Soop's pleasant (if boring) kitchen for friendly folk and precious pets.

Glad that Hattie is fitting in better Maw and that Paw is better. As you say, the 'conversations' are difficult but when he gets home is maybe a good time to hold it. With my 'carers course' hat on - I assume you have poa in place? (((hugs)))

soop, I'm sorry to hear that Rory is limping again. He is a very lucky black cat to have you both, and all the kitcheners, caring for him.

Hope Herbert and Sherbert are thriving n&g.

nonna, Misty is a lovely idea. Good luck with the cooking gd.

I made a biggish decision yesterday. I am going to back out of the office based volunteering that I recently started. I looked at the coming week and realised that the gaps in my diary were good and I shouldn't try to fill them all!

I intend to have a lazy day today, I wonder what will occur to stop that plan?

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What a difference a good night's sleep can make!
I have let Hattie have the run of downstairs with the exception of the sitting room (just in case) and we had no crying last night. I muzzled her (basket muzzle, they are used to it and can drink through it) as she had a go at our table in the week ? I am hoping SIL who is a sculptor in metal, stone, but also wood , can effect some repair work.
She is forgiven as she is such a dear dog!!
She grumbles (occasionally cries) at the foot of the stairs if she is missing me so I need to encourage her to come up if only for reassurance.
The news on paw was good yesterday although he did need some extra monitoring last night as his breathing and temp were up a bit. It is so premature of them to talk about discharging him and raising his hopes. Physio and OT need to actually get moving.
The longer term news about the underlying illness is of course unchanged and not good. How long he can "tick along" before there is another episode is anybody's guess and while we have known for perhaps the last 8 or so years that it would could deteriorate, it has been easier to shelve the thought and decide to cross the bridge when we come to it. We both know, and we both know we both know. But the conversation is hard to have.
Has anybody else who has been or is in a similar situation found that? Much easier to just take each day as it comes, but perhaps that is "head in the sand".

I hope that Rory`s limp doesn`t get any worse.
Maw, Hattie looks as if she was born to lie on that rug, I don`t think Grace would mind all that much. Flynn gets cuter with every new photo.

My heart stopped for a minute when I also thought that Hattie was going to be re- homed. It will take time for her to settle especially as she has never been inside a house before. I think she is coping remarkable well and looking at her lying on that rug, one would think that she has been in that house for years.

soop I am sorry to hear that Rory's limp is returning.

Tizliz I hope that Anlon is on the mend soon.

maw ?You had me so worried. I really thought Hattiewas going to be sent away. So glad she's settling in better. I'm sure her company will do you good. Hope paw is able to meet her soon and is having a more comfortable night. Love little Flynn in his overalls

Look 'ere you lot...I've so much to catch up with I'm already exhausted before I begin. Long, lovely messages. I have so little time to read them all. It's all your fault

Welcome Auntieflo we've plenty of room and you are more than welcome to share the delicious gingerbread men that granniequeenie has donated.

Maw At first, I thought, oh hells bells poor Hattie is going to leave the merry throng of pampered pets. Thank goodness that you suggested we read through to the end of your message. Hattie looks perfect on what was Grace's rug.
Also, it must be far better for Paw to be in a room apart from the poor gentleman who cries out. There is one such person in the care home. He yells...I want to die...help me...help me. This goes on for a very long time. A few of the residents aren't too kind with their responses. It is a very sad state of affairs.
That certain little boy playing with water. No wonder he's wearing a broad grin.

You did well, kitty. I echo corner's suggestion that one needs at least a week in which to recover having taken care of grandchildren. Torben would wake me up with my shoes in his hand and the walking stick too. This meant, get up, get dressed, forget breakfast, we're going to the park. We loved every minute of time spent with him. I can remember falling flopping down once we were returning home on the train from London, and sleeping until the train reached Scotland.

Tizliz Sorry to hear that Anlon is poorly. Venison! Rory, the cat with a taste for the finer things in life, had better not know what he's missing.

Talking of Rory...the limp is returning. It doesn't stop him from strolling into the house at mealtimes. He also copes with climbing onto MacS's lap. Today I bought him a replacement mat fro his chalet. He loves retiring to it and sleeps soundly. The old piece of carpet was well worn and a bit frayed around the edges.

Greyduster If I were in your shoes (fretting about what to serve a Vegetarian), I would need to lie down in a darkened room and be revived with smelling salts. Why? You may ask. I get into a tizzy when having to cook for folk other than family. I will prepare the food, serve the food, wash all the dishes (the old fashioned way, as we haven't a dishwasher) and that's my lot. Since we retired, MacSporran enjoys cooking.

N&G Your post is very interesting. Happy Sam! Good boy as MacS would repeat over and over again...
Herbert and Sherbert are over the worst, thank goodness.
I know how you feel about bruising being noted and checked out. I often wonder how many children in the past could have been saved from further abuse had someone picked up on the signs and investigated further.

Nonna 'Misty' YES! That would be perfect, especially played on the saxophone.

My eyes are going all squiffy. I've developed a tic in the eyelid. I blame you lot as I've been in front of this computer for far too long.

If I've overlooked something important, please be patient with me. I shall need to read through the back-log of comments again in the morning.

MacS has opened a new website for the village. He has asked me to log on and comment on his hard work.

So, for the time being, I hope that each and every one of you has a peaceful evening.

Oh blimey, charley, if it's me it's odd. . I guess there were occasional aches and pains but as I have fibro I'm sort of used to things hurting, it got really ouchey three months or so ago. As far as I can recall have never injured that knee, although there have been a couple of spectacular car accidents which sort of banged most of me. Time will tell I guess physio next then back to the GP, if I can get an appointment.

Sounds as if your sister in laws funeral will be very personal, nonna, I'm sure your husband will do his sister proud.

That photo raised a smile maw, very reminiscent of our Littlest. Pleased Hattie can settle herself, maybe right now the where is less important than a good nights sleep for you. I'm sure some quiet and privacy will help paw, have never understood how anyone recovers in a shared and noisy ward.

Hello, auntieflo, hope you stay with us.

Hope Herbert and Sherbert are on the mend n&g, Sam's session sounds fun, I think calm equating to happy can be generalised. .

It's a grey and horrid afternoon, I've done the ironing and the food shop, feet up now, plan to break my not very in the day rule and treat myself to a programme via catch-up. Take care everyone.

She looks as if she has her feet under the table, Maw.

There is clearly something about that rug!
Grace would not disapprove.

it had the desired effect of working off a little of his energy. N&G do you think if I chuck DH's dinner out into the garden and make him hunt for it it might have the same effect? Does it work on small boys? .

Maw glad to hear that Paw is showing some improvement. Taking the line of least resistance with Hattie seems the best option at the moment.

n&g I remember our dog trainer recommending doing that with the food for our two spaniels. I'd forgotten about it - might try again.

Just an update. DH & myself were talking yesterday about his sister's forthcoming funeral, and he wondered if the family might want him to say a few words. That afternoon, her son rang and asked if DH would play his saxophone at the funeral. We knew immediately which song, as she had always requested "Misty" whenever she was staying with us. So that will be his contribution to the day. He will be practicing daily now!

Hattie may not allow Paw into the house because it is her house. Hopefully she will now settle down at night now knowing where you are. I am surprised that she does not go one step further and explore upstairs unless that is too scary.

Flynn looks as though he is thoroughly enjoying himself with that cheeky grin on his face.

N&G I do hope that Herbert and Sherbert are starting to recover after their traumatic day out yesterday. There will be no more missed days from school. I had mine removed when I was 5.

corner the knee problems only starting 3 months ago do not sound correct if you now have "moderate" arthritis. Have you injured your knee at all? If it happened in the dim and distant past it can accelerate OA. I was informed that in 2009 when I #ed my ankle and had it pinned and plated. One does not need surgery to accelerate it.

A few years ago my staircase had been painted and it was not dry. I tried to board it up but Tara of course leapt over everything, nearly losing one of her 9 lives. I was not impressed seeing paw prints on every tread.

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Somebody had fun yesterday sitting in a puddle until ALL the water got soaked up by his dungarees.
Needless to say, Daddy was in charge!

I was going to suggest stair gates TizLiz. So many people borrow ours for visiting dogs (and even children!) that I sometimes can't remember where they are and have to ring round to find them. They don't work for cats .

Maw we find child gates invaluable with the dogs. Separates them from the engineering part of the workshop (think metal shards and paws!), and at home separates them from visitors if necessary and from each other at times. But mainly at night. Anlon is a wanderer at night and would keep us awake, couldn't shut him in the kitchen as he would scratch the door, but a gate means he doesn't feel shut in but stops the wandering.

Does MK (University, don't know when they got that bit) Hospital allow dogs in? Would be great if Hattie could see Paw

Pull up a chair Auntieflo , small world eh? I can't imagine our Sherbet at a Gran !!

I am a lurker in the doorway, sorry, but do sometimes get time to read the posts, but not up to scratch on all and everyone. BUT reading NanaandGrampy's post, made me smile. I used to call our two eldest children Herbert and Sherbet. Long time ago now, as Sherbet is now a gran herself

my god - sorry for the length of my previous post !!!

Good Morning all !!

Off to visit Herbert and Sherbet this morning. I have assembled their Get Well Soon bags from my emergency treat stash and Grampy has contributed ice-cream money ! They still have an ice-cream man who stops in their street so poor old Mummy will be tasked with rushing out to purchase the treats !!

Maw Good to see Paw is feeling just a little better. Long may that continue.

I think Rory has grown comfortable with you both soop , he has no need to check on MacS , he KNOWS he will always be there ( with food). I feel the same way about Grampy

What a coincidence Grey !I have an assortment of names for them especially useful when I forget their given name . You are a better women than I - I hope your lot appreciate your culinary efforts. Its an omelette in our house if you don't eat meat luckily my lot are all ardent carnivores !!

Sorry to hear Anlon is unwell again Tizliz . Sam borders on pancreatitis but this new food we have works wonders. All my past dogs have had cast iron stomachs but not this one.

LOL Grannie I think Stevie asked for his but his Mum said they were' Lost in transit' !! Sounds like a lovely day for your GD . Its funny how different their idea of a good day is from the boys. Love your jolly gingers !! Everyone likes a gingerbread man !

Maw I think you need to be kind to yourself with regard to Hattie. Take the paths of least resistance, there is time for retraining when life has calmed back down to a snails pace.

Talking about retraining - Sam met the Behaviourist yesterday. Such a nice man. Taught us loads of little tricks ( buffers he called them) so we can retrain some of Sam's bad habits. The best bit though was he suggested no putting all Sam's food in his bowl but taking some in the garden and throwing individual pieces into the long grass and having Sam find them, thus working for his food.

What a pleasure to see Sam using his spaniel nose and crossing the garden diligently looking for scent. We spent a good 20 minutes doing it and it had the desired effect of working off a little of his energy. A calm Sam is a happy Sam. So we will be working on our bad habits that we have taught him.

Watch this space {smile}

Just one final bit for my version of War and Peace

I was reminded of the world we live in when my daughter told me she and her husband were called into a side room yesterday to talk to a doctor at the hospital. They questioned them about Laura and it became apparent they were checking to see if she was abused.

They have been camping in the last week and the kids are boisterous outdoor types and had been using a zip wire. Laura had bruises on her thighs from dangling on it.

My daughter was both horrified and then quietly impressed that it had been noted and they were checking.

But what sort of world is this where the first thought for bruises on a little girl is abuse !

Breaks my heart.

Anyway , a peaceful day to one and all !!

Stuffed peppers sounds very acceptable! And can serve as an extra veg if she (?) is a carnivore.
I love slow, very slow cooked venison and when I want casserole venison my shooting friend butchers it for me in bigger chunks as the small ones you get in the shops just disintegrate.

My DD has been vegetarian for years, although she now also eats fish. She is very accommodating when it comes to food and will happily eat simple things like mac cheese, pasta bake or lasagne. I think my fall back for Sunday is going to be stuffed peppers (does the mystery person like peppers though? How do they feel about garlic? Will I ever find out? ”Look in for the next exciting episode......”).

Please read to the end.
At two this morning I decided I couldn't keep Hattie. Although she had settled within 20 minutes, I had found myself wide awake 3 hours later steeling myself for the next crying session. Sure enough it came and I am afraid I thought F*ck it and just opened the utility room and kitchen doors so that she had access to the hall. She lay down immediately at the foot of the stairs . And shut up.
I composed a long message to my dog friend on hol in Norfolk saying why I felt it was not fair on me or the dog and by the time I had finished I was seeing daylight (almost literally, it was 3) and a way forward.
Still not a sound. I woke again at 6 wondering what carnage I might find, peeped over the bannister, no dog. Tiptoed downstairs and she was fast asleep on the mat at the patio doors. Back to bed, the alarm woke me at EIGHT , dog still asleep, but when I went in unfurled herself wagged her tail and trotted out to do her business.
I realise that my sleep is crucial and if doing this means I can have a peaceful night I can work on the other separation issues. She shows no inclination to find me upstairs but when she has seen/heard where I am, settles at the foot of the stairs. She is so gentle in every other respect I hope I am not being arrogant in thinking a life with us is still preferable to a.n.other who might choose her were she returned.
If palliative care comes into the equation at some stage in the near or more distant future I will look into doggy day care or the local kennels which are v ritzy and virtually walking distance.
Paw has now got a single room, admittedly the smallest, shabbiest of the four without a bathroom but it will give him quiet, privacy, less awareness of the poor demented old men you find on any ward these days for whom you feel compassion, but they don't half depress one.
I cannot believe that I have slept till 8! Even allowing for the interruptions of the night. I do feel stronger.

maw I didn't shoot it but did help with the butchering. It was a stag and a bit tough to be honest. Makes a nice soup! Perhaps I should keep quiet with all this talk about vegans at the moment. I have my daughter and grand daughter both vegans, one grand son who can't make up his mind and another grandson who has just strange eating habits coming at half term. Combine that with OH who thinks vegans are very strange. Cooking will be in shifts?

Thanks ann, helps a lot with understanding. I plan on getting at least another four years out of it . It's odd, had the first discomfort three months or so ago, just a bit bemused it could be that bad. Hey, ho and onwards. .

Sounds as if you will have a busy time with the grandchildren kitty, it is fun, is t it, but a week day or two to recover is always welcome

Slept like a log, so ready for the day today, it makes such a difference. I've looked at those pillow sprays, will do more than look and also get one for a daughter in law who is an appalling sleeper.

Sympathise with the missing contact, greyduster, one of our lot was supposed to text a short shopping list for us to pick up with ours this morning, he hasn't, tough really . Hope the 5,000 appreciate the efforts you have fine to.

Take care all