WATCHED
- The Traitors UK, season 4 – There is always something special about a new Traitors UK season! Claudia 4ever. Season 4 may go down as one of the best seasons of Traitors UK in my mind. It was so good!
- Survivor: San Juan del Sur (season 29) – I’m continuing to jump around and watch previous seasons of Survivor. I decided to watch this season because many people cite the winner as their all-time favorite. I was happy with the winner, but I don’t think they were my favorite.
In progress: New Girl season 3, Friends season 5, RuPaul’s Drag Race season 1, Survivor 50
LISTENED TO
- Benson Boone, American Heart (music) – Bri loves Benson Boone so I decided to listen to his latest album to see what all the fuss is about. And now I understand! This album is pure fun and such a bop. Favorites: Mystical Magical, Mr. Electric Blue, and Man In Me.
- Curse of: America’s Next Top Model (podcast) – I was never a devoted fan of America’s Next Top Model (I watched a few seasons, but fell off pretty quickly), but someone posted about this podcast in a forum I follow, so I gave it a try. Apparently, there’s also a documentary on one of the streaming services, but I’m bad at watching TV (see above!), so I downloaded the podcast and inhaled the 10-episode series. From really exploitative contracts to the way a trans woman’s storyline was handled to the angry Black woman trope (<– which feels more insidious considering a Black woman was at the helm of this show), it’s appalling. This podcast series is well-organized, well-researched, and super eye-opening.
- Sarahjane Case on Sarah’s Bookshelves Live (podcast) – I loved this episode about reading and the Enneagram with Sarahjane Case. Sarahjane is one of my favorite Enneagram experts and I felt very seen while listening to this episode, and it helped me understand my own reading habits better!
BOUGHT
- Cat tower – I wanted a cat tower I could slot into the space between my desk and my closet, and this one fits more perfectly than I could have imagined! There’s a big bed at the top, two caves for the girls to hide in, and even a hammock that Lila may use at some point. And the cats are using it, which is even better.
- Dining room table – I love my new dining room table so much! It’s a different color, a different shape, and a different style than my other one, and it makes me so happy!
- Outdoor couch – Eloise and I are having a blast on our new outdoor couch. (Lila is still a bit apprehensive about the patio.) It’s so cute, fits the space perfectly, and is a sheer delight to relax and read on it.
LOVED
- Bri’s play – I loved attending Bri’s play and seeing her perform on the stage! It was a local community theater, so everyone on the stage was a volunteer. You have to love theater to put so much time and effort into something you’re not getting paid to do, you know?! It was a great time, and Bri did amazing. (And so did her husband, Sean! It was a surprise to many people that he was cast in the play, which was really fun.)
- Starting to see some gradual symptom improvement – We’re still in the “wait and see” phase of my psoriatic arthritis treatment (tomorrow, I’ll start week 7!), but I’m beginning to see very gradual symptom improvement. My two problem areas (my left shoulder and my left ring finger) are still flaring, but the intensity has dialed down a bit. My inflammation markers have improved, but I still need prednisone to get through the day. Here’s hoping I see a big change in how I’m feeling by the end of April!
- A return to therapy – I go in waves with therapy. I don’t need it 100% of the time, but when I do, it makes a big difference. I re-started therapy with someone new in March, and I really liked her! She was easy to talk to, and we set up recurring appointments every other Tuesday.
LOATHED
- Getting sick – It’s no fun being sick! But at least I was able to rest as much as I wanted, and could even take a sick day without it affecting my workload too much. And it only lasted a few days, so I don’t really have that much to complain about.
- An impending change to our family – It’s been a big month behind the scenes, as my mom and her husband have decided to divorce, and he has moved out of the house. (She’s keeping the house and the dogs!) Since this is not my story to tell, I’ll leave it at that.
- Lila’s vet appointment – There were some good things about Lila’s vet appointment, mainly that her bloodwork came back fine. But her body condition score was a 9 out of 9 and she gained another pound, putting her at a very chonky 17 lbs. It’s time to really get serious about cutting down her treats and food.
SUPERLATIVES
- This month’s chapter title: The Turning Point
- Weather notes: Mostly hot with a few “cool” fronts that gave us that last gasp of nice weather before everything falls apart. Oh, and the pollen levels are EXTREME. Gah!
- Favorite meal/snack: Shepherd’s pie. One of my favorite meals, and I devoured this at a restaurant last month!
- Something I learned: That Fed-Ex has no obligation to leave a package at your doorstep if you live in an apartment! They can just leave a 100-lb package at the foot of the stairs and it’s your responsibility to lug it up four flights. (Yes, I’m still annoyed by this. Yes, I should move on already.)
- An unexpected delight: Getting to spend some time with my fur-niece and -nephew on a random Saturday afternoon! They were adorable and goofy and so lovable.
What’s something you loved in March?
I’m so glad your flare symptoms are abating! Hooray!
I really enjoyed your podcast episode that dropped yesterday. I think I’m a Lion!
I hope your mom is doing okay (I know you can’t talk about it but I hope all is going as smoothly and amicably as possible).
Spring is springing around here and it’s garden time! Rob and I planted some new perennials to fill in a few spaces in the flower garden yesterday, and I think next week I will plant my kale/ spinach seeds!
I woud consider you a Lion, too. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
The flare stuff is funny because it happens so slowly and then, all of a sudden, I’m like, “Wait! I’m starting to feel better. XYZ thing isn’t hurting all the time.” It’s wild!
My favorite thing from your March list is the outdoor couch. They say that money can’t buy happiness, but when it’s for something that sets you up for cat porch snuggles, I’d say that it does.
I’m sending love to your mom. Like you say, it’s not your story to tell and therefore not mine to comment on, but my gut feeling is that this will end up being a plus and not a minus for her.
The outdoor couch is such a DREAM. I love it so much!
It is DEFINITELY a plus. 🙂
I’m sending lots of love to your mom. That’s a big change. I’m glad she’s got you and your brother close by as a support system. When I find out someone is divorcing, oftentime the appropriate response is “congratulations” which sounds awful, but sometimes it is just very very necessary (and I say this as someone who believes strongly in marriage.
March was such a whirlwind between Paul’s birthday, 2 work trips, and our trip to DC to visit my sister. I’m feeling very tired! But I had a great trip to DC with Paul. He’s so easy and fun to travel with and loved being the big cousin.
I love that you have such a great time traveling with Paul! He seems like such a fun kid to hang around. And you get to do that all the time!
Oh, sending healing thoughts to both your mom and her husband. Even when divorce is the right thing, and when it is amicable, I think it’s rough. They’ll both get through it. I’m glad your mom has you and your brother, and hope her husband has support as well.
I’m so glad that you’re starting to see improvement! Mine was very gradual as well, which is stupid because it doesn’t feel like the onset of symptoms is gradual at all.
I love your screened in porch, and the sofa there looks like such a perfect place to hang out when it’s not too humid. I don’t remember, is it screened in or are there windows? Meaning, does it have a/c?
I’m glad Lila’s bloodwork came back with good results. It’s easier to help a dog lose weight I think. There’s not as much free feeding, and also you can just go for a longer walk. Good luck!
It’s screened in, so no AC. I just bought a rechargable oscillating fan to keep on the patio because I predict it will get VERY steamy on the patio come summer.
I’m hoping that some of the changes I make to Lila’s eating schedule will help her lose weight. If I could get her down to 14 lbs and stay there, I’d be happy. Still on the chonky side, but a little more manageable.
The FedEx thing doesn’t surprise me, due to lifting restrictions… My uncle worked for UPS and those guys all had back problems! What always used to chap my hide was that even though I lived in a house, they would sometimes throw stuff over the front fence instead of walking it up and putting it on the porch. This was not always FedEx; there was one we had called One Track or One Star (I can’t remember now) and they were the worst! They threw my cell phone over the fence and it landed in the bushes and I didn’t even know it was there. They didn’t care about customer service at all. Interesting side note, I listened to a podcast about FedEx, I think it was this one https://www.thisamericanlife.org/57/delivery where they talk about how they get punished if they don’t deliver a certain amount of pieces in a certain amount of time.
The crazy thing to me is that I have lived in a third-floor apartment since 2020 and I have NEVER had this happen to me. I’ve had so much stuff delivered – heavy stuff! And it’s always delivered to my door. I think that’s why I’m so frustrated, lol. It would have been helpful if they could have called me or something. Gah.
Sending hugs to your family as you navigate this big life change <3
Thank you! I appreciate it!
Oh, I hope your mom is okay! Without knowing any of the details- divorce is just hard. Good thing she has you to help her get through it.
Glad you’re starting to feel better. I wish you felt even better than you do, but it seems like it’s getting better with time- the end of April will be here before we know it, and hopefully you’ll have even better news to report then.
I may have told you this, but our vet said it’s hard for an indoor cat to lose weight, and that we should just make sure Muffin doesn’t gain any more weight. Easier said than done though. It’s frustrating because I don’t feel like she eats THAT much! Good luck with Lila.
She is doing well <3 Thank you!
Yeah, that's my problem with Lila, though. She keeps gaining weight! A lb a year at this point. So I really do need to try to get her to lose a few lbs. I think less treats and monitoring her food will help!
I love seeing all the changes to your new place and it become even more yours (and the girls’)!
That is great news with some improvement in your symptoms! Fingers crossed it continues throughout the month.
Sending all my love to your mom <3 That’s tough and I am so glad she has you and your brother there to help her.
Something I loved in March… seeing my family!
Thank you! It’s been so fun to decorate this new apartment, and the girls are very happy here and that’s all that matters!
I’m trying to be patient with the meds and know it takes time. But dang, I really want to go back to my HIIT classes!
I’m happy that you like your new therapist. That makes such a difference. Your new purchases all look lovely and it sounds like they are all bringing you so much joy. I hope the meds continue to give you relief. Sorry about your mom’s divorce- even if it makes sense, I’m sure it’s an adjustment and change is hard. Sending her healing thoughts.
Sorry I did not get to Tampa to see you when we were on spring break. We were technically staying in Ruskin- like 20 miles south of Tampa. We had a nice time but were sort of in the middle of nowhere. Never ceases to amaze me how time flies. We decided to leave at the butt crack of dawn this am, because leaving mid day didn’t really make sense with traffic etc. We gave things to do back home. Like party at our house Saturday. And 2 college kids coming home for the weekend. Hope we can connect on another visit.
No worries, Ernie! I know it can be super busy. I’m not too far from Ruskin – maybe 45ish minutes? But I *do* need the address of that VRBO you stayed at because MANATEES! I hope you had a good time in my fair state!
Among the absolute grossness of March, there were TWO NICE DAYS. Sit in a lawn chair in the driveway kind of days. BLISSFUL!! Also, I had a truly delightful fitness class in March. That doesn’t seem like a lot when I start writing it out.
I’m sorry to hear that your mom is getting a divorce. I hope it ends up being the best for everyone.
Two nice days is something! Especially in March in the Midswest. And hopefully April will bring many more nice days.
Thank you <3
I am late to comment, but a) I hope your symptoms continue to improve, b) I am thinking of you and your mom, since big family changes can be so hard for everyone involved, and c) I hope that Lila gets her fuzzy little head on straight soon and joins you and Ellie for cuddles on the porch. Can you imagine, reading, outside, with both of your babies? #hearteyesemoji