There are three separate pieces of Horde Friday business today, so let’s start with the shiny book!
Giveaway Winner
The winner of the Innkeeper Chronicles Volume 1 collected edition from Subterranean Press is: Virginia Franco!
Congratulations, Virginia! I will contact you from the modr@ilona-andrews.com email address to make arrangements. Please check your spam folder if you see this but have not received the email. If we don’t hear back by Thursday, July 16, a new winner will be drawn next Friday.
Thank you to everyone who entered. If you did not win this time, do not despair: the blog will host more giveaways this summer! And if you had your eye on this particular prize, you can also download Clean Sweep, Innkeeper Chronicles #1, completely free from the Ilona Andrews Store.
Columbus Book Festival This Weekend
House Andrews are featured authors at the Columbus Book Festival in Ohio tomorrow, Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12.
None of the House Andrews events require tickets, yay!
Schedule
Today’s schedule for Columbus Book Festival:
BOOK SIGNING
Steamy Lit Bookstore Booth
11-11:50 AM
Location: Booth #31
PANEL
Spirits, Spells & Swoons: Romantasy. Location: Stage 2, Topiary Park
1:00 PM
Panelists: Shalini Abeysekara, Jeaniene Frost, Kris Hickey (M), Ilona Andrews
BOOK SIGNING
2:00 PM
Reading Room, Main Library, 2nd Floor
See you there.
PS. For those of you who are waiting in customer service response, we will jump on it on Monday.
- Sunday, July 12 at 10:30 AM Speed Matching | Room 2A
During Speed Matching, readers meet authors in small groups for quick five-minute rounds, receiving a personal introduction to each book before the authors rotate to the next table.
- Sunday, July 12 at 3:00 PM God Complex: World-Building | Stage 2
Returning to Stage 2 for a conversation with John Chu, author of The Subtle Art of Folding Space, and K.X. Song, author of The Dragon Wakes with Thunder.
And, because this has become the most frequently asked question:
Yes, House Andrews will be signing books on both days
Ilona and Gordon will sign for one hour after each of their scheduled appearances. That means there will be a signing before and after Saturday’s panel and signings after both Sunday sessions.
House Andrews will also bring a few of the trial vellums, stickers, and a small quantity of presigned bookplates. These will be available first come, first served while supplies last.
The festival’s signing guidelines are:
- You must have a book to enter the signing line.
- You may bring a book from home or purchase one from the Official Festival Bookstore, which will be supporting local independent booksellers.
- There is a limit of two items per author.
- Posed photographs may be allowed in front of the signing table if time permits.
- Each signing lasts for up to one hour.
Festival Info & FAQ
For any questions and last-minute updates, the festival website and FAQ should be your first stop:
The main website is here.
The FAQ for the festival is here, part of a very well-organised and informative Event Information menu, with visitor information regarding full author lineup, schedule, parking information, accessibility guidance, and tickets.
House Andrews are guests of the festival. The authors themselves, the Ilona Andrews blog, me as the moderator, or the Ilona Andrews Facebook fan group do not organize the event and cannot override its policies, schedule or provide authoritative answers about festival logistics or the book stock of invited retailers. Thank you for your understanding.
For everyone attending: have a wonderful time, please be kind to the festival staff, volunteers, and the authors, and please send us pictures! The rest of the Horde would love to experience the weekend vicariously.
Achievement Victory Lap
Finally, the lovely Heather wrote in with a request after Ilona’s very concise announcement that the initial draft of Maggie 2 had been finished:
“Any chance we can get a celebratory thread for Maggie 2 being finished so we can give House IA all the praise and hopes?
Maybe… a thread where the BDH can post all their hardest efforts at getting something hard done?”
That seems like excellent Friday energy, thank you Heather!
There has also been a sneaky update on the Release Schedule page that did not create nearly the waves I expected.
Second half of 2027! Habemus release period for Maggie 2 – The Redactening.
So this is the BDH celebratory thread – tell us about something difficult you have recently finished, or survived, completed, submitted, repaired, organized, endured, or finally crossed off a very long list.
All victories count here!
Thanks! Amazing.
Holy cow, did I just score first?!
Certified Friday first 🙂
My husband and I recently welcomed our first child, and we’ve been navigating the newborn trenches. 😵💫
For the last three weeks, I’ve been replaying the TKWNKM audio book to get through cluster feeding and the 1am-5am slump.
One cluster-feeding week successfully completed and another has just begun!
Congratulations for finishing Book 2!!! 🥳🎉🎊 It must have been very strenuous but also very exciting work for you!!! I can’t wait to read it!!! 😍😍😍 (Secretly I’m hoping for more excerpts until the time comes 😉😏🤭)
As for me, I recently obtained my piano certificate after about 15 years of playing the piano, studying music theory and other difficult musical theoretical lessons and after what was probably the longest, most difficult and most stressful exam preparation period in my entire life!!! I’m really proud of this achievement especially after all the work I’ve put through and I’m also quite relieved that it’s finally over! Not playing the piano at all seems weird though so maybe I’ll start playing again after a while…
I’ll be there Saturday!
Am I first?
Congratulations! Very excited for Maggie 2!
Yaay!! Congrats House Andrews !! I finished an exam to become a civil servant in my country! Let’s hope I get in 🤞🤞🤞🤞
Love this! Congratulations!
Congrats! Can’t wait for Maggie 2! The first one was awesome, like finish and read again awesome!
I’ve recently helped my mom walk after her stroke a month ago! She’s also speaking more, which feels like a huge win!
Amazing achievement from you and your Mom!!
Congrats! WOOOOOOOO Maggie 2 this year! I’ve gotten my Divemaster certification and started working on scuba diving charter boats on the weekends.
Congratulations!
2027 is next year tho, but I totally get the spirit 😀
Oh no! I got super excited and now I have to w*it! Everyone, wish us all p*tience!
Good for you!!! You’ll be so busy checking out coral reefs, pretty fish and saving clients the year will fly by!!!!!!!
Congratulations on finishing Maggie 2! So excited to read it next year 😊
Very sneaky indeed, updating the release schedule! Truthfully, I just wait for the blog announcement. So excited that we have an estimated window for Maggie2!!
My difficulty has been ongoing for the last 2 1/2 years, starting when my mom moved into assisted living with Alzheimer’s as I am her only person she relies on. I’ve learned to be better at taking care of myself and my own medical issues and accepting that I can’t make things better for her.
caring for our aging parents is tough enough, but when you add any kind of dementia diagnosis it rapidly becomes more difficult. I’m glad you are making a priority to take care of yourself. We really can’t care properly for others if we haven’t cared for ourselves, burnout is real. Sending a fellow BDH member gentle hug to you!
Sending you a big BDH member hug. Caring for ailing parents is so hard, especially when you slowly lose them during the process. We see you.
I’m the only person for my mom too and moved her into memory care a year and a half ago. I keep thinking there’s more I should be doing, but it all just sucks. Hugs and hang in there.
Been there. It’s ok to let the staff help her (and you). A memory care unit will keep her safe 24-7 in ways no single person can. Make space in your life for what u want and need. Everyone deserves that, and that includes u. ((Hugs))
Congratulations! 👏👏👏👏🎊🎉
It took me months to remove 30 rows of 70cm of difficult acrylic thread on my crochet poncho because of a motif I accidently skipped. But I finished, and can continue my poncho normally again 😊
oh wow, that is some dedication!
I feel the pain of seeing the mistake well into a project or worse at the end. congratulations on fixing it.
Congrats on finishing Maggie 2! I’m beyond excited to read it!
Recently, I had surgery and finally saw positive test results for an ailment I’ve been dealing with for about a year and a half. So happy to be feeling better again!
Glad that you are feeling better. Hope recovery road only gets better!!!
Does being in the 1st 10s count? lol
Congratulations again on finishing Maggie 2…. Now to p*tiently w*it for second half of 2027 (could be anywhere from July to December but who’s counting months?!)
It’s not over yet, but successful breast surgery against cancer… Treatment next, but I am celebrating every small victories, including first kid HS graduation!
Much love to HA, Mod R and the Horde
Same boat, I’ll help you row😁 start mine next week.
Girl let’s row! We got this 💪🏽
Did that. It’s been 8 years ago! Give everything a year before the process is finished, and be patient with your limitations.
Congratulations on Maggie 2 being done! Whoo-hoo! 🎇🎊👏👏👏👏👏👏💃💃
Second half of 2027? My guess is anywhere from June to December. I realize Tor is the one who dictates when the book comes out. However, the Horde is going to do what the Horde is going to do, and that’s speculate on the timing. 😉😁
I decided to not renew my lease on the apartment I’m living in right now. So, last month I made an appointment with a home builder in Fort Worth not really expecting anything to come out of it. About 2 and half hours later, I was in the process of buying a house! Almost a month later (yes, it went that fast), I’m about to get final approval on a mortgage, closing costs are going to be paid (hopefully) by the home builder, and from what I understand, closing is sometime Tuesday. My lease isn’t up until October, but I can start moving things into the new place as soon as I get the keys. 🎊🎇🎆🏠
Yaaaaay! Big move! Congratulations!
🏠🗝️🎉
Update to the new house. I almost backed out of getting the house due to my finances. However, my lender and I persevered and compromises were done. So, the house buying process is still going with the closing a little later than what I wrote above.
So excited for more Maggie!! I managed to get the tattoos that I wanted to honor those special people that I’ve lost in the last few years. Plus I can finally think about, talk about, and dream about my Mom again after losing her.
Sending big hugs. Lost my mother recently, too.
Yea!! We have an ballpark date! So I’m starting my own countdown to 6/1/27. 🙂 Will happily modify as we get closer and more official.
Recently just finished emergency restoration and mold removal from a leak in our kitchen. Ugh. But it gave me the chance to clean out a bunch of drawers!
Congratulations on finishing Maggie2!
I my achievement for 2026 is getting 95% done of a quilt for my sons wedding next year.
If curious it’s alchemist crystals by Quiltworx, it gorgeous and huge!
Very beautiful, but all those little pieces!!!!!!!!
I don’t want to know how many pieces because it’s a lot! Now I need to put on a king border.
Lots of good luck being sent your way with that border.
Wow, gorgeous pattern. that is awesome, Diane! What an amazing accomplishment when you finish. Take lots of pictures. I should have started a journal with stories and pictures of all my crafts over time. I’ve forgotten how many, but sometimes I get pictures of grandchildren using the “quilts” I knitted for their parents. That’s fun.
Yippee!!
This felt (through our rosy, outside view) like a much more stressful write than others. Hugs and congratulations on finishing M2! Now, to pack for the festival- which will be relaxing I’m sure 🙃
——-
Achievements: After losing my mom last year, I’m trying to make time to visit my dad (5 hrs away), in-laws (7 hrs), and assorted sibs (between 4-11). As well as our adult children (11 hrs approx). Losing her and reading “Being Mortal “ helped me truly realize how few visits I may have with them. My success is stymied by my inability to drive far (medical) But, this year has so far been more successful in prioritizing visiting! So, that counts as a win!
On a less morbid note, we also have only so much time left to read! (Patiently waiting…)
Are there train lines running between you and your loved ones? Might be worth checking out.
Good luck! I’m in a similar boat, with my kids two flights away and rising airfares.
Congratulations to the winner!
I hope everyone has fun at the festival!
I made the decision a few months ago to start working out again. Walking and Yoga with weights, simple but doable. Ive been struggling to get a full 5 days in because life, kids, work, parents etc. I shoot for 5 days but get 3 mostly, on a great week 4 days.
This morning before work I got in the elusive day 5!
I know its a small win, not sure if I’ll get 5days in next week, but I was so excited to reach that milestone this morning!
Yay for you!! I need to get organized about that too. 5 days is HUGE!!
Good for you! Small wins add up!
Holy Cow 2md half of next year??? We the Horde are spoiled!! I was definitely expecting a 2028 release.
As for something I am surviving or enduring, I am fighting the dreaded squash and cucumber bugs that are trying to decimate my amazing vegetable garden. The struggle is real.
I am in a medieval reenactment Society many know of as the SCA. We are two weeks away from our biggest event Pennsic War in Pennsylvania.
I have sewn 5 short-sleeved medieval gowns for myself, and just finished a commission of 6 men’s Saxon tunics. All of them have fancy necklines with metallic trim and/or braid. While much of the work was done by machine, the finishing touches were by hand.
I am feeling Very Accomplished right now. 😀
I’m getting Clover vibes after reading your post, Kathy. 😊
Finally got myself referred to a therapist. I’ve known for two decades that I should probably go to therapy and deal with various mental health issues, and I finally did it.
Small win with hopefully a big positive impact.
Tanja
Taking care of yourself is a big win.
Huge win! Starting a hard, but rewarding journey is a BIG deal! Huzzah!!
Gratz! Taking that first step is so hard for many ppl. When starting a different but still difficult process, I was told to remember that even the times when u go backwards are still necessary steps along the path u travel. Just take a deep breath and work on the next step. Just know that the BDH has your back and u are not alone. (Hugs)
Congrats on Maggie 2!! Looking forward to it!
I was diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome. I’ve revamped my diet, started exercising, and lost 12 lbs!
Good for you!! Keep on winning!!!!!!!!
My husband Tom has come out the other side of Breast Cancer. He is doing well and we are now going just every six months for checkups! Our oldest son Tom, was diagnosed with Stage 4 stomach cancer, he was told to get his affairs in order. He was put on Immunotherapy and it has retreated to just a couple of cells! He is done with chemo and is now just getting the Immunotherapy once a month. A HUGE win!! So two things my family is celebrating!
What wonderful news!! Modern medicine is AMAZING!!!
Congratulations on finishing Maggie 2. I’ve not been having a great time lately so not much to report but I’m seeing lot’s of consultants and taking medications so that’s something especially when I’ve been feeling like doing nothing.
Woo hoo! Break out the celebratory beverages! The confetti! The happy dance! The dance of joy!
Break out the ferrets! . . . wait no . . . maybe not the ferrets.
Hardest thing? Complicated work thing. It’s a bang-your-head, pull-out-your hair, eat ALL the chocolate, complicated. But also job security complicated. 🙂
But we are the BDH! We persevere! If we can w@it, we can do ANTHING! — including things we probably shouldn’t . . . (file under “Steve Shenanigans”). Yay us!
I think we may have missed the “release schedule” goodness because we are all too busy obsessing about merch . . . vellum, stickers, and will that cool design be on mug/tee/tote/random other thing.
Ahhh!!!! This excites me so much! I read This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me to my 10 year old (I edited some of the more gruesome bits as I read) and she’s as excited as me!
I am currently surviving a massive influx of summer registrations for the school I work at. I feel you on the eye twitch.
I finally (after 8 years, many ups and downs, and much trial and error) got my first college degree!
Starting work on the next one in the fall! 🙂
Woot!!! Congratulations on finishing a non-traditional route!
Woo-hoo, Faith! Congratulations!
I totally understand the trial and error process when it comes to finding out what to get your degree in. I did that a lot throughout my college education (bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate; though the doctorate degree was mainly which concentration if the one I wanted to do wasn’t going to work out).
As my mom told me long ago when I started back on my college journey, “better late than never”. 🙂
Congratulations House Andrews on finishing Maggie, we’re all SO pleased to hear it and unspeakably excited about the page count 🤤
I am in 3 job application processes, one of which sent a rejection today after interview last week. So I guess that’s good because after so many “nos” there will be a “yes”, right? … Right???
I feel you on the job search. I’ve been there several times. Remember to keep up with your self-care as you search. Don’t let the search take over your life. Hugs!!!
Thank you!!! I really appreciate your care 🙂
Even getting in process for those 3 applications is a big win! Just went through these same ups and downs myself last fall and wanted to give up sometimes, but ended up with an incredible job offer I wouldn’t have had if I didn’t persevere! You’ve got this, there’s a ‘yes’ waiting for you out there!
Thank you so much for your kind words!
Congratulations and well done yourself for the perseverance to keep at it! It’s good to hear messages from the other side of it 🙂
Yesterday I managed to successfully change a flat tire by myself in the heat that occurred on a steep winding road in a place without cell service after working a 10 hour day. Then using the spare tire I successfully drove the two more hours to get home. For me this is a great victory.
That is truly a feat of strength!!! I’m a big fan of Triple A, myself.
My Victory lap will begin in 53 days. I may have to put another * in wa*t and pa*tience, because the wedding at the Castle will most likely not be presented before TKWNKM # 2 is published in 2027. Oh, my Victory lap: The first day into the beginning of my tenth generation.
Don’t lap too hard, you’ve already come a long way. Congratz!!
Woohoo!! Excited to have a release date for Maggie 2 and congratulations on finishing it!!! Now for the w*it
I had a difficult conversation in my professional life and it went really well. I got really good advice on how to frame it from my good friend (and past-job work wife), and I really thought about it and practiced. And I am proud of myself for coming from a place of calm and peace vs frustration and defensiveness.
My accomplishment has to be traveling with my grandmother. She is ninety, has dementia and mobility issues, and while I do not have kids, I imagine it is a similar experience. I have to bribe her to wake up early, ensure she has snacks and takes her meds, lay out the day in small increments so she knows what to expect, and find creative solutions to juggle her wheel chair, her luggage, and myself.
Wow, that’s a journey. Hope all goes well.
I have Crohn’s disease, but have been very lucky throughout my life, not needing surgery, even though I am 47 and have had the disease since I was 18. Unfortunately, repeated flares in the same spot in my intestines did actually build up a lot of scar tissue, forming what are called strictures. They made it such that even though I completely restricted cruciferous vegetables from my diet (they stay mostly whole until they pass this part of the intestine that is most often affected by Crohn’s), I still had a couple of visits to the hospital a year for blockages.
Last year, a friend of mine passed away from post-surgical complications at a very young age. She was only 31, had completed her doctorate at Cornell, just gotten married and was a bright, intelligent, kind, beacon in an often dark world. I was gutted and suddenly rationally much more afraid of my own looming surgery.
Also last year, while helping my mom fight aggressive terminal lung cancer, I ended up in the hospital again. My doc said I really needed to get the surgery done, so I scheduled it for November of last year. Unfortunately, my mother received a three to six month terminal prognosis in October, so I cancelled that surgery to take care of her at home and help her through hospice in her (our) own home.
She passed away at the end of January this year. After some time for grief and recovery, (during which I read TKWNKM multiple times) I faced the inevitable and rescheduled my surgery for June. I was so scared and so sad to be missing my Mom during this time, as she also had Crohn’s disease, had experience multiple surgeries and really wanted to be present for my first one. I ended up back in the hospital for another blockage a week before the surgery and almost cancelled again.
But I didn’t cancel it. I went through with it. Despite my grief, my fear and the complications for my working life, I had surgery at the beginning of June and all in all it has gone remarkably well. I have had broccoli for the first time since my 23 year old son was 18 months old and it was so delicious! My doctors were so incredible and caring and competent and my family and friends were so supportive. Despite a difficult year, I am so incredibly lucky.
Thanks for the venue to pat myself on the back! Great idea, Heather.
And congratulations to House Andrews! I am so looking forward to diving back into Maggie’s world.
Good for you!! Best wishes for many salads in your future!!!
I have came back to university to study after completely failing the first time a decade ago, and I passed all my exams! It’s soooo validating to have evidence that I was not stupid during my first try, just utterly depressed and unable to process any information thrown at me, haha.
Glad you kept pushing!!!!!
Kinga, you are not alone. Went through the same thing you went through. After ignoring the outside world when I finally got my head on straight, going back to college worked. 🙂
*chanting chalantly* H.A.! H.A.! H.A.! Maggie! Maggie! Maggie!
Congrats and a huge thank you!!! I am living independently for the first time in 35 years. I was so scared and unsure, but I’m doing it!
Throughout a lot of HA books (especially in the Innkeeper series) characters assure each other the “It will be ok”, I took that to heart. HA and GA audiobooks on repeat helped tremendously. Y’all rock!
Good for you!! Persistence is more important than any other quality!!!
Congratulations on Maggie 2 House Andrews! What a fantastic achievement!
My difficult thing has been that my husband and I finally decided to sell the family home and downsize. There has been some tears, some joy, and a lot of decluttering. We know this is the right decision for us at the right time but change is always difficult. As is leaving the home we built from scratch and raised our family in. The new owners are a young family who will give it the love and liveliness it has been missing since the kids grew up and moved away.
I got my door painted. I live in a forest setting. My house is a slight dark sage green and window trim is purple. My door is a slightly different shade of purple. I am loving being my own Baba Yaga.
I bought my house—my first house— at 50, so I had a ton of decorating and gardening energy built up from decades of apartment living. I decided to paint the four doors in my hallway each a different color (purple, green, orange, blue) with animals (bat, owl, cat, otter) in white. It took me FAR longer than planned, but it is done. 🤩
Now I’ve started a dining room mural. 😭
I’ll be at the Columbus Book Fair if you want to see pictures of my victory.
Second half of 2027 is July 1st 2027? Right? Do you wish to discuss? 😁
+1 but we could make a concession and make it July 10th.. since it was announced todayish
My thought he s exactly! Can’t wait for July 1st, 2027! Barsa barsa barsa. No discussion needed.
Jumping up and down for Maggie “Redacted.” I can hardly w**t.
My accomplishment is that I moved from my cluttered home of 45 years into a calm and organized condo! I haven’t been shopping much, because I got rid of so many things.
OMG! I’m clearing, slowly, my house of 45 years too. Moving from Texas to Virginia so I can age closer to my son. So many books to go through. Good to hear a success story.
Maggie 2 was clearly a BEAST, and we so appreciate the all the love, sweat, and tears HA has put into it. Your hard work blesses all of us.
I’m raising a 3yo boy. I overcome exhaustion and am overcome with love every single day. He is my world!
Okay, I swear I’m w*ting p*tiently. But I just wanna know since I haven’t heard anything in a while… will there still be a companion book to Maggie 1? If I remember correctly, HA thought it could be released this summer, but I assume that with finishing Maggie 2, it’s been pushed back.
I have not filed taxes for 2023, 24 or 25. However, this week I grew up and took my papers to my tax guy. What happens happens.
Congratulations! That’s a huge win, I bet a great relief, and an investment in a future with fewer black clouds overhead! Adulting is not for sissies.
Wow, that is a huge burden to let go of! Congratulations! I am blessed to be so poor, that I no longer need to file taxes! That is one of two advantages of being an old ex-wife. Heehee. He married someone younger that our children! I’m Free!
in two weeks I will finish the fourth term of my doctorate program ☺️
Congratulations! Keep it up with the diligent doctoral work, it does pay off!
Took a 37 hours train ride in a heat wave. Over a day and a half in a Coach chair. And then I get to do it again in about three days time. Epic start for road trip for the summer. 25 days trip
Oh my, hadn’t noticed the sneaky update! Thanks for the lovely news, now we just wait for when Tor decides to release the title. Have fun, all who are at the Columbus book festival and many congrats to Virginia! Definitely envious.
Congrats on finishing Maggie2. A huge accomplishment! I am w*iting as p*tiently as I can!
I survived lung cancer surgery with a rare complication afterward that kept me in the hospital not eating for 3 weeks (nutrition through a vein). I feel lucky that I am healing from the complication and the surgery, with all the cancer gone. Now I just have to keep eating my extremely low fat high protein diet for the next 20 days, as well as walking every day to rebuild my lung capacity. I so appreciate eating again our wonderful summer fruits and vegetables.
Congratulations on healing and staying strong for yourself through a difficult journey! I actually love walks and vegetables, so those next steps don’t sound too bad 🙂 Keep it up!
Thanks Caitlin.
So true! The hardest part is over!
Started a new job as an elementary school principal. While the school is in great disarray. It was very hard work. But the first compliments from parents are coming in and that feels so good.
Thank you for making a difference!!!
I am so excited to read Maggie 2! I just earned my masters degree with a 4.0 GPA while working full time and mom-ing. We can do hard things!
Victory! I got new renters in my rental house, and they’ve signed the lease! this is actually so much work and I’m feeling very very accomplished!
Yay! Woot woot!
My favorite difficult thing, recently, has been (slowly) working back into doing pull-ups. Following a work injury, a car crash, and a baby, pull-ups were not accessible to me for a few years, but I did four on Wednesday! 💪
I have a five- building affordable housing project in Raleigh, for which I’m responsible for the interior design. I have “successfully delegated” three of the buildings and we recently presented to the housing authority who had few comments (here’s hoping it stays that way!)
I survived four days on the floor of my bathroom before my out-of-state brother called the police to check on me. Thanks to years of quiet nudges, I had everything, but food, I needed to survive. So, if you pass out in your bathroom and wakeup with your knees hurting because they landed on the hard tile, while the rest of you ends up upside down in the bathtub: DO PUT A PILLOW wrapped in plastic between the tub and the toilet in case it happens again. DO PUT YOUR MEDS that keep you alive on the bottom shelf of a reading bookshelf in the bathroom so you can reach them from the floor. Other nudges.
Just saying.
I wouldn’t wish that on anyone but the rescue and ambulance people told me it was their most common call now, to rescue people who live alone. But most people do it with their cellphone in hand. So four day survival was unusual for them.
I’m so glad you survived, that sounds extremely traumatic! Can you get one of those Medic Alert necklaces or bracelets that allows you to hit a button to summon help? You don’t know where a fall might happen- you aren’t going to have medicine stashed in all of the possible places. Not to mention food and water. If you can’t afford one, there are organizations that may be able to help cover the cost.
At the very least, get a small waist pack that your cell phone fits into, and wear it ALL the time. Get a portable battery pack to charge it while on you, so you are never without it. Your ID in another pocket would be a good idea.
You could also get a slightly bigger waist pack that would fit a couple days supply of your meds, too. Make sure to consume those meds and replace them regularly, as wearing them will keep them at a warmer temp than is ideal for longterm med storage.
And arrange staggered wellness calls from family, neighbors, church or hobby friends, etc so that you never go more than 1 day without a wellness check, and a friendly conversation.
I wish you the best! Horde Hugs to all who have done some very, very tough things.
I haven’t started yet, but last night I realized once and for all that some things in my life need to change, and I have to prod myself to prepare and begin.
Blessings and best wishes on whatever you are changing in your life, Kathy.
Thank you for all your suggestions! I bought a good cellphone and keep it with me always, now. (I had only had a landline). I tried to set up a phone tree at my church to reach out to each of our single members, but I couldn’t get the numbers. I had even volunteered to do all the calling! I would have enjoyed having real people to talk to. (I stay isolated due to compromised immunity.) My brother and I connect each day and I send my daughter my Wordle results daily.
Heehee: my most current nudges? “Set up an ER go-bag” (almost done) and “Get a life jacket.” Haven’t found a good one that isn’t sold out, yet. The fact that they sell out so often makes me think a life jacket by your exit might be a good purchase for every BDH member? I get these nudges years in advance, so don’t panic.
Blessings and love for you all!
I’m currently reading Maggie for 4th time = So good!!!
Recovered (mostly) from heart surgery. PT works wonders.
Finished a section of the Teresa Kogut Halloween sampler (it’s a big one).
Various little things, but they all add up.
Wishing you a speedy recovery! And yes, all hail PT practitioners!
Omg so excited for a tentative release date!! Congrats on finishing the manuscript! <3
But I am absolutely dying for more information about House Andrews’ visit to Australia!!! ModR, do you know when we may get more info about the Aussie tour? 😇 Just so I can make a budget and start saving for a plane ticket (hoping to convince my husband that it is my birthday present and Christmas present combined).
Thank you!! (It is unlikely that House Andrews would visit Darwin as part of the tour, we are too small, and in March the weather would not be ideal).
Not yet! As soon as details are official, they will be shared 🙂
What! House Andrews are coming down under?? Woot! Best news of the week!! ModR – please talk them into coming over west, cos West is Best 😁
Completely off topic, because neither Steve nor ferrets are involved, but night-dancing otters (on Facebook)! I hope I didn’t break any rules by posting this, but I thought the BDH deserved a little reward after all their hard work, and House Andrews, too.
<3
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18vkSC7nXs/
Bwhahahaha! These little guys r full of energy! Also hilarious! Thx Trailing Wife!
Hilarious! Thank you!
I think the hardest thing any of us have to do is w*it.
Thank you House Andrews for keeping us updated! (I once read a series where the last book took ten years to be published).
I was embarrassed to be on monjaro but when I finally ‘confessed’ to my children they said – well done 🥲my A1C went from 6.5 to 5.8 🎉
That’s fantastic! I too am on Mounjaro. I’ve been on a lot of different meds for metabolic disease, and I was pretty decent about watching my food intake. My A1C kept slowly creeping up, until the visit where my doctor didn’t even look at my labs. I read them on the way home, immediately called and demanded a 2nd visit. My A1C was 10.1. My doc put me on Mounjaro, and 3 months later it was down to 7.3. Currently at 6.9. I learned the hard way that I have to be my own advocate, and not just let it ride. The only missing component on my journey is physical exercise, and I will be joining a gym after August- have an appointment to to gauge my fitness for fitness, lol. Best of luck on your journey!
So many amazing accomplishments being shared! Well done to each of you.
I’ve been in project my management for over 20 years and get to see a lot of cool processes, products, and company changes cons to life. I also manage a small team of women and they were all pregnant over the past year. I had two on maternity leave at the same time for almost four weeks and the work demand was heavy! Now I only have one on leave and feel I can plan in a bit of summer enjoyment ☀️🏖️😎
argh typos!!! 😔 sorry
Wooo!! congratulations! Hope you get a chance to replace for a little bit and recover your poor brains and fingers!
We got to take our little foster baby home from the hospital a couple of weeks ago and we’re all still alive! He’s pretty medically complex and it’s been a rude shock to go from parenting 2 primary aged kids to a newborn but we’re making it through! I’ve reread almost all of Kate Daniels and I’m now onto a re-listen of Inheritance 😆 I wonder if I can manage the entire catalogue between midnight feeds and hospital waiting rooms? 😆
Gratz to HA for finishing Maggie2! I noticed y’all (wisely) did not tell the BDH until we could believe it would b less than a year to w*it. More than a year=forrrrrevvvveerrrrrrr… Our general level of excitement over the hugeness of Maggie2 is prob best expressed by watching the night otter video posted by Trailing Wife.
Recent accomplishment. Hmmm. (Quick reread of the Inheritance) My husband had surgery almost 2 weeks ago, and thankfully is doing very well. But, I’m feeling run ragged because he has serious limitations and can’t do any of the many things he normally does around here. So I’m doing it all for both of us, which is challenging due to my medical adventures. And exhausting.
I had time to plan ahead and stocked up on everything I could so it’s going ok so far. And he’s back to work and now able to wander into the grocery store and pick up a few things(if they aren’t down low or collectively over 10 lbs). Anyway, we’ve survived the first week and a half, so only another 2.5 months to go. But he’s allowed to drive now which is huge. Anyway, I’m pretty much rereading HA in my rest time. Not the biggest problems, but I’m glad to have gotten thru the worst bit. (He’s a big Maggie fan and has already read it a second time, so good progress in adding him to our Horde!)
We moved into our new house January 2023 and I just finally finished getting rid of all the boxes inside [we don’t talk about the storage unit], put up art, and reorganized ALL the cabinets and closets. With illness and the fact that we run our own business that only gets 3 days off a year, I plead exhaustion as my reason for it taking over 3 years!! But damn, does it feel good to walk in the door now instead of whistling in the wind as I avert my eyes.
I just realized that we moved in January **2024**, so it only took me a 2.5 years. LOL, that is still excessively long.
I think it maybe didn’t cause waves because on a phone the website loads in reader view and that part of the page is hidden. How exciting we have a rough timescale and a title format. This Duke will not Marry me?
Giant congrats on finishing Maggie 2! I have been so busy at work I wrote the date as 2027 a couple times last week. I wish it meant we would get it sooner. I need all the good stories to try and help my brain take a break from my to do lists that never end. So far this month, I submitted my part of a Schematic Design on a 1,000,000 sf project. Endured 100+ degrees for the whole holiday weekend. Scheduled a skin appointment. Survived my dental cleaning. Teeth are good but the evaluation for the cheek pain and bite changes since 2023 are still TBD. Oral Dr appointment making has been unsuccessful so far. I submitted a building for permit. Survived the heat, humidity and thunderstorm to attend the company summer party outside at the restaurant where I can eat almost none of the food. Submitted the area footprints for 6 other buildings and got client okay on them. Finally requested my real name instead of my nickname on the very important paperwork I need to sign – still pending. Endured contact with my estranged family members, the lack of support is hard. And I am working on giving my self grace about getting to all the things my personal to do list like the other health issues that I still need to get rerechecked. The overwelm is real. Take care! Thanks for all you all do for your fans <3
Woohoo! 96 on my first test in modern Ivrit language class and learning the word from Ionescu להתקרנף, literally to become a rhino. Meaning to blindly follow the crowd, forgo morality in favor of fitting in. Rhinoceros is a play relevant for our time.
Congratulations!
Cool word!
Big win was cleaning out home of 90 year old grandmother when she was moved to nursing home. She went through the Depression, so she kept EVERYTHING. Was a 90 minute drive each way, and it took many trips to finish. Such a celebration when we finished. She lived until 101.
I am Sooooo excited about Maggie 2. I got to learn how to fix my scooter’s tire and brake disk. the brake disk was simple, but removing the tire to replace the inner tube was challenging.
Congratulations on Maggie 2: This [Butt Napkin] Will Not [Fail] Me!! So many words. All the words. Looking forward to seeing HA in Columbus today!
My recent difficult thing was resigning from my job last Tuesday without another job setup. I’m sad to leave because I really liked the job until seven-ish months ago, but it’s time to go. It can be hard to let go of the things we care about when they no longer work for us.
my hard thing is that I recently underwent open heart surgery to repair a congenital heart defect that was discovered last year (I’m 35). it was hard and scary at times, but I’m feeling so much better now and I’m happy to have it in my back window!
Congratulations on Maggie 2! Such a huge accomplishment!
After a long illness, we took a year to have fun. Now I am walking 2 miles in the morning and have started going through the house, cleaning and organizing closets, and determining what is really important to us. I look at our clean family room and enjoy the order.
First and most importantly: HUGE congrats to HA on finishing Maggie 2 and getting a release date target (sqeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!)The BDH salutes you! 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕
Second and also very important and heartfelt, a HUGE thank you to Mod R for always keeping the BDH informed, entertained, consoled, and as under control as we can be! 😁
My ‘thing’ is two-fold:
Part 1: My daughter really struggled at college during the pandemic and resulting depression, etc. She moved back home in the middle of it all, and I did whatever I could to help her through it (hugs, advice, good home cooking, many MANY more hugs, etc.) The last few years have been hard, but she recently graduated with her Associates degree and is enrolled at a 4-year school to continue her work towards a Bachelors degree next month! I am so proud of her! 💕💕💕
Part 2: I also dropped out of college when I was her age and I never went back. I did get a certificate in computer programming from a trade school and went on to have a long and very successful career, but I’ve always regretted not getting a degree. (There were so many fascinating things unrelated to IT that I wanted to study.)
Well, I saw what a great experience my daughter had while working for her Associates from, so at the age of 67 I enrolled! I’m starting full-time on my Associates in September, and I can’t wa*t! It’s never too late. 🥰
Good for you. Just a thought no education is wasted. Think about Maggie she never finished her degree either and she’s going to own her world. But if you want it go for it.
Yay, Kat in NJ! It’s never to late to go back to school. 📚😁
Congratulations to the Authorlordala on finishing Book 2!
And thank you Mod R for the reminder and link to the POVs. They were a delightful add to my morning coffee.
I will have to update Sunday evening about my difficult task.
I work for a government agency. Due the current administration and their employment methods, I am having to completely update all hiring profiles and resumes. I am in my sixties and had really hoped not to have to apply for a job before I retire. I haven’t updated anything since I was hired seven years ago. Probably short sited of me, but there you go. In that seven years, resume styles have changed, as they do, and AI is not allowed to be used. (But you know darn good and well they will use AI to review them!)
Wish me luck BDH!
ALL THE LUCK!!
I lost my part time job due to disability a few years ago. I looked into SS Disability, and I qualify, but in this administration it seems futile to try for a couple hundred bucks a month. I am overwhelmed by the idea of trying to find a work from home or a non physical job. Updating my resume – I really feel you.
Congratulations!!! Being done has to feel so good. I hope House Andrews took some time to rest and recover from all that hard work.
I recently went back to school to become a paralegal (it’s required in my state). 24 units in 13 weeks. I’m going on week 8.
Just staying focused until I start the hell of applying for jobs.
Yay-Congrats on Maggie 2!
I’ve recently gone through a week and a half or horrible production issues at my work…late nights-long working sessions trying to find the root of the issues. We believe we have solved it so we are partially celebrating. Which is why I’m so in need of some excerpts from all the late nights and stress 🤪 please be generous with the excerpts ❤️
I have just now found “No Hero’s”
I s this the sneaky update?
I can’t believe I missed both “no hero’s” and “Regina”
I love BOTH of these worlds
Thank you
No, No Heoroes has been on the website for years 🙂.
Please check the Free Fiction page for all available extras https://ilona-andrews.com/free-fiction/
Yes — Maggie 2 title is found by ModR: “This Redactening Will Not Erase Me” 😉 jk
where is Hugh on either the list of released books or upcoming schedule. love Hugh
I’m so glad you like Hugh!
His sequel date is not yet officially scheduled for release.
I got offered a teaching job yesterday! There’s not a teacher shortage where I live so competition for jobs has been fierce. I’ll be teaching biology and botany 🙂 Nervous and excited!
Congrats and good luck Jordan! While I work as an informal educator now, my original training and job was high school biology teacher. My favorite subject to teach! I hope your first year goes well and is the start of a long and fulfilling career for you
Can’t wait to read the next book! May you have an excellent weekend.
We have been moving for the last three months. We are nearly done.
Have fun in Columbus and congrats on finishing the draft of The Redacting House Andrews!
Thank you also to Heather for suggesting this thread! I’m enjoying reading the other achievements. I just got back from bringing my mom and her dog up to Alaska (where I live) from NM. She’s recovering from knee surgery and normally would be here already for the summer but had to delay for her surgery. We had some trials during the travels but made it here yesterday! We are both glad to be back.
Congratulations HA!! And Congrats to every one of us because we can do hard things.
I finally finished a difficult sewing project – converting a pair of men’s wool army pants into a pair of boy’s pants, using as many of the details of the men’s pants as possible. It was much more difficult than I thought it would be going in and of course I made my own pattern and added cargo pockets. They turned out very sharp and will be hard wearing for years, even after he has outgrown them.
After 3 years more than 100 lesson and 6 exams I got my drivers licence. Never had to persevere so long or have been so proud of myself 😉
Mod R do you think Dina would e er do a Fri-Inn Day with Maggie and friends? Imagine Clover talking shop with Orro. I was reading the free fiction and had the thought.
“This REDACTED will not REDACTED me” is a wonderful title.
Congratulations to HA on finishing Maggie 2, and it is wonderful to read about all these BDH accomplishments large and small! I am persevering through breast cancer treatment (a second diagnosis after successful treatment in 2023 on the other side). Anxiously awaiting pathology results from the latest surgery but trying to keep a positive mindset. I’ve been re-reading the HA catalog and it has provided much comfort.
After a recent eye exam, while holding my BDH tote bag, with Andrews book in it to read while I waited, my dr. asked about what the bag meant. I explained the horde and all the Andrew books, wrote down Ilona’s name, web site and suggested she start with The Innkeeper series. Yay – another convert!
Celebrations!! Hard tasks accomplished/in progress: Climbing a mountain of medical tasks for ivf stuff. (Stressful and rewarding at the same time) 🎉🦖🎉
Working full-time and finishing my PhD dissertation. Use the “don’t break the chain“ method from Jerry Seinfeld and worked on it relentlessly in small chunks every day … and graduated on time.