CURRENT MISSION

To have fun, explore the world, and truly connect with people.

ABOUT ME

My friends would describe me as serious but with a knack for making them laugh. I'm a good listener, and love to get into philosophical conversations. Friends might say I'm wise, complex, analytical, emotional, a "deep thinker," a lover of people, greatly concerned with the welfare of others around the world, open-minded, accepting of most.
My husband, Steve, would probably not want me to describe him, although the facts are okay. He's retired from being an engineer, loves to do many outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, SCUBA diving and water skiing. He's a wiz at fixing anything, and likes to build furniture and such out of wood, in his spare time.
My son, Brenton, has his own business as a licensed electrician. He also is a wiz at fixing things from computers to cars.
My daughter, Katie, is married and out on her own. She is the most creative in our family, spending time making clothes, jewelry, dolls, drawings and paintings, photographing and making ceramic objects. She loves drama (that is, the pretend kind, not the real-life kind). She has her own photography business.

PHILOSOPHY

I believe that each of us needs to decide what will make life meaningful. I have chosen a few ways to make meaning. I try to be a contributing member of my community as a counselor. I strive to learn much about myself and the world. I value my family and friends and spend as much quality time as I can with those I love. I also find meaning in creating beauty, outside in my garden and inside my home. To express myself creatively is my ultimate challenge, and one I have dabbled at in various forms (writing, teaching, painting, photography, garden art, home decorating)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I was a foreign exchange student for 2 months, and lived with a family in Cartagena, Colombia. And then, as an adult, I have hosted one young man from Colombia, SA, to live with us for a school year. But now, as of 6/2020, I have couch surfed 10 out of the 20 days my family and I spent in Europe. Those 10 days were the best out of the vacation because we made friends and thus truly connected with each place through the people there. I'm now telling everyone I know about couch surfing!

Interests

Reading stories, listening to stories, imagining stories. Gardening and spending time out in nature. Traveling and learning about the history and people of a place. Running. Dancing. Singing. Scuba diving. Water skiing. Watching my children grow. Watching my grandchildren grow.

• arts
• writing
• singing
• photography
• beauty
• dancing
• running
• gardening
• clothing
• reading
• traveling
• cars
• painting
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• camping
• surfing
• scuba diving
• skiing
• business
• engineering
• history
• law
• software

Music, Movies, and Books

I spend much of my free time attending to one of these three pastimes. I love so many forms of music, though my favorites are ballads in which a story is told, could be country western, Irish, folk, rap, hip hop, fast or slow, with humor or tears.
My favorite novels are beautifully told, and touch me at my core. Some include The Secret Life of Bees, The English Patient, Cry the Beloved Country, and God of Small Things. My one favorite autobiography: West With the Night.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Giving birth after feeling a being grow within.

I look for miracles and see God's hand in everyday life. There is such beauty, if I look for it and don't get caught up in worry or past regrets.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belize, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Colombia, Costa Rica, France, Honduras, Italy, Mexico, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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