bio...

BPS: What do we need to know about you?
[AO]: Hmm. Well, I guess you need to know that I'm in love with life - even when it's tough, there's still a glimmer of hope for the future. I love scrapbooking, spaghetti, fresh air, sunshine, and central air-conditioning. I love to teach and to play with words, making them beautifully and clearly written - so that's why I am here!

BPS: What do you like about your friends?
[AO]: My friends stick with me (and I with them) on good days and bad. We keep up with each other and don't let time or distance get in the way when we are far apart.

BPS: Where do you hope to go?
[AO]: You know, I used to be restless and wanted to travel a lot, so I visited lots of great places. Now, though, I am very happy in my little corner of the world, near my extended family. If you offered me a trip that included IKEA, though, I'd probably want to go!

BPS: What do you need every day?
[AO]: Materially? A cup of hot tea (Earl Grey), my cell phone, email access, my camera, and my lip balm (current favorite: C.O. Bigelow Cinnamon).

BPS: What's your favorite line?
[AO]:Do you mean product line or famous words? I've got both so I will share both!
For scrapbooking products, I am drawn right now to All My Memories albums and to paper/embellishments by Doodlebug and Memories Complete. I am currently loving My Mind's Eye Bohemia and 7Gypsies self-inking stamps, too.

As for famous words, I could give you several lines, but since I rattled off several product lines, I will just give one quote, by Clementine Paddleford: "Never grow a wishbone, daughter, where your backbone ought to be."

BPS: Where do you wish you could shop?
[AO]: Now, I love to shop! I'm very good friends with my UPS driver, in fact. If I had a big shopping spree at my disposal, I'd want to shop at Target for all kinds of things (Have you tried the Method Peppermint Vanilla countertop spray? Go get some!!), at J. Jill, Hanna Anderson, and L.L. Bean for clothes, at IKEA and Pottery Barn for home décor, and at some wonderful scrapbook store.

BPS: What do you believe in?
[AO]: I believe that every life has meaning and purpose. I believe that each of us has something powerful to contribute to the world, whether through large actions or small. I believe that we are here to make the world a better place, and that there is a better and happier life to come.

BPS: If you could take only one thing before you left the planet, what would you take?
[AO]: Well, I'm not super-interested in leaving the planet anytime soon, but since you asked, I would want to take my memories! The best things in life aren't things.

BPS: Why are you on the BPS team?
[AO]: I'm very fortunate to be hooked up with these amazing people. Stacy gave me a wonderful opportunity to share my love of words and scrapbooking when she brought me on board, and I am thrilled to be working on the team! BPS offers me a great opportunity to work with other scrapbookers and a bunch of generally amazing people. I have gained so much: new friends, new inspiration, new insights. I could go on forever, but I can sum it up by just telling you that this experience is SO BIG!