200

*sits down in the recliner with coffee and laptop in hand. going to need extra coffee today I can feel it*

Daylight Savings Time, a day where you are supposed to gain an hour of sleep or in my case, wake up an hour earlier and not fall back to sleep. So since 5 am I have been planning today's post.

*takes a sip, well more than a sip, a much needed gulp already planning the next cup*

Today marks the 200th post on Cards Over Coffee. I was trying to figure out a way to combine the number 200 with this blog but couldn't come up with something creative. It's not like I can say I am celebrating my 200th cup of coffee or 200th card today as those numbers were so long ago. The way I feel this morning maybe I could drink 200 cups.

*takes a long siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiip. Cups gone, brews cup two and returns to today's post*

The last 200 posts have been a lot of fun for myself, I just wished the readership is here. It's not like I haven't tried to expand it. I posted links on all social media sites including on my other blog Sport Card Collectors, hosted contests on Twitter and even asked for help from you guys to get the word out. Nothing seems to have caught on...yet.

I plan to still push this blog for the next 200 posts and see where we are at then. In the meantime, I wanted to thank those of you who do visit this blog and read my coffee filled posts. I truly appreciate it.

*another sip before finishing up today's post*

Any suggestions on how to get the word out on this blog is encouraged. Also, anything you would like to see on here or read about is also encouraged in comments.

Thanks again for reading the past 200 posts and hope to see you back for the next one.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

It's November, Time For Christmas!

*gets ready with cup of coffee in hand for a new post on #CardsOverCoffee. Sits down, let's do this*

Just like with Cinderella, my pumpkin on October 31st at midnight turns into a Christmas tree.

As many know, I love Christmas. It's my favorite time of year. The music, the lights, the food, the family, the joy, the birth of Jesus, the giving, it's a pretty special time of the year. My celebration of the holiday always begins early as I slowly take down my fall decorations and replace them with Christmas ones. It's a month long lead up to December.

My wife and I are all done Christmas shopping as well, got done a few weeks ago actually, and we have begun to think about wrapping some of it up. But, for that to happen, it needs to have the right feeling.

 

You know...snow and Christmas music....and as you can see.....we got a little done. The snow didn't stay too long though, but it was fun to see. (remind me I said this in January when I am suffering with winter depression)

My wife also gave me an early Christmas present when we were getting gifts sorted out.

A new treasured shirt from my favorite all-time movie National Lampoon Christmas Vacation. One of the greatest lines from the movie. I am always up to adding new memorabilia from the movie whether it's cards, photos, shirts or Hallmark Ornaments.

*takes a sip, begins to show off some new Holiday Card additions*

Last year was the first time I took my passion for Christmas and combined it with cardboard. I aim for anything that is Christmas related such as the old Pro Set Santa's, Topps and Bowman Holiday Santa/Elf/etc bonus cards along with the Sp's (candy cane bats kinda thing) snowflake parallels and especially Santa Hat cards which are my favorite.

I had only ever seen Upper Deck and Panini produce Santa Hat relic cards up until today when I recently discovered that Playoff created a few.

Upon doing some research, I can't figure out how these cards got out to collectors hands. Maybe they were given to employees, maybe a hobby shop give away, not sure. But, I will say they are pretty cool and limited.

They are also huge. These are not normal card size, more like the size of a literal Christmas card.

So it filled up my lightbox. I like the the relics swatches on this one as it's the "fluffy" part of the Santa hat.

The dual relic only has 50 made of them. 

This one is a quad relic with the usual red relics of the hat.

I found it odd that the quad is /100 but dual is /50. Unless the duals are considered to have "prime" relics. Who knows.

If you have any information on these cards, let me know in comments. Also, have any Christmas cards I may be interested in? Drop me an email!

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

I haven't decorated much yet this year, but I think this weekend may change things. I am still a little sick so that may put a damper on things. I also may try to push through as I need to get my lights in the ground before it freezes.

Hope everyone has a great Saturday.

In comments, are you a big Christmas fan? Put up decorations early? What's your favorite part about Christmas?

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Deep Freeze

*already on the lookout for breakfast this morning, spots a mini donut in the distance. shhhh be very quiet, those donuts can disappear fast with any noise just like a deer in the woods when a hunter spots them. tip toes over....steps on a misplaced cheerio..wife spots donut and takes it. breakfast hunt back on*

*brews a cup of coffee to fill for now..internet is finally working so it's time for a new cards over coffee before breakfast*

It has been really cold here the last few days. Not as cold as it gets in November, but fall cold. The last few days I have woken up to temperatures of 34, 30 and today 19. The change in temperatures also gave me a nasty head cold. The one where you whole head is stuffed and your ear is plugged like you have been swimming.

*takes a sip, the hot coffee helps with the sinuses, just wished it would with the ear*

Other than spotty internet and not feeling great, I got to take some pretty cool photos yesterday during what I call a deep freeze. I am not sure what the temps dropped to overnight, but they held at 30 most of the day yesterday creating a pretty cool look all around me.

This is the lilac tree just outside my house.

The trees behind my house

Our flower bush that blooms in the spring/summer

And up close look at it.

A trip just down the road

Trees on the property of the local school

 

And some more trees on my trip.

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

*spies a bagel on the counter, plans attack...tip. ...look down....tip....look down.....tip toe.....bagel is in hand...victory!

I should have started this out with, sorry there are no cards to post today, but I didn't. My mail box has been quiet recently other than one mail day so I thought it would be nice to have a switch up for today.

There appears to be a small warmup for the weekend with temps in the 40s, so I may take advantage of that and get my outdoor Christmas stuff set up. Please don't hate me.

*takes a sip, toasts a bagel*

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Trick Or Treat

*hello little boils and ghouls..are you ready for a little Cards Over Coffee...or can I see you sneaking that full size Snickers bar and ignoring this post...there's nothing wrong with eating and reading..as long as you are having some coffee with it to. Yes, coffee goes with everything and I have a freshly brewed cup right next to me*

It's Halloween and as an adult times have sure changed on this holiday.

Gone are the days of wearing a hard plastic mask that smelled like sweet candy but suffocated you at the same time. No more going door to door wearing that mask and asking strangers for candy. Now it's sit at home, wait for kids wearing these high tech costumes (some are inflatable) and be the stranger handing out the candy. It's not nearly as much fun.

*takes a sip before continuing on...also while staring down a snack size Mounds*

We haven't had any Trick Or Treaters in years, but my wife and I still buy candy. Maybe we haven't had any because a lot of today's Trick Or Treating is done out of peoples trunks-which is both weird and not the same-so we end up eating it all. Not in all one night of course, we are not young anymore. Instead its a treasured treat that is slowly enjoyed like one of those Werther's out of your grandma's purse.

*takes another sip, swig, sip*

Attempting to give out candy is the only way my wife and I really celebrate Halloween. We don't dress up or go out to parties or even decorate for it.

This is as close to celebrating we get with these two Scentsy holders. The rest of my house is just fall decor that will soon be turned into a Christmas Wonderland. Yes, I decorate early for my favorite holiday and yes I see you shaking your head at me. Maybe even a middle finger at the computer screen.

*takes another sip to wash down the Mounds*

Since this is a blog about cards and coffee, I thought I would finally get to the card portion of this post and no more rambling on.  Especially if I get into my Christmas talk.

There are quite a few Halloween cards I could have chosen from for today's post, but I thought these Halloween Treats from Upper Deck were the perfect choice.

Front

  

Back

In 1996, Upper Deck made up these bags for Halloween that contained packs of cards to give out. There are 20 packs of 2 cards inside. All of the cards are from Upper Deck's flagship base for the 1996 season.

I think this was a great idea to keep kids from overloading on candy and introducing them to the hobby. I wished some companies would do this today but as always, Upper Deck led the way with innovation.

I never went to a house that handed out cards when I was younger, however there was one house that used to throw big handful of change in your bag. Lots of nickels, dimes and quarters.

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

One of my favorite memories from my childhood Trick Or Treating was when my parents brought us yearly to a place called the Goldricks house. Every year was a surprise on how they dressed or jumped out at you. One year, the husband was the scarecrow on the porch and neither my sister or I expected it. We got to the door where his wife answered, gave us our candy and we headed back off the porch before he jumped and grabbed us. I thought it was great, my sister on the other hand never got out of the car again when it went to their house again in future Halloween stops. It will be a memory I will always treasure and probably a nightmare my sister always will have.

In comments today, I want to hear about your favorite memory or if you ever received or gave out cards for Halloween!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

*eats another candy bar*

*now Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Moron

*takes a seat with laptop, coffee and card in hand. some would call me a moron for how I carried these to the table. I know Murray Goldberg would*

Every year when Allen and Ginter comes out, I always find a non sport person in the product that has some connection to me one way or another. For example in 2020, it was RL Stine who I used to read in my youth. So I went and chased down a few base, parallels, relic and autograph card.

This year, my subject of choice is Jeff Garlin who portrays Murray Goldberg on The Goldbergs.

*takes a sip. thinking a sugar boost will help this morning but don't want to be too much of a moron and eat a whoopie pie yet*

I have watched The Goldbergs since the show began on ABC in 2013. I enjoy how the show brings nostalgia from the 80's, comedy and family all together in one crazy half hour. Murray is the father in the Goldberg household. 

Murray's character seems to often go along with whatever his wife Beverly says, despite not listening to a thing she is rambling on about. It sometimes puts himself into some awkward spots. He is also depicted to be strict and tough on his children, such as calling them morons when they mess up, but deep down, he loves them way too much. Tough love can be the best kind of love and it teaches the best lessons in life. Life isn't easy.

Murray is also known to sit in his favorite chair in his tighty whities in front of the TV regardless of who shows up to his house. Sounds like the life to me. He is just missing the coffee.

*takes another sip*

I haven't had much luck in landing the autograph of Garlin yet, but I was fortunate I found a trader on Twitter who was unloading the relic.

 

A big thanks to @chefsmith04 for trading me this relic and helping me knock down another one of my needs. This trade was not a moronic move for me.

I also see that Garlin also starred in Mad About You for a couple of seasons, I don't remember that but I did enjoy the show.

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

I can't say that in life I haven't done some moronic things or I would be lying. I may have even done a few of those things while typing for this blog (don't put too much butter on your bagel and take a bite while you are typing to).

As for a father, I think I would have been happy to have had a dad like Murray.

In comments today, let me know if you watch The Goldbergs or what you have seen Garlin on and what the most moronic thing you have done. Also, if you have a Garlin auto from Allen Ginter, hit me up for a trade immediately!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Building My Avengers Team

*sits down to take a sip of Wednesday morning coffee. It's been quite the last few weeks in my household with many different things popping up, so having a nice cup of coffee before diving back into the hectic life is nice. That, and a new #CardsOverCoffee post*

I have mentioned it on here before, but I am a big Batman fan. He is pretty much the only superhero I really watch when it comes to TV and movies.

That doesn't mean if a non Batman movie or show is on TV, I wouldn't watch it. I am still a bit of a nerd and I really do enjoy the classic TV shows like The Incredible Hulk. Back before they made him all computer animated which I can't stand.

When it comes to cardboard, other than putting a bigger focus on Batman, I will pretty much collect anything that involves superheroes. Especially when they are combined with athletes on a card.

*takes a sip before continuing on*

Back in 1997, Skybox Metal Universe came out with a set that combined both NFL players and Marvel heroes in its Marvel Metal insert. These inserts fell 1:6 packs.

There are 20 cards on the checklist that feature some super and non superstar players with their inner Marvel comparison.

 

A lot of the better players on the checklist go for $20 plus to land so the odds of me trying to build this set would not be easy, though I would love to.

If any of you have any I don't have, I also have Kerry Collins and Terry Glenn, let me know. Always up for a good trade!

*takes a sip, starts to wonder what breakfast would be this morning*

I know if I had an inner Marvel character it would be the Incredible Hulk. Why? Well, if I don't have my coffee, I would probably turn green and start breaking things.

So in comments, your thoughts on these cards, your inner Marvel character and why are welcomed.

Have a good Wednesday.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Distraction

*takes a victorious sip on this victory Monday. The Giants season may not be turning out as I had hoped, but at least there is some hope. takes another sip, coffee tastes even better when the Giants win*

1-5 is where the Giants sat yesterday before kickoff against the Carolina Panthers. They had two heartbreaking losses to the Falcons and WFT before coming back to beat the Saints which is where I thought the season would turn around. But no. Two back-to-back blowout losses to the Cowboys and Rams and a injury list longer than my Christmas list and things were getting ugly fast.

The one sport I actually watch and my team I am die hard for was going down the tube early. I needed a distraction and when I need a distraction, I turn to cardboard.....and coffee. Not alcohol like most fans though that probably eases the pain sooner.

*takes another sip before showing off the latest additions*

This time for my distraction, I went to Burbank Sportcards Beckett Marketplace to hope to calm the storm in my head. I looked for pieces that I knew would make me smile.

Such as this Gary Brown Collectors Edge autograph. My second autograph of brown, but I am digging the purple ink and hand numbering on this one. I didn't know they used colored ink in the 90's.

Brown played two season with the Gmen and is currently running backs coach in Wisconsin.

Eli Manning Donruss Elite Gridiron Kings Patch /25.

As most know, I am a huge Eli fan. It's nice to see him do commentary on Monday Night football, especially when he discussed how Eagles fans used to greet him :)

Kadarius Toney Donruss Elite rookie card /999

 

And finally a Prestige rookie autograph gold of Kadarius Toney who is turning into one of my favorite current Giants players every time he is on the field.....and not injured.

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

These cards had arrived prior to yesterday's game so I was already feeling good before kickoff. But, I felt even better when yesterdays game ended and the Giants came out on top 25-3. It was probably the best overall performance by the team in years.

The question now is, was yesterday's game a turning point or just a fluke. Next week is Kansas City on Monday Night football on the road. If, IF, they can pull out a win there, maybe things can be turned around and get better. If not and it turns out really bad, well, may need another cardboard and coffee pick-me-up.

Hope everyone has a great Monday. and in comments, let me know what you do when your team is letting you down. Do you go to cardboard? Alcohol? Shutting your TV off?

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*