Family, Friends, Pets, and the General Ne’er Do Wells That Enrich My Life
The WHOLE FAM DAMILY
Husbot – my husband since 2022, my partner since 2019, my friend since 2005. I was his heal lead, he was one of my priests in a WoW raid that went through the end of Wrath of the Lich King. We reconnected through a chance in WoW Classic in 2019, and it’s been the ride of my life ever since. I’m happier than I have any right to be.
The Eldest – Husbot’s oldest daughter, married and in her late 20’s, and the kid I knew I had to get approval from. For most of her life, it was just her and her dad, and their bond is really special.
Juni – A surprise addition to our family, Husbot paid child support for Juni their whole life. At 19, they contacted us needing a place to live. We moved them in sight unseen in 2024, and they lived with us for almost 2 years. Now they live in their own place locally, but are a regular in the house. Juni is my “them”, and we’ve made a good life together – they trust me, and that means the world.
HRH – The kid I knew I was getting, HRH is the middle kid, my favorite (and only) stepson, and the one who approached me in a grocery store and said “You know, I didn’t think I ever wanted a stepmom, but I think you’d do a really good job” – before Husbot and I were even engaged. He is kinder than spring sunshine, the traitor who stole my cat, and a delight. Works locally, lives at home.
Bidgit – The youngest, and another surprise, her life situation fell apart when Husbot and I had just moved in together in 2021, so I became a surprise mom of a special needs 12 yr old daughter. She’s totally turned her life around, has the diagnoses she needs to succeed, and is on track to graduate in the class of 2028. I’m so proud of her.
THE FELINES
Todd – With Carrie, one of the twin tabby feral garbage babies I rescued at 4 weeks old in 2021, after they were dragged out of an HVAC unit in Ft. Worth. Todd is the Dude of Cats, chill most of the time, happy to be around people, and extremely demanding about attention. He is extremely conversational, especially if he thinks it’s time to pet Todd. “The Bean”
Carrie – With Todd, the other brown marble tabby. Carrie is my trauma baby, having never fully gotten over her rescue as a kitten. She’s still spooky, but has discovered Love. Which means I am her person, and she needs to be Safe (TM) in order to get love. Safety is only found when I am laying on the bed, or when I am sitting in my chair in the bathroom. Especially on the bed, double especially if I am under the Magic Kitten Blanket (which is Extra Safe). She will follow me around the house yelling until I go upstairs and lay down so she can get Safe Pets. “Spook/Spoop/Spooky”
(Yes, Todd and Carrie together are Spooky and the Bean, and that does scan to Pinky and the Brain)
Aster Daisy Thunderpaws – A seal mitted tortie ragdoll, Aster was supposed to be my ESA, but cats don’t always listen to how you think they should act, especially not torties. We got her in 2023, and she has been gallumphing around my house ever since. She earned Thunderpaws naturally, as she is clumsy and loud when she runs around. Giganto Fluff. Very Beautiful. Very dumb. Extremely particular. Chose HRH as her person, sleeps in his bed with him, ignores everyone else. (Unless I’m sitting on the toilet, in which case it is belly rubs time). “Fluff. Fluffernutter. Fluffalump.”
Erik T Fluffinstuff – the baby of the house. A red mitted ragdoll, Erik was an impulse buy after I saw his kitten photo. He joined us in 2025, and is the most lovable, playful, snuggly, adorable, squeaky baby. FINALLY A CAT WHO LOVES ME. Erik has devoted his life to the commitment of crimes, and is the rare orange cat who is a criminal mastermind – though occasionally he does seem to lose track of the braincells. Chose Husbot as his favorite person, but I am definitely a close second. Expanding into his fluff, as he’s still definitely a kitten. “Smalls. Squeaks. Small Fluff. Lil’ Bits.”
