NicTheRugger

That sounds like sepsis to me... I'll light a candle for M, if that's okay with you! Hope it all goes well. Hopefully the medical team will be able to help her out. They're usually pretty good at follow-up about things like that. How are you doing? I understand how stressful these things can be, so if you need anything, let us know!

How did volunteering at the Stadion go?

That's great advice--thank you both!! I think that with things as they stand right now, I'll have to evaluate my challenge priorities (even though we're approaching the end of the challenge), because even though my challenges seem pretty light in comparison to other challenges I've done in the past, my circumstances have changed, and I need to focus on what I can do right now, rather than trying to hit all of the goals and get stressed out doing it. That being said, I also know I can probably manage my time a little bit better so I can at least do some of the things. I'm hoping that things get less busy in the next few weeks so that I can actually have some breathing room and I'm not taking work home with me every day. An update!! Yesterday was moving day for my parents. It's been a few weeks coming, and I'm happy to say that they and the cat have been relocated to a new home! I'll be going back there in an hour or two to help with the unpacking effort, so that way when the avengers family assemble for Thanksgiving, my siblings have a place to sleep (I'll be reporting back to my own home, as I live half an hour away from my parents now, as opposed to an hour and a half away), and so that things get a little more homey for the few months they're at this apartment. They're hoping to buy a house in the spring, so we're not going to unpack everything. No tarot cards yesterday or today, because I wasn't feeling up to it, but maybe I'll do a card tonight when I get home. I do have some big news for you all. I decided to join the NerdFitness Academy! While I won't be able to do the physical stuff that concerns the lower body for a while because of my knee, I did want to take advantage of the sale that was happening about a week and a half ago and bought it. I didn't want to say anything until I actually started the program though, because last week was too hectic for me to start. I also wanted to share with you all "my big why" for why I want to get (back) into shape: I want to stop feeling so fragile, both mentally and physically. Getting injured really shook me to my core, and it sent me to a bad place mentally. I want to get back to a place where I feel strong. I want to love who I see in the mirror and not feel bitter about the fact that I was injured, and that I had to give up a dream that I wanted to pursue. I want to regain my confidence in myself. I want to make sure I build an antifragile body so that I never feel that fragile and hopeless about my own body again. I'm hoping that by joining NF Academy, I can rebuild from the ground up and get to a point where I can have solid foundations so I can get back to where I was, and then surpass that point! That's all for today, folks! I'm gonna pop in on some of your challenges and then go to my parents to help with the unpacking. See you soon!

PT yesterday went very well! It was enough that I learned new exercises to do and felt adequately challenged by them, but not so challenging that I was in pain like I was on Monday. Which is good, because Monday hurt a lot. Mostly the session focused on working with elastic bands and balls to squeeze with my legs to help stimulate the right muscles while encouraging the ones that are overly engaged to relax. I was even able to do some leg raises with weights, and I'm noticing that even in just a couple of weeks, my knee/leg/hip doesn't get as tired from doing things like leg raises as frequently-- it's taking a little bit longer to feel a burn, but I'm still not where I'd like to be. I'm getting there, though, and that's what counts! The funny thing about the Death card is that it's actually an indication of change and metamorphosis-- reincarnation, even. It's a sign that things must change and maybe aspects of something must die so that something else that's better can be born. That being said, today absolutely felt like death and the day isn't over yet. It's 9:09 p.m. (or 2109 for those who use the 24-hr system), and I'm still hard at work. Not actually in the courthouse, mind you, but I brought work home with me, again! So about this week. This has been a very work-heavy week. Between PT and having to bring work home with me, I haven't been able to focus on doing my pull-up workouts because I'm so focused on staying up to speed with my work stuff, and Monday was too painful for me to do any kind of workout, and yesterday I had a splitting headache that made focusing on anything (including the work I brought home with me) too difficult to focus on. This update is essentially my break! I'm hoping to wrap up working on this motion at 10:30 though, and can hopefully finish up whatever I don't get to tonight in the morning before I go in. I do have another motion I should prepare, but I'm not overly worried about that one, as I think it's a fairly straightforward argument. Legal nerd rant incoming, for anyone who wants to get a peak into my mind while I'm working! This totally isn't me framing my argument so I can see how it "sounds" in writing before I argue it before the judge tomorrow, nope, no siree that's not that at all... Morning stretching has been good, as have been the PT exercises. I haven't journaled at all though I probably should tomorrow night, because I feel like I have plenty to get off my chest. Stress levels have been through the roof lately! Unfortunately, that's all I have time for rn, friends. I'll try to check in again tomorrow!

So, as you can all see, I did not update after PT on Monday. The reason being that I was so sore after I got home from the session that I was in too much pain to do anything. The session was, unfortunately, more than I could handle. Things yesterday were thankfully much easier and I'm not in any significant pain today. I also owe you all 3 days worth of tarot cards, so here we go! Tuesday: 9 of cups, Tarot Nova Wednesday: 7 of cups, WTNV deck Today (Thursday): Death, Tarot Nova Lots of cups, this week. Very interesting from a reading perspective, as cups indicate emotions and the more spiritual side of things. I'll try to update more after work today, I just wanted to check in and let you all know I'm alive!

Hi, friends! Sorry I disappeared for the weekend! I had an opportunity to visit my partner up in Vermont for the weekend and decided to go and do that. By the time I got home yesterday, I didn't really feel like getting on the computer-- especially as my roommate surprised me with a delightful roommate night! We ended up hanging out and watching a Muppet's Christmas Carol (yes, it's too early for holiday movies, I know. But it's always a good time for the Muppets!). Here's today's tarot card, and I'll update more tonight once I get home from PT! Deck: Tarot Nova Card: Page of Cups

... What? That is so cool!!! You have an awesome skillset, and you're doing great with your challenge! Keep up the good work!

Rinnaaaaa welcome back! We missed you! Hopefully the meds will kick in and do their job soon. Also, some progress is better than no progress. Just keep trying your best. What your best may be may differ on a day-to-day basis, so just try to do your best for whatever that means on that specific day. You're doing great <3

You look very 1920s flapper with that haircut! I like it!

You don't have to apologise for feeling down! We've all been there. Glad class was good!

Thank you, Liz!! I hope you have a fantastic day as well! Quick update: I woke up a bit sore from PT in the knee. I decided to do my exercises in place of the lower body mobility exercises I usually do, because I don't want to do too much too soon, you know? But wooooww (emphasis on "ooooww") do I feel it. I didn't realize just how bad of a condition those muscles were in. I think it's going to be a long road of recovery, but I'm going to get there eventually. Fingers crossed, y'all. Did some journaling last night, skipped the pull-up workout because I was in a lot of pain post PT. I'm going to do an abbreviated session this morning, because I want to ice my knee a bit more. That's all for now, folks! See you soon! Today's card: Deck: Welcome to Night Vale tarot Card: the Chariot

That is the one thing I don't miss about lifting-- but then again... that's how you know you're getting those sweet, sweet gains! I'm excited to see how you keep incorporating lifting into your future challenges. Keep up the good work, Doug!

An update! Hey friends! I just had my first PT session. The good news is that it doesn't appear to be ligament damage or even anything that would need surgery to fix! (So far. This was the evaluation) The bad news: my leg muscles are all f*cked up and that's why my knee hurts. But, my therapist has given me exercises to do every day that will strengthen my quads and my hip flexors, and apparently that will help my knee get back to normal. There is some swelling, apparently (I can't tell, but then again, I'm also not a medical professional), so I'll need to start icing somewhat regularly as well to help reduce the swelling and any residual inflammation. I did ask my PT how long she thought it would take for my knee to get to a place where I can at least go for a walk without pain. She thinks that as long as I do the exercises daily and my progress is good, I should be able to start going for walks at the end of the first month of PT. I think my pike practices are also going to help me with recovery, since a lot of those stretches focus on the hamstrings and quads. Let's see, what else... morning routine was mostly okay this morning. I did extra stretching this morning because I felt tight... everywhere, and I needed to shower because I slathered my lower back in tiger balm last night (hiiii cramps), and the water took forever to warm up! Because of that, I didn't practice Polish in the morning, but I'm otherwise feeling okay about morning routine. No journaling done this week yet, but I'm planning on doing some tonight before bed. For now, though, I'm going to relax, practice my Polish, ice my knee, and watch She-Ra season 4. That's all for now-- bye folks!

Great job on sticking with the budget! Gotta take the wins where you can. Looking forward to your next update!

Don't apologise! You've got a lot going on right now, the important thing is to know when to focus on what's absolutely top priority right now, and right now that seems to be work and finding a place to live. You've got plenty on your plate right now, don't worry if you can't do ALL THE THINGS because realistically, it's not possible. (that's something I struggle with too!) And let us know how the haircut goes! You're doing great <3

Today's card! Update to follow Deck: Archeon Tarot Card: King of Swords, reversed. Quick poll for any tarot readers/fans out there. What's your take on the swords/wands element assignment? Are you a swords = air, wands = fire kind of person? Or do you interpret swords = fire, wands = air? I'm curious! Let me know!

How are you doing, Rinna?

As promised, yesterday's and today's cards! (Hopefully) Yesterday: 9 of wands, the Wild Unknown Tarot Today: the Hanged Man, Welcome to Night Vale Tarot (aka possibly my deck calling me out for not journaling)

Liz is right! You've got more than just a glimmer of grit. You're tough! And strong! And you kicked butt and did more than you thought you could, which is always a sign of improvement.

Sandbag workouts seem AWESOME!! So glad you've found your niche!

The eternal struggle of being at the gym, amirite? There's always that little voice going "I know I can do more" but it's definitely the smarter, wiser decision to not push too hard too fast! Glad you had a good time at the gym

Sorry to hear that you're still under the weather, Liz! But congrats on pushing through and accomplishing everything on that giant to-do list! I know when I'm sick, I do basically nothing, so I'm extremely impressed with your perseverance. Make sure you take down time though! Drink lots of water, lots of tea, and stay comfy. If you feel way too fatigued at anything, don't be afraid to sit down for half an hour or so and take a rest. It'll help you get better in the long run.

Oh shoot, I am so sorry, friends! This weekend got super busy with helping my parents pack and I completely forgot to update. Hit some snags with the morning routine this week. I don't know if it's the weather changing, or what, but getting out of bed has been super hard lately. However, to motivate myself getting out of bed, I'm going to put my phone charger on the other side of the room so I have to get up when the alarm goes off. Hopefully, that will jump start my morning so I can be more efficient. I did miss morning tarot and stretching yesterday, but was otherwise successful for every other day this week. 2/3 for the pull-ups, but considering how much heavy stuff I had to help carry while packing, I am definitely considering it an upper body workout, so I even if I didn't hit all 3 of the workouts, I still got plenty of exercise (my knee is not thanking me for it). Speaking of the knee... two days until PT!!! I did take a tarot photo today, but my phone isn't letting me attach for some reason, so I will try again tomorrow. That's all I got for now, folks! I'll check in soon.

Sorry for not posting for a few days!! Here are 3 cards for the past 3 days and then I'll hop on my computer to give an actual update. Thursday: the Heirophant from the Nova Tarot Mini Friday: Strength, from the Archeon deck Today: Ace of Swords from the Welcome to Night Vale deck

Will update later! But for now, here's today's card: Deck: The Wild Unknown Tarot Card: 10 of Cups