Canada is Beautiful

We spent only 11 days in Up State NY and Cananda, but it was enough time to know that we want to go back.

A moment in pictures

 

 

Life Moves Swiftly These Days

We are a family that loves to travel, experience new cultures, and emerge ourselves into as much as we can as we visit each new destination. We have been so fortunate to have been able to see a great deal of the world, and our country, so this summer we decided ( since time was limited) that we would visit the country north of us. So, with that in mind it was a plane ride to upstate New York and then on into Canada.

Normally, we have a few weeks to embrace vacation, but the college graduate was fortunate enough to do well in his internship that he was offered a job upon graduation. In this day and age that is quite a rarity, so along with the excitement of pending full time employment came the realization that our vacation patterns were about to change as well. It was an odd sensation actually, one that was filled with admiration for a job well done, and the understanding that we were in the midst of transitioning again. I write this with a smile, because I have come to embrace change, with the reality that with it comes growth and hopefully wisdom.

The professionals in the family enjoyed our travels to Canada, Buffalo, Niagara by the Lake ( the Canadian side), and as quickly as we returned they were off on business trips of their own, yes, soloing it. One was off to Boston, the other for 2 weeks of training in  Woodland Hills, and then off to Milwaukee for a week. My son is now a solo jet setter, he was nervous upon departure and returned with pictures, lots of pictures ( an old habit that seems lovely that he will continue) stories, and a sense of maturity that was wonderful to see.

I love watching the accomplishments and each new milestone that he achieves in his new world of business. He is an overachiever, strives for perfection and he is doing very well. It is not the same as watching him study for hours, and pour over mountains of books, but the momentum, seriousness of each task is still very present. I am amazed, proud, and deeply pleased at the well balanced life he is currently leading,

It was only a month and a half ago that he graduated and we were still doing the school "thing", now it is the Life "thing".

You are going places and I am thrilled to watch, you deserve the best this world has to offer, you have earned it.

Our Graduate

I can hardly believe this day has arrived, as with each mile stone , this one was tearful, full of immense pride, and overwhelmed me as a parent. I love this young man, for so many reasons and it is quite wonderful to hear professors express what you have always known to be true in your heart.

We attended three Honor inductions before graduation day arrived, yes 3. He was inducted into Alpha Chi Honor Society, which means he graduated at the top 10% of the overall Senior Class of 2014, he was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society, which means that he graduated at the top 3% of his fellow Business Administration Majors of Bachelor of Science Degrees. He was then asked to attend a special Honoree Banquet with no idea of what was to occur, he was honored as the Outstanding Business Management Student of Finance for 2014, and then received his cords for Magna Cum Laude.

Installing Hardwood Floors..Daunting Task

I had spent a great deal of time researching and looking through flooring stores, probably procrastinating out of fear of the mess, trying to decide if I wanted to replace my tile floors with wood. We had undergone a complete bathroom renovation in the spring which seemed to creep into summer and I was nervous about tackling another big project. I should truly follow my gut on these matters, because I knew it couldn't be as easy as they were telling me .

I managed to change my mind several times before signing on the dotted line, first it would be wood floors throughout the house, to, maybe just the entry and hallways to everything but the bedrooms. Once the decision was made and the flooring decided on I prepped the house. I thought I had over prepped because my lovely contractor simply said, "hmm, I think I would take down all of your pictures because it will get a little dusty in here." I covered my drapes, my furniture, my cupboards and felt pretty decently prepared.

The day before the big event, my girlfriend called and insisted on coming over and hanging out with me the day of the demolition. I thought it was a bit odd, but she was insistant and as it turned out she was very smart. She arrived thrity minutes after the chaos began. It was crazy, a desert storm throughout my house, my black things looked white, my white things looked dark gray and my heart was racing. My friend handed me a latte, complemented my backyard and sat me down pool side ( anothe spring renovation project) and began talking, talking and talking, looking back at the patio and the storm of white powder whipping out the doors and heading our direction.

I do not know what I would have done without her, that is a friend!

I cleaned for a week after it was over and then brought in professionals, it was exhausting. Worth it??
Well I'm still deciding, not really , I love them and they are far easier to care for than tile. Here are the before and after shots.