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Child Labor, Live Theater & What to do when your hairdresser moves away… #CoffeeTalk

Have you seen the news about the chocolate companies use forced child labor?

chocolate bar

I think I sorta knew this but didn’t really give it a lot of thought. Gah… I mean. I would LOVE to only give out free trade, organic, non-GMO candy on Halloween. But it’s just not realistic. I suppose I could give out all non-chocolate candy. Or no candy… if I want my house to get egged. And then what about all the crap my kids bring home? Even as anti-sugar as I am, I have never been able to bring myself to deny my kids the annual ritual of the trick-or-treat.

I was all ready to Instagram a photo of my huge stash of Halloween candy that I picked up yesterday at CVS and title it, “May the trick-or-treating commence!” Glad I didn’t have time . . . I saw Kristin’s post last night and was suddenly glad I’d been too busy to post. Because WHO wants to be supporting forced child labor in 3rd world countries? It’s horrific.

But how am I supposed to send my kids out trick-or-treating and then take all their cheap chocolate child labor candy away? And what good does that do the situation anyway? It was already purchased.

Sigh . . . everything seems so complicated these days, even the most common holiday traditions.

In other news, I am feeling more energetic and more like myself. It’s such a relief. Unfortunately my plantar fasciitis on the right foot is already acting up, and I’m still having a lot of pain in the area where the stress fracture is/was on my left foot. I’m terrified that it’s still broken, but I’ve done nothing out of the ordinary except a couple of mild strength training sessions and a few walks around the block with the dog.

And the plantar is just . . . well . . . I can’t even. I CAN’T EVEN. I mean, I have done n o t h i n g. For so long. Blergh.

Last night I had the opportunity to see Newsies at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. It was fantastic. I went with my longtime friend Sarah and her daughter. I would post a picture, but we were scuttling in late because traffic was so horrendous last night and we never got a chance for a photo opp. Such is the story of my life!! If you have a chance to see it, you should go. The choreography was insane. It’s a large cast, and the vocals were outstanding. I was exhausted, having been up since 4AM, but I couldn’t look away. It was a great time. Nights like this, I’m always so grateful that I live in a large metropolitan area.

Yesterday I said good-bye to my faithful hairdresser of the past three years. This is the guy who convinced me to chop my hair when it was thinning so badly, and he’s seen me through the whole process of having it grow back in. I know that it wasn’t my prior hairdressers who thinned out my hair, but for some reason I . . . I dunno. I just trust him implicitly with my hair, and we ladies KNOW how monumental that is!!!!

I found out a few weeks ago that he and his wife are moving to Colorado. Totally out of the blue. I got the whole back story yesterday, and I’m happy for them. But . . . what about meeeeeee??????

What do you do when you need to find a new hairdresser?

I kind of want to keep going back to his salon just because they have my hair color on file and it’s perfect for me.

Maybe I should just move to Boulder. Hmmm….

I’ve been out of the house most of the past two days, and it’s catching up with me. I have so much I want to do for the blog, and the distractions just keep coming. Every time I open my email, I’m reminded of 25 more things I need to do. I was hoping to attend an event at the King of Prussia mall that a local blogger is hosting today, but now I am going to have to bag it and stay home and get caught up.

Not only do I have a few posts I’m working on and a lot of tweaking of ye olde blawg that needs to be done, but I also have to finish gathering the necessary accouterments for my daughters’ Halloween costumes and carve out time (haha) to turn the pumpkins on my front porch into proper Jack-O-Lanterns.

Add to that, a home-cooked meal might be nice. With the exception of a lame pasta bake I threw together on Monday, we haven’t had one since last week sometime. So much for real food and all that.

So yeah, that’s where I am.

You guys, these #coffeetalk posts are starting to wane because there doesn’t seem to be as much interest. Talk to me.

Join The Conversation

41 Responses

  1. Jo-Lynne, I enjoy reading your coffee talk blogs! They feel like random chats girlfriends have, switching from topic to
    topic, and your personality really comes through, and that is fun to read!

  2. I love reading your coffee chat entries!! It’s funny, because I find that I read these types of entries on a few blogs and really enjoy them but I don’t do them on my own site…hmmm, maybe I should?

  3. Hi Jo-Lynne, For some reason I feel like a total creeper leaving a comment because while I’ve read your blog every day since I first found you a long time ago, I’ve never commented. Terrible, I know. Your blog is so fantastic and it just occurred to me now that I have been enjoying your wonderful, informative, free content for a long time and I really should “give back” to you!!

    I find your coffee talk posts super interesting; they are like chatting with a real life friend! So, I hope they continue – but only if you actually enjoy writing them!

    Your posts about healthy living, fashion and your thoughts in general are among my favourite topics – thanks for your hard work and for making this a great place to visit!

    1. Hi Yvonne, It’s so great to hear from you! I do love writing these posts, but when they don’t get a lot of response, it sorta feels like no one showed up at my party. 😉 So thank you SO much for taking the time to comment!

  4. Love the coffee talk. It feels more personal.

    I feel you on the hairdresser- I love mine and would DIE if she left. I travel to West Chester for her! Maybe ask some friends who have good cuts for recommendations.

  5. Hi Jo-Lynne,

    Love your #coffeetalk posts, actually love your entire blog. You’re so faithful about posting everyday and it’s such a great way to start my morning…thank you!

    I suffered for a long time with plantar and nothing worked to relieve the pain until…my sister stumbled on the activity of picking up a golf ball with your toes, my doctor had never even heard of it, and shockingly enough, it worked!! That was 4 years ago and I’ve been pain free ever since. I hope you find some relief soon! ~Joyce

    1. I guess that stretches it? I notice it tightens up after I sit at my desk for a long time. I know I am supposed to stretch a lot and all that, but that’s just more time. I could do the golf ball exercise while I’m working though. I’ll try it!

  6. Please don’t give up coffee talk posts! I feel horrible, because I have been reading your blog for years and I never comment. However, don’t feel left out – I don’t comment at any blogs I read (Can you say major introvert? Like anyone online even knows who I am or where I live?).

    I also enjoy your What I Wore posts as I am over 40 (well, very much over 40) and can use all the help I can get with ideas to dress current without trying to look like I’m trying too hard. In fact, if you have suggestions for those of us in the size 12 range, that would be awesome.

    I think you probably have a lot of followers like me, we read everyday but just don’t “give the love back” like we should.

    1. Hi Rita, thanks so much for taking the time to say hello! It definitely helps to hear that people are reading. 12 is such a common size, and I think they key is to dress the size you are and pay attention to fit. You can certainly wear all the same looks I’m showing in a size 8. But that’s good to hear, I will try to remember to offer tips for dressing different sizes too!

    1. I wonder if that is anything like the bone grown stimulator thing I have for my stress fracture. It’s basically ultrasound technology. I’ve wondered if it would also benefit the PF.

  7. Hi Jo-Lynne-

    I enjoy your Coffee Talk posts,. Like other commenters said, it is like chatting with a friend in real life. I understand about losing your hairdresser. hope you can find a new one you like through recommendations. My hairdresser is awesome, but I have a feeling that traveling to Chalfont, Pa might be a bit far for you to go. Best of luck with your search.-Julie

    1. Not sure why my posts aren’t posting. Am I responsible for other people’s actions? Speaking of buying candy and child labor?

      1. I found your comments and put them through! I know…. it’s such a sticky wicket though, I mean, once I KNOW, then… do I want to support that? Gah… as I sit here looking at 10 lbs of Reeses cups on my desk! LOL

  8. Hi! I love reading your posts! I never comment either (on any blog I read), but I do love yours. I am the same age, have similar age kids and am going thru similar things that you talk about. I feel like I’m not alone! Please keep writing. 🙂

    -Renee

  9. I love the coffee talk blogs because I feel like they give definition to your other posts, kind of time and place coordinates!

    Has a doctor said anything about molded inserts for your plantar situation? That is what helped me in college, to have that support as I was walking around throughout the day.

  10. Hello,

    I have talked to you about the plantar before and am so sorry it continues for you. It was not a fun experience and when people would tell me how they had it in both feet or one got better and the other one had it I seriously wanted to just sob!!! It is hard when you are active and this happens. I will pray your feet and legs get better soon!!! I like your chats and your willingness to be real about life. It has been a busy week here and I am catching up too and the ironing just seems overwhelming!!! Take care.

    1. Ironing is one of those weird chores that I really don’t mind, but I will put it off for EVER. I think it’s b/c I hate getting the ironing board all set up. And then the iron invariably runs out of water halfway thru… LOL. Lazy much?

  11. I LOVE my hairdresser. I’ve been going to him since I moved to Chester County in 2005. Let me know if you want his name…

    And, I’ve told you this before, I love the coffee talk posts too. 🙂 I consider you a friend and this is a nice way to catch up. Does that make me sound creepy? Anyway, WHEN you feet are better, we’ll have to start running together again.

  12. No, don’t stop the coffee talk posts! They are really refreshing, especially when you post a lot about fashion or makeup, or things that I am completely inept at. They are a nice change, too, from posts that are promoting brands.

    I never knew that about chocolate companies, that is really sad. Makes you look at chocolate differently :/

  13. Please don’t stop the coffee talk posts! They are reflective and make us all feel like we get to know and relate with the real you! I love them so much!

  14. I going the exact same thing with my hair stylist so I feel ya!! She left a couple of years ago to move back to where she is originally from. She is the only one who I have found who understands my hair and can cut it they way I like it. My hair has some quirks and can’t be cut like others people’s hair. I cannot find anyone else since who can do it, and I don’t think my hair has looked as good as when the gal cut it.

  15. I do read all of your posts–just rarely comment. Scrolling through my favorite blogs at the end of the day is my favorite thing to do. I don’t always have time to comment, but it doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy them. So keep up the good work!

  16. My sister in law has been posting things about child labor and chocolate on facebook for the past week or so now. We don’t usually get trick or treaters at our house, so I’m not buying Halloween candy anyway. It did make me think twice when I saw a good deal on Nestle chocolate chips at the store this week though… There’s a reason they can afford to sell them so cheaply!

  17. Add me to the list of people who don’t want you to stop your coffee talk posts. It’s funny, because I have a new blog, and I love getting comments. But I always worry that I’ll look like a crazy person if I leave a comment on every blog post! I’ll try to be better about commenting!

  18. Hey I LIKE your coffee talk posts. It feels like you’re just talking to friends and keeping us up to date on what’s going on with you. My husband finally had the surgery to relieve the PF pain after trying everything else. It totally worked and he is pain free.

    1. I’m keeping that option in my back pocket. I hate to go that route, but . . . if it has to be done, I will. It doesn’t hurt THAT bad, it’s just pesky and annoying, and of course, I can’t run. But I’ve about given up on that.

  19. I love your Coffee Talk Posts the most of any of them! Please don’t stop- I look forward to reading them with a cup of coffee!!

  20. You know when you tell us you’re going to something, we’re going to come out in droves saying “NOOOO!” 😉

    I switched hairdressers years ago after I discovered her at a wedding. (She did the hair of the bride and I loved her work. Betsey always had the best color/cut.) My friend moved after her wedding, but she came back a few times for color/cut. I would ask your hairdresser (before he moves) who he would recommend. And you could also stalk people’s haircuts and colors for the next few weeks and ask for their recommendations!

    Your final option would be to travel to Boulder every 6-8 weeks. Not a bad gig, I guess.

  21. sometimes your coffetalk is the only thing I have time to look at on your site-don’t stop.
    I have all the same foot and stomach issues you are going through so I like hearing what you are doing. I have had the bone growth thing, my husband laughed hysterically, the ‘boot’, the stress fracture that never ends, the rolling of the golf ball, the endless trying on of shoes to find a pair you can wear and live with…had on an oh so cute paif of suede black booties with a little wedge heal yesterday that felt so good to start and totally killed by the end of the work day. I am still paying for that today but I am NOT GIVING UP THOSE BOOTS! Might have to even get back in the other black ‘boot’ for shopping and running around tomorrow if it doesn’t feel better by then. I do laser therapy at my Chiro too but never thought to tell her to point at my stress fracture foot-doing it next appointment! So see, learned important stuff today from your blog. Keep it up and thanks.

  22. KEEP THE COFFEE TALK!!! 😀

    As for the hairdresser, since I’m the girl who’s still driving three hours round trip to her old hairdresser, I’m afraid I have no advice. :-/ LOL

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