hooksnstamps

Born & raised near the NJ shore but now live in York, PA. I love it here -- there is so much to do within an hour or two drive, but I really miss being near the beach. Although after the devastation in NJ from Hurricane Sandy, I'm thankful to be in PA. Sad to say some of my old stomping grounds are gone.

I've been married to my high school sweetheart for 43 years. After 25 years in banking, I retired in 2005 due to disabilty. DH lost his engineering job in December 2008 and when he couldn't find another, we decided to try & sell our arts and crafts -- my crochet, photos & cards and his oil paintings & woodworking. We have made a bit of money and are having a lot of fun with a new group of friends in the art and photography circles.

We have 2 grown children -- a daughter Denise and a son Ed -- and 4 grandkids -- Maegan 20, Morgan 16, River 7, Tavon 3. In March 2009 we lost our grandson, Montie, at the age of 10. He had a severe case of Marfan Syndrome and had just returned home after his 13th surgery. He was our miracle and survived many more years than expected. We all miss him terribly.

We also have 2 canine kids -- both Shih Tzus named Max & BooBoo.

In 2007 we bought a 2008 midnight blue Saturn SKY convertible -- we call it our midlife crisis car! We love jumping in topless (the car, not us) and just going for a ride to nowhere.

I'm a list maker & an organizer. I'm a fanatic about having my books, CDs, DVDs, etc. on the shelves in alpha order. When I want to find something I don't want to spend a lot of time looking. My DH says I'm obsessed. Whatever!

I love classic rock from the mid- to late-60s, but not heavy metal. My favorite artists from that era (I like their more recent stuff too) are the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Eagles, Bob Seger, the Allman Brothers, Santana, Jimmy Buffett, Jim Croce, Brooklyn Bridge, Bob Marley, Spyro Gyra, the Doors, Fleetwood Mac. I also like Dave Matthews, the John Butler Trio, John Mayer, U2, Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz.

For quieter times I like any meditation or relaxation music, William Ackerman, Michael Jones, Andreas Vollenweider, Manheim Steamroller, James Galway, Josh Groban, Johnny Mathis, Andrea Boccelli.

I read a lot!! I love the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich -- her other novels are enjoyable as well. I also like Jennifer Crusie, James Patterson, Patricia Cornwell, Michael Connelly, Clive Cussler, Sue Grafton, Leonard Goldberg, Margaret Truman's Capitol series. I subscribe to Redbook, Smithsonian, O (Oprah's) and several art/photography magazines.

Love to watch movies -- action/thrillers, mysteries, comedies, romantic comedies, concerts and any movie from Disney -- old classics to new releases.

We don't watch much TV but I did get hooked on the new Revolution series. Can't believe they left us hanging until 2013!

I love to crochet and I think I have more yarn than I can use in this lifetime!

I handstamp all my own cards but I don't do scrapbooking. Christmas cards are a huge operation and done in one big assembly line. This year I might cheat & get one of my photos made into cards.

I like to make things from stuff I find or stuff left over from some other project, especially stuff from nature (leaves, acorns, pinecones, dried or pressed flowers).

I love to garden so I have gardens on all sides of my house & all along the back property line. I do nature photography -- scenery, gardens, birds & animals -- so I have a lot of rescources in my own back yard. The best photos from places we visit on vacation or day trips are hanging on our "travel wall" in the family room. We belong to a local camera club and I have won several ribbons for my photos.

I collect lots of different things -- I have collections of elephant figurines (wood, ceramic, glass), Demdaco angels, bird figurines, Hummel figurines, coins, Santas (both figurine and tree ornaments), rubber stamps, books, music (CDs and vinyl), videos, shoes. My DH collects ceramic mugs from places we visit and baseball caps. We are just a couple of pack rats!!

I love puzzles -- all kinds -- jigsaw, number, logic problems, internet games, games on facebook, etc.

I used to do a lot of counted cross stitch but haven't picked it up in a couple of years -- I have a 1/2 finished one of Noah's Ark & a bazillion kits waiting for me.

I love brownies, chocolate...especially dark chocolate, fresh fruit, nuts (except walnuts), hot or cold black tea, cheese, wine, hot cocoa, chocolate, original Coke, gummy bears, chocolate ice cream, mashed potatoes, a good steak, dark chocolate plain M&Ms, vanilla chai and did I mention chocolate?

Other stuff I enjoy: learning about other people, summer, smiley faces, Maxine from Hallmark, stickers & doodads for my cards, markers, Penn State football, games, the beach, cruises, Hawaii, sticky notes with fun messages or pictures, fun earrings (pierced), scented candles (especially Christmas scents), sounds of nature, massages, ice cream cones, sweet wine.

Colors: any blue, yellow & pastels

walnuts, seafood, cigarette/cigar smoke, spicy food, horror books & movies, coffee, strong perfume, rude people, cars with loud thumping music, movies loaded with profanity and stickers or rubber stamps with the vintage look

If you can't convince them, confuse them.

If its not fatal, its no big deal.

My brain is giving me the silent treatment!