Moving...

We're packing and packing and packing. There seems to be no end to all the stuff we have! The movers are coming on Thursday at 8:30AM. We have to be ready. Eric has moved a bunch of the computer stuff over already. But there's still (obviously) this computer and other equipment that we want to move ourselves. I'd forgotten how strenuous a move can be. Soon it will be over. Thank God.

Business Stuff

We might have a day or two when nothing at all gets shipped out. We're trying to minimize that, but it's going to be tough. The calendars are coming this week and we'll have to ship them out ASAP to the people who ordered them already. I finished the database update, so the mailing of Issue #33 should go out as soon as the issue is actually in print (it's going on press this week).

Personal Stuff

Eric is really feeling the move. I think he'll sleep for a few days after we're in the new place. I'm doing ok. I've started on a new medication that seems to be doing ok. It makes me nauseas (which I'm hoping goes away over time). I've only been on it a week, so it's hard to say what the final outcome of it will be. Otherwise, I'm doing surprisingly well -- I think staying busy is good for me.

The ferrets are doing fine. They have no clue what's going on here -- only that there are some neat boxes around sometimes when they come out. Boy are they going to be in for a surprise. The new place has those Pergo-type floors, which will be a bit slippery for the little guy and girls. Our area rug is being cleaned; I'm hoping we have it back by the time we move the ferrets in so they have some traction.

That's about it for now. I need to be packing things. I will be relieved when this is over.

--Mary

Modern Ferret Update

Again, it's been some time since I posted in my blog. We've been very busy.

-- Issue #33 (with a long interview with Richard Bach [The Ferret Chronicles]) is at the printer.
-- Our brand new Ferret Faces 2003 Calendar and Ferret Faces Address Book are printed and on their way to us -- we should have them this coming week. See FerretFaces.com for some info (I don't think Eric has finished that web site yet, but we'll be sending out an e-newsletter later today -- sign up at www.ferretnews.com).
-- Our new book 500 Things My Ferret Told Me is printed and selling very well -- people seem to be getting a kick out of it (yay!).
-- We're moving by the end of October to a smaller place, so we've been packing and throwing things away and storing things. Anyone know where we can put approximately a ton of back issues? :o)

Personal Updates

I'll start with Eric, since proper writing order puts him before me. He's been doing fairly well with the Remicade treatments. He's had the initial three and one as a maintenance treatment. He'll be getting the infusions every 8 weeks. We're hoping that he continues to improve; he's already come quite a way. Even so, he needs an awful lot of sleep and the stress of moving is taking its toll (on both of us, actually).

I'm doing all right, all things considered. My second cousin Richie (we always called him "uncle" because he was my dad's generation) died of a stroke last week. It wasn't entirely unexpected. He hadn't been well for the past few years. The thing that's a bit scary now is that my dad is the oldest one in that part of the family. I'm uncomfortable with that -- I think I don't ever want to lose him.

I'm in the midst of changing antidepressant medications again, and was doing surprisingly OK until I reached this lowest dose. But I think all the stresses of this time of year (the anniversary of my mom's death), my Uncle Richie's death, moving, and money stresses are all playing a part in how I feel today. I'm hoping that getting the move done will help. Certainly I'm hoping the next medication is better than this last one (which made me gain 10 pounds, which is a lot on a 5' 1" person).

The ferrets are all doing well -- thank God. Koosh was a little depressed after Balthazar's death; he wasn't playing as he used to. I made a point of petting him and hugging him more (which he claims he doesn't like, but which apparently did make him feel better). He's back to his usual play level. Trixie can't see a darned thing anymore, but she still climbs up on the couches and plays in the tubes. Not bad for a six year old. Gabby is doing fine. Everyone is getting plush winter coats.

That's all I've got for now.
--Mary