Mrgh.

[digitaldiscipline]

This weekend was all over the fucking place, without my ever leaving the house.

Refi inspection revealed possible termite swarming, so that's a tidy thousand bucks to get the house tented sometime in the not-too-distant future. It's been four years (was tented just before I moved in), so it's more of a nuisance than anything. There goes the money mortgage payment I didn't have to make for July....

... and, in the fine tradition of expensive upgrades eating up any hint of improved cash flow, new windows have been contracted for. They cost as much as my first car. *sigh*

aishlynn had a bit of a scare yesterday, falling out of a tree at work. Fortunately, all she's got are a couple of scrapes and a really big bruise. It continues to look like I do the most half-assed job of beating my girlfriend ever. :-P

Lots of other shit lurking in the weeds, but it's my usual litany of opinionated bitching about this, that, and the other.

Comments

[etcet.livejournal.com]

If they were to somehow cut out 10% off my energy bill, it'll still take them a few years to pay for themselves.

Beyond that, having the ability to, I don't know, OPEN THE FUCKING WINDOWS WITHOUT THE CATS ESCAPING when the weather is conducive to doing so is a nice perk.

[auroara.livejournal.com]

My cat doesn't escape. She merely falls asleep, pushes the screen out while still asleep, and then runs to the front door screaming and crying "MOM! LET ME IN! OH GOD, LET ME IN! THERE'S BUGS OUT HERE AND... *GASP* DIRT!"

I'd love to have screens that locked in. I'd have the windows open all the freaking time! Especially when we get those torrential downpours that drop the temperature by 10 degrees and you get that wet grassy smell!

[kaliva.livejournal.com]

"Beyond that, having the ability to, I don't know, OPEN THE FUCKING WINDOWS WITHOUT THE CATS ESCAPING when the weather is conducive to doing so is a nice perk."

Ahh..so you are installing insanely expensive screens then. ;P Sorry, I had to say it. Though I understand how much of a bitch it is when you have to pay massive amounts of money for basic comfort, so to speak.

My idea to save more money went out the window when the fridge decided to die. Decaying fridge during the summer is the most horrendous stink ever!!!

I agree with serpentstar about the den building, tree climbing, but mostly the sleeping...all for a good chunk of change. :)

Most importantly, I'm very glad to hear that aishlynn is fine, despite the scrapes, bruising and soreness. Give my best to her, if you please.

*hugs to you both*

Now, do commense with your ranty goodness. ;)

[ruefullyamused.livejournal.com]

Okay, now the part about not being able to open the damn things without escaping critters is definitely filled with the suck. Funny how none of the ads for replacement windows bother to mention "oh, and fuck you if you want them open with a screen". My naivete fills me with fail :/

[etcet.livejournal.com]

my current windows? don't have screens. they're 90 years old, single pane, single-hung. if i want any kind of ventilation, it's by shoe-horning those flimsy collapsible screen frames into the opening. they don't offer an insect-proof option by any stretch.

the improved thermal efficiency and sound deadening are the big reasons for doing this, but, honestly, there are a few months a year when i'd much prefer to have fresh air moving through the house and haven't been able to do so.

[ladysoleil.livejournal.com]

Luckily your house doesn't have enough height on it to cause cat damage if they make a break for it. I keep my windows closed since the screens are flimsy as hell and I don't need my cat attempting to defenestrate himself. 2nd floor plus 20 pounds of flying cat would mean the sidewalk below would need some serious hosing down.

[ruefullyamused.livejournal.com]

*blink* 20 lbs??? whatever do you feed your critter? i'm aiming for a cat to join my family of 1 in the nearish future and i want to know what to feed it :)

[ladysoleil.livejournal.com]

I suspect that Giant Kitty has been snacking on plutonium when we're not at home.

He was a feral street rescue, which is part of the problem. He freaks when his dish is empty and the husband is a softy and used to just feed him more, and he had the cat before we met, so this had been going on for a while before we adjusted. He's a pretty big guy to start with anyway- tall for a cat and very muscle-y. That's how you end up with a 20 pound cat.

We currently feed him a weight management formula for feline fatties that we get from our vet, but previously he was eating a steady diet of Iams and/or Science Diet.

[ruefullyamused.livejournal.com]

Hear, hear. Open screened windows in Pgh allowed me to go through most of May/June without turning on the AC with the added benefit of airing out my incense habit. Dunno what my future apartment has in store for me, but bug-free fresh air with cat containment would be a huge plus. I'm actually quite glad this came up cuz it's now an item on my list of things to look for.