Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Oct 14 - 11:38 PM

Ugg - Dorothy - I hope you come up with something less benign that "oh well" as far as those rats!

I picked up the car this evening after a couple of recall repairs, oil change, door handle repaired, etc. Costly, as usual when one goes to the dealer. Ran a couple of errands, and then, because I hadn't heard from her in a while, I stopped by Susie's house. I think it was quite timely for both of us. We seem to both be experiencing an autumnal funk, and ended up making a pact - we'll plan to do something for a few hours every week or two. Start with 30 minutes at her house working on something that needs doing (clearing off counters, doing dishes, vacuuming, etc), then heading to my house for another 30 minutes. The idea is to work together to tackle things that have been neglected when we're by ourselves. After an hour spent this way, we'll spend time going out to a museum or a movie or lunch or something - a social opportunity that we both need.

Also, I'm going to get a recommendation from a friend for the cleaning woman she employed for years (that friend moved away recently but made a point of finding new jobs for this employee). If between us we had her spend 4 hours every week or two at each of our houses, it would help keep up with the tedious stuff. We live in the next town over, so by coming up with two houses on the same day, it makes it easier for her to say yes (we hope). Spend $50 for house cleaning each and we might get at least as much bang as if we were going to therapy. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Oct 14 - 09:41 AM

City:
SRS: Just having a house in good enough shape that someone else can clean it sounds great! And sharing with someone else is terrific therapy.

The hoodie R had on yesterday - which made me start coughing when he took it off last night - now has two large holes in the pocket - the one he put the naan in that he did not eat for supper. Not that it matters but it sure gave me a good laugh. He had left it on the LR floor. What does not make me laugh is his failure to comprehend, or acknowledge, that the thing was covered with dirt/dust/propane fumes... So when he took it off, all this swirled and I coughed - for a while. I don't mind that he wears clothes to death - which is why a few more holes don't matter - but we need a mud room or air lock - he laughs. My dust allergy is not going away.

With all that, why would I mind a rat or two...   

The back fascia is complete and they moved the scaffolding to the side - without painting? The ceiling looks lovely with nice tongue and grove boards as it would have been originally. Needs to be painted light blue - traditional. (just quickly phoned R to so inform him.)

Having an OK day. Need to go do errands.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Rumncoke
Date: 30 Oct 14 - 02:37 PM

Rats carry some seriously dangerous bacteria - Weil's disease or leptospirosis can kill you or result in kidney or liver damage - just from handling something they've pee'd on or clearing up a nest or poop off the carpet.

Here in the UK having rats in the house is one of the reasons that the authorities can enter by force if necessary. I have just been reading the posts about the rat and having three fits. You really do not want rats in the kitchen or anywhere near food or water you might consume or wash in.

We get a few mice each year, but they are soon dispatched by some metal traps which are highly effective and efficient. I expect there are sized up ones for rats which are equally as effective.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Oct 14 - 03:39 PM

City:
Rumncoke: I am listening to you. I just do not know what we can do. This is one of those situations where one simply carries on because there do not seem to be any options. The reno that I have been expecting and which is critical to the situation has been derailed, perhaps until spring. Rat only arrived last spring, when I thought the reno would get started and solve the problem. Your comment has really kicked me into a state of "There must be something we can do". I have been "using band-aids" for so long, I just got used to it. Your concern for disease has been in the back of my mind all along; I just try to keep things clean. I have to admit my feelings for all creatures great and small does include rats --- although I would prefer not to live with them, or mice or any of the other critters we do not really want inside our homes. But I cannot kill them. .... OK, I have thought of two possibilities. Each requires paid labour. I will broach the subject to R. with a firm recommendation that something MUST be done. B told R that his wife would have left a note.

Work to exclude the rats would also mean my having to go to the mill for the duration. Such a nuisance.

Well, on the lighter side, my car is legal for another year and my bank account smaller. I picked up lots of veggies at the Market and a big basket of Quebec cranberries and a lovely jar of honey to use in cranberries. I sent off the mail-in rebate re the new snow tires; it was all in French so R had to fill it in. Clothes are in drier. Long John season has begun. And I am ready to hibernate!

B is ripping out the old, rotten sills of the upstairs windows and putting in concrete ones. Too bad we do not have new windows to go in. This was not part of the plan. (WHAT PLAN!) I suggested he put heavy clear plastic on the exteriors for now. At least something is getting done.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Oct 14 - 04:15 PM

Like I said, a dog that likes to hunt would be a good start. How about borrowing someone's dog for a while? Do you know anyone with a young pit bull who would dispatch those rats? Two of my dogs kill rats. One is a mixedbreed blue heeler/catahoula, the other is an American Staffordshire Terrier. The terrier breeds are working dogs, the short coats are meant to stay clean when they dig or burrow after vermin. They like their work.

It looks like Halloween and Saturday are going to be cool, but not cold. I need to check the yard for tripping hazards, because with the triple witching effect - Halloween/Friday/nice weather, I probably will have trick-or-treaters coming to the house. Unless I turn off lights and hide out.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 30 Oct 14 - 06:00 PM

in my part of us you can not get home insurance at least for renters if you have a pit bull.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Oct 14 - 06:02 PM

City:
So, SRS, I, who do not like to do harm to any animal, will get a dog that will catch and chew on this poor innocent rat!

I thought of two solutions and ran them past B as he was leaving just now. He is willing to go into the cellar and put hardware cloth/mesh over any openings. THEN, he tells me he has found the hole where rat gets in! (And did he block it? NO!) I will check it tomorrow in daylight.

THEN he tells me there is a plan afoot to do the interior reno in January! (Would I be the last to know?) This means I need to dig up a whole bunch of plants and move my "junk" - "That's not junk that is flower pots!!" What part of "plants need to be moved before the ground freezes"...?

I, who do not like to do harm to any animal, consider strangling B? or maybe R? I NEED TO KNOW! I need hope, light at the end of the tunnel, and to be consulted about the what and how of it. Have not accomplished much else today.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Rumncoke
Date: 31 Oct 14 - 05:42 AM

There is no problem for me in caring for all God's creatures and having to get rid of a rat in the kitchen.

Once the place smells of rat - or mouse - the problem gets harder as others will detect it and follow the trail of the first ones. Even if you block up the holes they will try to get in by gnawing, and they are persistent and determined. They also do so much damage. Over the years mice have destroyed things I valued, and there is still mousy odour in places which I find sickening. It will only go if the furniture and carpets are stripped out - and that would be very expensive.

Years ago now my first husband thought we had mice and put down food for them, which caused an argument - and then I found a rat in the food cupboard. I went ballistic.

Here in the UK the council will come and get rid of rats, as there are laws which insist on them being dealt with.

You can't keep a place 'clean' when there is something running around on the works surfaces, over anything left out, contaminating the entire room - anything it touches which you then use or eat could result in you becoming seriously ill. You'd need to sterilise everything and anything using hydrogen peroxide - bleach is not going to kill everything.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Oct 14 - 09:56 AM

Of course you can get insurance if you have a pitbull. I have insurance and have a pitbull. Lots of people do. They're bred to hunt, they're not bred to fight other dogs. Terriers - think about it. The entire set of dogs in the terrier breed is a form of working dog.

Sorry, I have no sympathy for rats that are coming into the house. And for every one you see, there are probably dozens outside waiting to come in. I could mail you some of the dog hair I've brushed off of my dogs - that also works to repel rodents. Once they know a predator is present, they stay away.

I figured out the problem with the drip behind the toilet tank in the master bathroom. I turned off the faucet the other day and it continued to drip, but after I flushed to empty the tank, it stopped. So I'll take apart that line this weekend and replace the washer or whatever is in there.

Heard from a coworker in my department yesterday - she has been asked to start writing for the library for about 25% of the time. What I used to do, and was suggested a few months ago that I should "pitch" such a job. Apparently I'm supposed to guess about that need, but when they identify it and offer it, they give it to someone else? I need to have a talk with the woman who oversees this and ask them to play fair - don't make me guess and make a pitch, just ask if you have something that needs doing and let me say yes or no, don't tiptoe around. Would I have taken an offer to spend 25% of my time in this new task? I don't know. I want to move out of this current job completely, not just by 25%.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 31 Oct 14 - 11:29 AM

Dorothy..I am only saying what I would do in your shoes, not making a recommendation..but I would rent a room with a friend somewhere, tell R I would continue to have conjugal visits, dinners, social engagements, but that I would have my living quarters elsewhere, presumably under doctor's orders. I am sure most doctors would recommend not living in a house in constant state of carpentry and repair with your chemical sensitivities etc. If money was short, I would look at assisting someone in caring for an elderly relative perhaps..people always need a break in that area. I would make a firm decision, announce it, do it, and return when things were up to a standard OK for my health. No return until it is done and adequate, not promised only. I would do it calmly and in a friendly manner. No arguments, pleadings, one more chance etc. I would just do it. But that is me...whatever works for you is best.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 31 Oct 14 - 12:49 PM

I just decluttered my car..paying off a big visa bill from a real estate situation..car was good but i was not going to drive it for another year at least and even then not on longer trips, which is what i really need a car for..do fine here with walking and bus...could have sold it but gave it to portland rescue mission on the day i got a letter from them asking for cars..their people fix them up..mine was losing power but was basically in good shape...will give a lot of homeless..almost typed in hopeless..people a thanksgiving dinner so i feel i did the right thing rather than sell it. money for insuring it even parked and not driven donated to doctors without borders.

the more you can get rid of often..not always..the easier your life gets. i am down to one broken accordian and a couple of costco tables and that is about it. there is nothing more i want except perhaps an alarm clock that does not infuriate me.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 31 Oct 14 - 05:13 PM

City:
I appreciate greatly the thoughts that are helping me sort out what I need to do. It is so easy to get bogged down in a situation and not be able to see a way out. With so much brain fog afflicting me as a result of environmental issues, I often just sink into just coping with what is.

I had firm talk with R last night about excluding rat. I was hoping there might be some action today but B never showed up. This means that not only did nothing get done on the house, I also did not get do any pottery because I expected him to be working up there. Unfortunately, my energy level drops by this time of day - if I had any - so I could get a couple hours work done now, but cannot. Maybe R will have time to do something tomorrow as B will not be back until Monday. For both R & B: "you can' pin them down, they're just like air." Who wrote that?.... HAH! A line from The Talking Atomic Blues circa 1948.

I did move the plants that needed to be protected from future work. And laundered the bedding, cooked a large pot of cranberries - for use with poultry and in porridge. I still need to do a bit of moving stuff in the backyard. Tomorrow?

We looked at the exterior area of a house for sale nearby. I told R , "It looks like heaven to me." Even if it is 100 feet from the RR tracks and a train went by while we were there. The interior pics look good. Nice yard and shed and PARKING! Another subject for serious consideration. I would LOVE to just move there - I think - and let this house get reno'd and sold for a big price. We need to look at possibilities. OR just dream?

Then I picked up a few more things at the Market - the famous Atwater Market.

In any case, y'all have strengthened my resolve to be rat free. I have never felt so lacking in autonomy. Not too many years ago, if the roof needed new shingles, I did it. If the chimney needed repairs, I tried it - and decided it was better to pay someone and spend my time making pots! But it was my home and my money. Now it is R's home and I don't have enough money for it. So I got bogged down, feeling powerless.

I think of this thread a great deal as I muddle through my days. I try to get things done, feel as though I will have something positive to report. MY trips to Ontario helped me feel better in a lot of ways but now I am here for the winter, mostly, and have to figure out how to deal with it. Without rats!

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Oct 14 - 10:39 PM

Dorothy, I'm glad this helped! And blocking those holes is a good start. I'd put some steel wool in the mix - supposedly rats and mice don't like to chew through that.

This evening I drove to the airport to see a friend who was on her way to somewhere else but had a long layover. Since this airport is a major hub I've been able to see quite a few friends this way over the years. Getting home was a challenge, there was an accident to go around, and I did worry about the dogs out in the back on Halloween, but it doesn't look like there was much traffic. No one when I got home (around 8) - I think people headed down to the city hall a few blocks from here. They pull out the fire trucks and do games and have candy. Probably a better option than door-to-door in a neighborhood where a lot of people turn off the lights and hide out.

Fixing a toilet drip tomorrow, and while I'm at it, I'll do some more pricing on new commodes. If there is any expense involved for the repair (beyond about .89 for a washer) I'll look at stepping up to replacement.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Rumncoke
Date: 01 Nov 14 - 07:53 AM

Hey SRS - the entire inner dooh dads for the cistern are not expensive and easy to replace. The grit from the pipes used to kill ours off regularly and they were an easy fix as long as you put in the chokes to reduce the water pressure if it needs it - otherwise you get 'monsters in the pipes' groaning and thumping.

The water company flushed out all the pipes and did some work and that has reduced the problem considerably.

You might need to measure the old one for size, but just have a look on line to see what is available.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Nov 14 - 03:01 PM

Exactly. I'm looking for a low-flow model, one that will fit well in the space.

I should probably start another thread, it has been three months.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Nov 14 - 03:36 PM

City:
R set the live trap for Rat - an avocado for bait. So that is ready. After bf, I drove him around to try to see if he could pay a long overdue ticket and get driver's license re-instated. Sat morn!!?? NOPE! So he had a choice between being stuck somewhere with bro or me driving him places and waiting in the car - as every place he goes is too toxic for me. He opted for staying home, cleared that shelf for me - which is now full of food stuffs and there is a small pile of stuff for thrift shop. The plastic bin is empty and out of the way, ready to go back to the mill for sorting and storing stuff for the winter. Shelves for the empty cabinet are in the works - will help clear the counter.   Then, after a nice celery soup lunch, we watched Betelgeuse - a good break.

With yard things that could be done before dark, R has opted to read, and prob fall asleep. Good. I will quietly computer and read. Someone posted re snow on the West Island but none here. Friends in Ontario posted pics of snow - a couple inches. Also snow in the Laurentians yesterday. Chilly out but dry so far.

The outside hole is more in need of concrete blocks than steel wool! Maybe tomorrow. So much needs to be done that it is hard to remember it all. OK! make a list... Done.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Nov 14 - 08:21 PM

Twarn't flu the last two wks after all... no wonder I could not shake it! Effing gall effing bladder!! That'll make getting home fun! :-(

~Susan

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Nov 14 - 08:46 PM

The next thread.

SRS