@CindyRae53
I live in Bradenton, FL which is just south of Tampa on the west coast, where we have the most beautiful beaches and sunsets! Although as I write this (9/19/2007), it seems to be fall every where but here and I am ready for some relief from the heat!! I produce enought heat in my own personal summers! I was a nurse for thirty years, but had to retire for health problems, which also limit my physical mobilitiy and leave me in chronic pain ranging from annoyingly achy to so severe I am unable to walk - every day is a new experience. I am able to be fairly active in my church, Calvary Chapel Bradenton. We are new and small but offer alot, including meals to our families in need, short and long term. I'm always looking for foods easy to take and make for others and myself because of my limitations. My favorite cookbook over the years for reference is the Betty Crocker Cookbook that I received as a teenage cook and baker after growing up using my mom's and also having had the Betty Crocker Cookbook for Boys & Girls. Through the wonders of modern technology, I was able to get my mom a new copy of hers and a new copy for myself to go along side my stained and tattered Boy's & Girl's Cookbook - gotta love that!! My other favorites are More with Less (love this) and a couple of compiled cookbooks from churches, communities along the way. My passions are my family and friends, and my church. I am married to Ron for 33 years with three grown children, one grandson (light of my life and cutest kid on the planet!) and a granddaughter on the way due 11/17/2007! My oldest son John, age 33, is an electrical engineer at Intel in Portland, Oregon. My daughter Joni Rae, age 31, is presently living with us after three years of Bible college in Lima, NY and five years on the mission field in Guatemala. It is such a joy and blessing to have her here. We have always been close and she gets me to church stuff when I think I can't get out, and she helps out around the house, doing things that I have been unable to do, alot of which went undone alot of the time. My youngest son Micah, age 29, is married to Michelle, has a son Caleb,age 26 mos, and daughter to be announced (they are keeping name a secret til birth)! I love all types of music - really everything from the Messiah to oldies, show tunes to big band, swing, and lots of Christmas music with my favorite being Bing Crosby. I love contemporary Christian music going all the way back to it's inception in the early 70's up through the present. Check out Charlotte J, I couldn't believe it when I read her music likes - it is me and my daughter to the max! I love college football and basketball and all things Florida Gators - it's great to be a Florida Gator, esp this year!! My son graduated with the seniors on the team of the 1996 National Champions (football) so we had a blast going up for games while he was there! I was born in IN and grew up on Ohio State football and of course Indiana U basketball, but have to say SEC is toughest conference! I love to check out new products, but haven't been able to shop for several years, so I'm sure there is much out there to be discovered besides the list I make out for my husband Ron. Guess I'll have to resort to taking a trip in the wheelchair. My main pet peeves are rude or snobby people, and the way people look at me when I am out in the wheelchair or parking in a handicapped spot when I am able to walk a little and don't look sick. My major annoyance right now is that my kitchen has been torn up for over a year and is at a standstill. Our house is small to begin with and it has made everything else so crowded that we can barely walk from room to room - don't know what I'll do at Christmas when everyone including my 82 yr old mom will be here!!