TToT – Tentative and Ambivalent
I’m having a bit of trouble with my list of thankfuls this week.
It’s not that I don’t have things for which I am thankful. I do. But I’m feeling kind of ambivalent about a few of them. I thought about skipping this week, since I couldn’t quite get my brain around it, but then thought better of it and decided this is probably one of those weeks where I need to see the positive amidst what appears to be less than positive at the moment.
I read a pin this week that said, “Until God opens the next door for you, praise Him in the hallway.” OK, then, that’s what I’m going to do.
My biggest item of thanks goes to the Fab Hub for coming to my rescue last night and serving as Horrible Bug Slayer for me. He really should be the one to tell the story because I can’t even think about it without having a panic attack. The short version (which makes me look so much less ridiculous than the full version) is that when sorting out our CSA veggies, I came upon a HUMONGOUS bug. It was horrible. I launched into a full-blown panic attack, completely with hyperventilation and blood-curdling screams. (If you don’t already know, I have an unholy and probably unhealthy fear of bugs. Moving on.) The Hub took care of said bug and hasn’t checked me into an institution for my unreasonable hysteria. So there’s two thankfuls right off the bat.
And I have to include my afternoon with my Mom last weekend. There is no ambivalence here – it was a totally great afternoon. I needed to find a more seasonally-appropriate purse than the maroon faux alligator that I’ve been carrying around since winter. I figured you know, it’s August now, so a summer purse would be nice. Mom essentially kidnapped me for the afternoon – sans Kidzilla and the Hub – and we had a lovely lunch and purse shopping excursion. One-on-one time with Mom is definitely a great opportunity. And the Hub gets another nod here for being completely OK with taking solo Kidzilla duty at the last minute. They ate mac and cheese so they were perfectly content.
I am thankful that we got the stairway carpets cleaned. The stairways sport the only remaining carpet in the house and it was filthy – particularly the downstairs one that we hit upon entering the house after being out in the world. We looked into hardwood – impossibly expensive right now. We looked into new carpeting on the stairways – not impossibly expensive, but more than we are willing to invest right now. And so, behind door number three, we found professional cleaning a fair option. So yay.
But there is a black lining on this cloud of happiness. In the process of surveying the cleaning job, the carpet dude with the magic black light discovered that one (or more) of our three Rotten Cats has been peeing on the two upstairs landings. WTF??? Yup, peeing. A LOT. And somehow, this was happening completely unbeknownst to any of us. The only reason we had any suspicion is because we caught Cat One in the act the other night. I guess I can be thankful that we caught him or who knows how long the problem would have continued. Still, I was mortified.
However, after reading about this a whole lot for about two days, it seems that cats and/or dogs can do this and manage to do it without otherwise diligent owners having any clue, so now I don’t feel quite so bad. I guess there’s another thing to be thankful for? But still. Eew. So in addition to cleaning the carpet, the carpet dude applied some sort of magic cat pee go-away stuff. Words like “enzyme” and “break down” and “evaporate” were spoken. Frankly, I let the Hub deal with it; I was too busy giving all three of our hideous Rotten Cats the stink eye. I’m convinced the culprit is Cat One alone because he is, after all, the resident jackass here. And we caught him with his figurative pants down, so there’s that. He’s thankful that I haven’t evicted him from his happy home.
![20140802_220734[1]](http://www.themeaningofme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140802_2207341.jpg)
So now we are halfway through the seven days of the whole enzyme breakdown and evaporation process. The landings are covered with tin foil strips to deter said Cats from attempting any more shenanigans of the urination variety. I’m really hoping this removes the problem and that the Rotten Cats do not return to the scene of the crime. I’m going to say very tentatively at this point that we may have success. We’ll see. In the meantime, my stairway looks like a holding area for super-sized cheese steaks. I’m thankful for the ability to see humor in this, however bitter that humor may be.
![20140802_220604[1]](http://www.themeaningofme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140802_2206041.jpg)
I’m thankful that the Hub has had some job leads and interviews in the last couple of weeks. Still waiting for some results and some details to emerge, but for the moment we’re glad for a couple of potential opportunities. I’d love to say we have some concrete answers, but things are still kind of tentative here, too.
I am thankful for the Hub’s ability to handle our tenuous financial circumstances through all of this job loss/career change nonsense. Somehow he manages to keep us afloat and knows exactly how to juggle things to make it all work. I’d sit down and cry if that were my job. I do not know how he manages, but I am so glad he does.
Let’s go with one more weird one. I’m thankful that the Hub and I are not afraid to argue. Is that awful? We don’t fight often. We definitely bicker about stupid stuff, but we really don’t have serious arguments about major topics. I think it’s because on the big stuff, we are really just always on the same page. But when stress gets the best of one of us – or worse, both of us – that’s when a throw-down is likely to occur. And right now, this week, we are stewing in some major frustrating stress. So while I’m not glad at all that we had an argument, I am glad that we have learned to fight fair – at least better than we did ten years ago – and that we managed to both pull our heads out of our butts and actually address the issues at hand.
OK, I did it! I know I have ten in here. Proof that the simple act of consciously thinking about what is good helps to shift focus there instead of on all the rest of the nonsense.
Hope your week has been full of moments of thankfulness! Happy rest of the weekend to you all!
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I thought cats like their litter boxes. Who knew? My naughty dog Daisy has a spot she loves to pee in upstairs. It is so gross. We try to keep doors closed so she can’t wander in but the teenager opens it up and leaves it.
Our staircase is tiled like most of the rest of the house. Honestly it is easy to maintain but kinda scares me when descending. They are steep and I am a klutz.
I really should consider doing this prompt as I tend to get bogged down in baloney and forget things I am thankful for. M
Mim, it’s a great thing, this list of thankfuls. I stumbled upon it at just the right time and I honestly think it has helped me – and the Hub, too – keep things in perspective. It’s so easy to get bogged down in the negative crap of life so putting the focus on the positive, even if it’s tough, really counteracts that.
Well, I think the truth is that one of the Rotten Cats does not like the box situation, so we’ve made some adjustments and so far we seem to be doing OK – removed the stain and the smell, adjusted boxes. So now we wait and see. As much as I’d love to kill all of the carpet, aside from the cost issue, I admit the thought of hard surface stairs frightens me. The carpet at least provides traction.
I feel yer pain and hope you feel better this week! You can borrow a few of my dwarves if you want! Skip hasnt ever peed in the house until this week…I attributed it to ola demented poodle syndrome. ..ick!
We’re hanging in there, Zoe! Overall, things are not awful. We could be in far worse straits than we are. But OH SO FRUSTRATING!
Maybe send the dwarves over. And some fairies and some guard virgins – the whole crew!
Maybe Skip peed because the Rotten Cats influenced him – bad cats!
you know he was mumbling something about rotten cats in his sleep last night…hmmmmmmmm?????
Oh no – plotting against us!
Cheesesteaks and cat pee? Hilarious. I’m the one who keeps our finances afloat during the lean income times which have happened frequently over the past five years. Your husband gets a big thank you from me for that. I know the awful stress of that situation. Happy to say ours has turned around and our construction business is very busy right now. Oh, but, I don’t do bugs either. We bought some produce at a farm market and I found a big fat cockroach in our refrigerator. It gives me chills up my spine to think about it. Ugh.
I will pass along the thanks to the Hub. I don’t know how he does it, but he does. I would probably have a total breakdown – not an area of strength for me. My Grandfather used to say “half of being smart is knowing what you’re dumb at.” True enough, so I’m happy to admit that I’m dumb at the financial juggling.
Glad things are good for your business, though! That’s a YAY!
Bugs are horrible – anything with more legs than a dog sends me into a fit.
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Ah, Lisa, those Thankfuls come with a few clouds of dust!!
They do indeed, Michelle. Just trying to stay focused on what’s good and not get bogged down!
Like the God quote. Sometimes you need an anchor:)
Ah. The bug thing. I lived in FL for almost 11 years. A place where everything is bigger. You don’t have to tell me about the grateful for having the man in the house be sole exterminator!
Good for you persisting in the face of ambivelance. At the end of it, I think it does make a person feel better. Hm…maybe I ought to try it lol
Black lights are cool aren’t they? I think it was my vet who told me to buy one a hundred years ago when I had 2 cats. Even though they were both “outdoor” cats they sometimes had an “accident”. When you’re not around but you suspect…black light it!
Fingers crossed for the Hub. One of those interviews has to pay off!
The size of the bugs is precisely why I hate pretty much everywhere south of the Mason-Dixon line. Horrible!
I am drawing on just about every ounce of strength and persistence I have right now – this has been such a long haul with him losing his position and then working to totally change careers. It’s tense right now – just hoping it will pay off like crazy in the not too distant future.
Keep your fingers crossed!
Well good, I’m glad the focussing worked, even if it was tough to do. And I have to apologise for grinning my head off at your description of your big bug freak-out…glad Fab Hub was there to rescue you (but I kind of wish you’d caught the moment on video…which probably makes me a right meanie, but there ya go).
YAY to figuring out a ‘meantime’ solution for the stairway carpets, and I hope your cheesesteak method of deterring the cats is successful. I was going to suggest putting white pepper down, but I guess you wouldn’t want that in your carpets either (though arguably, it could be vacuumed up afterwards…)
Fingers crossed for the interviews – I really hope one of them pays off. All this waiting around in hallways is ridiculous, even if you’re able to find thankfuls in the meantime. *sigh*
Yeah, it was pretty laughable…I would probably win the top prize on one of those home video contests on TV.
White pepper – never heard that one, but it’s worth a try. We were going to try citrus because supposedly, cats hate the scent of citrus. I figured a few drops of essential oils might do the trick. Cat One is lucky I don’t vacuum him up afterwards…
Yeah, the interviews and the waiting and the not knowing…ridiculous is the best word I can come up with most days. Really trying to stay positive and not let it get the best of us (me) but right now feels particularly stressful.
FabHub proves his worth yet again! Seriously, here’s to dividing and conquering when it comes to tasks, roles, etc. I read that as a theme of this post. And to learning how to fight when the stress descends. Wouldn’t know anything about that. 🙂
I so don’t deserve him and I totally know it. Of course, I suspect no one else would be able to put up with me, so it’s a match made in Heaven. Dividing and conquering tasks and roles…I’m going back to read myself because I don’t know if I was thinking that. Interesting.
We know that stress is our horrible thing and neither of us does well when things get really tough. Over the years we’ve learned that this is a major trigger for us so we try to watch for the signs. Most often, we do OK and manage to hold it together. This time we kind of went over the edge. It’s life, though, and part of being married. At least we were able to recognize we were in the midst of it and get back on track.
I used to have a cat known for “inappropriate elimination” issues. One thing you might want to try after the cleaner has done its thing is to (temporarily) put a litterbox on that spot. To my cat, that spoiled the fun, and she didn’t go there any more.
Fingers crossed for your husband’s job search efforts. He deserves his super hero cape for the bug incident. Maybe that can go on his resume! 🙂
The litter box in that area has been suggested. We’re wary, though, because we are afraid if we do that he’ll pee on the wall. We have till Wednesday to figure it out – the carpet place said it has to do its thing for a full week. None of them seems interested in the cleaned places in the least and we’ve increased the number/size of boxes in the cat box location of the house so maybe we’re OK. Thanks for the suggestion!
The Hub really does deserve kudos for offing that bug. Bleah! If only that would get him hired someplace!
um, yes, I do believe that kind of fear of bugs is unhealthy, but as long as you have someone there to take care of it for you, who cares? 🙂
Sounds like a lovely afternoon with your mom. Did you find a purse?
I’m glad to see you are keeping your sense of humor. I was smiling and giggling throughout this post, especially when you were talking about that blasted peeing on the carpet cat.
I did find a purse – it’s beautiful and it will take me into fall, so no worries about the whole white after Labor Day thing. Seemed silly to get a summery purse with only four weeks of summer left. (hang on while I cry about that…)
Trying to keep my humor…because I am so not entertained by the whole thing. Ugh.
I hear ya on the bug issue! Bugs and snakes are enough to send me shrieking, too! I got a literal chill thinking about someone with a black light coming in and shining it on our carpeting on the stairs. I don’t even want to think about it. I hope some good news comes from the interviews and in the meantime I’m glad to hear your husband can keep a handle on things financial.
I know it wasn’t an easy task but you managed a good list. That’s usually the times when we need to write these the most. Things will get better, Lisa. Hang in there.
Well, I think that’s why I finally sat down and just did it – when it’s the most difficult is when we need to find those things most, like you said. And I was pleasantly surprised to find how easily the things flew onto the screen. I was sure I had nothing, but that was far from the truth!
It’s certainly understandable to be stressed when you are experiencing job loss. I hope a good job comes along soon.
Yes, so do we!!!
I have an irrational fear of heights, but bugs really don’t scare me. Slugs on the other hand….
Fingers crossed for FabHub!!!
Slugs, huh? Never really thought about them…they are kinda gross, though.
Fingers Xed for FabHub to get several offers so he gets to choose the one he wants the most! How odd that your cat(s) are not fans of the litter box. Maybe they are just trying to convince you to redecorate the landing as an outhouse (for them, or course). They say that dogs have owners, and cats have staff.
Hope this week is being awesome for you!
Wouldn’t that just be amazing, Pattie? A bouquet of things to choose from and pick the one that looks best. We’ll see what unfolds…
Yeah, I don’t know what my Rotten Cats’ problem is. So far, the cleaning seems to have worked and no one seems to be using the landing as a latrine. Crossing the fingers on that one, too!
Hmm, after reading all that, I’m grateful that my parent’s cat is a sweetie. We sometimes catsit for him, and he especially loves my daughter.
Well, the Rotten Cats really are very sweet, in truth. We just disagree on proper cat behavior – I think they should behave nicely; they think they should do whatever they want. 😀
These really are the weeks that we need to make our lists.
Not being a cat owner I find the secretive urination thing fascinating. So no wetness? Your feet never went splat as you descended? So interesting!
Very true. I’m always glad I did when I have the tough weeks.
I can’t explain the urination thing. I guess it must dry before we find it. The only reason we knew was because we caught Cat One doing it. The cleaning and enzyme thing seems to have solved the problem. Fingers crossed!