The kitties, they have gone...

The kitties they have gone,
The kitties they have gone,
Hi Ho the Dario, the kitties they have gone.

Twas the day after cats left and all through the house
Henry was exploring, definitely louder than a mouse.
He ran through the first floor without even a care,
But not to the spare room in case the cats were still there.

I'd go on, but it would take much more time and thought that I'm willing to give.

This week, I let all of my problems at work behind and worked frantically, and diligently, at designing materials for an online study that my co-investigators want to conduct NEXT WEEK. And, I was planning on designing materials for an entirely different study, which now will likely be conducted in two weeks (or maybe three), so next week will probably be devoted to that. So, all of that other stuff is on hold. Plus, I have no idea what's going on anyway.

I'm also working diligently on my niece's scrapbook(s). I'm almost done except for all of the poems/quotes/songs/etc that I will put in it. Then, as she puts in pictures and more stickers, I can help her do write some journal-type things to help tell the story of the pictures she chooses.

I'm also already packing up for Thanksgiving/Christmas, since it appears that I'll be going back to PA again much sooner after Thanksgiving than I realized.

I have a few final things to order for Christmas presents, but I'm pretty much done with those too. This never happens to me. At this time of the year, I am usually panicked about how I'm going to get everything done. I have a little panic about that just because of these two studies, but it is nothing in comparison.

The past week has been very comfortable, even with the crazy just in time coding.
What might explain that, do you think?

Thanks to NoL, I've been able to troubleshoot all of the problems - well, she troubleshooted the bigger ones...

The infamous conversation

1L had mentioned a post or two ago that I'd fill in the conversation that I had with S/karah before we left town on Sat, so here it goes. Keep in mind that, although I'm trying my best to be objective, I'm sure I'm not.

On Sat, after I woke up coughing and feeling like it was hard to breathe again, I told Sedwick I needed to get away. So, we made plans for 1L and I to let him know where we'd be, and he'd meet up with us after he went skydiving.

I figured someone should let Karah know what was going on, especially since we weren't taking Poledra and Henry. So, first I drafted an email to her, which I ran by 1L, and then, hearing she was up, went upstairs to talk to her.

I went up assuming, 1. she'd find another place for the cats at the end of the month, 2. she'd promised Sedwick she'd keep them up in her room until she could find a place for them, 3. surprised to have seen one of them wandering around the house, both the night before and that morning, 4. she'd told Sedwick that she'd move in to her parents' and figure out what to do with the cats in Jan, should the job situation still not be promising.

I let her know that, because of my allergies we were going to be gone that night, and perhaps the next, and asked if she could keep an eye on Poledra and Henry. I also said that, as I'd told her in July, I'd been worried that my allergies would be worse once we had to close the house up for the winter, and it looked like I was right. I told her I was sorry it'd come to her having to find a place for her cats, but I appreciated that she'd leave them up in her room whenever she could until the end of the month, by which time I understood that she'd find a place for them. I also mentioned that it'd help out a lot if she could keep them upstairs whenever possible. She told me that she couldn't keep them up in her room because, since they'd been up there the day before (1L and I had put them up there on Fri, once it became clear I couldn't work at the library (they don't allow battery charging, making it hard to work on a computer) - at about 2, until about 5), one of them had peed in her (the cat's bed). She then proceeded to tell me that she wasn't sure what to do, since her parents wouldn't take the cats, and threw in a "how's that for unconditional love" comment - which I'm pretty sure wouldn't go over too well with most parents. I said I wasn't sure what to do, and listed the allergy medications I'm currently on (Zyrtec, Veramyst, Singulair, eye drops, and a decongestant). I also mentioned that I had worked at Panera on Thurs, but I couldn't keep doing that. She pointed out that I didn't need to buy anything there, but could just hang out there. I didn't point out that I shouldn't have to leave where I live so I can breathe, and instead pointed out that I couldn't keep sitting in those chairs, as then my back would start to hurt as well.

I suggested that, until she could find a place for the cats, we could try them in the basement, and see how my allergies were with that. She said that that wouldn't work, as one of them would tear everything up, and she might as well move down there too. I suggested again keeping them in her room. She said that that wouldn't work, and there was no where for a litter box. I agree it wouldn't be nice to sleep in a room with a litter box, but she'd gotten a smaller third one that I'm pretty sure would fit in there - especially if she move things around, but I didn't point that out. I suggested that, if it came to it, had she looked in to no-kill shelters. She said there was no way she could give the cats up. (Which made me wonder how she'd move to her parents' in Jan, but I didn't bring that up). I said again that I was just trying to figure out a way to breathe. She said she'd been having allergy problems too, and was going to see an ear nose and throat person. I then suggested asking Ryan if he could take the cats, since he now has an apartment. She agreed to try that. (Which was a no-go).

So, after me getting quite very upset when 1L, Sedwick, and I were up in Maine and NH, I decided to go with what 1L said, and Sedwick endorsed, that I'm not letting the cats drive me out. I stayed up in my room Sun after bowling, which helped. And I got an air mask to wear while downstairs. 1L asked me if this was just to make a statement. After thinking about it for a while, I decided it was, in part, to make a statement (although I'm sure that the statement would be lost on Karah), but also because 1. I want to be able to occasionally go downstairs and 2. I want to prevent breathing problems, rather than constantly checking to see if I'm feeling light headed or coughing to breathe, and 3. I want to avoid stressing out my allergy response system even more, in hopes that, if the cats ever do go, I'll still be able to be around Henry and Poledra, as I've always been able to do up until now.

I think that's about the highlights. If anyone can think of anyone who's willing to temporarily care for Karah's two cats (since she seems willing to be separated from them temporarily), let us know!

Maybe, Quite Possibly (or Maybe, We'll See)

Well, after hanging out in Kittery and Portsmouth for the weekend, we drove to Lowell where we had some dinner and bowled. I bowled a 141!!! Sooooooo exciting. I'm guessing that will be my high for a while, but I had two games over 100 and two strikes (I rely heavily on spares since strikes seem to allude me). Then, rather than staying in a hotel for one more night, we came back home. NoL walked into the house and immediately started coughing. She went straight upstairs until I asked her to help me clear off a make-shift shelving system that I had put together. But, alas, her coughing was so bad that I told her I'd do it myself and that she should just go back upstairs. So upstairs she went.

Meanwhile, Sedwick and the other housemate were having a serious conversation in the kitchen. I was a tad put out that no one helped me with the shelves, but I could tell that the conversation was intense and serious, so I just finished with my work and went upstairs to watch GH with NoL. I'm waiting for her to rise from her sleep now, so that I can watch Friday's episode, which I think I'd like to see before I go off to Amherst.

NoL is coming to Amherst. I think we'll try to find the brew pub there tonight after my class and maybe also go to Michael's for some more scrapbooking fun. Making the scrapbook for my niece is really helping my sanity. I actually ordered her brother's Christmas present (or part of it) this weekend, and I'm pretty sure I have some decent ideas for the other kids, my parents, and my brother. So, now I just have to check those ideas with the kids' parents, and I can be done with that. I know it's early, but really, it's a fun thing to do.

The vent people will be here soon. I can't wait.

Finally, and the purpose of this post. It looks like the conversations that NoL and Sedwick had with the other roommate have worked. I had an email all ready to send out, but I didn't do it, happily, because at this point, if all goes according to plan, it's moot. But, maybe, quite possibly, maybe (well we'll see) cats and their owner will be out by the end of the weekend. She looked for, and found, an apartment that she'll take should the job she has in mind pan out. Glory Be. But, we'll see.

One cat just attacked Henry again. Henry apparently did not come out from behind the couch all weekend while we were gone. Last night, we put his food back there, and today, I gave him some water back there, so hopefully we'll be okay. I just saw him peek his head out from behind the couch, so hopefully he went to use the liter box. I haven't smelled anything that makes me worried that he's not been using it.

Hopefully, Nancy will be able to survive with just Henry. We'll have to see about that too. Sedwick and I talked last night, and if there the relief that maybe, quite possibly (or maybe, we'll see) will happen next weekend, we are going to get the carpets professionally cleaned again by Stanley Steemer. If that doesn't work, perhaps we'll tear up the carpets and either get area rugs or get some new carpet. If that doesn't work, I guess Henry might have to find another home, but hopefully it will not come to that. Especially since we are thinking of getting a puppy and a kitty of our own. But, one thing at a time.

Escape to Kittery

When NoL woke up yesterday morning at 6 or 4, or whatever time it was, not being able to breathe, she decided that she cannot stay in the house for the weekend, due to her allergies. Unlike me, her allergies are not seasonal (or at least not all of them), and it seems clear to us all that she has severe allergies to the cats (or at least to having three of them plus a dog in the house). I had already done my researching, searching out and finding someone who cleans heating vents, so whatever % of her allergy problems that have been exacerbated by the dust and so on kicked up through the venting system because of the heat will be addressed on Monday morning. Hopefully, that's a good 50%. But, we'll have to wait and see. Hopefully that's also some of mine, but like I said, mine are very much outdoor and seasonal allergies.

Regardless, we took the opportunity (if you want to call allergies an opportunity) to get out of the house, and we are all currently in Kittery, ME, after a day of Sedwick skydiving and a day of NoL and I just hanging out. Unfortunately, while I had EVERYONE else's stuff all packed up, including bowling balls for tonight, I forgot my own stuff, so I had to go out and buy clothes and PJs for the weekend. Can you imagine? That's going on my imaginary (or not so imaginary) spreadsheet of how much extra money I've had to spend due to cats. Today, we are planning on going to Portsmouth to hang around before leaving for bowling in Lowell. We decided last night to try to stay over in the house tonight since we'll have been gone for two days, but tomorrow, after the vent people come, we'll leave for my class (NoL will come along) and be out of the house while everything settles for the day/evening.

There is some happy news. I got some nice PJs and some nice clothes. I also got some candy for the Christmas basket at the place called "Yummies" in Kittery. We had a nice dinner of lobster bisque and crab melts, which was relatively cheap. I got all of my medications and I'm trying some new things for my eyes and nose (just over the counter salines and things). I bought some scrapbooking things at Michael's and I made some progress on my niece's scrapbook, which will be her Christmas present this year. It appears to be turning into two different scrapbooks, but that seems to be fine. I found a model (online, of course) 3D World Trade Center that I think my Rollie will love. And this morning, I woke up early (before 8) and didn't feel like I needed to sleep for hours more. I think that without sleeping pills and with all of the allergens in the house, I've just been feeling rather ill. So, hopefully, the cleaning of the ducts will take care of some of that.

It looks like NoL and I will be coming to NY on Thursday and staying through Sunday, or at least Saturday, so as to escape the allergy/cat situation. Yesterday was another very fun experience in a conversation between NoL and the other housemate. Basically, the other housemate has been told that the cats need to go by the end of Nov. NoL was trying to come up with ways to make her life better (e.g., putting the cats in the bedroom or the basement), but that was a no go. It's a long story, one best told by NoL, so I'll let it go at that. Suffice it to say we were chased away this weekend and we'll be chased away next weekend. Happily, for me, there is only one more weekend in November that I'll have to survive since I'll then be leaving for the Thanksgiving holiday. I can't wait to see my guys.

The gist is that apparently the cats will be gone by the end of the month. It's a long story, and it remains to be seen whether this is the case, especially given the violent reaction yesterday (which seemed odd since we thought this was settled). If the cats are not gone by the end of the month, I may not come back to MA until Eric and Deb's wedding weekend (on the 5th), and then I'll probably attend my courses on the 7th and 8th and leave to go back to PA. I'll pack a good number of my winter clothes and books I think I'll need for the winter months, and I'll wait patiently to see if there's any change.

Winter in the House

So, not to complain again when NoL tried so hard to make the last post a non-complaining one. But, really, I'm freezing. If you look at the background on this blog, that's what it feels like in the house. NoL has decided that having the window open helps her allergies a lot. So, we have frost in the house. Really. It's cold. And that's all I have to say for now.

some happier tiddings

After all the frustrated posts with updates about cat bodily functions, I thought it was time for a post about happier events. Not that such things don't need to be shared and vented a lot -- but sometimes it's good to have a break from cat pee.

On Sat, 1L, Sedwick, and I braved the public transportation system of Boston and went to a hockey game, where Boston College (or perhaps university?) played against UMass Lowell. The trip to and from the game was fun, since we got to see punk rockers and princesses and other such folk and, with some, got to play the always fun game of "costume or regular clothes?"

The game was fun too, with another costume contest -- won by Swine Flu (pig costume with mask, with H1N1 on the belly) and a little guy in a dinosaur outfit who blew kisses a the audience after he won.

And the game itself was fun also. I have to say, though, other than following the main gist of hockey (get the puck in the other team's goal), there are some finer points I'm still not sure about. For instance, the players on the field (or rink, I think) and the players on the bench seem to switch places at random intervals. Also, the refs seem to blow on their whistles at random points in time and make up names for why they're putting a player in a box -- sometimes they say the player did something called sticking; other times,they say the player did something called icing. Also at different points in the game, the players ram into each other, shoving someone (I think usually from the other team) into the wall. Once the whole wall shook so much that I thought it might fall down. So, needless to say, there was plenty of entertainment during the game.

Since where we bowl is in Lowell, and since 1L is taking classes at a UMass campus, we both decided to root for UMass Lowell, who, happily for us (although Sedwick was rooting for the other side) won the game.

All in all, a fun time was had by all. Although I'm not sure the same can be said for a girl whose conversation I eavesdropped on on the T -- apparently her friends hate her boyfriend's friends, and he doesn't understand why. I'm not sure why either, since that wasn't mentioned, but it sounds like they're having a hard time negotiating when they get to see each other and whose friends they hang out with. In happier T news, someone was quite happy to learn from his friend (who may or may not have been wearing a costume (or may have taken "dressing up" for Halloween to mean getting dressed up, rather than getting dressed up in a costume)) that the hat he's always wanted to buy is on sale at H&M for $14.

On that note, I'll let you all go and rush to H&M :)