We gave candy to students, from disadvantaged school districts in the DC area, on the front steps of the White House with President Obama (dressed as himself) and the First Lady (dressed as a cat).

Yes, it was Halloween. 2009.

A few of us also got to help decorate them the afternoon before.

Enjoy more of her awesome + free CREATE and GIFT watercolor bookmarks at LizHolloway.com

Perhaps my introduction to branding or perception management came from my dad. 

It was probably no later than 10:30am on this particular Saturday and we were already headed home - likely from an early morning at Home Depot. (Plus, CarTalk starts at 11.) Oh, dad had his projects. Around the house, there was always something to be done. Of course. Even if it didn’t have to be done. Naturally. My dad is an early riser and a hard worker; today still, he often skips breakfast. (Me too, actually. I’m just not hungry until I’ve been awake for 2 hours.) Anyway, at that age, I generally always enjoyed helping him with those projects; still, I did not rise quite so enthusiastically on Saturday mornings. In my younger years, the wafted smell from the kitchen of pancakes with his perfectly crisped edges made it easier, sometimes.

I'd eat 20.