Personal blog of christian
writer & fallible mom
Katy McKenna Raymond
in Kansas City, Missouri
Katy is represented by
Rachelle Gardner at
WordServe Literary
Read more Katy at
LateBoomer.net
Recent Posts
- Soul Train
- Live Out Your Dream And Discard The Box
- Tears In A Bottle
- From The Young Mom I Once Was, To You
- I Can’t Help Falling
- What A Difference Ten Years Makes
- The Next Best Thing To Robert Redford
- The Memory Keeper’s Daughter
- Where Have All The Years Gone
- Fun With Kiki Cullen
- Stuck On Mom
- Ten Years Later, Our Girls From Northern Ireland Remembered
- The Thrift of Grief
- Job Security
- The Party’s Over
Syndicate
E me at katy @ ngenius.com
Coffee Date
Do you remember the old days, when you and your spouse or a friend would “go out for coffee”? I’m not talking about meeting at Fourbucks (or Fivebucks, depending on which city you’re in), or any place that offers what I’ll call designer coffee.
I’m talking about Denny’s or Tippins (formerly known as Pippins) or Sambo’s (yes, the REALLY old days…) or some local diner that served the best java around. Have you kept up with prices for a plain old cup of joe?
We always order coffee if we eat dinner out, but I never look at the price. The last time I knew the price of a cup of coffee was…well, a long time ago.
You may have gathered that we’re not eating out these days. Of course, there are rare exceptions, which we embrace joyfully. But I can cook, and so I do. What a concept, huh? (By the way, just because I can cook it, doesn’t mean I consume it. Thus, I am now down 18 pounds!)
We’ve gone to Panera’s twice in the two months since we gave up Starbucks. Each time, we spent a total of $3, for two bottomless cups. It was nice. They have free wifi, of course, but we didn’t take the laptop. These were DATES, people! The whole point is to make eyes at each other over cups of steaming brew!
So, I figured $1.50 per cup was the going rate. Not too shabby, in my opinion. But my even cheaper side kept kicking in, prompting me to look for the better bargain. We found it at the local dive of a grocery store that has the best meat sales anywhere. Doug went with me one day recently, and lo and behold the door of the joint had a sign taped to it which read “12 oz. freshly brewed coffee—9 cents!”
We felt particularly frugal that day, so we split one.
Last night, I really needed to make a run to Sam’s. I’m completely over the little problem I used to have, the one which prevented me from ever exiting their premises without spending a minimum of $300. SO OVER IT. Doug decided to come with me, as our goal was to purchase the multiple items we need to throw Kevin a going-away party this Friday night. (Boo-hoo!)
We thought we’d make a lovely date out of it by first going to Mimi’s for coffee. Not lattes or espressos, just plain old coffee. We had a great time, until the bill came. $4 for two cups! Then, of course, we needed to leave a tip, making the tab a cool $5. That smarts!
You can imagine my chagrin when we crossed the street, walked into Sam’s, and immediately came upon what seems to be a permanently installed coffee kiosk. They’ve set up shop right there in the main aisle not to sell the new brand that Sam’s is hawking, but to GIVE IT AWAY as a form of advertising.
I purchased some decaf coffee beans because they were attractively priced. Doug thoroughly enjoyed his free cup of coffee on the dregs of his overpriced Mimi’s indulgence.
Of these four coffee experiences, I choose Panera’s as the winner. Not too expensive, not without at least a touch of ambiance, don’t have to leave a tip. Hey, I’m cheap, but that doesn’t mean I want a 9 cent coffee date in the meat market!
Last night, while Doug and I were each back at work on our respective computers in separate rooms, I got mail. I clicked on it, and here’s what I found:
Katy-
Any coffee is great when I am sitting across from you.
I love you!
Doug
My husband makes a budget coffee date taste better than Starbucks ever could.
...and there is always the date on your back porch. Fresh brewed and bottomless coffee for about 11 cents.
Plus the view is just the best.
Take Care
michaelPosted by Michael on 08/08/06 at 10:23 AMCup of coffee—$1.50
Romantic, affirming note from your husband—priceless.Posted by Kim on 08/08/06 at 11:43 AMWhat a sweet hubby you have!
Posted by Carrie K. on 08/08/06 at 12:20 PMAwww…. Hang on to that man, Katy…he’s a keeper! ; )
Posted by Deb Raney on 08/08/06 at 06:59 PMOh yes, I remember Sambo’s! We’d eat at the one on Santa Fe, going into old OP.
Of course I had no clue how racist it was; I just loved looking at the pictures! Towers of pancakes!
By the way, your Starbucks vow has got me thinking…
Posted by shanna on 08/09/06 at 06:02 PMThat’s so romantic; coffee really brings people together, doesn’t it? I wish one day when I will get married, I’ll have a loving husband. I loved the part when he sends you the email I mean it’s like the cutes’ thing ever. I remember on my first date I went out for a coffee, but that didn’t actually turn out that great.
Posted by Alex black coffee on 01/03/09 at 05:01 PM
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