gooddog56

7/21/16 Update:

My husband was diagnosed in early spring with a serious illness. After some painful trial and error, David is now on a medication regimen that seems to be working for now. He will need to continue this or a similar mediation for the rest of his life. We are hopeful that in late September his doctor will tell us he is "in treatment-induced remission". David has been off work since mid February, and will likely not be able to resume the high-stress, frequent travel work that he had been doing, but at present he is enjoying the summer and rebuilding strength and endurance.

My gratitude to all who have sent good thoughts and prayers for us.

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I work 4 days a week doing occupational therapy with adults who are mentally ill--and love my work. I get to spend 2 - 3 hours every workday teaching folks to make art...

I'm married, 35 years. We have no kids, but love Setters--at present we have an English Setter named Stella, 10 years old and full of personality, and a nearly 4-year old Gordon Setter named Brenna who is sweet and delightful, and loves nothing more than birds and running!

I love all colors, with a preference for cool colors. I collect frogs, sheep, whistles shaped like fish (yes, it's an odd thing to collect--my collection is rather small), wool, glass beads and penguins.

I enjoy reading and always have a book or two underway. I also enjoy audiobooks for my commute time

For exercise I walk or ride my bike.

A few years ago I moved in with my 90-year old mother after she had a stroke. We used to do lots of crafts together: beading, card-making & rubber stamping mostly, occasionally something different. Sadly my mother has developed dementia, and is no longer able to plan or structure her activities to do many craft projects, though she has discovered a love of painting wood projects with her caregiver Donna...It's good to see her enjoying that activity, and taking pride in her finished work.

Folk/eclectic--from Joni Mitchell's early stuff to Lucy Kaplansky to Martyn Joseph to Eliza Gilkyson.

I also like Brazilian bossa nova/samba music and some of the older mellow jazz for background music.

paper crafts -- knitting, fulling & felting -- art clay silver -- beading -- embroidery

I make and sell books and greeting cards, knit for my own enjoyment (and gifts for family & friends), and sell/gift some of my silver and beaded jewelry.

I enjoy making envelopes from patterned paper, calendar pages, wall paper samples & other papers--I often use them to send swaps.

After a scary allergy response to 'something I ate' in June 2016, I had food sensitivity testing done, and score as very reactive to avocados, eggs, bananas, pineapple, almonds & sunflower seeds/oils. Please don't send me any of those items, and if you do send a food item, please check the ingredients, as I have found eggs and sunflower oil/sunflower lecithin to lurk in the most unexpected places!

I also do not use any artificial sweeteners, as the chemical ones upset my tummy, and Stevia is a relative of the sunflower...

The Paper Dragon

Most Recent Swap: TPD: Mystery Supply Swap Sent on 5/27/16

Most Recent Swap Hosted: TPD: Just Add Watercolor ATC swap* September - November, 2015*

Most Recent RAK: Quick RAK -- Wise Men stamp set plus! November, 2015

I am interested in private swaps for various items, please PM me if you would like to discuss doing a swap with me!

(avatar by Tom Richardson)