Speed Paintings

The first week of 2011 and I've completed three speed paintings! 
I give myself an hour or less to work and paint these in the computer.  Hopefully I will get better and in turn have a better relationship with Photoshop! 
To quote Dory from Nemo - "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...."  I can do it! 
Let's see how I progress and if I can stay on the bandwagon ;)

 

 

Work at Disneyland

I had to go to the park for work today with my friend Liz!  Here's where we worked:

 

Tomorrowland!!!

Here's where we parked:

 

DANGER!

Late Christmas Present

Our neighbors, Sean & Michelle, stopped by to give us our Christmas presents.  I got a bottle of wine and Brandon got a six-pack that Michelle decorated.  I couldn't resist this picture!!!

 

Manly bow.  :)

Hello 2011!

We left Atlanta at 8:20am and landed in Los Angeles at 10:30am!  Quick flight! 
A quick 5 hour flight :)  Our neighbors Sean & Michelle picked us up at the airport and in return we are taking them to dinner sometime soon. 

We got home, dumped our stuff, and started cleaning!  The Christmas stuff started returning to boxes and we eventually began to unpack and put stuff away.  Funny enough, our apartment was really cold from being away so we had to turn the heat on for the first time since moving in last March!  I know, we are weather spoiled....it was in the high 50s.....



Reflecting on the upcoming year, I've made some resolutions/goals:

1. read one new book a month - my new Kindle should help, thanks Mom!  :)

2. update the blog at least once a week - thought this would happen more when I was posting about the more odd things I'm learning at work but in reality, I can't post a lot about work....will have to update more about us!  And work when I can.

3. take more pictures

4. sketch, draw, and paint more

5. share the above - my friend at work, Liz, does speed paintings everyday and posts them online.  I love this idea and would love to say I'd do it too but I know once a week seems more realistic.  I'll start there and see where it goes :)

6. exercise more regularly and stay heart healthy!


That's it!  Let's see where 2011 takes me!  Happy New Year!

Love you, Grams!!!

Leaving is always so hard and the worst part :(
But I always cherish the time we have together, the memories made, and the stories re-told. 

So, I needed a picture!  I LOVE YOU, Grandma!!!  We will see you soon, promise!

 

Don't you love Brandon in the mirror....

Let's try another.

 

That's her frog garden behind us on the picnic table :)

LOVE.

Goodbye, 2010.....

Our New Years Eve was very low key this year especially since we had to be at the airport by 6am the next day - oy!  We knew earlier was better since during the online check-in I asked if I would like to exchange my tickets for flight vouchers - going to be a very FULL flight!  First time any of us had seen that during a check-in!


We ran errands with Mom, said our goodbyes, then had an early dinner with Mom & Dad at the Downtown Grill in Tyrone.  Yuuummmmyyy!  SO good :)  We didn't even see the Peach drop as we were in bed - but, that's okay ;)

2010 was a big year:

Di goes to Cali for a Disney contract.
Then Brandon goes to Cali :)
We found a GREAT apartment in a FANTASTIC location with GREAT neighbors/friends.
Brandon begins school at UTI and has been top of his class for 5 out of 9 classes - way to go!
Brandon finds a good part-time job with a great boss who works with his school schedule - this boss also have us tickets to the show La Reve in Vegas - good deal :)
Di accepts a full-time position as a Production Designer from Walt Disney Imagineering.
And an international project on the horizon for us.

Big changes, amazing accomplishments and time being under the same roof :)  Doesn't get much better....!

Tyrone Veterans Park

The city of Tyrone dedicated a veterans park on Memorial Day 2009.  Since it's opening, family members have been able to purchase memorial bricks for loved ones.  It's a lovely park!  Mom purchased a brick for Grandaddy Charlie and Brian & Myrna purchased a brick in Grandaddy Mike's memory.

Here is the project description from the City of Tyrone's website and meaning to the layout:

The Tyrone Veterans Memorial will be developed around a concept to cultivate a public understanding of the sacrifices made by all Veterans and their families during their service to our country, especially to those Veterans who served on the battlefields in order to protect and maintain the freedoms we enjoy today.

The veterans recognized are from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and POW/MIA who served our Country during War and Peacetime.

The “Memorial Bricks” are engraved to honor those heroes who served or made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives for our freedom. Each brick will be engraved with the Veteran’s Name, Branch and dates of Service , with a third line for the War of Service for those Veterans whose service was on foreign soil.

The Eagle sculpture represents strength, and courage, of those soldiers who served our country. The Eagle is the symbol of Independence of the United States of America.

The Red Rose Garden represents the Blood shed by all.

The White Azalea Garden represents the tears shed for the sacrifices by our soldiers and especially the POW/MIA’s.

 

Tyrone Veterans Park

 

 

If you notice, to the left of Charlie's brick is the name Patrick W. Skelly - to the right and on the top row of Mike's brick is the beginning of Patrick....

They are neighbors!  It warmed my heart and made me smile :)