Climbing

You guys have followed my training for a half marathon. You then unknowingly followed me through major depression and huge change. I always knew the hardest wouldn't be when I was still newly injured; the hardest part is going to be dealing with the chronic issues. I wasn't get any faster, not getting anywhere in life, personal blow-after-blow... I got crazy down. Out of shape. I kept pushing, failed dramatically when I ran for office. Kept pushing, found a loving relationship that failed because I had to move. Kept pushing, and guess what? I made it.

I had to move to the Woodlands, TX. I got offered a full-time job here, and it's got a good school district and a safe place for me and my kid to live. I was so sad that I could not make Louisiana work. But despite all that not wanting to move, knowing that I was moving away from so much that I loved, things are good! I am a veterinarian again, I can perform minor surgeries again, my son is stable and happy and excelling in school. We live in a nice house in a nice neighborhood. We're calm and happy. My job is basically a 9-5. I am making more money than I ever have in my life. I have huge bills to pay from the last few years, and I am good at staying humble, but, we're good! I'm good. I don't even know how to explain it. All of a sudden, we're just, good!

My dad and his cousin Lilasara came to visit for a few days. Yay family! And I have a house that I can host people in! We went horseback riding. My first time on the trails since I was hurt. I've been riding before with my Pilates/Franklin Method instructor Alyce, but that was only supervised in a ring. I was so apprehensive of going out, as weak as my injury makes me and now I'm so out of shape. I did it anyway and guess what? I made it.

I texted my PT Wulf Thoma, the superhero that helped me walk again, about my accomplishment. He said what's next, mountain climbing? Wulf loves to mountain climb, as he is from Bavaria. I said Yes! I'm on Cloud 9 from horseback riding, what would you expect from someone as driven as me. He asked if I needed a guide. WELL. Yes, yes I do. I made tentative plans to mount climb in Bavaria next year.

So less than 24 hours later I joined and had my first lesson at a climbing gym. And you know what? Holy crap I have a long journey! I don't even know if I can really do it, with the limited grip strength in my right hand, and proprioception of my right ankle... BUT, this is exactly what I need. Maybe 2 years, Wulf! But I've been every day except yesterday, and I'm just getting more obsessed. They have free yoga for members - something else I suck at. Snakebyte though is taking to the rock walls like a fish, and it is so cool to have something we can both do together.

My friend Clay, who I've never actually met in person, has been fantastic in helping me. We met over Instagram, and he has a very similar injury to mine. He has now challenged me to hanging off the pull-up bar with a goal of 10s - we both used to be able  to do multiple pull-ups, but the level of our spinal cord injury has made our grips soooo weak. He's beating me. But I'm at 6s Clay!
Clay has also sent me some stretching and strengthening moves particular to my injury. I started all that today. I ordered a TENS (electrical muscle stimulating) unit, and bought all kinds of omega 3 and B vitamins... Who the hell knows if I'll really be able to do it. But I've been here before, and this is where I'm happiest. I guess I always need mountains to climb in order to be motivated to do anything. It's a real character flaw.

There's a lot of sadness out there in my world that I can't control. People having shoot-outs with police in Baton Rouge, where I used to live and I still have connections to. Several friends have died; I told you about Billy. Also recently was Tonya and Lon and Tina, all way too soon. And there are people I love disappointing me again; though I've made far strides in accepting people where they are. I'm honestly truly concerned about the political environment.
But the things I can control. they're good. My kid is happy. My pets are happy I'm not sure I've ever been happier at a job.

So let me obsess over this. Maybe I'll fail and you'll have to help me scoop up my broken pieces off the ground, Again. But, it won't be for lack of trying.

I'm making a Google spreadsheet so you can track my progress again if you like. I promise lots of videos and photos. I'll take all the advice I can get. We'll see how it goes!

My son being awesome

I Love My Neighborhood Police Officer

Whoever you are, you'll find this story awesome.

Liam and I moved in March. He was playing at the park a couple of blocks down in our new neighborhood, alone. A concerned mom from another area didn't know who he was and called the police, worried that I may be a bad parent for letting my 9yo play at the park alone. The police came out and 2 cars followed my son, who was on his bike, home to check out my living situation. Liam couldn't stop to talk to a friend, play with a cute puppy, nothing. The officers were very nice to him and of course everything was fine, but my kid was unnerved by the whole incident. The officer put his number in my kid's phone in case he ever needed it.

The next day he returned. He parked his car in front of my house and let all the kids play in it. He said his car smelled like feet afterwards, ha! But now my son went from being the boy in the neighborhood that the cops followed to the cool kid that gave an opportunity for his friends to play in a police car.

That officer now checks up on us on a regular basis, and helped us during the flooding. I can't tell you how much better I feel knowing he's watching out for us.