Rounds: October 2023

Hey again everyone!  It's been a while!  So long in fact, that this one would be more accurate to call Rounds June-October rather than just October. XD

FIRST!  For some news! And this is important for October guys!  This is less TLDR and more just if you want to know the schedule for the month and nothing else, you can dip after it. XD

October is my convention month!  I will be unavailable Wednesday 18th - Tuesday 24th!  PLEASE!!!  If you guys can, PLEASE get me your tickets before this time!  I've brought it up before, but leaving it till the last week, especially this month, will make things very difficult.  D:
I'm not making a poll suggestion this month, it's kinda being combined here, SO!  The theme is definitely Halloween, drop your character suggestions below for who you wanna see!

Thank you guys for your patience!  Those who just wanted that brief news can exit!  ;3

As for everyone else, thank you for sticking around to listen to my nonsense.  XD  It's been a little busy the last few months.  And as usual, family is at the heart of that.

What do you do with family that you feel disconnected from?  I've been trying to think about that the last few months.  As my grandparents get older and older, as well as my own parents, it gets more complicated.  My siblings too.  Does anyone else think that, if the patriarch/matriarch of your family passes, you'll not see your siblings again?  I kind of feel like that.

I'm so thankful that I chose my support instead of relying on the blood ties I have.  My hubs could not be a better help with my scatter brain.  My poor head that's barely attached to my neck would fall off, if it had to deal with all of my preparation for convention and my sibling fighting with all of my other family members without him being just on top of it.  Asking me if I remembered to prep this, being my sounding board with that.  Having someone that matches where you are is so important.  

Building connections though, takes so much energy.  Because of my grandparents, everyone's been pushing more and more to get together.  And relationships in my mother's side is complicated.  It's been a bit of a wild thing--as the older people get, y'know, older, some of the things they used to bitch about just....drops off.  Like they realized they wasted so much time over nonsense.  Like yes, Karen, complaining about this one little thing wasn't worth the 5 years of distance, was it?  Like old dogs that don't wanna let go of a bone, but they don't wanna aggressively chase the person coming for it any more.  Why does it always take some earth shattering event for people to realize they've been acting fools?  Getting old?  Getting injured?  As if they'd lose something for admitting they were wrong?  I don't understand it.  But now the dynamic has shifted, the elders have admitted things went wrong, they want change...and now the young'uns have to decide where to draw the line.  Me?  I said my peace to all of them long ago.  Which might be why it's been a bit easier to reach across and try again, 20 years later.  I can't make that decision for others, but for me?  Maybe it's worth a shot.

Enough of that though!  Prattling on about my inner demons, and thus the entirety of my summer. XD

My kids have been another whole thing.  Starting my first into high school has been such a whirlwind.  Poor thing is constantly slammed with homework.  Trying to find life balance so they don't feel overwhelmed is a whole thing.  That's the same for all of us, isn't it?  If they stick with this though, they'll not only get her high school diploma, but their associate's degree too.  I'm really rooting for them!  My other two also have taken on more.  Busy, busy.  XD

Watching them take on more, makes me want to do better.  I've said it before, I'll say it again, I wish I could do more.  I want to do more.  But I have to recognize and remember my limitations.  Far worse to hit burn out, than to pace myself even with the frustration.  That being said, I feel like my art has gotten over another plateau!  With the improvement, has now come the speed.  I'm starting to feel like my old self again, being able to be more efficient.  That's the "More" part of this.  I've been able to take extra commissions for the first time in a while.  I'd like to do both, extra commissions and extras for Patreon.  Someday, I'll strike the balance.

I feel like some of the extra speed comes from the season though.  Is anyone else super excited for spooky season?  Fall is genuinely my favorite time of year, and gives me a sense of calm and coziness.  Even with all the kid's school starting up, even with all the outside family vying for more attention than usual, autumn always gives me some peace and extra strength.  I thrive so much on the vibes given for some holidays.  

And that brings me to the state of this Patreon!  We'll keep doing our best as always!  I know we got some extras through the summer, and I really dropped the ball in September with the school starting back up.  And October's shaping up crazy already.  XD  But!  I believe that the extra support I've gathered, from my hubs, from my kids, from the season, and from all of you being amazing, will definitely help with achieving more!  

So once again, thank you all so much for being here!  And! Have a wonderful, spooky October guys!  Cheers!  ^O^

~Abysmal0