Val writes, "I like to be called Val, full name Valerie Stephenson. I live in a small village just outside Dublin, Ireland, called Celbridge in County Kildare."

After her separation six years ago, Val bought a beautiful little bungalow, which now, after some hard work, has lovely front and rear gardens. This year she started growing vegetables and fruits which she enjoyed very much. "The weather has not been too kind; however, I got a nice crop of lettuce, scallions, cabbage, peas, and strawberries. Not bad for a beginner!"

Val quit school quite young and got a dressmaking job which she loved. After a few years, she started her own small business in her home, making clothes for people. It soon progressed to bridal wear. "But alas, my health was not good. I'd had rheumatoid arthritis since clildhood, and now it was bad. But I'm a fighter, and was soon back working, this time in a shop where I met my lifelong friend Rita, and we are still great friends."

At present, Val has a small alteration business at the side of her home, and it's going well. "I work only two days a week, and the rest of my time is taken up with painting (as in art) and decoupage. My first solo exhibition is in November of this year, so all systems are go at the moment."

Her family includes "two great sons," Jason, still living with her, and Matthew, who has his own family: his partner Emily, Katelyn, 7, Chloe, 3, and baby Matthew, 1. Katelyn often stayed with Val on weekends.

Val got a computer some years back and taught herself, making plenty of mistakes along the way, but "I seem to have mastered it now. I was delighted to have found a seniors' site many years back, and met a member who came to Ireland on a visit; I cannot remember her name. I lost touch with the site for a while, but rejoined again and look forward to getting mail. I visit a lot of sites for photos, which I sometimes paint."

Val has traveled to Spain, Italy, and France, and loved them all. She has been to New York once for shopping, and would like to visit more of the USA.

Welcom to eGenerations, Val! I was especially pleased to meet you here, and I wish I'd met you in person on my recent trip to your fascinating country.

The photo below shows Val (front) with her friend Rita.