Friday, January 6, 2017

Coffee Talk

I'm starting off the new year with a new coffee cup, thanks to Shutterfly and my #holottafun memories. This mug puts a smile on my face with every sip of coffee. Do you have a favorite mug? What kind of coffee do you like? Cream and sugar? Or straight up black?

Mine has chocolate soy milk. The mug is warm in my hand.

Let's talk. Pour yourself a cup, get comfy. It's time for the Ultimate Coffee Date with our hosts Coco and Deborah! I'm shifting gears for this post--no running talk and no arthritis talk! Because...coffee talk! What would you tell me? What's new in your world?



If we were having coffee, I'd tell you how much I enjoyed the holidays with my family. My family has a running gag and over the holidays, it played out well! About 10 years ago, when I was working at a local hospital, I found a figurine of the king from Burger King. Do you remember him and those creepy commercials? It's so ugly, I figured no one would want it so I brought it home. Anyways, since then, we all take turns hiding him in each other's things. Whoever gets stuck with him has to hide him somewhere else, and so on. To paraphrase Johnny Cash, he's been everywhere. You never know where he'll pop up. My sister Lisa found him in her silverware drawer at Thanksgiving. On Christmas Day, he turned up multiple times--he was in someone's stocking, then in a gift bag, and then he disappeared. We received this text on New Year's Eve from my youngest sister:


If we were having coffee, I'd also tell you that there were some other family shenanigans--this one involving mustaches. It was pretty entertaining.


Now I know what my youngest son would look like if he had a mustache. Although I think a mullet would go nicely with this one.

The 80s called; they want their mustache back
If we were having coffee, I'd do some mama bragging. I'd share my pride over my oldest son's new job as a trainee with the electrician's union. I'd tell you how he takes the train every morning to downtown Chicago where he is working in a high rise on the 48th floor. I'd probably tear up as I shared that his first day on the job, I was so anxious for him. I hoped that he'd find where he needed to be and that the other workers would be nice to him. I promised myself I wouldn't worry about him. Even though I wanted to, I didn't text him. Midday, he texted me a picture from the job. He's got a great view of the Chicago loop. At dinner, he talks our ears off with stories from work. He's so happy. My heart is full. I can breathe a little easier now. And now I can charge him rent.

My refrigerator magnet
He's only 19.
If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that I finally took the plunge and signed up for Stitch Fix. I love MaryBeth's fixes. When we were in Florida for our girls' weekend, her outfits were amazing. Recently, another blogger, Gina, posted her "fix". I loved it. I figure that I'll try it for a couple of months, and if I don't like it, I can cancel. It might be nice to venture out of my prAna, Athleta, and Banana Republic comfort zone, right? But there wasn't anywhere on the survey to tell the stylist how much I love thumbholes...

Am I right?
If we were having coffee, I'd lovingly complain about my crazy pup Cocoa. How she chews everything. Her favorite chew toys are superballs. It's been years since my boys played with these. Don't ask me how she finds them, but she does. I'd also tell you how that she's a lot of fun. How she loves to fetch and actually brings the ball back. And that she gets mad if you don't throw it again...and again...and again. She is the most energetic dog we've ever owned. When I open the door to let her outside, it's as if I shot her out of a cannon. She literally flies across the deck. Faster than a speeding bullet! She's also very curious. Apparently, she thinks she likes coffee. Or maybe it's the mug.


It's the last sip of coffee and I'd tell you that last night, local iconic weatherman Tom Skilling featured my picture on his weather segment! It's bitterly cold here and I shared my frosty selfie on his Facebook page. My 5 seconds of fame. I didn't actually see it. But several of my friends did and were kind enough to forward a screen shot to me.


What would you tell me over coffee? Sometimes it's nice to talk about other things besides running, right? Any funny family rituals or stories you want to share? Any mama brags? Does your dog like coffee? Ever been on the news? Do you do Stitch Fix? Want to try it? Use my referral code:  http://stitchfix.com/referral/10340526

Besides the Ultimate Coffee Date, I'm also linking up with the Friday 5 v2.0, hosted by Fairytales and Fitness and Running on Happy.






90 comments :

  1. Uh oh :-)
    I'm usually all about the family but this time I would talk to you about my marathon preparation. I'm terrified. I'm preparing

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  2. YAS for making the weather news. You are a badass. And Congrats to your son! I had a client who was an apprentice, and that is some tough work. So my hat is very much off to him, and I'm really happy that he is loving it.
    I don't know if I can trust something that doesn't provide me with thumbhole options. WHERE DO I PUT MY THUMBS

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    1. Right? I bought a really cute shirt from Athleta but NO THUMBHOLES! Since when do they make a shirt sans thumbholes?

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  3. Love your mug and love that you made the news, how awesome. If we were having coffee I would tell you how I rolled my ankle at kickboxing yesterday, it's sore but I think it will be fine.

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  4. Wow, another famous Chicagoan ;-) I'll need to bring my autograph book along ;-) That is great news about your son!

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  5. That Burger King guy was kind of odd looking! Such a funny tradition you have of hiding him around. I tried stitch fix and did not love it. I should probably just stick to workout clothes everyday LOL. Hope you find some things you like. Thanks for joining the coffee date!

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    1. Seriously, I love Athleta--both their workout clothes and "athleisure" stuff. But let's see what I get.

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  6. In our family we have an awful fake chicken - you know... the horrible skinny rubbery ones? My MIL made a wedding dress for it when we got married and it ends up in all strange places in the family. :) How neat about your son having an interest with work he likes to talk about. :) I liked this blog post. Coffee talk. Great link-up!

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  7. How fun to be on the news! If we were having coffee this morning, I would tell you my arms are fried from swimming 4000+ yards in the past 2 days and I'm dreading tomorrow's 2200 yd swim.

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  8. Mustaches for the win!
    And ohhhh puppyhood. Mine is totally nuts too. I let her out and she runs laps. She's sooooo fast. My plan is to run with her in a few months (doc says she needs to grow more first) and she is going to be WAYYYYYY faster than me. lol!!

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    1. Cocoa would just sprint and then collapse. Maybe I should do speedwork with her?

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  9. Ok I love your brag about your son. I kind of teared up too. So very sweet. And I love the Burger King figure hiding! My family had a similar tradition with this hideous latch-hook rug thing. It started as a gift during a white elephant party and the person that received it decided to repurpose it and gift it again at the following year's party. It's been several things including (but not limited to) a pillow, a hat, coasters, a purse, earrings and a keychain. Sadly it's too small now and it's been laid to rest. Lol! Love family shenanigans!

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  10. Ha! Last Christmas the Fellows made South Park-type memes of everyone and had them printed on coffee mugs. Mine has me holding a glass of wine in one hand and a fruity umbrella drink in the other, and I am surrounded by flames...they said because work is my hell. I'm sure you can relate! Considering I drink over a pot of coffee each morning...boy, could I klatch! If we were having coffee, I'd start by bitching about my BFF who blew me off for our annual NYE dinner and hasn't responded to 5 calls and texts in the past week. Someone better show up with a dead body or I'm really going to get PO'd.

    If we were having coffee, I too would do some mama bragging...no complaints here, it's been a good year. That is great news about your son! They all come around...eventually. What type of work will he be doing? Is it 134? My dad was in the union for over 50 years, now my brother, niece, and nephew are.

    If we were having coffee, I'd talk about the trials and tribulations of having my mother live with us. She's been here for over 6 years. Our family's longevity is a blessing and a curse. And so we drink...

    That's so cool Tommy Skillet showed your picture on the news. What fun!

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    1. Haha that was supposed to say Skillet-head...does everyone call him that???

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    2. My husband calls him Skillet head. I'm secretly obsessed with Tom Skilling...he's so nice! A few years ago he was at our local Walgreens, selling weather radios. Of course I went there to meet him! Call me a loser...

      Tom is working for local 134. Isn't that the only IBEW local in Chicago? Very cool that your family is in it as well.

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    3. Maybe...I guess I sometimes see 176, but I think that is somewhere in the west or southwest suburbs--maybe Joliet, which is not too far from me. Great memories growing up in the city and going to the Union Hall on Washington. They always had awesome Christmas parties for the Union members and their families. We went as kids, then my dad used to take my boys when they were little.

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  11. You're famous! Your family is fantastic. And so cool about your son doing electrical. Andrew did electrical for 17 years before he switched to real estate. It's such a great profession! I hope my boys go into electrical, but I won't tell them that because then they won't. Reverse psychology for the win.

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    1. Haha! Yep, famous for 5 seconds. That's my FB handle, not my real name--so a lot of people didn't realize it was me!

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  12. I am thinking about signing up for Stitch Fix. I definitely need pieces for spring and fall, and maybe winter. I have lots of sweaters for winter, so I'll be OK for this season, but I'll need more choices next year.

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    1. That's what I was thinking. I'd like to see what they send me. Stay tuned!

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  13. I love quirky family traditions! And your youngest looks like he could have been a member of the Village People with that mustache, LOL! So very cool to hear the great news about your oldest - ahhh, kids. It's so wonderful to hear that he's in a good place in life.

    Your Cocoa is getting so big! Love that she races out the door - maybe in her mind, she's racing you and always wins, haha. I'm taking Paco to the vet in a little bit for an allergy shot, followed by a trip to McDonald's, so I can get him his cheeseburger reward. It's the little things, right?

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  14. That is the best news! A mama's dream come true when the kiddos find their way! Love the BG family tradition! Our dog LOVES coffee. Once I left him in the car for literally 2 minutes with my Starbucks cup in the holder. When I came back he had the cap off and was going to town on the foam! Haha!

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    1. Cocoa isn't feeling well today--I hope it isn't the coffee! I don't think she drank much.

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  15. LOL I love all of this so much - The Burger King man, your mustaches, and your onscreen fame but, most of all I love that your older son has a great job and the pride you have seeing him go to work and talk about his day!! Being a mom is freakin' hard and, the older they get, the harder it seems to be. I hope you bask in this "win" for a long time - you have earned it. And, I think I need that magnet!! :-)

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    1. What is that they say? "Little kids, little problems. Big kids, bigger problems."? Hoping this continues--but the magnet predicts differently...

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  16. Cute mug! I know I have mentioned this before but my mug with my Boston bib screened on it has to be my favorite. I usually put flavored creamer in mine but have been trying to drink it black lately. that is too funny about that Burger King figurine!

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    1. I would cherish a Boston mug too! I thought about putting a Big Sur pic on a mug but the jumping photo won out!

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  17. I've got about 2 sips of coffee left, so I'll quickly tell you that this California girl is so happy about the rain we've been getting. Summer 2015 all we heard about was how wet it was going to be that Fall/Winter. El Nino was El No Show last year, but this year we've had several really good storms so far and the snow pack in the Sierras is growing.

    Love your new mug!

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    1. I'm glad to hear that you're getting rain. When we were in Cali last spring, the water levels were so low!

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  18. Wendy--you are famous! Love it! I love how quirky your family is. We are that way, too. This year when we did pictures my sister made us each do an individual picture which quickly went downhill! But boy did we have so much fun. Congrats to your son--that is really awesome! I am sure you are so proud and you have every right to be--it's really great news.

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  19. OH my didn't MB have the cutest things from Stitchfix? Now you jumping in I'm afraid the feeling of FOMO is going to take over!
    I love this mug, I haven't broke down and ordered me one just yet!
    What a great opportunity your son has, breathe mama, sounds like he has this just fine!

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  20. My mom charged me rent. I don't suggest it. Best to support your child's efforts to save money and move out on their own.

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    1. Most likely I'll have him pay for his car insurance--that is killing me!

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  21. That's awesome that your son is enjoying his new job! And I'm sure he knows how proud you are of him. I've heard of Stitch Fix but haven't tried any of those subscription boxes for fashion. Hopefully you get some cute stuff!

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  22. My dog doesn't like coffee, but I love it. I take it with no sugar, just half and half.
    I've never been on the news.
    I have lots of Mama brags, too many to bore you with.
    That creepy Burger King man is perfect to prank your family with. You've inspired me to find something like that to start using here.
    Those are the moments they will look back on and smile.
    I'm looking forward to hearing how you like stitchfix. I hate to shop and I'm clueless when it comes to putting an outfit together. That part of my brain never seemed to fully develop. I have joked about paying someone to pick out my clothes. Now it sounds like it's an actual thing!

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    1. No sugar either. Half and half is a treat!

      Thanks for checking in!

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  23. Love that mug!!! My favorites are my Starbucks ones.

    I did have a weather photo on the news once.

    Glad your son has turned things around...your influence I bet.

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  24. I got 2 new mugs for Christmas! Im not sure which is my favorite- I actually have 4 that I really like. And I always drink my coffee black. Congrats on your 5 seconds of fame!

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    1. I used to drink my coffee black but when I was pregnant, I lost my tolerance for that. I have to put milk, half and half, or chocolate soy milk in...

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  25. OMG! When my husband and I got married years ago, we picked out towels from Restoration Hardware for our registry. When we got them they came with these little plush bear ornaments (not sure why but...), one brown and one green. For some reason we started hiding the green one in each other's stuff. I don't even know why. But it was so hilarious the places we would find him. Anyway, fast forward a few years and the brown one has found itself on our tree every year, but we had both long forgotten about the green one. Until literally a week ago... when my husband found it in his socks! It's been making the rounds again ever since. LOL!

    Glad other people do weird stuff like this, too. ;)

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  26. Yep, famous for about 5 seconds! But my partners at work thought it was awesome and that is worth a lot!

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  27. I can feel how proud you are of your son! That is awesome! A few weeks ago I became obsessed with reading blogs about stitch fix reviews. Are you going to blog about it?

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  28. Love the King. That's hilarious. I really need to try Stitch Fix, but I'm so darned cheap...

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    1. I need a fashion injection. So let's see how it all turns out...

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  29. That king is the creepiest thing ever! How funny that you all have had so much fun with him! So you caved and finally tried Stitch Fix? I cannot wait to see your fix!!!! Please share :) Happy Saturday!

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  30. Lola is always sniffing Mr. Judy's coffee mug! We used to joke she didn't need the caffeine, but she's 11 and she's slowing down. A little. But both dogs take off like a bullet when I let them outdoors & Bandit does like to fetch (Lola was never into it, but Chester was).

    I actually enjoy shopping. I mean the actual shopping. Even if I leave empty handed. I like the thrill of the hunt. Which is why I don't do Stitch Fix. I'm sure I'd like it, but it wouldn't stop me from shopping so it would kind of be counter productive.

    So happy to hear about your eldest! I know you've been so worried over him.

    2 thumbs up for thunbholes. I <3 thumbholes.

    I've never known Mr. Judy without a mustache . . . I do wonder sometimes what he'd look like without it. What it would be like to kiss him without it! I mean, I've seen younger photos of him before the mustache, but he's always had it.

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    1. I don't like shopping so if this Stitch Fix thing works out for me, that would be great!

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  31. I've always wanted to try Stitch fix, but can't stomach the price. This consignment shopper is just too cheap! Love your frosty pic! I just got some new shoes to try and look forward to running some again. Congrats to your oldest son! That is so exciting!

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    1. I just don't have the patience or time to consignment shop! But it's so tempting!

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  32. So cool that you made WGN! Big congrats and sigh of relief on you son - love that magnet!! I've never had a dog that liked to play that much. Maybe it's the breeds we've chosen. Our dogs would play tug-of-war a bit, but not fetch. My in-laws labs liked to fetch.

    Happy January!

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    1. All my dogs loved chasing the ball but didn't get the concept of fetching. This is my first dog who actually brings the ball back.

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  33. That photo of your family with the mustaches is great! And that Burger King figurine is oh so creepy!

    I've been debating Stitch Fix - I love the outfits I've seen, but since I work out of my house I'm thinking it would probably wouldn't be worth it for me. Please share your fix - maybe you'll push me over the edge :)

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  34. OMG! That Burger King thing is such a funny family tradition. :-) I love it so much.

    I was on the news once. Back a million years ago (late 90s) when Star Wars Ep 1 came out, my boyfriend was a huge fan. We stood in line for hours to get tickets, and there was a news crew there interviewing people in line. They asked me why I was standing in line for tickets, and I said because my boyfriend really wanted to see the movie. LOL. Kinda wish I had the clip, but that was long before the days of social media. :-D

    Your dog is adorable and I love her energy. So fun!

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    1. I've been on the news a few times! This was a pleasant surprise, tho!

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  35. What a fun post- your family sounds like a lot of fun and love- the King-thing is hysterical! I love the mug too by the way...and your dog sounds like he/she needs decaf not high=test!

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  36. Love the gag with the Burger King King...that is hysterical! I can so relate to you and your son's first job...my eldest just started a new job on Thursday and I was feeling the exact same way...although he is 21, he is just so darn shy and anxious about everything which makes me anxious for him.

    How cool to get featured on the local news! Around here, if you're featured on the local news during that type of weather, it's typically because you've done something stupid or run your car off in a ditch! lol! :)

    By the way...love, love, love the coffee mug! You ladies certainly have some awesome memories from that trip!

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    1. Your son sounds a lot like mine! His confidence has just skyrocketed with this job. I hope it keeps going!

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  37. All shirts need more thumbholes! I am totally onboard with a thumbhole in EVERY sleeve!

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  38. Happy New Year! I love your new coffee mug, that must have been such a blast!! I also love the refrigerator magnet...LOL!! I look forward to following your running journey in 2017, Cheers!!!

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  39. I love this post. It seems nice and laid-back, just like having a cup of coffee! Our family ritual is to play dominos and board games when we are all together. Funny that you mentioned Stitch Fix. I have used Stitch Fix in the past, but I took a long break (a couple of years) because I felt like I kept getting the same things over and over. Fast forward to last weekend, when I decided to give them another try. I kept everything in my fix, the first time ever, and this was my 9th fix! I have it set to only send a fix when I want it, so I don't have to worry about getting overwhelmed (or broke, because it's not inexpensive)!

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    1. I hear that it is kind of expensive--but we'll see what I get. Glad to hear you like it.

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  40. Wendy on the news! I love it! The mustache party looks so fun and I'm super happy for your oldest son being so excited about his job. Happy New Year!

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  41. hehehe, your Christmases look like a ton of fun! Congrats to your son too--that's so awesome!

    Stitch Fix sounds really awesome--I might have to try em' out someday when I have a real income!

    P.S. Cocoa is so adorable! <3

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    1. I think something like Stitch Fix would be perfect for you when you're done with residency! A couple of the residents at work actually do Stitch Fix.

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  42. Love the crazy mustache photo and the creepy Burger King fun with your family!

    I've been thinking about Stitch Fix too.... might have to go for it!

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  43. That is so cool about your son! Happy that you're happy cause he's happy. :-)

    I've heard so much about StitchFix but I am stuck on wearing everything Oiselle simply because I like it. Maybe I'll venture out and try something new.

    I did not see your picture on TV but I did see the video that someone posted on Facebook. :-)

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    1. I wear too much fitness gear--it will be fun to see what I get from Stitch Fix!

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  44. What a great mug! Your family sounds like they have a great sense of humor. One of my recently departed dogs was always trying to drink my coffee when she was a puppy... that's how she got her name Java.

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