2025 Other Things I Did This Year

 March 5-9 was the Heart of America and Leavenworth Kennel Club Dog shows - I helped at the photographer booth and it was fun - here are some of my fave dogs from the show.

On top of the March 1 Protect our Parks Rally, I also sent postcards - #IdesofTrump campaign, Protect our Parks, and to various politicians - Dem and Rep - either thanking them or shaming them for their good or poor choices. 

I went to Colorado School of Mines to see my cousin Rylee compete. She does the hammer and the shot. It with a great time with her and Kaycee (and Tina and Teri too - not pictured).

I did the touristy Aerial Tram in Estes Park. It's always beatuiful from there and a great reminder as to why I live where I do! 

I tried the Laser printer at the Library for some things I was making for comic cons! 

I contacted the Estes Valley Community Garden and paid for a plot. I was VERY excited about it until the first meeting - let's just say I was not impressed with being told that I was expected to be slave labor for everyone else's plots. I had been assigned a plot, cleaned it up and then was moved to another one. 😑 I spent a day doing putting the cover and planting a few plants to be horribly treated by some of the other people there. Let's just say, I won't do it again. If I get anything from the garden, I will be surprised, but I am not doing much. It was a waste of $175 for the plot and piping and plants, etc. I will try pots at my house next growing season.  I was highly disappointed in the way this was run and the people there. The snotty entitlement really made it not a welcoming place. 

August 22, I did a drive around, left Estes, went to the top of Trail Ridge Road, down to Grand Lake, Grandy, Winter Park, to Idaho Springs, Central City, Nederland and hope to Estes Park. I stopped at a lot of places and just had a fun day. 

August 23 was the 20th Annual Cowboy Brad and the TropiCowboy band John Denver Tribute Concert. Great Music!! 

On September 26, I did a Singing Bowl Sound Bath - it was interesting. It took a while for me to relax, but it was nice. And the setting was beautiful and peaceful. 

I went down the mountain to my first model horse TRUNK or TREAT - I wasn't able to do the lunch, because they didn't serve gluten free, but I had a lot of fun at the rest. So many local model hobbyists were there and I sold a few things, bought a few things, and traded a few things! I can't wait for the next one! 

SAMHAIN Honoring the Ancestors sound bath. 

November 30 was Cowboy Brad's Christmas Concert at the YMCA Hyde Chapel. 

And now onto 2026 to see what fun it brings. 

Protein Challenge - Finding the right protein drink

I have high gluten intolerance/celiac and don't get enough protein. I have been trying some various protein drinks/shakes/etc.

Here's my findings for me personally:

1) Ensure - SUCKS all the way around. AWFUL no matter the flavor this gave me stomach pains and diarrhea. YUCK. Mild chalky taste and didn't stop hunger cravings. 

2) FIT powder - this was rated the best for people with celiac - it's AWFUL - it's like drinking CHALK whether its mixed with water or unsweetened almond milk. Thick, pasty and not tasty at all. NO. I literally threw this away after using 3 scoops out of it because it was SO disgusting. Stopped hunger cravings because I felt like I was going to puke for hours afterwards. 

3) Premier Protein drink - this was very good - great taste and easy to grab and go. I will use it most likely when traveling, but it doesn't help with craving sugar and only really stops my hunger cravings for a short time. And all three flavors I have tried - chocolate, caramel, and vanilla, cookie dough and cookies & cream. This is drink is by far my favorite.  

4) Ritual protein powder is not bad. It is a bit chalky tasting when mixed in a shaker. I mixed it in a blender and it was much nicer and smoother with just the tiniest bit of chalky taste.  It makes a nice shake and tastes better with added fruit/etc. 

5) Orgain Organic Protein - just another chalky and disgusting tasting protein shake mix that was disgusting. 

6)  Aloha - just another chalky and disgusting tasting protein shake mix that was disgusting. I am amazed at how disgusting these EXPENSIVE powders. 

7) RISE - I LOVED THIS SO MUCH - the taste was awesome, not chalky, but they couldn't guarantee Gluten Free as some of their mix might contain it. While I never had a problem I did stop it just to be on the safe side of not having a BAD reaction. 

SO there are some of my thoughts on different protein powders and drinks. I hope it helps others on their journey.