I'm 64, married...more or less happily...three children...2 grandchildren. Have 2 dog children, 2 granddogs. I'm a farm wife with an urban background. We are semi-retired.

How did you get to where you are now?

i grew up in a traditional Lutheran family with a traditional Lutheran education with the exception of three years of public high school. This is an important interlude as it exposed me to 'outside, otherworld' influences. It opened my mind to different philosophies or ways of life.

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

I'm more assertive, I express my opinions a bit more. I am more sure of myself and who I am. I still have problems with asserting myself with my husband, but I'm getting better at doing this with outside friends, family and business acquaintesses. I have also learned new skills that are not part of anything I grew up with...commodity marketing, financials and world politics.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Hopefully, still married to the same person and traveling with our fifth wheel RV. I don't expect to retire anywhere too far from where we live now. I hope I'm not still playing the organ/keyboard for church...there are many young people who can, but won't or are 'afraid' to play for a church service. I would love to be able to teach them how to do this.

Take better care of yourself physically. And while you were learning to do all of the cooking on your own, learn how to put together more healthy menus. Listen to Ms. Rockway and Ms Sorsdahl. They both knew a lot of menu planning and healthy eating. Just because your parents grew up in a certain lifestyle, doesn't mean you have to keep it going.

My high school senior advisor. She made me think, not necessarily to discern or analyze, but think. My high school paper adviser, Joe Contris. He taught me truthful journalism, not 'yellow' reporting. A reporter is unbiased. If he is, the story is an editorial expressing the feelings and opinions of the writer. My mentor, Rosemary Hartter. She taught me commodity marketing and that a woman could indeed make a living as a farm wife/owner. My friend, Deb Rood, who knew that I could be a leader and a speaker. Her guidance helped me become a better teacher at whatever I did.