Perkdup

If you didn't know, I'm an avid collector of Starbucks gift cards. I have as many Starbucks cards as I have coffee mugs. Well, maybe not quite. Anyway, I was getting coffee the other day and spotted the beautiful Fall Edition card with autumn leaves. I picked it up because it was so pretty, but then, I felt it and realized it was in Braille! Now, I don't read Braille, and thankfully, I can see. But I can imagine how much that means to those who are visually impaired. No matter what you say about corporate giants, Starbucks really does care. (In my humble opinion) (And don't forget the Pumpkin Spice Latte is back!) www.starbucks.com

Don't worry - BEAN Happy!

What the hype is all about - coconut milk . If you're a "foodie" and even if you're not, you've heard about it. "SO Delicious" introduces the first Coconut Milk Creamer . I always like a little cream in my coffee - and have even admitted to using Coffee-Mate quite often. Now, there's a non-dairy creamer that is not only delicious, it's hip . SO Delicious Dairy Free Coconut Milk Creamer comes in three flavors: Original Hazelnut French Vanilla Contains NO dairy derivatives, NO soy, NO high fructose corn syrup. And it tastes SO good. I was skeptical to try it, but I couldn't be more impressed. Look for it in the refrigerated section of your health food and gourmet grocery stores. www.SoDeliciousDairyFree.com *SO Delicious provided me with free samples of the purposes of preparing this review. But, I enjoyed it just as much as if I'd paid for it! Don't be the last one to try it. It's also great water cooler conversation. Have

If the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, the way to mine is through a mug. A very nice person from the Legal Aid Society sent me a very nice mug. It is a high quality mug with ample room for a hot cup of coffee, hot chocolate, tea or even soup. I have a vast collection of mugs. Which might make you wonder why this kind gesture meant so much to me. Well, for one, no one has to give you anything. Ever. Two, the Legal Aid Society does wonderful work and three, I can't turn my back on a good mug. I thought about paying it forward and giving it to one of my friends who doesn't have nearly the assortment of mugs that I do. I even thought (for a fleeting moment) about gathering all the mugs I don't use much anymore and taking them to a nice shelter (which I'm still considering). But, I have separation anxiety. At any rate, for now, I'm going to enjoy my latest acquisition. My pantry knows I don't need another mug, but I can't say no to a

Thank God for Twitter . I was scrolling through "tweets" the other day and found out that Equator Coffees had just roasted the last small batch of Ka'u Rusty's Hawaiian . So, I immediately picked up the phone and tried to order a pound. I was told that it was all gone. I said, "It can't be. It was just on twitter two minutes ago that you're roasting the last batch. Please, check with the roaster." The nice lady put me on hold and came back and said "we have a tiny bit left - maybe 12 ounces at most." I said, "Wrap It Up, I'll Take It!"* What a way to start my Sunday. This coffee is so good and smooth. Medium-boldness. Equator's profile says "A crisp cup highlighted by juicy citrus and notes of pineapple, raising and flower." I say, "Mahalo!" I guess you guys will have to wait for next year. Myself, I'm going to savor every drop. Have a great day! Dottie (*"Wrap It Up" by The

This has got to be the cutest onesie ever! Unless you're from Louisiana or Texas (or know someone who is), you probably know nothing about "Coffee Milk." Coffee Milk is what babies cut their "teeth" on before they're able to handle the real stuff. I used to love to hear the babies in Texas say, "I want coffee milk!" I used to give my daughter coffee (without milk) when she was little to help with her asthma wheeze. See, coffee has medicinal purposes. Only the folks at Community Coffee could think of this! Too adorable for words.

As some of you know, I've recently started a new gig. That means getting up earlier, being on time, performing at the highest level. You know the drill. Anyway, I thought I could do this without taking my morning coffee break. It's not like I don't have a cup of super fuel to start the day, but, normally there's that mid-morning cup that takes me to the after-lunch refill. Well, this morning, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I said, "Forget the dumb stuff, I'm heading downstairs to Starbucks " I don't even have to technically leave the building to go there. And the law says you get a break. Besides that, my head practically hit the desk! Okay, I'm addicted to the mean bean. There are worse things you know. At least, I didn't take a Kit-Kat break. Although, those are pretty delicious with coffee. Peace, Dottie

I have no idea what I'm drinking this morning. However, it tastes very good and is doing the trick in getting me on my feet. Which is saying a lot considering that I feel like I've been knocked down. Oh, I haven't been on a bender. I had no alcohol last night. What I've been on for the last few weeks is an emotional roller coaster. Hopefully, this will be the week that turns it around and I find my center. Hopefully. I've had so much going on in my head. I have finally accepted that I've got more time behind me than I do in front of me. And, as Richard Pryor used to say, "Whatcha gone do?" Well, I don't know. Honestly. I don't. I do know that the definition of insanity is continuing to do the same thing over and over and expecting different results. So, what I will try to do is make a conscious effort to do something different every day. I've already made a "first step" in taking myself out of my comfort zone. Now,