I was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I studied art and ballet every spare moment and with every spare dollar I could earn. Summer courses, master's classes when soloiosts from the NYC Ballet came to town .... I even taught ballet part time for six wonderful years until I finished college.

When it came time to head off to college, my parents sat me down and said it was time to think about a real career. So I got a teaching degree, got married, had one son.

We relocated to New Jersey so my hubby could attend law school. After 15 years of teaching, he convinced me I could earn much more if I got a Master's Degree in business.

I did that and had a successful 15-year career in finance, reaching the level of vice president before being downsized.

In hindsight, I didn't plan anything about my life. I did what was expected. But life was good. My hubby and I are married 42 years. Our son turned into a wonderful and talented man.

And now it's time for me ...

P.S. "Where I live now" says Texas because, when asked for my zip code, it would have been more confusing to put in my Mexican one, so I used our Texas mailing address zip. We actually live on the shores of Lake Chapala outside of Guadalajara.

How did you get to where you are now?

Let's see, would that mean Mexico or living my bliss and becoming the real me?

After being downsized from a career in finance 13 years ago, my husband and I retired to the wonderful climate and culture near Guadalajara, Mexico.

The retirement part didn't last long.

I started crafting (which I had loved as a child and young adult); then selling my crafts (gosh, maybe I really could be an artist!); then sold in galleries and opened my own gift shop to sell my work.

Finally my husband said, let's start a crafting website. So we did. Now we're a team in every way. We've built the business up to four websites and are having a ball with it.

After the craft website took off so successfully, I thought I'd like to do an anti-aging one since I'm on that journey myself. Don't you get tired of seeing 20 and 30-something models telling us how to cure our wrinkles?

It was through the anti-aging website that I discovered Vibrant Nation and am connecting with many other vibrant women "of a certain age" who are rediscovering and redefining themselves in similar ways. How exciting and energizing!

I think I'm allowed to list my websites. My two faves (mentioned above) are:

www.theartfulcrafter.com

and

www.ageless-beauty.com

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

Ten years ago, I thought I could never be a "real" artist. Now I am one.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Now I feel the sky is the limit. One of my (art) loves is digital graphics. I joked to a scrapbooking friend that I may become the Grandma Moses of ScrapGirls.com.

Dear Young Eileen,

1. Make your own decisions. You can't do any worse than if you simply allow the chips to fall where they may. That in itself is a decision - but not a very good one. Recognize your talents and build on them. There you will find your bliss.

2. For heaven's sake - get over yourself! Everyone is not staring at you!!

3. Parenting will be the hardest job you will ever have. Remember #2 and try to relax. Enjoy the growing up years. They will be over all too quickly.

4. Try not to worry so much. Remember the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. Heavenly Father will be with you always.

Katherine Hepburn, Ro Paxman (CEO of ScrapGirls.com)