CarolOK

Anne Tyler, Anne Rice, Dramas, Complicated Stories about families. I will not read Romance Novels and no books where people are tortured (no gore). Mysteries are fine, I just don't like a lot of description if there is violence.

I read a couple of books a week which gives me a lot of pleasure. I ride the subway to work and as soon as I sit down, my face is in my book for the next 45 minutes and again for the ride home. I am fortunate that so many people also ride the metro and then donate their books to libraries. I then purchase brand new books for 50 cents.

Lady GaGa, Annie Lennox, U2, Prince, Zydeco, Soul, Blues, K.D. Lang, The Beatles, Bette Midler, Sting, Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen. Even though I grew up in the 60s, I really don't like listening to the Golden 70's, 80s music. I much prefer learning about new artists. I don't like "country music" or "heavy metal" at all.

The Mentalist, Jeopardy, House, Grey's Anatomy, Law and Order (all of them), Private Practice (although they are losing me with the current story line). I tape Ellen every day and then watch when I come home from work. She always makes me laugh.

Collage Art, Rubber Stamping, Scrapbooking, Taking Pictures, Polymer Clay, Beading, Hooking Rugs, Jewelery Making (wire work). I also make SoulCollage cards. If anyone wants to know what that process is, just google SoulCollage. Very freeing experience and virtually no cost, since magazines are used to cut pictures out of to make the cards (sort of like large Tarot cards) since they are on large index size paper or chipboard.

About 5 months ago, I started taking beading classes (using the small seed beads). I love doing this, but I am so much slower than the other people in the class. I have yet to completely finish a project in class which is so disappointing to me. I am about to give up this new hobby and stick to stringing and wire work.

I also love buying and readling all sorts of craft books and magazines (way too many). I should have stock in Borders and Books a Million since I spend so much money there.

I love anything to do with fairies and fantasy.

Living 15 minutes from Washington, DC, I have the opportunity to visit lots of free activities all the time. This is a great area to live in, but traffic during the week is so congested.

Spending time with my adult sons (Jeff and Chris), 6 year old grandson (Colin) and my great daughter-in-law (Jennifer). Takinig care of my 5 adopted dogs (my 4 legged children). Have a Boxer (Ms. Daisy), Pointer (Ms. Liberty), Bichon (Ripley), English Cocker (Sydney), Teacup Yorkie (BabyGirl).

An Affair to Remember w/Cary Grant & Deborah Kerr (I was 10 years old). Cat on a Hot Tin Roof w/Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman, You've Got Mail, Titanic. I used to go to the movies all the time, but in the last few years, I wait for the movies to show on HBO.

I am a retired Federal Govt Employee (34 years). Started working as a clerk for the FBI only 2 days out of high school. Worked for 3 years and then stayed home with my 2 sons for the next 9 years. I then went back to work for the Feds at the Dept of Commerce (Census Bureau) for many years. Transferred to the Federal Reserve Board for a couple and then spent the next 20 years with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and retired as a Human Resource Manager/Software Analyst. I stayed home after retirement for only a couple of months and returned to work as a contractor at DIA. I love my job (Software Testing Analyst), and also the fact that my health is good and the people I work for value my contribution. Also like getting a retirement check plus my two paychecks a month.

My favorite colors are colors of the sea (turquoise and sea glass green). Red is also a favorite color of mine to wear. Anything bright. Colors I don't wear are yellow, or orange.

I have about 400 porcelain dolls (large and very small). I also have a small guest bedroom totally decorated with Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, pictures, books. I often take a book and read in that room just for the peacefullness the room gives me.

I love "old" furniture with a history, although it does not have to be an antique. I have a very English Victorian look in by living, dining and my bedroom. But my family room is very modern and all leather (which is a blessing) since I permit my 5 dogs to sit on the family room furniture and dog hair does not stick to leather.

I have a screened in Gazebo in my back yard filled with fairies and and fantasy lights. Love sitting in the gazebo on cool nights.

What do I like to collect? --Victorian items (new and old) --Furniture painted white in the shabby chic style --Rubber stamps (why since I have 10,000 now) --Craft paper (all types) --Porcelain dolls (I also make) --Beads and more beads (not picky at all since glass is beautiful) --Crystals and anything sparkly for bead work --Candles (with 4 dogs always burning one)

I am a coffee drinker (one cup) before I leave for work and then one more when I arrive. Then I switch to tea the rest of the day. When I drink hot tea, my favorite is Salada tea (which is similar to Lipton or Red Rose). Unfortunately, where I live in Maryland, Salada is not sold in ANY grocery store. I grew up in Ohio and Salada was all we used. I understand it can be purchased in the North as well. I used to make trips back to see family in Ohio and would buy 12 boxes of 40 in a box at one time. But I have no family left in that state, so no more Salada. If not hot tea, then I switch to diet iced tea the rest of the day.