Monday, May 19, 2014

This past month has been an absolute whirlwind, its hard to believe its already the end of May. I've been feeling so-so, but have been trying to keep a positive outlook and enjoy all the exciting things happening in my life. This was such a long and hard winter that it feels amazing to get outside and soak up as much sun as I possibly can. New York City really does come alive in the spring and the weather (minus the rain) has been perfect; not too hot, not too cold. River and i have done some traveling this month, starting with a trip to Chicago for my uncles wedding. This was a rare opportunity for me to see some family that i don't often get to see, including my two favorite people, my sisters. River and I packed the dogs up and hopped in the car heading to Cleveland first. We got to see my moms new house which is so country and cute, perfect for her, for the first time. We then headed to Toledo to pick up Braden and Alli and made the trek to Chicago. The weather was perfect and we got to do a little exploring of the city before the wedding started. The wedding was small but very classy. The band was amazing and we all had a great time dancing and drinking. Note to self; don't drink cosmos, wine, champagne, sangria, whiskey sours, fireball, chocolate martinis, and beer all in one night, it makes for a very long and miserable car ride home the next day. This was our first trip back since Christmas and i forgot how far away Cleveland is. It pulls at my heart to be so far away from our families but it makes it so much more special when we do get to see them even if for a short time. This past weekend we made the first trip back to Buffalo since moving to NYC. I have been excited for this trip for months. We lived in Buffalo for 5+ years and i didn't realize until this weekend just how much i miss it. We really did begin our family there. We were 18 and young when we moved there and we left 23 and married with 2 furry babies. I was able to go back and visit Butterfly Kisses, the daycare i worked at. I couldn't believe how big my babes had all gotten. Seeing the teachers made me feel like i never left. Everyone there is so friendly and leaving was the worst part about moving, hands down. I got to go to an old co-workers baby shower (she's having twins, eeeek!) while River stayed at the hotel for a couple of hours studying for his CPA. We were able to squeeze in almost all of our favorite places in the short 3 day trip. We made a trip to Grovers, a Buffalo famous burger joint, the outlet mall (obviously), Wegmans, Zettis, the dog park and of course the baseball field. The absolute highlight of this trip was getting to take the dogs to the doggy park. The transition to New York was hard enough for me and river, but thinking about how hard it was for the dogs makes me sick. They went from having a full house with a fenced in backyard to a tiny one bedroom apartment and having to pee on the sidewalk. When they realized where we were when we got to the park i honestly thought they were going to pee in my car. The park was always an unofficial dog park, meaning almost everyone who goes there had a dog but you technically weren't allowed to let them off the leash. The warden would occasionally come and you would get a ticket if you didn't have a leash. This January the regulars at the park pushed and were finally able to get it turned into an official bark park. We were in heaven, there were 50+ dogs there all weekend. The boys were so stressed out because they didn't know who to play with first. This is something they just don't get in the city. the dog parks here are just small fenced in areas, nothing like the island that the buffalo park is. River and i have been having the conversation about where we want to end up living in the next couple of years. I, surprisingly, am content on living the city life, where river wants to move up to the suburbs because he needs a lawn to mow. Seeing how happy the dogs were back in buffalo made me finally agree with River. If i am this sad about my dogs growing up without a yard and space to run around, imagine how i will feel when were talking about my kids. End of discussion, they need a yard to run around in and the city just won't cut it. In typical Buffalo baseball fashion, the games were rained out and they were forces to play a triple header on saturday. I didn't even know that existed, but we sat there in the freezing cold and rain to support our buffalo bulls who are headed to the MAC tournament this week, Its very cute to me how much River lit up this weekend watching the games. I know he misses it, but he won't admit just how much. He is such a competitive person that not having it is making him stir crazy. I hope he is able to channel some of that into our kickball and softball leagues this summer.  None of this travel would have been possible if it wasn't for the amazing family i nanny for, They are so flexible to me and my schedule and it really makes the dynamic of the job/relationship work. I appreciate them letting me go visit my family more than they know. 

Throughout the month my health has been pretty up and down. I started the new treatment and am waiting with fingers crossed for it to work. I have now taken two dosages of that. I also decided to completely stop taking the steroids as i feel that the side effects outweigh the benefit at this point. My major issues has been anxiety. I am beyond anxious about going anywhere for the fear that i will need to use the bathroom and won't have access to one. In buffalo this wouldn't be a problem, but in NYC no one has bathrooms that you can use. This causes major stress to someone like me because i could be out on a walk and need to go and not have enough time to make it all the way home, I want to work to mandate that all restaurants have bathrooms and that they have to let someone with a medical condition use them, 

Two families very close to me lost their fathers this past month and my heart aches for them, My cousins in California; drew, bijan, and kayhan lost their father after a difficult struffle. As hard as dealing with crohn;s is, someone always has it worse off than you. My friend Christian also lost his father to cancer this month. I think about them often and they will never be forgotten. 

Bottom line of this post, be grateful for what you have, be it your family or your health, because it could all be gone tomorrow. We need to love and support anyone who is going through a difficult time for whatever reason and just let them know your here for them.

Our summer of traveling doesn't end here, however. The second week of June I'm heading West to visit my cousins and their families. In July, for our anniversary, River and I have rented a cabin in the mountains where we plan to relax, camp, fish, and swim. 

Lots to look forward to in life. Lots.

Until next time, C