CURRENT MISSION
To be happy and inspire ourselves and others through doing what we love .

ABOUT US:

We have six kids between the two of us... and two granddaughters.

We discovered CouchSurfing in 2009. We held regular BBQ's to meet local couchsurfers and were impressed with the people we met.

We’ve both been single parents and we married in 2003 where we shared a small apartment near the beach. In 2010 we sold our vehicles and possessions and moved to Europe. We lived in Seville and Aracena, Spain and Porto, Portugal for two years. In that time we participated in CouchSurfing and Home Exchange and enjoyed visiting Sweden, Ireland, Scotland, England, France, Amsterdam, Germany and Switzerland. We've had only positive experiences with both Couchsurfing and Home Exchange.

PHILOSOPHY

We're optimists. Life is for appreciating. All of it, even the uncomfortable parts. Forgiveness is a powerful tool and a gift to ourselves and to each other.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING
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We believe that strangers are just friends we haven't met yet unless you really ARE strange and then you're just strange friends.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Take a look at our photos. They are back in the day when Renie’s hair was dyed blond and Jim had hair! We couchsurfed and home exchanged during our two years abroad and we hosted quite a bit before we took off for Europe. We took a 5 year break from participating in Couchsurfing but are back in the swing and looking forward to hosting again.

Interests

Renie is an Ambassador to Nature. She is an evolving artist, ceramist, painter, writer, gardener and an accomplished composter. She adores the alchemy of turning waste into black nutrient~rich soil. Ever heard of Bakashi? Fermented compost! Renie needs time to be alone with herself under a tree, near a river, on a mountain or anywhere outside close to her True Mother. When she takes the time to fill her tanks, she enthusiastically loves to be of service. What fills her tanks? Girlfriend time, hot epsom salt baths, Chinese massage, creative pursuits and snuggles with her cat.

Jim loves business and entrepreneurship.

We are deeply attracted to people who love what they are doing because their passion is inspiring and infectious but mostly because they're fun to be around!

• cats
• dogs
• arts
• writing
• gardening
• technology
• traveling
• cars
• pottery
• painting
• business
• entrepreneurship
• nature
• oil painting
• watercolor
• sustainable living
• conspiracy theories
• sustainable agriculture

Music, Movies, and Books

We both like the silence of a peaceful environment or the sounds of Nature. Renie would rather listen to a babbling brook or a chorus of birds or laughing children than anything else in the world.

Jim likes to listen to books on tape.
Renie is a performer at heart and loves to read or perform to an appreciative audience. People's stories of courage inspire us. TED talks are just one of our many favorites.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Renie: Giving birth at home.

Jim: I witnessed my father petition the court for leniency for the man who murdered my brother. Dad forgave him immediately. It took me twenty years.

Teach, Learn, Share

Jim is great in crisis'. He's compassionate with young adults who are in a transitional stage of life where guidance and advice is welcomed by them.

Renie loves art shows and live performances...especially orchestras, dancers and singers, art exhibits, nature and esoteric discussions. Renie is a conspiracy realist.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Renie prepares delicious meals and can clean and organize like nobody's business. Jim will help solve an ongoing problem and help you find a solution.

Countries I’ve Visited

Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Equatorial Guinea, France, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Saint Lucia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, Vatican City State, Venezuela, Virgin Islands, British, Virgin Islands, U.S.

Countries I’ve Lived In

Indonesia, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United States

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