Where was I? With Ruby

Well, that all went a bit pear-shaped didn't it?  I kept trying to get to my blog, planing on writing something and offering another book in the Advent Calendar, but things kept happening.
The doorbell kept ringing - more visitors

I had to keep going back to the Post Office - more prizes to send out

I had to plan - and work on connecting with the students for my February  Advanced Romance Writing Course at  Fishguard - even at Christmas the preparations for next year don't stop.


And talking about writing courses and teaching - I have  new plans for  the 12 Point Guide To Writing Romance - more soon - watch this space.

Oh - and  Ruby happened.

Ruby - not the 40th wedding celebration -  but she is part of them.  This is Ruby.

Or, rather that was Ruby when I first met her last Sunday - which was when  the organised life started to go  a bit  less organised!

I didn't think I was ready for another cat.  Flora's illness was so upsetting and sad  that the Babe Magnet and I weren't sure  we  could love another creature while we were  still so sad. But that was before The Offspring's Fiancee took me to visit the local Cat's Protection League  rescue where a small black and white bundle of fur threw herself into my arms and made it obvious that she knew I'd come to collect her.  And how could I argue with her when she had settled there and purred. . . and purred. . . and purred. . . .

We had to wait some days to make sure that no one claimed her. She'd been found wandering alone on the streets -

and as she  was only about 8 weeks old, that was a sad little story, especially when the weather has been so bitterly cold and wet.   So we had to leave her  at the centre (reluctantly because she yelled and yelled in protest when she was put back into the pen) . But no one did claim her and yesterday we went to fetch her and bring her home. She was still yelling! But she stopped as soon as I appeared  and jumped into my arms again - and that was that.
So here we are, with  Christmas just a few days away, the tree only half-decorated (as you can see) and some of the gifts not yet wrapped  . . .

and Here's Ruby!

But she's already wriggled her way into our hearts  - the humans anyway, but Charlie is a little distant as yet. She makes it clear that she thinks she fell asleep and woke up in cat heaven. There is food, and warmth, and lots of fuss (she yells if she doesn't get enough) and she slept curled up between us in the bed last night.

  So now I have  to go out - I know she's going to protest, and she'll probably still be yelling when I come back. But she'll soon get to realise that I do come back and we'll all settle down (even Charlie) into one big family.

Welcome, Ruby!

So that's why I've been otherwise occupied - there will. be more of the Advent Calendar next!