dametheadee

I haven't posted in a long time. Since Crown Tourney the first weekend in October. Since then:

My 40th birthday happened. Mostly celebrated by an unceremonious trip to WorkCare after I unceremoniously fell down outside of work. No broken bones but did bruise the crap out of my knee and reinjured the little finger on my right hand. Also celebrated by a lovely dinner made by and enjoyed with friends.

The weekend after that I got to spend some really great quality time with

dukesean and the kids while

silvermoonwlf went to an event in Idaho. We took Q to pick out a Halloween costume. He made a beeline for the Anakin Skywalker costume and didn't change his mind even after Sean showed him the other awesome choices. Then out to lunch. It was a wonderful day spent talking about nothing in particular. I think we both had a good time.

Then there was the EPIC trip to Tucson for Treaty Negotiations. I drove down to St. George on Thursday night and stayed at Shintala and Jamesbad's house. I got up super early and headed out. Went through Vegas and over the Hoover Dam. I saw the new bypass bridge and it scared the crap outta me - it is very high over the canyon and I am really afraid of falling from a height like that.

Anyway.... I got to Tucson, someplace I had never been, and really had a good time. Got some productive face time in with the deputy Royalty Liaisons and spent some quality time with

atensibilla and

sirtighearnain who hosted me. I also got to spend some time visiting with Marianna, Craven and Elzbieta, Eduard and Asa, Cecilia, Ianuk, and even saw Shaylan for a brief minute. I also got to see Bela and Anna. There were many other people and an awesome party where Phelan, Lala and family turned out some EPIC food (carne asada for DAYS and so many other things that I can't even remember.) I do remember there was booze involved. I was slated to leave Sunday but stayed Sunday night and power tripped home Monday, a move I was regretting somewhat in the last 3 or 4 hours when I was ready to be done driving and still had about 200 miles to go. But I don't regret going for a minute. It was a great energy recharge and I absolutely love the red rock deserts of Arizona and Southern Utah.

Somewhere in this time period I turned in my letter of intent for Kingdom Seneschal It was hard to write a letter to the Baroness who gave me my first service award (the current Kingdom Seneschal) and the current Crown (who happen to be my best friend and his wife). So I approached writing the cover letter with the idea that the Society Seneschal, someone I have never met, might read it at some point. I was very proud of the letter.

The weekend after treaty negotiations was an SCA Borad of Directors meeting in Salt Lake City. I enjoy the geekery that goes with the infrastructure of the SCA. So I went to the meeting. I had also put together a reception/social for the Board (technically hosted by the King and the Baron whose ladies were in Montana at a Baronial investiture.) That was a lot of fun - I got to meet several people whose names I knew but had not met (including the previously mentioned Society Seneschal). On a side note, Doria handed me an envelope with a bunch of the bookmarks that were given out at Kolfinna's memorial service at Great Western War. She said she had noted that a number of Artemisians had memories of her and asked me to give them the bookmarks. I was surprised and incredibly touched by the thought and am very glad to have one.

On October 30th my hubby lost his job. He is not working yet but has some good prospects. He is pretty discouraged by it but I have faith that things will work out.

We went to Flora and Aggie's for Halloween/Samhain. That was a great evening. Lots if good company, tons of great food and drink and a warm spirit that feeds my soul.

The next weekend I went to Kingdom Collegium with Caryn. I wasn't going to go due to money issues but she said I should go anyway, so I did :) I got to see a bunch more people that I had wanted to see. I had hoped to get a bunch of business done and go to some classes. And I did that. With some bonuses like getting to see rauokinn and the beautiful progress on the Estrella Grand Court clothes. Awesome!! I also got to give the bookmarks from Kolfinna's memorial service to rauokinn , kian_hrafn , and kelwinratslayer . I spent some time visiting with people and talking to Juliana at length. A decision was made and announced that I get to be the next Artemisian Kingdom Seneschal. There were some other cool moments - Sagan's Pelican ceremony that I got to sit up front for.... I could feel the electricity between Sagan and Sean when the oath was being sworn... Seeing Maire's face when she received her Court Barony.... Watchin Ronan almost knock Claire over when he slid in behind her to "shark" the guy that was escorting her up into court.... Seeing Hilde's face when she got sent on vigil for her Laurel.... Syeria's Sun in Splendour...

Earlier in the day, Kelwin and I sat down to write out some information regarding precedence stuff that we are going to finalize so it can be approved by the Crown and published - it is about time that this stuff is clearly codified so the confusion STOPS! :) It was really great when Duchess Kortland and Duchess Albreda sat down with us and clarified some things that I was unsure about.

While I was eating lunch, His Majesty (dukesean ) and His Highness Daman came into the area to get some lunch... His Majesty said "Oh there she is" when he saw me (which is NEVER a good thing). They came and sat down with me and started asking about 11th Century Byzantine clothing. I started sharing information with them and Sean stops me and says "no.... we are talking about someone to make them for Their Highnesses Coronation clothes. " So now I am working on that and will have the help of the lovely and very talented

vitriolpoisoned (no I haven't forgotten to talke to you more about this Noelle - I am still researching some stuff).

I got home from Boise and Taber was really sick. On that Monday night, I took him to the Insta-Care where they gave him 3 liters of IV fluids, a bunch of antibiotics, and concluded that he had a severe flu. He got Tamiflu and more antibiotics and spent the next ten days being sic k. He only really started feeling better in the last five days and still is having a bit of a hard time breathing so he is still taking Mucinex D. Fortunately I didn't get it and because I am a caregiver, I am eligible to get an H1N1 shot, which I will get today at work.

On November 14th, I hitched a ride to Toys for Tots. I am glad I went - I had a great time hanging out with Sofi, Howard, Fia, Ceci and everyone. I restrung some jewelry for Cas and worked on the embroidery for the Coronation outfits.

Last weekend I stayed home and tried to get the house cleaned up a bit so I can decorate for Christmas this year. I sent a gift to Sumayya for her Laurel elevation since I couldn't go. I hope she likes it. It is a horse brass with an elephant on it.

For Thanksgiving, we will be having dinner with Sean and Christina and the kids. Taber also said something about spending some time with Raven - he will have to figure out timing on that one. Then Saturday there is another Thanksgiving dinner at Flora and Aggie's. I am excited to go.

Solstice Court is coming up. I am still waiting to hear if

american_knight will be joining us for that weekend. I am looking forward to getting measurements for Their Highnesses so we can get started on the construction of the outfits.

Anyway.... I must be getting ready for work now. But I leave you with this.

As Thanksgiving is here, I wanted to mention some of the things for which I am thankful.
1) My husband. I really do love him.
2) My friends and family. I many not be the best about communicating regularly but you are in my heart all the time.
3) That I am healthy and have a place to live. Things could be so much worse.
4) I am grateful for all the love I receive and all the love I am able to give.

Happy thanksgiving everyone.