#TOOBUSY

The last few weeks I have been wanting to blog so bad, but there always seems to be something else I should be doing while online. Re: Reflect Sports or CXmagazine stuff. I try to stay disciplined but it is hard working for free. I try to stay optimistic but we're just scraping by and I have put off aggressively looking for a job until my Mom's surgery is over with.

Speaking of that....

She is in surgery as I type this. My sister took her to the hospital. When Dominic gets home, we'll head over to the hospital. I hope it goes well. I've been so worried about this day, I sweartogod I have not shit in 4 days. My stomach is all cramped up and I am a ball of stress. The recovery for a total knee replacement is not going to be easy for her. I have her little dog here - who is about 12 lbs - he is her motivation to get better fast so I can bring him home.

#getbettersoonMOM!

Speaking of dogs....

We have a new addition to the family. Meet Lola.













She looks like Fausto but she weighs about 20lbs less. The story about how she came into our lives is priceless. I'll share it with ya.

Two days ago I was driving home from a sales call for Reflect Sports, and Dominic was coming home from a tile job. He pulled onto the highway right behind me. I was talking to my friend Chip on the phone and when I saw Dominic's car, I waved. He was driving right behind me. We got off the viaduct and we were heading up Glenway hill when I saw the dog. She was in the street, trying to lick water from a dried up puddle. I knew Dominic wouldn't just drive by.

And I was right.

I said to Chip "I gotta go, there's a dog in the street and Dominic is pulling over."

The next thing I know, he was putting her in his car.

While driving to the house, I thought "we should name her Lola".
When we got home, Dominic told me "we should name her Lola".

That was a sign. So we just kind of decided she was staying.

She's a skinny little thing, about 5-6 months old. Fausto LOVES her. Ari voices his discontent by moaning loudly from his crate. She is learning how to potty outside. Watching her taste new foods is the coolest thing ever. Watching her come alive is the most rewarding of all.

#rescuedogsarethebest.

It's so hot this summer, the only place I can take the dogs is to the woods. This is Ari staying cool in the creek.














As far as riding goes.....

I consider myself a diverse type of cyclist these days. I am starting to realize just where I belong in this cycling community and where I feel the most comfortable. It's actually pretty rad.

We volunteered at kid's night at our Bike Coop on Monday. It was fun. Dominic helped teach the kids to wrench on bikes along with two other mechanics.













I kept the kids busy with coloring and games while they waited their turn. Keeping the kids in check is not easy. A few were even kicked out for bad behavior.

We'll be volunteering every Monday night until the summer is over. I loved every second of it.

#kidsplusbikes=rad.













Wednesday night I was reg'd for a weeknight crit that was canceled at the last minute due to parked cars on the course. So instead, a group ride was organized at the last minute and I found myself in the midst of a 'who's got the biggest cock' type of ride.

#dontreallybelong.













Yesterday I found myself at the BMX pump track with a friend's kid. She owns a spa and gives me free massage in exchange for getting her kid out of the house in the summer. It was terribly hot so he didn't last all that long but he was stoked to ride bikes with me.

#jumpbikesarefun.














As I continue on this path of recovery, I am discovering more and more about myself. Where I like to ride and with who. I am getting rid of the toxic assholes in my life. I wish I could "detach with love" as my sponsor tells me, and sometimes I do. Other times I detach with some mother fucking anger. I am learning. It's a fucking process.

Next month I will be heading to Chicago with my BFF Emily to see our friend Laura. I have been friends with these women for almost 30 fucking years. How rad is that?

#lifeisgood.