Gift giving, letters and thank you notes

 I love me some gratitude and I love displaying how much I love people, even though it isn't always clear.  My gift board on Pinterest shows the way I like to represent my love and gratitude.

I think that at least 30% of my time (a random number I know) I am thinking about something I can give, something I can do for someone unconditionally ... and thats not including Christmas or Birthdays!

I just love to give!

I think it really shows who you are and how special and heartless you are if you're the kind of person who likes to write letters, do a deed that makes someones day, give a gift for no reason, smile......

On the other hand I just love writing to people so I can get something back in the mail! Like in the old days - well I did do it as a kid - so not that long ago, but writing a letter, sending it and getting one back is just such an amazing sentiment!

I just wanted to give a little love for my passion towards the little things,

KK

Tuesday Ten: Top ten pets!

So I have decided it is pet week and I am going to base my weekday posts around these gorgeous light to our lives!

1. Dogs/cats - equal first! I grew up with dogs, I have always been a dog person and I probably would still pick a dog over a cat, (if it was a life or death situation...) but how funny are cats? I mean that just gives them a total top tier ranking regardless - just ask youtube!
2. Birds - I grew up with aviaries full of birds, I love the avian industry so I will always recommend certain birds for certain household, but I don't like the idea of (most) birds around cats... unless both trained to be around each other from birth. And yes, exotic birds are cool, but your canaries, budgies and cockatiels are just as sweet and easy to train. Birds are very delicate and can die of fright, but they can also outlive you (especially parrots) so tread carefully, but if you want a pet, you must care somewhat, so meh...
3. Hermit crabs - I know these guys are a little different, but god they are adorable! And so super easy to look after! 
4. Fish - especially fighting fish! Ask your local pet shop for help on what fish to put with what, water temperatures and all the necessities, but be careful! Fishkeeping can become an expensive pastime, no matter how cheap it seems to begin with! 
5. Reptiles... in general - I want to be a reptile vet, so of course i am going to mention them as pets. For your average household, I would recommend a turtle, large skink (blue tongue lizard) or water dragon.... Go for your pythons if you are serious and dedicated!
6. Ferrets - another animal that requires a lot of care and time and money. They are basically slinky puppies. Ferrets can be funny around other animals too, so do your research.
7. Frogs - delicate and sometimes loud, some also require a licence, but who doesn't love frogs and their enclosures with the trickle of water?!
8. stick insects - Great for young families, stick and leaf insects are way too easy to look after and the buggers are a lot stronger than they look. They are not delicate. The do breed like rabbits though and are fantastic escape artists, so be aware!
9. Rabbits and guinea pigs - do I need to say much? These guys are just adorable and they can be pretty hardy. Just for the love of animals do not keep them in a metal hutch in the sun. They will die...
10. Axolotyl - If you don't know what these guys are, look them up, it'll be fun.

Enjoy your pets, they love you and depend on you, and they will bite if you stuff up.

KK

Disclosure: this list is in no particular order regardless of what writer has written.

Motivation Monday: Being around pets!

I certainly needed some Monday Motivation today! Nothing in my life is going wrong as such, but I have been feeling very sad, due to personal reasons. I know what to do when I have lulls like this. These 'lulls' are often times in my life that I really need, to be kicked and shoved a little, to turn around, get up and achieve something great.... and you know what really helps with this? MY PETS!

I mean look at them! Animals in general clearly light up my life (they are a passion of mine after-all!) and having these guys around me 24/7 gives me hope and they just know, that when I'm down, I need cuddles, so what do they do? Leap into my lap!

 I have had a lot of pets in my lifetime of (almost) 24 years and although they all have their individual personalities, they are all just full of love!

I have had a hard time trusting and believing in people lately - especially where 'true' love, and partnership all comes together to form this generation's idea of 'love.' I could crap on for ages about that topic, and in a way it is relevant to this blog as I am passionate about love through my stories, so I'd like to ramble on about another kind of love...

Friendship - animal friendship in this case. (Yes there are multiple 'types' of other friendships...) Friendship between an animal and a human has to be one of the most beautiful things in life.

 I have had such close bonds with all of my animals and I love them all 100% equally. They really are my pals. What do friends do?

• Comfort me when I'm down
• Kiss me when I need to be loved
• Glare at me when I've done the wrong thing
• Always willing to hang out (play)
• Always up for a roadtrip
• Listen!
• Motivate me!

These guys are true blue friends for sure, not many humans go to that much trouble. Animal loyalty (and sometimes arrogance in the cat's case...) is just beautiful, a true testament to who they are and the classic saying of 'treat others how you want to be treated,' and in my animals case that's, with love, happiness and entertaining goofy-ness!

And they seem to love each other just as much! They know that when I am grumpy (yes I do get grumpy...) that if they muck around, play bite me, go off gallivanting with each other (the dogs in particular) talk to me, etc. - I can't help, but smile!

 These guys are just always so happy, busy or just satisfied with life. This really motivates me to be content with my own life too, so my pets are a huge deal of motivation monday - that start of the week drawl - they'll be there!

Always smiling while their eyes are shining!

KK

Listen.

I was just listening to a  'conversation ' for lack of a better word in the room. It consisted of each person getting really excited about something and telling the other, as you do when you have news, but each person sat blankly, waiting for the other to finish before bursting into their news... What??

Why does this happen more often than not?

I really wish we would listen more without the intention of talking about ourselves

KK