Swap-bot Time: September 24, 2023 7:18 am
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catlingmex

catlingmex
Original Member
Last Online: September 24, 2023

Country: United States
My Website

About Me

My name is Robin, and so far I've been alive for over half a century.

Born and raised in Indiana, USA, I lived the first 20+ years of my adult life in Mexico City, Mexico, then in Costa Rica (Central America) for a couple of years, then in South Florida for 5 years or so, now in a small town in in my native state. I'm female, 100% bilingual English-Spanish, joyfully Roman Catholic, happily married to a man born and raised in South America. This is all pretty exotic for an introvert who grew up in a monolingual Midwestern milieu! [chuckle]

I've worked at quite a variety of jobs in my lifetime, including teacher of English as a foreign language at a college in Mexico for many years, airline reservations agent, direct in-home support to adults with developmental disabilities, big-box store cashier, clerk at a thrift store, call center agent, and church secretary. I would love to retire from a day job someday, but unless a major miracle occurs, that will not be possible.

In addition to the usual 9-to-5, I spent 7 years developing recipes and writing (in Spanish and English) about authentic Mexican food for thespruceeats.com. Now the hubs and I maintain our own blog, where we share recipes from North, Central, and South America: comboplate.net

Languages

Fluent in English and Spanish. Have studied some Italian, Portuguese, German, and Polish. I love language, languages, and linguistics! However, I am not usually very talkative at all -- go figure. I do tend to be more loquacious in writing, as evidenced by the length of this profile! lol

Miscellaneous LIkes

Likes/loves include

  • FOLKLORE, popular culture and festivals, local history and quirky local places, the history and traditions of HOLIDAYS of all sorts (I adore Groundhog Day, for example.)

  • Cooking, baking, COOKBOOKS; reading, talking about, trying and developing recipes.

  • chocolate (the darker, the better), MINT flavors (all kinds), teabags (black or herbal, green not so much), anise-flavored things (not licorice candy), real CHEESE, all kinds of cookies, avocados, aromatic herbs and spices, interesting hot sauces

  • TURTLES (freshwater), fireflies/lightning bugs, llamas, cats, lizards/iguanas, otters, honey bees, dragonflies, ladybugs, butterflies, groundhogs, and robin birds (especially since my name is Robin). My husband is an enthusiast of sloths, pandas, and bears in general.

  • Sunflowers, DANDELIONS, suns, smiley faces, the color yellow and cheerful things in general

  • PUZZLES, crosswords, word search, mazes, jigsaw puzzles, kaleidoscopes, board games

  • visiting MUSEUMS of all kinds, also botanical gardens, conservatories, etc; also birdwatching and simple gardening, especially succulents and anything in containers.

  • ART and artistic and artsy craftsy stuff in general; ancient art, cave art, folk art, "primitive" art, and outsider / visionary art are particular favorites

  • artistic ATCs and all sorts of snail mail postal joy

  • Americana (USA) and anything Latin American and/or Caribbean

Occasional creative endeavors

Linoleum print carving, mini-zine making, drawing, painting, cross stitch, creative writing, adult coloring, zendoodling, woodburning, very simple sewing, papercrafts, floral arranging; would love to try a lot more things.

Not particularly into ...

I am totally not cool. On most days I'm pretty much okay with that, though I do apologize for any discomfort my dorkiness may cause. [winsome smile]

Sorry, but I am not really into gothic/dark, tattoos/piercings, girly things like make up and spa treatments, Disney, video games, cynicism, political bashing, anime, manga, New Age, erotica, vampies or zombies, kawaii, or gourmet coffee. I'm not big on shopping (except for groceries, I do enjoy grocery shopping! oh, and thrift stores) and I am working on being less sarcastic.

However, I'm really not at all as crochety and dour as I know that last paragraph makes me sound. :-) While I do strive to be the best me that I can be, I do not believe that perfectionism is healthy.

Rating, Flakers, and Flaking

I will always rate you for a swap I received. It might not happen the very same day that I receive your item (I can sometimes go a few days between visits to the site), but it will be within a week.

I've been a member here at Swap-Bot pretty much since the beginning of the site. The first swap here that I participated in was in March of 2006! My level/intensity of swapping activity has varied widely through the years. I've seen many trends come and go, as you might imagine.

In recent years it has become quite popular here to maintain a "wall of shame" or list of people who have flaked. I choose not to do that. There have been quite a few who have "done me wrong," and, yes, of course it's unpleasant, but I consider this an issue only between my partner and myself. I have given people low ratings when warranted -- and I consider that sufficient "punishment." If your views differ on this, I respect that. Please also respect mine.

As for my own (few and long ago--over 10 years now!) 1s and 3s: I am not proud of them, and I accept them without argument as fair consequences for my actions at the time. However, I generally don't discuss those ratings with anyone besides the people directly involved.

I Can Always Use

  • postcards showing a recipe or a typcial craft/costume/food from your country or region

  • anything particular to your city/region

  • zines or mini zines (relatively clean, please)

  • small denomination banknotes or coins from anywhere in the world

  • recipe pamphlets (like the ones given out for free with a food product) or cookbooks with recipes from real people (like those made for fundraising by churches and civic groups)

  • bookmarks, epecially handmade, related to your area (touristy or not), and the freebie ones given out by libraries, museums, bookstores, etc. (preferably not too childish)

  • lip balm in interesting flavors (not strawberry, bubble gum, or dill pickle flavored)

  • plant cuttings or seeds for succulent plants (with growing instructions)

  • Catholic miscellany (rosaries, old prayer books, images of saints, etc.)

  • cassette tapes (my 2002 Honda has a tape deck), any type of music, books on tape, etc. UPDATE: my beloved Honda has now passed to a better life, but I have acquired a boom box with cassette deck. I have settled on cassettes tapes as my absolute favorite format!

  • Any sort of souvenir cotton dish towel/tea towel from anywhere. I have purchased a few of these at thrift stores for around a dollar each (apparently people buy them as souvenirs and then don’t actually use them most of the time), and have come to love them. It doesn’t matter that I’ve never been to the location featured; I get to travel around the world each time I do something in the kitchen! New or used, retro or modern is fine, as long as they are not badly stained or full of holes (small stains/imperfections are no problem). I will be joyfully using any towel I may get.

  • "discarded" pieces of cross stitch/embroidery or old crocheted doilies/dresser scarves. It always kills me when I see a stitched picture for sale at a thrift store, because some poor woman worked hard and long on it only for someone else to go and throw it out/donate it. I do understand downsizing and all, but this is the type of valuable piece that can be used to create something else (pillow, pin cushion, greeting card, whatever), so I try to "rescue" these precious items when I can and the price is reasonable.

Ratings

5
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Comment: Thank you! :)
5
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Comment: How nice you got to come home! I will enjoy the tea tomorrow morning. Brisk in the morning but around 75 in the afternoon. Enjoying the days as rain all next week.
5
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Comment: Not much room to write but still such a cool card! I have never seen one like this. Such a neat idea! Sasquatch are my favorite :)
Ruthless rated for Bad joke postcard swap #13 on Sep 19, 2023
5
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Comment: Great postcard! Corny jokes! Loved them so much I’m using them! May your week be filled with laughter and good jokes!
5
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Comment: Thank you so much, will pass them along soon!
5
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Comment: Thank you so much for the amazing package! It's one of the sweetest one's I've ever received. We just found out today that our offer was accepted to buy our first home and I can envision the squash and pumpkin being used as lovely fall decor when we move in.
Response: Aw, how kind. So glad you like it! That arrived really quickly, by the way. Congratulations on becoming homeowners!
5
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Comment: Wow, my own sasquatch! This card is too cool! Thank you!
5
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Comment: catlingmex! What a fun package! I love the little pumpkin card and the pumpkin glasses. Most of all, I love the haikus written by you. I'm a sucker for a good haiku! Thank you!
5
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Comment: Thank you Robin for the swap.
5
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stargirlstudio rated for Bad joke postcard swap #13 on Sep 8, 2023
5
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Comment: Thank you for the postcard! I'm such a dad at heart so I actually laughed at these silly jokes, so thank you for all of them!
5
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Comment: Thank you so much!!! Love the excess! Thank you for the fantastic swap!
TerryEO321 rated for 💗 Barbie Pink 💗 on Sep 6, 2023
5
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Comment: I am just so thrilled with all of the pink yummies you sent, Robin - everything is amazing! You thought of so many things that I just love. Your zine is fabulous - love the content (love reframing that special day of love!). The notecards, stationery - EVERYTHING you sent is just over the top. I LOVE it - thank you for making my day!
SharMarie513 rated for Autumn Postcard Swap🍁 on Sep 3, 2023
5
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Comment: Robin, thank you for the cute postcard and nice note. I do wish we could have fall weather in Florida. That sounds so wonderful the way you described it, aroma of burning leaves, pumpkins, with the chilly air. Maybe some day I’ll travel somewhere and experience that! Happy Fall! Enjoy it!
CMBOND rated for For The Newbies #16 on Sep 1, 2023
5
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Comment: Thank you for this Envelope of inspiration! It's all wonderful.
penpalterra rated for Autumn Postcard Swap🍁 on Aug 30, 2023
5
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Comment: I love the card, thank you! I’m glad you’re enjoying summer! I think it plans to stick around longer here. soon enough it will be cold and I’ll be dreaming of warm summer days.
SuperNay rated for Gratitude List PC Swap on Aug 29, 2023
5
rating
Comment: I loved the PC you sent. It's always nice to read/hear when people are grateful. :)
5
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Comment: I love this postcard! I’ve always wanted someone to send me this one! We are the Big Foot nation here in WA! Lol thank you
Response: So glad to be able to fulfill a wish!
5
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Comment: Thank you so much for the beautiful postcard 🌻
Mem306 rated for USA Only Last Signers/Homers #2 on Aug 27, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Thank youu!

Rating Overview

Overall Hearts Stars Hosted
4.9930 1552 30 40
Completed Fives Threes Ones
1055 1984 3 2
Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Uncategorized
97 615 214 129
View all

Currently Hosting

  • the user is not hosting any current swaps

Comments

simcoe54 on Sep 18, 2023:

All About the Wishes - August Wishes - Thanks for the package of stickers and banknote. I will be keeping the stickers with numbers and the coin stickers and the rest will be for my grand-daughters. I know they will love them. Also, a big thank you for the banknote. A new one for my collection!

thehappycow on Aug 10, 2023:

AATW august - THANKYOU so so much!!! I couldnt believe my eyes when i opened the package!! I cannot wait to get these passed along!! and of course the embroidery floss is much appreciated!

user6937 on Jul 27, 2023:

PH: WTA June - your postcards have arrived; I love the Glow in the Dark one, as well as the 3D turtle! Thanks :)

Zefaniya on Jul 4, 2023:

Thank you for all the goodies for June’s AATW!!

Traceyk on Jul 3, 2023:

Thank you so much for the AATW wishes for June! I really appreciate it! :)

yvonne401 on Jun 30, 2023:

AATW, June, Thank you so much for the adorable cat stickers as well as the cute notecards, dogs, cat and flags! I appreciate you thinking of me.

Blessings,

Yvonne

SuperNay on Jun 26, 2023:

Thank you for the AMAZING AATW June wishes! The care package stuffed with flamingos is incredible! I love it all! :)

debbiespoms on Jun 26, 2023:

OMG Robin! You went above and beyond, granting a wish in AATW June wishes for me! The Chihuahua puppy dog from Taco Bell is the cutest thing ever! I love it so much! Esp. hearing it say something Spanish and then say Taco Bell! My Chihuahua Jasper thinks it's a toy and wants it, ha! But he will not get it that's for sure, lol ! Thank you so very very much for the wish for this!

bostianh on Jun 23, 2023:

THANK YOU for the incredible AATW June Wish! What a beautiful surprise it was! I ADORE the firefly stickers, cat markers, stickers, and all the other green goodies. Thank you for putting so much joy and love into this wish, I appreciate you.💓

Rosie2766 on Jun 14, 2023:

Hi Robin!!! I just wanted to publicly say thank you for your help on the X-Slips!!! You are AMAZING!!!!! I wish I could give you a million hearts for your help!!! I can’t wait to get started!!!!

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