Traceyk

I rate as soon as I receive swaps in the mail. I know the feeling of wondering if the swap made it to its destination. If I haven't rated you, it means I haven't received it yet. Also, please spell my last name correctly. I've been getting a lot of mail with my last name misspelled. My last name doesn't have a "T" in it. :(

I'm happily married and mom of adult children. I'm originally from Hawaii and now live in Arizona. Arizona has hot weather, so please don't mail me anything that can melt.

I left work to relax a bit and spend time doing fun things now that all the kids are grown.

I belong to several meetup groups and keep busy going to lunch, movies, volunteer projects, art classes, book club, hiking, etc. with various groups. I enjoy bicycling around the neighborhood. I also love spending time with my husband - we laugh a lot together!

The books I enjoy most are in the suspense/thriller genre. Authors - Ruth Ware, Karin Slaughter, Gillian Flynn, Mary Kubica, Jo Nesbo, etc. (I hate romance novels.)

****For postcard swaps, I'd love it if you sent them blank in an envelope if possible. I won't rate down if the swap calls for them to be sent written/naked.****

I just bought a manual typewriter and named her "Bessie." I've always wanted a manual typewriter and finally have one. I love the look of manual type.

I buy my postage stamps from a stamp dealer, so I try to put interesting stamps on whatever I mail out (when my stash is full). I also have cancelled stamps from around the world that I sometimes use to decorate my outgoing mail.

I love shopping at thrift stores. I usually look for stationery. I have a serious paper addiction and always buy paper/stationery when I see it. I guess it goes with my love of pen palling. I have several pen pals all over the world.

I've been on a kick lately listening to 80's alternative music: Simple Minds, Modern English, Erasure, Dexys Midnight Runners, Pet Shop Boys, etc. :)

I enjoy listening to audiobooks, true crime podcasts, cooking (stove top, crockpot, pressure cooker), farmers markets, and I'm addicted to coffee & tea. I am a huge animal lover and have 3 dogs in our family plus we take care of a feral family of cats outdoors. I can't imagine our home without any pets. When I'm relaxing at home, I enjoy writing pen pal letters with a cup of coffee.

My husband and I try to travel as much as possible. I love experiencing new cultures and meeting new people.

Great plant-based dinner recipes

Stickles glitter glue (any color)

Stationery (letter sets, notecards)

Stickers (no reward please)

Return address labels with my info

Unused USPS stamps

Non-touristy postcards

Anything for bento lunchbox

Cute chopsticks

Washi tape

Colorful pens (no black ink)

Tea (no loose tea please)

Embossing powders

Perfume samples

Reusable grocery bags

Gift cards: Dollar Tree, 99c Store, Amazon, Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Barnes & Noble, Starbucks, TJ Maxx, Tuesday Morning, Trader Joe's

RAKs - giving and receiving!

I don't like things that don't have a purpose and cause clutter in the house (knick knacks, ornaments, etc.)

Incoming mail that smells of smoke (sorry, but I throw everything out including tuck-ins)

NON-COMMUNICATING SWAP PARTNERS

NON-RATING SWAP PARTNERS - I think it's really inconsiderate for people not to rate. How else will your partner know if the swap made it to you okay or not?

@Wyldflower for Snail Mail Lovers swap

@farmgirl1203 for Grab A New Pen Friend

@irishp for Notecard with Message

@moorenature for AMA: Sender's Choice March

@jaimierandolph for Happy Little Notecards #83

@mellyrose89 for Read a Book Challenge for December