#Place in the timeline: Before the previous 'Mother's Woes' post

[thegreenhordes]

Pristine Journal - Mother's Woes

First Entry: I bought this journal for my alchemy recipes, poisons and potions and poultices. I have so many now that organizing them is simply a must. But to my delight, my sons bought me a proper recipe book in the upper city market just this morning! I know we have the coin to spare, but I've always tried to be frugal in my personal purchases. I don't dare say no to such sweet gifts from my boys, however! Eclipse told me it was my little Penumbra who suggested the recipe book as a gift, my sweet boy. My eldest has always been the more resilient and steadfast, but Penumbra is so very observant and curious. I hope he never loses that spark. I decided to use this journal to write as I please. Life updates, reminders, perhaps planning a soiree or two? My dear husband does love a good opportunity to show off his wealth to the common ponies. Pomp that he is, but I love him so. Third Entry: Reminder: I need more Amaranth and Dulcinea flowers. I appear to be running low on Baslisk venom- I'll need to go through all the hoops and red ribbon to get more of that imported, but staying stocked up on my reagents and ingredients is always worth it. And don't forget! Eclipse has training with Captain Freefall tomorrow. I'll need to wake him up early if he's going to be able to drag himself out of bed and to the training grounds. Eighth Entry: Penumbra scared me out of my wits today! Always so quiet, that foal, but his father finds it impressive so I won't discourage too much. I was in my nook preparing ingredients I needed for a potion- Eclipse has a bit of a cold, and my remedy will fix him right up!- I turned around to look for the cave mint and found myself looking down into the eyes of my youngest. I nearly jumped out of my hide! I ask him what he needs and he just asks to watch me work. It wasn't anything dangerous today so a I allowed it, but Moon and Stars, that gave me quite the fright! I did break one of my flasks, an old one I hadn't used in a while- the label was muddled so I couldn't read what it was. I had my boy sit on the opposite side of me to keep him away from it while I cleaned. other than that, the day was relatively peaceful. Eleventh Entry: I have a bit of a fever today, and I'm feeling dizzy. perhaps I caught Eclipse's cold. Regardless, I'm staying in bed today. Thirteenth Entry: I'm still feeling a bit woozy, but otherwise fine. Next week is Penumbra's birthday, and I wanted to get some things planned. I can't believe he's going to be ten! My sweet boy. To Do: - Pick up decorations from the craftspony I hired three months ago. - Order a cake from the baker- simple decorations, not too heavy on the frosting, Penumbra doesn't like things that are too sweet. - Pick up the gift I commissioned and finish wrapping the gifts my love and I made together. - Double check the guest list to see if there will be any last minute adjustments to seating. - Start preparing the ballroom for the event! Less hasty work later if we start now. Twenty-First Entry: I don't know what happened. I just.. Collapsed. One moment we were all singing and dancing, my little boy giggling as his older brother shoves cake in his mouth. The next, everything went black. I woke up an hour ago and have been trying to piece together what happened but nothing comes to me. My love says it was sudden and that everyone was concerned. The boys were scared, as was he. It was strange... While I strained my ears to listen to my husband, I just kept thinking about how good he smells. Final Entry: Reminder: Ask the physician why my teeth look like that. [The rest of the Journal is Empty.]