***  I'm the blonde shown with my cousin next to me in red; her husband seated and my daughter and son, 28 and 18 respectively. Born in Central NJ to two hardworking parents 52 years ago, I learned early on to respect others.  I also had local grandparents who were always around and miss them to this day.  I wish my kids could have met them.  

I graduated from a NJ state college, now an accredited university and truly enjoyed school and friends. Major--Speech/Theatre/Media Studies major.  Did attend Girl Scouts all the way thru HS and was assistant leader for several years as well.  20 year pin, I believe.  

Participated in community theatre loving singing and dancing in childrens productions...need to do some more soon.  Freelanced when between jobs doing feature writing, first aid volunteer member and ER admissions clerk as well.   Pumped gas in the early 70's during the first gas crises.  Door to door sales of housewares, tools, etc for a wholesale company in my twenties.  Customer service and collection agent for companies in Las Vegas the last 12 years

Hubby and I enjoy being members (he's Historian and I'm Secretary) of the local Mustang and Classic Car Club of Las Vegas.  MCLV.  And now, while job hunting am pushing our internet busines SendOutCards.  

Times can be tough but I'm the perennial "positive survivor"

UPDATE:

Fast forward to June 2009:  My world topsy-turvy.  Hubby dies unexpectedly after a short illness and I am a 53 yr young widow.  I started out very mad and confused.  How dare he not take care of himself for the sake of me and my children?  We had 1 week to my youngest's HS graduation and just shy of 21 yrs of marriage  -- and when we should be celebrating my parents celebrate their 57 years of marriage.

I move forward helping the grown children deal with this loss- they lost their biological mom when they were 6,9 and now are angry at Dad; my youngest and I--the buds that we are....move forward together foreclosure hunting for us and getting him into a school back east.  I accept offered help which I had never had to do...my husband and I always offering first.  Talk about karma  I am grateful for caring firiends and family. I find myself strong and independent and cocky sometimes as if back in HS as I was trained well by my folks and yes, Girls Scouts.  I am moving forward and friends and family alike say they are impressed.  And I am too  

But I have my days when I would give it all to have my partner back.  We could run a business together and go home together and not be bored.  We were our own best friends.  Dont think I will ever marry.  But never say never.  I just want companionship...

Role models are the important women in my life:  my Mom; my grandmothers now deceased and my mother-in - law also gone.  Also my former Girl Scout Leader, Mrs. Elroy Mess of NJ.  I also have the men in my life:  my husband, Howard and my Dad who are upstanding people with great integrity who help others when they can and my sister who is there when we need each other.