Hey all! I so appreciate all the input and advice. Haven't been able to post for awhile, as things have been really busy. I peeked in on my bees a week and a half after my initial post and found the swarm cell gone, and the bees in that hive drawing comb like crazy. I also found plenty of capped brood this time and they were bringing in a lot of pollen. They seemed oblivious to my presence.
Hive 2 seems weaker, not as busy as the other hive, but they haven't drawn any swarm cells on me so I guess that's good. I found eggs in that hive so at least I know a queen is there. They seem lazier than hive 1, but I'm ok with that, maybe they're just like me. :-D
I am glad I got two hives so that I can do the comparisons.
As for my beek friend, I just glean the important info from him now. He would flip a lid if he knew I was in there every week (he gave my husband instructions to keep me out of the hives, just let the bees be...haha :evil: ) but that is the best way for me to learn.
As for the nuc supplier, I'm going to hope that it was just an accident and not a deliberate ripoff. If I happen to need to order more nucs in the future, I will make sure I know what I am getting.
Again, thanks for the info!
~mary