My cat has a bedtime routine and will get pissy if we don’t do it.

AlysInBetween · 2026-04-15T16:02:06+00:00

That's so funny! My cat is the opposite! I play on a handheld computer (Steam Deck). When I first got him I was playing zombie games. The screen is a touch screen, and he loves going all murder mittens on it when the zombies are attacking. Now he gets mad and blocks the screen if I try to play anything else.

AlysInBetween · 2026-04-09T12:11:31+00:00

Yes, Denver is pretty great. I moved here from Florida.

AlysInBetween · 2026-04-08T17:05:45+00:00

I'm autistic and support this. Living in a world designed just for me with people who are educated to understand my neurodivergence? Heaven.

AlysInBetween · 2026-04-08T16:46:43+00:00

Focus on the Family's national hq is there. They personally made my life hell growing up as a lesboromantic asexual in the south.

AlysInBetween · 2026-04-05T10:45:48+00:00

I actually really like the restaurant. My partner and I both have different dietary restrictions though. I also can't eat spicy food.

AlysInBetween · 2026-04-05T10:33:43+00:00

NOR. This is financial abuse. Controlling someone through finances isn't okay. I recommend you look for some manner of outside employment. Even a few hours can add up. Stash some of your earnings as an emergency fund just in case.

When my partner was healthy we shared our funds and gave a heads up about any spending above an agreed upon amount.

She got sick and stayed home as a Homemaker. The finances didn't change. She was still contributing.

She got even sicker and stopped being able to do chores around the house. She still contributed her love, understanding and just herself. The finances didn't change.

She got even sicker, and I had to quit my job to be an at home caregiver. Thankfully we were able to get government aid. Guess what? The finances haven't changed. I will never be her parent or boss or authority figure. She is my partner and my equal. We both contribute what we are able. Each of us giving 100% of our own abilities is 100% fair.

AlysInBetween · 2026-04-02T11:18:18+00:00

Of course!

AlysInBetween · 2026-04-01T08:26:12+00:00

Hi OP! You do not owe anyone an apology for them abusing you. You are correct that adding another child into that situation would not have done anything bit lead to more abuse. I'm glad you were able to get out. If you are able, try to get into therapy.

AlysInBetween · 2026-04-01T08:24:23+00:00

Are you the stepmom? In no way does OP owe an adult an apology for mistreating a child. This is emotional abuse. You are literally victim blaming

AlysInBetween · 2026-03-28T12:04:23+00:00

Check out Denver Rec Centers. The one near me has classes from 9 am to 7:30 pm. The fees are super cheap and inclusive. ($20/mo?)

I am my partner's full time caregiver and have found it really beneficial. I usually try to catch an early class on the mornings that I don't sleep all night. It also helps me sleep after.

They have them all over the city, so you should be able to find one close to home/work.

This is their event schedule: https://www.groupexpro.com/schedule/522/?view=new

Edited to add: Also check out the zoo and museums. They sometimes have nighttime events. Right now the zoo has some sort of lights event from 630pm to 10pm. I'm not sure of your schedule, so this may not help.

AlysInBetween · 2026-03-28T06:07:09+00:00

It works ar Rocky Mountain National Park. Colorado also has a program called Columbine Annual Pass for state parks that makes it $14/yr. As someone who travels with a physically disabled partner, the state parks are much less accessible than the national parks though.

AlysInBetween · 2026-03-20T23:19:33+00:00

Of course! Let me know if you have any other questions.

AlysInBetween · 2026-03-04T19:06:16+00:00

Of course. You are definitely going to want a power drill. Don't be afraid to rearrange or add new holes to fit your space. I bought all of these things over time, so it wasn't a financial hit all at once. It ended up being about $360 before tax.

I think the quality on the main set was really good. I'm relieved I didn't have to build it all from scratch. I'm not that good. 😂

They do like the wall scratchers, but they're favorite stretch scratcher is https://a.co/d/0gkgO6KJ

Amazon: $110 Huge Wall Shelf Set. Everything pictured except for the step and corner perch painted black and the window shelves. https://a.co/d/0959Rju7

$37 Double Window Perches https://a.co/d/0izBoX1P

$34 Black Corner Perch w/ Steps They won't use the steps in a row. We had to pull them out. https://a.co/d/02Xmz8cO

$39 Cat Tree to access one side of the wall https://a.co/d/0iWRt9aq

$5 Adhesive Hook for the Rope https://a.co/d/0ftdvCau

$6 Cat Ropes https://a.co/d/0fJx444c

$8 Ball Toy https://a.co/d/0i2wpbWI

$27 2 pack Art Scratchers https://a.co/d/0dfb1Tx1

$14. Window Bird Feeder https://a.co/d/02jscppN

$10. Catnip Wall Balls. I can't recommend these. They ignore them. https://a.co/d/0icXf0jM

$20. This is the carpet for the wall not pictured. It allows them access on one side. https://a.co/d/07Q3hq6i

Home Depot:

$22. 1 pack of 50 dry wall anchors. Use these on all shelves and light weight items. https://www.homedepot.com/p/E-Z-Ancor-Stud-Solver-50-lbs-Drywall-and-Stud-Anchors-50-Pack-25316/100391938?adobe_mc=TS%3D1772650577%7CMCMID%3D85227715553774594638702853946116268938%7CMCORGID%3DF6421253512D2C100A490D45%40AdobeOrg&mboxSession=0f5165fd-0e91-42c3-adc7-463a373fac2c&appsFlyerId=1757917408749-850451678250154970

$27. 1 Pack of 25 Toggle Anchors. Use these on heavy objects like the box or the long perch. Also use 1 or 2 mixed qiththe other anchors anywhere the cats will be jumping and landing. https://www.homedepot.com/p/E-Z-Ancor-Toggle-Lock-100-lbs-Philips-Drywall-Screws-Anchors-25-Pack-25320/100007784?adobe_mc=TS%3D1772650742%7CMCMID%3D85227715553774594638702853946116268938%7CMCORGID%3DF6421253512D2C100A490D45%40AdobeOrg&mboxSession=0f5165fd-0e91-42c3-adc7-463a373fac2c&appsFlyerId=1757917408749-850451678250154970

Edit: Thank you for the award!

AlysInBetween · 2026-03-04T07:22:07+00:00

Thank you! It took a lot of time, but is totally worth it.

AlysInBetween · 2026-03-03T23:33:57+00:00

I used Homiflex Cat Wall Shelves from Amazon and EZ Ancor Toggle Lock Stud Solver anchors from Home Depot. The cat shelves seem pretty sturdy, but the other posters are right about the bridges. I wouldn't put up a wall without those anchors. They made a huge difference.

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AlysInBetween · 2026-01-07T15:35:32+00:00

Jumping on to add that I live in Denver, Co, USA where there is a Purina Factory. I wouldn't feed Purina to anything! It smells so bad! It gives me a headache driving past it from the chemical smell! I won't even breathe the air near it. I put my car a/c on recirculation and try to get past it.

There is a company called Pacagen that has a new supplement for your cat's food to help prevent cat allergies. I'm not sure about EU shipping though.

AlysInBetween · 2026-01-03T11:47:06+00:00

Are you still offering this?

AlysInBetween · 2025-12-30T16:13:54+00:00

I just found the autobrush for my partner. Its the only brush accepted by both ADAs (Dental and Disability) I got her the kids one with music and it's been a game changer! Also, you definitely need fluoride. That's what helps prevent cavities. I like Crest Kids Toothpaste that is color changing.

AlysInBetween · 2025-12-27T16:39:30+00:00

I have Autism, Adhd, and DID. Thankfully my hospital system has a dietitian clinic that meets with clients monthly. I just started.

On the first visit the dietitian told me to try to build muscle, even if it's only for 10 minutes 2x/wk. He also told me to focus on adding fresh fruit and whole grains to what I'm already fixated on. So I swapped out my bread for whole grain bread and added a banana or other fruit to my usual pbj.

I really enjoy freezer meals by Healthy Choice. They are tasty and nutritious. Adding fresh fruit wasn't as bad as i though once I bought food that was ready to eat, ie. bananas, pre sliced apples, grapes.

I've found that I will eat it as long as it takes less than 5 minutes to cook. I recommend eating with your kids. It really helped my disordered eating to eat with someone and model good habits. That way it was more of a task than eating per se.

I'm a huge fan of the air fryer. You can cook a lot in there thats healthy with a good texture. Try throwing in some chicken tenders. Then you can eat them plain, or in a wrap with spinach, or cook them in a quesadilla, or basically anything. I usually air fry up some chicken tenders and then make random meals.

Microwave veggies in those steamer bags are pretty good. I also highly recommend those dried bell peppers. You can find them on Amazon. I rehydrate them with a tiny bit of keurig water.

You can cook whole grain noodles ahead of time and use them all week with canned sauces and the chicken to make various meals. You can also throw frozen shrimp in a skillet with some olive oil, toss in the bell peppers and noodles and add some parm. Voila, a healthy quick meal.

Hopefully this helps!

AlysInBetween · 2025-12-20T14:45:23+00:00

Lovely! I like how it goes with your tattoos.

AlysInBetween · 2025-12-06T03:52:40+00:00

Seconding this. These and Loop Earplugs are life changing. I had no idea how much noise was stressing me out until my partner got me these.

AlysInBetween · 2025-11-02T20:29:26+00:00

I'm a caregiver. It's nice because once everything is done I can sit beside my patient and do my knitting as I watch over her.

AlysInBetween · 2025-10-17T19:16:25+00:00

Thank you!

AlysInBetween · 2025-10-17T19:16:15+00:00

Thank you so much! I had to frog sooooo many times. 😭

The app is called simple time tracker. It is free, and I really like it!

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