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2025 Dumpster fire continues?
General | Posted 3 weeks agoAnother update for anyone reading these.
Quitting my job wasn’t soon enough. I was doing the PT prescribed and taking it very slow and easy, and taking the meds as I was supposed to. I was doing something completely ordinary that should have been fine to do, and I felt the telltale twinge in my back that said,”You fked up.” I said okay time for the muscle relaxant and max pain meds, with a nap in bed to sleep it off. I went to stand and I felt the single worst pain in my life. It felt like Zeus himself struck me with lightning, on my left buttcheek, on the Opposite side of all my previous pain. My entire leg was in the most excruciating searing blue white hot fire I’d ever felt in my life. I howled, and couldn't move my leg at all because of the pain. Kitra tried to help me up but even just her lightly touching it was blinding pain. We managed to get me to the other room to try relaxing and sleeping it off but the meds didn’t even touch it, so I, yes ME, requested we call an ambulance. T his pain was so bad that morphine wasn’t touching it. ER doc was a dismissive ass but once we got them to actually do a couple scans, they saw what happened and the neurosurgeon came and talked with me and put me in his first slot the next morning for microdiscectomy.
I’ve had herniated discs in my back for a few years and I’ve mostly managed alright with them, even the one that’s like 6mm x 13mm? iirc. That one, per the neurosurgeon, had already long herniated and filled as much space as it could. Therefore this new herniation chose a different spot, and had shot out so far and bad that it stretched out my sciatic nerve, hence the searing pain. The surgery was a massive success and I shocked the nurses on my floor by walking within a couple days of surgery. I had to stay down at my SIL’s house for a month and then we hobbled home with a very long drive use of all of the stops and rests out of the car I needed.
I’ve been going to PT and have some massive improvement but I still have a long way to go. Sitting is a limited venture, and standing very quickly is pretty painful, but I can tolerate more and more each day. My outside of my left leg, down to the last two toes, are all still pins and needles numb.
Because of all of the things that happened (grandma dying, my 40th passing by silently and unnoticed, permanent damage to my spine, etc), I’ve been struggling mentally as well. I’m still not okay to return to the workforce, and retail likely is not a viable option for me ever again. Kitra was forced out of the military- 23 years she served but because of hateful bigots, she couldn’t serve anymore. (They forced ALL trans members to either completely detransition or leave the military). We have a loss of income as a result so it’s gonna be tight for a little while.
I did start studying to become a medical coder, as we think that field will be a good fit for me. Many allow work from home, so I can stand and sit as needed, get up and stretch, walk to the kitchen and back for a glass of water, etc.
Physical therapy has been a godsend. We have figured out many ways I never learned to use my body right, and she’s helping me relearn healthier ways to move. I’d already been diagnosed with hypermobility but we have a pretty good hunch that I have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, specifically hEDS. We are working with my medical providers to make that diagnosis but it would help to explain my chronic mystery gastritis, my idiopathic dermatographia, my IBS, and many other things I’ve dealt with over the years. Hopefully with that diagnosis, we can make some progress on other aspects of my health.
I’m still stuck in a holding pattern with my transition. Because our healthcare is from Kitra’s military service, they refuse to cover gender affirming care. They laid that decree down right as I was working with providers for my top surgery so that got thrown by the wayside. We thought we might be able to get around it with a prophylactic double mastectomy for me. I had a lumpectomy done in 2020, which came back as fibromatosis. I have several family members that have one of the genetic mutations for breast cancer, and one of my aunts died from cancer from that mutation, and one of my first cousins is battling some particularly persistent breast cancer from the same genetic mutation. My genetic testing came back negative so they refused to continue with the surgery. I can’t afford it or the HRT out of pocket so for now, I get nada. Hopefully it’ll change in the near future so I can get back on HRT.
Things with my family have been up and down. My dad had to get knee replacement surgery and it has had complications, including him being hospitalized for beginning stages of sepsis. He’s back home but the knee is still not healing and the doctors are trying to exhaust the last possibilities, including him potentionally being allergic to a component. His back issues are on hold until they can get his knee stabilized and under control. My sister has been on a similar (to me)self discovery journey with her health. She’s been masking and overperforming and is dealing with burnout and skill regression. Her allergies are insane. - she’s reactive to Balsam of peru, and has been diagnosed with hypermobility, DISH (diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis), psoriatic arthritis, and she and one of her docs suspect she has mast cell activation syndrome. She has been struggling with finding work that brings in enough income, without overdoing it and worsening her health.
It’s not been the best year for our pets either. We lost two of our three ferrets, Monkey, and Pocky. They both had terminal issues and were on palliative care (our three legged miracle ferret Chonk is also on palliative care) Sparkle, our special lil blind kitty, had some dental issues and had developed that tooth reabsorption condition so they had to remove all of her teeth except her canines). We did determine she had mycoplasma and we had knocked out her boogerfest for a while. We will see how long it stays like this. Chessie’s age is really starting to show - she’s on supplements and has been for years but her arthritis has gotten worse in a couple spots and she’s on a regular dose of meds to help relieve that some. We lost a few of our chickens. Our black Silkie roo Gojira succumbed to heat. He was fine when I left for a doctors appointment and when I came back, he was gone. Elsa, our white silkie, had persistent complications from her previous illness - the vet called it crop paralysis and we hand fed her for weeks, and she recovered but she never flourished. Tweak even managed to hatch a baby, but rats got baby Nia. So right now we are down to Pearl, the buff laced polish hen (who grew spurs when our roo Gojira passed), and Tweak, the very paranoid and flighty partridge bantam silkie hen.
I’ve been trying to steer clear of most social media, for my mental health. The political scene is so distressing, and living in such close proximity to DC does not help. I am still on Telegram and Discord, if any of y’all want to reach out or get in touch with me. I’d love to hear from folks! I am trying to check here more often as well, and I plan to upload more things to here, including my backlog of all the artfight stuff from this year as well as my feeble attempts at an art challenge last month.
Quitting my job wasn’t soon enough. I was doing the PT prescribed and taking it very slow and easy, and taking the meds as I was supposed to. I was doing something completely ordinary that should have been fine to do, and I felt the telltale twinge in my back that said,”You fked up.” I said okay time for the muscle relaxant and max pain meds, with a nap in bed to sleep it off. I went to stand and I felt the single worst pain in my life. It felt like Zeus himself struck me with lightning, on my left buttcheek, on the Opposite side of all my previous pain. My entire leg was in the most excruciating searing blue white hot fire I’d ever felt in my life. I howled, and couldn't move my leg at all because of the pain. Kitra tried to help me up but even just her lightly touching it was blinding pain. We managed to get me to the other room to try relaxing and sleeping it off but the meds didn’t even touch it, so I, yes ME, requested we call an ambulance. T his pain was so bad that morphine wasn’t touching it. ER doc was a dismissive ass but once we got them to actually do a couple scans, they saw what happened and the neurosurgeon came and talked with me and put me in his first slot the next morning for microdiscectomy.
I’ve had herniated discs in my back for a few years and I’ve mostly managed alright with them, even the one that’s like 6mm x 13mm? iirc. That one, per the neurosurgeon, had already long herniated and filled as much space as it could. Therefore this new herniation chose a different spot, and had shot out so far and bad that it stretched out my sciatic nerve, hence the searing pain. The surgery was a massive success and I shocked the nurses on my floor by walking within a couple days of surgery. I had to stay down at my SIL’s house for a month and then we hobbled home with a very long drive use of all of the stops and rests out of the car I needed.
I’ve been going to PT and have some massive improvement but I still have a long way to go. Sitting is a limited venture, and standing very quickly is pretty painful, but I can tolerate more and more each day. My outside of my left leg, down to the last two toes, are all still pins and needles numb.
Because of all of the things that happened (grandma dying, my 40th passing by silently and unnoticed, permanent damage to my spine, etc), I’ve been struggling mentally as well. I’m still not okay to return to the workforce, and retail likely is not a viable option for me ever again. Kitra was forced out of the military- 23 years she served but because of hateful bigots, she couldn’t serve anymore. (They forced ALL trans members to either completely detransition or leave the military). We have a loss of income as a result so it’s gonna be tight for a little while.
I did start studying to become a medical coder, as we think that field will be a good fit for me. Many allow work from home, so I can stand and sit as needed, get up and stretch, walk to the kitchen and back for a glass of water, etc.
Physical therapy has been a godsend. We have figured out many ways I never learned to use my body right, and she’s helping me relearn healthier ways to move. I’d already been diagnosed with hypermobility but we have a pretty good hunch that I have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, specifically hEDS. We are working with my medical providers to make that diagnosis but it would help to explain my chronic mystery gastritis, my idiopathic dermatographia, my IBS, and many other things I’ve dealt with over the years. Hopefully with that diagnosis, we can make some progress on other aspects of my health.
I’m still stuck in a holding pattern with my transition. Because our healthcare is from Kitra’s military service, they refuse to cover gender affirming care. They laid that decree down right as I was working with providers for my top surgery so that got thrown by the wayside. We thought we might be able to get around it with a prophylactic double mastectomy for me. I had a lumpectomy done in 2020, which came back as fibromatosis. I have several family members that have one of the genetic mutations for breast cancer, and one of my aunts died from cancer from that mutation, and one of my first cousins is battling some particularly persistent breast cancer from the same genetic mutation. My genetic testing came back negative so they refused to continue with the surgery. I can’t afford it or the HRT out of pocket so for now, I get nada. Hopefully it’ll change in the near future so I can get back on HRT.
Things with my family have been up and down. My dad had to get knee replacement surgery and it has had complications, including him being hospitalized for beginning stages of sepsis. He’s back home but the knee is still not healing and the doctors are trying to exhaust the last possibilities, including him potentionally being allergic to a component. His back issues are on hold until they can get his knee stabilized and under control. My sister has been on a similar (to me)self discovery journey with her health. She’s been masking and overperforming and is dealing with burnout and skill regression. Her allergies are insane. - she’s reactive to Balsam of peru, and has been diagnosed with hypermobility, DISH (diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis), psoriatic arthritis, and she and one of her docs suspect she has mast cell activation syndrome. She has been struggling with finding work that brings in enough income, without overdoing it and worsening her health.
It’s not been the best year for our pets either. We lost two of our three ferrets, Monkey, and Pocky. They both had terminal issues and were on palliative care (our three legged miracle ferret Chonk is also on palliative care) Sparkle, our special lil blind kitty, had some dental issues and had developed that tooth reabsorption condition so they had to remove all of her teeth except her canines). We did determine she had mycoplasma and we had knocked out her boogerfest for a while. We will see how long it stays like this. Chessie’s age is really starting to show - she’s on supplements and has been for years but her arthritis has gotten worse in a couple spots and she’s on a regular dose of meds to help relieve that some. We lost a few of our chickens. Our black Silkie roo Gojira succumbed to heat. He was fine when I left for a doctors appointment and when I came back, he was gone. Elsa, our white silkie, had persistent complications from her previous illness - the vet called it crop paralysis and we hand fed her for weeks, and she recovered but she never flourished. Tweak even managed to hatch a baby, but rats got baby Nia. So right now we are down to Pearl, the buff laced polish hen (who grew spurs when our roo Gojira passed), and Tweak, the very paranoid and flighty partridge bantam silkie hen.
I’ve been trying to steer clear of most social media, for my mental health. The political scene is so distressing, and living in such close proximity to DC does not help. I am still on Telegram and Discord, if any of y’all want to reach out or get in touch with me. I’d love to hear from folks! I am trying to check here more often as well, and I plan to upload more things to here, including my backlog of all the artfight stuff from this year as well as my feeble attempts at an art challenge last month.
Overdue (Over the Hill) Update!
General | Posted 7 months agoIt’s been forever since I’ve been active on here, I mostly lurk.
Since the last post, I did get my associates. This got me nowhere in the job market so I ended up in essentially retail again. I was working for a medical cannabis dispensary and it was great at first. As recreational legality hit, it became clear what the owners and management had planned all along. They were simply biding their time to get greedy. Velveeta Voldemort stepping up definitely emboldened my employers. We tried to unionize and it was moving forward but it was becoming painfully clear that it wouldn’t be able to help fix the root problem, and was simply stirring management’s hostility towards us even further.
My health suffered as a result, and I finally threw in the towel and quit. I’m so glad that I did. The burnout and the harm to my physical body was more than I’d realized.
I haven’t been able to get another job yet. I was applying for jobs, and Kitra and I got rear ended. It clearly exacerbated my back problems, and while I was (still am) on a trip in FL to help my sister in law post surgery, I experienced excruciating 10/10 pain. After an urgent care visit and an emergency department visit, I have a large disc herniation. Trying to get scheduled with providers has been quite the obstacle course while I hobble through my day like an invalid.
3 days before my back reached critical mass, my grandmother passed away. She hadn’t been great but we and the doctors were expecting more time with her. Sadly, because of my back problem, I was unable to fly to Illinois for services so that’s been a grieving process as well.
And of course this all was the week preceding my 40th birthday. So my birthday was spent recuperating in bed and in a recliner, with a brief painful hobble out to a dinner with my sister in law and wife.
I’m REALLY ready for things to start improving but I’m not holding my breath.
Silver lining, I was able to change my display name here to Amari, since that name is taken by an account that has been untouched for 15 years.
Since the last post, I did get my associates. This got me nowhere in the job market so I ended up in essentially retail again. I was working for a medical cannabis dispensary and it was great at first. As recreational legality hit, it became clear what the owners and management had planned all along. They were simply biding their time to get greedy. Velveeta Voldemort stepping up definitely emboldened my employers. We tried to unionize and it was moving forward but it was becoming painfully clear that it wouldn’t be able to help fix the root problem, and was simply stirring management’s hostility towards us even further.
My health suffered as a result, and I finally threw in the towel and quit. I’m so glad that I did. The burnout and the harm to my physical body was more than I’d realized.
I haven’t been able to get another job yet. I was applying for jobs, and Kitra and I got rear ended. It clearly exacerbated my back problems, and while I was (still am) on a trip in FL to help my sister in law post surgery, I experienced excruciating 10/10 pain. After an urgent care visit and an emergency department visit, I have a large disc herniation. Trying to get scheduled with providers has been quite the obstacle course while I hobble through my day like an invalid.
3 days before my back reached critical mass, my grandmother passed away. She hadn’t been great but we and the doctors were expecting more time with her. Sadly, because of my back problem, I was unable to fly to Illinois for services so that’s been a grieving process as well.
And of course this all was the week preceding my 40th birthday. So my birthday was spent recuperating in bed and in a recliner, with a brief painful hobble out to a dinner with my sister in law and wife.
I’m REALLY ready for things to start improving but I’m not holding my breath.
Silver lining, I was able to change my display name here to Amari, since that name is taken by an account that has been untouched for 15 years.
Life Update
General | Posted 3 years agoIt's been a while, and things have changed. I'm not working retail anymore. I started going back to school this fall semester - these should be my last classes just to sign off on getting an Associate's degree. The same weekend I lost my job, a fox broke into my chicken coop and run, and killed all four of my hens. I ended up getting some chicks to be the next run of chickens. They're just under 5 months now - They're Silkies and Polish hens. We also have another new animal family member. Her name is Sparkle, and she's the most adorable thing you ever laid eyes on. She's just under a year old, and she's a DSH tabby cat - what's unique about her is she has no eyes! It mostly doesn't slow her down, she just spins in circles to regain her bearings if she gets lost or confused. She and the other two cats are getting along great. Ember, the tortie, has started settling down as she approaches her second birthday. The more we see of her adult personality settling in, I'm more convinced that Tani did take the time and energy to teach her some of the ropes. She's such a quirky and clever kitty! She likes to ride on your shoulder like a parrot, and she loves when we put on tv shows that are amusing to her also. I only wish the TV were any sort of accessible to her to gently bap at.
Since my last journal, I've gotten another car - so Dashie has a friend now. It's a 2016 Subaru Forester that I inherited from my late mother-in-law. We've decided she eventually is going to be decked out to be Zephyrina "Zipp" Storm.
Since the start of COVID-19, I've now had it twice, despite being up on my vaccines at the time. The second round was from the roommate, and it was bad enough that the doctors put me on Paxlovid and steroids. Which, speaking of steroids, I'm also now officially taking HRT! I'm also part of an official study for HRT therapy with my healthcare provider, so that's exciting I guess!
Oh, I'm also open for commissions. Between Artfight and some other art practice, I'm feeling a bit more confident in my skills and ready to take on some digital commissions.
Since my last journal, I've gotten another car - so Dashie has a friend now. It's a 2016 Subaru Forester that I inherited from my late mother-in-law. We've decided she eventually is going to be decked out to be Zephyrina "Zipp" Storm.
Since the start of COVID-19, I've now had it twice, despite being up on my vaccines at the time. The second round was from the roommate, and it was bad enough that the doctors put me on Paxlovid and steroids. Which, speaking of steroids, I'm also now officially taking HRT! I'm also part of an official study for HRT therapy with my healthcare provider, so that's exciting I guess!
Oh, I'm also open for commissions. Between Artfight and some other art practice, I'm feeling a bit more confident in my skills and ready to take on some digital commissions.
Update and Murr Chrombus
General | Posted 4 years agoWHOO I hadn’t realized how long it’s been since I updated my journal on here. I’m far more active on Twitter - I recommend following me there.
I hope everyone is having wonderful holidays, regardless of which ones you celebrate. For those of you having to deal with family that isn’t accepting of you, I hope you’re able to hang in there and get through it without too much trouble.
I have a job now - I’m a manager at a pet store not too far from home (about 30 miles). The work is exhausting physically but I’m getting through it.
My tumor scare worked out okay and I’m still good in that department. Mostly as healed as I’m going to be but waiting for some nerve damage to repair. I have developed an issue in my left foot - they had a diagnosis for it and I underwent a procedure to correct it. A month in and it’s hurting as much as ever. They WERE able to do a procedure for my heel spurs while I was under and they seem to be doing loads better, so that’s good at least!
Despite being vaccinated, my coworkers did manage to give me COVID back in September (both of them are not vaccinated). It was a heck of a big for a couple of weeks but other than some sense of taste and smell still weird and some hearing loss, I seem to have gotten through it with some good luck.
Monkey the ferret is doing great, all things considered. He developed a cataract out of the blue but doesn’t seem to be developing any of the potentially dangerous other symptoms. He healed up just fine from his surgery; the vet adores him!
Chonk the ferret has defied the odds. There is so little information about osteosarcoma in various pets. There’s none on ferrets and so we had to go off dog data. Dog data says even with surgery he wasn't likely to make it past a couple months. We are well past a year and his surgery incision healed up well. He’s getting around pretty well, all things considered.
Their sister Pocky is fine, and even was able to be a blood donor for a young sick ferret, and save her life!
Tani is holding up far better than we expected. She was a candidate and got the i131 treatment. It fixed her thyroid fantastically. However, her kidneys tanked and she’s been in stage 3-4 kidney failure since then. Even the vet is surprised how long she’s hung in there and how well she’s doing.
Sadly Chessie hasn’t done as well with COVID and all. While it’s been bad, I’ve been scared to bring her out as my service animal because I don’t want her to carry it home to any of us or to our ferrets (they have determined ferrets can catch it). This has gotten her sorely out of practice working as well as out of shape a fair bit. She’s having a hard time coping well when out and about, and getting tired rather quickly (she -is- a senior now at 7yrs old). On top of that, one of her paws is giving her a hard time and causing her a fair bit of pain. We are working with the vet to try to manage the pain as best we can and hope she’s able to heal somewhat. It sadly means she’s likely going to be retired, if so she won’t be out and about like she has been in the past. Only time will tell.
I hope everyone is having wonderful holidays, regardless of which ones you celebrate. For those of you having to deal with family that isn’t accepting of you, I hope you’re able to hang in there and get through it without too much trouble.
I have a job now - I’m a manager at a pet store not too far from home (about 30 miles). The work is exhausting physically but I’m getting through it.
My tumor scare worked out okay and I’m still good in that department. Mostly as healed as I’m going to be but waiting for some nerve damage to repair. I have developed an issue in my left foot - they had a diagnosis for it and I underwent a procedure to correct it. A month in and it’s hurting as much as ever. They WERE able to do a procedure for my heel spurs while I was under and they seem to be doing loads better, so that’s good at least!
Despite being vaccinated, my coworkers did manage to give me COVID back in September (both of them are not vaccinated). It was a heck of a big for a couple of weeks but other than some sense of taste and smell still weird and some hearing loss, I seem to have gotten through it with some good luck.
Monkey the ferret is doing great, all things considered. He developed a cataract out of the blue but doesn’t seem to be developing any of the potentially dangerous other symptoms. He healed up just fine from his surgery; the vet adores him!
Chonk the ferret has defied the odds. There is so little information about osteosarcoma in various pets. There’s none on ferrets and so we had to go off dog data. Dog data says even with surgery he wasn't likely to make it past a couple months. We are well past a year and his surgery incision healed up well. He’s getting around pretty well, all things considered.
Their sister Pocky is fine, and even was able to be a blood donor for a young sick ferret, and save her life!
Tani is holding up far better than we expected. She was a candidate and got the i131 treatment. It fixed her thyroid fantastically. However, her kidneys tanked and she’s been in stage 3-4 kidney failure since then. Even the vet is surprised how long she’s hung in there and how well she’s doing.
Sadly Chessie hasn’t done as well with COVID and all. While it’s been bad, I’ve been scared to bring her out as my service animal because I don’t want her to carry it home to any of us or to our ferrets (they have determined ferrets can catch it). This has gotten her sorely out of practice working as well as out of shape a fair bit. She’s having a hard time coping well when out and about, and getting tired rather quickly (she -is- a senior now at 7yrs old). On top of that, one of her paws is giving her a hard time and causing her a fair bit of pain. We are working with the vet to try to manage the pain as best we can and hope she’s able to heal somewhat. It sadly means she’s likely going to be retired, if so she won’t be out and about like she has been in the past. Only time will tell.
2020, Stop please
General | Posted 5 years agoI'm sorry I'm being such a downer lately. 2020 just isn't playing nice.
Since my last update, I've had two of our three ferrets have to have surgery for cancer. Monkey was what's called a chordoma. It's a bone/nerve type of cancer. That sounds super scary but thankfully it's somewhat common in ferrets. Little guy had to have surgery and have about half his tail removed, to ensure clean margins and that it doesn't come back. (If chordomas are left along, they will grow up the spine and cause paralysis, incontinence, etc) LITERALLY 24 hours later, his cagemate Chonk came down with a horrible swelling in his left foreleg, and considerable pain. We rushed him to the ER overnight, and the vets had to double and triple check everything because the data was as unusual as my tumor. While we waited for a full analysis on a needle biopsy, his pain exceeded the amount that the pain killers could knock out, so we went with Dr Bricker's advice and amputated Chonk's foreleg. Dr Bricker took some wide margins just to be safe, as he really didn't like the look of it when he got in there, and the biopsy indeed came back as osteosarcoma, a really aggressive one. They estimated 1-3 months before it fully metastasized. (Osteosarcoma, even when a clean margin is obtained, is notorious for floating in the bloodstream and cropping up some other random spot.) So far, so good. We've made it past the 2 month mark with a clean xray and bill of health so fingers crossed that he gets to keep visiting his regular vet Dr Wolfe for years to come.
My kitty, Tani, has been diagnosed with asthma and hyperthyroidism since January, but neither are shocking or life-threatening at her levels. She stresses easily, so her vet and I decided that the medication treatment for asthma would be more problematic than helpful (since stress aggravates asthma). She'd been doing the transdermal gel treatment for her thyroid, to avoid the stress of pills. GUESS WHAT. Tani is now allergic to a component of the medicine, so we had to stop administering it, at the vet's approval. We had her on the really costly food, but there's a really costly cure for hyperthyroidism, if she's a good candidate. So far, her heart and kidney levels are both potentially okay, so we are waiting to hear back from the specialist to see if she can have the treatment that would cure her thyroid.
I'm still without work for now, COVID and all. I applied for school but I'm not eligible for most any of the financial assistance, short of some loans, so I'm not sure what we're going to do. I'm looking into other options for the same degree that's not the local community college potentially. One of the requirements of the local school is that in order to apply to the Actual program (i'm in pre-requisites right now) requires that I also be working in the vet field and get recommendations from vet techs, of my skills doing tech stuff. I don't get how I'm supposed to get references of me working as a vet tech... before I'm a vet tech. If I can just do that, shouldn't I just ... get my hours and challenge the darn test instead of spending 10k on a AAS?
I've also been struggling with other health issues that don't have any correlation or crossover from my desmoid tumor scare or surgery. Trying to get in with my doctor to talk about some of them and find something to help with the chronic pain and other chronic symptoms. I still don't have any stamina or endurance back from my surgery from 5 months ago.
TLDR; two ferrets had surgery for cancer. One is okay, one might die in a month. Cat is sick, needs expensive treatment. My current school option is complicated and stressful. Still no job. I need warranty coverage on my %*$& body.
I'm ready for the light at the end of the tunnel, please.
Since my last update, I've had two of our three ferrets have to have surgery for cancer. Monkey was what's called a chordoma. It's a bone/nerve type of cancer. That sounds super scary but thankfully it's somewhat common in ferrets. Little guy had to have surgery and have about half his tail removed, to ensure clean margins and that it doesn't come back. (If chordomas are left along, they will grow up the spine and cause paralysis, incontinence, etc) LITERALLY 24 hours later, his cagemate Chonk came down with a horrible swelling in his left foreleg, and considerable pain. We rushed him to the ER overnight, and the vets had to double and triple check everything because the data was as unusual as my tumor. While we waited for a full analysis on a needle biopsy, his pain exceeded the amount that the pain killers could knock out, so we went with Dr Bricker's advice and amputated Chonk's foreleg. Dr Bricker took some wide margins just to be safe, as he really didn't like the look of it when he got in there, and the biopsy indeed came back as osteosarcoma, a really aggressive one. They estimated 1-3 months before it fully metastasized. (Osteosarcoma, even when a clean margin is obtained, is notorious for floating in the bloodstream and cropping up some other random spot.) So far, so good. We've made it past the 2 month mark with a clean xray and bill of health so fingers crossed that he gets to keep visiting his regular vet Dr Wolfe for years to come.
My kitty, Tani, has been diagnosed with asthma and hyperthyroidism since January, but neither are shocking or life-threatening at her levels. She stresses easily, so her vet and I decided that the medication treatment for asthma would be more problematic than helpful (since stress aggravates asthma). She'd been doing the transdermal gel treatment for her thyroid, to avoid the stress of pills. GUESS WHAT. Tani is now allergic to a component of the medicine, so we had to stop administering it, at the vet's approval. We had her on the really costly food, but there's a really costly cure for hyperthyroidism, if she's a good candidate. So far, her heart and kidney levels are both potentially okay, so we are waiting to hear back from the specialist to see if she can have the treatment that would cure her thyroid.
I'm still without work for now, COVID and all. I applied for school but I'm not eligible for most any of the financial assistance, short of some loans, so I'm not sure what we're going to do. I'm looking into other options for the same degree that's not the local community college potentially. One of the requirements of the local school is that in order to apply to the Actual program (i'm in pre-requisites right now) requires that I also be working in the vet field and get recommendations from vet techs, of my skills doing tech stuff. I don't get how I'm supposed to get references of me working as a vet tech... before I'm a vet tech. If I can just do that, shouldn't I just ... get my hours and challenge the darn test instead of spending 10k on a AAS?
I've also been struggling with other health issues that don't have any correlation or crossover from my desmoid tumor scare or surgery. Trying to get in with my doctor to talk about some of them and find something to help with the chronic pain and other chronic symptoms. I still don't have any stamina or endurance back from my surgery from 5 months ago.
TLDR; two ferrets had surgery for cancer. One is okay, one might die in a month. Cat is sick, needs expensive treatment. My current school option is complicated and stressful. Still no job. I need warranty coverage on my %*$& body.
I'm ready for the light at the end of the tunnel, please.
2020 Life Update
General | Posted 5 years agoCW: health, cancer, needles, surgery, COVID
So back in December, I quit working for Petco, to take on more hours with the emergency vet.
Unfortunately I had a rough spell. February, right after Katsucon, I discovered a problem with my right breast. After a mammogram, it was determined to be "severely worrisome" and "very concerning for cancer". I was put on the fast track to get a needle biopsy of my mass. Thankfully it came back as a 1 in 1000 shot of this type/density of mass, and over one in a million chance of all growths in breast tissue, of BENIGN. I was still fast-tracked for surgery at the end of March when everything was shutting down. Surgery went well, I had a a clean lumpectomy with a bilateral breast reduction to "balance me out". I went from a DDD to a ... we suspect a C cup (waiting for swelling to finish going down) Biopsy post-surgery determined that the mass was indeed Non-trauma based fibromatosis.
Because of all this, I had to take time off my work, and unfortunately when I came back we were in the midst of all the COVID-19 mess, and some of my colleagues insisted that they didn't want to wear their masks. I was high risk BEFORE my surgery, and will continue to be higher risk post surgery while my body heals.
I had been passing the time selling hand-sewn face masks, and will be filling out my FAFSA and applying for school this fall to get my certified as a Vet tech, and to finish out my Associates degree.
So back in December, I quit working for Petco, to take on more hours with the emergency vet.
Unfortunately I had a rough spell. February, right after Katsucon, I discovered a problem with my right breast. After a mammogram, it was determined to be "severely worrisome" and "very concerning for cancer". I was put on the fast track to get a needle biopsy of my mass. Thankfully it came back as a 1 in 1000 shot of this type/density of mass, and over one in a million chance of all growths in breast tissue, of BENIGN. I was still fast-tracked for surgery at the end of March when everything was shutting down. Surgery went well, I had a a clean lumpectomy with a bilateral breast reduction to "balance me out". I went from a DDD to a ... we suspect a C cup (waiting for swelling to finish going down) Biopsy post-surgery determined that the mass was indeed Non-trauma based fibromatosis.
Because of all this, I had to take time off my work, and unfortunately when I came back we were in the midst of all the COVID-19 mess, and some of my colleagues insisted that they didn't want to wear their masks. I was high risk BEFORE my surgery, and will continue to be higher risk post surgery while my body heals.
I had been passing the time selling hand-sewn face masks, and will be filling out my FAFSA and applying for school this fall to get my certified as a Vet tech, and to finish out my Associates degree.
Life Update
General | Posted 6 years agoMy life has been pretty hectic, but I'll try to update folks (If you'd like to stay more up to date, please follow me on Twitter - @IrimeZane)
I'm now working two, technically three jobs. I work as a dog trainer at Petco, and I've been working there for over two years. it's not a glamorous gig but it gives me a little bit of money.
This month, I landed a job as a receptionist for a veterinary ER. The hope with this job is that I will learn a little bit about the veterinary side of things, so that I can work towards my longer term goal of being a veterinary technician. (Vet would be fantastic but I lack the time or money for the amount of schooling necessary for that.) I think this is a good step in that direction but we will see about it as time progresses.
I also am trying to start up my own business, That Corgitude. I've been vending at a couple of conventions in the area, with hopes to continue to do better as I continue to attend events. If there's an event you'd like to see me at or think might be a good place for me to vend, I'm definitely open to input.
Touching back on the vet tech thing, when I visited Illinois last weekend, I checked in with my old community college to see about finishing up an Associates Degree. When I went before, I finished my program, but I wasn't going for an Associates, but rather for some specialized certificates, which regretfully are not where I see myself going long term. Turns out I'm 2/3 of the way through an Associates but that's still 22 credit hours to complete. I feel like I'm so old to be "going back to school" but here I am. I had to take a math placement exam for part of my progress and BOY did my head hurt after that, but I apparently knocked that sucker out of the park! So now, because it's been so long, I have to apply again, which means doing the whole mess of FAFSA etc again. *groooooan*
I've also done some self-discovery this past year and continue to explore myself. I'm no longer identifying as genderqueer and consider myself to be non-binary, with a clear preference for they/them pronouns. Irime is still a very important part of me, and SHE will remain female, but I have been identifying and expressing more with my fursona Emiri. Emiri has changed since I initially created the character. Emiri is no longer female and was revamped by the wonderful Synchra and reflects my non-binary state, as well as serving as a form of expression to explore myself more fully. It's okay if folks still call me Irime, as I know that's the name folks have known me as for YEARS but Emiri/Em are my preferred names.
Additionally, I've been dealing with some health issues and trying to get my health straightened out. The doctors and I aren't entirely sure of some of the problems I've been experiencing, but we have our suspicions. I have to get MORE labwork done because my thyroid issue is not acting 'typical' for a thyroid condition and it could possibly mean something far worse. Additionally, some of you probably heard about my scare with my leg/knee a year ago. (Long story short, I fell down a flight of stairs and we/the doctor thought my leg was broken.) I've been having a lot more balance/stability/nausea issues since then. The doctor gave me medication for it but we have not gone down the rabbithole of trying to diagnose the problem. The medication mediates the immediate symptoms, and is for taking at onset of symptoms. I have no way of outright preventing or curing the problem at this point. My mother has suffered from similar symptoms for years, and is only just now tentatively diagnosed with Meniere's disease. Meniere's has no cure, or any true treatment, so a diagnosis only helps minimally. Additionally, my food "allergies" have worsened over the years and have really started impacting my day to day life. All of these problems are problems that Chessie, my service dog, can't really help me with. Its upsetting and a little overwhelming at times, but I've been trying to tackle it a little at a time and work through what I can, and cope with what I can't.
I'm now working two, technically three jobs. I work as a dog trainer at Petco, and I've been working there for over two years. it's not a glamorous gig but it gives me a little bit of money.
This month, I landed a job as a receptionist for a veterinary ER. The hope with this job is that I will learn a little bit about the veterinary side of things, so that I can work towards my longer term goal of being a veterinary technician. (Vet would be fantastic but I lack the time or money for the amount of schooling necessary for that.) I think this is a good step in that direction but we will see about it as time progresses.
I also am trying to start up my own business, That Corgitude. I've been vending at a couple of conventions in the area, with hopes to continue to do better as I continue to attend events. If there's an event you'd like to see me at or think might be a good place for me to vend, I'm definitely open to input.
Touching back on the vet tech thing, when I visited Illinois last weekend, I checked in with my old community college to see about finishing up an Associates Degree. When I went before, I finished my program, but I wasn't going for an Associates, but rather for some specialized certificates, which regretfully are not where I see myself going long term. Turns out I'm 2/3 of the way through an Associates but that's still 22 credit hours to complete. I feel like I'm so old to be "going back to school" but here I am. I had to take a math placement exam for part of my progress and BOY did my head hurt after that, but I apparently knocked that sucker out of the park! So now, because it's been so long, I have to apply again, which means doing the whole mess of FAFSA etc again. *groooooan*
I've also done some self-discovery this past year and continue to explore myself. I'm no longer identifying as genderqueer and consider myself to be non-binary, with a clear preference for they/them pronouns. Irime is still a very important part of me, and SHE will remain female, but I have been identifying and expressing more with my fursona Emiri. Emiri has changed since I initially created the character. Emiri is no longer female and was revamped by the wonderful Synchra and reflects my non-binary state, as well as serving as a form of expression to explore myself more fully. It's okay if folks still call me Irime, as I know that's the name folks have known me as for YEARS but Emiri/Em are my preferred names.
Additionally, I've been dealing with some health issues and trying to get my health straightened out. The doctors and I aren't entirely sure of some of the problems I've been experiencing, but we have our suspicions. I have to get MORE labwork done because my thyroid issue is not acting 'typical' for a thyroid condition and it could possibly mean something far worse. Additionally, some of you probably heard about my scare with my leg/knee a year ago. (Long story short, I fell down a flight of stairs and we/the doctor thought my leg was broken.) I've been having a lot more balance/stability/nausea issues since then. The doctor gave me medication for it but we have not gone down the rabbithole of trying to diagnose the problem. The medication mediates the immediate symptoms, and is for taking at onset of symptoms. I have no way of outright preventing or curing the problem at this point. My mother has suffered from similar symptoms for years, and is only just now tentatively diagnosed with Meniere's disease. Meniere's has no cure, or any true treatment, so a diagnosis only helps minimally. Additionally, my food "allergies" have worsened over the years and have really started impacting my day to day life. All of these problems are problems that Chessie, my service dog, can't really help me with. Its upsetting and a little overwhelming at times, but I've been trying to tackle it a little at a time and work through what I can, and cope with what I can't.
Updated Wishlist
General | Posted 7 years agoFigured since my birthday is coming up, I should probably update my old wishlist.
I love artwork in general!! If you're not sure what artist, I have several of my favorites listed alphabetically below:
angrboda - Irime TF
autumnsunrise - Feydir, Mahpari, Zanzibar, Cedillo, Riptide
bagheera - uhh.. ANYONE lol
balaa - SAME - ANY character
demicoeur - Irime, Aristeo, Belladonna, or my new snowshoe cat
fisk - Irime, Aristeo, Belladonna, or my new snowshoe cat
guardianhawk - Story
likeshine - Pretty much any of my characters, "anatomy" sheet of Irime
lockworkorange - pretty much ANY of my characters
midori - Plush suit of Eirys
oCe - Alastriona, Irime, Belladonna, Steffi, or Daiquiri and Margarita
silverclaw1 - Irime TF, or possibly me to Emiri TF
I'd love pony artwork of my pony OC, Spectrum Patch! Totally flexible on artist, but SFW rating.
Adopt design for my cotton candy tail, preferably from
synchra (I have a few specifics I want with this character)
Apple (official) cable, shortest length available (for my battery pack)
CUSTOM gear for Chessie - potentially getting something designed with my friend Amber Pye!!
Disney pins of the Cheshire Cat and of 101 Dalmatians and of Si & Am that I don't have (photo of my board in my scraps!)
SERIOUSLY - DISNEY TRADING PINS I LOVE THEM
Pins of Corgis, particularly Cardigans
Custom wrap for my 2009 Mustang
Custom Rainbow Dash Car seat covers for my 2009 Mustang
Amazon wishlist here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/.....ref=cm_sw_su_w
Nook gift cards are also great - I'm slowly converting part of my library to my Nook
I love artwork in general!! If you're not sure what artist, I have several of my favorites listed alphabetically below:
angrboda - Irime TF
autumnsunrise - Feydir, Mahpari, Zanzibar, Cedillo, Riptide
bagheera - uhh.. ANYONE lol
balaa - SAME - ANY character
demicoeur - Irime, Aristeo, Belladonna, or my new snowshoe cat
fisk - Irime, Aristeo, Belladonna, or my new snowshoe cat
guardianhawk - Story
likeshine - Pretty much any of my characters, "anatomy" sheet of Irime
lockworkorange - pretty much ANY of my characters
midori - Plush suit of Eirys
oCe - Alastriona, Irime, Belladonna, Steffi, or Daiquiri and Margarita
silverclaw1 - Irime TF, or possibly me to Emiri TFI'd love pony artwork of my pony OC, Spectrum Patch! Totally flexible on artist, but SFW rating.
Adopt design for my cotton candy tail, preferably from
synchra (I have a few specifics I want with this character)Apple (official) cable, shortest length available (for my battery pack)
CUSTOM gear for Chessie - potentially getting something designed with my friend Amber Pye!!
Disney pins of the Cheshire Cat and of 101 Dalmatians and of Si & Am that I don't have (photo of my board in my scraps!)
SERIOUSLY - DISNEY TRADING PINS I LOVE THEM
Pins of Corgis, particularly Cardigans
Custom wrap for my 2009 Mustang
Custom Rainbow Dash Car seat covers for my 2009 Mustang
Amazon wishlist here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/.....ref=cm_sw_su_w
Nook gift cards are also great - I'm slowly converting part of my library to my Nook
Fur the More Meme!
General | Posted 8 years agoWhere are you staying?
Sheraton
What day are you getting there?
Wednesday sometime
Departure?
Monday
Transportation?
Probably Kit's Escape
Who will you be rooming with?
Kit, Serval, Kathy, and Chessie
Who will you hang out with during the convention?
Kathy, Serval, and whoever else I have the time for. There are several folks I wanna spend time with, and feel free to say something if you want to be on that list!
How many furry conventions have you attended?
I lost count.
Will you be suiting?
probably not; my suits need some TLC and lovins
Which suits?
If i do, it will be Bella or Anduhre.
Who do I address you as?
Irime
How old are you?
32
What is your gender?
Catthingperson (Female but they/them pronouns are also great)
How tall are you?
5' 8"
Are you taken? Are you looking for a 'mate'?
I have all the lovins I really need! I have my hubby and my bf and my KATHY
Can I talk to you?
Yes! Just please understand that I may be busy staffing the con so if I can't stay and chat please don't take it personally!
Can I touch you?
Good Friends HUGS YES PLEASE.. if you aren't sure, Please ask before hugging.
How can I find you?
I will be all over. Finding me is a challenge in itself. Look for Chessie the corgi!
Can I visit your room?
Only if directly invited.
Can I buy you drinks?
SURE. I like time engine coolant!
Are you nice?
Absolutely :)
Do you have an artist table?
No
Will you be going to parties?
Hope so if I'm invited to any xD
Will you be performing?
Nope
Do you do drugs/drink/smoke?
I drink. or swim, as some might describe the habit.
If I see you, how should I get your attention?
You can call out my character name when I’m in suit, I might not hear you so feel free to approach me. If I’m out of suit just feel free to come up to me and say hi or whatever.
What/where will you be eating?
Varies
Can I come with you for food/fun/etc.?
Only if you're invited. If you're REALLY wanting to, you can ask but please understand that the answer may be no, depending on where and how many people are going.
Can I draw in your sketchbook?
Sure, clean stuff only please!
Can I take your picture?
PLEASE ASK - I'm camera shy
What's your goal(s) for the con this year?
To help make the convention be successful!
Sheraton
What day are you getting there?
Wednesday sometime
Departure?
Monday
Transportation?
Probably Kit's Escape
Who will you be rooming with?
Kit, Serval, Kathy, and Chessie
Who will you hang out with during the convention?
Kathy, Serval, and whoever else I have the time for. There are several folks I wanna spend time with, and feel free to say something if you want to be on that list!
How many furry conventions have you attended?
I lost count.
Will you be suiting?
probably not; my suits need some TLC and lovins
Which suits?
If i do, it will be Bella or Anduhre.
Who do I address you as?
Irime
How old are you?
32
What is your gender?
Catthingperson (Female but they/them pronouns are also great)
How tall are you?
5' 8"
Are you taken? Are you looking for a 'mate'?
I have all the lovins I really need! I have my hubby and my bf and my KATHY
Can I talk to you?
Yes! Just please understand that I may be busy staffing the con so if I can't stay and chat please don't take it personally!
Can I touch you?
Good Friends HUGS YES PLEASE.. if you aren't sure, Please ask before hugging.
How can I find you?
I will be all over. Finding me is a challenge in itself. Look for Chessie the corgi!
Can I visit your room?
Only if directly invited.
Can I buy you drinks?
SURE. I like time engine coolant!
Are you nice?
Absolutely :)
Do you have an artist table?
No
Will you be going to parties?
Hope so if I'm invited to any xD
Will you be performing?
Nope
Do you do drugs/drink/smoke?
I drink. or swim, as some might describe the habit.
If I see you, how should I get your attention?
You can call out my character name when I’m in suit, I might not hear you so feel free to approach me. If I’m out of suit just feel free to come up to me and say hi or whatever.
What/where will you be eating?
Varies
Can I come with you for food/fun/etc.?
Only if you're invited. If you're REALLY wanting to, you can ask but please understand that the answer may be no, depending on where and how many people are going.
Can I draw in your sketchbook?
Sure, clean stuff only please!
Can I take your picture?
PLEASE ASK - I'm camera shy
What's your goal(s) for the con this year?
To help make the convention be successful!
New Year... hoping for a new Path?
General | Posted 9 years agoSo 2017 has begun. I'm hoping for a better year, but the new year hasn't FULLY begun yet. We will be celebrating the Lunar New Year next week, in hopes of bringing us some more good luck.
I chose a resolution for this year.. I try to aim for achievable goals, so I'm less likely to falter on my resolution. For this year, I plan to avoid gossip wherever I can. If I can't say something nice (or in the rare case that saying something not nice can do more positive than negative by sharing the negative) then I'm trying to aim for not saying anything at all.
That being said, I'm aiming for a job change if I can. I'm tired of driving for a job, with piecemeal hours. I do enjoy that I can somewhat pick my hours, but I dislike that the wages vary so widely. I also am not terribly keen on driving for long periods so I'm scoping out some jobs that would be better fits for me, with a more steady income and routine.
In the meantime, I'm very much trying to make ends meet, financially. Our budget is pretty tight due to house repairs (Black mold and rotted subfloor) and one of our cars dying (No it cannot be repaired; our master mechanic can't do anything short of replacing the entire engine) so keep your fingers crossed for us. I AM open for traditional badge commissions, and am trying to work on a big badge idea, if I can get it going. If you do want to commission me, feel free to note me, or email me at irimezane[at]live.com
I chose a resolution for this year.. I try to aim for achievable goals, so I'm less likely to falter on my resolution. For this year, I plan to avoid gossip wherever I can. If I can't say something nice (or in the rare case that saying something not nice can do more positive than negative by sharing the negative) then I'm trying to aim for not saying anything at all.
That being said, I'm aiming for a job change if I can. I'm tired of driving for a job, with piecemeal hours. I do enjoy that I can somewhat pick my hours, but I dislike that the wages vary so widely. I also am not terribly keen on driving for long periods so I'm scoping out some jobs that would be better fits for me, with a more steady income and routine.
In the meantime, I'm very much trying to make ends meet, financially. Our budget is pretty tight due to house repairs (Black mold and rotted subfloor) and one of our cars dying (No it cannot be repaired; our master mechanic can't do anything short of replacing the entire engine) so keep your fingers crossed for us. I AM open for traditional badge commissions, and am trying to work on a big badge idea, if I can get it going. If you do want to commission me, feel free to note me, or email me at irimezane[at]live.com
2016 Holiday Wishlist (Group Project!)
General | Posted 9 years agoRULES:
✨🎁 Step 1 🎁✨
Make a post in your journal containing your list of 10 holiday wishes. The wishes can be anything at all, from simple to really big. The important thing is, make sure these wishes are things you really, truly want. If you wish for real-life things, make sure you include some sort of contact info in your post, whether it's your address or just your email address where folks could get in touch with you.
✨🎁 Step 2 🎁✨
Surf around other lists to see who has posted their list. If you see a wish you can grant, and it's in your heart to do so, make someone's wish come true.
Sometimes someone's trash is another's treasure, and if you have a leather jacket you don't want or a gift certificate you won't use--or even know where you could get someone's dream for free --do it.
You needn't spend money on these wishes unless you want to. The point isn't to put people out, it's to provide everyone a chance to be someone else's holiday elf--to spread the joy. Gifts can be made anonymously or not--it's your call. There are no rules with this project, no guarantees, and no strings attached. Just...wish, and it might come true. Give, and you might receive. And you'll have the joy of knowing you made someone's holiday special!
My list of things:
1. For my friends and family to have a happy and healthy holiday season!
2. Cheshire Cat Disney pins - I collect them, and I'd be happy to share photos of the ones I have.
3. Artwork of my characters - (Refs here: http://www.furaffinity.net/gallery/.....193/Characters)
4. A new service vest for Chessie, preferably from River Dog Gear or Holm Dog Designs
5. This leash for Chessie - https://www.etsy.com/listing/493011.....home_active_14
6. New complimentary collars for our three kitties (sadly they must be DOG ones or my boy will pull them off all of them)
7. Cherry Ski made with Cane Sugar - It's really wicked hard to find when I do visit home, and sadly I can't afford the visit this holiday season.
8. A character design to match a lovely tail I purchased - Image can be provided, but it's a Fox-type tail, made of this: http://www.fabricempire.com/faux-fu.....-the-yard.aspx with a band of royal blue before a white tail tip. I'd LOVE if the character were non-mainstream species, and especially if a species included ate a lot of fish.
9. A PROFESSIONAL hair dye job. Preferably an ombré with purple and either blue or pink.
10. My Amazon wishlist - http://www.amazon.com/registry/wish....._-tLoyb3B4MZ9G
Thank you for checking my list and considering to share your generosity on me! ^^ Please feel free to comment with your list, so I can add it to my journal!
If you are wanting to send something tangible, please note me for my address <3
----OTHER LISTS----
Originally spotted it this year thanks to
benihime_shido - Check out their list! http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/7937564/
✨🎁 Step 1 🎁✨
Make a post in your journal containing your list of 10 holiday wishes. The wishes can be anything at all, from simple to really big. The important thing is, make sure these wishes are things you really, truly want. If you wish for real-life things, make sure you include some sort of contact info in your post, whether it's your address or just your email address where folks could get in touch with you.
✨🎁 Step 2 🎁✨
Surf around other lists to see who has posted their list. If you see a wish you can grant, and it's in your heart to do so, make someone's wish come true.
Sometimes someone's trash is another's treasure, and if you have a leather jacket you don't want or a gift certificate you won't use--or even know where you could get someone's dream for free --do it.
You needn't spend money on these wishes unless you want to. The point isn't to put people out, it's to provide everyone a chance to be someone else's holiday elf--to spread the joy. Gifts can be made anonymously or not--it's your call. There are no rules with this project, no guarantees, and no strings attached. Just...wish, and it might come true. Give, and you might receive. And you'll have the joy of knowing you made someone's holiday special!
My list of things:
1. For my friends and family to have a happy and healthy holiday season!
2. Cheshire Cat Disney pins - I collect them, and I'd be happy to share photos of the ones I have.
3. Artwork of my characters - (Refs here: http://www.furaffinity.net/gallery/.....193/Characters)
4. A new service vest for Chessie, preferably from River Dog Gear or Holm Dog Designs
5. This leash for Chessie - https://www.etsy.com/listing/493011.....home_active_14
6. New complimentary collars for our three kitties (sadly they must be DOG ones or my boy will pull them off all of them)
7. Cherry Ski made with Cane Sugar - It's really wicked hard to find when I do visit home, and sadly I can't afford the visit this holiday season.
8. A character design to match a lovely tail I purchased - Image can be provided, but it's a Fox-type tail, made of this: http://www.fabricempire.com/faux-fu.....-the-yard.aspx with a band of royal blue before a white tail tip. I'd LOVE if the character were non-mainstream species, and especially if a species included ate a lot of fish.
9. A PROFESSIONAL hair dye job. Preferably an ombré with purple and either blue or pink.
10. My Amazon wishlist - http://www.amazon.com/registry/wish....._-tLoyb3B4MZ9G
Thank you for checking my list and considering to share your generosity on me! ^^ Please feel free to comment with your list, so I can add it to my journal!
If you are wanting to send something tangible, please note me for my address <3
----OTHER LISTS----
Originally spotted it this year thanks to
benihime_shido - Check out their list! http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/7937564/I'm 82% Furry!
General | Posted 9 years agoI saw some folks doing this, so I wanted to give it a shot.
[X] you meow/bark to get attention (I actually have different calls for different people :3)
[X] you find pets toys amusing
[ ] you get hyper by the smell of catnip
[X] you growl/hiss when someone gets too close to your food
[X] you growl/hiss when someone you dislike is too close to you
[X] you purr/shake your leg when someone shows you affection
[ ] if someone tosses a ball, you chase it and bring it back
Total: 5
[X] you love to be scratched behind the ear (not my favorite spot but sure!)
[X] you love fish/meat
[ ] you like to stick your head out through the window of a moving car.
[X] you like when people pet your head
[X] people can make you stop doing stuff by hitting you on the nose with a newspaper (who wouldn't this stop honestly?)
[X] you think feathers are fun to play with
Total: 5
[X] you sleep a lot during daytime
[X] you enjoy scaring birds
[X] you lick peoples faces to show you like them (Does Biting count?)
[X] you bite people if they annoy you
[X] you tend to steal food from your friends/family's plate when you have eaten all of yours
[X] milk or water is your favorite drink
Total: 6
[X] you own a collar and you enjoy wearing it
[ ] you own a leash and enjoy wearing it
[X] you own animal ears/tail/paws or a fursuit
[X] you enjoy long walks in the park (almost perfect hiking weather here ♡)
[X] you meow/bark when you see something you want (arparparp!)
Total: 4
[X] you call your hands and feet "paws"
[X] you tilt your head when you do not understand what someone is talking about
[ ] you run to the door when someone mentions a walk
[X] you really enjoy cuddling
[X] you stretch your body and whimper a bit every morning when you wake up
[X] you can wake up and go back to sleep right away after looking around
Total: 5
[X] you have your favorite spot besides your bed where you like to sleep
[X] you meow or bark very often
[X] you hide when you get scared
[ ] you run to the door to see who it is every time someone comes in to the house (I do the cat thing of peering from around the corner)
[ ] you like to chase flying insects and try to catch them with your bare hand
[X] you tend to chew on stuff a lot
[X] you like to do tricks to get a treat
Total: 5
[X] you own a wearable item/tag with your name on it
[X] you refer to your self as an animal
[X] your username has something to do with animals (if my furry name counts)
[X] your e-mail has something to do with animals (if my furry name counts)
[X] if you get a bleeding wound, you lick it to make it feel better
[X] you look for edible stuff often
Total: 6
[ ] you often find yourself looking through the window for a long time
[X] you like to say hi to strangers
[X] you like to be petted when you have done something good
[X] people think you act like a pet
[X] you growl/hiss at stuff you do not like
[ ] you like to eat grass
[X]if you get wet, you shake to get rid of the water (Kit actually laughs.. I do the "shake the paw off" thing)
Total: 5
Final total: 41
Take your score and multiply it by 2
Put your title as "I'm XX% Furry"
[X] you meow/bark to get attention (I actually have different calls for different people :3)
[X] you find pets toys amusing
[ ] you get hyper by the smell of catnip
[X] you growl/hiss when someone gets too close to your food
[X] you growl/hiss when someone you dislike is too close to you
[X] you purr/shake your leg when someone shows you affection
[ ] if someone tosses a ball, you chase it and bring it back
Total: 5
[X] you love to be scratched behind the ear (not my favorite spot but sure!)
[X] you love fish/meat
[ ] you like to stick your head out through the window of a moving car.
[X] you like when people pet your head
[X] people can make you stop doing stuff by hitting you on the nose with a newspaper (who wouldn't this stop honestly?)
[X] you think feathers are fun to play with
Total: 5
[X] you sleep a lot during daytime
[X] you enjoy scaring birds
[X] you lick peoples faces to show you like them (Does Biting count?)
[X] you bite people if they annoy you
[X] you tend to steal food from your friends/family's plate when you have eaten all of yours
[X] milk or water is your favorite drink
Total: 6
[X] you own a collar and you enjoy wearing it
[ ] you own a leash and enjoy wearing it
[X] you own animal ears/tail/paws or a fursuit
[X] you enjoy long walks in the park (almost perfect hiking weather here ♡)
[X] you meow/bark when you see something you want (arparparp!)
Total: 4
[X] you call your hands and feet "paws"
[X] you tilt your head when you do not understand what someone is talking about
[ ] you run to the door when someone mentions a walk
[X] you really enjoy cuddling
[X] you stretch your body and whimper a bit every morning when you wake up
[X] you can wake up and go back to sleep right away after looking around
Total: 5
[X] you have your favorite spot besides your bed where you like to sleep
[X] you meow or bark very often
[X] you hide when you get scared
[ ] you run to the door to see who it is every time someone comes in to the house (I do the cat thing of peering from around the corner)
[ ] you like to chase flying insects and try to catch them with your bare hand
[X] you tend to chew on stuff a lot
[X] you like to do tricks to get a treat
Total: 5
[X] you own a wearable item/tag with your name on it
[X] you refer to your self as an animal
[X] your username has something to do with animals (if my furry name counts)
[X] your e-mail has something to do with animals (if my furry name counts)
[X] if you get a bleeding wound, you lick it to make it feel better
[X] you look for edible stuff often
Total: 6
[ ] you often find yourself looking through the window for a long time
[X] you like to say hi to strangers
[X] you like to be petted when you have done something good
[X] people think you act like a pet
[X] you growl/hiss at stuff you do not like
[ ] you like to eat grass
[X]if you get wet, you shake to get rid of the water (Kit actually laughs.. I do the "shake the paw off" thing)
Total: 5
Final total: 41
Take your score and multiply it by 2
Put your title as "I'm XX% Furry"
Quick Update
General | Posted 9 years agoIt's really late and I'm about to crash for the night but I wanted to put SOME kind of update up.
Service went alright that Sunday, and I stayed an extra week to help keep Grandma occupied and help keep her mind off things too much as well as help with a little bit of the housework. I'm thankfully back home now. However, it was an emotionally and physically EXHAUSTING trip; I'm still recuperating as I start to replenish energy, and then process some of what happened, get drained, and repeat.
Hopefully next week I will be back to work and I'm going to try working a little on personal stuff at the tail end of this week so I have SOMETHING to show for myself.
On an up note, the entire journey/process caused me to lose 5 pounds, hooray? Not how I had in mind but... silver lining I guess.
Service went alright that Sunday, and I stayed an extra week to help keep Grandma occupied and help keep her mind off things too much as well as help with a little bit of the housework. I'm thankfully back home now. However, it was an emotionally and physically EXHAUSTING trip; I'm still recuperating as I start to replenish energy, and then process some of what happened, get drained, and repeat.
Hopefully next week I will be back to work and I'm going to try working a little on personal stuff at the tail end of this week so I have SOMETHING to show for myself.
On an up note, the entire journey/process caused me to lose 5 pounds, hooray? Not how I had in mind but... silver lining I guess.
Family Emergency (UPDATE - 7/23)
General | Posted 9 years agoFor those of you that don't have or didn't happen to see my post on Facebook or Twitter; I'm NOT at home doing "self-care" as I'd planned.
I got a phone call from my grandmother, and my step-grandfather that's been in the nursing home for the past few years hasn't been doing too great the past few weeks. He's been bouncing in and out of the hospital with a recurring bout of pneumonia that just wouldn't be shaken. However, things have gotten drastically worse and he has since refused to eat or drink anything. As a result, he's been placed back in the nursing home and on hospice. I frantically flew home, no thanks to the great outage of Southwest that occurred yesterday, but thankfully Delta came to the rescue!! The hospice nurse gave him 24-48 hours, so I felt I couldn't wait for Southwest to straighten their difficulties out. We are just past the 72 hour mark but... we don't know how much longer he will hang on at this point. I'm helping my grandmother at this time, running errands for things and such, as well as helping take watch shifts so she can get rest. I've got somewhere between another 3-5 hours in this watch shift for tonight. Here's hoping I can swing it, and manage to get enough rest come morning that I can do this again tomorrow night for her. I think this is the first she's gotten more than an hour of sleep since last week sometime.
UPDATE
My step grandfather passed early yesterday morning; I'm very thankful I chose to stay up that night. I managed to catch the moment and wake her before he had passed so she could say her final farewells and hold his hand as he passed. Grandma is so very thankful that he passed so peacefully. It was so quick. I've never been present for anything like that before and I don't think my brain has fully processed it, but I don't know at this point. I wasn't really on yesterday because we had so many errands and things to tend to; the memorial service is going to be Sunday afternoon. Additionally, T-Mobile has no service this far out into the rural Midwest, so I had to get an ATT mobile hotspot so folks can get in touch with me about all the various things going on. (Grandma has no internet so that wasn't an option)
Grandma and I seem to be holding up so far, but I'm not sure that either of us have stopped moving and doing stuff long enough to really mentally process what has happened. I'll try to update as things go along.
I got a phone call from my grandmother, and my step-grandfather that's been in the nursing home for the past few years hasn't been doing too great the past few weeks. He's been bouncing in and out of the hospital with a recurring bout of pneumonia that just wouldn't be shaken. However, things have gotten drastically worse and he has since refused to eat or drink anything. As a result, he's been placed back in the nursing home and on hospice. I frantically flew home, no thanks to the great outage of Southwest that occurred yesterday, but thankfully Delta came to the rescue!! The hospice nurse gave him 24-48 hours, so I felt I couldn't wait for Southwest to straighten their difficulties out. We are just past the 72 hour mark but... we don't know how much longer he will hang on at this point. I'm helping my grandmother at this time, running errands for things and such, as well as helping take watch shifts so she can get rest. I've got somewhere between another 3-5 hours in this watch shift for tonight. Here's hoping I can swing it, and manage to get enough rest come morning that I can do this again tomorrow night for her. I think this is the first she's gotten more than an hour of sleep since last week sometime.
UPDATE
My step grandfather passed early yesterday morning; I'm very thankful I chose to stay up that night. I managed to catch the moment and wake her before he had passed so she could say her final farewells and hold his hand as he passed. Grandma is so very thankful that he passed so peacefully. It was so quick. I've never been present for anything like that before and I don't think my brain has fully processed it, but I don't know at this point. I wasn't really on yesterday because we had so many errands and things to tend to; the memorial service is going to be Sunday afternoon. Additionally, T-Mobile has no service this far out into the rural Midwest, so I had to get an ATT mobile hotspot so folks can get in touch with me about all the various things going on. (Grandma has no internet so that wasn't an option)
Grandma and I seem to be holding up so far, but I'm not sure that either of us have stopped moving and doing stuff long enough to really mentally process what has happened. I'll try to update as things go along.
Post Con Blob (and general update)
General | Posted 9 years agoBack from AC and Bronycon.. and frankly, I'm a borderline lifeless blob. I'm not sure if the cons wiped me out or if I was really this tired all along. I was a lot more subdued this year at the cons than I usually am. I tried doing an Artist table this year, and so much thanks to the folks that came by to see me and MANY MORE THANKS to the folks that bought something; it really meant a lot to me!
Trying to do some self-care and maintenance before getting back into the swing of things fully. Been having a medical issue with my foot; some of you may know about it already. Have had this issue starting as far back as February and my doctor and I have started yet another strategy to try to tackle and heal this.. Day 3 and it's looking at least like it's not worsening like it has been. Hopefully we've tackled it and are FINALLY curing it, so I can try to get back into walking and running. I really enjoyed the 5k run we did a few weeks back, even if it sucked to not be able to use proper running shoes for the thing.
The bathroom/house saga is unfinished still. My parents visited, and had intended to help, and a second contractor was supposed to come assess and give a quote. Contractor broke his LEG the day before he was supposed to come out :( My parents looked and much of what needs done requires someone with true carpentry experience (framing and such) or serious electrical knowledge. Some of the current electrical work may need taken out and redone, which may require removing and replacing drywall or other things as well. In the meantime, the shower, sink, and toilet are installed (much shower sealing done by Kit, as well as the sink install) and the walls have a coat of paint to make them LOOK nice and to seal/protect the bare drywall. There is still a TON of work that needs done but because the contractor has been unable to come, and we know of no other viable avenues to take, we have to wait some more.
We had to take Maverick to the vet about three weeks ago, as he was having some troubles peeing and possibly pooing. I presumed that he'd gotten into the dog's food again and dehydrated and constipated himself. This may or may not have been the case, but they found more serious underlying problems to boot. Costly visit with many blood tests but they determined he had kidney troubles as well as a heart murmur AND he was tachycardic (super fast heart rate). He's now on a special food diet and some medication for his hyperthyroidism, and seems to be doing a LOT better. We also learned that -ALL- air fresheners that aerosolize are very very bad for cats. Even if they're not in the room when you spray it (like Lysol or Febreze), the chemicals linger and cause respiratory issues. Having eliminated them from our house for the past few weeks, Maverick is no longer the boogercat. YAY! We were told his condition is common for older cats and can be genetic, so we're watching Tani for similar symptoms, but pre-emptively switched up her food as well as Onyx's to cans from the raw/kibble mix we were doing. I'm ready for them to finish shedding their coats from the change; the hairballs are AWFUL.
All in all, trying to keep my chin up, and keep myself from furrowing too deeply in a funk.. it's been rough this year. Hopefully if I can get myself out of the funk and scrape some funds together, there will be a couple REALLY COOL surprises in store for the future.
Trying to do some self-care and maintenance before getting back into the swing of things fully. Been having a medical issue with my foot; some of you may know about it already. Have had this issue starting as far back as February and my doctor and I have started yet another strategy to try to tackle and heal this.. Day 3 and it's looking at least like it's not worsening like it has been. Hopefully we've tackled it and are FINALLY curing it, so I can try to get back into walking and running. I really enjoyed the 5k run we did a few weeks back, even if it sucked to not be able to use proper running shoes for the thing.
The bathroom/house saga is unfinished still. My parents visited, and had intended to help, and a second contractor was supposed to come assess and give a quote. Contractor broke his LEG the day before he was supposed to come out :( My parents looked and much of what needs done requires someone with true carpentry experience (framing and such) or serious electrical knowledge. Some of the current electrical work may need taken out and redone, which may require removing and replacing drywall or other things as well. In the meantime, the shower, sink, and toilet are installed (much shower sealing done by Kit, as well as the sink install) and the walls have a coat of paint to make them LOOK nice and to seal/protect the bare drywall. There is still a TON of work that needs done but because the contractor has been unable to come, and we know of no other viable avenues to take, we have to wait some more.
We had to take Maverick to the vet about three weeks ago, as he was having some troubles peeing and possibly pooing. I presumed that he'd gotten into the dog's food again and dehydrated and constipated himself. This may or may not have been the case, but they found more serious underlying problems to boot. Costly visit with many blood tests but they determined he had kidney troubles as well as a heart murmur AND he was tachycardic (super fast heart rate). He's now on a special food diet and some medication for his hyperthyroidism, and seems to be doing a LOT better. We also learned that -ALL- air fresheners that aerosolize are very very bad for cats. Even if they're not in the room when you spray it (like Lysol or Febreze), the chemicals linger and cause respiratory issues. Having eliminated them from our house for the past few weeks, Maverick is no longer the boogercat. YAY! We were told his condition is common for older cats and can be genetic, so we're watching Tani for similar symptoms, but pre-emptively switched up her food as well as Onyx's to cans from the raw/kibble mix we were doing. I'm ready for them to finish shedding their coats from the change; the hairballs are AWFUL.
All in all, trying to keep my chin up, and keep myself from furrowing too deeply in a funk.. it's been rough this year. Hopefully if I can get myself out of the funk and scrape some funds together, there will be a couple REALLY COOL surprises in store for the future.
AC Bound!
General | Posted 9 years agoTyping this from the passenger seat, on our way! Stole the meme from 
Anthrocon 2016 woo!
Where are you staying?
Doubletree
What day are you getting there? How long are you going?
Getting there super late tonight and staying until Monday.
How are you traveling?
Car
Who will you be rooming with?
her man creature, and 
though I'll be resting for bits in the Courtyard with 
OH AND Chessie!
How is the best way to find you? Where will you be most of the time during the day/s?
Friday and Saturday I'm trying my hand at an artist Alley table, actually!! Sunday, wandering mostly.
If I see you, how should I get your attention?
Hey Iri!
Do you have an artist table?
Yes, Friday and Saturday!
Are there any panels you might be attending?
Most likely not.
What do you look like? What is your gender?
Im an average looking "white girl". Long brown hair with hints of Celestial hair underneath, usually will be wearing my Irime Lemonbrat hoodie and a Cheshire themed tshirt.
Are you nice?
Mostly. As long as people aren't shrieking and harassing Chessie.
Will you be suiting?
Still don't know... depends upon how much work I have to do.
Do you do free art?
Not this time around. Need money for life at this point!
Can I talk to you?
Of course!
Can I touch you?
Sure! But if I say no, please respect me.
Can I visit your room?
I'd rather you didn't, unless you were invited.
Can I buy you drinks?
Sure, as long as I'm there when you buy them, or they're sealed.
Can I give you stuff?
Sure! As long as it's not illegal!
Can I take your picture?
Sometimes. I'm not keen on them but can
Can I hug or snuggle with you?
Only if I know you
Will you be going to parties?
Yes, including one our roomie is hosting! (Don't ask unless you KNOW ME, like know my legal name know me)
Will you be performing?
nope
What/where will you be eating?
Don't know most times
Can I come with you for food/fun/etc?
Only if you're invited
Can I look in your sketchbook?
if I have it with me, sure!
Can I draw in your sketchbook?
Yes please!! I be a sketchbook specifically for that purpose!
What's your goal(s) for the con this year?
To make some sales and boost my morale as well. Need the funds!
Anthrocon 2016 woo!
Where are you staying?
Doubletree
What day are you getting there? How long are you going?
Getting there super late tonight and staying until Monday.
How are you traveling?
Car
Who will you be rooming with?
her man creature, and 
though I'll be resting for bits in the Courtyard with 
OH AND Chessie!How is the best way to find you? Where will you be most of the time during the day/s?
Friday and Saturday I'm trying my hand at an artist Alley table, actually!! Sunday, wandering mostly.
If I see you, how should I get your attention?
Hey Iri!
Do you have an artist table?
Yes, Friday and Saturday!
Are there any panels you might be attending?
Most likely not.
What do you look like? What is your gender?
Im an average looking "white girl". Long brown hair with hints of Celestial hair underneath, usually will be wearing my Irime Lemonbrat hoodie and a Cheshire themed tshirt.
Are you nice?
Mostly. As long as people aren't shrieking and harassing Chessie.
Will you be suiting?
Still don't know... depends upon how much work I have to do.
Do you do free art?
Not this time around. Need money for life at this point!
Can I talk to you?
Of course!
Can I touch you?
Sure! But if I say no, please respect me.
Can I visit your room?
I'd rather you didn't, unless you were invited.
Can I buy you drinks?
Sure, as long as I'm there when you buy them, or they're sealed.
Can I give you stuff?
Sure! As long as it's not illegal!
Can I take your picture?
Sometimes. I'm not keen on them but can
Can I hug or snuggle with you?
Only if I know you
Will you be going to parties?
Yes, including one our roomie is hosting! (Don't ask unless you KNOW ME, like know my legal name know me)
Will you be performing?
nope
What/where will you be eating?
Don't know most times
Can I come with you for food/fun/etc?
Only if you're invited
Can I look in your sketchbook?
if I have it with me, sure!
Can I draw in your sketchbook?
Yes please!! I be a sketchbook specifically for that purpose!
What's your goal(s) for the con this year?
To make some sales and boost my morale as well. Need the funds!
Reminder: Commissions are OPEN
General | Posted 9 years agoReminding folks that I am still open for commissions as well as having an Etsy shop open. I will be posting more things to the Etsy shop as I get the time for making stuff. I'd REALLY appreciate the commissions and shop sales though; they'll massively help this sinkhole of debt our bathroom disaster has been. ARTWORK CAN BE MAILED OR FREE PICKUP AT ANTHROCON. I WILL HAVE AN ARTIST TABLE AT ANTHROCON!
For those that didn't see the posts I'd previously had, my husband and I have been having troubles with one of our two bathrooms in our home. It started as a "hrmm, this drywall seems flexible. That doesn't seem right. Probably just a little water leak." However, it turned into a COMPLETE overhaul disaster, complete with black mold, and previous construction not being up to code in oh so many ways, among other things. This repair has run into five digits and the end still isn't in sight because of complications with the contractor. We potentially have another, more qualified contractor lined up for the remainder of the repairs, but no contract is in place yet. However, the expense is most assuredly still going to be there.
We did have a gofundme and we were/are taking donations through Kit's cash.me but I'm not here to beg for donations; I will work for money too! My commissions list are available on my commissions tab, and my Etsy shop is visible here - https://www.etsy.com/shop/CheshireC.....hopheader-name
ADDITIONALLY - when time allows, I WILL BE opening for toony handpaws - examples to come!
For those that didn't see the posts I'd previously had, my husband and I have been having troubles with one of our two bathrooms in our home. It started as a "hrmm, this drywall seems flexible. That doesn't seem right. Probably just a little water leak." However, it turned into a COMPLETE overhaul disaster, complete with black mold, and previous construction not being up to code in oh so many ways, among other things. This repair has run into five digits and the end still isn't in sight because of complications with the contractor. We potentially have another, more qualified contractor lined up for the remainder of the repairs, but no contract is in place yet. However, the expense is most assuredly still going to be there.
We did have a gofundme and we were/are taking donations through Kit's cash.me but I'm not here to beg for donations; I will work for money too! My commissions list are available on my commissions tab, and my Etsy shop is visible here - https://www.etsy.com/shop/CheshireC.....hopheader-name
ADDITIONALLY - when time allows, I WILL BE opening for toony handpaws - examples to come!
My Characters
General | Posted 9 years agoSome of you may know that..I love characters. I collect too many of them, honestly!! Because of this, and because of a friend's interest in one of the characters I designed, they have been gifted to her.
The Cheshire Corgi that I designed a while ago has been gifted to
The base was not mine and credit is still listed accordingly, and the character was gifted freely to her by myself. Hopefully she can give him more love than I can hope to with my hoard of characters.
Character in question is here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/18645188/
I fully expect Kiba will be posting him up herself soon.
Additionally, the pink saber kitty has been adopted out to
and future artwork of her will come from them.
Said character seen here:
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/19003406/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/19506840/
PS- a couple more characters of mine may be on the chopping block too. I just need to fully determine what avenues of rehoming are available for them.
The Cheshire Corgi that I designed a while ago has been gifted to
The base was not mine and credit is still listed accordingly, and the character was gifted freely to her by myself. Hopefully she can give him more love than I can hope to with my hoard of characters.Character in question is here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/18645188/
I fully expect Kiba will be posting him up herself soon.
Additionally, the pink saber kitty has been adopted out to
and future artwork of her will come from them. Said character seen here:
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/19003406/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/19506840/
PS- a couple more characters of mine may be on the chopping block too. I just need to fully determine what avenues of rehoming are available for them.
Fur the More Meme
General | Posted 9 years agoStolen from indigoangelcat
Q: How are you getting there?
A: With Kit
Q: Who do I address you as?
A: Irime or Iri (pronounced like "eerie")
Q: How old are you?
A: 30
Q: Where are you staying?
A: Sheraton.
Q: When will you be arriving and leaving?
A: Wed to Tuesday? Who knows
Q: Who will you be hanging with?
A: My division (staff services) and whoever I get time for!
Q: Who will you be rooming with?
A: Kit Drago and Serval, and Chessie
Q: Where will you be most of the time during the day/s?
A: Probably lots of time in staff suite
Q: What/where will you be eating?
A: Staff meals pretty much unless someone brings something else
Q: Will you be having a room party?
A: Most likely not, no time for it
Q: Will you be drinking and/or getting drunk?
A: When I have the time for it.
Q: What is your gender?
A: Agender but generally seen as female
Q: How tall are you?
A: 5'8"
Q: If I approach you, will you chat with me?
A: Most likely, but please do not be insulted if I run off especially if i am pushing something into my ear to hear something
Q: If I see you, how should I get your attention?
A: Come over and say hello! DO NOT APPROACH MY DOG.
Q: How many furry conventions have you attended?
A: I lost track.
Q: Do you own a fursuit?
A: Yup, not sure which I'm bringing
Q: Can I hug or snuggle with you?
A: Please ask on *hugs*. Snuggles are reserved for special people.
Q: How can I find you?
A: Chunky white thing wearing black and purple. And I have a service corgi.
Q: Can I buy you drinks?
A: Yes but please do not be upset if I refuse your offer. I may have to work or have other reasons I have to decline.
Q: Can I take your picture?
A: I'd rather you not, unless I am in suit.
Q: Do you do free art, trades, commissions, badges?
A: Yes BUT I won't have time most likely anymore to do it...
Q: Do you have a table in the Artist Alley / Dealer's Den or a panel in the Art Show? If so, what are you selling?
A: Nope. No time.
Q: Do you plan to volunteer?
A: *coughs* this con owns my life and soul.
Q: What's your goal for the con this year?
A: TO BE RECOGNIZED AS SOMEONE THAT DOES THINGS FOR THE CON.
Q: Anything else I need to know?
A: I am a division head, and the wife of the con chair. I will probably be really busy. If I seem scatterbrained or aloof, it's probably just me having a radio chattering in my ear and 15 other things needing to be done.
ALSO, DO NOT ENGAGE MY DOG IF SHE IS WORKING. This is very important to me. It's extremely disrespectful when I ask someone not to pet her and they waggle their fingers at her and baby talk her. It distracts her from focusing on me, which is her job. She gets PLENTY of offduty time to be a dog with people she's close to; she will survive without the affections of the masses. She also will be available for attentions and such when she's helping fundraise for the charity as our bucket brigade.
That being said, I'm usually fine with a photo or two even if vested as it doesn't disrupt her, but ask that you please ask.
And because it apparently needs said, NO you cannot feed my dog stuff. She is my service dog and not a petting zoo.
indigoangelcatQ: How are you getting there?
A: With Kit
Q: Who do I address you as?
A: Irime or Iri (pronounced like "eerie")
Q: How old are you?
A: 30
Q: Where are you staying?
A: Sheraton.
Q: When will you be arriving and leaving?
A: Wed to Tuesday? Who knows
Q: Who will you be hanging with?
A: My division (staff services) and whoever I get time for!
Q: Who will you be rooming with?
A: Kit Drago and Serval, and Chessie
Q: Where will you be most of the time during the day/s?
A: Probably lots of time in staff suite
Q: What/where will you be eating?
A: Staff meals pretty much unless someone brings something else
Q: Will you be having a room party?
A: Most likely not, no time for it
Q: Will you be drinking and/or getting drunk?
A: When I have the time for it.
Q: What is your gender?
A: Agender but generally seen as female
Q: How tall are you?
A: 5'8"
Q: If I approach you, will you chat with me?
A: Most likely, but please do not be insulted if I run off especially if i am pushing something into my ear to hear something
Q: If I see you, how should I get your attention?
A: Come over and say hello! DO NOT APPROACH MY DOG.
Q: How many furry conventions have you attended?
A: I lost track.
Q: Do you own a fursuit?
A: Yup, not sure which I'm bringing
Q: Can I hug or snuggle with you?
A: Please ask on *hugs*. Snuggles are reserved for special people.
Q: How can I find you?
A: Chunky white thing wearing black and purple. And I have a service corgi.
Q: Can I buy you drinks?
A: Yes but please do not be upset if I refuse your offer. I may have to work or have other reasons I have to decline.
Q: Can I take your picture?
A: I'd rather you not, unless I am in suit.
Q: Do you do free art, trades, commissions, badges?
A: Yes BUT I won't have time most likely anymore to do it...
Q: Do you have a table in the Artist Alley / Dealer's Den or a panel in the Art Show? If so, what are you selling?
A: Nope. No time.
Q: Do you plan to volunteer?
A: *coughs* this con owns my life and soul.
Q: What's your goal for the con this year?
A: TO BE RECOGNIZED AS SOMEONE THAT DOES THINGS FOR THE CON.
Q: Anything else I need to know?
A: I am a division head, and the wife of the con chair. I will probably be really busy. If I seem scatterbrained or aloof, it's probably just me having a radio chattering in my ear and 15 other things needing to be done.
ALSO, DO NOT ENGAGE MY DOG IF SHE IS WORKING. This is very important to me. It's extremely disrespectful when I ask someone not to pet her and they waggle their fingers at her and baby talk her. It distracts her from focusing on me, which is her job. She gets PLENTY of offduty time to be a dog with people she's close to; she will survive without the affections of the masses. She also will be available for attentions and such when she's helping fundraise for the charity as our bucket brigade.
That being said, I'm usually fine with a photo or two even if vested as it doesn't disrupt her, but ask that you please ask.
And because it apparently needs said, NO you cannot feed my dog stuff. She is my service dog and not a petting zoo.
House Saga - Continued!
General | Posted 10 years agoSo while we were away, staffing at Katsucon, the pipe in the bathroom lines burst. Water damage in the previously untouched wall, so now the external walls need torn into and are going to be as bad as the floor was, if the peek in through a small hole was an accurate indication of the conditions held within. This nightmare.. I'm so ready for it to be over.
On a slight up note, I at least landed a job so I can chip away at the costs of the bathroom repairs. :( Yay for yet more troubles to further delay any hopes of a replacement partial or anything FUN.
On a slight up note, I at least landed a job so I can chip away at the costs of the bathroom repairs. :( Yay for yet more troubles to further delay any hopes of a replacement partial or anything FUN.
House Disaster
General | Posted 10 years agoSo, to start this story off, a couple weeks ago, we noticed one of the walls to our bathroom on the main floor -moved- if you applied pressure. It wasn't a ton of movement and the wall still appeared normal, but drywall shouldn't move, so we called a plumber to see if there was a leak behind the wall. There was no way to know how long the shower joint had been leaking from the top, all the way down the wall either. However, there was a considerable amount of black mold. So the holes stayed open until we could get a general contractor to come look and see how bad the water damage really was.
This is where it gets fun (not). General contractor, on first assessment, stated the walls would have to come out, and that the floor joists were water damaged and rotted, as well as a couple of them being cracked. This was why, if you stood in there and bounced, you could feel and hear the movement in the floor. Joists needed reinforced or taken out, and the flooring taken out.
Day comes for them to remove and do remediation. This is the day it became a nightmare. Turns out there were MULTIPLE LAYERS of floor slapped on top of each other, complete with joists. On top of it, one of the layers is directly involved with the other portions of our house (the bathroom is an addon) and thus cannot be removed. This all was built on top of a very old outdoor porch, so the original joists weren't meant for this kind of weight load to begin with.
All budget for restoring the bathroom basically went into the extra work of pulling out all this awfulness and trying to make a properly insulated subfloor like it should be. There was an awful lot of black mold, and this job is the worst the contractor has ever seen or dealt with. It took all his time to just put in the subflooring, so we're waiting for another schedule opening (and our budget opening) to try to get the floor and bathroom reassembled.
This is a nightmare. I know, from previous living situations and from friends and family and from watching those HGTV shows; when you open a wall or floor up, you never know what mess you might fight underneath, but as I said, this was the WORST this contractor has ever seen. This job should have cost even more than what we were contractually obligated for but he felt sorry for us and cut us a little slack.
That being said, money is an extra stressful thing right now, and I'm applying to every common retail job or anything else I might be eligible for. In the interim, I am open for commissions to try to garner up some funds.
I'm also accepting offers on:
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/18725049/ and http://www.furaffinity.net/view/18806983/
as well.
This is where it gets fun (not). General contractor, on first assessment, stated the walls would have to come out, and that the floor joists were water damaged and rotted, as well as a couple of them being cracked. This was why, if you stood in there and bounced, you could feel and hear the movement in the floor. Joists needed reinforced or taken out, and the flooring taken out.
Day comes for them to remove and do remediation. This is the day it became a nightmare. Turns out there were MULTIPLE LAYERS of floor slapped on top of each other, complete with joists. On top of it, one of the layers is directly involved with the other portions of our house (the bathroom is an addon) and thus cannot be removed. This all was built on top of a very old outdoor porch, so the original joists weren't meant for this kind of weight load to begin with.
All budget for restoring the bathroom basically went into the extra work of pulling out all this awfulness and trying to make a properly insulated subfloor like it should be. There was an awful lot of black mold, and this job is the worst the contractor has ever seen or dealt with. It took all his time to just put in the subflooring, so we're waiting for another schedule opening (and our budget opening) to try to get the floor and bathroom reassembled.
This is a nightmare. I know, from previous living situations and from friends and family and from watching those HGTV shows; when you open a wall or floor up, you never know what mess you might fight underneath, but as I said, this was the WORST this contractor has ever seen. This job should have cost even more than what we were contractually obligated for but he felt sorry for us and cut us a little slack.
That being said, money is an extra stressful thing right now, and I'm applying to every common retail job or anything else I might be eligible for. In the interim, I am open for commissions to try to garner up some funds.
I'm also accepting offers on:
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/18725049/ and http://www.furaffinity.net/view/18806983/
as well.
Gallery Submissions (INCOMING)
General | Posted 10 years agoSorry for so many posts today. I will try to limit my batches in uploading so as not to overburden you guys. Only a limited amount will be reuploaded, rather than all of my artwork. It's a good opportunity to purge some of my lesser works.
Upcoming folders:
Badges -done
Plushes
Fursuits/Other Costume Work -almost completely totally done
Other Artwork - basically done
Upcoming folders:
Badges -done
Plushes
Fursuits/Other Costume Work -almost completely totally done
Other Artwork - basically done
Anime USA - Meme
General | Posted 10 years agoI know Anime cons aren't really most folks' scenes but I'm posting this anyway, for those wondering why I won't be at Furpoc. AnimeUSA is of deep sentimental value to Kit and I, so we are continuing to staff it to try to help the convention out. I'd contemplated Furpocalypse but I'm not keen on the idea of ANY con on Halloween as I'd rather scare the kiddies at home... and with AnimeUSA it's likely I can and will drive back home to tend to the spawn and their candy.
Where are you staying?
in the Wardman Park hotel
What day are you getting there?
Thursday afternoon
Who are you rooming with?
Kit and Chessie, not sure who else. Probably Drass
Who will you hang out with during the convention?
Team Medical Dragon mostly
Are there any panels you might be attending?
Nope
Will you be suiting?
Possibly very briefly
What is your gender?
Cat (female if you insist; I really don't care)
How tall are you?
5'8"
Can I talk to you?
Sure! Though if I'm busy, it's polite to not interrupt.
Can I touch you?
Friends only, please. And Don't touch my service dog please! She's a working animal!! It's actually a federal offense to touch (assault) a service dog while they're working.
How can I find you?
Spot the purple and black, or look for Chessie the service corgi
Can I visit your room?
Nope, not unless I specifically offer. I won't be there much anyway so not much cause for it.
Can I buy you drinks?
Depends on if I'm on shift or not. I'll gladly take Monster zero drinks, especially in blue.
Can I give you stuff?
Yes?! How is this a question? Lol (provided it's legal and you're not expecting something because of it)
Can I hug or snuggle with you?
Aaaaah...yes? But please no surprise hugs and snuggles are reserved to friends.
How long are you going?
Leaving Sunday night probably
Do you have an artist table?
No I do not. I don't expect anyone will want anything from me while there either.
Will you be going to parties.
Probably not. May visit a friend offsite for a while at some point.
Will you be performing?
nope.
If I see you, how should I get your attention?
Call out Irime! Or Iri!
Where will you be most of the time during the day/s?
Team Medical Dragon or just wandering. look for the corgi.
What/where will you be eating?
Probably whatever I get ahold of during the weekend
Can I come with you for food/fun/etc?
Please only come if invited @_@
Can I take your picture?
I REALLY prefer you ask me before taking my picture.
ONE FURTHER REMINDER: CHESSIE IS A SERVICE DOG. PLEASE DO NOT PET HER, TALK TO HER OR OTHERWISE ENGAGE HER WHILE SHE IS WORKING. IT IS RUDE AND DISRESPECTFUL TO ME AND HER JOB AS WELL AS POTENTIALLY AGAINST THE LAW. Don't do it. She has times off duty where she gets to socialize and be a dog so don't do it when she's working. Doing an obnoxious baby voice and waggling your fingers at her is JUST AS BAD as petting her; it's a distraction.
PS - SHE IS NOT EIN. WRONG BREED AND I SERIOUSLY MIGHT EQUIP MYSELF WITH GLITTER TO SHAKE AT ANYONE THAT CALLS HER THAT.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask!
Where are you staying?
in the Wardman Park hotel
What day are you getting there?
Thursday afternoon
Who are you rooming with?
Kit and Chessie, not sure who else. Probably Drass
Who will you hang out with during the convention?
Team Medical Dragon mostly
Are there any panels you might be attending?
Nope
Will you be suiting?
Possibly very briefly
What is your gender?
Cat (female if you insist; I really don't care)
How tall are you?
5'8"
Can I talk to you?
Sure! Though if I'm busy, it's polite to not interrupt.
Can I touch you?
Friends only, please. And Don't touch my service dog please! She's a working animal!! It's actually a federal offense to touch (assault) a service dog while they're working.
How can I find you?
Spot the purple and black, or look for Chessie the service corgi
Can I visit your room?
Nope, not unless I specifically offer. I won't be there much anyway so not much cause for it.
Can I buy you drinks?
Depends on if I'm on shift or not. I'll gladly take Monster zero drinks, especially in blue.
Can I give you stuff?
Yes?! How is this a question? Lol (provided it's legal and you're not expecting something because of it)
Can I hug or snuggle with you?
Aaaaah...yes? But please no surprise hugs and snuggles are reserved to friends.
How long are you going?
Leaving Sunday night probably
Do you have an artist table?
No I do not. I don't expect anyone will want anything from me while there either.
Will you be going to parties.
Probably not. May visit a friend offsite for a while at some point.
Will you be performing?
nope.
If I see you, how should I get your attention?
Call out Irime! Or Iri!
Where will you be most of the time during the day/s?
Team Medical Dragon or just wandering. look for the corgi.
What/where will you be eating?
Probably whatever I get ahold of during the weekend
Can I come with you for food/fun/etc?
Please only come if invited @_@
Can I take your picture?
I REALLY prefer you ask me before taking my picture.
ONE FURTHER REMINDER: CHESSIE IS A SERVICE DOG. PLEASE DO NOT PET HER, TALK TO HER OR OTHERWISE ENGAGE HER WHILE SHE IS WORKING. IT IS RUDE AND DISRESPECTFUL TO ME AND HER JOB AS WELL AS POTENTIALLY AGAINST THE LAW. Don't do it. She has times off duty where she gets to socialize and be a dog so don't do it when she's working. Doing an obnoxious baby voice and waggling your fingers at her is JUST AS BAD as petting her; it's a distraction.
PS - SHE IS NOT EIN. WRONG BREED AND I SERIOUSLY MIGHT EQUIP MYSELF WITH GLITTER TO SHAKE AT ANYONE THAT CALLS HER THAT.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask!
FA:U Meme
General | Posted 10 years agoStolen from various people including sciggles
Where are you staying?
With Tyger and Nemmy at their place!
What day are you getting there?
Thursday night or Friday morning, depending
Who are you rooming with?
Tyger and Nemmy, Kit and Chessie
Who will you hang out with during the convention?
Whoever really wants to, other than Tyger and Nemmy, obviously, as well as Kit.
Are there any panels you might be attending?
I dont usually do panels.
Will you be suiting?
Probably briefly.
What is your gender?
female
How tall are you?
5'8"
Can I talk to you?
Sure! Though if I'm busy, it's polite to not interrupt.
Can I touch you?
Friends only, please. And Don't touch my service dog please! She's a working animal!!
How can I find you?
Furthemore dealer table, or spot the service corgi.
Can I visit your room?
Not my house so, no. You'd have to ask Tyger or Nemmy on that.
Can I buy you drinks?
depending. I'm staying off site so I shouldn't get too blitzed, and I don't do coffee.
Can I give you stuff?
Yes?! How is this a question? Lol
Can I hug or snuggle with you?
Aaaaah...yes? But please no surprise hugs and snuggles are reserved to friends.
How long are you going?
Leaving Sunday night
Do you have an artist table?
I don't but I have obligations at the convention's table so I might take a commission or two there, if anyone really cares.
Will you be going to parties.
Probably not, staying offsite so we will party There!!
Will you be performing?
nope.
If I see you, how should I get your attention?
Call out Irime! Or Iri!
Where will you be most of the time during the day/s?
Furthemore's table mostly.
What/where will you be eating?
wherever people offer me food from, but honestly mostly wherever Tyger is suggesting. :3
Can I come with you for food/fun/etc?
Please only come if invited @_@
Can I take your picture?
I REALLY prefer you ask me before taking my picture.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask!
Where are you staying?
With Tyger and Nemmy at their place!
What day are you getting there?
Thursday night or Friday morning, depending
Who are you rooming with?
Tyger and Nemmy, Kit and Chessie
Who will you hang out with during the convention?
Whoever really wants to, other than Tyger and Nemmy, obviously, as well as Kit.
Are there any panels you might be attending?
I dont usually do panels.
Will you be suiting?
Probably briefly.
What is your gender?
female
How tall are you?
5'8"
Can I talk to you?
Sure! Though if I'm busy, it's polite to not interrupt.
Can I touch you?
Friends only, please. And Don't touch my service dog please! She's a working animal!!
How can I find you?
Furthemore dealer table, or spot the service corgi.
Can I visit your room?
Not my house so, no. You'd have to ask Tyger or Nemmy on that.
Can I buy you drinks?
depending. I'm staying off site so I shouldn't get too blitzed, and I don't do coffee.
Can I give you stuff?
Yes?! How is this a question? Lol
Can I hug or snuggle with you?
Aaaaah...yes? But please no surprise hugs and snuggles are reserved to friends.
How long are you going?
Leaving Sunday night
Do you have an artist table?
I don't but I have obligations at the convention's table so I might take a commission or two there, if anyone really cares.
Will you be going to parties.
Probably not, staying offsite so we will party There!!
Will you be performing?
nope.
If I see you, how should I get your attention?
Call out Irime! Or Iri!
Where will you be most of the time during the day/s?
Furthemore's table mostly.
What/where will you be eating?
wherever people offer me food from, but honestly mostly wherever Tyger is suggesting. :3
Can I come with you for food/fun/etc?
Please only come if invited @_@
Can I take your picture?
I REALLY prefer you ask me before taking my picture.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask!
Considering FAU
General | Posted 10 years agoI'd like to go, but I'd need to swing some things. Largely, a room. If I can get someone willing to ride up with me, that'd be cool but definitely looking for a room, if anyone has any spots or suggestions.
I'm flexible on whether it's a social room or not, but no illegal substances and please no cig smoke. I can be a quiet roommate or very adaptable to a noisy room, if necessary.
Reminder: I do have Chessie and yes she gets crated when I'm not tending to her, like for sleep, but is dog nonetheless.
UPDATE: I have a spot lined out with a friend, and I thank everyone for their time reading this! Hope to see you there!
I'm flexible on whether it's a social room or not, but no illegal substances and please no cig smoke. I can be a quiet roommate or very adaptable to a noisy room, if necessary.
Reminder: I do have Chessie and yes she gets crated when I'm not tending to her, like for sleep, but is dog nonetheless.
UPDATE: I have a spot lined out with a friend, and I thank everyone for their time reading this! Hope to see you there!
