Done last week (20170917Su - 23Sa)
2017-09-24 05:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mdlbearAnother rough week, especially Sunday through Tuesday when we didn't have our Bronx. The house felt very sad and lonely. N brought him home from the vet on Wednesday; while she was coming off the ferry she saw the Bath Fitter truck waiting to get on to come and install our new shower.
Bronx is recovering, but he lost a lot of weight over the weekend; he was in really scary shape when he came home. He's better now, but still not his old self. But it's so good to see him rampaging, or at least romping, even if only for a while. Best the vet can figure is that he has some virus -- possibly herpes -- that is mostly dormant but gets reactivated when he gets anything else. Poor little guy! But we have him back! That's the important thing.
We also have our revamped shower -- it's a lot bigger than the old one because it makes better use of space in addition to being a bit deeper, and it has a full-width curtain instead of sliding glass doors, which I hate and Colleen has a lot of trouble with. The floor is only about an inch and a half up, with a squishable rubber dam to keep the water in. It's wonderful.
Another cow sighting Thursday morning when I went out to plug the car in; I'd forgotten Wednesday night. (Friday when Colleen and I went out to the Country Store on the way to dinner, the clerk who checked us out told us that someone from out our way had been in early the previous morning to get some hay "to lure a cow". Right. I know where he lives! Hopefully he came back later for some fencing.
We finally found a good caregiver for Colleen. She'll be coming in only one day/week, Thursday. Our housekeeper comes on Tuesday, so we'll be pretty well covered, and save quite a lot of money over our former 3 day/week schedule. Unlike (previous) G" and all of the others we interviewed, M has made a career of caregiving and loves it.
Link of the week is the Ig-Nobel Prize winning paper, "On the Rheology of Cats", in Rheology Bulletin 2014-07, p. 16. (It's a PDF, so you have to scroll down to it.) You also need to pull down NASA's coffeetable book, Through the Eyes of Cassini
0917Su
* Up 6:48; W=197.2;
& Wikipedia dive starting with rose coral and ending up at sailing rigs by way of the
Beagle (which was rigged as a brig)
% The house is very lonely without our Bronx. The other cats are trying to do his job:
Ticia was rampaging last night, and Brooklyn was trying to get onto N's nightstand
this morning, but it isn't the same
: It's cold and windy; rain is expected later today.
* Out shopping for N, me, and C. N's list included saltines, and I managed to get
saltless ones by mistake. Whoever heard of saltless saltines?
: Her list also included "One fully healthy, obstreperous little black kitten", but that
apparently won't be in until tomorrow. We could have taken him home tonight -- his
fever is down to 103 -- but N wanted to leave him where he could be watched over until
we have a local vet we can take him to in an emergency. The vet is not complaining --
he's a charmer.
@ Rheology Bulletin 2014-07, p. 16 (Mark Riedl on
Twitter: "Ig Noble winner: "On the rheology of cats” is a real research paper about
the apparent fluidity of cats sitting inside things << Brilliant!
https://t.co/qaPHrk6gdN")
(The 2017 Ig Nobel Awards: Cats Flow Like Liquids and Didgeridoos Stop Snoring)
" In this letter I highlight some of the recent developments around the rheology of
Felis catus, with potential applications for other species of the felidae family. In
the linear rheology regime many factors can enter the determination of the
characteristic time of cats: from surface effects to yield stress. In the nonlinear
rheology regime flow instabilities can emerge. Nonetheless, the flow rate, which is
the usual dimensional control parameter, can be hard to compute because cats are
active rheological materials. "
" Older cats may have a shorter relaxation time, and thus become liquid more easily
than agitated kittens, for which τ can reach values as high as a few hours "
: Brooklyn threw up; possibly just eating too quickly, but we called the vet anyway.
Given how bad Bronx was, and how quickly he got that way, we don't want to take
chances. Ticia is still trying to fill in for Bronx, and rambuncting to the best of
her ability.
* 15min: weekly post
* 15min: went through a bin of artwork. Almost all is unframed; there were a couple in
plastic wrap that could be hung with command strips; one, "Tea Time" by Heather
Brunton, in the entryway to the kitchen. The other, a Falkowitz, should go in our
room but it's not clear that strips will hold on textured drywall.
& cleanup
: may have to leave Quora altogether; N deleted her account because of a stalker, and
she can be traced through me. So, ... May be better off on stackexchange anyway
@ Through the Eyes of Cassini | NASA
0918Mo
* up 6:30; ;
* Spent the morning on science because the DBA (Discussion-Based Assessment) for math is
scheduled for this afternoon.
* Interrupted by multiple calls from onstar and one request for a reference. Onstar, in
particular, does not appear to have its act together AT ALL.
agent told me she was sending some commands to the car; I was supposed to power up and
press the blue button. Did that, and got an agent who had no idea what was going on.
: multiple phone problems. Not getting promised callbacks; that's not me, it's them.
* 1:30 j: DBA (discussion based assessment - call from teacher) We had them call the
landline because calls to our cell phones have been unreliable.
: Bronx still has a fever, but it's coming down. We're going to leave him at Blue Pearl
for another day.
* Dinner: "tipsy chicken" -- drunken chicken without the green onion
% right QL acting up again.
% I have a box of cat. I really don't want to disturb her; I think this is only the
second time she's used it.
* I've gotten through 2 Science magazines, and one Stanford Alumni mag
0919Tu
* up 6:15; ;
% I seem to be forgetting to weigh myself recently; this is probably due to being in a
hurry and not having the thing on the floor in front of me -- it has to be pulled
out of the place where I store it, next to the plastic drawers.
* Ticia appears to like the box, now that she's found it. I have another box of cat
this morning (9:19 as I write this) Brooklyn is snoozing on one of the fabric piles
& called Blue Pearl for an update. Bronx's fever is mostly down around 103, but still
spiked to 105-106 We'll leave him there another day; N will bring him back tomorrow
: (housekeeper) T here. She also has experience as a caregiver; gave C a shower.
: Blocked on Quora due to their "real names" policy. Goodbye to a time sink, then.
I can still read, but probably won't do it very often since N is also not there.
: Another broken email from onstar. 3-5 business days; call their main number and ask
for a supervisor, case #118216703
* 15min: Cut one of the 4' wire shelves down to 3' and put it up in the bathroom.
I'd like to put the remaining 1' piece next to my side of the bed, but only have one
bracket. -May- liberate_d_ one from a low-load location (the 4' shelf above the bed)
* 15min: emptied out the grey plastic bin on the back deck that had mostly elfa parts
in it; took it down to the garage and came back with the small percussion bin.
* Ticia has spent most of the day under the quilt on our bed.
@ Transcript for OTW 10th Anniversary Chat with Seanan McGuire & Martha Wells –
Organization for Transformative Works f([Filker] Naomi Pardue)
: C's Samsung tablet is dead; needs new charging connector AND new battery, most likely;
it was only holding charge for an hour or so, and isn't charging at all now. Se we
have to look for something new.
& yet another survey about Molly, this time from PlugShare. (There were at least two
previous, and there's one waiting for me to do it. Getting tired of those.)
: 18:56 Bronx's temperature is *normal!* - N will go get him tomorrow. She'll take him
to our vet for a checkup, then home.
0920We
* up 6:20; W=197.2;
: 8:15 N heard from Blue Pearl - Bronx's temperature has been normal 3 times in a row.
: N saw the Bath Fitter truck in line for the ferry as she was getting off.
* 8-10 Bath Fitter shower installation. Lock up the cats.
Ticia hid before I could pick her up to put in j's room; she is now in her cat tree
looking dubious. I will put the litter box where she can see it.
-> She was very good all day
(Bath Fitter guy) Luke uses Ryobi 18v tools :)
* UC: tracked down tax stuff (probably incomplete) and dental EOBs.
* 3:45 leave to take kids to ferry (4:30)
% beating myself up about something pretty minor. But it was inconsiderate of me, and
that's one of the things I like least about myself when I am.
* shopping on the way back; stuff for Bronx and N; some food.
* Got back from shopping just in time to get a quick status report from Luke. Looks
great; there's only about a 1.5" step.
* The new drill arived -- it's nice and compact, and fairly light.
-> ordered a third-party battery; about $25 cheaper than branded.
0921Th
* up 6:30; W=197.8;
: email from ExpressScripts for a past due balance of $5; turned out to be from my COBRA
account. There was an auto-pay set up, they just didn't use it. conf# 98001130280
: Apparently I forgot to plug Molly in last night; possibly because I was interrupted
When I went out this morning the cow was on the other side of the car. Called.
We really need to get the neighbor's phone number.
# more household vocabulary: "incowpacitated". Goes with the earlier "incapussitated"
* 8-10 Bath Fitter shower installation. Lock up the kittens
* Out to SWAC for fortiflora cat probiotic. Not available in stores, apparently.
* noon caregiver interview. Kate. Very nice but not comfortable with toilet-related
tasks. Will keep her as friend. Pointed us at...
-> @ South Whidbey at Home
support for aging in place, which is what Colleen and I are doing. also
South Whidbey at Home
@ also, South Whidbey Commons |
A place for people of all ages to gather, learn, and grow Seems mostly
youth-oriented, but coffeehouse.
* C. napping: wake at around 2pm
* set up location-based charging, now that I've read how to do it in the user's manual
x 5pm caregiver interview -> no-show
: Discussed caregiver alternatives. If we have someone come one day a week, preferably
Thursday, we could lean on SWAH for the companionship, cooking, gardening, and
outings, and use the paid caregiver's one day for things like doctor's appointments.
If we hire Kate for that I'd have to step in for an occasional cleanup, but it's not
like I don't do most of those already.
@ Under the Kitten Beast is one of my current earworms. Can't *imagine* why.
@ mrissa | Hollywood broken leg theory (jesse_the_k | MUSTREAD...)
* Music The Mary Ellen Carter, Lock Keeper, Waltzing With Bears, October Country
(C's choice), Ballad of the Shape of Things, The Fox, Rambling Silver Rose (my choice)
0922Fr
* Awake 3ish; back down 4:30
* up 7:30ish; W=198.4;
: Emily at UNW called; C should have a urine culture done in Freeland and have them fax
the results to Dr. Walters.
* UC: 15min: clear some envelopes off desk; fasten down end of the Elfa vertical that
rattles when the washer is running.
* 11am Bronx at SWAC (N)
-> convalescing. We have high-energy food and immune-boosting treats for him.
Appears to be a virus that flares up every time he gets a bacterial infection;
until he has a more robust immune system we need to not visit other cats and be
careful about not tracking anything in on our shoes. Shoes are now kept in the cat
lock. Should see if I can find a shoe bag.
: The kittens are rampaging. Yay!
* take it easy in the morning to have energy for an outing in the afternoon
* 15min: some puttering in garage. Looking for a box of spices; it's probably by the
back door, now that I think of it.
* sign up for SWAH (household membership: me and Colleen)
They made a secondary account for Colleen, as csavitzky, with a temporary password
* Drill battery and shower curtain arrived; installed.
* 2pm caregiver interview - Michelle -> hired
* go out with Colleen -> Country Store for cat supplies and a mailbox, then up to
Coupville. We ate at Toby's -- a bit noisy but very friendly; basically a pub;
fish+chips and steamed mussels.
: The kittens are, if not rampaging, at least romping. Kittens rompant?
: N is taking a shower in the new stall. It's spectacular.
0925Sa
* up 5:50; W=198.4
@ ClubExpress - Club and Association Management Software powers SWAH
@ Home - Village to Village Network
@ Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List - Cats | ASPCA - most complete list I've found;
every plant name links to a separate page. Not separated by level of toxicity,
though. Also has a list of non-toxic plants.
@ Plants Toxic To Cats: Plants That Are Poisonous To Cats less complete, but it's
organized by level of toxicity.
Poor Colleen is having to change her garden plans drastically. Lilies in particular
are so toxic that pollen brought into the house on clothes can be dangerous.
* 15min: put garlic and ginger into a plastic box with a hinged lid, because cats.
@ Jerry Pournelle, Science Fiction Novelist and Computer Guide, Dies at 84 - NYT
: G coming out for Sunday's music
* 15min: desk legs. 24" with levelers for the extra inch. Tempting to fake it with
tourney boxes, or maybe just one on the far end. -> ACE didn't have 1/4" T-nuts! They
did, however, sell (short) levelers with plastic sleeves. They only get me half an
inch; I'll have to use cups or something
* Also other shopping, in Rite Aid and Payless. Because party.
* 15min: 3 boxes of random desk stuff consolidated. Out to garage, along with two
other boxes consolidated/sorted from the living room. Several bags and a box of
recycling taken out to Rosie.
& pot stickers for dinner
% dragging. QL pain, fatigue, and I think depression.
* down 10 after a hot shower, which N suggested
Of course you come up with
Date: 2017-09-25 03:56 pm (UTC)Finding a caregiver is a full time job, glad you've located one. Also that shower sounds fabulous. Is it conceivably roll-in-able?
Re: Of course you come up with
Date: 2017-09-25 04:11 pm (UTC)ETA: she uses a scooter outside the house, but you wouldn't want to roll into the shower in a scooter or power chair.
I keep meaning to write a series of posts on personal and household vocabulary.
no subject
Date: 2017-09-29 03:15 pm (UTC)