Jwlrybabe

First, if you have not received a swap you were expecting from me, please let me know! I will do everything I can to make it good! I love receiving your swaps, and would not deprive one of my partners of that same enjoyment!

I am a divorced career girl in the field of restaurant marketing. After years of living in Indonesia (what an adventure!), Denver, Nashville, Dallas and Washington, D.C., I am once again in OKC, living with my retired parents and my beautiful cocker spaniel, Cookie.

I've always loved to travel - which is good, because for about 12 years, my job required 3-5 days per week on the road, primarily throughout the SE United States. Amazingly, after 100's of miles and an untold number of hotel rooms, I still enjoy travel!

I mostly like "oldies" (from the '60's, '70's and '80's) for everyday listening, although my tastes range from rock to modern country, and from classical to show tunes. I hate blue grass or rap.

Perennial favorites include Elton John, Eagles, Barry Manilow, Rod Stewart, ABBA, John Denver, Frankie Valli, Little River Band, Doobie Brothers, Creedence Clearwater, and older artists such as The Association, The Beach Boys, Lettermen, etc.

Just a couple of years ago, I discovered a ballad sung by the late Glenn Frey (Eagles) - "Caroline No." It's such a haunting song and get's me every time! And lately, I find that I'm really into the a capella group Home Free.

Books are my passion! I'm a fiction-girl, all the way (after getting my post-grad degree, I'd had enough of facts - - give me escapism!!!) Over the years, I've devoured thousands of books.

Favorite authors: I am addicted to Jayne Ann Krentz/Jayne Castle's futuristic novels! She's a master of dialogue. Also enjoy books by Christine Feehan, Lori Leigh, Kresley Cole and others. At this point, paranormal romance/adventure is my default choice, although certainly not the only thing on my bookshelf.

I absolutely LOVE the Dresden Files books by Jim Butcher! (Someday, I really have to try his Shannara novels.) And, in my humble opinion, the Harry Potter novels are the best children's fiction since The Wizard of Oz series was written!

I love movies and used to go just about every week. Unfortunately, these past few years I have not seen many.

Past favorites have included classic musicals such as "Hello Dolly," "Guys and Dolls," and "Sound of Music." Even after countless watchings, I still love the Harry Potter series and Indiana Jones series. Other favorite movies are "Mystery Alaska," "Baby Boom," "Practical Magic," "The Ugly Truth," "Working Girl," and the list goes on! Love rom/com and action/adveture. Not really a fan of scary, although I have watched several that I found to be exceptional stories. . . just ot a fan of the stress they produce! LOL

Every night I catch up on General Hospital (watched since 1978); can't even imagine not having these old "friends" to keep me company! No matter where I've lived, this soap was a "constant."

In a regular week I also watch "Nashville," "Stitchers," "Once Upon a Time," "Dancing with the Stars," "Reign," "Marvel Agent's of Shield" and "Marvel's Agent Carter." And occasionally I enjoy watching "Flea Market Flip," "Love it or List It," or "Vikings."

I detest reality shows such as The Bachelor, Real Housewives, etc.

I love scrapbooking and card making. Some of my favorite swaps in previous years were an "alphabet swap" where different people made a page for each letter of the alphabet (I made a "Shoes" page for S, and a "Dogs" page for the letter D). At the end, we had a page for each letter, to which we could add photos. And the recipe swaps were always fun - each person would scrapbook one recipe on a 6x6 sheet of paper, decorated according to the rules of the swap, for 6-8 other people. When finished, we each had a nice little recipe book. And I really enjoyed a swap simply called "snowmen;" in that swap, I received an envelope filled with lace, die-cut phrases, punched snowmen, brads, etc. What fun to receive! And I just got involved in another type of swap, pocket letters (pocketletterpals.com) that is a fun new creative challenge.

Another hobby is jewelry making. . . not with plastic stuff! I work with glass beads, semi-precious stones and pearls. I've tried my hand at actually faceting stones, but with so many hobbies pulling at my attention, I prefer things that do not require days for each project!

Lately, I've been sewing blankets for my friends. I enjoy cross-stitch. I'm trying to crochet, but can't seem to keep my mind on it. I love taking pictures, but I'm strictly amateur!!!

A few years ago, I found that I love gardening (flowers). However since moving back to Oklahoma, it's been a challenge finding a variety of plants I like that will tolerate the baking heat of summer. Even when well-watered, most just can't tolerate the amount of sun. And I hate most succulents. My favorite flowers are hydrangeas, peonies, iris, lilacs and roses. (But honestly, I like most flowers!)

To help future swap partner, I thought I'd include some of my likes/dislikes. Hope you find this helpful!

I hate most organized sports (although I do enjoy solo activities such as sailing, swimming, diving, biking and snow-skiing). Overall, I'm more of a fine-arts girl. I was always into theater and vocal music, and I've played the piano most of my life. (I've always secretly yearned to learn how to play the harp.)

I'm a sucker for anything with a dog; they're my favorite people! I'm especially partial to Yorkies or Cocker Spaniels.

Love both mountains and beach, and all the associated imagery! But I'm completely a city (suburbs) girl. I lived in the country briefly, but that's not my "native habitat." LOL

From a colors standpoint, I usually lean toward jewel tone colors - red, sapphire, emerald, royal purple. That said, who doesn't love pink and lavender! Just not a fan of tans/browns . . . too drab. (Okay - "chocolate" brown is obviously okay!)

Since I never had children, most of that type imagery doesn't really appeal to me.

Favorite themes: dogs, travel, pathways/streams, foggy or rainy city scenes, books, perfume bottles, tigers, peacocks, flamingos, seahorses, Christmas trees, churches, city-scapes, interesting architecture, trains, grapes/winery images, lady bugs, lighthouses.

Likes: Bling (sparkly things!), list-pads, fresh journals, scent of lilacs, fun/inspirational quotes, hair combs, jewelry (pierced earrings, as long as they aren't toooooo heavy, or necklaces), jewelry-making accoutrements (crystal, glass or natural beads - not plastic), small items of home decor, picture frames, Disney animation & theme parks, movies, books, milk chocolate, caramel, art by G. Harvey or Thomas Kinkade.

Dislikes: lavender scent, anime, reality TV, leggings(!)

Wishlist: Dog-themed items, clear and rubber stamps, stamped images or die cuts, ribbons/brads/bling, note cards/notepads, recipes . . . honestly, most things make me happy!

In postcard swaps, I really have no preference! (If I HAD to choose, I'd say "naked" to make things easy on my partner.)

Hope I've given you a glimpse into my world! Can't wait to learn more about you, too!!