Just Keep Spinning

I am a former couch potato turned endurance athlete. I was temporarily sidelined after spinal surgery in 2011, but came back stronger than ever. I continue to have my ups & downs (emotionally & physically) but I'm always trying. Diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis in 2013. I love cycling, craft beer, sci-fi, Monty Python, geeks, my husband, and my dogs.

[somegirleh]

2017 vs 2021.

Exactly 4 years ago today I was with my friend, Denise crossing the finish line of what would be my last ever half marathon: the Star Wars Dark Side Half at Disney World. This also was the completion of the Kessel Run/Coast to Coast event, as id completed the Light Side Half at Disney Land nearly 4 months prior.

Today is extremely different. I am enduring SO much pain every day, & even more at physical therapy, as I struggle to recover from knee surgery I had 4 months ago.

This is SO hard.

I’ve only been walking for about 9 weeks. Every step hurts. My other knee & back have suffered significantly as a result of my surgery. I want to cry all the time. I can’t even walk around the block.

I was not prepared for any of this.

I had a follow up with my surgeon today & he said it’s going to take long time to get back to “normal”, & “it’s going to hurt a lot getting there”. I feel like I’ve made a horrible mistake in doing this & I’m terrified I’ll never be able to walk without pain ever again.

If this is 50, I’m really scared to see what 60 will bring.

[somegirleh]

When some people are about to turn 50, they buy themselves a sports car. Me? I treat myself to the @universalstandard moto jacket I’ve been coveting for the past 2 years. Life is too short. You never know what it’s gonna throw at you, so you might as well look good! And dammit, I’m worth it! . . #soontobe50 #midlifecrisis #notme #midlifeawakening #fiftyandfabulous #50thbirthday #treatyoself #youdeserveit #itmakesmehappy #leathermotojacket #universalstandard #likebutta #imaynevertakeitoff #thisis50 #nomakeup #nofucksgiven (at Fourth Ward) https://www.instagram.com/p/CL-U8O9JjWi/?igshid=17y0yvilgrmcg

[somegirleh]

Do these pearls clash with my shirt? . . #inauguration2021 #byebyecheeto #presidentbiden #vicepresidentharris #joebiden #kamalaharris #mvpkamalaharris #therealMVP #newchapter #changesforgood #womeninleadership #makinghistory #womeninhistroy #inaugurationday #aweightlifted #fourseasonstotallandscaping #theendofashitshow #putoutthedumpsterfire #feelinggood #12021 #presidentialinauguration https://www.instagram.com/p/CKRgL-rp8Oo/?igshid=1p6l21xzovvnk

[somegirleh]

Happiness is finally being able to shower (in a modified way) & shave your legs after 4 weeks! FEELS SO GOOD!! . . Things they don’t tell you to expect after knee surgery: 1) your skin will begin to reproduce at an ALARMING rate & you will look like a snake shedding its skin. OMG, SO GROSS!!! I got a good majority off thanks to my shower scrunchy, a ton of @lushcosmetics Magic Crystals, & a nice layer of @lushcosmetics Handy Garuju. 2) scar tissue hurts like a MOFO & will make bending your knee excruciating. I have to be able to get to 80-90° in the next week so it’s time for more PT & massaging the crap out of my incisions. OWOWOW!! . . #postkneesurgery #thingsyoulearn #myskinissheddinglikeamofo #sogrosss #longroadtorecovery #medialmeniscusrepair #microfracturekneesurgery #nowalkingfor6weeks #4weeksdown2togo #almostthere #atleasticanshowernow #itsthelittlethings #selfcare #showeringiswayunderrated #feelsSOgood #thankfulforsmallthings #lushcosmetics #lushtotherescue #myskinfeelssogoodnow #imissmybathtub #physicaltherapy #pteveryday (at Fourth Ward) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKHyM2MpFi6/?igshid=2yro0pdgyfv5

[somegirleh]

Happiness is having a good sponge bath, clean hair again, & a fresh change of clothes. You don’t realize how much you take for granted until even the simplest of tasks is taken away from you. This whole experience is far more difficult than I ever imagined. The nights are the worst & when I tend to completely break down. I don’t think I’ve ever been so tired & in so much pain. I hate feeling like such a burden to my husband, but I also know I could never get through this alone. Saying how I much I love & appreciate him never feels like enough. We are definitely in the “or for worse” part of the marriage vows. I don’t know how I’ll ever make it up to him. He is my rock. He is my constant. Without him, I’d be lost. 5 weeks to go. We can do this. . . #postoprecovery #kneesurgery #noweightbearing #nowalking #wheelchairlife #woefullyunprepared #notasstrongasilook #everythinghurts #exhaustion #kneesurgerysucks #spongebathssuck #imissmybathtub #postspongebath #finallyfeelclean #cleanhairmakesallthedifference #thelittlethings #takegoodcareofyourbody #meniscusrehab #meniscustear #meniscusrepair #microfracturekneesurgery #meniscussurgery (at Fourth Ward) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJRnQSvp3A1/?igshid=1f34tfvpchkfc

[somegirleh]

PT by the Christmas tree while watching @schittscreek “Merry Christmas Johnny Rose”. Ho Ho Ho! . . #physicaltherapy #PT #postoprecovery #kneesurgeryrecovery #meniscusrehab #happyholidays #howispentmychristmasvacation #merrychristmas #happyholidays #seasonsgreetings #christmastree #schittscreek #marrychristmasjohnnyrose #newholidaytradition #hopefullyaonetimedeal (at Fourth Ward) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJO8BeiJcrX/?igshid=tiy0a2mnxsmk

[somegirleh]

And just like that, my first COVID vaccine injection is done. It honestly didn’t hurt even a little bit. Stephanie from Pulmonary ROCKS!! . . #covidvacccine #covid19 #gettingvaccinated #pleasenoSAEs #humanguineapig #texaschildrenshospital #phase1vaccination #iamstillnervous (at Texas Children's Pavilion for Women) https://www.instagram.com/p/CI67F-5pF1l/?igshid=1uaun7huq50pr

[somegirleh]

BEHOLD! The second & final ornament to don our Christmas tree this year! Revel in its glory!! Feel the heat from the flames!! . . #2020dumpsterfireornament #thefireactuallyflickers #fuck2020 #thissparksjoy #itsthelittlethings #etsyfind #merrychristmas🎄 #happyholidays #keepwarmbythefire #dumpsterfire #dumpsterfire2020 #everythingisterrible #etsyfind #rexroi3d (at Fourth Ward) https://www.instagram.com/p/CI1qbZspJxY/?igshid=zy00qq9cu4yh

[somegirleh]

I got into a tussle with an unknown pup & had to go to the vet to get a puncture wound cleaned out & stitched up. I’m so groggy from the anesthesia that daddy had to carry me upstairs & onto my bed. Mom warns me I’ll likely have to wear the Cone of Shame after I wake up. Oh, the pupmanity! Until then... I sleep. Zzzzzzzzzzz... . . #freddiespagheddie #freddiegirl #sadpuppy #injuredpuppy #pibble #pittiegirl #pittiesofinstagram #pitbulldog #pitbulllove #pitbullsofinstagram #pibblesofinstagram #rescuedog #rescuedogsofinstagram #adoptdontshop #doggo #pupper #dogsofinstagram #dogstagram #pupsofinstagram #pupstagram (at Fourth Ward) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIliPpKhrEp/?igshid=1il78e0ys9gi9

[somegirleh]

I built my first @lego Halloween MOC for today’s @houstonbrickclub meeting & I must say, I’m pretty proud of it. I had fun picking out just the right mini figs, especially the kids running away from the ghosts, goblins, & other spooky creatures. Who says you have to grow up? Play with Lego! . . #lego #legohalloween #legoMOC #legominifigures #legoghost #legozombiepirate #legowitch #legobuild #legostagram #legosofinstagram #MOC #halloween #halloweendiorama #spooky #spookylego #imadethis #saturdayfun #houstonbrickclub #HBC #afol #afolsofinstagram (at Fourth Ward) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGdsJU-JT21/?igshid=1l1yo4ymzkzey

[somegirleh]

It’s National Black Dog Day! Did you know black dogs are the least likely color dogs to be adopted? How messed up is that? Black dogs are AWESOME!! If you’re looking for a new companion, adopt a black dog. You won’t regret it! . . #nationalblackdogday #blackdog #blackdogsofinstagram #blackdogsrule #blackdogsrock #blackdogsyndrome #blackdogsarethebest #blackdogsrock #rescuedog #rescuedogsofinstagram #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #boop #dogsofinstagram #doggo #dogstagram #pupper #pupsofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CFzt5oXjGrD/?igshid=147t9xjwm64m5

[somegirleh]

A friendly reminder that Black Lives Matter & so do elections. Get out there & VOTE! You have until October 2 to register. Do NOT let a pandemic stop you from letting your voice be heard. . . Inspired by my friend @favouritethings. Leggings by @thelegginglass. . . #blacklivesmatter #erasehate #arrestthecopswhokilledbreonnataylor #endpolicebrutality #getoutandvote #turntexasblue #useyourwhiteprivilegeforgood #helponeanother #bekind (at Fourth Ward) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFSAI4tpahJ/?igshid=1pc79xxu2w0w4

[somegirleh]

After dropping the girls at daycare, I decided to treat myself to a tasty @bl4cksmith coffee & the flakiest, most buttery, croissant I’ve ever had. I enjoyed it on my very own patio, thanks to an honest to goodness cool breeze & no oppressive heat. A great start to my day off. Happy Friday! ♥️☕️🥐 . . . #happyfriday #porchtime #blacksmithcoffee #coffeeandacroissant #coffee #coffeetime #lifeslittlepleasures #treatyoself #itsthelittlethings #staycation #socialdistancing #takeout #metime https://www.instagram.com/p/CFR5-mqpM0n/?igshid=m9d3uljtf5is

[somegirleh]

Happy National Dog Day to my favorite goobers on the planet, @fuzzybuttsmcgee & @freddiespagheddie. Life would be so boring without you! ♥️♥️♥️♥️ . . . #nationaldogday #mygoobers #myloves #mypuppies #rescuedogs #rescuedogsofinstagram #doggos #puppers #adoptdontshop #dogsofinstagram #pupsofinstagram #pittiegirl #pitbull #pittielove #pitbullsofinstagram #pittiesofinstagram #pibble #blackdog #blackdogsofinstagram #rescueismyfavoritebreed https://www.instagram.com/p/CEXSzvIpTYr/?igshid=ugyuvye3n8iy

[somegirleh]

A HUGE thank you to my sweet friend Jody of @jodycakestx for making this AMAZING chocolate cake with ganache filling & mocha buttercream. It’s a natural 20 & was a big hit with the birthday boy. . . #jodycakes #birthdaycake #d20birthdaycake #D20 #rollforinitiative #nerdcake #rpgcake #happybirthday #richanddelicious #chocolatecake #mochabuttercream #birthdaycaloriesdontcount https://www.instagram.com/p/CDxOj_zp6zz/?igshid=z2hi6hl5y9dq

[somegirleh]

Something to brighten y’all’s day: this is a very toned down version of what happens on @poochpad days. They played ALL day today, wrestled in the lobby when I picked them up, then wrestled several more times at home. Extra fun part: @fuzzybuttsmcgee was the instigator on all wrestle sessions tonight. That hardly ever happens! ♥️♥️ . . #freddiespagheddie #larrainejane #sillypuppies #daycaredays #poochpad #mybabies #myheart #pibble #pittiegirl #pitbull #pitbullsofinstagram #pibblesofinstagram #pittielove #pittienation #blackdog #blackdogsrule #mutt #muttsofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #pupsofinstagram #puppers #doggos #puplife #rescuedogs #rescuedogsofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CDm4iEGp_vd/?igshid=1x1ou25m35e5c

[somegirleh]

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When you trying to get your sister to play with you but she doesn’t wanna so you just zoomie yourself to exhaustion. ZOOMIES!!!!! . . #zoomies #allthezoomies #tazmaniandevil #pupkour #hyperpupper #pibble #pibblesofinstagram #pibblezoomies #pittiegirl #pittienation #pittiesofinstagram #pitbull #pitbulldog #pitbullsofinstagram #pitbulllove #goober #rescuedog #rescuedogsofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CDh1DzRBpC_/?igshid=g9wic8k76lxp