Hi everyone! My name is Anna Darlene Preston. Born West Virginia, lifer brat of a Navy man.  Lived, seems like everywhere.  Only child-all I ever wanted to Christmas was a baby brother or sister.  College graduate of many years ago. Retired from marketing/sales/customer service in the education industry several years ago...dabbled in several other industries including medical, law, tourism, construction, government. All having had their own special ups and downs, pros and cons. Have extensive skills background. Just as I was at 18, don't have a clue what I want to be when I grow up, and am glad I'm open minded enough to take various leaps of faith. No regrets.

Currently unemployed, not by choice. Loving the awesome challenge the economy is providing, though sympathetic and empathetic to other's feelings on the subject and ready to help. I job search, taylor my resume, network, and try to volunteer everyday. My job is job searching (for myself). One of my old jobs used to be "Employment Specialist".

Besides working, I started and owned a couple of businesses-construction and retail, before housing decline and economy shift, of course. I've experienced life at the top and at the bottom, and like I said, no regrets. And, besides job searching, I am currently writing a business plan to set up my own accounting business.

I love working, but am not a work-a-holic. My job is what I do, and only a part of who I am. In addition to my professional life, I am also a wife, mother and soon-to-be grandmother. My favorite saying is I don't work for my employer, I work for God and my family. Happily married. (Although previously married a couple times.)  3 adult children. 4 dogs. Live simplistically. Husband has a great blue collar job. (Had to check wikipedia to see if that is still a politically correct phrase.)

Future professional plans, continue job search and brush up on basic accounting, quick books, analytical, and consulting skills. Though I have had several courses in high school and college and have performed all accounting functions as they pertain to my former businesses, I want in-depth hands-on in a wider variety of industries and commerce as prep for my accounting business. I am also very interested in public speaking, having done a lot of this in the marketing/sales arena, and plan to join local toastmasters.  Since these and other future plans are dependent upon finances, I limit any other discussion of future plans.  Not pesemitic, just realistic.  Oh I have my hopes and dreams, but I believe in one thing a at a time.

Great to be here with you...excited to share and care!

How did you get to where you are now?

Blood, sweat and tears; some well laid plans, some just blind luck, and all by the Grace of God...

How do you see yourself differently now than you did 10 years ago?

Can only see the obvious...I'm 10 years older...everything seemed a whole lot easier when I was young and had good looks...since I never had 6-figure smarts...I'm middle of the road average...I'm smarter and wiser than some and dumber and more foolish than others...Just to be able to see that in oneself put you leaps and bounds ahead of those who do not.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Well established in an accounting business with multiplbe bookkeepers and semi-retired.

Dear Self, enjoy Cinderella, but don't take it to heart.  There are no knights in shining armor, but their is someone out there who will love you for who you really are and will love you far better than anyone else can.  There is no happily ever after and expect people to be mind readers.  If you have expectations that involve someone else, make sure you discuss it with someone else.  Don't try to change anyone to fit your preconceived expectations of what they should be.  Either be prepared to live it, accept the person for who they are and love them as a friend, or find someone who most closely meets your expectations, but realize that you have to find out the other person's expectations and make sure you are ready to fulfill their expectations.  Don't expect that love will conquor all and if it doesn't well it must not have been love.  Wake up.  Have hopes and dreams, but don't blindly follow your heart because all too often it isn't your heart leading you...could be your hormones among other things.  This will be the first in a series of post-cards...stay tuned.

God, mother, father, husband...and let me think about it awhile...