Hey everyone,

I know it's been far too long since my last journal entry, and I owe you all an explanation – and more importantly, my gratitude.

The past two years have been among the most challenging of my life. I took a job that I knew wouldn't last forever, but honestly? I needed it. Not for career advancement or passion, but as an escape – a way to keep my mind occupied while I dealt with something far more painful at home: caring for my mother as she battled a terminal illness. Watching someone you love fade away is indescribable. The job became my refuge, my distraction from the inevitable. When she passed away last year, I felt lost. Instead of taking time to grieve properly, I buried myself deeper into that same job, even as the work environment became increasingly toxic and draining. I told myself I was fine. I wasn't.

Last month, I finally made the decision to leave. And you know what? It was like I could breathe again for the first time in years.

With this newfound freedom, I've been able to do what I love most – create for you all. I've spent the past few weeks editing and releasing the massive backlog of public content and Digital Access materials that had been piling up. Seeing those projects finally come to life has been incredibly healing, and I cannot thank you enough for your patience during my absence. Your understanding means the world to me.

Creating content is my passion, but it's also how I support myself – especially with some significant medical expenses. I live with bowel incontinence, which means I rely on diapers daily. It's something I talk about, but what sounds fun in theory is also my reality, and the monthly costs add up quickly. Between supplies and other living expenses, things can get tight. If you've enjoyed my stories, my commissioned art, or any of the content I create, I would be incredibly grateful for your support. Here are a few ways you can help:

Subscribe to Crinkle Cat Tales – For just $9.95/month at crinklecattales.com, you'll get exclusive Digital Access content and early releases. Your subscription directly supports my ability to keep creating.

One-Time Support – Not ready for a subscription? No problem! You can support me through Ko-Fi or PayPal for direct contributions. You can also support me via Throne if you'd like to send a gift from my wishlist.

Share My Work – If financial support isn't possible right now, sharing my content on social media and spreading the word helps more than you know. Every share, every comment, every bit of engagement helps me reach new readers and grow this community.

I'm in a much better place now – mentally, emotionally, and creatively. I'm excited to keep producing content, to tell more stories, and to build this community with all of you. Your support, whether financial or simply through your continued readership, makes all of this possible.

Thank you for sticking with me through the silence. Thank you for your patience. And thank you for being part of this journey.

With love and gratitude,

CC