I'll Just Stick with the Coffee

I went shopping last week, back when the weather was a bit more pleasant.  Seriously, it was a nice day - snowed in the morning, and then the sun came out and it was practically balmy.  That isn't the point, but what's better than talking about the weather?  It's practically the only thing anyone talks about these days.  Cold, cold, cold.

Anyway, shopping.  I usually look over my receipts before I leave the store, just to be sure everything rang up right.  It just seems to be that, if I look at it in the store, everything will be fine, and if I don't, something will be wrong.  Not always, but looking at the receipt in the store means I can take care of any problems right then, while I'm there.  This time I did look it over, but not well enough, I guess.  That evening I noticed that the broccoli crowns I bought had been rung up as just regular broccoli.  So instead of paying 99¢ per pound for approximately 1 pound of broccoli, I paid $1.99 each for 2 bunches of broccoli, or $3.98.

If I still lived in Wisconsin and had to drive 15 minutes to get to the store, I'd probably have let it go or called the store to see if there was anything I could do about it the next time I got to the store (probably not for 2 or 3 weeks).  But, since the store is only 5 minutes or so away, I decided I'd run back to the store the next morning and get it taken care of. And, since they recently opened a Starbucks in the store, I thought I'd treat myself to a salted caramel mocha from Starbucks.

So, I did.  I ended up getting the broccoli for free, and I grabbed a few things I forgot to grab the day before.  They were things we could have lived without, but since I was there...

Next time (because there will probably be a next time, no matter how careful I am) I'm just going to skip the coffee.  I'll make coffee at home.  I got $4 back from the broccoli and spent $5 on stupid coffee.  Do people really do that all the time?  (Obviously they do; just search Starbucks on Flickr.)  How?  Why?  I mean, it was good, but it just doesn't seem worth it.  I can buy an entire bag of coffee and make my coffee at home for weeks for that same $5.

I might buy a flavored syrup to use occasionally, should I want something a bit different.  I have been mixing my coffee up with some coconut oil and milk in the mornings - whir it up good in the Ninja so that it's foamy, and that's pretty yummy.  I bet a little syrup would be nice once in a while.  And not quite the waste of money Starbucks seems to be.

I Hadn't Even Made the Coffee

Jeffrey left for work this morning, and I went for my walk.  (Yeah, he's still not back to walking with me in the mornings - we really must do something about that.)  I got back, stretched, and then did one of my exercise videos.  As we got to the cool-down, everything went dark.  The power went out - again.  In case you missed it, we were without power on Tuesday night for an hour and a half.  The power company called later and said it was a blown fuse.  Thankfully a power outage in the daytime isn't quite as bad as one at night.  I opened all the window curtains and let the light in so I didn't have to sit in the dark.  At night opening the curtains does absolutely no good.

Pretty much all I did all morning was read because there's really not much that can be done with no electricity.  I couldn't even make my morning coffee!  I tried making it with hot tap water in my French press, but no matter how hot the water might feel, it's not really hot enough for coffee.  I did unpack my clothes from the weekend, sort the laundry, go through all the mail, and make the bed.  Though I was sorely tempted to close those same window curtains I opened and climb right back into that bed!  But I didn't.  If I'd known how long the power was going to be out, I just might have.  We have some really nice curtains in the bedroom that block out most of the light when they're closed.  It would have been nice and dark and cozy - perfect for sleeping.  I've been thinking about moving the curtains from the living room to the bedroom, because the color is perfect with our new comforter, but I don't think they're quite as good at blocking out the light, which is important in a bedroom.  Also, I'm not sure the bedroom curtains will look good in the living room or if I'd have to find new ones for the living room.  So, I'm still thinking about it.

Anyway, because I called to report the power outage about 5 minutes after it happened, the power company had my number and kept calling to update me on their progress - which was really nice.  The  power went out shortly after 8am.  They called me at 9:40am and told me it was more serious than they originally thought and estimated the power would be back around 11am.  Then they called again around 10:40am and told me it would be noon before the power would be back.  I really would have had plenty of time for a nap!

The power finally came back about 11:30am, and I made some real coffee and got busy doing all the things I couldn't do without electricity.  Hopefully they got everything fixed right this time, and we won't have any more power outages for a long time.

Healthy Ways to Get More Energy

As I was pouring my coffee this morning, I heard this on Good Morning America, "Do you rely on coffee to get your day started?"  And then, when I signed on to facebook, my friend Jenn (of My Kids Are My World) had posted, "I need some caffeine this morning....too bad I'm not a coffee drinker."  That's when I knew I had to go check out GMA's Tip of the Day - 10 Healthy Ways to Get More Energy.  I enjoy my morning coffee.  I'm not sure if I rely on it, but it does help to have some alternatives.

Here's the list from GMA:

1. Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
2. Drink enough water.
3. Try whole grains.
4. Have a healthy snack.
5. Have the proper amount of vitamins you need.
6. Don't skip breakfast.
7. Avoid excess sugar.
8. Eat enough alkaline-forming foods.
9. Make sure you are getting enough protein.
10. Grab a handful of nuts.

Nothing earth-shattering or guaranteed to give you a sudden burst of energy, but it looks like eating properly and focusing on good health is the best way to have plenty of energy for everyday life.  I especially agree with drinking water and avoiding sugar.  Not enough water or too much sugar - either one just drains my energy.

I Got These from CSN Stores

When I was offered the chance to review something from CSN Stores, I jumped at the chance.  The hardest part really was choosing what to order.  With 200+ online stores, CSN Stores has plenty to choose from.

I decided to use my gift code and order from a couple different stores - since no matter how many different stores you shop, you can check out in one transaction, and I just had to try that.  So, I ordered a Bodum Brazil 8-Cup French Press coffee maker because I've wanted to try one of these for years.  I've really been enjoying it.  I think it makes really good coffee, and when they say 8 cups, they mean 8 4-oz. cups, so it makes about the perfect amount of coffee for me in the mornings.  The only thing I don't really like is that it's a bit harder to clean up than my Mr. Coffee where I just have to remove the filter and toss it in the trash.  But that's OK.  I think the coffee is good enough that I'll deal with it.

I also got some of these Closet Shelf Dividers.  I really really like the idea of these, because my closet shelves could really use some help. The stacks of sweaters are always leaning and falling on each other.

After the divider:

Yeah, the stacks are still too high, but I think the dividers are going to help.  That is, if we can get them to stay.  The hooks on the bottom of these dividers aren't really big enough, and there's not enough tension in them to hold them securely to the closet shelf.  We tried pulling them apart so they'd spread apart a bit more, and that helped a bit.  Still, they don't work as well as I'd like.  The idea is great, but the design could use some work.  I'm going to keep them anyway and maybe tweak them a bit to get them to stay more securely.

It was hard deciding what to order, but I had fun doing it!  Gotta love CSN Stores and all they have to offer.

Coffee or Tea?

Image via Wikipedia

I never really drank coffee until I started college.  My great grandmother (Mammy) gave it to me once when I was younger, but she fixed it up with so much sugar and milk that I just didn't like it.  I'm sure she thought she was giving me a real treat, and there probably wasn't enough coffee in it to even count.  But when I got to college, I needed something to keep myself awake in class and for those late nights of studying and, other things.  I'm not sure it really worked, though I really tried - lots of times I mixed instant coffee into brewed coffee in an effort to get double the caffeine.  That's also when I started making hot chocolate with my coffee, and I still do that.  Mostly, though I just drink my coffee black.  No sense messing it up with sugar or cream!  Though adding hot chocolate and whipped cream is sort of the same, isn't it?

It sounds like Cory's been drinking coffee more since he's been in college, though he started drinking it some when he was in college. Often on a cold morning he'd take a travel mug full of coffee and hot chocolate when he left for the bus stop.  I'm not sure how he drinks it now, but I did get him a nice orange travel mug so he can make the coffee and/or hot chocolate in his dorm room and take it with him wherever he needs to go.  When I was in college, we had to go to the dining hall to get our coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.  I may be remembering wrong, but it seems that it was always available.  Cory says he can get it with a meal, instead of another beverage, but other than that, he'd have to buy it somewhere.  That's why so many college students have their own coffee makers and K-Cups or Coffee Pods in their dorm rooms - so they can get the coffee when they need the coffee.  Come to think of it, that is a bit more convenient than walking down the hill to the dining hall.

Image by Andrea_R via Flickr

All these years later, I'm still drinking coffee and enjoying it.  I can't remember why, but I tried drinking green tea instead of my morning coffee once.  I think I heard it's supposed to be better for you and have just as much caffeine as coffee.  So I tried it.  For a week.  But it just wasn't the same.  There's something really satisfying about a cup of black coffee in the morning, and tea just can't touch that.

The tea drinkers probably say the same thing, only in reverse, but if you're gonna send me one of these Gift Baskets, make mine coffee and not tea!

I do enjoy an occasional cup of tea - just not first thing in the morning and not as a replacement for coffee.  Mint tea - so good!  Mint tea and hot chocolate - yum!  And I just bought this Apple Spice tea that is absolutely amazing.  How about you - coffee or tea?

How to Warm Up

According to my computer, it's -4°F outside. That doesn't count the windchill, which makes it even colder. The wind is certainly whipping the snow around out there, so I don't even want to guess at how cold it might be when you factor in that windchill.

Even on a cold day like this, we don't like to turn up the thermostat. There are always other ways to stay warm. Here are two of my favorite ways to warm up on a cold winter's day:

1. Wash dishes
2. Bake something

I may be crazy, but I actually enjoy washing dishes, and putting my hands into a sink full of warm sudsy water is a sure way to warm up. I really enjoy baking too, and turning the oven on helps to warm up the house really well. Sure, it uses more power like turning the thermostat up would, but at least we get something good to show for it. If you need some good ideas, try visiting my recipes blog. (Note the shameless plug) As in all things, use moderation. I don't want to be responsible for your needing Anoretix to slim down.

Another great way to stay warm is to snuggle up in a soft blanket and read a book. Or, as a friend suggested last night, enjoy a warm drink such as Bailey's and coffee!

This is Really Good Coffee

Image via WikipediaRemember last month when I mentioned the free coffee sample from Dunkin' Donuts? I said I'd let you know what I think once I had a chance to try it. Well, I just got my sample this week and brewed it up this morning. I'm not about to climb up on my roof and proclaim this the best coffee I've ever had, but I am going to tell you that this is good coffee. I got the Dunkin' Dark, and it's really smooth and rich. I'm going to be sad when I finish it, but the good news is that Dunkin' Donuts coffee is now available in the coffee aisle at the grocery store. Of course, I won't be going to the grocery store for a few weeks (see previous post), but hopefully that will give me time to find a coupon.

The good news for you is - there are still samples available. The Original Blend is out of stock, but they still have the Dunkin' Dark. So, if you haven't yet requested your free sample of Dunkin' Donuts coffee, what are you waiting for?

Starbucks Giveaway

Image by DBarefoot
via FlickrI didn't win the last one, so I'm trying again. This time Laurie is giving away a Starbucks Gold Card Membership and a $25 gift card. The gold card means 10% off most purchases, and the $25 gift card means, well $25 of free Starbucks!

I am going to need to get to Starbucks soon, because the White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha sounds really good. We were just at Target Sunday, but for some reason there's no Starbucks in that Target. Cory was complaining. Not me, of course.

Free Coffee!

I was just thinking about fixing myself some coffee, when I clicked my Entrecard blog of the day (see left sidebar). Good thing I did, clicked that is, because that's how I found out that Dunkin' Donuts is giving away free samples of their coffee. It's not gonna help me for today, but I really want to try this coffee. I've been watching those commercials where the people like the coffee so much they climb on top of their roofs and proclaim it to the neighborhood. So, I'm expecting this to be good coffee. I'm not planning to climb up on my roof, but I will let you know what I think once I try it. I'll proclaim it to the blog neighborhood, how about that?

Thanks to Corrin for mentioning this - and advertising on my Entrecard widget.

The Coffee's on Deb

Image via WikipediaI've had Starbucks a few times in the last week - not my norm because I'm not usually close to a Starbucks. I really do enjoy their coffee drinks, so when I heard that Deb is giving away a $15 Starbucks gift card, I knew I had to enter. That coffee is mine!

If you run over to her blog, enter, and win? Then, the coffee's on you...

We Are Not Getting Enough Sleep

...and the coffee doesn't really help. What did help is that Jeffrey and I got up and went for our walk this morning. Yesterday we slept in a little, and I could not wake up all morning. There's just something about getting up, getting outside, and getting moving that really helps.

It was quite chilly out there this morning. I was really thankful for my new sweatshirt to keep me warm. I would have been even happier if I had remembered to bring a sweatshirt from home, so that I didn't have to buy a new one. It's like buying family health insurance ahead of time, so you don't have to spend more money on health care later. Yeah, I know, that's a stretch. Seriously, though, if I had remembered my sweatshirt, I probably wouldn't have needed it, but since I forgot, of course I needed it. The sad thing is I looked at the sweatshirts in my closet when I was packing, thought to myself that I needed to grab one for walking, and then didn't grab one. Oh well, now I have a new sweatshirt.

I'm still not getting enough sleep, though - more than Cory, but not enough. I guess there will be time enough to sleep later, maybe.

Coffee to Go

Today, tomorrow and Friday Cory and his friend Pam have to drive for driver's ed. I have to get them to the school by 8am and pick them up at 10am.

This morning the coffee was ready about the time we had to leave the house, so I put it in a to-go cup and took it along. I might manage to grab a cup of coffee before we have to leave the house tomorrow, but not today. Today I had to make Jeffrey a sandwich, say good-bye to him, get Cory up, do my crunches, weights and stretches, and then make the coffee. By then it was 20 til 8 and we had to leave, and I didn't want to wait until I got back home to have my coffee.

Actually, we didn't quite get out of the house then, but we should have. Cory wanted to drive, and he's rather cautious (slow) when he drives. I tell him that's OK. I'd rather he be cautious than try to drive too fast or pull out if he's not sure he has time. We just need to schedule a little extra time if he's going to drive. Funny - when Beth was learning to drive, we always had to tell her to slow down.

I'm Reduced to Sniffing the Bag

A couple weeks ago, I received a sample of Joffrey's Jamaican Me Crazy coffee in the mail. Caramel, vanilla and coffee liqueur flavoring. ... Do I even need to say that I drank it all myself, and I didn't share? This stuff is good. Normally I'm really obsessive about throwing the trash away, and when my darling daughter leaves wrappers or other things on the counter, it makes me crazy. But the bag from the coffee is still there on my counter, and sometimes I pick it up and sniff it. Is that weird?

Today I went online to see if I could order some more, and I got a page saying this product couldn't be found. What? Where'd it go? Then I did find it, along with a whole list of coffee choices. They have some coffee flavors I've never heard of, and they all sound so good. Decisions, decisions - there's a chocolate and coconut one, chocolate macadamia nut, cinnamon graham cracker, French silk pie, and more. They also have blends, dark roasts, teas, and organic coffees.

I can't imagine why I want some coffee right now...

Starbucks Contest Update

Remember how I said I was entering the contest to win a $25 Starbucks gift card? The contest is still going on - until December 8 - so, for those of you who have been clicking that coffee in the sidebar, thanks! For those of you who haven't, won't you consider a click or two? Just click on over and visit Tina's blog.

Google Analytics will only show the top ten, and the referrals above 7 are mainly search engines. Here's the leader board posted by Tina, showing 7-10. I dropped from 8 to 10 this week, so I need some clicks if I'm going to catch Rachel.

Give Me Coffee!

KK over at My Good Finds dot Org is giving away a $25 Starbucks gift card. The contest is open to all bloggers, so click on over and see how you can enter. Of course, if you don't drink coffee (Peggy) you can just click the coffee cup at the top of my sidebar every day so that I can win! Come back and click every day. The contest runs through December 8.