How about a little break from all the Crohn’s talk? I know — I could use a break from it, too. I really do think I’m getting better, slowly but kinda surely. I still have stomach discomfort plus a good amount of urgency in the mornings, but — and I’ll say this in the least graphic way possible — what’s happening in the bathroom looks different. (Translation: There’s less blood, which is a good thing!)
I saw my beloved doctor this morning (!!!), so stand by for updates. Until then, here are some non-Crohn’s things going on in my life — because it’s not all blood, sweat, and bathrooms right now.
Always snoozing together.Feeling: So very loved. I have some great friends. Remember when Brian and I went to Paris (like, a week ago…)? And remember how I was too sick to really enjoy the trip and all the delicious stuff Paris had to offer? Well, one of my very kind and lovely friends mailed me a giant chocolate croissant so I could enjoy it in the comfort of my own home. That’s amazing. She’s amazing. (Shout-out to Mrs. Fuelling — you raised a good kid.) I’ve had friends come visit, send me flowers, send texts to check in, and send loads of puppy pictures. All of that stuff makes me feel very taken care of and very loved.
When your internet friends tell you “Target has a giraffe onesie,” you snap it up IMMEDIATELY. Ellie likes it!Watching: The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. I know, I’m a few months late on this one, but it’s so good. I cried my dehydrated eyes out during the “Marcia, Marcia, Marcia” episode. I don’t really remember the O.J. Simpson case at all because I was pretty young when it happened, so it’s fascinating watching how it’s portrayed through this series. (It’s not all completely factual and some parts are embellished for dramatic effect, so I’m obsessed with reading all the “fact checking” recaps from various sources.) Brian and I are watching it together and we have three episodes left — but he has a lot of early mornings and late nights going on in the office right now, making the odds of me secretly finishing it without him and then lying about it pretty high.
Weekend mornings with the Cristianos…I still DVR and half-watch Grey’s Anatomy, which is just so boring now and I don’t know why I still feign interest in it, and I’m watching This Is Us because it was so hyped as being “the new Parenthood.” My issue is that it feels very, very manipulative. I feel like the creators are just trying to make sure we cry during and gasp at the end of every episode. Some of it just comes across as forced. And I liked when she was a pop star, but I don’t love Mandy Moore The Actress. (Your thoughts on this show, please.)
Ellie likes watching TV, too!Baking: Pumpkin oatmeal muffins, constantly. I’ve been eating these little guys for breakfast daily. Yum.
Craving: A good, long run, for the mind, body, and soul. I think this is just around the corner.
A throwback to healthier, sweatier days!Missing: Central Park. Since we moved out of Manhattan earlier this year, I haven’t missed it once. It’s so close that I am in the city constantly, so it doesn’t totally feel like we’re gone. But now that it’s fall and the leaves are changing and everything looks a little more magical, I’m definitely missing having Central Park as my backyard. I want to take Ellie for a walk around the Bridle Path, and I want to run around the Reservoir. Fall in New York City is the best, especially as all the New York City Marathon stuff starts to show up. This will be the first year I’m not out for a run in the park to see the first signs of the finish line bleachers going up or the mile marker flags being hung.
Manhattan! So close, but sometimes feels so far.Reading: This, so many times, and sobbing hysterically each time. (So much love to the nurses out there. I love nurses. They’ve always been the kindest, most compassionate people when I’m sick, and that makes such a world of difference. Kindness goes a very long way.)
Writing: This piece for Allure about my first facial. This piece for Women’s Health that made me laugh so hard. This piece for Daily Burn about some of my favorite documentaries. This piece for Well + Good featuring some of my favorite runners.
Traveling: Nowhere! After a whirlwind September, I am so happy to have very little on my upcoming agenda.
DO NOT DISTURB. WE ARE HIBERNATING.Loving: Asparagus. Whether I’m flaring or not, I have a hard time with most vegetables. That makes trying to eat healthy very difficult — and definitely frustrating. (Salads, broccoli, spinach — I may as well eat glass.) But I can tolerate asparagus. Yay asparagus!
Also loving running outside! I ran outside again yesterday and I was so happy. That feeling is unbeatable.
#seenonmyRUN!!!Not totally loving: People calling themselves “grandmas” for going to bed at 9 PM. My grandmother, Honey, goes to bed at like 11. She’s got a bumpin’ social life, she’s well-versed in pop culture, and she loves her iPad. So whenever one of my 20-or-30-something-year-old friends is like, “OMG it’s 9 PM and I’m going to bed, I’m such a grandma,” I always want to be like, “Nope, because Honey’s night is just getting started.” (Similarly, I can no longer stand to see the word “adulting.” I hate it so much. Related.)
Playing: With Jasper! Jasper is new to the building and he’s so sweet and fluffy. Ellie gets a little jealous, though…
THAT FACE AND ALSO THOSE PAWS.CHIME IN! What are you reading, writing, loving, hating, and watching right now?
25 Responses
I know this post is from another era, but I love your positive writing. It helps me to get more out of life, so thank you. I had to tell you I totally agree about This is Us– 100%. I tried to watch it cuz everyone I know loves it soooo much, but I just couldn’t get into it because it was so obviously orchestrating emotions without really giving a story or character depth to justify it. Thin. Also totally agree about “adulting”. Finally, my grandma is in her ’90’s and whenever we’ve stayed with grandma, we’ve stayed up suuuuuper late. She also told us we needed to see Michael Jackson live because he is such a great performer. Missed the boat on that one. Oh well, point is, she parties harder than anyone else in the family.
The giraffe onesie is fab-u-lous!
The past two falls, as NYC ramped up for the marathon, I’ve had such serious FOMO! I CANT WAIT TO RUN IT NEXT YEAR (fingers and toes crossed).
And Mamma Fuelling did a damn good job didn’t she??
As I read this today I was sitting at my desk wearing a giraffe onesie (it is pajama day at the school I work at) so I am really excited about that today! Happy Friday!
Love all of the advice in your Well and Good article. Great points!
Hating? Snapchat filters. Very sick of seeing pictures of people on Snapchat with funny faces. Can you tell I’m not actually on Snapchat? ha
Also loving that picture of Jasper. Awwwww!!!
I’m glad you’re starting to feel better.
Watching: Just finished Season One of Supergirl, and Blacklist.
Reading: 80/20 Running, and Bind the Soul by Annette Marie – this series is addictive, I can’t put it down.
I want to like “This Is Us” but I don’t like the role of Milo. So much better in Gilmore Girls!
Awesome you like the new doctor! Hope your on the mend!
The end of the first episode I was just like !!!!!! omg makes sense. but then I only watched half of episode 2. I have issues getting into shows.
I’m loving my new job. I have been at Nickelodeon for 6 weeks as a production manager and every day I get a little bit of my childhood.
Hooray … Ali On The Mend!!!! Im loving Michelle Obama and Stranger Things:)
This is us is SO not parenthood and I couldn’t have said it better myself; every episode ends with a twist and it’s too in your face.
On a totally separate note, I’ve followed your blog for years but just moved to NH last year. I now love looking through the archives for NH related posts! Oh and thanks for being awesome at life and telling the rest of us about it!
So glad things might be slightly improving. At the risk of being annoying, are you taking iron supplements if you’re losing a lot of blood? Just checking – forgive me if you’re eye-rolling at me.
I’ve just started Gilmore Girls because everyone raves about it…and so far I like it lots. I’m also obsessed with this hot spiced almond milk drink. I’m getting into almond milk (not vegan, big fan of dairy, but it’s a nice alternative) and I’m drinking this most evenings these days.
http://simplegreensmoothies.com/healthy-eating/spiced-almond-milk
Haha I’m totally not eye rolling — I love you too much! I’m not currently taking iron supplements because I don’t tolerate them well. Instead, I generally get iron infusions (through IV), which I will *hopefully* start doing ASAP now that I’m set back up with my doctor. The iron makes a world of difference for me — it really helped get me back on my feet last time, so I’m craving it, that’s for sure. And YES to Gilmore Girls.
I couldn’t agree more about the “grandmas” and the “adulting.” I find both totally obnoxious. Especially the “adulting” thing is just another reason why other generations think we so entitled and insufferable.
I agree about the grandma thing as well. My grandma goes to bed later than my parents and usually later than me. If I want someone to talk to after 10 PM, it’s usually Nana. It’s also time to ban people on the Internet from calling their babies “squish.” Wtf is that even supposed to mean?
Glad you’re starting to feel better 🙂
WHAT IS SQUISH? I don’t think I’ve seen that. Like because babies are squishy?
This Is Us is on my to-watch list, although based on the above comments i’m not sure it’s all people are saying.
That said, I do love a good tv-show-cry. Grey’s used to be perfect for that. Crying can be so releasing so I think I secretly enjoyed it. And so much easier to cry over a tv show than real life. 🙂
Ellie is so stinking cute and I love how much you cuddle with her. I love cuddling with my pup but since she’s not allowed on the furniture it’s more challenging (and uncomfortable)
Yeahhhh… Ellie used to not be allowed on the furniture either. That rule didn’t last very long. But I love snuggling so IT’S FINE.
This is Us. I didn’t watch Parenthood, so I have no basis for comparison to that, but I really like Mandy Moore the Actress, so I was willing to give it a shot. I like it but I pretty much just cry through the entire thing, and I don’t know if there’s room for that in my life.
And I absolutely agree with you on Adulting.
OK – so, about This is Us. I have always loved Mandy Moore the Actress. Always. So, I’m happy she’s back acting again. BUT. I am not sure about this show. I actually just finished binge watching Parenthood (6 seasons in 1 month) & I loved it. Sorry not sorry, this is nothing like Parenthood. No one can top the Bravermans. Back to This is Us – I’m not totally sold. It’s okay so far. But nothing has really been hooking me – & I’m only continuing to watch it because it’s so hyped up right now. PS: I’ll be in NYC this weekend & will totally be visualizing you running through Central Park! Hope you’re feeling better.
Omg, Jasper’s paws! The bigger and fluffier the dog, the happier I am! I want to squeeze him!
hey girl, glad you’re feeling better.
im reading “the versions of us” i found it in our airbnb in italy. its really good. sort of a mix of “one day” and “sliding doors” i think you might like.
when you’re up for it come run w/ me in CP!
Remember when we met IRL for the first time in Central Park and I was like, “FOLLOW ME INTO THE WOODS” and you were like, “OK.” I like our memories.
Love this and LOVE YOU! Ok I’m never good at just stopping by but I need need to visit. If only for Ellie’s sake 😉 Just kidding. But glad you enjoyed the croissant and I hope that doctor’s visit was a giant leap forward! I’ll just leave this with “see you soon” ok cool.
#juststopby
I totally agree with you about “This is Us” I think it tries a little too hard to establish the emotion that came more naturally with Parenthood. But who knows I will probably end up watching it, I don’t what else is on right now that is decent!
That NY Times Well piece made me cry. Nurses really are the best. They can make or break an experience in the hospital or clinic,more so than doctors, I think.
I hope you continue to see improvement! Yay for outdoor running!
Also, I want to kidnap Jasper. Adorable.
Reading – The Storied Life of AJ Fikry – pretty good so far. Also the many magazines my boss has delivered and never wants. This month’s Runner’s World cover is hilarious – oh Kevin!
Writing – Thank You notes. Sadly my BIL just passed away unexpectedly so lots of those to get through. Though it is wonderful to see how loved he was.
Loving – Pumpkin Noosa – tastes like pumpkin cheesecake to me and I lie to myself that’s its SO healthy.
Hating – that my son is a senior and his last home soccer game is tonight. TOO FAST!
So happy to hear you are feeling a bit better and hoping that continues for you!