Family Artwork Revisited

Expressions from Kelly, Christopher and Gail suggest their may be another artist in the family waiting to find their moment of self expression in the future.

Christopher continues family tradition

Chris's first Thanksgiving family meal was fit for royalty. We all ate until we could eat no more. Even Maggie was a happy cat that day. Not even she could find room for dessert.

Condo in the SKY captures LIGHT

The winter sun shines brightly into the major living area of our condo while we wait for another spectacular sunset each day. Once our new furnishing arrive, we will enjoy the efforts it took to remove two walls to create this large open space in the sky.

Condo in the sky Memories

Our fire marshal visit to the condo was a long awaited event. With his approval we could finally close the soffits in the new big room and install the final wood flooring. Such an event sent everyone into an accelerated renovation frenzy.

Condo in the SKY rush to FINISH again

Forces were assembled to complete as much as possible before we travel for a week. Will the change orders from the clients ever end? Everything looks wonderful but there is always room for those small modifications like redoing the big room ceiling at the final hour.

Condo in the SKY rush to FINISH

Bedrooms are finished but Our BIG ROOM has finally reached it final stages. Two forces descended upon the space in one day to finish the major items before we travel abroad. Final painting will follow as we wait for our new furnishings in 2010. We look forward to the coming holiday season when we can experience our completed condo hideaway.

Condo in the SKY "Defining Moment"

A dynamic team was gathered to finish this task in two days. We are grateful for the assistance of the Carlyle Towers staff during these times of STRESS.

After many days of negotiations and discussions, a fire protection solution was found that created a loop system and removed the need to change existing main lines to distribute the water protection. This final phase allows installation of the long awaited wood flooring in the big new room of the condo. Once the Fire Marshall approves the installation, we can close all the holes which were needed to install our system. Test has been scheduled for the following morning.

Condo in the SKY Light

As final refinements are being implemented in the condo, we enjoy our first sunset from our enclosed balcony after the long work day has ended. We look forward to many more experiences.

Condo in the SKY continues SLOWLY

The soffit is ready for protection distribution.

But, we can not move the existing without a permit!

In every project there seems to be one factor which always slows the progress of the work beyond all expectations and good scheduling. Completing the fire protection system in a timely manner has brought all activity to a standstill while we wait for a permit to realign the system. After many hours of research into the City of Alexandria archives and many consultant reviews, the implementation has not begun. Finishing the large open space may be the last space finished before we can move in our final furnishing. We all hope for a better day very soon.

Condo in the SKY continues AGAIN

Some living begins as more things get done.

A soffit here and another there to complete our work.

A little trim will always make things look nice.

First move will require a few revisions before installation.

Energy conservation comes FIRST to make our day.

Condo in the SKY continues

Much is happening in the final days before we move into our bedrooms in October 2009. Lighting and counters need to be installed for our transition. We may have to accept that some things will not get done. But, we have to move before the next NAESP principals event in DC.

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Condo in the SKY Renovation

This is the view we wish to capture in as many spaces as we can.

Look closely, you might fine a national landmark or two?

First we had to remove two walls to begin our journey. According to the State of Virginia, this high-rise condo structure is a commercial structure and it requires an architectural stamp for a renovation permit. Thank goodness I had one. All work must be done by licensed contractors and approved by the Condo review board before our renovation implementation.

After a month of preparation, we finally installed wood flooring in both bedrooms. We plan to occupy our condo bedrooms in October 2009 after electrical modifications and stone counter preparation. Renovation to our fire protection system will require another month in the BIG room. Further update will follow this journey towards those retiring years in the metro area of Alexandria, VA. New furnishings are scheduled to arrive after the New Year. Wish us LUCK!!

Lincoln's FIRST Birthday Celebration

Once Lincoln touched his single candle, OUCH!, it was time to cut the cake and open the presents as everyone sang the Happy Birthday song on his grandparents back porch in Virginia. It was a wonderful gathering for one and all a week before his actual birthday.

NAESP "Defining Moment" 2009

NAESP Presidents 2009

NAESP meets the Obama Secretary of Education

The National Association of Elementary School Principles (NAESP) finally has an administration listening to the voices of the educational community to improve the quality of our nation's educational system. "A mind is a terrible thing to waste." Our children must to be ready for their future responsibilities to keep our contry safe and prosperous. This goal must be achieved.

Reflections of Global Travels

Reflections provide an opportunity to understand the meaning of each experience and a motivation to visit foreign lands until the end of our days. Discovery is the final test of life. We all need to enjoy all the final moments we can before we make that final travel.