Hurty Arm and Bed Mice

"My arm hurts Mummy."

"I can see that Alfie, you're limping."

I made an appointment for him at the vet's.

He hid in a place where we couldn't get to him. I rang the vet's, apologised and made another appointment, which was for the following morning, as he had to be in early in case he needed sedation.

Morning came and I managed to grab him and get him into his PTU. Pinky arrived and was making coffee. “Simba's just gone out” he said. He had his back to the cat flap. “Im right here Mummy” said Simba, and he was. Going to the kitchen, I looked out of the window and there was alfie, halting in mid-three-legged run and grinning at me mischievously.

There was no catching him. Once again I had to phone, apologise profusely and make another appointment.

At first I thought Alfie had sprained or broken his wrist, but by now he had a hard, black lump on his inner arm.

The next day we managed to get him into his PTU and down to the vet. By now he had a full-blown, nasty abscess, which needed anaesthesia to drain, so I asked if he could have his teeth done (which he needed) at the same time. The vet agreed, as in view of his heart murmur the less time he has to be anaesthetised the better.

We had to take him back for a couple of follow-ups and his arm and teeth were fine.

Nice healthy skin with the fur beginning to grow back.

Meanwhile, the day after the first abortive attempt to catch Alfie, Pinky tied up the back bedroom door so he couldn't hide in there again (the door wouldn't stay shut). The next day was the one on which we finally managed to get Alfie to the vet. When we took Alfie back for his first follow-up three days later I was stressing out, not only because of Alfie's injury but also because I hadn't seen Simba all the previous night and day, nor had he appeared for his breakfast. Pinky had bought a bolt and fitted it to the back bedroom door when we got back from the vet's. I said, “Are you sure Simba isn't in there?” “Yes” Pinky replied, “He was in there, but I saw him come out”. “Please look again” I said. He tried but couldn't get the door open. After cutting away the rucked up carpet, out came Simba! Somehow he'd got back in there while Pinky was tying the door. You can imagine my relief! (Bu66er the carpet).

Have  you ever  thought you should read the  Bible? If so, go here. I think most of you will be aware of this and have read some of it, but as it was Easter I felt like posting the link.  As most of us beans have a sense of humour it surely follows that God does too!

In other news, the Caramels have almost shed the red.

:) xxx

I'm giving up cooking.  I shall only cook that which can be heated in the microwave.  Lie dormant Evil Oven! Had a cooking malfunction last night. Long short, smoke alarms went off, neighbours gave me a huge amount of help.  I would like to thank my friend and neighbour Kirsty Craghill and her friend Mariela, plus new neighbour on the other side, Clare, for all they did for me.

In other news, the Caramels have been turning red:

You may be able to see the red blob in Simba's ear if you biggify the pic.

Wednesday I was just waking up, rolled onto my back, when Alfie jumped onto me and stood looking down into my face.  "Aaargh" I said.  "What's happened to you?" as I stared up into his red eyelined eyes.  He didn't seem at all discombubulated but nevertheless, I bathed his eyes.  The stuff was very thick and sticky so I couldn't get it all off, but here are some pics of him later:

:) xxx

(Almost) Werdliss Wensday

http://www.gofundme.com/3cv8gc

R.I.P. dearest Skeezix

:) xxx

Dona Nobis Pacem, 4th November 2011

Peace friends

:) xxx

My Cooking Sux

His Regal Handsomeness regards me from his position on my keyboard... 

 "He he, you forgot to turn the flash on, didn't ya?  Didn't ya?  *stoopid bean*".

 "Oh noes, what now...?"

"I don't belieeeeve it!"

"Her glasses have popped a lens yet again"

 

"Doh!"

Pinky brought me some lovely fresh vegetables from his garden, which I thought would go beautifully with griddled steak, so last Saturday I went down to the local Co-op to buy Aberdeen Angus beef - one of, if not the, best British beef you can buy, which I knew they sold.

None.  No beef steaks of any kind.  So, made a salad with some of Pinky's tomatoes, plus some cucumber and Greek-style yoghurt, accompanied by tinned salmon dressed with balsamic vinegar.  Nice.

Monday, went back to Co-op.  Just one steak, a British beef sirloin, not specified as Aberdeen Angus and not one of my preferred cuts: fillet, ribeye or rump, but it looked halfway decent so I bought it. 

Couldn't cook on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.  Won't bore you with the reason.  Friday came and almost went...  Felt so tired and cold!  I shivered under the duvet.  The Caramels were the bestest, bless their hearts.  Alfie climbed into bed and cuddled up against my tummy, while Simba curled up in the crook of my knees on top of the duvet.  I was the filling in a cat sandwich, gorgeous!  Even so, I shivered, but eventually, zzzzzz...

Early evening I woke to find Alfie gone.  Simba was still in position but as soon as I moved he jumped onto the dressing table and played music on the venetian blinds...

 ...much like he did here in the living room on another occasion.

We went downstairs and got "breakfast" again and oh gosh, last of the Whiskas' Pouches!  This called for an emergency trip to the corner shop.  You may be aware, dear reader, that I'm unsteady on my feet and this was the scariest excursion I've ever made.  Suffice it to say that by the time I got home I was no longer cold.

Saturday I felt better, so I cooked my steak dinner.

Looks okay doesn't it?  Not exactly cordon bleu presentation, but okay.

The flavours were good, BUT...

The steak was as tough as old boots.  The mushrooms were bland and watery.  I ruined the red wine sauce by reducing it too much and then topping it up with too much liquid due to clumsiness.  I overcooked the potatoes (still don't know how) so they came out as hard as bullets (tasted delicious though!).  Pinky's tomatoes were the redeeming feature - they cooked perfectly and were delicious!

I'm opening my restaurant next week.  You are cordially invited to the Grand Opening!

:) xxx

Yesterday I went to the Eye Hospital for a check-up on how my squint is doing, accompanied, as usual, by my bestest frennid Geoff.  My eyes haven't changed much, which is good, though I wish they would improve!

Anyhoo, while in Brighton we did what we usually do - a bit of shopping followed by delicious hot dogs from the stand.

Geoff was bored out of his crust on this occasion because I was choosing lipstick (he hates lipstick!) and since all the shades have changed it took me a long time to choose, especially as Boots had an offer of 3 for the price of 2. Likewise with hair dyes!  Eventually, a me chuffed with her bargains and a slightly grumpy Geoff made our way to the hot dog stand. "Whose turn is it to pay?" asked Geoff.  "Well, I think it's me," I replied truthfully.  Even if it had been Geoff's turn, I think I would have answered the same after what he'd had to endure!

Anyhoo, we enjoyed our lovely, delicious hot dogs and while doing so, noticed how few pigeons there were about begging us for scraps.  On a previous occasion, we took these pictures on our mobile phones:

 Perhaps the council have done a cull... :(

 

 
 :) xxx