JA comes to visit

Now Open for Business

Hannah is now selling clothing from LuLaRoe. She has been busy, busy with getting her inventory logged in. It's mostly an internet shop, but luckily I can shop right in the showroom AND hang out with 2 cute little boys. Everything seems to be going well. I really wish her well with this. It's a great company and the clothes are adorable.

JA 2 years old!

We didn't let the 98 degree temp deter us--I met Jon, Lila and baby James in Hillsborough for a belated birthday celebration. I can't believe he is already 2 years old. Such a sweet little man. We took a brief stroll on the river walk over the Eno and ate at Weaver Street Market. The river walk is beautiful and I plan to return when the weather is more compatible to life. I hate hot weather. In the picture above, Lila is with James in front of the twig house-an art installation on the river walk.

Packing Party

helping Ruth get ready to move

My very dear friend and co-worker, Ruth, is moving back to her hometown in Ohio. I met her when I first started at BCBSNC in 1996. We, with Denise, were trainers in the UM department. What a team! Denise lost her battle with breast cancer a few years ago and Ruth is in treatment for pancreatic cancer. Last Saturday a dozen of us met at Ruth's home and finished up with the packing. She closes on the sale of the house later this month and then will close on a new home in Ohio the next day. Nothing keeps that woman down! She got some very encouraging news about her cancer, so we're all hopeful. She has a lot of people on her side.

Garden Stones

Hannah made these for her front yard area.

These are my stones for the fish tank.

Hannah came over last week to make garden stones with me. I had planned to do this some time ago and have been saving the supplies for about 10 years. They are actually very simple to make. Put contact paper, sticky side up in the bottom of a plastic plant thing (the thing you put under a pot to catch the drippy stuff), then arrange your decorations right side down on the contact paper. We used broken tiles, marbles and glass. Pour in mortar mix (not concrete which is full of rocks) and let it dry a week or so. I think they turned out great. Lots of fun and excellent bonding experience with my baby girl.

Jon's Birthday

Jon and James Arthur

I wanted to get the family together for Jon's birthday....unfortunately Mikey had to work and Malcolm and Lila were very tied up with finals and end of semester stuff. So Hannah came with her 2 boys and we had a late lunch at Greek Kousina in Pittsboro. The boys were VERY active. They are so cute and really good, but they are also very normal toddlers. I think our restaurant days are limited for a while.

Pond Update

Nicholson Aquagardens and Mosquito Farm

Finally got the tank into it's final resting place and leveled off. I went to Lowe's and got a few bedding plants, then I talked Miguel into hauling me up to Atlantic Avenue Orchid & Garden in north Raleigh to get pond plants. That place is AMAZING and the staff is just great. I got a variety of water plants and a few hostas for the shady area next to the porch. I will put some gravel around the tank and fix up the surroundings at some point. Right now I can sit back and watch everything take root and grow. Or die. Whatever. The tank should stabilize in a month and I can finally add a few fish. I'm excited about that. I saw a hummingbird this week. So, it's officially Spring.