Soaring Vet Costs And How Unfair They Are

I haven't written in a while about the cat and I just though I should after all it is the Ninjakilleract blog and even though we no longer have Rollie with us sadly we do still have Jack and he is a unique character in himself.Jack has managed well on is own despite the friendly rivalry with Rollie. We did think about another cat when we lost Rollie but after thinking long and hard about it we decided against it and just had Jack on his own.


Jack is not without his expense like any cat and he now needs a more potent flea treatment than your bog standard one you might get from Amazon or any supermarket.And I was discussing how often he would need worming if I switched over to the worming tablet the vets offer.

“ oh every 3 months if they’re a potent hunter “

“ oh he doesn’t bother much nowadays “

So of course later on I found a mouses liver in my kitchen ..

Dormeo Silver Plus Mattress

At the moment we are in the throws of the teen doing his GCSE's no fuss, no tantrums cool as a cucumber he is ; the only signs of the marauding teen is when he comes down for food. I liken it no a house trained hamster but less noise well that is till he puts his music on whilst showering then it sounds like a night club. A happy teen is a contended teen which makes for a more relaxed parent and being well rested is number one on the list as if a teen doesn't sleep well then all hell can break loose and worse still performance could suffer at school.

A good mattress is essential and that is where Dormeo stepped in just before my son started his GCSE's which was ideal as that means I could tackle cleaning the teens room as well a job not for the faint hearted. I open his bedroom window for fresh air he closes it and so begins the cat and mouse game , oh  the fun we have.


We have a memory foam mattress ourselves so we don't need to drag the teen round the mattress shop complete with eye rolling , the teen couldn't believe it when the mattress arrived all vacuum packed and rolled up in a long slender  cardboard box. It would seem all the cool mattresses are doing this nowadays  When you open the packaging do make sure you do this in the room where the mattress is going so you don't have to shuffle it up the stairs. Of course if you do ( ahherm then it is most light and manageable to do so )


The mattress naturally inflates itself and you leave it flat for 18 hours , it then naturally inflates itself to its intended height over the course of the day.

The Dormeo Silver plus is an Italian design and one of the key features stated is its sanitised protection. It is named as such as it incorporates real silver fibres into a super Ecocell. Silver has been recognised as a natural antibiotic and this provides an anti-bacterial, anti-static, anti-bacterial and anti-odour properties.  

The Mattress has super magical powers in my opinion it contains bling ( silver) for the teen we opted for the single mattress.

This is a  top quality Dormeo memory foam mattress has a super-thick Ecocell® and memory foam core, with an extra plush Silver cover for maximum comfort, support and protection. Silver protection Silver has long been recognised as a remarkable natural antibiotic and, weaved into our mattress cover in combination with Sanitized® protection, it affords you amazing anti-bacterial, anti-static and anti-odour properties. Ecocell is a patented foam with 3D open cell structure designed to work in unison with Dormeo memory foam. 20mm of Dormeo’s high quality visco-elastic memory foam sits on a 180mm layer of Ecocell® foam, all surrounded by a luxury cover which incorporates real silver fibres and Sanitized® protection

The Teens Impressions

The teens impressions were favourable and loved the fact that he didn't sink into the mattress , and that we was able to sit on it and do his revision ( despite US having brought him a rather pricey desk). He also found that he was able to lounge and do his gaming when he wasn't revising or sleeping.

The Parents view 

The package arrived in a long slender cardboard box as the mattress was vacuum pack * I repeat do not unpack the mattress till you have reached the final resting place ( see what I did there ) . The mattress will take 18 hours to reach its required height which is the same amount of time you spent in the supermarket queue to be honest.

Fim star looks

As this is a special mattress it doesn't scrimp on looks either , the colour is white and both the sticking and weave are superior quality to anything I have seen on a mattress before. The Dormeo branding can be seen on both the sides and top of the mattress well if you've got it you flaunt it. The size of the mattress is 90 cm x 190cm)



The cost

This mattress retails at £249 as it is currently in the sale and it carries a guarantee of 15 years , which I am happy about as it will take him well into his adulthood , next mattress he can obtain himself.

Teenager update

I told the teen to warm up before running and warm down but would he listen ~ nope he is currently negotiating running a bath this is first for him , so here is hoping he doesn't flood the bathroom. He now taken himself to lie down on his bed with his legs effortlessly cushioned by his new mattress ~ bless his little cotton socks.


Disclosure I was sent the mattress for the teen all reviews and words are ours , also we have learnt an important lesson that we should listen to our parents.

Hidden Gems Of York - York Nuclear Cold War Bunker -

Hidden Gems Of York - York Nuclear Cold War Bunker 

Since the teen went to university up in York we’ve been up there rather a lot on various mission s , fetching and carrying that we now feel rather local. So what can you do in York that’s a little more unusual and a little of the beaten track after you’ve been mesmerised by the shambles

and eaten all the Fat Rascals ?

 What about a nuclear bunker , I love nuclear bunkers they’re so cool and interesting ( they’re funky ) I think it’s ok to take children down but bear in mind it is under ground and do make sure  they’re ok in that sort of environment before you do go down, obviously there will be references to nuclear war and the inevitable injuries that it causes.

Protecting us from Nuclear fall out is the York bunker a couple miles from York city centre and I bet in all the times you have visited York you have never been here and I urge you to go.

It was built in the late 1950s and was active from 1961 all the way to 1991.It was one of 29 sites that notified good old Blighty (Britain) that it had been the subject of a nuclear attack also measuring the ensuing nuclear fall out.The dutiful task of this fell to the Royal Observer Corps (ROC) who are now disbanded.If the worst had happened, the ROC had the rather unenviable job of being cooped in this underground bunker for 30 days whilst completing their nuclear fall-out monitoring duties.

Thankfully the Cold War didn't heat up in that way and Mr T and I were rather happy we didn't have to check the radiation levels by "quickly nipping outside " in the height of 1960's fashion with the added benefit of just a scarf covering our mouths and then have a decomination shower which was basically just a couple of hosepipes. The Government didn't deemed it necessary that the ROC get those suits that you see in films of old as they were very expensive - eek

The Bunker is now decommissioned -the York Cold War Bunker is run by English Heritage, with entry comes hour-long guided tour. Adult tickets go for £ 11 or free if you belong to English Heritage

Portuguese Green Beans Fried

First time cooking Peixinhos da horta (fried Green beans ) in my own kamikaze style , yes I know the beans should be whole etc etc but I was cooking on a wing and a prayer.

Ingredients 

100 grams of plain flour ( though you could reduced the amount , it’s totally up to you)

3  eggs ( I only had 2 so added some milk )

Some salt and pepper 

Some herbs dried or fresh 

Salt

Seasonings

Method

Wash and remove the Green beans strings and cut the ends, then place them in a saucepan full of water and season with salt.

Cook for around 10 -15 minutes 


Drain and set aside

Mx the flour eggs and a little salt in a bowl and any other flavouring I threw in some chicken seasonings

Dip around 3 -4 green beans at a time ( My Green beans were a bit more chopped up but it doesn't matter )  keep going till all the beans are coated

Heat a frying pan or skillet up and gently fry the beans on both sides 

Set aside on a plate that has kitchen towel on

I served mine on a bed of chopped chicken but it pretty much goes with anything I think and it’s a quick and easy lunch or supper perfect for humid hot days . You could add some diced shallot to the batter just to make a bit of a change , it is I think a really adaptable recipe.

Fried Portuguese Green beans 

The Mysterious Adventures of Jack the Black Cat

The Mysterious Adventures of Jack the Black Cat

Ah, welcome back, dear readers! the enigmatic and charming Jack needs no real introduction, the black cat with a heart as dark as his fur and a spirit as playful as a kitten high on catnip.

Now, if you’re a long-time follower, you’ll know that life with cats is never dull. Jack, however, takes this to a whole new level. A creature of the night, he moves with a grace that would put a ninja to shame, slipping through shadows and appearing just where you least expect him. But don't be fooled by his stealthy demeanor; Jack is as playful as he is mysterious.

The Midnight Marauder

Jack’s nightly escapades are the stuff of legend in our household. It all begins as the clock strikes twelve, when most mortals are tucked in bed, dreaming sweet dreams. Jack? He’s just getting started. His emerald eyes gleam in the dark, reflecting the moonlight as he surveys his kingdom from atop the highest bookshelf. No curtain is safe from his pouncing paws, no loose thread escapes his notice.

The other night, I awoke to a meowing that would have even set Stephen King on edge as he couldn't be bothered to jump back over the gate to come through cat flap. So now Jack has a catsbo like an asbo but for cats and is not allowed out the front door past 7pm !

The Daytime Nap Master

When the sun rises, Jack’s energy seems to fade with the last stars of the night. His daytime routine is a masterclass in relaxation. He has a special spot by the window, where the sunlight pours in just right, creating a warm haven perfect for napping. Curled up in a perfect circle, his tail wrapped around him like a blanket, Jack becomes the epitome of peace and tranquility.

There’s something almost magical about watching a cat sleep, don’t you think? The gentle rise and fall of his tiny chest, the occasional twitch of his whiskers – it’s as if he’s dreaming of his nocturnal adventures, perhaps reliving the glory of his latest sock heist.

The Feline Philosopher

But Jack is not just a creature of action and rest. He has a contemplative side too. Sometimes, I catch him staring out of the window, eyes following the flight of a bird or the rustling of leaves. In these moments, Jack seems to ponder the mysteries of the universe. What goes on in that clever little head of his? Is he plotting his next adventure, or simply enjoying the beauty of the world around him? Perhaps a bit of both.

Jack’s introspective moments remind me to take a pause from the hustle and bustle of daily life. There’s something to be said about finding joy in the simple pleasures – a sunny spot, a quiet moment, a gentle breeze.

The Heart of the Home

Jack, with his mischievous antics and serene naps, has woven himself into the very fabric of our home. He brings laughter with his playful pranks and peace with his purring presence. Every day with Jack is a new adventure, a new chapter in the delightful story of living with a cat.

So here’s to Jack, the black cat who lives life on his own terms, teaching us all to find joy in the night’s mysteries and the day’s quiet moments. If you ever find yourself with a feline friend, cherish their quirks and love them dearly, for they bring magic into our lives in the most unexpected ways.

Until next time, dear readers, may your days be filled with purrs and your nights with wonder.

Paws and whiskers, [NinjaKillerCat Blog]