The {slightly annoying completely ridiculous} debate within.

So, I am having this ridiculous debate within myself and I need some wisdom.

It's so ridiculous, I can't believe I am even debating this. I am even more ashamed that I am admitting debating this.  It's taken up an enormous amount of mental energy over the last few months, weeks, days.

The debate?

To drink coffee, or not to drink coffee.

If you have known me long, you know that I looooovvveee coffee.  Well, that's not technically true.  I love the cream and sugar that make the coffee wonderful.  Think of the color ivory and go a few shades lighter than that.  That is how much cream and sugar it takes me to really loooooovvvveeee coffee.  In January 2010, I cut it out of my life.  I started noticing my waistline getting softer and my clothes getting tighter.  I don't blame it entirely on the coffee/cream/sugar, but it certainly didn't help matters.

So I cut it out.  Not back, O-U-T.

And I have missed it everyday since then.

Recently, I treated myself to a white chocolate mocha at bible study.

IT WAS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!!!!

Not really, but it was pretty darn good.  Except for the astronomy lesson fail.

{Other than that.}

After that day, I made myself wait one week, ONEWHOLEWEEK, until I could get another coffee treat at a Mom's Playdate.  ANOTHER HOME RUN.

Now?

It's all I can think about.

And I have fallen off the wagon.

{Currently sipping a sweet cup of creamy, sugary, caffeinated goodness}

{The flavor, Angel's Kiss, if you must know.  How could something so innocent be bad?}

I am super-duper happy holding a cup of coffee and reaping the amazing benefits. 

BUT THE GUILT IS ABOUT TO SUFFOCATE ME!!!

That is where you come in.  Help me make this decision.  

I am dead serious.

Do I dive back in and ration the cream and sugar down, or do I stop again and only treat myself occasionally?  And if I do start again how do I manage the guilt? And if I stop how do I manage the temptation?  What would you do if you were me? 

{See what I mean?}

It's comical that this has taken up so much of my mental energy.  But it has.

Soooooooooooooo.....

Give me wisdom, oh wise ones.

Doing some shameless promoting today.

Today, I am taking a break from the silly stories to promote one of Skip's family businesses. I think you are going to love it as much as I do.

Skip and his two sisters are flea market/garage sale/auction fanatics. They jump at the chance to wander through aisles of vintage treasures. Finding that "hidden gem" is pure excitement!  Out of this passion, a business was born.

RZ's Antiques and Flea Market

They have worked laboriously to turn one of our existing B-Town stores into a really cool flea market. I am so proud of the work that they are doing. It's fun to see a passion come to life.

Even in the infancy of this store, it is taking shape and stocked with some really cool things. If you live in B-Town, or plan on visiting anytime soon make RZ's a stop on your agenda. I don't think you will be disappointed.

Here are some of the things that I am seriously in love with.

Um, hello.... "potty training incentive" filled with yummy M&Ms.

Vintage hankies and towels are so pretty!

Hello, gorgeous!

Great for a fall display!

Old vintage radio.  This baby sold in ONE DAY!

Sunshiny yellow happiness!!

For the man in your life. These are absolutely COOL!!

White anything is awesome!  I love this trio of fancy white jars.

Again with the white.  Crisp and clean.  New hardware on this baby would make it perfect!

Sweet yellow.  This would look great in my house.  Just sayin.

I am envisioning a party table.  Salsa and dips would be so amazing in these!

Could this be any cuter???

This just SCREAMS summer to me!  I love the cheery red finish!

I have a deep passion for dishes.  This one makes me happy!

This olive green beauty might end up in my house.  I heart it!

On so many levels, this would be perfect for a  baby nursery.  Vintage and sweet.

Aprons are totally back in style.  Love the kitchy feel of these.

 

And LOOKIE what I just got from the flea market!  This pub table is awesome!!

My favorite feature of this table is the height!  I love these little piggies hanging off the chair!

Even my big kid has dangly feet.  This table ROCKS!

Thanks for taking a peek inside our new business with me!  If you want some booth space, please leave a comment and I will get you the information.

Please come by and hunt for your next treasure!

Tomorrow, or the next time I can sit for longer than 20 minutes, I will blog about the significance of the name RZ's.  It's a great story!!

In the meantime, could you do me a teensy favor and head to RZ's Antiques and Flea Market facebook page and "like" us? 

Why does that statement make me feel like I am in the fourth grade all over again??

*sweaty palms*

This thing called the Internet.

During my final semester in college a new class became mandatory for all education majors. 

Internet 101.

At that time, I had already completed all the hours I needed before my student teaching semester and I had to add in this silly class.  All of us did.  We were very unhappy about it.  I remember sitting in front of the computer while the professor walked us through setting up an email account and logging on to AOL. 

Bet you five bucks you can still hear the dial-up screech in your head.

Anyway, I remember thinking..."Yeah, right.  When will I ever use this thing?  It's just a fad."

Just a fad, people.

I was 23, married, in my last semester of college before the "REAL" world started so clearly I was qualified to declare the Internet a fad.

Clearly.  I mean.  Who needs the Internet with hair like that?

I would have never dreamed how much this world would rely on the Internet for our daily life.  Everything has changed.  Information is a click, or touch away.  Anything you could ever think to ask is available as quick as your fingers can type the question. 

I even love how our language has changed.  Back before the Internet craze, if you would have used these words in your vocabulary people would have thought you were mental and needed medication.

Google it
Text me
I like you on facebook
I saw this tweet the other day
Do you stumble?
LOL
Let's skype
Just click here to get your widget
Bing
What's your favorite app?
Are your cookies enabled?
I'm an Angry Bird addict.

For me, this "fad" has become one of the most important daily sources of encouragement and support.  One of my favorite things to read on the Internet is blogs.  My google reader list keeps growing with amazing blogs and amazing writers.  I have met some of the neatest, kindest women on the pages of their blogs.  Reading and connecting with other friends on this journey called life is something that I am very thankful for.  I admire reading about people's struggles and their victories.  I love when their truth comes to the surface and leaves me feeling validated about my own truth.  This may sound crazy, but I truly believe that some of the connections I have made through this blog are God's gift to me. 

Some of my greatest friends live in the computer.  And when I have my phone with me, my greatest friends live in my back pocket.  I take you with me wherever I go.

How cool is that?

I certainly never imagined that back in 1997. But back then I was just trying to make my hair as tall as it could be.  So I didn't have much room for all this knowledge.

I thought I would share with you some things that I am reading today.  If you are new to these blogs, stop in and say "HI!"

I promise they won't bite.

1.  I wish this lady was a real friend of mine.  Her daily devotionals are RIGHT ON and so relevant to my life.  This is her latest about eating junk.  I have been changing some things lately and this hit me between the eyes. 

2.  You have to go meet Denise.  She is pure sweetness with an extra layer of cute.  You must enter her awesome giveaway.  On second thought, don't because I want to win. 

OK, fine.  Enter and I hope you win.  Doesn't the Bible say to be happy for those who win the giveaway you wanted to win?  I will google it.

3.  Speaking of changing eating habits, this is a MUST READ.  Julianne is a real friend/family member of mine.  I love her to pieces.  This journey that she writes about is every woman's struggle.  Her writing is funny and honest and real.  Her blog has been neglected for some time but I hope she will keep it going.  Why don't you tell her that, too.  Maybe we can nag her into a comeback.

I have been told that I am real good at nagging.

4.  This post about eating meals as a family really slapped me upside the head.  Life is moving way too fast and our schedule is too tight.  I am trying my hardest to hang on to eating dinner as a family.  We have had to adapt due to our busyness.  I hate the nights that we don't have together.  I don't want life to pass this little family by.

5. I wouldn't be true to myself if I didn't link up to my bff, PW.  I will be making this cake in the near future.  My grandma raised us all on her GO BIG RED cake (pure Nebraska Cornhusker fan) and I have never attempted to make it because of the layers.  But this looks like something anyone can master.  I would probably need more frosting on the top though.  No offense, PW.  I hope we can still be bffs.

6.  Slow down today and read this.  Take a deep breath and soak up the beauty around you today.  Make sure you add this blog to your feeder.  Everything she writes is WONDERFUL.  Some days she is funny, some days insightful and some days a recipe.  Every day is just right with MarytheKay.  Now go give her a GREAT BIG HUG from me!

There are so many more people in this computer that I love.  I hope someday to meet them in real life!  I have a possible trip that I am praying about in November to meet this dear friend.

*Crossing my fingers*

Feel free to leave any links to your favorite reads in the comment section. 

I big red puffy heart the Internet!

Ode to Coffee

Top 10 Reasons Why I Love Coffee

10. It smells good.
9. With enough cream and sugar, it tastes good. The ratio is very important!
8. It makes me feel good to hold my mug with one hand while I walk around the house-- can't explain it.
7. How can you not feel cool sitting in Starbucks?
6. Honestly, it keeps me regular :)
5. Before coffee, I am (yawn) woman. After coffee, I AM WOMAN, HEAR ME ROAR!!
4. It gets me out of bed.
3. Cappuccino Punch--that is enough to make everyone an addict! Just set up my IV drip with this in the bag.
2. Warm or cold, it's a classic.
1. The love, the truth, the secrets, the laughs, the tears, the prayers--spending time with beloved friends over a good cup of joe.

To all the coffee drinkers in my life (you know who you are) I love you!