Lin Erikson Disorbo

I majored in fine art at Temple University but in my junior year family circumstances caused me to leave school and I moved to Connecticut where my parents had retired. Shortly thereafter I met and married Santy, the terrific guy who has been my husband for 46 years (and counting). We soon started a family and had two daughters and a son in rapid succession; three years to be exact, and I was a stay-at-home mom. Boy was I ever! We were bursting out of a small apartment and frantically saving money for a house. We spent a year drawing plans and designing and built it in 1965. During the process we discovered our mutual love of building and have done many “projects” together over the years. Generally, if I can design it, Santy can build it. I have spent some time regretting not studying architecture, but I was TERRIBLE at math and besides, Miss Lewis surely would have discouraged such ideas from a GIRL. My husband had become very frustrated with his job and wanted to go into business for himself so I agreed to be the bookkeeper…no math skills, remember? It wasn’t easy, but I learned and because I was the cheapest help available, I became more and more involved. I had entertained the idea of being an interior designer when the kids were all in school, but that was not to be. Luckily, the business and our marriage both survived and even prospered, and we even had another baby. Our 10-year old son’s disgusted reaction: You mean you’re PREGNANT?” And I gave him another sister. I’m lucky he ever spoke to me again. We managed to raise four reasonably well-adjusted, fully employed nice children who married lovely people and who have managed to produce five (and counting) amazing grandchildren. Ten years ago we stopped working and stated traveling. We’ve been lucky to be able to see most of the U.S. and several foreign countries. I was inspired by the mosaics I saw in Italy to begin doing some of my own, and I’ve had fun playing with photos on the computer and designing cards and locating old friends and staying in touch by e-mail. My husband continues to redo our house…I mean he knocks down walls! We are strong and healthy and very blessed.