Since I posted last week, I had about a dozen really wonderful things happen to me, and one minor tragedy.

CM and India flew out this weekend to help celebrate my birthday, my sale, and just the general awesomeness of life. We had an amazing time, and on Saturday we attended my local chapter meeting. I not only got my first-sale roses, but I also learned that I’d placed first in our chapter contest, the Orange Rose! It was really wonderful to have CM and India there to share the moment – I wouldn’t have accomplished any of this without them, and I can’t thank them enough. We had delicious meals and good wine and a lovely spa day to complete the weekend, and we hashed out all our plotting problems. It was a fabulous few days.

Plus, it marked the happy end of my contest career. What a relief…

But of course, life has a way of balancing good and bad. Last week, my kitty died very unexpectedly and tragically. My website bio says, “[Tessa] shares a tiny bungalow with her husband, their two children, a dog, a cat, and many dust bunnies.” And I can’t bring myself to edit it yet. *sniff* He is missed.

Sleep well, sweet kitty.


22 comments to “That’s Life”

  1. Gillian Layne
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    · November 12th, 2007 at 4:43 am · Link

    Oh, Tessa! I have four myself. I’m so sorry.



  2. Alice Audrey
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    · November 12th, 2007 at 8:26 am · Link

    Hugs on Mr. Kitty but congrats on the win!



  3. beverley
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    · November 12th, 2007 at 9:43 am · Link

    Sorry to hear about your kitty!! Poor little thing! And yay for the end of the contests!!!



  4. Elyssa Papa
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    4
    · November 12th, 2007 at 11:50 am · Link

    I feel like the worst cretin ever… I know you mentioned this in an e-mail to me and I totally dropped the ball about your cat. I’m so sorry about your loss!

    Hugs.

    Congrats on the win—how fun that CM and Amy came out to celebrate with you!



  5. India Carolina
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    · November 12th, 2007 at 12:14 pm · Link

    Mr. Kitty was well–loved and I know he was an integral part of your family. I’m so so sorry.

    Thank you, Tessa, for a beautiful weekend. It meant the world to me not only to be there for your Orange Rose win (YAY!!!!),but to see you walk up there and get your first sale rose sent chills and thrills all through me. I’m still tingling! Or is that the replenish massage? Oh my goodness, that spa was heaven!

    You’re a wonderful friend, Tessa! And may I just add that the darelings and Mr. Dare are adorable!



  6. Keira Soleore
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    · November 12th, 2007 at 12:50 pm · Link

    Tessa, a congratulatory hug to you for the Orange Rose and a take-care hug for your loss. Once the grief lessens, I’m sure he’s going to be remembered for all the fun things he did and how much all five of you (well, maybe not the dog) loved him.



  7. Maggie Robinson
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    · November 12th, 2007 at 12:59 pm · Link

    Sending virtual catnip to Kitty Heaven, where the dogs are small and easily cowed and fish flows freely.

    How wonderful though about your win and your weekend. Were the roses actually orange? *g*



  8. Tessa Dare
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    · November 12th, 2007 at 1:54 pm · Link

    Thanks everyone, for the congrats and sympathy!

    (oh, and Maggie, the roses were red.)



  9. Santa
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    · November 12th, 2007 at 4:11 pm · Link

    Congrats on the Orange Rose win! What fun to share it with great friends.

    Sorry to hear about the kitty. Don’t rush into changing anything. She still sharing your memories.



  10. Lynne Simpson
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    · November 12th, 2007 at 4:14 pm · Link

    I’m so sorry about your kitty, Tessa.

    I don’t know why timing works the way it does, but a similar collection of very good and very bad events happened to me like that in 2005.

    You and your family will be in my thoughts.



  11. Marnee Jo
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    · November 12th, 2007 at 5:22 pm · Link

    Aww, Tessa, so sorry about your kitty. I have two and they are definitely members of the family.

    But, congrats on your win!



  12. Maura
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    · November 12th, 2007 at 5:30 pm · Link

    Many hugs, Tessa, for you and your family. I now have three dogs, but I once had a very special kitty, so I know the heartache when they pass.

    Congrats, too, on all your success!



  13. Gina Black
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    · November 12th, 2007 at 5:39 pm · Link

    Tessa–so sorry to hear you have lost your kitty, too. They are so easy to love and then *poof* when they go they leave an empty spot in our hearts and also in the physical world: on a chair, or a bed, or that piece of floor where they are right in your path and you have to take care not to step. I find myself still expecting to see my old kitty on *my* place on the bed every night when I come home from work.

    I’m sorry I didn’t see you win the Orange Rose and get your red roses. I will be at the next meeting in December. I’m sure it was a very, very exciting day!!



  14. CM
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    · November 12th, 2007 at 8:20 pm · Link

    It was wonderful to come out and celebrate with Tessa and India. I already miss you two!

    And hugs again for the kitty.



  15. Lindsey
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    · November 13th, 2007 at 10:25 am · Link

    Oh, so sorry about your kitty, Tessa! Big hugs!

    And big congrats for the contest win – how wonderful. But this is definitely not the end of your contest career – I’ve got money on you for a Best First Book RITA!



  16. Jacqueline Barbour
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    · November 13th, 2007 at 3:26 pm · Link

    Aw, Tessa, having just put to rest my own sweet kitty (though rather more expectedly), I know exactly how you feel. {{{{{Hugs}}}}}

    And I’m so sad I didn’t get to come up to see you and share your triumphant moment. Congratulations! And no matter how much you hate praise (more on that in TMI Tuesday), I hope you can stand just a little more, because the prize was absolutely deserved.



  17. doglady
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    · November 14th, 2007 at 8:00 am · Link

    Deepest condolences on the loss of your kitty. My three mean the world to me. Huge congrats on your Orange Rose win!! Well deserved indeed. How cool was it to have CM and Amy there with you?



  18. terrio
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    · November 14th, 2007 at 1:07 pm · Link

    So sorry to be late but congrats and condolences.



  19. Lenora Bell
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    · November 14th, 2007 at 1:34 pm · Link

    I am so very sorry to hear about your cat. He was so gorgeous and I’m sure you gave him a wonderful cat life. I love my cat so much it’s scary. Every day I kiss her and tell her not to get old (she’s 13).

    I’m so sorry.

    And I’m so happy for your contest successes. Congratulations!



  20. Ericka Scott
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    · November 15th, 2007 at 5:22 pm · Link

    I’m so sorry for your loss!

    And so very happy for your win…



  21. lacey kaye
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    · November 16th, 2007 at 10:03 pm · Link

    Your CP summit sounds like a blast! I am sorry about your kitty. I lost mine a few months ago & still cannot accept what happened.



  22. Ervin A.
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    · November 17th, 2007 at 9:53 pm · Link

    Tessa, I am so sorry to hear about your kitty. I’ve had my cat, Prometheus, for almost ten years now, and lately he’s been having some stomach issues and has started losing weight, so it’s off to the vet on Monday. He’s still a purring fool and eats a lot, so I don’t think it’s anything too bad. But I’ve always been a cat person. I love the kitties. I am truly sorry for your loss. I am sure he was deeply loved and had a fantastic kitty-cat life. 🙂

    All the best,

    your pal,

    …Ervin…