Rantings, Ravings, and Ramblings

[JCU]

• Basics
• Minus the weighted hoop
• Had to fit exercising around everything else this morning
• Great: supper with the Es!
• Had a lovely evening!
• Bad: came home to water in the basement and the sub pump not working
• Turns out if it snows many inches and snows again (and again)  and rains, it leads to water
• Who knew?
• My brother is acting like it's the end of his life
• I just want to know what I can do
• (Hint: not much)
• I doubt I'm doing laundry tomorrow
• Maybe Saturday?
• If that wasn't a terrifying Bills game...
• Sincerely hope Damar Hamlin will be okay
• The 4 million dollars his charity has raised is wonderful
• Good & Happy: time with the Es

 

[CODawn]

I was crying last night. I've watched sports for a long time and have seen some terrible things. This was the absolute worst. I am hoping he makes it out of this ok.

 

[LizardFriend95]

I don’t follow sports at all, so I didn’t see it, but hearing about it is scary enough. I can’t imagine witnessing it.

 

[Lallafa]

Oh wow... I had to google to see what was terrifying... Fingers crossed for Damar Hamlin. He's a young guy; hopefully he'll pull through.

 

[JCU]

• Basics
• Remembered after I was done that I was going to double up for tomorrow's visit with Bee and Tyler
• So I'll double up Friday!
• Depending on how I feel Friday, I might double up Sunday with donating blood on Saturday
• I'll figure it out!
• I probably could have done laundry today, but decided to take a mental health day
• Very good decision
• The basement is (thankfully) a very easy fix
• There's a drainage system that feeds into the sump pump to prevent flooding
• Broken sump pump = water in the basement
• Building and Grounds came out with shop vacs and an emergency pump so it's still a bit damp but otherwise okay
• Felt bad waking Dad for his meeting this morning, though
• Nobu has been on the couch behind me almost all day
• So stress is much less than it could be!
• I think I'm figuring out the motion of the hoop!
• Damar Hamlin is not any worse. Silver linings and crossed fingers in one.
• Good: calm, quiet day
• Happy: supper was frozen leftovers; super quick and easy to put together!

 

[CODawn]

I hear that Damar is improving a lot!

 

[JCU]

He is, @CODawn! Awake and holding hands with his family! The best news possible right now!

 

[JCU]

• Daily Exercise w EC
• Saw Bee and Tyler
• Bee worked my back over well
• She also massaged my head, which was lovely
• The jaw was a little weird, but mostly good
• My tendonitis isn't, so that's not fun
• (It's the ligament. The "funny bone" one. She rubbed it. Imagine getting your funny bone massaged.)
• I will be lowering the weights for power HIIT
• May be removing them entirely if my elbow complains
• (I'd use one arm, but it's my left. My right is already stronger!)
• Super glad to take the day off
• I've had Nobu behind me again
• He brings joy just by being here
• And then he rolls over in his sleep and falls off the back of the couch
• It was guilty laughter!
• Damar Hamlin is awake! And aware! And communicating!
• Good: many knots have been released
• Happy: this kitten, Bees...

 

[CODawn]

 

[LizardFriend95]

Oh, poor Nobu! (It is funny though!)

 

[JCU]

• Basics Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
• Day started bad, but is finishing well!
• I didn't know if my back was muscle or bone after seeing Bee and Tyler
• Turns out it was both!
• And though Tyler realigned it, my back is out again
• It's in the sacrum, which sucks because it's one of the few spots I can't crack myself
• I'm giving it a few days, but if it doesn't fix itself I'm making another appointment
• All of that means no hoop work
• My hips will not move like that right now!
• (And I'm not entirely positive it wasn't the hoop that put my back out. So.)
• Mom and Dad had a party at the church, so I had the house to myself
• I exercised, made supper, and breakfast for tomorrow
• The quiet was perfect!
• Nobu started sliding off the couch
• I caught him
• He started purring
• This kitten!!
• Good: managed 3 days of exercises
• Happy: productive and quiet evening
• And kitten!

Forgot to post about Hamlin! He's doing very well! Breathing tube is out! He's facetimed with the team! Excellent news!

 

[NancyTree]

Kitten

 

[TheLibrarian]

 

[CODawn]

 

[JCU]

• Daily Exercise w EC
• My back is moving!
• It hurts between my shoulder blades now
• But I can fix that!
• I did not donate today
• They were massively understaffed and I waited an hour without being seen
• Discovered there was a drive outside of the centers
• They must have pulled technicians to do that
• Next week!
• Tried a new restaurant
• Considering it's always packed
• (We waited half an hour for a table)
• I expected the food to be exceptional
• It was certainly good, but it won't be a constant stop
• The kittens stole my drain cover
• (Again)
• They brought it all the way downstairs this time!
• Good: laundry around everything else
• Happy: Nobu "helped" with laundry

 

[JCU]

Twitter

 

[CODawn]

 

[LizardFriend95]

Isn’t it great when the fur children help out?

 

[JCU]

• @CODawn
• It's not so bad when he's this small, @LizardFriend95. But he's definitely going to get big!
• Daily Exercise w EC
• Intended to exercise, but a headache crept upon me and still hasn't quite let go
• It was a nice quiet family day, at least
• And that Bill's game?
• 
  
• The only thing better was reading Hamlin's tweets
• And my night has been better!
• I put a bandana around the bar of my headphones and they fit much better and more comfortablely
• Dad and Brother decided they wanted pizza and wings
• So I got pizza and wings for supper!
• And Nobu wanted standing cuddles!
• If sleep cures this headache, tomorrow will be a good day!
• Good: managed the leg raises
• Happy: that win was necessary

 

[Whirly]

I hope your headache goes away soon!

 

[Gandhalfit]

I hope you will get better soon

 

[JCU]

• Thank you, @Whirly and @Gandhalfit
• Basics Yesterday and Today
• Unfortunately, I still have a headache
• Fortunately, it's been much less than yesterday
• So I was able to exercise!
• Pressure changes are definitely not helping, but I think I have a cold
• My body is insisting on hours more sleep than usual
• I'm also doubling the zinc and magnesium
• Hopefully that'll help!
• An unintended quiet day
• Nobu joined me as I was making my bed
• (Always fun to watch him lunge across the bed!)
• He also surprised me after my shower, but I got tons of cuddles from that one!
• Tortoise got to the cat food before I woke up
• So. Much. Poop.
• The dishes are all clean now?
• (I should clarify that she poops when she eats, and then walks through it; the cat food actually causes constipation that severely hurts her.)
• Good: exercised
• Happy: kitten cuddles!

That was last night. Because my kitten can sleep normally. He just likes this way, too. (But I get cuddles, so no complaints!)

 

[JCU]

• Basics
• My headache is back and worse than ever today
• It did start after I exercised, at least
• I just took a nap. At 7. PM.
• That cold theory is gaining traction
• And my left elbow is hurting in all the unfun ways
• Ligament, tendon,  and muscle
• (Oh my!)
• I probably just slept wrong
• On the bright side:
• Nobu has been cuddly all day!
• He rolled off the couch again, but this time into my arms!
• He's next to me right now, in fact
• I woke very warm from my nap!
• Good: my head is, in fact, still on my shoulders
• Happy: this kitten is the brightest light in a still very dark tunnel

It's only fair that the boys eat her food after she tries theirs so much! (Why is my kitten eating lettuce? Why?)
(Photo courtesy of my dad!)

 

[Mianevem]

Heh, whenever I buy parsley or other fresh herbs, it's a challenge to keep the cat from munching on it... he has cat grass always available to him, but he still assumes that whatever is in the shopping bag, it's for him to eat right away.

 

[LizardFriend95]

Poor tortoise! Hope she didn’t hurt too bad. I also hope your headache/cold gets better.

Also, please tell me I’m not the only one having trouble figuring out where exactly the cat is on the pictures. Took me sooo long to find his little head!

But kitty cuddles are so sweet!

 

[JCU]

Herbs make sense, @Mianevem! Similar enough to cat grass to entice kitties! But lettuce?

So far so good, @LizardFriend95. We'll know in a few days; she doesn't poop daily. Fingers crossed on my head!

Black cats are voids of light. I almost walked on Nox last night because I thought he was a dropped cloth. Nobu was sleeping and I had to tilt my head until I saw his head and realized his orientation. Not just you!

 

[NancyTree]

Poor Tortie.. hope she'll be fine

 

[JCU]

• Thank you, @NancyTree. I'm hoping she didn't get much food.
• Basics
• Almost no headache!
• My sinuses are showing signs of illness, unfortunately
• And I overslept again
• I think I may push my donation back another week
• I woke in the early hours to a kitten at my back!
• I have no idea if this is a regular thing, but I'm happy regardless!
• All three boys have been quiet today
• Let's hope it holds tonight and they don't become little demons!
• If my back is still pain free tomorrow, I'll retry the hoop
• Hamlin is back home! In his own house, even!!!
• Good: mandarin oranges! and orange juice!
• Happy: no squeezing, pulsing, or stabbing head pain!

 

[motionaction]

This tortoise + kitties combo pic reminded me of home - we have the same combo! All the best vibes & I hope you wake up with a kitten on your back as much as possible.

 

[JCU]

Kittens and tortoise are very fun, @motionaction! Puppy to large dog confused tortoise immensely. Still funny for us!

Thank you for the vibes! I call it good news that I sleep heavily enough to ignore a kitten on my bed. I miss the fact that I don't know it (had a cat who would cuddle only at night and  loved scratches), but the knowledge he's there at all fills me with joy!

 

[Froud]

I am glad your headache is hopefully gone by now!
I love the tortoise :°) what a splendid animal :3

 

[JCU]

• Thank you, @Froud! Tortoises* are amazing creatures!
• Basics
• Didn't get to the hoop, unfortunately
• My body was willing, but my head was not
• No headache!
• (!!!)
• But dizziness abounds
• I will happily take it over the aching!
• At this point I think my body is getting used to the increase in minerals
• And my sinuses are showing evidence of a cold, but minorly
• No donation this week, but I'm looking into next Wednesday, next Friday at the latest
• It will happen!
• Tried a new veggie burger at one of my favorite restaurants
• Glad I tried it, but I won't be going back to it
• (Black bean burger, ranchero sauce, avocado spread, tortilla strips, pickled jalapeño, omitted queso fresco)
• The ranchero sauce was almost bland? No spice at all, which is completely bizarre!
• Otherwise it was quite nice, but the Korean BBQ still owns my heart
• (That won't stop me from trying the Greek Burger next time!)
• The restaurant has one of the best veggie burgers around, so it's fun to try different iterations!
• Good: tried something new
• Happy: Casper! In front of the fire! On the rug!!

*Old insta account for Liam. Did I almost cry looking for this? Yes.

 

[Gandhalfit]

Of course you did.

 

[JCU]

• @Gandhalfit
• Basics
• My back has been moving more than usual
• I'm going to wait until I see Tyler before starting the hoop again
• Excuse my enthusiasm for a moment
• NOBU CURLED UP WITH ME LAST NIGHT! I FELL ASLEEP TO HIS PURRING RIGHT UNDER MY CHIN!!!
• Ahem
• I'm a bit happy
• I then had both kittens investigating after my shower
• It's a small bathroom
• It's been a good day
• Good: chores completed and a quiet day
• Happy: kittens!

 

[CODawn]

 

[Gandhalfit]

That is the best way to fall asleep

 

[JCU]

• @CODawn, @Gandhalfit!
• Basics
• Well, my back is out again
• I'm hoping it follows last week and fixes itself after some rest
• Fingers crossed!
• Nobu was on my bed last night!
• He let me move him!
• And curled up with me!
• Trying not to laugh and squeal when everyone else is asleep is difficult!
• I burnt my tongue last night
• (Very yummy, but very hot pot pie)
• I'm eating mandarin oranges right now
• Painful covers it!
• (But so, so tasty!)
• Good: grocery shopping
• Happy: I made a kitten jump and it was hysterical!

 

[CODawn]

I hope your back feels better soon.

 

[NancyTree]

A burned mouth is the worst!
The love of kittens is the best. I was thinking of why that is, I think because of their shape (fluffy balls) and that they're so in their own ways, it feels special if they choose you.

 

[LizardFriend95]

@NancyTree That’s why I’ve always viewed kitty kisses as better than doggy kisses! Though both are very nice. For me, I think purring is part of it, too. I just love that sound.

 

[CODawn]

Congratulations to the Bills!

 

[JCU]

I would argue that the second and almost third degree burns I've received are worse, @NancyTree, but the mouth is uniquely painful!

Ah, kittens. Yes, @NancyTree, it is supremely special to be chosen! They give kisses so rarely, they're especially special, @LizardFriend95! Nobu's purring is so loud and reverberating it's delightful!

Thank you, @CODawn! It was certainly up and down!

 

[JCU]

• Basics
• My back started moving earlier!
• I'm hopeful it'll go back tomorrow
• If all else fails, I see Tyler on Thursday
• Lovely quiet family day
• Even with that game
• But we did win!
• I thought I didn't have a kitten last night
• He was sleeping in my papasan!
• Casper roaming around woke him and Nobu cuddled me as I fell asleep!
• And he and Nox stole my seat while I showered
• Adorable kittens!
• Good & Happy: Afternoon Tea with the family!

 

[NancyTree]

Wasn't there also scientific proof of the benefits of the cat's purrs/vibrations for mental health?

 

[GentleOx]

Your updates are just too cute! Love the animals!

 

[JCU]

So there is, @NancyTree! I thought so, too, but those numbers are surprising!

Thank you, @GentleOx!

 

[NancyTree]

Oh cool! Thanks for looking it up!

 

[JCU]

My pleasure, @NancyTree! It is a very interesting read!

 

[JCU]

• Basics today and tomorrow
• Going to Canada tomorrow!
• Niagara-on-the-Lake has long been a favorite spot
• (Dad proposed to Mom there!)
• Didn't want to fit in exercising either before or after, so did it today
• The daily exercise will keep my streak
• My back is still out, but also moving, so it's not  too bad
• Nobu may have joined me last night
• Alas, I was sleeping, so I don't know for sure
• Hope springs eternal!
• Canada tomorrow, Es visiting Wednesday, Tyler and the vet Thursday, and blood donation on Saturday
• Such pleasant things to look forward to!
• The kittens are being kittens
• Such rambunctious brats!
• Good: two days in one
• Happy: paprikas for supper; it's one of my absolute favorites!

Came downstairs to this one!





Nobu got UNDER the couch cover. Of course he did...

 

[Mianevem]

Nobu got UNDER the couch cover. Of course he did...

Haha, Potyka does that too... He's convinced we can't see him then. Well, he's right, we can only see a big lump shaped suspiciously like a loaf of cat...