PurpleMermaid1974

Personal Note (October, 2020): We have had a few family difficulties (a death and a cancer diagnosis) in recent weeks. Everything has been sent, but may have gone out a day or two after the deadline. I do apologize. I am also getting caught up on opening swaps and rating. Thank you for your patience. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to message me. Thank you!

Greetings from the Desert! I'm 46 and work as a sign language interpreter and college professor. I have one child...well, teenager that I homeschool. I'm married to another letter writer, and my kid also has penpals. We LOVE happy mail!

I'm an avid letter-writer and love mail, but mostly letters. I make and love pretty, fun, themed envelopes, but am more interested in the contents of the letters. I always want to get to know you and, if you include a note and address, I will usually write you back.

I love to read, garden, sew, run, and watch movies. I live in the desert and love to try my hand at native gardening, but because I grew up in other places, I always return to herbs! I'm an introvert in a house with 2 extroverts, so I always looking for a moment of retreat. My favorite thing is to sit down in a quiet place with a glass of wine, a glass or mug of tea, a colorful pen, some lovely paper and connect with a friend at a distance.

I have so many interests and don't tend to be fanatic about anything. I love creative expressions of all kinds. Here are a few things that always make me happy:

**Mermaids!

**Tea! (Loose Leaf is great, but doesn't work too well in the mail.)

**Sunflowers!

**Matching letter paper and envelopes!

**Hedgehogs!

**Fabric samples (novelty, geometric designs....really most anything from the quilting aisle.)

**Bees!

**Sewing Notions (fun buttons, charms, etc.)

**Books!

**Sign Language (I'm an interpreter)!

**Llamas!

**Giraffes!

**Sloths!

**Succulents!

**I Love Lucy!

**Handmade envelopes!

**Handwritten letters! (I always write back!)

**Wine!

**Purple, Teal, Orange

...more....

I love to sew, but I also love paper crafts and crochet. I enjoy vintage papers and decorations as well as paper napkins (for crafts...we only use cloth napkins, so I love singles to upcycle). I always love to get notions to add to my stash for inspiration. I also build cosplay costumes for my daughter and love a project that makes me think and problem solve.

I love the movie Chocolat, but can't actually eat chocolate, because I am allergic. LOL

I also love Indiana Jones and other treasure-hunting movies.

I'm a child of the 80's so popular movies from the 80s make me nostalgic, so: John Hughes and anything action-adventure.

I love historical fiction, dystopian fiction, and suspense (but not traditional mysteries.) I usually have at least 3 books going at a time: One "easy, quick" fiction, one that would be described more as "literature", and one inspirational/spiritual.

I always love the thought that goes into the little extras in a swap or letter, but there are lots of little things I don't need and just end up in the recycling or being re-gifted. I'd always rather get a personal note than little bits and pieces.

Please don't send me:

*reward stickers

*single page note papers

*manufactured flat bookmarks

*coloring pages

*glitter

I do use many little things and would always love if someone sends me:

*Individually wrapped tea bags

*clip bookmarks

*handmade bookmarks

*paper napkins

*handmade envelopes

*Individual decorative stationery pages with matching envelope and stickers

*large stickers

*fabric quarters

I love tea!

I usually drink black teas, both caffeinated and decaf, and love Chai and black teas (Breakfast style teas are my favorite, but I don't like earl gray.)

I also love Rooibos and many richly flavored teas. Because it is so hot here in the desert, I often brew my tea and drink them iced. If you have a good iced tea favorite, I'd love to try it.

I don't generally drink fruity teas, and I don't drink green tea.