I had my first jewelry party this year, and the year is almost over.  KC and I recently reassessed my business position, and it looks like she'll be around for awhile still.  I'm really learning a lot and hope to improve in some areas that I've been a little weak in.  It's really a time thing, but it's been so much fun and you all have been SO supportive.  It's awesome to hear Sara Christner tell me every time I see her how much she loves her smoky quartz necklace.  I just love that.  These are two of my newer pieces, a coral necklace I call the Palacios in honor of Kristin.  The left one is now the Pascucci, in honor of Hannah, cause it just fits her AND she's my coastal girl.  She just gets the coastal-ness of me.  I don't get that fix until Hannah calls.

 
Isn't he adorable.  This is Brady and Sarah Anne's, Carter.  He is SUCH a cutie.  SA and I met at Marie Catribs - which is a newer restaurant in East town to die for.  They have such good food, and their soups are perfect for brisk fall and winter days.  The boxes are for B.  It's pretty unbelievable how incredibly generous the people at Ridgewood CRC are.  I wanted to put together a care package for Brian for Christmas and thought it would be nice if our church could help.  Every week, K and I take home two grocery bags full of B's favorite candy, soups and drinks that you add water to, super thick socks, new t-shirts and I plan to add coloring books, stuffed animals and pencils for the Iraqi children.  I'm SO excited to send everything this week.  B called me this past week and talked with me for like 10 minutes.  He uploaded a couple hundred pictures on his MySpace.  It was pretty emotional looking at all of them.  Below are some of my favorites.

 
Before I get to the pictures of B, here's K and I with the tree we picked this year in Borculo.  I can't stop thinking about my dad saying Beaver Beaver Dam Dam Dam.  So funny!  KC carried it all by himself all the way to the car.  We picked our tree super fast this year.  I was feeling very decisive (rare!).  Okay, back to B.  I love th. picture of him treating this Iraqi boy's hand.  It was burned really bad I guess.

   
This is B's self-portrait.  He has a super soft spot for the kids.  Look at how the Minnie girl is captivated by him.  Gosh I love my brothers.

Currently Listening Greatest Hits By Journey Don't Stop Believin see related

This weekend was intense.  The now, Kristin Elaine Kuzera Palacios, and Dominic Palacios got married on Saturday morning, following a full afternoon of Friday activities.  KC's extended family from Wisconsin came in by train and had lunch at our place.  I jammed in those afternoon hours at work earlier in the week, so I could make it home in time.  Then the wedding rehearsal, and dinner and K's personal shower.  Thursday night we went to Zeeland High to see K's brother Matt perform in the Carousel for Unity.  After the wedding on Saturday, K and I went straight to Calvin to catch the second half of the game against Wash. U. (the team that won it all last year, is ranked #1 this year, and that we beat yesterday!)  Immediately following which, we headed to Jenison for pizza with the Wisconsin crowd, immediately following which we went to Aaron's house for a post-wedding party where we played a super fun music game (that I was pretty horrible at).  So, now that we're home I'm working on planning out the coming week with Thanksgiving on Thursday and Christmas just around the corner.

  
I don't know why KC taped Rena's face like a football players, but he did.  For K's personal shower we had a private room at Mangiamo's where we told stories about how we first met Kristin.  My story was twofold.  The first time I met K, she came with Michael to the Hampshire house for our Apple Party.  We were short on something like flour, so the four of us (KC included, we had just started dating at this point), went to Meijer.  I think the first time K and I went out on our own, K took me to Jersey Junction.  I had never been, so that was fun for me.  K ordered a chocolate ice cream cone.  We were having semi-serious conversation, when I looked up at her and she had a ring of chocolate around her mouth.  It made me laugh so much.  Kristin is such a chocolate junkie.  She completely didn't care that she had ice cream all over her face, which made me love her all the more.

  
K was so funny because she was so worried that she was going to be overdressed for the wedding.  I was like, Kristin, you're the bride!  And she was SO stunning.  Here she is with "the DR", David Rylaarsdam.  He officiated the wedding and gave such an awesome message.  Dominic and the guys wore chocolate brown tuxes that looked so good.  I designed K's necklace which was really fun.  I had several different options for her, and this is what she picked.  I'm having another jewelry party December 1.  I really haven't done much all year other than custom orders, so it's about time.

 
K and I were master and mistress of ceremonies again.  One thing that was kinda crazy was that the reception was held at the BOB, which was complicated because there was a Christmas parade downtown and Monroe and Fulton were closed at the intersection where the BOB is located.  Fortunately the street opened up just in time as guests were arriving.  KC and I were the first to arrive, however, so the streets were still closed then and we walked through the parade and got lots of funny looks.  Fortunately I wore the best heels for walking in, my Etienne Aigners, similar to these.

This is just the funniest picture.  There really wasn't time for guests to dance after the first dance and parent-daughter-son dances.  K was disappointed that he didn't get to dance with Rena, so they started without music.  Shannon decided to brighten the picture at the last second, which Ryan thought "was so unlike her".  She is however, really good with Brittany Spears and the Spice Girls trivia.

Selah, Amy

Currently Gaming Classic NES Series: Super Mario Bros By Nintendo see related

In memory of SVW

Wow!  That was pry my longest Xanga vacay ever!  My first excuse is that KC is a computer hog.  He takes the laptop to school to write papers, type notes in class (I really believe he does this, contrary to some other students who abuse free wifi in the classroom).  When he gets home, he writes more papers, reads ESPN when he has writers block, checks his school e-mail, la la la.  So, when I see the computer idle, I totally snatch it for usually a max of fifteen minutes before K is grazing over my shoulder, nudging me to finish up.

      
A few highlights from September and October - Apple Day, Tim and Amber's wedding rehearsal, Dirk and Kristin on our weekly Saturday night visit to Meijer, the Beerfest.

September included Dan's birthday, Kristin and Dominic's "Beerfest" that Renae and I planned as an urban chic couples shower and of course, Apple Day.  K and I have somehow plunged into the role of master and mistress of ceremonies for two weddings this fall.  One down, one to go.  Tim and Amber had such a beautiful wedding; the cupcakes were SO good.  Laura and I threw a personal shower for Amber the night before that was so much fun.  Kristin and Dominic get married this weekend.  Renae, thus without couch, will be on her own.

So, in the last two months, I've been very social.  This is in serious contrast to my pre-KC life.  Somehow, he's rubbed off on me.  Perhaps being married for four and a half years has something to do with that.  One thing we've been doing weekly is this Crowne Ministries program through Calvin Sem.  We're in the same group as Dirk and Kristin, which is fun for us, but not so fun for everyone else.  It's been really good for KC and I to dialogue through stuff like debt, retirement, savings, spending, a mortgage, interest rates, etc etc etc.  The alternative would be to figure it all out as we go, making mistakes all the merry long way.

Went to the new GRAM this weekend (GR Art Museum).  I think my favorite part was the furniture by Eames, Wright, Gehry.  There's a huge Kelly in the entry area - did a paper on him once.  When I'm downtown I tend to think about good places for a wedding reception.  My top picks right now are at the UICA and, the GRAM.

     
Semi-candid Amy and Renae at the Beerfest.  My knitting, phoneaholic, messy room, Office Jim-crazy celebutante.

Pillow covers - spent yesterday doing laundry and making maroon and gold pillow covers for K's mom and dad.  I made them so they tie with ribbons on the side.
Christmas - hoping that we go to Borcula to cut down a tree again.  Last year we got one for $10!  I'm hoping to have the tree up and decorated before my jewelry party...
Jewelry Party - Saturday, December 1 at my house.  1:00p-3:00p, immediately after which...
Basketball - I'll be going to see Calvin play Wheaton at home at 4:00p.  Can't wait to see Griffin play again!
Packers - eight and one baby.  KC's family from Wisconsin comes in the weekend to see Matt's play at Unity and the Tip-Off Tourney at Calvin.  See coach on YouTube.
The Office - every thursday night at nine (hopefully we'll get home from Matt's play in time)
California - Christmas Eve through January 1. (like 16 days out of the office!)  The only disadvantage being that we won't be going to Downer's Grove for New Years.
Glitterati - Colin and I both appear in business journals in October/November (me in the Commercial Quarterly) Colin in the Business Journal.

Currently Listening The District Sleeps Alone Tonight By The Postal Service Suddenly Everything has Changed see related

Twenty What

I love birthdays.  Besides the fact that they're a good excuse to do something special and fun, I really think it's important to remember the gift of life.  And what better day to do that than on everyone's respective birthdays.  It's been a small town birthday for me, but I'm pretty easily pleased.  I decided I wanted to save opening all my cards and the package from my grandma for the end of the day today.  It kinda feels like Christmas that way, and well, I love Christmas too.  I recieved SO many sweet birthday cards and messages today, I felt so loved, I loved it.  Thank you!

K took me to Marie Catrib's for lunch where I had a fabulous Greek Salad and Curry Potato Soup.  He also brought me 3.5 lbs of candy corn.  I'm not sure why 3.5 lbs, but it will certainly satisfy my sweet tooth for awhile, and probably everyone else's at the office too.  Lydia made me secret caramel brownies that were unbelievable!  Tomorrow, she's taking me to TCBY for lunch.  Yes, we're having ice cream for lunch.  It's a shared passion of ours.  Well, actually, Lydia is addicted and I have the benefit of using her buy one get one free coupons.

In other sortof news, and kindof old news, the building industry in a bit depressed.  This seems to occur regularly in somewhat unpredictable waves, nonetheless it's devastating, or potentially so.  Myself and several others are feeling the effects of that, my dad included.  Right now, I'm cutting back from 45 to 40 hours a week (although my work load doesn't seem to be any smaller).  I guess 40 hours a week is more typical, but it's kindof a big sacrifice for me.  Regardless, I'm thankful that I'm still employed.

I accidentally left the camera at the Smith's cottage several weeks ago.  Dustin was supposed to get it this past weekend, so hopefully I'll be taking pictures again soon.  I guess that's a little okay though, because I have been breaking out a lot lately, and it's SO irritating!  B is in Iraq now. Haven't heard from him yet, but he said he was supposed to go September 2.  KC's back in school.  Strangely, it feels weird starting another school year.  I hope for a really good fall.  Last fall, with my panic-ing (sp?), was not so fun.  Anyway, in some ways, I feel like writing New Year's resolutions in September more than I do in January.  Because, let's be honest, everyone's inner "fiscal" year really starts in September.

A few things going on between now and the end of the year, Kristin and Dominic, Amber and Tim, Beverly and David and business.  I just made a massive jewelry order, so I really need to get on that.  Also, I have to cover for the Kuzera's re: Apple Day this year.  Just because K is getting married, doesn't mean Apple Day can't happen.  It just means it can't be the Kuzera's baby this year.  Rena and I are looking at Saturday October 13.  Details to be determined.  Fall just isn't fall without Apple Day.

Currently Reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4) By J.K. Rowling see related