For what it's worth, Patty, I was hearing about a study (lemme know if you need me to find it, or else can someone tell me where I saw it?) that asked older people (in their 80s and so forth) what the best years of their lives were. The data showed that, in order, the best decades were the person's 80s, then 70s, then 60s and so forth. And you're only 42 (Douglas Adams fans might be tickled by that) I agree that it gets harder to compete for (certain) jobs when you get to around your age, so for that I'm sympathetic, but as justgiving pointed out, you'd be surprised. They might not be the type of job you want anyway :P

Welcome! Looking forward to more posts, and lots of love and hugs.