Take Something Ordinary...

...and make it EXTRAordinary!!

A wonderful strawberry, banana and orange smoothie made with Greek yogurt.  Served in a "special occasion" glass.  I needed something to make me feel special - the rain is getting to me.

PS - Sorry for the unannounced break from the blog.  Needed to step away for a bit.

More San Francisco

After we got all the business taken care of we went sightseeing.  Can you believe it?  I've lived in So. California all my live and have NEVER been to San Francisco.  So much to see!!
But first - I met up with my dear friend, Sue.  Sue and I grew up with each other.  We haven't seen each other since our 20th high school reunion.  Now that doesn't mean we haven't been in touch with each other over the years, because we have.  But I tell you, we literally picked up right where we left off.  Catching up on things and nonstop laughing.  Our time went way too fast!

Of course we had to ride the cable car

The cars all lined up to go down the famous Lombard St.

The cable car took us down to the Wharf

And this to me just sums up what it means to be down at the wharf.

All the while being serenaded with music

Eating sourdough bread

Going into the original Gharidelli candy shop

 Walking along the bay

Yes, it really was that cold and windy

We took a tour of the WWII Liberty Ship S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien.  It was one of the ships at the battle of Normandy in 1944.

And yes, I had some unexpected emotions when I saw the radio room.  My Dad served in the Navy during WWII and he was in a room just like this!

Then we tours the submarine USS Pampanito



 Rob would not do well on a submarine - he is too tall!

We had a fabulous time!  It went way too fast and so much more to see.  That will be for the next trip.

It's the Simple Things...

...that make life fun!!  Such as....
...going to the car wash

...Valentine's candy

...Funny restaurants across the street from each other

...Talking with a solider in Afghanastan

...Chocolate 

...Chocolate 

...and more chocolate 

..and brand new towels for our bathroom!



This Just Cracked Me Up!!

And is so true in many different ways.

Especially for my kids! 
Robert = Horn
Tabitha = Flute
Amber = Bassoon
David Trombone

San Francisco sans children

Yup!!  It's true!  Rob and I actually got away without the kids.  Even though it was business related it was wonderful to spend some time together - just the two of us.

Once we got into the city we checked into the hotel room and went to go meet Chloe Doutre Roussel.  Chloe has been a great supporter and tremendous help over the years as Fresco Chocolate has been developed.  It was truly an honor to get to meet her.  She wrote this book, is owner of this store and you can Google her name to find out what an amazing influence she is in the chocolate industry.  Not to mention we just loved listening to her French accent when she spoke.

Later that night were the Good Food Awards. 

One of the main purposes of this trip.  Two of our bars were in the finalist category - Fresco Chocolate 214 Madagascar and Fresco Chocolate 217 Chauo. 

Here is Rob receiving the award for our Madagascar 214!!  These are all the chocolate makers that won awards that night.  We also received the Gold Seal Award for the bar being organic and using sustainable ingredients.

The next morning we had to get up bright and early as all the award winners were selling their winning bars at the famous San Francisco Ferry Terminal Farmers Market. 

 

Phew!  Were we ever tired!!  Such a long day but fun getting to meet people and talk chocolate.

Afterwards we eat a late lunch before our Fine Chocolate Industry meeting that night.  Yes, there really is such an association.

Our view at lunch.  Yes - we ate outside and LOVED every minute of it!  The rest of the trip will wait for later.  Time to continue to rest and spend some time with David.

HAPPIEST NEWS!!!!

You know when you have a surgery that is going to tell you that you may have cancer it can be difficult to keep your mind from thinking about the test results while recovering.  I felt much comfort from all your prayers and good thoughts.  And I am happy to tell you that I am

 CANCER FREE!!!

The doctor called me this afternoon with the wonderful news that the polyps and additional tissue she removed all returned benign.  That also explained why I am still having discomfort and soreness.  I was not aware of the additional tissue she removed.  I am slowly getting back to "normal" (if there really is such a thing) activities.  When I feel that twinge of pain, I know I am doing too much and that I need to listen to my body and slow down.

For now, I will take advantage of "taking it easy" and following the orders of no heavy lift or housework until my follow-up appointment on Wednesday.  And will continue to say prayers of gratitute for the blessing of my health and no cancer.

Back from Surgery

Resting, recovering and being spoiled!!  My hubby, Rob is great and taking good care of me!  The kids are awesome and pitching in!  And the sun is shining.  What more could a girl ask for?  Oh, yeah to not hurt.  It's not too bad.  The pain can be controlled with Ibuprofen and Tylenol.  (Which seemed to be a bit of a surprise to the nurses).  Sorry, no Vicodin for this gal.  I can really tell where I was poked, prodded and scraped.

But what really made me feel better was seeing this little sweetie.

Thanks Jessica for sending the photos.  Now back tot he couch for me.

Now we know!

Remember a few posts back here?  #4 was a BIG concern.  Well, we have some answers.  All the "lovely" tests that need to be done and the results are in. 

1- Mammogram - gave us a bit of a concern and wound up having to have an ultrasound to clarify some things they spotted on the gram.  All is well, just some fibroids. 

2- Pap test results - All clear!! 

3 - CA 125 blood test (cancer marker test I have to get because of my family history with my Mom) Looks great!!  Waaaayyy under the "line" where we would be concerned.

4- Ultrasound of the pelvis area.  Ummm, that's where the problem is!  Without going into details (that could gross some people out) I was having some changes in my monthly cycle that just could not be passed off as "usual for my age".  I have a great gyn doctor that truly LISTENS!!  She found some polyps on my uterus.  If that's tmi for you then just move along and don't finish reading.  If you are interested in learning more you can go here.  But just so you know, I am heading into an outpatient surgery in a few hours.  The doctor wants to remove the polyps and get them under a microscope just to confirm that they are benign.  She's very confident that they are benign since all my other tests have come back so healthy.

SO prayers and good thoughts are always welcome.

And this picture has absolutely nothing to do with this post.  Well, except to remind me to tell you all about San Francisco when I get back.

What if?

What if you had 30 minutes to leave your home because of an emergency?  What would you take with you?  And could you gather it quickly?

I think we all would grab:
The 72-hour emergency kits
Photo Albums
Computer portable drives, laptops, iPads, etc.
Irreplaceable things on your walls
But what about your important documents, paperwork, insurance papers, etc?

In a moments notice can you locate your birth certificate or passport?  What about for your children?

Why is this on my mind today?  Well, today we are having a birthday party for David and friends where we are going into Canada.  We've had 2 people not able to come because they can't FIND their birth certificate, passport or enhanced ID!!!  Please don't take this wrong, because I am NOT little Miss Organized.  My office has been nicknamed "the black hole" from time to time.  But I have always known where to find these important documents.

How?  You ask?  A lesson learned back when we lived in California.  California is known for its Santa Ana winds and wildfires.  Well, at one point in our living there a wildfire was 3 miles from our house.  We were place on voluntary evacuation.  Which gave us time to gather items in boxes ready to load in the car if we needed to leave.  We were at the bottom of the hill so we knew we would have some time if the fire came over the ridge.  Fortunately the winds changed direction and the firefighters were able to contain the fire and we were safe.  What did I learn?  I needed a place for ALL my documents to grab at a moments notice.  I used to keep them in our file cabinet but I now put mine in a notebook.  A large 3 ring binder has passports, birth, death, marriage, and baptisim certificates, a bank accounts info, insurance statements and policies, immunization cards, social security cards, and our will.  You get the idea.  Make it your own.  It feels good to know all our important papers are literally in one place and at arms reach for the "just in case" moments when you only have a few minutes to grab and go.

I'm Here. Really I am!

I've been sick!!  A Head cold!!  A blowing nose,

dizzy when I stand up,

and plop me on the couch and watch movies kind of sick.

That started to hit me late Friday night.  Here it is a week later and I am FINALLY starting to feel better.  I still can't move too quickly or I have to hold on to something but I AM better.

So much to catch up on here but need to focus on home first.  Everyone was great while I was sick keeping the place straightened up and dish done, etc.  But now to the little details that Mom's seem to be the only ones that notice.

Be back soon!!