Wow. I just noticed that the last time I made a journal post was last year! ...I'm admittedly a little surprised, yet at once, not very surprised. I've been pretty busy with a bunch of things. I finished the third Sweet Shoppe book, something I was meant to do last year, but was delayed. I just need to design a cover and I can get that off to print. I don't think I'll be making the convention rounds this season, though. I wish I could, but I don't think I will be able to make it. If I can drive up there for a pair of days, that might be nice. If anything, I'd probably come up for Friday and Saturday. But, we'll see. I was unable to get a dealer's table, but if I can get an artist's alley spot, then I think I can manage. If things settle down over here a bit. It's been a long pair of months.

To make a long story short, one of my little nephews is quite sick. Earlier last month, he was diagnosed with Leukemia. So, since I work from home, I offered to come stay with him, my sister, her husband, and my tiniest niece for a while. Since my nephew won't be able to go to school for a while, they needed help with him while they are both at work. I'll be here for three weeks. I've been sleeping in the basement, because my brother-in-law is allergic to my dog and my cat. Because of that, Frisbee isn't even here. He's with one of my older nephews. Mellow, however, couldn't find a place to stay, so she came with me to my sister's house. That's why we are camping out in the basement, sleeping on the couch. I'm glad she's here, because I would worry about her if she were somewhere else. She's only really comfortable at our home. If she's away from home and I am not there, she will find a place to hide for the entire time I'm away. When we first got here, she even hid herself in the basement while I was upstairs, but when I came down for the night and meowed for her, she would come out and sit with me. It's comforting having her nearby, especially since Frisbee is so far away.

Honestly, I'm a little worn out. Don't get me wrong! I'm happy to be here and to help out with my nephew (who's doing great, by the way, thank God), but it is exhausting. The medicine makes him moody and EXTREMELY hungry! He gets really upset when you tell him that he can't have anything to eat for a while. It's hard for him and hard for us when he comes and literally starts crying because he is hungry. It's emotionally draining. It's not his fault, of course, it's the medicine. But, we can't let him eat nonstop. He overate one day and went into the bathroom and just vomited everything he had eaten for about a minute and a half. I don't want that to happen again, so I have to keep him on a schedule while his parents are at work. It's tough, but we are starting to get things on a routine and he is starting to handle being told that he has to wait a while between meals and snacks.

At any rate, as long as my nephew keeps doing well, I should be heading home in about two weeks. I've never left my home unattended for so long and it's making me a little anxious. But, being here is worth it. He's worth it. I do miss my dog, but I know he's in a safe place with people he knows. So, at least he's comfortable. The cat is with me and even though I know she would prefer for me to be in the basement the whole time we're here, she's begun to realize that I will go back to her in the afternoon, so she's getting settled in, too. I love being able to spend time with my family, especially since I don't get to see them that often. Having the chance to bond a little more with the kids is nice. Spending time with my baby sister is nice, too. She does have to work, but we get to spend a little time hanging out when she's finished for the day, as well as on the weekends. I'm extremely thankful that my nephew is doing so well. It was a huge scare for the entire family when we heard the news. He was in the hospital for a while. But, when I saw him, he was his usual, playful, cheerful self. He still is, it's just the hunger makes him a little bit of a wreck, but that's only for now. He won't be on that medication forever.

Well, that's all from me. I've got to help him with his study programs. Take it easy, folks!