My name is Shelley. I've been an Architect for over 30 years & I've done all different types of construction. I specialized in Hospital Projects for a number of years and did alot of business travel. After our daughters were born I decided to work alot fewer hours. Ever since then clients just started calling! I've mainly done Residential and Commercial projects and recently smaller projects like additions and remodels. I've also done design projects for non-profit and volunteer when I can.

My husband & I have been together 32 years and married 26 years and still get along great...the only issue has been the amount of time I was playing spades which was at times all night! We have 2 daughters 18 and 22. The youngest is just graduating High School and will start college in August at the same University as our older daughter. Our older daughter will be home his summer to do an internship at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Her major in college is Hotel/Resort Management with an emphasis in Real Estate Sales. We are blessed to have a wonderful family and great life together!

I have always been into fitness starting with Ballet as a child. In college used to swim, play tennis, yoga lessons and as soon as Aerobics started in the late 70's that became my passion. In my 40's I became a Certified Aerobics Instructor and Fitness Trainer for fun. We were active in Downhill Skiing for many years until I had a knee injury. I have also taken numerous Art & Photography classes and recently a Photoshop Class. I have just started Golf Lessons which I am enjoying and learning fairly quickly. I guess in general I would have to say I am a perfectionist & like to master everything I do. I have always played card games but never spades. I learned spades online 2 years ago and with the help of some people like Jimmy (Jimmy comeback kid), Jim (dont dew drama) and a few others who had years of spades experience I can actually remember cards, discuss spades strategy and theory and read my partners most of the time!

Last year was probably the most difficult time in my life but with alot of support from friends I survived cancer and I am still getting my strength and my spades game back.

I joined Forever Spades more than a year ago when a friend told me about the league. Since I was going through such a hard time in my life I would usually just come into the room go auto and play. I could not remember cards and my playing level was not too great but as I began to recover I started talking more in the lobby and getting to know people. It does take time to meet people in this league especially if you don't chat in the lobby. I have actually met people on the random Wednesdays tourneys and enjoyed playing with new people. My goal is to improve my game and be able to play with any level player and read the cards well enough to win. I have seen many people have strategies for color of seats, table numbers, and days of the week affecting seat colors but overall good cards, skill and partner chemistry win a game. I love to discuss the hands after a game and what could have been done differently to improve my game. I wish there was a way that yahoo had a feature to show all hands of game with who led and took tricks without having to do screen shots. I only play until 8pm (to keep the peace with my husband) and my favorite game is suicide because it makes me laugh! Overall I play spades for entertainment, developing skill in a card game and having fun with friends. I love to joke around and sometimes get really silly!!!