An addiction to coffee

Everyone has a vice. Well, mine is probably not a vice, so much as an addiction. Two things - coffee and work. (My family could list more, but these are my perennial top two.) I enjoy work and I tend to work too much, but that's a whole other blog. I've often thought I need to research the twelve steps so that I could deal with these afflictions, but not there yet. :) LOL
Coffee! Awwww! The blissful smell the first thing in the morning. With all of the coffee shops and different kinds of coffee that exist, it can only reflect that I share my addiction with millions of others in the world.
As a kid, I began drinking plain old Folger's but really, I just enjoyed a little coffee with my sugar and Coffee Mate. When I got older, it became a true cup of coffee with a little sugar and Coffee Mate. (Generic powdered cream just would not do!) The next milestone in my addiction came at a camping trip. No sugar was available and I needed my first cup of coffee - thus the graduation to "perculator" coffee with coffee mate. This also stimulated the curiosity of the cup in which I drank it out of. More to come on that.
My next step toward my addiction I must share with my husband. He has quirky hobbies from time to time. You may have read about them before - different types of chickens, teas, wines, fish, clays for his pottery, magazines etc. Each subject being researched and different things tried and tested until another interesting subject came along. I always enjoy his process. Anyway, trying different brands of coffee was one of his fads. Even to the detail of should it be finley ground or course. So, I went from regular, cheap Folgers or Maxwell house, to more expensive brands. We invested in a coffee bean grinder and even had a Espresso/Cappuccino machine for a while. (I'm happy to say that Espresso never fit my taste buds.) I'm not much on gadgets so the bean grinder is just adding 5 minutes to the delay of my first cup.
Today, I make my morning cup a routine and pleasurable. The first cup is always the best - one that I sit and enjoy and do nothing for 10 minutes. Ahh! I do try to get some nutritious benefit from it - I have added half-n-half to my addiction. I'm sure my husband can attest that a cup of coffee must be hot, must be fresh and MUST have half-n-half to really be wonderful! I will forgo a cup of coffee at a restaurant or fast-food when we travel if half-n-half is not on the menu - that is unless it is my first cup - then all bets are off. Styrofoam cups are even allowed in those moments.
In addition to these essential needs, the cup in which it is sipped from must be considered.
I don't like the heavy mugs, but china is too fancy and the coffee gets cold too quickly. The rim of the cup must be just right so that as my lips feel the first sip, they fit just right so that I don't get burned, yet can guide the glorious liquid to my taste buds and enjoy the heat as it warms my soul. Mmmm! If the coffee gets warm or even cool, it will not be consumed. Down the hatch for antoher one to be prepared. I have special cups that I enjoy in particular. At work, I usually carry a "Don't Mess with Texas" coffee cup as I make rounds. There is probably not a person that knows me that does not associate that cup with me.
In spite of the pitifulness that some may think of my addiction, I do have some rules. My body can tell when the 10:30 am hour is approaching. A cup after that time just is not the same. A late night cup of decaf is sometimes a treat when there is a chill in the air, but normally the morning hours of 0500 - 1030 are the highlight of this pleasurable experience.
I have seen many pictures over the last few years and there I am with my cup in my hand! My hair is usually a mess and my make-up is not on, but by golly! I have my coffee. Christmas mornings would not be the same if I couldn't enjoy my cup of java during all the fun and chaos!