Grew up in a pretty crazy family: booze, lots of marriages, lots of kids, not enough supervision and ended up way to sassy for my own good in high school. 

But, wanted more and better and peace, so did made choices and did the work to make the changes I wanted.

Ended up settling down enough to finish college, marry a great guy, raise our two daughters and come out the other end still a whole person and still madly in love with my husband, and he with me. 

Am now embarking on the last 30 or so years of my life and am open to what they may bring...more than open, I am excited to see what is next for me, for my husband, for us, for my kids...what a lucky ride life is!

How did you get to where you are now?

I worked my butt off!  College, job, raising kids, keeping marriage and friendships alive and thriving. 

Life is not easy, but it does not have to be hard, either.  I have finally arrived at a place that is pretty darned comfortable in just about every way.  Sure there are challenges, frustrations and sadness, that is just life.  But, there are also triumphs, solutions and joy.  I'm IN for all of it!

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

10 years ago I was a real estate broker/owner and just in the whole making money mode.  And I was damed good at it.

Sooooo, now I am in retirement mode, well under 55 and looking for the next adventure.  While I am still a Type A person, having gone through some medical stuff in 2009 and having been retired for a few years now, I have mellowed CONSIDERABLY.  Much less bothers me, much more excites me and/or makes me wonder and dream of possibilities instead of worrying about roadblocks.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Still healthy enough to have a good quality of life, enjoying my husband and my adult children. We want to travel - a LOT - so I see me in lots of travel photos, with my husband and with locals that I want to meet and learn from all over the world! 

You had a rough start, but you got to a good place by your 30's.  You were a good mom, wife and friend.  You were responsible, you and your hubby earned good money on challenging career tracks, you always had to be a good example for your kids and had to have a good public image because of your career.  You took time to be a good friend, mentor, sister.  Really, you did good. 

Now it is just you and your amazing husband on this next leg of your life together.  So, just stop and smell the roses whenever you damn well please!  Life is shorter day by day.  Do things that make you laugh, that make you smile, that make you happily reflect, that feed your creative juices, and that give your life joy and meaning.

Chap & Betsy Petersen