Thursday, November 4, 2021

Coffee Talk

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Let's catch up over coffee! October was a long month, and I'm so happy to be able to sit down and chat. What are you having? I'm having the usual cup of Dunkin with a scoop of GLG collagen and a splash of half and half. 

If we were having coffee... I'd tell you that after I finished the Mammoth Hike Challenge last week, I rewarded myself with this coffee mug that I've been eyeballing for a long time! Last year due to the pandemic, it wasn't available. When I signed up for the challenge, I saw it was in stock and ordered it, along with the event shirt. While I held off on wearing the shirt until I finished, I couldn't resist using the mug. Call me obsessed. 

If we were having coffee... I'd share that earlier in October, we celebrated my mom and dad's 60th wedding anniversary party. It was such a nice dinner--just my parents, sisters and their families, and aunt and uncle were there. Interestingly, their 50th anniversary was a big party held the night before I ran my first marathon (which was a disaster). I liked this party so much better!

My hubs is not happy with this photo but it's the only one I have

If we were having coffee... I'd do a little mama brag and tell you how well my youngest is doing as scrum half of the UW-Madison rugby team. The scrum half is comparable to the quarterback of a football team. He's not a big guy but he's fast and he loves to tackle. Last weekend, they played Iowa Central College, which is a rugby school. The Badgers were definitely outplayed by the Tritons, but there were some bright spots. One of the Tritons, a 250 pound giant, broke loose and was heading for the goal. My son was the only player near the goal and HE BROUGHT HIM DOWN. Sure, they scored on the next play and the Badgers lost, but my son got a commendation from the coach. Earlier this month, he was awarded the coveted Balls of Steel award, so there's that too.

Makes me proud

If we were having coffee... I'd tell you that I've been playing fantasy football this fall and that my team is doing terribly. As of today, along with one of the coaches from CF, I am in last place with a 1-6 record. Injuries have decimated my team--this past week alone, 2 of my players were out for the season. Come on man!

Guess which one is me?


If we were having coffee... I'd share that I'm struggling a bit with work. Actually, it's been a tough couple of months for all of us in the office. Several local pediatricians have retired and those patients have flooded into our practice. Anxiety and behavior issues have become epidemic in kids and the resources to help them are strained to the maximum, leaving us to manage those issues. With the need for mental health management, the way we practice medicine has changed dramatically. It keeps me up at night. I love my patients and I remind myself of that daily. Fingers crossed that things settle down. 

A reminder of a wonderful trip...
Jenny Lake, Grand Tetons National Park

What would you tell me over coffee? Did you do any challenges or goal races last month? Anything coming up? Do you like big celebrations or do you like to keep them small and intimate? Any mama brags? Do you play fantasy football? Has your job changed during the pandemic?

I'm linking up with Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date and with the ladies of Fit Five Friday:  DarleneMichelleReneeJenn, and Zenaida.

28 comments :

  1. Congrats to your son, as you know I am a rugby fan.
    I preferred small celebration but getting older I am changing my mind.
    I have again meeting with the colleagues of the Coast Guard and it's pleasure to spend some hours together remembering the "old beautiful times" and the friends who now sail in heaven.

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  2. Congrats to Matt! That is awesome when our kids excel at what they love. Maddie nailed down an AMAZING internship for next summer this week. They're gong to relocate her out to Oregon. I'll have to visit...often. I'm hosting T'giving for my side of the family but the rest of the weekend will be all about MIL's 80th birthday.

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  3. Congrats to your son! Rugby is such a fun sport!

    I can only imagine how your patients must be struggling. Sadly the effects of these last couple of years will be with us for a while.

    Nice job on completing the Mammoth Hike Challenge! I've been thinking I need to sign up for some kind of challenge just to push myself a little. I'm starting to feel like a slacker, LOL

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    1. I loved having the opportunity to participate in this challenge! The Lodi chapter has a challenge for the local segments and I think that will be on my list for next year.

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  4. Happy Anniversary to your parents. We have a small family, so all of our family celebrations are small. ;-)

    Love your mamma brag. Balls of Steel — you’ve got to love rugby!

    Sorry work is so stressful. I’m sure your patients and their families appreciate you being there.

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    1. We were very proud of the Balls of Steel award, lol. No padding, no helmet, no cup. Well deserved!

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  5. My job changed from face to face teaching to online. Better for me but I don't think people learn well that way.

    My stepson loves fantasy football not me. He and his wife bought a big new house and are doing very well financially.

    My challenge is 1000 miles by the end of the year - I think I can think I can

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  6. I mean what kid does not want to win the balls of steel award!? Love it. Congrats to your parents as well. So sweet and glad you all got to celebrate together. Can't wait to catch up in person tomorrow you can tell me about work see you soon

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    1. I can't wait to see you!! oh work is a very interesting place these days.

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  7. Well done to your son! I wonder if he'd enjoy This is Your Everest by Tom English or Legacy of the Lions by Gavin Hastings, both about the British & Irish Lions tours, or you might. Two good books I might have had something to do with.

    As for challenges, I think I've overcome my fear after falling in my race and am getting back out there again - that's challenge enough for me.

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    1. I agree with you about that challenge! I will look into those books. I'm fascinated with rugby.

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  8. the only championship my football team is going to is the Toilet Bowl. Fittingly, the same is true for my real life team. What a mess. I love fantasy football and the office run group as non-alcohol bonding at work.
    HUGS on what you and the kids are dealing with
    Way to go on your son, that sounds like an amazing feat.

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  9. Congrats to your son! Iowa Central is where our son went before transferring to Iowa. It’s a hugely athletic-minded school, and a lot of athletes get recruited from there to go on to Div. 1 schools. Our son was on the swim team, and we got to go to the NJCAA “national “ meet (in Florida) one year.I think college sports are much more fun to follow than the professional ones :-)

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    1. You and my southern friends! When you live in a big city, it's a different story! We love our pro sports teams.

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  10. I'm not sure that we're going to see anything settling down anytime soon as far as things like anxiety go. :( Your patients are so lucky to have you, Wendy! Hugs.

    I am a small group person. Interestingly my parents were big group people (my Dad, anyway). I remember their 50h -- man, that was 20 years ago! We were still living in TX & flew in to surprise them. Seems like another lifetime.

    You know my love of mugs!

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  11. We’ve spent the past couple weeks in Hawaii and have enjoyed lots of Hawaiian coffee, along with epic running and cycling. I’ve been waiting for this coffee date to share some I snagged on Amazon - coffee from Door County! I bought Pumpkin spice and Caramel apple and they were both great! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EYNJL9K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_CJ3GMZ3WRATQHT95TDPZ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

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    1. I can't click the link--is it the Door County Coffee Company? I love that you bought it!

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    2. Sorry, I posted that from my iPad just before we flew home. Yes, I was searching for a good pumpkin spice coffee and this was one that popped up. It did not disappoint!
      It looks like they are out of pumpkin spice, but here are some of the other flavors they sell:
      https://www.amazon.com/Door-County-Coffee-Turtles-Wholebean/dp/B0752V9DCN?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1

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    3. They all sound so yummy! I'll have to stop there next time we go up!

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  12. My son's team (Baylor) is doing amazing this year! Of course, he has absolutely nothing to do with it other than attending the school, ha ha. My husband and I are totally into the games but he couldn't care less, other than he admits it's good if they win because otherwise people are in a bad mood. Ha... it must be fun to have an athletic son!
    We've been flooded with clients coming in for massage for the past year. You'd think the pandemic would deter them, but no... people's anxiety is at an all-time high. It can be hard to deal with... must be way harder to see that kind of anxiety in kids.

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    1. We love that my UW Madison is doing so well too! It's really fun to be a part of a big team!

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  13. Congrats to your son on his great season! You have every reason to be proud and brag! We've got our son's wedding coming up in two weeks and we're really looking forward to our little getaway to Florida.

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