Coffee is good, Politics are bad.

OMG.

(This morning deserved that, right?)

I woke up after a FANTASTIC night's sleep. Something so rare and elusive that I wanted to savor those happy feelings for at least an hour.

I began my routine, as I begin every morning.. I stumble to the bathroom, then make my way back to my bed. One of two things will happen- I will curl back up and reset my clock pending how my hair looks upon awaking (which means I could possibly skip the washing,) or I prop up a few pillows and open my laptop.

To view FB.

I read the comments from a status I wrote about the RNC. Nothing earth shattering, I just talked about how Condi did a great job, Ryan distorted the truth, Clint Eastwood bombed, Rubio was a cutie and I simply implied that Mitt made me yawn. For the record, there has never been any confusion on who I am voting for. So, in respect to the RNC and my friends that are staunch conservatives (I can't even bring myself to say Republican anymore - because these people are sooooo far right, I see very little of the original idea of the Republican party - that I posted my new profile pic (post) Mitt's speech. It's of me and Obama. One month before he was elected President.

Then I got some of the most mis-directed, hateful remarks. Some in box, some in the comment section. By well-meaning, ill-informed people.

Someone said, "I feel sad for you."

No honey... I feel sad for YOU.

Granted, all of this took place before my morning coffee.

Morning Rituals

"The morning cup of coffee has an exhilaration about it which the cheering influence of the afternoon or evening cup of tea cannot be expected to reproduce." ~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., "Over the Teacups," 1891

Oh how I love my morning cup of coffee. I view that first sip as one of the best moments of my day.

This morning, as I was grabbing my cup and heading into the sun room, I realized something. I have a basic morning ritual. What is significant about that thought is the fact that I am not a 'routine' type of girl. Nope, I pretty much go with the flow.

But in the mornings... now that's another story.

Let's take this morning- same as any other morning. I usually lay in bed a minute, allowing my eyes and mind to wake up naturally. I am not sure if it is just me, but everything seems so much clearer in the mornings. The colors brighter, the sounds more distinct. Perhaps a rested Nicole, is a "sharper" Nicole.

As all humans do, I head to the bathroom first. Those bladders, I tell you....

I take my morning medicine (some pills for my High BP) and a pop a multi vitamin and a glucosamine. All the essentials to LIVE. Then, without fail, I will exfoliate my face. I like the feeling of just cleansing off all of the old - it feels wonderful.

Next I head straight to the kitchen. I fill up my coffee pot and start to brewing. Unfortunately, I don't smell the coffee quite like I used to. I have a theory that my Nasanex has taken some of the sensitivity to smell away. LOL

Then the moment happens... I pour that first cup, add my creamer... and I walk, very slowly to the sunroom. I look out at the greenery and the sun shining through, and I take that first sip. Ahhhhhh..... warms the soul.

I will usually sit and wait for inspiration (doesn't actually take very long) - and then I share whatever crazy little thoughts with you guys.

I know I have told you I am reading the Artist's Way again. But I did read it several years ago, and one of the things I picked up on early was the "Morning Pages." That my dears, is what I do here. That's why I always joke and say it's dribble.

I do get a little serious from time to time. But mornings like this one, it's just observations. Usually by this evening, I will write something a little more in depth.

You might have noticed I was a little quiet yesterday, I just needed a little time to chill out. It had been a pretty long (relaxing) week.  Thank GOD - my severance (part one) came in. That was 2 weeks pay and a little over 2 weeks vacation in one hit. Translation - more money than I think I have ever had in my bank account. hahaha. I get one more installment at the end of the month. Still no unemployment - but that's okay.

Today is going to be relaxing. I begged the egyptian to agree to a movie today. Plus, I would like to go back to that church I tried last week. I used to attend Prince of Peace Catholic Church. I was very involved. But honestly, it was not my style. Back home, I would attend a very traditional church. POP was more modern. I found another Catholic church not too far from here, it's called St. Peter's - I really like it. The priest was adorable... shorter than me, and probably 90 something years old. He gave a really sincere homily. I don't know.. I just liked the feel of it. Everyone was - Nice.

Happy Sunday to each of you!

Eat Dessert First

Before I ever really got into coffee, I was more of a International Coffee kind of girl. Then I graduated to Starbucks. This is before Starbucks was super popular in the south.

I discovered the Frappucino, then a few months later, the White Mocha. It is basically espresso with white chocolate mocha syrup and I think they put whipped cream in it.

Simply put - it's divine. Like dessert in a cup.

Eventually I put my big girl pants on and graduated to espresso, regular coffee, etc.  But my first TRUE love was the White Mocha.

Today, for old times sake (and I have to admit, it's been years...) I ordered a Venti White Mocha with an extra shot of espresso.

I mean.. why not?

(PS- Thanks Teresa.)

It's only 9:12am and I am not only caffeinating, I am dosing up on lots o' sugar. See, I have been very proud, I have not indulged at all. Remember the post where I tried to eat red velvet cake and watch episodes of Ally McBeal until the wee hours of the morning? Yeah, I couldn't do it. Hell, I've tried to eat my favorite foods - can't do it. It's how I deal with crisis, I kinda, sorta, lose my appetite.

But this morning... I decided, it's time. I am feeling a little sneezy (allergies or cold - not certain,) I am groggy and I have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO.

There for - a Venti White Mocha with an extra shot of espresso it will be.

Maybe it will crank me up so high, I will grab my ipod and dance around for a few hours.

Who knows!

Today is certainly an indulgent day. Thanks for "indulging" me with reading my post!

STATE OF EMERGENCY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

State of Emergency

(January 10, 2011) Birmingham, ALA - It goes without saying, if there is inclement weather - BE PREPARED. One Birmingham woman is not. 37 year old, Nicole Abdou, thought she was prepared for the wintry storm by purchasing firewood, fire starter, and even gathering the laundry detergent for a winter day activity. What she did not remember? The coffee creamer.

"I actually took the time out of my busy evening of watching movies on Netflix to go to Walmart," said Abdou, "The lines were crazy long, and I thought for certain I had all I needed."

She was wrong.

Sunday night, massive amounts of sleet and snow fell down across much of the southeast. Strong winds and low temperatures caused most bridges and roadways to completely ice over. In other words - no travel for most Birmingham residents.

"I woke up this morning, happy to work in my pajamas, then realized - I don't have any coffee creamer."

In situations like this, we recommend you be prepared. Just like the victims of Katrina, some just thought they could "tough it out " -l ike Nicole Abdou.

If Mrs. Abdou had prepared a disaster relief kit, none of this would have happened.

What you need:

Fire wood (if you have a wood burning fireplace)

Bottled Water

Several wool blankets

Candles

Matches

Milk, eggs and bread (Which, in turn, you can make french toast over the wood burning fire.) ;-)

Coffee & Coffee Creamer.

Abdou said, "Lesson learned. I hope my story will help save another person's sanity. Without coffee creamer, I am just not sure what is going to happen to us," she sobbed.

Let this be a warning to all of you out there. BE PREPARED.

##

Interns & Coffee

Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely. ~Auguste Rodin

Today is a glorious day! Why? My full time intern starts. Granted, she is only coming in one day a week- but she will be working all day. THAT is a glorious thing.

I have been without a intern for several months now. The job I have covers a very large territory, and sometimes it is necessary to have a little extra help. Now I do!

I kind of made a joke on Facebook the other day about 'Where is my coffee... " and that I needed an intern to go make a run to Starbucks. Honestly, that desire still remains.

I remember the first time I sent an intern for coffee, I almost laughed about it. But they do it so eagerly, I felt as if I was taking advantage. See - as a journalism major, you just aren't put in positions where you have people work for you. But then here comes the ever-eager intern and BOOM - instant assistant. I actually feel bad asking them to do menial tasks like: scan the hundreds of newspapers for one of our placements, or make copies, or make those random phone calls I hate making. But they do it - and they do it with a smile. God bless them. ;-)

I really like my current "intern." She is sharp, a graduate from Auburn University and she even did an internship in NYC with a major fashion company. The problem with "big" internships - it is next to impossible to get a job at that company.

When I decided where I wanted to intern, I took that into consideration. If I went to say - Atlanta, and began interning at a TV station, 9 times out of 10 a job (or a GOOD job) would not have happened. Instead I picked a medium sized market and got hired as a producer the week after my internship ended.

You just never know!

Now I am sitting on my bed, in my pjs, drinking my morning cup of coffee, but smiling - knowing I will not have to get out in the cold and the wet weather to get my afternoon Starbucks... no, no my dears - my intern will!