Scuslidge

Older than dirt. Married (25 years!). Two kids (one of each flavor and both in the Navy) and just when we should have an empty nest, I've become the legal guardian of my niece and nephew! We've hosted 7-1/2 exchange students (we were hosting our sixth exchange student (a girl from Norway), but she decided to move in with a different family, so I only count her as 1/2! I'm still having a difficult time dealing with the rejection after everything we did for her.) Our other exchange students were: 3 girls and 2 boys from Germany, 1 girl from China, 1 girl from Italy. They still love us! Legal secretary for the past 20 years, but have waitressed, sold shoes, worked for Baskin Robbins and McDonald's, been an assistant publicist for a casino, delivered newspapers, and things I've no doubt forgotten! I also dabble in photography, working out of my house and shooting mostly family portraits and high school seniors. One cat, one dog and a HORSE! Rode extensively in my teens, but haven't had a horse since I was 17 years old. My boss's wife was looking for a home for one of hers and I was happy to take her! So, after 33 years without a horse, I'm now the proud owner of a beautiful thoroughbred mare - back in the saddle and couldn't be happier about it!

Lots of everything: Anna Nalick, Ani Difranco, Camille, Liz Phair, Pink, Missy Higgins, Ingrid Michaelson, The Fray, Plain White T's, Death Cab for Cutie, Postal Service, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Matchbox Twenty, Smashmouth, The Counting Crows, The Sighs, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Billy Joel, Dan Fogelberg (RIP), The Beatles, Shania Twain, Blind Pilot, Jason Mraz, The Gin Blossoms, Coldplay, Cute Is What We Aim For, Dave Matthews Band, Dido, Jem, Fountains of Wayne, The Killers, Margot & the Nuclear So & So's, Panic! at the Disco, Snow Patrol, Neon Trees. Pretty much anything except rap and real twangy country.

Anything by: Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Dennis LeHane, Michael Connolly, Sue Grafton, Kathy Reichs, Jodi Picoult, Sophie Kinsella, Nelson DeMille, Diana Gabaldon. Just about anything except romance. I don't mind a little romance in my mysteries, but I just don't like all romance-all the time.

About a Boy, Love Actually, Music & Lyrics (just about anything with Hugh Grant in it!), Amadeus, The Replacements, Seabiscuit, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, old musicals, chick flicks, romantic comedies.

Scrapbooking, photography, beading (earrings, bracelets and book thongs). I can sew for crafts as long as it's not too complicated. I did get a new sewing machine last Christmas, so I can now sew more than a straight stitch! Yippee!

Law & Order (the whole franchise), CSI (Las Vegas only), Amazing Race (actually tried to get on with my husband, but we weren't chosen - waaaah!), Survivor, 24, Desperate Housewives.

Tea (but not herbal or decaf - my favorite is just flavored black tea), chocolate (yummmmmmm!), cats, music, movies, home decorating (we painted our son's bedroom a bright blue, and bought black Ikea furniture and lime green accents - it's a lot of fun!). I particularly love the dark terracotta red and deep honey colors of the living room and kitchen), cooking, hiking, traveling, taking pictures, playing games with my kids (I have a 16 year old and a 17 year old at home now, so we can play thinking games, not kid games - fun!). Avid reader of just about anything, but mostly mysteries and funny chick lit. I love candles (fruity and spicy smells mostly, although light florals are okay. I hate perfumey smells, though - would literally wash my hands after sampling Moonlit Path at Bath & Body Works). I love B&BW Sweatpea, Black Raspberry & Vanilla, White Cherry Blossom and White Tea & Ginger (discontinued, darn it - it seems B&BW LOVES to discontinue my favorites). I especially like blues, greens, reds on the earthy side. I'd like to start collecting owls - not real cutesy owls, but somewhat more realistic.

Frou frou decorating (not into lacy curtains or lots of gold - complete opposite of the previous owner of our house, she'd probably keel over if she saw it now!), busy scrapbook paper (I like my pictures to be the focal point of my pages, not all the stuff around them), yappy little dogs. Not into kawaii (sorry!). Not really into fluorescent colors - more muted please.