Sometimes summers last forever. This summer felt like it, a long marathon of hot days filled with work. We had gone to Florida on a short vacation what feels like a lifetime ago. So much happened. And so much of it has been, well, weird.
We sold Maggie and worked on the edits. Still working. The deadline is looming and we need to really knuckle down in these next 10 days. It’s weird that this book sold. It is even stranger that it’s so long and just keeps going.
We ran Sanctuary as a serial and released it into the world. It is strange that a book stuffed with Slavic mythology did so well. Slavic mythology is not well known and was long considered to be a barrier to readership.
We opened the store. ::slaps hand over the eye twitch:: Happy to report that we have cleared all of the refunds. There is only one order not in production and that’s because we are waiting on the customer’s response. While I tend to concentrate on refunds, my daughter reminded me that almost 2,000 orders have been filled without issues.
We bought a house. Never thought I would write that again. For personal, urgent, and deeply valid reasons, Kid 2 needed to relocate. We started the process of looking for the house on June 22nd and closed on the day Sanctuary came out. The new place is now painted, the floors upstairs are replaced and she is ready to move in.
Kid 2 almost fell prey to a moving scam. Certain things about the interaction with the movers she hired didn’t seem right, and when she called them to tell them that she would need to move the relocation date, the response was, “No problem.” Kid 2 has moved before. This set off all of the alarm bells, and so she did a deeper dive.
If you haven’t moved recently, changing the date is always a problem. The movers are booked in advance, and the availability of their trucks is limited.
I woke up to a text that said, “I think my movers might be wanted by the FBI.” Turns out they might be. They take people’s possessions and hold them for ransom until the customer pays exorbitant fees to get them back. If they don’t pay, the possessions are never returned. One woman lost 30 years worth of mementos of life with her now deceased husband. She was very grateful she brought his ashes with her rather than trust him to the movers. These people have no conscience. When the government shuts them down, they reopen under a different LLC.
There is a Facebook group dedicated to knocking them down. She forwarded the admin all of her details for his law enforcement file and called to cancel. When she’d made the original phone call, she went over everything in detail, with a list of the furniture, etc. and when she called about the cancellation, the response was, “So it’s just one room, right?” She told them that no, it was not right, that it was a 3 bedroom house and she had gone over the furniture list with the representative twice. “Oh, our software is old.” Sure, it is. You, by no means, planned to show up with a truck that was two sizes too small and then demand more money. Assholes.
Now the old house needs to be repainted and inspected before it can go on the market. We are going to take a beating, but it can’t be helped. At least the repairs will be cosmetic.
In the middle of all of this, baby kitten Noctis decided to have an intestinal blockage. Kid 1 had rescued Noctis. Well, Noctis kind of rescued himself. She stopped at a Dollar General – she wasn’t even suppose to make that stop – in the middle of a storm, and a hungry, rain-drenched black kitten crawled into her car. Noctis has since decided he is the king of everything, but he somehow ate something he wasn’t supposed to. I don’t know how, her house is pristine.
I woke up to a phone call. “Mom, my kitten is throwing up blood.”
“Vet. Take him now.”
“Already in the car.”
Our vet thought there was a linear GI obstruction, meaning the kitten had eaten a string and it got stuck. Baby Noctis, his X ray, and bloodwork went to Veterinary Emergency Group for surgery… And they decided not to do it. They took some ultrasound scans, and decided the blockage was partial and will resolve on its own. He spent two days under observation and is now home.
As Kid 1 was getting through the store customer service and being very worried about Noctis, she had a rough 3 days. Finally, once Noctis was home, she decided to take a long relaxing shower. When she emerged, she found one of her collectible dolls on the island, surrounded by other small dolls with a piece of paper on top of it.
Her sister had stopped by to retrieve her shoes. Just another moment of weirdness.
And then there was Covid. So we are up on our feet and moving around. Neither of us is running a temperature anymore and we are trying to do things, but we get so tired. I can’t even describe the fatigue. I carry on until about 2:00-3:00 pm in the afternoon and then I’m just done. Like standing is difficult kind of done. If I try to push through it, I get dizzy.
I am too tired to sit in a chair to play computer games. I am too tired to knit. Like what…
The Dragoncon is looming and the preparations for it need to be done. I was working on the postcards for Jeaniene Frost and us. I knocked hers out super fast. Since she sent all of the files and it was just the matter of putting them together. And then I got stuck on ours. Apparently, I really suck at book collages. After many attempts and working late into the evening, I finally put a version together and sent it to her.
Me: Maybe this one?
Phone rings.
Me: It’s the collage, isn’t it?
She: No, the collage is fine. Don’t take this the wrong way, but…
Me: Yes?
She: The way the QR code is sitting, it looks like a sinister turkey…
I laughed for like 5 minutes.
New postcard, a lot less turkey like.
Now I need to get somewhere with the totebags. We are doing a totebag giveaway with the purchase of our books. Need to finalize the design and put the order in.
We will do another schedule post tomorrow, since the first one didn’t get sent through the newsletter. We need to go back to Mailchimp, I think. Oy.
Well, onward and upward. Back to the editing I go.
I almost think your life could be a story! Kitten, evil turkey, evil movers. Sorry about the Covid, it was my experience, the fatigue. Good luck with the edits
Sinister turkey comment was correct. lol
EVERYTIME your kids adopt a cat I want another one. I have a two year old calico (rescue). Stop showing cute kitten videos! Tuna included!
I needed the laugh… Between the sacrafice and sinister turkey you made my day😻..
Hope the baby is better, love all you do
Please don’t try to push through. Rest and tea and vitamins! I’m glad you’ve raised savvy children. I’m glad the kitten didn’t need surgery. I was delighted with Sanctuary and can’t wait for Maggie. And now I’m wondering if a turkey will,appear in a future story!
Thank you for sharing your gift with us, Ilona!
I truly hope you love your craft and it makes your soul sing because the books and these blog posts (about just life in general) are just so real – like we are all just hanging out in a coffee shop (that serves tea as well) – having a conversation over a cuppa…..
Please take care of you!
I didn’t even realize it was sanctuary. Totally saw a turkey! 🤣🤣
I’m so glad you’re all recovering. As others have said, and as I also know, listen to your body – it knows when you need to knock it off and rest.🤗
Thank you for the PSA – I had no idea about the moving scam.
I’ll be seeing that sinister turkey every time I re-read Sanctuary. 😂
Completely Off Topic
Reading a book today, good sexy scene… “say my name”
UNMOANABLE NAME RUINS SCENE.
I won’t say what name, but no, Not moan-worthy.
at least I got a laugh from thinking about HA moan criteria.
oh also, thought you planned the turkey, didn’t really understand why. lol
ROFLMAO! 😂 I can’t stop laughing about the “SINISTER turkey”.
You all don’t live life halfway, do you? I get exhausted just reading about it. I can’t imagine pushing through it, especially with COVID. Take it easy!!!! You need time to heal.
Noctis is delightful and a very lucky kitty.
As for the Gordon household, please rest when you need to. My husband once ended up in the emergency room. He tripped a fell while running with our large himbo of a dog. He was bleeding all over, but he got up. Why? Because he heard some Navy SEAL talking about how people only use a small percentage of their true physical resources. he got up, tried to start running again, and, he passed out. The paramedics came and I got there just as the dog was being sent to dog jail. Point is – you’re healing. Pushing too hard won’t help and might hurt
😂 😂 LOL 😂
It’s wise to rest whenever you need to. Everything I’ve read indicates that it is the best way to fully recover. I understand that it must be maddening when you want to finish your work.
My grandson was taken in by 2 rental scams back to back. I think young people are used to doing things online and Airbnb got them used to short term rentals online.
The problem is that without meeting a landlord or property management agent and using a check, there is nothing for police to track.
The second time they even had a code for the key lock system and took them on a tour by FaceTime as he walked through with his brother. They got their SSNs too.
We didn’t know this was happening until after the fact. It was so devastating. So I’m trying to spread the word so parents and grandparents can warn their young adults about it.
I hope that the authorities catch up to these movers.
Hoping your energy returns soon.
Re: Slavic mythology
I doubt that I am alone in enjoying stories from different traditions around the world. The same folklore repeated endlessly gets boring after awhile.
I came to Kate Daniels through that first encounter with Saiman and the volvhs who tried to kill him. I was immediately hooked by the chance to learn more about Russian pagans. The few times I read about Slavic traditions had focused on Baba Yaga and a would be cult leader misusing the tradition in Speak Daggers To Her by Rosemary Edghill.
Since then I’ve read a few more versions of Baba Yaga stories and bits of Slavic mythology but you’ve given them more depth and also a glimpse into communities living by them.
It’s so refreshing!
Thank you.
Thank you for everything that you do. I’m wishing you both a peaceful and speedy recovery.
Hiring good movers is hard, definitely something I try to get a personal friend referral for.
Your daughter may want to look into a combo move.
In a combo move, Daughter rents a uhaul or Pensky. Hires loaders from a local professional moving company to load the truck. Daughter (&/or healthy family member) drives the truck to the new place. Loaders from a local professional moving company are hired to unload . Everyone lives HEA.
A Combo Move means that you stuff can not be held for ransom or reweighed. It also can save you money. A truck driver/loader costs more to hire than a loader and if you use their truck, you are paying for truck time. Plus a moving truck crossing state lines =$$$$$. (My sweetie was a pro mover – this is how we will do our future moves. )
PS – Try to schedule your move (or truck rental) to be the first move of the day. You don’t want to be moving at midnight due to your appointment being pushed back for someone else’s moving disaster.
I second this recommendation. We did a move like this a couple of years ago. Worked great. The local movers (in both states) were fast and capable. The drive gave daughter and husband some adventure together.
FWIW, Penske was far superior to U-Haul. Penske rents mostly to commercial clients, so their equipment was in better condition and the rental process was more professional. IIRC the truck even came with 24/7 roadside assistance in case of trouble. Penske cost a tiny bit more but was worth it.
(1) baby Nocsis with the little jump and mew is everything
(2) thanks to Jeannine. I laughed and laughed too.
Mahalo for both moments.
I wish I could come over and give you all a hug! I promise all will get better!❤️ Hang in there and take one thing at a time. Best of good luck to you all❣️
oh, I am so glad Im not the only one who immediately saw a turkey!
Also, yay for catching suspicious movers, but boooooo on lofe being so hard lately. Hope it gets easier soon!
Next time you run the store, maybe for Thanksgiving, we want a sinister turkey tee, lol.
There will not be a next time for the store, House Andrews have decided to close it permanently. https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/the-end-of-the-store/
Awwwww Noctis! Adorable, but unwise in his dietary choices.
Well, at least y’all aren’t bored!
Your health is your #1 priority! Go slow to go fast. Disappoint everyone and everything so you can work and rest at your own pace. Say no. Cancel stuff. Ask for help. You are so much more than your productivity.
I know the store is closed forever, but I think a mug with a diappearing/reappearing sinister turkey ala Magic Clams would be awesome.
Best wishes on all your endeavors. take it easy at Dragon Con. I went to the Disney D23 expo and am still recovering.
The Cat Delivery System in action! Also, you are excellent parents.
Please, please, please don’t try to push through that kind of fatigue! It can become life- altering, career- ending, permanent, and more than physical. I’m sure you’ve heard of long covid and ME/CFS: pushing makes the first one worse and the second a miserable reality I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Rest! Put the knitting down, or if it’s soothing, just hold it and pet it while watching mindless Netflix. Let your brain rest as much as your body so they can heal so you can keep the life you’ve worked for. No one told me this and I will be paying for my Type- A driven ignorance the rest of my life and I don’t want that for anyone else.
Wow… just…wow! I didn’t read this until 16 August–talk about full catastrophic living. I sincerely hope you & Gordon fully recover. And those despicable fake movers! Argh! Wish there was some way to round them up & send them all to Mars.
I don’t have chronic fatigue syndrome, (just the chronic body-wide myofascial pain syndrome) but my daughter does. She’s had it since she was 9. She did a research paper on it for school at either 11 or 12 years old, and while completing the project she told me, “I know what’s wrong with me now.” We are certain it was caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. I always believed her, and new she would need a good long nap every day & especially after school. Only those who have it can truly comprehend what a Herculean–sometimes impossible task it is just to get out of bed in the morning.
So, again-I hope the covid clears out of your body & you get your energy back very soon…and all the other stuff can at least can throttle down a notch for you & your family. Sending good thoughts your way.
OMG!! I hope you have somehow been keeping a journal! I love your books, but your adventures as a Mom, Wife, and Author is best selling material!! I sooo look forward to your blog posts. Without fail, they inform, and entertain me. Thank you for ALL that you write. Books, and Blog. It helps all of us get through, together!
“We ran Sanctuary as a serial and released it into the world. It is strange that a book stuffed with Slavic mythology did so well. Slavic mythology is not well known and was long considered to be a barrier to readership.”
Personally… I love reading about other cultures mythologies. Greek, Nordic, etc. gods have been over done. I’m part of a paranormal book club that has been together for over 10 years and we have all started seeking out new areas within the genre.
Don’t push though it. Rest.
I’ve had covid for the last 2 weeks too. So tired. Wake up tired. Stairs too much. Hope next week is better.
I won’t repeat what others have said, just please, do not push through! it will make everything worse.
removal ransoms haven’t made it to the UK yet (I hope). Good grief, what scum bags.
I bought an iron online. Delivery made for yesterday. it arrived several hours later than promised but it arrived. I had an email today apologising for non delivery. I rang to say “but I have it” . The girl kept apologising and said my money would be refunded. I have the iron, I don’t need a refund! No matter what I said, she just kept reading from her screen. So, if I get a refund, do I try again or keep a free iron?
OK, so… yeah, I definitely see the turkey, but I have to say that IMO geese are the true birds of evil.
Glad you’re feeling better!! And it’s a good thing Kid 2 was not scammed by those movers.
in case you wanted to look it up, one of the Dead By Daylight killers has been likened to an evil turkey.
Also, I’m glad kid2 didn’t fall for the scam, and that you’re feeling better. Please take it easy.
Glad the turkey image was fixed. I had looked at it twice because it didn’t look right.
Hugs to both of you, sounds like you need it!
Wait, we like Roman and his critters, why would you think we wouldn’t love a sinister turkey? I mean seriously – Chernobog ? Critters? Roman? Sinister Turkey? its the perfect Thanksgiving Theme!
ZenHugs all round!
I hope you get over the fatigue soon. And I loved the Sanctuary book Thankyou for your hard work. PS. Beware sinister turkeys
Thanks for the sinister turkey! Laughed so much! I needed that!
Hope you all feel better soon! Take care.
Wish I could go to Dragoncon… Too expensive right now and too far away for me. Have a good time!
Now, thank you/s, my brain is holding on to the sinister turkey image. Seriously, I hope that things settle down for your whole family. I try and say the “ I need to be boring” prayer every morning.
Sorry I am compelled to ask! Is the sinister turkey evil enough?
Maybe you could sic the yard mafia on the movers. Loved the sinister turkey. Should be served with funeral potatoes.
I will probably be moving toward the end of the year. Already sold my house and all of my stuff is in storage. I bought the unwelcome mat for the new place. I also have the ‘can’t even’ t-shirt which perfectly fits my life these days.
Please rest and stay hydrated. Getting dizzy upon standing can be a sign of dehydration.
Post-Covid fatigue is real, and physical and brutal. I know you’ve a lot on your plate, but anything that can be put aside while you practice radical rest is worth it in the long run. It took two rounds of steroids to knock the inflammation down in these parts during the last round. I wish I could send you two weeks of “do nothing time” to rest those beautiful brains.
Sinister turkey. I think Klyuv might be offended being compared to a turkey.
Glad to hear you are feeling better. I am glad Kid1 found out about the moving scam I just would freak if this happened to me.
Have a wonderful weeekend. Rest up and I hope you get to enjoy the DragonCon as well.
Here is something to help bring Cheer to your Day.
I have been stalking the two libraries I am subscribed to on Libby for eBooks (aren’t kids wonderful!).
I found it 2 days ago and was immediately able to get a copy.
Why?
Broward County Library in Florida has 24! copies of Sanctuary! Yes 24!
this is off topic, but it’s the 18th of August so:
Happy name day Ilona :)))))
Thank you for all the amazing books, you rock :))))
Thanks Rufina, we certainly learned something new today! 😀
My mugs came. Much appreciated.
*giggles* at the sinister turkey!
glad kid 2 escaped the shady movers.
the covid exhaustion is real! and it sticks around for a few weeks after everything else has already returned back to normal. worst part is, you really HAVE to rest to get better. if you push yourself, it’ll drag out and take you even longer to get back to normal. much sympathies. it sucks being THAT freaking exhausted.
re reading Innkeeper (lost count of how many re reads now), but for second thought it was The Murder Beaks, then yep cannot unsee the sinister turkey.
Glad you guys are on the mend
think you might ever make it to MileHi con here in Denver, CO? it’s in October.
Your house will sell quickly. Someone from California (my state) will buy it over asking 😎.
After reading Sanctuary, I started hunting down other books with Slavic folklore, it is fascinating and I’m so excited to jump into a whole new body of stories!
I wish the BDH could help you. I know we all want to. Sending love and light