To say this past year has been busy, is an understatement! Itās all been one thing after another, and I REALLY hope everything will settle down soon.
Fidget no longer needs taken out during the night, thank goodness, so Iām beginning to make up the past ten months of lost sleep. Sheās a year old now, and an absolute doll! Sheās bigger than Fidget of The House of Bannerman fame, and very bouncy and independent in many ways, but she does need the occasional hug, thinks she still fits on my lap. Sheās a complete delight, and also a tank! I quickly learned if she comes barreling toward me, I better dodge. She only does that if she receives a well-deserved reprimand from Arctic and needs comforting, and heās incredibly tolerant so fortunately that doesnāt happen often. Arctic deserves the best big brother ever award, he is so sweet with her. He also deserves the best grand-puppy award, because when she was younger and went into piranha (also known as land-shark) mode, he herded her away from my ankles every time. Sheās smart, and it didnāt take her long to realize she might as well take her chewing fits out on a knotted rope or a toy instead of me! Brad didnāt fare so well at first, but when he asked me to ask Arctic to protect him too, from that point on he did. Arctic is absolutely brilliant, and understands everything within his scope of knowledge. If I were to talk about going to Home Goods (where Iāve never been, and have never mentioned) to purchase a frilly bedskirt, he would have no clue about where I was going or for what. But if I went there and brought one back, forever after Arctic would understand everything his eyes and nose could gather upon arriving home. And Brad would also understand, and wonder, did it really have to be frilly!
Em is starting school soon to become a veterinary technician. Iām very proud of her! She hasnāt had the easiest time in life due to a number of health issues, but last September she had a surgery she badly needed and weāre hopeful a lot of her pain will improve. She also ended up with severe pneumonia and was back in the hospital within 12 hours of arriving home, but several days in the critical care unit and sheās doing well now. This is one small part of what I mean when I say itās been very busy this past year!
I havenāt had much time to write, and have decided I never will unless I rearrange my priorities list. So, Iām in the process of doing that. As long as everyone is fed, cared for, and the house tolerably clean, thatāll just have to be good enough. I was able to finish chapter 12 of āGone in a Flashā this week, and the plan (so long as everyone will stay healthy, for pityās sake!) is to spend some time writing tonight, and dedicate several hours tomorrow. All I need is enough uninterrupted consecutive minutes and this book will write itself. Is that too much to ask? I hope not!