Married for 25 years with 3 children 23, 20, 18. I have three jobs that I love and would be happy to teach about. I am a sign language interpreter in an educational setting (full time). I am an Early Intervention Specialist with a program called Families First (I go into families' homes and teach them how to teach their deaf child birth to 9), and I am a language tutor for families that have a child that is non-verbal for any reason. My career is one of the most rewarding things in the world. I love laughing or smiling so much that the next day my cheeks hurt, meeting people and making new friends, playing games (with people not computers), traveling, live theater, musicals, music (when performed live much more than just listening to the radio, particularly when it is performed by my children ;) , the Gulf of Mexico, swimming, water, learning.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

My husband and I have been planning to meet our daughter in Europe this summer as she finishes her study abroad in Germany. We were going to spend a month in Italy with a dear friend of mine who lived in Naples... unfortunately after travel plans were made, passports purchased and my daughter's flights purchased, my friend was transferred back to the U.S.. We effectively lost our housing, car, and tour guide in one swift move. We live a meager life and the trip was a stretch to begin with so now I am trying to make the best of it :) At first I came to couchsurfing because I needed to, now after reading so many profiles of so many generous hosts... I can't wait to have a REAL experience in Europe/Ireland and not just being a tourist. We love meeting new people and seeing places that are not overrun with tourists (although we do like the main attractions as well but it is fun to live like a local). The more I research couchsurfing the more I like the concept and possibilities. Our home is humble and in a rural area about 45 miles outside of Kansas City, MO and will be happy to host people from outside the U.S. with positive references on their couchsurfing profile.

Interests

Family, fun, boating (we like to share our boat with people who don't have one so when we visit my in-laws in Florida we take our boat... nothing fancy... but then offer to take people out to swim with dolphins who would otherwise have to miss out on the fun), snorkeling, live theater, blue grass type music, games (not on computer but with people), crafting, sign language, different cultures

• culture
• theater
• boating
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• snorkeling
• swimming
• golf
• teaching
• languages
• sign language
• study abroad
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

my favorite music is the music my children make (eldest is learning to play guitar and sings, daughter is in college for opera and loves belting musicals, youngest plays accordion and keyboard while going to college for percussion performance). Actually my family loves everything from 1930's music, classic rock, country, bluegrass, to gospel. My children's mp3 players have the most eclectic music selections you may ever see.

Movies: funny, rom-com, feel good, documentaries

books..."Petey" & "The Harbinger" are two of my more recent reads. I don't have much time for books anymore as I am working three jobs. I work with children interpreting in school so I tend to read what is hip for them so I can be "in the know" when they start discussing it.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Swam in the world's brightest bio bay in Vieques Puerto Rico while on a deaf mission trip (I am a sign language interpreter) to PR.

Teach, Learn, Share

Sign Language, deaf culture, card games (cribbage, euchre, hand and foot, golf, phase 10),

What I Can Share with Hosts

laughter, friendship, sign language and deaf culture,

Countries I’ve Visited

Puerto Rico

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States