Chitter Chatter - Winter 2024

[LadyWordsmith]

Hello everyone! Wow we got quiet. Anyone still about? Do you have plans for the holidays? What have you been up to? 

We have a quiet holiday planned. The last few months have been dramatic (in both good and bad ways), so we are looking forward to just relaxing, spending time with family and friends, and enjoying the down time. 

Short catch-up post: 
I have finished writing the new curriculum for all of my course, which is a huge relief. I worked on it all summer and just finished it at the end of November! 

In August we lost two cats (both young, both unexpectedly due to invisible sudden-onset health issues we had no reason to expect, and neither did our vet. One to what we think might have been bone cancer. The other to, possibly, heart issues). In both cases we spent several days in kitty ICU while they tried everything. We are all fairly traumatized, though healing. 

We took out the carpet in the main living area of our house, and learned to tile a floor (we could not afford installers), so we now have over 500 square feet of the wood-looking tile floor. It took nearly two months and it's so nice to finally have my living space back in order. (It was not initially planned. There were concerns at one point that something environmental might have impacted the two lost cats, and we didn't want to risk the rest. Who also have now been tested within an inch of their lives and we have incredibly detailed medical knowledge on all of them now. Thankfully they are healthy). In any case, the carpet was old and needed to go, and this is much easier to maintain and less smelly. 

In October, Their Majesties (SCA) invited me to join the Order of the Pelican. My elevation was this past Saturday. So there was a lot of planning and chaos and getting all that set up, though it all turned out well. 🙂

We also got some new kittens! (Should not be a surprise). Two black-and-white twins a friend of mine was fostering, who are pair bonded and very sociable and cuddly. And, as one of the cats we lost was my son's, he got to choose his own new cat, and we now also have a beautiful little ginger female Maine Coon who is a couple of months younger than the black-and-whites (though we brought them all home the same week), but nearly as big now. Including photos for cuteness. 

And now I'm working on an illuminated piece for a friend being elevated to the Order of the Laurel 'this' Saturday at our local Yule event. 

I think that sums up the major events since June. 



 

[LilyElizabeth]

That's quite an update! I'm so sorry for the loss of your kitties. I lost a beloved dog very young and very suddenly, so I can empathize with you. 

 

Congrats on your elevation. Many years ago, I was in the SCA, and I know how hard it is to earn your Pelican. 

 

Your young kitties are just adorable!

 

My plans for this holiday are moving. I close escrow on my current home today. Then we load the truck and move it on Saturday, maybe tomorrow.

[Dar'Jen Ab Owain]

You've definitely had a lot going on. Hoping you have the opportunity to rest and enjoy some peace.

 

Work has been busy. My son turned 21. My husband and I are busy, as always, trying to juggle taking care of my dad in OH and his mom in TN. Trying to enjoy the little things as much as possible.