Take A Minute And Smell The Coffee

I feel this year has been stressful and depressing and with my latest setback with both back door cables going on my van, a $1,000+ per door fix, I needed a reminder that there are a lot of things in my life that makes it all better.

Sometimes I just have to take a minute and smell the coffee.

Then breathe.

Take a walk.

 

And soak in all of the beauty in the world.

Go spend some time with nature.

And eat some of my favorite foods. Food is such a stress relief for me, but I also know my limitations. Except when it comes to Ben and Jerry's, curse you for tasting so good that I have to eat the whole container!

 

And spend some time with pets and family. My family is my world to me, not that my crazy cats aren't as well. This is Zeus by the way and he would say hi if he wasn't always sleeping and eating.

I am also a Christian so there is no better place to turn to in a tough time than Jesus. I know HE is watching over me. Everything that has happened to me, is just a part of his plan and sometimes we just can't explain why bad things happen. I am sure at some point it will be shown to me why these things happened.

On top of all of this, I also have this blog, the hobby and you guys.

The point of today's non card post is that in the end, I can see not all things are bad. There is always something in my life that brings a smile to my face to brighten up all of the bad things. 

So, if you are reading this and experiencing a rough time or rough year, just do what I did above, I am sure you will realize there is no problem too big that these things cannot make it better. You just have to look for them and experience them.

But remember first, you have to take a minute and smell the coffee.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Cafe Trade #1 2024: Oren

Boy, what a year this month has been so far. First, the broken shoulder, followed by the septic issues into the house, today I have laryngitis and also had our vehicle backed into at the gas station.

Can I hit the reset button yet? Is there one? 

There may not be enough coffee in the world to get me through January. Though I am averaging three cups a day right now. That's like Patrick Mahomes numbers.

Despite life problems, there is at least a hobby I can come back to and know there is always happiness and a distraction there.

And there is always coffee to go with it, such as today.

*takes a sip*

Today's mail day was my first trade of 2024 and comes from blog reader and friend Oren who sent along some non-sport goodies.

A nice stack and variety of Allen and Ginter. Most from 2023, but some from other years.

Courtney Hansen relic. She is mostly known for being a television host on the show Overhaulin'. Not something I have ever seen.

John Cynn relic. Professional Poker player. I have never watched Poker on TV, but have played some with friends over the years. I am far from being a professional.

And finally, the last card I was super excited about.

 

Danielle Harris relic.  She has spent most of her acting career being in horror especially for the Halloween Franchise something I grew up watching with my mom. Lots of nostalgia. Now I just need to add her autograph as well.

Thanks goes out to Oren again for always sending the goods!

I hope everyone has a better Saturday than I am. But there is still a chance I can save the rest of today.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Happy Meal Again

*just came back from running an errand from town but had to grab some lunch on the way back, quick stop, McD's. short on cash equals one thing, a Happy Meal*

*checks out box to see what toy is hiding and reads Pokemon pack included, sweet*

*takes a sip of coffee which was drink of choice to go with the Happy Meal, gets ready for new post*

Back again for the second year in a row is the McDonald's Pokemon Happy Meal promotion. Last year McDonald's helped celebrate 25 years of Pokemon by including packs of cards in their Happy Meals and it has returned.

The only difference this year is that the promotion isn't celebrating another year and there is a smaller 15 card checklist instead of the 50 from last year but still all the fun.

I am not a Pokemon collector myself so I am not going to buy 20 Happy Meals to collect the set, but finding cards with food regardless is a win. You can tell I am not a collector of them when I can't pronounce half of the names.

The limited-time Happy Meal promotion started on September 12, 2023, and will run until October 16 so plenty of time for you to grab a meal and open a pack.

*takes another sip, McDonalds coffee definitely isn't great as it is very watered down. hope the meal is better*

*continues on with watered down coffee and today's post*

I thought I would begin by showing off the box first before I dig into the pack.

I won't bother showing the food, mostly because I finished it before I had a chance to take pictures and I am sure you have seen the food before.

But, what about the pack, well, box that the pack and other fun surprises comes within.

Inside of the box, comes,

A sticker and a cardboard spinner toy for the Pokémon Match Battle game. 

  

And the pack of cards. The cards are inserted at random with each pack of four cards containing one with the McDonald's holofoil pattern. 

  

My pack actually lacked the parallel. Disappointing since I wanted to see one.

Oh well.

In the end, I got some lunch, some cards and some coffee.

 

and it left me feeling like this.

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

I would love to see McDonald's expand more on this, let's get some sport card Happy Meals. Maybe one for each sports season. Get kids more into the hobby and less flippers/money hungry people. Just more people who are hungry for collecting...and some for nuggies.

Hope you have a great Friday!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

How My 40th Went

"Every Day That Starts With A Cup Of Coffee Is A Good Day"- Me

And that's exactly how my 40th birthday kicked off yesterday with a trip to Dunkin'. I don't get any of those fancy drinks, especially being someone stuck on decaf, so I usually just get some mocha swirls which is good enough for me.

My trip then took an even better turn with more coffee and a local diner breakfast with a sample of everything. IT WAS SOOOO GOOD and way beyond filling. I actually didn't eat another meal for the day.

 

The trip almost went further, but then came the snow squalls where you couldn't see anything so the trip ended and I went home to open up some gifts from the Mrs.

First up, a new Giants hat. These are always welcomed in my eyes. There were also a couple of personalized non sport shirts too in the same bag but I kept this post to just sports for today.

Next up came the wax. A blaster box of each 2022 Donruss football and 2022(3?) Bowman Chrome U football which I busted immediately.

Here are the key results,

The Donruss didn't provide me with too much excitement. It was nice to add a couple new Giants to the collection.

Donruss 2002 throwback insert of Terrell Davis. I never mind adding a new TD for my collection.

Franchise Future of Amon-RA St.Brown who looks like a solid player for the Lions.

Production Line insert of Mark Andrews.

Now onto the Bowman Chrome where I had more success. Though I don't understand why Topps called this 2022 despite it having 2023 rookies. But, it's nice to see Bowman Chrome football again and now it has at least college logos again.

Anthony Richardson Bowman 1st. One of the top QB prospects in this year's draft.

Caleb Williams silver parallel. Another one of the Top QBs in this year's draft.

Cade McNamara Pink parallel. Can't go wrong with pulling the QB's in this years strong draft.

And finally, a really nice Purple Mini Diamond Parallel /399 of Will Levis. Another one of those QB's that should go in the Top 10 if not Top 5. These fall 1:98 packs.

I really like the Bowman Chrome and look forward to seeing this back when they get NFL logos.

And there was the end of the wax.

But, don't worry, my day wasn't quite over yet.

 

Later in the day my mother-in-law dropped off my homemade Carrot Cake and it was superb!

I only had a small piece since I was still getting hit hard with that breakfast, but a sample was so worth it.

And a sample right now as I sip my coffee and put up this post is just as great :)

Before I close up today's post, I wanted to thank all of you who reached out to me on Twitter, Facebook and on here and wished me a Happy Birthday. I appreciate all of the love.

In comments today, let me know your favorite kind of cake or your thoughts on the cards.

Have a great Monday.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Would You Rather? Coffee Edition

 *takes a sip, sits down for today's latest post on Cards Over Coffee*

Welcome back to another Would You Rather? Today, I decided to go cardless on the topic and tackle a coffee one.

The game is called, Would You Rather. In this series you will be given two choices and you must make one decision sort of like The Matrix. Each decision you make will also have a problem tied into it and you will have to decide which is the better of the two choices. 

You will also have to live with your decision for the rest of your life...so make the right one.

*takes another sip before starting today's new series*

*sits in the dark alone wearing all black clothing and sunglasses*

*in a deep voice sitting in the dark*Hello Readers, my name is Mattpheus. I am the leader of the sport card universe and can offer you the control of your future.

    

I have two pills to offer you *holds hand out with both pills* that will lead you on your path today. Each pill gives you both an reward and a penalty.

Today, you can take the Red Pill and be stuck with only drinking Decaf Coffee for the remainder of your life (this alone is penalty for choosing it)

Or you can choose the Blue Pill and you can only drink Caffeinated Coffee for the remainder of your life but also every cup you drink has some coffee grounds in it.

 

Make your decision below in the comments.

I will be awaiting your choice with my cup of coffee in the dark.

DISCLAIMER:

The Red Pill does not taste like cinnamon

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

I hope you enjoy this new segment and I hope a lot of you join in on the conversation.

Have a great Thursday.

*takes a final sip on today's post*

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*