Stuffies

I realized one day that after years of adulting I had somehow ended up with having two stuffed animals on my bed. I used to carry around stuffed toys all the time when I was a kid. One particular favorite, a little green bear I called Tiger, was a constant companion for over four years. She had been washed a thousand times and had all the battles scars that proved she was well loved. I still have her, but somewhere along the way in an attempt to get closer to maturity I moved my stuffed animals out of sight. 

Despite my best efforts at adulthood and after all this time, they found their way back. 

The Hello Kitty was from Build-A-Bear probably around 2004-2006. My early college years. I always had a soft spot for Hello Kitty and at the time I was dating a guy who never lost his love of toys. He took me to Build-A-Bear and I had a fun time watching her get filled with fluff and picking out her little dress. 

I must have moved seven or eight times after that. She got put in a box and was shuffled from place to place. I almost forgot I had her. Then Covid hit.

At that point I’d already been living alone for a while but for the better part of two years I was almost completely isolated. I was still able to call my friends and visit family from time to time, but what I craved was to be comforted. I went through the box that had all my stuffed animals and I found her again. Not being from my childhood she was still in good shape. I know it was silly, but it made me feel a little better. To hold on to some small comfort from my childhood.

The bear wearing a pig costume I purchased recently as a whim from T.J. Maxx. So silly and absurdly cute, I just couldn’t resist. 

And there they were basking in the sun. Fluffy reminders of what I used to love so much as a child. 

That hazy place between maturity and rediscovery.

Trident 2023

Got to go to another beautiful SCA event at Trident. Trident holds a special place in my heart because it was the event where I got authorized and fought in my first fencing tournament in back in 2019.

It was also a special day because we got to see so many elevations. Oskar (Keith H.) got elevated to Master of Defense, Vivienne (Erika) got elevated to the Order of The Pelican, and Phillip got his White Scarf. It was so amazing to see their hard work rewarded! 

Tiger ran the event beautifully, which was no small task! She really put so much time and effort into making Trident such a wonderful event! Freyja (Sunny) provided us with a fabulous tent to set up on the field so we had a place to hang out during the day. And my cadet brother Javier got authorized and fought in his first tournament! 

Myself and Sergio on the way to the event with a fully packed car. (He loves to make faces when I’m trying to take pictures).

Rurik, Agustín (Sergio), and Freyja (Sunny) under our tent.

Javier, on the right, fighting in his first tournament against Master Robert.

Agustín (Sergio) in his match against Grainne (Cathleen), while Baroness Thyri (Melissa) looks on.

Agustín (Sergio) in the final match against Emmanuel (Jeremiah) while Baron Tóki (Joseph) and Baroness Thyri (Melissa) eagerly await the outcome.

Agustín (Sergio) and Emmanuel (Jeremiah) before the Baron and Baroness. Agustín had won the fight but requested the Barons name Emmanuel as the champion.

Photo by Will Jacobs.

Myself with Agustín (Sergio) and Javier.

Agustín (Sergio), Javier, and Will. Will had been joining us at practice and had come out to Trident for his first SCA event.

Agustín and his cadets. From left to right: Blaze (Keith T.), Agustín (Sergio), Javier, and Hélèna (myself).

Photo by Will Jacobs.

Blaze (Keith T.), Agustín (Sergio), Allison (Vicky), Hélèna (myself), and Javier.

Blaze (Keith T.), Agustín (Sergio), Bil, Javier, Will, and Tiger.

Photo by Brian Walton.

Hélèna (myself), Blaze (Keith T.), Agustín (Sergio), Javier, Will, and Tiger.

Myself and Javier trying to cool off in the shade.

Freyja (Sunny).

 

Everyone enjoying the tent. From left to right: Ari, Rurik, Beatrice, Agustín (Sergio), Javier, Freyja (Sunny), and Bil.

Tiger looking stunning in her dress.

Myself and Tiger. 

Myself, Bear (John), Tiger, and Meadb (Christi).

Freyja (Sunny) with her birthday balloons.

Those balloons were filled with helium so you know Freyja (Sunny) and Agustín (Sergio) had a great time! 

Freyja (Sunny) won a few rounds of the card game The Great Dalmuti, so she got to wear Agustín’s (Sergio’s) hat.

If you would like to read about my first adventure at Trident, please visit: http://currentsandcolor.blogspot.com/2019/02/trident.html

Afternoon Adventures with Ellie and Morgan

Rochelle invited me over to her place to spend a lovely afternoon hangout with her and her daughters.

The beautiful winter blooms in her garden.

Ellie showing off her adorable Pikachu collection.

Rochelle and Ellie.

Morgan and Ellie playing with a toy microphone.

The sunlight catching the silver streak in Morgan’s hair.

Morgan trying the edible flowers from mommy’s garden (they tasted like sweet cucumbers).

Ellie blowing bubbles.

A close up of the edible flowers.

Enjoying the hammock with Morgan.

Rochelle picked a flower from her garden to adorn my hair.

We took the girls for a walk around the neighborhood. They both wanted to be pushed in the little pink toy car but it only fit one. Ellie decided to ride a bike but I figured out how to push them both at once by having Ellie ride in front.

Ellie decided to make an emergency stop for some sidewalk chalk art.

Back at home Rochelle was in the middle of watering her plans when she decided to water her daughters as well.

Morgan and Ellie, soaking wet and giggling.

The Central Florida Scottish Highland Games 2023

I went to the Highland Games with Judi and her son Emilio. It was a chilly day but full of fun! 

Myself, Emilio, and Judi expressing our frustration at thinking we were heading in the wrong direction.

We parked about three miles away and were waiting in line for the shuttle when we were told it could be about a ninety minute wait. We decided to walk instead. We walked for about an hour and checked the GPS. For some reason it was showing we were walking in the wrong direction. We headed back but luckily met up with some other walkers who confirmed we were heading in the right direction originally.

We eventually made it and rewarded ourselves with some treats.

Emilio taking photos of the Bagpipe performers.

Watching the Caber Toss.

Myself, Judi and Emilio.

Emilio and Judi.

Emilio.

It is never too cold for some ice cream.

Watching some kids trying to lift the stones.