Friday, February 1, 2019

Coffee Talk

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Greetings from Chiberia! It's been so brutally cold this week that my coffee pot has been on around the clock. I've got a fresh pot brewing, so let's sit down and catch up on life off the road. What would you tell me over coffee?

Dreaming of warmer weather and fun times...

If we were having coffee...I'd talk about the weather. It's been so extreme, how else to cope with living in what was (at least for a day) the coldest place on the planet? Almost everything was closed on Wednesday and there was no mail delivery. I was even able to use "Chiberia" as the location on one of my Instagram photos. This wacky winter is taking us on a roller coaster ride. We're going to be warming into the 40s this weekend. By the way, I used the hashtag #ididitforthegram on one of my cold weather running posts. After I posted, I clicked on the hashtag and what I saw there can't be unseen. I'll stick to #chiberia.

My view from my treadmill
What do you see?
If we were having coffee...I would tell you that I am extra excited about my trip to Florida in March. Not just because its so freaking cold and not only did I get a good deal on flights but because both my boys are joining me! It's been a while since I've had anyone join me on my annual visit to see my parents. I'm already planning some fun adventures for us. I'm also considering a half marathon while I'm there. I figure by the time I run and get back, they'll just be waking up for the day.


If we were having coffee...I'd tell you about the Design Home game that I'm currently addicted to. The app has daily room decorating challenges. Users vote on other participants' designs. If you score a 4 or a 5 on your design, you win furniture and diamonds, which are the currency you use to buy more items. You can purchase diamonds too. I keep running out of diamonds and have been spending way more than I should on this game. I blame my sister for getting me hooked. But there's nothing more validating than scoring a 5.0 on your design! Next thing you know, I'll go all Marie Kondo...


If we were having coffee... I'd tell you that I was picked as a SPIbelt ambassador! I have run with a SPIbelt for the past 8 years and while I've tried other waist packs, I always come back to SPIbelt. I love how the belt stays in place around my hips as I'm not a fan of things around my waist. They've come out with some new products this past year and I'm excited to be a part of things. I'll have product reviews and hopefully some giveaways this year!


If we were having coffee...I'd tell you that I read 2 books this month that were really good and 2 others that were meh. I loved The Dreamers, which is about a strange sleeping sickness that takes over a college in California and The Heart's Invisible Furies, which is an epic novel about a young adopted boy in Ireland and his search to find himself over a lifetime. So good. I also read Almost Sisters, which was well reviewed but for me, was all over the place. Nine Perfect Strangers started out great but jumped the shark halfway through and got really weird. You can't win them all.

If we were having coffee...I'd tell you that I'm going back to school...sort of. Most of you know that in my real life, I'm a pediatric nurse practitioner in a primary care practice. Over the years, I've seen my practice evolve. While the majority of the patients I see are still "garden variety" pediatrics, I am seeing a lot more kids with mental health issues. For 2019, I made a professional goal to pursue a certification in pediatric mental health. I don't want to be pigeonholed as a mental health nurse practitioner, but I want to have the tools to care for my patients who need this. The course is online through the Ohio State University. I'm excited and nervous all at once!


What would you tell me over coffee? Cold enough for you? Do you realize it is going to be 52 by Monday? What is going on? What do you see in my treadmill view? Anyone traveling south this spring? Do you play the Design Home game? Are you going Konmari? What kind of waist pack do you like? Read any good books lately? Who's in school?

I'm linking up with Deborah and Coco for the Ultimate Coffee Date and with Lacey and Miranda for Fridays with Fairytales and Fitness.



52 comments :

  1. Awesome on taking more classss! I would like to also go back to school to take classs for a science endorsement. I just don’t want to pay for it. 😜

    These past two days were brutal. I am excited for the warmer weather this weekend and for the snow to melt.

    Am I the only one that has not watch any of the Marie Kondo episodes? I feel like I should if I want to get rid of stuff so I can move one day.

    Congrats on the ambassadorship!!

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    1. I'm fortunate that my work provides money for continuing ed. Although this class will pretty much take it all.

      I've not watched Marie Kondo, but she is everywhere these days! I get FOMO just seeing everyone talk about it. But then I realize it means tidying up and I don't want to do that.

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  2. Oh, wow, what a great field to get more educated on. There is such a need. Jealous of your Florida trip, although I might be in Florida for a week in March -- in a conference room for all-day meetings. :-/

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    1. This is my question: why are meetings and conferences in really great destinations? It makes me crazy and I'd want to skip out on the meetings to enjoy the surroundings.

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  3. It's not as cold here as by you, but I'm still over it. Even my husband has been using the treadmill lately...

    Enjoy the classes! I always think that learning something new is a good thing.

    -MCM Mama

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    1. It's going to be so icy this weekend that even though it's warming up, I may not be able to run outside...winter running problems...

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  4. I've not heard of that game but it sounds just like one my oldest daughter plays except she designs outfits. Good for you for heading back to school! Sounds like a great field to pursue. My double pocket SPiBelt is heading to Tokyo with me for sure.

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    1. This game is completely addictive. If only I could do some home designing in my own home!

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  5. I have not joined Marie in organizing my habitat...yet. I fear it would be like a quick sand endeavor, and I'm not ready to embark on that just yet. I should give the SPIbelt another look. I have yet to find a fuel belt that stays in place; they all shimmy up to my waist within the first mile of running. I realize it's probably me and not that belt at fault, but it's a frustrating reality. First world probs.

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    1. My issue with Konmari is that so much of my stuff brings me joy!

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  6. Congratulations on becoming a SPIbelt ambassador! I love their belts and agree that I've tried other brands but they don't really compare to SPIbelt. I actually need to order a new one (mine is looking a little rough - lol).

    I will admit that I laughed out loud at that first photo. Sometimes I feel like I have the humor or a teenage boy hahaha.

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  7. SPIbelts are great.
    I recently started work in the Heath and Wellness office at a college and was surprised at the number of young adults they see for mental health. Do you think the problem has always been there or is it the pressures of today?

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    1. I blame social media. I'm seeing younger and younger kids with anxiety. It's just frightening.

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  8. Our weather has not been as extreme as yours. Yes, it's very cold, but we get a few degrees each day. :) And that goes for the warming trend -- we'll get into the 30s this weekend (which is great because I have a 12 miler on tap!), and maybe as high as 50 next week. I'll take it!

    I will be heading out to Savannah in about a week and a half. There just might be a half in April -- but unfortunately not somewhere warm. Stay tuned. April is always so freakin' wet though!

    My race belt is from fitletics. I will admit nothing really stays in place for me, but I like it better than the one from amphipod I started out with. I've tried spibelts, too.

    Good luck with your course! I know you'll do fine, but doing something new is always scary. Enjoy your time with your boys in FL -- I'm sure you'll have a blast.

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    1. It was 22 today and it felt like a heat wave! Looking forward to getting back outside for a run.

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  9. I love that you are getting a cert in pediatric mental health. Look forward to hearing more about it. Going to Florida with your boys sounds just about perfect right now!

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    1. I just feel so badly for these kids and their families! The system is broken and if I can help, then it will be worth it.

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  10. How wonderful that you are pursuing further education in order to be of more service to your patients. If I lived in your area and was raising a family I would trust their care to you. I have no doubt that you are a first class practitioner.

    I attended Liane Moriarty's first stop in her American book tour for "Nine Perfect Strangers." I'd read "The Hypnotist's Love Story," a fun no-brainer read and was looking forward to her new one, especially as she was engaging and charming. I feel as you did. It started out well with interesting, quirky characters. It didn't fizzle, it went rapidly down a rabbit hole. I didn't even rate or review it. Waste of time.

    Based on your review I added the Boyce to my monster sized TBR list.
    Headed to Florida last week of March, too. I hope hope hope it's warm!

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    1. Well, thank you so much! I always feel honored when families entrust the care of their kids to me. It's a big responsibility.

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  11. I am so glad I wasn't the only one that found Nine Perfect Strangers...meh!

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    1. Yeah, what happened to that book? What a disappointment. I kept thinking that it could have gone in such a different direction.

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  12. You picked a great time to visit Florida! It should be nice but not too hot yet in March. Definitely no snow! :)

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  13. That's awesome that you are taking courses in Mental Health. As a teacher, I know there are so many that could use your help.

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    1. I'm sure you see a lot of kids who need help. It's a sign of the times.

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  14. it is cold here but not as cold as Chicago. I can't wait to leave town and catch some rays.

    You will have a blast in Fla in March whether or not you run a race.

    That's exciting to learn something new. It's great for the aging brain (at least mine is aging).

    I love my SpiBelt! I have been lazy and haven't applied for any ambassadorships.

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  15. So Cal is bracing for a big storm this weekend, much needed rain that unfortunately leads to mudslides. #CAwintershoveling It was in the 40s when we landed last night and we shivered waiting for our Lyft at LAX. I didn't have room to bring home any Hawaiian coffee and I'm already missing it.

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  16. I can't wait to hear more about your experience with pediatric mental health. Mental health has a personal meaning for me and I'm happy to see courses offered about it. Have a great weekend!

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    1. I'm sure I'll be posting updates! As long as the course helps me provide better care to my patients, it will be worth it!

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  17. Hey Wendy! So many thoughts on your post. We will be sitting and sipping for a while! First of all, I have told you before how I feel about the cold. I don't think "despise" is too strong a term. To answer another question, I am not IN school, but I am a teacher, so I am in a school every day. I also have afternoon bus duty. This means that I spend @45 minutes each day outside in the "way too cold for my liking" weather each winter. I have had this same duty for almost a decade, so the bus drivers know my aversion to the cold and tease me about it on a regular basis! I would never survive anywhere in the northern US! On to another topic: I just recently heard about KonMari and Tidying Up, so I am curious to see how I react to it, after so much buzz about it. Next, I need a good book to read. Everything I have started lately has just been meh.....although the weather may have something to do with my general malaise. FINALLY, I think it is great that you are going back to school to learn more about pediatric mental health. So.many.children. are struggling. I see it everywhere, and it is scary as a teacher and a parent, particularly the prevalence and how many people seem to be unaware of the severity! Thanks for the coffee chat! Told you it would be a long visit!

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    1. You can spend as much time sipping with me as you want! I think we need a real life coffee date. I give you a lot of credit for being a teacher. You guys have to deal with so much and think it's tougher than ever. I love when teachers work with me to help a student. I do advocate for my kids and I feel like schools are just so overwhelmed. Something's got to change. We definitely need better mental health care.

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    2. If you are ever in the metro ATL, we need to get together! Schools are overwhelmed with all of the demands placed on us, and teachers really aren't trained in dealing with mental health, neither our own nor students'. It's pretty telling when there are posters in the school about how teachers can reach out for "someone to talk to" with hands reaching out of water and a life preserver in the illustration.....

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  18. Congratulations on going back to school! That is so exciting. What a great thing to do. I missed most of the polar vortex last week, cause I was visiting my sister in Florida. We drove home through a surprise snowstorm today, so traffic was crawling all the way from DC to PA. Ugh! Welcome home!

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    1. Winter always makes travel a crapshoot. Last year, when I was heading to Birmingham to run Mercedes, we got a big snowstorm the day before. I wasn't sure I was going to get there!

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  19. Good on ya for wanting to help your patients with the mental health aspect - not enough caregivers have the knowledge to help, or want to be bothered, it seems.

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  20. That’s great that you’re taking classes and will be better able to help your patients! And your Florida trip sounds like it will be fun. This cold weather is really making me dream of warmer climates and I just got back from Florida a couple weeks ago. Oh, I fixed the commenting system on my blog so I think it should be working consistently now.

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  21. Congrats on your continuing education! I think having classes in mental health will really help your patients. As a teacher, I can tell you we are seeing more and more kids with mental health problems and it's just one set of skills we teachers keep have to honing so we can help them. I mean, I'm not going to cure anyone, but I can get them through the day and set them up to be ready to learn in my classroom. Make them feel safe.

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  22. Gonna have to check out that hashtag....awesome that you are going back to school to better serve your patients. Good luck with that! I love the winter but I am looking forward to warmer weather and it looks like the groundhog didn't see its shadow so.....ha! I am heading to NC soon and some days it is suppose to get into the low 70s!!! But, a cold front is suppose to move in towards the end of my trip. I'll take whatever I can get.

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    1. We're going to cool back down too--back to what is normal for this time of year. I'm kind of sad that all the snow is melting, tho!

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  23. That's awesome that you're going back to school! Best of luck with your classes.

    How nice to have a vacation planned with your boys - perfect thing to look forward to during this crazy weather!

    Congrats on SPIbelt and welcome to the team!

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  24. I think pursuing that certification is a terrific idea!! As you know, I'm all about furthering education. I'm glad I'm done with school for a bit, though. I still have a couple of certs I'm working on but the degree is done. Thank goodness!

    I had a Spibelt once upon a time. I have no idea what happened to that thing. Hmm... I use a Flipbelt now. That works pretty well for me but I know people who absolutely swear by their Spibelts!

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    1. Since this class is self paced, I think it's going to take me a good part of the year to get it done!

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  25. What a great step for career growth. Good luck with the course.
    I love that Florida skimmer meme
    So glad to see someone else struggled with Nine Perfect Strangers. I feel like all of Goodreads read a different book to the one I did.

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    1. There were a few naysayers on Goodreads, which made me proceed with caution! I so wanted to love that book but it just got so weird.

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  26. I definitely haven't been liking this weather, but I feel like I probably can't complain given how much worse it is in the midwest. Chiberia sounds pretty accurate! :[ I'm pretty jealous right now that Florida doesn't seem to ever participate in winter!

    Congrats on your ambassadorship! And that's awesome that you're getting more training in mental health for pediatrics! That field is very much needed, and I think it's super helpful to have that extra skill set even if you don't plan on only seeing pediatrics with mental health! (I'm thinking of doing courses in wilderness medicine. <3!)

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    1. Wilderness medicine? I've never heard of that. I need to learn more!

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