tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post8904813887253289812..comments2024-02-23T02:03:23.020-07:00Comments on The Eco Cat Lady Speaks: The Land of Constant CrisisEcoCatLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-21187187427991700812015-10-28T11:45:07.101-06:002015-10-28T11:45:07.101-06:00Ain't it the truth!!Ain't it the truth!!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-19326532983657716992015-10-26T13:44:55.546-06:002015-10-26T13:44:55.546-06:00I'm starting to think that owning a home means...I'm starting to think that owning a home means living with a constant crisis. That seems to be the case at our house anyway. We seem to end up dealing with whatever is most urgent and working down the (never-ending) list that way. Danielle L Zecherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01492742250595537348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-24261922008670368842015-10-23T22:43:30.237-06:002015-10-23T22:43:30.237-06:00Well... I hung a trouble light out there so it'...Well... I hung a trouble light out there so it's functional for the moment. And since there are ailing fluorescent light fixtures in the basement too, I'm gonna "practice" on those first. At least I'm not gonna get bored any time soon! :-)EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-13309439867367696052015-10-23T16:44:57.381-06:002015-10-23T16:44:57.381-06:00Nope, we each deal with what we are given so compl...Nope, we each deal with what we are given so complain away. 😊<br /><br />I wasn't a huge fan of CFLs to begin with, I didn't like the light that came from them so I converted everything ij my home to LEDs a couple of years ago. Now that I've seen what happens when one burns out I won't have them in my house. <br /><br />I'm glad you will be reworking the electrical out there but with the colder weather on its way this isn't the best time to want to have to work out thereLoishttp://theecograndma.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-72255284524156396572015-10-22T19:51:02.489-06:002015-10-22T19:51:02.489-06:00Ha! Or maybe that's a situation where being su...Ha! Or maybe that's a situation where being subtle is not actually helpful. Like perhaps I should just put my hands over my ears and start shouting "la! la! la! la!" at the top of my lungs. It would at least call them out on their obnoxious behavior!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-34239597341609601882015-10-22T19:48:30.544-06:002015-10-22T19:48:30.544-06:00Thanks Eliza, I think I need all of the "happ...Thanks Eliza, I think I need all of the "happy home vibes" I can get! I'm just thankful that I was able to clear the clog in the main sewer line because my brain was picturing one of those (ahem) $7500 bills! :-)EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-78384543175788346612015-10-22T06:59:14.798-06:002015-10-22T06:59:14.798-06:00Oh man, I feel your pain -- but that is a LOT of p...Oh man, I feel your pain -- but that is a LOT of pain in one short period of time. The thing is, you're doing a really, really good job of fixing things and you should be proud of your independence. Many people wouldn't know the first thing about how to fix the garage latch, for instance. So good for you! <br /><br />Also, I've learned that even people in brand-new homes can have lots of stuff break and today's construction techniques can be less than wonderful. At least in our older homes, some good materials were used and some parts were built to last. Hang in there, and I am sending you happy home vibes for a breather from calamities! xoxo Eliza Crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15983577132723952685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-23184950108629628982015-10-21T08:50:38.222-06:002015-10-21T08:50:38.222-06:00On the second paragraph: Yea!
On the first paragr...On the second paragraph: Yea!<br /><br />On the first paragraph: Ear plugs probably wouldn't help. Especially if they watched you putting them in! But it's fun to imagine.Debbie Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-62550667407331830242015-10-20T01:48:43.735-06:002015-10-20T01:48:43.735-06:00Ummm.... compared to everything you've been de...Ummm.... compared to everything you've been dealing with lately, I have no right to complain! I do feel like I'm suffering from a bit of "decision fatigue" though - as each new problem brings with it a whole pile of choices on how to proceed, and I always worry about making the right ones.<br /><br />Thanks for the link on the CFS's. This was actually an old fluorescent fixture with the 4 foot long tubes. The garage is literally filled with them as I think several of the previous owners of this house had workshops out there. Alas, this was the last one that still functioned so things are decidedly dark out there at the moment! :-)<br /><br />Anyhow, CatMan is helping me to craft a plan for dealing with it. Right now we're just trying to map out how everything is wired, and then we'll decide if it makes more sense to try to fix the existing fixtures or replace them with something that would be easier to maintain. I do think my days of buying CFLs are over though... LEDs seem like infinitely superior technology.EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-14052687052328860962015-10-20T01:41:02.714-06:002015-10-20T01:41:02.714-06:00Ha! I suppose there is the argument that none of t...Ha! I suppose there is the argument that none of these things is really worth getting worked up about, and that the "crisis" is really more a problem of my perception than reality. Hence... moving would not help because you can't outrun your own emotional state. Not entirely sure I buy it, but I'm working on an attitude adjustment just the same!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-57750473219576478002015-10-20T01:34:54.075-06:002015-10-20T01:34:54.075-06:00Yeah, well... who's counting? :-) I suppose I ...Yeah, well... who's counting? :-) I suppose I should be grateful though. At least everything waited until after Princess was gone to fall apart. It would have been really horrible if I'd had all these emergency repairs taking my attention away from her in her final weeks.EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-20123672106796958182015-10-20T01:32:17.081-06:002015-10-20T01:32:17.081-06:00Oh... I'm totally in tuned with the whole lowe...Oh... I'm totally in tuned with the whole lowered expectations for family interactions - I think I'm finally getting to the place where I can be amused rather than annoyed... well, at least until the shouting starts, at that point I wanna run for cover.<br /><br />Thanks so much for your well wishes. I diagrammed out all of the crazy lights and switches in the garage last night, and CatMan's helping me craft a plan for dealing with it. In the meantime, we've figured out the breakers enough so the power to all the light fixtures can be turned off but the garage door will still function. And I even rigged a trouble light hanging from a cord so I won't have to run into things if I have to be out there at night. So it's off the emergency list for the moment, and now I can just add it to the endless list of things that need to be tackled at some point!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-44713775322205743202015-10-20T01:27:03.810-06:002015-10-20T01:27:03.810-06:00I know what you mean about limiting time with fami...I know what you mean about limiting time with family. I dearly love my dad and step-mom, but honestly, they can make me really crazy sometimes. Still, I'm keenly aware of the fact that my time with them is limited, so it always feels like a balancing act. <br /><br />Anyhow, I am soooo grateful for the unseasonably warm weather we've been enjoying. It's allowed me lots of bonus time outside and sunshine and fresh air help more than I can describe.EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-1532402721995840472015-10-19T23:06:13.172-06:002015-10-19T23:06:13.172-06:00Oh my, Cat, you need a vacation from it all. I ha...Oh my, Cat, you need a vacation from it all. I have had my share of stuff needing repaired over the summer but nothing like that. But you should know you aren't alone, I can't count the number of bloggers who are writing about a string of bad luck. Doesn't help much does it?<br /><br /><br /> I have no advise on plumbing, (one of two things I only do minor repairs to) but the lights I may be able to help. A while back my son had a CFL bulb break and smolder which filled the house with that burning smell. After doing some research it turned out that when they are at the end of their life rather than a little pop they can break and burn. I just did a quick search and came up with this http://tonylimaassociates.com/2012/03/cfl-bulbs-danger-something-else-to-worry-about/ So it might just be it was it's time to die.<br /><br />How do I handle it when life keeps throwing me curve balls? I try to ignore it. Seriously I do. I deal with the problem but put it out of my mind as much as possible by immersing myself in some other project such as refinishing a piece of furniture, anything I can enjoy to take my mind off of the problems.Loishttp://theecograndma.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-60411395403559645882015-10-19T14:52:56.693-06:002015-10-19T14:52:56.693-06:00Oh I think I live in the same land as you. i.e. we...Oh I think I live in the same land as you. i.e. we must be neighbors. i would like to move as soon as possible though.middle class revolutionhttps://middleclassrevolution.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-13133109861003062762015-10-19T11:46:49.722-06:002015-10-19T11:46:49.722-06:00WOW! That is a lot of stuff all at once. Usually b...WOW! That is a lot of stuff all at once. Usually bad things go in 3's , but that is a lot more than 3. I hope that is all. pilch92https://www.blogger.com/profile/12263559408792146826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-53390165998194369072015-10-19T10:12:36.273-06:002015-10-19T10:12:36.273-06:00Bike rides help me mentally as well as physically,...Bike rides help me mentally as well as physically, even though I don't ride anywhere near your level of exertion. I re-discovered knitting a couple of years ago--yes, I'm channeling my inner grandma--but it really is therapeutic for me. Being outside in any manner--hiking, shoveling snow, snowshoeing, whatever--goes a long way in perking up my mood. At the risk of sounding like a bad daughter, I have discovered this past year that I have to have "breaks" from my mom--my dad died last summer after a very long year of medical issues on top of his dementia--and she tends to "lean" on me emotionally. I find I need to space out my phone calls to her--I can't do the every-day phone call thing. It's too much for me. That's the good part of having siblings--they can take up some of the slack. <br /><br />I think you and I are close in age--I don't know about you, but I'm coming to terms with the idea that this is the stage of life where we have to deal with things I'd rather not think about--failing health of family and friends, as well as the need to occasionally shell out money/elbow grease on my house. I don't like it much ....Krisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-2768746839768699392015-10-19T08:37:02.401-06:002015-10-19T08:37:02.401-06:00Yes, lowered expectations could help. Here in Ame...Yes, lowered expectations could help. Here in America we tend to assume everything will always go perfectly--because usually it does! I have tried the lowered expectations strategy when visiting home and it works great. I love my family, but it's hard to get them away from the TV. Now I still have schemes, but I expect them to fail. Occasionally they don't (just like when I had high hopes), but now I'm fine either way.<br /><br />Still, it doesn't help you have more time or energy. Hang in there and good luck!Debbie Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-79745823487370949372015-10-19T01:24:28.153-06:002015-10-19T01:24:28.153-06:00Yikes! Burning up a furnace doesn't sound good...Yikes! Burning up a furnace doesn't sound good! <br /><br />Fortunately, the smell dissipated after about 20 minutes and din't return - if that hadn't happened the fire department was my next move!<br /><br />Glad you got your furnace fixed. Twenty below without heat sounds scary!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-89228451454956643682015-10-19T01:22:34.162-06:002015-10-19T01:22:34.162-06:00I know you totally get it about the land of stress...I know you totally get it about the land of stress... and I'm so sorry for everything you've been through and are going through. I'm trying not to think too much about what's around the corner with my dad and step-mom... both of whom are in their 80's with mounting medical issues. <br /><br />Anyhow, I think that focusing on gratitude is an excellent idea, and something I should do more of. Gonna have to work on that...EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-24256030470407370282015-10-19T01:19:13.465-06:002015-10-19T01:19:13.465-06:00Thanks so much Debbie. I think I'm starting to...Thanks so much Debbie. I think I'm starting to realize that I'm at the stage in life where illness and loss are just gonna be part of the equation. Likewise, my house is at the point in its life where stuff is gonna break and need to be fixed or upgraded. And... the more cats you have, the more you're gonna have to lose. It doesn't make it any easier, but maybe if I can readjust my expectations of "normal" it would help some.EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-34609165909295718672015-10-19T01:16:37.745-06:002015-10-19T01:16:37.745-06:00Ha! I think bike rides are one of the few things t...Ha! I think bike rides are one of the few things that's keeping me sane these days! I would bake... but that would lead to a lot of eating... which would lead to guilt... and, well, I don't really think it would help! <br /><br />I think I just need to accept that this is an old house with lots of "issues" and unless I'm willing to cough up the money to have a bunch of things upgraded, well, there are gonna be problems. The timing just sucks though!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-76788499660734862152015-10-19T01:13:02.222-06:002015-10-19T01:13:02.222-06:00Thanks so much Rachel, I definitely think that som...Thanks so much Rachel, I definitely think that some rest would change my outlook on things!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-74142260094595391822015-10-18T22:11:48.972-06:002015-10-18T22:11:48.972-06:00If you run into smoke problems again, you might wa...If you run into smoke problems again, you might want to consider calling the fire dept. I had to once when a part in my furnace burned up. They came and stayed until they were satisfied that it wasn't gonna flame up. It was -20, so they couldn't put on their fans (since I had no heat), but apparently they have big super fans that will air out the smoke. They were also kind enough to get on the phone with the furnace guy who told me he could not come out that night and they reamed him a new one and said he better get there as I had a baby in the house. I did feel sorry for the furnace guy as he had been working 36 hours straight, but I had heat that night. Sue Knott (formerly blogging as Mad Cow)https://www.blogger.com/profile/12578643260876466221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-52255822907109859732015-10-18T19:25:26.957-06:002015-10-18T19:25:26.957-06:00I can understand about long term stress. Over the ...I can understand about long term stress. Over the last couple of years I have had deteriorating and sick parents with the death of my father, the death of my sister- in- law after a long battle with cancer, close family with debilitating anxiety and depression, friends in crises, sick pets, flooded basement, leaking roof. I have to stop. I'm stressing myself.<br /><br />When things pile up, I get cranky and depressed. Like Kris, I try to do something that I enjoy like taking a walk or doing a crossword puzzle. I talk to a sister or a friend and then limit the amount of time I can talk about a certain situation. I network with others in similar situations and I look for the positive. That's part of the reason for my Sunday posts. Actually, I do whatever I can do to get by and know that the sun will come out tomorrow or maybe the next day.<br /><br />I too am sending hugs and I have total confidence that you and Catman will figure things out.Live and Learnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13493777474885053903noreply@blogger.com