I was married 30 years to a man I was sure was full of integrity and high morals, a deacon in my church,...until he ran off with a female business associate almost five years ago. It has been a very difficult time, dealing with the "death" of my marriage, but God has been with me all the way, offering His healing touch. I am ready now to begin a conversation that might lead to a lasting relationship.

I have four kids, ages 27 to 14. Only two are still at home and the older of the two is starting college next year. Ideally, perhaps, I should wait until the youngest is graduated from high school, but it would be nice to have someone to talk to and I am carefully following God's leading in this.

So here goes, this is all about me: It is important to me to be with people who are honest and sincere, unconcerned with image and status. My "love language" is service, so fixing my gutters or hanging a ceiling fan is better than flowers as far as I am concerned (although flowers are wonderful too!). I am frugal and practical, a good steward of my resources, but often spontaneous and adventurous in how I spend my time. I love all kinds of music and often like it LOUD! I feel that I still have much to offer. I don't smoke and don't like being around smokers, but I enjoy a nice glass of wine on occasion. I do not believe in premarital sex, so don't look for that here. I do not believe that would lead to God's best for me and my partner if we began our relationship that way. I really would just like to start a great friendship that could possibly grow into something more, in time.

Christ is my Rock, my firm Foundation, my Hope and my Help. Without Him in my life, I don't know how I would have made it through the valleys and trials I have been through. And without Him, I can't imagine experiencing the great joy and peace that I know and have known.

I have been involved in Scouting, as a girl and as an adult with my kids. I enjoy camping and hiking, as much as my "old" knee will let me. I also enjoy riding my bicycle now and then, though I am in no way an athlete or a fanatic. I like arts festivals, craft shows, wine tastings and even an occasional flea market or garage sale but usually spend very little money, just enjoying the people and the activities. (I'm really not a tightwad, I've just had to watch my spending so I go to enjoy the atmosphere and surroundings.) I enjoy singing and have a pretty good alto voice, but have a really hard time remembering lyrics sometimes! My kids laugh at me for knowing only snippets of so many songs. I have performed in an audition choir before and also a trio and other small ensembles. You won't find me doing a solo, though! Scary!

Many people know me by the sound of my laughter, which makes me easy to find in a crowd. Not loud or obnoxious, just distinctive and pleasant. I like to say that was my inheritance from my dad because that's how I always located him at his workplace, by following his laugh.

I have roofed a house, killed and skinned a snake, chased tornadoes with the storm chasers, crossed the Royal Gorge on the suspension bridge (a mighty feat, considering that I am petrified of heights), and gave birth to my youngest child at home with a midwife. I just finished my bachelor's degree in Business Management and recently took a wiring class to learn how to install some lighting in my new-to-me home. I feel I am smart and capable, but I am no Stepford wife or Martha Stewart. I just find other things more interesting and important than finding the perfect drapes or creating a stunning centerpiece. I can cook a good meal and love to do big dinners like Thanksgiving, but don't like to cook all the time. Someone else can take a turn once in awhile or maybe have dinner out occasionally. I can dress up with the best of them, and do dress very nicely for work and other occasions, but I am most comfortable in my jeans and sneakers.

I am a good listener and a good friend. I am loyal and trustworthy, dependable and fun. (Sound like a Labrador retriever, don't I?) I would love to find someone with whom I could share the highlights of my day and use as a sounding board for my ideas and dreams. I am conservative in politics and really don't enjoy antagonistic political discussions. I am passionate about some things and laid back about others; you just have to get to know me to find out which is which!

I have always wanted to take dancing lessons, I love to ride horses when given the rare opportunity and would like to do some traveling some day. My dream vacation? A cruise in the Bahamas or somewhere tropical...

I would enjoy a long period of getting to know each other through messaging. Eventually we could meet in a public location, maybe a restaurant for appetizers, or just some sodas. Maybe a walk around Boomer lake would be nice. It should be kept short, long enough to decide if there is interest in a second one. I am in no rush and am carefully following God's leading in this area of my life, so the pace will be slow and easy, but hopefully a pleasant time of getting to know each other.