Sunday, March 17, 2024

Unfinished Cup:1995-96 Flair Hardwood Leader

I have my coffee, my cards and my laptop fired up.

You know what to do...repeat as me and let's do some Cards Over Coffee!!!

*takes a sip*

I have found these Unfinished Cups to be helpful for my set chases over the years. Not everyone of these has led to me some help, but some have.

And every little help counts. I know I don't like leaving anything unfinished, coffee or cards.

So, I plan on posting these to see if any of you can help me finish these sets up. It also helps give me some posts on here as well though I don't always like doing post fillers.

Today's set I am ever-so close on finishing with only four cards remaining of the twenty-seven needed.

 
1995-96 Fleer basketball had a one-per-pack insert called Flair Hardwood Leader. 1995 Fleer included one-per-pack Flair inserts into their base products across multiple sports that year. I think it was a way to fully introduce the Flair product line.

The Hardwood Leader design was my favorite one. Especially since it felt like a high-end card product at the time with thick glossy cardstock.

I have been chasing this set ever since and have narrowed it down to just needing 12, 20, 21 and 23 for a full set completion.

If any of you have them, please let me know! Either comment below or drop me an email to sportcardcollectors@hotmail.com.

Thanks and hope everyone has a great Sunday.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Haven't Felt Like It

Sorry for the lack of posts recently on here.

I just haven't felt much like posting nor have I had anything to post about. With the lack of mail days and product openings, I am trying to think of other hobby things I can post about and motivate me to do so again.

In the meantime, today is just a filler post so I can share my latest posts on other websites.

My latest post on BCW Supplies blog is Spring Cleaning one,
https://www.bcwsupplies.com/blog/2024/03/08/spring-cleaning-for-card-collectors/#more-8239

My second post is my latest on Beckett. I still have three others they need to post but after this one, but I believe I am done writing for that series. So, enjoy this look back on 1997-98 Metal Universe basketball and try to read the article thoroughly unlike the person who commented on it.
https://www.beckett.com/news/second-look-1997-98-metal-universe-basketball/

Hope everyone has a great Saturday. I haven't had my coffee yet, so guess what I am doing.

*Coffeeless Card Blogger Out*

Sunday, March 10, 2024

It Was Spring

The snow was melted. The spring flowers were poking up through the ground. The birds were chirping. I was spinning around like Mary Poppins outside singing happy melodies while the cartoonish animals followed me around.

Spring was on its way......

Until I woke up this morning.


(even the birds were sad)

There was a fresh 5-7 inches on the ground with more on the way. UGHHHHHHHHH.

But that's just how 2024 has gone. I went from Mary Poppins to Snow Miser overnight.
 
At least I was able to enjoy a fresh taste of Maple Syrup, the real stuff not the kind with lady on the bottle, before the snow fell.

Because you know, it was spring.

Saturday, March 9, 2024

90's On The 9th: 1997 Leaf Fractal Matrix X-Axis Die-Cut Amani Toomer

Coffee is ready and so am I. 

Not a lot of posts this month, but hopefully some incoming mail days will help.

*takes a sip*

For the first time this year, I am posting a #90sOn9th post. So far, this segment has been a little disappointing as I hoped this would turn into a monthly blog bat-around but also star on Twitter/X as well. 

I am usually the only one who posts these.

That's okay though, I have no plans to stop and hopefully at some point others will join in and use the hashtag #90sOn9th.

*takes another sip*

Today, I am showing off a NY Giants card, something I normally only post on Big Blue Cardboard, but it was my most recent 90's card addition so it fits the segment.
1997 Leaf Fractal Matrix X-Axis Die-Cut fell in random packs of 1997 Leaf. This 200-card parallel set is a multi-micro-etched parallel set with a die-cut. Each player's card is featured in one unique die-cut version and there are 3 different die-cut parallels to chase in X,Y,Z. Each probably comes with their own rarity.

The X-Axis die-cut which is the Amani Toomer above features 100 cards with five of them gold, 20 silver, and 75 bronze.
 
Back of the card is the base look other than the die-cut.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

I hope to see a few more of you start to join in on this fun monthly event. If not this month, next.

Remember to use the hashtag #90son9th.

Hope everyone has a great Saturday.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Sunday, March 3, 2024

The Shoebox Delivers Part 5

My first post of March begins on Day 3 of the month.

It has been a busy week overall and one that was a bit rough for me as well. When hasn't 2024 been rough for me? I ended up with a nasty head cold Wednesday night which carried over to Thursday where it completely knocked me out and I was in bed by 8:30. Friday, I spent 80% of the day in bed with Kidney stent pain followed by another round of kidney stent pain on Saturday.

I am hoping for a better day today.

Guess it all starts with my coffee.

*takes a sip*

Today, I am finally finishing up posting about the shoebox trade with my father. I was going to drag this out a little longer, but I have nothing else to post about as I had no card mail days incoming recently.  I could post the bills I got as there was plenty of those, but I wouldn't want you to be as depressed as I am about it.

So, before I continue with today's finale, if you missed the previous parts of this series, you can check them out here:
Part 2, which you can see HERE.
And Part 3 which is HERE.
And Part 4 you can read HERE.

Now onto the cards.

This is a set I was considering chasing, now with the toughest player on the checklist acquired in Jerry Rice, I may have to make this a reality. Really cool design.







 A ton of 1994 Action Packed Warp Speed. There was 7 of the 12 cards in the set found in the box. And before you ask, yes I already had this Rodney Hampton.


Next, I found these Golden Domers subset cards of Rick Mirer. However, what I can't figure out is that one has a shine to it. I don't see a parallel noted for it. If any of you have info, please comment with it. I think it's a pretty cool looking one.

Up next, autograph cards! This was completely unexpected. This is why I questioned if my father even looked through this box before trading it to me.



Not a lot of big names to start out with.

Not too often you find a Basketball Hall Of Famer autograph tucked into the bottom of a shoebox. He was also a former Knick so that's cool as well.

And then Jake the Snake Plummer autograph who also happens to be a side PC player for me. I will never forget when he led the Cardinals to the playoff upset of the Cowboys which I loved every minute of.

I would say in the end I made out pretty well in this trade. It was like the cardboard Gods were blessing me for once.

If you are reading this dad, thanks again for the trade.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

There were a couple things I didn't mention in my opener. One, I went to see a surgeon on Wednesday before I fell sick with the head cold to discuss options with the hernia, they discovered on my catscan when they gave me one for the kidney stone. Apparently, the surgeon looked at a past catscan from a previous kidney stone in 2020 and saw the hernia then but it has grown bigger over time. Most likely another needed surgery this year that will knock me out for four weeks. UGH. But it will be completely up to me though if I want it done. Knowing that it has been growing, it probably should be taken care of sooner rather than later.

Second thing, I called my urologist on Friday since I was dying in pain, and she wasn't available. The nurse took notes and info from me. I should hear back on Monday if there is anything they can do for me sooner. Prayers on that. I need this stent out as I don't want to wait another three weeks.

I hope this week goes better, hope all of you have a great week as well. 

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Almost Burger Season

Well, that was another fast month. Still not fast enough when it comes to getting this kidney stent out, but still pretty fast.

*gets up to get coffee, comes back to laptop and takes a sip*

This month marked one of the biggest months this blog has ever seen. Views and comments were at all-time highs which makes me excited for the future of this blog after all of the work that I put in on here. I just hope the momentum continues every month after this one.

*takes a sip, tips the mug towards the screen as a thanks to all of you*

With February closing out today, this means one thing to me. It means that Spring is coming soon and spring for me means, getting my flowers prepped, garden ready, lawn cleaned up from winter debris and most importantly digging out my grill after it took the winter off.

There is nothing like that first smell of grilled food. I look like one of those cartoon characters floating through the air following the scent.

Just like when that morning brew first hits the air.

One of my first grilling choices is a burger. There is nothing like a grilled burger on a soft bun with all of the toppings. This is also why I will choose Burger King over McDonalds.
 
It's so good that Allen and Ginter included it in their Get That Bread insert. 

So I am gonna brag, I own a Burger rookie card. Maybe in a few weeks I can get my burger to sign it 😉😉😉

*takes a sip before closing up today's post*

After February ends I usually am onto the countdown 
to March 19th, my birthday. Sadly, I could care less for my birthday right now as my countdown is more focused on the 22nd where the stent will be coming out.

That to me would be the greatest gift right now. Let's hope I can get in before then anyways as I would like to enjoy my first burger painless.

Enjoy the last day of February and I pray you all come back for more Cards Over Coffee in March.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

The Girl Scout Cookies Post

It's a little late for a post but thought I would put a short one out there anyways.

I don't have coffee and I don't have cards, but I do have some cookies.

Some delicious Girl Scout Cookies.

*takes a bite*

There are usually only a few things I really look forward to and buy every year that are not hobby related. One of those things arrives in February and they are Girl Scout Cookies.

Sometimes they will be ordered online and other times if my wife has a friend whose daughter is selling them, we will pick up a few boxes that way. Either way, I can't live without my Samoas.

 
The crisp cookies with caramel, coconut and dark chocolate stripes hits the sweet spot every year. They are also even better with coffee.

When I set the cookie on the back of the box the girls appear to have the same reaction I do when I open up the package.

Samoas may be my favorite Girl Scout cookie, but I usually grab a couple others as well. I also enjoy Adventurefuls and Girl Scout S'Mores while my wife likes Tagalongs and Thin Mints. I used to like Tagalongs and Thin Mints to but noticed my tastes have changed just like with other food over time.

I usually try to make mine last for a while by only snacking on a couple when the mood hits and it also saves on the weight gain. The cool thing about Girl Scout Cookies is that you can always freeze them if they get close to date which extends their shelf life.

*takes another bite before finishing up today's post*

In comments today, tell me which Girl Scout Cookies you enjoy and don't tell me there isn't at least one flavor that you don't indulge on.

*Coffee Card and Girl Scout cookie enjoyer Out*