New Baby!

Jon and Lila are expecting in mid March. This is son number 2 for them and grandson number 4 for me. So very excited! So far...so good. Mom and baby are doing well.

Sharing the Love

Fellow BCBSNC employees and VetNet members

The Plan (that's what we call BCBSNC) supports a number of groups within the company that are supposed to foster networking and collaborative efforts throughout the company. There's one called WEN (women's employee network), Spectrum (LBGTQ), SEAnet (parents of special needs kids), YoPro (young professionals), etc. I belong to VetNet (veterans and family members of veterans and anyone interested in veterans' issues). All groups are open to everyone, but the variety allows you to jump into something that appeals to you. Most groups do community charity events all year. This year, VetNet, joined with the USO in adopting some families of active duty military stationed at Ft. Bragg. My department collected money, then me and Sharon went shopping last Thursday. It is such fun shopping with other people's money to get gifts for people in real need. Our family was 2 mommies with 9 and 11 month old kids. I know we are helping them have a very Merry Christmas this year. Kinda makes you feel all warm inside.

The Curse of Neptune

50 bags of insulation to haul off

On October 2, Sunday morning, I was out back filling up a water bowl for the dogs. As I was standing at the faucet I heard water. I opening the crawl space door--water was spraying out. We had to call an emergency plumber to come out and fix a hose that had burst. Getting a plumber out on a Sunday morning is not cheap. While he was crawling around under the house, he noticed the joists were soggy. He recommended a sister company, CARE Inc. They came out and set up dehumidifiers under the house and in both bathrooms and then they pulled out all the insulation. They submitted a nearly $6000 bill and Mike said, wait a minute. They really padded their bill, expecting insurance to cover the bulk of it. Mike complained about their estimate so they reduced it to about $4000...still a rip-off, but a lesser one. They wanted to charge $900 to haul off the insulation and we said, no, we'll do it ourselves. Mike got a musician friend of his to haul it off for $400. Then we got another musician friend to come and fix a few more leaks under the house. THEN we got yet another musician/handyman to shore up the joists, fix my bathroom and put the insulation back. The bathroom remodel is almost done. I needed a new floor, toilet, vanity etc etc. We've done very little to the house over the past 16 years, so just about everything is falling apart now. I can't even enjoy getting a new bathroom, because all I see are bills. I've been completely out of sorts for weeks now. My routine is severely disrupted with all this repair work going on. And the dogs are most displeased. They aren't crazy about strangers in the house. When it's all finally finished and I can once again use my own bathroom, it will be wonderful. I'm trying to be patient.

Hanging out in Carrboro with James the Elder

James Arthur in Carrboro

My boys are growing up. And James A. is going to have a new baby brother in March, 2017. Very exciting. His mother is graduating from UNCG in a week or so. James is attending a montesori school in Chapel Hill. It is located in the building that used to be Wee Care, the daycare center where I sent Hannah. The circle of life!

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.

Fish Pond Progress

the new tank and the muddy spot it will go in

Sophie and Early checking on my progress

It's just so beautiful. Can't wait to get the fish!

I got the galvanized metal stock pond from the Farm and Country Feed Store in Pittsboro. It's 6x2x2 and about 150 gallons or so. I finally got the spot leveled off...it's hard to do with nothing but a shovel and a rake. I managed. Yay, me. It's about half full right now. I'm going to treat the water to remove the chloramines (thanks a lot Pittsboro Water). The plan is to get the plants this weekend. Then maybe get some goldfish a couple weeks after that. Actually I may push that back a bit. I think the plants need more time to cure. We'll see. I also plan to do some planting around the tank so it doesn't look like it's sitting in the middle of the Sahara. But...so far, so good!

The Last Supper (or lunch)

Medical Policy Department

Two of my coworkers are leaving, so we had a farewell lunch at Neo China in Durham. I won't mention any names (the traitors)...one is taking a job in another department. It's a good move for her, a great opportunity. And the other is leaving the company. It's a time of transition, not only for our department or the company, but for the industry as a whole. I need to hang in there for a few more years. I am creeping up on retirement age, so I'm getting less ambitious by the minute. I just want to quietly do my little thing, pick up my paycheck, then go home and hang out with the cats and dogs. I think I've climbed about as far up the corporate ladder as I'm going to. At this point, I just don't want to fall off!

Bandido's in Hillsborough

James Arthur enjoying some fried ice cream.

Brunch at Breadmans

The kids came by Saturday morning and we went to Chapel Hill for brunch. We wanted to go either to Elmo's or Rise, but the lines were RIDICULOUS. Doesn't anyone stay home and cook anymore?! So we punted and went to Breadmans. This used to be our most favorite place to eat. But either we've gotten more particular in our old age, or the food quality has declined....either way, the meal was only adequate. And a bit spendy for eggs and pancakes. But, time spent with the grandboys.... PRICELESS! Calvin also helped get a tree root out of my future aqua garden. He's such a he-man.

Friends and Coworkers

Ruth, Susan, Lynn and Jackie

Met up with some friends after work last night at the Olive Garden in Burlington. It was a blast. These chicks are hilarious. I think we may have scared our young little waiter. I have known this crew since my first days on the job. 3 of them used to be my boss at various times over the past 20 years. Sadly, Ruth is selling her house and moving back to Ohio. She has been a loyal friend and was directly responsible for getting me into the Chapel Hill Art Gallery. I dearly love and respect all these woman and have been truly blessed to have them in my life.

A day in Greensboro

Malcolm and Carolyn

Mike and I persuaded Dan to come to a MUFON meeting in Archdale with us. It didn't take much urging, he was on board immediately. Didn't know what to expect, but turned out to be very informative. The speakers had written a book about the Aztec UFO crash which happened about a year after the Roswell crash. There was a good turnout for the meeting-between 60 and 70 people. After this we picked up Mal and Carolyn and went to Pho. Love that place! Great Vietnamese food. Then we went on a hard target search for a sofa for their apartment. We went to Pier One, Target, Goodwill, Big Lots and some other cut rate furniture place. Couldn't find a thing. So, Carolyn is going to look for street furniture and we'll start trolling Craig's List. So, in spite of that failure, it was an excellent day. I'm surrounded by comedians, which really helps my mood.

Updated Selfie

new cover picture for my Facebook page

I decided to do something different and fun for my FB page. This was done on the back of a failed watercolor painting. I smeared some watercolor on the background, acrylic paint stencil, gelato on the background of the picture, Chinese newspaper with spray ink and a few drops of acrylic ink. Truly mixed media. The portrait part is gesso with markers. I think I'll do a few more things in this general style.

the youngest voter

Jon and James

Time to vote in the NC Primaries. James is proud to exercise his rights as an American citizen.

A day with the Boston Babies

a rare moment when Marcus is awake

checking for teeth

James with his new kitchen set up

whipping up a quick snack

my little monkey napping with his monkey

My Baby Blue

James Arthur. He's about 20 months old now. Can't call him a baby anymore--he's a little man. And look at those big blue eyes! They just melt your heart.

Brothers

attempting to get James to hold his little brother

Marcus enjoying the blanket I crocheted for him

I got to visit James and Marcus yesterday. Such wonderful little boys. Everyone at the Boston household is doing just great. Bert picked out 3 skeins of bulky yarn during one of our last shopping trips and I whipped up a quick blankie. It's just one big granny square. Probably should have used another 2 skeins to make it a little larger, but this is okay. Marcus didn't have any complaints.

My dog, James

Spending some quality time in the dog crate

I spent yesterday at Bert's house watching JT while she took little Monkey for his 2 day check up. He's fine, by the way...perfect in fact. James got into the dog crate, shut the door, and happily played with his Darth Vader flashlight for over 20 minutes. He may actually be having some sort of identity crisis, because he also wants to eat food off the floor like the dogs. We had a weird ice storm on Monday, but on Tuesday I had to run the air conditioner in the car because it was so hot. CRAZY.

He's here!

Marcus Dean Boston arrived a little after midnight, Feb 13. Right on his due date. Everything went smoothly. Turns out this was a 3 day Army weekend, so Calvin was able to get out of class a little early on Saturday and come see his son. He's a little sweetie.

Counting down the minutes!

New baby is due on Saturday, but since Bert has been having contractions for 2 months, everyone thought she might deliver a little early. As soon as we get the call we'll throw the dogs and our toothbrushes in the truck and hightail it to Ft. Bragg. We're excited!

Triangle Sketch Crawl

LOOKEEEE! I made a nice picture!

The local meet-up group of urban sketchers, Triangle Sketch Crawl, meets monthly at various locations around the triangle to explore the local sights and draw. Yesterday we met at Oasis coffee shop at Carr Mill Mall. I love the look of Carr Mill Mall, an old converted textile mill, and Oasis was very lovely. It's run by an old hippie (I ADORE old hippies!) and has a sort of rastafarian/Moroccan/buddhist decor. Very fun. I haven't drawn or painted or anything in months, so I'm not really feeling the ART at the moment. This was a great way to dip my toe in and maybe stir up some creativity. I did a bunch of warm up exercises then this sketch of a banana plant. After an exhausting afternoon slaving over a pencil, we refreshed ourselves with an early dinner at Elmo's. I had my favorite dish-Santa Fe breakfast bowl-scrambled eggs, sweet potatoes, black beans, tomato salsa, avocado served on top of a cornbread fritter thing. It's delish.

Cousins

We spent some time with the grandsons today at University Mall. They're so stinkin' cute!