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. :(

Although I enjoy international swaps, I'm joining those swaps less. I've had a few instances where it takes months (half a year or more) to get to my swap partner. It isn't fun after a while keeping track of a swap that is so old on my dashboard.

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, larger 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