Except for a 10-year period where we fell out of touch, we have been best buds.  I'm constantly amazed by her.  She obtained her CPA degree and went to work for the world's largest auto maker, and after several years of doing the corporate grind, realized she wanted to do something that spoke to her creative side.  By burning the midnight oil, she taught herself graphic design and was so good at it she was able to leave her job in numbers and go full time into the world of putting ideas into visual form.  She created a company called IDEAist Designs, a graphic design company that specializes in logo and brand creation, computer art illustration and website development. Amazing!  When our podcast got picked up by a local radio station, KISS96.9FM, Leigh put her skills to work for LM Communications, parent company of KISS96.9FM, as their Digital Operations Director.  Her talents know no end!  In addition, she's beautiful inside and out, can outdance J-Lo, and downright hilarious!  I'm so glad to have her as a friend!  She is the Snapchat filter to my photo!

  

Over the past five years, I've been on a journey of trying to rediscover who I am and what I enjoy.  Feeling as if I'm going through life in the "Big Snooze" as described by Jen Sincero in her book, You're a Bad Ass, I wanted to start doing things a bit more purposefully.  After all, we are not meant to just work to pay bills and then die! Right?   Can I get an amen?  I quit my job as a court reporter, got my Pilates instructor certification, and am now a co-owner of Shine Pilates Lex!  Talk about a turnaround!

​

When we started KY Taste Buds, Leigh and I had kids who were getting ready to go off to college.  We were thinking about what we wanted to do in this next chapter of our lives, and it's with this thought in our heads that Leigh and I had some epiphanies.  
 
First, we need more FUN in our lives.  Repeat.  We need more FUN in our lives.  Second, we need to spend more time with other girlfriends.  The friendship between women is a precious thing and can make us live longer, happier lives. It's a proven, scientific fact, Jack!  Husbands and children are important relationships as well, but no one can understand a woman like another woman.   

 

Third, we need to do something that feeds our creative side.  After all, if we are not using the gifts and talents God has given us, we are not being of full use to this world and to others.  Don't hide your light under a basket!  And I believe we all have a creative side; for some of us, however, it just takes a little digging to figure out what form that takes.   
 
With these objectives in mind, I was thrilled when Leigh suggested we collaborate on this new endeavor.   Realizing that we are so blessed to be homegrown in the gorgeous Bluegrass State, why not get out and explore, have adventures, and along the way share with others about our experiences?   We're not experts at anything, but we know what's good!  

​

We started the Ky Taste Buds blog in 2017 and soon after launched our podcast, “Brunch with the Buds”.  In January of 2019, we were fortunate to take our show to KISS96.9FM on Saturday mornings, and two years later, we were offered the morning drive time weekdays from 6-10a, which we did until January of 2023 when we made the move to TV by accepting a job offer from FOX56 to be hosts of a new lifestyle show called Live From Chevy Chase.   Looking back on our evolution, it’s just proof that you never know where life will take you!  

​

We invite you to come along with us on this journey.  Come be a Bud!  We promise you will have a good time and maybe be inspired to grab your buds, get out in the world, and taste all it has to offer!