soop's friendly kitchen for like-minded folk and pampered pets.

He does not look his age- relaxation in your house is certainly working wonders.

He is 13 and up till now he has been pretty good at grooming himself. I think he is getting a bit stiff now.

Jane that is one reason why I chose a short haired cat- Tara does her own grooming which suits me fine. How old is that ginger bundle of fun?

N&G sorry to hear that you are still proper poorly, Sam does not appear to be too bothered. Neither would Tara but my last cat would stay on the bed with me if I was lying in bed for longer because I did not feel 100%. Tara looks after herself.

Yep nanaandgrampy that looks like the way to relax. Yes Charlie is a complete pain to groom. He will tolerate it for a few minutes then looks me in the eyes and attacks. He usually bites my arms even if I fend him off with a cushion!
Any offers for a ginger fur ball going cheap?!

Morning all,

Just popping in as I still feel proper poorly, so haven't really caught up too much.

I can confirm that balloons and bunting will be necessary for Paws tea party which sounds an excellent idea.

JaneD it seems your Charlie went to the same school of relaxing as our sam :-)

Back tomorrow xx

Sorry to hear your sad news kitty. I think we're getting to that stage of life where those we know seem to be going to funerals more often than christenings. Me myself personally I intend to live a long time yet, in perfect physical, mental, and financial health. Well I can dream can't I?

JaneD3 hope your Charlie recovers well. As charleygirl said, I would not like the task of grooming him! He does look a beautiful cat though

Maw excellent idea to have a garden tea party! Hope the weather stays fine and doesn't blow away the essential balloons and bunting I would advise against table cloths though, in case Hattie tries to grab one and run

I also hope for a great day for you Maw and Paw.
A tea party sounds ideal and the more trimmings the better.
P can just sit in his chair and enjoy the attention.
Best wishes to poorly pets. My D had her puppy trimmed yesterday and she sent me pictures. He looks like a skinny rabbit with a large head and ears. He did not look good to me but I kept that to myself.

JaneCharlie looks very comfortable there. So soprry to hear that he has cat flu- I agree, he should not have so much as a sniffle considering how costly it is to walk inn the vet's door. I would not like the task of grooming Charlie, I do not think that he would lie still for long enough!

Maw that sounds like a good idea especially as Mr. Waitrose is doing the work- will they deliver also or do you have to collect? That will be in a week's time so hopefully he will have some of his appetite back and may feel a bit stronger.

When he is sitting in his chair he must be doing simple exercises eg moving his feet up and down and his ankles round and round. He must also bend and straighten his legs to get the muscles working again. Has he been taught how to get out of the chair safely to stand in an upright position? His muscles must not revert to jelly. Simple things like going to the loo by himself are achievable given time.

A tea party sounds great, mawb, especially if you leave the sandwich making to Mr Waitrose. The more bunting and balloons the better . Hope you both have a good day today.

Bunting and balloons sound perfect Maw!
Is there room for another poorly pussy cat in the kitchen Soop? Charlie came back from his holiday in the cattery with cat flu, despite all those expensive jabs. Very sneezy and snuffly but at least he still has his appetite!

I should be asleep but I have just taken Paw'to the loo. Hope he sleeps better now.
I am planning his 70th birthday on 16 September
I have scaled back several times from the big lunch/barbecue I had originally planned, then a family only lunch, but I think even that might overwhelm and exhaust so I am ordering lots of trays of dainty sandwiches and little cakes from Mr Waitrose to be delivered on the morning of his TEA PARTY .
I would still like to be in the garden if possible but this looks much more doable and indeed enjoyable for him if he is not considerably stronger than he is this week. Do you agree?
I rather like the idea of a tea party, should we have bunting and balloons?

When paw was in hospital I think I told you how the Palliative Care consultant went to see him (friend of a friend of DD1)
He greeted me with "a very nice lady has come to see me to talk about the Liverpool Care Pathway" ??
That was when she and I explained what Palliative Care is all about.
It is scandalous that hospice care and "hospice at home" care is not universally available

A hug from me too, kitty, sadly that sort of news seems to be an increasingly common as we all get older. It doesn't make it any easier though, so be good to yourselves. . mawb is right, palliative care is about ensuring as much comfort and least discomfort as possible. Thinking of you all.

phoenix nice to see you here, in spite of the circumstances that brought you. I'm sure soop will be happy to see another well-wisher concerned about Rory.

ann that sounds a fantastic charity and, as you say, one that would be welcomed around the country.

I'm glad you aren't really considering cutting your hair soop, you are so glamorous with your 'updo' .

I'm sorry to read of the trials some of you are enduring. I never seem able to keep up with the day to day news but do love to drop in now and then.

I've made banana loaf, do help yourselves.

Hello all, hope that you will allow me in, long time GN member, but only ventured into the kitchen recently to catch up on Rory, who's story I have followed from Soops first posts about him, quite some years ago!

kitty, hug from me too.

soop ? for your kind comment! I'm dithering about my hair since I had it chopped off when I broke my arm. I'm really enjoying it being much easier to cooe with. That's kinda odd because up till the broken arm scenario I'd always found long hair easier to cope with—stick it up in a bun and forget about it; even shove hats on it and no worries.
My problem now is that I don't like hair flopping on my face soi'm trying to work out a short style that mean I can tuck the front bits behind my ears but keep the rest short. Actually DD2 has achieved exactly this but she has much thicker and springier hair than mine.
I quite like the way my hair sticks out every which way when I wake up. It reminds me of my GS1 ?

We have a very successful charity here in Stockport which deals with the "client" and the whole family.
It involves counselling, alternative therapies, relaxation and a chance to talk to others and let it all out.
It is free to the users and children are very well prepared for any eventuality and then counsellors see them as long as is necessary after for as long as the need is there.
I wish it could be available country wide.

Consider the {{hug}} given.
These tragedies can be too close to home and while we know in our head that these things happen, we still hope for a happy outcome.
Palliative care does not just mean "end of life " care, but keeping the patient as well, comfortable and reassured as possible - and the same applies to the family. It focuses on the whole person and whether or not intrusive procedures will achieve anything or be painful or futile. Well-being sessions, counselling, carers' therapy may all be available to enable the patient and the family to face the inevitable with peace of mind.
Still very sad

Can I please have a hug. I heard today that a good friend's husband has been told that his cancer is aggressive and there is no treatment only palliative care.

On top of that, another friend's husband died yesterday. She had come here from Birmingham to be bridesmaid for someone who worked for dh. She met the bestman and never went home. DH employed her and we have been friends since. Everytime I see her she gives me a huge bear hug - she is so loving and has still got the best brummie accent and I can't bear to think of her being sad. They have 2 children - their daughter is pregnant and their son has just graduated.

I just feel so sad.

Sainsbury delivery has ended a busy day, fortunately only one fairly inessential item not available. Overall pleased with the outcome although the process was tedious

Jane I have been known to feel as if I have my invisibility cloak on, why not give us another try?

Happy holiday galen and downsized, it's throwing it down here. Am I envious if your escape? Oh yes .

Hope today has been OK maw and you have a good sleep tonight.

Rory looked comfy. soop. He seems calm and content.

Oh no, another lovely dog photo, pet envy is still alive and well here.

It's been a good day but a very busy one so its feet up now in preparation for a similar day tomorrow. Lots of appointments, will be fine if none run late. Stressful if they do.

Take care everyone.

I find I can end a thread with my posts. We do not have any reason to feel ignored. It happens to all of us. Please come back Jane.