Friday, March 3, 2017

Coffee Talk

It seems like lately that my life is on fast forward and I just can't catch my breath. There's so much going on--so much good--so much to share!

So let's sit down over a cup of coffee and get caught up. How do you take your coffee? I used to drink mine black until I was pregnant with my oldest son. Things changed for me--I could barely drink coffee with milk, much less black! As it turns out, my oldest was allergic to dairy and I took a liking to his chocolate soy milk in my coffee. I've never gone back to black. Would you?

So what's new?
Do you spy a cute little pup in the background?


If we were having coffee, I'd tell you how excited I am to go to Florida this month. Every winter, my parents spend about 6 weeks on Anna Maria Island, and we've taken the boys down there since my youngest was a baby. Last year I went by myself, and this year will be the same. My oldest has to work and my youngest has sports. The coaches frown upon kids missing practice. My husband doesn't want to leave the boys home alone. As much as I'd love to have all of them with me, I kind of have to admit that I'm looking forward to some "me" time. I'm hoping to see Mary Beth! My dad gets antsy if someone borrows his car. I love my parents dearly, but I may need an escape vehicle, so I rented a car.
last year in my happy place
If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that my husband bought Cubs tickets for two games this summer! We have been going to watch our beloved Cubs play at Wrigley Field since well, forever. We didn't get there for the past 2 years, though. As you might expect since their rise to the World Series, the Cubs have become so popular it's nearly impossible to get tickets. By the way, he did this on his own without any prodding from me. They surprise us, don't they?

from the archives--circa 1990
If we were having coffee, of course, I'd have to talk about my boys. Last time I bragged about my oldest who is starting to get his life together. This time I'd mama brag about my youngest son. Last week at work, I received a text from him that said: "I got a 35 on the ACT". I stared at my phone for a minute or so while that news sunk in. Then I started to cry. This was his first attempt at the ACT. I knew he'd do well, but I didn't expect he'd do that well! He wants to go to the University of Wisconsin. He should get in, right?

Matthew and his girlfriend at dinner, where we celebrated his achievement.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you how excited I am to be returning as a Tailwind Trailblazer this year! I wasn't sure they'd pick me again since 99.9% of their ambassadors are ultramarathoners! I'm proud to represent the pavement pounders. If any of you want to try Tailwind, send me a message and I'll get some to you. I am also excited to be an ambassador for Momentum Wraps and a RockNBlogger this year!! I'm still reading all the information about these two programs and will have more details in an upcoming post.



Last sip. If we were having coffee, I'd share this FB quiz result with you. Because if it's on Facebook, it must be real, right? It looks like all that glute work Becky has me do is going to pay off bigly. In 11 years, I'll be 65. 😢  But if I look like this? Hmmm.


What would you tell me if we were having coffee? Are you planning any spring break trips? Are you a baseball fan? Do you have any news about your kids? What races are you planning on this year? Do you do those Facebook quizzes?

I'm linking up with the Friday Five 2.0--Fairytales and Fitness and Running on Happy are our hostesses! I'm also linking up with Deborah and Coco for the Ultimate Coffee Date!




97 comments :

  1. Congrats to your son! I would love a trip to Florida right about now. Life has definitely been hectic and nonstop!

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    1. Why is that? I want to put on the emergency brake and slow down!

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  2. I'm a momentum ambassador this year too!!! 35 on your ACT is out of this world!!!! Wi will be bearing down his door. Can you say national merit scholar???? Fantastic! Proud mama moment for sure!

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  3. My son is looking at Wisconsin too and that is a fabulous ACT score! So glad to hear that your boys are both doing well right now. That's what it's all about. I hope you enjoy your me time in Florida. See you tomorrow for coffee :)

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  4. Damn girl!!! 65 will be the new 30!! ;) I'm giggling at your dad and the car. Some things never change, right?

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    1. Isn't that the truth? My mom keeps telling me not to rent the car but the teenager inside my head says "you're not the boss of me"!

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  5. Oh my gosh that Facebook thing made me spit coffee out of my mouth hahahahahaha! Hey, it's something to aim for, right?

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    1. I'm actually aiming for not having one of those flat old lady butts. I'd be happy with that. Seriously.

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  6. I'll be sixty-five in November and I'll tell ya, I don't look anything like that! I'll take what I have. :) As my better half says, I'm vertical.
    I "get" me time. It's nothing to do with the loved ones in our lives---they ARE our lives---but sometimes it's just about us. Enjoy your trip. Wishing you fabulous weather and great runs.
    Congratulations on both your sons. When they offspring are well, so is Mamma. Hugs all around.
    Black. Always. Cannot about anything in my coffee. :)
    As a Red Sox fan with an 86-year World Series dearth (until 2004, 2007, 2014, at last) I get that, too. Go, Cubbies. By the way, my uncle who taught for years at Purdue, was a life-long Cubs fan.

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  7. Congrats to your son! What an awesome accomplishment!!

    Congrats on the brand ambassadorships! I was so happy to be selected for Momentum Jewelry as well - it's my first year as an ambassador for the company.

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    1. Looks like I'm some great company! I know they want us to share the spark, but isn't it tempting just to share it with ourselves? :p

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  8. Baby, I mean Wendy got back! I'd say Wisconsin and everybody else will be clamoring for Matt Damon...I mean Matthew...to grace their campus. Florida sounds perfect! Congrats on all the gigs too!

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    1. All those squats are gonna pay off! Kim K's got nothin' on me!

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  9. That's great about your son! I'm currently blazing along the Florida coastline...destination: Key West .... so the blogging is on the #downlow I might have to find a Florida coffee cup...

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  10. Wow! Congrats to your son!! So much to celebrate!
    Love that circa 1990 photo AND I'd totally need an escape vehicle too. Love my fam BUT.... :-)

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  11. Aww, I love how happy you are in this post! I'm just starting to talk to Jake about post-secondary stuff (he's in grade 11). I took him for coffee the other day because he wanted to organize his life and he needed his mama's help. <3

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    1. I've got my fingers crossed but I feel like maybe things are starting to turn around here...

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  12. I LOVE the 1990s picture of you two. What a great flashback! We also love going to baseball games. Its the only professional sports game that I truly enjoy being at.

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    1. My husband was not happy when he saw that hat. Pretty sure it was the giveaway for the game!

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  13. YAY! what a fun post and you are coming to Florida! Yes, you will see this Florida gal- can't wait! Look at you joining the rock n blogger group- awesome sauce to you! I think Wisconsin sounds like a great choice for your son- congrats on his achievements- I know you are a happy Mom! See you soon!

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  14. Florida will be such a nice break for you! LOL on your dad and his car - several years ago when I was visiting my parents and needed to drive Dad's car, he gave me such a long lecture on how everything worked that I was tempted to just run to where I needed to go.

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  15. I have to admit I had to look up ACT scoring since I only took the SATs. Great job to him! I remember being so relieved to have gotten an SAT score I wanted to send to colleges.

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    1. Our high school just switched to the SAT, but most of the colleges in the midwest want the ACT. So he's taking both.

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  16. Hahah, awesome. Totally real if it's on Facebook.

    Congrats to your son -- woohoo!!! That's great news! And have a super fun time in FL. Send me some sunshine.

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  17. You could be Erin in that picture! Wowza. Congrats to M on his ACT! Handsome, athletic and clearly brilliant. Nice future a$$!

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  18. Wow--a 35 is no joke! Impressive. I think he will get into MANY schools. Way to go--that is something for you both to be proud of! Enjoy your mini vacation--sounds wonderful. Yes, we like baseball and try to go to a Rockies game 1-2 times per summer. Mostly for the beer and hotdog cuz the Rockies are so up and down! I do those quizzes, too, but hardly share the results. You are going to age quite well...all the squats obviously are paying off. P.S. I am coffee w/ chocolate almond milk! I can't even believe there was a time when I drank it black. What was I thinking?

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  19. Unfortunately I have no trips coming up in March. I did go to Jamaica a few weeks ago so I can't complain. Florida will be perfect this time of year, warm but not too hot. Congrats on becoming an ambassador for the brands. How cool! I'm sure you will be receiving some great goodies!

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  20. Congrats on your ambassadorships! you are the perfect ambassador for those companies. Let me know when you come to Wrigley! Maybe come a little bit early so I can see you--we live really close to it!

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  21. I just finished my first cup of coffee for the day and it's almost 11:00! We flew home from Hawaii last night and I brought a cold/sinus infection with me. Nothing like a 5 hour flight to make the condition even worse.

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  22. Congrats to your son!! And that facebook quiz! haha amazing! Have fun in Florida!

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    1. You know I'm going to get a ton of spam emails now. The things I do for the blog...

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  23. I'd love to have a real cup of coffee with you some day!! Sounds like a busy, but good month! That is so exciting about your son and his ACT score. Oh, and I Love the FB quiz result...you look great now though!! Enjoy the rest o that coffee.

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  24. OMG I thought you hinted to being a RocknBlogger the other day and I just didn't want to call you out and ask. That is so great and yes it is about freaking time! It wasn't my time but hey I'm fine with it. Seeing how I'm having a hard time with regular commitments anyway, it's one less right?
    How exciting your get to see MB during your FL trip too. Yes most definitely rent a car! :)

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    1. I think you'd be perfect! You've got the RV, you do way more races than me. You'll just have to come and run a few with me. Chicago this summer?

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  25. Omg you in 1990!!!!!!!! More pics, please!!! :) Have fun on your FL vacation. :)

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  26. So many fun and wonderful things to share! If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that my son, who is getting married on September 16th and is the world's biggest Cubs fan (next to everyone else in my family), scored 20 tickets for the Cubs/Cards game the day after his wedding, and has several friends who bought tickets as well. Huge post-wedding celebration at the game. Woo hoo! I'd also tell you that after 5 solid weeks of work and non-stop business travel, I am absolutely exhausted. I am currently in Canada and will be in California next week. BUT...our whole family--all the boys and all their girls--are heading to Puerto Vallarta on March 11 for a much needed family vacation. So hard to get everyone together with everyone pulled in so many directions. Congrats on all of the ambassadorships! I bow to the queen!!! And of course a big congrats to your son. All of his hard work has paid off. Did someone say scholarship???

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    1. I hope he gets some $$. But I know Wisconsin doesn't do much for us Illinois folks. Maybe he'll pick somewhere else?

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  27. Congrats to your son! I don't know anything about the ACT's. What is a high score?

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  28. CONGRATS to your son!! That is a great score!!! And I credit you (and one other friend) for getting me to drink tailwind on my long runs.

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  29. Hahaha! Still laughing here over that final pic. Hey you never know. Like you said, with the amount of work you're doing, you can have strong looking glutes in your 60s!!
    Love proud mama moments - kudos to your son. Hope he gets in to the college he wants.

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  30. Congrats to your son! That is fantastic! An escape car sounds like a must - especially if it can take you to see Mary Beth. I am reluctant to do those FB quizzes because all of the info it gives them, but sometimes I can't resist.

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  31. Well, I didn't even look like that in my early 30s, when I was at my thinnest. Don't think I'll look like that in my mid 60s, but hey, with all that crossfit . . .

    I have no idea what the ACT is, but congrats.

    Right now all our vacations are racecations. Although I might get to tag along on a conference with my husband in Sept -- there will be running, since I'll be training for a half (naturally), but no racing. If it actually happens.

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    1. My husband is not a fan of racecations--altho everytime we go he loves it!

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  32. i'd like to know whatever you are doing to have that booty in next 11 years. have a lovely vacation, yes to ME time.

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  33. Ah, love that throwback photo!! And congratulations to your son and for your awesome ambassadorships! I didn't get picked for Momentum, (sniff, whimper, whimper,) but that only makes me more determined to improve and get it next year. :) Have fun in Florida!

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    1. Momentum said they only picked 15% of their applicants, so I feel pretty lucky to get in! I'm all about those mantras, tho...

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  34. I take my coffee with half n half- no sugar. Awesome score on the ACT. I know you are proud. Your mailbox is going to be full of colleges wanting such a bright young man. Florida is beautiful right now, Anna Maria is gorgeous. I've made lots of memories there with the fam. Hope you enjoy your Me time. Take a long walk on the beach and strike a yoga pose. That would make a great photo for your IG! I'm not on Facebook , but I might have to start if the secret to growing a bubble butt is on there. Do share! Oh, and I've never tried Tailwind. Hook me up please😀

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    1. I like half and half too! No sugar.

      Send me your address and I'll send you some Tailwind! wendy at takinglongwayhome.com

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  35. Congrats to Matthew. His ACT score is amazing! BTW, my husband wore glasses just like that circa 1990! I'm headed to Florida in a few weeks myself and will be running a 10k with my sister. We've got a lot of projects to do, but I look forward to some me time as well! Also, congrats on the RockNBlogger gig.

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  36. Wow congrats to your son - what a great score!

    And congrats on Rock'n'Blog! I had so much fun with them the past couple of years - you're going to have a blast!

    Enjoy FLorida!

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  37. Congrats to your son! I love the throwback picture. We are huge Nats fans, but like all of the other DC teams, they continue to disappoint us; although, the Caps are on a 14 home-game winning streak. We watched the first game of the Worlds Series last fall in a Chicago bar, so it was fun cheering on the Cubs with a bar full of fans.

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    1. With the Cubs World Series win, I was especially happy for folks like my father in law, who have been Cubs fans forever! It was exciting to be a part of it.

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  38. If we were having coffee, I'd tell you how exhausted I am and need to make sleep a priority. I'd also tell you that I'm struggling with my oldest (6 yr old) who doesn't want to listen to me. I'd also say, enjoy your time in Florida...time to yourself is so important!

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    1. I feel you on the exhaustion. Even though I make sleep a priority, I'm not sleeping well and it's taking a toll! Hang in there mama!

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  39. You certainly have been busy! Congratulations on Rock 'n' Blog! You are going to be a huge asset to the team!

    If we were having coffee, I'd tell you how I'm a little overwhelmed and stressed. How I'm grateful for the opportunities I have but that there aren't enough hours in a day. I would confess that we are navigating a somewhat trying season in parenting and I hope I'm not screwing it up. And I would probably share that I feel really alone and lost in the shuffle in our home sometimes, but I'm pretty big on fake it til you make it and keep pushing through (things are fine, but everyone is being pulled in so many directions).

    Have a great trip to Florida!

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    1. Oh, yes, I know all about the fake it until you make it gig. I do pretty well at that too--until I don't.

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  40. Wow- congrats to your son, that is awesome! I love Anna Maria Island- still a little bit quiet. Congrats to you on those ambassador-ships!

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  41. Damn! You're going to be one HOT 65 year old. ;-) Facebook quizzes are fun, aren't they?!

    Congrats on all your fun ambassadorships, and to your son for a great ACT score.

    Have a great time in Florida!!

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  42. Enjoy your me time in FL! My mom is the same way with the car... in fact she won't even let me eat in it with her driving (although I later found out she lets my nieces eat in it). Congrats on the ambassadorships!!

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    1. Haha--why are our parents like this? And even more--will we be like this?

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  43. That's awesome news about your son! And some solo vacation time to catch up with your parents sounds fantastic, too. Any place with sunshine and warmer weather is sounding really good right now!

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    1. At this point, I'd be happy with a week at home! but I'm looking forward to a week with my folks and no responsibility!

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  44. Enjoy your 'me' time down here in Florida! I'm in Central Florida and never been to Anna Maria Island, but sounds nice!
    Cubs tickets sound fun! I used to go see the farm team for the Astros play when I was a kid, and would love to go see a baseball game again. My favorite sport outside of running.
    Congrats on returning as a Tailwind Ambassador! And, how cool that you're a Momentum Ambassador, love their wraps, I have a few. :)

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    1. Oh, you should take a drive out to AMI! It's my happy place.

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  45. That's a great ACT score! Congrats to him! And to you on Tailwind Ambassador. It's so nice you have that image of what you'll look like in the future LOL. I never take any of those quizzes, but sometimes what people post after they have are hilarious.

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  46. I need a copy of your strength workout so I can have a butt like that! :)

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  47. Yay you're a Rock 'n Blogger! So glad you applied, I hope you have a blast! I'm not in RNB this year but I'll be going to Montreal and Brooklyn so maybe I'll see you there??

    A 35 on the ACT is close to a perfect score right? I'm an SAT gal so I don't know, lol! Congrats to your son! Glad that so much is going well in your life these days :)

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    1. I'd love to do both of those races--not sure if I can swing it this year!

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  48. So happy to catch up on everyone's coffee date. And so happy to read about your kids. You sound so positive in this post, it was great to read ! Hope you enjoy Florida.

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    1. I'm happy to be here! Looking forward to running on the beach tomorrow!

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  49. I would so love to escape to a beach right now!

    Glad you got Cubs tickets!! I hope you have lots of fun, and congrats to your son on that ACT score--that's amazing! :]

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