Lori915

Hi, my name is Lorien, pronounced Lor-E-in. Most people do call me Lori but I prefer Lorien. I live in Southern California - more toward the dirt rather than the water. I'm married to Aaron and we are expecting our first baby!! I'm due Feb. 6th, 2009. The only thing I look forward to as much is finding out whether it's a boy or girl, and that is on Sept. 25th. For our second child we are considering foster care and/or adoption. I am an elementary school teacher which is exactly what I have always wanted to be!

** I know pet dander bothers a lot of people so I want to make sure you know we have a cat, Mack. However, I am extremely allergic to pet hair and dander so we make sure to brush him daily and wash him often. If this is still a problem for you in one of our swaps please let me know!

As a side note, one of my biggest pet peeves is bad spelling. Please let me know if you see something wrong in my profile so I can correct it! Please, please, please, it will drive me nuts if you don't!!

I love to do crafts. I always have a cross stitch project, or two, going. I like to scrapbook, make stationary, etc. Things I have tried (but need a lot more practice with) are; crocheting, wood carving, pottery, glass blowing, photography, and basket weaving. Swap-bot has been fabulous to me because I'm getting all kinds of ideas and inspiration for new projects!

I love to read. I read anywhere between five to ten books a month, depending on my schedule. I'll read pretty much everything. My three favorite books are;

• The Violet Shyness of Their Eyes by, Barbara J Scot
• Something for Joey by, Richard E. Peck
• Leaving Microsoft to Change the World by, John wood

I love to cook. I don't have tons of fascinating recipes (but there are a few tricks up my sleeves!) - but I have tons of cookbooks. I also own TONS of cooking/gadgets! I am not the wife that complains when my husband gets me pots and pans, etc for my birthday. In fact, I'll probably complain if he doesn't!!

In our free time, which is seldom, Aaron and I like to go out on our boat in Lake Havasu, AZ, attend open houses (I love seeing how other people decorate - and we like to keep our eye on the market), explore ghost towns, go to wineries, and study the history of, and visit, old Japanese internment camps. We also love to travel, even if only on short day trips. I've been fortunate to have been all over the western part of the US as well as the Midwest. I've also been to Canada and Mexico many times. My GOALS are to make it to the rest of the states and go on a cruise anywhere. My DREAM is to go to Nepal for an extended stay.

MUSIC: I love and own a bit of everything; 50 Cent, Vivaldi, Gwen Stefani, Ashlee Simpson (it's hard to admit that), Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, Kid Rock, Garth Brooks, etc....My favorites right now are; Depswa, Korn, Nickelback, Godsmack...and I like a lot of seventies and eighties rock.

TELEVISION: I admit I watch way too much television (mostly because I like it on for background noise). I am a huge fan of reality television. I also like; Lost, Pushing Daisies, House, and How I Met Your Mother. Other than that I'll usually have on HGTV, Food Network, TLC, or Discovery Channel.

MOVIES: I pretty much like anything; documentaries, action, comedy (but not slapstick so much), romance. Some of my favorites are; Flight of The Navigator, Dirty Dancing, Little Miss Sunshine, Juno.

I would love to receive anything, but I figured I will give you a list of my likes to give you some ideas.

• stationary for letter writing

• scrapbook supplies (tools, paper, embellishments, etc)

• cross stitch supplies and patterns

• stickers (either for me, or cute ones I can give out to kids at school)

• Vintage pinup girl art

• 1950's pictures/cars/people/things....

• skulls/tattoos (not sure why I put these together - maybe because all of my husband's tattoos are of skulls and demons - but for me one does not have to go with the other)

• anything for kitchen and/or cooking

• new recipes

• handmade items

• ephemera not available in the US

• postcards from anywhere

• ATC's (I have never made one but am interested in starting - it's how I found this site!)

• beads

• any art supplies (pens, scissors, threads....the sky's the limit)

• animals I love; otters (and it's hard for me to find anything with otters on it), butterflies, dragonflies, cats, ladybugs, monkeys....

• colors I love; purple, green, blue, black

• supplies I can use at school (pens, papers, books, etc)

• supplies and/or surprises I can share with my students (pencils, stickers, cute erasers, little toys, etc)

• misc: I like any colors (listed my faves above). I also like any patterns. Solids, stripes, polka dots, cute and colorful, black and grey with skulls, bright, dark....I'm really not picky about anything and am always open to try new things!

note: if you send something that you meant specifically for my students, please let me know so I can make sure to share it with them!

While I would appreciate receiving anything, there are a few things I would ask you to consider.

1. Please do not send food items. I have a wierd food phobia. I cannot eat things without seeing them prepared - or without being in the store to make sure they are properly sealed, etc. In fact, when I eat at my friends' homes I have to clean their kitchen first or I won't eat the food. Thank goodness I have friends that put up with me. I would hate to waste any food items sent, when I'm sure there are others that would appreciate it more! -----ok, maybe some funky candy if it's sealed up super-duper-doubleduper air tight!!

2. I am allergic to pet dander, cigarette smoke and dust.

3. Non-cigarette smoke is important! First, because of my allergies. Second, because my husband quit smoking five years ago. Now, it makes him sick to be around, and smell, cigarette smoke.

THANK YOU