Poetic Coffee

 Chilled to the Bone: Living Life at -6° Waking up to a thermometer reading -6° is enough to make anyone want to crawl right back under the covers. Here in Leechburg, that kind of cold isn't just a number—it’s a physical presence that meets you at the door. When the temperature drops into the negatives, the world changes. The air feels sharper, almost brittle, and even a quick walk to the car feels like a mini-expedition. For those of us juggling school drop-offs at Harvest Baptist or heading out to work, these are the mornings where the "remote start" button on the key fob becomes our best friend. Survival Tips for the Deep Freeze  * Layering is a Science: It’s not just about one big coat. You need a base layer to wick moisture, a middle layer to trap heat, and a shell to block that biting wind.  * Watch the Extremities: At -6°, frostbite can happen faster than you think. Keep those gloves and heavy socks handy—and don't forget a hat, as you lose a significant amount...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  ❄️ When Western PA Decides to Be the Arctic This morning was one of those classic Western PA wake‑ups where you open the door and instantly rethink your entire relationship with winter. My iPhone weather app said it was 6 degrees in Leechburg — not “feels like,” not “wind chill,” just a blunt, unapologetic six. Single digits. The kind of cold that makes you stare at your phone like, …really? When my husband started the car, it honestly sounded like it needed a moment to gather itself. Not broken, not dramatic — just not fully convinced it wanted to participate in the day. And honestly, I felt the same way. Outside had that frozen, almost surreal look to it — the kind of crisp, bright cold you see in photos of the Arctic. Clear sky, bright sun, and everything looking still and icy, like the world had been flash‑frozen overnight. If you’re in the Pittsburgh area too, make sure you bundle up. There was an actual severe weather warning about hypothermia today, which feels wild...

  Absolutely, Lauralee. A clear, grounded overview can make all the technical stuff feel a lot less overwhelming. This pulls together the most reliable, up‑to‑date information from major medical sources. 🌱 What Childhood Obesity Means Childhood obesity refers to having excess body fat that places a child at increased risk for health problems. Clinically, it’s defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for age and sex in children ages 2–19. BMI for kids is different from adults because it’s age‑ and sex‑specific , and it’s interpreted using growth charts rather than fixed cutoffs. 📊 How Common It Is According to the CDC, about 1 in 5 U.S. children and teens (19.7%) have obesity. Rates increase with age: 12.7% of kids ages 2–5 20.7% ages 6–11 22.2% ages 12–19 Obesity is also more common in: Hispanic and non‑Hispanic Black children Children in lower‑income households Kids living in under‑resourced communities 🧬 Why Childhood Obesity Happens There is ...

 

 That would make a beautiful and relatable blog post! Since you’ve been a stay-at-home mom for 14 years and married since 2009, you have so much "real-life" experience to back up this message. It’s the kind of honest reflection that really resonates with readers on Blogger or WordPress. Here is a draft that blends that theological truth with the grace your mother-in-law likely intended: When Two "Sinners" Say I Do: The Beauty of a Messy Grace I recently received a card that gave me pause. It mentioned how marriage is essentially two “sinners” blending their lives together. At first, it’s a bit of a jolt to see that word in a greeting card! But the more I sat with it, the more I realized it’s actually one of the most encouraging truths a couple can lean on. The Reality of the "Union" Theologically, we know that every marriage is a union of two fallible, imperfect people. We aren't two perfect puzzles pieces clicking together; we are two people who ...

 

 

 

 I would love to! Since you enjoy blogging on Blogger and WordPress, I’ve drafted a post that feels personal and relatable—perfect for a "mom-blogger" or student audience. It highlights the shift from "sedentary" to "active" without making it sound like you had to run a marathon to get there. Post Title: Beyond the Desk: How I Finally Hit the "Active" Mark The Reality Check For a long time, I’ve been living in the "sedentary" zone. Between being a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 14, 9, and 7) and keeping up with my online classes at Penn State World Campus, my life involves a lot of "productive sitting." Whether I'm studying for my DMD degree or managing my Poshmark closet, the steps just weren't adding up. The Magic Number: 5,000 This past week, I decided to make a change. I didn't set out to run a 5K or spend hours at the gym. My goal was simple: Stay above 5,000 steps every single day. In the health world, ...