My niece Teresa and husband Lee are still struggling after the fire which destroyed their house and killed their two adult dogs (including Teresa's own service dog, Zuul) and several future service dog puppies. (Teresa raises and trains service dogs) They have now razed the burned-out house and are living in a camper and also added insulation and bolstering the second story to a sturdy old shed, (wiring it to live in until they can rebuild). They were renovating the house that burned (which had been a schoolhouse and later a creamery)to get it up to code to qualify for insurance. During the fire cleanup, someone stole the new battery out of their garden tractor. They lost two vehicles in the fire, and now the donated van they received just popped a power steering line. If anyone has additional places they can post a link to the GoFundMe below, please do so. Teresa and Lee could use financial assistance in rebuilding.

More details at the GFM link below:

[link]

I made a human!

Samuel Thomas was born on his due date (June 5) about 3 hours after I started labor.

He was almost 9 pounds and almost 21 inches long.

Favorite activities include Lying to Mom about Being Hungry So As To Nap Nearer The Boob. Also farting. And being admired by family, friends, and hospital staff.

All are doing well heading into night 2 (which is supposed to be a doozey)

Photos on FB.

If anyone has spare health ma, please send it now. My Dad collapsed and went into cardiac arrest the day after my birthday.

We have been waiting all weekend for information and he might not wake up. Seizure activity on the EEG may mean brain damage. That would be a cruelly horrible fate for the smartest man I've ever known. My poor stepmother, who gave CPR.

None of this seems real yet. I am so not ready For this. I'm going to the hospital tomorrow and I think I will be saying Goodbye.

I feel like I need to announce this on the board, since this is where we met. Tom and I are celebrating 15 years of marriage today. It's almost 20 years since the Somerville Buffistas had their first gathering (to watch part 1 of the Buffy/Faith Freaky Friday switcheroo cliffhanger.) This board is responsible for the best thing that ever happened in my life, and I'm so very grateful.

I know I've been MIA but could I get some job~ma this afternoon and tomorrow? I have an interview for a position that gets me out of sales and would be ideally suited to my strengths.

(My previous company pulled shenanigans and essentially eliminated my job in the shittiest way possible. Last Tuesday was my last day and I can honestly say this past week has been the best week I've had in a long time.)

latest blog post! [link]

I'm sorry to bring sad news. This is on Connie Neil's FB page.

October 10, 2019 I just found out that my Late Uncle's wife Connie Neil died yesterday. Rest in Peace Connie.

October 9, 2019 To all of those who loved her. Know that she was loved and that she loved. Our hearts go out to you.

She passed away 5 years 3 months and 6 days after the love of her life. My father Lawrence Neil who treated her as a queen. I will always see her through his eyes. â¤ï¸ Goodbye mom.

October 9,2019 For those of you who dont know this Lovely woman. Her name is Connie Rush Neil. She was married to Lawrence Neil/Dragon.. The man that got me and several friends in to the SCA. She passed away today Oct 9th 2019 about 6pm It appears she was driving home from work and felt bad.. she pulled over to the side of Geneva road. .. she was almost home.. We guess she had a heart attack. And passed on.

She never wanted kids but she got stuck with a stepdaughter, and a dozen lost boys that didnt fit in. And her husband adopted. She will be missed.. She was loved...

I will give more info on a wake at later time.

Buffista Holiday Card Exchange!

Basic rules:

1. Sign up by filling out the form.

2. Cards that are sent can be purchased or handmade, but should include a brief personal message (and not just a signature). Sometimes people include bookmarks, stickers, etc, but it is no way mandatory.

3. Select how many cards you would like to exchange from the ticky box. You will be matched up with the number you choose.

4. USians, let me know if international mail is okay for you to send or if you only want to send domestically (getting to the post office is challenging!)

5. Are religious cards okay for you or would prefer secular greetings only? Let me know and I'll let your exchangees know.

6. Your address and info will be only shared with your exchange partners UNLESS you opt in to the whole group list.

7. Some people are overachievers and send mail to more than their selected folks. If you want a copy of the everyone who opted into the whole group list, let me know and I will send that.

8. Cutoff for signups will be November 27 (the day before Thanksgiving) and cutoffs to send will be January 6, 2020.

9. Sometimes life happens and cards get forgotten. If you are willing to be a back up on 1-2 extra cards, can you let know? That way if someone doesn't get anything, we can get it covered.

To sign up: [link]

Buffista Year-End Giving. If you want to participate in making some community year-end monetary gifts to charities, please click on the link and fill out the info:

[link]

I hereby release the job~ma back into the wild, but pointed in the direction of those that need it. I have accepted an offer to work at a well-regarded consulting firm in my industry, and I start December 2nd.

Thank you all for the love and support.