Boy do I have plans for 2013! It will be the year that makes up for 2012, 2011 and at least half of 2010. There were plenty of good things that happened in those years. Well, maybe not plenty...but a few...like the birth of Ainsley and making new friends...but the rest was kinda crappy for the whole family.
We are oh so close to getting on the road to our major cross country road trip. I'm sure there are a lot of families out there who trek across 15 states in less than a month...but this is our first. It will be our first family vacation too with several days at Lake Tahoe.
I moved so much growing up that I absolutely detest moving. I get anxiety about it...I become a complete blubbering mess because no matter why I am moving--it always feels exactly as it did when I was little. That sucked worse than anything. A lot of crummy things happened to our family way back then but moving hurt the most...as did being the new kid every single year with buck teeth, caterpillar eyebrows, a horrible sense of fashion and long stick legs. But...
2013 will be different. I really can't wait to get out of New Bern, NC. I think everyone I have come in contact with in this town refers to me as "That negative lady who hates New Bern". Actually--they are probably too nice to think of me that way...because the people here really are nice times 1000. I've met some of the best families. Stephen and I like both the husband AND the wife in several households here. Leaving them and their adorable munchkins behind is going to be rough. I sure hope we can make friends like this again in the future.
Leaving behind Avery's amazing teacher and Montessori school will be the other extremely difficult thing about this move.
But the silver lining- there is so much to gain in heading to the heavenly state of Washington so we are focusing on that. Dad has promised his little girls (and me!) a dog. It may take us a year or two to find the right one--but just knowing that we have the "ok" to get one...is making the move extra exciting for the girls. Everything that we enjoy is there...and not just within the state but within a few miles of where we will be living. After living in New Bern...this will be so huge. SO HUGE.
The adventure begins on Jan 30. 2013 will be the best year yet...it just has to be.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Tog + Porter Box...5?
I've lost track of how many boxes I have received...I think this one is number five!
This box came the morning before our double birthday party for the girls. It was really hard not to open it and check it out so I peeked. This is what I saw.
I didn't have time to try anything on at the moment. I did smell an absolutely crazy plastic smell coming from the box. A few hours later a friend was over and insisted I figure out what it was! It was the boots! I did try them on but I wouldn't buy them based on the smell alone. Luckily- they are far too tight anyway. They were pretty cute but my husband bought me a pair of Merrell boots for Christmas...a bit early.
Item #1 "Rachel Rider2 Boots" $89 I couldn't figure out what brand they were or what material. I didn't look too terribly hard as the smell was really strong. I'm guessing they are synthetic. They were low heel and really high up the lower leg. I may have liked them.
Item #2 Silver ZigZag Necklace $27 I didn't really put this on with anything but I love it so I will keep it. You can see it in this box photo to the left. It is nice and long.
Item #3 Opera Skinny Belt in Purple $21 paired with my white tunic from Alternative Apparel from Box 4 and some Textured Leggings $26 I love the leggings! They are thick and soft. I'm not sure what I have to wear them with just yet but I am sure they are a "go to" piece for fall and winter. I just threw them on with the tunic and the skinny belt and my boots. I have no idea if this is what I am to do with them. I will find out when I Skype with my stylist.
Item #5 Chevron Waist Belt $21 I have no idea how to wear this one yet. It looks like it may match some of the other pieces I have purchased but I will have to learn how to wear it.
Item #6 Press Elbow Patch Sweater in Moss $83, Item #7 Nine PLanet Skinny in Bordo $69 and Item #8 Bauble necklace in dark green $27
This is my favorite look so far from all my boxes--closely rivaling the maxi dress from Box 3 The only bad part- is that I am totally squeezed into those skinny pants...and not in a comfortable way! I'm hoping to figure out my size in these and get some in various colors. I have not found a skinny pant that wasn't extremely short in length or extremely long- these are *just right*. They are more low rise than I like to wear...so there is a chance that even in the next size up these wont be a flattering cut...but we shall see. I forgot to take a photo of the cute elbow patches! There is also a nice little detail stitching in the center on the chest- so it isn't the plain manly sweater it looks to be in the photo. The bauble necklace is gold and green- I don't love gold but I think it will help dress up this sweater and possibly others that I already own...have to ask Emily what colors to wear it with!
This is my last box until at least January. I am going to go cry now because I LOVE this service.
Hope you all tune in at the start of 2013...
This box came the morning before our double birthday party for the girls. It was really hard not to open it and check it out so I peeked. This is what I saw.
I didn't have time to try anything on at the moment. I did smell an absolutely crazy plastic smell coming from the box. A few hours later a friend was over and insisted I figure out what it was! It was the boots! I did try them on but I wouldn't buy them based on the smell alone. Luckily- they are far too tight anyway. They were pretty cute but my husband bought me a pair of Merrell boots for Christmas...a bit early.
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| Item #1 Silver ZigZag Necklace |
Item #2 Silver ZigZag Necklace $27 I didn't really put this on with anything but I love it so I will keep it. You can see it in this box photo to the left. It is nice and long.
Item #3 Opera Skinny Belt in Purple $21 paired with my white tunic from Alternative Apparel from Box 4 and some Textured Leggings $26 I love the leggings! They are thick and soft. I'm not sure what I have to wear them with just yet but I am sure they are a "go to" piece for fall and winter. I just threw them on with the tunic and the skinny belt and my boots. I have no idea if this is what I am to do with them. I will find out when I Skype with my stylist.
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| Items 3 and 4 Belt and Leggings |
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| Item 5 Chevron Belt |
Item #6 Press Elbow Patch Sweater in Moss $83, Item #7 Nine PLanet Skinny in Bordo $69 and Item #8 Bauble necklace in dark green $27
This is my favorite look so far from all my boxes--closely rivaling the maxi dress from Box 3 The only bad part- is that I am totally squeezed into those skinny pants...and not in a comfortable way! I'm hoping to figure out my size in these and get some in various colors. I have not found a skinny pant that wasn't extremely short in length or extremely long- these are *just right*. They are more low rise than I like to wear...so there is a chance that even in the next size up these wont be a flattering cut...but we shall see. I forgot to take a photo of the cute elbow patches! There is also a nice little detail stitching in the center on the chest- so it isn't the plain manly sweater it looks to be in the photo. The bauble necklace is gold and green- I don't love gold but I think it will help dress up this sweater and possibly others that I already own...have to ask Emily what colors to wear it with!
This is my last box until at least January. I am going to go cry now because I LOVE this service.
Hope you all tune in at the start of 2013...
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Moving, Moving, Moving
I hate moving. I know everyone probably does, but I have serious issues with it. We moved far too many times when I was a kid and it really stunk. I was always the new girl and we always moved just as I was finding friends and feeling normal. Looking back, I can hardly remember where we lived and when...I have to list it going from current day backwards. I do remember crying myself to sleep the first night after school ended or in the car on the road to the next place we were living. It doesn't take much to remember exactly how I felt in those moments.
After high school I moved in and out of houses during college and graduate school--but I pretty much stayed around the same group of friends. Some of them moved away about the time that I "settled down" with marriage and a baby. That was tough. It was even tougher packing up and leaving my first official home...the one where my husband and both of our children lived.
Despite hating the town we live in now--I am not looking forward to moving this winter. I have made some friends that I enjoy but my biggest concern is how my oldest Munchkin is going to handle it all. I have yet to tell her we are moving. She still talks about her Iowa friends like we are going to see them randomly at the park some Saturday morning...and it just breaks my heart. Only in the recent few months have we really established a good group of friends for her here in North Carolina. And here we are...preparing to move. I'm putting my kids into a position that I hated the most from my own childhood. I know we have this move and at least one more before we will be able to settle down again. This move is for all good reasons and actually to an area we will likely enjoy more than where we are now. I just don't want my Munchkin to be the new girl and I don't want her to miss her friends. I really hope she is too young to feel the feelings I recall having but I don't think that will be the case. She has such a big heart and picks certain people that she never lets go of...and boy does she have a memory! She still thinks her Iowa friend's house is just behind the gas station here and she expects to see her two adult friends at church...she really wants to know why they don't come anymore! Now that she's older, I'm sure her logic is going to make a big difference in how this change impacts her. I'm praying for strength in maintaining my composure in helping her through this process. I hope to keep it positive for her as we really will enjoy the new location.
After high school I moved in and out of houses during college and graduate school--but I pretty much stayed around the same group of friends. Some of them moved away about the time that I "settled down" with marriage and a baby. That was tough. It was even tougher packing up and leaving my first official home...the one where my husband and both of our children lived.
Despite hating the town we live in now--I am not looking forward to moving this winter. I have made some friends that I enjoy but my biggest concern is how my oldest Munchkin is going to handle it all. I have yet to tell her we are moving. She still talks about her Iowa friends like we are going to see them randomly at the park some Saturday morning...and it just breaks my heart. Only in the recent few months have we really established a good group of friends for her here in North Carolina. And here we are...preparing to move. I'm putting my kids into a position that I hated the most from my own childhood. I know we have this move and at least one more before we will be able to settle down again. This move is for all good reasons and actually to an area we will likely enjoy more than where we are now. I just don't want my Munchkin to be the new girl and I don't want her to miss her friends. I really hope she is too young to feel the feelings I recall having but I don't think that will be the case. She has such a big heart and picks certain people that she never lets go of...and boy does she have a memory! She still thinks her Iowa friend's house is just behind the gas station here and she expects to see her two adult friends at church...she really wants to know why they don't come anymore! Now that she's older, I'm sure her logic is going to make a big difference in how this change impacts her. I'm praying for strength in maintaining my composure in helping her through this process. I hope to keep it positive for her as we really will enjoy the new location.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Tog+Porter #4 Yay for Fall!
Can I tell you a secret? When I get my Tog+Porter box I let nothing get in the way of opening it. Seriously- I burned oatmeal rummaging through this box...who burns oatmeal? Sadly, I had to wait almost 24 hours to actually try anything on!
We almost didn't have time to take photos this weekend so I apologize for looking like I just woke up--but I had just woken up and showered...it is pretty obvious. :)
Overall this was a great box. I don't hate anything and besides the jeans, I could see myself wearing all of it. I'm mulling over the rust tunic and the belted sweater--so weigh in heavily on those! This may be my last box until we get settled in Virginia in December. Maybe...I may try to squeeze one more in between now and then since it IS fall and I do need to replace my maternity fall clothes with normal clothes.
I'm keeping everything from this look--Items: #1 Girly Solid Scarf Dark Teal $19, #2 Alternative Apparel Diane V Tunic $39, #3 Downeast Basics Long Love Maxi $43 (I have the black one that looks just like this from box #1).
I have no idea how to wear a scarf...the funny look on my face was because Stephen was giving me a hard time. He could not figure out why it was so hard to put on a scarf. The skirt can be worn as a dress--I think? It has the bandeau top thing so I wear the black one like that. I have been wanting a teal scarf so I'm happy one arrived. The t-shirt is pretty basic but it has a little bit of detail in it. I like the fabric and obviously this is one of my favorite brands Tog+Porter has been sending me.
Item #4 Downeast Basics Coming Home Tunic $42 and #5 Level99 Chloe Boot Cut Reign $119.
There is something about this tunic. I like putting it on and feeling like I can bend over and not worry about my shirt going up or my nursing pads flying out. But, my husband says he hates the color on me and the print and the cut. So what do you all think? I'm wondering if this thing is to be worn with leggings and/or a belt? I paired it with the jeans Emily sent to try. The jeans are a definite no. They don't pass the bend over test. They are not super low rise but they are low enough that I would be worrying about crack exposure. Also, the rise doesn't flatter my postpartum body. So sad, because they do flatter my bum (not pictured).
Item #6 Downeast Basics Day Sweater $53 paired with the same t-shirt and jeans from above. I really wanted to love this one. It is the belted sweater I have been waiting for BUT it has 3/4 length sleeves that are slightly oversized. They are supposed to be...kind of flowy or something. They also have a hood and pockets. I love the way it feels--it is very lightweight and it has an awesome button in the back to keep the belt attached. I'm sure I would wear it if I kept it but I would still be on the look out for *the* belted sweater that I am dreaming of. Also, we are moving to a place that has a real winter so I need the other 1/4 of a sleeve! This would be the best sweater for North Carolina though!
Item #7 Splendid Thermal Maxi $98 This item is super soft and feels good to wear. I'm not so sure about the darkness of it as I am tan now (for me) and will be ghostly white in a month or two. My husband doesn't like it because of the color and he said I for sure need a necklace or else I look like I'm wearing pajamas. This one is looking like a no...what do you think?
We almost didn't have time to take photos this weekend so I apologize for looking like I just woke up--but I had just woken up and showered...it is pretty obvious. :)
Overall this was a great box. I don't hate anything and besides the jeans, I could see myself wearing all of it. I'm mulling over the rust tunic and the belted sweater--so weigh in heavily on those! This may be my last box until we get settled in Virginia in December. Maybe...I may try to squeeze one more in between now and then since it IS fall and I do need to replace my maternity fall clothes with normal clothes.
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| Items 1, 2 and 3. |
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| Item #4 and #5 |
I'm keeping everything from this look--Items: #1 Girly Solid Scarf Dark Teal $19, #2 Alternative Apparel Diane V Tunic $39, #3 Downeast Basics Long Love Maxi $43 (I have the black one that looks just like this from box #1).
I have no idea how to wear a scarf...the funny look on my face was because Stephen was giving me a hard time. He could not figure out why it was so hard to put on a scarf. The skirt can be worn as a dress--I think? It has the bandeau top thing so I wear the black one like that. I have been wanting a teal scarf so I'm happy one arrived. The t-shirt is pretty basic but it has a little bit of detail in it. I like the fabric and obviously this is one of my favorite brands Tog+Porter has been sending me.
Item #4 Downeast Basics Coming Home Tunic $42 and #5 Level99 Chloe Boot Cut Reign $119.
There is something about this tunic. I like putting it on and feeling like I can bend over and not worry about my shirt going up or my nursing pads flying out. But, my husband says he hates the color on me and the print and the cut. So what do you all think? I'm wondering if this thing is to be worn with leggings and/or a belt? I paired it with the jeans Emily sent to try. The jeans are a definite no. They don't pass the bend over test. They are not super low rise but they are low enough that I would be worrying about crack exposure. Also, the rise doesn't flatter my postpartum body. So sad, because they do flatter my bum (not pictured).
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| Item #6 |
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| Side view |
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| Item #7 |
Item #7 Splendid Thermal Maxi $98 This item is super soft and feels good to wear. I'm not so sure about the darkness of it as I am tan now (for me) and will be ghostly white in a month or two. My husband doesn't like it because of the color and he said I for sure need a necklace or else I look like I'm wearing pajamas. This one is looking like a no...what do you think?
Thursday, September 6, 2012
StitchFix #4--Oops, I did it again?
Somehow a 4th Fix arrived. I guess I didn't cancel appropriately or something--but I thought it was a "click to order" program.
Oh well, I actually found a few things I may keep!
Let me know what you think!
Item #1 MM Couture Dress: Day to night Lani One Shoulder Mosaic Dress $95. I kind of like this one but what do you think about it as far as being my style?
Item #2 Viereck Dress: Cocktail Dress Moretti Flutter Sleeve Layer Dress $132
Oh well, I actually found a few things I may keep!
Let me know what you think!
Item #1 MM Couture Dress: Day to night Lani One Shoulder Mosaic Dress $95. I kind of like this one but what do you think about it as far as being my style?
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| Item #1 |
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| Item #2 |
Boy this one is fun to put on and for about 10 seconds I felt super hot...even with the extra flappy stuff going on. I am wearing shorts in this just because I'm not tan...I think with tights I could actually wear this short thing! But I'm not keeping it--I don't really have any cocktail parties to attend.
Item #3 Tulle Top: Cami/Tank Raleigh Double layer printed tank $50 Same brand as a top I kept from my Tog+Porter box. I think I may keep it- what do you think? They also sent a Item #4 Tulle bandeau that I LOVE. I have been needing a strapless/racerback option and I really found this one affordable and comfortable for $30. No picture of course! Tulle is a designer I may have to go find and see what else I may like!
Item #5 Lucca Couture Top: Sweater Kiernan Long Sleeve Loose Sweater $75. I realize this is supposed to be loose but I feel like it is super wide and awkward to wear. It fits like a football jersey. Perhaps if it were mulleted or something I'd like it. I also don't like the pattern. Ick...
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| Item #2 Another view |
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| Item #3 |
Item #3 Tulle Top: Cami/Tank Raleigh Double layer printed tank $50 Same brand as a top I kept from my Tog+Porter box. I think I may keep it- what do you think? They also sent a Item #4 Tulle bandeau that I LOVE. I have been needing a strapless/racerback option and I really found this one affordable and comfortable for $30. No picture of course! Tulle is a designer I may have to go find and see what else I may like!
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| Item #5 |
Item #5 Lucca Couture Top: Sweater Kiernan Long Sleeve Loose Sweater $75. I realize this is supposed to be loose but I feel like it is super wide and awkward to wear. It fits like a football jersey. Perhaps if it were mulleted or something I'd like it. I also don't like the pattern. Ick...
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Tog+Porter Box 3
After three boxes with Tog+Porter, I can honestly say that I love this service! I have picked up several great pieces and this recent box is no exception. I do need more help in completing my outfits though so I am looking forward to talking to Emily, my stylist, about what I need to buy to make the pieces I now own wearable.
Outfit One: Tulle Party Tank in Garden Print $55, my own Gap jeans and TOMS Wedge in Black $69. I really like the tank. It is more flowery than I would normally choose for myself but it is comfortable and it seems like it is really well made. The TOMS are too big. I'm so sad. Either I have two very differently sized feet or TOMS just isn't the shoe for me.
Outfit Two: Kersh Racerback Tank $39, my Gap jeans and the TOMS wedges. The tank is a little big but it is 100% cotton so I think I'm going to keep it. It is nice and long and I really like Kersh.
Outfit One: Tulle Party Tank in Garden Print $55, my own Gap jeans and TOMS Wedge in Black $69. I really like the tank. It is more flowery than I would normally choose for myself but it is comfortable and it seems like it is really well made. The TOMS are too big. I'm so sad. Either I have two very differently sized feet or TOMS just isn't the shoe for me.
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| Outfit One |
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| Outfit Two |
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| Outfit Three Front |
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| Outfit Four |
Outfit Three: Level99 Beatrix Cuff Short Mauve $79, my Gap tank. I was really happy to try on some shorts that were long enough that I would actually wear them. The mauve was confusing for me but I am sure I could clear that up with Emily on what to wear with them. However, looking at myself in the photo--I know why I like these--they remind me of my maternity shorts that I have been wearing for almost 4 years. I'm not so sure I like the bunchy waist...what do you think?
Outfit Four: Alternative Apparel Racerback Maxi Dress in Grey $68. Ok so we know I am in love with this dress. My husband loves how it fits me but he simply hates this color of grey on me. He said it needs to be solid grey and not the flecked grey or a different color entirely because it doesn't do anything for me. Thoughts?
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| Outfit Three Back |
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Not An Addict
I'm pretty sure I started "stealing" my mother's coffee around the age of 8...possibly earlier but I have vivid memories of pouring milk and sugar into her extra black coffee when she went off to work. I even figured out how to turn the burner back on to heat it up. Yep...pretty young. (By the way, that warning that coffee can stunt your growth- I'm not sure I buy it since I'm a healthy 5 foot 7 and 3/4 inches tall.)
I worked at a coffee shop in college--both on campus as a volunteer for the chapel coffee shop and for pay off campus. I won several coffee makers over the course of college and grad school (no seriously, WON coffee makers...several types including a $700 espresso maker from Starbucks). In the past few months I have been sent a free Keurig Vue plus tons of Vue-packs and an additional package of coffee pods to try and review.
So yeah- my life has been intertwined with coffee for a long, long time. And every time I try to give it up it comes after me, literally...free coffee is thrown at me!
In 2009 my friend Sheree Clark of Fork in the Road told me to get off coffee. I tried a few things like Yerba Mate and Teachino but nothing seemed as indulgent as my daily cup. In 2011 my husband and I agreed to add one healthy thing or subtract one unhealthy thing from our lives each month. In January of 2012 we started green smoothies/juices every morning (that is going strong, BTW). In February we dropped our meat consumption from 4-5 times a week to purchasing no more than 3 servings of meat per week and dividing those up to fulfill meals for 7 days (breakfast, lunch and dinner). In March we dropped our cheese consumption down by half. In April we started the long and daunting task of ridding ourselves of coffee. (About 3 weeks into it, I was sent the Keurig Vue to share with my friends...and boy did they send a LOT of coffee). Here it is the second week of July and we are just finally putting this "monthly" goal to bed.
Why give up coffee? Well, originally we just wanted to cut back to a normal sized cup per day but the more negative effects we felt of going without coffee the more we realized how bad for us it was! If *not* having something makes us feel so awful- how can it actually be good for us? It just can't. I know that coffee is said to contain more antioxidants than any other "food" but.... there are plenty of people who don't drink coffee so I don't believe it is a necessity.
My head hurts. I can't keep my eyes open. I want to stab everything that makes a loud noise (and yes, that includes my children). I am a very, very ugly monster right now. I'm looking forward to the end of this bender. No matter the minor health benefits of drinking coffee....drinking it daily is NOT healthy. I don't care what expert tries to sell you otherwise. Nothing that is that healthy or good for you makes you feel like this when you stop drinking it. NOTHING!
I worked at a coffee shop in college--both on campus as a volunteer for the chapel coffee shop and for pay off campus. I won several coffee makers over the course of college and grad school (no seriously, WON coffee makers...several types including a $700 espresso maker from Starbucks). In the past few months I have been sent a free Keurig Vue plus tons of Vue-packs and an additional package of coffee pods to try and review.
So yeah- my life has been intertwined with coffee for a long, long time. And every time I try to give it up it comes after me, literally...free coffee is thrown at me!
In 2009 my friend Sheree Clark of Fork in the Road told me to get off coffee. I tried a few things like Yerba Mate and Teachino but nothing seemed as indulgent as my daily cup. In 2011 my husband and I agreed to add one healthy thing or subtract one unhealthy thing from our lives each month. In January of 2012 we started green smoothies/juices every morning (that is going strong, BTW). In February we dropped our meat consumption from 4-5 times a week to purchasing no more than 3 servings of meat per week and dividing those up to fulfill meals for 7 days (breakfast, lunch and dinner). In March we dropped our cheese consumption down by half. In April we started the long and daunting task of ridding ourselves of coffee. (About 3 weeks into it, I was sent the Keurig Vue to share with my friends...and boy did they send a LOT of coffee). Here it is the second week of July and we are just finally putting this "monthly" goal to bed.
Why give up coffee? Well, originally we just wanted to cut back to a normal sized cup per day but the more negative effects we felt of going without coffee the more we realized how bad for us it was! If *not* having something makes us feel so awful- how can it actually be good for us? It just can't. I know that coffee is said to contain more antioxidants than any other "food" but.... there are plenty of people who don't drink coffee so I don't believe it is a necessity.
My head hurts. I can't keep my eyes open. I want to stab everything that makes a loud noise (and yes, that includes my children). I am a very, very ugly monster right now. I'm looking forward to the end of this bender. No matter the minor health benefits of drinking coffee....drinking it daily is NOT healthy. I don't care what expert tries to sell you otherwise. Nothing that is that healthy or good for you makes you feel like this when you stop drinking it. NOTHING!
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