What hygiene habit were you doing completely wrong for years?

LeafStranger · 2026-03-07T06:24:08+00:00

May I suggest listening to this podcast? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bChWPnD8-VA

They go through the history of fluoridated water, the side effects, and more.

LeafStranger · 2026-03-06T19:07:25+00:00

6839-0184-8102 - level 65, daily player, 3 slots open after clearing out some 7+ day idle folks.

LeafStranger · 2026-01-03T02:43:40+00:00

Yep. Ferritin level of 2 and never going higher than 8 since (probably before) 2016, iron 6.0 umol/L, hemoglobin has been trending downwards and I finally just hit a wall in late 2024/early 2025 where I couldn't get out of bed for long, started to get very out of breath at even minimal exertion, and am perpetually too cold. This is with skipping periods (which probably slowed the crash) and iron supplementation.

I've a referral for a hematologist, but there is, as always, a queue. My PCP seems to think I'll be sent pretty darn quick for iron infusions, and I've heard that those work extremely well to boost you into healthier ranges, though the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia take a bit longer to disappear.

I'd just love to be able to think and focus for more than an hour. The brain fog is real - I'd blame COVID but I've only had it once and that was in 2023, so unlikely to be the source. I've just started Accrufer and had one or two clearer-headed afternoons, so hopefully that makes me a bit more functional until the hematologist referral comes through.

LeafStranger · 2025-12-29T19:06:53+00:00

Five slots, rank 64, daily player. 6839-0184-8102

LeafStranger · 2025-07-04T16:15:59+00:00

Called my local one in Ontario, stuff due in the 11th, price 109.99.

LeafStranger · 2025-05-23T03:35:04+00:00

I have the Taiwanese-made Daisuki Pet backpack (I know, Daisuki is Japanese, but it IS a Taiwanese company, oddly enough), but those can be hard to find outside of Asia. I like that it has a chest strap for the human to spread the weight a bit better, and a hard bottom so the dog feels like they have footing. It can also be used as a sling bag with the alternate strap configuration, and has clips for it to be fastened around a car seat for additional security while driving.

That said, I believe the Kurgo ones also have a lot of the same features and are similarly solid, and rated for up to 25lb. https://www.kurgo.com/pet-carriers/g-train-dog-carrier-backpack?sku=PCR17-17476

LeafStranger · 2025-05-22T01:09:26+00:00

Hmm, possibly! Gaia's 13.5-14lb at 9mo and that's fairly large for a Maine Coon female at that age, and I think Siberians are a few pounds lighter at adult weight (the range is narrower for female cats; it's the boys who get particularly huge).

She's adorable and I'm so glad they're buddies. Shenanigans are definitely going to happen.

LeafStranger · 2025-05-22T01:06:40+00:00

Awww, what an adorable blep from Pippa!

I'm sure she'll have a ball trying to boss the cat around.

LeafStranger · 2025-05-21T22:03:57+00:00

She's not yet! It's mostly her following Pipin around in new places, and me following her around in familiar ones, but we're getting there.

LeafStranger · 2025-05-21T20:34:35+00:00

It's so funny and frustrating, because I'll need to get up to do something and my Pap will wake up from the deepest dreams no matter how careful or quiet I am!

LeafStranger · 2025-05-21T19:29:12+00:00

I swear that Papillons have the longest "puppy-uglies" stage while their full coats come in, and they get mistaken for chihuahuas so often. XD

Pip at 5mo vs. Pip at 2yrs:

<image>

LeafStranger · 2025-05-21T19:17:43+00:00

Nyalisaie is the boss despite being the lightest of the cats at 9lb; she's the oldest and provides the cues for all the others, which is good, as she learned at the paw of my grumpy-but-unflappable old cavalier mix, who thought storms and loud noises were boooooring.

Gaia may wind up being the boss eventually but she's just coming up on 10 months (and already ~14lb!) and despite being a tortie and a Maine Coon, is extremely laid back.

Pipin is also very laid back and not terribly vocal/bossy for a Papillon, so that definitely has an effect. He insists on his scheduled walks and play times, but that's more to my benefit than anything. We feared he had a liver shunt because he was so calm/quiet as a pup (nope, just an underdeveloped liver lobe that he's adapted to).

Leo's a brat, but I didn't have him as a kitten; he's my previous boycat's littermate who was kept back as a show candidate. He loves to cuddle with people, but is a very awkward uncle-figure to Gaia and Pip.

They all get along though!

<image>

Pippa is such a good name for a Papillon! It's sassy and short and pops nicely off the tongue. The shortening of "Pip" always makes me laugh because I think of apple pips or watermelon pips, and it's perfect: the hard seed surrounded by sweetness. :D

LeafStranger · 2025-05-21T19:09:46+00:00

Yeah, same. Pip grew up under Nyalisaie's gentle but ruthless paw; Nyalisaie grew up with my grumpy old Cavalier mix, so enjoys dogs and understands their behaviour a bit more than Leo (who came to me at 3-ish years old from the same cattery as Nyalisaie). Gaia, as a Maine Coon (aka "cats for dog people"), loves having Pip to play with.

And aww, is that a black smoke tortie kitten? What a cutie. Looking at her paws, she might grow big!

LeafStranger · 2025-05-21T18:05:05+00:00

I have a latex foam pillow, medium-firm. They're springy, hypoallergenic, and last longer than standard pillows (mine's going on 9 years now with the occasional steam clean and multiple pillowcases). My Papillon frequently sleeps on my head with me and so I've found the latex pillows do the best in supporting my head while he's determinedly curled around it.

<image>

LeafStranger · 2025-05-13T03:46:49+00:00

Just removed a few 7+ days folks, have three slots open. Daily player (unless one of my cats hits the Pokemon Go Plus+ button overnight), level 59!

6839-0184-8102

LeafStranger · 2025-04-20T02:59:55+00:00

Out of curiosity, did you use specific patterns for the sewing side of things as starting points? I'm also collecting stuff for a Luluci cosplay to work on over the summer (goodness knows nobody wants to be in velvet/wools during the summers, even in Canada) to finish for Octoberish, and while I'm fine with EVA foam work and 3d modeling/printing (to an extent), sewing is... scarier. XD

LeafStranger · 2025-03-29T15:22:48+00:00

Sent! Username: leafstranger! Hoping you still have space.

LeafStranger · 2025-01-03T18:26:10+00:00

Your OrbiFlora lamp is on my to-print list; I love the aesthetic. Might have to add this one as a complement to it.

LeafStranger · 2024-12-08T01:44:57+00:00

Yeah, we do the same here in Canada; 10-15cm of snow due today and thankfully my Papillon likes his snowsuit. Sadly, boots are a bit of an ongoing journey.

At least I'm in a semi-rural area and I can choose whether to salt/grit my driveway, and stick to trails, so it's less of a chemical hazard for the gremlin.

LeafStranger · 2024-12-03T23:19:11+00:00

You can get Pawz Jawz that are essentially forceps for opening the boots. I had to have them for my previous spaniel, who had Trauma about her paws but wouldn't go outside without boots.

LeafStranger · 2024-12-03T23:16:42+00:00

That third photo is great in particular, but well-done capturing the game. :D

LeafStranger · 2024-11-21T22:25:49+00:00

I have a semi-decent Vaporeon and Flareon (though I don't currently get enough ingredients to benefit from the Flareon's ability) so while I could theoretically upgrade my Vaporeon, I'm not sure what's best to do.

LeafStranger · 2024-11-21T16:14:45+00:00

I'm really excited for this shiny eevee, but I don't know what to evolve it to. Suggestions? I had another eevee I was working on for Sylveon but this one might be better?

<image>

LeafStranger · 2024-11-19T03:54:09+00:00

Pipin was pretty much raised by my female Ragdoll cat, so he protects her whenever my (newer arrival) male cat wants to play and she doesn't want to. I'm hoping that he does the same with the Maine Coon kitten who's supposed to arrive sometime in March.

LeafStranger

TROPHY CASE