Silaria was my awesome best girl last weekend and kept me in padding 24/7 for the majority of the weekend. But even the power and comfort of crinkles couldn't keep the pain away all the time.

Saturday night into Sunday morning was the worst I've felt since the funeral. Grieving for my Mother just grabbed my heart and squeezed it. The pain was awful and for some reason all I wanted was to hug someone or something really, really tight to make the pain subside.

Sil was "on call" for work this weekend and this night was especially busy with pages nearly every hour. This resulted in keeping me in a state of lucid dreaming and that led to flashbacks of the viewing and funeral. Seeing my mom laying there in the coffin, watching dad break down again and again, and even crying myself.

All the interruptions during the night had made Sil very cross and irritable. I tried to cuddle her, but I couldn't hug her tight enough to make the hurt subside. Plus it was like 3am in the morning and she was tired. Eventually she fell asleep beside me, but I was still awake and fussing. I didn't know what to do. I thought about getting up and going on-line, but I really wanted to sleep too.

I ended up grabbing my big Bolt plush. I wasn't sure if it would work or not, but I gave him a huge hug to my chest anyway and thank doG it was enough. I spent the rest of the night curled up in a ball with a death grip on my Bolt plush, my back pressed up against Silaria's for the comfort of knowing she was there too.

Ugh! WORST NIGHT EVER!!

But I managed. I felt a little bad for my other plush who have been getting me through the nights up until then: My teddy bear, Alaska, April, Auburn and Sable. They're all great friends and support, but Sunday night was just nuts. They were still there for me though; nearby where I could reach them, laying against my face, or cuddled on the other side of Bolt.

I'm gonna get through this...it's going to take time...and I'm sure I'll have other times ahead when the grief becomes overwhelming...but I'm going to be padded every night and I'm learning what I need to push through it. Part of that is knowing there are so many of you out there concerned for and thinking of Sil and I. I draw on that knowledge to strengthen me and I thank you for it.

*Hugs*

Swifty

Thank you all for the kind words and your personal input on my question on padding.

I just ordered a case of Abriform Supers and X-pluses to restock my supplies here.

*Hugs*

Swifty

Hi, hi!

Heartbroken & grieving foxie is feeling yucky and has taken to finding comfort crawling into a warm pair of padding and a sleeper for bed and cuddling with a few choice plush now that he's home. Along with Silaria's love and hugs it's been helping. My days at work are tougher but I keep a paci in my pocket to remind me that better times are ahead.

Anyway, I need to make another purchase of a case of padding and I'm looking for input on Albena Supers (M2) as my "everyday" diaper for wearing semi-discretely under my clothes on my cub days and weekends. I'm mostly worried about the tapes as I recall Albena's were/are notorious for popping tapes. Is there anything else I should be concerned about with them?

Currently I'm using the Sam's Club disposable brief which I enjoy wearing, has velcro closures, but a cloth lining. They likely hold as much as the Abriform Plus and gets me a bout 4-5 hours of wear before a change is necessary.

I'm already planning on picking up a half-case of Dry 24/7's, Albena X-Plus or the Albena Delta M3's from XP Medical for a thicker diaper for occasional long days where a change isn't available, nights and for a rainy day around the den. I've not completely made up my mind on which of those three I'm going to settle on. I like that the Deltas come in blue. :)

Thanks for your experiences and responses.

*Hugs*

Swifty

Curious foxie is curious. This meme has been going around and I supposed I should give it a shot. Who knows, the answers might lift my spirits?

Using the emotes below and their descriptions, What are your feelings toward me as my little foxie kit self? (You may use more than one emote to share your feelings.) http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1644892

♥ = I think you're adorable

C: = I want to look after you

:3 = I want you to look after me

;] = I think you're really funny

:* = Get away! I think you have cooties

:< = You're such a cry baby

:X = We should be family members

O: = You're pretty annoying

:/ = We should play together

:] = I want to share your toys

</3 = I want to hug you sooo much

:b = You're not cute at all

;^) = You're a stinky butt

<3 = I love you

<:^ = You make me giggle

@FT@ = Stalking you

eue = Let's meet up some time

<:3 = You can have my pacifier

^_^ = I'll change your diapers

^.^ = Lets take a nap together

-.- = Grow up.

Thanks for playing.

Swifty

Friends,

My continued thanks for the thoughts, support and prayers while we've been dealing with Mom's battle with cancer.

Please find the attached link for my mother's obituary which includes information on where to send a gift to. It was Mom's wish that in lieu of flowers, a donation is made to either the Spring Lake First Aid Squad or the Hamilton United Methodist Church...both of whom were exceptionally supportive to Dad and herself during her battle with cancer.

Visitation is scheduled for Monday, February 20 from 2-4 and 7-9 and she is going to be interned on Tuesday, February 21 at http://neary-quinnfuneralhome.com/

http://links.spmail2.legacy.com/ctt.....es%2Fapp%2Fobituary.aspx%3Fn%3Dlynda-jean-rockhill%26pid%3D155915908%26fhid%3D2276%26eid%3Dsp_shareobit

*Hugs*

Swift

First, on behalf of my family and I, THANK YOU to everyone for your thoughts, prayers and support.

Mom passed away peacefully in her sleep sometime around 4am this morning. While it's painful right now to know she's moved on to life's next great adventure, we could not have asked for a better blessing than that she went peacefully without any pain or anxiety.

Dad is doing as well as he can be and is currently surrounded by his brothers and sisters in law who are doing a great job of supporting him as he grieves.

Unfortunately we were unable to get in to see her before her passing, but we're thankful we took the time over the last few weeks and months to make use of Skype to stay connected.

We appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers for my father who needs them the most now. Listening to him wail over Mom while on the phone this morning after he woke up to find she had passed will stay with me forever.

Anyway, Thank you all again.

*Hugs*

Swift

It turns out the weather wasn't in our favor to drive in to New Jersey anyway this weekend. Mom and Dad understand that and would prefer us to be safe than risk being hurt ourselves.

Thank you all for the kind words and thoughtful suggestions. I really appreciate the family of friends I have in all of you. For that I am exceedingly grateful.

*Hugs*

Swifty

It has been confirmed that lung cancer has rendered my mother's left lung inoperative and her right lung is splattered with spots and splotches of cancerous cells all over it.

Aside from labored breathing, she is not in any pain and is alert and functional, albeit prone to tire quickly.

Her respiratory doctor's prognosis isn't positive. Dad expects to see the Oncologist today and the expectation is that he will deem Mom's condition "terminal." Mom can not withstand the aggressive rounds of chemotherapy and radiation that would be needed to stave off the attack to her system.

My father has already begun talking with home hospice care so that mom may be home and comfortable for the remainder of her days with us. The family hasn't been given a time line at this point. Mom could hold out three days, three weeks, three months or more. It makes it very confusing what my brother and I, both living 6+ hours from our parents, need to do.

Do I burn up three weeks of vacation time to spend every day at home or do I try to spread that out over continuous extended weekends home? Can I afford to do that? These are the questions plaguing my mind right now.

Anyway, thank you all for the thoughts and prayers. Please continue to send them to give mom strength as she faces the uncertainty of death, to my father for the courage to persevere and for the rest of us who are seeking our own ways of dealing with watching a loved one in her last days of life on this earth.

*Hugs*

Swift

Just a heads up for folks. Dad admitted mom back into the hospital again as she's been having labored breathing. What we thought (hoped) was another build up of fluid around the lung has been reassessed as further expansion of the cancer on her left lung with the disease re-surging onto her right lung.

No longer is her treatment "holding the Big C" at bay and we all know she's too weak to undergo more rigorous treatments now.

That was the news as of last night. I'll be getting updates from my father as the day transpires...when there's something to report.

Thoughts and prayers for my Mom AND Dad are always appreciated.

*Hugs*

Swifty

Staying in the same place I do every year!

At home.

*Hugs*

Swifty

My Little Pony, FiM has permeated the fandom...well at least along my watch list here and often I stop and wonder, "Why haven't I become bitten by the bug and had Swift ponified or drawn in a pony manner?" I mean heck, I give hours of my time playing three major FiM characters in a MLP Twitter RP group. It's not like I'm not into the show up to my nostrils.

Well, having had time to think about it, I realize that I satisfied my urge for pony arts long before Friendship is Magic even aired; long before the G4's. I've had Swifty and MLP cross-over art done and even wrote a couple short stories in the MLP universe; all before it was cool to do so.

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/686369/

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2329523/

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/279349/

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/279353/


*Hugs*

Enjoy

Swifty

 skuma is offering a drawing for five of his pre-paid commissions for well established artists here in his journal today: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/3043846/

Go check it out.

Swifty

 s_kuma, aka Mwako Lion has a bunch of commission slots he's paid for that he can't possibly use for some fantastic artists. So he's taking names and drawing at random from folks who respond to his missive and giving away a few of his pre-paid art commissions.

If you're in the market for a character commission, please go visit his FA journal here:

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/3038697/

Thanks for looking and have a happy holidays!

Swifty

 Mwako Lion has a bunch of commission slots he's paid for that he can't possibly use for some fantastic artists. So he's taking names and drawing at random from folks who respond to his missive and giving away a few of his pre-paid art commissions.

If you're in the market for a character commission, please go visit his FA journal here:

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/3038697/

Thanks for looking and have a happy holidays!

Swifty

Thanks to  shrikethafox who gave me a copy of Portal, I gave it a go last night on Steam.

Cute game so far and I like the remarks the computer makes along the way. I'm was at Test #14, but I had to reboot my computer due to a graphic issue so I might have screwed the pooch on that level and will have to do it again.

The puzzles are engaging though and I'm wondering where the game will go once I finish the "Here pass all these test things so when we release you into the real game you'll have half a chance of succeeding."

Just wanted to share that thought.

Have a safe and happy Holidays!

Swifty

Hiya!

Just a reminder that I still have tickets available for my FD's 2012 Cash Bash.

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/6741243

A $20 donation gets you 17 chances to win cash prizes of $300, $500 and $3000 dollars. That'd by a lot of commissions or put a nice down-payment on a fursuit.

If you'll be around for Saturday, January 14th, the ticket gets you in to the Cash Bash event where there's free food and beer from 6:30p - 11:30pm, as well as games of chance and other fun opportunities to win $$.

If you're interested, leave me a reply or PM.

Thank you for your support,

Swift & Ashes.

Wampum Christmas Parade, Wampum, PA
Saturday, December 3th @ 11:30am.
Meet at the Old School Gymnasium, Main St. Extension
Parade line up is on Park Drive. Step off is at ~1pm.

We interact with the parents and children waiting in line to see Santa inside the gym after the parade.

Fursuiters and handlers are needed.

We grab lunch after the bit with Santa is over.

Interested parties should contact Noob at blueshepp AT gmail.com or reply here.

Swift

MFF 2011 Report:

Took Thursday off for a change in order to try to get on the road and to the convention earlier. We left Pittsburgh at 10am ET and arrived at MFF at 7pm local time (CT). We were rooming with WildFox, got moved into our room (302). Went and socialized with the Puppet troupe, attended the Staff Meeting and then crashed for the night.

Friday I got up early to meet up with Quilly, a friend from the TwitterPonies group. Found out he arrived at the con and immediately went out to get something to eat with his friends. So I took the opportunity to get into suit for the first time and bop around the con with my giant pink tennis ball. Came back to the room about halfway through and exchanged that for my “Free Hugs” sign. Wandered around the con giving out free hugs and eventually made it to the Reg Line and worked my way through that backwards, giving out hugs along the way.

Finally met up with Quilly and I showed him around the dealers room and Artist's Alley. He was pretty funny and a little awed that I knew and was known by a lot of his favorite artists. We hung around until after the MLP FiM panel and we went our separate ways. After FVS practice and dinner I came back and jumped into suit again to bounce around and participate in the dance.

Up at 7:30 again Saturday morning to meet up with the Great and Powerful Trixie who was only attending the con for the day. This was their first con also. So I showed Trixie around the con, helped them make a purchase or two and just pal'ed around with them until I had to get ready for the fursuit parade. I found myself hanging with a band of Aussies and unknowingly ran into a friend in a new dalmatian fursuit.

Sat front table on the Script writing panel for the puppetry track then it was time to get ready for the FurFest Variety Show. Performed in the “Gloria” song and the Cutieum Skit both with the puppet troupe. After dinner I slipped up to the 25th floor to join a few friends at a 'small' room party. Excused myself early to get back into suit to participate in the Fursuit Charades activity. When that was over I was still extra bouncy, but I was told I had soaked through the suit. (Something I'm very sensitive about) So I called it a night.

Up again at 7:30am Sunday to grab some grub before the Behind the Stage followed by the Improve puppetry panel. After that I sailed around the Dealers Room to make some last minute sales. Picked up the first part of the Nordguard comic by Blotch after looking at it on Friday and again Saturday. The afternoon was dedicated to setting the Puppet Show up. The show was, for lack of a better term, a DISASTER! This term pretty much described the rest of the convention.

Had a nice dinner with two friends and actually got back to the hotel with tons of time left to get out in suit one last time. However, instead we sat around the hotel room and caught up on each other's lives while I watched the hours tick down. By the time everyone left, I was so pissed off all there was left to do was pack up two suits that went unused ALL FRICKIN' DAY!!

A good nights sleep and I was ready to face the 11 hour drive home from Chicago to Indianapolis, through Columbus and across I-70 in order to drive by where Edan and CJ had been staying while we were away. We stepped into our house at 9:30pm after leaving Chicago at 10:30am CT.

So that's my shortened recollection of MFF.

Wampum Christmas Parade, Wampum, PA
Saturday, December 3th @ 11:30am.
Meet at the Old School Gymnasium, Main St. Extension
Parade line up is on Park Drive. Step off is at ~1pm.

Fursuiters and handlers are needed.

We grab lunch after the parade.

Interested parties should contact Noob at blueshepp AT gmail.com or reply here.

Swift

Just an FYI! Sears stores and on-line have Footed PJ's on sale for 30% off!

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_.....Footie+Pajamas

Swifty

Big thanks to each of the 97 furs who attended and weathered the Western Pa Furry Weekend this year! Your generosity helped shatter our record for funds raised for our charity. A staggering $1700 was generated for Clarion Paws. (That equates to ~140 sets of snipped kitty marbles!)

The rain and cool temperatures did not dampen the spirits of those who attended and we did what furries do...we have a good time no matter what!

A big shout out to our volunteers, without whom this event would not run so smoothly. Thanks to DJ Frisby and DJ Edward for making great use of the new lighting equipment and providing a beat to dance to. Thanks go out to our three staffers, Autumnfox, Kyr and Raven for their tireless work all year long. Finally a great big hug to the Chairpersons who work as a team to cover all the aspects of the weekend all year. Lastly, thanks to Noob for the use of his big white van which helps make the logistics of every move times easier.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you all!

Swift Fox
Director; WPAFW 2011

Have a free weekend? Looking for someplace to go and have a good time? Then consider coming out for the Western Pennsylvania Furry Weekend Sept 30 through Oct 2, 2011 just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The fun starts at 7pm Friday night and goes until 1am where we'll have a puppet show, dance and plenty of room to socialize. Then picks up again at Noon for an outdoor BBQ at a small local park and pavillion where you can play games and take part in our Charity Raffle of a ton of donated items. But it doesn't end when the sun goes down. It's back to the hotel for more socialization, our Menagerie and Dead Dog Dance.

Want more information? You know you do! Just hop over to our website at wpafw.org to get all the low-down on your weekend of fun and fellowship.

See ya there!

Swift Fox

Hey everyfur!

The Western PA Furry Weekend is looking for talent acts and skits for it's Saturday night Menagerie. Sing, Dance, Act out a Skit, we're pretty much open to anything so long as it fits the rating of the event. WPAFW is an excellent venue to get your paws wet with performance as it's a small audience and low pressure environment.

Come to the event prepared with music and an outline of your act and find our Programming Director Flanowa or TOS.

We'll also need fursuiters to participate in a round of "Charades" and "Who's Line is it Anyway" sketches. So if you're a seasoned suiter or new to performing and want a great place to work on your skills, please volunteer to participate and you're sure to have a blast!

Lastly, If you'd like to help the event by running a game on Friday night or during the day on Saturday, or volunteer to start a game of Volley Ball or something, please reply here or contact programming[AT]wpafw.org with your idea!

This weekend is going to so rock!! See you there!

Swift Fox

Director; WPAFW'11

Hey everyone!!

Well here we are, less than a week away from 2011's Western PA Furry Weekend and we thank everyone who stepped up and pre-registered for the event!

The event begins this coming Friday night, September 30, at 7pm in the upper meeting rooms of the Quality Inn, Pittsburgh North (formerly the Comfort Inn Pittsburgh North) on Freeport Road in Harmar Township, just before the PA Turnpike. Registration opens at 6:30pm on the lower level.

Our Featured Artist for 2011 is local artist Kyote and our official charity is Clarion PAWS, a non-profit, animal shelter north of Pittsburgh serving the needs of Clarion, Jefferson and Venango counties.

Registration for the whole weekend is just $30 at the door. "What does that get you?" You ask? Well it gets you an evening of dances, shows and furry fellowship Friday and Saturday night, snacks and drinks, Saturday Morning cartoons, lunch, picnic dinner and dessert Saturday, a couple tickets to win stuff at our premier Charity Raffle, and the opportunity to have a wonderful weekend with furry friends at two excellent venues! You get your money's worth on the food, snacks and drinks alone!

You can also register, or Upgrade your registration, to our Supporter level! Supporters get a special gift this year to show our appreciation as well as front of the line priviledges for shows and dinner, extra free raffle tickets and a quality color print of this year's event program cover art, by this year's featured artist. If the special gift doesn't entice you...YOU GET TO EAT FIRST!!! Smile

We like to keep the event light and stress free while providing a little structure so folks aren't want for something to do. Please check out our schedule for the weekend at http://wpafw2011.sched.org and for more information on hotel reservations or our charity, please visit our website at http://www.wpafw.org.

Thank you and I hope to see you this weekend!

Swift Fox

Director; WPAFW'11

In case you were wondering where all this Wisdom was issuing from.

I'm 4.3 seasons old today.

Go me!

Swifty