Carol and I are very low-key. We don’t draw much attention to ourselves. We are conservative and frugal (our kids always said we were cheap). We have dinner out occasionally and sometimes go to a movie (if there is one WE can agree on). We do like to take vacations and have had opportunities to travel around the country to see family and friends. It is such a great moment when we taste something that reminds us of where we have been. A really great burger reminds us of that time we went with Neil and Tanya to a burger joint near Shaver Lake. A great cup of coffee brings back memories of watching Old Faithful erupt again, while sitting out on the deck of Old Faithful Lodge with David and Pam.
I think the first time we ever had Starbucks was in Fresno, California with Tanya and Neil. Carol thinks maybe it was with David and Pam in Sausalito, California. Either way, our addiction started in California. Once we had a Starbucks, no other coffee shop could compare. When we returned to the great state of Texas we would drive 30 miles into Houston for a fix. If we had only known what it would do to us. We have driven lots of extra miles in search of a Starbucks for a fix of caffeine. Our budget and our waistlines have also suffered, (I miss my feet). You should see us maneuver around the parking lots when we are pulling Belle. Sometimes Carol just gets out and starts walking into the store while I circle the drive-thru and see who gets service first. Not really, but it’s almost that bad. We are proud that we were some of the FIRST to get coffee at the then new Starbucks in Lufkin Texas. Almost like a badge of honor. We have thought seriously about putting a sign on the back of Belle saying “follow us to the next “.
Yes, we are Starbucks addicts. Our grandchildren try to count how many Starbucks we visit on our travels. We are enabled by our family and friends who buy us gift cards and gifts containing Starbucks coffee. (please keep it up) When someone is addicted as badly as we are, gifts are easy. Our kids purchased us a treasure a few years ago. We use it daily. We are proud owners of a coffee maker that grinds the beans (Starbucks house blend), then brews the fresh coffee and is ready when I get up in the morning. LIFE IS GOOD! We bought a Starbucks Gold Card ($25 annual fee). They definitely have lost money on us. We get 10% off all purchases for a year. We are waaaay ahead!
Carol and I started naming all the cities where we have had Starbucks. We had to go to our big US map where we track our journeys. Here we go, in no special order, nor is this list complete:
Fresno CA, Baton Rouge LA, Los Angeles CA, Oklahoma City OK, Flagstaff AZ, Galveston TX, Albuquerque NM, Clear Lake City TX, Amarillo TX, San Antonio TX, Hewitt TX, Charlotte NC, College Station TX, Fairbanks AK, Forrest City AR, Boulder CO, Slidell LA, St Louis MO, Baytown TX, Jackson MS, Visalia CA, Gainesville TX, San Francisco CA, Houston TX, Salt Lake City UT, Kemah TX, Bernalillo NM, Beaumont TX, Waco TX, Niagara Falls ONT. Canada, Lufkin TX, Lake Charles LA, Hot Springs AR, Kearney NE, Ardmore OK, New Orleans LA, Mt Vernon IL, Sausalito CA, Denton TX, Bakersfield CA, Moore OK, Las Vegas NV, Texas City TX, Durango CO, Huntsville TX, Dallas TX, Ennis TX, Birmingham AL, Texarkana AR, San Diego CA, Denver CO, Effingham IL, Hammond LA, Evansville IN, and counting.
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Thanks for following
Nelson and Carol
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