Hooked up my laptop to watch GMA from Sarasota since storm coverage dominated the local programming. Went outside afterward and blew the driveway off, planted the Lily of the Valleys and also the Dahlias. Spread 2 bags of mulch around the bed in the back. The ballet is on according to the web site.
Downtown was a disaster. Traffic lights out, streets blocked by trees, wires down everywhere, broken glass and twisted metal scattered about. The glass doors on the Progress Energy Center are missing, part of the roof was on the sidewalk and Oak Trees are snapped off everywhere. Saw an accident at one of the intersections without traffic lights.
Monet impressions was totally enjoyable. We had a little trouble coming home since we had to zigzag around some closed streets that had power lines and downed trees on them. For dinner Libbie made her yummy pizza which was excellent again. The crust came out nice and crispy.

I started and finished painting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial in Watercolor. This was a good practice experience for me. Tried listening to Wozzceck on the radio but i didn't care for it. A really bad storm with tornadoes came through at 4 PM. We waited and watched while tuned in to WRAL watching the Doppler radar. It missed us and hit downtown Raleigh. We went out a little after the storm to check the greenhouse. That was a mistake. Traffic lights are out and tree branches are everywhere. We stopped in to Krogers and picked up some store deli counter ribs. Not great but we didn't want to go anywhere else except home. We had Lima beans and Shiraz with the dinner. I studied my painting some more to figure out how to improve the next version.

Leith called that they couldn't verify my credit. I spent time on the phone with Experian and then they did. This went on all day until we found the problem was the Jessie Rd address vs Downing Place. I need to go back to sign the loan papers. Dinner was parmesan Tilapia with mixed veggies (Steamfresh) and a bottle of Shiraz.

After breakfast I went into the garage and disassembled the console. Installed a power jack for the Sirius radio that sits on the floor under the shifter. Drilled a hole in the back of the iPod door to run an audio cable to the aux jack. Put everything back together and ran a cable bundle from next to the steering column over to the radio. Everything worked out neater than expected. I'm happy with the installation. Took a ride to the old Sams area on Weston Pkwy. The flowering plants are done. Too bad but it was a good joy ride for me and my new Corolla.
In the afternoon Libbie and I went to the greenhouse in the Corolla. She walked the aisles talking to some woman on the phone giving her inventory while I walked around outside taking pictures. Dinner was frozen pad thai froom Trader Joes.

I had an appointment with the Toyota dealer at 11 today. I left home at 9:30 to go to AgriSupply to get fence wire and to use some of the half tank of gas I had left. I got to Leith Toyota at 10:50 am. My salesman, Mark, was pretty nice. We test drove a white Corolla, then they appraised my car. They didn't like the cracked windshield and gave we 1,000 dollars less than the guaranteed value. They eventually raised the value by $500 making the payment $256 per month. Had some trouble getting an Experian Credit report. They said they would try another method and eventually I drove out of there with a new Corolla. They called later telling me that I needed to get Experian to unfreeze my account since Southeast Toyota won't finance the deal without the credit report. Amica soon called saying that Leith called them. I verified the info with them. It will cost $92 more per year insurance. I went outside and mounted the old trailer hitch which fortunately fit right into the mounting holes. Next step was to run the Sirius satellite antenna wire and mount the radio. Did a test drive but did not care for the radio hitting my knee. This needs more work in addition to getting a more permanent electrical connection. I temporarily plugged the Sirius radio into the cigarette lighter. Will fix tomorrow or some other time. I also still need to wire up the trailer lights. This is a difficult job. Last time I wired up the brake lights only. Dinner tonight was Briyani. I saw tonight on Entertainment Tonight that Karina from Dancing with the Stars is going to appear nude in Playboy. I'll have to keep an eye out for that issue.

Went to Jerry's as well as Trader Joes before I had to be back at 11 for a potential Home Depot phone call. The call came exactly at 11 saying delivery would be within 30 minutes. At 11:25 am the new cooktop arrived and they took the old cooktop as well as the hood. The new top dropped right into the slot after I made the electrical connections. Bolted it down and proceeded to clean the Stainless Steel surface. I looked for Stainless cleaner in Krogers but found nothing. will check online. Did some more looking at BP then payed the Visa bill which was over $2400. Had to transfer $1000 from Scottrade to cover. Later in the pm I climbed on the roof of the greenhouse garage building to nail down the fiberglass sheet which had come loose. It was bent backwards and completely off the opening. I nailed it down pretty good. It's a breezy day today.
Dinner tonight was spinach ravioli with tomato sauce sprinkled with cheese.

Spent some time this morning removing the cooktop. Ran to Home Depot for a cable clamp and caulk. I wanted to clamp the cable where it comes out of the wall and put some caulking around the opening to keep bugs from going into the wall. This was a success. I'm dealing with lots of car dealers calling after I filled out a car appraisal sheet and also went to Consumer Reports to try their build and buy service. Finally Leith called, I set up an appointment with the fleet sales manager for a replacement Corolla. Now the fun began. I unbolted the trailer hitch, cut the cable for the trailer lights, removed the satellite radio bracket, emptied the trunk and gloveboxes. The hard part was removing the radio and putting the factory radio back into the dash. I did a pretty good job. Unfortunately, Home Depot called with an 11:30 slot which means I postponed my 11 am Tuesday car meeting. Libbie and I went to China Chef for 3 meat Szechuan and picked up dinner which included egg rolls. We had a bottle of Shiraz with dinner.

I practiced smooshing and found out that how wet the brush is makes a difference. The violet ladies showed up here at 8 am for the trip to New Bern for a meeting at Barb Odgers house. I went out to Fresh Market looking for pizza dough. They kept telling me the freezer case but I came up empty handed and bought a prepared pizza instead. Spent some more time looking at BP.
When Libbie came back from New Bern she heated the stone and made the pizza. Our lower oven doesn't seem to get as hot as the old one did.

I spent the morning getting caught up with documents and backups on the computer. I also tried some smooshing with my watercolor brush. It was not a success. I hurried up at 11:25 to get ready for the opera. We left the house at 11:30 for a 1 pm showing. The Rossini opera was a delight with lots of fast singing, sextets, quartets, the chorus. It was also campy. We started late since Juan Diego Florez was attending the birth of his baby at 12:25. Wow. We had two girls behind us who liked to have loud guffaws. During the intermission we moved to the end of the row. These seats were much better for our enjoyment. On the way home we stopped at Trader Joes for wine to have with our ribs. We also had some skinny minty for desert. I stayed up almost to midnight studying BP since my TER id is active again. I submitted some fake reviews to activate it for 2 weeks.

We were at breakfast at 7 this morning. We had cleaned up everything last night so it was just a matter of gathering our paintings. first we had an art show where everyone had their paintings taped to the wall for critique. He had very favorable things to say about mine and Libbie's comparing it to the work Tony van Hasselt who was conducting an advanced seminar next door. Lots of good vibes and we had lots of interest in carrying it further. We checked out at 10, picked up our box lunch which was a turkey sandwich, apple, chips and cookies. Very nice. Traffic on I-95 was horrible. All the Canadians in their giant RV's are going home. The traffic finally lets up when we reach I-26. I-95 from that point onward thins out and is lighter. We stopped at Lake Santee rest area for bathroom break and Florence for gas. When we got to Dillon I wanted to look for fence wire so we stopped at Harbor Freight Tools. It wasn't worth the stop. Got home at 4 pm. The trip wasn't too bad, more RV's and campers than normal because of the snowbird migration.
We went out to LaCocina for dinner tonight then picked up milk, OJ and fruit at Krogers afterward. I had a margarita and Quesadilla La Cocina.

Breakfast at 7, bacon and eggs with a very nice biscuit. I started a "highwayman" watercolor. This had a blue and red sky with water in the foreground and a group of Palm Trees in the center. Had some trouble with the sky running then the water needs a little softening. I tried for a darker shade of blue water but it came out contrasty. Came back after a lunch of chicken Caesar wrap sandwich and add the Palm trees and cleaned up our workspace. Drove down to the village and walked around the lighthouse. Libbie bought a Neptune book after we met one of our co watercolorists on the Jetty who had one. I saw 2 girls ride by on bicycles. I thought one of them was a guy because she was wearing a white shirt totally unbuttoned in front. When I peeked I was delightfully astounded that she was totally exposed. In the evening we got dressed up somewhat for dinner and had a low country boil which was shrimp, potatoes, sausage, cabbage and corn in a stew. It was very good. Desert was red velvet cake. At 7 we had entertainment, Tony Baker, who had a wonderful voice singing some original compositions while strumming his guitar. We bought his CD "Saint Simons Song". After the entertainment we took a walk to the waterfront and watched the remnants of sunset. I tried to grab a few pics. We've been doing Watercolor too much since I kept seeing red and blue washes across the sky with the Palm Trees in the foreground. What a place. Stopped by the front desk for quarters for the drink machine and treated myself to a Pepsi back in the room.

After the frustration of yesterday we combined sky, water, beach and the trees to make a landscape scene with two trees, a dead one and one with foliage. This went a little better but still was pretty hard. After lunch we went in a caravan to Dr Magid and Gail's house. We enjoyed all the paintings on the wall and everywhere elae. I got the story on his "wife" and Sweety from Gail. First wife died but he calls Gail his wife. She lives with him and also has a house in Atlanta. We toured the outdoor studio which is a screened in porch and also toured the studio over the garage where he cuts mats and has many more paintings covering the walls. The garage studio has a complete bedroom and kitchen. After we were done visiting we went outside and photographed the prof and his fiance before getting in the car to drive back. We stopped at Darien on the way back and walked the historic District, walked along the docks, saw the shrimping fleet and the warehouse tabby ruins. All in all it was a nice afternoon. Tonight was free and it was suggested we could go out somewhere for dinner but we stayed. Several of our classmates also stayed behind. We had dinner with them which was fried chicken and mashed potatoes. Desert was a cherry cobbler. We tried staying out on the marsh front but the bugs were terrible so we abandoned ship and went back to our room.

After breakfast at 7 am we went to the classroom for our 8:30 class. We had quite a bit of success yesterday. Today was not so successful. We tried painting a tree which was difficult. I learned a lot despite the frustration. I couldn't get the paint to flow, probably because the paper was dry. I had not gotten the technique of smooshing yet either. It was a frustrating day. We went for lunch and had some kind of pita bread with mushrooms inside as well some black beans, rice beef rollups. After lunch we got on a bus and had an island tour. We went to Fort Fredericka, watched a movie on the history then walked the grounds of the Fort. I loved the big live oaks draped with Spanish moss. We stopped at Christ church and got a little bit of history about the church from Jean, our coordinator. We got back after the 3 hour tour and rested a little before dinner. Went over to the dining hall and had stuffed flounder and veggies for dinner. We're eating very well. Desert was banana cream pie which was very good. In the evening at 7 pm we had a demonstration of watercolor pouring which involves pouring the colors on the paper, swirling and blowing them around, then finding out what it made. It was a full day.

Went to an incredible breakfast of eggs, bacon grits and biscuits. Sat with some of the watercolorists we met yesterday. Started our class at 8:30 by gathering around the front desk and watching Majid put down some wash. Next we traced some daisies on our paper and masked them then put the wash over it. This didn't go too bad. Next step was to put lines and splatters over the paper. This was a lot of fun. Went to lunch and had Flounder which was a little much for us for just lunch. It was yummy. After lunch we scraped the masking off the daisies and colored them in with watercolor. Placing a mask over the painting made it look pretty good. I thoroughly enjoyed today. In the afternoon we had a tour of the Tabby cabins and the Epworth gorunds by Jean, our assigned coordinator. What a lovely place. Went back for dinner at 5:30 which was Prime Rib with salad and baked potato. We're eating too much. Walked around the grounds some more after dinner.

Had a leisurely breakfast then when it was time to leave at 8:30 I discovered the outlet hose came off the fish pump. Put a clamp on temporarily as a fix then put the pump back and turned it on. Need a better clamp. Our ride down was interesting. There was a lot of cars on I-95 and an accident at MM 176 in SC. We got off at 182 and took some back roads before getting back on at exit 162, Florence. the detour was worth it since the scenery was so beautiful. Got into St Simon at 3 PM. Checked into our room then did a walk around the grounds. It was beautiful, the temp is 78 degrees and the azaleas are all in bloom on this waterfront. We had a buffet dinner of pork loin and all the trimmings. I even had an eclair for desert. After dinner we started our painting class by preparing the paper.

Did last minute stuff today. Cleaned the pump screen in the Koi pond and refilled the fish feeder. While I listened to the opera which was Rheingold on the Sat broadcast I searched for Jessica's pictures on her list. After the Opera we went to BJ's for garbage bags, ribs and wine. Dinner tonight was the ribs with a bottle of Ravenwswood Zin and broccoli. After dinner I finsihed packing for our trip tomorrow.

I plastered the holes behind the hood and painted the cabinet sides because they will be exposed below the cabinet. After it all dried I struggled to get the new hood installed. the new lights are much brighter than the old single 60 watt bul in the old hood. The Stainless makes it look high end. In the afternoon Libbie and I climbed onto the greenhouse and pulled the shade cloth on. I almost didn't make it, I was so exhausted. Came home and layed on the bed nude until i was rested enough for a shower. After the shower i finished the book "Best Laid Plans". It was so so. We left at 6 for First Friday. Met Jim Fatata at Visual Arts where he had a sculpture entered. Went to the annex and talked to a glass blower from North of Asheville. Enjoyed walking around Artspace before we walked over to Cafe Luna. The two cute gymnasts were doing their show on the corner. We had an enjoyable Cafe Luna dinner and a glass of wine. They were pretty busy as usual, my favorite was a pretty blonde in plunging neckline of a little black dress. She had a very nice natural breast showing for cleavage. I like this much better than the pushups and plastic ones. Got home at 9:30 and there was an email with picture list from Jessica. There also was another request for board reports by Sue Ramseur for last years report.

I finished up the taxes today but no need to file yet since we have no tax liability. I want to review the BB entries since the accounting system is a mess. I took the old cooktop hood down today as well as the ductwork. The old ducts were a mess so I went to Home Depot and bought new ducts as well as a duct crimping tool that costs $25. I have always lusted after these things but never got one. It works incredibly well converting a femal duct end into a male. It also helps crimp existing males so they insert better which is what i had to do to get the elbow plugged into the ceiling. The AC line had to be rerouted and the holes patched. I bought a metal plaster patch at HD and put it on in anticipation of palster. Dinner was curried chicken with Broccoli. Very yummy.

Today was a day of freedom. The cards were mailed last night!!!! When Libbie came home at 2 we went to Home Depot and used my 10% off coupon to order stainless steel hood and cooktop. We brought the hood home but have to get the cooktop delivered. We'll get it the Tuesday after we get back from St Simon island. I started working on our taxes. It's not looking so good this year. We may have to pay money. We left at 6 after a crab cake dinner for Memorial hall in Chapel Hill. We saw a performance of the Nederlands Dance Co which was spectacular. The first piece was called Looking back and started with a doll then a girl talking about herself when she was little. The company then moved into the gray humdrum of everyday life before breaking out in a male - female pas de deux. Just before that there was the innocent flirting of youth. When the piece ended the doll was replaced by a semi nude female dancer in a see through flesh leotard. Spectacular!!!! The second piece after the intermission was a phillip glass music composition whihc fit very well with the movement. They used a video screen with a man walking away in the surf while 2 dancer s stayed behind and went through a lot of emotional dance. The piece and movie screen moved through the woods, through being a little girl, then a man going past a window before opening into the firmanent. This all played in reverse as once again the dancers went through many emotions. All in all it was a superb performance by 30 dancers. I want to see them again. It was raining when we exited and had to do the 10 minute walk to Cobb parking garage. It was a slow wet ride home trying to see the road. Had to stop for a little gas in chapel Hill to be safe.

Worked all day on a short in the card for #4. Removed the buzzer which was the source of the short then the buzzer wasn't loud enough. Found 2 pins on the microprocessor with a solder bridge. Fixed them and all was well. Buttoned upp the 4th card, took it all to the Post Office and sent it on it's way to Maine. Woo Hoo! Dinner was spinach tortelloni.

Didn't do too much this morning. Went to Trader joes for some supplies, looked for fence wire in Norther Supply but none. In the afternoon we went to the HD theater in Morrisville and thoroughly enjoyed a performance of Coppellia like we have never seen before. it was the best ballet performance ever live from Paris by the Paris Opera Ballet. Lunch today was a thai salad from Trader joes. Dinner was parmesan tilapia with two buck chuck. We did Fresh Market on the way home from the ballet to get the Tilapia. We also found some Dr Cracker crackers which Libbie likes because it has many seeds and lots of fiber.

I did a little more work on the Kahlo cards cutting the spacers down so they would fit into the case. We had a quick bowl of soup and then went on our way to the ballet. Carmen was fabulous. We had balcony seats which I was thinking while in the balcony that we probably would be better served by being in the orchestra where we would have beter sight lines to the dancers and their wonderful movements. It was incredibly enjoyable although our Carmen was a bit skinny and flat chested to be a Carmen. When we got back Libbie used the lower oven for the first time of the new oven to make our pizza. The crust didn't cook thoroughly which means the stone wasn't hot. We need to investigate further.

I went right to work on Kahlo after Saturday GMA. Three out of 4 of the cards work. I also built the last probe and finished the power supplies. The LCD display is sitting too high so I need to shorten the two spacers under the PCB by the display. Hopefully this will correct the situation.
Sitting on the back porch on this cold day (temp 46) and listening to Queen of Spades by Tchaikovsky live from the Met. Dinner was a Trader Joes Beef Bourginon which we had early because we had to leave for the symphony. Symphony parking was crowded - all three theaters had stuff going on. We found an illegal spot in one of the drives of the lobbyist's parking lot. Symphony was a little different. I didn't care for our seats way in the back in row CC under the balcony. For the second half we moved up several rows into some vacant seats. It was cold and windy going and coming. It's hard to believe it's Spring it's so cold.

Once again worked on Kahlo. Put one power plug on the power supplies. It went well, now there are 3 more. Also building the rest of the probes. The project is moving along at a glacial pace. Deposited a bunch of checks in the CU that Jennifer gave me this morning. After the CU I went to Lowes and picked up 2 more fence posts for the azalea electric fence wire. I broke the water can on the back porch so went to Walmart and found a substitute watering can. Dinner was salad and a bean burger. i love those things. Heard from Libbie at the airport in Providence. She leaves at 7:30 landing in RDU at 10:30. While on Facebook I had chats with Ann-Marie about population in Apex and Andrea about her upbringing in Kissimmee. I noticed the time and it was 10:30 so I jumped into the car and took I-40 to the airport. got there at 10:50 but Libbie's plane had got there at 10:25. We didn't return on I-40 because they were paving the other direction so it was down to a single lane.

It rained during the night. Sky was blue this morning so I took some dogwood pics and posted to Facebook. Worked on assembling plastic cases to PC Boards. All went together well. I had a bean burger for lunch then went to Home Depot for bark and a water pitcher. I broke the back porch watering can today watering all the plants. The spout broke when I was taking it up from the fish pond and it hit the floor cracking it. Home Depot doesn't have an acceptable replacement. symphony sent a buy one get one coupon today so I ordered tix for Sat. I also found a credit union coupon online for 20% off Carolina Ballet so I bought Carmen ballet tickets. Monday there is a live from paris ballet, so we will have a weekend full of culture.