Rantings, Ravings, and Ramblings

[JCU]

Hello, Bees!

I meant to do a mid month check, but things were a little crazy around then. It's been an overall good month, with some minor upsets.

Finished Iron Arms! Pushed through to get it done before the thirtieth.



I will be restarting Express Tone next month. My period hit me hard this month and put me off by nearly a week. On the plus side, I'll be using heavier weights!

I was rather terrible with stretching this month...

Biggest upset of the month: just before my brother's birthday party (Korean BBQ, which was fun to make and experience!), Casper got outside. With the weather getting into the single digits (farenheit) overnight, we thought we'd lost him. Turns out he was in the garage and ignoring us. Cats! Other than that heart aching insanity, my monsters have been very good.

The family is doing well! Siblings are all healthy and happy. Mom, Dad, and I are currently looking for a new house, which is a bit stressful. It's not immediate, so we're rather enjoying looking right now.

Photo dump! 1: I walked in on this after my shower; 2: my seat stealer was warming my seat for me ; 3: the magnificent side eye; 4-6: Nobu said my hand was his

 

[Mamatigerj]

Happy Badge Day!

 

[Laura Rainbow Dragon]

Congratulations on completing Iron Arms!

So happy Casper was okay! The little rascal!

Best wishes for the house hunt!

at the side eye.

 

[Fremen]

Congrats

 

[FlowersandPetals]

Congrats on Iron Arms!

Love your kitty I’m so glad he’s ok

 

[Anek]

Happy badge day!!

 

[CODawn]

Congratulations!

 

[JCU]

@Mamatigerj, @Laura Rainbow Dragon, @Fremen, @FlowersandPetals, @Anek, @CODawn!

This month's routine:
Daily Exercise w EC
Atlas Challenge
Express Tone Program

I'm taking a step back from stretching. Since I ignored it so much last month, it's obviously something my body is saying I don't need as much. Tyler still has to push me into strange positions without it, so I'll not stress for a little while!

Atlas is going to have some easy days, I can already tell. Super glad for the video, though, because I definitely wouldn't have realized the expected variation is elevated!

I may need to go back to the lower weight in Express Tone. I have Marfan and it effects my joints the most. Tendonitis never really goes away in my elbows, for example. It's not my muscles that need to strengthen, it's my tendons. Definitely have a flare right now from the added weight. I'll give it a few days and seriously look into a kettlebell before giving up!

My good boy is Nobu, @FlowersandPetals. He cuddles the most so I get the best pictures of him. This is Casper:



That is the face of a cat who does not care for your opinion. He's sitting on my chest here. Just after I woke up. (It's my lock screen background )

It's probable I will not post for a while. Hopefully I'll remember before next month!

Spoiler: Politics

I think one of the reasons I didn't post as much last month was because of the political upheaval in this country. Lots of stress there. I will say here that I support Ukraine unconditionally. The temper tantrum that occured in the oval office was despicable, though really not unexpected at this point. I am so sorry to the rest of the world.

 

[GentleOx]

I hope you're doing okay, even amid the turmoil that's been going on in the world (particularly the States). Take care of yourself, and take as long as you need

 

[JCU]

Thank you so much, @GentleOx!

Another month done! Things have been pretty good! I've been spending time with family and we're planning on more outings as it warms up. Everyone is doing well and our animals are all behaving!

We went to an art gallery (none of us have ever been? it's right across the street from AKG??) and that was great fun! It's modern in that the artists were all born after 1900, but not modern art (which I rather despise). Plus the food was wonderful!

The entire family went bowling, which was an adventure! First time for me in nearly 20 years, and my mom was close to that. Turns out I'm pretty good! With the bumpers... There was a mixup and they were left on from a previous game. It certainly made good scores

Crafting has been going well! Just bought a range of colors that will be tons of fun to play with!

If you can pirate The Residence (if you don't have Netflix, or it's not available outside of the US), I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it. So good! I binged it a few days ago and my parents got through 6 episodes today. If you like murder mysteries with fun twists, humor in the face of murder, and characters you love to hate (and a few you hate to love), this one is for you!

Exercise wise, finished Express Tone (again) and Atlas challenge.



Glad I pushed through with both of them. I'll do some basic arm work with weights to keep the progress there. That should help with stamina, too. Finally pulled out my walking shoes, so I'll add that in as it warms (and dries) up.

Plans for next month include the Momentum Program, April's challenge, and walking as weather allows.

Family wise, we're seeing Death of a Unicorn next Thursday, and have tentative plans to bowl again. Also, the zoo at some point. They have a new tiger who seems to be a character!

I will definitely add a review of the movie, do you WILL see me before May

Happy living, Bees!

 

[CODawn]

Congratulations!

 

[NancyTree]

Congrats on Express tone and Atlas!

 

[Louve Rose]

finished Express Tone (again) and Atlas challenge.

Congratulations !

 

[Fremen]

Congrats

 

[Mamatigerj]

Cheers!

 

[Maegaranthelas]

Double Badge Yay!

 

[Anek]

Congrats!!

 

[Matan]

Congratulations!

 

[JCU]

@CODawn, @NancyTree, @Louve Rose, @Fremen, @Mamatigerj, @Maegaranthelas, @Anek, @Matan!

Forgot the favorite pictures of last month! 1&2: Isis and Stormy are getting so big! And similar in color! 3: Casper was "helping" Mom organize beads 4: Nox let me step over him! And take this picture! 5: I looked up and had to take this picture! 6: Nobu loves to steal my hands 7: I turned around and saw 4 eyes staring at me in the dark. I jumped (If the tortoise is in the house, the cat food must be off the floor. That's a plastic tablecloth to protect the table.)

 

[NancyTree]

 

[JCU]

Movie Review:

Death of a Unicorn was excellent! Definitely dark in places (it's A24, so there were a few gruesome deaths), but you can cover your eyes for those. Mom did and was fine!

I thought it dragged just a bit, but I tend to watch things at least 1.5x speed, if not 2x, so that happens. Love Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega, so I knew it wouldn't be a bad movie; plus it's A24, so I had high hopes. They were not disappointed!

Will say that the comedy in the trailers is just about it in the movie. I certainly laughed at the death scenes, but horror movies amuse me, so that's typical.

There are characters you're supposed to hate, and I did. Thoroughly. I loved the characters you're supposed to. They were all a bit flat and stereotypical (just watch the trailers and you'll understand all you need to) but that doesn't detract. They wrote characters you want to hate, and they did it well.

With no mid or end credit scenes, hopefully no sequel, and an ending that is eminently pleasing, I give Death of a Unicorn 4/5 stars and I'll most definitely be watching it again!

 

[CODawn]

 

[GentleOx]

Thank you for the review!

 

[JCU]

My pleasure, @GentleOx! I can't compare to yours, but thought to share the task!

 

[Laura Rainbow Dragon]

Congratulations on completing the Atlas Challenge and another run through Express Tone!

 

[JCU]

Well, best laid plans and all that...

I was hit with a rather large depression episode quite unexpectedly. At least now I know another trigger

It put me off by 2 weeks, which makes April the first monthly challenge I've not finished. Just got too behind and didn't need the anxiety of trying to catch up.

Next month WILL be better! I will accept nothing less!

In regards to walking: it has only just been nice enough weather wise in the last few days. Quite cold, blustery, and/or raining the rest of the month! Going by the forecast, I should be able to start next week!

Family is doing well. Animals are animalling. (Nobu fell asleep on my chest last night and I didn't even try getting to my bed until he moved )

We had a pipe burst up the street and lost water for a few hours two days in a row. Then a storm that blew out the power for about 5 hours the next day. That was... fun... the day before Easter...

I have a new massage therapist! I think she's going to be very good! Our first visit had her really digging into my shoulders in a way I desperately needed.

Don't have a firm plan for next month, though the challenge will be a part of it. Something for tomorrow!

Favorite pictures of the month:
1: Nobu! 2: I put the pillows down so he wouldn't steal my seat; 3: immediately after this picture, Nobu tried to catch Casper's tail 4&5: Casper likes climbing things; 6: NOX!! 7: I only saw the warning for dense fog AFTER driving This was the day we lost power; thought going out would be better

 

[GentleOx]

Hugs for your depressive episode.

Glad that cuddly kitties are nearby to lend some support

 

[Maegaranthelas]

Big hugs for you and your gorgeous kitties

 

[Mamatigerj]

 

[JCU]

@GentleOx, @Maegaranthelas, @Mamatigerj!

I'm easing back into things with just the monthly challenge and daily exercise. I still haven't pinned down why floor exercises are making me cringe, so this challenge is a good toe in the water.

Walking will definitely happen, maybe even tomorrow! It has been raining almost all day, otherwise I'd have been out there.

I may also start on some modified stretches. It's been a few months and I could use some work there. We'll see!

If I don't write again before June, have a great month, Bees!

 

[JCU]

Bees, I've somehow lost some cutlery. Where have my spoons gone?!

Crafting is going well (we're trying for a table at the Niagara Celtic Festival!) and my creative juices are flowing. That's good!

Physically? I managed one day of the challenge and just could not convince myself to do any more. Daily exercise has happened, but nothing more.

By not pushing myself there I have managed to keep things on an even keel, so there's that.

In happier news, there have been several parties here and I weathered them well! Did some good cooking and managed a card game ().

We also got out to the zoo! So there has been some walking this month. I could blame the rain (there's been a good bit), but it's mostly completely forgetting to do so.

I'm taking the crafting wins. Physical will come when I find those missing spoons...

Happiest news: my brother and SIL got another cat! Tiny kitten! Picture to follow!

Favorite pictures of the month (there were very cute cats!):

1-3: lots of Nobu cuddles! 4: he settled on my arm, then got distracted by birds 5: screenshot at the perfect second 6&7: Isis being perfectly adorable; 8: Stormy is so big now! (with bonus Mitsy!) 9: NEW KITTEN!! Her name is Luna and she is prescious. 10: Casper was "helping" me color match

 

[Mamatigerj]

 

[NancyTree]

 

[Maegaranthelas]

Yay for the crafting and the cute kitties
And if you find that spoon-thief, let me know, I also want my spoons back

 

[NancyTree]

I found them! Alanis Morissette has them! Apparently we can trade them for a knife.

 

[JCU]

Thank you for finding them, @NancyTree!

 

[GentleOx]

Look at the cuddly kitties! Super furry and soft