Encouraging

Hey Guys! I am still here, I promise. And I have coffee.

*takes a sip*

One week ago, I had my kidney stent removed and since it had been in so long, they were actually able to retrieve the stone without having to use a laser to blast it out from the inside. I kind of wished I had known that would have been the case as I would have kept the stone as a reminder to make sure I drink more than the average person when it comes to water. I have not heard the results yet of the stone's make up to see what kind it was in order to figure out what made it. I can only assume it's my water intake.

The other good news was that the urologist took a look around in that kidney and saw no further stones. I am not sure if she checked both or just the one. But, I will take any good news this year.

I am in a much slower recovery than I had anticipated, last time I remember I was better in a couple days and back to myself. This time I would say I am about 90% back at this point. But, I try to also remember I am a few years older as well.

I haven't had a lot of time to sit down and write up a post to give all of you an update. I have had a crazy week since. My nephew, wife and adorable 7-month old daughter came up for a visit from Tennessee on Sunday. Followed by what I like to call another #2024. What is #2024? It's all of the crud and kicks in the crotch I have suffered this year. On Wednesday I suffered another. This time the alternator went in my car while I was driving it (thought I was going to have a heart attack when all of it powered down and I had no idea what to do) and long story short, I am out of $700. Something I was not planning on and didn't really have the funds for but it' just sums up my #2024.

Despite that, I did get some encouraging mail days the day of my surgery when I got home.

 

First one, was a surprise from KOVB. Sorry if I am blanking on who you are right this second and hope you see this, I have been through a lot this year so I have been having a lot of blanking moments, but I wanted to make sure to say thank you. The Rodney was sweet, but the note is where it really hit me. I actually hung it up in my card room.

Next up, another surprise was found this time from Twitter trading friend Dan.

 

 

He sent me some Giants along with a

centerfold in his centerfold. Nice addition to my non-sports PC. She was known for her appearances on Baywatch and Playboy. 

Thanks Dan. Means a lot!

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

Before I close up today's post, I also wanted to show the other crazy thing that happened the day after my surgery.

We got snowed in! More than 12 inches fell last Saturday.

A week later though, some warm temps and lots of rain has eliminated most of it.

My 2024 has been rough, but I can say I am still alive, on the mend, have some great hobby friends, coffee and some cards. So to me, all of that's encouraging.

Thank you to all of you who have reached out, commented, messaged, etc. I am glad to have such a great circle.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Oren's Birthday Surprise

If you are ever wonder what I look like when my coffee mug is empty, just refer to this card. That's my face staring into the empty bottom of the mug.

And this is me when the refill is out of reach.

Luckily for you guys today, I am in neither situation and instead you get some coffee, cards and fun.

*takes a sip*

These two cards come along with many others thanks to a birthday gift from long time reader and friend, Oren. These are two from a small pile of Lord Of The Ring cards he sent in the bubbler along with...

This one. I have no idea what this card is, but it's cool and becomes the oldest card in my non-sports PC.

Mikaela Shiffrin! Metal Universe from Upper Deck doesn't get enough hobby love, but that's okay, I appreciate it and it's well crafted inserts.

Not sure if Oren knew this or not, but I have been chasing this 1998 set for a while now. He sent two base and then this red parallel.

Upper Deck Spider-Man No Way Home! This set just released recently. I really want to open some, in the meantime, these base cards will do!

This is my first Andrew Garfield Spider-Man card.

Is there anything wrong with adding more Marisa Tomei cards....nope!

Zendaya!

\

A stack of Golden Age, maybe I can fill my set now.

Two unopened packs...that I will be opening. Since I retired Sport Card Collectors, I am planning to carry over some of the segments from there to here including Throwpack Thursday.

Jimmy Pardo relic. Not anyone in particular I know, but I still like having non-sport relics regardless.

I don't know what this Graham Bell relic is, but it's cool.

I am starting to think that companies like Pieces Of The Past and Leaf are making better products then the big companies. If only licenses could be shared like the old days. 

I know, it's probably a sin to post Giants cards on here since I promised to only post those on Big Blue Cardboard, but this times an exception because it's one mail day. Quincy Roche was an autograph need for me so glad I can cross it off.

Is Oren trying to tell me I need to start up a Ron Dayne PC....second new autograph add of his. I have never seen this autograph card before, I like it.

Darius Slayton is underrated. He is a spectacular speedster of a Wide Receiver who just needs a quarterback.

Giants draft one.

And the final card.....

Holy Smokes! A Saquon Barkley rookie numbered parallel!!!! This will go great with my base and the red,white, blue one I have. It's just too bad of his choice of team in free agency. I will enjoy my cards of him in Giants blue, but hate him at the same time. I will be rooting against him this season.

Thanks again to Oren for the birthday gift! I really appreciate you and the encouraging note you sent along as well.

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

I had a quiet birthday as expected, but this package brought some excitement to it. It was all the party I needed.

Now I just need more coffee and maybe some breakfast.

Before I close, I also wanted to remind you of the Coffee Card Hall Of Fame voting and that it needs you guys to nominate cards in. So far, ONLY 3 cards have been nominated!!

Details on the Coffee Card Hall Of Fame can be found HERE. I may add this to every post from here on out for a reminder as I will forget about this too! Haha!

Hope everyone has a great Wednesday.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

The Slump Is Over

It's the day after my birthday, of course I have leftover cake with my coffee this morning. 

*takes a sip*

*takes a bite...followed by another sip*

If my mother-in-law was a baseball player and was a hitter, you can say the last few years she has been in a "slump" when it comes to getting me a gift, whether that's for Christmas or for my birthday. She has been buying me junk wax completed sets from a place similar to Goodwill. Even though junk wax sets are my least favorite thing, I don't complain because she is trying, and she doesn't have to get me anything, but she still does. So, I just accept it, smile and say thanks.

But, just like with any hitter, you get yourself out of a slump. 

And she did just that when it came to this year's birthday present.

 

First, she handed me this cheesebox full of cards. This is from the same place she normally buys the complete sets for me. 

I was a little worried at first this was checkerblock full of 1991 Fleer and 1988 Topps, but it wasn't. It had its expected junk moments, but there were some fun surprises hidden within as well. For once, the good outweighed the bad.

Just check them out,

*but first, a sip and another bite of cake*

Now you can see the cards,

This was just a few of the fun finds. There were other baseball parallels and some holiday base cards for my set chase as well. 

Next, she picked up these two packs from Walgreens.

Sweet!! I only recognize the NPB packs. I had wanted to open some so I could try and land a Yamamoto.

Inside of each package came with one pack each of 2021 Topps NPB and a 2023 Topps Series One Pack.

The results weren't too shabby.

These were the key inserts and then came a surprise....

Vlad Jr manu-relic! I didn't expect this or anything from these packs. I thought one felt a little thicker. 

I don't know much about the Topps NPB packs other than searching for the one player.

And, I didn't pull a Yamamoto. I am not sure of any other names in this set, so if you do, let me know.

 

I did pull this gold parallel. These are dope and fall 1:12 packs. Makes me wish Topps did these for their flagship parallels.

Between the decent cheesebox and the packs, I would say this slump ended for my mother-in-law with a homerun.

Thanks Ma!

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

Well, I still have to finish rest of the piece of my cake and my cup of coffee before it gets too cold. I still need to sort these cards all out as well.

Hope all of you have a great Wednesday.

Before I close up today's post, I also wanted to remind you of the Coffee Card Hall Of Fame voting and that it needs you guys to nominate cards in. So far, ONLY 3 cards have been nominated!!

Details on the Coffee Card Hall Of Fame can be found HERE. I may add this to every post from here on out for a reminder as I will forget about this too! Haha!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

It's My Birthday, I Will Post If I Want To!

Yes, it's my birthday.

Am I excited? Not really. 

I am more focused on Friday which is when I can finally get this painful stent out of me. I have been counting down to that day like it was Christmas which is my expected feeling for that day.

On top of that, you hit an age where your birthday just isn't that exciting anymore. I hit that over ten years ago.

I am just hopeful that after Friday, my year can finally turn around.

So far this has been my 2024,

• Broken bone in my shoulder to start the year
• My van got backed into leaving a dent on the side door
• My septic system backed into my house causing a big mess and a big bill.
• Kidney Stone stuck
• Kidney Stone surgery #1 to put in stent
• Kidney Stone surgery #2 to take out stent this week
• Hernia found, will need surgery
• Finances are bad
• And family sicknesses

And I am sure I am forgetting something or somethings.

I could use a break for once.

Guess for now I will take a coffee one...but need a bigger one at some point.

*takes a sip*

A lot has changed in my life of 41 years. 

There are no more Saturday morning cartoons with a big bowl of cereal. Playing outside until I knew to come home. Jamming to some great music and pretending I was the artist. Friday nights being spent at the video store renting movies with my parents and sometimes my friends. Also, renting video game machines and games at said video store. Pizza birthday parties. Cool toys to play with. Staying up all night (which I did once). And playing sports with friends and actually having and wanting friends.

All of this has been replaced with work, kidney stones, back pain, grunting while getting out of chair or sitting down in one, more work, electronic everything that you need to get by everyday life with-which isn't an upgrade as nothing lasts anymore that's electronic, even more work, trying to stay in shape, stress, anxiety, work again, early bedtime, multiple medications, falling asleep during a movie, neck pain when you sleep wrong, lots of doctor appointments, aches and pains when I shoot a basketball, not wanting to leave the house past 7pm and work.

But, the one thing that hasn't changed, is collecting cards.

Yes, over the years my preferences and collecting habits have changed, that comes along with finances as well, but the actual addiction of collecting has not.

One of my latest additions keeps me at 41 years old but also brings me back to my youth.

Ken Griffey Jr was my very first player collection and favorite player of the 90's. I watched any game I could when he played on TV and mocked his swing in the backyard playing against friends. He was the idol that every kid looked up to who watched baseball.

So, I collected him and collected him hard. I became to be known as the Griffey kid.

And when I saw a Griffey card I wanted, I went and did all I could to get it.

So now as a Griffey Adult, I try and do the same. Even though now as an adult it's more challenging to.

This 2022 Topps Chrome Cosmic Launched Into Orbit had me. I think its one of the better looking modern day inserts around.

 

There are two Griffey's in the set, one in his Reds uniform and one in his Mariners uniform. I usually would choose Seattle first, but the Reds one captured the Griffey swing so that caught my eye more. Though I will need to add the other another time and will add it to my want list.

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

I don't have a lot planned today, probably nothing really. Well, besides drinking coffee and I think my mother-in-law is making me a chocolate strawberry cake to go along with my coffee. This is a usual day.

Just hoping after this Friday I won't be having the usual 2024 day.

I hope all of you have a great Tuesday.

*Another Year Older Coffee Card Blogger Out*

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*

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*

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.