Let Me Introduce You to Me

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It's been a few years since I came on myLot. I know many of you from Bubblews. However, there are many new faces around myLot who don't know me. My name is Valerie. It's also what I prefer being called. I don't like the shortened version many people insist on. I live in Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA. Home to the Green Bay Packers professional football team. American football and not to be mistaken for European football otherwise known here as soccer. Wisconsin is known for cheese, beer, and brats. So, what can I tell you about me that you don't know? (Speaking to those who know me now.) I have a granddaughter on temporary leave from the US. She should be home by the end of summer. This is not a good temporary leave. She took a temporary leave of her senses when she left the US for the UK and found special accommodations that take care of all her needs. As for me, I grew up in Wisconsin and lived here until I joined the Navy in 1972. I served during the Vietnam War. I was stationed in San Diego where I met my husband, married, and had two of our three children. Our third was born in Illinois. So, I have three children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. My oldest disowned me. So, in case you haven't figured it out, I've lived in three of the fifty states, California, Illinois, and Wisconsin. I also lived in Guam for 16 months. This winter-loving bird loved Guam and would go back in a heartbeat. Okay, I LOVE winter. I LOVE snow. Some of you know that. For others who keep telling me it's good I didn't get snow, maybe for some, it's good, not me. I love snow. The storm we had last month that gave us 15 inches of snow was awesome! I know what you're thinking, I'm crazy. Yes, I am. Crazy in love with winter. More about me. I'm a born-again Christian. God is first in my life and has been for 43 years this month. I'm an author. I've been writing since I was eight years old. None of that was any good. But I had to start somewhere. I've been writing to publish since 1980 and published my first book, Scarred, in 2012. Scarred is in the third edition. The second edition was to correct all my typos. There were more than I thought there were. The third edition was because I fired my publisher/editor. I also fired my second publisher/editor when she breached the contract when I was ready to publish Thread of Evidence. I find I really prefer self-publishing. I'm in charge of my books, not someone else. I've received mostly five-star reviews on my books. Those who buy from me personally, tell me they can't put them down. My books keep them awake at night, reading. I'm getting ready to publish my eighth book and that will be followed by the ninth, Where Eagles Soar and Destination Love. I've lived on this earth for 69 years. I will be 70 in July. Somehow, it doesn't feel like I'm that old, except when I get up in the morning and I can barely move because everything stiffened up overnight. Then I want to reach for my walker, but usually, a little motion gets things moving and soon I'm walking around here like someone a lot younger. I live in a senior community, not to be confused with assisted living. It's not. It's a regular apartment complex for seniors 55 and older. I love it here. There is so much to do. Exercise three times a week, Canasta on Thursday, there's also game night, potluck, and a lot more activities. They bring out a newsletter every month with a calendar showing everything you can do. There's something for every day. I started a prayer night a couple of months ago. There's also a Bible study group that meets twice a month. Right now the complex is playing Bingo. They put up the numbers on the three entrance doors for the three buildings in the complex. It's one way to get exercise. The complex is also pet friendly. I don't need a pet. I can get my furbaby fix just about every time I walk out of my apartment. The dogs know they will get a nice pet from me and come to me tail wagging. My activities outside of the complex are rock painting, swimming, though I haven't been to the pool in a while now, and Writer's Guild once a month. I'm also an active member of my church where my hug-o-meter gets filled up every week. I also take part in the winter farmers market. I've been doing that since February. My Writer's Guild has a table set up. I've sold a dozen books at the market. Okay, that's who I am. I'm a lot busier than I was before I moved here, and a lot busier than before I retired at the age of 62. And in case you're wondering, I have one brother and one sister. They live within an hour of me in two different directions. I'm the oldest of four. My brother next to me in age passed away in 2015. My parents also passed away shortly after him. Now you know who I am. Who are you? Thanks for reading. The image belongs to me. My books from the last market.