Been a long time and I have a lot of ground to cover, so for you Skimmers, here's what I'll be addressing:
Maybe you were aware, maybe not…
1) My mother is in so-so health at this time.
2) After his latest antics, I want nothing to do with my brother.
3) Agrv8r and I broke up in August.
4) I moved in with T.
5) We're engaged!
6) I took my website down.
7) I've been thinking about that…

I.
Mom's kidneys are functioning at 60% combined. So far, she doesn't need dialysis. As of right now, she does still have some stones lodged in the “fingers” of them. That might cause periodic infections for which she'll take antibiotics, but unless they drop down into the organ, there's no need for surgery. Unfortunately, she has several hernias as a result of the multiple operations she's had and once she's healed a bit more she will have those taken care of. In the meantime, she's wearing a belt-like contraption to help ease the pain.

II.
My brother, ever disrespectful and unreliable, didn't bother to show up for the Thanksgiving Feast that Mom worked on preparing for two days. Of course, it made her cry. He does shit like this all the time and it infuriates me, especially what with her almost dying so recently. True to form, he rolled in about 1:30 in the morning, letting himself in with his key, barging into Ma's bedroom to wake her up and say something smartass, “Happy birthday or Thanksgiving or whatever it is.” She told him he'd really hurt her feelings by standing her up and his reply was, “well, whatever, I guess I'll leave then.” And he did. When she tearfully relayed this to me she about killed me when she said, He doesn't understand this could be the last one I have left.” !@#$ At this point, I am ready to rip his fucking face off!!! The kicker? Mama also revealed he had the nerve to tell her he thought it was phony of me to go to the hospital every day and hold her hand and talk to her when she was in a coma. Fuck you, buddy! I am so done with his ass. Nothing can heal this rift. We are officially estranged.

III.
Prior to my brother, I had to let someone else go from my life- when I broke up with Agrv8r. We just weren't as compatible as we thought. Both of us had needs/wants it was clear the other couldn't/wouldn't meet. It didn't seem fair to be bound together when there was someone else out there better suited for each of us. But, I wish him no ill. We had some good times together, so it can sometimes be hard to see him out or run across photos of him online. He's blocked all communication, so I guess it's safe to say he didn't take it well. But, some good did come out of the whole thing…

IV.
By leaving T and getting involved with someone else, I inadvertently forced his hand, so to speak. Losing me was such an emotional upheaval for him. T did some soul searching and didn't like what he found. He realized how his treatment made me feel and that the changes I had been asking him to make so many times, for so long, weren't so unreasonable or impossible. He was genuinely making an effort, so I agreed to give Us one more shot. I'm glad I did. Out relationship isn't perfect, but it is better than ever before… so good that I MOVED IN WITH HIM!

V.
Living together wasn't as tough as I expected for a loner like me. It has actually been the proving ground we needed (heh, it took us 8 years…). WE'RE GETTING MARRIED! He's saving up to present me with an engagement ring on our anniversary (January 21st) and then we'll tell our family and friends.

VI.
Somewhere throughout all these happenings, I decided to take down my website. I didn't have the time or inclination to maintain it. No mystery or melodramatics intended. That's not to say it was an easy choice! I opted to keep my cam on Camwhores because it's spehshul ;) T demonstrated what a changed man he is by doing a members only show there with me. He'd so opposed it in the past, but discovered he enjoyed himself. In fact, he wants to further participate in my online activities and do another, as well as private shows, videos and photo sets. That brings me to my final bit of news…

VII.
I suspect I am going to either redevelop TousledElegance.net or make another of my domains public. It would only be updated occasionally, but I'd really love to have something to tinker with when the mood strikes. That, and I like having a place for people to get to know the girl behind the camera and for people to keep in touch. I'm only hesitant because in my particular niche, I will draw a lot of trolls. Do I want the annoyance? Do I have the confidence? Does it even matter? While many will not like it, there will always be those who have visited regularly since 2001 that will enjoy and support whatever I do. And, I would be appealing to an entirely different cross-section as well. Either way, I'll let you know what I decide!

Until then, hope all is well with you and that you have a wonderful holiday!

Love,
TE