Welcome to the October 2024 edition of the Ultimate Coffee Date! Pour yourself a cup, pull up a chair, and join the linkup Deborah and I host the first Friday of every month.
You know how this works—grab the badge, link your post, and comment on the other blogs in the link-up.
You also may be joining the Fit Five Friday Link-Up with Darlene, Michelle, Renée, Jenn, and Zenaida.
Ominous October Coffee Date
If we were having coffee, I would tell you how stressed I am about the upcoming election and civil unrest that may occur no matter the outcome. I’ve had to limit my exposure to the news because it really makes me anxious, but I still have an ominous feeling that is clouding my October.
If we were having coffee, I would quickly change the subject to happier topics and tell you that my husband and I celebrated our 36th wedding anniversary this week. Since we met 5 years before we got married, that means we’ve been together for 41 years. We’ll have to put on our lederhosen kits and go for a celebratory ride this weekend.
Photo courtesy of a radom encounter with Deborah on the bike path last year!
If we were having coffee, I would tell you about the ominous experience I had before my flight home last week. One of the gifts I got for speaking at the conference was a pillar candle—an odd choice, but I had room in my carry-on so I took it home. The TSA x-ray scanner didn’t like it, so they swabbed it for explosives—and the swab alarmed! That earned me a full pat-down, swabbing of all my electronics, and swabbing of the rest of my carry-on suitcase. The suitcase swab alarmed again—probably from whatever was on the candle, so they ran it through the x-ray machine again. When that was clear, the supervisor let me re-pack my stuff and get on my way. That was a relief, but now I’m worried about my carry-on—hopefully it will meet with TSA approval on my trip next week.
It smells nice, but maybe not that nice!
If we were having coffee, I would tell you I had ordered my Starbucks ahead before I went through security, but accidentally chose the wrong Starbucks location at O’Hare. After waiting at the Starbucks where I thought I’d ordered it for a few minutes, another customer asked why his order was taking so long, and the barista asked him to check where he had ordered it to. D’oh! I re-ordered my coffee to a less crowded kiosk, and made my way there.
I was not in Terminal 2.
Also, even coffee costs more at the airport!
How early do you like to get to the airport?
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Happy Wedding Anniversary! 36 years (or 41) is awesome. I remember that Lederhosen photo from last year!
Just as well you can charge that expensive coffee to your expense account!
Although, it’s still cheaper compared to what I (would) pay for a tall Starbucks Chai here in Switzerland (it’s around USD 7.50).
I might go back to brewed coffee with those prices!
Happy Anniversary and cheers to 41 years! Isn’t it crazy you’ve known your husband most of your life? Time flies. I was thinking about bringing my daughter’s college roommate a candle since she has a candle warmer in the dorm, but I’m not going to chance it now. I feel the same way about the election and have stopped watching the media coverage. It is toxic.
My friend who also got a candle got stopped too—I think it’s the density— but hers didn’t alarm at the swabbing stage.
Coco, I have been dreading this election for almost four years!!! I avoid all media coverage and didn’t watch the debates (it’s not like I don’t know who I’m voting for!) This is definitely a stressful time. A nice scented candle should help relax us… OH WAIT. Your TSA story is crazy! After all that (and the mixed up Starbucks order) it’s s miracle you made your flight on time.
Happy Anniversary!
Thanks, it was quite a morning!
We do not like to get to the airport early. My husband who also travels almost every week has everything all timed out but adds an extra 15 m when I come along lol. Happy anniversary to you! Hope you have a fun weekend celebration planned
I do cut it much closer at DCA.
I don’t talk politics, ever, but I agree it’s gonna be a mess regardless of who wins. Of all the possible candidates, it’s embarrassing that we have these two to choose from. (I’m dismounting my political stage now, LOL). Wow, who would think a Candle could wreak such havoc!
You sound like my husband. 😉
Happy Anniversary. I have selected the wrong Starbucks but they were nice enough to not make me repay.
I’ve gotten crazy things taken away (maple syrup that was a gift…)
I am stressed about the election… It is too close… not sure why it is…
Oh, yeah, I guess the syrup would get stopped as a liquid. 🙁
Ugh, I’m also feeling stressed out about the upcoming election…definitely crossing my fingers that it’ll go the way it should…
So sorry to hear about the TSA experience! That’s so stressful too! I hope you’ve hit your quota on that and that all future flights will be super smooth!
Was the candle gunpowder scented!?! Sorry that I missed you in Chicago before my trip.
I am also very stressed about the election and ensuing issues.
Happy Anniversary! We needed those kits for Oktoberfest!
There’s really only one time of year we can wear them!
Happy Anniversary!
I am trying not to think about the elections but they’re right the corner. One month away!
I also like leaving for the airport early because you never know.
That’s my view as well.
Happy anniversary!!
When we moved to Ireland, my husband flew alone from Göteborg (I needed to be in Stockholm the day before so I flew from there) with the cat, and the cat carrier triggered the alarm for explosives! I’m so glad I wasn’t there, I would have died from the stress! I hope your next TSA experience is a bit smoother.
I understand about the election, and have been thinking the same about civil unrest. Obviously I’m not affected like you are. Let’s hope for the best – or the least bad.
It was less stressful being on my own. If I’d been with colleagues or clients that would have added more pressure.