3/15/25

Little by little I'm catching up on the posts that I missed during the crazy chocolate making time. It's hard when I saw that far behind. 

Today was the start of tax prep time. Besides invoicing my clients text prep time is the second thing I hate to do. 

Honestly, that was almost my entire day. 

Until tomorrow...

3/14/2025

We got up early this morning to take Miss Vivien to the veterinarian. I noticed a black spot on her stomach and I wanted to get it checked out. The doctor said that when she was shaved, the groomer must have nicked one of her nipples. The doctor said it would be fine but while we were there we got her shots for the year. It was due to get her shots next month so they decided to do it a little early since I was already at the office. I also got more seasickness medicine for our next trip. 

It was raining on and off all day and I was less than motivated. I did take out my cocoa butter spray gun to give it a try. Didn't turn out exactly as I thought but afterwards I watched a video on how to do it and realized my mistake. I'll try it again tomorrow. 

Until tomorrow...

3/13/2025

It's been five years since Happi passed away and the start of COVID. In some ways it feels like yesterday and in other ways it seems forever ago. 

Vivien is helping me to move on. I miss my Happi all the time but it was her time to cross the rainbow bridge. 

Until tomorrow...

3/12/2025

I am trying to use my disability time to work on things that are stressful.  Cleaning up my home and getting rid of clutter, spending time walking the dog, relaxing, etc. I'm already seeing a shift. 

Until tomorrow...

3/11/2025

Tonight was the monthly arthritis facilitators meeting. I like the meetings but they are two hours before our group meeting and that is a lot of meetings in one evening. 

We haven't had good attendance since they changed their system. Tonight we found out the reminders were not going out, at all. No wonder no one is attending!! We hope they fix it soon. 

Until tomorrow...

3/10/2025

Today was a big day for my dog. She had a haircut. Fur ng our trip she got into a cactus and also got matted. The groomer had to trim her fur real short. She looks like a bear cub or a gremlin. 

This morning I met my neighbor for a morning walk and coffee/tea. It's fun to walk and talk. I like getting to know people and this is a great way. 

Until tomorrow...

3/9/2025

Well the van is then returned. Going to get the van or drop off the van just takes time.

Not sure now is to open mail, start laundry, and put things away. 

Until tomorrow...

3/8/2025

We drove from Bakersfield home. Luckily we got home around 2:00 p.m. so I had enough time to empty and clean the van before I crashed. Everything is just piled in my dining room waiting for me to repack it. I tried to pack things up in the van but it's a little difficult to take things apart when I'm packing things up. 

It takes time to clean and empty the van so I can return it tomorrow.

Until tomorrow...

3/7/2025

We woke up to an amazing sunrise that we got to see before we left Death Valley National Park. 

good job all the way from Death Valley National Park back to Bakersfield California.

We got this one shot before we left the park. 

Interestingly the route that we took leaving the park took us past the borax plant. I definitely looked at it differently after hearing all about the history of the borate mining. 

As I do with all my trips I hung the postcards of the places I visited in the van. 

Until tomorrow...

3/6/2025

We woke up early in order to get to visit Death Valley National Park for day 2. We started out at Artist's Palette where the rocks are amazing colors. 

Next was Badwater Basin where is the giant salt flat. I walked out onto the salt that went on for ages.

 Then we drove to Dante's View. It was a long drive there but totally worth it. The views of the valley were just spectacular. 

Then we drove back up to Harmony Borax Works. Has a very long history of making borax that started back before the gold rush. The main borax producer in America was in Death Valley National Park.

  After that we drove to Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. I walked on Sand Dunes for a little bit then we drove to Stovepipe Wellsto check it out. Then back to the campsite. 

So tired but have to make dinner. 🙂

Until tomorrow...

3/5/2025

You woke up early and drove from Las Vegas to Death Valley National Park. It was not a long drive so we got to Death Valley midday. Because we entered the park from the East we stopped at a very popular site in the park called Zabriskie Point. Miss Vivien and I walked up to the point to see the beautiful view. It wasn't until we got down I realized dogs were not allowed. Oops!

After seeing this beautiful view we got to our campsite. We decided to camp in the park this time and lucked out because our campsite looked out over beautiful mountains. I could open the back window of the van and see the sunrise and sunset on the mountains. It was glorious. 

So incredibly beautiful. 

Until tomorrow...

3/4/2025

We do a quick tour around the casino. They have this lovely little rain forest in the middle. 

Then we went to Valley of Fire State Park. It's about an hour Northeast out of Vegas. It is famous for something called the fire wave. It's an amazing Rock for formation. 

Such an amazing park. I loved every minute of it. 

Until tomorrow...

3/3/2025

Today we drove to Red Rock Canyon. It's about half an hour Northwest of vegas. It's a wonderful Park and we needed a reserved time to enter the park. This is done to keep the crowds low. There was so much to see and I think we saw the majority of it. 

We had a great day at Red Rock Canyon. 

Until tomorrow...

3/2/2025

Today we drove from Arizona to Las Vegas. We stayed at our Campground in Las Vegas. It's a very interesting Campground because it's attached to a casino. We were also right across from a Walmart which came in handy. 

We didn't get to hike today but we walked around to the Walmart and through the casino. 

Until tomorrow...

3/1/2025

Today we went to the Petrified Forest to see a few things that we missed and then we went to the Painted Desert. The parks are attached. 

Yesterday I said hi to a woman who was taking pictures. Today I ran into the woman again and we talked for about half an hour. She invited me to go to the local saloon. We ended up going for about an hour and it was a very funny situation.  the town we were both staying in has two bars, a gas station, and a mini Mart. It is a very downtrodden town. We went to the local saloon and when we walked in every head was on the swivel. It turns out there was a pool tournament going on and 98% of the bar was men. We sat at the bar and were like bees to honey. We had two men come over and try and chat us up. It was very funny. I think I've met a new friend. 

Until tomorrow...

2/28/2025

We left at 8:30 to drive to the Petrified Forest. We entered the South Gate. After visiting the Visitors Center, we drove part of the loop while stopping to take photos. The dog  and I walked 20k steps. At 3 o'clock we called it a day. 

We saw tons of petrified trees and petroglyphs. 

It was so amazing to see these petrified trees. 

Until tomorrow...

2/27/2025

Once again we got up early to give the dog her medicine me  It works kind of okay. I could give her more medicine but I don't want her to be conked out. At least she is not panting very hard and trying to climb out of her seat. 

I went out and checked the tires to see if air had come out and tire in question, had gone down 10 points just since 3:00/4:00 yesterday. I was concerned so I found a Big O tires to help out. But first we went to the Napa Auto supply and bought a blade for the windshield wiper. Then we went over to Big O tires. A lovely man talked with the van took the tire off checked it for bubbles leaks two different ways and found none. But he did replace the stem on the tire. And then asked how much to pay and he said just have a nice time at the Petrified Forest. 

We drove the whole day without one alarm going off for any of the tires. I did have trouble starting it twice but I'm getting used to that. 

Since we got a late start going to the auto places, we had to rush a little bit to get to Arizona. I even know we were on the border of Arizona, we went South first and then cut over to Arizona. If you know your map you know that there's tons of mountains between California and Arizona that we had to go over. 

We had horrible winds and gusts of wind during almost the whole entire drive. Semi trucks were unable to stay in their Lane because the wind was so strong. We made it safe although a little while later than I wanted to because I had to work phone call. 

Until tomorrow...

2/26/2025

We woke up early again in order to give the dog the medicine for travel. Today we were traveling to Needles CA. It is right on the border of Arizona. 

At a certain point in the trip, a light starts flashing on the dash. I knew it meant the tire pressure. Then I got a message about the tire pressure. I found a place to get gas and air. After I got gasoline, the car starts making a cellphone alarm sound. I tried the air pump for cars but it was broken. Someone told me that I could go on the truck side of the gas station, and use their air pumps. The air pumps on the truck side are free. So I drove around found the air and ask a very nice truck driver if he could help me figure out how to use it. 

I filled up the tires and continued on my way to Needles California. What can I say about this campsite? First off needles is extremely small town. Secondly campground although it was a KOA was in  disrepair. I've been to quite a few KOA campgrounds and this was the absolute worst I've been to. The lady behind the counter was rude and the whole campground just looked like nobody had touched it in 5 years. Luckily I was only staying overnight. 

I took her dog for a walk on a little path that they campground had. It did not go well. Things that they have these things called jumping cholla which are cactus that kind of get blown onto you and they stick to you and stick their prickers in you. The portable dog had one attached to her harness in the front and got caught in her fur and she was walking the three legs because her foot leg caught in this cactus. I immediately grabbed her and carried her back to the van. I then, despite her resistance, had to cut out this giant burr with prickers that embed themselves in your skin. In her case it was her highness and not her skin. 

She's not allowed near any more cactus! 

Until tomorrow...

2/25/2025

But that's not how I woke up early this morning in order to give the dog the seasick medication 3 hours before we had to leave. After being in a car with her with no medication, it is really prudent to give her the medication I finished packing the van with the cold food and any electronics and off we went. 

It took us about 6 hours to drive less than 300 miles to Bakersfield. Travel always takes longer in a van or RV. Plus with the dog, I have to stop every 1.5-2 hours for pee and exercise breaks. 

I had to find a place that sold propane to get the van filled up. 

I set upon putting things away in the van and making the bed.

Until tomorrow...

2/24/2025

Today I picked up the rental van to go on another trip to visit some national parks. There was a little bit of a hiccup during the pickup where the van kept stalling when I tried to start it. The 20 something kid told me that I didn't know how to turn on a car. I informed that kid that I've been driving longer than he's been alive and I know how to turn on a car. He kept insisting that I was turning the key to far when starting it. Who has ever heard of such a thing? 

The van was given to me with no gas and no propane so getting gasoline was the first order of business. 

After taking the van and then returning the van to the place, I got the van home. I then spent the next couple of hours cleaning it, stocking it, and putting the dishware in the dishwasher. To be really comfortable you have to take a lot of things. To be thrifty I do not use most of their things because it's a charge when you take their stuff. 

It was a long day and I'm tired. 

Until tomorrow...

2/23/2025

I spent the day today getting ready for my next band trip. I pick up the van tomorrow and leave on Tuesday. This time I'm going to the Southwest to see a few parks. Both the bird and the dog are coming with. Today I packed, cleaned, vacuumed, and downloaded some music. I also trimmed the dogs for and gave her a bath. Then I cleaned out the bird's cage. Lots to do. 

Until tomorrow...

2/16/25-2/22/25

First off, I needed to recuperate after Valentine's Day. All the things that I had put off needed to get done this long weekend. Laundry, cleaning, putting things away. 

I also had a ton of work to get completed. 

Until tomorrow...

2/9/25-2/15/25

Busy, busy week! 

Valentine's Day chocolates!! 

After making 34 boxes of chocolates, I was so happy to sell them all!! Just so you know, I sold them outside a local Bodega. It ended up storming and the rain was torrential. I was happy I sold this many boxes! It was a fun event selling and giving out samples.  I made (top box) Bischoff, hazelnut, and peanut butter. Bottom box, mint, cherry, and orange. 

Until tomorrow...

2/2/25-2/8/25

I've been approved for short term disability and I am trying to do more things for my mental health. This week I went to the museum free day. I haven't been to a museum in about 6 years. It was really fun. 

I went to a doctor appointment about my back and neck. They are sending me for an MRI. Can't wait to see what they find out. 

Only a week until Valentine's Day. 😱

I had to get up early one day to get a pass for a hike I want to do on my next van trip. 

Until tomorrow...

1/26/25-2/1/25

A busy week with work. I had acupuncture and therapy. Then I had a day with other small business women at a manifesting your dreams session. I made another vision board. It was a fun event. 

Only two weeks until Valentine's Day. I'm getting my chocolates ready!! 

Until tomorrow...

1/19/25-1/25/25

I've started walking with my neighbor. It is nice to chat and get a cup of tea while we walk. 

I had my sleep study meeting and they said I don't seem to have sleep apnea or any other medical situation other than insomnia. I have a list of things to do to try and correct it. 

Until tomorrow...

1/12/25-1/18/25

Still trying to catch up from my crazy holiday selling chocolates. 

Lots of medical stuff. I had a heart echo and a visit to my ear, nose, throat doctor to check my ears. I had acupuncture and therapy. 

Sunday we got up and got ready to go for a hike. I got dressed we started eating breakfast when all of a sudden I couldn't move. I don't know what I did to my back but suddenly I couldn't bend over and I couldn't walk upstairs. I took some Advil and lay down for a little bit. I thought oh it'll be fine in a little bit. It was not. After an hour or so, I decided to take a hot bath. It felt better after the bath but within 30 minutes it was hurting again. I got a heating pad and laid on it for the majority of the rest of the day. I had to wait around for my groceries to be delivered. Yes I did get some junk food because I feel junk food makes you feel better when you're laying on your back in pain. I watched lots of TV and just hung out. I'm hoping it will feel better tomorrow. 

I also had a meeting with my small business consultant. She is helping me sort this stuff out. There is so much to figure out starting a food business. 

Now I am gearing up for Valentine's Day. 

Until tomorrow...

1/5/2025-1/11/2025

I finally did it. I finally applied for disability. All my doctors have been saying go out on disability but I felt like I needed to finish out 2024 and get my clients organized. I finally filled out the paperwork so I should be hearing back soon. Fingers crossed. 

Until tomorrow...

12/29/2024-1/4/2025

To celebrate the holidays I took my friend's kid out to lunch. We had a good time catching up. 

I am not working this week so I've been trying to clean up after all of the Christmas candy and my trips. I have to get this house organized. 

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day were uneventful. The dog and I did go for a hike on New Year's Day. But New Year's Eve we were in bed by 10:00. 

Until tomorrow...