DRTheisen

I'm Deborah, and my husband and I have an 8 year old daughter, 3 dogs and fish (aquarium and pond koi). We live just outside of Tampa, Florida. Just got our first camper this summer 2009 and are enjoying using it! I run a non-profit organization for families and children. My daughter and I enjoy arts and crafts and I am happily teaching her to sew. :)

I love spending time outdoors, hiking, biking, Trikking, snorkeling, exploring. We love to travel and this year we will mostly be traveling in state, enjoying new places in Florida. There are so many natural wonders here and it's so relaxing to explore them. Crystal clear springs, beaches, preserves, birds, butterflies, ocean and land wildlife - so beautiful!

We enjoy snorkeling, especially in the beautiful crystal clear (but COLD) water of the springs here in Florida. We see lots of alligators, fish, birds and are especially tickled when manatee want to interact (having a baby manatee roll over so you can rub its belly is amazing!).

My husband, daughter and I all take belly dancing classes together. We haven't been doing it long but may be getting to do our first performance this fall - exciting, but what a different thing for a family to do! LOL

I love teahouses and antiques! I also love incense and crystals.

I've been a Scout leader for two years and am always on the lookout for a new and creative idea. It's always so exciting to see what we can create from paperplates, scrap fabric, and other things we have in our craft closet.

I do not work for money - I do put my efforts into my family, home and volunteer/activism work. Diversity in people is something I really enjoy. I find different cultures and ideas very interesting. Being true to one's self and spirit is important to me...intolerance is something I have a difficult time with.

As for swaps, I view them as gifts...if it is something given, it is something to be treasured. I like all types of things, but especially love the idea that someone took time to do something for me. So, as for content or type of gift, it isn't really that important to me - I'm not picky and simply appreciate that someone took the time to think of me and put something together with care.

Eclectic! Still love 80s hair bands (yes, I admit that LOL). Bon Jovi. Aerosmith. Just went to the most amazing concert of my life - 5th row at Cheap Trick, Poison & Def Leppard. Occasionally listen to country. Patsy Cline's songs always are a favorite, but I also like gypsy music, mood music (like Soundscapes). I have a Native American flute cd that is inspiring. You never know what you'll hear in my car or home! It depends what I'm in the mood for.

I love to read! I like murder mysteries, romance novels, books about legal cases, and sometimes even read my old Anne of Green Gables set. Oh, and don't forget home decorator magazines - I'll browse through those again and again! Currently reading Sookie Stackhouse novels.

Reality tv - Bachelor/ette, American Idol, Hell's Kitchen, So You Think You Can Dance, America's Got Talent (but can't stand when the audience boos). Our family was just almost on Trading Spouses 2 years ago. :)

Sewing, especially for my daughter Painting (canvas, acrylic) Drawing (pastels) Bottlecaps (tend to use natural wood beads mixed with crystals) Matchboxes Felting is something I'm attempting to figure out but have yet to do so successfully :) Putting things together with random material to make fairy houses, furniture, etc.

I love glitter and sparkle :)

I love candles, incense, oil burners - those combined with dimmed lights and lamps makes me feel like I am inside a golden glow. Just makes me happy and peaceful. Love a variety of scents, what I am burning just depends on how I am feeling, the time of day, how the light is hitting my house. :)

I love all colors and wish I could wear orange, but it just isn't meant to be. LOL I tend to go for blues, pinks and purples (bright, not pastel).

Herbs, especially lavender, are comforting - especially herbal pillows, eye masks and sachets (also fun to make!)

Tea - will try any flavor, but especially love citrus or harvest time flavors

Honey - yummy and something that just makes me happy to see in my kitchen :)