Not Everybody is a Denis Leary Fan

September was jammed packed with work related business that I completely neglected my duties to my monthly ramblings. I apologize and shall commence my ramblings now!
First I want to talk about my next project, Chronicles of Gronk, (This is a working title of sorts). I’ve been pining over this series for almost three years now. When the idea first came to me I was still in the midst of being blocked with how to fix Mechanical Dragons: Air, then I wanted to write Bounty after that. Why? Well I was a little fatigued with writing series and wanted to break that up a bit with a standalone novel.

I discovered that standalones just ain’t my thing. But that’s okay because Gronk is six books! So that is what I’m doing now, the beginning stages of world building for COG. COG, I think I like that!

Hubby and I received some great news from the vet last month as well. My Ninja girl had some more tests done, her three month checkup, and her numbers have improved! Several months back I had written that the vet had given her a dire future of six months. I was devastated and heart broken and I had difficulty functioning most days with the thought that my fur baby would no longer be by my side.

But her prognoses has improved, the vet is happy and used the words, “She’s doing well, she’s healthy”. Tears of joy! The only thing I contend with now is the old girl howls. Constantly, day and night. She will stare at a wall, stand behind you, sit at the end of the hall, it doesn’t really matter to her because all the spots in the house are her howling spots.

Vet says she does this for two reasons, she’s older and possibly going senile, and or because she’s gone deaf she is howling to try to hear herself.

My theory also comes in two parts, one she is trying to drive me slowly insane, and or two she’s just an ass-hole. During the day I’m certain it’s one. But when it’s two am and she just finished running across my face to jump down off the bed then promptly sits just outside the bedroom door before clearing her throat and belting out a tune, is definitely option number two. You know that old Denis Leary song –Asshole? Yup that’s the one she enjoys singing. Mostly the chorus. (If you don’t know it, google it. Totally worth it.)

On top of all that I put the finishing touches on Bounty and got it ready for release, which was the beginning of this month.

Now it’s back into the routine of writing, but I’m also trying to start a new routine. One I have fallen in and out of for many years. That’s being more active. Up until last November I was doing a 5km race every other month. Sometimes twice a month but mostly every other. I’d been doing this since 2013. I was lazy with my training for many of those years but I always managed to get through the races at about an hour.
My ultimate goal has always been to run a half and/or full marathon. (Preferably a Disney Race) Well last year, close to January I had been having severe pain in my right ankle. My Achilles. I ignored it, pushed my way through, did little to no rehab and did a couple more races. The last one being the Superheroes Race weekend (5km Spiderman Race) in Disneyland.

I vowed that I would complete that race and get my medal even if it meant I would have to drag my leg across the finish line to do it. Well I kept my word, dragging my leg and all. I wrapped my ankle tight and hoped it would hold out. And it did! I didn’t feel my ankle once, it gave me zero issues. My knee however...by about 3 ½-4km in I started getting immense amount a pain in my right knee. Every step sent fireworks of pain down my leg.

I fought against the urge to stop and sit. I struggled to put one foot in front of the other. I tried my best to not cry when having to step up and down curbs. And I held true to my word and dragged my leg across the finish line.

Hubby was amazing; he stayed by my side and out of my way when he realized how hard it was becoming. He encouraged me the best he could, but when you’re in that kind of pain you just want to be left alone. After crossing the finish line and navigating the maze to the rally area we discovered we had probably another 5km to go to just get to the car.

So he left me on the street corner leaning against a light post while he ran, yes ran to retrieve the car. As I waited I tried to figure out what I was going to do next. How was I going to fix this? We were going to be in Disneyland for another couple days, Hubby was running the half marathon the following morning and we wanted to do some shopping after.

Skipping ahead, we bought a cane and with that and constant stopping to rest the remainder of our trip was pleasant. When we returned home I saw a specialist who sent me to get an ultra sound. Aside from some rather bad arthritis in my knee (not a surprise, I’m a big girl) we discovered I had also torn my tendon on the outer side of my knee. (Not the proper terminology, but I’m not a Doctor).

I did some physio but nothing seemed to help, I didn’t know if I was doing the exercises wrong or not or just pushing myself too hard. So I decided to join a gym and hire a personal trainer. It’s been slow and I mean slow going, so many setbacks but also some progression. My immediate goal was to do a 5km race in December. It’s called the Santa’s Shuffle, proceeds go to the Salvation Army. I have a month and a half. I don’t know if I’m going to make it, but I’m sure as hell going to try!

Wish me luck!