Ideal coffee shop

We are taking the challenge - well not exactly a challenge - more of a response to You can always start now post "what is your ideal coffee shop".  Since we love coffee - hence blog name - we're on this.  Bullet form as many opinions here:

• Good internet. Seriously don't want anything that cuts out.
• Good coffee and choice of coffee and drinks. Yes we're including herbal teas here
• Lounge chairs in a few places with small table between them. 
• Good lightening
• A work space.  This could be a long table or bar height area for people working.
• Enough electrical outlets for work space. 
• Staff strong enough to tell people they are taking up too much space.  Example one person on their device taking up a table for two-four people. If there is a work space use it.
• Music at a decent volume so people are not shouting to be heard.
• Choice of sweets, sandwiches and gluten free items
• Parking
• Someones wants clean written down.  Fine, but I thought that went without saying
• More than one or two bathrooms

That is it for us. Or at least for now.  What does your ideal coffee shop have to offer?

Happy International Women's Day

Sitting here wishing everyone a Happy International Women's Day and also thinking how far have we come?  Not feeling great about it actually.  It is just recently women are coming out over abuse. Keeping their mouths shut to get ahead, not rock the boat or be labeled "that women" in the past.

This is not the first time I have thought women are harder on women in certain aspects than men. We are often the first ones to criticizes a women's looks and choices. Do we feel that success is that limited we have to take other women down to get our share? Look at shows like the Bachelor - getting women to compete for one man (or woman). Seriously?  We all know they were picked for their looks not necessarily their personality. What are we showing young girls?

This is the last International Women's Day in this decade. Next year is 2020. What do we want to take into that year? Outdated attitudes?  Mouthing we here but not taking the actions to show it?  Some of us are privileged by where we live. We should be the voice for those we can't speak.

Let's not just mouth Happy International Women's Day. Let's support, encourage, respect and be there for women (and men). No judgement here.  We don't know people's baggage. All we can do is help them carry it or help them toss it.

Winter Reads

We have a variety of tastes.  One of us has at least two or three on the go at once. Another enjoys a good read but it might take a month and a day to get through one book. The rest of us are average.

Discussion ensued over what is average and decision was two books a month. You might read more or less but we're going with that.  Okay one of us can read a book in a weekend but we're not counting her as average. Done.

The summer before the war. By Helen Simonson
It's the summer of 1914 and life in the sleepy village of Rye, England is about to take an interesting turn.

The Serial Killer's Daughter.  By Lesley Welsh

Suzanne Tyler barely knew her father. But when she’s given a series of secret diaries and eight mysterious photographs of women from his possessions, she knows she won’t be able to rest until she knows the truth about him. 

You are a Bad Ass. By Jen Sincero

Offers a blunt and irreverent guide to achieving the money, relationships, career, and happiness that one desires through recognizing and doing away with self-sabotaging beliefs and behaviors.

Becoming. By Michelle Obama

"An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States.

Blogging for Creatives.  By Robin Houghton

How Designers, Artists, Crafters, and Writers Can Blog to Make Contacts, Win Business, and Build Success

If you got a tattoo what would you get?

Deep discussion here that might effect the world. If you were considering getting a tattoo what would you lean towards.

Would you consider getting a sleeve?

 

The general consensus was no. None of us would consider going that far.  One of us would consider getting a smaller tattoo.  Likely spot shoulder. Something smaller and that meant something. This picture is larger than we would like but general idea of tattoo. 

One person does have a tattoo on their shoulder. It is the Celtic symbol for family.  Majority of us felt if we did get a tattoo we would lean more towards this type of design.

 Do you have a tattoo? If so how did you go about choosing it?  We would love to know.

Happy New Year

Well, admitting you have a problem is half the battle.  So we admit the month of December got away from us. All of us. I/us mean really!  One of us should have been able to pull a blog post together. It didn't have to be detailed and 3000 words. It would have been about the lipstick we bought on Sunday. The one with the moisturizer in it that costs too much.

Or it could have been about what we ordered on-line for the holidays. Our favorite local businesses even. I mean we should be purchasing local. Plus Canada Post was having rotating strikes so that should have prompted more people to buy local.

But we didn't. Nope. Not one of us pulled it together to type one post in December. Nothing. We are not going to say we will do better this year because we want to be authentic and real with you. So no  promises.

What we would love is if you have a rant, comment, idea you'd like us to tackle drop us a line in the comment and we'll take it on. Again no promises you'll like what we have to say, but we promise to say something.

Bring on 2019.

Traditional or not? You decide.

We are having a discussion over Christmas trees. Well, not the tree per say, but how to decorate it.  We have a traditionalist that say multi-colored ornaments and family favorites. Or basically toss whatever on the tree.

Another one of us is into non traditional Christmas colors.  I don't use those colors in my home any other time of year why am I starting now! Hence..

Last we have our think out side the box person. Have something light, airy it is all about expressing your individuality. 

Needless to say there was no group consensus.  How do you decorate your tree?  We would love to hear from you!  Oh let us know if you have a favorite from the above. 

Get your note taking devices out! NOW

It is almost mid-November and you know what that means?  It is time to get organised. Especially if you haven't started anything yet.  Here is a list to get you going.

1. Check you Christmas cards from last year.  If you need more cards purchase them now.
2. Look at who you want to send snail mail cards to - purchase stamps before the post offices  become crazy with parcels being mailed.
3. If you have parcels to mail - well you should have been on that before now. Sorry to say. So why not order on-line and have item sent directly to individual.  Just a thought.
4. Get your calendar out and consider having friends over early December before everyone's calendar are full with family, concerts and panic mode shopping.
5. If you haven't already go through your gloves, mitts and scarfs. Ratty ones toss out. If you have too many consider donating or maybe putting an extra pair in your coat pocket to pass out to the homeless.
6. Over flowing with winter jackets? Also consider donating.
7. While we are on the topic of giving - what about considering charity options for the people with everything.  Maybe buy a chicken in their name?
8. If you know anyone who might be alone for the Holidays or doesn't like Christmas. Make time to get together with them before your own Holidays get too booked up.
9. Check those recipes you make yearly or new ones and make note of what ingredients you need. Start picking them on with your weekly groceries.
10. Maybe consider having a cookie exchange with friends. That way everyone gets a variety of goodies.
11. Do something fun with friends and family. Some charities have gift wrapping stations at the mall. Also consider the food bank.
12. If you like to do crafts for the holidays, check your Pinterest boards or start looking now. Time is ticking on gluing, cutting, stamping, painting and more!

These are just a few things to get on to make your Holidays easier. If you have something we missed please add it in the comments.  Happy Holidays.