Last night we said goodbye to my sweetest girl, Novella. I got her when I was just 19, and she was with me through many moves, near and far, much to her chagrin — but she would snuggle in and find comfort that we were still together. She met so many friends and always chatted with whoever would listen. She liked to be where I was, always, and never met a soft blanket or patch of sunlight that she didn’t like. Novella always took care of me when I had migraines, purring and keeping me warm to help me fall asleep. Even when her arthritis got bad, she would always want to be near me if she thought I didn’t feel good.
I’m so thankful that I got 19 years with such a sweet baby, and I will always remember her as a beautiful companion. I still can’t believe she’s gone, it felt like she would be with me forever.
Say hi to BMO and all our other kitty friends who went before you, sweet girl. 💔
#novellacat
Our 2025 card was illustrated by Cory, with the following updates on the back:
We traveled for the second year via Amtrak to Boston for PAX East where we hyped up our video game Merry Bear to anyone who would listen, including a lot of other developers. The demo is live on Steam now, and we would love to hear what you think if you get a chance to play... it’s free!
At the end of May, Cory found a tiny grey kitten in some shrubs in downtown Akron. I’m sure it’s no surprise that she’s settled into our family very well. Her name is Ladybird Breakfast and she’s currently trying to destroy all Christmas trees.
Melissa traveled solo for two separate conferences for work, first to San Francisco/Palo Alto at the start of June and the second to Las Vegas in September.
Our annual trip with Cory’s family to Topsail Island was filled with beautiful weather and delicious seafood and ice cream.
In July we were very excited to be able to be part of the return of MADD (Music, Art, Dance, Drama) Camp at Aldersgate Camp in Kentucky. We met Ghost the Emu, visited the clay wall, told campfire stories, launched rockets, and ate chips vertically.
In August, our queen kitten Novella turned 20 years young.
We took a quick trip to Louisville in October with Melissa’s folks to celebrate Susan’s birthday & even got to visit Buffalo Trace.
Finally, at the end of November, Melissa got exciting news that she won tickets in the Saturday Night Live ticket lottery! This gave us a great excuse to take the Amtrak again, this time to New York City. We got to visit friends, eat great food, see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree AND witness Melissa McCarthy host the live show in NBC Studio 8H.
Happy Christmas & A Joyful New Year!
We are here at the local author event at @jenksbuilding until 1 pm today with all the @valleyprogress books — we even have the press proof of the next novella for preview! #localauthors
Had a beautiful and refreshing moment this afternoon at the pop up matcha stand from @mor.ganmccloskey — can’t wait for her next event! Be sure to give her a follow so you don’t miss it 💕✨
#shopsmall #shoplocal #womenowned #entrepreneur #matcha #akronohio
Novella has been adjusting to having a sister, but is very skeptical. She’s not got much chutzpah left at 20, but ya girl can growl and hiss like a street cat when provoked (read: when she notices that a small cat is present, which she doesn’t usually register if we are physically holding ladybird…)
Anyway, Novella is my OG babygirl, and I know a lot of you like to get lil updates about our matron queen, so here she is basking in the sunlight this morning. She may not be as glamorous as her younger self, but she’s earned this mumu era and can still get herself up into the warm glow in the window without help. #novellacat
