Big Decision For Me

Hello my wonderful readers,

I don't know if you realized that Friday's post didn't go out, but it really frustrated me not to be able to write and connect with you. I look forward to sharing my thoughts and then getting yours in response. I really enjoy the give and take that exists in our blogging community.

But there is so much going on in my life right now, that I'm really struggling to find the time to sit down and write my posts.  


Here's what's going on right now -

• My babies (don't tell them I call them that) go back to school in three weeks. Getting them ready to go back and spending the last days of summer well are taking up a huge amount of time and energy.


• Our house is being remodeled. We started a major addition - a long story which I promise to tell you some day - in the middle of July. The constant decision making and lack of sleep (the framers start before 7am every day) is taking its toll on my brain and energy.


• Then there is the rest of life - cooking, cleaning, etc. As much as I would love to set those chores aside to spend time with you, a girl has to have clean clothes and food to eat.

So what does that mean for Come Over For Coffee? Nothing major. I still want to spend time talking to you over coffee. I still want to have girl time and good conversation with you at my kitchen table. But I can't have any coffee dates right now. I need to clear my calendar for a few weeks.

Let me get the kids settled into school. They are all three in full day school this year for the first time!! Then I'll have time for our chats over coffee. Having you over will be a top priority after school starts.

Thank you so much for your understanding. I really appreciate your friendship and the richness you bring to my life!

Let's make a date for Monday, September 10. I'll be back at the table with my coffee in hand. Will you join me?

In the mean time, contact me through Facebook, Twitter, or email. Let me know what topics we should talk about when we get together again. Let me know what's new with you. I'll be online some over the next few weeks.

Until our next cup of coffee . . .

Happy Two Month Blogiversary to Us!!

Do you know what today is? It's the two month blogiversary of Come Over For Coffee!!

Happy Two Month Blogiversary!

I've been blogging for two whole months!! And you have been reading and commenting for two whole months!!

Hooray for us!!

Thank you so much for reading. Without you, my blogging would be pointless. It blows my mind every time someone says they read my posts. When you tell me that something I wrote impacted you, I am so touched! When you leave me a comment sharing your thoughts, I am honored!

So thank you!! And congratulations on our milestone!

Here's to you!

Have a killer cup of coffee today to celebrate!

Warning - Not My Usual Post!

"A fine bunch of water lilies you turned out to be. I'd like to see anybody make me wash, if I didn't wanna."
 - Grumpy

Today is Wednesday. Usually on Wednesday, I post about something light and fluffy - something that makes me smile in an attempt to make you smile too.

Today, I don't wanna (insert childish whine here, complete with pout).

I'm just grumpy. No reason - life is really good here!

And today I don't like people - I could tell you all about it, but that would go against my post about guarding my tongue :-) I'm just generally annoyed with folks today - news folks, Facebook folks, most folks.

Not you, of course!!! I'm not annoyed with you at all! It's everyone else that's on my nerves.

So I don't want to blog about something light and fluffy (to my brother-in-law who was looking forward to today's post, check back next week). I'm too grumpy.

Maybe I need more girl time. I did see a friend last week, and we had a great time, but maybe I'm in a foul mood because I need more friend time. I'm going to go back and read my post about Girs' Night Out and see if it helps my mood.

Maybe I'm just having a pity party. Want to come? You are invited, but presents are required :-)

This too shall pass, but in the mean time, I'm going to go fix a second cup of coffee and curl up with a book.

Do Your Kids Know Who They Are?

"The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him."
 - Pablo Casals

I volunteered at Vacation Bible School yesterday and worked with a group of 4 year olds. In addition to needing a strong cup of coffee and a nap when I was done, the topic of children got stuck in my head. When there's a topic on my mind, it usually ends up here on my blog (some topics have to be edited so you will keep reading).

You already know that I'm a passionate person. When I sink my teeth into an issue, I don't let it go. Have you seen my posts on friendship? :-) And I'm not done with that category yet. Just letting some ideas simmer. But I digress . . . .

So one of the things I'm passionate about is for every child to know who they are and who they are not. I'm convinced that this knowledge will make a huge difference in their lives and in the lives of their parents. I know we all parent/have parented/will parent differently. But the ideas in my head seem to be pretty universal. I can't wait to hear what you think!

I figured that I would start with the idea of kids knowing who they are. If my kids are confident in who they are, they will be better prepared to stand up to all that this world will throw at them. Peer pressure should be less of an issue because they will already know their worth and not need to be like everyone else. I say "should" because my oldest is 10. I'm just now getting into the world of peer pressure and the temptation of needing to be like everyone else. Like every other mom, I'm learning as I go.

My boys watching new construction start in our backyard

So what do I want my kids to know about who they are?

• I want my boys to know that they are a very important part of our family. My guys are a member of Team P (what I call us when I'm being corny - which is most of the time). Without them, our team isn't complete. We need what they bring to the table - even though they all bring something different. Some of my boys are athletes, and one is an artist, but they are all equally critical to the make up of our family. They need to know this! When the world tells them that they don't rate (middle school, anyone?), I want them to know that they are very valuable here.
• I want my boys to know that they are important to God. He made them with all their talents, gifts, and personality on purpose. He has a purpose for them, and they matter greatly to Him.

Imagine a child who walks through life knowing who he is to God and who he is in his family. His confidence will be strong and healthy, and his approach to life will be to take on life’s challenges with out fear. I want this for my boys.

So how do DH and I attempt to pull this off? I had originally planned to include the things we do, but this post is getting really long. So I'll ask you. How do you teach your children who they are? When it comes to your children knowing who they are, what is important to you? I would love to hear from you.

I promise to give you some ideas of what we do next week.

Have a great weekend!!

I'm linking this post with my friend Paloma's Coffee Friday. Go visit her, and tell her I sent you.

Come Chat With Me on Facebook!

Come chat with me!

Come chat with me this morning! I will be hosting Gevalia's Bean Chat at their Facebook Fan Page. "Like" their page and have cyber coffee with me. It will be just like we are at my kitchen table, but we can still be in our pjs at our own houses. I'll be there from 10a-11a (EST). Drop by if you have a chance.

My Major Vice Explored

"I have measured out my life with coffee spoons."
 - T.S. Eliot

I know it's in the title of my blog, but I just realized that I've never fully explained my love of coffee. Coffee is one of my true loves. Don't ask me where it ranks with my other loves (DH, S1, S2, and S3, God) because I don't want to answer that one honestly. But I do love coffee. Allow me to explain.

My mug of choice each morning

Coffee is my first thought in the morning. Before my feet hit the floor, I'm anticipating my first sip. If my day doesn't' start with a great cup of coffee, my men know to run for cover. My family knows not to call before the first cup. Pre-coffee Dawn is not a nice person!

After my first cup, comes my second cup. Then I'm ready for my day. I can face anything with my fortifying morning cups of joe. I know that makes me sound dependent. I prefer to think of it like a soldier arming for battle. Don't argue with me on this one. I like the reality I've created for myself.

I own three coffee makers. Yes, three. As the only coffee drinker in the family, I know that sounds excessive. But it makes perfect sense. I have the standard 10-cup drip maker for when I have a crowd over. I have a one cup at a time Keurig (the greatest invention in the history of man!). My Keurig is my prize possession. I don't know how I lived without it. Then I also own the mini-Keurig. We camp and travel frequently, and DH knew I would be a happier camper if I had a Keurig with me. So he bought me the mini to take with me away from home. DH is a truly great man!

A few of my Starbucks City Mugs

Another coffee related collection is my assortment of Starbucks mugs. I own a large collection of Starbucks city mugs. Whenever a member of the family is traveling, they know they are under strict instructions to look for Starbucks mugs from their destination. I use one of my special mugs every morning and share them with my girlfriends when they come over.

But back to coffee itself - I love it! I love the smell of coffee. My happy place is a Starbucks - with it's coffee smells, assorted coffee drinks, and delicious coffee snacks. I can drink it hot, cold, iced, or blended. I can drink it all day.

Did I mention that I love coffee? I did? Oh good. That's all I was going for today. No deep thoughts. No life-changing ideas. Just coffee.

Wanna come over for a cup?

 While we're on the topic of coffee, I'll be hosting Gevalia's BeanChat Thursday, 7/12/12 at 10am (Eastern). Don't you want to stop by to chat with me? Here's how -

• Click here to go to Gevalia's Facebook Page
• "Like" the page
• Click on the BeanChat Tab
• Talk to me! 
• I'll be there from 10a-11a. Even if you can only stop by for a few minutes, I would love to meet you there!