Coffee Talk

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Let's sit down and catch up over a cup of coffee! I'm still using the GLG Collagen in mine--would you like to try it? With half and half?

It's been interesting around here at TTLWH headquarters. It's not all miles and smiles, but it's never dull, that's for sure! So what's new?

First of all, if we were having coffee, and if we were at my house, it would be hard to talk over Cocoa's barking. Yes, my cute little furball does not like "outsiders" coming into my house. I don't know if it's because we didn't socialize her enough when she was a pup--we were dealing with Matthew and his broken leg when we got her--but it has gotten pretty difficult to have people come to the house. This past week my son brought his friend over and she went nuts, barking this high-pitched alarm bark at him. Even after he left, she ran around the house barking and sniffing, looking for him. She's a good guard dog, that is true, but it would be nice not to have her frighten away people we like!

"Mother, I will protect you from all that is evil."

If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that the college decision has been made. My youngest is going to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I'm so excited about this! I absolutely love Madison and I have so many happy memories of visiting and running there. My high school boyfriend went to college there and after I'd visit him, I'd leave wishing that I was going to school there. That relationship didn't last, but my love for Madison, Wisconsin remained strong. My father-in-law has a lake house nearby and we have spent a lot of time visiting the city with the boys over the years. I've run multiple races there. I'd actually live there if I could. Maybe I should so we would get in-state tuition.

My Badger

If we were having coffee, I'd share that I was spring cleaning last weekend and took a carload of electronics to be recycled. It was ridiculous and somewhat embarrassing all that we had in our house. My husband started to panic as I carried the stuff out to the car. I took VCRs, a fax machine, computers, alarm clocks, TVs--you name it. I waited in a long line until it was my turn to unload. When I got home, my son told me that the TV screen in the basement was cracked. Apparently, when I took it off the wall to disconnect the VCR, I broke it. So I ended up buying a new TV and guess what! I have another one to recycle. Then the microwave died...

If we were having coffee, I'd talk about one of the non-running books I recently read, Educated by Tara Westover. Have you heard about this book? The author grew up in a conservative Mormon family with a bipolar, government-hating father. She didn't go to school until much later in her life, spending her time working in her father's junkyard. Her older brother beat on her and ridiculed her while her parents looked away. Tara's story makes The Glass Castle positively idealistic. I couldn't put it down but I had to keep picking up my jaw from dropping. It's a book that is going to stick with me for a while.

ooks

If we were having coffee, I'd have to tell you something that happened after my run yesterday at the retention pond. I pushed the remote key to unlock the car and nothing happened. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to unlock my car, I tried to open the key fob, thinking there was a "real" key inside. I couldn't get it open. I walked over to a man who was loading up his minivan and asked if he had a screwdriver so I could pry open the key fob. "No speak English". Of course not. I walked back to my car and tried the remote again. Nothing. I saw 2 men walking from the path to their cars, so I approached them. They were very helpful but we couldn't get into my car. One of the men offered to drive me to my house so I could get my spare key. I considered this offer. Do I get in a strange man's car? To drive to my house? Or should I just run the 2 1/2 miles home? Or should I call a locksmith? Since I had a doctor's appointment that morning and needed to get home, I let one of the men drive me to my house. I was really sweaty and gross, which I felt was to my advantage. Plus I do have those newly honed self-defense skills. He was actually very nice and told me he was the "Mayor" of the retention pond. He talked my ear off. Once we got back to my car, I thanked him and his friend and drove off. Even though he seemed harmless, I'm still a little unsettled by the whole situation. If I'd been thinking, I would have grabbed Cocoa the guard dog to come back with me.

Ok, so now I've talked your ear off! What would you tell me over coffee? What would you have done in my situation? How sad is it that we have to be suspicious of a person just trying to be helpful? Any advice for an overly protective dog? College financial advice? Do you recycle your electronics? Have you read Educated? Any books that you'd like to recommend?

I'm linking up with the Friday Five at Fairytales and Fitness and Running on Happy and with Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date!

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