Ultimate coffee date

November Coffee

November 4, 2017 by Michelle 20 Comments

Time for a little catch up over coffee!

I’m joining Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date link-up. Grab a mug, get comfortable and let’s chat!

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that Mother Nature is seriously crushing my fall buzz with this latest crazy warm-up! I know you might think I’m crazy for wishing away 77 degree days, but I really like having 4 seasons and Fall is my favorite. Every time I think we finally get a taste of fall, Mother N yells “psyche!”

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I may be more excited to see the new Thor movie that just opened than my boys are! I think the Marvel movies are so much fun…and let’s be honest Chris Hemsworth isn’t too tough to take 😉

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I’ve become mildly obsessed with Stitch Fix! I got my first fix back in July and was pleasantly surprised that the stylist hit it out of the park. Since then I’ve only had one Fix that was a “What were they thinking?!” moment. I have some holiday parties on the horizon so I’m really looking forward to seeing what this month’s Fix will hold. If you’re interested in checking it out and helping my shopping habit, please use my referral code http://stitchfix.com/referral/13408665

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I’m really looking forward to the holidays. I got the annual mailer announcing Nutcracker tickets (one of my fave family traditions) and my boys have already started dropping gift hints 🙂 I’m hoping to get started with my Christmas shopping in the next week or so – I want to be organized nice and early so I can really kick back and enjoy the season!

So what would you tell me over coffee? Are you looking forward to the holidays?

Filed Under: holiday cheer, Mother Nature, Ultimate coffee date

Time for October Coffee

October 7, 2017 by Michelle 20 Comments

It’s the weekend! And, even better…it’s a long weekend! I’m joining Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date link-up. Grab a mug, get comfortable and let’s catch up!

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I couldn’t get to this weekend fast enough! Work was hectic, J was traveling again, and there’s always the boys’ schedules and the dreaded school projects! Thrown in that I wasn’t feeling fabulous…and seriously, I was reaching for the white flag!

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I feel like we’re being invaded by stink bugs here in New England. The local news announced that there’s an uptick this season…great! These things are everywhere and have an insidious way of getting inside. I am a super bug-phobe so this is not going over well with me. I need it to get colder faster!

Creepy looking isn’t it?!

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that the rambunctious pup is back from his 2-week board and train and I’m happy to say there’s a notable improvement. While he’s still high energy, he’s much more manageable and under control. Halleluiah!

8 months and still needs to grow into those ears!

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I’m really looking forward to getting away with my husband for a few days to celebrate our 25th anniversary this week. How in the world is it 25 years already?!? We’re going to one of our favorite spots – can. not. wait!

Now I’d tell you that my cup is empty and I need a refill. So your turn, what would you tell me over coffee?

Filed Under: Ultimate coffee date

Coffee Date – Labor Day Edition

September 2, 2017 by Michelle 23 Comments

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Given how fast this summer has flown by I should not be at all surprised that we have already reached Labor Day weekend and the “unofficial end of summer.” Before I dive into this long weekend, I’m joining Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date link-up. Grab a mug (or an iced coffee) and join me!

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I’m loving how much my family is embracing running. We went to my favorite running store this week and both my boys and husband walked out with new running shoes – and surprisingly I left with nothing more than salted watermelon GU! What?! Truth be told, my husband bought me the new Saucony Zealots as one of my birthday gifts just a couple of weeks ago.

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that while I recently runfessed that I was way off my game getting organized for my boys to return to school, I now have all of their books and I’m blown away by how much we had to spend! Can someone please explain to me how my middle-schooler’s books cost almost as much as my high-schooler’s?!

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that my precious puppy is now pushing 70 pounds and he’s not 7 months old yet! While lovable, he’s also a handful and stubborn, so before he gets any bigger we’ve decided to turn him over to our trainer for a 2-week board and train. We drop him off tomorrow – hopefully, he’ll come home more in control.

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that we’ve been trying to squeeze as much as possible into these last few days of summer, including trips to the beach, hikes, and hitting some of our favorite summer spots.

In fact, we’re heading to Maine today, and I need to finish this coffee and get the car packed up.

What would you tell me over coffee? If you have a long weekend, do you have any plans?

Filed Under: end of summer, family running, Ultimate coffee date

July Coffee Date

July 1, 2017 by Michelle 27 Comments

How is it already July?!?!

The breakneck pace of 2017 continues! It’s the first Saturday of the month, and that means it’s time for catching up over coffee! Thanks to Coco and Deborah for hosting the Ultimate Coffee Date link-up. Grab a mug (or an iced coffee) and join me!

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that after a sea of end-of-year school events, elementary school graduation, a major event for work, and 3…yes 3 weekends of lacrosse tournaments, I am really looking forward to some lazy summer days this month!

My kiddo’s sporting the yellow gloves

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that my newest snack addiction is the Health Warrior Pumpkin Seed Bars. I first got to try the Cinnamon Spice bar thanks to StrideBox and I was quickly on the hunt for more. Since then I’ve discovered the Honey Cracked Pepper with Turmeric and the Dark Chocolate. These bars are so good!

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I’m looking forward to lounging on my deck and doing some summer reading…but I need some recommendations! It’s been a while since I’ve read a good novel and I miss reading.

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that while this pup is wildly cute, he’s a stubborn handful! We start our first session with a trainer this morning and I cannot wait!

In fact, I better finish my coffee and get ready for the trainer.

What would you tell me over coffee? Any book suggestions?

Filed Under: Ultimate coffee date

June Coffee Date

June 3, 2017 by Michelle 14 Comments

It’s the first Saturday of the month, so of course, that means it’s time for catching up over coffee! Thanks to Coco and Deborah for hosting the Ultimate Coffee Date link-up. Grab a mug (or an iced coffee) and join me!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I’m really looking forward to having no training plan this month – to just roll out of bed and run without trying to hold to a schedule. I’ll be curious to see how many miles I log when left to my own devices.

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I’ve been hard at work on my garden and it’s starting to come together nicely. What’s blowing my mind is after working all last weekend and parts of this week on the garden, I can’t believe I still have a pretty significant pile of mulch in my driveway!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I’m so happy my oldest son decided to not go to overnight camp for the full 7-week session. He’s only going for the second session so he can go to a technology program at one of the local colleges. After two summers of him being away for the bulk of the summer, I’m looking forward to having him around 🙂

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I cannot believe that my “baby” is just days aways from graduating elementary school and will be a middle schooler! Seriously where has the time gone?

And, of course, I’d have to share a photo of my ever-growing puppy who’s now 4 months old!

What would you tell me over coffee?

Filed Under: Ultimate coffee date

May 2017 Coffee Date

May 6, 2017 by Michelle 23 Comments

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I cannot believe how fast our new pup is growing! He weighed in at just over 26 pounds at last week’s vet appointment, gaining 8 pounds in 2 weeks! Everyone who sees him comments on the size of his paws – he’s gonna be a big boy I think.

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I think I’ve finally got all the camps and various activities figured out for my boys for the summer. I even have the pup’s trainer lined up to start in July. Now if I can just figure out a vacation spot for August that will take dogs. Any suggestions?

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that my latest snack addiction is Turmeric Pepitas. These things are seriously addictive! I found them in Run Fast, Eat Slow (affiliate link) and it’s become an instant favorite.

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I’m heading to a Chi Running clinic this morning. I did a one-on-one session with a Chi Running coach 6 years ago when I wanted to make the transition from heel strike to forefoot strike. My chiro and I are convinced there’s something that’s gone awry with my gait, so when the opportunity to join this clinic came up I jumped on it.

Now I should get moving – got a busy day ahead!

What would you tell me over coffee?

Filed Under: ChiRunning, general musings, Ultimate coffee date

Coffee Date – No April Foolin’

April 1, 2017 by Michelle 25 Comments

Nothing better then a chance to slow down and catch up over a mug of coffee (or tea if you prefer). So I’m joining Coco and Deborah for the monthly Coffee Date. Settle in, grab a comfy chair, and let’s chat a little, shall we?

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I’m just not enjoying Mother Nature’s little weather joke! After an unusually “warm” February, March proved to be colder than any month this winter – what’s up with that?!?

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that believe it or not hockey is still alive in my house! You may remember the last time we got together for coffee I was looking forward to wrapping up the hockey season. Well, who knew that our team would start playing inspired hockey in the playoffs! We finally head to the championship game late this afternoon.

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I’m so excited to volunteering at the Boston Marathon again! I’ll be returning to the finish line area, which was a blast last year. Can. not. wait!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that we’re getting a puppy! After losing our beloved German Shepherd last June, it didn’t take long for our family to decide we wanted to get another dog. We knew we wanted another Shepherd but decided to get a sable this time.

So what would you tell me over coffee?

Filed Under: Ultimate coffee date

March Coffee Date

March 4, 2017 by Michelle 25 Comments

Please tell me I’m not the only one who feels like we’re moving at a breakneck pace through these first couple of month of 2017?!

Well, I’m always happy to take a little time out to catch up over coffee, so I’m joining Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that, I’m really looking forward to our family trip to NYC next weekend! Despite having to sit out this year’s NYC Half, I’m so glad we decided to stick to our plans of spending a few days in the City.

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that we’re in the final stretch of my youngest son’s hockey season and I just can’t wait for it to be over. Trekking all over heaven and earth to stand in sub-zero arenas always wears thin on me by this point in the season (I’m mean seriously, we’ve been at it since the end of August!) Luckily the playoffs are in sight.

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that my favorite new app is the Calm meditation app. I actually downloaded this app a while ago, but am now getting around to using it regularly. I’ve written about how much I think meditation helps me, and I think for anyone interested, this app would be a great way to get started.

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I finally got a copy of Run Fast. Eat Slow. (affiliate link) I feel like I’ve seen this book everywhere! I was flipping through it last night and already have a bunch of recipes I want to try, including the infamous Superhero Muffins.

Have you tried any recipes from this book?

What would you tell me over coffee?

Filed Under: meditation, Ultimate coffee date

First coffee date of 2017!

January 7, 2017 by Michelle 24 Comments

Nothing better on a cold winter morning than catching up with friends over a big mug of coffee. Thanks to Coco and Deborah for hosting the Ultimate Coffee Date!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that, despite dealing with a nasty cold, I have kept up with the Winter Challenge this week (the goal is to run or walk at least a mile outdoors each day during January). I’m part of a team from Black Girls Run, and we’ve been having fun cheering each other on – such a positive and motivating group!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I’m still all over the place on trying to figure out my race calendar. I continue to waiver between staying local vs. the lure of destination races. I think I have the first half of the year figured out, but the fall is really up for grabs.

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that one of my big goals for this year is to reorganize/refresh my house. In some rooms, it’s time for fresh paint or new curtains…maybe a new couch in the family room. And then there’s our office, which needs a complete overhaul. So I’ve been scanning Pinterest, collecting paint samples, and my husband is bracing himself for the storm that’s about to come 🙂

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that we are bracing for a snowstorm due to hit this afternoon. I’m dreading facing the madness that always ensues at the grocery store – someone please tell me why the bread shelves are always picked bare? And, seriously, how much milk does one need? I can also never figure out the mad run on shovels they always show on the local news – don’t people still have last year’s shovel?

So what would you tell me over coffee? Have you got your race calendar figured out?

Filed Under: race calendar, Ultimate coffee date

Last coffee date of 2016

December 3, 2016 by Michelle 14 Comments

Believe it or not we’ve reached the last coffee date of 2016. So grab a mug of your fave beverage and join in on this fun link-up hosted by Coco and Deborah!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that my new TV guilty pleasure is Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party. Yes that would be Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg. I can’t tell you exactly what it is about this combination, but it does put a smile on my face!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I signed up for the Winter Warrior Challenge – the challenge is to run or walk a mile a day for the month of January. This is the first year the challenge allows for treadmill miles, but only outdoor miles count towards prizes. My goal is to stick to the outdoors. Should be a fun way to add a little extra motivation to start 2017, and all the proceeds go to charity!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I’m not looking forward to trying to wrangle my sons today for a decent picture for my holiday cards. But, I need to get them done and off to Shutterfly as quickly as possible, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they smile and cooperate!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I’m looking forward to starting to decorate the house today for Christmas. We probably won’t get the tree until next week, but today is all about lights, wreaths, poinsettias, etc. If I’m feeling ambitious I may take on a project I spotted last year and paint a pair of old skis red to put my front porch. This is what I’m going for… wish me luck!