I did many things before getting to where I am today. I worked for Pilot's Grill. I went to school to become an accountant, but I quit. I went to EMT school. I've taken computer courses. I went back to my hometown (not to live, but to work) and worked for Champion Paper for five years. The money was good, but it was a pressure cooker and it was no place to be working and raising a son. My son was with three different caretakers a day and it was a lot of money and not worth it. So I quit in 1995 and I found this house... There was nothing really for me there. I didn't have any family there. It didn't matter, so I decided to move and do something different. I was tired of the rat race of the mill. I decided I wasn't going to work and I was going have the bed and breakfast that I always wanted.

I've always wanted to open a bed and breakfast, but my dream was to live in Central America with my husband and son. This was what we planned on doing. We were going to guide bird watchers and just have fun. That's what I wanted to do. But after Bill died, I probably could have done it, but it wasn't the same.

I guess that [moving to Costa Rica] was something we developed together. We used to travel all over the world. Central America is one of my favorite places, Costa Rico especially. When Buddy got to be school age we were going to move down there. Even though we didn't do that, it doesn't mean I can't. I have plenty of time to grow up.

I love the way the B&B's turned out. I love people. I like working with the public. I like to cook. They [B&B guests] like to eat. It works out great. I'm really happy with how things have turned out. And it's not done yet. There's still a lot of work.

That's going to be his choice [what to do with his life], but ever since Day 1 it's always college after high school. He's never known any different. So when he's done with high school, he'll be in a college, but beyond that, it's his choice. It's important and it's not everything, but... my parents never encouraged me to do anything because they were partially miserable in there own lives. It was, "get these kids raised and out of the house," and I'm not like that. I'm behind my son 100%.

My experiences are that I'm just a happier person than my parents ever thought of being. My father worked in the mill for 43 years and my mother was pregnant at 17 and was just miserable her whole life.

You're only given what you can handle. There are times when I feel I can't stand it because I have too much to do or something, but you can't buy your health so as long as you're healthy and have food ... I don't really know tough times. Well, maybe back in the 70's when Bill and I could only afford beans, rice, and stewed tomatoes and we missed the Bob Dylan and Joan Biez concerts because we couldn't afford $7 a piece [laughs]. Other than that... my husband died. That was pretty bad. And then my house burnt down, but you know, I lived through it and it made me a stronger person. Right now, I've got to concentrate on raising my son. That's the most important thing.

My son and I weren't hurt in the fire. He was safe at school and I was at work. I had insurance and it was just material things. I had to fight with the insurance guys and the usual hassles that it involves, but we rebuilt the house. It was hard, but we did it. We never went without. Nothing's been that bad. I just chug along. I do take time to stop and smell the flowers. When things get crazy I do like to check out nature and that helps.

I don't care if you have a nickel or a million dollars, I treat you the same. I don't care about that stuff. You cannot buy your health. We tried when Bill was dying of cancer. Money isn't everything. All I want to be is happy and comfortable. That's success... enough food on the table, some money in the bank, and healthy.

If you're not happy with what you're doing, move to an island. Quit. Quit the job. It's not that important. I've never missed a meal since I quit work. We do everything we did before. Actually, I get to do more because now I see my son more.

You have to take one day at a time. Who knows, five years down the road I may not have any guests, but... keep it simple, don't overspend. Keep everything in your life simple and you'll do fine.