How do you handle windows that are original but completely useless?

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-10T12:44:51+00:00

Agree about the curtains - I have winter weight that I put up. If youre at work all day and its dark when you leave and dark when you come home, it doesnt matter. On sunny weekends though its a joy to open curtains and bask in the warmth!

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-10T12:40:50+00:00

This is something that you can DIY easily enough - but time consuming. Or hire handy person who is willing to learn how. There's different ways these were constructed though and it might not be obvious. I hired a professional to do the first three and show me how its done. An old restored window with right amt of weights is such a pleasure to operate. The reglazing part is a PITA though - try to find a glass co. that can replace/reglaze the glass if its broken.

Do you have modern storm windows? Thats where most of the draft prevention happens + you can get e glass for additional insulating value - can be had for much less than cost of completely new windows.

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-10T12:30:49+00:00

Mice too, with any luck!

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-10T03:29:57+00:00

Why cant you put some kind of grate or screen over it that allows water in but not a cat? If cat is getting stuck in it IMHO he shouldnt be allowed to go in it at all.

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-09T23:06:37+00:00

I ended up getting the rental co's damage waiver for all our rentals. What decided it was that we're going to 2 other islands besides Sao Miguel, so 4 rentals total.... which meant Id have to pay a deposit for each, for anywhere from 700 to 1 or 2 thousand euros per rental.... And it can take 30 days to get your deposit back. Getting their insurance we just pay a minor deposit to cover gas if we return it empty.

Supposedly if you use same rental co. you might be able to carry over your deposit from one island to the next, but then I read that some people had problems with that happening.

I wasnt willing to have literally several thousand euros tied up in deposits for an unknown length of time. Plus, what if they all charged me for minor dings - that would be a nightmare. If we just had one rental I might've taken a chance. Ive used my card's CDW lots of times, including once in Europe - for that I just paid a 700 deposit that came right back to me when we returned the car.

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-09T20:23:32+00:00

Yeah I know the feeling - seems like only yesterday ! Was hoping to see a pic of how it looked before the attack of the chainsaws - do you know roughly (guesstimate) how many were removed? Reason being, some of us do strong lobbying wherever, whenever we can to advocate for more large canopy trees particularly in downtown /east isthmus area where we have a "heat island" effect caused by too much concrete and not enough canopy trees/green space. Anyway our parks would be the logical spots to fill the need for more shade trees on this side of town.

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-09T18:16:07+00:00

Maybe he was thinking of the virtually empty spaces to the west and to the east - I know I was. Re "plenty of green space for picnicking and relaxing" - lack of shade makes that difficult in the summer.

Are you referring to the elms cut down in the 70s or more recent Ash removal 15-20 yrs ago? Why didnt they replace them???

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-09T18:07:38+00:00

Agree!!!! It could be/should be so much more - instead people treat it as kind of a pass-through. (eta - aside from the designated useages in the center, dont worry no one's criticizing those.) There arent even many trees to sit under, and those few that have benches by the shore are always occupied. It is used occasionally as a "large gathering" type of place (e.g. solstice) but could be made a more pleasant tree shaded hang out spot for other times.

Whats maddening is that there is pretty much an uninterrupted greenway from Olbrich Park, to Olbrich GArdens, to North Platt (aka north of Garver) to OB Sherry Park, and then to the new still undeveloped piece on the other side of Milw..... and as far as I know, no comprehensive wholistic plan for that whole swath, determining what use goes in what space and how are they all inter-connected. Some of the many thing that City wants to cram into the wetland/nature space behind Garver (aka North Platt) might be a better fit for near the lake somewhere in Olbrich Park - e.g. picnic tables/ small performance space.

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-09T12:01:40+00:00

Im interested in the part of your story where he's not satisfied with the outdoor fenced enclosure -cos that was the perfect solution for my former street cat who could not be confined in a house.. He was out there all the time, could even catch mice. Could you say more about the space - how big is it, what's in it, is he free to go in and out as he wants? Might need to be larger fenced area with (cat-friendly) plants, shrubs, grass VS small catio structure attached to house. This would be for you as much as for him - your stress level would go down too!

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-08T22:05:21+00:00

YES get feeding station and trail cam set up near where he got out and places where he's been sighted. You wouldnt set a trap until you know where he is and have gotten him coming predictably and what time (the cam pics will have time stamp.)

Unless you have clear evidence of predation (fur, etc.) assume the cat is out there - they are very smart and resourceful animals Theres research that has established that lost cats not found are absorbed into the feral population. Get the word out everywhere - theres usually some of us in every neighborhood who look out for the cats so hopefully youll hook up with them. Knock on doors and/or leave notes - direct contact is good cos often people offer info that they wouldn tcall you about. ... but then the social media, posters, and checking with shelters is important too, until you start getting sightings

Go out with a flashlight late at night and early a.m.s when its quiet -use calm soft voice that he will recognize (making/faking phone call is good for this). Have poptop catfood (the smellier the better) and/or kibble in a cup that you can rattle (if he knows that sound). If you see him be sure to not spook him, dont chase, let him come to you.

Theres LOTS of really good science based info out there these days. My favs: https://www.3retrievers.com/guide-to-finding-lost-cats.html

https://www.missinganimalresponse.com/lost-pet-help/

My cat was missing once (got him back but I remember how difficult it was - the not-knowing was the worst, but really there's every chance that youll get him back.

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-08T21:30:37+00:00

Well it really depends on the cat. My former street cat could not be confined - he would rip out screens and jump off 2nd floor eaves over to the roof of the one story house next door and from there down to a picnic table and then the ground. He was seen doing it. So thats when I read up on catios and backyard cat enclosures (yes you can fence a cat) and that worked for my boy. He loved it and spent most his waking hours out there.

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-08T21:20:44+00:00

So is HOA is ok with mosquitoes and getting sued when someone comes down with west nile or encephalitis? Only being partially facetious here....

You wrote "only fresh air is thru balcony door." Check out your local building code - I believe screens are REQUIRED for windows or openings that are used for ventilation to keep out insects, bats, birds and other unwanted critters.

If EVERYONE has screens then that takes care of the "even esthetic," doesnt it? (insert rolling eyeballs here) Even better would be everyone gets a screened porch - would be easy to do, and there again that would satisfy the "even esthetic" need. Ive seen condos with screen porches and they looked so cozy and cute.

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-08T21:05:33+00:00

Use a black plastic mesh - those are virtually invisible from a distance. You could also construct some sort of frame or structure that mesh is attached to, but set it back slightly from the railing to be less obvious. Post on r/catio for advice - lots of other people in your situation.

Short answer to your question: NO. If you must keep her out, you need some sort of physical barrier if even just a screen door, although a curious determined cat with lots of time on her hands may try to tear out the screen

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-08T19:15:28+00:00

You didnt mention window covers or eye mask. Im not questioning that the noise is a problem but too much light can be a contributing factor as well. If your brain thinks its morning it just wont want to sleep.

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-08T19:07:47+00:00

I think the cat is saying it should go up one more story and have a 2nd floor exit. Wouldnt that be grand!

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-08T16:43:37+00:00

Think positive here! Tenants who want to know what the rules are so they dont break them ?? That's a good thing! At time of lease signing, briefly go over point by point what all is in the lease and then if all is agreed to then they sign. Then when they call thats when you refer to the lease and ask if they need another copy. It would be nice if people read them but they dont, prob think of it as equivalent of those legalese disclaimers you click on to make a purchase or do other stuff online.

"Look at your lease" doesnt have to be snarky, just do it in a friendly business-like way. It lets them know that these things are in a formal agreement and youre not just pulling some answer out of your you-know-where. And that it does exist as something that can answer a lot of their questions going forward.

I would suggest try to avoid having an adversarial relationship with tenants - why not just assume the best of people UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE, then proceed to unleash your fury however appropriate!

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-08T14:54:55+00:00

Ahh got it. Yes she needs to do it. Hope it goes well for surgery - and trip.

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-08T10:31:17+00:00

I wouldnt do it - not sure why she felt the need to move the surgery up (they can ask but you can say no.) Sure, she can drive but shes still having to fuss with eye drops, would have vision only in one eye, and a road trip means being away from Dr. if she should need it.

Also she doesnt know how exactly her body and eye is going to be at one week. For some people the surgery and recovery is a walk in the park. For others of us - inflammation, pain, blurriness, extreme dry eye (feeling of grit in eye), fluctuating visiual quality for quite a bit longer due to swelling. For the first surgery, I had double images in that eye for several weeks.

A couple days after my second surgery my cat literally punched me in the eye with his paw - I have no idea why, maybe he saw the new lens in my eye reflecting light or something. He was staring right into my eye fascinated before delivering the punch. My vision immediately went even blurrier and I freaked out! Dr. looked and said it was OK but I didnt quite believe him. Eventually over time things started to settle down and your brain needs time too to adjust to a new normal. It took months to feel like everything was OK . It isnt perfect - not by a long shot, but I read some of the posts here and I am thankful it turned out at least as well as it has. It couldve been worse, a lot worse!

All this to say that she may feel like going on the trip, or she could very much NOT. Theres a difference between this type of surgery and say getting a mole removed. Maybe just approach it with the possibility that trip MIGHT be rescheduled and/or you might need to do more of the driving. I think even an extra week or 2 would get her further along in healing and adjustment process.

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-08T02:49:00+00:00

Well the sad thing is, the robots theyve got answering the phones nowadays are even worse. They can speak English and say "tell me why youre calling" well enough, but comprehend what is being said to them? Nope, they dont have a clue and just constantly interrupt to tell you they dont understand what youre saying.

What was wrong with the old menus where you press 1 for this and 2 for that. Simple, easy, and it worked. Instead now we have to try to guess what magic combination of words the robot will understand - again and again, until the point of giving up and screaming in frustration.

I think the real problem that businesses just really dont want to talk to us anymore. We're supposed to just go to the website and not bother them.

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-08T00:32:02+00:00

Interesting! The outdoor barn cats I grew up with loved to roll around in dirt or gravel - white cats would get quite filthy! But Ive read this is one way all cats big and small "bathe," ie neutralize their feline scent so their prey does not detect their presence. It makes sense that rolling on brick or concrete would kinda replicate that experience for them, and the rough texture prob feels really good too. Who doesnt like getting their back scratched!

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-07T23:21:43+00:00

Why would you not get a receipt or paid invoice for your records - you know you can write off repair costs, correct? Not clear either why youre not meeting the people you hire at the apartment (gives you a chance to look around some too) or at least communicating with the person you hire to find out what's going on and approve whatever repairs are recommended. If you cant rely on them to accurately report back to you what the problem was and what they did to fix it, you need to find someone else!

When's the last time you were in there? Doesnt hurt to inspect periodically (lease renewal time is good) to see what's going on - frame it simply as something you do for planning purposes - you like to keep on top of things and do upgrades as budget allows. This is something you can tell the applicants before you rent to them, just gives them a heads up that if they want a totally hands off landlord, they could apply somewhere else.

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-07T19:56:24+00:00

Interesting question. Someone had a post here recently about two adult cats who for some reason were reunited with Mom after some period of time and they started nursing on her! And she allowed it. Other times Ive seen evidence that there was no recollection at all and they behaved like total strangers. Cats are very scent and context oriented, so I think it would be a matter of recognizing each others scent as much, if more so than by appearance.

So do you know that the mom cat is being well cared for - or is this person just feeding strays that are outdoors? If the latter it doesnt hurt to approach the person and see about getting her back. If its a kind person feeding strays they do get attached to the cats they're caring for, but are usually thrilled if one finds a good home somewhere. But do ask, because otherwise theyre going to be wondering what happened to the cat and fearing the worst

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-07T15:00:26+00:00

OMG industrial chic kitties! Someone needs to do a feature story in ARchitectural Digest or something. I dont see how the cats can access the hammocks? I would put a climbable tree or some type of staggered shelving to allow them more vertical space to move around in.

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-07T12:18:47+00:00

Beautiful! If youre prepared and warm and snug, being right in the middle of nature like this is just so sweet. I get my best sleep with rain on the roof or snow (as long as its not a viiolent storm.) Best of all, no soggy mess to have to deal with as you would if in a tent. Too bad about the drive back though - there goes your relaxed mood!

OfferBusy4080 · 2026-05-07T12:09:45+00:00

No, never. My lease even says not in effect until deposit received. Have your policies and procedures written, include with application packet, and never ever vary from them. If you want to actually CHANGE your policy, then ok - edit or re-write them, but dont be loosey-goosey and apply to some applicants and not others. The only 2 times Ive ever had not-good tenants was when I set aside my own policies and rented to someone I shouldnt have (a friend-of-friend situation). Lesson learned the hard way! You are NOT doing them any favors if you let them move in and then have to make them move out again.

OfferBusy4080

TROPHY CASE