I turned 60 in August and had time to reflect on my life, the good and bad.  I have been blessed in many ways with a wonderful husband, two grown daughters and four adorable grandchildren.

As I looked back, I decided the past is over, cannot be changed, but my future is still an open book.  I want to write in that book, new adventures, great family times and positive, forward thinking thoughts and ACTIONS.

I have always loved helping others and get such satisfaction from a happy client.  God has given me a talent and I feel it is my responsiblity to share that gift and to use it to the best of my ablility.

For more than 35 years I have worked in the Home Decorating industry.  I do residential and small commercial Interior Decorating projects.  I employ a couple of great fellow designers and have a personal assistant who keeps me on track.  We do everything from complete remodeling to helping people pick paint colors.  I love what I do, and plan to be involved for as long as I am physically able.

In 1997 I was thrown a curve ball when I was diagonsed with Kidney failure, a result of years of untreated high blood pressure.  Being the oldest of 8 children, I had many siblings offer to donate a kidney to me.  My youngest sister was a good match and so for 13 years I have had a great working kidney.  There is nothing much better than that!

Turning 60 reminded me that I am getting closer to retirement age and I may want the freedom to stay home more and do things with my wonderful husband when he retires.  I came to realize that when I quit my design work, I will lose my income and our retirement probably would not give me the income that I need to do the things we would want to do. 

A long time friend introduced me to an online shopping business opportunity that pays rebates on things I and other people buy.  Being a believer that God answers lifes questions with opportunities, I joined and am working on building that business for my retirement and for fun.  It is somethiing I can do from home or anywhere I travel and I am having so much fun at it.  It really is perfect for me as I have been called the ultimate shopper by many, many clients.  I use it in my Interior Decorating business as well.

I am excited about the future and spending more time with my family, traveling and rekindling friendships.  I am thankful for my past and lessons I have learned, for my wonderful family and the gift of life.

How did you get to where you are now?

I grew up in a small Texas town, the oldest of 8 children.  My Parents owned a Floor Covering business and I helped in the office as a teenager.  I loved every aspect of the business, but especially the colors, textures and excitment of seeing people get excited about their home improvements.  I was hooked.

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

I am more confident and relaxed in my business and social life.  I have learned not to take things personally and let go of the things that I have no control over. 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Semi-retired, traveling and enjoying more time with family and friends.  Entertaining at home and learning new things.

As a child the days seemed to go by so slow.  Then you wake up one day and you are 60, where did the time go? 

The first time I heard someone say "youth is wasted on the young", I thought it to be a bizzar statment, but now I fully understand what they meant, and how true it is.  When you  are younger you have such energy, run, dance, play with no regards to aches, pains or the hot weather.  Now I wish I had done more of that.

I also wish I exercised more, paid better attention to my health and watched my eating habits.  I am paying for it now!  I seemed to never slow down to smell the roses or take care of me.

I am lucky that I have an instinct to act when an opportunity is presented to me.  The day I met the "boy down the street" at age 15, I knew he was the one...or at least I liked him that much.  When we had our first date at age 16, I was contented that I found my soul mate.  My mother said it would never last, just puppy love.  Well 43 years later, I love him more than I did then.  He is my rock, keeps me grounded and watches over me like a mother hen.  Finding him was the best thing I ever did in my life!  God knew what he was doing when he put us together.

Being a mother, I can only imagine how my mom felt when I got engaged at 16 and married right out of high school.  Little did she know that my husband was the encouragement I needed to go forward in life and to pursue my dreams.

My hard working parents who built a business and raised 8 great children.