CURRENT MISSION

I believe it's important to take time out of our own lives in order to help others find their way.

ABOUT ME

I am a retired second grade teacher who has been a member of Alanon (the sober side of AA) for 15 years, and I currently sponser four women. Al-Anon is a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength and hope in order to solve common problems.

I also mentor young men and women who attend Michigan State University's College of Education, and I had seven students serving internships in my classroom last year.

I'm just an old Hippy who is keenly aware she is living the last quarter of her life, and I don't intend to do that from a Lazy Boy Rocker. I want to visit places I have never been (Italy, Santorini, and Guatemala), and re-visit places I already love (The Grand Canyon, Big Sur, Arizona and New Mexico) for one final look. I want to spend time with friends, hone my culinary skills, climb mountains, and register for painting and photography classes. I want to buy an adobe home in the southwest, and then substitute teach to finace those trips.

My taxes are current, I have never spent time in a federal penetentury and I'm as normal as they come.

PHILOSOPHY

I was not born to blend in. I was born to stand out!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

A friend referred me to Couchsurfing...and can't wait to give it a try. I love to travel, but with the price on gas and airfares going up, up, up it's not as affordable as it used to be. This concept will allow me to continue my adventures in retirement as well!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have been traveling via backpack for more than thirty years visiting family, old and new friends.

Interests

I'm a swimmer, gourmet cook, floral designer and cake decorator. Rummaging my way through thrift stores, yard sales and auctions is my idea of fun. I grow a mean tomatoe, and no one can touch my home baked pies. In my spare time I bake cheesecakes, crochet vintage pot holders and dishcloths, bead jewelry and repourpose old furniture.

• design
• photography
• education
• cooking
• breakfast
• shopping
• thrifting
• traveling
• crochet
• painting
• backpacking
• swimming
• teaching
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Favorite Movies: An Affair to Remember, Thelma and Louise, Urban Cowboy, Dirty Dancing, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and Erin Brockovich.

Favorite Books: Courage to Change, The Four Agreements, Love is a Choice...Recovery for Co-Dependent Realtionships.

Favorite Music: Norah Jones, Stevie Ray Vauhan, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Marty Stuart, Asleep at the Wheel, Tower of Power, Bobby Blue Bland, Joe Bonamassa, Jonny Lang, George Strait, Andrea Bocelli, The Letterman, this list could get a little long, because I love music!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I was awarded the Regent's Scholarship at Arizona State University, and graduated Summa Cum Laude with Highest Distinction.

I was honored to have my portfolio chosen for display at the Graduate's Breakfast at Marygrove College in Detroit, Michigan where I earned my Masters in Teacing.

I have travel cross country, and into Mexico and Canada four times.

I watched Ottmar Liebert play Luna Negra in his bare feet while a lunar eclipse was taking place.

When I took my first backpacking trip, with four other women, I left with $120.00 in my pocket, and when I returned I still had $30.00 left in my bag.

The most impressive thing I've ever seen was the birth of my sister's second child. He's grown now, and working as a Paramedic in Flint, Michigan.

Teach, Learn, Share

The biggest mistake a woman can make is shopping for stained glass windows when they have failed to build a financial foundation for their own lives first.