I'm easy going, kind-hearted, and generally pleasant. I have a tremendous capacity to love, but I can also be hurt deeply. There have been both times of plenty and times of want in my life, so I've learned to hold all things loosely. It isn't the "stuff" in your life that's important, it's the relationships.

I spent most of my married life as a stay-at-home wife and mother. I was married to a restless soul who moved us around a lot. In 31 years we lived in 15 different areas; in a total of 27 different apartments/duplexes/houses. You don't have to be very good at math to figure out that was a lot of packing and unpacking. Does that make me a seasoned traveler, or a rootless drifter? Or maybe a gypsy princess? Makes for an interesting life, but here I am back in the area where I grew up feeling like the new kid on the block again.

Besides being good at packing and unpacking,I'm also good at turning stuff that's on hand into last minute Halloween costumes. Best one ever was when my son was 12 and decided at the last minute that maybe he wasn't too old to go trick or treating after all. We turned an old red bathrobe,a red pair of sweatpants, and some other odds and ends into a Santa Claus outfit. Santa at Halloween really gets an interesting reaction from the little kids. . . There just doesn't seem to be as much demand for that talent as there used to be.

Since being widowed, I have moved back to my hometown and started working for my cousin at her cabin rental business. (Best boss I've ever had!) At this point in time I think I'm still figuring out who I am and what I want to do with the rest of my life. I enjoy reading, sewing, music and dancing. If you want a more detailed list than that, you'll have to ask

I still have one high school age daughter at home who is a blessing and delight to me. She is also my greatest responsibility and I take that seriously, but I also realize I need time for me as well, because I can take care of her best when I've taken care of myself. My older children live in other cities, and now I get to enjoy the interesting people they have become without having responsibility for their lives.

I would like the enrichment of new friends, and who knows, friendship might lead to something more. But I don't want to hurry anything, and I don't want someone who is so set on finding a "Ms. Right" that they try to move into that too quickly without really getting to know me. While I think chemistry is important, I also think a lasting relationship needs time to develop. And I think it's also possible to enjoy and appreciate friendships, even if they don't develop into that "something special".

I value honesty and the ability to communicate in a partner. I want a man of integrity and strong moral character, but not someone harsh and judgmental. I am tender and affectionate by nature and want someone who can reciprocate; someone who is not afraid to love and be loved. I'd like someone strong, yet tender - a bit of a romantic. And I want someone who loves Jesus, but isn't too narrowly focused on religion itself. (I believe the fruit of the Spirit should be evident in our lives, but I don't necessarily think every conversation should contain a bible verse.)

My children have been my greatest passion, but my youngest is 16 now, so I know that I am preparing for a new chapter in my life. I love to dance, and so of course, I love music as well. I have in other periods of my life enjoyed boating and skiing, off-road motorcycling, and showing dogs. I am hoping to meet new people, broaden my interests, and just see where life takes me.

On a first date I'd prefer something casual and low key - a walk in a park if the weather is nice, a chance for conversation in a coffee shop, or lunch in some cozy out of the way place. Somewhere there would be a chance for conversation to get to know a little about each other.