Work..."tis the season...hmmm

Congrats to Matt and Casey! I can't wait to welcome these two beautiful little twin girls into this world!

Today was a very weird day at work. Two more people got laid off-full time...while they are trying to bring in a small crew that will become the new "leaders" and the new full time crew. I am kind of stuck in the middle of all this...a lost soul trying to find their nitch. They want me to be full time - so they don't loose me, but then again...they also can't afford me. So, they have multiple ideas running around...where I will do engineering work, when I have it...and then also get trained in the shop, welding, kitting, assembling, shipping...when I don't have work. One boss says I will work 3 days a week...the other says 5 days a week. So, lets just say they are confused and so am I!

This whole economy thing is a little scary. I am ready for a change...and stable economy, stable job, and keep the fuel prices this low!! Sometimes it is hard to see the "bright" future when the current day is so "dull". Hmm...gotta live one day at a time.

I am doing better at keeping my 30 dollar limits on Christmas presents...but everyday I have to slap my hand and not click the "check out" button to buy this perfect gift for someone. In a way...it is kind of nice to be more thoughtful on the gift and creative...rather than buy something expensive or random. A Lot of people will be receiving home-mades...or a small boughten gift with a home-made supplement. I remember doing this for my family when I went away to Central America. I believe that everyone loved it..I know that I sure do.

I keep hearing about how needy the country is this holiday season. I was very proud to hear that my brother volunteered on his day off, to go to the Women's Shelter to help put together gift baskets. This shocked me. How can I give back? I know that I am not in the means to donate my money...but I can use my other talents to give back...this is the new thought of the day.

So, I'm not sure if I will be working full time, or part time...or what I will be doing...but I am going to try to keep up the arts and crafts...because I do really love to do them!

Oh...and I think I am in love with Edward Cullen...The Twilight movie was pretty good! Worth watching it for that boy!

My 5-day Weekend

Oh Bentley and I had a great 5 days off!  I was stuck doing chores for all the workers out there.  It seemed to me that I was more busy when I wasn't at work...then when I do work.  People like to pawn all their tasks onto me.  Oh well...

Bentley and I headed to the dog park two days in a row...and then a nice bath into Lake Coeur d' Alene. 

I was bored at the dog park...and I started playing with my phone camera...and found all these features...so I used my fancy muckers as a photography tool...This is the B&W feature...but I don't want to bore you all with my boots...and the multiple shots I took! 

Now off to the BEACH!  Bentley is obsessed with his duck...

  Bentley has a problem looking at the camera...for some reason he doesn't like to do it!  We had a good time at the beach...but it was FREEZING! 

Let see...oh my 3 days off...I gathered wood with dad on Wednesday...

Again, Bentley won't look at the camera!  We had quite the adventure getting this tree loaded into the pick-ups...5 rounds rolled on the "cliff" side of the road...and dad and I had to haul it back up.  It was a lot of work, and I've decided that I never want to be a logger!  I was TIRED after this day...

You already got to see Thursday and Friday's fun of dog parks, beaches...and some shopping...

This weekend...Louie and I headed to Libby, Montana, so share an early Thanksgiving with his family.  It was a lot of fun.  We drove in Louie's mom's new car to Kalispell on Saturday.  I've never been to Kalispell...so it was an adventure!  We did some shopping and looked around!  Sunday, we had lunch with Louie's extended family.  I took Bentley for a little walk down to the river.

Last night, we went to the Banff Film Festival in Spokane.  I love going to this event!  We saw a lot of films of crazy people doing crazy things.  It motivated us to go out and try out our mild "extreme sports".  Louie and his mountain biking, and me and my kayaking/climbing...I'm ready!

Weekend Surprises

Hello fellow blogger readers.  I have been slacking on my posts, and I feel like they are going to be less and less...or more and more...I'm not sure.  Since I am down to working part-time (two days this week, three days next week), I will have more time to be at home, but I have a feeling less time on the net.  (I tend to hate to be on the computer when I am at home).  So, I'm not sure how the blogging is going to continue. 

This weekend was amazingly fun!  Kyla flew into town to surprise my mom and her grandma!  Mom was in utter shock at 10:30 pm on Friday night when Kyla was the one who entered the house, and not me.  It was fun to see that reaction.  The weekend was planned to be a "girls" weekend, and I was already planning on spending the night at my mom's house for the entire weekend.  So it was perfect! 

Saturday was our shopping day. 

Mom is in the hunt for a new car, so we went to Parker Toyota to check things out.  The car salesman sneakily brought this Acura TL out, and mom instantly fell in love with the black leather interior and all the fancy bells and whistles.  I do have to admit that this car is pretty sweet.  It just doesn't seem like "mom".  Kyla and I had to talk her out of buying it on the spot and to look around. 

We then drove into Spokane to do some Christmas shopping, and went to PF Changs for a later lunch.  Mom ended up having this crazy fortune cookie!  Maybe it IS a sign she should buy that car. 

After some hours of shopping downtown, we went to The Secret Life of Bee's.  It was a great movie, and followed the book fairly well.  My plan for the day didn't quite happen as I was hoping it would...but sometimes you just can't make plans for have expectations.  I was wanting to head to Northtown, to get mom's Christmas shopping done, and we didn't have the time to do that.  But she then reminded me that I will have the week day to go shopping...

We went back to Coeur d' Alene, and headed to Target for some more shopping.  By now it is close to 9 o'clock.  We went to Chili's to have some appetizers and of course the infamous MOULTAN dessert!  Oh wait...the shopping never stops!  We headed into Fred Meyers and shopped until 11 pm!  WOW!  We were tired!

Sunday, we met Dad and Grandma Mary for breakfast and Old European!  Grandma still didn't know that Kyla was in town, so we surprised her!  It was hilarious to see her reaction!  Kyla, Mom and I were sitting down when they entered the restaurant.  Grandma went around the table and said good morning, and when she got to kyla...and said good morning, not realizing who it was...and then did a double take.  I think she was speechless for a good 5 minutes! 

The rest of the day we went out and took some pictures!  Thats right...you are looking at America's Next Top Model!  Hopefully Kyla will post some of the good shots soon!  I am looking forward to seeing them!

We went to this mural...and tried to get some pictures...but it was a bit hard and busy....

This week I am only working on Monday and Tuesday.  I have the rest of the week to um...I'm not sure...

Sunday Traditions

The weekend was filled with Jason Mraz on Friday, Wood Gathering with Dad and Louie on Saturday, and Sunday Brunch at Matt and Casey's house.  Ashley came over on Monday to do arts and crafts day!  It was her first time driving to Coeur d Alene by herself in her new car!  WOO HOO!

I love Sunday Morning Brunch at Matt and Casey's House.  We always laugh and catch up on each other's extremely busy lives...

 

Ashley driving me to Costco...where I taught her how to fill up her gas tank!  We had a blast with arts and crafts day...I am now on day 4  of scrap booking last week's "week in the life" project. 

I have pics of wood gathering and Jason Mraz...but alas it is stuck on my point and shoot camera, which is at home :(...

But today...the best thing that has happened so far is this conversation with Kyla on the chat...

"mom and i are going shopping this weekend
so i should get brent's  [xmas present] done...
and hopefully get ideas for mom
she wants/needs new thongs (smaller size ones)" -Kristen
11:56 AM

"you're getting your mom thongs!?" -Kyla
12:01 PM

"TONGS
I MEANT....HAHAHAHA

that is hilarious!!! "-Kristen
12:02 PM

"OMG
i was wondering!!!!!!!" -Kyla

Good times!

Roller Derby Princess

Yesterday, Louie's parents came into town.  I met them at our house after work and we sat by the fire and caught up.  It was nice.  I made an apple pie and then we headed to Purcell FAMILY roller skate night!  (Louie's work sponsored the free event). 

  We had a lot of fun skating around, doing the hokie-pokie, chicken dance, and watching Louie's parents stay on the carpeted area skating back and forth. 

We then went to Capone's for dinner, hot wings and pizza...and headed home.  Overall great night! 

I am slacking a bit on my pictures for my "Week in the Life of..." project...but I do have some! 

Oh yeah...saw the first snow fall in Rathdrum!!!

We Made a Change

My "Week in the Life" project is going very well.  I took 16 printable pictures yesterday to start my week long scrapbook journey.  I am pretty excited!  It's been a LONG time since I've done some arts and crafts.

Can you believe the fuel price?

Last night was Louie and I's first time voting...and to our surprise...it was really quite fun.  I felt important and that I made a change! 

Do you see our "I Voted" stickers?  We were pretty proud of them!

After the polls, we met with Ashley and her friend for the Matt Nathanson Concert.  It was a good concert...once Matt made it onto the stage.  He was quite entertaining!  The concert, however, lasted longer than 11 pm, so we had to duck out a little early.  Some people have to work and go to school!

GO OBAMA!

A Week in your life...

I was following my daily blogs, and found an idea that I am going to try to do this week...

A Week In Your Life

I am pretty excited about it...but sad I have to use my old point and shoot camera. This would be even more fun if I had a D90. *wink*

I decided to start it today...since it is an election day and I have never voted before. Plus, this week is pretty busy and should be a fun week to do! You guys should do it with me!

Also, since I now have Monday's off of work...I am going to try to dedicate Monday's as craft days...so this will be the first project...

Halloween In Boise

Louie and I spent the weekend in Boise, visiting old friends and celebrating the spooky holiday.

We spent Friday with Adrian (Louie's best friend). Hattie ended up coming over later to help me get ready, and to go out to the bars with us. It was really great to see her.

Hattie was my make-up artist...we had a good time out and about...except for the stupid smoke in the bar! You can see Louie's arc reactor that he built for his Tony Start costume. Very cool!

Saturday, Louie and I spent the day with Taryn and Ian (my friends from college). We went to Religious, the movie...which was pretty funny...took their dog to the park...and played some board games. It was sooo great seeing them!

Sunday morning we left early to the airport.

I now do not work on Monday's, due to the poor economy...so I spent yesterday laz-ing around...And then cooked mom dinner. It was NICE to have a 4-day weekend!