DSM Fish Gal

February Update

After more than a month away, I'm back for a quick update.  I keep hoping for more time and inclination to work on this blog, but alas, too many other projects command my time. 

The new apartment has been fixed up the way I want it for the most part, though there's still plenty of work needed to be done in the livingroom, like hanging art and photo frames and shelving. 

In my small 5g tank, I added 2 small crayfish to keep the 1 remaining danio fish company.  One crawdad quickly took out the other, so we're left with 1 and 1.  The danio occupies the upper strata and the crawdad does his best to catch him.  Thankfully it's a tall tank with only one ornament for climbing. 

Besides that, everyone else is doing well.  I can't complain too much personally.  Hopefully I can post more soon!

So far so good

The cats love the new apartment!  Yay!  Their first night over here they ripped and zoomed up and down the hallway, which isn't the behavior you'd expect from cats visiting a new place. 

Yesterday, the 30th, marked the day that all of the animals were brought over.  First came me and the cats, then the fish, then the mouse, and finally yesterday the rats.  This being the last day of the month, a friend and I will pay one last visit to the old apartment to mop and return the keys.  Yesterday we (well, actually he) shampooed the carpet and I wiped out the cabinets and refrigerator.  As luck would have it, the landlord is out of town this week so thankfully there won't be any uncomfortable run-ins.  I'm not too happy with that man and am glad to be moving on to a property where necessary repairs are tended to.  And I have a dishwasher!  Finally!     Only after a year and a half of being promised one...

The rent here is slightly less than the last apartment, though the kitchen cabinetry and appliances are newer and the place has a better "feng shui" to it.  My nice linens that have been kept in storage over the past 2 years to protect them from kitty claws have been brought out (might as well), and the sofa received a good scrub with the Rug Doctor to remove the cat hair.  Better still, Bob and Kritten have their scratching perch located at a sunny window overlooking the area where people walk their dogs. 

There's still plenty to unpack but so far so good.  We all appear to be digging our new home. 

Plans to Stick Around

Nevermind moving to Omaha.  Plans have changed and I've decided to remain on in Des Moines.  That's good news so far as moving furniture since the next apartment will be local, slightly sad news in that I won't be living closer to family and friends.  But these sort of things happen for a reason sometimes, so I'm keeping with the bright side.

This may also mean that the ratty boys can stay with me, assuming the next landlord permits it.  The cats will of course be coming along and the last remaining 5-gallon fish tank may come too.  Noby the mouse has an offer to stay with a friend, though I have a feeling he'll be coming along with us now too. 

So maybe now I'll actually update this blog more regularly and post more pet-related stuff.  Less about aquaria most likely and more about the furry pets I work and live with.

The pet-sitting business is picking up business for the upcoming holidays, which is also nice.  I've ordered more promotional materials for distribution in time for Christmas. 

Plans change, but that's all right.  This suits me just as fine. 

Both tanks have sold

The 28g and 10g tanks are now sold.  The only tank left is the 5g eclipse.

Noby the mouse may be going to live with a girlfriend whose hamster recently died from old age.  Grizzle and Keefer, the rats, may be seeking a new home as well.

The cats, Bob and Kritten, will be coming with me to the new home.  I'd love to take the other pets with us but just don't see how this will work.  Since we'll be searching for a room to rent, chances are most roommates won't be open to rodents as pets.  Bringing two cats is probably pushing it already.

*sigh*  I'm very frustrated with my landlord but perhaps this move will be for the best.  Living in Des Moines has been completely worthwhile and the people are very friendly, but I miss being closer to my friends.  It doesn't appear I'll be moving back down south after all due to the high unemployment rate in my home-state, so the plan now is to return to Omaha or Council Bluffs.  Continuing to live alone has proven too expensive so it will be nice to rent a room, cut my costs, and help someone else save money too. 

Had I known the landlord would refuse to put in the promised dishwasher, even after busting out the kitchen cabinets months ago, and slack on repairing the pipes in the kitchen (going on 4 days this time with no running water in the sink), I would have moved somewhere else, preferably less expensive.  When it came up again recently for the 14th or 15th time in 1.5 years of renting this place, his reply was simply, "it's in the past now."  Not too nice.  Not at all.  Which is rather strange considering how friendly he comes across most of the time.  His latest excuse for not conducting repairs is that he's allergic to cats, though he hasn't mentioned this once before and gave me permission to adopt them. When he first saw the rats, he asked if I was on drugs.  I just don't get the guy.

Yeah, I'm pretty nervous about moving again.  But in these economic times, it might be best to be back near my people where we can share resources if need be.  Moving is always accompanied with excitement and anxiousness, but it's usually worth it considering all the new people you meet along the way. 

Hello again!

Many months have passed since my last post.  I've been busy trying to finish school (to be completed in late October) and am now planning a move out of the area. 

Currently, I am listing the fish aquariums up for sale since they can't ride along in the car to the new destination. Photos and information will be posted momentarily.