I got another job. A better job, by far, for me. Especially at this point in my life. I work for a promotional products company, and the atmosphere is relaxed and the people are awesome and funny and friendly, and I think that I will be good at the job. I started in mid-October, so I’m still learning, but I think it’s going well.

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We’ve had a busy fall, and things are just getting going. We were in the cities the past 2 weekends, and we have to go down this weekend again for a family wedding on Ryan’s side. That’s a lot of traveling to the cities (or Rochester, in one case). James has spent a lot of time with his Auntie Lisa and Grandma and Grandpa on that side, that’s for sure. We are home the weekend after this coming one, and then it’s Thanksgiving, which is in Roseau this year. More driving.

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Halloween was fun this year, although our costumes were not as high caliber as years’ past. Ryan was some kind of crazy, murderous doctor, and I was one of those pictures where they eyes follow you around. Needless to say we didn’t win the costume contest. James was a cowboy for halloween. When you would tell him he was a cowboy he would say “Moooooo!” HAHAHA. That was fun. He was a little unsure of trick-or-treating, but by the end of the night he got the hang of it and enjoyed himself. It helped that we were with our friends/neighbors, and their son had done some trick or treating the weekend before with family, so he knew what was going on.

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What else is going on in my life? Hmm. Not much. I’m working, Ryan is working, James is going to daycare/staying with our friends during the week. It’s Ryan’s birthday this week, so we’ll go out for dinner for that. It’s kind of a laid-back year for birthdays for us. By necessity in part (since I was unemployed for a month and a half), but it’s good. It’s also going to be a small year for Christmas, but I am hoping to do some hand-made gifts (I love you, Pinterest), so that will be fun.

Besides chocolate (I could eat chocolate all day), I crave time with people I love. I wish that we could spend every weekend with family and friends. Of course, when we DO travel a lot on weekends, then I crave time at home. I think the perfect solution would be if everyone just moved to Duluth. That way we could all see eachother whenever we wanted, but there wouldn’t be any pressure to get the most out of what time you have.

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Another sewing project completed last night (a cloak for Ryan’s costume). 2 left (a carpet bag, and a vest for Ryan). Think I can finish them up tonight?

2007: The theme was super-heroes. I posted pics from this year a couple entries back. Here’s a reminder. Ryan was Dr Who, and I was Buttercup, one of the Powerpuff Girls. I had the green tank and skirt, so just bought some black ballet flats and put a piece of fabric over the foot, and wore white tights. I sprayed my hair black with that temporary color you can buy around halloween. It was a terrible idea. I would just get an actual box of hair dye next time. What a mess. For Ryan’s costume, his sister knit (knitted??) the scarf (she’s awesome!), and we found the coat (not pictured here) at Goodwill.

Dr Who & Powerpuff Girl (Buttercup) in 2007.

2008: The theme was Sci-Fi. Ryan was Chief from Battlestar Gallactica. I was Kaylee from Firefly. We still have these costumes; I was so proud of them! I made the v-neck in the shirt, and tore the sleeves off these coveralls and added the decals (including a couple you can’t see in this photo). We also added the arm patches and pocket latches things to Ryan’s costume, and there’s an official BSG patch on his shoulder. I almost won a prize for my costume this year, but SOMEONE (*cough*Ryan’sfriendTrent*cough*) made an entire Optimus Prime costume out of styrofoam and cardboard and stuff, and it was awesome.

Chief & Kaylee

2009: The theme was religious figures, as I mentioned last year. I went as the virgin Mary (and won most authentic costume, since I was actually pregnant). Ryan was one of the guys from Monty Python’s Spanish Inquisition skit. I bought the blue dress, but it originally had short sleeves, so I ripped those off and used the shoulder as a template to make these longer, flowy sleeves. I also made Ryan’s outfit; the tunic and “skirt” part I made from scratch (by hand!), and the rest was found (red long sleeve shirt, red scarf, red gloves, winter hat).

Virgin Mary & a rosary! It's was like seeing the future. Very sad.

Ryan as a Monty Python Spanish Inquisition guy.

I will post pictures from this year after the costumes are complete and the party is over. Don’t want to spoil the surprise, you know!

This hat and a long blue (entirely homemade) skirt that doesn’t photograph well.

Image from http://www.moviepropking.com/marypoppins.htm

I will tell you, though, that I am making a dessert inspired by the cupcakes on this post. Dirt cake, with little doll hands poking up out of it. Creepy! Delicious! Everything a halloween dessert should be!

Ryan, as of yesterday, decided to go as one of the Spanish Inquisition guys from Monty Python. So I got him a red shirt and gloves, and made a tunic and the bottom part (basically a skirt). It actually turned out pretty well. The only thing he’s missing is either a red floppy hat or an aviator hat with goggles. It would also be fun (but overkill and would probably get annoying quickly) if he had a tape recorder or something that played the Spanish Inquisition music every time someone said it. I think he might also bring a dishrack (get it? the rack?).

Anyway, that’s the plan. I promise to post pictures.

And now, for your viewing pleasure:

ps. We leave on vacation in less than a week! Yay!