For the second time now, Blogger has lost a draft that I had 2/3 completed...😖 Maybe it was the wrong blog venue choice? Annoying! Hopefully this second run will be better anyway.

⬇Down⬇ then ⬆Up⬆

After I went to the state fair where I finally connected with the Inland Empire Beekeepers Association (IEBA), I looked into their February class and plan to become a member before then. Yay, bee people!
I was informed just today that I may want to reserve a spot soon because I guess it gets full fast- good to know, I would have waited.

When I went to look at registration, it was all dated for 2021, so I sent an email to check out the 2022 schedule.

I also reached out to several more local beekeepers after the fair in hopes of finding a pre-bee mentor, and I began making wishlists that I can start chipping away at when I have some cashflow. These wishlists include girlie bee-themed everything because yes, I'm going to be that kind of backyard beekeeper, deal with it!

My experience at the fair also got me thinking about my new business venture, True-Bizz Hive. For those that don't know, I'm currently setting up an education-based community center for signers. I'm starting with what I know best- teaching American Sign Language (ASL). I would love for this community center to also be a central place for local beekeepers to meet when necessary, and make those meetings accessible to the Deaf community. I thought of this to a deeper degree when I was at the fair because I was with my Deaf friend, Kimmy. As I was talking with the IEBA folks, I was switching between languages and interpreting a bit. This tiny bit of access seemed to inspire Kimmy's curiosity and she has since been looking into beekeeping.

As I am mostly an educator, I don't interpret very often, but still keep up my national certification. The Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are one thing I admit to fall victim of procrastination. Well, from the fair experience with Kimmy and, of course, aligning with my goals of my budding business, I contacted my mentor for independent study courses and set it up! I'm now learning about bees and beekeeping to such a degree that I could interpret it into my second language!

Let's combine passions, shall we? 👐🐝💛

I'm still undecided on the exact setup for my bee yard, that was one thing I was hoping to get some advice on from my pre-bee mentor.

But the good news is that my BFF, Nicole Walker, gave me her old greenhouse / shed that will be a great multi-functional hub for our backyard. Philip and I have wanted a shed for years and this could be great! The problem? How to physically move a shed from the Post Falls / Hayden prairie to our house in southeast CDA!?
I guess towing and moving companies can do it, buuuuut, as I'm recently unemployed, I can't pay much. A friend said she'll ask her husband about a hookup, so let's hope!

On September 1st, I felt discouraged.

no sign of any bees in my backyard since all the blooms have been long gone
I hadn't heard back from any of the people I reached out to from the fair
I inquired about purchasing usage rights on my favorite photo (Muse), but haven't heard back from the amazing photographer yet...I've been a hot mess of insecurity lately, so I'm fretting about my offer.
I haven't made any progress preparing my back yard
the greenhouse / shed thing began to seem unrealistic
my art project I attempted became stunted
no extra cash for a bee-themed retail or tattoo therapy session

I posted on facebook and was quickly uplifted by my bee supporters!

^ 20 comments!

I had several people mention publicly and privately that they could come help in my backyard over the weekend. I plan to setup the logistics tomorrow. Yay!

Then things shifted from feeling "better" to being back up top.

The elder gentleman from church called asking if I wanted to join an inspection. Unfortunately, I missed the call and didn't hear back from my callback. But still, nice shift. 🐝📵🤦
I realized my next bee date at Lacey's house is set for Friday the 3rd (lets hope for that new queen!) 🤞👑🐝🤞
I was invited to venture into some magical kingdom that a local big-wig-beek calls his "bee yard". 👨🐝🙋🙌YES PLEASE
Lacey told me this evening that her mentor will be at the inspection tomorrow and I can "blitz him with questions". 🐝❔🐝❕🐝❔🙌YES PLEASE!!!