...would it be weird if I run out in the morning to see if the guys came back and ask them where they work and if I can hire them?

definitely not. And if they're not back, ask your neighbor for their number.

...would it be weird if I run out in the morning to see if the guys came back and ask them where they work and if I can hire them?

Nope. Ask for a business card. Or just info. But it's not weird at all.

What a day, Andi.

I don't think I can ask the neighbors, because they're renters, and I"m sure the landlord hired them. But I"m crossing my fingers the gardeners are back tomorrow.

Definitely try to grab them, meara. Not weird at all.

In Gray Cat news, this cone thing is horrible. He can hardly eat, I'm not sure he's getting any water, he's knocking over and spilling everything, and worst, he's scooping up food and cat litter with the damn thing and carrying it around through the house. The thing is already dirty, I don't want to think how filthy it'll be in six days. Or how much crap will be spread around my house. He keeps thumping the cone into walls and stuff, and it throws his balance off so he's falling when he tries to jump. I can follow his progress through the house by listening to the bashing noises. He's really being a good patient, though, except for the anguished wailing. I think I hate the cone even more than he does.

I'm sorry about the cat cone problems, Zenkitty. Is there a way to elevate the water so that the cone can go down around it? Or would he just spill it from a higher starting point? Poor thing.

Yesterday began with some tiresome nonsense at work that started at 7:30 (I usually start at 8-8:30), before the caffeine kicked in. But it ended with an evening with my book group, where I got to discuss Georgette Heyer and play with my favorite baby. And this morning I'm wearing a skirt that hasn't fit since I bought it, two years ago. So things seem to be on an upswing.

Zen, look for one of these in Petco or the like: [link]

The extra small fits cats and is much more humane.

Seconding that. Much less traumatic for you both.

Pix, that looks good, but will it keep him from rubbing at his eye? It doesn't look like it would. Or would he just not be able to reach his paw around it?

Not that he is trying to rub at the eye at all. And he's still managing to bash his face into things. Given that his method of self-soothing is to rub his face on things. Not sure how much good the darn thing is actually doing.

Sorry for fretting so much, y'all. Fretting is what I do best.

And Windsparrow, sorry for your travails! Sounds like a DAY.

Thanks! It was a Day, indeed. However I kept thinking, "Later on, this is going to be really funny. No wait, it's pretty funny right now."