Happy 2014!

**Blows the dust away and gets out broom**

Why hello there!  It’s been awhile since I’ve been here.  Lots has happened and not so much has happened.  I do have a good excuse as to why I’ve been gone.

First off Miss Mo my female kitty got worse.  It was very sad.  She died and we did discover that the issue was a fast developing spinal cancer.  I still miss her very much.  She was a very special girl.

Next Mike graduated another post-grad program in Norfolk.  It was another trip there for a few days.  I was very proud of him.  While there we went to Colonial Williamsburg.  I made lots of great picture.  Yes I’ll do a very belated post about them.

Then there’s work.  A few times we’ve had short staff for medical reasons, people moving, etc.  At times I’ve work full time rather than part time to help out.  I love what I do so I don’t mind.  BUT for me it’s a side thing.

Finally my writer’s block broke.  Yes I furiously wrote 41 chapters of a whole new story, 21 chapters on my Urban-fantasy with a rural setting, and about 12 on my steampunk novel.  The muses were so demanding I’ve been cramming in writing where ever I could.  Now my goal is to go to an event in Madison by their continuing education branch where I can do pitches to publishers and agents.  Oh to get an agent!  My focus will be on the whole new story and getting it prepped as that muse is the most demanding.

Aaron is doing well in college and in ROTC.   He got a full scholarship in bio-chem from them.  He loves having his own small apartment.  No roommate problems that way.  Being one who has to report to PT at 5:45 am with roommates who think 10:45 am classes are early can be difficult.

The holidays were nice.  Our big present this year was a new furnace and boiler.  Our 30+ year old one finally gave up the ghost.  Heat is a must in Wisconsin and a new system isn’t free.  So each time the radiators bang with a surge of new heat we wished each other a very Merry Christmas.

Did craft fairs again this fall and winter.  They went very well.  Now maybe I’ll make time to get an on-line shop up in 2014 along with a book agent and a few novels sold!  Eh?  why not dream big!

Mike and I took a vacation to Florida in the fall.  Again we enjoyed an airboat tour.  Also we managed to not go to a single amusement park.  Did hit the beach though!

Health wise 2013 was one of improvement.  My 2012 surgery seems to have helped many issues.  It’s a slow and gradual process getting healed and stabilized but well worth it.  Sadly as you get older bouncing back from such things goes slower than I’d like.

Finally for Mike – he’s nearing the end of his Navy career and retire looms on the horizon.  I don’t know what we’ll do with ourselves.  We’ve spent all our relationship with our lives accommodating the Needs of the Navy first and foremost.  Now, there will be no monthly drills, no 2 weeks or more of active duty, no call ups – just waiting until we need to collect retirement.  However that might be pushed off another year or two if he can.  Captain Mike loves his Navy.

Our remaining pets the two Furry Boys – Red and Blue are facing problems of aging cats.  Red has chronic kidney insufficiency.  Blue had hyper thyroid.  They both take medication regularly.  They are healthy and happy  but aging like the rest of us.

As for comics…  Yes I’m still into them.  Saw Thor The Dark World and enjoyed it.  However I do agree Tom Hiddleston’s Loki got the best lines.  Then again I’ve always enjoyed snark  (sarcastic humor).  As for reading – I am behind.  As in a few short boxes behind not counting those I only get in digital form.  So be patient with me, I’ve been writing more than reading.  However if there’s an issue you really want to chat about – shout out to me and I’ll be sure to move that title to the top of the catch-up list.

I guess that gets everything caught up about me and mine.  Hope you and yours are doing well, had a great holiday season and are looking forward to 2014.