Halloween

This year I was looking forward to Halloween because a bunch of friends and I were going to dress up and go out. It had been so long since I had dressed up. Rachelle and I had been planning this for months before and kept picking up little things here and there for our costumes. I was able to get off an hour and a half early from work that night. Thank goodness since I used all that extra time working on my hair and makeup. We had practiced my makeup several time before, but it was always someone else doing it for me. I was a little nervous, but so happy with the results and how it turned out.

Trying out different eye makeup ideas. I didn't go with this look.

The finished look!
Celeste(Vampire), Barbara(Marilyn Monroe) and Me(Goddess)
Rachelle(School girl) and Me
Lucy(Catwomen) and Me

We all met up at a place called the Pheasant in Hermiston that had a live band and dancing. We all just sat around and talked and laughed and took lots of pics. Then when a good song came on, we were out on the dance floor!

It was great to act like a kid again and go crazy with your costume and makeup. We are already planning for next year and maybe a party instead.

Portland with Andrea

My friend Andrea, from the hospital had been planning for a couple of months to take a trip down to Portland. We wanted to go to the zoo and also to the Roloff farm, the family from the show "Little People, Big World" on TLC. So we decided to head down Oct. 12 and stay for a couple of days. I had been telling my friend Chelsie, who lives in Portland about the trip and she was so excited and was able to join us.

We took off early Sunday morning and went straight to Chelsie's apt to pick her up. We went right to the zoo and spent a couple of hours walking around and taking pics. Then we headed down to the Roloff farm. Andrea and I were so excited because we have watched the show and were hoping to see the family and maybe get some pics. Chelsie had never seen the show and thought we were hilarious how excited we were getting. We spent a couple of hours there and had a blast! We were able to get some pics with Zach, Matt, Matt's parents and Molly. Then we got pics of Jeremy and Jacob from a distance. The only person we didn't see was the mom, Amy because she was at a speaking engagement. We were also able to go on a tour of their property and see everything they talk about on the show. After we met up with Colby, who Chelsie and I went to school with for dinner and bowling.

On Monday, Andrea and I met up with Brad (ex-boyfriend) at Bridgeport, a really cool shopping center. We had breakfast and just walked around going in and out of stores. Then Andrea and I headed to IKEA!!! I love that store and was excited to take her because she had never been there before. We took our time walking through and each bought a little of this and that. After getting back to Chelsie's, we changed into some more dressy clothes and went to dinner reservations at The Melting Pot. After dinner, we picked up our bags and stayed at Brad's that night.

The next day Andrea and I had planned to go to OMSI, but it didn't work out. Instead we waited for Brad to get back from the gym and then the three of us went to breakfast and a movie.

The night we stayed with Brad, I was able to sit down with him and talk over things. It had been almost two months since seeing him and we both knew things were on the way out. We had a great talk and decided to remain friends. I think the distance was a big problem and we just were headed in different directions in our lives. We text each other occasionally and keep in touch. All together, the trip was a blast and Andrea and I already want to plan another one somewhere!!

Norwegians

After a very long nine years, Kristen and her husband Rune and their three children were coming from Norway for a visit. This trip had been planned for almost a year and we were so excited to finally have them come in the flesh!

I was able to be there when they flew into Pasco and spend a couple of hours with them before I had to head back home to work the next day. Then they came to visit me and see my apt a couple of days later. I was able to make it to church the next Sunday and then we went and had our family picture taken. We were also able to go out to the Country Mercantile in Pasco and the kids picked out pumpkins to carve. We had dinner at Chinese Gardens, which was so good and I don't remember the last time I was even there. We had a bonfire with s'mores and put candles in the pumpkins. Of course we also had to spend a day shopping! We started out with the guys with us, but eventually it was too much for them and we ladies forged ahead.

Even though I was only able to spend a couple of days with them, I had a great time. Them and my parents continued on to Cannon Beach for a night and then to Seattle for their last weekend. Now I believe the next time we will see them is when we make the trip back to Norway! It's been 16 years since I have been there and I would love to go back and experience it again.