The "What's on your mind?" Thread -2017

[tallyollyopia]

 
I'm actually speechless.  I've been sitting here trying to find something to say but you described such a dreadful night (even with its moment of humor) and then followed up with such bad news that I'm just flummoxed.  I just hope that your next shift actually is the breeze last night started out to be and that the water company quickly resolves the water issue.   Your poor SD - I wish him the best.  Back surgery is no fun - I've been there.  

Sometimes I just feel like a character in one of those old Looney Tunes cartoons--I saw a tiny snowball on the top of the hill and now it's bigger than my house.

 

My brother had back surgery a while back, with good results.  He tells me that he knows other people who've had much worse results, and when I asked him what the difference was in their treatment he said there were two things:

1. As the son of a physical therapist, my brother knew enough to insist that he get physical therapy along with the surgery, and to pay attention to what the physical therapist told him.  Those who had worse outcomes didn't.
2. Because of this need for P.T., my brother made sure his surgery done at an in-patient clinic that does everything, provides consultations with the therapist before surgery, does the surgery, and then provides long term physical therapy after the surgery is done.  The people he knew who had poorer outcomes went to clinics that did surgery only.  After that the patients were on their own.

And, despite the fact that my brother had a good outcome, every once in a while his back will begin acting up (this is to be expected), but because of all the P.T. he got he has the exercises he needs to be able to take care of his back when it needs extra care.

Possible, but don't jump to conclusions.  And if that is it, it's very responsible of her to stick to guinea pigs rather than getting a cat and trying to turn it into a vegetarian, the way some people do.

Just make sure she doesn't have any food sensitivities you need to know about.  I'm neither vegetarian nor vegan, but I'm sensitive to casein, which is a milk protein.  This is vastly different from lactose intolerance, which is fairly easy to deal with; it means I can't have any milk product, including cheese, butter, yogurt, cream cheese, ad infinitum, and I can't eat anything made with any of these things.  Needless to say, I don't eat out a lot.

Margret

I have no  idea what his insurance will cover (he has a different insurance than I do), so I don't know if it's even possible for an in-patient procedure. And, of course, I have trouble with the idea of him working on his physical therapy without prodding. I'll suggest it though.

 

[margd]

 
She's only vegetarian, not vegan or anything. I'm pretty sure I've seen her include a boiled egg with her salad lunches and she occasionally indulges in a sweet gooey baked good from the cafeteria or local bakery.

Hmm... I wonder her vegetarianism is why she owns guinea pigs instead of a meat-eating pet like cats

Guinea pigs are geat pets, though.

My daughter and her boyfriend are vegans and have guinea pigs.   There is definitely a connection, at least in their case.  

About back surgery - my back surgery didn't require physical surgery. Different types must have different requirements.  I had a bulging disk in the lumbar region and the results were miraculous.  Before the operation,  I was in so much pain that I couldn't stand up.  I woke up afterwards and the pain was gone. It was like night and day.  The recovery from the surgery took a few weeks, though.  

 

[Mamanyt1953]

My darlings, I have a massive headache.  Purely sinus, not an issue, but I'm going to lie down.  HUGS to all, and be back tomorrow, when the weather clears up OR doesn't (in which case the pressure in my head will have equalized, regardless).

 

[Alicia88]

 
Yeah, I thought it'd be good to share those. And DD didn't let me believe in Santa either, he said that Santa Claus was a "pagan god who taught children that bribery and greed are good." (Funnily enough, RB and LS2 were allowed to believe in Santa with no problem. 

)

The next part gets kind of ranty and whiny, so feel free to skip it.

Now last night was a weird one. It started out pretty good, the store was quiet and I was actually--for the first time in almost a month--ahead  of schedule. I cleaned the cappuccino machines, changed the chili and the cheese in the nacho machine, the roller grill, had gotten the pastry case ready for set-up--and then things began to go sour. On my way to clean the pastry trays I noticed that there was a small mountain of cheese beneath the cheese spout. I took the machine apart, saw that I had somehow screwed the spigot onto the new bag (each bag comes with a spigot so they're not getting re-used) wrong, so I unscrewed it, fixed it, put it back together, and thought nothing more of it for a while. Then after cleaning the bathrooms (almost an hour and a half early!!) a customer came in asking for my help finding something. I asked him to wait while I washed my hands--and the shelf above the sink fell on me. (I wasn't even touching it!) I looked at the mess--and then went to help the customer. (After all, I only asked for the time to wash my hands.) Well, I helped the customer and got him out of the store, cleaned up the mess as best as possible, and went to help another customer. While I was helping another customer I noticed what looked like a blue splinter in my thumb. It wasn't a splinter--something from the shelf had cut into my thumb when I tried to grab the shelf as it fell and the cleaning supplies I had picked up later had dyed the flap of skin over the cut blue. No problem, I keep a first aid kit in my purse for that very reason. Well, I went to put the Neosporin on it--and the gel inside the tube was a chalky yellow-white, which is not the color that Neosporin is supposed to be. So I checked, and it turns out the tube expired back in 2002! 

 (Good thing I haven't had to use it before!) So I used an alcohol wipe (found with the diabetic supplies in Wal-Mart, and a must for any first aid kit) to clean the cut (and boy, did I feel it when the alcohol hit it!) and then slapped a band-aid over it. Then I went to mop up the spilled chemicals and saw another  mountain under the cheese spigot. 

 So I pulled the whole thing apart--again--and discovered that the there was a crack in the spigot. Luckily we have extras, so I just grabbed another one and slapped it on there. (Lost almost half the bag though. 

) So then, after all that, I had to play catch-up and almost didn't make it.

Also, last night was the first time that I've ever told a customer that she (or he--I've never said this to a customer before) was full of bull. Here's what happened--she came in and told me that it was company policy that if someone needed to get to the other side of town and had no money for gas, the station would give the customer two dollars worth of gas. And as I stared at her, amazed at her gall, she started spinning this story involving a love triangle, a trampoline, cancer, and the hospital. (I can't repeat it. I'd bust a gut laughing it was so poorly done.) So I told her that she was full of bull, but I enjoyed her creativity and gave her two dollars for gas. She thanked me and then asked if the store takes food stamps and if fountain drinks are covered. (We do and they are.) So she gets a fountain drink, comes up to the counter, and makes a grand show of trying to find her food stamp card. 

 Then, then  she gave me the "sad puppy eyes". (Those didn't work for my dogs back when they were alive--and they certainly don't work for strangers.) I told her I didn't have the money for the drink (she took the last two dollars I had for gas), and she asked if I was going to pour out the drink. I said yes, since she couldn't pay for it, I was indeed going to pour it out. She said she'd spare me the trouble and pour it out for me--then grabbed both cup and straw and headed for the door. (Luckily, she was in stilettos and I had just mopped, so she couldn't move quickly.) So I called for her and ran to the door and intercepted her, taking the drink back. She looked me right in the eye and said, "I'm just going to dump it right outside. I didn't want to clog the drains under the soda fountain.) So I looked her right in the eye, smiled and said, "That's all right. We have a sink." 

  Some people!

To top that off, something's wrong with our water. The tap water has been visibly worsening since Friday night (to the point where there's no point in me taking a shower today), and the water company doesn't open until tomorrow. On top of that, I recently learned that SD is going to need back surgery and has to recuperate for a year and a half, which means he's going to have to go on disability. 

 Happy New year. 

Just, wow.  You deserve a medal for getting through that night.  And the gall of some people!  Did she even consider the possibility of getting you in trouble if she walked out with that drink?  And you had already given her money for gas!

 

My brother had back surgery a while back, with good results.  He tells me that he knows other people who've had much worse results, and when I asked him what the difference was in their treatment he said there were two things:

1. As the son of a physical therapist, my brother knew enough to insist that he get physical therapy along with the surgery, and to pay attention to what the physical therapist told him.  Those who had worse outcomes didn't.
2. Because of this need for P.T., my brother made sure his surgery done at an in-patient clinic that does everything, provides consultations with the therapist before surgery, does the surgery, and then provides long term physical therapy after the surgery is done.  The people he knew who had poorer outcomes went to clinics that did surgery only.  After that the patients were on their own.

And, despite the fact that my brother had a good outcome, every once in a while his back will begin acting up (this is to be expected), but because of all the P.T. he got he has the exercises he needs to be able to take care of his back when it needs extra care.

Possible, but don't jump to conclusions.  And if that is it, it's very responsible of her to stick to guinea pigs rather than getting a cat and trying to turn it into a vegetarian, the way some people do.

Just make sure she doesn't have any food sensitivities you need to know about.  I'm neither vegetarian nor vegan, but I'm sensitive to casein, which is a milk protein.  This is vastly different from lactose intolerance, which is fairly easy to deal with; it means I can't have any milk product, including cheese, butter, yogurt, cream cheese, ad infinitum, and I can't eat anything made with any of these things.  Needless to say, I don't eat out a lot.

Margret

 
My darlings, I have a massive headache.  Purely sinus, not an issue, but I'm going to lie down.  HUGS to all, and be back tomorrow, when the weather clears up OR doesn't (in which case the pressure in my head will have equalized, regardless).

Feel better!

 
She's only vegetarian, not vegan or anything. I'm pretty sure I've seen her include a boiled egg with her salad lunches and she occasionally indulges in a sweet gooey baked good from the cafeteria or local bakery.

Hmm... I wonder her vegetarianism is why she owns guinea pigs instead of a meat-eating pet like cats

Guinea pigs are geat pets, though.

My sister had guinea pigs.  They annoy me.  They never stop squeaking.  Hers didn't, anyway.  They were cute and all, just loud.  I prefer hamsters.  They run on their wheel all night, but you can just keep them in a different room.

Well, I got called off work today.  In a way, I'm glad.  Work is killing me.  The stress is causing major problems.  On the other hand, we need the money.  Arg!

I also got a call from State Farm saying they can offer me cheaper car insurance.  Much cheaper.  So, I'm going to switch.  I payed 6 months with Progressive so I can switch and get a refund for what I've overpayed for the next 3 months.  Every little bit helps.

 

[handsome kitty]

@Tallyollyopia you should keep a journal and write a book about life in a convenience store.  It would be eye opening and funny.

 

[NewYork1303]

 
Just, wow.  You deserve a medal for getting through that night.  And the gall of some people!  Did she even consider the possibility of getting you in trouble if she walked out with that drink?  And you had already given her money for gas!

Feel better!

My sister had guinea pigs.  They annoy me.  They never stop squeaking.  Hers didn't, anyway.  They were cute and all, just loud.  I prefer hamsters.  They run on their wheel all night, but you can just keep them in a different room.

Well, I got called off work today.  In a way, I'm glad.  Work is killing me.  The stress is causing major problems.  On the other hand, we need the money.  Arg!

I also got a call from State Farm saying they can offer me cheaper car insurance.  Much cheaper.  So, I'm going to switch.  I payed 6 months with Progressive so I can switch and get a refund for what I've overpayed for the next 3 months.  Every little bit helps.

We have State Farm and we love them. Hope you do too! Every little bit does help.

 

[Margret]

 

 
Yeah, I thought it'd be good to share those. And DD didn't let me believe in Santa either, he said that Santa Claus was a "pagan god who taught children that bribery and greed are good." (Funnily enough, RB and LS2 were allowed to believe in Santa with no problem. 

)

The next part gets kind of ranty and whiny, so feel free to skip it.

Now last night was a weird one. It started out pretty good, the store was quiet and I was actually--for the first time in almost a month--ahead  of schedule. I cleaned the cappuccino machines, changed the chili and the cheese in the nacho machine, the roller grill, had gotten the pastry case ready for set-up--and then things began to go sour. On my way to clean the pastry trays I noticed that there was a small mountain of cheese beneath the cheese spout. I took the machine apart, saw that I had somehow screwed the spigot onto the new bag (each bag comes with a spigot so they're not getting re-used) wrong, so I unscrewed it, fixed it, put it back together, and thought nothing more of it for a while. Then after cleaning the bathrooms (almost an hour and a half early!!) a customer came in asking for my help finding something. I asked him to wait while I washed my hands--and the shelf above the sink fell on me. (I wasn't even touching it!) I looked at the mess--and then went to help the customer. (After all, I only asked for the time to wash my hands.) Well, I helped the customer and got him out of the store, cleaned up the mess as best as possible, and went to help another customer. While I was helping another customer I noticed what looked like a blue splinter in my thumb. It wasn't a splinter--something from the shelf had cut into my thumb when I tried to grab the shelf as it fell and the cleaning supplies I had picked up later had dyed the flap of skin over the cut blue. No problem, I keep a first aid kit in my purse for that very reason. Well, I went to put the Neosporin on it--and the gel inside the tube was a chalky yellow-white, which is not the color that Neosporin is supposed to be. So I checked, and it turns out the tube expired back in 2002! 

 (Good thing I haven't had to use it before!) So I used an alcohol wipe (found with the diabetic supplies in Wal-Mart, and a must for any first aid kit) to clean the cut (and boy, did I feel it when the alcohol hit it!) and then slapped a band-aid over it. Then I went to mop up the spilled chemicals and saw another  mountain under the cheese spigot. 

 So I pulled the whole thing apart--again--and discovered that the there was a crack in the spigot. Luckily we have extras, so I just grabbed another one and slapped it on there. (Lost almost half the bag though. 

) So then, after all that, I had to play catch-up and almost didn't make it.

Also, last night was the first time that I've ever told a customer that she (or he--I've never said this to a customer before) was full of bull. Here's what happened--she came in and told me that it was company policy that if someone needed to get to the other side of town and had no money for gas, the station would give the customer two dollars worth of gas. And as I stared at her, amazed at her gall, she started spinning this story involving a love triangle, a trampoline, cancer, and the hospital. (I can't repeat it. I'd bust a gut laughing it was so poorly done.) So I told her that she was full of bull, but I enjoyed her creativity and gave her two dollars for gas. She thanked me and then asked if the store takes food stamps and if fountain drinks are covered. (We do and they are.) So she gets a fountain drink, comes up to the counter, and makes a grand show of trying to find her food stamp card. 

 Then, then  she gave me the "sad puppy eyes". (Those didn't work for my dogs back when they were alive--and they certainly don't work for strangers.) I told her I didn't have the money for the drink (she took the last two dollars I had for gas), and she asked if I was going to pour out the drink. I said yes, since she couldn't pay for it, I was indeed going to pour it out. She said she'd spare me the trouble and pour it out for me--then grabbed both cup and straw and headed for the door. (Luckily, she was in stilettos and I had just mopped, so she couldn't move quickly.) So I called for her and ran to the door and intercepted her, taking the drink back. She looked me right in the eye and said, "I'm just going to dump it right outside. I didn't want to clog the drains under the soda fountain.) So I looked her right in the eye, smiled and said, "That's all right. We have a sink." 

  Some people!

To top that off, something's wrong with our water. The tap water has been visibly worsening since Friday night (to the point where there's no point in me taking a shower today), and the water company doesn't open until tomorrow. On top of that, I recently learned that SD is going to need back surgery and has to recuperate for a year and a half, which means he's going to have to go on disability. 

 Happy New year. 

Just, wow.  You deserve a medal for getting through that night.  And the gall of some people!  Did she even consider the possibility of getting you in trouble if she walked out with that drink?  And you had already given her money for gas!

 
Originally Posted by Alicia88  

 
Just make sure she doesn't have any food sensitivities you need to know about.  I'm neither vegetarian nor vegan, but I'm sensitive to casein, which is a milk protein.  This is vastly different from lactose intolerance, which is fairly easy to deal with; it means I can't have any milk product, including cheese, butter, yogurt, cream cheese, ad infinitum, and I can't eat anything made with any of these things.  Needless to say, I don't eat out a lot.

Margret

I read labels.  I avoid pizza, and chocolate.  I add unsweetened cashew milk to my coffee.  I survive.  It's worth doing.  And since I've removed all milk products from my diet, my diabetes has improved.  Not gone away entirely; that's too much to hope for, but I don't need quite as many meds as I used to, which means that I'm doing a better job of surviving.

My best friend growing up was actively allergic to milk -- she could end up in the hospital if she ate just a bite or two of the wrong thing.  I'm just sensitive to it, and no, I don't fully understand what the difference is except that it took a lab test to discover the sensitivity whereas an allergy would have been obvious.

Margret

 

[Margret]

 

 
She's only vegetarian, not vegan or anything. I'm pretty sure I've seen her include a boiled egg with her salad lunches and she occasionally indulges in a sweet gooey baked good from the cafeteria or local bakery.

Hmm... I wonder her vegetarianism is why she owns guinea pigs instead of a meat-eating pet like cats

Guinea pigs are geat pets, though.

My daughter and her boyfriend are vegans and have guinea pigs.   There is definitely a connection, at least in their case.  

About back surgery - my back surgery didn't require physical surgery. Different types must have different requirements.  I had a bulging disk in the lumbar region and the results were miraculous.  Before the operation,  I was in so much pain that I couldn't stand up.  I woke up afterwards and the pain was gone. It was like night and day.  The recovery from the surgery took a few weeks, though.  

Didn't require physical surgery, or didn't require physical therapy?

Margret

 

[Alicia88]

So, all of a sudden, Connor is being an a**hole.  I posted a thread; I would appreciate any and all advice.  Came out of nowhere.

 

[Margret]

@Alicia88, per your purraise, no, no chocolate at all, because I hate semi-sweet chocolate, which is the only kind I can find with no milk.  Even white chocolate contains milk.

If anyone should find a variety of sweet chocolate that doesn't contain milk, I would greatly appreciate being told about it.  I'd still need to use diabetes meds, but at least I could handle it.

Margret

 

[Alicia88]

That's so horrible!  I would be beyond devastated!  I'm a chocoholic.  I am not fun to be around if I haven't had chocolate recently.

 

[LTS3]

 
And if that is it, it's very responsible of her to stick to guinea pigs rather than getting a cat and trying to turn it into a vegetarian, the way some people do.

Just make sure she doesn't have any food sensitivities you need to know about.  I'm neither vegetarian nor vegan, but I'm sensitive to casein, which is a milk protein.  This is vastly different from lactose intolerance, which is fairly easy to deal with; it means I can't have any milk product, including cheese, butter, yogurt, cream cheese, ad infinitum, and I can't eat anything made with any of these things.  Needless to say, I don't eat out a lot.

I agree

Much better to have an herbivore pet than to force an obligate omnivore to eat veggies. Now that I think of it, she did mention awhile ago that her landlord doesn't allow cats or dogs but is ok with small animals. Whatever her reason is, it's really none of my business.

She occasionally indulges in the sweet gooey baked treats from the local bakery including decadent chocolate chip cookies so I'm sure the cookies I make are fine for her to have. She can always give the cookies to her roommates or BF to enjoy.

Mom's old Sunbeam mixer isn't the greatest thing to use

  The two beaters got gummed up with the soft dough so I had to constantly scrape them and the sides of the bowl. The bowl oddly rotated in one direction for a bit and then would rotate in the other direction

I managed to get the dough made and the cookies baked. I ended up with a little more than 3 dozen cookies.

 
If anyone should find a variety of sweet chocolate that doesn't contain milk, I would greatly appreciate being told about it.  I'd still need to use diabetes meds, but at least I could handle it.

There are dairy-free chocolates available:

http://www.godairyfree.org/ask-alis...ate-do-you-recommend-for-dairy-free-consumers

http://www.avoidingmilkprotein.com/chocolate.htm

You can also look for vegan chocolate.

 

[tallyollyopia]

 
Just, wow.  You deserve a medal for getting through that night.  And the gall of some people!  Did she even consider the possibility of getting you in trouble if she walked out with that drink?  And you had already given her money for gas!

Feel better!

My sister had guinea pigs.  They annoy me.  They never stop squeaking.  Hers didn't, anyway.  They were cute and all, just loud.  I prefer hamsters.  They run on their wheel all night, but you can just keep them in a different room.

Well, I got called off work today.  In a way, I'm glad.  Work is killing me.  The stress is causing major problems.  On the other hand, we need the money.  Arg!

I also got a call from State Farm saying they can offer me cheaper car insurance.  Much cheaper.  So, I'm going to switch.  I payed 6 months with Progressive so I can switch and get a refund for what I've overpayed for the next 3 months.  Every little bit helps.

I think she was far too self-absorbed to even register what her actions would do to someone else.

I had a friend with pet rats once who had a similar problem, so somewhere (and I don't know where) she found an exercise wheel that humms when the rats were running in it. Very soothing--until they stopped.

 
@Tallyollyopia you should keep a journal and write a book about life in a convenience store.  It would be eye opening and funny.

Do you think anyone would really enjoy it?

 
So, all of a sudden, Connor is being an a**hole.  I posted a thread; I would appreciate any and all advice.  Came out of nowhere.

We've been having trouble with Spot too. Good luck!

 

[Alicia88]

 
I think she was far too self-absorbed to even register what her actions would do to someone else.

I had a friend with pet rats once who had a similar problem, so somewhere (and I don't know where) she found an exercise wheel that humms when the rats were running in it. Very soothing--until they stopped.

Do you think anyone would really enjoy it?

We've been having trouble with Spot too. Good luck!

I would enjoy a book like that!

I just don't get it.  Connor has been pinning Murphy and Mickey by biting their necks - hard enough to make them cry - and a bit ago, he kept doing it to Murphy and humping him.  They've all been neutered.  I mean, is it possible something got screwed up?  I saw someone say something in another thread about males being jerks to other cats around the age of 1.  Connor is just shy of 10 months old.  He's still really lovey with me and Murphy and Mickey are getting along just fine.  For right now, I have Connor shut in the bedroom with me and the other two are out hanging with John and Aislyn - I'm in here working on ending my procrastination of a paper - but that isn't a permanent solution.  I can keep it up for a day or two, but I'll need to put food and water in the bedroom.  I already have a litter box in here and one out there.

 

[tallyollyopia]

 
I would enjoy a book like that!

I just don't get it.  Connor has been pinning Murphy and Mickey by biting their necks - hard enough to make them cry - and a bit ago, he kept doing it to Murphy and humping him.  They've all been neutered.  I mean, is it possible something got screwed up?  I saw someone say something in another thread about males being jerks to other cats around the age of 1.  Connor is just shy of 10 months old.  He's still really lovey with me and Murphy and Mickey are getting along just fine.  For right now, I have Connor shut in the bedroom with me and the other two are out hanging with John and Aislyn - I'm in here working on ending my procrastination of a paper - but that isn't a permanent solution.  I can keep it up for a day or two, but I'll need to put food and water in the bedroom.  I already have a litter box in here and one out there.

Well, in our case, Spot's (all of them, actually) almost two years old. He's been bullying Ra who is--taking it. It's strange--Ra is bigger, more muscular, and can easily kick Spot from here to Kingdom Come, but he's just taking it. I don't know why, and as long as it's not interfering with their food, I don't know that I should interfere. 

 

[tallyollyopia]

Okay, so you all (probably) know that I've been writing a story I call Magic School and Egg  (mainly for lack of better ideas). What you may not  know is that RB is also reading it, and the two of us reached a disagreement over the bit I most recently wrote. He says that the character in question's actions (Ueni) don't match the backstory I made for her. I disagree. Since the two of us at are an impasse, I thought I'd post it here and ask what everyone thinks. Ready? Here's the excerpt:

The two made a striking tableau. Ueni was wearing a light blue court dress, her hair was perfectly straight and hung over her shoulders, her posture was perfect, and she was even wearing those horrible boots. The man was in a dark blue court suit. It fit him—perfectly, and every part of his suit, from the tie to the boots matched and complemented Ueni's dress.

Once again the man circled Ueni. “I must say,” he told her, “you've grown remarkably well. I was anticipating more—problems, but you—you are everything I wanted in a bride.”

Ueni somehow managed to straighten even more and gave a small smile of satisfaction. Yarey understood, because she had watched the insane progression as the girl grew. She couldn't help but feel ill at the thought of the two of them getting together.

But wait—Ueni was one of her fellow potential students. If what Yarey was witnessing was true, then how had that happened? What exactly was Yarey witnessing?

“However,” said the man as he gently grabbed Ueni's chin, “I'm afraid it's all been for naught.” He smiles at Ueni's shocked expression and adds, “It's through no fault of yours. I'm not sure you have one, now. No, I simply found another girl more—suitable. Her lineage is impeccable, even if she doesn't have nearly your training.” His smile widens and his eyes grow cloudy. Yarey had seen the same expression on her cousin's face when he was talking about his girlfriend. “It may be fun training her up to be a proper wife. You know, the only education she's had she's shared with her two male cousins? Oh, and the peasants.” Ueni's eyes widened in shock and he nodded, without letting go of her chin. Yarey wanted to smack his hand away, but she couldn't move. “Oh, yes. He educates the peasants of his land as well.”

Ueni's gloved hands closed into fists, but she did not break eye contact with the man. “And what about your—arrangement with my parents?”

The man finally released Ueni's chin and turned away. “Well,” he said as he straightened his coat, “they lived up to their part of the bargain. They raised you just as we agreed so—I will continue supporting them, in the fashion to which they've become accustomed.”

“I see,” said Ueni as she stared intensely at the man. “And what of me?”

The man chuckled, and despite the fact that it was a warm sound, it gave Yarey chills to hear it. “You? Well,” said the man as he walked over to a table and poured himself a glass of the ruby-red alcohol that was sitting there, “you have been rejected my dear. And your family is still being supported by me so—no one will ever marry you. In fact,” added the man as he turned to look at Ueni once again, “as far as society is concerned, you have been raised by me, making you further untouchable, if you want the truth. No matter how impeccable your training has been, you will never be able to overcome that.” He took a sip of the alcohol and watched Ueni.

Ueni didn't notice his intent gaze. She was staring at the folds of her court gown, trembling, and Yarey thought it was with rage at the man's words. “Well,” said Ueni after a moment, “what do you suggest I do with myself?”

The man shrugged languidly. “I don't care,” he told her. “You could always go to the convent of Noia,” he added casually. “They always love getting their hands on noblewomen with impeccable training. Or, I've heard rumors of a school. I'm not sure you can get in though—it's very selective.”

Ueni glared at the man. “I can do anything.”

The man set the drink down on an end table and walked over to her. He put a hand on her shoulder and grinned. “I never doubted it,” he told her.

Suddenly Yarey was staring at the back of her own head as she told Ban'cha, Anba, and Odandi about the estate and her childhood. She realized as she watched the expression on Ueni's face that the other girl thought that Yarey was the one the man had been talking about it.

Yarey was back to herself and stared into Ueni's rage twisted face. She brought her legs up and used them to kick Ueni away and across the room. She barely noticed that Ueni landed beside the door as she rolled over on the bed and began coughing as air flowed through her damaged throat.

The door burst open as Rarta and Assir burst in. As Ueni got up to attack Yarey once more Assir's arms shot out from its body and wrapped around her. Ueni screamed in frustration as Rarta ran over to Yarey and helped her sit up.

“Are you all right?” asked Rarta.

Yarey looked, confused, between Ueni, Rarta, and Assir. What had she seen? Had it been real? Was it fake? What, exactly, had happened?

Rarta gently shook Yarey again. “Yarey?” she asked again, in a gentle voice. “Can you speak?”

“Yes,” rasped out Yarey as she looked around. She wasn't sure why, but she believed that what she had seen, strange as it was, was real. She stared at Ueni's face, still contorted with rage, and realized that there was no way the two of them could ever set their differences aside. Ueni believed, rightly or wrongly, that Yarey had stolen everything she had worked her whole life for.

Rarta nodded and looked at Ueni. “It is clear to me,” she said slowly, “that you cannot be placed with another girl. Odandi and Anba would probably try to murder you, and you just tried to kill the one person in your group who bears you no ill will, despite your attitude.”

Ueni gave a little snarl and lunged against the bonds holding her. Yarey watched and knew, somehow, that everything she'd seen had been correct. But who had the man been? Why hadn't he aged?

“Therefore,” Rarta continued coldly, “for the time being I am putting you in my room, and taking your place here.”

Assir frowned. “Rarta, that is—”

“That is what needs to happen if any of us are to get sleep tonight,” said Rarta firmly. “Assir, please escort Ueni to my room.” The teacher's eyes narrowed. “And do not let her leave.”

Assir lifted Ueni cleanly off the ground. “I hope you know what you are doing,” he muttered as he hauled a struggling (and still growling) Ueni out of the room. Odandi and Anba quickly split so that he could get past with his burden.

“I will speak with the headmaster in the morning about this,” Rarta said firmly. “I think he will understand.” She looked at the other two girls. “Time for bed,” she said firmly.

“We just wanted to make sure that Yarey was all right,” said Anba firmly. To Yarey's surprise she glared at Rarta.

Rarta sighed. “Yes, Anba,” she said. “You were right. However, these arrangements are irregular, and I didn't want to make them unless there was no choice.”

Anba snorted as Odandi nodded. “Now you understand where we were coming from.”

“Yes, yes. Now the two of you should go to bed, tomorrow is going to be a long day.” Anba and Odandi nodded, and left quietly, closing the door behind them. Rarta turned to Yarey and her tone gentled. “Yarey, would you mind telling me what happened?”

 

[Alicia88]

Connor is easily the biggest.  He probably weighs as much as, if not more than, the other two combined.  Nothing is going on with the food; they're all still being pigs.  Mickey fights back a little bit, but Connor doesn't seem to have much trouble subduing him.  Murphy doesn't even fight back.  Connor started doing this to Murphy when they were just shy of 5 months old and starting puberty.  We got them neutered - problem solved.  Mickey was doing this to both of them when we first got him.  Got him neutered and that was the end of it.  Now, Connor and Murphy have been neutered for almost 5 months and Mickey was neutered around 2 months ago, if I'm remembering right.  And Connor randomly starts being a butt.

Some new people moved in across the hall.  I wonder if they have a pet?  Maybe they have a female cat?  But, since they're all neutered, that shouldn't cause any kind of issue, should it?  And I don't even know if they do.

 

[tallyollyopia]

 
Connor is easily the biggest.  He probably weighs as much as, if not more than, the other two combined.  Nothing is going on with the food; they're all still being pigs.  Mickey fights back a little bit, but Connor doesn't seem to have much trouble subduing him.  Murphy doesn't even fight back.  Connor started doing this to Murphy when they were just shy of 5 months old and starting puberty.  We got them neutered - problem solved.  Mickey was doing this to both of them when we first got him.  Got him neutered and that was the end of it.  Now, Connor and Murphy have been neutered for almost 5 months and Mickey was neutered around 2 months ago, if I'm remembering right.  And Connor randomly starts being a butt.

Some new people moved in across the hall.  I wonder if they have a pet?  Maybe they have a female cat?  But, since they're all neutered, that shouldn't cause any kind of issue, should it?  And I don't even know if they do.

Here's what I know--in Rose's new home (I spoke to IB about it during his visit) she's still  getting courted by toms. She's been fixed for over a year and a half--so I really don't know how cat hormones work. (She's definately  fixed. I made sure of it.) As for Spot and Ra--I don't know. 

 

[Alicia88]

 
Here's what I know--in Rose's new home (I spoke to IB about it during his visit) she's still  getting courted by toms. She's been fixed for over a year and a half--so I really don't know how cat hormones work. (She's definately  fixed. I made sure of it.) As for Spot and Ra--I don't know. 

Well, I don't even know if there is another cat.  I haven't met them yet.  John just told me he saw them moving in.  So my brain is reaching for possibilities and that's they're the only change I can come up with.

 

[Margret]

 

 
I think she was far too self-absorbed to even register what her actions would do to someone else.

I had a friend with pet rats once who had a similar problem, so somewhere (and I don't know where) she found an exercise wheel that humms when the rats were running in it. Very soothing--until they stopped.

Do you think anyone would really enjoy it?

We've been having trouble with Spot too. Good luck!

I would enjoy a book like that!

I just don't get it.  Connor has been pinning Murphy and Mickey by biting their necks - hard enough to make them cry - and a bit ago, he kept doing it to Murphy and humping him.  They've all been neutered.  I mean, is it possible something got screwed up?  I saw someone say something in another thread about males being jerks to other cats around the age of 1.  Connor is just shy of 10 months old.  He's still really lovey with me and Murphy and Mickey are getting along just fine.  For right now, I have Connor shut in the bedroom with me and the other two are out hanging with John and Aislyn - I'm in here working on ending my procrastination of a paper - but that isn't a permanent solution.  I can keep it up for a day or two, but I'll need to put food and water in the bedroom.  I already have a litter box in here and one out there.

I believe I'd enjoy that book as well.

How old was Connor when he was neutered?  When we were visiting the Cat Care Society most recently, the guy there told us that, under Colorado law, shelters couldn't neuter toms until they were old enough for the testosterone to actually cut in, with the result that they never got over some of the more aggressive masculine feline behaviors.  This is one of the reasons we've always preferred female cats.

Also, could you post us a link to the new thread you've started for Connor?

Margret