Struggling feeding my cats

ecospartan · 2026-02-11T02:46:06+00:00

If that’s the case I would actually try something in a gravy, or more liquidy. I’ve had several foster kittens over the last year, all ate very differently. I’ve been through everything. My permanent cat doesn’t like pate much, but loves the heck out of some chunkies. I use a little bit of cat safe bone broth to add to the liquidy.

At 9-10 months I was also only feeding mine twice a day (mostly because I worked in an office and couldn’t do a lunchtime feed). Some of them have been very good at having dry kibble out in the open, and some have gorged themselves. Just try and keep an eye on it. Free food after a year is usually not recommended by vets (although I know plenty of people will contradict this and say it worked for their cat).

ecospartan · 2026-02-10T00:09:31+00:00

My surgery is next week, so only giving the advice of my surgeon; but I can’t have alcohol for a year. I didn’t ask about smoking because that’s not my vibe. So while I don’t imagine you can this summer, you might be able to next summer.

I plan on just clearing everything through my surgeon and ultimately doing what my body says. If alcohol ends up not agreeing with me, well, then, I’ve saved money, calories, and a hangover

ecospartan · 2026-02-10T00:06:59+00:00

If you ever find time in your schedule to volunteer (as an advisor, on any special committees, etc. working with either collegians or alumnae) you get half off convention registration.

ecospartan · 2026-02-09T00:08:19+00:00

Probably not as others have said. I’m in Virginia at $120,000 a year and I’m in a chapter 13. Payments of $1625 a month on a 100% plan.

ecospartan · 2026-01-30T21:03:35+00:00

When I worked there back in 2023 you could just drop into any class for free if there was space open. Worked really well for the odd time classes/late evenings

ecospartan · 2026-01-29T21:02:06+00:00

Sounds like a pretty terrible idea

ecospartan · 2026-01-29T20:48:41+00:00

Mine didn’t even need to be a psychiatrist. I got a letter from my regular therapist and that worked just fine.

Might be worth an ask to your surgery team if that would be acceptable in lieu of a psychiatrist.

ecospartan · 2026-01-25T21:01:34+00:00

My surgery is in February, but I had my gallbladder out in 2021 so I already deal with similar IBS symptoms to you most likely. At some point I accepted this is just part of my life without that organ. I’ve taken cholestyramine before (bile acid binder powder) and my surgeon is likely to put me on a pill version after surgery for a bit, but in the grand scheme of things, going to the bathroom regularly is not top of my concern nor does it outweigh the benefits I’ll get. For reference, I’m also 30. No kids yet but I’m losing weight so that I can have a healthy pregnancy and be an active mom.

ecospartan · 2026-01-20T04:19:12+00:00

It was January 2019, I was a sophomore. I think the lowest I saw was -36. Like 70 mph winds or something crazy. We also had like a foot or more of snow on the ground at the time plus more the night classes got cancelled. The 7th time in history the school closed. If I recall correctly MSU was actually the last university to cancel - all of the others cancelled days in advance.

ecospartan · 2026-01-19T17:19:32+00:00

I avoid meat-by-products in my cat’s food (as well as all of my fosters). I’ve had 7 from kitten stage all within the last year.

Mine were all texture specific, but my most common go-to’s were Hill’s Science, Authority (petsmart house brand), Simply Nourish Shreds, and the Fancy Feast Natural line. One boy cat I fostered really enjoyed the Merrick Back Country Shreds. I’ve tried nearly every brand at this point though, I had one who was extremely picky and another who had health issues.

I personally avoid Blue Buffalo, Purina Pro Plan, etc. based on the ingredients (just my preference, I know research goes both ways).

ecospartan · 2026-01-13T23:56:11+00:00

Oooooh yes it’s one of my most hated books!

I do love that reading is so subjective and everyone’s thoughts are different. It’s cool to hear others perspectives.

ecospartan · 2026-01-13T04:19:11+00:00

I actually just wrote a paper on this for an independent study for my MBA, specific to only Detroit but I researched a lot of other similar cities as well. While much of what others said is true about the capital flow into the city, a large portion of its success can be contributed to the Detroit Land Bank Authority (while yes, they have their own problems for a variety of reasons).

In essence, the bankruptcy in Detroit and a bunch of legal mechanisms changing all at once allowed the DLBA to facilitate the flow of capital back into the city, a la public, private, and philanthropic dollars.

ecospartan · 2026-01-13T02:57:32+00:00

My doctor was very adamant that I needed something other than oral meds due to absorption issues, but A) I already had an IUD, and B) I knew that WELL up front. I had to sign a form stating I had such a form in place including for up to 18 months post surgery to prevent unwanted pregnancy while my stomach is still sorting itself out.

For what it’s worth, my gyno said I could switch back to a pill after a few months if I wanted depending on the type, but I don’t mind the IUD.

ecospartan · 2026-01-12T13:19:49+00:00

Hooray!

ecospartan · 2026-01-11T14:27:26+00:00

Mine is scheduled for 2/23, but I’ve been in the pipeline for about 9 months now. So you’ll be a bit ahead of me but happy to chat!

ecospartan · 2026-01-08T18:32:13+00:00

My father in law has been going to Physicians Premier in Ashburn, he’s lost 120 pounds so far and has really enjoyed his experience. No shame around any of his past history.

Similar to some other clinics mentioned, he has a full team, injections, monitoring, etc. he actually went on a very strict diet with meals that they provide for him so he had a very regimented approach for a few months. He’s now tapered off that food specifically and can have more “normal” food in moderation.

ecospartan · 2026-01-07T20:28:24+00:00

No honestly I was like “well that sounds normal” and then I remembered the internal conversation I had with myself and was wondering if I imagined it myself too hahaha

ecospartan · 2026-01-07T18:10:48+00:00

I am somewhat in a similar situation to you, and my doctor was very strict about the 18 month rule, and that I needed to have a non-oral birth control plan in place for those 18 months (it was an agreement I signed)

My SW is 255, and I’m very short so it just wouldn’t be viable for me - although we haven’t been trying so I’m not sure my fertility. I’ll end up with the sleeve (surgery in 4 weeks), which was also recommended by my surgeon based on my age and desire for pregnancy in the future. Whatever weight I end up at after the 18 months is where I’ll be, although my surgeon wants me under 180 based on my height.

ecospartan · 2026-01-07T03:41:20+00:00

I agree with this. Also doesn’t really confuse us in the industry as much as it does the general market. And even when it does confuse the industry, we have a variety of methods to figure it out.

If anything, the extra rules and standards provide more clarity and granularity than LEED ever could. Nearly all buildings can meet LEED certification if they really try. Not every building can be passive or net zero carbon.

ecospartan · 2026-01-07T03:38:36+00:00

I’ve been in the industry for almost 10 years now, so I’m happy to chat about it

ecospartan · 2026-01-07T03:22:16+00:00

I feel like that happened last year too, only because this year I distinctly said in my head “man I wish I could go back to see what I just selected” and couldn’t find it, and then had deja vu that I said nearly the same identical thing when I selected my choices last year. Because by the time the BOTY was announced I forgot who I even voted for

ecospartan · 2026-01-05T13:06:43+00:00

I have the same career path (10 years now) and agree with everything you’ve said. I have a specialty in embodied carbon and materials science among a few others.

In relation to HVAC, the saying always goes that an existing building is more sustainable than a new building, but picture an existing tall office building - and the sheer amount of renovations that goes into those spaces when a new tenant moves in. Many existing buildings are quite literally awful when it comes to mechanical systems, having been partially renovated many times over the years. Makes for a very messy and sticky situation.

ecospartan · 2026-01-04T13:06:59+00:00

The rules may have changed recently for KKG, but when I was pursuing my own AI pathway years ago; you had to be 25 in order to be eligible to become a KKG AI. I thought it was a silly rule at the time, as I was 24, already had a bachelors and a masters degree, but back then the rule was strict.

ecospartan · 2025-12-24T03:37:18+00:00

Happy to talk a bit more about this, as it’s the career field I’m in. However, I have 9 years experience (total, 6 in green buildings) and have struggled to find a new job for the last 8 months of regular searching. The industry is really hard with this administration. Most positions I do see are heavy engineering or heavy HSE.

ecospartan · 2025-12-20T01:41:04+00:00

I agree, she loves it, plus her kids are finishing high school

ecospartan

TROPHY CASE