USAFwife

Updated & current as of April 4, 2021

Please no owls! I am very scared of owls in all forms, and wish to not receive owl images.

My name is spelled Cindi not 'Cindy' - just like on my address.

Please print my mailing address & name EXACTLY as it appears in the system! My post office is picky and sometimes will not deliver mail when written differently. "JBLM" is the correct 'city' name. I wouldn't want your swap to be returned or not delivered because it was written differently! If you would like to check the USPS directions for addressing an envelope, that can be found HERE

I would rather not receive random 'extras' or tuck ins. If you would like to add something extra to a swap, feel free to recommend a book, podcast, or write a personal note. :) I'm a letter loving nerd, and always appreciate a personal note. :)

I am staring a "Franken-deck" of cards, and would welcome any stray standard sized playing cards, (A Franken-deck is a full deck of cards with mixed up designs, styles and brands.)
As of Mar 22, I am looking for: CLUBS: 2,4,5,6,8,Q ; SPADES: A, 3, 8, Q, K ; DIAMONDS: A, 2, 3,4,6,J ; and HEARTS: 2,3,5,K If you would like to do a private swap for any of these please let me know. :) Thanks!

Likes Garfield!! (Been a fan since I was very little and always love to find anything Garfield themed.) Books (prefer used paper backs to new or ebooks), unique bookmarks, stationery items (pens, stickers, washi, paper). History - local history, family history, revolutionary war era and pioneer days especially.

images:

moon & stars, rainbows, coffee themed, anything book themed. Cats over dogs, hamsters, trees, fall/autumn, sloths, giraffes, llamas, (been a fan of llamas, sloths and giraffes since I was a very little girl.) Little Golden Books, Animaniacs, Tiny Toons, and the REAL Scooby Doo (1960's & 1970's era), The Muppets & Sesame Street, Simon's cat & Ziggy. "Smash Book" branded items (especially, though similar styles are good too.) Journal cards. Edward Gorey & Charles Addams/The Addams Family type art work, also Tim Holtz. >>Cemeteries/grave yards, crystal balls, tarot cards, Ouija boards & the like. I'm not a fan of Halloween, but I do enjoy a lot of images from that holiday & time of year. Just nothing bloody, gross or zombies.

Fairy tales and Folklore (such as Grimm Brother's fairy tales), holidays & customs from other countries. Spiritualism, Wicca, fortune telling, Paganism are interesting themes to me, as well as Buddhism. Tarot cards & fortune telling images, (I welcome any stray Tarot cards if you have leftovers that you do not need/want/use. I don't use them, but I love the artwork.) Salem Witch Trials

Tuck ins/extras: If a swap calls for extras or tuck ins, I would prefer to receive bookmarks (esp the local library type or the free promotional bookmarks that are sometimes handed out or book promo types). Standard size playing cards, or any tarot cards Otherwise, I'd prefer not to receive extras & tuck ins I have far too many postcards and stickers!

TV/movies: Supernatural, Are You Being Served?, Keeping Up Appearances, Northern Exposure, Murder She Wrote, Sherlock, Dr Who (David Tennant years), Golden Girls, Broadchurch, Poirot, Travel Channel shows with Josh Gates, Ghost Hunters & similar shows (but not Ghost Adventurers). I've been watching Survivor and Amazing Race on streaming services lately.

I think the only thing I follow on You Tube is "Ask a Mortician" with Caitlin Doughty.

Movies: The Mummy (1999), The Haunting (1999), 10 Things I Hate About You, Clue, Rose Red/Ellen Rimbauer, Sleepy Hollow

Disney: Especially: Aladdin, Emperor's New Groove, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, Haunted Mansion, Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Actors/actresses: Robert Downey Jr, Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, David Tennant, Anne Hathaway, Scarlett Johansson, Nathaniel Parker, Benedict Cumberbatch, Angela Lansbury

Music: The Monkees (since I was about 3 years old), Imagine Dragons, John Mayer, Joan Baez, Soul Asylum, Enigma, Billy Joel, Daft Punk, Bjork, Edwyn Collins, Counting Crows, Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin (yes, really. I was a fan of Menudo when he joined, when I was a kid). Also 1980's & 1990's music

Comedians: Jim Gaffigan, Kathleen Madigan, John Mulaney, Mike Birbiglia, Brian Regan, Gabriel Iglesias.

Podcasts: I've been listening to several podcasts, and some that I've found to really love and enjoy are: (all clicky links to the podcast website): Lore, Cabinet of Curiosities and Unobscured by Aaron Mahnke, American Shadows, Buddhist Boot Camp by Timber Hawkeye, History Goes Bump by Diane Student, Stuff You Missed In History Class, Noble Blood, The Classic Tales, Shedunnit Based on this list, if you think I would enjoy podcasts you listen to, please let me know. :)

Dislikes

Anything with my name spelled wrong - It's CINDI, not Cindy. (This includes the envelope, please.)

Anything with cigarette smoke Or ANY smoke smell or other strong smells - it triggers migraines, and I throw it all in the trash.

Religious information - I'm cool w/ my beliefs, not interested in preaching.

Please no food items - if a swap calls for something, only a factory sealed tea bag, please.

Not a fan of 'God Bless America' themed items or flag items. Rather not receive items with scriptures or Christian themed items.

No need for planner items & stickers and would prefer not to receive extra stickers or washi unless it's a part of my likes.

Please no alcohol related items such as 'wine time' stickers or alcoholic drink recipes, martini glass stickers, etc. (I'm an Adult Child of Alcoholics, and these things are actually offensive to me.)

I've gotten lots of questions about the rubber stamps I use on my envelopes. I bought them all through Etsy. The Thank You USPS one can be found HERE The Long Live Snail Mail stamp can be found HERE I also love to shop from La Papierre for stationery and Emily Cromwell Designs for bookmarks, special stickers and book journals and planners.
Just found Art and a Little Magic as well, for some cool printables for Wiccan/Pagan themed items, among other things. Check her out! If you have a recommendation for an Etsy shop for paper goodies, please feel free to share with me! :)

I've been a letter writer and a snail mailer for all of my life! I started swapping by snail mail in the late 1980's, but I wrote to family members before that. Snail mail is one of the few constants in my life. I enjoy swap-bot, and am happy to receive a message from you, But give me a chance to reply - it might take a few days.

I'm 45 years old , married 26 years this year, a mom to 3 teens (18 & older now! - and they are finally all graduated from high school, though, they all still currently live at home.) and really am a USAF wife. (USAF = United States Air Force).

I'm a member of Our Revolution, and happy with the current Presidential Administration.

I love to hear from people in other countries or with other customs or beliefs than mine, other lifestyles. I'm LGBTQ+ friendly, and am one of the 'you're safe with me' people who still wears a safety pin.

I'm not Christian, but am 'Faithfully Religionless'. :) I have read about and participated in Wiccan celebrations, and enjoy reading about Buddhism. I sometimes miss the old traditions of the Lutheran services I used to attend, but that's not where my beliefs are.

I deal with anxiety, migraines and depression, and it sucks. I'm also an Adult Child of Alcoholics. My children have varying levels of "special needs", including anxiety, Autism spectrum, and TBI. I'm a 'caregiver' for those who need it, and it is exhausting most days. I'm not looking for drama, I have enough of it in my daily life, thanks.

We have 3 pets, all rescues that have traveled the country with us. 2 cats and a dog.

I've participated in the Write On Challenge since 2016, and have done the InCoWriMo challenge since 2019! I LOVE the USPS - yeah, they have issues, but how else can you meet the world, one little postage stamp at a time?! :) Support the USPS!!

I hate Facebook. I do have an account, and I remember to check it once in a while. I'm fully anti-social media. I prefer "Vintage Social Media" (snail mail!)

Favorite Book themes: haunted houses, ghosts, mysteries. Historical fiction (esp American & Czech, pioneer America era, Salem Witch Trials, ancient Egypt), memoirs, Audiobooks, mythology and folklore. Spiritualism/fortune telling. Early American history (Recently found out I'm related to Anne Bradstreet, which I find thrilling!)

Authors: Stephen King, Shirley Jackson, JL Bryan, Simone St James, Agatha Christie, Rick Riordan (& Rick Riordan Presents authors), Grimm Brother's fairy tales, mythology & folklore.

SOME favorite books: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett; The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson; The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón; The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie; Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred D Taylor; Duma Key by Stephen King; The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters; Mrs Everything by Jennifer Weiner

I'm a member of Good Reads, I have done the Unread Shelf Project since 2019 and am founder of 2 SB groups related to books & writing, Reading & Writing and TBR Bookshelf. I am doing the ReadChristie2021 challenge.

I rate as soon as I open the swap. If I can't rate right away, I hold off opening the mail until I can rate. I do believe in giving hearts, even for e-mail swaps. The amount of time you put in is what earns a heart, and am a believer that email swaps can earn hearts as well. All swaps are welcome for me.

If you're going to be late, just tell me. It's ok. I am more annoyed with a lack of communication than I am about being a few days late (or whatever) in sending a swap. If you send late and don't communicate with me I WILL rate you down! And, no, I won't consider changing the rating! Just communicate! It makes everything easier!

Holiday card swaps Prefer seasonal images to holiday related ones
Anything that represents the holiday that is non-traditional is very welcomed! I'm not Christian and do not care for that type of card, but will not rate down if that's what you send.
If you hand-make cards, I am very happy to receive those in place for a store bought card. I especially love tree-free cards. Or any type of small-scale, independent artist, or handmade. I will always happily accept a handmade card for a swap! I really enjoy small batch or unique style cards over most anything.