Okay . . . this is who I am ~ a warm, loving, funny, fairly intelligent, somewhat attractive (for my age!), financially secure gal ,who doesn't take herself too seriously, looking for her special guy who has the same attributes.

I have a great capacity for love and have not yet given up on the fairy tale romance. I've been out of the loop for over three years ~ it's taken a bit of time to heal. It's a little scary to put myself out there and take the risk of loving again. Yet, I remember the rewards received when loving another ~ the committment to be there for each other during good times and bad, having a lover and best friend all rolled into one, laughing at inside jokes, sharing intimacy of all kinds, walking hand-in-hand down the road of life. Gosh, I really miss those things.

At my age, I feel like I've lived more lives than any one person should be entitled. I've had various occupations, several husbands, lived in many different places, and have had many different interests. I've also changed my persona from "divorced party girl" to "strong, grateful woman" with fourteen years of sobriety.

I have three daughters and five beautiful grandchildren. My roles in this life seem to be constantly changing as the years pass by way too quickly. When I think that I haven't done "enough" with my life, I just do a quick review of all the things I have accomplished.

I've been single for more years than I care to admit ~ not for lack of trying though! I would really love to find someone who is fun, intelligent, attractive, financially secure, and is ready to really enjoy life. Whether travelling the world or the back roads in our beautiful country ~ it's much more fun doing it with someone you love!

Gosh, I seem to be spending an inordinate amount of time with my laptop writing drivel about myself and then looking to see if anyone is interested enough to drop me a line. I firmly believe that if I'm meant to find love again in this lifetime, that it WILL happen ~ just on God's schedule, not mine. In the meantime, it's kind of fun hanging out and seeing all the thousands of folks who are looking for the same thing!

I am very passionate about reading, writing, photography, painting, travel, my daughters and grandchildren, cooking, and learning new things. My interests range from "new science" to politics to spiritual growth to health, etc. I'm quite content pursuing the "topic du jour" ~ wherever my interest seems to take me at any given time.

Travel is very high on my list ~ like to think about where my next adventure will take me. So many places; so little time! Cruises are a wonderful way to see lots of interesting spots in a short period of time ~ i.e. The Pyraminds, The Parthenon, and The Vatican in ten days! Whirlwind, yes. Trip of a lifetime, yes. Just returned from Alaska ~ which was absolutely the most beautiful place I've even seen. Just give me a snow-capped mountain with a little water and I'm in absolute heaven!. . . . . or a white sand beach on an azure sea . . . . water of any kind . . . . winding roads in the fall . . . . the list is endless and is making me want to pack my bags. Where would you like to go?

Hmmmm ~ okay . . . . . . I'm a great listener and empathizer (yes, I know that's a made up word!). It seems I have this invisible sign on me that says "Please tell me your problems. I'm here to listen and perhaps help." It's just what I do!

Boring as it may sound, I've been really good at taking care of other people's finances ~ my volunteer work included being treasurer of two non-profit groups in VA and also treasurer of the church I attended in FL. In my working days, I always seemed to be handling finances and accounting. I vowed when I moved back to Richmond that I would NOT do any kind of financial work (other than paying my own bills!). It may be what I'm good at, but enough is enough. Time to start using the other side of my brain ~ that has been the REAL challenge!

Most importantly, I think I do a good job of nurturing and supporting my three daughters (not $$ support!) in their endeavors. My youngest, who is 24 and lives in Florida, calls me her "go to" person. Pretty cool when your daughter also becomes your friend!

I'm a decent cook when I feel like it . . . . just need someone to cook for! Like so many ~ I can do lots of things well enough to participate, but master of none (and not addicted to any)! There have been so many activities that I've enjoyed in all my "past lives" ~ I seem to adapt to whatever my partner and I enjoy doing together. Boating, fishing, antiquing, restoration, tennis, cards, golf (but I was so bad that I left my clubs when I left my husband!).

My SIGN!! LOL!! I guess I would have to say my friendliness. I have this strange inclination to talk to random people when I'm out shopping. I've had some incredible encounters just because I opened the door to conversation. Of course, some folks grunt and then I just walk away . . . . their loss!!

I am currently reading Eclipse by Richard North Patterson and First Family by David Baldacci. I love the adventure of political thrillers. Also love Flynn, Grisham, Patterson, Ludlum, etc. My non-fiction interests run the gamut from spiritual (Gregg Braden, Eckhart Tolle, etc.) to political (The Way of the World by Ron Suskind, America and the World, and Patriotic Grace by Peggy Noonan). I always have three or four books going at a time ~ and stacks of yet-to-be-reads!

Ah, movies . . . . to list a few would be to leave out the many. Recent ones I've enjoyed were Benjamin Button, The Reader, Changling, Amazing Grace, Marley and Me, and Seven Pounds (sob!!) (let me check my Blockbuster list ~ LOL!!). I love a flick with tension, excitement, good plot twists! Am not averse to a little violence (I can always cover my eyes). Romantic comedies are okay, but would rather be fully transported to someplace that is not too close to home! I'm not into slasher or horror!

Music ~ anything but Rap and heavy metal (I'm sure there are some other "new" genres that I'm not even aware of ~ sometimes I feel like I'm in a total time-warp!) Love Rascal Flatts ~ reminds me of Alabama. Of course, I love listening to the Oldies ~ it makes my Spirit happy! And, I will admit it publicly ~ I truly love Idol and listen to Ellliot Yamin and David Cook all the time.

Food ~ anything chocolate! Sushi, Mexican, Thai, Italian, French . . . . . love trying new cuisines. Seafood, a good steak, comfort food, a great dessert! I have very few "I won't eat that no matter what you promise me".

1. My family ~ three wonderful daughters and five really cool grandkids! They are my world!

2. Coffee/Chocolate . . . . lumped them together because I really can't live without either one (and they both have caffeine!)

3. Books ~ reading has been my passion ever since I was a little girl. With a good book, I always have company on a cold, winter night.

4. My faith ~ there's great comfort in knowing that someone other than myself is in control of my life. I messed up a lot when I was trying to run things myself!

5. My laptop ~ nice that I can multi-task from my recliner. Makes me feel like neither watching TV nor using the Internet is a total waste of time!

6. My sobriety ~ I can't even imagine what my life would be like if I were still partaking of my best friend "Jack". I must always remain grateful for this gift from God lest I "forget" that for me to drink again . . . . well, I just know it wouldn't be pretty!

. . . . the sorry state of the world. One of my recent personas was "cable news junkie" . . . . but one morning I found myself yelling at a chic who was voicing just one too many opinions. Anyway, I decided that I needed to cut myself off for awhile! It was not good for my soul. Happened to turn on one of the morning shows today and they were talking about who was to blame for the Metro train crash (6/22). That's part of the problem . . . . we're always trying to place the blame on someone. Surely we shouldn't look in the mirror and realize that the changes we want to see have to begin with us! No one wants to take personal responsibility for anything. Okay ~ enough ranting ~ this is my profile . . . . but it did ask the question.

Of course, in early sobriety they told us that our heads are scary neighborhoods where we were not allowed to be without adult supervision! However, I don't tend to ruminate over the mistakes of the past very often . . . . can't change it; can only endeavor to do better. And I don't think about the future too much (unless making plans for another trip) because when having my head in either the past or the future I am missing out on the now ~ and now is all we have and all we're promised.

On a lighter note ~ I am trying to figure out how I am eligible for Social Security. What the heck happened?? My mom was right when she talked about time going by so fast. I never understood it until recently. In my Spirit, I'm still in my prime; but my body is just not in sync. What is it they say ~ age is just a number?? I'll have to remember that! And I refuse to go down without a fight!! I took the Real Age Test on OKC and scored "48". Not too bad, I think!

Sitting home alone watching drama on TV or perhaps the latest DVD while awaiting that Special Guy who is going to sweep me off my feet or at least take me out for dinner!

When I was 3 years sober, I married a man who was 22 years older than me. Moved my daughter, dog, and cat to AZ! 3 months later I told him I needed to go back to Florida ~ he responded "I know!" More to the story, but suffice it to say I'm often whopping myself on the head saying "What were you thinking!!!" LOL!! The marriage was annulled, so legally IT NEVER HAPPENED and DOESN'T COUNT!!

. . . . . anything I've said resonates with you and you think it might be worth doing a little more exploration.

. . . . . the only games you are interested in playing are of the board, card, video, or sports genre.

. . . . . you are financially stable, do not need a mother, are not afraid of emotional intimacy, enjoy going out as well as staying in, like to travel, and just want to see what's around the next curve in the road.

. . . . . you don't take yourself too seriously and have a sense of humor about the world.

. . . . . you are NOT an active alcoholic (of course, if you were you would be in denial and not know it!) or do any other recreational drugs. Social drinking is okay ~ just so drinking is not your favorite hobby!