Jamie from The Perpetual Page Turner has this cute section she does occasionally called If We Were Having Coffee. In it, she shares a bit about what she has been doing and thinking but going into more detail than the usual little updates. After all, we are complex people, and we don’t get the chance to show all sides of our multi-faceted selves most of the time. I love those posts of hers and wanted to do something similar. Knowing that not everyone loves coffee and sometimes the best conversations with friends happens when there are no concrete plans, I just wanted to hang out with everyone. Therefore…
If we were hanging out…I would tell you that I have a PSL addiction. I think I found the perfect combo with one additional shot of espresso, no whipped cream, and one fewer pumps of pumpkin syrup. It cuts the sweetness and gives me a little extra boost. It is the best combination of sweet and spice and somehow calming. I used to be a huge peppermint mocha fan, but I find those too sweet these days. Give me that bite of cinnamon and clove any day. What is your favorite fall drink?
If we were hanging out…I would lament the fact that my little girl is becoming more and more like a teenager every day, and this makes me want to cry. She used to give me hugs and kisses every day before she left for school and all but talked my ear off on her school day. These days, I barely get an acknowledgement that I am alive most mornings. As for talking, I see more of the back of her phone, a book, or her iPad these days. I am seeing more eyerolls and catching a bit more exasperation in her voice than even a month ago. I know this is part of growing up, but it still breaks my heart that the easy relationship we have had to this point is becoming a bit more fractious. At least for now. I am still hoping it is because she is overwhelmed with school, cross-country, dance, and homework, and that things will ease when the season is over. If not, I will take any and all advice on how to live through the next few years with our close relationship intact. How do you survive a teenage daughter?
If we were hanging out…I would express my concern at the state of the nation. I don’t get how someone as blowhard as Trump can continue to be a viable candidate for the highest position in the country. I do not like the message it sends to the younger generations. I don’t like how someone can blatantly lie and be lauded for it by certain factions within the country. I remain extremely concerned about what it would mean should he actually win, as he strikes me as the type of person who gives no shits about anything other than his own agenda. I don’t see him listening to his advisors or cabinet members. I see him flouting the laws and the limitations of power established by the Constitution and completely ignoring any checks and balances from the other two branches of government. I remain fearful but feel completely helpless in many ways. I will use my voice to vote, but will that be enough? He keeps gaining in the polls, so all indications are no. What else can we do? Is anyone else as worried as I am? How are you dealing with the fear and uncertainty?
If we were hanging out…I would rave about my love of Lularoe leggings. Seriously. Believe every awesome thing you have ever heard about them because they really are that soft and comfortable. I would wear them every day if I felt I could get away with it. I have several long tunics I purchased through Modcloth, another favorite shopping site and have been wearing the leggings on the weekends. I also have one of their Perfect Tees as well as one of their dresses. The versatility is amazing. Even I feel rather creative with all of the ways you can style them. Have you jumped on the Lularoe train yet? What are your favorites?
If we were hanging out…I would tell you how scared I am that hate seems to be the ruling emotion these days. I see it tearing our country apart. I see people getting more vocal about their biases, celebrating them in fact. I see how it has become almost normalized to spew your hatred towards others. How do we teach our kids to stop bullying and accept everyone for their differences when the adult world seems to be degenerating into a schoolyard fight? Is this keeping anyone else awake at night?
If we were hanging out…I would tell you how tired I am these days and how boring my life has become. Work is taking more and more time out of the day and more brainpower/energy. Jim is facing the same with his job. We literally come home, barely have enough energy to cook, flip to see who gets to pick Holly up from dance, and are in bed by 9:30ish, 10 at the latest. On the weekends, we are scrambling to get all the chores done we neglected throughout the week and have no time to do anything fun. Everyone talks about the exhaustion you feel as parents of newborns but no one ever warns you about the bone-deep exhaustion that sets in when you get into upper management in your career and have teenage kids involved in every activity under the sun. What exciting things have you been doing lately? If you have been in my shoes, how did you manage?
If we were hanging out…I would ask you how you are doing. Are you hanging in there? What has you worried or happy? Let’s talk!
It’s true. No matter how chatty us bloggers are, we don’t know nearly enough about the people we spend so much online time with. LOL.
A lot of people have a PSL addiction but I gave them up when they changed syrups a couple of years ago. I want to try the new Chili Mocha. That sounds like my thing.
I am anxious for fall to kick in but today I get to work and there is no freakin’ air after a 105 degree weekend. I am dying and beginning to get angry. I have yet to put my holiday vacation requests in but I need to do that soon because my boss may not be around for much longer. Yeah, the one they just hired.
I want hot drinks and pumpkins and cool days but I am so freakin’ hot I can’t even think right now.
We tried the Chili Mocha this past Sunday. I am not a fan. I will be curious what you think of it.
Dang! You predicted the demise of your new boss. Would you ever try for that position? (I think I asked you that question already.) If it makes you feel any better, we had only a few days of actual fall weather before we jumped back into the mid-80s. I know that is not nearly as hot as your temperatures, but it is most definitely not fall-like weather either. It is putting a damper on me wanting to wear sweaters.
This is such a great post idea, I may have to steal it at some point! Love it!
I’m so afraid of the teenage years. I wasn’t an easy teenager for my mom, and I know karma is going to come back to bite me in the ass when Sunnie is that age. I have no idea how to get through it, and it terrifies me. I wish I could keep her little forever in this sweet and innocent time.
I LOVE LULAROE. I have spent far too much money on leggings. But I’m so obsessed with them. They’re so comfortable!! I have one of the classics and one of the Irmas. Irma is also super comfy! I have found a lot of tunics on Jane.com to go with them, now if only the weather would stop jumping up to the 90’s everyday so I could wear them! I’m so glad you jumped on the Lularoe train!!
You know I have never actually tried a PSL. I know, crazy. I don’t like pumpkin flavor anything, so I haven’t had the guts to try it. I love the white chocolate mocha’s from SB, but they’re so high in calories that I rarely get one. My go to is just regular iced coffee with cream and sugar at Dunkin. In fact, that will be my treat this morning after I go for a run.
I am so disturbed and baffled by how Trump has gotten this far in the race. I don’t understand how anyone can trust him. It’s really terrifying to think he could be the president.
I hear you about the exhausting days. My job recently got 3 x busier than it ever was. When I used to get to walk on my lunch every day, I have been lucky to take a 30 minute walk twice in 2 months. I’ve had to work on weekends, which I’ve never done before. By the time I get home, we have dinner, any homework, bath time – it’s already time to crash. I can barely stay awake long enough to read a few chapters in my book. We’re i bed by 10 at the latest every night. Just to get up and start all over again at 5 am. It’s becoming our new norm, and I know it’ll only get worse when Sunnie starts adding activities onto her plate, as she gets older. This week she’s doing a 3 day cheer camp after school. It’s already starting. 😉
I think the loss of sweetness and innocence is the worst part of the teenage years. Because you know what they are capable of and the loss of that is just one more milestone of them growing up and growing away from you.
I am thoroughly addicted to Lularoe. I have a classic tee and a Carly. I still need to get an Irma. I haven’t branched out to the crazy patterns on the leggings, but it is just a matter of time.
I substitute nonfat milk and sugar-free syrups as much as possible for my coffee. It is my concession to calories. I can understand not being a pumpkin fan. You are definitely not the only one; I used to hate them myself.
How he continues to remain in the running is what scares the crap out of me. Why do people continue to listen to him, let alone support him?
I keep hoping to go for walks during lunch now that it is cooler outside; however, I almost never take a long lunch break anymore unless I am getting my nails done. The rest of the time, I take however long it takes for me to eat my lunch and that’s about it. Not healthy by any means, but I just cannot believe how much work I have to do these days. On top of everything else after work. It is no wonder I am so melancholy this week!
I do like Pumpkin Spice Lattes but we do not have a Starbucks here, so I get 2 or 3 a year when we are near a Starbucks. So, I have them the real way and don’t mess with them. I am not savvy enough with Starbucks to mess with them. The rest of the time it is my own coffee in my Keurig.
That makes sense. I tend to customize when I use the Starbucks app. It is much easier, and I don’t have to stammer my changes. Otherwise, if I am at the store, no changes to the original recipe for me either.
I always liked Jamie’s posts and thought of doing something similar myself. Now I’ll have to think up another name for my post. 😉 As for Trump, I believe Clinton will prevail because of the Hispanic and black vote. I’m not worried. Also as for ignoring checks and balances, Congress and the Supreme Court wouldn’t allow him to do that…if, God forbid, he did get elected.
I’m sure you will be creative and think of something!
As for Trump, he strikes me as the type of egomaniac who would not care or be bothered by Congress or the Supreme Court trying to stop him. He is so used to doing whatever he wants and saying whatever he wants that I just don’t see it stopping should he get elected. That is what is so terrifying.
OK, well, I like spiced cider in the fall or spiced juice (cider/cranberry mix) simmered with cloves and stick cinnamon. But, I’m not supposed to have a lot of sugar so we’ll have to see how it goes for the juice this year.
Teenage daughters – well, I had one. She’s about to turn 34 now. It’s a tough time. Just keep the communication lines open, think before you speak (i.e.nag), try to remember how it was when you were a teenage girl, think before you speak, listen closely, be there when she needs you (and she will) even if it’s late at night or when you are exhausted. And think before you speak. Listen to what you hear other mothers saying to their daughters. I found that very enlightening and made me see sometimes why their teen was rolling the eyes etc. You’ll get through it. She’s learning how to be and you’re a safe person for her to test out all these things. You love her and she knows it. And remember, this too shall pass. Adult daughters are lovely. Mine is. Now, having adult kids, that’s a whole other things – LOL!!
Spiced cider is wonderful. Have you tried spiced wine? It is just about perfect.
Thank you for your advice. I am not known for patience when the kids get rude and disrespectful, so remembering to think before I speak is going to be important. We will get through this; I just have to remember that it is temporary!
I don’t know that I have any great advice for surviving the age Holly is now, even though I somehow managed to do it. It’s hard to be patient but it does require that. More than anything, I think you just have to keep reminding yourself that it is not personal. It’s an ugly, mean age for kids as they struggle to really find themselves. But know that you have that strong base that you’ve made with her. She knows you love her and support her, even when she seems to have forgotten how much you do for her. In a few years, you’ll come out on the other side and find that you are even closer as she becomes an adult!
Thanks, Lisa. I know we will survive. It is just so painful to see my baby act like this. She is normally so even-keeled and easygoing. I just hope this means that this period will be brief since it appears we will have to experience the terrible teens after all!
Ooh, I really love this post idea. I’ve been having a hard time getting up the usual bookish content and so have been on the lookout for new posts that could get the juices flowing again.
I completely hear you on the election and on the direction the public mood seems to be moving these days. It’s frustrating but unsurprising in so many real ways – as terrifying as Trump is, some of his supporters have real grievances that business as usual just isn’t addressing. Same goes for POC, particularly the black community. All I can hope is that, this time, we actually move toward change instead of letting all of the suffering and inequality fester.
I’m sad to hear how bored you are, and I wish I had any advice for how to make it better. I really can’t imagine what it’d be like to be that busy and stretched thin. I feel like I can barely handle myself and Jai a lot of days, and to think of throwing a kid (or two) into the mix and having to manage their interests and troubles? I think you’re a hero, but that doesn’t make the everyday reality any easier. I hope someone else can chime in, and for now I’ll just hope you can find a bit of joy somewhere!
Ditto on how to deal with what’s going on with Holly. I remember pulling away from my folks when I was a teen, but there were all kinds of bad circumstances going on for me from 14-17 (terrible first boyfriend, my parents divorcing, moving a lot) that I don’t think would apply here. I hope she comes around.
Life is looking up for me. The move was stressful, and I’ve had more than a couple of breakdown moments since getting here – inhabiting other people’s space and not being able to build my own yet has been rough, and it will continue to be for the next few weeks (I start school while we’re still house-sitting – eek!), but I know things will level off once I can settle in to our new place. I’ve been doing a lot of growing over the last few years, and I was thinking yesterday about how I did so many normal, competent human things that used to scare the crap out of me (driving around the city and parking on my own, having frank conversations with my new doctor, getting a flu shot, crossing things off my to-do list that I’d rather avoid). It felt good, and it gave me so much hope about my future.
As for beverage, I’m a coffee and cream gal these days. I’ll grab a latte if I’m feeling fancy, but I can’t remember the last time I had a sweetened one! It would feel like such a treat.
Thanks! I am trying to mix up the bookish content with more of the real me. This is a great way to do so.
Yes, I agree that change must happen. However, the type of change Trump is proposing is downright frightening.
I think what Holly is going through is normal. I was hoping we could avoid it because she has such a calm, easygoing personality. Hopefully, this means this teenage stint will be short. If I have to go through this, I hope it is brief.
As for you, things will settle down soon enough, and you will look back on this transition period with disbelief and relief. Try to enjoy as much as possible. And good luck with starting school!