Rantings, Ravings, and Ramblings

[Lupus Sheol]

Congrats on Completing the Challenges! And on all the feline love you received!

 

[Julian4077]

Congratulations on completing Jump Rope and Epic Arms challenges!!

 

[Gandhalfit]

Congratulations on Rope and Arms challenges

 

[HellYeah]

Congratulations

 

[Fremen]

Congrats

 

[Anek]

Happy double badge day!!

 

[BetaCorvi]

Congrats!

 

[Mamatigerj]

Triple cheers!!!

 

[CODawn]

Congratulations!

 

[JCU]

• @Lupus Sheol, @Julian4077, @Gandhalfit, @HellYeah, @Fremen, @Anek, @BetaCorvi, @Mamatigerj, @CODawn!
• Daily Exercise w EC
• Tyler worked wonders, as usual
• Theo was adorable, as usual!
• I bought new shoes that should be here soon, though I don't need them for a while
• (Lined Crocs for cold months; found them 65% off!)
• I will be seeing Haunted Mansion on Monday!
• Can't wait!
• Last night you could have knocked me over with a feather!
• Both kittens were on my bed!
• Nobu put his head on my ribs!!
• I was so happy!
• And then Nobu cuddled with me today and I was a monster and made him move
• If it hadn't been supper, I would have stayed!
• Good: figured out next month's routine
• Happy: kittens! Theo! shoes! movie!

 

[JCU]

• Basics
• This month's routine:
• Daily Exercise w EC
• The Miner Challenge
• Alternating days of Stationary Bike and Resistance Bands, Yoga every 5th day
• I would have skipped the monthly challenge, but it actually fits really well with my routine
• I've not used any sort of bike in years, so it was pretty rough today
• This one has no electricity, but the resistance is by dial, so I can at least do that
• (It's broken but serviceable; I cannot complain!)
• I really need to push myself and the programs have been too easy to take easy
• (If that makes sense?)
• This way I can use higher resistance (both bike and bands) to really press into things
• This brat.

• He will sleep against my pillows, but I'm not allowed to touch him?!?
• Papa saw a bunny! This is one of the kittens born in our garden!

• Good: made and started to follow my routine
• Happy: my internet sleuthing was successful and Mom's happy!

 

[CODawn]

Cuteness!

 

[Anek]

Awww!

 

[JCU]

• @CODawn, @Anek
• Basics
• My resistance bands are still in good form!
• Dad has used them occasionally, so I knew they were okay, but I'm glad at their condition
• I'd forgotten so many of the pieces of exercise equipment I had before finding this site
• Cardio warmup is going to consist of a miniature elliptical machine and small trampoline
• I think I might use the large inflatable exercise ball on yoga days
• I was going to continue with jump rope as warmup, but the basement ceiling is too low
• So far I'm liking things! That may change with how I feel tomorrow, though!
• Coffee is steeping for my first attempt at cold brew. Fingers crossed!
• Good: chores done
• Happy: fajitas for supper!

 

[Gandhalfit]

How went the cold brew?

 

[Tileenah]

Congrats on jump rope, epic arms and zen !

 

[JCU]

• A decent attempt, @Gandhalfit
• Thank you, @Tileenah!
• Basics
• I need to be careful of my right shoulder and left elbow with the resistance bands
• I can definitely feel them more than I should right now
• I made better progress with the bike today!
• The cold brew is offensively bitter. I either steeped it too long (12 hours), or it was the dark roast beans
• I got more premade for tomorrow (I had none this morning ) and new medium roast beans to try again tomorrow
• Haunted Mansion tomorrow!
• And then my sister and a few family members for supper!
• Nobu somehow got himself stuck in the garage
• At least since this morning, maybe since last night
• He's fine, just demanded attention from all of us
• The problem of a bigger house and sometimes asocial cats
• Good: bike progress
• Happy: co-op has some great coffee options to play with!

 

[Gandhalfit]

I used to get nervous when I couldn't find Chelsea in my tiny apartment before leaving in the morning. She was either on top of the closet, inside the closet if I left it open, "outside" on the "porch" or just on the desk behind the computer screen on the warm router...

I can't imagine the kind of stress I would get into looking for a cat in a big house. Still, Nobu is okay so yay

 

[JCU]

Considering how I felt when Nox was hiding one time, @Gandhalfit, terrifying is a good word. Way too many spaces a small cat can fit into!

Nobu? We just thought he was being distant. Until Dad found him, we didn't know he was missing .

He's all better now!

 

[JCU]

• Basics
• I have had a full day, but it's been great!
• Got everything done this morning
• Exercising went very well!
• I'm getting used to everything and may be able to up the resistance soon!
• I am very glad tomorrow is yoga; my left leg is feeling very strained
• Great for my stretching... eventually...
• Haunted Mansion was excellent! I loved the depth they gave to the characters. It was 2 hours, but didn't feel it at all. There are plenty of big names and seeing some of their characters was a joy!
• If you're interested in a family film with minor thrills, I highly recommend it!
• As a bonus, the theatre is lovely! Small and charming!
• Two of my cousins and the son of one of them came to visit
• They're my favorites of all of the family
• And my sister is doing well! Always the best to see her!
• Nobu cuddled for hours last night. I got tons of pictures, and this is my favorite:

• He's perfect
• Good & Happy: full and great day

 

[JCU]

• Basics
• Went with a very simple yoga routine
• I may change that
• I like to feel more than a minor stretch while doing yoga
• Something to think about in the coming days!
• It's been delightfully quiet
• My second attempt at cold brew didn't go well
• Still so bitter!
• I have some beans left, so I may try again with a shorter brewing time
• The flavor is much better with the lighter roast
• The kittens spent most of the day sleeping upstairs
• Nox had my bed. Of course.
• I'm trying a new recipe for supper tomorrow
• Fingers crossed!
• Good & Happy: quiet, slow day

 

[JCU]

• Basics
• I'm getting better with the bike!
• It's getting easier to push myself when it gets tiring
• I'm taking occasional breaks to stretch my quads and it's helping immensely
• Tried a new recipe for supper
• We all agree a few small changes and it'll be spectacular!
• Nobu is currently pushing Dad for attention
• While I am right. here.
• 
• Nox is using my bed more
• Can I touch him?

• At least he's cute!
• Good: making progress with the exercise equipment
• Happy: supper went well!

 

[JCU]

• Basics
• Upped the resistance strength!
• I'll probably up it again after the next yoga day
• I'm going to look into some core workouts, too
• I'm getting much better with my current routine and would like to expand a bit
• All great things!
• Tried a new restaurant for lunch
• The veggie wrap was both yummy and not the fried chicken sandwich!
• My self control won!
• It's been a lovely quiet day
• Nox was once again on my bed and I could look but not touch
• Nobu played with my brother for a while and they both had a blast!
• Good: self control
• Happy: enjoyed exercising in a way I haven't in a while

 

[JCU]

• Basics
• Had a bit of a back step on the bike
• My schedule had the morning before breakfast as the only good time to exercise
• That's something I really try not to do
• The bike was the result
• Not a bad time, just not great
• I did find some core exercises to try with the resistance bands, though!
• And I was so happy earlier
• NOX WAS PURRING AS I PET HIM! HE LET ME SCRATCH AROUND HIS HEAD!! HE GNAWED ON MY FINGERS!!!
• He's warming up to me!!
• (Considering Nobu has been ignoring me, it's absolutely wonderful!)
• Now if he could stay on my bed when I join him...
• Good: got through the day
• Happy: NOX!!!

 

[Gandhalfit]

Cats, go figure

 

[JCU]

• @Gandhalfit
• Basics
• Added core exercises with the band!
• I'll definitely be upping the resistance on Tuesday
• The only thing I'm really feeling as I exercise is the tricep extensions
• There's very little soreness after the fact, too
• The great thing about resistance bands is that I can add more to the handles at once.
• It'd be awkward, but I can have a total of 150 pounds at once if necessary
• (I highly doubt it'll ever get necessary)
• Nobu is still ignoring me, even if I make noise to catch his attention
• Nox is letting me pet him more
• It doesn't even out, but it is a silver lining
• This month hit me hard earlier
• I've not felt pain like that since I was a teen
• That's... fun...
• If my regular rhythm holds, the pain should be gone tomorrow
• These last few months changes have been happening and they really don't need to. Really. Please.
• Good: added exercises
• Happy: (ish) the pain is almost entirely ignorable now

 

[Mamatigerj]

 

[JCU]

• Thank you, @Mamatigerj!
• Daily Exercise w EC
• The Miner Challenge
• I was not up to even yoga today
• If I'm feeling better tomorrow, I'll skip yoga entirely
• I certainly got a rest day today!
• If I'm still feeling like today, though, I'll try pressing through the yoga
• Nobu cuddled with me last night!!!

• It was lovely!
• Nox decided my unmade bed was his spot this morning, so my bed didn't get made for a few hours
• He also scratched at the bathroom door to get in??
• First time for everything!
• Also a first: I made sushi!
• Tasty, tasty sushi!
• I just need to cut the rolls smaller
• 6 pieces were a bit too big
• Good: made sushi
• Happy: Nobu! Nox! Kittens!

 

[JCU]

• Basics
• Went with yoga today
• Just feeling tired, thankfully
• It's been a very quiet, relaxing day
• I had a kitten cuddle!
• This was taken a second too late

• His head was in my hand!
• He spent most of today with me
• This is after falling asleep on Dad's lap last night
• Still salty over that one...
• Good: exercised
• Happy: Nobu!

 

[JCU]

• Daily Exercise w EC
• The Miner Challenge
• Today was a minor setback
• Very tired and absolutely no motivation
• Tomorrow is laundry, though, which will push routine on me
• It'll definitely be a better day!
• Nox wanted attention!!
• He was very upset I had to take a shower and insisted on attention after it!
• He came up to me!!!
• Baby steps are steps!
• Good: took a shower
• Happy: NOX!!!

 

[NancyTree]

Ignoring a cat is the best way to draw it's attention

 

[JCU]

• Nox is turning out to be that way, @NancyTree!
• Basics
• Used the resistance bands instead of the bike, but I did exercise!
• Increased the resistance again
• I'll go up to 50 pounds next time
• I think I'll be doubling up soon
• Still so tired, but I'm at the end of this month, thankfully
• Bee tomorrow!
• Nox let me pet him on my bed, and then followed me to the hall to get more attention!!
• He's also coming downstairs more often!
• Nobu has cuddled with me the last 2 nights
• Yesterday he was not best pleased with my strange position, but he made it work!

• Good: exercised
• Happy: kittens!

 

[GentleOx]

Lookit that cuddly lil' kitto! What an absolute champ!

 

[JCU]

• @GentleOx!
• Daily Exercise w EC
• The Miner Challenge
• Bee worked me over well!
• There were times I was reminding myself I had a head massage to end things
• I put something out in my lower back a few days ago
• Didn't know if it was out or just muscular until I saw Bee
• Tyler was able to put it back to rights, thankfully
• Took a nap, too
• Last night I desperately wanted my water, which I forgot on the bookshelf
• I could not make myself move

• That's a full sprawl!
• Good: saw Bee and Tyler
• Happy: Bee says my back is showing definition from the resistance bands!

 

[Gandhalfit]

Move a sleeping cat you shan't. I admire your patience though.

 

[JCU]

• Thank you, @Gandhalfit!
• Daily Exercise w EC
• The Miner Challenge
• Very tired today
• I ran into three things at the store
• Tomorrow is the concert!
• My anxiety is slightly high, but my sister is a rock
• Plus, gathering things to take to her place (I'm spending the night after) has settled me somewhat
• I didn't realize how close the festival grounds are to her place!
• It's especially great because if I get too overstimulated, I can walk there to calm down
• (In order to have a ride, I'm joining my parents at the festival, spending the night with my sister, and going back home with my parents on Sunday)
• I'll be without cats for 36 hours!
• Speaking of cats:
• Nox!!!
• He demanded attention while I was in bed! He stayed after I got in!! He curled up with me!!!
• And a mouse got in/he got out (the tortoise broke the screen getting herself inside), and Nox got that one
• Considering how active Nobu is, I definitely thought he'd get the first mouse!
• Nobu insisted my hand was a pillow. Who was I to deny him?

• Good: gathered supplies
• Happy: NOX!!!

 

[JCU]

• Daily Exercise w EC
• The festival was mostly boring, but I expected that
• My sister was there the entire time, which helped
• We missed the first act of the concert
• We only learned about the band because of this tour, though, so we didn't miss it
• VV was fun
• He's very stationary, but great about making eye contact
• Andy, of BVB, moves
• He did make eye contact, but it was hard to see him at times
• Small venue pro: we were 10 feet from the stage
• Small venue con: my ears may still be ringing tomorrow, even with plugs
• I may not have a voice tomorrow...
• I miss my cats. Nox wanted attention this morning!
• Good: went to the concert
• Happy: CONCERT!!

 

[JCU]

• Daily Exercise w EC
• The Miner Challenge
• Caught up on The Miner
• Had a very relaxing day
• Very happily home with my babies!
• It was great to spend the day yesterday and night with my sister
• (She had to work today)
• But I'm so relieved to be home
• All 3 felines allowed at least a pet, if not a kiss
• None wanted to be held
• Nox is on my bed right now and if he stays, I may just get some more bed cuddles!
• An amusing memory from last night:
• Someone in the crowd yelled out, "I love you, Andy!"
• It wasn't the clearest and Andy ran with it, asking: "Who's Randy?" and dedicated the next song to Randy
• It made us chuckle
• Good: survived the day after the concert
• Happy: back home with my babies

 

[JCU]

• Daily Exercise w EC
• The Miner Challenge
• I fell asleep on the couch last night and woke up when my dad came downstairs
• Then I fell back asleep until 9
• So Nox being on my bed? Potential kitten cuddles?? My comfy bed after a night sleeping on a couch???
• 
• Casper did sleep on the top of the couch, though
• For all it was the first time I was away from the kittens, it was actually the first for Casper, too
• Baby wanted some love!
• (And the kittens took it much better )
• In much better news: bought my Nutcracker tickets!
• The theatre gave me a presale code, presumably for attending last year
• My sister and I will have a blast!
• I decided to take one more day off exercising
• I'm feeling tired and just wanted a quiet day with the family
• I had that, thankfully!
• Good: went to the store
• Happy: future event with my sister!

 

[Gandhalfit]

❤

 

[JCU]

• Daily Exercise w EC
• I had a massive headache for most of the day (gone now, thankfully)
• And ate something I shouldn't have
• Food poisoning isn't fun
• I did have a kitten last night

• It's not my lap, but he stayed for hours!
• (I did fall asleep on the couch again; I woke up earlier, at least?)
• Then I had this one for a while this morning

• He eventually curled up under the blanket!
• I may have had a small nap
• Tomorrow is laundry and I sincerely hope a better day
• Good: I had feline cuddles
• Happy: headache is gone

 

[JCU]

• Daily Exercise w EC
• They were slow climbers, though
• Last night wasn't fun
• The teeth chattering chills were the worst bit
• Nobu cuddles helped my legs, at least
• Today's been much better!
• I only managed the climber taps, but laundry is done
• Things are just tender right now
• I almost had both kittens with me last night
• Nobu followed me up (after a short sleep on the couch) and Nox had already been on my bed
• I got most of the way under the covers when there was a loud noise and suddenly no kittens
• I think Nox moved and startled Nobu
• The lights were off, though, so who knows?
• Good: feeling much better
• Happy: feline attention while unwell

 

[Gandhalfit]

Happy: feline attention while unwell

Get even better

 

[CODawn]

 

[JCU]

• Thank you, @Gandhalfit, @CODawn!
• Basics
• Caught up on The Miner Challenge
• Massively overslept, but apparently I really needed that
• I did have to push myself to exercise and used the resistance bands
• I'll get back to the bike! I just don't love it and can convince myself to use the bands much easier
• At least I'm exercising!
• Nobu sprawled last night

• As long as he's comfortable?
• Had Casper again

• His little tongue!
• Good: exercised
• Happy: felines!

 

[Anek]

Awww that little tongue!!

 

[JCU]

• The day I catch one of the kittens with their tongue out, I may perish, @Anek!
• Daily Exercise w EC
• The Miner Challenge
• I sat up and my back went out
• How? How??
• It's hurting right now, but I'll get used to it
• If it shifts too much (back in, then out again), I'll make an appointment with Tyler
• Nobu cuddled last night

• He went full sprawl again!
• I learned something today
• In metal music there is something called a Death Growl
• (My rabbit holes can be very strange)
• When we were all kids, Dad* would show off a funny little vocal trick he could do
• We, as kids do, mimicked him
• I just wanted to share the mental image of 5 year olds death growling
• (*my former Roman Catholic, current Episcopalian pastor)
• Turns out, you never forget things like that...
• Good: ate a salad (it's been a while...)
• Happy: Nobo has been demanding attention!

 

[Mamatigerj]

Healing thoughts and prayers for your back

 

[Gandhalfit]

I'm sorry. More healing vibes for your back

 

[Anek]

Healing vibes!