Ode to cheap coffee

Many moons ago (not TOOOO many of course!), while I was in high school, my friend eagerly told me about this new coffee drink she had. "It is actually good! I like the foam part best!" This drink was called... a CAPPUCCINO! We trotted over to the nearby gas station, and each got ourselves a cup. I was in love! "The foam IS good!" I recall telling her. Then we drove around in her little red escort, believing we were cool with our new coffee drink.

I'd get the drink occasionally over the years, but I did not become a caffeine addict until Sept 23rd, 2005. On that day, a little pink blob came into my life...and I have not been able to sleep uninterrupted ever since. (OK...it was slightly before that but who's counting?)

That much interrupted sleep will cause one to rely on caffeine. My source: yummy coffee drinks!!! I hate regular coffee. The taste must be well disguised. At first it was Panera's "Frozen Mocha" or "Frozen Carmel". I'd drop the kid(s) off and away I go! However, they do not have a drive through. And now with the new location of the drop offs (change in daycare), it just isn't convenient. So I began frequenting Starbucks.

Panera has a deal where after 8 drinks, you get one free. I became such a regular, that often the workers would give me two or three stamps at a time! Starbucks has nothing like that and I began to resent that fact a wee bit. Furthermore, they charge you $25 (gold card membership) to get any sort of discounts. One could argue at least they have something. I feel there is no reward for just being a regular customer! It has taken its toll on my wallet. Not to mention...I had been ordering a series of their seasonal drinks which were all good (Mint Mocha Chip anyone?). They don't have any right now...and their regular drinks are not good enough to make up for the expense! Sorry...I'm not a fan of their new tea drinks either!

So I have returned to my roots of cheap coffee and began going to the local gas station for my caffeine fix: home of the original cappuccino (at least in my world!). Not only is it cheaper, but it is faster! 15 minutes in line at Starbucks vs. 5 min in and out of the gas station. $4.20 (for the non-special drinks!) a pop vs. $1.26! Cheaper if I get up the gusto to bring my own mug!!

Thank you to my high school friend for introducing me to the cheap coffee drink. Thank you to the gas station for building right across from where I work so that it is uber convenient!

I'll probably still get the frozen ones regularly (especially when it warms up), but the gas station will make it possible for me to have caffeine every day. How awesome is THAT?