New batch of ATCs

I whipped up a bunch of ATCs to give away/trade at my Journaling MeetUp group last weekend. The background is made of stenciled and stamped acrylic paint on cereal box cardboard. The birds are made of torn up magazine pages glued to another magazine page and then cut to shape. They are fairly quick to make and I can do several at a time which makes them great for giving away.

Songbirds

Songbirds

All the paintings I put up at Johnny's have sold. I'm completely gob-smacked, blown away, dazed and amazed. I haven't really been doing much art in the past couple years, so this was a real boost in my confidence and motivation. While we were snowed in most of the weekend, I whipped up this series of miniatures. My goal is to use up supplies I already have (of which I have plenty) and not buy any more art supplies. I had little frames left over from some project I had planned and never started. They are 3x3 inches. The paintings are done mostly in acrylic. It was fun. I hope to get them hung at Johnny's this week.

Mini Art Show

paintings by Anna

So, the leader of our journaling MeetUp group, Lana, was contacted by the owner of a coffee shop where we meet once a month. Apparently a scheduled artist pulled out and they needed some other artists to fill up the designated wall space. I had these guys left over from my days as a member of the Chapel Hill Art Gallery. They're mixed media acrylic, 6 x 8 inches and all priced to sell! I probably will end up giving them away, but that's okay because they aren't doing me any good stashed away in a closet. The coffee shop is Johnny's Gone Fishing in Carrboro. They serve an awesome coconut cake, by the way. The only art I'm doing at the moment are little ATCs (artist trading cards). I don't know anyone I can trade with, so I have been hiding them wherever I go. Kind of subversive like Banksy. I thought it might be fun for random people to find a little bit of original art. It's been fun for me. I firmly believe art should be accessible to everyone--not just rich people.

Wedding

My niece got married last Saturday in Williamsburg. It was a beautiful ceremony at the chapel on William and Mary campus with the reception at a country club.

My brother and daughters

Jon, Lila and Hannah with their boys.

Halloween 2018

Lila with David and James

Calvin, Hannah, Marcus and James

Blue Diwali and Rangoli Art

Here I am, hard at work

Yesterday, there was a Diwali celebration at work. This is the beginning of the Hindu festival of lights. As part of the event, they hosted a Rangoli Art contest. We had to draw with chalk on the sidewalk on the patio.

my finished product

We couldn't use templates or stencils--to make it fair for everyone. FYI it is not easy to draw with big fat chalk on pavement. Next year I'll pick an easier design.

I didn't win, but I had a great time and later we had delicious Indian food (my favorite). Happy Diwali, Ya'll!

A few professional developments

Madame President with the Enforcer

I submitted an article to my professional organization, AAPC, and it was accepted for publication on their website. How incredibly awesome is that. Correct Coding Concepts and Payment Integrity. I'm still reeling. Then my coworker, Sharon, and I accepted positions in our local AAPC chapter as President and Vice President. I shall henceforth be known as "Madame President" or "Your Highness". Sharon is the Enforcer. Her favorite phrase whenever asked about a point of protocol is "Read the Manual!" We take office January 1. Next year is going to be crazy. Our boss and department director, Molly, is taking a new position in the company. We are happy for her, but so SAD for us. She is such a great boss and a wonderful person. Ugh. I don't know what is going to happen now. There will probably be another reorganization. Oh well. All I can say is "hang on to your butts." I just need to hang in there a few more years and then I can retire to a quiet life of poverty and endless TV viewing.

No bull!

Jenn, me, Rackin, Sharon, Lynn, Molly

The Spirit Week employee expo. Lots of fun and lots of SWAG. I had lunch at So Good Pupusas food truck. Unfortunately it was a little too hot to spend much time on the field checking out the exhibitors' booths. Lynn and I made one round, picked up our food and ate in the air-conditioned cafeteria. My week is over since I am taking Friday off.

More Spirit Week Pix

Wyvette, me, Lisa, Tara, Dorris, Rackin, Sharon

We're still celebrating.

Spirit Week at the Blue

Some more of my coworkers

It's Spirit Week here at work. There are all kinds of activities going on to celebrate 85 years in business. This is a pretty fun place to work under normal circumstances and this week is extra special. We've had dress-up days, free t-shirts, some community events (USO bike build) and tomorrow is the food truck rodeo--my favorite event since it involves FOOD.

Local Art

I'm a Dog Person

I saw this on an abandoned building in Carrboro behind the Cat's Cradle. Mike's band, Arrow Beach, was setting up for their set during the Carrboro Music Festival on Sunday, Sept 30 (it was excellent, BTW). Something about this bit of graffiti really appealed to me. It was just so random and weirdly cute. I have no idea who the artist is. I like it. I'm a dog person, too.

Smile

I AM smiling!

This is what you get when you ask JA to smile. 

We Escaped!

Me and the office grrrrls

Our team participated in the BluEscape yesterday. We were in a room and had to figure out puzzles to follow the clues that would eventually allow us to enter a password into the computer. Then we would be free. We came right down to the wire and would have done it if the computer had been a little quicker. In any case, it was a lot of fun and we had a great time. This is how I like to spend my work day...just playing and hanging out with my friends. BTW, the one in the middle is my boss. She is amazing. I know I'm lucky to have a job I enjoy and work with people I love.

Business Trip

Me and Bert on AmTrak

Just got back from a work related conference in D.C. It was actually at National Harbor, Maryland, right across the river from Alexandria. National Harbor was built only 10 years ago so it is still clean and shiny. My dear daughter rode up with me on AmTrak because I am too old and demented to travel alone. It takes about 6 hours from Cary to Union Station, but it's an easy trip. Don't have to deal with traffic! She arranged for Uber to take us from the station to the hotel. We stayed at the Gaylord which was AMAZING. Clearly the nicest place I've ever stayed in my life. I attended my conference and Bert went sight seeing at the Mall. She left after a couple nights and took the train back home. She picked up Early and took him to her house. Mike then drove up to see me and left Sophie in the care of Mal. The plan was to stay a couple nights before driving home, but we got the report that Sophie wasn't eating. She was depressed without her family! So we drove back on Thursday, which worked out fine because I hate to think about how horrible traffic would have been on Friday. It was bad enough at 3pm on Thursday...bump and roll all the way past Fredricksburg. Didn't really improve until we were out of Richmond. Had to get up Friday and go get Early. He was thrilled to see us. We are such idiots about these dogs. Anyway, life is returning to normal, back to the office tomorrow. I will have a new location. While I was in D.C. the department moved to the other side of the building. So many changes!

Family Day in Carrboro

We got together today at Johnny's Gone Fishing, a coffee shop and neighborhood hang-out in Carrboro. There was a serious threat of rain, but we were spared. The sun came out later and baked us, but most of the time that we were there it was cool and cloudy. Calvin was dogsitting, so he was unable to join us.

Sophie

Sophie (aka Boo Dog) looking guilty

More little boys

James Arthur and David playing dominoes

Dropped in on the other set of grandsons yesterday. I wanted to get all my activities for the day concluded before it got too hot out. I stopped at Biscuitville and picked up biscuits, muffins and hash browns for everyone and then spent some time with the boys. They are just too cute. Since his mom doesn't let him watch too much TV, James' favorite shows involve home repair. He was fascinated with watching a guy install a garage door opener. His current favorite is the installation of a toilet. He has a little workshop set up in his closet. He showed me how he was putting in brackets with his toy drill. David is all over the place now. What a ball of energy. Both James' have been asking about their cousins, so I need to get everyone together again.

How to Eat a Cupcake

Step 1: Insert fork.

Step 2: Get set.

Step 3: Eat.

Another Birthday

JT is 4 years old. His favorite show is Paw Patrol, so he got his favorite toy in the world. He was thrilled.

Blowing out "the fire"

Enjoying his "party cake"

"Families Belong Together" Rally in PBO

MoveOn.org and some wonderful local people organized a rally in PBO this afternoon to show support for the families and their children being tortured by the current administration. I don't really care what anyone's political affiliation is, the abuse of children is WRONG. There was a really good turnout in little old Pittsboro. I'm so glad to see that I'm not the only one flying my freak flag. Bert came out with James (who is having a birthday on Monday!). She ran into an old high school friend. My friend, Kay, came out to show support as well. I ran into another old acquaintance. I knew her from a church I used to go to. She was the ministerial intern at the time. She now works with battered women. It's awesome and energizing to be around people who CARE. I was beginning to despair. So many negative, hateful, evil voices in the media. It is refreshing to know that there are still a few of us out there, trying to do SOMETHING.

Rally at the old courthouse, next to the Confederate statue!

Beautiful downtown Pittsboro.

Let your freak flag fly!

Kay and me, trying not to melt in the heat.

Graduation Celebration

Sorry about the glare, but this is my poster.

 

and this is the cake.

Back in 2016 I went through the LEAN Training offered at work, mostly as a good little nugget to add to my annual performance evaluation. It was a fun class and I learned a lot and then I had to do a work related project. yikes. I had an awesome mentor, Rosalie, who held my hand through the whole process and really, if the truth be told, did all the heavy lifting. She has since left the company, so I guess that means all the glory and honor goes to me now. Our CEO came to the celebration and we had a nice photo op. Just trying to raise my profile a little bit and improve my personal brand!

not really made in Durham

I won a t-shirt!

Crocheting again

Hippie Tote Bag

I suddenly felt the urge to crochet something. I got a 55% off coupon at AC Moore's, so I got a skein of variegated self-striping yarn. It's really pretty. This is an easy pattern. It's just 3 large granny squares, folded on the diagonal and joined together. I'm not sure what I'm going to do for a handle just yet--I'm considering my options. I had a really good month last month at work. There was nurse's week and we had a nice reception with cake. I graduated from the Facilitation Program and we had a party with cake. Then it was Military Family Appreciation month, along with Memorial Day, so the VetNet group had a reception for us vets...more cake. Then, the GlobalNet group did a thing to celebrate Asian and Pacific Islanders. No cake, but we got some spring rolls. Today, there was a celebration for the graduates of the LEAN program. Cake. So, after a whole month of celebrating ME, the rest of the year is going to be kind of dull. Probably just as well. After all this cake I'm in danger of developing diabetes, or at the very least, obesity.

Memorial Day

Marcus, James, David, James

 The kids and the boys came to the house yesterday for a visit. We like to get the cousins together every now and then. James the Elder will be 4 in a couple of weeks and then other James will be 4 a few weeks after that. I'm just reeling. I thought my own children grew up fast--but my grandchildren are speeding through their childhoods. I can't stand it. I am just so very grateful that my kids live fairly close and that I get to see the boys fairly regularly.

Business Cat

Groucho, CatAngels spokescat

My coworker volunteers at Cat Angels cat rescue. Groucho is one of her rescues that she is permanently fostering. He makes frequent public appearances at various fund raising events and has even ridden in a couple of parades. He's been interviewed on TV. So, now he has his own business card.

Cafe Journaling Meet-Up

some of the ladies in my group--hard at play

We alternate our meet-ups between the CH Public Library and any number of local coffee shops. Johnny's is one of the groups' favorites. The management there is so nice and accommodating; they have great food snacks and coffee and homemade ice cream (which I can't have anymore because of this lactose issue...). They have some of the local musicians and artists doing their thing, as well. It's a great escape for me. People who aren't into paper and pens and journaling wouldn't understand at all. All I can say is, I'm so glad I finally found my tribe!

Bubbles

Drivin' the big rigs

James and Marcus in the steam roller

We took the boys to the "Touch A Truck" event at the Friday Center in Chapel Hill. This was a wonderful afternoon's entertainment sponsored by a local boy scout troop. There were all kinds of vehicles that the kids could climb into. James is obsessed with fire trucks and there were 3 or 4 varieties there. There were lots of rescue vehicles and police cars, tow trucks, dump trucks, city and school buses, a helicopter, garbage trucks, a bunch of construction equipment--steam roller, excavator, cement truck, bulldozer, semi tractor trailers, and a police motorcycle (which kind of scared the boys). It was rather menacing looking up close. Jon and Lila's boys went earlier in the day, so we missed them. I'm sure the other set of grandboys were equally impressed. Little boys sure do love big trucks. The weather couldn't have been better. We stopped at Weaver Street for a quick bite on the way home. Truly a lovely day...although my back is absolutely killing me right now. Time to dose up with the tylenol and go lay down for awhile. Ugh...gotta work tomorrow.

Late afternoon, early spring

view from the back deck looking toward the neighbor's yard

the other kids

Sophie and Early on the back deck

Finally, some sunshine! The dogs are enjoying a break in the late winter weather. It's still a little cold for me, but at least it stopped raining. Everyone north of us got snow this weekend. That makes 3 snow storms this month! This is some kind of crazy weather. Hopefully spring really is on the way.

All My Grandsons

Marcus, James, David, James

Family Reunion Time

My brother was passing through town today, so I was able to pull together all the kids and grandkids for lunch at Babalu in Chapel Hill. It has become one of my favorite eating places. We had a wonderful time and the food was great. Best of all, PHOTO OP!