I got my toilet all back together, but in messing with it I had inadvertently messed up a seal. It was leaking water out of the tank and down the drain – but at least not onto the floor. I turned off the water and headed to the home improvement store – with a picture of the inside of the tank saved on my phone. Just in case.
I found the right type – or so I hoped – and the two seals that I might need. Back home, I gave the instructions a quick read and realized this was going to be pretty easy. Pulled the old seal out – realizing as I looked at it why it was bad (warped) and put the new one on. Thunder(cat) was in the bathroom with me, putting his front paws up on the closed lid to get a better view. I should have gotten him a tool-belt.
I turned the water back on and the tank began to fill – and then shut off automatically when the tank was full. At least that adjustment had finally worked. I listened carefully but didn’t hear any leaks.
Then, the final test. I took a deep breath and then flushed my toilet. And… success!
No leaks, the water shut off at the right level, and I was home free. I put the lid back on the tank and went about my evening – feeling again like a successful home owner.
Small triumphs.
————————-
My feline is strictly an inside cat, but even with the limited territory he still manages to hide when he wants to. I thought I’d found all his hiding spots, but lost track of him the other day. Not thinking much of it, I went to the basement to clean the litter box. As expected, he appeared at the top of the steps to lord over me as the master of the house.
The next evening, I headed up to the attic/third floor for some crafting supplies. I keep the door to the third floor closed as well as the rooms up there to save on heating and cooling and I closed the doors behind me when I was done. I ended up not working on the project since it was getting late and just decided to go to bed.
When I got up in the morning, Thunder(cat) wasn’t hanging out in the hallway as he usually does. I didn’t think much of it – figuring he was in his new hiding place – and went on into work.
I got home and he wasn’t at the door to greet me. He also didn’t come when I called.
Now, one of our favorite things is when I let loose with a hearty “Thunder Cat, hoooooo!” and he then comes running. It’s pretty adorable.
But, he didn’t come running. I got worried and remembered that I hadn’t seen him that morning or the night before. Was he hurt? Trapped? Trapped and hurt?
I looking started in the basement, under the shelves and behind the appliances. Then the first floor in the cabinets and windowsills. Second floor, the bedrooms, under the bed, closets. Nothing.
Then, could he be…? I opened the door to the third floor and raced up the stairs. I opened the door to the craft room and out came bounding my Thunder(cat).
I let out a deep sigh of relief and when I inhaled again I smelled cat pee. I sniffed my way around the room and found it on the work chair.
And I wasn’t even a little mad – I would have peed on the chair too if I was shut up there. I got some cleaner and worked on the chair – with a happy cat trailing between my legs.
All I can figure is that he must have slipped past me when I had my back turned and hid in the dark corner. Since I didn’t hear or see him, I didn’t realize he’d followed me upstairs.
I felt terrible, but he was fine and not the least bit mad at me. I’ve been keeping a closer eye on him and any trips behind closed require a feline inventory before I leave.
Cat: 1 unit. Check.