The Rumors are True

The Cocoa Tree is closed for good. I know that it is hard to believe, but for those of us who were on the "inside" for the last year, it is actually quite a relief.

Here is the email that I sent out a couple of weeks ago, I think it says everything that I am able to say about it at the time being...

Dear friends of The Cocoa Tree,

I regret to inform you that The Cocoa Tree is no longer in business. My business partner and I are at odds and it seems that the only way to separate ourselves is to let the business die. There are some very exciting things in my future; I want to concentrate on that rather than on the past.

You have loved my product, supported the business, cheered me up, cheered me on and essentially made me into the award-winning, nationally recognized chocolatier that I am today. I thank you for that from the bottom of my heart.

Here's to whatever the future holds! I have no doubt who holds my future...

Love to you,
Bethany

Mission Accomplished!

So, I have been at the Marriott for 22 hours. It has been heavenly. I drank coffee, watched a little TV, had a friend over for a gab session, slept for 8 hours - uninterrupted, had breakfast delivered to my door and most importantly - I finished my 8 chapters!!! I am a new woman. :)

Now...back to the grind, and actually looking forward to it! Home sweet home.

This is the life...

I went to my husband last night feeling like a time bomb just seconds from detonating. I have been sick for a week, taking care of sick kids, trying to keep the house straight, trying to keep the chocolate going for Valentine's Day, managing the artistic details of the photo shoot for my upcoming book, dealing with the fall out of the closing of The Cocoa Tree and not doing a very good job of any of it!

I said to him, "I don't want this to sound like I am frustrated at you, because I'm not, I'm just frustrated in general - I have 8 chapters due by Monday and I don't have the first clue how I am going to make that happen." Even though, at first, he did feel like I was coming down on his performance as a husband/father - which is one of our tough issues - we did get past that part rather quickly...probably due to the fist full of hair that I was about to pull out of my head.

Anyway, long story short - he booked me a room at the Marriott and told me to get lost. (in a nice way) So, here I am! No phone, no hungry kids, no fussing, no screaming, biting, coughing, sneezing, "mommy, mommy, mommy", no - none of that. I am sitting here in the peace and quiet with my feet propped up and a cup of coffee beside me just type, type, typing away.

Don't hate me...just be happy...someday you will get your turn! :)

Happy writing!!!!!! (thank you, Jesse - you're the best)

Happy Valentine's Day!

So, this will go down as one of the most memorable Valentine's Days ever. I have the flu, my husband has the flu, my children have the flu. It is miserable. We brought down 2 mattresses, put them in front of the TV and we are all hanging out in the "sick club" clubhouse. Our drinks of choice are Robitussin and Gatorade and coughing is the soundtrack of our life. This has been going on for 4 days, but it seems like 4 years.

Even though it is not fun, we are all together. My two youngest are taking turns snuggling with me, kissing me and telling me they love me "so much." Isn't that what you want to hear on Valentine's day! :) I am loved. It feels so good, even when I'm sick.

I hope you are feeling loved today...