Coffee with Kj

Okay, so now you know what I look like, sort of, I really do have pretty eyes, but you can't see them because I am squinting into the camera and sun and I have to say I do not like my smile here, but I promised a photo so here it is, Kj of course looks fab :-) (she is the one in front). Those of you who do not know Kj, go to her blog and check her out. Kj is the first blogger I have ever met, I know there will be more and I can only hope that they will be as nice as her. I had to work the day I met her, so we only had an hour and a half, but we got to talk a lot and I could have talked all day with Kj and not run out of things to say.

One thing that struck me is that I have always wondered if people were the same on and off their blogs and after Meeting Kj, I can say, yes, and it made me so happy to know that. It is wonderful to know that the people I blog with would indeed be real time friends if we lived closer and could meet. We talked about other bloggers and how weird and wonderful the blogging world is, and one blogger that came up was you Renee, we have a mutual love for you and said a lot of nice things :-). We talked about everything under the sun and it was a bright sunny day, we met at one of my favorite coffee bars in Taos called Loka. Meeting Kj was the bright spot of my week. Thank you sweet K for making the extra effort to come to Taos.

P.S. Photos are by Kj.

Have a great Friday! XOXO

What I Learned Last Week

Life can be rough, it can suck and it can break your heart, but even at it's worst there is always a bit of magic to be found. On my worst day with Spike, the day I thought he was gone, I said to myself "When are you going to LIVE how you BELIEVE?". That thought turned me around.
It has been my mantra. I believe that all things happen for a reason, I believe I can trust the process. I am taking all things that come to me as a gift. Some days I do better than others, but I am learning.
Spike is home and happy. I have to give him the fluids twice a week and the vet and I decided to not risk his life with the surgery to take his stone out. Everyday I have with him is a precious gift
and I see it always has been. Same for everything. I wish that I could always see this, when I am in a hurry or stressed, I often miss all the treasures around me.
I had a lovely gift arrive yesterday in the form Of blogger friend Kj. We had little time, but made good use of it. I will share photos of the meeting soon and (gasp) you may just get to see what I look like :-).
Another gift was the wonderful Kate P, blogger, and art supporter who bought stuff on my ETSY site and helped so much to boost my moral. Thank you Kate P!
Today is my mom's birthday- HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!! Love you.
Have a great Tuesday everyone. XOXO

What's Up and New Work

Least you think my life is just Spike, Spike, Spike, other things are going on. I have not had time to make new work, but I have been taking photos of new things as I can, the top photo is of 4 lovely porcelain cups that did not make it, they look like the elephant man they are so full of bubbles, this is what porcelain does when you don't get all the bubbles out and it is almost impossible to know when you have got all the bubbles out. Porcelain and I are having our fist fight :-). I am up to the challenge though. The other photos are of small 2 1/2" wall hangings, the middle two are porcelain mix and the top and bottom are porcelain. So far nothing is selling on ETSY and I am a little down about it, but I won't give up on that either.

In other news, the gallery I have my paintings in, is closing and I have to go pick up my paintings this week. It is another blow in this week of blows, but I know it is probably for the best.

Spike news: I was able to give him his fluids this morning after 3 attempts and pokes. It is much harder on him than me. I do believe we will both get used to it after time. Thank you for your continued prayers and good thoughts.

What are you up to today? Happy Sunday! XOXO

Spike-Update

He is doing well, not perfect, but acting like the old Spike and feeling better. Tomorrow will be the first time I give him his fluids by myself. I will need to be brave :-). I hate needles, but that is not really the hard part, now that I have done it at the vet's it was not so bad, but the part I don't get, is how do I hold him and get that needle where it goes? If Spike survives I will be giving him fluids twice a week for the rest of his life, so I best get used to it.
Thanks to Willowtree, Teri and my friend V sending me links I have found out so much about the food we feed our animals. And I am ANGRY! Angry that no one regulates the crap they put in pet food and angry that dry cat food is the main reason for a bunch of cat diseases like kidney failure. I found out too late for Spike and B, but I can perhaps save Max (he is only 2 1/2 years old) from harm. Why don't the vets tell people about this? I told my vet, who is a lovely wonderful person, and she looked at me with disbelief, but I will keep at her until she gets it and realizes that it is true. If any animal loves are interested, here are a couple links to start you with:
http://www.catsofaustralia.com/cat-kidney-disease.htm

http://www.homevet.com/petcare/feedingyourcat.html

Spike goes back to the vet Monday for more blood tests. Keep praying. Love you, XOXO

Spike-Update

Spike is home for an overnight, I am to take him back in the morning and he will stay for the day while I am at work. He could go right back into the state he was in, so if he gets through the next 48 hours, that is the test. We are still waiting on the surgery. I will be giving him fluids every month, with a needle, but they said it is not bad and that they will teach me. Anyway this is a huge couple days for Spike, if he goes back into kidney failure I will have to put him to sleep. Keep praying. At the very least I have one more night with him. He is very funny right now, full of it and very mad :-). This is a very stressful time, but I will honor whatever Spike Chooses. I am so grateful to have this time with him, however small. Thank you all for your support and love.
Willowtree would you email me any info you have about the food issues, if it is not too much trouble? It just so happens I feed my cats dry cat food.
Blessings, XOXO

Spike is Better!!!!

They saved his life, but he is not out of the woods yet. He also has stones in his bladder, I am meeting with the vet this afternoon to talk about what is next. He has made it through the worst, so I think the rest will be a piece of cake for him, well maybe not cake, but easier. I have also been doing some research on kidney disease in cats (my cat B also suffers from it). I was told there was nothing I could do for B except give him special food (which I do), but I am learning that there are things I can do. I have much to learn so I can help my boys and also prevent my younger cat Max from suffering with this. I will let all you cat lovers know what I find out over the coming months. Keep your prayers coming. Thank all of you so much! XOXO

Spike Update

I visited Spike this afternoon and he was so much happier and seemed a lot better. We won't know for sure until tomorrow morning and then he has other issues to deal with. He is by no means out of the woods, but he is better. Keep praying. Love you, XOXO (photo is of Mr. B and Spike)