I just turned 50 in June, okay I don't feel 50. Well, sometimes I do, but I have never felt my age!

I am married- 31 years. I have 5 wonderful children, 4 girls ages almost 24, 26, 27, and 29. A son, age 21. 4 of my children are married, and my two oldest girls have 3 children each, with another due in February.

I live in upstate NY. Where it snows a lot in the winter. I hate the winter. I want to be somewhere where it stays warm most of the time. I don't mind the heat. But, I don't want to be out west. South Carolina would be nice!

I love to read! Always have. I have 2 golden retrievers who are my babies right now. I love to sew, quilt, craft, garden, be outside, shop for antiques or vintage things. I love spending time with my children and grandchildren.

I have been to Canada, Martinique, and to Alaska for 2 months. My fondest dream is to go live in Scotland for a year. Unfortunately, in my middle years I have developed a very big fear of flying. I will have to take a boat over.

How did you get to where you are now?

In all honesty I have to say that my road to where I am now was very gentle. Maybe not smooth, but gentle. I chose my path in life when I was very little. I was raised by decent hard working parents who had a good marriage. No abuse(well, maybe some minor verbal abuse from my mom), privileged, middle class, possibly even spoiled. I knew I wanted to get married and have lots of babies at a very young age!(I have 5) I fell in love as a teenager with my soul mate- who I could never have, and I believe that that is has been the biggest hindrance to my actually becoming all I could be. I have always done what I wanted and knew I could- no one ever told me  "you can't" because I did it anyways. I have elways felt I was a strong, giving, loving woman.

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

10 years ago I had less self confidence and no fear. Now, at 50 I have all the self confidence I want, but many fears- figure that one out!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Being back to my normal strong self, and being very much involved in all my grand children's lives.

My biggest role model has always been my dad. To me, he is as near perfect as a human can be. He came from a poor family who loved him and encouraged him all through life. At the age of 34, with a wife and 2 children, ages 2 and 4, he started medical school. He finished and went on to practice radiology and pioneer mammograms in Syracuse, NY. He always paid his bills on time, took care of all the yard work, built tv's and radios and clocks, had a big garden, took us on wonderful vacations, and spent quality time with us kids every night. And, not only all that, but there has only been one time in my life when I have ever seen him lose his temper! (unfortunately it was at me) He never talks bad about anyone- ever, and will do anything for you right when you ask it, not days or weeks later!