12/17/2024

Today started with me attending court for my ex-foster kid. I needed to speak to the judge and make it clear my ex-foster kid is struggling. I think the judge heard my concern. 

Then another trip to the post office to send more boxes. 

Today I finished off 42 chocolates and started 66 chocolates. Making chocolates is a 4 step process. 1. Put the chocolate in the mold, let it set

2. Add the filling, let it set

3. Add the bottom, let it set

4. Decorate the chocolates

I usually have multiple mold trays going at once in different stages of this process. 

I made three sales today. I sold 7 boxes. Very exciting. 

Until tomorrow...

12/16/2024

Such a busy day. Mailing gifts, running errands, work, chocolate, business class and wrapping presents. So much to do. 

Until tomorrow...

12/15/2024

Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate. 🍫🍫🍫

Until tomorrow...

11/11/2024

I spent the whole day getting ready for my trip. I have to get the automatic plant waterer to work, make sure the bucket is in place to catch my mail, pick up prescriptions, all sorts of last minute things to do. 

Until tomorrow...

11/10/2024

Now that the van/camping stuff is organized and ready to go, I needed to pack my clothes, shoes, boots, food. I made both Bolognese and chili to take for the first few travel nights. I hate having to cook after driving 4.5 hours. I bring items in a plastic bag and heat them up. How do I heat them up in a van? I boil water and then put the ziplock bag in the center of the pot. The edges can't touch the sides. With the Bolognese, I cook the spaghetti and put the plastic bag in with the spaghetti. Dinner is served! 

Until tomorrow...

11/9/2024

Now it is time to prep for my final trip in 2024. I leave for Joshua Tree in a few days. I took all my equipment out and reorganized it. I have these bins that hold different things: 

* camping/RV stuff like an axe, first aid kit, folding shovel, flashlights, etc

* Kitchen stuff: measuring cups , small food processor, plastic bags, etc. 

* Pet stuff: paper for the bird cage, food, snacks, dog life vest, etc 

* Entertainment and electronics: small game, coloring books, colored pencils, ear buds, mini projector, mosquito repeller, etc. 

It's easier when I am organized. 

Until tomorrow...

11/8/24

I am spending a lot of time perfecting my fillings for the chocolates. Did I put too much orange juice? Do I need more instant coffee? Over and over again to get it just right and written down. 

Until tomorrow...

11/7/24

I went to a "Marketing your business" class and then an orientation for a program that helps small business. I'm on my way!! 

Until tomorrow...

12/14/2024

I had a packed day. Making chocolates, mailing boxes, etc. Tis the season. 

Then in the evening I had my "starting a business" class. Tonight was not that exciting so I made chocolates while class was on. 

Until tomorrow...

12/13/24

What a busy day! First I woke up and made some chocolates. Then I went to my doctor, where she put in for some tests. I can't believe how different I feel since the last time I saw her last week. Pretty much all the pain in my chest has gone away. 

Then I came home and finished making some chocolates because I was going to take them to a client in the afternoon. I also had to box up chocolates to get into the mail. I got on the road and got part way to my clients when I realized the traffic was horrible on a rainy Friday afternoon, so I turned back. My client was very nice and saying I can bring them over tomorrow. 

Then I went to my acupuncture appointment. I'm having this weird pain under my jaw. So she did some needles supposed to help me deal with that. 

Then I raced to the post office to mail the box. Then I raced home to get on a zoom meeting with my new bookkeeper. She's a colleague of mine when I worked at a client years ago. We've kept in touch.  Now she is going to make sure my chocolate business books are good. 

Then I came home and decorated some holiday chocolates that I made. I brought them to my neighbor's holiday party. It was a busy day. 

Until tomorrow...

12/12/2024

Busy day with lots of things to do. Scheduling doctor's appointments, buying concert tickets. Yes I know I said I wouldn't be going to any more concerts. This concert is not until August 2025. I like to have things to look forward to. 

Until tomorrow...

12/11/2024

First I went to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned and got a very good report. 

Then I was shipping out my first chocolates. As you know I started making vegan chocolates and I shipped out a couple of boxes and then had a delivery of another box. I'm hoping that this chocolate business takes off. It's been a lot of fun making chocolates. 

Until tomorrow...

12/10/2024

I had a very busy day today. It started out with me having a meeting with my ex foster child and his group. There were some concerns about his welfare. 

Then after many hours of work, I had my arthritis group meeting. My co-facilitator and I spent over an hour making a holiday game and no one showed up for the meeting. It's really a shame. We found out that the reminder invite did not go out so people didn't remember there was a meeting. I'm hoping this gets resolved by January so we can do our holiday game in January. 

Until tomorrow ...

12/9/2024

I had another kitchen license course today. I'm really trying to make this business work. The licensing process is so confusing and long. 

Until tomorrow...

12/8/24

After taking a bath, I got to work decorating my chocolates. I think they look good. 

I think they look good for a fledgeling chocolatier. 

Until tomorrow...

12/7/24

I woke up early so I could be at the USPS and UPS offices first thing in the morning when they open. I got to the post office stood in line and then realized I forgot my wallet. I went back got my wallet and got back in line to buy stamps and get boxes. Then I went to the UPS to make more photo copies of the items I couldn't copy yesterday. They were the labels for my chocolate boxes.

I spent almost the entire day making chocolates. I went to an open house for about a half an hour and took a small plate of chocolates. I finished up the peanut butter, coffee and hazelnut chocolates. Tomorrow I just have to decorate them. 

My handyman came and put my solar powered camera by my door. After the alarm going off in the middle of the night it made it clear to me that I needed a camera so I could see without having to go outside. But it's up now and I feel much better. 

Today's the first day I didn't have to sit down during the day because of pain. Progress! Is it that the pain went away just from time or did the acupuncture help? I guess I'll never know. 

Until tomorrow...

12/6/24

After some appointments I went to UPS to make copies of labels and flyers for my chocolates. I made business cards to give out. Later in the evening I cut the cards up. They seem to be a hit because they're shiny metallic. I wish I had a printer at home so I could print them at home but my metallic paper makes it hard to find a printer. 

Then I started making chocolates. I made all the shells so I can fill the chocolates tomorrow. 

I had acupuncture for the first time in over a month. I was in a lot of pain during the acupuncture but not because of the acupuncture. I'm hoping that this assists in decreasing the pain in my chest. 

Until tomorrow...

12/5/24

I went to my eye doctor today for my checkup. Luckily it didn't have to get my eyes dilated but I had to do various other machines. I like the one where they show lights and you have to press the button when you see one, visual field test. I hear a lot of people don't like it but it reminds me of the old fashioned video games. 

Instead of resting, I had another full day of work. After working, I made some chocolates. I'm feeling a lot of stress about the fact that I have not started making chocolates. I've also been working on my website. I feel like it's done. 

Until tomorrow ...

12/4/24

I honestly cannot wait for this week to be over. I have so many client meetings and I'm not feeling well. The pain has not subsided. If this is what fibromyalgia flares are like, I don't want another one. 

Once again I should be resting but I'm not. I have to work. 

Until tomorrow...

12/3/24

I'm still in pain. I went to my doctor to get checked out. She saw the pain I was in. One topic she brought up was going out on disability. So now I have to decide if I want to go out on short term disability or not. 

I'm working today because I have a big client caseload this week. I honestly don't want to be working I want to be laying in bed recuperating. But that's not in the cards this week. 

Until tomorrow...

12/2/2024

I woke up this morning and my chest was killing me. The pain was also going into the back of my shoulder. I called the doctor and she wanted me to go immediately to the emergency room. I did finish up some work took the dog out and then went to the emergency room. I had to reschedule three meetings for work. 

In the emergency room they checked my heart they checked me for blood clots they checked my blood work and they found nothing. Which is good! They think it's my fibromyalgia that is causing me to have pain. So they gave me Advil then sent me home. 

I had a webinar about selling my chocolates in the evening and now I am trying to go to sleep. 

Until tomorrow...

12/1/2024

Today is World AIDS day. I wish I felt better to do something for the day but I still feel horrible. 

I haven't been eating much and the pain in my chest is getting worse. I don't know what's going on. I have a bunch of work to do so I'm going to sit in the chair and get the work done so I can hand it in. 

Until tomorrow...