DesertUnicorn

**** I will have limited internet access for the rest of May. It may take me a while to respond if you send me a message. ****

Hello! I'm from Albuquerque, New Mexico, home of the Albuquerque International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta! I'm married and have two dogs and two cats. One of our cats is new to the family... she was found seriously injured in our yard, apparently hit by a car. After three weeks in the pet hospital, and further physical therapy, she's doing well. (She had no microchip and there was no way to find out who owned her.) Our furry ones are very much important parts of our family.

I'm an electrical engineer and have really enjoyed my work in that field, though I did leave my job a few years ago to help out with a family member that was ill, so I'm not currently working as an engineer.

I like a wide variety of music, but my favorite artists are mostly in the Classic Rock or rock that slightly verges into metal. What I listen to also depends on my mood.

Some of my favorite artists are:

Def Leppard ~ Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo ~ U2 ~ Queen ~ Peter Gabriel ~ Fleetwood Mac ~ Bon Jovi ~ Brian May ~ Eagles

My favorite current TV shows are Castle and NCIS. We only discovered Castle early this year, when I saw a few reruns of older shows and loved it. So we bought the DVDs and caught up in time for this season to start. :-) I also enjoy Bones, Rizzoli & Isles, Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, CSI: NY, and Hawaii Five-0. CSI is good, but I'm disappointed with some of the changes they've made.

Past shows I have enjoyed include Friends, Buffy, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, and M * A * S * H.

I enjoy reading many things, but my favorites are mysteries, good forensic crime novels, and some types of romance. I enjoy romantic suspense, inspirational romance, historical or contemporary romance... all with the caveat that I do not enjoy explicit or erotic books.

Some of my favorite authors are:

Kathy Reichs ~ Tess Gerritsen ~ Janette Oke~Phyllis Whitney

(I'll fill this list out more later.)

A friend has sent me the first book in a number of new mystery series so that I can look for new mystery series that I like. I welcome suggestions for romantic suspense writers or other contemporary novels.

I also enjoy some science fiction and biographies of interesting people. I've just recently read Marlo Thomas's "Growing up Laughing" and have started Pat Benatar's "Between a Rock and a Heart Place"

I collect: Hot Air Balloon Pins, Penguins, Sea shells, coins from other countries, Hard Rock pins, some cat and dog themed items...

I love teas and enjoy trying different kinds. I do NOT care for the "red" Roobios teas, however. I don't drink coffee, so black teas for my morning are a must, but I also enjoy herbal and green teas at other times so I enjoy getting those, too. I would prefer NOT to trade for loose tea at this time, though I do drink loose tea so loose tea accessories are ok.

Please not send teas with Echinacea. I don't think there are many that would have that, but I have a bad reaction to it.

Chocolate Swap Info: I prefer not to receive chocolate with coconut or white chocolate.

I'm interested in things from your country: Coins, refrigerator magnets, postcards, small things that could be used as a Christmas tree ornament, something unique from your area, etc...

If anyone in the UK is interested in a private snack food swap, I love Walker's Worcester Crisps and Mini Battenburg cakes!

Favorite Colors: Purples, deep pink, rosy pink, blues other than baby blue, turquoise/teal, green/black combo.