Friday, August 4, 2017

5 Things I'd Tell You Over Coffee

Good morning! Let's have a cuppa, shall we? I'm not much for conversation until I've had at least one and maybe even 2 cups of coffee. I sure do look forward to it, though. I'm especially excited about taking my coffee in this mug I picked up after our epic adventure in Door County last month. Killer coffee? Could have been...

Do you take cream and sugar?


If we were having coffee, I'd probably talk about my health. Isn't this what old people do? Right now, I'm recovering from that RA flare I had earlier in the week. That came out of nowhere and completely threw me off. Fortunately, I have an amazing rheumatologist who responded quickly. I'm happy to report that I am feeling much better. I also have been mentally preparing myself for some major dental work--2 bone grafts--and I am not happy about it. Because of this, I have to take 3 weeks off my RA meds and that is making me more nervous than the actual procedure. On the good news side of things, I recently I had a Dexa scan done. This test measures bone density and being of a certain age as well as having a hereditary predisposition for osteoporosis, I was anxious to see where I was at. I reviewed the results with my internist and found out that everything was normal. At least I've got that going for me. Now to schedule that colonoscopy...


If we were having coffee, I'm sure I'd talk about my boys. My oldest son has started his apprenticeship training with the electricians' union. As part of his training, he's been taking classes at a Chicago city college and has been doing really well. In the fall, he'll start back at work. My youngest son and I have been doing some college visits. Fortunately, he wants to stay close to home (he says he wants me to do his laundry) and so we've visited Northwestern and Marquette (my alma mater). We've got a few more visits on the calendar before the application process starts.

Because.
If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that I'm making some changes in my job. Since my diagnosis with RA, my director offered me a position at a brand new, smaller, less busy clinic closer to my home. I've been dragging my feet on the decision for a few reasons, but the bottom line is that I finally made up my mind and I will be moving to the new clinic in September. I sure have mixed feelings about it, but it seems like the right thing to do for my health. I've been sharing the news with my patients and so far, most of them will be following me to the new location.

If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that my boyfriend, the very studly butcher at Whole Foods, is moving to another location. He's been working at my WF for quite a long time and I won't lie--he makes me look forward to buying my meat. I'm sure he does it with all the ladies, but every time I walk up to the meat counter, he greets me with a "hey lady" and I'm 25 all over again. He also gives me the best cuts of meat, wielding his cleaver like a boss. While I'm not surprised at his promotion--he really is great--I'll miss seeing him. Maybe this story would have been better shared over wine?


If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that I'm posting this from the deep South. Who goes to Alabama in August? I can't say no to an invitation to visit and water ski with Holly! It's been over 2 years since I last skied. They say it's just like riding a bike, and spoiler alert, it was! I was happy to pop right up out of the water on the first try. We're also running a 5k. There really is nothing better than running friends! You'll have to check my Instagram for updates and read my Weekly Wrap, which will probably go live on Monday.


What would you tell me over coffee? Would you want to go back to college again? Do you shop at certain stores because of the people who work there? Have you waterskiied?

I'm linking this post with Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five, as well as Coco and Deborah for The Ultimate Coffee Date!




56 comments :

  1. I hope that you are having an awesome time with Holly! Love your water skiing photo :)

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  2. Fun article, Wendy ☕️ It's got me thinking. Hmmmm ...

    Have a wonderful friendcation as you prep for all that's happening come September!

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  3. Just wanted to drop off a word of support about the bone grafts... I just had one done in November and it really wasn't that bad. One hour, novocaine only, and the recovery time wasn't bad. Hopefully yours is similarly simple! The cost, on the other hand... ugh.

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    1. Good to hear that it's not as bad as I thought. That's what the periodontist said, but you know how that goes...

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  4. I have never waterskiied. Sounds very challenging. I'd be afraid of wiping out.

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    1. Falling is definitely part of waterskiing! You just get wet.

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  5. Dental work is the pits! LOL on the butcher just love it when a hot guy makes you feel special :) Love the photos of you and Hoho have a great times

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  6. Hope your vacation is going well! Sounds like a fun time :) And the work change sounds like it will be a good decision. Good luck with it!

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  7. I went to college close to home, and the only time my mom did my laundry was when I was sick. She would help me with the settings if I had questions, but I had to do it.

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    1. I'm sure my future daughter in law will pay for this, but I'm happy to do his laundry. It's not going to be forever, right?

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  8. Have so much fun with Holly! It already looks like you guys are having a blast.

    And yes, I would love to go back to college. How do I make that happen? ;)

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    1. I did go back to school in my 40s but it just wasn't the same!

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  9. Bone grafts? Noooo! But great news on that Dexa scan. I'm still hiding out from the colonoscopy. Enjoy your time in Dixie!

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    1. I just don't want to have a colonoscopy! Why can't they come up with a better way?

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  10. Enjoy your time with HOlly, and I am sorry about the RA flares and other medical mishaps. But if you need a colonoscopy, you know a doctor... ;D
    While I know that the "downsizing" to a different clinic feels a bit of a tough pill to swallow (too soon? :D), I hope that it will be the right fit. I really do!

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    1. I think you are right--once I had another flare, I knew that I needed to make a change.

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  11. I've never water-skied!! I have wanted to, but it has never lined up for me to go. And yes, I take cream and sugar! Well actually I use that "natural" creamer that is a little flavored. I've tried black and I just can't enjoy it that way!

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    1. I think there are a lot of folks who haven't waterskiied. I'm glad I have a friend who still does!

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  12. Have fun on your trip! And I truly hope that people shop at my pharmacy because of me. They ought to. We treat our people well!

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  13. I hope everything works out well at the new clinic closer to home, and happy that some patients will be following you!!

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    1. Changing clinics was such a tough decision, but ultimately it will be the right thing for my health. My ego is struggling, tho!

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  14. Hope you are having a blast with Holly! And as for the weather...enjoy it - at least you get to leave it behind. ;)

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    1. It was pretty cool here while I was down south. The weather in Alabama was great!

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  15. I barely recognized you in everyday clothes!

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  16. That's really exciting about your job change/location change! I'm sure you will feel right at home! Glad I'm catching up on your blog! Hang in there with the bone grafts---easy peasy. :)

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  17. I'm sure you two are having a blast! Your son is lucky that there are so many great colleges in your area -- and that you're willing to keep him around. From the mom side, I know you're glad to have him. It's great that you can switch job locations -- that your patients want to follow you shows how awesome you are at work too.

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    1. So many kids are wanting to go far away from home. You know I'm happy he wants to stay close. Laundry? I'm happy to do it.

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  18. Enjoy your time in Alabama! Can't wait to read more about it.

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  19. I hope you two are having a great time! How fun for the both of you! I think moving to the smaller clinic sounds like a good decision. :-) did we have to mention colonoscopy ? I think I will poop in the box first! :-) XXOO

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  20. I know what you mean about summertime in Alabama, since I am in Georgia! I have to admit that I do a lot of whining about the heat here, but being on the water would probably make it more bearable! I was yelled at by a PA last week because I have never had a colonoscopy, so I guess I will schedule one soon.

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    1. The weather wasn't bad while I was there. Of course, being on the water did help!

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  21. I have NEVER attempted or even thought of water skiing. I know my skill set, and balance and a love for all things water are NOT in my repertoire. That said, I do want to give it a go someday. I would imagine with my leg strength (and core work), I might have a bit of an advantage as a first-timer (?)

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    1. You need a lot of upper body strength too! I'm sure you'd be fine.

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  22. Sounds like a nice balance: Hottie boyfriend and friend-cation balancing out the surgery and RA.My boys are 7. Is it too early to teach them to do laundry?! LOL! Good luck!

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  23. Hope you're enjoying your time in Alabama!
    Wishing you the best with your bone grafts - I got one not too long ago and it wasn't horrible. Ice cream diet?

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  24. Glad to hear that you're feeling better after your recent flare-up and that you got normal results from the Dexa scan. Sounds like you're having a fun time in Alabama this weekend. :)

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  25. I'm sorry to hear that your butcher is going away, but at least it's for a good reason!

    That's awesome about the water skiing! I've never been, but I tried wakeboarding about 7 years ago and it did not go well--I've never drank so much lake water in my life and hope to never do so again (the lake water part--trying wakeboarding or water skiing and being successful would be cool!), haha.

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    1. Ha! I drank a little lake water this weekend too! It's all part of the fun.

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  26. Seriously, THE best coffee date update ever! I was giggling from beginning to end. I love your sense of humor! ....and dang, I'd come to Illinois just to meet your butcher!!! :)

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    1. He's pretty darned charming. He's been there for over 10 years. How do I ever get over him?

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  27. Oh the dreaded colonoscopy.... I've got to schedule mine too. Not really something one jumps at the change to do, right?

    I'm laughing at the college boy and his laundry comment. My middle son was a freshman last year and I asked him a couple of times who was doing his laundry and he would just laugh and say ...'don't worry Mom, I've got clean clothes' Finally, towards the end of the year, he admitted that a sweet young lady, whose parents happened to be our neighbors and they grew up together, was doing it for him! Seriously??? I thought I raised him better than that!

    I'm loving seeing you and my Southern twin together this weekend! Hope y'all have tons of fun and you get a really good 'taste of the South'! :)

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    1. I knew kids at college who never changed their sheets on their beds. Ewwwww

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  28. Chicago and Alabama...what a pair. I would not go back to college. It was pretty stressful (because I worked too) and I ate my way/weigh through it with Peanut M&Ms. LOL!

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