Life with a cat called Ambrose

I thought I would share with you the on-going trials and tribulations of living with a cat called Ambrose.

Just before Christmas I found a bra with chewed straps. I could only deduce that it was Ambrose who chewed it as it was in the place that he used to like to curl up and sleep, ie my chest of draws in my bedroom. Luckily my darling husband brought me some new ones with him when he visited over Christmas and the New Year (more on that in a bit).

I also found a T shirt that at first look I thought he had just chewed the back as there was a hole. OK I thought I’ll just take the back off and get a plain bit of fabric and make a new one. But I looked further and there was an even bigger hole in the front.

So on Wednesday I found that my favourite cardigan had been pulled off the pile of washing to put away and into their sleeping hole! (It’s actually my sewing table which is covered with a packing blanket and has created a cradle.) Anyway I looked at it and guess what, he has chewed it. Again on first look it appeared that he had just chewed the ribbing in a few places so I thought I’ll just get some more ivory cotton yarn and redo that. But again on further review of the item there was a gaping hole on the sleeve too. Oh well I have had the cardigan since before 1991 – see I told you it was a favourite as it went with most of the clothes I own but it is also a good excuse to buy/make a new one.

Back to my conjugal visit at Christmas. My darling husband came out on 16 December and on the Monday we went to Aswan for a couple of days, returning on Wednesday. It was only a short visit and we will have to go again for longer to do it real justice.

Temple of Ramesses II

Temple of Hathor/Nefertari

The only other historical trips we did were to Dendera and Esna. On all these outings he was the Official Photographer and he also took some lovely photos of the animals.

Dendera (Temple of Hathor)

Esna

The dog was not sure of him to start but by the end of the 3 weeks they were getting on like a house on fire. When we Skype each other Jazz gets interested ‘cause he can hear his voice but can’t really see him. I am now counting the days until 30 April when I get to see him again.

Until next time.

Be well.

What's been happending and another card

I promised that I would try to post at least three times per week but to be honest nothing much has happened here.  Apart from Jazz had another paddle in the Nile on one of his morning walks on Thursday and I went out to lunch with a dear friend and had a great time.

The days do seem to run in to each other.  Is it really Sunday already?

Just after Christmas I made another bespoke card ...

I utilised Hansdome Hunter cardstock as the base and the paper was from a Hostess Design Pack (6 x 6"), both now retired.  The stamp was from Stamps Happen and was coloured with Copic pens.  This was then mounted on silver mirri board and onto the card base.

I am fairly new to Copic pens and think that I am improving slightly with my shading on each one.  The more I practice the better I will eventually become inshallah.

I also did a few more concept cards and additional cards from the left overs; these are my favourites ...

I am currently working on something for a dear friend and will post is when it has been finalised and posted to the recipient.

Must dash as I need to rescue a cat from an over friendly and playful puppy.  Until next time ...

Be well

Out and about & Crafting

Yesterday, a couple of my friends and I went out into the wilds of the West Bank of Luxor.  We visited two Nobles tombs, which were very busy which was wonderful to see. 

After being spellbound by in their wonderful art for an hour or two we went on to visit the Ramesseum.  This, in contrast to the tombs, was very quiet.  I was also glad to see that the scaffolding around the relief of Toth and Seshat writing ramesses II name on the Persea tree has finally been removed.

Detail of what is being written

And after all that excitement, back to crafting.  The other day I posted a card that I gave a friend.  She was very pleased with it and on the back of that I got two bespoke orders.

One was for a wedding ...


 
 

This card was a bit unusual for me as I cut out the card front and the accent picture is actually on the inside. 

 

There was loads of bling and glitter on the card as it was for an Egyptian and the person who placed the order was pleased with the outcome.

 

And the other for a significant birthday ...

 

 
This is an easel card and it stands up like this ...

 This card was stamped with a Lindsay Mason stamp and coloured with Copic pens and then mounted on Stampin' Up! cardstock. 

The person who ordered the card was very pleased with the end result as was the eventual recipient.

Cats and Craft

To get everyone who had been following the saga of CC and Ambrose.  I can report that both are extremely well.  Ambrose is now back to his usual talkative self and CC goes out a night and so far (touch wood) has not sustained any further injuries. 

(15 September 2011)

Ambrose looking proud in a favourite sleeping spot.

(3 January 2011)

CC loves  my new addition and this is where he usually snoozes.

As I write this, little Willow is sitting on my lap purring.

(3 January 2012)

This is her other favourite sleeping place.

As many of you know I lost my beloved Odin last year.  I looked after a friends dog when they were on holiday and I realised that I missed that unconditional love and company.  It also means that I can talk to myself (whilst pretending to talk to dog!) and not appear too mad (lol).

He was born on 6 January 2011 and his name is Jazz.  He is the total opposite of my previous dog and I know I shouldn't compare the two but it is difficult and I love him just as much.

(17 December 2011)

A beautiful picture taken by my darlind husband (B1gneil)

(17 December 2011)

Ever since he's been very little he has had to have his lead in his mouth, a comfort thing I think - bless.

Here he is with one of his favourite friends - CC(20 September 2011)

(3 January 2012)

I said she had to get close...

And here is a card I made a dear friend ...

This was made using Stampin' Up supplies which are fabulous.  I have quite a bit as I used to be an Independent Demonstrator before leaving the UK.

Finally, I know I have been remiss is posting here but my February/March resolution is that I will attempt to post more often and definitely at least a couple of time a month.  Lets hope I can manage this.

Thanking the vets at ACE

I made this little card to thank Hannah, the vet at ACE that took so much loving care of CC and Ambrose during their difficult time last year.

and detail

The recipient was very taken with the card, and bookmark.  Please let me know what you think.

Ambrose update ...

... and he is a bit better.

I was really worried about Ambrose yesterday. Although he appeared to have come out of the initial anaesthetic reasonably quickly he insisted on sitting next to me; as every sick child wants their mum. His wound was really really weeping which I suppose was good, the antibiotic was doing the trick. I have to keep checking that he is still breathing as he is breathing is really shallow. However, he was still really doppy. He was sick as predicted. He managed to have a little something to eat thankfully (the frist time since Saturday) and he drank a bit too.

I had been chatting with my friend Marcy C on facebook and at one point was in tears cause I hate to see him look like that. At one point I was very close to tears because of this and Mary said some very kind words, and sent me a long distance hug :)

I went to be reasonably early about 11.30 pm cause I was exhausted from the worry. And you could see his third eyelid. My last though was of Ambrose and I offered up a prayer to keep him safe and well.

I woke up at 6.30 am and my first thought was of Ambrose so I went out to check on him an dhe is loads better. Perhaps the reason he was so out of it for so long was the accumulative effect of the anaesthetic.

CC is loads better and she even tried to escape last night when Willow was deciding whether she wanted to come in or not. Luckily I managed to grab her and got her back inside.

Later this morning Ambrose was even interested in going outside, until that point he was not in the least bit interested so this is a vast improvement. And his wound, although it’s still weeping it is nowhere as bad as yesterday.

The Continuing Saga of Ambrose and CC

So last Saturday I posted about my mishap with some marble stairs leading from the Ferry to the Corniche.

During the week following that incident was quite eventful. I was not up to taking Ambrose back to the Vet at Ace on Tuesday but I kept cleaning his wound and applying antibiotic cream and it seemed to have cleared up.

CC was still suffering with her foot. Again I was cleaning this and putting on the cream. However on Wednesday her wound closed and on Thursday it had started to swell. She sat on my lap on Thursday evening and jumped off and the swelling (obviously now an abscess) burst!! Unfortunately ACE is closed on Friday (being the day of rest here.

When Charmian came on Wednesday he did not go and sit with her which was unusual. He was walking funny but I thought it was just because he was in a strop because he had been kept in. So on Friday I noticed that Ambrose’s gizzard was swelling but thought this was because of his neck. I decided to let him out on Friday but he just sat on the steps. I went out to bring him back in and noticed he had a hole in his cheek.

So a week following my incident I was at ACE again with two cats, fortunately the incident was not repeated.

Ambrose was seen first and the swelling in his gizzard was actually an abscess. The Vet got 20ml of pus out. She packed the wound gave him antibiotics and painkiller.

CC’s wound was above the muscle and did not affect her nerves. She was cleaned also given a pain killer and antibiotics.

Yesterday Ambrose was scratching his wound and he caused it to burst again and I managed to get about 10ml of pus out.

The repeat visit was today (Monday). Ambrose was got flushed, antibiotics were placed in the wound and he was packed and given more antibiotics and pain killers. Return visit on Thursday with pain killers and antibiotics for me to administer on Wednesday.

It is the general consensus that Ambrose got caught in the Borgonvelia in the arch above gate and the wounds were caused as he tried to get away!

CC was cleaned and given pain killers and re-bandaged with a return visit in 5 days or so. She also has pain killers for Wednesday.  And shes putting more weight on hew poorly paw already hurrah!!

I would post pictures but they are pretty gruesome.