The "What's on your mind?" Thread -2016

[tallyollyopia]

 
I bought one of those a very long time ago; I don't know whether they've changed, but I doubt it.

It's a clear plastic tray that you put under the toilet seat and over the toilet bowl, and put litter in.  Gradually you reduce the amount of litter, so that the cat sees the water underneath (if I remember correctly).  The problem is, of course, that reducing the litter leaves the cat unable to cover things, and therefore makes her reluctant to use it.

Some cats have taught themselves to use the toilet; I even know of one who flushed afterwards.  But unless the cat is the one who wants to use the toilet, all toilet training efforts are extremely likely to fail.

@Tallyollyopia, the only way I know is to try it and see what happens.  But, I've been thinking about it, and it could be that she just needs a separate litter box for urine.  Jasmine is that way -- one box for peeing, the other for pooping.  Try that first, if it's possible with the other cats around.

Margret

We've got four litter boxes around the house (from t he good-old "training days"), and the other three are fanatic about going outside. They all have their own "tree", and I guess they don't feel comfortable eliminating anywhere else unless the weather is really bad. Maybe she associates the other boxes with other cats? But that doesn't really make sense either, since they all have trees. 

 
Poor Artie.  I just want to cry.  I want to snuggle him and tell him it's ok - covered in poop or not.

I woke up today covered in a fine rash and itching everywhere.  I don't know why.  I have really sensitive skin, but I haven't used any new soaps, lotions, laundry soaps, etc.  It's driving me nuts.  I have benadryl, but it makes me really sleepy and I'm working and I get in trouble if I yawn or if there's "a yawn in my voice."  They've been real jerks to me since I went above their heads about something I was doing right that they said I was doing wrong and caused them all to get retrained on it.  I'll accept criticism if it's deserved, but when I'm right, I will not put up with it.  It's been really stressing me out, though.  I get enough sleep and I've been ingesting so much caffeine it's probably not healthy, but I still have trouble not yawning.  I don't know what to do.  I don't know how to stop myself from yawning.  And if I use my mute button while I'm yawning, I get in trouble for pausing during the survey.  I'm at a loss and it's frustrating.

I also have this bump on my armpit and I don't know what it is.  It started out the size of a pimple, but it was really hard.  Over the past several days, it's gotten bigger and it's almost the size of a marble and still very hard and hurts like heck.  Unfortunately, I don't have the money to go to the doctor.  Hopefully it's not something that will kill me.

On a positive not, I had a blast with the boys and the bagful of new toys I got them.  Hopefully Mickey will get more confident with toys and stop acting so hesitant.  He has fun once he gets going, but he acts a bit confused by them.  Maybe he never had toys at his other place or he got in trouble for playing with things because they were the kids' toys.  I have no clue.

I've had those--and you probably need a doctor. I don't know what they are, exactly, but they clear up with antibiotics.

 
OMG; I just had to take an extra break and I don't care if they have a problem with it or not.  I just called a woman who was crying, telling me how well Enterprise treated her when she had to rent a car after an accident that killed her daughter.  So now I'm bawling.  I have to take a few minutes.  That was completely unexpected - I feel so bad for her and I can't even imagine how hard that would have been.  I mean, what do you even say to that???  I'm crying so hard I can't talk.

I get yelled at, cussed at, called every name in the book - that I can handle.  This ripped me apart.

I've had customers at the store break out in tears because I was so "nice". I hate to think about what they're going through that I'm  the best thing they've come into contact with all day. Now, I do have an impertinent question, and you can tell me where to shove it if you like, but is it possible you could be pregnant? (If not, please remember, I'm just trying to help you with your symptoms.)

 

[Alicia88]

 
We've got four litter boxes around the house (from t he good-old "training days"), and the other three are fanatic about going outside. They all have their own "tree", and I guess they don't feel comfortable eliminating anywhere else unless the weather is really bad. Maybe she associates the other boxes with other cats? But that doesn't really make sense either, since they all have trees. 

I've had those--and you probably need a doctor. I don't know what they are, exactly, but they clear up with antibiotics.

I've had customers at the store break out in tears because I was so "nice". I hate to think about what they're going through that I'm  the best thing they've come into contact with all day. Now, I do have an impertinent question, and you can tell me where to shove it if you like, but is it possible you could be pregnant? (If not, please remember, I'm just trying to help you with your symptoms.)

I'm about 95% sure I'm not pregnant.  I'm on the pill.  Period is due next week so if it doesn't come, then I'll consider the possibility but I think it's pretty unlikely.  And if I am, so be it.  I mean, I don't want to be pregnant yet, but only because I still haven't been able to get my divorce finalized.  I don't know where he lives or works so serving him with papers is difficult.  I even asked about using a process server, but I still have to tell them where to find him and I don't know.  And in Missouri, you can't get divorced if you're pregnant, even if there is 0% chance of the husband being the father.  And, considering that I haven't been in the same room as him for 4 years, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be his.  Haha.  Other than that, I have no issue with getting pregnant and neither does John.  But, ya know, if it happens, I guess God wanted me to have a baby.

Went to see mommy the nurse tonight.  She said it's a boil.  She stabbed it with a needle and squeezed a bunch of gunk out of it.  Hurt like crazy.  Told me to keep a warm compress on it and try to squeeze it out if it gets puffy again and if I wimp out (highly likely, I'm not good at hurting myself) to come back and let her do it.

I don't really get to be "nice."  I have to follow a script and I have 7 pages of "pat responses" that I have to use word for word and I get in trouble if I say anything else.  It's pretty ridiculous.  They're ridiculously picky.  Still, I told her I was really sorry for her loss and if they yell at me for that (if they listen to that call), so be it.  I don't care at that point.  If they have a problem with me acting like a human, that's their issue, not mine.

 

[artiemom]

Artie Update.

Artie has pretty much stopped with the dribbling from the enema. His bum is still yucky and sore.. poor baby..

He has not eaten much of anything.. mostly lapping at the extra water I put in. At one point, he had a choice of 3 dishes of food.. and refused all of them.. he had NV lamb, Solid Gold tuna with mackerel, and Pride rabbit..... just a few licks....

He is feeling a bit better. I was able to get a purr out of him last night, when he was on my lap...He does not stay there long. I think he is uncomfortable.

Artie cannot sit when he eats, cuz his bum hurts so much.. but he is alert...and loving.. He has lost weight from this ordeal. I am afraid to weigh him...I do not want to see any numbers down into the 9 lbs mark...

I feel helpless.. I am thinking of updating the regular Vet, but I am not taking him back in.. he has been through so much. He is constantly avoiding his carrier. I keep it out in the open and he uses it as a bed, sometimes....

I washed a full load of towels yesterday. I am going to replace the ones around the house...for his dribbles. 

I need to wash the floor, but I do not want to stress him out anymore..I have wiped down all the spots that I could see.... he is very skittish at sudden noises- at one point,  the TV was a bit too loud for him last night. I was watching Frozen with Artie on my lap.. I was surprised that he watched the intro to it.. the beginning scene..I

Right now he is curled up on my bed..

I gave him some Weruva Lamberghini --he wanted it, but just lapped a bit....I hope he gets his appetite back...

I guess I love him too much...to see him not feeling well really breaks my heart...but that is life...

thank you everyone for your well wishes for him...((hugs))

 

[margd]

Poor sweet Artie. I really hope he feels better soon.  Darling boy. 

  

I've just scared Chula and Paul almost out of their skins.  The rotary paper cutter I'd ordered was just delivered so naturally I gave the cutting head a roll.  Argh!  My ears will never be the same.  This thing screams like some poor soul being tortured in the depths of hell.  To send it back will require a cab ride to the post office, which will cost more than I paid for it in the first place.  If the WD40 doesn't work, I guess it's back to the old scissors.   Aw, well, it's a minor complaint in the great scheme of things.  Grumble, grumble.

 

[donutte]

artiemom , I'm glad Artie seems to be doing a little bit better at least. Will keep him in my thoughts and sending healing vibes.

margd I just saw you mention your kitty's name. Today, Chula (the kitty at one of the rescues I volunteer with) just got adopted today Just thought it was cool, because it seems like such an uncommon name for a kitty!

 

[margd]

@Artiemom, I'm glad Artie seems to be doing a little bit better at least. Will keep him in my thoughts and sending healing vibes.

@Margd I just saw you mention your kitty's name. Today, Chula (the kitty at one of the rescues I volunteer with) just got adopted today

Just thought it was cool, because it seems like such an uncommon name for a kitty!

Another kitty named Chula!  Yay!  My Chula was named by the nephew of her original human.  He was taking Spanish in school and had just learned that chula means "cutie" or "pretty" so he picked her name. I've since learned that Chula also means "cheeky," "elegant," "sexy," "bold," and oddly enough "poser" and "pimp."  To me,Chula means "beautiful adorable cat." 

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I was wondering about Chula's name.

Just plain SPIT!  My microwave just died.  I really can't complain TOO much.  It was the cheapest one that WalMart had, and has done a good job for over 8 years now.  The door latches have broken, and unless they are properly engaged, the unit won't turn on.  SIGH...I do wish it could have lasted another 2 weeks!

 

[Primula]

I'm just off the phone after a frustrating experience with Groupon.  I ordered a selection of wines for my daughter and her husband but wasn't given a redemption code to actually claim the deal. When I called to find out what was going on, I either reached someone new on the job or someone who was a bit dull upstairs.  We had to go over my email address seven (!!!) times before she finally got it.  Then she told me first that I'd already used the code and second that the deal didn't have a code to use.      I managed to not show my frustration (I hope) but still cancelled the order and asked for a refund.  Now my money is tied up for three to five days and I have to find a new present.  Looking on the bright side, this is the worst thing that happened to me today, so I actually am pretty lucky.  :rub:

Margd, next time you're in a phone situation like this, ask to speak to a supervisor. I refuse to deal with people like this.

 

[Alicia88]

Poor Artie!  That little guy has it so rough.  I really want to give him loves.

So, client monitoring was scheduled today.  The client has monitored me quite a few times and never had a single complaint.  Twenty minutes after I started calling, I got kicked out of the system and received an e-mail to stop calling for the day.  I was yawning, but it was between calls.  I'm pretty sure I didn't yawn at all while talking to people.  So I don't know what's going on.  I made a doctor's appointment for next Monday.  Maybe there's something I can do or maybe I can get a doctor's note about chronic yawning or something.  I just don't know what to do.  I can drink a whole pot of coffee or 2 or 3 energy drinks and still yawn.  And I know that much caffeine is really not healthy.  This is stressing me out so bad, it's making me physically ill.  I've been feeling really nauseous and anxious since I got that e-mail.  I'm at a loss.

 

[margd]

 
Poor Artie!  That little guy has it so rough.  I really want to give him loves.

So, client monitoring was scheduled today.  The client has monitored me quite a few times and never had a single complaint.  Twenty minutes after I started calling, I got kicked out of the system and received an e-mail to stop calling for the day.  I was yawning, but it was between calls.  I'm pretty sure I didn't yawn at all while talking to people.  So I don't know what's going on.  I made a doctor's appointment for next Monday.  Maybe there's something I can do or maybe I can get a doctor's note about chronic yawning or something.  I just don't know what to do.  I can drink a whole pot of coffee or 2 or 3 energy drinks and still yawn.  And I know that much caffeine is really not healthy.  This is stressing me out so bad, it's making me physically ill.  I've been feeling really nauseous and anxious since I got that e-mail.  I'm at a loss.

 

 

    I'm really sorry to hear you're being put through this.  It just appalls me that you might be written up for yawning or being kind to a client, as you were yesterday.  I'd be just as stressed as you are.  It's unkind to send you an email like that and then not follow through immediately with an explanation.  It's cruel to make you wait like this.  The doctor appointment is a good idea, though, and I hope he or she  comes up with a solution.    Sending you vibes that it all turns out okay:  

 

[Alicia88]

 

 

 

    I'm really sorry to hear you're being put through this.  It just appalls me that you might be written up for yawning or being kind to a client, as you were yesterday.  I'd be just as stressed as you are.  It's unkind to send you an email like that and then not follow through immediately with an explanation.  It's cruel to make you wait like this.  The doctor appointment is a good idea, though, and I hope he or she  comes up with a solution.    Sending you vibes that it all turns out okay:  

Well, they sent me another e-mail with a "written warning."

John's going to be getting a lot more hours as soon as they have the new side of the factory fully operational within a couple of weeks and that's going to mean a lot of overtime.  We'll be fine on just his income.  But I never again want to depend on someone else.  I just feel like crying right now.  I'm at the end of my rope.

 

[Alicia88]

And it's not like it's some life or death situation.  I do surveys.  They take less than a minute each.  Basically, hi, thanks for your business, did you like your rental, would you do it again, thanks for your time and have a nice day.  

 

[Margret]

 

OMG; I just had to take an extra break and I don't care if they have a problem with it or not.  I just called a woman who was crying, telling me how well Enterprise treated her when she had to rent a car after an accident that killed her daughter.  So now I'm bawling.  I have to take a few minutes.  That was completely unexpected - I feel so bad for her and I can't even imagine how hard that would have been.  I mean, what do you even say to that???  I'm crying so hard I can't talk.
I get yelled at, cussed at, called every name in the book - that I can handle.  This ripped me apart.

Of course you need a break. What an emotional whammy. That poor woman and what she's been through. You were a dear to be able to relate to her pain.

Margret

 

[Margret]

 

 

 

 

    I'm really sorry to hear you're being put through this.  It just appalls me that you might be written up for yawning or being kind to a client, as you were yesterday.  I'd be just as stressed as you are.  It's unkind to send you an email like that and then not follow through immediately with an explanation.  It's cruel to make you wait like this.  The doctor appointment is a good idea, though, and I hope he or she  comes up with a solution.    Sending you vibes that it all turns out okay:  

Well, they sent me another e-mail with a "written warning."

John's going to be getting a lot more hours as soon as they have the new side of the factory fully operational within a couple of weeks and that's going to mean a lot of overtime.  We'll be fine on just his income.  But I never again want to depend on someone else.  I just feel like crying right now.  I'm at the end of my rope.

A written warning for what?  Not sticking to the script when a client tells you her daughter was killed?  Ask the jerks to give you a script that covers things like that.  If they don't have one, you can't follow it.

This is a family site, so I can't use the words that I'd like to.

Margret

 

[margd]

 
Well, they sent me another e-mail with a "written warning."

John's going to be getting a lot more hours as soon as they have the new side of the factory fully operational within a couple of weeks and that's going to mean a lot of overtime.  We'll be fine on just his income.  But I never again want to depend on someone else.  I just feel like crying right now.  I'm at the end of my rope.

 
And it's not like it's some life or death situation.  I do surveys.  They take less than a minute each.  Basically, hi, thanks for your business, did you like your rental, would you do it again, thanks for your time and have a nice day.  

Yes, this is the ridiculous part.  It's not like you're on the phone trying to sell luxury cruises or high end real estate.  Is someone really going to think "Oh I need to rent a car.  Better not use the last place I rented from. Their rep yawned while taking my survey and I've never been more mistreated."

 

[Margret]

There!  I went to the kitchen to make myself some supper, and it suddenly dawned on me what is going on. 

@Alicia88, you have two problems with this job:

1. Clients say horrible things to you.
2. You have to follow stupid scripts and aren't allowed to do human things like sneeze, cough, yawn, or show emotion.

Right?

Wrong.  You have one problem with this job.  You have to follow stupid scripts and aren't allowed to do human things like sneeze, cough, yawn, or show emotion.  The clients who say nasty things to you aren't talking to you, they're talking to the stupid script.  Your employers have a major problem in that their view of a "customer satisfaction survey" actually pisses off the clients.  People who were perfectly happy with their car rental experience end up being angry because they're subjected to an annoying phone call asking them about their experience.

I can't tell you how to make your employers more sensible, but I can tell you that it's not you the clients are angry at.

Margret

 

[artiemom]

 
And it's not like it's some life or death situation.  I do surveys.  They take less than a minute each.  Basically, hi, thanks for your business, did you like your rental, would you do it again, thanks for your time and have a nice day.  

OMG!!   How unfeeling.. how robotic...

You did the right thing.. you have a heart.. may good things find you...((Hugs))

 

[Alicia88]

Thanks everyone.

About 3 years ago, I got out of a really bad relationship.  I found out he was on meth after we'd been living together for almost 6 months.  I've never had anything to do with the stuff so I missed all the signs.  He wasn't all skinny and he held down a job.  I finally figured it out a couple months after he started hitting me.  But, I was trapped.  I was in California and I had no friends or family there.  He'd talked me into quitting my job and moving in with him so I could go back to school, which is something I'd wanted to do for a long time, anyway.  I finally got out, but not until he'd almost killed me.  He lacerated my spleen and kidney.  By the time he took me to the hospital, I was fading in and out of consciousness, foaming at the mouth, shaking like an epileptic, and I had no idea who or where I was.  They couldn't get a blood pressure or a temperature on me.  They had to give me a major blood transfusion.

I ended up living in a DV shelter for a few months until my mom got her tax refund and was able to get me a plane ticket home.  John has never raised a hand to me.  We were friends for 10 years and now we've been together for a year and a half.  Still, I don't want to depend on him.  I never want to feel trapped like that again.  And jobs are hard to come by - especially in such a small town.  It doesn't help that I have some physical limitations due to breaking my back.

I worked so hard to build up my life and get all my ducks in a row.  When I got home, I moped around depressed for a few months.  Then I got a job, and 2 and a half months later, I'd saved enough money to pay a deposit and first month's rent on an apartment and get the basics - air mattress, cooking stuff, just the bare necessities.  Three months after that, I was able to buy a car so I wouldn't have to keep paying for rides to work.  Four months after that, I was able to buy an actual bed.  And now it feels like everything is about to crash down around me.

I was depressed so I ordered a blt and a huge chocolate chunk cookie from Jimmy Johns.  The cookie is helping.

 

[tarasgirl06]

You're a strong woman.  You will get through this.  Sounds cliched, but you know and you will.  Some of what you write parallels stuff in my life, but not that degree of violence -- mine was emotional/verbal/psychological.  We're both on the other side of those terrible days.  If you're spiritual in any way, you know what to do on that score.  YOU WILL get through this. 

 

[margd]

 

 

  @Alicia88