Friday, April 3, 2020

Coffee Talk

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Let's catch up over a cup of coffee! Has it only been a month since we last shared a cup of joe? I don't know about you, but it feels like an eternity. Wow, have things changed since a month ago. Let me pour you a cup. I'm having Folgers (don't laugh) with a large splash of half and half. And of course, collagen.

Or maybe we should go straight to wine.

What would you tell me over coffee?



If we were having coffee... I'd tell you that the novelty of working from home is wearing off. While I'm so grateful for the opportunity--who would ever think a nurse practitioner could work from home--sitting at my dining room table for 8 hours is not my favorite thing to do. I've had a few virtual visits per day, but mostly I've been catching up on education stuff I needed to get done. I'm starting to think about the future and opportunities for telemedicine. I've got some ideas and I've got time to figure it out. We've got to get through this pandemic first.

My home office. 
If we were having coffee... I'd tell you that my technological skills are improving dramatically. Most of you are probably laughing at me, but my forte is medicine, not technology. However, I've had some major victories working between applications and mastering the virtual visit. You're never too old to learn something new, right? I'm trying to convince my son that we need to do a TikTok dance--but neither of us have TikTok nor do we dance. It could be kind of fun, right? He's not at all interested, tho.

Father/son; I think we could do a mother/son dance, just saying...
If we were having coffee... I'd tell you that Cocoa is really not on board with this work from home thing. She sits in the front window and barks at people walking on the sidewalk in front of my house. God forbid a dog goes by. She takes her ball and shakes it like it's a dead animal. One time, she ran along the window, as if to chase the dog, and ran straight into the back wall. It's amusing for a while, but the incessant barking gets old fast. I have had to close the shades so she can't see out.

Cocoa on patrol, keeping the bad guys away
If we were having coffee... I'd tell you that I made chocolate chip cookies this week. I try not to have that stuff in the house because sugar is really a trigger for my RA, but desperate times call for chocolate chip cookies. Guys, they were good. I say "were" because between my husband, my son, and me, they've disappeared. Is this why my hands ache and my knees hurt? Can I say it's worth it?

Not one healthy ingredient here...
If we were having coffee... I'd ask you how well you are doing with social distancing? After my very frightening trip to the grocery store last week during a very crowded senior citizen hour--no, I'm not a senior yet, but I am immunosuppressed-- I gathered up my courage and went to a different grocery store this week. I got there at 6 am and besides the delivery people, I was pretty much the only person there. There was no line at the checkout. I've also been getting up very early to run to avoid the groups of people on the trails and the paths.

Last week at the store, lined up beyond the floral department
If we were having coffee... I'd ask you if you have been watching Tiger King. It didn't seem like our kind of show, but due to peer pressure, we tuned in. It just got crazier and crazier with each episode. It was like watching a train wreck. When it was all over, I felt like I needed eye bleach or something. Wow.

If we were having coffee... I'd talk about the books I've read this past month. I had a bunch of books on hold at the library and naturally, they all came in at once. So I'm reading like a fiend. Which, after watching Tiger King is probably the best thing I could do.
Here are my reads:
-Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner is a story of two sisters, being raised by a single mom in Detroit in the 1950s. They go on very divergent paths and the always reliable Weiner spins a really good tale that sucked me in. I need to revisit some of her other books. I enjoyed this one a lot.
-Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison is a coming-of-age story of a young man growing up poor, trying to figure out what to do with his life. He loves to mow laws and create topiaries. I loved this author's The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving (if you haven't read it, you need to), and while I enjoyed this book, it wasn't as good. Still worth the read, tho.
-Last Couple Standing by Matthew Norman is a funny book about a couple who decide to open up their marriage to spice things up after all their friends get divorced. It was touching as well and I really enjoyed it.
-The Adventurer's Son by Roman Dial is the true story of a father's quest to find his son after he goes missing while exploring in Central America. I can't imagine the agony he endured as he dealt with cultural and language barriers. It's a little bit long but worth reading.
-The Lady's Handbook for Her Mysterious Illness by Sarah Ramey is her memoir of living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome. Sadly, it took many years of enduring painful procedures and disbelieving doctors before she found a doctor who would help her. Her stories are horrifiying; her sense of humor is endearing. It's a cautionary tale for any woman with chronic health issues. The book is a little long and there's a detour into some superhero stories--I will admit to skimming those. But the rest of her story was wow. I almost considered making it a blog book review. Let me know if you read it.


What would you tell me over coffee? How are you doing with social distancing? Any funny work-at-home stories? Have you been baking? Dancing? Would you do a TikTok dance? Did you see Tiger King? Any good books to recommend? Do you follow me on Goodreads?

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

 

38 comments :

  1. I've been working at home too and I am wondering if this technology is opening up more opportunities to do this throughout the year. I'm thinking we may not have anymore snow days during the school year. They may now make us all have school from home since we know how to do it now...lol
    Good for you for reading all those books! I started one but could not finish. I had no idea what Tiger King was but we started it last weekend and you are right, it was like a train wreck that you couldn't look away from..lol

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    1. I'm going to definitely look into telemedicine opportunities while this thing rages on. Predictions are that it could wax and wane for the next 18 months.

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  2. Nope, not watching Tiger King & really not interested either. Good thing Mr. Judy isn't either, or somehow has missed all the buzz about it.

    I shop at smaller grocery stores in general, but still it can be hard. I didn't go shopping this week, and next week we're having some groceries delivered. Although I am still going to need to go at some point. The downside to the smaller stores is they aren't open at 6!

    Mmm, chocolate chip cookies! Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

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  3. I made cookies last weekend and should have taken more to my mom because I ate 1/2 dozen in one sitting .... I decided not to bake again until Easter, which is next weekend. ;-) Your cookies look good —is it a special recipe or the basic Toll House one? LOL at Cocoa crashing into the wall. We do have to close our front blinds to keep Scooby quiet. He’s not sure where to hang out — his usual spot in the family room, the study with my husband, or the basement with me. I’ve been doing my usual Saturday morning grocery shopping and it’s been pretty empty. Those crowds would freak me out.

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    1. I'm going to sew some cloth masks this weekend for grocery store trips. Yep, fear is taking over...

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  4. We stayed away from Tiger King as long as possible but finally succumbed. What a freak show. When the kids were little I swear Joe Exotic was at Didier Farms with his white tigers during pumpkin patch season and we had extra tix so I took the kids to see them. When I saw they were basically in chicken wire cages and they were inviting us to climb a ladder to feed them meat from tongs we scrammed outta there. They were shut down shortly after.

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    1. I bet there's quite a few Joe Exotics out there! Mike saw a story about Doc Antle and Britney Spears from back in the day when she did a show with tigers....

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  5. Ha ha now that there are fewer Amazon deliveries our dog is much more relaxed. For some reason I've been really cranky about TV shows and I just can't get into anything including Tiger King (um yes I'm the girl who watches Suits and Married at First Sight, so all signs point to it being me and not the shows) but I'm loving movies lately. I really want to see Knives Out.

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    1. We just started Ozark and I'm having trouble getting into it. It wants to be Breaking Bad, I think but it's just not as edgy.

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  6. I'm working from my dining table too and those chairs were definitely not meant for sitting in for 8 hours per day! I have a little make shift standing desk I've set up using a stack of boxes, but it's not the sturdiest thing in the world. I think my cats aren't fans of this work from home thing either!

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    1. We're lucky we get to work from home, right? But it is a challenge!

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  7. Ha I keep telling my kids we need to do a TikTok video too and they just give me the look. I have see some really funny ones though. Yes cookies are totally necessary at a time like this! I just read "In 5 years" and now I am reading "the 2 lives of Lydia Byrd" for our virtual book club. Did not think I would like Tiger King either but....watching it. Those people are truly nuts! Thanks for catching up today!

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    1. Thanks for the virtual coffee date! Grateful for my blogging friends right now.

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  8. I keep telling my friends that I may start a tik tok account because it looks like fun!

    Like you, I run outside early to avoid as many people as possible. I've also tried to limit my grocery store runs to every 7-10 days. It's been interesting shopping my pantry and freezer lol.

    I have two more episodes to watch for Tiger King. I 100% agree with you that it was a complete train wreck, but I really couldn't stop watching. IT was just the nonsense I needed to zone out and not think about all the current craziness.

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    1. My husband keeps pushing me to run out to the store for things, but I keep patiently explaining that we need to make do. But this is an ongoing struggle with us--his mom went to the store every day!

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  9. Chocolate chip cookies yes please! They wouldn't survive a moment over here.
    I watched Tiger King and I think I should have read some good books instead...but I did manage to read "Born a crime" by Trevor Noah. As he is half South African, half Swiss and is now living in the US, it was an interesting read.

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    1. I keep seeing the book pop up on my Amazon feed. I may have to read it after your recommendation!

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  10. Tiger King/eye bleach - you made me laugh this morning! I have resisted watching that show because I fear for humanity already and I worry that it might just send me over the edge. Yesterday a good friend suggested a gathering in her backyard, appropriately spaced apart. She's an intelligent, well-educated woman, but I wanted to yell WHAT PART OF SOCIAL DISTANCING DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND?? Argh. Plus the police here can issue tickets for gatherings of over 10 people - which I agree with - and that group would have been over 10. Thankfully, everyone declined her invitation. And this is just one more reason why I can't watch Tiger King, LOL.

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    1. I keep seeing mini-gatherings like this around the neighborhood and it makes my head want to blow off. I understand the lack of social connections but come on people!!!

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  11. Drinking Peanut Butter cup coffee from our local coffee shop (https://dr-conkeys-candy-coffee.myshopify.com/) We've been buying their beans on a regular basis. I've decided I don't care for chocolate flavored coffee - the chocolate never really comes through. My favorite of theirs is Butterscotch Royale and English Toffee Swirl. They ship ground or whole beans if you need a break from your Folders.

    We've been diligent with social distancing. Of course I miss people, but after losing both parents I know what missing people is really like. I want to get through this and not be that person who thinks the rules don't apply to them.

    I signed up for the Hot Chocolate 15k virtual race. I think that's a race you did, correct? $40 registration includes a goodie bag with a jacket, medal and chocolate.

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    1. I've done the live Hot Chocolate 15k a few times. You'll have to let me know how you like the virtual one. Good luck!

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  12. I'm definitely with you--it for sure feels like it's been an eternity. I've been trying to catch up on educational stuff as well (and life admin in general)--might as well learn something while we're in the thick of things, right?

    I've been hearing a lotttt about Tiger King, but not sure that I'll be watching it. (May change my answer depending on how long this shelter in place goes for.) I'm hoping to get more reading done though! I'll have to check out the ones you mentioned!

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    1. I'm definitely taking advantage of the downtime to get lots of reading done. I really need to clean my house!

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  13. Tiger King was just what i needed. Seriously. I wasn't even ashamed to have watched it LOL.

    Our grocery stores have made their hours later, so we can't shop until 8AM. Mr PugRunner goes. He's awesome for that.

    The pugs are exhausted with us home. They want to follow us everywhere and just can't figure it out. Delilah is going to be a complete wreck with separation anxiety once Mr PugRunner goes back to the office.

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    1. Cocoa is struggling with all of that too. She'll probably have a nervous breakdown when we go back to our normal routine.

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  14. Believe it or not. I don’t have Netflix. I’m ok. Not a TV junkie.

    Yes. Working from home is a bore. I need to see real people. And not just on a computer screen.

    Trying not to bake since it’s just the two of us.

    I have been getting ice cream out rather than buying it.

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    1. I'm not a TV junkie either but it is nice to have options. You're going out for ice cream? Huh.

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  15. Thanks for all the book reviews. I am almost out of books and need something to keep me busy! I can't run all day. I haven't yet started the Tiger King, but I have been watching Grace & Frankie, which I really like and The Kominski Method, which I like too. My son tried to get me to watch Schitt's Creek but it wasn't my cup of tea. Or coffee! :)

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    1. We tried Grace and Frankie and the Kominski Method and couldn't get into those. But we loved Schitt's Creek. Go figure!

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  16. Sadly, the nicer the weather is getting, the more people are getting out. I'm finding it almost impossible to completely social distance around my neighborhood.

    I'm sure the telemedicine thing will take some getting used to. Obviously I can't do it, but I wish I could avoid the hospital right now.

    Stay healthy!

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    1. At least you're in the NICU--hopefully, you feel pretty safe there.

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  17. Yeah, Tiger King was a major train wreck. I've done the daughter/mom dance thing (Recital 2018), and have not been asked back for an encore LOL I'm extremely grateful Iowa hasn't been hit as hard as other places...yet. And, I'm thankful my job hasn't (yet) been affected. Day by day....

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    1. I'm so surprised that you're still at your job! It's pretty scary right now.

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  18. What A Beautiful Cup Of Joe - Smells So Devine - I Felt At Peace Knowing Cocoa Was Looking Out For My Best Interest While We Catch Up - Excellent Book Reviews And Love The Batman Slap - And Hell No I Did Not Watch Tiger King - I Say That Because I Have Wanted To Say It For Days - Its The Hot Top, Behind The Late Night Talk Show Home Editions And C19 - B.C.V. We Were Really Blessed - I Took Everything For Granted - Silly Me - About To Finish Up This Cup And Gotta Go - Thanx For Being You, For All That You Do, And Please Drop A Few Extra Treats On The Ground For Cocoa

    Cheers

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    1. LOL, Cocoa gets plenty of treats--she's always begging when I'm making smoothies or salads. She loves her fruits and veggies. So odd, really. And you missed nothing by skipping Tiger King, although we are still talking about it and the Donald Trump memes superimposed onto Tiger King are everything....

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  19. I read The Adventure's Son as well. Very Beautiful and heartbreaking.

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