Thursday, June 1, 2017

5 Things I'd Tell You Over Coffee

Let's have a cup of coffee and catch up, shall we? I love this monthly link up, hosted by Coco and Deborah because it gives us all a chance to step off the road and share what's been going on in our lives.

The month of May was full of experiences that made me so grateful. Not only did I start to feel like myself again, even running a half marathon, I gained a much more positive outlook. I'm grateful for my family and friends who supported me while I struggled with my new diagnosis. I have to be realistic as I know that RA is a jerk and I could flare at any time, but for now, my disease is behaving and for that I am grateful.

So what would I tell you if we were having coffee?



If we were having coffee, I would share that I went back to work last week. My director and I discussed many options for my return. For now, I'm back in my slot in the clinic with some minor changes in my patient load. The clinic where I work is a crazy, busy place. On my second day back I had to call public safety for an unruly teenager. It is never dull there. My biggest and best surprise was the reaction of my patients when they scheduled with me. They were so concerned about me! One mom, who has 5 kids that I care for, was so happy to see me that when she walked in the door, she put the baby carrier down and ran over to hug me. I do love my families and that's really what keeps me coming back.


If we were having coffee, I'd tell you about the fun day my husband and I had going to see the Cubs play at Wrigley Field. We used to go to Cubs games all the time but since they've been so good the last couple of years, it's been hard to score tickets. He bought these back in February and surprised me with box seats! We were 8 rows up from first base--hello, Anthony Rizzo! It was a perfect day for a ball game. The sun came out and the Cubs won. The vendors sell Goose Island beer now, so I had a couple of those and yep, I had a hot dog. I never eat hot dogs but it just sounded good. Who am I? It was Vienna Beef and it was delicious. I did put ketchup on it and was immediately scolded by the usher because mustard is the law in Chicago.

It started out a little chilly.
If we were having coffee, I'd talk about my boys. This week, my oldest son went to orientation for his apprenticeship with the electrician's union. He starts school in July. It's a 12 week program at a community college in Chicago. He will not be working during this time, but he informed me that he has money saved for his car payment and other expenses. I'm secretly glad he's still living at home. Except for my grocery bills, which have skyrocketed. And he still won't eat his vegetables.


If we were having coffee, I'd also tell you that my youngest is going to prom tonight. There's nothing like your child doing something that brings back a rush of memories! We went to get his tux fitted, and the trend is matching the bow tie and vest to the girl's dress. Back in my day, the guys wore ruffled shirts that matched the girl's dress. My son's prom is being held at a local resort. Mine was at a resort too, not so local. We traveled about an hour to an old has-been seen-better-days resort called the Wagon Wheel, which we nicknamed the Broken Wheel. We took school buses there and they kept us all night. Super classy, with the hopes of keeping the kids out of trouble. As if. I doubt anything has changed in that department. I hope they have safe fun.

My prom date and me, circa 1979. 
If we were having coffee, I'd talk about how happy I am that summer is here. May was cold and rainy and nasty. It's so nice to see the sun and feel warm. I can't help but think that this weather is also helping me feel better. Until recently, I didn't really believe that the weather would affect my arthritis as much as it does. I just may have to move somewhere warm. What do you think?



What would you tell me if we were having coffee? 

I'm linking up with the Friday Five 2.0 aka Fairytales and Fitness and Running on Happy. On Saturday, Coco and Deborah host the Ultimate Coffee Date.





78 comments :

  1. My youngest sister has arthritis and swears warmer weather is better. She's planning to move to AZ. Awww look at that prom pic. Now I wonder where mine are? I bought my dress for $86 at Paul Harris. It was aqua. Our prom was at the Knickerbocker Hotel downtown. Can't wait to see your son's pics!

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    1. I remember my mom crying when I tried that dress on. I didn't love it, but she did, so there you go!

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  2. We are all about moving someplace warmer when my husband retires, and there are no real health issues (yet). The weather totally effects my mood & energy! Having lived somewhere warm for a long time, I can attest to that.

    I'm laughing at your hot dog & the ketchup. I love hot dogs, but they're not terribly filling so I don't eat them often. I think you have to at a ball park! My husband likes mustard on sausage but ketchup on hot dogs (unless he feels like mustard). It drives me nuts. I can never keep it straight! How sweet of your husband to surprise you with that.

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    1. I don't eat hot dogs because they're so bad for you! But every once in a blue moon (and even less than that), what the heck?!

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  3. OMG that prom pic! I know I had some crazy 80's hair going on at my prom. My son is also going to prom this weekend. I definitely had a little tear when he tried on his tux. See you for coffee tomorrow

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  4. Ahhhh, Prom ;-) The big trend with girls' dresses is the 2-piece thing (baring the midriff). I was a bit taken aback last year when I saw a hand full of them in pictures, but this year it was the norm (including my daughter). As you know, I'm a summer lover.....and I'm SOOOO happy May has ended ;-)

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    1. I don't mind that bare midriff thing as much as I hated the skin tight super short dresses they were wearing to homecoming a few years ago. Glad I don't have girls. :p

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  5. Good luck with prom tonight . Try not to worry... and don't cry. ;)

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  6. Aww thanks for sharing your prom pic!
    I m now very interested in hearing more about your work!

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  7. I love the NP picture! So true. No proms this year for us, but next year will be a high school prom and a graduation from USF. Time is flying. The weather is def a factor in mood and aches and pains. But I live in Florida and I do hear a lot of people say that they moved here hoping for an improvement in allergies, only to be disappointed that they are worse here. I think it just never gets cold enough here to kill things off. There is always something blooming. The pollen here is epic. I hope June continues your streak of improvement! Oh, and I vote mustard.

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    1. I've had some major allergy issues when I've visited Florida. I'd still live there, tho!

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  8. That's great that you had a good first week back at work. I love that you were greeted so warmly by your patients. It just proves that you are great at what you do!

    I love your prom picture! I hope your son has a great prom tonight - it's always such a fun evening!

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    1. It's been great being back--I think everyone should get to take 5 weeks off work!

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  9. I think Florida looks good on you if you want my opinion! HA! I love the prom picture ! I know I still have mine somewhere and I still here from my prom date a couple times a year :-) I am glad work is going well- that is a good feeling! Thanks for the coffee, let's do it again!

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  10. Your prom picture is so cute!!! I had my prom at a Disney hotel... perks of growing up in Orlando. :-)
    So glad you got a warm reception back at work. Well deserved, I'm sure!!!!

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    1. I know so many people who would be jealous of a Disney prom!

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  11. I'm so glad your boys are doing well. It was a long road, wasn't it? Love your prom picture! I didn't go to my prom. Back in the day I was seeing an "older" boy (all of 19 or so ��), who was already out of school.

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    1. Looking back, I don't think I would have missed much not going. The picnic the day after the dance was way more fun.

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  12. I love baseball. I need to get to the park to root on my dear NY Mets.

    I am loving the sun since it is so rare. And running in NYC makes my job bearable.

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    1. My brother-in-law is a Mets fan! I'd love to go there to see them play the Cubs. What a great rivalry!

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  13. You seem like you're in such a good mood!!! Glad things are going well and you're back at work. I hope your son has fun at prom.

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  14. You and your date would have fit right in at my prom, although the bouquet of flowers would have been different - no wrist corsage? ;)

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    1. Oh and I just saw Vienna beef hotdogs featured during last night's Amazing Race - they did a thing at Wrigley Field, so that makes sense. Now I want one!

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    2. I'm not sure why I wanted a nosegay instead of a wrist corsage? I was 16 and that's my story.

      You would love Vienna beef hot dogs. I'm not a big hot dog fan, but I do like those! It's definitely a Chicago thing. The factory isn't far from Wrigley Field. They sell them at the grocery store but they're not as good as the ones at the ballpark.

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  15. Love that prom pic. I saw a great wedding pic of one of our friend's parents in the 70s--he is wearing an all white bell bottomed tux with peach cumberbund and giant bow tie. EPIC

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    1. I think things were a little more conservative in the late 70s--or maybe it was us?

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  16. The older I get, the less I am liking the cold. The snow, I can take--in fact, I love it. I didn't go to prom...love your pic!

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  17. As a native Californian and adoptive Hawaiian, I don't know how I would live in the cold. My husband was born in Minnesota, lived in North Dakota and Tennessee before moving the land of fruits and nuts 30 years ago. No SAD for us!

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    1. Does he miss the north at all? Although I guess if you guys want snow, you can just drive a couple of hours to the mountains.

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  18. Aw, we had my prom at the New England Aquarium. It was the first time in years that we didn't have it at the local country club, but my class wanted to do something special. My high school has fundraising for each class every year, and our junior year event was extremely successful. We decided the Aquarium was what we wanted to do.

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  19. OH YEAH! That's right about the weather and arthritis. I've heard that so often! A lot of snowbirds go down to Arizona in our winter so that they don't have to deal with a lot of pain and discomfort with the cold rain up here.

    I loved the part about you going back to work and the mom with five kids hugging you. I feel like she's me, or I'm here. I wish I could hug you. Oh, and the unruly teenager would have probably been my oldest son. :P

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    1. I wish I could hug you! I'd love to take care of your kids. Unruly kids are my specialty--at least it seems that way!

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  20. I love your prom picture!! You look gorgeous!!

    I can't believe you had a hot dog!! I hope it was delicious!



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    1. Oh it was so good! I was actually surprised how good it was. It won't be a trend but I'm pretty sure when we go back to the ballpark in July, I'll have one or 2!

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  21. Doesn't it make you feel so good to have patients who really appreciate you!?! Just makes it so worth it.
    If I had time I'd sit down and do my own coffee post and I'd tell you how much I'm struggling with enough time for blogging. This part time job is killing me and there is nothing part-time about it. It's really a full time job that I'm trying to do after my other job. Sorry to complain I know there is a reason this was put in front of me but for the life of me I can't see it right now. This too shall pass...

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    1. I'm so sorry about your work--that is really rough. Last summer, my hubs worked 60 hour weeks for the whole summer. The money was nice but I'd rather have had time with him. When he was home, all he did was sleep. I'm glad that at least you get out to the lake and camping on the weekends. You pack a lot of fun in your free time.

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  22. Circa 1979 - I love the hairstyle and the dress!! If we were having coffee, I'd tell you only two more days until I am no longer a single parent! My hubby is finally coming home from deployment. And we are all excited to have him home!!

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  23. I love that picture of you!

    They say dry climates are good for arthritis. AZ, Colorado, San Diego, etc. If you move to PHX I can come visit you when I go see my family! :)

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    1. I need water! I think AZ is too dry for me. When we were there a few years ago, I looked like I was 80 years old. At least when I go to Florida, my skin plumps up and my wrinkles are a little less.

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  24. I still see some moms sporting the feathered hair. I'm sure it will come back--doesn't everything?

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  25. Oh my gosh I love that you shared your promo picture! I hope your son has fun tonight.

    Congrats on heading back to work - I think it's sweet that your patients were worried about you :)

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    1. It's really nice, but it was so unexpected! I'm much better at taking care of people than I am at letting people worry about me!

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  26. That prom picture is truly a classic!! I had wings exactly like yours ...but then again, didn't everyone :)

    I need to hit up a Cubs game because I thought I was the only person in the universe who DIDN'T put ketchup on my hot dogs!!

    Glad you're feeling better Wendy!!

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  27. Love these coffee posts... I'm glad you can go back to work with a little lighter load... but most doctors I know do have a big heart... Your prom pic is fantastic!!!!

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    1. I'd agree with you--at least in our world--pediatricians are the best!

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  28. How fun to score tickets to the Cubs game. Ketchup or mustard on a hot dog was often a big discussion in my house growing up (in MN). Maybe it's a Midwestern thing? I love mustard, but I usually add ketchup as well. lol. Now, I just want a hot dog. ;-)

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  29. So much good news going on in your world! I usually only have a hotdog at baseball games. They just seem to go together! Oh, and I'm a ketchup girl, too ;)

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    1. I don't understand what's wrong with ketchup on a hot dot! It tastes so good!

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  30. I think that nice weather put us in a better mood and there is a strong connection between how we feel mentally and physically. What a great picture from your prom! Hope your son has a great time!

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    1. I think they had fun--he's still sleeping but they sure looked great!

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  31. Congrats to your sons! I DO remember those ruffled tux shirts. At least that's one fashion don't that the guys had to deal with. I definitely prefer mustard on my hot dogs!

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    1. Oh, those ruffled shirts! The 70s was not kind to fashion, that's for sure!

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  32. Loving your throwback prom photo! I think most places had a rainy and cool month of May... I'm happy to see some rain as last year was so incredibly dry, but I find it's kind of dampened my mood a bit as well!

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    1. I need the sun--that's for sure! It's kind of cloudy this morning, but since it's supposed to be hot, that might be ok for my run. Then the sun can come back!

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  33. I'm so glad that your RA is somewhat behaving itself! I'd tell you that I'm heading your way next week! I'll email and see what you schedule looks like!

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  34. Awww, that's really sweet about your patients! That's what makes me love and adore family medicine! :] I'm glad you're transitioning back to work well! <3

    Prom seems like such a long time ago, haha. I hope they had fun!

    I'm hoping summer will grace us with its presence over here soon!

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    1. It's steamy today--then tomorrow it's supposed to be 70. Crazy!

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  35. I think we had the same hair in 1979...even the same color. My dress was yellow. Glad things are going better. My son wore a white tux jacket for his prom. Very James Bond. Share some pics! Can't wait to see you this summer!

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  36. There is definitely something about summer and baseball. I got to go to a Royals game while I was back in KS... it was so much fun!

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  37. I love your prom picture! Mine is somewhere in a drawer but I like yours more.

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  38. Love baseball games!

    I would tell you that I just said good bye to my job to stay at home with my 13 month old son. I am beyond excited and a bit nervous =) Mostly blessed!

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    1. You never get the time back. And as a mom of 2 young adults, I say enjoy every minute of it!

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  39. I am so happy to hear that your return back to work went as well as it did. Its always great when people make it clear that you were missed, and are so happy to see you back!

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  40. Your work families missed you! I love that! :)

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