[wisewoman]

And the great spirit decided to give me a little bit more for chuckles and giggles.

I got up this a.m. and swept and mopped as I usually do. My daughter snuggled with me for a bit and then asked me to make her an omlette which I did. When she was getting the mixing bowl and fry pan she asked me why the cupboard smelled of cat pee! Sure enough, it reaked. I had to move the microwave last week as son's girlfriend's kitten was peeing in the corner where I put microwave.

So after washing her omlette pan and mixing bowl I decided to attack the problem. Called the girlfriend down but she said she had to go.
Out come all of the pots and pans, cake dishes, pie plates, bread pans, cookie sheets etc. On my floor. I was going to wash the cabinet out and then tile with shelving paper. Well, after I washed and did te shelving paper I noticed under the sink where a plumber had done a repair and we noticed a leak 2 weeks later. The entire underside of the cabinet was rotted out. For some weid reason, the guy who built my house used partical board under the sink.

So there I go with a hammer and a tire wrench beating the rotten partical board to death. I finally got it all out and removed a bunch of nails. Even the floor underneith is wet. So I have it blocked off from critters with the doors open and I am going to fit plywood under there and seal with tile. I am so exhausted! And yes my back hurts. I had to sweep up all of the chunks of partical board and throw them away. Then I proceeded to wash all of above dishes. My counter is full, the stove top is full, they are everywhere and I expect the kids who own that monster kitty will be putting dishes away later.

At least it kept me from moping and worrying about the things over which I have no control. And, my hands are way clean!! Also, I really had to take a shower when I was not going to, I was just going to wash my hair, lazy me. So it's all good. I even can see how I need to cut the plywood around the pipes. Geez, how did I get so smart?

[katheryn]

you are very smart (((((((((((((((wisewoman))))))))))))))

[Sabrina]

That would have been a very, very horrible nightmare for me.

The guy who built the house...I don't wan't to ask an ignorant question - but surely he is responsible?

[wisewoman]

Thanks Katheryn, I am just trying to make the proverbial lemonade. Oh, I didn't mention one part. I had a bucket of water I had used with vinegar and citrus to deoderize and then I walked into it with all of the dishes on the floor and wood everywhere. My floor has a slight slant and it pooled under the fridge. I had to run and get rags which, thankfully I had hanging in the basement to dry.

[(JD)]

I think that is anything but lazy! Hmmm yes, we're we just discussing limits???? It IS difficult to rely upon others to do things, especially when that means having to pay them too! I hope you will be able to pace yourself better in the future... though I sure know the relief of having a project DONE!

TC!

[wisewoman]

Sabrina, he was a sweet old man who built it first as a camp and eventually finished it. He did some really odd things like my basement has junction boxes every few feet. The partical board thing is way weird because when we moved here 20 years ago there was one finished room upstairs, the rest was attic. The attic was all plywood but he had put partical board over it in the finished room. It had carpet at the time. Anyways, now that all of the rooms are done, that one is 1/2 in higher. I hope I am not boring anyone.

[Sabrina]

No - not boring me - actually - reminding me a little of my late (and eccentric) father, which is kind of special.

I look forward to reading of your progress - and I will offer my gentle and kind thoughts in the process!!

[wisewoman]

Sky, I get obsessed with things at times and need to do them right then. The rotten wood could have waited but I saw it, it was gross, and now all I have to do is put in a piece of plywood. Pacing myself. I will say I may be regretting the toll this takes on my body.

my goodness....you amaze me!....faced with all that and you are now "handywoman of the year!"

wise AND handy!

[Lexicon78]

Oh wow, what a busy day you had! I know it can be quite frustrating when critters make their little messes. At least everything's clean now!

Maybe if it weren't for the kitty you never would've found out how terribly rotten your sink was...thank god you found it now before it could get worse...

(((((wisewoman)))))

[wisewoman]

the part that is done is wonderful, under the sink is such a mess. I can fix that pretty easily I think. I just came home from foster parenting class and hubby got a good look at the mess. We have to clean up some mildew etc before we repair. I do get obsessed. I am trying to plan it out in my head right now. The kitchen has big do it your self projects. Needs paint and spiffing up. Thanks for all of the encouragement. It really helps and means a lot.

[brianm101]

WiseWoman....you are awsome in my book.

[wheretogo]

Good Grief!! what one little kitty can start. really got you on a role there. LOL i don't mean to laugh at you it is just amazing how something starts out so simple and quickly becomes a major pain. cats hate oranges, i know, you can slice one or just use the peel and lay it where kitty is not to go and it will keep away. a good shaking of cayenne, red or even black pepper work well too. all the best to you and please reward yourself !!

[wisewoman]

Wheretogo, I have citrus spray I will spray on the underwood in the pot and pan cupboard and under the sink wood when that is done so she will be less tempted. The kids couln't believe my spouse caught her peeing in the bread basket before I put the microwave there! They do not keep her litter clean. Otherwise she is fine. I have to take my daughter for an appointment today so I am not going to be able to get started here till well after noon. I think I have all of the supplies I will need, even finish mails! If that is true I will be done today. Way cool

[hillbunnyb]

There's something very refreshing about tearing out rotten wood. Glad you just jumped in there and went at it. My kinda gal.
If the kids don't get on keeping the litter box clean, tell them all your PC friends will come dance around them pointing fingers and chanting, "Clean the litter box!!!, Clean the litter box" if they don't. . . . teehee

wisewoman, I know a quick way to get them to clean the litterbox.

Tell them they have to keep the litterbox in their bedroom until it gets cleaner. I guarantee the smell with make them clean it fast. lol

[LMo]

instead of an orange slice (someone mentioned "fruitflies" in another post today!), those cheap citrus air fresheners have a similar effect. They don't deter MY cats, but if you have a cat that doesn't like the scent of oranges, then you could try an air freshener in your cabinet.

Wise AND handy, indeed!

[wisewoman]

Okay, for those who mentioned the cat box, they keep it in the hall outside their bedroom and I have to keep a gate on three sides so my dogs don't snack. I will threaten them with all of you dancing around them pointing fingers.

It smells really bad and so far they have not cleaned it for 3 weeks! I am about to start planting bombs in their room.

I found a bunch of plywood and pine today and went to work. The problem was that I was using the new skill saw hubby got me and I hate it! I called a neighbor and asked for his chop saw again and it is loaned out. However, he has a table saw. I do as well but it was free and I have not had a smart person check it out so I won't use it yet. So I brought all of my wood to him and he cut the rest of what I needed. It is all done and tiled and I am beat and sore and forgot to pick up pain meds today. Hubby will seal with silicone in case of future leaks. It looks marvolous and all of the dishes and stuff is but back and it looks clean and fresh. I have so many projects I want to do! If my body holds out, tomorrow is broom closet and kids old craft cupboards and the drawers that hold, well, JUNK!

[katheryn]

glad you managed to get your floor repaired, dont overdo it a little at a time

[wisewoman]

Woe always me. Ahh, B.S. changing the subject but it's my thread right? So tonight we are at foster parent class and the whole thing about cliques came up. For me it translated to bullying and the fact that the presenters were saying that this is normal 7th grade girl stuff blew my mind. I said it was condoned bullying and harrassment and not a right of passage. I said that these kids need to be taught as soon as they enter school if their parents were unable before, to have empathy and know that we all need to be treated with love and respect. I swear I was jumping out of my seat.

My son was horribly bullied. I did all I could to make it better but the reality is it cost him, and our relationship a lot. I became an enabling mom to him instead of an encouraging independence. I get so irrate when I think people, especially my kids are treated unfairly.

Triggers away, they were all there tonight. I feel raw.

And then we must remember that my daughters and my son for 4 years had the chance to be in a highschool after a private k-6 and hell for 7th and 8th. A highschool where I saw people caring everyday and I could tell them my worries and fears. My kids are all special need in one way or another. A school where the teachers mostly cared and the administration and support staff were loving. The guidance department on the other hand was a farse but.... So I have good contacts with good people who helped nurture my children and the world is just not some adversarial place where parents have to do battle with schools.

I am just agitated, irritated, something, you name it, Triggered.

[katheryn]

((((((((((((((((wisewoman))))))))))))))))))))
i understand about the bullying as i was bullied and so was hubby and our parents didnt help so when our children were/are bullied we allways try to sort it