cathlud

I have lived in the north eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria all of my life and I have been married for 35+ years. We have two adult sons.

I work part-time as a medical scientist at a pathology laboratory. I also have a casual job as a Patient Model for an Ultrasound Training company.

My family has a holiday house near the beach and we spend many weekends there during summer.

In my spare time I like to do craft, research my family history (genealogy) or travel with my family.

In Feb. 2015 I started geocaching. I am still learning, at present, but I hope to take my family to some interesting places.

2013 was a big year for me, but it turned out completely different to what was planned. I celebrated my 50th Birthday in late July. It was a small celebration but in April 2014 my family took me on a three week overseas holiday to London, Paris and Singapore.

I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on 31 May 2013. After conservative surgery, I had 20 weeks of chemotherapy and then 7 weeks of radiotherapy.

On 14 Jul 2017 I had a clear scan (4 year post).

Any advice on living post breast cancer is welcomed. It's still a new experience to me.

While I have been undergoing treatment I have received some lovely gifts and cards from many people. I appreciate all of the comments on cards and in swaps. Each one lifts me up.

Thank you to everyone but especially to my following Swap-bot friends.

Susan (Ohio, USA)

Karyn (Florida, USA)

Dagmar (Germany)

Moni (Germany)

Patricia (Colorado, USA)

Carol (Colorado, USA)

Kirsty (the Netherlands)

My favourite postcard themes are:

• Animals (wild or in zoos): Wolverines, Hedgehogs, Badgers, Meerkats, Sloth, Squirrels, Chipmunks, Prairie dogs, Lemurs, Bush Babies, Lorises, Marmosets, Tamarins, and any other animals
• Birds: Puffins, Owls, Hawks, Eagles, Penguins and any other birds
• Australian animals (koala, kangaroo, wombat and others) on postcards from countries other than Australia.

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• Map Cards
• Churches, cathedrals and other places of worship
• Castles and ruins

• Lighthouses
• Statues and Outdoor Art
• Famous places
• Not-so-famous places where you live, work or visit.
• Maxicards
• Flowers

• Illustrations of cats (drawings, paintings, comical, real life)

  

• Moomin (please check my Flickr page for my collection so far)

• Children's Book Illustrations

• French Impressionist Painters: Monet, Renior, Degas, Pissarro, Manet, Sisley, Cezanne, Morisot and post-Impressionalists

I like the following ad-card themes:

• Health and social issues such as: Cancer, AIDS, Homelessness

• Animals and Birds

• Anything listed in my favourite postcard themes above

• Any themes listed above
• Pressed Pennies (I am open to private swaps)
• Playing Cards (any spares would be appreciated).
• Journaling Cards (Project Life etc) I would like to write a journal of my Breast Cancer journey and would welcome suitable journaling cards that I could use.
• Any Zoo related items: postcards, maps, key rings, magnets, pressed pennies, other souvenirs
• Coins
• Hand made postcards and ATCs (to give me inspiration to try it myself)
• Christmas cards that are representative of your country (Christmas in Australia is in summer and does not include snow)

• Store bought Christmas postcards (I have never seen any in shops in Australia) or for any other celebration (New Year, Halloween, Hannukah)

• Stickers that I can use in card making

• Anything else I can use in card making (no feathers, SEE BELOW)
• Souvenirs from where you live, or have visited
• US National Park Quarters. So far I have: Hot Springs, Yosemite, Mt Hood, Olympic, Chickasaw, El Yunque, Hawaii Volcanoes, Denali, White Mountain, Perry's Victory, Great Basin, Fort McHenry, Mount Rushmore, Shenandoah, Arches, Homestead, Glacier.

This is my list of special requests, mainly they are postcards. Some of the suggestions come from my teenage boys, who love to set me challenges. I will add to it as I discover particular things that I would like. I would be very happy if I receive any of these items.

• Postcards of the following animals: Groundhog or Woodchuck, Walrus

• A postcard with a view from any of the following US states: Alabama, Delaware, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin. At present I do not have many postcards from these states.

• These are the US state map cards that I still need to complete my collection: CT, MA. I am in no hurry to complete the collection as I enjoy all postcards.

• Postcards featuring the following music instruments: trumpet, trombone or tuba. (These are the instruments that my sons play)

I love making cards with stamped images, punched shapes, stickers, buttons, ribbon, sequins and other embellishments. I am trying new techniques.

In 2015 I have started to make some envelopes. Perhaps you will receive one in a swap.

I also like to make beaded jewellery (mainly bracelets and necklaces)

I have tried crocheting, knitting, felting, scrapbooking, beading.

I would love to try making a Dotee Doll. This one was sent to me by Dagmar.

I live in a house of sport-loving males so much of my television viewing involves watching sport.

Due to my work hours (evenings) I do not get to watch much television. My favourite shows are usually police or medical based such as: Bones, N.C.I.S., C.S.I., Law and Order, Dexter.

As I enjoy researching my family's history both here in Australia and in Britain some of my other favourite series are: "Who Do You Think You Are?" (UK, USA and Australia), Heirhunters (UK), Coast (UK), "Who's Been Sleeping In My House?" (Australia), Time Team (UK) and Restoration Home (UK).

I also like documentaries about animals, travel and world history.

I have two sons aged 20 years and 18 years. They are normal, active, adventure seeking youths. They play Field Hockey in winter and go sailing in summer. My older son is studying trombone at university. My younger son is studying Public Relations and Advertising and plays the trumpet in his university's band.

They are interested in American Football, Baseball and Ice Hockey. My younger son would love to receive postcards of sports venues or players. He watches sport live on the TV when he can (mornings here in Australia) or delayed telecast in the evenings.

Flakers

"World Heritage PC #4" - @kasia8502 (account deleted)

"all about snail mail exchange - two from a country" - @LovelyLici (partially suspended)

Flakers and Angels

"Christmas Cards with Postcards Inside-Now INT'L!" - @Treksek (account deleted) - Angeled by @Alias who sent me 5 beautiful cards from Estonia

"Merry Christmas: 1 card to 5 partners" - @LambInBlack (not active) - Angeled by @LINBUR0100 (swap host), who sent me a lovely handmade Christmas card.

"Penny, Postcard & Brochure" - @Duffity (fully suspended) - Angeled by @tiggerski who hosted the swap.

"not-so-QUICK cute animal postcard x4 #3" - @Nibbler2011 (fully suspended) - Angeled by @tiggerski who sent me a skunk (I love it)

"Bird Postcard Swap" - @IndyUpcycle (account deleted) - Angeled by @tiggerski who sent me some Puffins (a favourite bird)

"Seen Better Days Postcard Swap #7" - @sebastian (not active) - Angeled by @tiggerski

"Through My Kitchen Window Postcard Swap" - @SassyinSpringfield (fully suspended) - Angeled by @lorettadog (swap host), who sent me some Prarie Dogs.

"Where You Live (PC) - Intl (September 2/2)" - @Caitlin (not active) - Angeled by @LucyToons (swap host).

Difficult Swappers

Elongated Penny Patrol, WTA#3 - @jannieb - would not send to me as I am not in the USA - Angeled by @tiggerski

I live in Australia and we have strict quarantine laws. Please do not send any plant material (such as dried flowers, seeds or leaves) or animal products (such as feathers) to me. Recently I had an envelope opened (and destroyed) that contained lavender.

If you have any queries please check http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/mail/cant-mail