9/17/21 I have just returned home after my father's funeral. I do have a stack of mail I will be going through over the weekend. I also have mailed out all but two of my swaps, which I will mail out over the weekend. Thank you all for your sweet messages!

9/11/21 I am heartbroken My father passed away on Thursday, September 9. I am thankful I was with him as he left us, but am not dealing with this well. I will try to look at swaps and so forth asap, but am just not coping well at all - at this time. I hate to be one of those people, but I am absolutely devastated right now.

8/30 I am officially ready for this summer to be OVER! My Dad (Covid positive) is recouping in the hospital, thankfully he did not have to be vented, but has to regain his strength. His vitals/stats are good, all things considering.

However, his daughter (that would be ME!) has had an extreme case of hives for 2 weeks now. They are everywhere, my eyes were even almost swelled shut last week! It was not a happy birthday week! Needless to say, my Dr. thinks it is stress related...hmmm..you think??!! I am actually thankful he was admitted to the hospital, as now someone can keep an eye on him 24/7, as he fell last week and hit his head, and has no idea how long he was out, and didn't tell anyone! Prayers/good thoughts truly appreciated for us all!

Postal Issues:

I have had mail reach it's destination despite having it weighed and checked at the mail counter. If this ever happens, please feel free to refuse or if you pay the difference, I ALWAYS reimburse!!

Also, if a swap is mailed out on Saturday, it may not have the correct post mark on it, as there is a small window of time for me to get up to our little post office and have it postmarked!

Click here to join the Skinny Swappers Group for trading Skinny cards, ATCs, APC's and Journal cards!

My word of the year is actually 2 words. "Be Still"

The craziness of last year has taught me to appreciate the simple. To slow down and find joy in the moment. To be happy in Now and not always be waiting for the next thing.

Ratings:

• I don't rate swaps on extras, I rate them on the actual swap item. It is appreciated, but not necessary to send extras in order to receive a good rating from me! If I send extras in your package, it is because I like to do it and have it at the time to share.

• I have now, after 13 years on Swap-bot, sent out late swaps. It has been a very hard past 3 weeks with my Dad passing away, and being out of town. However, if I receive any "3s" due to this, they are deserved, as I did miss the deadlines.

• Please let me know if I do something wrong BEFORE rating me, and I will do my best to fix it! Thanks!*

So much time and so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it"~Willy Wonka

I am a free spirit with an old soul. I love nature, reading, quiet nights at home, and mysteries. My soul feels most at rest when I am near water. There is just something within me that longs to be there.

In my "work" life, I am a Director, Teacher, Counselor who is working on Art Therapy Certification.

On a "Gnome' Kick lately!! I have always loved them but we have now started a collection!

I collect Jokers and Queen of ❤s playing cards. Any of these would be GREATLY appreciated!

Anything with a Dragonfly

• Love Retro 50's & 60's art, Retro colors, Retro Pin-Up girls.

• LOVE Vintage Nursery Rhymes, Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz, Fairy tales

• Love unusual/odd images..animal heads on portraits, zetti inspired, vintage freak show

• Vintage storybook illustrations, photos of children, circus, gypsy, postcards, maps

• LOVE Halloween-my favorite Holiday! Love Sugar skulls. Not so much the cutesy stuff..but not horrific either! Witches, bats, ghosts, etc.

• Love to read & watch murder mysteries. Cozy mysteries, Agatha (Queen of mysteries!) I especially love British mysteries. Father Brown, Miss Marple

• Love unsolved mysteries, or mysterious creature sightings. Cryptoids. I love the possibility that there are things still undiscovered!

• Vintage movie monsters, Nosferatu

• Not much into Disney except for Villains & NIghtmare Before Christmas - especially: Maleficent; Ursula, Captain Hook, Cruella De Vil and Queen of Hearts!

"We are the music-makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams"..~Willy Wonka~

Don't cry because it's over, Smile because it happened~Dr. Suess"

Tea and coffee / LOVE BOTH!

Dessert teas are amazing!

My tea likes are more minty, spicy, etc. LOVE chai! Love Egyptian Licorice!

Not a huge fan of fruity flavors but will try anything once!

I am in a lot of groups for several reasons.

They are generally a bit safer than public swaps AND I also have a little bit of crafting ADD! There are so many crafts I love doing and I never know when the mood will hit me to do something different!

One last thought...

I do angel my own swaps that I host, but sometimes it does take me a little while, so please be patient with me!