Paper Trunk

I live in: North Virginia, USA

If I could only scrapbook with 3 items...
I would insist upon having great paper. I especially love paper with large designs that are ideal for cutting and creating embellishments. I am addicted to paint….paint….and more paint! Paint is so flexible and I am always amazed at the multiple ways that I can use paint on a page. Lastly, I must have a good black pen. I need it to journal and doodle. A total “must have” in my book.

Everyday, I need to have...
A LOT of coffee. I simply cannot function without caffeine. When I am bored with coffee I will enjoy a very strong cup of black tea and if it is too warm for a hot beverage I am happy to consume a Red Bull (or two).

I wish that I could go...
on a trip around the world. I have read about Nigeria, Portugal, Greece, India, Hawaii, Panama, Cuba and so many other places. I have given countless lectures about countries across the Atlantic Ocean (or Pacific Ocean) and my biggest dream is to travel the world. I want to experience new places, new cultures, new cuisines and the great beauty that this world offers. I want to be a global citizen.

My favorite memory is...
the birth of my two sons. Yea, technically two different moments, but I cannot choose between the births of my two sweet boys. It is odd I suppose that my memories of being in labor would be a favorite moment. Some might think it especially odd given that I was drug free and all natural for both births. Yet, I cannot remember my life without them and I will always treasure the memory of the first time that I held them in my arms.

I try to be "greener" by...
recycling and teaching my children about the importance of treating “mother earth” with love and respect. I love to take family hikes and they are special moments for us. It is a time to be one and at peace with nature. It is a time of exploration and discovery and over the years my boys have gained a deep appreciation for nature and their responsibility to the earth.

I created my first scrapbook layout when...
my family returned from our 2006 summer vacation to the Bahamas. It was our first family vacation in several years and I took an inordinate amount of photos. When we returned home I decided that I needed to do something special with the photos and not simply put them in “the box.” I purchased a few basic supplies from Michaels and Costco and have never looked back since.

When I'm outside, I'm usually...
on a walk, hike, or at a playground. One of the things I love about living in Northern Virginia is that we get four beautiful seasons. Although I love each season, my two favorites are spring and fall. I love the cacophony of colors that burst forth in the spring and the fall. Something about nature’s ability to change and adapt is comforting and reassuring to me.

When I hear the word inspire, I think of...
a teacher. I have always thought that the primary job of a teacher is to inspire and to uplift. I am sure that is why I became a teacher. My goal is to inspire when I teach and the topic is secondary. The topic could be American history or it could be how to incorporate more heartfelt journaling on a scrapbook page. My purpose is to bring about a change of heart, spirit and mind.

I hope people know that I am...
a woman who deeply believes in love for all humankind and inclusiveness. I am hopeful that the world I leave for my children will be better than the one I received.

I can't help but laugh when...
I see my boys in the bathtub. They are so silly and innocent in the tub – not precocious or obstinate. Sometimes it is almost as if time stands still during bath time. I think it is the bubbles.

My all-time favorite movie is...
“50 first dates.” Of course this is a super duper hard question. I could list other movies but I will go with “50 dates” because I love the message of the movie – that everyday Lucy’s (Drew Barrymore) husband Henry (Adam Sandler) has to make her fall in love with him all over again. I love that. I guess I am a hopeless romantic.

I think…
therefore I am. Ha ha ha!!!

I love...
my family. I love my husband because he is really my best friend. We have been there for each other through the good times and the bad and I cannot imagine my life without him. I love my boys --- they make me smile everyday. They complete who I am.

I really enjoy...
opening my home to friends and family. I love to just hang out, chat, and laugh. My husband and I have made a conscious effort to make our home a welcoming place and place where every visitor feels as if they are family. I love the sound of kids running, screaming and giggling. I love lots of women in the kitchen telling stories. I love to see men gathered around a television eating and doing whatever guys do. For me a full home is a happy home.