Imperial Family Claimants Post Here . . .

[Douglas]

Good to see GD Janet this afternoon in the courtyard of the palace.  The Empress noticed a huge stack of luggage all packed up for  Janet's voyage to Sant Fe and all of the festivities to be had there.  Too bad that tio Valmont and Reed  take all of this so seriously.  One has to enjoy life and have a little fun now and then while we get ready for the coronation ball next week.  Someone is going to be the new   whatever but no one knows anything....least of all moi.  Stand by for lots of fun, fun, fun.. giggles and lots of laughs. I've had the hallboy go round and polish all of the door knobs in the palace.  He'e the best and also does up the silverware...even though we are missing a few spoons.

[Janet Whitcomb]

My Fellow Imperial Claimnants:

So distressed and distraught have I been re: so much dismay and disheartedness that I jolly well dissed myself out of a proper sign off.  

That being said, I must admit that Tsar Doug also sounds a bit addled . . . Really, Sire, I am taking a carriage, not a boat, since Santa Fe--remembering  what my tutors and governesses used to tell me--is landlocked.

All the same, I do expect those nice gentlemen in the clean white suits--no, no, not THOSE . . .  the ones at the top of this topic!--to greet me as I disembark. It's the very least that is due me, for I am, indeed,

The GD/GP Janet

[Douglas]

Dearest GD Janet:

We're so sorry for the confusion about your mode de la tranportacion to Santa Fe.  I thought that you were going via the Grand Canyon by boat but lo and behold you're going by  'carriage'.  I can get so confused some days.  It may be the little blue pills or the purple ones.  I told Dr. Kinbot to put the pills in colored bottles and I just  get all mixed up.  The good Dr. says I am responding to 'treatment'.  Soon I'll be better and can enjoy a shave without fearing the imperial barber and his blades.  Have a great time in Santa Fe, Janet and all and we'll see you upon your most gracious return to the imperial court.  Most happily and back on the meds..."Douglas"   P. S. Say hello to Santa for us.

[katieann]

Dearest All

I've spent the last 2 hours reading through these notes and I'd just like to say a hearty THANK YOU for keeping me in stitches!!!  I'm suffering from a really bad bout of flu and this has cheered me up no end.

I'm not Royal, have no wish to be, but would love to attend the next Court Ball when it comes around.  I'll happily come as someone's Lady in Waiting.  I have a lovely swirly blue silk dress (a bit like a meringue) which would be shown off to best advantage during a waltz, and can hum God Save the Tsar too.  If this qualifies me, I'll cheerfully come along and show off my best curtsey to you all.

Thanks again for the laughs - they're much appreciated!

PS:  If there are any budding Grand Dukes out there - I look fab in diamonds and can also do the Macarena!

[anna]

Dear Kathleen,

Nice to know someone loves us I hope our stories made you feel any better. You're welcome to the party, but don't know where or when.

Get well soon

Anna

[Janet Whitcomb]

Dearest Katieann--

Your very comportment itself deems you to be a royal, illness or not. Of course you may attend the next Court Ball, swirly dress and all. And if you teach us the Macarena, we will be forever in your debt. Remember, there were other such parties in St. P, with special demonstrations of new dance steps . . . and they were so popular that additional parties were scheduled, just to accomodate all who wished to observe and learn! So, already you are operating within royal tradition.

But alas, I may not be able to attend, since additional luggage continues to pile up in the courtyard as I await my conveyance which will transport me and my vast retinue of servants to Santa Fe. Traveling can be such a bore, is it not so?

At any rate, enjoy the festivities, and do take care of that dreadful flu before it becomes La Grippe.

Still at the playpen, I remain

The GD/GP Janet

[katieann]

Dear GD Janet

It just dawned on me that with my hobby I could maybe apply for a vacant position as a Dance Teacher.  I'm well versed in the waltz, quick step, foxtrot and can manage a passable tango (though not if you're thinking of inviting the Argentinian Ambassador along - he'd probably laugh out loud at my efforts.)  I can also do the Macarena, Funky Chicken and Cha Cha Slide.  Then there's the Scottish Country Dancing element.  We'll need bagpipes for that and a floor that's really slippy (a sprained wrist or broken ankle is the norm if you spend the night "reeling").  Is the ballroom at AP fitted out with highly-polished wood or marble floor?  Either would make the Country Dancing element go with a real swing.  I could initiate the court into the intracacies of The Gay Gordons, The Duke of Perth, The Dashing White Sergeant and Strip The Willow, along with quite a few reels as well.  Mind you, my swirly blue dress would have to be changed for something in white with a tartan sash, but I daresay the Court Couturier (my Mum?) could help me out with that!

Yours hopefully,

Kathleen

[Ilana]

Ah... how I should love to learn to dance... if only I didn't have four left feet... (paws??)

Her Imperial Highness the Grand Duchess Maidel Barkinsky Woofinsky-Romanovsky  (woof)

[Douglas & E.]

Greetings Imperial Courtiers!

Hello to our new Katie Anne!  We used to have a dancing master, Prince Albert  of Monaco, but he is off with one of his pals on some sort of holiday.  He was a great dance teacher as he can both lead and follow.  He is just so versitile and a fun guy to say the least.    Cheers to Anna.  All new members should be forewarned that Anna is a Master Spy.  I can always tell when she has been snooping around my corridors...it is by the wonderful smell of her perfume.  Wow, when she enters a room it is like a perfume bomb has gone off...we love it!  Cheerio  to GD Janet:  Good to hear that you're a good sport with the dancing but  we'd all love to see your fabulous impression of the movie:  Dirty Dancing!  If you need a partner ...may I offer my services? BTW Llana, no dancing with the dogs, like you did at the Spring Cotillion in St. Petersberg.  It was just a little over -the-top.  All the best  dear ones, D.& E.

[Janet Whitcomb]

May it please your Royal Majesties D and E, but I am so focused on the ever-growing stack of courtyard luggage, along with overseeing a full retinue of servants, all of whom will accompany me to Santa Fe, that I fear I must decline your kind offers of cotillions, Prince Albert in or out of the can, and tributes to Dirty Dancing and other cinematic classics.

However, I beg your indulgence in the hiring of Katieann as Royal Dance Instructor, since I feel she will bring a new level of enthusiasm to our appreciation of terphsicore. And while I was indeed well schooled in all the most decorous of dances that any young lady should know, I confess that refresher courses in the Cha Cha Chicken and Funky Slide would be quite appropriate. (Oh dear, I hope I did not muddle those titles. Ah well.)

At any rate, since I am bound for Santa Fe rather than Kansas, I cannot simply click my heels together three times but must instead supervise the servants in loading up the royal carriage. So, without further adieu  , I bid you fond ado  :-/  and give you firm assurance that our family will be well reprsented by

Yours Truly,

The GD/GP Janet

[Douglas & "E"]

Prince Albert in the "can".  Oh, I get it!  GD Janet, you are such  a wit...we love it!  Have a great time in NM and say hello to Santa for us. If any of the things on display  in the museum are for sale...let us know and I'll send my footman to pick them up.   We wouldn't want anything to end up in some strange house in Rio or Tokyo.  And as to the dancing, how about us all do my favorite at the next gala: The Hokey Pokey.  Don't worry, it's easy.  "D"

[Pravoslavnaya]

from the cage paper of HIH Indeed the Budgerigarevich Dmitri.

We are distressed here at the Aviary in Massandra that there has been a recent attempt at a palace coo.  It seems the local pigeons are making a mess on the Palace roof that we could easily see here when watching coverage on television recently.  

The Imperial Budgerigar Court are doing well here, including the Cossack Baby.  Regards.

HIH Dmitri.

[katieann]

Dearest All

I have the most divine news!  My cat (known to the family by her pet name of Dinah) has annouced that she is actually Princess Dinahlova Meowsky-Romanovsky - a direct descendant of GD Olga's cat Vashka!  Well, you could have knocked me down with a feather at that bit of information.  She's actually gone all 'regal' on me and is now demanding a velvet pillow for her personal use, Faberge collar (appropriately inscribed), cat treats on an hourly basis, and a new carrying box so that she can travel to Tsarskoe Selo in appropriate style.  Now, as an almost Dance Instructor to the Imperial Court (I understand Prince Albert doesn't know the intricacies of the Funky Chicken and his Cha Cha Slide doesn't slide enough), would it be appropriate for me to bring the Princess along?  She's perfectly happy napping on her cushion throughout the day, but can sometimes get a bit fraught if there are too many people around - especially if they're not Royal.  Would this cause problems?  Dinahlova gets on well with lesser species (ie dogs) and would be very happy to become acquainted with any birds who are on the premises too.  She doesn't like caviar but adores fresh tuna or chicken.  Help and advice from ALL members of the Family would be much appreciated!

["Douglas"]

Dearest Katie Ann - Kathleen and Devine  Dourtiers:

Please inform your  household animals and pets that  they all have to get in line according to the palace pecking order of the Imperial Pets.  The PPOIP.  Besides that  we just cannot have these creatures  running loose in the corridors without their attendants and nannies.  The other day the Empress awoke to find both Ortino II and Princes Meowsky in bed with her.  She was not amused. Therefore the Imperial Decree is declared:  All the courtiers are to be watchful of their dear pets and please remove them from the palace after evening tea.  Back to business:  "D"

[anna]

My dearies,


Douglas as always charming, the secret of my success?
"Maroussia from Slava Zaitsev". Generals and Princes of the royal blood faint when I enter a room. As I tiptoed through your corridors I could still smell the scent of "Rasputinia" I send you some time ago. I thought E didn't used it anymore.
With the Gd/Gp Janet in Santa and spy-bussines in a recess, there's not much for me to do. I could assist Katieann with dancinglessons (and do a bit of spying on her as she is new to the crew )You all know I'm a virtuoso on the ballalaika but did you see MY dying swan? I took some masterclasses from my good friend G. Balanchine and even appeared in the corps de ballet at de Bolsjoi. So what can go wrong? Ilana needs definitely some lessons and their Majesties too. It's all in the hips my dears.

Anna