I rented a place that I could have dogs - not in my house. I rented a big place. And I was able to have the SPCA every end of the week bring many, many dogs to me. They all were in nice places, clean, everything was fine. I took good care of them. And so many people called.

I always feel a rise in my scalp or in the backs of my wrists when something is special, whether it be a song or a man.

I'm tired of being thought of as Miss Goody Two-Shoes... the girl next door, Miss Happy-Go-Lucky.

I liked being married instead of the girl who's looking for a guy.

My mother is a special education teacher but also an artist, and my father an advertising executive. They are about as wacky as you can get without being alcoholics.

My dad was in the Army, so what was happening internationally and nationally was always important to my family.

The nicest part of the prize, perhaps, is the effect on my friends and family. Each of them feels proud and happy to have the relationship with me that they do. In a way, it's as though they received an award too, and I like that very much.

My family is usually the first guinea pigs to try out my new recipes.