Messages from Ben. Makes it all worthwhile

Mom, I just wanted to tell you how much I love you and care about you and want the absolute best for you❤️ I really do think about how much you try to make me happy and I reflect on when you don’t buy me MK clothes, that you’re protecting me and teaching me to value money and value hard work. I appreciate it, and I’m sorry I always react in a nonsense way. I really understand you’re trying to teach me to be an adult and make adult decisions.
I also wanted to share my gratitude for letting me be an adult and go on trips from home by myself and learn how to deal with new experiences as an adult. I am enjoying myself, and I thank you for trusting me to do the right thing. I couldn’t have asked for better! You and dad do the most for me and I will return the favour in the future. I’ll work hard in college to have a good education, a good life, and not have to worry about money.
I reflected hard about life and my shopping addiction while staring at Lake Michigan. I realized what is most important is to live in the present, enjoy it, learn from it, and not throw a fit when my mom doesn’t buy me designer clothes and bags. My focus should be on living a good, healthy life, surrounded by good relationships and family.
I love you so much and I reflect on how you and dad work extremely hard for all you have. So I shouldn’t take it from you. I should let you have the kitchen, bathrooms, and house of your dreams! My wonderful parents. I love you both dearly, and will do anything to make you proud and happy❤️ I love you both so much and can’t wait to share my college experience with you. Expect to not be asked for clothes money anymore, I will buy them myself and work for what I have. I have to learn
You and dad taught me an amazing lesson. I think about it and I truly understand. Quality, experience, and hard work, over luxury and short term wants. I love you❤️
I had to just share how much I reflected on what you said. And apologize for giving you an attitude because you wouldn’t pay for my plane. My fault. And I want to say sorry.
I am truly lucky for what I have and the parents I have.

Quick trip to Minneapolis

I did a quick two day trip to Minneapolis to attend a International Ombudsman Association training.  I had never been there before and didn't get to see too much of the City, but it was much nicer than I thought it would be.  Lots of big buildings, including outside my hotel window!!!  We were staying close to the baseball stadium, lots of rooftop restaurants around and perfect weather to eat outside

I got a chance to walk down to the river and it looks like they have a nice walking/biking trail.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to use it since it started pouring rain as soon as I got down there!!!!  I did get some nice bridge/river pictures but never made it down to the more picturesque parts

Loved the bridges though

They have some really cool old buildings.  This is the lumber exchange building that was built in 1885, one of the oldest skyscrapers and fireproof buildings in the country

There is a huge music scene in Minneapolis (who knew?!) and lots of murals on buildings

We stayed opposite the First Avenue, which was originally a Greyhound bus depot.  They have a bunch of stars on the wall with band names-first one I saw was UB40, so has to be a great spot!!!!

Ben and Jane Trip to Chicago Day 3

After my meeting was over, I tracked Ben down, he had walked all the way along the lake front (several times) and was way down at the far end by Shedd aquarium, so i walked down to meet him.  We did not have time to go in anywhere, but I did get pictures of the Field Museum

Shedd Aquarium

And the Planetarium

We walked a long way!!!!

I wanted to see Buckingham Fountain

It is really lovely to see

Then we went to Millennium Park because I wanted to the "The Bean"

We had a great time.  We were there 4 days, I managed to get in the bulk of the meeting and we walked for miles and miles.  It was nice to spend so much time with Ben.  I am so glad he decided to come with me.  I would say that this was my first real trip to Chicago, I had never really been in the right place at the right time to enjoy it before and to get out and truly explore it

Ben and Jane Trip to Chicago 2019 Day 2

My conference started at lunch on day 2, so Ben and I went out for breakfast and walked around some more.  We seem to get everywhere by starting on the river trail!!!

It was a beautiful day and much cooler than yesterday

Yes, we ended up back at the Centennial Fountain again!!!!

You know who.....

Walking by the lake

Ferris wheel on Navy Pier

Time for a quick relax-actually not that relaxing, those are definitely not made for sleeping on!!!

Navy Pier

Ben and Jane trip to Chicago 2019

I went to an AAMC meeting in Chicago and Ben decided to come with me.  We took my car and Ben drove the whole way.  We stayed right be the river, this was the view from our 23rd storey window

View of the lake from the elevators on our floor

Ben sitting by the Centennial Fountain

Walking along the river trail

Chicago at night

Water arc across the river at Centennial Fountain

We wandered around quite a bit for seeing as we got there at 4 pm and it was still 99 degrees

Garden update

The hardy hibiscus has just started flowering, it's late this year

Cone flowers are looking lovely, but I'm not a huge fan of them

The squirrels are ruining my hibiscus this year, they are climbing in the plants to eat the flowers and breaking all the branches, it's very annoying

Lantana is doing very well

Wild petunia, spreading like crazy!!!

July trip to MBG

I think we might have missed out on a MBG trip in June, but braved the heat and went yesterday. The corpse flower is getting ready to bloom. Even though it was not open yet, the smell was definitely there

The gazing pools are lovely at the moment, the lilies have been blooming for quite a while

They have these lovely miniature lilies

The bigger ones are much more impressive

This Rose of Sharon in the Ottoman garden is lovely.  They don't self-seed, so no volunteers, I might have to buy one

The view from our breakfast table