A non-DIY (but more expensive) idea would be litter boxes I’ve seen that have a roof rather than just really high sides.
It’s pretty easy to cut plastic totes with a utility knife/razor blade though. I did plastic totes with a cut out hole for rabbit nest boxes when I had my open colony style pen.
I originally had one with a top. She peed on that! lol
Will try scooping daily.
I did this for my cats and it works like a charm. And much easier to keep clean.
Energy usage question(s). My electricity bill is noticeably higher than last year (+$50) the company has helpful tools to analyze but I am wondering if there’s some bigger dynamics at play. I’m trying to figure out what is within my control to change and what isn’t. The rate per kWh hasn’t changed, at least according to my statement.
Here’s what I think might be different:
Different neighbors. Our old downstairs neighbors were there every day and presumably had their heat on. Heat rises or in this case at least helps elevate the base temp of my unit which is directly above (is this a reasonable assumption?) New neighbor is often not there (don’t worry, her construction people are though! They like to go in and out all day long so I’m sure the heat isn’t on very high with all the doors open) Old neighbors moved out right around this time last year. Our house is a weird layout of 6 condos, stacked 3 high. We don’t share walls with the 3 beside us but we’re the same building, there’s open stairs between them. Our unit and the unit below us are double level with lofts so tons of open 2 level space and probably not the most efficient temp management. Our AC was fully replaced in 2018 so that part is new and presumably as efficient as is reasonable.
I feel like temperatures last year may have been a little more consistent? I wasn’t paying as much attention because new baby, but I know I wasn’t turning the heat off the way I have been. We had 70* days last week and it is below freezing for the last 3 days this week.
My RQ’s:
We have the thermostat set at 68*, I feel like the lowest I can stand is 66*. Would those few degrees make a significant impact on kWh used? I know that’s hard to say without all the specifics but as a general rule of thumb, is it worth turning it down? (I like layering up and tend to run hot, H and I both like sleeping under blankets, and Bobbin is always layered and has not had any issues with it thus far) I’m not going to suffer if it is intolerable but if it might save on usage I’d give it a shot.
Are my assumptions about the temperature potentially being lower in my neighbor’s unit correct?
We probably use the washer/dryer a little more than we used to but that is the only other thing I can think of consumption-wise that has changed. And even that might not be true since we were definitely washing diapers way more at this time last year. We charge our car as well, but we’ve been driving the same amount so I don’t see how that would lend to a significant change without a rate increase. Is there anything I’m missing?
My blood pressure has been up lately. In general, it wasn’t crazy high, but it’s been less great the past week. So, given that I’m a little too big for normal cuffs (18" arm circumference), would they read high or low?
Seeing my doc on friday, but trying to decide how bad a 145/92 actually is, given that today is suppose to be heavy deadlifts.
ETA: usually my bp was more like 130-135/82-75
Washer/dryer are energy hogs so increased use might make a noticeable difference (especially electric dryers). But also, I believe the fact that your old neighbor was there all the time and the new one is now would definitely make a difference.
This site suggests that a cuff that’s too small will give you a higher reading than it should: http://eshop.bpassoc-shop.org.uk/Blood-Pressure-monitors-1/Why-cuff-size-matters
Thanks! Yeah, i read one earlier today where i misunderstood it at first glance and it seemed to say the other way around was possible. on rereading, it was saying if the cuff was too big, not the arm 
I mean, i’ll still talk to my doc on friday, but the heavy deadlifting is done, and i’m alive, so i’ll take it.
I am super curious about this layout. Can you draw a picture? (This is my own random question)
What kind of heat do you have and what kind of insulation do you have and what kind of dryer and water heater and do you use hot water in washing machine ever? I agree that the neighbor’s settings and the more washing and drying can make a difference. We have electric dryer and electric WH and cloth diaps definitely have an impact on our electricity bill. Still cheaper for us than disposables and our energy is pretty environmentally friendly here, but there’s a cost for sure.
Everything is electric and we rent so we have no control over the appliances or the insulation. The windows definitely leak and we have blackout curtains up to help mitigate that heat loss where we can. But all of that was the same last year so it doesn’t account for the difference. We were cloth diapering last year so I feel like it’s not the diapers causing the change either, if anything we did laundry more then. I run one cycle on hot for the diapers but everything else is cold.
This is not my house but a mirror image of it across the street in my complex. We’re on the end unit so we don’t share any vertical walls with anyone but do share our floors with the neighbor below.
ETA: better photo and to say the equivalent of my unit is where the red chairs are.
I used to live in a condo with a similar layout and I was directly above a little old lady who must have kept her condo ROASTING. I often didn’t even have to turn the heat on until January or February. When she left and new people moved in I definitely noticed a difference.
I definitely miss this about apartment living. We were a middle unit on the second floor and our utility bills were so, so low.
Ok. Busty lady people, I need a good recommendation on bralettes. I usually wear fancy European bras that cost an exorbitant amount of money, because that’s the only way I can find a 32DDD/F. My current set are very worn out and are probably more like 34s now 
I’m going to get a few more fancy European bras with underwires because I really do like them, but I would also like to try a bralette. However, I’ve never owned a normal bra without underwires; my underwire-less experience is limited to ill-fitting cheap sports bras that cut off my ability to breathe and had my boobs spilling out the side (so, not very great experiences).
So someone please recommend me a bralette that will actually fit/support? I want to feel like I’m wearing pajamas while not having the girls swinging around like little sacks of beans. Affordable is great, easy to find is great, but fit/support is most important.
@Elle I think I need yooooou
Not quite a bralette, but the first bra I bought after stopping nursing was a wireless Chantelle that I got at nordstrom. It feels amazing. I typically wear a 30DDD/F and they have me in a medium which isn’t what the size chart says but it feels and looks great. The gore doesn’t tack but I think that’s expected on a wireless bra. https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/chantelle-lingerie-absolute-invisible-smooth-wireless-contour-bra/5199945/full?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FAll%20Results&color=black
Along the same lines, I need some new tank tops. I like wearing tank tops under blouses. I do not like tank tops with built in bras, although I am open to the possibility I have just never had a good one. What do people do for tanks?
Do you find it too loose around the ribs? Or is it good?
There’s a Nordstrom near my work… that could prove useful.
Not busty nor a lady but would a specialty lingerie shop that does detailed fittings be of use?
Oh, absolutely. Anywhere that understands that boobs exist in sizes other than 34C is helpful! I’ll definitely be going to one for underwire bras, since those are so finicky with fit; it’s just an hour-plus trek since our local shop closed a year or two ago.
There’s some online custom bra place my wife keeps threatening to use (30DD) and I’ll update if it ends up working well. Victoria secret has been better than bulk bras from Target but still not quite right
Please do! And yup, that’s my experience with VC too. They carry a small number of bras in my size but over half are huge padded pushup bras. I’m a DDD/F, I don’t need more boob.
It’s surprisingly good!
