(Part 3) Top products from r/TwinCities

It has been said by others, but let me repeat for emphasis: Layers. I know lots of people that bitch about the cold but only wear a coat over a T-shirt. Come winter, I'm wearing some kind of undershirt/thermal, a flannel/chamois/wool shirt, a vest and then a coat. Merino wool socks are awesome. Smartwool is the name brand, but you can find store brands that are much cheaper. I would suggest some kind of waterproof shoe or boot for the snow.

Get several pairs of gloves. You will lose them and going to the store with one glove sucks. I personally think glommits are the bee's knees. Warmth+dexterity when needed. Embrace the hat and have fun with it.

People have talked about a winter kit for your car, which is a good idea, but how about your house? If you have newer, quality windows (double pane Low E glass) you probably don't need to do anything, but if you live in an older house with old, drafty windows getting window film might be a good idea. If you have a drafty door, there are many adhesive-backed foam strip products to help seal those up.

Bundle up and try to enjoy winter. To me there are few things as beautiful as a crisp sunny day after a fresh snow, where everything sparkles and glimmers. So long as you're inside and drinking a cup of coffee that is.

EDIT: spaces after links.

I have a 12 yr old cat that started doing the same thing. There can be many issues that are leading up to this. I'll post more after I'm done eating dinner. Just know that it's absolutely possible (and quite likely) to fix this situation!

Edit:
Ok, so given what you're saying, this sounds like it's stress based behavior. The first thing that any vet is going to say is:

• Have at least 1 more litter box than you have cats. If you have one cat, have 2 boxes. If you have 2 cats, have 3 boxes, etc.
  
• Try different litter in different boxes. Cats can just up and decide that they don't like a litter if they're stressed (little pricks). Plus, a different litter can be "interesting" to them and help encourage them to use it. It's expensive, but have her give Cat Attract a try.
  
• Have litter boxes in different locations in the house. If there's one spot in particular where the cat's going to the bathroom inappropriately, put a litter box there. On a side note, don't go out and purchase an expensive litter box for this test. Go to Target and pick up one of those wide and shallow Rubbermaid storage containers (like this, but a tad shorter) and use that as a litter box.
  
• Try both hooded and un-hooded litter boxes. Some cats can decide they want privacy for doing their business (so, hoods are a good thing) while others can feel like they're trapped (hoods = bad) because any animal is vulnerable while they're using the bathroom. Given that this cat is more stressed now, this might be part of the problem.
  
• If possible try to designate one spot in the house as "the cat's spot". This was the root of helping our cat get over part of her issues (the other was related to a medical condition). We have a spare bathroom in our apartment, so we made this her room. We put 2 baby gates up at night to confine her there, but give her free run of the house during the day. This helped her feel safe, and the other cat knows to stay away. In your friend's situation, she should keep the baby as far away from this "safe spot" as possible.
  
• She may consider looking into a Feliway product to help reduce stress. They haven't worked for us, but I've heard of plenty of people that this worked for.
  
  I know that she's already spent a lot of mental energy (and at least some money) on this situation, but it will take patience for her to figure out what can change to help her cat cope with this. Cats are very social creatures, and in your friend's case she has a 15 year bond with this cat. She has been this cats only friend and social companion for its entire life, so of course bringing a baby into the mix (who she now has to focus her attention on, and who all home routines now revolve around) stresses the cat out.
  
  If your friend would like to talk, or if she has any specific questions, shoot me a message. If she wants to talk over the phone, I'd be happy to help Q&A there too. I'm not a vet, I'm not even a crazy cat lady (for one, I'm a guy). I'm just an IT guy with 2 old cats who went through a lot to figure out what was wrong with them.

You will die in those jackets. Literally.

Here's my winter setup.....

1. Jeep cap. Keeps the sun out of your eyes and it keeps you warm. You can get them at Ragstock for 5$
   
2. A pair of good winter gloves, and a pair of those cheap stretchy winter gloves. Wear the stretchy winter gloves underneath the thick winter gloves. A good tip on whether a pair of gloves are going to be warm, is if you hold a McDonald's cup of ice water tightly against them. If you can feel the cold cup, then they're no good. If you can't, then stay with them.
   
3. Your legs will get cold too, so buy a pair of base layer pants. Maybe double up. Wear them underneath your regular pants.
   
4. Get a good pair of snowpants to go over your regular pants. Again, McDonald's cup of ice water trick.
   
5. Get a base layer shirt to go underneath your regular shirt.
   
6. Get a good, thick jacket. Do the ice water thing for the jacket too. My personal favorite kind of jacket is an ice fishing jacket.
   
7. Ski goggles. Sounds weird, but your eyes will get cold too.
   
8. [A neoprene mask] (https://www.amazon.com/ZANheadgear-WNFM114H-Black-Neoprene-Half/dp/B000LVZVNE/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=neoprene+mask&qid=1573108443&sr=8-1) . They keep your face warm.
   
9. 2 good pairs of wool socks. Yes, 2. It gets that cold.
   
10. A thick pair of high top skateboard shoes, if you're going to avoid getting winter boots. High top Osiris shoes are good alternatives to winter boots. But you're going to have to get them waterproofed. They're naturally thick.
    
11. Ice cleats.

Definitely check out couchsurfing.org and create a profile and try to connect with some folks. I'm sure you could spend 2 nights one place, 2 nights another, or maybe even all week in one place.

Otherwise, you could also stay at the Minneapolis International Hostel which has some pretty low rates.

Uptown would be a good place to stay, I think and you could take a bus into town for some stuff. There are free publications all over downtown that have different events and shit going on.

Check out the MetroTransit Fare Page for getting a week pass for both the light rail / Northstar line / and busses. Not that you'd need to take the Northstar line anywhere...

There is a KOA campground in Maple Grove, Minnesota and according to this Google Maps transit information, it would be a 2.5 mile walk/drive to get to this place from the closest bus stop.

Where are you coming from? You could take the Amtrak into town with your bike, bus out to the campsite... set up shop with said bike. Bike to the bus stop, and most (probably all) buses have bike racks on them... take the 38 minute bus ride into town in the morning, bike around town all day... come back, bike to campsite, relax.

Or rent a bike when in town, and then just walk 2.5 miles to that campsite.

I'd suggest getting a solar charger like this one
if you plan on staying there, so that you can charge your phone in the morning, during the day, etc and will always have a GPS thing. There are so many handy apps to have for navigating around the area, finding current arts and shows information, connecting with people, etc!

Heck, maybe even make a Craigslist post stating you are looking for a place to stay for a week, or respond to some sublet ads! I'm sure there are some people with an empty room who would gladly take $100 or something so long as you give significant background information!

Lastly, here is a link to a USA Today Article about what to do in Minneapolis in terms of camping and here is another, similar USA Today Article

Bogs are the correct answer here. I actually got a little excited when it started to get cold and snowy, just because I remembered that I get to wear my Bogs everyday again. I purchased them last winter and they are seriously game changers. I've had sorels, baffins, and hiking boots in the past, and none of them hold a candle to Bogs. They are light weight, completely water proof, super warm, and they very easy to take on and off (i.e. no laces).

Here's a link to ones I own:

http://amzn.com/B001A5QXAA

Others have had great recommendations for clothing.

But, get yourself a winter survival kit (something along the lines of what I linked) for your car. Combine that with having a blanket or two and some very warm boots/gloves/hat in your back seat, It's something that you'll probably never use, but if your car breaks down and it's 20 below it could save your life.

If it helps, get one of these. My cat loves his. https://www.amazon.com/ABO-Gear-Happy-Habitat-Indoor/dp/B002KWHE1E/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1504008347&sr=8-3&keywords=cat+tent

I've had my eye on one of these for a while. Haven't used it yet but looks pretty slick.

Doesn't help you now but next time get a trailer coupler lock.

Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Towpower-72783-Universal-Adjustable-Heavy-Duty/dp/B0008FUH46?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_2

I would see if this kind of lock would fit and use it. I'd like to see someone cleanly cut that. I may actually switch my lock to this.
http://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-40DPF-Shielded-Stainless/dp/B00004SQKX/ref=sr_1_8?s=hardware&ie=UTF8&qid=1454177043&sr=1-8&keywords=padlock

http://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Innovations-SureTemp-Mattress-Warranty/dp/B003CT37L0/ref=lp_2457301011_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370582595&sr=1-1

I put this one in the attic space above my garage. I live in Jordan (south of Shakopee on HWY 169) and receive many channels, most of which I don't need.

Do you have one of those telescoping jobbers? I'm also short and the telescoping variety was a game changer for me.

I know this is not exactly an answer to the question you asked, but check this shit out.

I really believe in this stuff, so I found you an example:

This is kind of the "traditional" therapy light. Don't buy this one, it's an unknown seller, but they have them at medical supply places, some insurance covers them too.

https://www.amazon.com/Northern-Light-Bright-Therapy-Beige/dp/B000YQNGII/ref=sr_1_40_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1543334829&sr=8-40&keywords=uv+therapy+light

Taylors of Harrogate Yorkshire Gold, 160 Teabags https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XEV9YE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_w.PvDbVS9D0GN

Absolutely. When I studied and worked in urban planning, I was shocked by the gossamer-veiled racism coming out of people's mouths in the name of "preserving property values," "not wanting outsiders to come into the community," "preserving Minnesota tradition," "our kind of people," etc...

There's a great book on the experiences of People of Color in the Twin Cities: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Time-Truth-Race-Minnesota/dp/168134002X


https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2018/11/19/minneapolis-ranked-among-nations-worst-cities-for-black-residents/

https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2015/03/why-are-twin-cities-so-segregated-new-report-blames-housing-policies-and-edu/

http://www.citypages.com/news/minnesota-still-has-some-of-the-worst-racial-disparities-in-the-nation/504390741

https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/07/twin-cities-segregation/490970/

Make sure you purchase one of these mace pepper spray to keep these criminals out of your hair

>it really sucks when i come back for the grocery store on my one day off in the week and have to carry my food 3 blocks.

Buy a grocery cart you big baby.

https://www.amazon.com/PrimeTrendz-Jumbo-Folding-Shopping-Capacity/dp/B001LF5M92/ref=sr_1_6?qid=1555178624&refinements=p_n_location_browse-bin%3A2724796011&s=office-products&sr=1-6

If it's towards the plug, you can buy a replacement plug at a hardware store (like this) and simply cut the cord / wire up the replacement. (They open and have a screw terminal for each wire.)

Otherwise if the cord would be too short, the proper way is to replace the whole works.

I worry about splicing / using electrical tape because one tug and the cord could separate. But if you tape the hell out of it, it would probably hold up.