There's no such thing as a free lunch

But there is such thing as a free coffee maker.

(Well, you'll have to pay shipping and handling, but $15 for a $70 machine, plus pods and a canister, isn't half bad.)

Heather had this post a few weeks ago, and I decided to try it. You go to this link and fill out a survey, and they tell you by email a few days later whether or not you qualify. Then, if you do, you follow the link in the email they send you, pay your 15 bucks, and in a few days a shiny new coffee maker will arrive on your doorstep.

I qualified (obviously), as did my mother. I've been using mine for about a week and a half now, and I love it. LOVE it. I had a Black and Decker model that my mom got me for Christmas a couple of years ago (along with one for herself) and it was awful. Both machines leaked water everywhere on the counter, so I couldn't fill the tank up with water the night before (when I was thinking clearly) and get my coffee in the morning.

I then got a new and improved version of the Black and Decker when I found one on sale a few months ago, and it didn't leak water, but it didn't give a great cup of coffee either.

This Senseo, though, has two advantages: 1. The coffee comes out two places, so you can either get two cups at once or one that's placed in the middle, and 2. It makes this cool foam on top.

Oh, and it doesn't leak water all over my countertop.

It came with a bag of dark roast pods. They're really, really good. I've been having two cups worth in my big coffee mug, mixed with a pouch of diet hot cocoa, every morning. Because I get up so much earlier than Anna Marie, it helps tide me over until I eat breakfast with her. That also means that I'm not eating breakfast at 6 a.m. and falling out from malnutrition by lunch time.

So, go on. Follow the link. Try your luck for a free coffee maker.

(And, if you already have one, I think it'd be neat to get another one for $15 for gift-giving season. Just a suggestion!)