Carlyipo

I am a sign language interpreter and graduate student living in Sycamore, Illinois. I am married to an Episcopal priest and live right next door to the church. This makes life VERY interesting. Anyone seen the TV show "Rev."? I have been writing letters to penpals since I was a kid and have just gotten out of the habit. This seems like a great way to get back into the habit of enjoying some happy mail!

When I'm not working or taking care of my 10-year-old, I train to run marathons, and try to keep the weeds out of my garden.

I enjoy all kinds of music from classical to indie rock, to oldies, and Irish folk music.

I tend to enjoy specific songs rather than albums, which drives my husband crazy.

Right now, because I'm training for the Marathon, I am racking up running songs to put on my play list. My playlist has artists like:

-The Can-Can -Great Big Sea -Billy Joel -Katy Perry -Miley Cyrus -Journey -Harry Belefonte -etc.

I am working on a graduate degree in counseling, so most of my current reading is academic books about counseling theories. When I'm not analyzing historical perspectives in the helping professions, I enjoy some good historical fiction, dystopian novels, medical fiction, and dramas.

Some of my recent favorites:

-The Divergent Series -The Other Boleyn Sister (really anything about Henry VIII and his wives) -The Alchemist -Out of Africa -The Hobbit -The Mermaid Chair -The Kite Runner

We have a television, but don't have cable. We watch everything through Netflix and Hulu. I tend to like good mysteries and sci-fi, such as:

-Sherlock -Resurrection -Once -Grimm -Believe

I love gardening, cooking, fitness, crochet, yoga, running, tea, reading, and letter-writing.

I am also a Girl Scout leader, which takes a great deal of my time and energy (wanna buy some cookies???), and am training to run the Chicago Marathon in October. I am running in honor of my mother who is a 10-year breast cancer survivor, so I am also collecting money for an organization called Bright Pink.

In addition to my day jobs, I am also a consultant for Thirty-One, so I am your source for all things "bags" and storage.

I joined Swap-Bot because I have made a promise to myself to engage in more "happiness" bringing this year. I have been finding more excuses to write letters and send happy mail to friends. Unfortunately, people rarely respond in kind. I want a little happy mail, too.

I will do my best to send a little happy with each of my swaps. I hope people will have patience with me as I learn what is expected and will put a bit of happiness into each of their swaps for me.

Things that make me smile:

-Giraffes

-Bookmarks

-Rubber stamps

-Stickers

-Stationery

-Non-chocolate candy (I'm allergic to chocolate)

-Fun socks

-Purple

-Peonies, sunflowers, and lilacs

-Monet

-Wonder Woman

-Fun pens

-Washi Tape

-Mermaids

-Tea (no coffee...never coffee)

-Paper crafts

-Yarn crafts

-Candles

-Books

-Decorative pouches

-Retro female empowerment symbols (Rosie the Riveter, etc.)

-Yoga pictures

-Handmade things!!

-Mindfulness Quotes

-Notecards

-Decorative envelopes (I always seem to have more cool papers and cards on hand than envelopes...how does this happen?)

In general, I am very easy-going and love to try and see new things. Some things I don't care for and would not like to receive are:

-Chocolate (I am allergic)

-Coffee

-Scantily clad pictures

-Anime

-Meat-related things (I am a vegetarian)

-Cats are cute, but I don't have "cat fever" like many people and prefer other motifs.

-Video games