met up with an awesome bee keeper near sac today. Got a hive he said was 40k + and ready for a split. Nice guy gave me spare frames I needed to use fill in the extra boxes I had laying around. So now have a bait box, a 3 deep hive with top and bottom, and my bees. Was also given a nice well worn hive tool that to me seems special, and more prized by me than a new one. Will likely post a new thread for the new hive.
Funny little bit he saw I left my veil on the hood of the car " you are not afraid of the bees ? " Wouldn't you know I get a trouble maker who stings me under my glasses right at my right eye :0P
Very excited and very thankful :0)