arentyouthatgirl

I'm 42, married 22 years and have two boys; 13 and 9. My stepson has given me three grandchildren though and of course they're all cute as can be! I live in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah River right outside my door.

My favorite, favorite, favorite thing to do is sit on my porch swing and read a book (homemade bookmarks are sooo cool!), newspaper (maybe one from your town?) or take my laptop outside while drinking a cup of coffee, iced tea, or whatever. My husband said the swing is the worst thing he's ever bought because I can't seem to get passed it to help him in the yard! But I will tinker in my flower bed when the weather suits.

I'm an attendant for my disabled mom and it has worked out fabulous for both of us. When my kids are sick, mom becomes "grandma", not "employer." She will tell me to stay home to be with my boys. How many employers would do that?!

Favorite Books:

Mysteries with the main character being a strong female. I love Sue Grafton, Patricia Cornwell, Joan Hess' "Maggody" series. I'm starting to read James Patterson's series of the Women's Murder Club.

Favorite Colors:

I love bright colors! Greens, blues, reds, purples, etc., etc.!

Favorite Scents:

My absolute favorite flowers are lilacs and roses. I also like spicy (cloves, cinnamon, rosemary, etc.) and citrusy scents. Unfortunately, I can't wear perfume after the births of my sons. The scents don't mix well with my chemistry I suppose.

Country (old and new) mainly. John Berry is fabulous and no one else does "O Holy Night" better! Nickleback is in my car and Bon Jovi is in my bedside radio. (Boy oh Boy can I make a comment about THAT!! Is it hot in here or is it me??)

Shawshank Redemption is one I'll watch more than once on purpose. There aren't too many others out there I'll watch over and over, unless you count "It's a Wonderful Life" one time a year while decorating the tree!

Heroes, The Office, ER, Law & Order, Boston Legal, NCIS and the original CSI. The Woman's Murder Club has caught my attention and American Movie Classics channel or Turner Classic Movies are awesome!

Loom knitting, cross stitch, crochet (just not as often as I used to). I'm finally learning to needle knit socks with dpns. Dabbling in stamping, but going easy as it could become a full fledged addiction!

Some goodies I would love to receive:

• bead bracelet to make a medic alert tag look GOOD! Laurens Hope are great examples, but are just a little too rich for my blood right now. Handmade are always more special for me!

• Werther's Candy

• Coffee (decaf or regular, ground or whole bean, flavored or not)

• Bookmarks or supplies to embellish those I make.

• Interesting paper to make journals. Does not have to be store bought. Pick out the pretty, unusual, lined/unlined or whatever from the recycle bin from your work (doesn't even have to be blank on both sides! Blank on one side is fine, but just not dirty or terribly wrinkled, please.)

• Acrylic stamps with a nature theme or alphabets or swirls. No religious themes, please.