Mamabird

I just learned about this site from Postcrossing. I've been doing that since November 2011 and I really love it.

I'm a 41 year old mama of 2 unschooled kids, an 8 year old boy and a 12 year old girl. They like drawing, reading, fan fiction, Minecraft, video games, playgrounds, swimming, hiking, penpalling, sword fighting, capture the flag games and silliness. My daughter is really into Percy Jackson and Greek Mythology.

I like some of those things too, and also strength training, running, distance walking, obsessive googling (love to research and learn!) reading, coffee, sweets, big green salads and avocados. I love Indian food and don't really like to cook. Thankfully my sweet husband does!

I just want to mention that I am not religious so I'd rather not get swaps that include things related to religion. We do celebrate Christian and Jewish holidays in our home and enjoy things like Santa and the Easter bunny, just not the spiritual aspects.

*Editting to add that I don't mind postcards that show religious sites from elsewhere in the world. I actually love pcs of statues and gorgeous buildings that may or may not be a religious church or temple.

I'm a huge fan of getting and sending fun mail and I'm looking forward to this!

I like a lot of different kinds of music. I grew up listening to classic country from the 50's thru the 70's. Johnny Cash, Willie Nelso, Patsy Cline, all that. Love it. And also I love 70's roots rock, 60's British invasion type stuff, hair metal from the 80's, and some alt rock from the 90's. As far as new music- I'm pretty stunted! ;) I love Michael Franti, though. He's my running/workout partner!

I love to read. I find myself doing less of it for myself and far, far more for my kids though. Which is ok! We all snuggle in the big bed and read for anywhere from 15 minute (late night!) to an hour each night. I love childrens' literature, actually. My recent favorites- some collections of Greek myths and The Theif Lord (about some runaway kids living in Venice- so good!)

I'm reading Stargirl at the moment. Pretty good. Yes, YA fiction. But sometimes those are the best!

I'm also reading The Plan, ny Lyn-Genet Recitas. It's a diet/health/wellness book. Not thrilling but I'm working on some thyroid issues and blah, blah. Not interesting.

I love first person history and I'm particularly interested in the US Civil Rights movement. It's fascinated me all my life. And apparently I've passed this interest on to my 12 year old! Cool.

Favorite books: How To Eat Fried Worms, Black Like Me, Bunnicula!

I didn't watch TV for the longest time. Then I watched Lost! So good. I decided there might be stuff on TV worth my time. And there is! I like True Blood, Modern Family and Merlin (BBC). Actually, I LOVE Merlin. Wow, that was so GOOD! We watched it with the kids and it was perfect for everyone. There aren't many shows that fit that bill.

Mail art! I like to make the kids' lunchboxes cute, too.

I LOVE to get and send creative mail. Like...I have a postcard pal in Germany and we exclusively swap cardbord boxes cut into postcards. They're almost always from food. recently she sent me a cut out from some chocolate. I sent her a card made from a box of crackers with a cool image.

I love decked out envelopes, etc. Not so into Disney sort of cutsie, but I like Kawaii cutsie. And just colorful and unusual and odd, too!

Old stuff! I love vintage, antique, things with a story, etc. I like old houses, abandoned buildings, ruins, hiking, nature, children, animals, Sudoko, jigsaw puzzles, stationary, natural foods, yoga, needle felting (sometimes!) and hearing other people's stories. I love the details!

I like reusable bags! I have lots for groceries and I also use them when we're going to the park or something. I don't carry a purse, just a wallet so I use cute/interesting bags a lot.

I like black and white photos- especially old ones of people, even if I don't know them, deco-tape, ultra-fine felt tip marker/pens in all colors and stickers.

I don't really wear much jewelry but when I do it's small and more earthy, I guess. Not so sparkly.

We live in a small town near the mountains. It's casual and creative and there are lots of organic farms nearby. We belong to a farm and I treasure the experience of going there each week to get our share of food. The kids understand where their food comes from and know their farmer by name. Awesome.

I like birds and bird things- Bird stickers, stationary, etc. My last name is a kind of bird so that's where the link comes in.

We like to play board games now and then.

I love my friends and totally recognize how precious they are. One day my kids will be grown and these women (and a couple men) and my husband are the people who will still be in my daily life.

I like things related to homebirthing and breastfeeding. Huge supporter of both! LOVE postcards of statues of mothers and children, things like that.

As for cards- I like the offbeat more than the traditional. I like street scenes of real people a lot. I do like the tourist cards too, but the ones that show something really unique are the BEST! I love the painted Pakistani buses, the incredible street art of Brazil (and elsewhere) and cards showing like...a wizened old man's face close up or something like that.

I'm babbling now and my son is begging for a turn on the computer!

I love to go to the movies. If there's something good out, we go with the kids on a Friday night and then take them out for icecream after. These are some of my favorite nights.

I like documentaries, funny stuff, family films- lots of things. Just saw Life of Pi and I LOVED it. It was so cool to see some cultural diversity on the big screen, too.

I do not like horror movies! I am way too big of a scaredy-cat. I get way too freaked out by that stuff! Not crazy about shoot 'em up action films, either.