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USPS is doing the best it can to keep us connected!

Please be patient & kind.

Over 429 million pieces of mail are processed daily by just 644,000 postal employees.

Let’s thank our postal workers for all they do to try and keep up with the regular mail workloads! (Not to mention e-commerce)

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This is my actual mailbox. I use it to send swaps on-time, if not early.

Partner/Coordinator Communication will take place should this status change for any reason.

Missing Mail? Please direct message me before rating. I keep a photo-log of swap contents and packaging.

Spoiler-Alert: My Flickr account often has photographs of swaps I’ve sent.

Postage Due? I have learned of this happening 4 times since joining SB. I'm truly sorry for the inconvenience this causes. Please message me if this happens to you. I will reimburse via PayPal or with unused USPS postage stamps.

Please scroll down to “DNS’s” if you’re here for just a quick list review of the 🌡Dislikes 🛑 Thank you for your consideration!

'Nuff of that serious stuff now, on to some light-hearted matter! 😉

❤️🧡💛💚💙💖💜🤎🖤🤍

My Motivational Word for 2021: Gratitude

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” —JFK

🌺Aloha!🌺

My name is 🎵Harmony Joy🎶 I like both my first and middle name as a reminder of who I'm called to be. Others refer to me as either "Harmony", "Joy", "Harmony-Joy" or 🍪"Cookie" (because of my last name) - call me whichever you please, just don't call me late for dinner! 🤣

My name is musically-inspired because both of my biological parents are hippies. I am a Berkeley ☮️-born and Nor-Cal foster-system raised “love-child”, who currently lives on the other side of the nation. I met & married my husband in the Sunshine State, while we were both active-duty Air Force.

"Children are not distractions from more important work. They are the most important work." --C.S. Lewis 💞👩🏽‍💻👩🏽‍🎨👩🏽‍🏫👷🏽‍♂️👨🏽‍🎓💞

Together, we have three children (2 daughters, 1 son). Being “Mama Bear” is my favorite part of life, and I literally get more excited about 💙 Mother’s Day than my own birthday!🎁 The title also includes all my animals (past & present). 😉

🐾 At the moment, our fur-family consists of 3 feline & 3 canine rescues: Kyna (a Carolina Dog) and Ella (a Great Dane & Pointer mix), plus a Pit-bull "grand-dog" named Luna, two tortoiseshell shorthair "grand-kittens" named Lily and Piper & Theo, who is a ginger tabby.🐾

Perhaps you can surmise that I've always really enjoyed animals. I think my pets help me cope with the “people problems” better. 😉

Whether feathered, furry, or humanoid animals, my ohana really is “my whole world” 💕🌎 And I believe that family is who we make it (beyond DNA).

My family says I’m “the jack of all trades, master of some.” 😆 I’m simply never bored! 🎨

So, besides my “V.I.Peeps”, I also enjoy many Hobbies:

• (indoor) Alterations, Art-Journaling, Ballroom Dancing, Card-Making, Coloring, Crocheting, DIY, Face-Painting, Genealogy, Painting, Paper-Making, Pottery, Pressed Flower Craft (oshibana), Reading, Sewing, Smash/Scrap-booking, Watching Movies, Weaving, and West African Dancing.

(I own a Sizzix Big Shot Plus, Portable Tim Holtz Sidekick, & The Cricut Explore Air2)

• (outdoor) Hiking, Horseback Riding, Hula Dancing, Kayaking, Rollerblading, Scouting (BSA/GSUSA), Shooting, Stand-up Paddle Boarding, Swimming, and Shopping.

I've earned my GSUSA Gold Award and BSA Wood Badge beads. I’m proud to be a part of the Bear 🐻 Patrol.🧸 Can you tell why Bettie White is my favorite Golden Girl!? 😂

• My current collections include: Cartophilia (trading cards) to include ATC/APC and the 7-of-❤️’s playing card (in all sizes & shapes), Challenge Coins, Deltiology (postcards), Philately (postal stuff), and Vintage Scouting Ephemera. I used to also collect currency (numismatics) but I’ve decided to end with my state park quarters now that the Tuskegee Airmen coin was released this year.

• I enjoy listening to audiobooks & many different genres of music depending on my mood. My go-to genres are usually alternative, country, & reggae. I have an all-in-one Radio/CD/Cassette Tape/Record Player in my craft-room, and I 🖤 my vintage vinyl records! Even in silence, I often have a tune playing in my head! 🤭

• I am most comfortable at the ocean where I can lose all sense of time hunting for sea glass, smooth rocks, and tiny shells to use in my crafts! I also enjoy fishing, but this ol' gal ain't cut out for boats! I've got a fair pair of fins, but no "sea legs!" 🤢

• I also enjoy spending quality time at libraries, museums, galleries, or studios. This is because I really enjoy folk-arts & handicrafts. I ❤️ experiential arts!
• In my youth, I enjoyed traveling the Americas and spent time living in Chile as a foreign exchange student! Now, I prefer to travel in good company, whenever possible. However, my current travels have been vicariously via postcards!

I 💜 snail 🐌 mail! 💌

• When handwriting, please print as I have difficulty reading some cursive penmanship.

Neatly written or typed things are always welcome!

• Pin-Up Ladies (esp. tasteful photography of Risqué brunettes by Bunny Yeager)
• Post Office Buildings
• Mailboxes 📮📭
• Giant Trees 🌲
• Studio Ghibli: Ponyo, Kiki’s Delivery Service & My Neighbor Totoro

• B&W Photography! Especially of:

  • People Dancing📻💃
  • Close-ups of Hands or Paws
  • Vintage Boots, Hats & Instruments📯🎻
  • Abandoned Cars, Trucks & Trains
  • Old Books, Globes & Typewriters
  • Saturday Evening Post, Life or Time
  • Pacific Island & Polynesian Culture

• Handmade postcards are always welcome too. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💗💜💖🤎🤍🖤💝 I heart art! So, please feel free to share your collage, coloring, drawing, graphic design, painting, or photography. I also like receiving “print on-demand” (Zazzle, Red Bubble, Cafe Press) postcards. If it’s a postcard that you think I will enjoy (even if the swap says "No"), please share it with me, and let me know why! I promise that I’ll never rate down for thoughtful intentions!

🍪🍪🍪Special Request: Please add a cookie to the back of my postcard!🍪🥠🍪🥠

• I also ask that my postcards please be sent ✏written🖊 on, but in an✉ envelope🌎 (if the swap allows a choice). The envelope (or clear sleeve) simply protects the image on the postcard from being smudged or torn by the USPS machinery (and they seem to be arriving damaged more recently).

WISHLIST (a.k.a. Insta-smiles 😃 & hearts 💕)

• Star Wars Postage Stamps (new, used, or faux)
• Sea Turtle Postage Stamps (new, used, or faux)
• Canceled Postage from Fiji, or Papua New Guinea
• Tw/Inchies/Betwinchies or Rinchie Rounds
• Hand-carved Stamp Images (on any scrap papers)
• Gelli-plate Printed Tissues/Scrap Papers
• Scraps of an “Acrylic Pour” or Marble Painting
• Stitched/Sewn Paper Scraps or Fabric Snippets
• Your Poetry, Song, or Short-story
• Any Canx’d Postage Stamp with: bears, marine animals, or Éire on it

🤙🏽 Mahalo nui loa! 🤙🏽

• Some swappers enjoy having a list to “shop” from, while others feel squelched by too many ideas. For this reason, I have tried to create “harmony” in my profile by listing some of the things I like. This is not an extensive listing, 😉 so pleasant postage presents are possible. (tongue twisted intentionally). In other words, my swap partners can breathe easy because I default to finding the good in what is mailed my way. 😉 😃 😊

• Edibles: I am dye & gluten-sensitive and must eat strictly soy-free. This includes Red Dye #40 & the emulsifier “soy lecithin” frequently found in snack foods and chocolates. If a swap calls for edible treats, please refer to my A-Z list (below) for ideas.

• Here's a list of my strong dislikes, since this is sometimes easier for swap partners to work with.

🛑 Please do not send things with:

🚫 Loose Glitter or Confetti

🚫 Planner Stickers😣

🚫 Claymation or Stop-motion Characters

🚫 Sock-puppets or Anything with Monkeys

🚫 Dolls or Zettiology Creatures

🚫 Zombies or Aliens

🚫 Cosmetics or Fragrances

🚫 Snakes, Spiders or Scorpions

Actually, the only “safe” animals in this exothermic (cold-blooded) genre are sea turtles, lady bugs, and butterflies🦋 The occasional snail 🐌 isn’t any bother either, though I prefer the kawaii/cute snail to the realistic ones anytime!

I greatly appreciate your efforts to avoid sending any other insect, reptile, or amphibian stuff.

• Disclosure: I am a trauma survivor with medically diagnosed post-traumatic stress injuries, anxiety, and depression. I have also been diagnosed with ADHD-Combined type but I prefer to call it “variable attention stimulus trait” (VAST). The negative connotations associated with ADHD make me sad and angry because I’m a very intelligent, successful person. I sometimes struggle with trusting others, executive functions, and memory impairment though. Participating in Postcrossing and Swap-bot have been a way for me to re-establish some positive connection with others in a non-threatening manner.

• I am also a board-certified peer support specialist for military Veterans and have a firm foundation in both fact & faith-based programs. This doesn’t mean I “know everything”, however continuing education is part of maintaining my credentials, so I am often learning and training. More recently I was introduced to the gender unicorn and what it means to be an LGBTQ+ Ally. I share this because it’s not just a “current event”, but a journey to enlightenment for me. Although I am considered a cisgender female, and use the pronouns she/her, I am not a “girly-girl.” Boots are my go-to heels and you’ll never catch me wearing a skirt without shorts underneath. Too drafty! 🤣 No, really though, I prefer to be practical and comfy, yet prepared for anything. That’s why my eyeliner, eyebrows, and lipstick are tattooed on!

• I know from first-hand experience that having a W.R.A.P works. I believe that having a plan allows me to stay in control and working my WRAP® helps me monitor feelings/behaviors and, through planned responses, reduce, modify, or eliminate those feelings. My WRAP® also includes plans for responses from others when I cannot make decisions, take care of myself and/or keep myself safe. I always advocate for mental health awareness. However, I wouldn’t ever “push” information onto another.

Learn more about W.R.A.P

Please respect me and refrain from sending me any propaganda. If I want to learn more about your specific opinions or beliefs, I will ask.

• Greeting Cards: I am not offended by the greetings:

🐣🥚 "Happy Easter" and

🎄✝️ “Merry Christmas”

although I respect other spiritual observances.

A Note About My Faith/Beliefs

• My dog-tags say Non-denominational Christian ⛪️ but I consider myself to be a “spiritual” being, who recognizes God as a higher power that is without “constraints”. I do not subscribe to any extremely religious, one-sighted, or legalistic views. I find that truth can be found in all and therefore embrace tenets from many different faiths, beliefs, and theories.

• I was baptized, as a teenager, in the Four Square Church, but as an adult find that nature is truly my favorite “church” and I often hug trees, wander in the great outdoors, and observe wildlife.

• I abhor politics & do not identify with any “party” (why is it even called that?) But I do believe in the importance of informed voting practices, so I do my “homework” before heading to the ballot box. Confirmation bias is as bad as hypocrisy, so I try not to propagate that malady, if I can help it. How to FactCheck

• Thank you for understanding, and I appreciate every kind and careful consideration with 💖-felt gratitude!

☺🚧 Profile page & person always under construction 🚧☺

(Up-to-date as of: 7/18/2021)

I am 3 hours ahead of Swap-bot time!

• As a swap coordinator, I often "close" my swaps a day earlier than the posted date because I am a "night-owl" and do most my work while others are asleep! :-)

• As a co-founder or officer in multiple groups, I am responsible for coordinating regular or recurring swaps. This means that sometimes my dashboard will show a bunch of swaps listed, months in advance. This doesn’t mean that partners have been assigned for all my swaps yet. It certainly doesn’t mean that I’m overwhelmed and going to flake on a swap either. Please message me before banning me from a swap for the perceived “appearance” of my dashboard.

• If a swap that I’ve posted is left without any "interest" (watchers) for 72 hours, I will delete it to perhaps repost at a different time.

• I only coordinate swaps that I am willing/able to angel. I also make a sincere effort to vet each participant before assigning partners.

If you end up needing a swap angel'd, please direct message me.

• • I follow-up on swaps if it's been thirty (30) USPS business days from the date I logged my swap as sent, (and at least two weeks from the deadline date) but no rating has been posted. I will contact my partner about a resend because I know postal services lose things sometimes.

what I pledge

• • I rate incoming swaps within 48 hours of their receipt. It’s my practice to only archive them once received/rated! I am not concerned with postmark dates. They’re completely unreliable and have been counterfeited by swappers here before. As far as I’m concerned, if I receive the swap described your good to go. 👍🏼
• • I appreciate feedback when rating and do try to make the time to respond to rater's comments accordingly. Even “silent” ratings I’ve received will often receive a simple “thank you” to show my gratitude for remembering to rate! However, there are times when I cannot get to all of them. This does not mean that I am any less grateful for the happy mail though! I promise.
• • • I do not visit the public forums on purpose. My first visit there felt terribly negative and since it's not a membership requirement, I have made a healthy choice to avoid the unnecessary distress. I simply swap on Swap-bot because I enjoy sharing happy mail!
• • • I am sometimes a forgetful human who makes mistakes, so these references are here to refresh my memory of what I’ve agreed to by participating in Swap-bot:

TERMS OF USE

DOs and DON'Ts

FAQ

I 💙 paper-crafting! My new-found "loves" are ATCs & APCs. However, my portfolio is varied from fiber arts and beading to woodwork and pyrography. My "crafting style" also varies and is sometimes "moody" because I tend to make what I feel. Most of the time I embrace the mixed-media, distressed look of inky grunge and painterly splatters. However, I also enjoy the beauty of clean-and-simple (CAS) designs too. I honestly try to find a balance between these two whenever possible. If the swap gives me specifics to work with, I enjoy the challenge and will put my utmost attention into making something worthwhile for my partner(s).

As far as paper crafting and altered projects, I learned most of what I know under the tutelage of Annette Green (who is a graphic designer by trade, graduated from Ranger U, and designs projects for both Elizabeth Craft Designs & Graphic 45). Many moons ago I was a member of her crafting team "Flamingo Gals"...however, she has moved up to Greenville, SC now.

Annette’s Tutorial Blog