Back to the root cause!

OK so I haven't written about my love affair with   coffee for a little while or my little challenge for that matter....mainly I haven't been able to drink a decent  cup of late or have the time to visit any cafes off my "to do list".. Finishing up at work has had me relying on the not so flash coffee that the cafe downstairs  churns out! I drink it whilst shaking my head in disappointment.. it really isn't worth the $3.70 I fork out , but I still chug it down whilst vowing never to order another! 

I can't wait to finish next week to start drinking super coffee again! 

I had lunch with a friend today at a fabulous cafe and the coffee was sublime (well it was the first full one since I was sick on the weekend..) It was always  going to be good! Such a relief, my palette hadn't adapted to the crap I have been drinking.. thankfully  I can certainly tell a good one from a bad one!!! 

So on the weekend I'm going to make some time and and head to some decent places... I think it will get my much needed JuJu back!  I will need some of that going into this highly emotional week! I'm on a high at the moment but I can see that by weeks end those feelings will be fading and I will be feeling a little sad and most likely  pretty darn exhausted! 10 years of work catching up with me!!! 
I also realise I am running out of time to reach my goal by December 31st.. actually I'm pretty sure I won't get there... 87 is pretty darn good... I am going to keep on trying and get to 95 at least!!! and then do the rest when I can!! I think I can feel pretty bloody proud of where I have been this year.. and how much I have grown and achieved ... even I have shocked and out done myself.. but it won't feel complete until I hit that magic number 100!!!!!!!! 
 So these are the cafes I have left: 

Woodstock Espresso Bar  - Armadale

Gattica - Balaclava

Midali - Balaclava

Espresso 3121 - Cremorne

Mixed Business Cafe - Fitzroy North

Globe Cafe - Prahran

Richmond Rush Cafe - Richmond

Dimattina Coffee - South Melbourne

Crue Coffee Lounge - South Yarra

Cafe Racer - St Kilda

Galleon Cafe - St Kilda

Home Barista Institute - West Melbourne

Orange  - Windsor

What am I going to do when they bring out the new lis of Melbourne's top 100 coffees next week!!!! Set my self a new challenge????   I think  for my sanity's sake I will chose my top 50 and go to them through out the year, plus  I want to re visit a lot of the fabulous places I have been too so I will have time for that!!  If I cut the list by half it should hopefully  leave me more time to blog about the adventures of my life in general (which has been fun of late!) ...  

I realise this has been a very haphazard blog, but I'm almost comatose writing it so please, please, please  forgive me!!!

Source: tumblr.com via JavaJane on Pinterest

Ok Until next time .. Life is way too short to drink crappy coffee ......

Funniest moment in my day today that I need to share - I was in a book store browsing through the children's and baby health section and another lady and I reached for the same book at the exact  same time (she got her mits on it first)... now for the funny bit..... the book we reached for was aptly titled "How not to f*** them up"........ we both had a good chuckle and I think we were both too embarrassed to stand and flip through it or even consider buying it!!  It looked like a scene out of  that Sarah Jessica Parker film "I don't know how she does it" ........ not that I have had the time to see it!!! A good friday laugh thats for sure!!! 

Wordless Wednesday - Here comes Xmas time

Ok .. Im trying my best - no words this week and only a couple of pics! We all know what time of year this is so no explanation needed! 

For someone who doesnt like cheese.. he sure does
pack a punch in his smile!!!!

Still can't perfect the smile without looking pained!! As cute
as it is!!!
And Food Poisionsing = Perfect pre Xmas Diet!!

Linking up with Wordless Wednesday at My Little Drummer Boys

One door closes and another one will open

image credit

So next week I'm leaving my work... a workplace I have known for 10 long years, 9 months and weeks and  hours I cannot even count, (well since I was a tender young 21 years)

My work has been the one stable part of my life.. I have changed jobs while I have been there, several times in fact, but I have never made the move, leap of faith, to leave..

So when recently I was told my role was redundant, but  I had the choice of another role or to leave.. I took the riskier option and decided if there was ever a time to take a leap of faith.. maybe it should be now! I knew my time was up and as scary as it was I knew I had to take a chance on myself!
My resilience that has grown over the last few years has allowed me to deal with these changes in my stride... There were moments when I had a good old cry about it, oh why me..  but I  realise it is not the end of the world, in fact  I think it will be the best thing  I could do,  a good old push to change this part of my life!  I know if this had happened at any other time I might not have been able to cope, but I was looking for change and it came and found me!
So I have 7 days of work left and am trying to cram as much knowledge into a word document as physically possible! Slogging away late at night and coming in early.. they sure are getting the most out of my time this week!  Im sure it wont even matter what I leave.. but  at least I can leave knowing I have transferred all the information to someone else!

Its a funny thing looking back over my work life.. I tend to remember all the things that were happening in my personal life at the same time, I really have lived out my whole adulthood here, so I can sum up my life in the number of years I have been at work (well this is major  major paraphrasing!) : 
- I have been single, young, footloose and fancy free for at least 3 years
- I had a Hip reconstruction
- I had various surgeries as a consequence
- I still kept going out... drinking and partying as any 23 year old would
- I had a knee reconstruction 
- I got a boyfriend
- We moved in together
- I had a hip replacement 
- I got Pregnant "Surprise!"
- We had a baby and I had 8 months off work 
- I went back to work 
- We went to all of our friends weddings
- I had many birthdays - I turned the big 30 and had a mini meltdown to match!
- I didnt know what was yet to come!!
-  I became single again (this time wasn't so fun) 
- I moved out of the house that was my home for 6 years (tears now!)
- I moved into my own apartment 
- I soldiered on as life as a single mum
- And I think Im doing a pretty good job at it (even though it is now 6.11pm and I am still at work!!)
And I'm about to move into the big,  scary  unknown world out there... 
I cant wait for my next Adventure!!!!

Here's my favourite Steve Jobs quote.... one that actually helped make my final decision... Thanks Steve for the wisdom....

Until next time... Life is too short to drink crappy coffee

Linking up with Jess at Diary of a SAHM for

 

image from pinterest

Taking the good with the bad!!

Colour blocking!!

My weekend started on a happy and positive note... but unfortunately went downhill after that...

Darby and I had been planning to go to the movies all week and we were beside our selves with excitement that there were advance screenings of the eagerly awaited (in our house hold) Puss in Boots... Darby for some reason has been obsessed with this movie for the last 6 months, but it has reached fever pitch in the last 4 weeks.. with advertisements on ever tram, bus and bus stop!! He had watched the preview on You Tube enough times to know some of it word for word....

Darbs woke with the excitement of Xmas day....and  was soo happy to get ready with no fuss of some of the usual frantic and grumpy weekday mornings... eating all his breaky, getting dressed.. and all round easy peasy... he even wanted to put some of his best clothes on ...bless him!!

The movie was good.. Darby was mesmerised during the whole thing.. his verdict - "It was the best movie I have ever seen! It was a little scary with Jack and Jill and all, but I liked it!" So cute!!  The rest of the day was a delight and was one of those happy days spent together having fun! 

And then came the bad!! At about 3.30 am.. I woke up feeling queasy.. and tossed and turned for the next few hours... before getting up, and without being too graphic I had my head in a bucket for some time to come..I am guessing it was the dips I ate for dinner... I won't be eating Hummus and Tzatziki for awhile to come! So the rest of the day I spent on the couch tossing and turning and groaning in pain!! 

My plans of Xmas shopping and coffee hopping literally went down the toilet!

(image credit)

This is when I am very very grateful that I have a fabulous (sometimes) relationship with Darby's dad! He was over straight away.. went and got me some lemonade and salty chips (these didn't help), took Darb's to the park or kept him entertained here, as well as cleaning up my kitchen.. (for some reason I hate being home alone when I am sick!! It feels more depressing!) 

He was very gracious.. even if he did some of it through gritted teeth!  

So what started out as a wonderful weekend.. didn't really shape up to be like that! This one has been 50:50!!! Lets hope I get that Xmas shopping done this week!!


How were your weekends... Better than my Sunday??? I'd love to hear! It will cheer me up!!

Until next time... Life is too short to drink crappy coffee!!! 

Today I am linking up with the gorgeous Sonia at Life Love and Hiccups

Giving up my 2nd biggest vice!!!

Source: flickr.com via JavaJane on Pinterest

OK so I'm not taking the drastic measure and giving up my number one vice - coffee... (I'd have to scrap this blog entirely)...and  I'm not talking about some kind of lethal drug... although I know it has been likened to crack cocaine... I'm going to try my darnedest and give up my addiction to Sugar!! I know its not a full blown addiction, but I do have a massive sweet tooth and know I probably eat way way way too much of it! This time of year is probably not the best time to make some kind of drastic lifestyle change or resolution, Xmas is a time of decadence, candy canes, ice cream, puddings, chocolates - its sugar heaven!!..  But I am going to give it a go... or at least become more educated on where sugar is in my food and try to eliminate as much as I can. 

I have just purchased former Cosmo editor (and 1st series master chef host) Sarah Wilson's  E book "I Quit Sugar" . Now I am still waiting for it to be delivered to my inbox.. but I have been reading enough about what that  sweet substance does to our bodies  that I think Ill seriously rethink that Sticky Date Pudding I was planning for dessert tonight..... I really didn't notice how much sugar I was consuming just in my everyday life without even opening a packet of the white (or brown stuff) ...My nightly bowl of ice-cream is just a start..a habit I have been keeping up for the last 5 years almost religiously... I have been having Equal.. an even worse poison in my coffees for the last 6 as well... plus its in every breakfast cereal, sauce and jam.. and the oh so innocent fruit is packed with the stuff (as well as other vital nutrients too!) I'm not sure Ill be able to give up my daily banana and berry smoothie, but will see how I go!

I have heavily reduced the amount of sugar I have eaten in the last few months, trying to use other alternatives where possible..(with the exception of lots of birthday cake last week!) When I do eat sugar I get a massive headache straight away... and the next day I feel like I have had a big night on the booze... so I'm guessing it is going to make me feel better! Ill keep you posted on how I go.. as long as there are other sweetish alternatives I think I will be OK!!

Source: ffffound.com via JavaJane on Pinterest

This week I have also decided I am going to participate in the 52 week challenge over with Fiona at Mummydaze this is what she has to say "I consider The 52 Week Project to be a pictorial journey of myself throughout the year. I also like to journal a short paragraph about what was happening for me in the picture. I'm looking forward to looking back over the year to see how I've changed throughout the seasons as life's stressors and joys have affected me."

Now I am never one who hates to have a photo taken, I'm probably a little too obsessed with getting a perfect picture, but it wasn't that long ago, that I avoided the camera like the plague. reasons.. I didn't want it to capture how sad and tired I looked, or I didn't want to put on a smile when all I could see was hurt in my eyes....as well as having to see my all too obvious breakup kilos in every photo (they are still lurking 18 months later..  whats that about?)...So  my coffee journey has now let me embrace having my photo taken again, I don't mind how I look and for the most part I look really happy (because I am!). So my first picture was taken by my wing man Darby. He surprised me with a the camera in my face with enough time to say "cheese" so I think this is as natural as I can get.. hair all unruly, just relaxing on the couch! 

Cant wait to post next weeks pic!!

Until Next Time... Life is too short to drink crappy coffee...

Thankful for my coffee loving boy!!

One of my favourite parts of my little coffee challenge has been my time spent with Darby. The last 18 months have  been a roller coaster journey for me emotionally, often with very sad and difficult times interspersed with happy and extraordinary moments . I know that a lot of the time I don't know how to process everything, or how to cope and I really don't know how his little mind thinks, but I can imagine it has been a tough time for him  too... .. My coffee pilgrimage has been my coping mechanism and without it I'd probably be a mess,  so I am so so so thankful that our coffee time together is such a happy and positive bonding experience..... He has grown to love it as much as I do... Our coffees together are an integral part of our day  and have grown to be so precious to us both (I hope he will still want to have coffee with me in 20 years to come.)  

Over this time  Darby has developed  his own appreciation for coffee (no caffeine has ever touched his lips!, just babycinos ) .. even trying  to  incorporate it as part of his day.. There have been times he has asked to have a "coffee"  over going to the park !!!! I don't hear too many kids saying that at his age!!   He likes to start the day with a coffee.. a habit he has obviously learnt from me...  I'm a good teacher!!  
He knows mummy's coffee order by heart and he always offers to pay, with my money of course! At times he has told me he wants to be a barista when he grows up, although his other talent is in photo taking...  He is my little budding photographer and  most of the photos of me on this blog, he has proudly taken! 

Of course there are times when there have been tantrums, meltdowns, quick exits as well as quite a few takeaway coffees..  lots of spilt drinks, a few smashed glasses (by accident of course), and  running around and causing chaos  but these episodes happen rarely so I am always happy to take the risk! 

I know I will get all sentimental when I think about Darby's role in my journey and how he has helped me to get to where I am... but I am so truly, eternally thankful that I have been able to share my coffee experiences with him! 

Until next time... Life is too short to drink crappy  coffee

Linking up with Kate at Kate Says Stuff for Thankful Thursday. What are you thankful for today?

Wordless Wednesday - Cake time!!!

Not quite wordless yet....but getting there! A week of eating lots of yummy cakes in celebration of my birthday!!mmmm!!! Its a bad time to start a diet now... damn!!
Am also on the countdown to finishing work.. its going to feel weird finishing up after 10 years in the one place, but the fact we are heading into Xmas (my fave time of year) is the perfect anecdote for that!! Bring it on!
Until next time

Linking up with Wordless Wednesday at My Little Drummer Boys

Wonderful weekend by the beach..... sans sunshine!!

I'm not sure if it was coincidental or on purpose that my family had planned a weekend to the beach on my birthday weekend..!! Even though I will be leaving work in a few short weeks.. I desperately needed to recharge my batteries.. Its going to be a tough and busy few weeks and I need all the energy I  can conserve.. 

We headed to Inverloch.. about 150 kms from Melbourne, me squashed in the back seat with Darb's, and mum and dad taking their usual posses in the front!!  It felt very  deja vu aka 20 years ago! Although this time I was feeling slightly on the seedy side (too many birthday G &T's the night before)... So I  did my best and tried to sleep the morning away whilst being poked by a 4 year old!! 

Unfortunately the weather didn't prove spectacular as first forecast ... raining all day Saturday, in fact.. but just being away from home, with no internet was relaxing... Beach.... what beach.. it  certainly wasn't beach weather, but heck we were staying in pure luxury so the location was easily forgotten! Our 'beach" house had every luxury you could ask for, just what I needed, all it was missing was a few butlers to get my cups of tea!!!

 So the weekend consisted of :

❤ One terrible and one amazing coffee...pretty happy with that score !!!

Yummy Birthday Cake for me!!!

❤ Winning 3 games of golf on the WII .. (and losing 1 dance off competition to some very lame 80's music! (Im hoping my sister has deleted the incriminating video!!) 
❤  5 pieces of Birthday Cake - a very yummy banana, pineapple and passionfruit cake with cream cheese icing mmmm
❤  7 games of Guess Who.. I kicked arse at it, albeit for a little cheating when everyone else was drunk! 
❤ No ALCOHOL... WOOHOO
❤ 1 walk to the beach for some sandcastle stomping, (just as it began to rain)
❤ 2 meals that contained chips... this will lead to my new diet starting today!!!!!
In all of this down time I did have a chance to do some reading .... I managed to find a gorgeous store selling inspirational and motivational books.. I picked up a book titled "YES" full of positive quotes about celebrating the joy of living fully!  At the house we were staying at there were books that I flicked through (but should have read more of) -  "Where will you be five years from today!"   This is one of my favourite quotes ... 
" Always Remember you are BRAVER than you believe, STRONGER than you seem, SMARTER thank you think and TWICE AS 
BEAUTIFUL as you'd ever imagined....."
I wish I could listen to that message a little more often when I am doubting myself..... although after a weekend of indulging I can't really see the beautiful side behind my chubby cheeks!  I am in a good need of losing 10 kgs or so..... I think Ill start now before the Festive Kilos creep on..... I wish my skinny Xmas tree could take some of my fat, It seems to be taunting me all starving branches in the corner!! 
Ahh... I think that is enough whinging for the day... all in all I had a wonderful birthday weekend... with my very sweet family, they do a great job of looking after me when times are tough... so a break away like this is the perfect remedy! 
Until next time..... 
I will hopefully have drunk more on my coffee list!

Today I am linking up with the gorgeous Sonia at Life Love and Hiccups

Darbs walking the line!

Blue Eyes... Darbs and I 

Having a dip in the freezing Spa!

Laura and Darbs having a coffee

Beach time and looking super stylish!

Say Cheeessseeee

Looking happy after a decent
coffee!! Yay!