Colorizations with photoshop

I just learned how to "colorize" photos with photoshop. I used this website. It was relatively easy and turned out well, especially considering this was my first time.

D and Dad made it home Saturday. It was so great to have him back. We missed him terribly. This morning, as I was getting ready for work, he told me I had to close my eyes and then he led me to the refrigerator. We have magnetic words on there and he had spelled out "Mom is beautiful". It was so sweet! Later he spelled out "Mom is my best friend always". Awwww...he's so cute I can hardly stand it.

Just a pic...

Back to the grindstone.

Got about half of my introduction chapter to my dissertation done yesterday. So, one and a half done. Two and a half more to go.

Also got the Toyota sold yesterday. And the framed starry starry night print. Only a little more work to do before the house goes on the market. On tap for this weekend: yard work.

Spoke to big D last night. He caught EVEN MORE fish. He's becoming a great fisherman. Can't wait for him to come home.

Clara Leola (Sutherland) Garrison

Aaron and I just got back from Sikeston and attending his maternal Grandmother's funeral. Here's a link to her obituary.

What a wonderful woman she was! There are two words that come to mind when I think of Grandma Garrison: Faith and Family. She had lots of both! I wish I could have known her better. Although it was a difficult time for Aaron's family, I am grateful for knowing Grandma and for being able to meet so many of Aaron's extended family. Each one of them were touched by Clara and carry on her memory.

I added a link to the side there for the Garrison family--it should be up and running in the next few months. Be sure to check on it! It should be a great way for this LARGE family to keep up with each other!

House work update

I also wanted to add some pictures to update everyone on all the house work. The first picture is of the "brick" wall we have in our kitchen (in mid-paint) We painted it "prarie dance" from Valspar. It looks great (now that it's done)
The second set of pictures is of Aaron doing the texture on the ceiling in the bathroom. He did a great job!

The last picture is of the texturizing I did on the walls. I took joint compound, diluted it down and brushed it on the walls. It looks a bit like stucco/plaster. We painted it "mousse moose" from Valspar.
ALMOST DONE!

Yard Sale's over

We had a HUGE yard sale this weekend. It was GREAT to get rid of stuff--although I had to say good bye to some items I was a little attached to. Several cute outfits from D's baby days. D's baby bedding, etc., etc., etc. I wanted to attach a picture to give you an idea of how much stuff we had:
This was the "bedding table", which we set up on Friday night. The only thing that's leftover is the two sets of Thomas bedding.

These were the tables we set up in our living room. It was PACKED! Everything sold except for the couch, the desk and a few other minor items. We've begun the re-arrangement process. Hopefully we'll be done soon!

RCAF success!

The presentation I did on Saturday was for a competition. Surprisingly, I won! I was surprised because one of the judges told me I didn't know how to write an abstract after my presentation. Other than that, the other judges were very nice and had only positive things to say.

We also got a lot done around the house this weekend. Two new closet organizers. Several boxes of stuff packed. The wallpaper border in the kitchen torn down. The bedroom painted. Carpet people to come and measure for new carpet for bedrooms. Dryer fixed (again). Yadda. Yadda. Yadda.

Goals for this weekend: Kitchen painted, bathroom walls/ceiling painted, purchase flooring for kitchen. Yard work too. I'll be posting pictures soon with all the changes.

Donovan's better after a bout with a virus. Back at school today several pounds lighter.

Yet another

This is another busy weekend. The boys are leaving tonight for SEMO. Seems like I haven't spent ANY time with them this week. I got back Wednesday night, we went to dinner and that was it. Last night, I went to Hairspray (GREAT show, if you get a chance, see it!) and tonight they're leaving!
Mom and Rick are coming into town again this weekend to help fix up the house. I have a party planned for a couple girlfriends tonight. We're going to have makeovers (girly, I know) and then go for a couple drinks. Tomorrow AM I have a presentation, then in the PM I have an awards ceremony. In between the presentation and the dinner, I'll be buying new carpet and helping pack stuff up.
Wanted to share a couple cute D pics:

CSU trip

Just got back from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. I'm interesting in a lab there for a postdoctoral position (which, in case you're wondering is basically a glorified graduate student--a little more money and a lot more independence). I loved it there. The location is GORGEOUS. The laboratory personnel seem really friendly and a lot like the lab here. The research is very interesting. I could very easily see myself working on any of the projects there. AND, New Belgium brewery is located there. It's good beer.

I'll have another month or so to make my decision on where I'd like to go. I think Aaron should visit wherever we decide to go before we make our final decision as well. But, Donovan seems to be on board for Colorado. I told him there's real working steam trains in the mountains and there's a race track not far from Fort Collins--he was pretty much sold after that.