[Twnsqr] Grim Offensive IV Thank yous - LONG

[Arnora]

Greetings An Tir,

First off congratulations to Commodore Ashling de Brittan on becoming the newest protégé of Companion Aaron of the Black Mountains!

 Well. The war is over, the field has been cleared of bodies and the autocrat has emerged from an 18 hour nap.

 I would like to thank everyone who helped make this event fun for all who attended. Special thanks to my co-autocrat Sir Guy for helping with gate, town crier, and everything else that you did - especially for being my voice in Court! I couldn't ask for a better co-autocrat.

 To Sir Tighearnach for running the Nine Trials yet again - so far as I could tell everyone who participated had a riotous good time!

To HL Rioghnach and T'Sharra for helping with waterbearing on Sunday, gate and for acting as Royal Liaison.

Thanks to Una for the loan of the pavilion for gate and it was good to see on Saturday even though it was brief. 

To the many who stepped up and helped out - thank you and I'm sorry but my notebook got caught in the final down pour and I can't recall all the names right now!

Stepping in as autocrat mid-stream is never easy but this one was very odd on several fronts. I went to the site on Thursday so the Dew Drop could set up a day early. My husband and 18 yo son were supposed to come up Friday afternoon, bringing the tent, food and more gear. At around 11 am Friday my husband called to tell me our ancient Shih Tzu had a stroke. So I told him to stay home and take care of the dog, and the boy who has literally known the dog his whole life. That took out 2 key personnel before the battle had even begun. They also had the soup kitchen supplies. Good thing the bedding was in my car! Adapt and overcome.

So while I was short-staffed in a couple areas and the weather was spotty at best I can honestly say this was one of my more enjoyable experiences as autocrat. Now here's why:

There are not, and cannot be, enough thanks to the crew that made this event one of my best yet. From noon Thursday until late Sunday night I had the help, support and camaraderie of the Sylver Sail Armada. They fed me, sheltered me, took care of me and helped me at every turn. At no time since that last Summer Coronet camping with the Montforts in the Barony of Winters Gate have I had the full support of a truly great household. I had that and more this past weekend. It is one thing to have friends at an event, to visit camps and hang out, to set up your own camp. It is something else entirely to have a home where you feel unquestionably welcome, where the best chair by the fire is yours and there are people watching out for you. I haven't had that in a long time and didn't truly realize how much I missed it until now.

So to Sylverstone, Argyle, Kristof (poof, instant Royal Retinue!), Somadina, Ashling, Shiva and A.J., Kera, Monkey and everyone else whose names I can't recall right now: To say you guys are the best doesn't begin to cover it. To say thank you doesn't cover it. To say I owe you is a huge understatement. The best I can say is I love you all and can't wait for the next event to see you again. If you do Autumn War I'll be there and whatever needs doing I'll do it.

To Companion Aaron and his delightful wife Eriu. Wow. I have not enjoyed a conversation that much since that last 5th of Tequila Mistress Piasa and I shared. Thanks for the advice, the chocolate milk, the Chivas and the truly enjoyable time. You actually make me think I should get a passport and give Canada another chance! (long border crossing story there) Eriu special thanks for illuminating the path to the right decision!

 I had a wonderful time, I hope you all did too. When I got home the dog is OK and I was met with a bottle of champagne and a dozen roses - because Saturday was also our tenth wedding anniversary.

Thankful it's over and thankful I had the experiences - and especially the friends - I have,
HL Arnora Grimsdottir
Autocrat Grim Offensive IV
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