Monday, February 27, 2023

Coffee Talk

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Let's catch up over a cup of coffee! What are you having? Today I'm enjoying a cup of Dark Matter Westown Bakery Blend that I picked up last week while meeting up with Deborah. Freshly roasted, it is just perfection with a scoop of GLG collagen and a splash of half and half. My new coffee maker has made me love coffee even more if that is possible! It's fun to try all the different local roasts.  

What would you tell me over coffee?

If we were having coffee... as you read this, I am back in the high desert of California, visiting my sister at her winter home! I'm excited to be out of the office and escape the cold, wet Midwest. Our plans for this week are fluid, but I'm excited to get some more vert on the San Jacinto Mountains which lie behind her home. We're going to do a long hike on the Pacific Coast Trail and possibly a trip to Death Valley National Park. Check out my IG for the deets.

If we were having coffee... I'd share that I am so happy to have some time off out of the office. A few weeks ago, I shared that I have been seeing some really distressing things happening to some of my patients. Between my vacation this week and some continuing education next week, I am getting a little break and a chance to catch my breath.

If we were having coffee... speaking of the office, I'd tell you that my office staff recently outed my IG account--and they were impressed by how many followers I have. Don't get me wrong, I'm small potatoes compared to many people on IG. But the women I work with are all much younger than me, mostly in their 30s and they were really surprised that I had such an active social media presence. I was a little embarrassed about it. But since then, I've felt a shift in our relationship--in a good way. Maybe it is better to share some vulnerability with the people that you work with?

If we were having coffee... I'd tell you that last Friday, I went with my parents downtown to Rush University Medical Center for my dad's appointment with his neurosurgeon. He has severe osteoarthritis and has had bilateral hip replacements, shoulder replacements, and one knee replacement. We joke that he's bionic. He also has OA in his spine and a few years ago had successful spinal fusion on L4-L5, which were compressing his spinal cord. Now he's having more pain in his back along with issues with walking. The news wasn't as bad as we expected--and after he has an MRI, it looks like he will receive an epidural injection between L2-L3. Fingers crossed that will give him some relief! My oldest son joined us for lunch after. It was a really nice day!  

What would you tell me over coffee? Any vacations coming up? Do you share your social media presence with your coworkers? Any good news?

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

31 comments :

  1. Have so much fun with your sis! We loved our San Jacinto hike back when we did our West Coast trip. Sending all good thoughts for your dad!

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  2. That is very exciting to vacation with your sister. Have a blast.

    Hope your father receives relief for his pain. Getting old is no joke.

    My next vacation is back to Fla in May.

    No No, I do not friend any of my co-workers. My personal life is private. I will friend them after I leave a job if I was close freinds with them.

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  3. I hope you have a fantastic visit with your sister and enjoy all the outdoor time. Your co workers should respect how bad ass you are!

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  4. Your vacation sounds AMAZING!!! I can't wait to hear all about it and see all the photos.
    Your poor dad- sounds like he's been having a hard time. It's terrible for him to be in so much pain, and frustrating for you to see him like that. I hope this injection works and he can be more comfortable.
    It's funny that your coworkers were so impressed with your instagram following. Suddenly they're like "Oh, she's not so old, after all!" I've reluctantly shared with a couple coworkers that I have a blog (because they see me tapping away on my laptop during breaks) but they're not interested in it. Probably because blogs aren't as "cool" as instagram!

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  5. Wow I really hope your dad gets some relief soon!

    My co-workers all know that I run but have no idea about my social - I'm kinda hoping to keep it that way. In my last job, many knew and sometimes I didn't love having my two worlds collide.

    Have so much fun with your sister! Enjoy that much needed breal from your office.

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    1. Since I keep my Insta all fitness, It's ok if they follow me. Interesingly, some of them are starting to work out!

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  6. Wow on all the havoc arthritis has wreaked on your Dad's body. I hope this gives him more relief.

    I'm glad you're getting a break to catch your breath. What a wonderful place that your sister lives! Enjoy!

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    1. One of the reasons I push myself so hard is that I don't want to end up like my dad. He never took care of himself and I do think some of his issues are related to that.

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  7. Your visit to your sister in California sounds wonderful, I'll check it out on IG. I have mixed feelings about social media and work. I feel like everyone here knows so much about eachother because they are all friends on Facebook. I do not use Facebook so I am an outsider..lol I wonder how I would feel if people from work followed my IG. Do you feel weird about it? Like always watching what you post or say?

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    1. I did at first, but now that it's out there, it's fine. We're such a small group of people. Plus, it's a fitness account. I don't usually post anything there that would raise eyebrows.

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  8. I think most of my co-workers know about my social media stuff. I'm FB friends with most of them, but I do catch a few sneaking peeks at my IG stories, LOL. It's actually more flattering than awkward with the co-workers...but my sister is a different story because she pretends to not know any of my doings, but she's constantly creeping on my stories as well. Have fun in California!

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    1. My sisters aren't on social media, thank goodness. But when I do post stuff with my sister who I'm closest with, she always asks me how many likes it gets, lol

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  9. Have fun with your sister in California, it sounds like you've got some fun things planned!

    LOL on your coworkers finding your IG account. Of course things have shifted in a good way with them. Now that they've seen what you can lift in the gym they're afraid of you! ;-)

    I hope everything goes well with your dad's injection.

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    1. I like the way you think! They're so much younger than me and I think when they saw what I'm doing, it kind of blew them away. Heheh...

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  10. Aw! I love that they found you! And that you have dazzled them with your awesomeness. Have so much fun and enjoy all your time away from your stressors and with your sister. <3 I hope everything goes well with your dad!

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    1. It's amazing how just stepping onto a plane melts away the stress. Ahhhhhh

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  11. I saw your first California outings on Strava! Nice! So glad you can get some good runs in for your race in April.

    My dad doesn't have the same issues as yours, but he doesn't walk well at all. He shuffles and I'm always scared he is going to trip. Neither of my parents did anything for their health and now, at 85 and 83, it's showing.
    It's spurs me on to keep lifting those heavy weights at Crossfit!

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  12. So glad you are able to escape work and the wet and cold to see your sister! it looks amazing! I do not share my online life with my colleagues, certainly not the new ones! my ex-colleagues, some of them follow me on IG, and a few found me on tiktok :D which is fine. They know I am a weirdo anyway. I do think people are surprised in general that a person "of my age" is active on social media. There's a real divide of older people with regards to SM. I am full-on (though not with a huge following at all) and really have been ever since I got online. Some older people just don't get that and that's fine, they can go back to their underwater basket-weaving or whatever it is they are busy with!

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    1. I feel like I battle ageism on a daily basis. Everyone has such preconceived notions about what an 'older person' should be like. I'm certainly going to do my thing and prove them wrong!

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  13. I hope you are having a great time in California! Some time off is good for us.

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  14. I'm envious of your California trip, the photos look amazing! We'll be going down to GA for Spring Break, our first flight with E, and I can't wait to get away from it all! I'm glad your dad's prognosis is good.

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  15. Funny to think you were in California at the same time as my husband (he was in San Diego last week for work; on his way home now). I'm glad you got a work break. And yes, a holiday coming up this month, which I need to get rid of the last of this virus, even though I won't be running along the paseo of Malaga, but walking, as still under the physio ...

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    1. I hope you enjoy your trip to Malaga! Walking there is still better than walking at home, am I right?

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