Update as of: 3/31/2021

Bad News from the VA came in the mail. Due to a systemic error from 11 years ago I’ve been over compensated and they will now be taking my entire income source away for the next SIX months! Wow. I love this country, but sometimes I hate how it poops all over the ones who’ve fought for it!

Anyway...

My swap participation is going to dwindle away for a little while, y’all. Super bummed. But, don’t worry! 😉 I’ll be sending all I can until the stamps I’ve got run dry! I love me some swap-bot! Thanks to all my special bot-babes whose mail has brightened up my life, I’m reminded there’s still good in people! 😘 A huge MAHALO NUI LOA for the special someones out there who made my birthday feel important this year too! I didn’t hear a peep from my own mother or siblings, but y’all sent me birthday wishes & I’m hugely encouraged by that! 😘 🤗 🤩 🥳 🇺🇸 💙💙💙💌💙💙💙🇺🇸

PLEASE understand that USPS is still undermanned and running behind!

My mail carrier informed me that they're still unable to keep up with the workloads and have to prioritize mail processing.

(https://flic.kr/p/2kKxn9e)

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 & will gladly resend when necessary.

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

Postage Due? I have learned of this happening 3 times since joining SB. I'm sorry for the inconvenience, and will always reimburse with brand-new USPS postage stamps.

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

'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 Cook🎶🎵 I like both my first and middle name as a reminder of who I'm called to be. However, others refer to me as either "Harmony", "Joy", "Harmony-Joy" or "Cookie" - call me whichever you please, just don't call me late for dinner! 🤣

Yes, 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.

Together, we have three children (his 2 daughters, our 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)! 😉

"Children are not distractions from more important work. They are the most important work." --C.S. Lewis

I've had companions that were cats, ducks, fish, horses, kangaroo mice, tortoises, one squirrel, and several dog breeds ranging from Australian Cattle, Pugster, and Sheltie to Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Samoyed, and Siberian Husky. I've only ever pet-sat for people that own small dogs.

🐾 At the moment, our fur-family consists of 2 feline & 3 canine rescues: Kyna (a Carolina Dog) and Ella (a Black Lab & Pointer mix), plus a Pit-bull "grand-dog" named Luna🐾, a tortoiseshell shorthair "grand-kitten" named Piper & her brother Theo, who is a ginger tabby.

Perhaps you can surmise that I've always really enjoyed my animals! I especially love horses & big dogs! I feel connected to them somehow...and they always seem to make me smile!

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

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

• (indoor) 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, and Weaving.

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

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

I've earned my GSUSA Gold Award! Scouts changed my life in positive ways as a youth, and gave me recognition for things I was already doing.

Although the program is ever changing, I remain a registered volunteer adult leader with my son’s Scouts BSA troop. He’s working toward Eagle rank, while I am actively working my “Woodbadge ticket”. My Patrol is Da “Bears”🐻 which is another reason (beside being a Mama Bear) that I like the animal!🧸 Bettie White is my favorite Golden Girl!

• My current collections include: Cartophilia (trading cards) to include ATC's and the 7-of-❤️’s playing card (in all sizes & shapes), 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 once the Tuskegee Airmen coin is released this year.

• I really 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, art galleries, or ceramic studios. This is because I really enjoy learning, folk art & handicrafts. Prior to my military enlistment, I was a K-12 teacher, so I think experiential arts-n-crafts should always be a part of life for learning!
• In my youth, I also 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!

Some A to Z’s of Me!

A: Albanese Gummi-bears (esp Pineapple flavor), Autobots, Avengers, Avatar-The Last Airbender, ATCs & APCs

(ATC Theme’s I enjoy: Trees/Nature, Star Wars, Marvel, Disney FanArt, Fine Arts, Vintage Postage Stamps or Mailboxes, Cookie Monster, Harmony Bear, Giant Pandas, ☘️Shamrocks/Clovers🍀, Oceania & Sea Turtles!)

The ATC Buddy Collaborations Group

B: Big Hunk Candy Bars, Bears (esp Giant Panda 🐼,💙 Blue (esp cobalt), Bald 🦅 Eagles & BALANCE (My focus word for 2020)

C: Chick-O-Stick Coconut Candy, Celtic Heritage, Clogging, 🍀Clovers, Cinnamon Teas, Chewbacca, Classic Mickey Mouse & Cookie Monster

D: Daffodils, Dr. Strange, Dancing, Drum Circles, Drum Lines🥁(no, I do not play, but I enjoy percussion!) Dr. Seuss & Decoupage Tissue/Napkins

E: Earth 🌎, Elvis Presley, Eeyore & Emerald Green💚

F: Friesian Horses, Fern Fronds, Fleur-de-lis⚜️ & Frangipani (plumeria flowers)

G: Groot, Guitar Picks, Golden State Warriors, The Goonies & GryffinPuffs (Hogwart House Hybrid!) 😉

H: Hi-Chew Fruity Candies, 🐾Huskies 🐾, 💕Heart-shapes (esp in nature), Hummingbirds, Hibiscus & Harmony Bear (purple Care Bear w/flower belly badge)

I: Ireland (esp Éire postage), Icebergs & Incredible Hulk

J: Jordan Almonds, Jolly Rancher Hard Candies, Jade Green 💚, 🏀Jordan#23 & ⚾️Jeter#2

K: Koi Fish, Kiwi 🥝 Fruit, Kliban’s Cat & Koru Loops

L: Leaf Rubbings, Lucille Ball, Luke & Leia, LEGO’s & Levi’s👖

M: Marilyn Monroe, Millennium Falcon, Mandalorian, Music Notes, Mulan, Moana, Merida, Monarch Butterflies 🦋 & Maple syrup/leaves 🍁

N: Norman Rockwell Art, Narnia Chronicles & Notes w/my Name on 'em 😉

O: Orcas, 🦦 Otters, Origami & Optimus Prime

P: Ponyo, Paddington Bear, Princess Bride, Penguins & 💜Purple Pansies

Q: Quail (above) & Quotes ( I collect positiveness to refer to when I need a morale boost!)

R: Roasted Almonds, 🌈 ROYGBIV (spectrums-in-nature), Renaissance Art, Rocking Horses, R2-D2, Return of the Jedi & Redwood Trees

S: Simply Cheetos White Cheddar Puffs or Snyder’s of Hanover GF Pretzel Snacks, ☘️ Shamrocks, Strawberries 🍓, Smokey the Bear, Sheet Music🎼 & Sea Turtles (the aquatic/marine reptiles w/flippers)

T: Tigger, Totoro, Tie-dye, Textiles, Tweeds, Tartan & Tribal Tattoos

U: Ukulele,☂Umbrellas (esp oil-paper wagasa) & Uniformed Personnel

V: VW buses/bugs, Valkyrie & Vintageitis!

FreeVintageitisPrintable

W: Walkers Shortbread Cookies, Winter Soldier, Wolves, Wicket the Ewok & Wyland Art (below)

X: Xylophones, X-rays, X-men (esp Jean & Logan), Xeruses 🐿 & “X” marks the spot (a pirate’s life for me!) ☠️

Y: ☯️ Yin-Yang Symbols (they remind me to balance), Yoda, Yaddle & The Child (Grogu)

Z: Zebras 🦓, Zines & Zentangle

Thank YOU for thinking of me!

• Pin-Up Ladies (esp. tasteful photography of Risqué brunettes by Bunny Yeager)
• Post Office Buildings
• Mailboxes 📮📭
• Giant Trees 🌲
• Large-Letter
• License Plate, Graffiti/Street Art
• WonderGround Gallery (DisneyArt)
• In-N-Out Burger
• Studio Ghibli: Ponyo, Kiki’s Delivery Service & My Neighbor Totoro

• B&W Photography! Especially of:

  • People Dancing📻💃
  • Close-ups of Hands, Feet 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! Cookie is my nickname!

• 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

If you’re the sort of swapper who enjoys add-in goodies (extras) I would love to see some of your:

• Tw/Inchies/Betwinchies or Rinchie Rounds
• Hand-carved stamp images (on any scrap papers)
• Gelli Plate Print/Paint scrap, or deli, tissue papers
• Scraps of an “Acrylic Pour” or Marble Painting
• Stitched Scraps & Snippets
• Poetry, Song, or Short-story

These are interesting things I’ve seen swapped here, but know little to nothing about (yet!) Also, if you have a YouTuber you recommend watching to learn some of the art techniques, please share with me!

👍Mahalo nui loa!🤝

• Some swappers enjoy having a list of ideas, while others feel creatively squelched by too many ideas. For this reason, I have tried to create “harmony” in my profile by briefly listing some of the things I like. This is not an extensive listing 😉
• Edibles: I am dye & gluten-sensitive and must eat 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, I do understand that product ingredients are frequently changing, and you may not be able to find suitable items. That's no big deal, I have friends/family who may enjoy it, even if I'm unable to for some reason. For specifics though, I have listed some of my favorite treats in my A-Z list above.

• I’ve been asked to identify my strong dislikes, as this is sometimes easier for swap partners to work with.

🛑Please refrain from sending things with:

🚫 Loose Glitter or Confetti

🚫 Foam/Puffy, or Planner Stickers😣

🚫 Claymation or Stop-motion Characters

🚫 Sock-puppets or Anything with Monkeys

🚫 Dolls or Zettiology Creatures

🚫 Zombies or Aliens

🚫 Cosmetics, Perfume, or Scents

🚫 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 PTSD, Anxiety, ADHD, and Depression. I struggle with trusting people, executive functions, and memory impairments. Participating in Postcrossing and Swap-bot has been a way for me to re-establish some positive connection with others in a non-threatening manner.

• I am also a board-certified recovery peer support specialist for military Veterans and have a firm foundation in both fact & faith-based programs.

• I know from first-hand experience that having a W.R.A.P works, and I advocate for mental health awareness but wouldn’t ever “push” information on another.

What’s a W.R.A.P?

Please respect me by practicing the same 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 ⛪️

• I consider myself to be a “spiritual” being, who recognizes God as a higher power that is without “constraints”. Since humans often like/need to put things into boxes/categories, I think that God has been misrepresented as a single gender, nationality, or entity. But I am of the mind that God is not one, but all of the possible categories, so 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 beliefs and theories.

• I was baptized, as a teenager, in the Four Square Church, but as an adult find most of my truth is found in nature because it’s where I feel most free. So, nature is truly my favorite “church” and I often hug trees, wander in the great outdoors, dabble and dive into real-life biology, 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.

FactCheck

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

☺🚧 Profile page & person always under construction 🚧☺

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! :-)

• 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 USPS loses 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 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

www.swap-bot.com/terms.php

DOs and DON'Ts

www.swap-bot.com/about.php

FAQs

www.swap-bot.com/faq.php#general-whonot