~”There is nothing like the smell of coffee and bacon.”

Yesterday turned out to be one of the longest days ever. I had so much on my plate that I was both mentally and physically exhausted by the afternoon. The bright spots, I got a lot accomplished and my youngest went back to school after spring break. It was four o’clock before I started to realize that my mood was all over the place. I was frustrated and tired and felt like I had zero energy.

I was talking to a friend on the phone and she commented, “You are so grouchy. You probably need a cup of coffee.”

Then it dawned on me. I had not had any caffeine all day long. So unlike me. No tea, no coffee. I quickly brewed a cup of cinnamon black tea and as it surged through my veins, I suddenly felt calm, more sane. It felt like clarity and focus were now a part of my life. I could finally handle the fact that my five year old turned on the faucet in my bedroom bathroom and flooded the floor.

Am I addicted? I don’t know. There are days that I can go without caffeine. Okay, maybe just one day. I love a huge mug of hot tea, and there is nothing better than a caramel or vanilla latte.

My addiction is genuine. I come by it honestly. One of my favorite memories is of my grandfather brewing coffee in the morning and cooking bacon and pancakes. There is nothing like the smell of coffee and bacon. He used to let me sneak a sip of his when my grandmother was not looking. And my mother was a tea fanatic. Green, black, chamomile, hot or cold. She would sit up on Saturday morning, a glass of fresh brewed tea, her cigarettes, some Will Downing or Rachelle Ferrelle playing in the background while she balanced her checkbook for the week.

Hot tea and aromatherapy burning at night is soothing for me. Coffee in the morning is necessary. Am I addicted? Probably. Every once in a while, my hand will shake or I will get a headache if I haven’t had my dose. But I’m okay with that. There is nothing like walking in to Starbucks and getting my macchiatto. And the Mocha Cappuccino Protein Drink from Bolthouse Farms gives me a small pick me up as well.

As a matter of fact, as I type this, I’m brewing a cup of tea. And then I’m going to check in to Facebook and share my love of coffee with a group of other caffeine lovers. That love is a pretty amazing thing.

~Tamara

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