We all know that summer runs from Memorial Day till Labor Day, and that is Summer.  And I don’t know about you, but it was one hot (figurative), and long summer.  While the weather was relatively temperate, I am just straight up glad it’s over.

This post spawns as an aside from a guest I submitted to Todd Vendituoli’s BuildingBlox Blog (Look for it this week).  And out of some sort of sick desire . . . I want to take a breath and recap.  OK, I really mean — just “dump” and I’m still waiting for that moment when I’ll let myself breathe.

The summer, for me. went like this . . .

June Was . . .

The Standard Hotel, the High Line and New York/New Jersey with American Standard.  Great to learn about a great American company and great to meet some people in RL that I had only known in the Twitosphere.

Louisville, Kentucky (the first time for me) with the Dream Team, GE Appliances and some red penguins.  Great experience — 1st class style with a group of people I love hanging with.  A company that cares.  (Note the post, some two months late.)

Exterior siding and trim, and yes, it seems like it has been that way for years.  But this time,  I paid a carpenter so I could hang with him for a weekend, and show him how it should be done.  I’m not done yet . . . but at least I am getting some free caulk—Thank you Dap!

- June was for learning that it ain’t all fab and glam.

July Was . . .

My now-deceased “God rest her precious soul” grandmother’s birthday and some time at her house.  Ownership on it now split three ways.  Really hasn’t been that much of a burden . . . yet.  It’ll be a year in November.

Two girls celebrating birthdays, and we did two sleepover slumber party birthdays … a third at our swimming pool.  Result — been there done that.  If you haven’t experienced anything like this, eight to ten young girls “partying” till the wee hours of the morning, I say just avoid it.  While a blast for them, for me and my wife — a hangover from hell.

A brick job, which fell to a dude, a good dude, a mason we know.  He squeezed us in as a side job and before his vacation.  On removal of the formstone – extensive damage was revealed.  We ultimately got the brick done, but we were way over initial budget and time line.  There are a buttload of loose ends.  I had to fire another carpenter from this job (2nd for the summer).  He was incapable of communicating via a cell phone and seemed to make just too many questionable judgements.  (He did have time to install some windows and hang some drywall though, thanks.)

- July was for learning there is always a long way to go and lots to do.

August Was . . . (Well where the hell did August Go?! Oh yeah . . . Continuing,)

Site traffic that looked like a mountain range.  (Oh wait! Maybe that was my mood.)

Two important anniversaries.  My wife and I have been married for eleven years.  Thank you.

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina and one bi-annual family vacation.  I was able to relax and enjoy most parts of.  And unfortunately, the post I want to write . . . yep, Pulitzer . . . and probably won’t get done with it anytime soon.

Car shopping for the misses, and we did find her some something pretty sweet.  But Uggh! A car payment for the first time in seven years.  (And two bikes stolen from my truck pretty much shot it straight downhill.)

Jenny buying a house . . . as an investment.  And I am not really involved.  But it’s exciting and I’m here.

- August was learning that the past isn’t always in the past.

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Summer Was, Well . . . an Ass Kicker!

But we blogged.  (And thank you if you contributed.)

And this summer was about trying to make it (both Barry and I) to the 2011 Remodeling Show.  And while I haven’t thrown in the towel on it, it has been a campaign that we didn’t have enough resources for, that balled me up . . . a lot, and that potentially alienated some of our readers.  I am sorry if it did.  It seemed like a fun idea at the time.  But . . . Yeah, I don’t know, you never know, still.

- Summer was for learning to be humble . . . the hard way.

September . . .

Is now back to school . . . the girls in 1st and 3rd grade, and Holy Hell, I have a 3rd grader … she’s eight and bought a sports bra this summer.  The cooler mornings take me right back, but they really are feeling a little further away.

Marks the ten-year anniversary of that thing that happened in New York.  (Still ……. Why?)

Starts with Labor Day, and I am working this year . . . but Fall really is my favorite time of year.  So I will try to be bright . . . and that’s it.

- September is for learning if you want it then just do it.

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Happy and safe Labor Day for all.  No matter what you are doing, enjoy. ~jb

Edit:  Oh and forgive me if I didn’t ask, how was your summer?