I was a math teacher/professor for 15 years before my husband and I adopted our daughter. I am now a full-time mom. I keep busy by cooking/baking for others, being involved at church, and helping out with my daughters activities. I have entered many local, state, and national fairs and cooking contests. I baked pies, cookies, cakes, cheesecakes, brownies, etc. for a nearby restaurant (and still help out when they need me - 132 pies the day before Thanksgiving 2005!), and occasionally teach classes at a local cooking school. As long as I can be in the kitchen I'm happy! I prefer baking over cooking: pies, cookies, cakes, breads, etc. I love home-made! Most food in our house growing up was home-made or home-grown and I like to continue that in my kitchen. It's fun to teach my daughter about gardening, cooking, baking, etc. The flavor is better, it's fun to make/grow, it's usually cheaper, and it's better for you! In 2004 I won the championship bake-off at the Illinois State Fair after winning 4 of the 7 preliminary contests. I also had a recipe published in Southern Living in 2006. The college where I taught had a silent auction to raise money for the school foundation. I donated a Chocolate Mousse Cake which sold for $40. The night I made it, I went to transfer it to a cooling rack and it slid right off the pan and onto the floor. My second attempt I underbaked. I was finally successful on my third attempt!