Random 5 for August 30 – Timing, fall, service, fantasy, music,

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We all, including Morgan, will miss this.

Houses – The beloved husband and I have been working on downsizing for at least five years. We can’t agree on the same house. Within the last year we have seen several houses that I put in the “20 years ago” category. Back then we were house hunting for a home that needed work at a reasonable price in a great neighborhood. We ended up building the current home. Lately we have seen several that fit that category. We go through them and we both say, “Twenty years ago we would have bought that.” Now they are too large or have too much property or need too much work. Timing is everything.

Gahhhh! – Pumpkin latte has made its appearance here. It’s still August.

Don’t screw with my coffee! — When pumpkin lattes come in, Starbucks gets busy. (No, I don’t get it either!) They always end up with a staffing issue because it comes as the college kids go back to school. I thought this year would be different. It is. It’s worse. They shut down the mobile ahead app and  no walk-ins. It’s drive through only. Long lines mixed with cranky people like me who are waiting for their first cuppa and people who don’t know how to pronounce any of their offerings. Several years ago a barista told me that they wait too long to bring on new staff to train so there is total chaos when the pumpkin stuff starts. I should buy my own espresso machine. I’d save money in the long run. Any suggestions for a brand?

In my head – This week I’ve been thinking of cooking some end of summer dishes. That’s pretty much where it ended – in my head. I tried to transfer that into action but I couldn’t find some of the ingredients. OK, I didn’t try that hard. My fantasy world is very active these days. Everyone eats very well there. It’s pizza in real life!

Music, music, music – I’ve been walking in my neighborhood when the weather is good. No one else is around and I can walk without a mask. It’s lonelier than walking at the mall with my walking buddies. I want to put together some songs that are peppy and fun for the walk. Any suggestions? So far I have Dancing in the Dark and Mony, Mony.

So how was your week?

87 thoughts on “Random 5 for August 30 – Timing, fall, service, fantasy, music,”

  2. Pingback: Getting a reboot | Views and Mews by Coffee Kat

  3. We have a Nepresso ‘Pixie’ espresso maker and like it. It’s smaller than the other models, but for our needs it is perfect. Plus the variety of coffees available for it keeps us entertained. Much easier than waiting in line at Star$.

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  4. My husband finally bought a good espresso machine some years ago. It was very expensive. He as had to repair it a few times; luckily he’s handy. It has made him a happy man, and during the pandemic it has been a lifesaver for him! I hate coffee. I’m sure the expenditure would have been better justified if we both used it!

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  5. When the hubs and I moved back and were looking for a house, we only agreed on a ranch and 2 car garage. He kept looking at huge houses and almost talked me into one that was farther away from my mom (who needs help cause she’s not well). Thankfully, before we could put in an offer, the one we are in now came on the market. Same size as our house in Florida. So grateful we didn’t go with bigger.

    Can’t recommend different coffee, I’m not a coffee drinker. I absolutely love chai, though. I buy a powder mix that is super creamy luscious called Big Train Vanilla Chai. Yumm.

    There is a song I love from Sister Hazel that is about gratitude and cheers me up when I’m down called, Strange Cup of Tea. The refrain starts with, “On my feet I walk,” which might be good for walking. It’s rock music though. Just be careful when you’re walking alone. Maybe keep one ear free so you can be aware of sounds around you.

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  8. Hate to bring up the obvious, but if you add up your Starbucks orders, the price of the machine may not really be all that high. 🙂 We had a high end espresso machine and found the maintenance/cleaning took as long as the coffee making did. I’m not ready for pumpkin or Christmas which is already appearing as well. We downsized about 20 years ago because of a cross country move. It’s not easy, and I wouldn’t let a hot real estate market push you because you really are going to miss that porch. 🙂

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    • That cleanup is what has stopped me. I’ve never had an espresso machine but every time I research it, it seems to take a lot of care to get a good cup. I like my coffee strong. It has to be decaf but still strong. I spent some time overseas and they know how to drink coffee! That porch and my husband’s workshop in the basement which is truly a state of the art thing for a home workshop, are the two elements that have stopped us. He wants (or wanted) an easy access basement meaning an outdoor entrance which not all homes have. He has slowed considerably in the last few years, no longer making the large furniture he once did so maybe… I’m not ready for the holiday season (which seems to start in September these days) but it’s here.

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  9. Good Morning, Kate. Really, and I mean really think about moving. We closed on our house 13 August and have had lots of projects all going on at the same time. Thankfully SSNS is a great organizer and all is going well. Thankfully we had already done the big downsize and now going from 1380 to 2100. Perfect layout for us. It’s been a lot of work. We move in the third week of September. Now if we can just make it to closing for the sale of our condo without a hurricane or more than one hurricane paying us a visit we will be good! It has not been without stress but we love the new casa and if you want to downsize, find something you love and do it! And, be sure to have a screened in area of some kind! I don’t think I could do anything HOT pumpkin spice… ever. Van Morrison’s Bright Side of the Road, Glen Campbell and Rita Coolidge singing Something ‘Bout You Baby I Like and Southern Nights also by Glen Campbell. And Justin Timberlake’s Can’t Stop the Feeling! So much awesome music out there!!!!

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    • Thanks for the upbeat message. My neighbor across the street sold her home in 3 days on Zillow at a price that surprised me. It’s a hot market. I’d love to just get settled someplace. We are at the point where I’d like to “redo” some rooms but there is no point if we’re moving. Also, as things need to be replaced I’m going more neutral than what I would really like. We love our home and area. If we could find a smaller ranch in the vicinity with a basement for the beloved husband we are on it! All good picks. Somehow when I sat down to make a list, I couldn’t think of anything.

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  10. Hi, Kate – Here are my walking song suggestions: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (W Houston), Call Me Maybe (Carley Rae Jepsen), Don’t Stop Believin’ (Journey), Just Dance (Lady GaGa), Since U Been Gone (Kelly Clarkson), Here Comes the Sun (The Beatles), I Gotta Feeling (Black Eyed Peas). Hope this helps!

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  11. Giving up that wonderful sunroom would be a hardship for sure. My mom coveted a sunroom for years. There is no way we could do that with our house as it is small … just not doable.
    I tried Starbucks’ instant pumpkin latte last year – just mix it with boiling water. All those people who must have their PSL drink in August should get that … five packages in a box. I found it too sweet and I’m not picky about what I eat or drink – but it was very sweet to me. And August for pumpkin spice hot drinks is way too early. Retailers rushing the seasons and holidays –
    grrrrrrr.

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  17. Paul Simon,(You can call me AL – and Rhythm of the Saints album) I saw Olivia Newton John interviewed recently – her songs are perky, cheery (and strong) as she is
    Your “20 yrs ago ” thing is a ditto here – we are still looking and trying to remember what we wanted then isn’t what is needed now. Building is just more than we have time and energy to deal with – ditto with the remodeling (never again.) Every day I hope “our house” will show up on Zillow (and we can actually make up our minds before it’s sold)
    Drive thru only at Starbucks? Sound like living dangerously (my daughter gave up last year and bought her own machine – will have to check with her)

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    • The house thing is really a trauma. It’s a hot market here right now. House across the street from us sold in 3 days. It takes us that long to see something and even longer to agree on anything! Starbucks has been challenging. Hoping it’s very temporary. No patience here.

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  18. I know I’m in the minority here but I love to listen to podcasts when I walk alone. There are so many good ones – educational, funny, thought provoking… whatever you want.

    Having been born and raised on the west coast, I didn’t get to experience my first screened porch (that I was aware of, anyway) until I was well over 40… and I was hooked. Sitting out on my friend’s porch in a warm rain was heaven. We don’t have weather like that here very often so it probably wouldn’t make sense to build one but, if I lived where you do, that would be on my “must have” list.

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  20. My wife has a coffee machine that makes espresso and lattes by Nepresso. She seems to like it, though she still enjoys the “professional” ones from Starbucks more. I stopped off at the one here recently to surprise her with her favorite, and they were closed in the middle of the day. I learned later one of the staff tested positive, and they closed down for two days of deep cleaning. They’re back open again. My iPod finally bit the dust, so I transferred all my songs in iTunes over to my iPhone (I had been fighting having music on my phone for some reason). I just keep clicking to the next song when I’m out on a walk if it’s not peppy enough. – Marty

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    • I’ve heard of Nespresso. My local SB is a very busy one. If I can’t do a mobile order, I have to stand (or sit in a car) and wait a while. I’m not a patient person. I have to decide if I want to put on my phone (which is an older model) or get an ipod. Decisions, decisions.

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  21. Just get a great disco hits collection and you will be ready to go! I actually don’t like Starbucks coffee at all – except for PSL 🙂 So I’m one of the chaos causers. One of our local coffee places did what they called “real pumpkin lattes” last year, which were very , very good. The downside is that they don’t feel any need to make their drinks quickly, so it wasn’t a think you could even kind of quickly get. You had to set aside some time and make a thing of it.
    Looking for a house is always a chore. So many factors to balance! But fortunately you have time and can be kind of casual about it 🙂

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  23. I listen to music while I’m walking the dog. I put my iTunes on shuffle. I’ve been skipping the Christmas tunes that pop up for now – LOL. We buy Starbucks ground when they have it on sale and brew our own. Happy Sunday!

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  26. I like the quiet when I walk, only it’s often punctuated by, “No! Sit! Damn it, squirrel, how did you even survive your own stupidity! Why would you run across the sidewalk 3 feet from a dog? Do you have a death wish?!” Plus SO. MUCH. CURSING.

    When I’m on the cross trainer (ha ha, not for the last 6 months) my playlist includes: “Geronimo,” by Sheppard, “The Fighter” (by Gym Class Heroes), Shakira’s “Whenever, Wherever,” “Brave” by Sara Bareillies, and “Shut Up and Dance with Me.”

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  29. Do you have Aldi up your way, Kate? I’ve been purchasing my Starbucks iced coffee from there. It’s a medium roast, unsweetened and comes in a 48 oz bottle. I only pay a little over $4 it. It’s delicious and so smooth. I drink it plain, but you could probably jazz it up for taste. Our garage refrigerator is packed with bottles of it. I’m completely hooked on it and you can’t beat the price.

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  30. We are planning to relocate in a few months are have put earnest money down on a lot. We have been looking for a few years too and finally found what we want. Smaller home, smaller yard and closer to more grandchildren! Building in the area we want to live is crazy so it will be a few months before we even sign a contract. I honestly haven’t cooked much this summer because my husband grills out almost every night. I have seen so many fall recipes that I am trying a new pumpkin bread recipe this afternoon. Way too early for me, but hard to convince my inner craving!

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