8/31/2024

Miss Vivien Butterfly and I woke up early to go for a hike. It was a hike on a small island that I've never been on before. It was interesting and definitely gave me a different perspective. 

When we got back I immediately started making vegan chocolates. I made dark chocolate with cranberry puree inside, dark chocolate with orange cream, barely dark chocolate with hazelnut praline and milk chocolate with peanut butter. It basically took me about 5 hours to make 60 chocolates. I then spent a little bit of time decorating some of them. I put together one of my new boxes and got them ready to take tomorrow to a vegan event. 

Until tomorrow...

8/30/2024

I stayed up late today in order to put together a website for my vegan chocolates. I think it looks good for a first draft but it will need some work. I can't figure out how to make the logo small enough to put on the website. 

Miss Vivien Butterfly went for her monthly allergy shot. She's such a good girl. She gets shots because her feet itch and her eyes are watery. The shots seem to help. 

I worked on my second English project with my ex-foster child. He needs help with some of his English, spelling and grammar. I admit I did a lot more than I expected on his first English project but on this project I'm making him take a first shot at doing the project before I look at it. 

Until tomorrow...

8/29/2024

I've fallen a bit behind on my posts. I miss a post and then miss the second post and then I feel like I'm too far behind to make it up. 

I have this weird thing where I don't want to miss posting for a day so I get far behind and then it's hard for me to catch up.

It's like the invoicing for my clients I talk about all the time. I hate invoicing and then my second thing that I hate is when I get far behind and my blog posts. I promise to do better. 

Until tomorrow...

8/28/24

Tough morning after the late night concert. It was hard to get motivated to do anything but sit on the couch resting. 

But I've got lots to do between my consulting work and my new Chocolate company work. There's no time to rest. 

Until tomorrow...

8/27 CONCERT

That's the day of work, I got in my car it drove to an outdoor concert. I've seen Santana before but I thought it would be fun to see him again. I did not anticipate a two-car pile up right at the exit I was supposed to take which backed up traffic for miles. And then because I was late I was caught in all of the traffic of people going to the concert. 

Concert itself was good. I wouldn't say it's my best concert ever but it was good. I left with two songs left because I didn't want to get stuck in the tens of thousands of people trying to get out of the parking lot. I have to go to the same venue in a week and I use this as a judge on what time to leave to drive to the concert next week. 

Until tomorrow...

8/26 STARTED COLLEGE

My ex-fostet kid started college today. I am so proud. Over 50% of foster kids never finish high school. Only 48% of high school graduates (that 50%) attend college. That would mean that if there were 1,000 kids in foster care and 50% graduates high school that eleould equal 500 kids. Then if you take 48% of that 500 you would get 240 attending college. That is 24% of the original 1,000 kids. 64% of non-foster kids who finish high school attend college. 

Off my soapbox. I'm just super proud. Of course I got a call last night from the kid telling me they wanted to take a gap year. Today I got a call saying they are dropping out. I convinced them to give it a week. Change is hard.

Until tomorrow...

8/25 SECOND HIKE OF THE WEEKEND

Miss Vivien Butterfly and I went on another hike down south. We drop along a beautiful freeway and went near the ocean. 

Lots of hikes. 

Until tomorrow...

8/24 NICE HIKE

Miss Vivien Butterfly and I went on a nice hike. There were cliffs and other people hiking. 

Until tomorrow...

8/23 REMEMBERING A FRIEND

It is the birthday of my friend who took their own life. It is always hard to think of how she died. It's a sad day. 

Until tomorrow...

COYOTE WEBINAR

Last night I attended a webinar on coyotes. I knew a lot of it but there was some interesting information. It turns out the coyote I saw a few weeks ago, was not stalking me but escorting me away from their pups. There must have been a den nearby with pups. My dog was a threat so the coyote was escorting me away. 

It was super interesting to hear. 

Until tomorrow...

EYE DOCTOR

I had to get up again very early to go to the eye doctor. I've had a left blurry eye. I thought it was cataract but it seems it is probably dry eye. The Sjogrens is making my eyes so dry. 

I was given so different tear drops and information about some different drops. These drops create a film so the tears I do make do not evaporate. 

I'm still thinking about the new drops. 

Until tomorrow...

QUICK VISIT TO RA DOCTOR

This morning I had my RA doctor appointment. She seemed happy that I am doing well. 

She said I should take the new covid vaccine as soon as I can. 

That is about all. It took me longer to get there and back than I was in her office. I like it like this. 

Until tomorrow...

FIRST DAY BACK AT WORK

This was the first day back to work after the trip. There were lots of emails and phone calls. 

I don't know about you but I hate the first day back from a holiday or vacation. Everybody thinks their stuff is the most important. 

Until tomorrow...

DAY AFTER MY FAMILY TRIP

Today was unpacking, laundry, food delivery, and picking up the bird from the boarding place. 

I took the dog to the park to run around. 

Until tomorrow...

DAY 8 FAMILY TRIP

We all woke up early to either leave, pack, or clean up. I helped to clean up and then was one of the last to leave. I didn't have a flight until 4 pm so I had time to kill. 

I got to the airport a couple of hours ahead of time. I did stop at a couple of places on the way to the airport to take photos. 

I found a place to sit and eat where there were very few people. I watched a few episodes of Emily in Paris while I waited. I downloaded more episodes so I could watch them on the airplane. 

I had a safe and uneventful trip back home. My dog showed up a few hours later, back from the dog sitter. 

Until tomorrow...

DAY 7 FAMILY TRIP

Today we went horseback riding. It was a trail ride where all the horses go the same way along a path. It was fun. Only a few of us did it. 

I also went shopping for presents and such. 

Then in the evening, it was "clear out the fridge" dinner. There was cooking and grilling happening. Some of us ate outside. 

Then we all went out separate ways to pack for home. 

Until tomorrow...

DAY 6 FAMILY TRIP

First, off I slept a little later than usual because I was very tired after my experience of going to urgent care a day before. I also wanted to mention that the urgent care had multiple covid diagnoses while I was there. I asked the doctor and he says that 80% of what they're getting right now is covid cases. 

I think after sleeping and relaxing I feel a little bit better. But I'm still coughing and my chest still hurts a little bit. So today I decided to take it easy and not go hiking. Instead I drove out to a lake called Turquoise Lake. It was an incredibly beautiful forest, lake, and drive. I took a number of photos. 

I had a wonderful time by myself exploring and taking the time that I wanted to take photos and relax. 

When I returned a few of my relatives and I went into Breckenridge to have some drinks and listen to live music. 

I can't believe tomorrow's the last day of our family trip.

Until tomorrow...

DAY 5 FAMILY TRIP

We got up early this morning to go ziplining. I was very excited because I missed going ziplining lining when I was in Hawaii because I broke my foot. So now was my big chance to try it out. Well, it was a fantastic experience. For those who have never done it, ziplining is like flying through the air while feeling safe. At least at this place, I felt very safe because I was extremely belted in. 

Some of the ziplines were two people at the same time and some were just by yourself. It was fun to go flying through the air with a family member next to you. This company had six ziplines. You started out small and the last one was a very fast very high ride. We rode through forests and over creeks. Personally, I cannot wait to do it again. 

After ziplining was when the trouble began. Well, I'm exaggerating because really the trouble started the day before when I fell in the river. By the evening after I fell in the river, I started not feeling great. If you remember I not only fell in the river but I inhaled some of the water. 

So after ziplining I went in the hot tub. When I got out of the hot tub that's when I started to feel much worse. I hurt in the middle of my chest and my voice was very craggly. Since it was still in the middle of the afternoon I called my doctor's office and told them what was going on. The doctors response was all in capital letters: go to urgent care now! 

There was a small complication in that I didn't want to upset everyone because that evening was a special anniversary dinner. So I got my brother to drive me to urgent care. The people at urgent Care took care of me did a EKG and an x-ray to make sure there was nothing around my heart such as water. There was not. But the doctor said I aspirated water which you may not know, is very dangerous. People have died from dry drowning.

The doctor decided because I am immunocompromised/suppressed, that he would put me on antibiotics and an inhaler. The doctor called the prescription into the local supermarket but the pharmacy closed in a couple of hours. I was not able to make the dinner because I had to get over to get my prescription and that took a while. My nice brother arranged all of the transportation going from the urgent Care to the pharmacy and back to the house. Once at the house I climbed into bed after taking the medication. 

So another new fun experience.

Until tomorrow...

DAY 4 FAMILY TRIP

Today was a fun-filled, exhilarating day. Some of us went river rafting. There were 10 that went. It was down a increasingly harder river. We were all in wetsuits with life jackets. 

Here's the fun part: I fell in early on in the trip when we hit a rock and I went overboard. Luckily my nephew pulled me back into the boat as they instructed. I was wet but I got back to rowing. I inhaled some water so we need to keep an eye on it. 

I am not the only one who noticed it but the river seemed to want me back in the water. Almost every time the raft got a really splash, it went on me. Then towards the end, we hit another rock and I almost went overboard again. This time the people on the raft grabbed me and pulled me back in to safety. 

No one else fell in but we all got wet. At one point it started thundering and lightening and I think our guide was nervous. We were nervous! We all lived through the experience and had a blast. 

I got in my car and put the heat on full blast when we finished rafting. I was so cold. When I came home I changed into my bathing suit and went in the hot tub to warm up.

That was the whole day. I haven't seen the photos they took at one of the biggest rapids. It should be fun to see. I see me in minds-eye but usually the reality is quite different. 

Until tomorrow...

DAY 3 FAMILY VACATION

My brother, his husband and I got up early to go for a hike. It ended at a spectacular waterfall. The hike had high elevations and I was the slowest hiker. There were lots of rocks, tree roots and boulders. I didn't want a repeat of last year when I fell.  It was a great hike with good company.

Then I went in the hot tub with my dad. This seems to be our ritual. Not many people have gone in the hot tub. 

After a bit of a wait, we went to the family photo shoot. The photographer was very patient with us. 

Now it is time to get a rest. Tomorrow is a big action day. 

Until tomorrow...

DAY 2 FAMILY VACATION

Today started out with a trip to a farmers market. It really was a bit craft fair and a bit homemade stuff. I gut some vegan watermelon licorice. 

Then I went on a hike to see a wooden carved troll as tall as a house. 

Then I went in the hot tub with some family but one family member got the brohmine/clorine up her nose so we all had to get up. She is fine. 

Then we had dinner and I watched 1/2 a movie. 

It was a fun day. 

Until tomorrow...

DAY 1 FAMILY VACATION

I woke up very early this morning to get on a plane to Colorado. Almost all family is coming, that makes us 13 people in one house. My trip on the airplane was uneventful and luckily short. 

When I landed I drove to a vegan spot to get some delicious food. I ate half of it and then drove the rest of the way to meet up with the family. 

I know you've heard me complainant during other vacations with my family that I did not get a room to myself or was asked to sleep on the couch, this time I got the whole "east wing". I have what is basically an almost apartment it has a living room area, a little kitchenette, washer/dryer, bedroom and bathroom. I think since I'm still masking due to the uptick and covid, they thought it best that I have an area where I can go and take off the mask. Plus I can have my own vegan food. 

I did show my family the vegan candies that I made and I received a resounding standing ovation. Everyone loved them. 

Until tomorrow...

GETTING THE PROTOTYPE READY

Today was a bit of a let down after the graduation celebration. 

I made my last batch of chocolates this week. I perfected the cranberry chocolates by making the cranberry thicker inside the chocolate. I also added a bit more sugar. One of my neighbors gave me constructive feedback. The cranberry was too thin and not sweet enough. The orange cream was over powering the chocolate. I used a combo of dark and milk chocolate. That was a mistake.  I made more with dark chocolate. 

Tomorrow I need to decorate them. I'm putting orange zest on the orange chocolates and a white dot of white chocolate on the cranberry. 

I made a new box with the gold tissue paper. I made a mistake and bought stickers that only allow a laser printer. I don't have one so I need to visit a Kinkos tomorrow to print the label, sticker to close the box and the story on the back. 

Until tomorrow...

GRADUATION DAY!🎓

After five long years, my previous foster kid GRADUATED HIGH school. I've been in charge of his education for the last five years and there were times I did not think this would happen. 

Today I got up before the sun rise so I could drop off the dog with the dog sitter and bake my way 2 hours to wear the graduation was taking place. It was a lovely ceremony where at 9 to 12 kids graduated high school. They had a woman singing the National anthem beautifully. They actually had a guest speaker who was very inspirational. Then the kids went up and got blank pieces of paper because their diplomas are being mailed to them in the mail. But all the kids had their cap and gown on and it was exciting. 

I wore a t-shirt that said proud family of a 2024 graduate and I brought a banner that said we are proud of you congratulations. 

After the ceremony we went to a restaurant for a celebratory lunch. I insisted we sit outside which everyone agreed. Then I went back to the foster kid's apartment. I had never seen the apartment so that was nice. We hung the banner on the wall to brighten up the apartment. One of the presents that I brought was a small rice cooker. I also brought a dreamcatcher and t-shirt from my month at the parks. I think a good time was enjoyed by all. 

I stopped by an outlet store and bought one discounted pair of hiking shoes and another pair that was discounted and 50% off. So the second pair was $27. I would say a good bargain. 

Until tomorrow...

YES, MORE CHOCOLATE

After working this morning, I started making chocolates. This time I perfected the orange cream. It needed a better base and this time I used coconut cream. 

Then I made dark chocolate with blueberry puree. I think they are good. 

I had to get prepared for tomorrow before I went to bed. 

Until tomorrow...

NO CHOCOLATE TODAY

I delivered samples of chocolate to my neighbors. I am awaiting feedback. 

I met with my friend who is a coach. We are working on my chocolate business idea and her website. We are helping each other and keeping each other accountable. 

Until tomorrow...

FABULOUS HIKE & CHOCOLATE

We got up not too early and went on a hike. I heard it got busy early so we were there at 10am. It was a lovely hike through the woods. The only thing that happened was that we ran into a coyote. It was about 10 feet away. It just came out of the brush and scared me. I yelled, waved my arms and grabbed Miss Vivien Butterfly. The coyote stopped on the path and looked at me. He then darted into the other side of the path but he didn't disappear so I waited for another hiker before walking. We were all safe but shaken up. 

I came home and started making chocolates. I made two different types: dark chocolate cranberry and chocolate orange cream. I personally like the orange cream the best. I made 30 of each type. 

Out of the blue, my friend from yesterday came over. He kept me company while I made the second batch of chocolate. 

Until tomorrow...

NO CHOCOLATE

My friend is in town this weekend and we decided to spend the day together. First we went to a chain restaurant and sat out on the deck. We talked and talked. 

Then we went to the local aquarium. We saw all sorts of fish and sharks and otters. They had one of those tunnels you walk through. Boy did that make me feel funny. I did not feel well at all. Sort of vertigo. 

We took a few of those silly photos that they haven't the end. One had us look up and the photo gets funny. 

Until tomorrow...

STILL MORE CHOCOLATE

I got going early and took my Amazon returns to UPS. I bought different boxes and paper cups for the chocolates. I really like the small black boxes. The rest went back. 

Then I had my doctor appointment with my concierge doctor. She is so great. We went over everything. I told her about the GYN appointment and she gave me a list of other doctors. This time I'm changing doctors. (If you don't remember, I had a big problem with the office manager who refused to let me get services for excruciating pain until I paid a co-pay that I didn't owe. The doctor convinced me to return.) I need to get on this task immediately. 

Then I came home and took a nap. I have been testing my blood sugar for a couple of weeks. For the last two days my blood sugar has been really low when I wake up. It seems the doctor is probably right that I am hyperglycemic. That is not good news but better news than pre- diabetes.  We talked about how I need to eat 6 smaller meals. She also didn't believe my blood sugar was that low. I wish I had brought the machine with me. 

Then I had an hour and whipped up some chocolates. I want my friend to taste them while he is visiting. I think they taste good but let's see what others say. 

Until tomorrow...

AUGUST ALREADY

I can't believe summer is almost over. Why do the summer months seem to go by faster than other months? I have some trips to look forward to and that eases my longing for the summer to last longer. 

I have a friend coming into town this weekend so that will be fun. 

I made more chocolates today. I think they taste good but the chocolate is too thick. 

These are cranberry puree and dark chocolate. I think they are good. 

Until tomorrow...