Sunday 4 March 2018

Aches and pains





This is my selfie for the week:-

The stresses of managerial work never ends, and some days I have had to undertake some serious work in the chair. 


Sometimes I works so hard I have to have a working lunch too..... and a working nap!














............... and now it's Sunday Story Time!



This weeks story is dedicated to a very dear friend to us all, Kali, from The Canadian Cats blog, who crossed the bridge this week. Our hearts reach out to Shoko and the family, and we are sending gentle purrs to help heal their loss......





This weeks story is........... Aches and Pains.




Mrs Hudson is lying down on the parlour floor, whilst Erin, who is sat on her chest, gently taps Mrs Hudson's right cheek with her paw.

"Is it numb yet, Mrs H?"

"Dumb, dear? Now don't be hard on yourself, Erin. I'm not sure it is the best idea you have come up with, but I'm all for trying alternative remedies and treatments. I have to confess that I had hoped though that it would be numb by now. You have been at it for the last fifteen minutes after all."

"I DID say numb, Mrs H. Maybe if you sorted that bun out you could hear me better?" 

"The Sun and some beer? Well I'm game for it if you are, Erin, but it is rather irregular of ones employer to ask one out to a pub lunch and a drink. Don't you think we should sort this matter out first?"

Erin slapped a paw to her head and sighed deeply. "OK so maybe I have been a bit too subtle. If I hit you very hard on the cheek like so...  WHACKETY WHACK WHACK..........WHAAAACK!  Then maybe that there tooth of yours will numb up a bit so we can pull it out. How was that? Do you feel any more numb than before?"

"Hang on dear, I can't hear you. I'll just slide this bun over a tad and I should be OK. My face is numb now though." Mrs Hudson sat up and moved the bun back behind her head and secured it with a hair grip. Feeling her jaw, she winced as she came to the area of the sore tooth. "Hmm, well so much for Felix-opawpatry! What's next on that list of natural remedies?"

Erin had been busy researching tooth ache remedies since Mrs Hudson mentioned it that morning. The palace medical plan would have covered such matters, but for one small point. Mrs Hudson, no matter how she dressed, just couldn't pass as a cat. Any work she had done would therefore have to come out of her own purse.

Of course as she also didn't actually draw a salary this left another minor issue. Erin felt a minor pang of guilt as it was she who had asked Mrs H to rake the leaves in the garden in the first place. She had also not tidied up the rake which Mrs H had trodden on and which had then smacked into her jaw and broke the tooth.

Reiki healing had seemed like an obvious popular choice. But given the rake was to blame it did other seem like adding insult to injury by using it to cure her. Especially as by waving a rake over her jaw, there was a distinct chance of being clobbered by it again.

Crystal healing had come up in the search, and had seemed like the best option as she had used it herself. In fact she had some of crystal dissolving medicinal feed left, but given the pain factor and time, she felt that dissolving Mrs Hudson's teeth might not be practical a solution.

Erin twiddled with length of yarn she had found laying around the drawing room. And then a sparkle appeared in her eyes and she mentally, for want of opposable thumbs, snapped her fingers. "Mrs Hudson, I have it!

"I thought you had the wormer a fortnight ago, dear, or was that just the flea treatment?" Pulling out a small diary from her pinafore, she flipped through the pages until she found the one she needed, and then nodded. Yup it was just the flea treatment. one dose of Frontline Princess mix, to be taken in cream 5 times a day for a week. That's what you told me the consultant said, and I jotted it down, look."

Mrs Hudson proffered Erin the page as evidence, and then popped it away again. "Well if you have worms then it is from all those take-aways you have instead of a proper meal. I could do you a nice sandwich or a packed lunch, with nip salad with a white mouse starter... or finisher dependant whether you can catch it."

"No no no. I assure you, Mrs Hudson, I do not have worms, well not yet anyway. No, what I have is the answer to your tooth ache."

"What? A dentist? Well that is very nice, Erin, but I can't have you spending all your money on me. Not when there are bills to pay, things to mend, and mice to put on the table."

Not a dentist, Mrs H, a piece of string. Well a piece of yarn as it happens. Same difference really unless you happen to be knitting soft undergarments in which case it wouldn't go down well.
All we, meaning you, will have to do is tie this yarn to the tooth and I'll pull hard and that tooth will come out. Well that's the idea anyhow and it worked in a documentary by Messrs. Hardy and Laurel. Meet me in the study in ten minutes and we'll have it out in a trice.

Mrs Hudson entered the unlit study very slowly. There was a chill in the air even though flames licked at a log in the hearth. The flames seemed to dance to a dark and sinister tune that played from the wireless. "Hello, is anyone there? Erin? You did say the study, didn't you?" Her hand felt along the wall and pushed the brass lever downwards. Nothing happened, so she flicked it up and down twice more and still no luck.

Reaching into her apron she withdrew a small lighter and a candle. No sooner than she lit it than a sudden breeze made it gutter and go out. At the same time a large white ghost appeared in front of her and let out a terrible moan.

Mrs Hudson screamed, dropped the candle and fled the room. As she did, Erin crept out from behind the ghostly sheet.  The was a muffled banging and thudding sound from the kitchens, and then a large yelp followed by a long sigh. Erin, fearing she might just have inadvertently killed her housekeeper, headed off to the kitchens to see what she had done.

Erin arrived moments later and found Mrs Hudson sat on the floor, nursing her jaw. She had a wad of cotton wool doused in witch hazel pressed up against a rapidly reddening patch on her cheek. "Oh my, Erin, what a start that was. A ghost popped up from nowhere and frightened the stockings off me. I think we really must have words with those guys, and say they aren't to haunt during working hours without prior approval. Gave me quite a turn, not that I mind ghosts, but that was my best sheet they'd used and it reminded me I hadn't got the washing in from the line."

"Erm, Mrs H, I must confess that it was me that tried to frighten you. Look I'm really sorry about that and I do hope that you didn't hurt yourself?"

"I know dear, I saw your tail sticking out from behind the sheet of the ghost. The tiara was a nice touch though. It was very sweet of you to try to cheer me up that way, so I'd forget. Tell me, why a ghost? I mean I hope you didn't pay them to do that when a nice bunch of flowers would have been just as good?"

"Well I was actually trying to shock the pain into going away. It said in the book that a sudden shock was good aches and pains. It was either that or a cold bunch of keys down the back of your blouse when you weren't looking, but I didn't think I could manage that. It did seem like a good idea, honest." Erin, shuffled her feet and bent her head to avoid Mrs Hudson seeing the tears in her reddened eyes, and drooping whiskers.

"Oh my, Erin, you ninny. Those remedies are for stopping the aches of hiccups not tooth ache. Still, you actually did make them pains go away, in a round about fashion that is. You see when I saw that sheet I ran to get the washing in and trod on that confounded rake again. Looks like the smack I gave myself this time has shifted the tooth, look?" Opening her other hand, she revealed a dainty white molar nestling in a small silk handkerchief. If I get a few more of these I can have a set of dentures made." She smiled and winked at Erin. "Of course I could just pop it under my pillow for the tooth fairy to collect and leave me a golden coin."

Erin perked up at the mention of gold. "This fairy, does she come by appointment or is it on a needs must basis? I mean it is always best to know these things for future reference. I wonder If I could maybe mail her and find out if there is an exchange rate for different sort of teeth. There are bound to be a few around here that aren't being used. And I wonder if she could bring something other than gold.... like gold top cream or maybe a mouse or two?"

"Now Erin, I can see where you might be going on that, so don't you go getting any ideas now." Mrs Hudson waved a reproving finger at Erin. "I want to hang onto the rest of MY teeth as long as I can and I'm fairly certain the Kraken's will be rarer than the hens. Best leave that idea until the next time it happens. Now help me up and we can put the washing back out as seems like the suns out and my tooth ache gone." With that she got up and narrowly missed the cupboard door that was open overhead.

Erin grimaced at the near miss, and prayed the clothes pegs wouldn't pose any threat to life or limb. "You know, Mrs H, that's a great idea. It seems every cloud clearly does have a silver lining after all, maybe even gold!" Erin smiled, and picked up the bag of clothes pegs and trotted out into the garden. "I think we can probably get a spot of gardening done too. Maybe you could finish off raking these leaves whilst we're here. What do you think?"

"Mrs H, are you coming....." There was a loud THWACK, a thud and then a groan from behind her. Erin turned to see Mrs Hudson lying legs akimbo on the lawn, beside the rake, nursing her nose.

"Hmm, I think maybe we'll just forgo the laundry and gardening today, don't you?" Erin sighed, and then got a glint in her eye. "I wonder how much I..... er..... WE would get for a nose from that fairy? Mrs Hudson, hold still and don't let that nose run off, I've just got a quick phone call to make!"


The end


52 comments:

  1. Oh Erin, you will never make it big in the medical profession will you!!!

    I think you need a real dentist, maybe a rake with a rubber handle too - right?

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    Replies
    1. Hmm well teeth and too big, maybe I could specialise in them only, and get the tooth fair a contract too?
      Toodle pips and purrs
      ERin

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  2. Well, Mrs. H's toothache is gone...but now she has a nose ache. Hoomons are impossible to manage, aren't they? Great story, Erin! Apaws! Apaws!

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    1. Hi-yer. Glad you liked the story. Hoomans, tell me about it! And who'd have thought they get money for their teeth? If I'd have known before I could maybe have mortgaged Mrs H's an then insured them too! Mind you would the tooth fairy then be accused of robbery?
      Toodle pips and purrs
      Erin

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  3. Hehehe you're like calamity Jane Erin....hehehe,xx Speedy

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    Replies
    1. Thank goodness I didn't hire her then MOL
      Toodle pips
      Erin

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  4. You sure have a most wonderful curly cozy selfie going on Erin! Poor Mrs. Hudson, that's such a pain!

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    1. Hehehehe you took the pun straight out of my mouth MOL
      Toodle pips and purrs
      ERin

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  5. Nice selfie, Erin. Lovely as always! We're glad Mrs. H's toothache is squared away, but sad that it's been replaced by a pain in the nose!

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    1. Bless her, yes it is a shame about the nose, but at least the rake got put away soon after so that wont happen again.... safety first in this palace! or is it third?
      Toodle pips and purrs
      ERin

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  6. Replies
    1. Too right, we have to be everything from nurses to librarians and bloggers to.. well something I haven't yet dreamt of, but I will after my next nap. MOL
      Toodle pips
      ERin

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  7. Beautiful Selfie Erin...
    And have you thought of making extra Money for Cream by becoming a tooth extraction expert!
    Purrs
    Marv

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Prince Marvelous. Hiring the rake out for profit sounds great fun, and profitable too. I could get the gardner to do it on his day off! Excellent!
      Toodle pips and purrs
      ERin

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  8. Ha ha loved your story Erin. I think your attempts at different remedies were rather resourceful. But perhaps that rake needs to be put right back into the shed, for now!

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    1. A lady must have her finger on the pulse as it were and a good library is one we use. ALSO having someone with opposable thumbs is a help MOL Actually Marv suggested starting a tooth extraction business so the rake is being used on the gardeners day off to earn us some extra cash...
      Toodle pips
      ERin

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  9. Nice selfie!! Poor Mrs. Hudson!

    The Florida Furkids

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    1. Thank you, I love the silver edge that my fur has taken on due to the light, a counter point to the soft brown of the leather on the chair. After a quick bathe and my gentle felix-opawpatry she was up and running.... literally MOL
      Toodle pips
      ERin

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  10. Aw, poor Mrs H...exchanging one pain for another! Nice selfie, Erin.

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    1. Well it did keep her mind off her tooth, which did get better. Strangely though she didnt want to try another go at the rake to stop the sore nose. I wonder why?
      Toodle pips and purrs
      ERin

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  11. That was quite an ordeal, I am glad the tooth came out. Her poor nose though-ouch! Great story and selfie. XO

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    1. She is made of stern stuff is our Mrs Hudson, quite a brick... well except for the nose it seems MOL
      Toodle pips and purrs

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  12. We love the over head shot!
    Have a super weekend...

    Noodle and crew

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    1. Thank you, yes it works quite well and the colours have changed my fur, giving it a white edge. I almost look festive MOL
      Toodle pips
      ERin

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  13. Oh Princess, you are a good researcher and so proactive! That Mrs. H is a bit of an accident prone one isn't she?! Maybe she needs to pad herself up a bit with tissue papers or pillows before doing any inside or outside activity! Maybe she needs to set up a donation jar to help fund her medical expenses and to purchase you a new rake, 'cause the rake might be a bit tired by now! Tee hee hee. Paw Kisses!

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    1. I Had hoped that the bun would come into play and cushion her but sadly it has a mind of its own and didn't help. Yes one tries to read up in these things in case they can make money, or help in a crisis. Well she does have her sherry fund, but that also doubles as the cream fund, the swear jar, and also the sweet and nip jars. Needless to say it is more often empty than full. MOL
      Pawkisses and head bumps to my wooly bear.
      Erin, your black and white dove.

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  14. The above was from me. -Valentine (& Mom) of Noir Kitty Mews

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    1. Thanks Val, I’m glad I recognised your purr correctly. Mol
      Toodle pip and pawkisses
      Erin

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  15. Poor Mrs. H! Shouldn't she get dangerous-duty pay? :)

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    1. Oh gosh, don't say that as it would have to come out of her pay too, then she would be even more broke MOL
      Toodle pips and purrs
      ERin

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  16. Erin, you are one busy kitty!!!

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    1. Hi! Yes well I do try to keep myself up to speed and paws on most subjects.... my favourites are the chair cushions and the wool duvets MOL
      Toodle pips and purrs
      ERin

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  17. Great selfie, Erin!

    You just reminded Mum of her toothache (she's trying to forget as she hates dentists).

    Purrs xx
    Athena and Marie

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    Replies
    1. Sorry about that.... do you have a rake handy?
      Toodle pips and purrs
      ERin

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  18. you look sooo cozy that my Mom wants to take a nap with you! xoxo catchatwithcarenandcody

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    1. Aww thank you, the chair is rather snug, but Mrs Hudson finds it lumpy after a few minutes so I get to use it most often.
      Toodle pips
      ERin

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  19. Oh my mouses, Erin. That Mrs. H. of yours is like a walkin' talkin' accident. Don't tell her I said that, though, okay? Last thing she needs is hurt FEELINGS, too. MOUSES!

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    1. No worries, Seville, I will hide that email from her. But I think she would agree that she does seem to have a high strike rate! Bless her, she is thick skin and does bounce quite well, especially if she lands on her bun
      Toodle pips and purrs
      ERin

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  20. ERin; yur selfeez rockz N sew doez yur storree for shoko & her mom N dad....we noe kali reeded thiz N loved it .....frank lee we liked de hole eye dea oh de pub; a wee pint ta toast Kali, a wee pint ta helpz mizzuz H anda wee pintz bee tween friendz ~ ☺☺♥♥♥♥

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    1. Hi guys, thank you I love the way I have a silver edge to my fur. The thought of a pint really does wet the appetite and I bet Kali will raise a glass too when we make that toast, to Kali, no friends are ever absent if they live in our hearts.
      Gentle purrs
      Erin

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  21. Oh Erin, poor Mrs. H. She sure does sound purrone to accidents and such. Ya' might think 'bout takin' out an insurance pawlicy on 'er. Who knows how much ya' might be able to collect. You might even be able to buy your own cream factory or somethin'. MOL big hugs

    Luv ya'

    Dezi and Raena

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    1. Hmm sounds like a good plan, but I bet the premiums would be too high as she is so very accident prone. Mol
      Toodle pips and purrs
      Erin

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  22. A few nights ago, I dreamed of you and Mrs. H. The odd twist of my dream was that Mrs H was a mouse. We all know how much you love to have mice over for dinner ;)

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    1. Oh my, sounds like a real fright if a dream. Erm, how big was the mouse and did it have friends? Just need to know so can set the table mol
      Toodle pips and purrs
      Erin

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  23. Mee-yowvelluss sleepin selfie ERin Purrincess! An yur story iss pawtastick. LadyMum doess sumfing called Ther-a-pew-tick Touch an it helpss mee feel better.
    Shee sayss mee could use sum REIKI all so...mee has had long diss-tance Reiki an it REELLY werked!
    ***nose kissesss*** Siddhartha Henry xXx

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    1. Hi Prince Siddhartha Henry, thank you. I think I got the wrong end of the stick (or rake) re that therapy. Sounds like it is really positive stuff in the hands, not paws, of someone who knows Mol. I am so pleased it has worked for you, though not sure it would help Mrs H and her lost tooth mol.
      Toodle pips and purrs
      Erin

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  24. Now I understand why your Selfie is so sleepy, Erin, being a dentist... in training has worn you out :D The healing ideas were excellent thoughts anyway, but sometimes we need a little help from the dentist himself :D Thank Cat that the toothie is out, that must have hurt real badly. Pawkisses for a wonderful Day :) <3

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    1. The tooth fairy has it way easier than I had. Maybe I should ask for commission?
      Toodle pips and purrs
      ERin

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  25. What a busy day with Mrs. Hudson's tooth. Your thoughts were great. You touched on all the natural remedies I could think of.

    We totally enjoyed your post as per usual. We goot many a chuckles at Mrs. Hudson's expense. hehe
    Thank you for the dedication, we were touched.

    Loves,
    Shoko, dad and mom Jean

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    Replies
    1. I'm told there are many more remedies but frankly I think after this disaster I'll leave the job to the professionals like the tooth fairy. MOL Mrs H is quite a hoot, and a very good sport too :)
      Sending gentle purrs to you all
      Erin

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  26. Hey Erin, mew can't beat a bit of crystal healing, did mew know we have the only Crystal Healing Henge in the wurld, mew should have sent Mrs H here fur treatment!

    Big hugs

    Basil & Co xox

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    Replies
    1. I reckon I will next time, and there will be a next time I’m sure. Mol
      Toodle pips and purrs
      ERin

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