Tag Archives: kangen water

Busy Few Days

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Jefferson County Fair and the roving portable milking machine

This has been, and continues to be a busy few days for me.

This weekend is the Jefferson County Fair and I am helping with the Kangen Water booth. It is absolutely gorgeous weather so really fun to be outside. This is a real country fair, with what as kids, we called Women’s Institute type exhibits – flower arranging, kids cooking competitions, jams, plants, art – all the stuff we did as children. And then there are all the 4-H competitions, so I have been watching little girls wrestle huge bulls into the competition arenas, watched them wipe up dirty poops, watched young boys leading their prize cows around. The little boys all decked out with enormous silver cowboy buckles and boots. And across from our booth is the llama and goat judging area. Just off to the side I get to watch rubber ducky races, where the kids have straws to blow the little bobbers along the shoot. Fifty cents a turn and everyone wins! I think it is the most popular stand at the fair. Quite entertaining, so no time to get bored during the lulls in water interest.

Today I am meeting Susan there, we will explore the exhibits and Dan will watch the mud racing which is always fun! Then mid-afternoon I will man the booth again and we break it down at six.

Mardelle came to the house with me one day and she got right into it, scrubbing the floor, cleaning the kitchen…Thank you! You were such a help and wonderful moral support.

The house in Port Angeles is coming together nicely and I have a possible tenant already, but waiting for the application to come in so we can proceed. It’s a woman and her son who is stationed in the Coast Guard here. The best thing about this, besides them being nice people, is they want to do the all the remaining work! Paint, mow the back yard, etc. And I am very happy to accommodate, as you can imagine. But if that doesn’t work out, another application is being submitted too and hopefully one of the two will work out.

What this means, if the fixit people take, is that I won’t have to drive back and forth every day, an hour each way and almost six gallons of gas!

So here’s holding thumbs and crossing fingers that the applications come in and by next weekend, it will be off my hands and into those of the tenants.

Summer Finally Arrived

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First Dungeness crab of the season

It is now official. Summer finally arrived!

The sun is out, it’s above 60 during the day, the flowers are daring to bloom and I can leave the windows open! Now we just have to believe it will last more than a couple of days. And to top it off, it’s crab season!

The 4th of July was the summer kickoff with a barbecue at Bill’s property and then to North Beach yesterday for the first potluck of the season. People coming out of hibernation, ready for the Vitamin D. Grab it while it’s here!

The potlucks are so much fun – it was the usual bunch of people and it doesn’t seem to matter what food anyone brings, it always works so well. The drink of choice – at least with the girls – has changed from wine to gin. For me, wine seems to acidic and for the others, I don’t know really.  So there was a variety of brands and a lot of sliced limes! A true taste of summer, with the spare ribs, salads, chicken, appies and desert. And fresh corn which went straight on the grill and I have the leftovers and need to figure out something to do with them. Corn pudding?

North Beach

This place is amazingly beautiful when the sun comes out. The air is clean and clear, the colors pop and everywhere people are smiling.

This is when every visitor says, “Oh, we should move here!” Then winter rolls around and reality sets in. Give them two years and they head south again. Just like I will do as soon as I can.

But while it is good – you just can’t beat it.

Bill’s Place – one of his many storage buses

My latest eBay adventure is turning into something more than I had anticipated and it’s all good. My friend Bill, the same Bill who has loaned me a car is a collector of MANY things and he and I are going to list his stuff on eBay and other auction sites. Stuff ranges from old collectible cameras and car manuals to enormous boat engines, props and cars and trucks. Lots of collectibles and my favorite so far, an old dynamite blaster like you see in the old western movies! It is a classic and I know I am going to be constantly amazed at what is hidden and stored out there. His 10 acres is a veritable treasure trove as he has been saving and collecting his entire life.

Next week, I will be spending three days in the Kangen store which I think is going to work out well. I get customers and while no one is there, can do any other work as there is wi-fi there. And it gets me out of the house so I am not so isolated. A good thing all round. Pat said last night how well I look and I can only attribute it to the water – because  really nothing else has changed. There are still the usually stresses (minus one giant one) but still my life is not a bed of roses yet. So it has to be the Kangen water!

Ryan is Home

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After 10 nerve-wracking days, Ryan is home and doing amazingly well! Isn’t youth marvelous?

The final results of the tests showed that the tumor was indeed malignant but the surgeons got it all, with clean margins. They labeled it a low grade gastrointestinal stromal tumor, basically meaning that it was very slow growing and had not spread. So that was the good news. And it is treated with targeted medications that work only on the specific cells in the gut. So no chemo or anything like that. He will take the medications for about a year and apparently, from what they docs say, he should be fine but will need to be checked every year.

It was a very close call and thank goodness he was where he was when it happened. Fifteen minutes later he could have been on the freeway and then that could have been totally catastrophic.

His recovery is amazing. Once they took the tube that went through his nose down to the stomach to keep it drained was removed on Tuesday (I think, lost track of days) and he was able to eat or at least have liquids, the turnaround was very fast. With no food for all those days, he lost 18 pounds! The initial offerings were meager but appreciated and now he is on a “soft” diet which is pretty much everything except raw, hard fruit and veges, nuts and whole grains. After a couple of weeks, he will be back to normal.

I brought him home yesterday to his house in Encino, much to Les and his roommates joy – and Rascal was overjoyed to see him, too. The most difficult part of his recovery I think, is making sure he doesn’t overdo things and rests when he needs to. So I hope that going back to work on Monday isn’t going to be too tiring for him.

Today I hooked up my Kangen water machine as I want him to have the best nourishment and care he can possibly get. Of course, the tap I wanted to use was an oddball size, so spent the morning driving around to find an adapter. Now its working and I am happy to have my water back.

Tomorrow I was going up to the desert to see Cody and family, but Ryan asked me to stay for and extra day as Les is going to work and he wants me to stay around to help him if necessary which of course I am happy to do.

Next week, I will make plans for the next phase of my life. Right now, I am just so grateful I was able to be here for this horrendous event. I don’t think I would have survived staying in South Africa.

 

Taking steps

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I’ve decided on the Spanish school I want to go to in Bocas del Toro. It is called Spanish by the Sea  and they have a hostel attached – one option – or I can do a homestay or go to a B&B. The course will probably be about 4 weeks and within that time, will find a place to rent. Susan will most likely be down the first part of December so I hope to have found a place by then. There are some pix of Bocas Town here. Love those beaches!

The classes are five days a week, four hours each day so that will give me time to explore and decide what part of the island/town is the best place for me to live. It will need to be close to town, if not in town, as we will be riding bikes or walking. The island itself is only eight miles long so getting around isn’t an issue. There are taxis as well if there are groceries but will most likely have a bike with a basket on the front and a carrier on the back! Then I’ll need a poodle to ride in the front with a ribbon in its hair! Not!

It looks like most of the places to rent are completely furnished, which will suit us perfectly. I’m only taking one suitcase which will have my Kangen water machine in it as the water on Bocas is not good and I don’t think I can live without the machine!

I’ve cut out one dress so making some progress there. Now just have to put it together! I haven’t sewed for so long, I hope I haven’t forgotten how.

Flights are my next mission – whether to fly to Panama City then to Bocas or go through San Jose, Costa Rica which is most likely less expensive. There is a flight from San Jose directly to Bocas so it’s a good option.

On a stateside note, it is crab season! Joe (next door neighbor) dropped off two enormous Dungeness last week! Oh my! So we are loading up Chris’ boat and taking a couple of traps out – after we get licenses! – today so hope to stock up the freezer. I have to find a good recipe for crab cakes in case boredom sets in from having fresh crab every day. Darn!

Boasting

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After reading Betsy’s latest blog about her recent adventures, I realize I should be tooting my own horn a bit about my life, rather than just chronicling it. It’s a realization I came to a while ago, that I am not selfish enough, and take too much time worrying about, and taking care of, other people and their projects, instead of taking care of me and going for the things I want in my life.
When I look back on my 61 years, though I must say this last year has been a bit dreary, adventure-wise, I have done amazing things. And even though in the past year, I have pretty much stayed put here in the PNW (although I did go to South Africa last year right around this time) I have put my time to good use.
Mostly, I have transferred what I know and have done for the past almost twenty years of editorship and photojournalism into becoming a multimedia communicator. Back in 1996 in the early quokka days, my interest was piqued by the technology we were using to create the first multimedia web site – that was WAY before anyone knew what multimedia web sites were! My first real taste of it, besides writing and photographing the sailboat races etc and waiting for them to be processed and “pushed” onto the site (usually crashing it) was working with the IT geniuses to create the very first race viewer. I just had a sense then that they could do it, and with no technological training on my part, asked for things I wanted it to do that had never been done – and they figured out how, and it worked!
So I was hooked!
I have watched technology blossom into what the internet has become, and at times felt so overwhelmed by it all, had to leave it alone, not having the time (and often the inclination) to keep up with it.
But it never got too far away from me and so when www.mymixednuts.com came along, I figured, hell, I can do this. And did it! And although I am probably old enough to be most of the young IT guys who work on the site in India’s grandmother – or at the least, mother – I have kept up with it. And now working with wicked-pr, I am learning the subtleties of Search Engine Optimization.
Many times I wish I wasn’t chained to the computer and was out adventuring like Betsy is. And then I think, “I know I will be out there again soon,” but next time it will be with a video camera and laptop doing podcasts and other cool stuff. I am looking at what I am doing as my own personal university (seeing as I never went to one as a youngster) and plan to get as much out of this time as possible. Although often it is frustrating and taxing, other times it is exhilarating, like when the site got relaunched on Friday and it looked great, until I found that all the pages I had worked on for two weeks were missing! Frustration! Actually, I was totally pissed off and in tears about it after going to bed really late the night before, getting stuff done and then getting up at 4 to catch the guys in India before they left for the weekend. So of course, nothing could be done and I have had to cool my heels over the weekend and wait for them to come back to work tonight.
And I also know I must write my “memoir,” not necessarily for general publication, but for my family and my grandchildren, because there is so much that I have done, and so many places I have been that very few people see or do. And I don’t want those memories to disappear when I head off into another dimension.
So in the meantime, I am enjoying the wonderful spring weather, and working on my Kangen water business. And I am congratulating myself that I have my first team member join me! Thanks Pam, we are going to grow a great team and make lots of money that will fund my travels and adventures!

Easter Monday

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I think most countries get today off – or at the least the christian ones! So I’m going to pretend it’s a long weekend today and chill out – and yes it is very chilly here still! 

But Easter Sunday turned out really pretty, with the typical spring weather. Sunny, rainy, windy, calm – all within the space of five minutes!
My brunch turned out really well although the hot cross buns didn’t fluff up as much as I thought they would, but they were yummy! The quiche were good though I almost had a calamity with liquid quantity but the overall results were great and everyone enjoyed them, along with the mimosas and enough chocolate to fulfill that craving for the next year.
Pam, Susan and Dan and Bill showed up around 11:30 and as it was still and clear, we decided to go out on the boat while it was that way, so we all bundled up and went out around Squamish harbor. About 15 minutes into the ride, we noticed big, ominous clouds heading our way and although we are supposedly Pacific northwesterners, (well, Dan is) we decided we’d beat it home! So short of a few drops, we tied up at the dock in time, and warmed up with more coffee before quiche!

And on another note, I canceled my tv subscription and now just have netflix! But I bought a Roku so can stream movies to the television and also play Pandora through it! How cool is that? Sure beats having all the junk on tv and if I want to see what is happening in the world, I can look online. But now I can really control what I see :)   Most of the show I like I can order through netflix anyway so it saves me a lot of money each month.

Still waiting for new pages from the developers, so feel like I am in a holding pattern at the moment so am spending time on Kangen and I am going to have a meeting here at the house on 16th, which Jim will do. So it’s not like I have nothing to do. 

My health is really good, and I plan on having the tests I have been putting off, next week and I know they will be all good. And I start yoga again tomorrow – Yay! I am really looking forward to that.

Winter in April

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Sheesh! I thought we were done with all the miserable winter weather, but noooo! Yesterday blew those hopes away.
I woke up to a howling gale and torrential rains, which quickly turned into snow. Not just little snowflakes but big, fat, sticky ones that hung around for half the day! They were flying sideways across the deck, mixed in with flower petals from the fruit trees that really took a beating! Even the kitties, who always dash out in the morning, refused to go out and stayed inside the entire day.
And then, even though it stopped snowing, the rain and wind continued to torment us until it blew the lights out around 5. Bam! Everything off! So much for a quiet evening watching a movie.
But I actually enjoyed it. Fired up the airtight stove and got the house all toasty warm, and I was really glad I had bought a quarter cord of wood in the fall, just for emergencies. Set a pot of water on top for tea which came to a boil really fast! Without the constant electrical hum, it was absolutely silent except for stove crackling and the wind gusts, which finally settled down.  And candle light is so relaxing. I had planned to go to bed early anyway, so took several candles upstairs and read for a while before nodding off in the silence.
This morning everything is back on, so have been going around setting the clocks – looks like the power was off for about six hours! 
Kangen WaterI spent most of yesterday working on my Kangen Water business, which was quite productive and I am convinced that this is the way to a retirement for me. Not only will it generate a good income, but I can do it from anywhere in the world, which is SO important to me. I actually don’t like using the word “retirement,” I don’t think I can ever do that, at least not like generations before me. I love being busy and having a challenge, which is what this and the nut business is. 
And talking about nuts, the media blitz will start soon, and the pitches to all the tv, radio and magazines hopefully will generate a lot of business. I had to write a bio on me the other day so wicked-pr can send it to AARP – ha! never thought I would be so old that old people would be interested in me! But time marches on, so might as well get on the ride!

One of those days

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Yesterday was what I call “One of those days.” It’s where I feel like all the blood drained out of me and just can’t get out of my own way. So I spent the day reading a Nora Roberts book, and periodically checking email. Basically, an NRV (no redeeming value) day.
But I did go to Port Townsend for the Kangen Water Christmas get together and that was fun. I got re-inspired about the water. I know how much it has done for me and how, when I don’t drink it, or enough of it, I don’t feel so hot. Maybe that has been part of my problem the last couple of weeks. Besides the stress of getting the site up and running, dealing with the glitches etc., I have been too busy to drink enough.
So from now on, I am making sure I drink my full quota every day.
Christmas is just two days away, it’s amazing how fast the time is flying by. And it feels like I have simply been going a day at a time. It feels like that besides working on the site and getting it productive, I don’t have any future plans. This past year has been about surviving the turmoil and upheaval, emotionally, financially and physically.
So now it is time to make new plans and plot a direction. What to do, where to go, and when.
The house will go on the market in the spring (which will be much better this coming year) and then as soon as it sells,  it is a matter of relocating somewhere, because I am NOT spending another winter in this miserable weather. I can move at a moment’s notice, seeing as I super simplified everything last summer, when I was prepared to leave, but the house didn’t sell. “They” say there is a reason for everything, and I can only believe that it didn’t sell so I could get this biz going from this location. Moving it will be easy – load up a moving van with all the nuts etc and drive it to a new warehouse. Simple!
Susan and Dan have taken me under their wings for Christmas so that is going to be fun. They are as close to having family here as I can get. I will miss seeing the boys and spending time with them, but soon I will be able to take a trip down to see them.  And I will miss having a summer Christmas with a braai and party in the garden with my South African crew. So will draw on past memories and relive those times.
Happy holidays and a prosperous New Year to everyone.

Moving ahead

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After going through 39 bids on doing the site, I finally narrowed it down to three groups; one in the US and two in India. It took ages! Each bid had numerous links to work they had done, so I had to check out each site, look at the design work to see if they looked capable of doing the work. Some of the initial bids were quite high so it was easy to hit the “declined” key in elance.com where I had the ad running. But the more I narrowed it down, the more difficult it became. I talked to the three main groups – to India on Skype! Love it. So when it came down to the final pick, it was hard to hit “declined” because I almost felt like I knew them. 


One of my main concerns about using the Indian groups, was the language problem, but both the guys I talked to spoke very well, and the accents are not so strong as to make them difficult to understand. So yesterday, I awarded the job to Konstant Infosolutions who seem to have a good grip on what we are trying to do. The only problem – not a real problem really, is the time difference. They are exactly 12 hours ahead of me, so when I am getting up, they are leaving. So I am going to have to rearrange my day to work later so I catch them first thing in the morning. Or the alternative is get up at 4 – not sure I’m ready for that, although I do work better in the morning. So I will just see how it goes and I am sure we will work out a system. 


This is quite nerve wracking, actually. Yes, it’s great to spend someone else’s money, but all these thoughts of did I pick the right group, can they do it all on time, what will it look like, feel like a huge responsibility. Poor Ryan keeps getting emails from me – he is my sounding board!


One of the best things about this group is that it is a one-stop shop – design, logo. programming, everything. The shop will be done by November 5 and the full community ready on the 15th. But I do feel a bit bad about outsourcing this, but when you have a fixed budget, it is really a no brainer. It means the difference between having a site or not – basically there wouldn’t be a business at all. So…


Not that anyone really cares, I’m sure, but they will build the community site using a script called DZOIC Handshake Professional and build the e-commerce section in OSCommerce, which is an open source product – meaning that it is free and can be used by anyone. 


My next job, besides gathering the content and pix for the site, is to narrow down the suppliers and I am getting price lists etc and then will set up accounts. Prices vary wildly, but I think I have found a couple of places that will be good. 


Last night I went to a Water Awareness presentation and every time I go to one, I learn something new. Last night there was a guy there I hadn’t met before and he has been using the water for three years. What he says is that you drink about a quart/liter first thing when you get up. It immediately hydrates your body after you have slept. So I did that this morning and it definitely clears away the morning fog! I still have my tea, though, but after the water. You’d think all that water would be sloshing around inside your tummy, but because you are dehydrated in the morning, the water goes right into the cells and you don’t feel full at all. Amazing stuff! Today, Jim and I will work on how to get a machine to Mick and Debbie – where it needs to be shipped from etc.


More great weather – but down to almost freezing at night – my tomatoes are still going strong in the sunroom and will nurse them along as long as I can.


I just got off Skype with Manish, the project manager, and I hit the “fund” button and we are good to go. He is sending a design document for me to complete and then tomorrow the designers will start work! So this is very exciting! 

First of the season

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We lost power for almost eight hours yesterday – not a good omen for the upcoming winter! Fortunately it was during the day but as it dragged on, I found the camp lantern and the heavy-duty candles. I also realized I better get some wood, as the past few winters, we have had all the off cuts from Chris building the boat. But now I have none! Not that I use the wood stove much but it sure comes in handy in this situation. Luckily, the outage ended before dark, but the temperature had really dropped fast and I was thinking I would go cuddle up in bed with a book and a lantern! And two live feet warmers – Hinckley and Buddy! 


This morning it is windy windy windy again with clear skies and a full moon just going over the top of the trees. It was so light this morning when I woke up, I thought I had overslept!


Day 5 of this the 5th round of antibiotics and it’s an easy one. No side effects at all. I changed the water flow rate in the Kangen water machine so I think I am getting more anti-oxidants and for the past two days have been feeling so much better. I can actually work, operate all day without getting tired! I am going to get Jim to measure the ORP (oxidation reduction potential) of both waters so I can see if what I did actually does produce more.  Reminder to self: take water samples to demonstration on Tuesday :)