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I grew up in Schenectady, New York with an older brother & younger sister. Our father was a hard working self made man who created his own business & our mother was a homemaker who was always beautifying our home with her needlework, cooking, cleaning & working in the yard.

I graduated from college & married the summer after graduation. We moved to Long Island right after the wedding. We had 4 children; boy-girl-boy-girl by the time I was 30. 19 years after college graduation, I went back to school & earned a Masters Degree. Around that same time the marriage ended & divorce happened.

While married I worked various part time jobs teaching . After earning my Masters degree I had a couple of full time positions before getting a job with the state as a mental health professional. In December '05 I finally had enough years in to be able to retire. Being able to retire after so many years of stress & concerns was one of the happiest times in my life.

My kids are all grown now & have their own families. I am happy to say I have 7 wonderful grandchildren; 5 girls & 2 boys - the oldest 23 & youngest 5 years old. I learned recently that # 8 is on it's way in Sept. '08 via my youngest daughter ! It's so exciting anticipating a new member of the family !  Both of my daughters live on Long Island so I get to babysit with some of the little ones. 2 of my grandchildren live on the west coast. I've gone out there to visit a few times & they come back here for visits periodically.

Since retiring I have been persuing my interests & love the freedom & independence I have for the first time in my life. I am never bored but am lonely at times. At those times I try to focus on all the treasures in my life - I have many blessings & am grateful ! 

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