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99 replies

aussie.zone

Calm before the storm..

A lot to think about from yesterday (and thank you all for the responses). The links that melba posted yesterday (peoples' experience w/ care giving) were eye opening, was up until 3am reading them.

I think I'm going to withdraw and tone it down a bit.

I will do food and the basics but the meltdowns are going to be largely ignored.

If bro and SIL and bub are coming down this w/e I will not be doing anything extra. I don't even care to ask if they are.

I suppose this is what emotional burn out is. Had it before w/ work but this is a different beast.

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Hey man. You can only do so much before it becomes a real problem. From the sounds of things, you've gone above and beyond in trying to help.

Other people need to do their part now. I understand how difficult this must be, but stepping back is the right thing to do โ™ฅ๏ธ

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I had similar with MIL

refusal to accept assistance, complains, is mean, makes drama, even lies to other people about me

I was always just looking after Miss Seagoon's Nana , no more , now I do nothing, offer nothing, don't even listen

I don't even get angry , it all just goes in one ear and out the other

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melbaboutownreply
aussie.zone

Yeah. I think you have hit burnout. Sorry for feeding into the urge to fix everything by posting recipes and stuff.

I think it really is time for outside help to be brought on board instead of just you (whether they like it or not) because often caregiving does all get demanded from one person and can turn monopolising and even abusive.

Maybe consider a caregiver support group even if you donโ€™t continue at the previous level because caregiver burnout is a different beast. I never had any support or training but having either might have helped me look out for myself and recover better.

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Sorry for feeding into the urge to fix it

Oh please don't be sorry. You have been so very helpful.

I think the urge to fix it for me just needed a reality check. I think I've come to terms that the best I can do is slow cognitive decline and not let the little things get in the way of that. I can't roll this ball back up the hill but I can slow it which you have extremely helpful with.

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aussie.zone

BP monitor has been returned. Rather unpleasant but not too bad. It did wake me up a few times overnight but I managed to fall asleep quickly after so I'm feeling ok. Now I need to do new blood test before meeting with Dr for results. I'm no expert but it seems like my resting BP is like 155 over 85 at the moment which is no good

10

Whoowee the good news is that now you know. And can do something about it. Crossing fingers and all other available digits and sending healing vibes.

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It's good you know now!

Hope the bloods come back clear

If you want a blood pressure monitor at home I found the omron one (from chemist warehouse) pretty decent. Was really handy / accurate when balancing blood pressure meds for ol' girl and pretty cheap.

3

Psych appointment today then interview a couple of hours later.

Enough time to get a nap in between.

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PSA, it's smoke alarm battery day. You don't want the dreaded pips at 3am

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Catfish
aussie.zone

Ok the emergency services are doing well today: Mandatory carrot rations

Wombattery

Bin chicken survey

Horse rescue cart

Hot air balloon division

Oodies for pets

Sandwich gun

Traffic directing geese

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Rusty Ravenreply
aussie.zone

I also saw one with cows set up as mobile communication points.

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aussie.zone

(Non-joking, serious answers please)

Iโ€™m considering a cheap carpet cleaner or steamer and going over optionsโ€ฆ Kmart has a multipurpose steam spot cleaner around $150 plus some other options and Bunnings and The Good Guys have options around the $200 mark. Which is maybe a doable savings goal.

Anyone have experience with using carpet cleaning machines in this price range? Were they terrible? Any advice or budget recs?

Iโ€™m tossing up between something shampooey to get rid of the stains and grubbiness and potentially using an antifungal cleaner/actual disinfectant in it to kill ringworm spores. Or maybe I should choose something with steam to help kill the spores and also kill any future moth, flea, or bedbug infestations.

I was thinking of buying outright because hiring the Rug Doctor machine is such a hassle without a car, has a time pressure, and is $50 a pop when ringworm reinfestation is likely.

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Seagoon_reply
aussie.zone

I have a bissell carpet cleaner, it just uses hot water. It was about $250 when I got it 5 years ago. The carpet shampoos are expensive but excellent. I use the special for pets one, safe for pets and gets rid of pet smells and pet germs. I use very hot tap water in the cleaning mix and it works well.

you can just spot clean with it too , no need to do the whole house

also I do rugs with it , just have to do it on a tiled section in the house

in the long run it has been worth every penny and does a great job.

the one I got is now 299, that's the one you want

4

also, if you get a much cheap cleaner you can still use the high quality bissell carpet shampoos ๐Ÿ‘The pet one especially

the main thing is to have a strong vacuum to remove the cleaning water

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aussie.zone

Got done by an April Fools before 8am ๐Ÿคฆโ€โ™€๏ธ (at least I hope it was a prank)

Arrived at work on time to find my most disliked truck driver had blocked most of the car parks because ???

Am cranky pants. Need coffee. And moar sleep.

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Psych appointment went really well which is great. Got a lot of old crap off my chest that I usually ignore.

And I've hit the rebate limit so it only costs me 40 bucks for the next 7 sessions.

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They're annoyed because I've been taking the left over food away so the fox doesn't get too comfortable eating in their space.

Sometimes you can't win lol

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aussie.zone

I have an interview as an actor next week.

I have never been an actor.

This should be amazing lol

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Seagoon_reply
aussie.zone

That sounds very interesting.

Can you tell us more?

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aussie.zone

I blindly applied for this job and for some insane reason they set up an interview for next week.

Nothing in my resume indicates any acting ability. In fact, that I work in IT, one would assume would be a strike against working in a creative field lol

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Bottom_racerreply
aussie.zone

Mr. bean was an electrical engineer so don't sell yourself short!

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tombruzzoreply
aussie.zone

This isn't like the extras roles that get advertised on SEEK regularly? I've done about two extras roles before

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I genuinely don't remember man. The email said they were sorry they'd taken so long to respond so this could have been 6 months ago.

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Salt gun update: Baking soda mixed in with the salt did the trick. Thanks for the tips.

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aussie.zone

Goblin cat just came inside, checked out the back room, took one step onto the bed and tried to jump on a visitorโ€™s lap ๐Ÿ˜ณ He definitely is or was a pet.

I had laundry and other things that were moved into the back room (which I normally keep closed) so Iโ€™m going to be washing and sanitising all of that again plus the carpet in there. God I hope adequate food and parasite treatment helps his body kick this suspected ringworm on its own. Because the cream isnโ€™t reliably applied and I canโ€™t get the prescription pills. Trying to think if heโ€™d let me sponge him with lime dip twice a week. Probably not.

The carpet foam is ok, o-phenylphenolโ€ฆ which is antifungal but I emptied the can on one application and that wasnโ€™t even a full room. And phenolโ€ฆ that might be toxic to cats. Edit: Oh shit it is. It was dry when he walked on it but no more of that.

Iโ€™m just going to buy the Kmart steamer I can afford right now. It has good reviews at least. https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/kmart-anko-spot-cleaner

I just hope it has the ability to vacuum the water up repeatedly to dry it, or a strong vacuum so it doesnโ€™t leave much. Really not wanting to overwet the carpet.

::: spoiler spoiler Crying because heโ€™s not Melbcat. Stressing because Iโ€™m opening a can of worms. Iโ€™ll have to move and wash all her things. :::

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aussie.zone

No pressure, no obligation, and grief is a complex, multi-faceted pain that no words can adequately describe.

::: spoiler So with all kindness, love, and care the cat distribution system may be trying to help you in it's own weird way.

Your love for Melbcat is not dishonoured or diminished by liking another cat. The heart is infinite in it's love, and is not depleted by loving more. :::

I'm thinking of you and sending you my love ๐Ÿ’œ

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melbaboutownreply
aussie.zone

Thanks Spud.

It feels like the cat distribution system has glitched because itโ€™s way too soon. I have no idea if Iโ€™d be able to keep him. I feel like Iโ€™m delaying my grief. Iโ€™m massively disrupting my life. And the ringworm thing/uncertainty are both sending my ocd crazy.

I just hope it works out ok ๐Ÿ˜” Iโ€™m just trying my best

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Taleyareply
aussie.zone

I know how you feel, we had the same thing with Max's fleas...he'd been sitting in Misha's favourite places.

All of them

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melbaboutownreply
aussie.zone

Heโ€™s been eating from her bowl that I couldnโ€™t bring myself to remove and my thoughts are dominated by dealing with him so it feels like itโ€™s overshadowing her ๐Ÿ˜ข๐Ÿ’” I might remove her beds so I donโ€™t have to see him use them. Itโ€™s all happening too fast.

I feel horrible. All I can say is that I saved her and did the best I could for her. And now all I can do is try to help him.

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Taleyareply
aussie.zone

i know, washing everything because of fleas just felt like the most ignominious way to remove her scents.

but they knew what she smelled like. They knew she was here. and that's...something.

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Yeah, it really sucks. Itโ€™s like the current situation has literally swept and washed her away.

But your boys caught your girlโ€™s scent and I have a fur clipping and whiskers from mine

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Catfishreply
aussie.zone

TheVoid thinks your Goblin is called Crabapple. Management has spoken.

4

I had name ideas but realistically I donโ€™t know if Iโ€™d be able to keep him even if I made that choice to. Iโ€™m trying to work out for sure if heโ€™s chipped

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aussie.zone

::: spoiler spoiler Ughโ€ฆ Iโ€™m feeling terrible for avoiding grief by being busy (and for making bad decisions that create more work) but if I get a quiet moment it all starts flooding in. All my life Iโ€™ve been forced to soldier on through the next crisis so I donโ€™t know how to grieve healthily. I canโ€™t deal with it. ๐Ÿ˜” :::

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You are dealing with it.

You are functioning, you are living, you are making new memories.

Sometimes sadness just doesn't go away, we learn to live with it.

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aussie.zone

I understand how you feel. I've been moving from task to task for most of my life. The only advice I can offer is to be gentle with yourself โ™ฅ๏ธ

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Catfish
aussie.zone

Boyo has yet again delivered present super early. I really don't understand this compulsion. These gifts are not temperature controlled or the size of an elephant, stash it in the back of a bookcase for a week?!?!

5

Fuck, I just realised this video I was meaning to edit is just a series of photos. Instead of shooting a video, I just took a photo - twice. The iPhone camera app always defaults to photos after locking your phone, so now I have nothing on this video I was planing to do.

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aussie.zone

FYI the Brunswick sardines in Aldi with lemon chilli & garlic are legit. Centre aisle only. Also, I noticed that the supplies of rice in Aldi were very low - virtually no plain white rice available. There was still some sushi rice, brown rice and basmati still on the shelves, but NO plain white rice. Northcote store.

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aussie.zone

Change of plans on the Anko steam spot cleaner, I returned it after seeing that you couldnโ€™t use the steam function with the long telescopic attachment and the larger nozzle. Thatโ€™s only for spills on hard floors and windows which are not what I needed it for.

Machine looked great for the price and I expected to have to put some extra time and patience in using something labeled as a spot cleaner. I might have kept it even using the little brush nozzle. But I wasnโ€™t doing the entire carpets hunched over with a tiny handheld.

I got a cheap HEPA vacuum because my cheap stick is starting to fall apart, and will just have to constantly vacuum until I sort out and save for a proper steam cleaner.

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Seagoon_reply
aussie.zone

you don't need a steam cleaner, just a normal carpet cleaner using very hot water and special cleaners is good enough

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melbaboutownreply
aussie.zone

Thanks. I just canโ€™t find the special cleaners. Iโ€™ve been searching but canโ€™t find which one Iโ€™m meant to use

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Seagoon_reply
aussie.zone

JB Hi Fi do click and collect on carpet shampoo https://www.jbhifi.com.au/collections/home-appliances/bissell

that stuff lasts for ages as you only have to use about 30 ml in the hot water at a time. You can't use more as then the machine with over flow with bubbles

I would personally go in store to JB and bargain for $50 off the cleaner and shampoo together

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Taleyareply
aussie.zone

check out second hand / vacuum repair places. Reconditioned, like new, cheap as hell

4

Another IT problem solved after much stress and swearing under my breath. This time the website enquiry form wasn't working. The form submits on the website but wouldn't send an email to me with the details. A possible new client called me asking if I had received their website enquiry.... sent through last week! Another problem caused by switching email providers. Who knows if I missed any other enquiry forms in the time it wasn't working, great.

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aussie.zone

Bought myself a Purple off aliexpress because for $75, why not?

::: spoiler Purple :::

Pretty impressed with it already. Feels nice, the dock also has the dongle in it so you can just plug that in to charge/play.

The dongle makes it feel more response than my old controller, and the dongle also means it works no matter what when dualbooting.

I also forgot it has switches to turn the triggers from analogue to digital, which will be a big help in Nightreign. No wondering if you've pulled a trigger enough to do an attack now, you feel the click and know it happened.

And I'm going to program the macro buttons to some annoying button combos for Nightreign, and maybe unassign sprint from the left stick because I kept accidentally pressing it on the old controller

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Taleyareply
aussie.zone

oooo 8bitdo? they do nice things. I have some of their NES/SNES and bought a Sega modkit for His Lordship.

3

Yes, the new Pro 3 controller. I have the Pro 2 that I've been very happy with, but haven't used as much as I'd like because of the Nintendo button layout. You can swap these out because they're magnetic so it extends the use case by a lot.

I was using a Guilikit Kingkong but haven't been completely happy with it recently. Switching to this controller has shown me how wrong I've been all these years for using it

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Tofu
aussie.zone

Beep Beep ๐Ÿšš
๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐ŸŠ๐Ÿ‹๐Ÿˆ๐Ÿซ๐Ÿ“๐Ÿ‡๐Ÿ‰๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿฅญ๐Ÿ๐Ÿฅฅ๐Ÿฅฆ๐Ÿฅ‘๐Ÿซ›๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ…๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฅฌ๐Ÿฅ’๐ŸŒฝ๐Ÿฅ•๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿ ๐Ÿซš๐Ÿฅ”๐Ÿง…๐Ÿฅฏ๐Ÿž๐Ÿฅ–๐Ÿฅจ๐Ÿง€๐Ÿง‡๐Ÿฅž๐Ÿงˆ๐Ÿณ๐Ÿฅš๐Ÿฅ“๐Ÿฅฉ๐Ÿ—๐Ÿ–๐Ÿซ“๐Ÿ•๐ŸŸ๐Ÿ”๐ŸŒญ๐Ÿฅ™๐Ÿง†๐ŸŒฎ๐ŸŒฏ๐Ÿฅ—๐Ÿฒ๐Ÿœ๐Ÿ๐Ÿฅ˜๐Ÿ›๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿฑ๐ŸฅŸ๐Ÿฆช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿš๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ ๐Ÿค๐Ÿชผ๐Ÿฆ€๐Ÿ™ ๐Ÿ—๐Ÿฅฎ๐Ÿข๐Ÿก๐Ÿง๐Ÿฐ๐Ÿง๐Ÿฅง๐Ÿฆ๐Ÿจ๐ŸŽ‚๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿญ๐Ÿฌ๐Ÿซ๐Ÿฅœ๐ŸŒฐ๐Ÿช๐Ÿฟ๐Ÿฏ๐Ÿฅ›โ˜•๏ธ๐Ÿต๐Ÿบ๐Ÿถ๐Ÿฅค๐Ÿง‹๐Ÿงƒ๐Ÿฅ‚๐Ÿท๐Ÿฅƒ๐Ÿธ๐Ÿน๐Ÿง‰๐Ÿ”‹

4
Tofureply

๐ŸŒ๐Ÿซ๐Ÿฅฆ๐Ÿฅฌ๐ŸŒฝ๐Ÿฅ•๐Ÿซœ๐Ÿ ๐Ÿฅœ๐Ÿฏ

2
aussie.zone

They use tweezers to get to the nipples, it's a marvel to watch. I had the opportunity to see this in person in Macau (northern Macau almost Shenzhen)

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melbaboutownreply
aussie.zone

They secrete it from milk glands onto their hull like a platypus

8

Can't speak for having adult kids, but my p's were very strict on that (having gfs over). On the flip absolutely fine bringing them down here at their other place. It made no sense.

If I had adult kids I'd welcome it. I'd get them to do shit around the house lol (looking at you ladders, mowing and weeding). Also means (if a parent) could point out any red flags (if there are any).

5

Opposite side, parents attempted to make my already live in partner sleep upstairs on the sofa the first time we visited. Got shut down firmly on that bullshit.

4

Tired, achy, sore behind the noseโ€ฆ I checked and the pollen count is low so I found and used a Covid test that expires this July. No sense in wasting it. It was negative but yeah.

Iโ€™ve been slack but really should start masking again. Especially as Iโ€™m using laundry sanitizer so I can just throw cloth ones in the main load and especially as a particularly nasty flu season is coming. I wonder if my doctor or the chemist has the new flu shots yet, the ones against Super K.

2
aussie.zone

back from cinema , it really is a beautiful movie

because of transport stuff ups I got there 20 minutes late, no prob, just means I won't see the trailers and some psa's and will miss the starting 10 minutes

desk clerk pushed me to get a later showing , I insisted

So I get in this giant theatre and I'm the only one. They start up the movie for me and yes, they started it at 15 minutes in because there are later start times to accommodate

So why is Rocky so relatable . Because he is personalised.. He has the Erid versions of tattoos and markings, He has mannerisms and habits. He has language and abstract thinking and he is a social creature.

and everything in the audiobook, which I know well, is in the movie, just in different ways.

There is so much that is good in the movie. ๐Ÿ˜Š

2

he had a lot to be proud about

he was a brave astronaut, he was smart, he worked really hard, he never gave up, he cared, and he was a good Erid

I like that the outfit was 3D ๐Ÿ˜Š and I would totes wear that collar myself

that last scene where Grace picks up course sand on the Erid beach, it's quartz stained with iron, exactly the same as here

and this really brought home to me in more than abstract terms that the universe is made of all the same things, same particles, same elements,

I kinda knew already, anyone who travels continents can see what a planet is made of but this was on a cosmic scale

there is so much in this movie that I think people will watch it many times and it will always be fresh ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜Š

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