About Us Page

We are Novel and Jelly, the long-suffering stuffed animals belonging to Amber McAfee. Novel, a clouded leopard, has been Amber's companion since she was 8 years old, symbolizing her enduring love for nature and her childhood innocence. His counterpart lives in Peru with one of Amber's dearest friends, serving as a connection to her past and the people she holds dear. On the other hand, Jelly, a strangely green giraffe, was found lost and alone at an anime convention in Davenport, Iowa, representing Amber's adventurous spirit and her ability to find joy in unexpected places. Together, we have traveled across the country and beyond with Amber, witnessing her growth and experiences. 

We should probably tell you more about Amber since this is a chronicle of hers. She will be writing most of it, as we have short attention spans and can't be counted on for such things. We are great to snuggle with but not great at the art of prose.

Amber is a special education teacher in Wichita, Kansas. Her dedication to her students at the elementary school is unwavering, and she finds joy in their progress, even during the most challenging times. Her students adore her storytelling sessions, and she makes sure to indulge them as often as her schedule allows.

Amber's family may be small, but it is filled with love and laughter. Her daughter, Zelda, is a reflection of her mother's hardworking nature, pursuing her studies at Wichita State University with majors in Art History and Photography and a minor in Anthropology. Their home is shared with a number of cats, a dog that thinks it's a cat, and a charming red-tailed boa that occasionally goes on adventures of its own. 

Amber is passionate about many things, but writing and the written word have held her heart for her entire life. Her goal is to write that novel that has been tossing back and forth in her head for a while now. She is pursuing her education at multiple colleges, a decision influenced by her struggle with manic OCD. This condition, while challenging, has also fueled her determination and creativity. Amber already holds a Masters of Special Education and is endorsed in 6 content areas. She is currently working towards a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Wichita State and a Masters of Fine Arts at Kansas State. The MFA she hopes to evolve from basic English Studies to Creative Writing, a field that allows her to express her thoughts and emotions in a structured yet artistic manner.

Obviously, she is single.😔 All the woman does is work, work, work, but she is happy, so we guess it is all right. 

I Am From

        by Amber McAfee

I am from the stacks

From ink and page

I am from the lays of dust along well worn spines of books that are dear friends

Dark, gray, and fascinating

I am the Lily of the Valley

The deadly white, bell-shaped flower

I’m from drunken family fights and so many freckles

From Dorthy and Warren

I’m from the hard workers and smarty pants

From talk more and read less

I’m from the Dogma, with the breaking of our daily bread

I’m from the Emerald Isle and Caledonia

Black coffee and meat n’ potatoes

From the abandoned sister and brother at the orphanage at the end of WWI

The sobriety my great-grandfather left behind on the blood-stained fields in WWII

Around the house are scattered knickknacks, photos, and memories of life

I am from the shadows of those things, the unwanted child who rose

I am the one who became so much more than an after thought.