My memory box

The photo album is just one from my collection (they occupy an entire bedroom closet) - I have way too many but I still develop photographs even in this digital era. They are all worth it though: when I sit down with a few of them on my lap, the smile never fades from my face. The reason I have so many photo albums is my love for picture taking  (got the bug from my Dad) - the magic of freezing a moment in time is just too captivating. I placed 3 things from my past on the photo album: a golden bracelet that was a gift from my Grandparents for my first birthday and I still wear it - whenever I look at it I feel them close to me. The golden necklace with an "S" pendant was a gift from my grandmother, who was a very special person in my life and I miss her more than I can tell. The little cow-toy is a reminder of how great and happy my childhood was - the cow has a smile on her face and when you press on the "button" under her, you can make her move, dance, tilt her head, make her play dead (there are strings attached to her legs, head...). There's also my favorite mug: of course it has elephants on it as I feel very passionate about them - as you know I foster a few baby elephant orphans and it feels great to be part of something so important like contributing to the saving of a species. There's also a baby elephant statue by the camera. Whenever I go, I pick up stones and bring them home as a memento of a place. The white lace angel is a gift from my Mum - she gave it to me so it would protect me :). The colorful letter beneath the angel is another thing I am passionate about: pen paling with great women all around the world. I would be lost without my pen pals as they are the best of friends. I can't imagine my life without my two furry girls, Pupa and Mika - they try their best to make me smile every day. I love traveling and Ireland has been the most unforgettable country so far. As you can see my favorite flower is the tulip. I never leave my house without a lip balm (the little round thing on the Ireland book) - I had a genuine addiction years ago when I had one in every purse, every jacket, every room! I love reading and fantasy novels are just my thing: it's a way of escapism I think and I just love the the Twilight saga (I am Team Edward........unless Jacob is shirtless :)) .. .if I had read the books before I saw the movies, I'd be on Team Jacob for sure). Since there can be no life without music, I present you my favorite artist: Mr Bryan Adams  - he truly rocks!

A mix of pix

a beautiful day

Pupa doing her nails

My best friend Alenka and little me, back in 1973 or 1974

My best friend Alenka (on the right) and me celebrating my 40th birhtday in early June

Mika being comfortable on our bed

Ginger... walking away

Behind the camera

Meet Jacques

I am sorry I let my hubby talk me out of fostering kittens before and I am now only "allowed" to bring home one at a time (for now) but I am loving every minute of it.  Because I can only take one, I take some that need extra care and it's preferable to separate them from the others. Hubby even helps with medicine administering! Because even if they are tiny like Samba was, it is safer to have more than 2 hands when playing nurse (and sometimes it's me who would need a nurse afterward). I am sure some of the cat owners can relate :).  The shelter is full but we still take in 1 or 2 kittens a day. It's holidays time, not so many get adopted. So... meet Jacques: 

As you can see, he is suffering from a severe eye infection. The left eye is on its mend (even if it doesn't look like) and he is on antibiotics + antibiotic cream. He's a lap cat, the gentlest I ever held! He's also a bit camera shy. His appetite is good, he's fever free. I went to the pet shop and bought a small dog crate so he can be more comfortable. He is already reserved for a couple who will adopt another kitten from out shelter so I'll have him just for around 10 days. I really hope he looks his best till then, just as when he was brought to the shelter with his 2 brothers, who are already in their new homes. 

Jacques the day he was brought to the shelter

Samba = Hope

All our efforts couldn't save Samba's eye :( We asked several vets and the answer was always the same: the eye needed to be removed. We took her to an animal hospital (we unfortunately don't trust our local vets much), where they took care of the bad eye. The most amazing thing that happened is that one of the vets decided to adopt Samba!!! When I was told I didn't know if to cry or laugh. I've only had her for a few days and we weren't keeping her, but we hoped to have several weeks with this bouncy kitten. What can I say? We fell in love with her.  When I told my hubby, he said: " Couldn't we at least have her over the weekends?" We visited her at the hospital and I could see that even though the eye didn't seem to bother her, it did affect her somewhat: she was even bouncier, happier, cheekier, hungrier. We left reassured that Hope, her new name, will be just fine.