Balloons make me happy :-)

We had the annual Children's Miracle Network Balloon Rally in Rapids today.  This usually marks the ending of summer.  There were also fireworks once it got dark enough.   Here is one of my favorite shots:

Good night everyone!
Kim

Is rain ever a good thing?

Well we got rained out of our fireworks here.  It poured pretty much the whole day!  But it was good to get out and walk around downtown, had some yummy pizza from a street vendor, and we even got to see a group of guys we know from high school.  Didn't get to see any fireworks but oh well.  Fingers crossed it is nice next year.

As it is pouring today as I type this, I think it will be a nice pajama and reading day.

Oh yeah did I mention I don't have to work today?  Paid holidays are sweet.

Kim

updates

I guess I've been slacking lately on this.  With my new job I'm usually too fried at the end of the day to want to sit and type. 

We've been busy.  Last weekend we did a health walk organized through the hospital. It was at Lake Wazeecha out by my folks house. 4 miles of walking = walking like I was 100 years old for the next two days.  Shows you how out of shape I am!  A positive that came from it though was the raffle they had at the end.  I won a bicycle!  Unfortunately it was for an eight year old girl.  DOH!  But the lady in charge said that they would return the bike and give me a store card for the price of it.  Which is sweet in itself. 

It has been so nice having my weekends off.  I can actually plan things!  Tomorrow we are heading out to my folks for supper to celebrate my brother's birthday which was yesterday.  I'm going to make this awesome Oreo dessert to take.  MMMMM.

Work is going to suck this coming week.  I've officially been there a month, and the lady who has been training me decided to take a weeks vacation.  So here's me, not knowing how to do half the stuff right yet pretty much getting thrown to the wolves to fend for myself.  I've been freaking out all week.  Everyone keeps saying "you'll be fine.  we are here to help"  except that the assistants don't know how to do a lot of what I do.  It always seems like weird stuff comes up when my partner is gone too.  So it should be interesting and I'm going to want to get hammered come next weekend I'm sure.

I'm anxiously growing strawberries and tomatoes on my balcony.  I've had one strawberry so far and my tomato plant is getting tall enough that it needs support now.  I'm excited that they are still alive with all the rain we've been getting.  They were sort of drowning out there and not getting as much sun as I would like. Anywho here's my strawberry, isn't it precious!  Hehe.  TTFN!

work work work

I'm learning quickly how much work I've gotten myself into.  Especially since, apparently, I've only been shown just a little fraction of what my future duties will be.  It is crazy.  Good thing I have the rest of my life to learn everything.  Because I plan on being at this job until I retire if I can hold onto it. 

Today I'm going to Plover to pick up my last check from the hotel, and drop off my uniform from there.  Should be interesting considering the housekeepers will probably be there when I stop in.  I'm curious if they ended up hiring someone to replace me yet.

I've also got a 3 day weekend this week.  On Monday there is about 4 patients and only one out of two eye docs at the office.  So since I'm new they decided to have me be off so they didn't have to try and figure out things for me to do.  I would pretty much be sitting there twiddling my thumbs all day, and they didn't want to pay me to do that.  DAMN. Oh well, now I can putz around all day on Monday instead.  The only drawback is I have to stop into the office to pick up my check.  We get paid on Mondays and there's no direct deposit.  It will be my first check from this new job!  At least I hope I'm getting a check and they aren't holding it for some reason.

Ben has been working like mad.  He was off one day this week because of the flu.  Puking his guts out all day is not fun. I honestly think working so much and not taking time to eat lunch everyday finally caught up with him. 

I'm going to go enjoy my Saturday off in this gorgeous weather we are having. 

Kim

All good things come to an end.....

Today was a sad day.  My parents had to say goodbye to one of their dogs.  They have had him for 6 years.   He had always suffered from seizures, and this weekend he had finally had enough. He was the sweetest dog you could ever meet, and everyone loved him. 

Bosley
2002-2010

You will be missed.

Kim

Full time jobs are good.

I'm following in my good friend Katrina's footsteps.  I just got hired as a receptionist for an eye doctor here in Rapids!  Monday-Friday, full time, with full vision coverage.  I start May 10th!  I'm so excited.  This could finally mean that Ben and I can start saving for a house.  I've also put in my 2 weeks notice at the hotel, so NO MORE WEEKENDS!  It will be that much easier for us to visit Racine!  Woo hoo!

Ok I'm better now.  Katrina if you have any pointers let me know! 

Kim

Happy Earth Day!

I had a job interview yesterday!  It is actually at an eye doctor's office that I applied to before, turns out they had another opening so they called me.  Fingers crossed I get it!  M-F, 40 hours a week, and vision insurance.  Sounds like a sweet deal to me! I could finally quit the hotel and stop cleaning for a living.  Really glad I did those four wasted years of college to get a degree I'm not using!

Really disappointed we can't go to Racine this weekend. :-(  Ben and I are kind of depressed about it.  With our work schedules it just wasn't possible.  We would be scrambling the whole weekend, and worrying about getting me to work on time on Sunday which would have spoiled it anyway.  It might be nice to try and plan something this summer, possibly June or July maybe?  We need to keep making the effort to see each other, otherwise we are going to lose touch and that would be terrible! 

Because it is Earth Day, I'm going to go sit outside and read a book instead of sitting here on my computer.  I also picked up trash outside at work today to do my part for the planet.

Kim

TGIF

Happy Friday!

I really love having Fridays off.  Especially since I know I have a busy weekend of work ahead of me.

I have no plans for the day except maybe getting to Walmart.

It is wonderfully sunny outside, I think I might actually go for a walk.  Here is a photo of my cat enjoying the sun this morning:

Looking at me while she's half asleep.

Ben's birthday is 3 weeks away and I have no idea what to do for him.  I got him a movie he wanted, but I want to get him something else.  Thinking, thinking....

Well I think I'm going to go enjoy the aforementioned walk.

TGIF!
Kim

Happy Easter

Growing up we never did anything really outragious for Easter.  Mom and Dad would hide our baskets somewhere in the house and we would spend like an hour looking for them.  Then we always have a ham, mashed potatoes, veggie lunch with leftovers for dinner.  Sometimes if Mom would feel so motivated she would hide those plastic eggs in the backyard for us to find.

Since I've been with Ben, every year his Grandma Ristow has his family over at her house and we have food there.  His Grandma is a good cook so I don't complain.  My parents usually still have their ham for us too so we travel to both places for free food and playing some cards.  This year my Mom doesn't feel well, she came down with bronchitis so we are only doing his Grandma's.

Hope everyone else's Easter is as mellow as mine and full of food!

Kim

P.S. I'm taking Frank's Buffalo Chicken Dip over to Grandma's! Thanks Katrina!

I am absolutely loving the weather today!  I got done with work at 2:30 and did some laundry, dishes, and got out my spring/summer clothes and put almost all my sweaters away.  I've got windows open and life is good.

I can't believe Easter is this weekend already.  Ben possibly has to work, and we are supposed to be going to his grandma's house for food and the usual card games.  After we are done eating we are also having a little baby shower for his cousin who is due the first week of June. 
This makes me laugh everytime:

Found out today that the people who live below us are moving out July 1st!!!  So excited. Hopefully we will get some people who are sane.  The ones now are noisy, and have enough stuff in their apartment and garage to fill a house.  The husband and wife fight all hours of the night, and seem to be constantly pounding things into their walls.  Their kid is kind of bizarre, I've been speculating that he might have autism or something.  They are pretty much white trash, smokers who shouldn't be staying in an apartment building as nice as this one. Glad I don't have to clean their apartment when they move out!

Ben bought an Xbox 360 finally.  It came with some racing game and Halo 3 ODST.  He also got Grand Theft Auto IV? I can't remember which one.  He gets a free month of Xbox Live so he and my brother have been playing together on there.  Now I just have to get Halo 1, 2, and 3 so I can play to my heart's content.  I love those games.

I think I might go sit outside for a bit.

Kim

Work is fun!

It has been kind of nice this week.  It was my first official week back at the hotel, and I only worked four out of seven days.  I've had lots of free time again which felt weird.  I managed to get groceries done, cleaned our very disgusting bathroom, and helped my grandma move into her new house.

But it also sucks because I'm not making any money again.  My paychecks are taking a huge cut.  The temp agency that got me the bank job is looking for something else for me, but who knows when they'll find something.  I can get back into subbing again but so far there hasn't been any listings. 

Ben has been working his new job.  He seems to like it and according to his bosses, he's doing awesome at it.  The only thing that sucks about it is his being on-call.  He's been getting phone calls between 4 and 6 o'clock in the morning because there's an 11-7 shift that is incompetent.

We are going to go see How To Train Your Dragon today because it looks cute.

Then I don't know what we are doing the rest of the day since Ben is done with work at noon and I'm off.  Ideas?

Kim

Updates are fun

Tomorrow is my last day at my full time job.  Even though it wasn't anything fancy, I am sad to be done.  It was good money while Ben wasn't working and I met some pretty cool people.  The bank I was working for was very nice and would give us little treats now and then.  Today we had a pizza party from Dominoes to celebrate being done.  Sigh.  Back to the hotel for me now.

Ben had an interview with NewPage, the local paper mill this week.  He felt disappointed after leaving, and they told him 2-3 weeks and he "might" hear something.  So fingers crossed until then.  It would be $19.50 an hour starting!  Do you know how awesome that would be for us?  Makes me want to run around screaming just thinking about it.

I have a cold.  It sucks.  Started as a sore throat but has now moved to my face.  I have been drinking gallons of water and peeing constantly.  Doesn't that sound fun?

I'm getting my hair permed on Saturday.  I'm going to a different salon than last time so we'll see how it turns out.  Saturday is also my Grandma's 76th birthday and we are taking her out to eat to celebrate.  She doesn't want or need "stuff" so that is her gift from us.

Our St. Patty's day was a bust.  We didn't do a damn thing.  Ben wasn't in the mood to go out since he got home from work late, my dad who normally would have been the first at the bar was gone bowling, and I started my cold.  So nothing happened.  Woo.

Damn it I have to pee again. 

Kim

I am content

:-) It has been a long time but for once all is right with my world.  Here are 5 reasons why:

1. Ben and I are both working. 
2. We recently saw our wonderful Racine friends.
3.  I am now the proud owner (and user) of Wii Fit Plus.
4.  The weather is getting warmer despite the rain today.
5.  Tomorrow work is having a pot luck/done with the job party meaning lots of yummy, free food.

:-)

I hope I didn't just jinx myself.

Kim

"I'm not Josie Grossie anymore!"

Today was a good day.

OH! OH! OH! Ben got a job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  He starts on Tuesday.  Incredibly happy right now.

I got to leave work a half hour early at 4:00 but got paid like I was there until 4:30. 

I am loving this weather.  It just needs to stick around and keep getting warmer.

This sun is adorable.

Now off to make brownies.

Kim

"Come with me, and you'll be, in a world of pure imagination."

Tomorrow is my last day in this stretch of work.  12 out of 13 days down.  The bad news?  I'm going to have another 12 day stretch of work starting Monday.  Yay with a side of sarcasm.

Ben has a second interview tomorrow.  We are trying not to put too much hope on it.

I'M GOING TO SEE MY AWESOME FRIENDS IN TWO DAYS!!!!!!!!!! Just a little excited.

On a side note, I chopped my hair off yesterday.  It was below my shoulders and driving me crazy.

I think I'm going to start putting a movie quote on here to end my posts.  If you know what it is from, kudos to you!

Kim

"Listen! Do you smell something?"

Random thoughts

Today is day 6 of my 13 day stretch of work.  The hotel has been picking up lately and they have needed me almost every weekend for the last 3 or 4.  Then of course I'm working my full time job at the bank during the week.  Lets just say that I am really looking forward to next weekend in Racine!!!  It is going to be so nice to sit with friends, unwind, and eat TOPPERS!!!  Hint Hint!

Still no job for Ben yet.  He had an interview yesterday but we aren't very optimistic about it considering there were a ton of other people being interviewed too.  Still waiting to hear from any of the others he's applied to.

Waiting to get my Turbo Tax in the mail so we can get those lovely taxes done and get our refund!

Might go see Wolfman tonight.  Haven't decided yet.

My mom bought me the Mystery Science Theater 3000 movie.  HILARIOUS!!!

Kim

Spring is teasing me.

I haven't updated much this week because it has been pretty dull.  We had decent weather for once and it has actually felt like SPRING!  The snow could melt just a little faster though. I've been itching to start opening windows and doing some Spring cleaning.

Ben has been applying for jobs like mad, but not a single one has called him back.  We are both highly sick of the whole process.  I've been working as much as I can.  The hotel has been calling me to work the last weekend or so, and I'm going in tomorrow for what will probably be another long day.  I'm also already set up to work next Sunday.  I'm hoping that by working these couple of weekends my boss will be cool with me taking off March 6 & 7 for our Racine visit.  She's pretty awesome about stuff like that.

Once I get my butt in gear and get going for the day we are heading to my parents.  Ben has been getting some cabin fever and wants to go do something that doesn't cost any money, = spending the day at their house playing wii, and getting fed free meals.  Mom is so excited that we want to some spend a few hours with them.

Alright, alright I better get going.  There's a bathroom to clean, laundry to start, and dishes to put away.  I asked Ben to do them but he "forgot" as usual.  I love him but he can be really lazy when he wants to be.

Kim

Yeah alright.  Yesterday I posted that Ben and I weren't doing anything for Valentine's blah blah blah.  I must humbly take it back because he was very sweet today.  I had to work and ended up putting in 6 1/2 hours, on my feet the whole time.  So naturally I was tired, and sore when I was done.  I got home and he had the two lovely roses you see here, the card, a heart shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's, and cinnamon stick dessert.  He even bought a chick movie for us to watch together.  It was perfect and made me feel all mushy.  *sigh* He can be so cute when he wants to be.

OK mush fest over.  Just had to share.

Kim

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day.  I think this is probably one of the few years that Ben and I didn't do something for it.   Normally we at least get dressed up and go to dinner, but we didn't even do that.  We never make a big deal about it, it is just too commercialized. This year I have to work anyways so it just feels like another day. 

I haven't worked at the hotel for a little over a month now so tomorrow should be interesting.  There's going to be a lot of "you still work here" and similar comments.  I'm hoping I'm there for at least 4 hours, fingers crossed!  Otherwise it sucks driving the half hour to get there. 

Since it is going to be Valentine's tomorrow, I do have to say that my two friends in Racine are sweethearts.  I posted last about selling some of my bears on Etsy.  Well they were so nice and bought one of them.  It made me feel all giddy. :-)  Love you guys!

Kim

Things I do when I'm really bored.

I don't think of myself as being terribly creative or talented.  Every now and then I get a brainstorm to try and sew something or I get in the mood to do some cross-stitching.  Before I started my current job, I was working part time at a hotel. My hours got cut way down so I was doing a lot of sitting at home.  So I was inspired to make some "Scare Bears" as my Mom calls them.  She would make them for us when we were little.  They were meant to be kept under our pillow at night so that we wouldn't have bad dreams, but if we did we could take it out and hold it until we either went back to sleep or felt better.  These were good for the scary first day of school too.  They are about the size of your hand when layed flat. So long story short, I made a few and I've listed them on Etsy to see if anyone might want these.  They aren't perfect or spectactular, just handmade and with good memories attached.  Here is my listing on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/kristow22
I had no idea what to price these at, so we'll see if they sell or not.  I might lower the price in a few weeks if not. 

Fingers crossed!

Kim

Big Cheese

So because I have about a half hour drive to work, I do a lot of listening to the radio.  Also at work, I have a radio playing all day because all I do is sit at a desk shuffling papers.  I've gotten hooked on 107.9 Big Cheese.  The morning show is awesome and they actually play decent music.  Throughout the day they also give you bonus codes to enter into their website.  You can build up points to possibly win stuff.  Which is pretty sweet considering it is free.  Their website it pretty cool too: http://www.bigcheese1079.net/

Here's to the weekend!!!
Kim

I'm slowly moving up in the world.  So to speak.  Ever since I turned 18 and have been living "on my own" most of everything I have has been hand-me-downs.  Garage sale, flea market, stuff mom doesn't want any more kinds of things.  Now that I'm getting a little older I am appreciating having nicer things, and being absolutely green with envy when others have nice things I want.  What spurs this post is that I finally have an actual bed set for my brand new bed. Just having the bed has been awesome since I've been sleeping on the floor for the last year or so.  Now I also have this:

A lovely completed bed!  Even includes a bed skirt!  I know, I know I'm easily amused. So now I'm going to go and brave the cold for a Sunday paper (possibly donuts) then I'm going to sit on my lovely made bed and read it!

Kim

I'm calling your mother!

This is the time of year when I really despise Wisconsin.  For about four months I can't feel my toes.  I have to wear 2+ layers of clothing everyday just to go to work.  Cars don't like to start, and frankly I don't either in the morning.  I mean I've actually started putting my pjs in the dryer every night before bed just so I don't breakout in goosebumps putting them on.  The funny thing is that for a while it seemed as though there was something wrong with our heat.  It wasn't what you are thinking.  It seemed like it was on too high.  I was in heaven!  But my lovely husband and brother-in-law would whine like little babies that it was too hot and they would open windows and the patio door for the love of pete.  So now it's only on so far that the pipes won't freeze, but I do.  Since I can't blame my roommates (for I am outnumbered), I am going to blame this guy:

If you don't know who he is, enter "Snow Miser" on YouTube search.  He's got a pretty catchy tune he sings.  And wouldn't you know it, his mother is THE Mother Nature.  Too bad this guy isn't real or I'd be hunting him down and shoving an icicle you know where. 

HAHAHA

Alright time for bed.

Kim

Laziness

I love weekends.  So far mine has consisted of doing nothing.  Yesterday I did laundry and repaired the sleeve on one of Ben's sweaters.  Today I haven't gotten dressed yet, and probably won't until sometime this afternoon.  The main reason why I haven't done anything today is because it is A) cold outside B) raining and C) don't want to!  So instead of going outside and running some errands that I really do need to get done, I'm going to sit in my warm robe and play Lego Indiana Jones until lunchtime.

I ROCK!

Kim

Trains

I had to wait 20 minutes for a train to go by today.  Of course it was right on the edge of town at the start of my drive home. While I was waiting I was on the phone with Ben and he laughed because he had to wait for the same train about half an hour before that.  The thing was really flying by too and yet it took that long.  Remember being a little kid and counting the cars as they go by?  I used to love doing that, but now I usually try to guess how many cars are left before the damn thing gets out of my way so I can get home.  Working 8 hours and then having to sit and wait to start my half hour drive home does not make a happy Kim. 

Mmmm chili

Welcome to my first official blog post!  I've always wanted a blog but I didn't think I had an interesting enough life for one. I also have an account on LiveJournal that I've had for a couple of years now.
My posts will probably be short and about whatever might be in my head at the time.  Sometimes it just feels good to write down events in my life that might seem mediocre to others, but are important to me.
Because I am currently employed at a bank, yesterday was my day off.  It was great considering everyone else had to work. I had one of those lovely days involving pajamas and video games. I also made chili from scratch which is one of my all-time favorite foods.  Corn bread was also involved.

My cat seems to be coming on to me:

"HEY THERE BABY"

HAHA I crack myself up.
Kim