Oh, what a difference a year makes. 12 months ago, I was laid up on the couch in a cast. Today, I have 365 days worth of recovery stories. This is my end-of-year recap.
Category: Blog
Waking Your Inner Child Through Adult Gymnastics
I've seen so many people awaken their inner child in my adult gymnastics classes. If you need to make a case for starting gymnastics, this is it.
Taking Charge of My Health in Perimenopause
Time for a little update about my recent midlife therapeutic interventions.
What did the GG Beta Readers Think?
Ask and ye shall receive. This encapsulates some of the incredible feedback I received from the beta reading team for my upcoming book, Geriatric Gymnastics: Flipping, Recovery an Defining Life on Your Terms.
GLP-1 and Me
I've written plenty about my health/nutrition/weight maintenance experience as a woman steeped in perimenopause. The reality: it just gets harder to keep up as the years pass, as the hormones wane, and as I go out and do more adult-y things (like eating at restaurants). This article is about my decision to try the GLP-1… Continue reading GLP-1 and Me
The Sound of Shhhhp
There’s a new sound in my teaching universe that has become my new happy sound at work. It’s not a song. It’s literally just a sound.
I’m on Substack Now!
Do I really need ANOTHER social media platform to keep track of? I suppose I do...
What I Learned From Genetic Testing
Genetic testing for cancer markers feels like a big deal. It's like walking a tightrope of wanting and not wanting to know what the future might hold. This is my experience.
Help Shape Geriatric Gymnastics: Join Our Beta Reading Team
I'm seeking beta readers for my upcoming book, "Geriatric Gymnastics: Flipping, Recovery and Defining Life on Your Terms". Interested in joining the GG team? Read on!
First week, new studio
Sometimes, you need a little jump start in your career. This year, I received a huge one. Read on to see why after 30 years, I'm still excited to go back to work.
“Penguins don’t have wings”
Looking back at an old blog I had when my kids were young, I found this gem of a post. It almost makes me yearn for the days when my kids were small, discovering, and exploring the world through their smaller eyes. It recalls one of those lovely moments that are so easy to forget.… Continue reading “Penguins don’t have wings”
New Beginnings: a Dance Studio Transformed
Sometimes, life throws you something unexpected. While it may be uncomfortable at first, the unexpected can turn into something beautiful. This is a story of another evolution in my career as a dance teacher.
Giving Voice to The Geriatric Gymnast
Time to write another book! When I started writing about gymnastics in this blog in 2020, there was a “someday I’ll write a book” vibe. I’d write about all of the feelings I was processing, the ups and inevitable downs I had experienced. If anything, it was a way to track and remember my journey. But… Continue reading Giving Voice to The Geriatric Gymnast
Growing older with you
Looking back on 37 years of loving you, we’ve navigated some really hard times together. These are some musings and impressions that come to mind when I think of you. I present: a GenX love letter. The early days We've actually known each other since 1984ish. You were the big brother in our high school friend… Continue reading Growing older with you
Returning to writing
I can't believe it's been over six weeks since I've posted anything here. No, I haven't lost the love for writing. Quite the opposite. I've actually been working on another book project. As I closed out my 29th teaching year, I had to decide how to spend my time during summer break. We didn't have… Continue reading Returning to writing
Parenting 101: Recalling “The Talks”
Back in 2013, I started a blog called The Second Half. I was in my early 40s and my kids were 11 and 7. One of the entries shared a couple of those important "serious conversations" with my pre-pubescent kid. I'm thankful that I had the presence of mind to record those moments. This is… Continue reading Parenting 101: Recalling “The Talks”
Achilles Recovery: My 6 Month Snapiversary
For half a year, I have been recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon. The gunshot snap. The boot and crutches. The long, painful, drawn-out healing process. Here’s how strategic healing, positive mindset and proper preparation made the first six months of my recovery go smoothly. When you are 53 and doing athletic things, you wonder… Continue reading Achilles Recovery: My 6 Month Snapiversary
Why I Joined the No Kings Day Protest
Generally speaking, it’s not often that I post about anything but gymnastics, family and career stuff on social media. For this post, I had some thoughts to share about our local No Kings Day protests on June 14, 2025. I do have strong opinions about the state of our union. That said, I try not… Continue reading Why I Joined the No Kings Day Protest
Reflecting On My Peri Journey
It’s a little surprising to think about how long I’ve actually been experiencing perimenopause. Thanks to my penchant for blogging, I can easily look back and reflect. Here's an overview of what I've learned so far. In July 2020, I posted the first article in my blog. I loved the idea of using it to… Continue reading Reflecting On My Peri Journey
Essential Wisdom for Becoming an Adult
The end of the school year is here. One kid graduated with a Masters degree. The other finished her sophomore year of college. This is one of those moments where I simultaneously look back and ahead. Here, I offer my kids six things I want them to remember as they move forward. To my favorite… Continue reading Essential Wisdom for Becoming an Adult
Achilles Tendon Recovery: 21 weeks
Time heals all wounds. As I approach the five month mark in my Achilles recovery, I am happy report many more skills that have been added to my movement rotation. This post reflects on balancing the equation between safety and progress. May 18, 2025 As fast as my recovery may seem to the outsider, it… Continue reading Achilles Tendon Recovery: 21 weeks
Achilles Tendon Recovery: 4 months
I've officially passed the four-month mark since rupturing my Achilles tendon at the gym. It was an awful disruption in my existence. To commemorate my resilience and commitment to healing, I did something I've missed since that fateful day. I flipped! April 16, 2025 If you don't know me, I'm an adult gymnast who started… Continue reading Achilles Tendon Recovery: 4 months
Week 16 Achilles recovery: PT is coming to an end
In the past month, my biweekly physical therapy was reduced to once a week. At first, it was my March work schedule that limited my time. In April, it seems I've reached plateau. PT sessions have become, shall we say, too easy. Now what? April 9, 2025 Last week, I found out what was going… Continue reading Week 16 Achilles recovery: PT is coming to an end
Week 15 Achilles Recovery: Addressing Ankle Impingement
In my recovery week 9 post, I had spoken to the surgeon about my progress and the limitation at the front of my ankle that I had been enduring for the better part of a year. This is the follow-up story to that problem. April 8, 2025 Long before my Achilles ruptured, I had been… Continue reading Week 15 Achilles Recovery: Addressing Ankle Impingement
Empowering English Language Learners through Performing Arts: An Educator’s Experience
High school musical season presents both challenges and victories for all involved. For the second year in a row, English language learners performed a musical show for an audience in a foreign language. And they did it syllable by syllable. This success story transcends the show itself. When you direct high school play productions, it… Continue reading Empowering English Language Learners through Performing Arts: An Educator’s Experience
The mental toll of Achilles injury
It's been over 3 months since my Achilles tendon rupture. This is a reflection on the quest to balance fear and progress through long-term injury recovery. March 26, 2025 Not too long ago, all of my posts were about the progress I was making at the gym. I’ve celebrated the baby steps and the big… Continue reading The mental toll of Achilles injury
Coping with Bronchitis During Achilles Rehab: Essential Strategies
I've now passed the 12-week mark since my Achilles was repaired. It's been three whole months! Time flies, even when you're limping along. Though progress has been great so far, rehab has stalled this past week. Recovery has taken on a whole new meaning. On Thursday a week ago, I went to work as usual… Continue reading Coping with Bronchitis During Achilles Rehab: Essential Strategies
Achilles Tendon Recovery: 10 Weeks Post-Surgery Progress
It's been ten weeks since the surgeon put my Achilles tendon back together again. This article shares exercises I'm working on, strategies for pain and fear management, and my comeback progress.
Achilles Tendon Recovery: 9 Week Post-Surgery Follow-up
As I heal from this surgery, my ankle and foot are slowly waking up. There are lots of expected ouchies that I'm dealing with. And, the one issue that I believe to be at the root of the rupture is now in full focus. February 20, 2025 I had my nine-week follow up visit to… Continue reading Achilles Tendon Recovery: 9 Week Post-Surgery Follow-up
Recovering from Achilles Tendon Rupture: A Personal Timeline
I thought I'd share the highlights and milestones in each phase of my recovery so far. I'll keep updating this as I continue healing. I won't lie: this healing process is long and grueling. I have worked very hard to keep progressing safely. Because of that work, I have consistently felt at least 1% better… Continue reading Recovering from Achilles Tendon Rupture: A Personal Timeline
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