Thursday, January 6, 2022

Coffee talk

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Let's catch up over coffee! What are you drinking? For Christmas, my husband gifted me a couple bags of my favorites from Colectivo, a local coffee roaster. Today, I'm drinking the Indigo blend. With a splash of half and half and a scoop of GLG collagen, it is such a treat. I'm always sad when I get to the bottom of my mug. Not only does it mean I'm done with coffee, but it signals that it's time to get on with my day.  

What would you tell me over coffee?

If we were having coffee... I'd ask if you remembered my last post when I mentioned my neighbor's Christmas display. The one with the bright spotlights that shone right in my window? About a week before Christmas, someone vandalized it. In fact, the vandals went on a spree in my neighborhood, trashing multiple Christmas displays. Who does that?! My neighbor took his display down after that. While I didn't miss the blinding light, I did feel bad for his kids. 

If we were having coffee... I'd tell you how much I enjoyed having my youngest home from college. I'm not sure he enjoyed being with us as much, though. He hasn't had a lot to do while he's been home and he headed back up to Madison this week. Sigh. I miss him already. So does Cocoa. 

If we were having coffee... I'd share my experience on Facebook Marketplace. A month ago, my trusty Ninja died while making a smoothie. I replaced it with a Vitamix that I scored on Black Friday. What to do with all the Ninja accessories? I didn't want to throw them out, so I listed them for free. It was like I sent out the Bat-signal...within minutes of posting, my inbox filled up with responses and I got a little nervous about it. I put the listing on hold while I considered what to do. At work the following day, I was asking my coworkers about this and one of them told me she needed a new blender blade, so voila, I gave everything to her. 

If we were having coffee... I'd remind you that I've talking about being more mindful but clearly, I need to work harder at it. Last week, I was lighting the fireplace when I heard a poof and a sizzle. A bunch of my hair got singed because I forgot to open the flue. I was not happy when I brushed out a bunch of burned hair, but when I think about what could have happened...yeah. Dodged a bullet, I think.

On a very somber note, if we were having coffee, I'd share that my cousin's wife, who has Covid, is on a ventilator and needs an ECMO (heart/lung) machine because her lungs are so damaged. There are no machines available anywhere near her because they are being used for other Covid patients. She may be a candidate for a lung transplant. I share this because it really underscores how serious and random this virus is. She's my age and prior to this, was a healthy, active woman. No, she was not vaccinated. It's hard for me to believe that at this point in the pandemic, we still have people who won't get vaccinated and/or think Covid is a hoax. I'm going to echo what Denise said in her last post. I'm over it. 

What would you tell me over coffee? Do you have a favorite coffee? I know Coco loves Starbucks! Anyone else missing their grown children? Have you ever sold or bought anything on FB marketplace? Anyone else doing stupid things that lead to injury?

I'm linking up with Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date and with the ladies of Fit Five Friday:  DarleneMichelleReneeJenn, and Zenaida.

38 comments :

  1. After that huge house fire in Kildeer recently, I am very wary of our fireplace. Glad your incident wasn't worse. That's really too bad about the holiday vandals. Who on earth thinks that's fun?? Maddie won't be here this summer either. I feel like she's pretty much gone. Sigh.

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    1. I was thinking about this after he left--both the boys are gone. I know that's what a mother wants for her kids, for them to spread their wings but it sure hurts my heart!

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  2. My BIL does not believe in vaccines. When he worked he was an old school chiropractor who didn't believe in Western medicine of any type. When my sister offered to go in my place, I asked her was she sure -- at least both my husband & I are boosted.

    That's really sad, Wendy. I hope she pulls through but she has a long road in front of her.

    In general I'm not a big fan of Craigslist (never tried FB Marketplace) because you just never know when you'll get a weirdo. Glad you found someone who could use your stuff!

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    1. I bet your BIL would go to the ER without a moment of hesitation if he was struggling to breathe! That is the conundrum I struggle with.

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  3. Hah, you woke me up with that shoutout at the end, as I sit here sipping my home-brewed Starbucks.

    I’m sorry to hear about your cousin’s wife. I’d say I share your frustration, but I’m sure you feel it worse that I do. Despite being vaccinated and testing before gathering, covid caught our family over the holidays, but thanks to being vaccinated we had the “mild cold”-like symptoms.

    I definitely miss my kids — we are trying to plan a Feb ski trip to have some time together. I feel like those old MasterCard ads — racking up all those charges, but the time together will be priceless.

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  4. That is so terrible about your cousin's wife! Is the rest of the family vaccinated? Is this experience making them re-evaluate that decision? It sounds like she has the "original" Covid and not omicron, because they're saying omicron doesn't affect the lungs like that. Anyway, I hope she's okay, although the situation does sound dire right now.
    What kind of person vandalizes a Christmas display (other than the Grinch?) That's terrible!
    I'm still loving having my son home! He's here till the 16th. He's enjoying the break but I know he's looking forward to going back. A lot of schools are starting back virtual and I could tell he was worried about that- but his school is starting up normally (to his relief.) I will be VERY sad when he leaves!

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    1. No updates on my cousin's wife and I don't know how he feels about the vaccines now. It's pretty awful. I hope she survives this.

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  5. I Enjoy Your Quick Coffee Reads - Teenagers Trashing Holidaze Yard Decorations Is Pretty Dang Common Around Here - Those Fancy Doorbell CAMS Always Leads To A Bust BUT Then The Punishment Is Nothing More Than A Slap On The Wrist - So Pleased About Your Time Spent With The Boy - All The Best In 2022

    Cheers

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    1. I'm sure that someday those teens will have their displays trashed--you know how karma works! Thanks for checking in.

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  6. Sorry to hear about your cousin's wife. I hope things turn around for her. That's crazy some Grinch took it upon themselves to "take down the 'hood." Unbelievable. As they say, everyone is hurting or struggling in some capacity...too bad they have to strike out against others. That is a major close call with your hair!

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  7. Sorry to hear about your cousin's wife. I hope she pulls through.

    I have had good luck with FB market place. I bought a great coffee maker and stationary bike. I've also sold a few things.

    Starbucks girl here!! the fun flavored lattes. But it's now a treat since I work from home.

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    1. My oldest loves FB Marketplace. I was a little unnerved by my experience! Who are these people? Just waiting for posts?

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  8. I'm so sorry about your cousin's wife and hope she pulls through. Most of my friends and all my family I see are vaccinated, and it's notable that this variant round I'm not seeing anyone in hospital, whereas I had at least one person there in each of the previous spikes, pre-vaccine.

    I have some fancy new tea blends, including a Christmas one I am keen to start. Keep needing coffee in the afternoon, though, and I have these fun Beanies flavoured instant coffees I like to use (yum for caremlised biscuit, not-so-yum for jam doughnut ...).

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    1. I'd be curious about those Beanies coffees! We don't have anything like that here!

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  9. Oh my gosh I'm so sorry to hear about your cousin's wife. I agree that at this point I just cannot fathom why people are not vaccinated. I do hope she pulls through.

    And on the Christmas vandals - seriously what is wrong with people?!

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    1. I still don't understand those anti-vaxxers either. Or those who still think Covid is a hoax...

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  10. Facebook Marketplace can be a little crazy! I have sold a few things on the Nextdoor app as it's a bit more tame. Glad you were able to give all the accessories to a co-worker!

    I'm so sorry to hear about your cousin's wife :( Praying that she pulls through this. I have family members that are not anti-vax, but they are scared to get the vaccine. I have told them that while I understand their fear, at this point, it's just not safe to be unvaccinated. I was able to change some of their minds, but for the others, I just give up. I'm double vaxxed and boosted so I'm doing my part and that's all I can focus on.

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    1. I don't even try to convince people to vaccinate any more. The only thing I do is make sure they keep their mask up when I'm in the room. If they don't, visit over.

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  11. No coffee for me today - we have the flu (tested negative for COVID.) There's something soothing about hot tea when I'm sick. We're on day 3 and I'm definitely feeling on the mend. We've been having gorgeous January weather and I just want to get out and run in the sunshine. Hopefully I'll at least go for a walk tomorrow. Hope your cousin's wife recovers.

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    1. Oh no!!! I hope you feel better soon. Wish I was in your California sunshine!

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  12. aww poor Cocoa. I hope her favorite brother is home again soon.
    I'm not a coffee loyalist. I buy 7/11 when I need a cup on the go, but for my Keurig I have Green MOuntain, Dunkin and Starbucks. I need to be better about end of cup not meaning 'time for a refill'
    So sorry to hear about your cousin's wife. Thoughts to yout family.
    I've used a Facebook resale group, but never the broader marketplace. Glad you found an easy home for your ninja accessories.

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    1. Cocoa was so funny when I got home from work tonight--she was eating and kept running back and forth from her bowl to me. Glad I'm filling the gap while my boy is back at school, lol

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  13. I am so sorry to hear about your cousin's wife. Every time I think I am doing ok with the current situation, I hear a story like that and my anxiety flares.

    I'm sorry Cocoa is missing your son. That breaks my heart.

    So scary about the fire and burned hair! I am TERRIFIED of fire and getting burned. I would have to wall off the whole fireplace and never use it again.

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    1. I'm so sorry that my story triggered your anxiety. It was definitely not my intent to do that!

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  14. Aww, that's sad. :[ I can't understand why it's so hard for some people to just be nice (or just not terrible--I feel like this shouldn't be such a tall order).

    That's so sad to hear about your cousin's wife. I think so many people are still writing it as "just another flu" and it's so, so frustrating. I don't know how to get through to them.

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  15. Sorry for your cousin's wife, I hope she gets well soon. In my family until few weeks ago I had a no-vax but after she changed her mind and got the vaccines.
    It's terrible to know that people vandalize Cristhmas decorations.
    I'm lucky because my children live and work in my same city.
    Have a good week end.

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    1. You are so lucky your kids are so close to you! I cannot complain--both my boys live relatively near to me and so I get to see them a lot.

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  16. I am working on my patience for those that refuse to get vaccinated. I don't mean to be mean about it but I am just over it. I am sorry about your cousin's wife. It is still terrible and I hope she gets well soon. I don't know how much more it will take for people to understand how serious it is. My mother heard on the news about a 4th vaccine. She turned to me and asked me when we were going to get it. Her brother died from covid and it still affects her and is terrified of dying from it as well. I've never sold anything on FB Marketplace but want to sell a Ninja coffeemaker. I really do not need another one. I am going to take my Keurig to school for when I need coffee during the day.

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    1. I have to get a 4th vaccine in February because I am immunocompromised. I will get Moderna this time, because it is giving people higher antibody titers and it is lasting longer. I'm nervous to get it because the post-vaccine reaction is going to be strong. I already know this but I sure don't want to get Covid.

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  17. I struggle with my kid going back to school, but at least in the spring I get to see him for spring break. Fall semester is LONG with him not coming home at all. I'm so over this covid thing. We are all vaxed and boosted, but Omicron seems to be so contagious that we'll get it anyways. Just hoping 3 modernas keep it mild when the kid brings it home from high school. I miss the days when I just stressed about them bringing home lice...

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    1. HAHA, that's a great comment. As a medical provider, I miss the days of diagnosing lice. Or strep throat. Or anything besides Covid.

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  18. I put 2 beach cruisers on FB marketplace last year and within 5 mins I had a bunch of offers, it was overwhelming.
    My daughter went back to Tahoe and I missed her as she was driving away. Thank goodness for FaceTime.
    Don’t even get me started about Covid and anti-vaccers! 🤬

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    1. I just don't understand these people--and the ones who still think Covid is a hoax too.

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  19. Wow I'm so happy that you only singed a little of your hair and it wasn't anything worse. I'm afraid I do stuff like that, too. Sometimes I think I'm my own worst enemy.

    Like you, I'm missing a grown child - my son, new daughter-in-law, and of course Pablo!

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  20. I do not comment often but I love your blog and posts. It has been a hard road for so many, including our family, but I look forward to your posts that are so real and still laced with humor. So thank you! I just shared with my two sisters (we are 59, 61, 65) your "I think senility is going to be fairly smooth transition for me." That made us all laugh. We discuss this a good bit as sisters since it runs deep in our mother's side.

    I am so sorry for your cousin's wife. I pray she recovers. We are all boosted but my sister's family are getting hit now with it. But as you shared they will not end up in the hospital just feeling crappy. It is harder to dodge now, after two years of being so careful. Disheartening.

    Thank you again for your posts and sharing your life and journey with us. You are awesome!

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