Commencement...

As defined by Merriam-Webster:

com·mence·ment

 noun \kə-ˈmen(t)s-mənt\

: the time when something begins

: a ceremony during which degrees or diplomas are given to students who have graduated from a school or college

This is a summer of commencements. My youngest daughter, Carmen, has now graduated from Franklin High School. She meets both of the above definitions. A diploma was granted and in the fall she will start, or commence, a new chapter in her life at The University of St. Thomas. The rest of our family will begin, or commence, our new lives as residents of Minnesota. This will officially start somewhere in the second week of August when we finally move into our new house.

Congratulations Carmen
Final graduate of Franklin High School

Now that the house is taken care of, knock wood it passes all inspections and we have a successful closing, it's the little things that will remind us that a new chapter is upon us. One of the first things I did when I moved here in May was to travel to the Minnesota DMV to obtain my drivers license. It was a lot like most every other DMV I have ever been in, expect with more rules. They would not accept my Wisconsin drivers license as a form of identification. So, I had to go back with my passport and my Social Security card. Try remembering where yours is! You see, I needed 2 forms of ID with my middle spelled out. after taking the written test, I bought the cheat sheets online, I passed all requirements and was granted a Minnesota Drivers License. Only problem was, it comes in the mail 2-3 weeks later. I felt like a 16 year old driving around on a paper learners permit. But, finally it arrived and I am official...

Official Minnesotan

Later this week I need to get a haircut, so, the hunt for a new hair salon begins. I am pretty sure I don't want to go to Sport Clips, Fantastic Sam's, Great Clips etc... If I like my haircut, maybe I will post a photo. A quick scan of Google shows many choices, all within a ten mile radius...