Friday, August 2, 2019

Coffee Talk: August

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

It seems like we just sat down for a cup of coffee to catch up on life, but here we are again! Summer is flying by and it's been busy. Let's share a cup of joe and chat! I've got some Colectivo Mexico (not an affiliate link) brewing. My son picked up a bag for me on his last trip to Madison. Good stuff!

Thanks to FitApproach for the fun graphic!

If we were having coffee... I'd tell you that as you read this, I'm heading to Michigan to attend EMPOWER summer camp with Marcia and a bunch of other bloggers! I'm really excited to meet all the bloggers I've gotten 'to know' over the past 5 years! There's going to be lots of fun activities and food. I won't be posting a weekly recap on Sunday--there's no wifi at the camp. Hopefully, I'll get a camp recap up during the week. But check out my Instagram for updates over the weekend!


If we were having coffee... I'd lament that it is August and that summer is flying by! Summer is so short here in the Midwest and I can never get everything in that I want to do. I need one more weekend in Door County... I haven't gone waterskiing on Lake Wisconsin... I've only been to one Cubs game... I need one more trip to see Holly... Do you feel me? There's never enough time!

If we were having coffee...I'd tell you how much I've enjoyed spending some very quality time with my boys this summer. When they were teenagers and didn't want to do much with their father or me, people always told me they'd 'come back.' While they still are having a lot of fun with their friends, they've been hanging out with us too! Besides the music fest we went to and our trips out of town, we've had some nice nights out in the backyard with a fire, listening to music. This mama has loved it!

My youngest turned 20 last week.
I no longer am the mother of teenagers.
I survived!
If we were having coffee... I'd tell you that I am shopping for a new car! My Jeep Grand Cherokee is almost 10 years old; I am oh so close to 100,000 miles. This is the longest I've ever had a car, but I loved my Jeep and it served me well. So what else to get but another Jeep? I'm opting for the smaller Cherokee since I'm not toting around a bunch of kids anymore. I hope I love this Jeep as much as my old one. But can I just ask why the car buying process is SO PAINFUL? Now you understand why I've waited so long to buy another car.


If we were having coffee... I'd talk about the books I've read this month. I just finished Miracle Creek by Angie Kim, which was a really interesting, engaging read about parents of kids with special needs and how far they'll go to find a treatment for them. There are a few interesting subplots, including a courtroom drama, which kept me turning the pages. I'm finishing up Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane, which is another good one about 2 families that live next door to each other. A tragedy occurs, life goes on, and it's all about that loss of innocence and rekindling old relationships.

The struggle is real
What would you tell me over coffee? /via @oldrunningmom @deborahbrooks14 @got2run4me @colectivocoffee #runchat #running

What would you tell me over coffee? Have you done everything you wanted this summer? What has been your favorite thing you've done this summer? Any hints for making car shopping less painful? Any good books to recommend?

I'm linking up with Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date and with Fridays with Fairytales and Fitness.



46 comments :

  1. Wait, a blogger camp with no wi-fi?? I wanted to go so badly but I couldn't escape work. Both of those books look interesting -- thanks for the suggestions.

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    1. We had a cellular connection and that was enough. It was great to be unplugged this weekend, considering all that happened.

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  2. See you soon camp buddy! :D Yeah summer is always way too short. Not to mention June was so rude and unsummery. My MIL insists that teenage girls are hell on wheels to raise and knock wood, so far that has not been my experience. I hope I didn't jinx myself. Believe it or not there are rare car dealers out there who will come out immediately with their best price. They are worth their weight in GOLD!

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    1. You've got some awesome teenaged girls at your house, my friend! And I loved every minute of our camp weekend! What's next for us?

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  3. I am so excited to hear about summer camp and will definitely have fomo for sure. I love hanging out with my adult kids as well. Have a fantastic weekend!

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  4. I am so excited about camp! See you soon! Also I am currently shopping for a used Jeep Wrangler. I had one in my 20s and I have been sad without one ever since I got rid of it. Safe travels!

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    1. So so so happy that we got to meet this weekend! What are we doing next?

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  5. My fav reads of the summer so far are The Secret Lives of Midwives and The Tattooist of Auschwitz. I hesitated to read Tattooist because I thought it would be too heavy, which it definitely was but it was such a good book. Enjoy blogging camp next week and good luck with the car shopping.

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    1. I enjoyed the Tattooist as well! I'll look into the Midwives. Thanks for the recommendation!

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  6. I feel the same way about summer. I get so sad when August hits because it feels like it's winding down. LUckily it stay warm here for longer though but it's still not summer.
    Camp sounds so much fun! I want to come and meet everyone.

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    1. I want you to come so we can meet. Next year camp will be in Roanoke VA!

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  7. A blogger summer camp is too beautiful! A big "ciao" to all of you!
    Spending time with our children (and grandsons) is wonderful!

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    1. I'm recovering from a very fun summer camp weekend! Hoping to have some time with my boys next weekend on the lake!

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  8. I'm drinking Ethiopian coffee this morning - definitely a different taste, but so good!

    We had our big event of the summer last weekend. Les' parents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary and they just wanted to spend it with their kids and grandkids. The 12 of us stayed at my brother-in-law's cabin in Ellijay, Georgia. We ate, talked, and laughed our way through the weekend. Everyone except Pops and Mom kayaked on the Cartecay river. Quite a difference from a decade ago when all the kids were still shorter than me.

    We still drive our 1992 Saturn that we bought brand new. The odometer quit working just shy of 300,000 miles and that's been about a decade ago. It's not worth anything to anyone else but we're not ready to give it up yet.

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    1. I'm ready for a new car but I'm not going to give away my current Jeep! I drove it to Michigan this weekend--it's still such a good car. @#$% car dealers!

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  9. blogger camp? how fun. I would to meet everyone. What? No wifi??

    My stepson is 30 and he finally came on our boat.

    I have NOT done what I had planned for summer. No hiking yet. Not been to my friend's river house Not been to the race track. I hope to get some more fun things in August.

    Good luck with car shopping...not fun.

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    1. We sure didn't need wi-fi. We were so busy--there wasn't much time for any social media even though we were expected to post!

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  10. That So Cracked Me Up, A Blogging Camp With No Connection. Damn, I Find That Hilarious. Car Shopping??? Yikes. So Many Choices. Good Luck!! You Will Find Something Just Right For Ya. Yes, This Summer Has Been A Blur. Its Been Exciting But I Am Not Looking Forward To Aging Any More. The Old Folks Always Say That Time Speeds Up. Anyway, Enjoy The Travels, More Cubs Game, And Continue Embracing Those Magical Moments With The Kiddos.

    Cheers

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    1. Hoping to make more of those magical moments with the grown children next weekend!

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  11. Have fun at camp! I'm having a little FOMO, but to be honest, my focus is elsewhere this summer. Can't wait to hear all about it though.

    One of these days we need to chat UW. It's on the "apply to" list at the moment, but it's out of state for us so $$$.

    -MCM Mama

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    1. Yes! PM me. Unless this is all you need to know: NO financial aid for out of state students. Yep. We're in the poorhouse.

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  12. My car is 19 years old (and yes, that's the longest I've had a car as well). I'm holding onto it for dear life, but I'm well aware that at some point I'll need to buy one -- for what used to buy a house! Sigh.

    I don't think I've had one thing as a highlight this summer, but it has been pretty busy with fun things all summer long. Yes, there is ALWAYS more I'd like to do!

    Enjoy camp. Sounds like fun!

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    1. And yet I have another highlight to add to the reel from this summer....what a blast!

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  13. Ugh! I totally understand what you mean about the car buying process. It's so annoying and seems to take so long too, but I have no doubt you will make the right choice for you.

    I hope that you have an awesome time this weekend and please give everyone a hug for me!

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  14. I HATE buying cars. We just got done paying ours off and I'm hoping we still have some years with them. Jeeps are pretty awesome though and I'm sure that you'll be able to find one that lasts as long as this one did!

    I haven't gone to the pool this summer but I'm not too much of a water sports person anyways. It's so neat that you've been able to spend time with your kiddos this summer though! That's always great!

    Have fun at camp. Can't wait to hear all about it!

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    1. This Jeep might have to last longer at the rate we're going. Man, I hate the car buying process.

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  15. That blogger running camp sounds like a lot of fun! I'm sure you all will have a great time. Every year at this time, I hit the panic button. Summer is running out and there are lots of things I wanted to do! Glad you got to spend some time with your kids this summer. Enjoy it while you can!

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  16. Oh I didn't realize you were going to the blogger camp too - I am so envious! I can't wait to hear about your adventures!

    It's true, once August comes it feels like there is so little time left in summer! I'm just glad I'll finally be going on vacation and get a break from reality for a while!

    I finally read Crazy Rich Asians and I really enjoyed it, though now I need the full visuals by seeing the movie! I'm still deciding on what to read next...

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    1. I saw Crazy Rich Asians and it was over the top, but such a fun movie! Let me know what you think!

      Where are you going on vacation? Have fun!

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  17. Buying a car is really torture, but it's great to be getting new wheels!

    I love that you've been getting to spend some quality time with your sons! Gives me hope for the future ;)

    So jealous about Empower camp! I hope you all have a blast!

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    1. Yep, hang in there! Everyone told me things would get better with the teens as they moved into the 20s and it seems to be true. I still have my fingers crossed, tho....

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  18. (I tried to post while I was on vacation in NH but my phone wouldn't let me!)

    I kinda sorta wish I was an official blogger so that I could meet/join you at camp. Your photos are marvelous and it looks like such fun.

    Teen years are the hardest of all, but it is worth going through for the incredible joy of a relationship with your children as adults (Mine are nearly thirty-nine and thirty-seven). The angst is painful while you're going through it, but in better days you can push them aside, no?

    My car is a 1999 red Civic, 64,000. It is the first car I ever bought new. When I picked it out I said it would last until I retired. They all laughed. That was last year and it's still running strong. I hope to make it to classic car year, 25, and beyond. Good luck with your shopping.

    Have a wonderful week. Sending love and hugs from the East Coast.

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    1. It feels like those bad days are a distant memory. But I still have my guard up...I wonder if you can every let it down?

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  19. My car is the first car I've ever truly loved. It's a bright yellow VW bug, a 2013 with just over 30,000 miles on it! (the beauty of working from home and having only one kiddo) My plan is to keep it in good shape til my daughter is ready to go to college then hand it over to her.
    PS: At 13 she hates the idea of a yellow bug. Hopefully by 18 she won't. Or she can cover it in bumper stickers.

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    1. I had a baby blue Beetle (1980) back when I was in college. It was a convertable too. I loved it! I hope she gets over her angst about the bug. It's the cutest car!

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  20. Honestly, the only car buying experience I've ever had in my 35ish years of buying cars was my Mini Cooper. For new cars there is very little negotiation to be had because most of the parts are priced out so you can order one from the factory in England...so you (if you've done your research online) know what the car should cost and it's usually spot on for the cars on the lot. I went in, test drove two (checking different engines, mostly) and it was check off the boxes and boom, I was done. So easy. But 98% of the other ones are not like that. Hope you get through it unscathed and get to enjoy a new car very soon!

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    1. This whole experience is just absurd. And awful. How do these car salesmen live with themselves, the way they badger and scam good people?

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  21. Meant to say "good car buying experience" - wouldn't that be something, to only have bought one car as an adult?

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  22. I love my Grand Cherokee (her name is Mandy after my great great grandmother who was part Cherokee). I had my Escalade for 13 years prior to buying Mandy (I don't like the car buying process either and tend to keep my cars forever). It was huge and perfect for driving the kids to college and back, etc. so we downsized to the Grand Cherokee a few years after they graduated.

    Have a great week!

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    1. My Jeep doesn't have a name, but I feel equally affectionate towards it.

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