world. My health and breathing issues had continued to plague me throughout my years and I knew it was getting to be time for me to have a job that brought me joy and reduced my stress. I once saw a list of the top ten most stressful jobs and an event planner was listed as number three!

During this time, I was on the board of directors for a historic building in our town. I assisted with the preservation and restoration of the property, with the goal of having it available to rent for functions and events. To help get people into the building to see its glory and share it, I began hosting a High tea, once a month. The first tea I hosted had me hooked! I love creating space for people to feel comfortable in, enjoy themselves and leave with fond memories. The teas were such a success and I began decorating the space with vintage clothing and accent items. In between tea parties and planning, I was still traveling the globe coordinating trades shows and corporate events.

The corporate business had been merged and sold multiple times by now and each time, I made the employee cut but also became a target for others eagerly climbing their own ladders of success. I was no longer a person with feelings but just a name on paper that received a salary. I had been envisioning and dreaming of a job that wouldn’t be just a paycheck but could truly give me joy. I knew that job would involve serving High Tea to as many people as I could. My husband listened to my dreams of old houses, restoration projects, high teas, happy guests and a schedule of my own. When the time was right we would find just the right place to create a Bed and Breakfast with a tea room! Finding the right place at the right time, did not come easy.

Amidst the struggles of raising teenage daughters, I continued to put myself on the sidelines, to ensure everyone else had what they needed to strive. By now, I had had multiple medical procedures, surgeries and doctor appointments for continued health issues. Always giving myself the pep talks I needed to keep going, be present and productive for my family. It was decided that our beloved historic home, that we had so lovingly restored, decorated and hosted an endless amount of gatherings and celebrations, should be sold, to begin a new chapter for all of us.

Our first searches for our new life landed us on a long forgotten historic Inn. Most people that entered the aging, uncared for property, could only see the piles of peeling paint, weathered exterior encroaching on the interior, strange odors and vibes inhabiting the hallways and once loved rooms. I saw potential, soooo much potential!. In every nook and cranny. With every forgotten discarded item. Around every corner and amidst every pile of debris. There was potential. I know now, that the real potential was in me and not in the building.

We had the Inn under agreement to purchase for one year!!!! The seller had inherited the property and sadly was not of sound mind. Inspections were scheduled, sometimes a month or two out, per the seller’s request, only for him to cancel them at the last moment. Struggles with the sale of our own home added to the long timeline. Belongings and fixtures were disappearing from the Inn and continued damage, each time we returned. All of this took a toll on the relationship between my husband and I. He believes in my creative capabilities but he still had a full time career to keep our main income able to support this endeavor. As issues with the property grew and our marriage vows were put to the test, a VERY difficult, not unanimous, decision was made, to back out of the purchase of the Inn. Of course once we did that, a buyer for our home appeared. Now we had a buyer and nowhere to go. We quickly found another historic property that was in need of our loving care and restoration. My design and creative thoughts took on life again as we moved forward with the purchase of the Hutchinson Singers farmstead.

All packed up and ready to move on. The sale of our home fell through and we decided to move anyway. We reached an agreement to rent the house we were to purchase until we had a new buyer for our home. The new address was off of purgatory road, near purgatory falls. At the time, I neglected to see this sign. As we tried to settle in, there were SO many signs that this was not where we were intended to be. After months of renting and still no buyer for our home we were forced again to forgo the house purchase and move back into our home that was still for sale. All of this packing, unpacking, moving, was taking a great toll on us, physically and emotionally.

Still searching for our next chapter, we found the amazing property we knew would be a great fit for my vision. With our house still not sold , we were very hesitant to move forward with anything, but we had to keep planning for the future. Before I entered the property to view it for the first time, I prayed; Dear Lord, if this home is meant to be, please, please, please, give me a sign. I just cannot keep going through these emotional hoops. Amen.

Upon touring the property, there was a framed marketing poster for a book, the author was the seller of the house and the title of her book was “Follow your dreams and discover God’s plan for you”. That was the sign I needed! We loved the home but were not yet ready to put an offer on anything until our home was safely sold this time. The sale and purchase timeline worked and amidst a frigid, never ending snow storm, we moved into what would become SereniTea, our Bed & Breakfast, with tea room.

There are so many sidelines and details to this story and I’m trying to share the highlights on the journey and risk after risk. Next were years of getting settled in, restoration projects, getting to know the people and becoming involved in the community. I was so excited for this next chapter. I was still in a role as Trade show and event manager and traveling constantly, as we funded this new dream.

My health was still struggling with issues and no doctors seemed to care. I kept going towards the dream that was unfolding. Sadly, small rural towns do not like change. I wanted to restore and share our historic treasure with anyone who wanted to visit. It was meant to be shared, while enjoying kind company and a cup of tea. After several years, and so many projects, we finally began having guests and tea parties. The carriage house now held a vintage fashion display and spaces to relax and enjoy. It was everything I had dreamed of. Except for a few town elders and egoists that had taken it upon themselves to ensure we would not succeed. Thousands of dollars spent on legal fees and town demands were nothing compared to the toll taken on my health. As I continued with fainting spells, weakening muscles and now wearing prisms on my eyeglasses to help with my double vision. Through it all, I just kept inviting guests to our special home, preparing savored breakfasts and serving lots of tea. This brought me joy.

As the town meanies treated us like criminals, my corporate job was being “eliminated” after a recent merger. I went from being a valued employee with great accolades, with not a blemish on my work record, to being set up to fail. This was the push I needed, although certainly not a kind one, to leave the corporate world and finally be my own boss. Although my self esteem was shredded, I did my best to pick up the pieces of me. I invited more townspeople and neighbors to be our guests for tea and share with them what we had created. Our B&B guests LOVED SereniTea and the five stars reviews can still be found on the internet. While I found my passion and joy, I lost my strength. physically and mentally to keep fighting. The few power wielders in town were relentless until my mind, body and soul just gave up. The details of my health plight are many to share so briefly.

My husband was preparing to begin a new job in a couple of months and was finishing out his current work role. With the limitations placed by the town, I had begun doing some corporate consulting trade show and event jobs that were helping me feel productive. An historic inn, a couple of towns away, had allowed me to host a couple of tea parties and I shared more of my vintage fashion displays there. Then they offered me a role as a chef in the restaurant kitchen. I jumped at the opportunity and totally enjoyed the energy of a busy kitchen. The owners wanted to close the restaurant and reopen it, with me as the new chef, to bring new life to the Inn. I spent weeks cleaning and organizing the spaces to fit me and everything was ready for the new opening. The newspaper was going to do a story on me and I would call myself a chef. I never thought of myself as a real chef, as I never had any official training other than the time spent in the kitchen with my Italian grandmother. However, anyone who ate my offerings proclaimed that they could “taste the love” in my food. I would keep SereniTea parties going at the Inn and add chef to my resume. I thought…….Covid hit that week.

The restaurant never reopened for me, I never prepared a meal or high tea there again. My consulting job ceased as no one was attending conferences or events of any type. The town placed a cease and desist order on us and we were forced to stop having guests. My husband was to begin his new job that week. But now there was a hiring freeze and his new job would have to wait. For the first time, he was forced to unemployment wages.

How could I keep SereniTea alive? I tried social media and my active business pages, to gain interaction and direction. But none of it felt right. Because I wasn’t alright.

We had a mortgage for 15000 sq ft of living space for two people with no viable income. The only choice we had was to sell. This was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made and nearly ended our marriage of 30+ years. After months of angst we finally found a buyer and the nightmare of the sale is a story unto itself. So much was left behind and everything else we owned went into storage. The few belongings we needed to live with moved into my moms summer house and then her house in my hometown. I was deflated, depressed, disheartened, discouraged, devalued and disregarded. I had hit my rock bottom. Or so I thought……..

Via a random facebook connection, I met Kristen Reed Triffit with Nursing Your Way to Wellness. There is no doubt, she is the angel God sent to help me. I was grateful to be near Boston hospitals and I spent the next years with so many specialist appointments, emergency room visits, hospitalizations and even a med flight. Kristen taught me that it was okay to listen to my body and trust what it was telling me. Doctors don’t know it all. They certainly don’t know me and they don’t know MY body. With her guidance, I actually began to slowly believe in myself again, I became grateful for the gift of time to heal and grow.

Through another divine intervention, I have now landed in a rustic abode immersed in nature and have begun offering my skills to a neighboring historic farm and retreat center. My journey has been slow but with great progress, as I discover my purpose and what role or roles, will bring me joy.

My organic teas are now being sold at a newly opened Maple market nearby, I have prepared meals for guests of the farm, have overseen the renovation of our new home and its soon to be open air BnB on the pond, I have discovered that many of my health issues are due to vocal cord dysfunction, hypocapnia, adrenal burnout and a severe sensitivity to silica/silicon dioxide (which is in everything!). I just recently ventured into my forgotten collection and dressed some mannequins with my vintage attire for an upcoming horse driving event at the farm.

I have been dreaming of hosting a tea party again, for the most special people that have stood with me, guided me, enlightened me and loved me. Most importantly, I have FINALLY learned to love myself. I listen to myself and care for myself. I matter. What i do next matters. It matters most that it brings me joy and joy to others.

I have managed to keep my social media page for SereniTea alive through it all. Nowadays, I envision it so much more than tea.

I’ve learned so much about the toxicity of the world we live in, the foods we eat, the products we use on our bodies and in our homes. It’s very, very sad. I’ve never been a voice for anything because I never wanted to draw attention to myself. The few times I’ve tried to share information, which I feel is important, on social media, the negativity always finds me. But I feel so much more determined that this information needs to be shared to help others. This Easter Sunday sermon really hit home, as the minister told me to “go tell your story to the world”.

So here I am, attempting to tell my story. This is a snapshot of risk, dreams, despair, determination, possibilities and resilience. I hope that my story is able to help at least one person. So for whomever that one person will be, i will share it. This will bring me joy.

Someday, I envision a shabby chic organic Tea Bar with lots of vintage flair and loads of treats to share, with easy conversations from health, herbs, history and happiness. I will take the next risk and perhaps the one after that. I hope you will take a risk too!

I think I covered a lot of this in my story on taking risks. Sorry if i elaborated too much but so much is relevant when we consider taking risks

About me, I provide healthy organic teas, blends and tisanes. I love to serve tea in an atmosphere that guests love to experience and create wonderful memories for them to take with them.

I dream of a healthier, happier tomorrow, for all of us, and I hope I may play some small role in making this come true.
I no longer trust the broken medical system more than I trust my own body. Clean eating, self care and new habits are such a valuable lesson and should be taught to all ages.

My organic teas are available at Ben’s Maple Market in Temple, NH and soon will be available in a new store opening in Stoneham, MA called Patina’d.
I host retreats at Stepping Stones Farm and Retreat center in Temple, NH. Revive spring retreat coming up in May and Saba Wahid, Chopped Grand Champion winner culinary retreat in August.
My Air BNB on the pond is scheduled to be completed for bookings beginning in June. Here I will offer organic teas and personal chef prepared meals for my guests.
My  facebook and instagram SereniTea accounts have stayed alive and I plan to continue to connect and tell my story and all things tea.
I have looked for a space to begin an organic tea bar and gift shop but God has not found it for me yet.

When I first met Kristen Reed Triffit, she had me set a goal for myself. I told her that someday I wanted to climb Mt Monadnock. At that time, I never thought my body would allow it. Thanks to her and my new found belief in myself, I’m aiming to climb it in June. Anyone that would like to join me for my climb is welcome! Maybe from the top of the mountain, God will show me where he needs me next and what risks I should take along the way.

I’ve been trying to write a book about my story, “Save Your Breathe”, but it’s been a slow process. When I began it, the first week of Covid shutdown. I had no idea what the end would be. But now I know so much more. Sadly the effects of silica have taken a toll on many of my memories and thought processes. I’m praying God will help me there too. With my insecurities growing up and lack of confidence, I was never a self help kind of person. Now I know that self help is the best help. I have a plethora of new healthy habits and a new library of books and journals with wonderful, helpful knowledge and I’m always happy to share.