Sean, I also meant to say that I'm sorry about your roommate and your financial situation. Tons of whatever kind of ~ma you need.

Sean, no answers here, but I hope something works out. Hec, not especially tech-savvy, but it's also not like you to post a link without telling me why I might want to read it.

Much ~ma to Anne and Sean, and Shir, I hate it too. I'm thinking of you always.

Thank you so much, Plei. He really was. I miss him every day, despite Cagney's best efforts to worm his way into my heart. He's a dear, but just. not. the same.

It isn't. Even if you have two at the same time, as I've found. Daisy's my girl. Bluebell's sweet, and lovely, but it's not the same. I have to remind myself to be patient with her. Lucky for Blue, she's got the rest of the fam.

(I had the same thing with my cats. The cat we had put to sleep in December of last year was my girl. The remaining cat, I feel guilty because I don't love her the same way.)

The remaining cat, I feel guilty because I don't love her the same way.

So much, this.

Rationally, I know I am giving him a good life. No. An excellent life.

I am fond of him. I don't want to be without him, but I just don't love him the same way. I suppose that is normal, but it seems wrong to not have that depth of feeling.

I would have stepped in front of a locomotive to save Bartleby from the slightest pain. I suppose I'd do the same for Cagney, but for very different reasons.

Looks sure are deceiving. Because he initially looked like a pleasant old man.

Ahahaha.

Sean, hon, I'm so sorry. I hope you figure it out. I'm in a similar situation - either need to move, get a higher paying job, or get a second job. And I really don't want to do any of those things.

eta with the pet thing... I love Frankie more than my cats. I feel like a traitor to the Cat Nation. Completely unexpected, but that pup owns my heart. Even when he's a pain in my ass. Sometimes I get sad thinking about a future when he's gone, even though he's only four and goddess willing will be around for a long time. I still love my Queen Bitch kitty and Little Miss Melancholy, but it isn't the same, and I feel extra bad because I had them first by a long shot.

Blech. I don't like it when my friends struggle. I want to magically make it all better.

Sean, in the short term, can you start saving just a little bit of money each month to resolve the license issue? Even if you can't afford a car right now, I would think that getting your license back would be a good first step.

You can also work to get your apartment cleaned up so you can search for another roommate. It doesn't have to be fancy, just clean.

Beverly, it's a reach in closet, not a walk-in, so walling in more of the opening will make it hard to reach in and access those areas of the closet. When I woke up this morning and looked at the closet, I couldn't help but notice the rod and shelf are hung rather simply. Couple 2x4's around the sides and back of the closet, with the rod/shelf hangers screwed into it. I'm thinking, screw the custom closet thing. I can raise the rod I have up, duplicate the set up lower, and have the double rod that I want. Then it's just a matter of some drawers unit in the closet. Home Depot can do the custom cutting of the 2x4's and rod (well, if they have a rod, I think they do). Doesn't solve the door issue. But I'm guessing the rod/shelf thing will save a good $1,000!

Sean, getting your license back would be awesome. By chance, is there a zipcar station near you? That might tide you over until you get a car.

omnis, how wide is the space you want to span? If it's wider than standard closet rod, you might want to go with permanent shower rod to avoid sagging with the weight over the span. We hung a rod across the 8'3" width of our old bedroom, slipped the rod through the top hems of a pair of rather dramatic sheets before we screwed the rod to the wall. Behind the curtain we did drawer units, ceiling-hung rods, and shelves. It worked out well, and we used Home Depot closet stuff, plus a stack of cedar drawers for sweaters and a thrift store child's dresser and another small drawer unit about the size of a night stand. Doing it again, I'd have included shoe racks for the floor, or a hanging shoe bag, because moving all the frakking shoes to vacuum and putting them back was daunting enough for me to chronically postpone the vacuuming.

We do want before/after pics, you know, however you solve your dilemma.

Sean, in the short term, can you start saving just a little bit of money each month to resolve the license issue? Even if you can't afford a car right now, I would think that getting your license back would be a good first step.

I need to find steady, solid good paying work to do that. I also owe the IRS a bit of money as well, and that's my first concern.

You can also work to get your apartment cleaned up so you can search for another roommate. It doesn't have to be fancy, just clean.

The issue there is less about the apartment and more about me. I can barely live with friends and/or lovers.

Sean, getting your license back would be awesome. By chance, is there a zipcar station near you? That might tide you over until you get a car.

Don't know. Once I can get my license back, that would be worth looking into.