I am apparently living life in drastically different stages. I worked in the software industry in the 80's and early 90's, then became a SAH mom after the birth of my first child. After a divorce, I went back into a totally different software industry, left that this summer, and currently I am going to school full-time, re-training for a new career. I had no idea what to expect not having been in school for 20 years, but after some of my recent experiences I decided I could tackle anything! So far it is going well and I love it. I find myself wondering why it took me so long to get here. My kids still keep me busy (I thought they wouldn't need me as much when they were teens! I was wrong). My house is never as clean as I would like it to be, and my 'to do' list is always pages long, but I am more content than ever. One constant that remains is my love of cooking and feeding people. I love to bake! However, I don't do it often - I need to watch the calories :). My kids would shoot me if I let a holiday go by without making my cornbread dressing, which has a secret ingredient (dried apricots), my Yellow Velvet (which is a corn and squash dish), my former sil's version of French Silk pie, and my mom's recipe for Martha Washington chocolates. I just need to get them more involved in the cleanup :) Someday I will get these recipes posted! I make some yummy entrees with morningstar soy crumbles instead of beef. I also make THE best mashed potatoes and banana pudding. A couple of years in a row my Thanksgiving turkey didn't get done in the oven and I had to finish it in the microwave.... at least the side dishes were delicious. I finally figured out that my turkey roasting pan was slightly too big for my small oven, and the oven door was ever-so-slightly cracked open. I can make a good turkey now, but I still prefer making the side dishes and desserts. Probably due to the early trauma :)