Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Moving

So, the time has come. Sheena and I are moving.

To Seattle.

Yeah. It's a big move and it comes on the heels of a visit we had to Portland to see some of my family. I've been pushing for the PNW for a few years now, partly because of family and partly because I've just wanted to get out of the state we're in.

In more ways than one, really. We need a change. A change in location. A change in lifestyle. We'll be moving away from some things and some people we truly care about, but I know this is for the best. There's no more room for either of us to grow in our careers staying in Ohio.

The Plan:

We're getting rid of nearly all of our furniture via donation, sale or fire. We've pared down the books and may continue to do so. Craft supplies are next on the chopping block. Ideally, we want to take a single small moving truck of belongings with us.

I've been calling it the "clothes and cats" move, because those are the fairly essential things. We'll be holding a house sale in August for those of you close enough to stop in and relieve us of some stuff. Desks, chairs, lamps, books, crafting materials...there's going to be an assortment. Book shelves.

We've even decided to sell a car, to help fund the move.

After everything that can be sold is sold and we get rid of the remainder, we'll be packing up our lives and driving to Washington State to start anew come September. 

There are friends and family waiting on the other side for us in this adventure.

I can't wait to get started.

Friday, June 28, 2019

Morrigan


As some of you may know, we adopted a precious void sprite after Loki passed. There was this horrible, wrenching hole where Loki was supposed to be. In our house. In me. Bast was absolutely devastated, constantly looking for Loki. Hermes has nightmares now.

I knew, without a doubt, we had to bring someone home. There was an urgency riding in my bones I couldn't explain if I wanted to. I spotted this little black fluff on the shelter website and thought, she's darling, I'll go meet her along with the a couple others and we'll see.

Well, she latched onto me immediately. Laying in my arms, kneading in my elbow for over an hour while we filled out the papers to bring her home. There was no question. I think, maybe, Loki was that guiding force to help us find Morrigan.

There is no doubting his presence still in the house. His spot is still his spot. The other cats leave it be. And Morrigan has taken up where he left off. Shadowing me, staying with me when I'm sad. She chirps at me when she thinks I should be in bed, just like he did.

And truly, most importantly, she and Bast have become like litter mates.

They sleep together. They groom each other. They play. Bast has a dear friend now and Hermes...he's trying.

Our little family was broken, and now it's starting to come back together again. It still hurts, I think it's always going to hurt. I think seeing Loki's name on a little box instead of seeing him will always hurt.

But I'm not ready to let him go. I know we'll bring him with us wherever we go, because I can't leave him.

I can't let him be alone. I won't let him be forgotten.

I lost my first pet, Shadow, a little black darling, when she was only about two. I lost a dog a few years later. I blocked myself off from trying to connect because I was so afraid I'd lose them.

I risked a lot bringing Loki home six years ago. My heart had been broken and put back together so many times.

Morrigan is here now though, to help keep me from sliding back into that shell. Bast is here. Even Hermes deigns to show affection now and again. No one can every replace my murder kitten, but I'm not going to let myself not feel for the fluffy babies that are still here.


Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Loki


My precious, precious Loki, sometimes known as the MurderKitten, MurderFloof and Stitch, has passed away after an unexpected medical emergency.

The level of care he received was more than I could have asked for. They truly did everything they could, but in the end he was called to Valhalla.

I so appreciate the staff at the clinic, who were incredibly understanding and did everything they could to give us as much time with him as they could. A special thank you to Griffin, a French Bulldog who took it upon himself to sit on Sheena and I for pets and cuddles during this devastating process, and Marvin, a silver tabby who loves hugs.

I cannot adequately express the thanks I have for everyone who has sent messages of support, and I am still in shock over the financial support we have received to help cover his final expenses.

Loki was a five year old cat we rescued when he was about four months old. He was afraid to be touched, and while he never quite got over his issue with human hands, he was making strides. He was learning how to be a cat. He stayed with me when I was in pain. He walked me through the house during flare ups. He purred and laid on my chest during my surgery recovery.

I just can't believe he's gone.

If you would like to help with his final vet bill, Sheena is accepting donations through Ko-Fi.

ko-fi.com/sophiabeaumont