Our family room, where we live, is about togetherness and ease. Nothing in my house is too formal. There are no coasters on tables; the kids can eat Popsicles on the couch if they want to. I let them ride these little cycles we got for them when they were 3 that have rubber wheels and no pedals.

I wasn't the most popular girl in school by any means.

I just find that each year I try something new. You can't fight the march of time. To balance that out, each year you should develop one more good habit. It levels the playing field.

I hated turning 40; the whole idea of it stank. But once I got through it, I was fine.

Life is where you're at. Whatever you're doing is enough. You don't need to do everything well all the time. When you live your life like that, it's a huge relief.

It’s not like your soul gets older. It gets wiser.

I just want to be a nice girl from the Midwest - I don't want to have to act like a heavy to be taken seriously, and I resent that I have to be so pushy and political sometimes just to do my job.