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I have been trying to figure what I want to do in the house to give it an updated and fresh look. We’ve been really lucky doing alot with new furniture. The two things I want to do next are pick new lighting fixtures and repaint some walls. There are soooo many lighting fixtures to chose from. I think I have it narrowed down and hopefully will be getting some soon. The paint is way harder. It is hard to imagine what a whole wall or room will look like, and how it will look with your existing features. There are some colors I like but then I am afraid they might be to dark. I want to do the kitchen in some kind of fall like orange/pumpkin color. I also want to do an accent wall in the living room, which the kitchen opens into. Any suggestions?

Future things on my wish list, new kitchen counter tops, new kitchen sink, wood floors in the kitchen, entryway and office, new carpet in the whole house, new bedroom furniture. Amazingly that list has been shrinking, we have already been able to mark off couches, entertainment center, kitchen table, book shelves.

The past two weeks I have been working on a grant project funded by the National Science Foundation. The grant funded a summer institute on geographic information technologies, which was hosted at UNM. There is active research involved in the project in finding ways to teach GIT and spatial concepts. The first week of the project we worked just with teachers from across the country. My job was to help prepare some of the material we would be teaching and to assist in the lab, mainly helping to explain some geography concepts and provide assistance on the geographic information systems (think spatial analysis/mapping software). The week went well, while there is always room for in improvement I think the teachers learned some new stuff, I know I did.

The second week of the institute was a whole different ball game. We hosted 33 teenagers, high schoolers, who attended the institute with the same objective of learning some GIT tools and concepts and potentially different ways of learning and working with their teachers. My main role this week was chaperon, but also working with students and teachers in the lab. This was really hard work! Not the geography or technology part, but trying to control 33 teenage kids! It was crazy! There were some really great kids, but there were also some really terrible rude ones with huge attitude problems. It was really challenging to deal with all the attitude, and foul language, and dirty jokes and conversations. Hopefully they all got something out of the week. I learned a ton through observation and feedback about the learning and learning challenges that were going on. I am kind of tired right now so I am sure I am not doing the week justice. My chaperoning duties included staying with these kids 24×7 which meant I lived in the dorms for a week. It was a good experience and I’m glad I had the opportunity. UNM is applying to the NSF to have the grant renewed so I may have the more opportunity to work on the project in the future. I have lots of ideas should that happen. =)

It didn’t occur to me that Gryphon would get presents from friends and family when he came to live with us, but he has made quite the haul. Here are all of the lovely gifts Gryphon would like to thank the givers for.

Conrad & Jodi – Toy basket, blanket, squeaky puppy, teething ball, chew rope

My Mom – Two doggy picture frames

My sister and nephews – A frisbee

Brian’s Mom – A bag of doggie treats, a ball, and two chew toys

Audra & Anthony – A gourmet doggy treat to celebrate their dogs birthday, it looked like it should be in a French bakery!

Yep, that’s right – we have a new family member. His name is Gryphon, he is already seven months old and so cute! They grow so fast! He is lots of fun and such a relaxed little boy. He loves to play so we might end up adding another family member so he can always have someone to play with. He is very good but still has alot to learn, he starts school next week. I’m sure he will be the star pupil. The current challenge and priority is potty training, I think he is quickly getting the hang of it. I’m excited for him to meet his cousins soon. He just got his first hair cut which lasted 2 hours, but he looks fabulous for all the beautifying time he put in. See how cute he is!