Summer in a Nutshell

ZOOM! Did you see summer past by?

Seems like summer was just starting, and I was trying to figure out what to do with my time.  Here is the low down, and what my summer held for me. I will give you a hint: TONS of great people were involved.

June started with a bang! I attended my cousins wedding, and it was a blessed event. Two BEAUTIFUL people, and a great northern Wisconsin wedding.  It was also a great time to gather the family and catch up. Since, we don't get together very often.   Left is a picture of my cousins, minus the Barnhill family.

June also found Synod assembly, which I was nominated as Youth Voting member. So, we loaded up our best church people, or at least the ones that were voted for the assembly at the church annual meeting, and went to ENEMY territory.(Luther).  Pastor Matt made sure to rub that in. Although it is hard to absorb everything that happens Synod Assembly, I did take away a few things. Church processes are important and confusing.   While voting on items, we had educated ourselves on before the event, many other tasks go into voting. More than just a green or red card. Who knew? I found the break out sessions of sharing your faith story, and an update from Ellie Mccan, to be very interesting.  It has sparked my interest, and inspired me to educate my self  of the Holy Land, and justice(for all!)

July brought one of my favorite people back to me! Amy came a stayed over the 4th, and it was more than enjoyable. We went to the beach, read, gossiped, and attempted to not die in the heat advisory. Amy was a trooper, and didn't run away even though I didn't have air conditioning.  We did  play several games of Yatzee, and few other games. I think this was just to keep our mind off of the heat. I am so glad we didn't have another hot spell like that! 105 is to hot for me!

At the enjoy of July my dad came to visit, and bring my sister down for a few weeks. .  My dad was also able to help me purchase an air conditioning unit that would heat my apartment.  When I bought my first unit, I didn't realize that BTUs is an important thing.  I bought a 5000btu, second hand,  air conditioner. It didn't cool my apartment at all!  I am not the proud owner of a 8000btu air conditioner, that does a superb job.  Maranda was able to spend time with me, and get away from Rhinelander before school starts. We spent time shopping, swimming, and playing board games. Maranda and I found Farkle, I suggest this game, and Racko.  We purchased items for her to wear to school, and caught up.  Maranda ended up staying three weeks, instead of two.

 Every year the company I work for, REM Wisconsin/ Mentor Network, hold a company picnic. Although I will be the first to tell you these things are over rated, I decided to check it out.  Last year I was voted " Best Rookie", after only being employed by the company for less than 3 months. This year, not expecting anything I attended the picnic.  I found my name on the award table. "Most Creative".  In my mind I thought, All I do is crafts monthly?  How is that most crafty? Oh well. I will take it!

As we start another school year, I have picked up a second job and  am looking forward to a few more dollars in my pocket.  I will be working at Children Palace, working for 2 hours with the after school program.

As school starts I begin to debate weather or not I am going to go back to school.  This may take a while, so who knows if it will happen, or not.  Just a quick thought, for now.

Happy Labor Day.

A new START

Well, I have moved once again, back in the start of April. I made the move from Onalaska to Galesville.  I couldn't have done this without the help of some amazing family  and friends.  I moved into an apartment that overlooks the bluffs, a baseball feild, and has wonderful chlidren.  Veiw pictures below.



This is the living room area. I am standing at the TV/stairway.





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Bedroom

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This is standing to the left of the last picture.

 




...still needs a table....





This is the second bedroom, which doesn't have furtinure yet.




This is the bathroom... duh :)

The past few months have been interesting.  After moving I was able to go to Kansas for my good friends weedding. She got married on a beautful Saturday, even with all the storms. The wedding was held at the church she went to during college, and reflected so many of her personal touchs. The reception was wonderful, and  I was able to enjoy many of the people, family, I had gotten to know since I arrived the two days before.    Congrats Jess and Chris!


After returning from Kansas, and working my weekend, I had a visitor from Iowa. Amanda came to visit and we spent our weekend doing many crafts we had found on pinterest! It was a fun way to catch up, and enjoy each others company.  We also were able to go to the Trempealeu Hotel to enjoy a nice Folk songwriter.  Hopefully we will be able to do it agian soon!


While preparing for my trip to Menomonie, I took my car in for an alinement. During this time, I found out that my car needed new ball joints, and tyerod. Can I ever win? Can I ever get ahead? So, as I have learned so many other times,  you take the situation in stride, and figure out how to pay everything. After quick call to my Uncle, to help me figure out if the work was needing to be done at that moment, or if they were just pulling the wool over my eyes. I made the jump to get the repairs done! I was even able to still go on my weekend getaway!


I have also been able to visit some of my camp friends, and catch up before  Tara moved to Phenoix.  Tara, The Billings, and I gathered at Tara's parents house, and we enjoyed another weekend of  Pinterest. This time, we made bags. So cute! We enjoy late nights talking, chocolate, and a wonderful hottub.   We have so much to look forward to, and even a warm place to visit!  Congrats Tara on your job with Honeywell!


Work has been interesting. We added a new client,which made the life at work a bit more stressful. We have seen alot of turnover, which means alot of picking up shifts, and having to be flexable with managment. This has also created some not so great things, that management seems to be looking over.  I am looking for a new job, more seriously than before. Not, because I don't like my job but because the things managment is looking over should not be.  Life might be changing. I am ok with change.


Memorial Day brings a four day weekend, and sometime to relax by myself. I wish my friends at Wartburg who are graduating, GOOD LUCK! I am sorry I had to miss you big day!  I can't believe you are graduating! Take lots of pictures!



EMPH February

Welp. The second month of the year is done. Gone also is my birthday, and the birthday of my mother. So many  great things happen in February, so here is my chance to recap.

During February, I was able to find my love for the "Skit Guys" which always help to put your faith and life back in focus.( Look below for the one we covered at my bible study)  Fish ( my young adult bible study) is going really well, and we have a core group of people coming.  Each week we dive into something that brings our group just a little bit closer.



February has also brought me into my "missin Wartburg" blues.  A place a spent three years, grew more than I did the 20 years before, and made my forever friends. Yup. Missin Wartburg. Can't wait until May when I return to watch my friends walk across the stage!

For those of you who know me, I rearrange rooms like it is my job. Although, I have lived in my apartment for about 5 months, I had not rearranged my apartment.  It started with my room, then the fever caught on, and my sister did her room too So glad to have that out of the way. ;) Plus, it provides a little bit more space for the pigs to run.

I have also started to experiment with food. Crazy thought? Nah. I just made it my goal to learn how to cook, and you have to start somehow. So, we have been trying new recipes and  attempting to weed out the bad ones. If you have a recipe you thing I should try- shoot me an e-mail. ( kayla.pankow@gmail.com)

February also brought a visit from a great friend, Amy, and the many adventures. Opera. Pottery. Drinks. We enjoyed our self, and had a little bit of time to relax in each others company. I couldn't believe how much I missed having someone to tell things to and share just the mundane things to.

February also brought the lost of my friend, and first official pet after college. Pig jumped out of my arms(at knee level), and onto the floor -he broke his upper arm in two places.  So, the next day I brought me in and he was put to sleep. For the next week I would walk past the cage, and expect Pig to greet me with his squeal, or to hear is rustles at night. NOTHING. I knew I had to  fill the void in the cage, or I couldn't move on. Thank to a co-worker I was able to feel the void with two new furry friends. Gizmo and Gus. These guys are so much younger, quicker, and LOUDER!

February has also brought me looking for a new place to live.  Due to circumstances out of my control, I am looking for a one bedroom critter friendly apartment. If you know of one, let me know. ;)   Is it outside of the La Crosse area, find me a job and I will be willing to move. ;)


Work is work. We have settled into a routine, and things are just the way they are supposed to be. I am not sure upon where the next six months will take me.  Hopefully where ever life takes me, the stories will lead to a better ending. ;)

Growing up.

I feel like 2011-2012 has/or will have allot of lesson to teach. Every other year had lessons that were right in front of me. This being because I was in school, and lets face it- lessons come easy when you are school. The lessons are spoon fed to you. Now, as I age, the lessons are like flowers, they grow and wait to be picked at just the right time. 

MINOR FREAK OUT TIME! My friends are at the stage in there life, when marriage is the appropriate step.  This make me very excited, and WHO doesn't like celebrating a perfect union?  Although, I must admit I have been lost somewhere between my 16 year old mind  and now almost 23 year mind set. In the transition some where  in  growing up  between learning to drive and getting a bachelors degree.  I still feel way to young to be "adding" friends through marriage, although all of the ones I have added are wonderful!   So, until my mind catches up, I will be excited for my friends, and wait until my mind can wrap around we are the age of getting married. 

After moving out of my parents house, I have learned what my parents did with out showing me how. Example, I had the experience of a backed up, standing water in the bathtub. Which in my 23 years of living have never really had to deal with. Expect in the dorms, when I shared a bathroom with 38 other girls, but then all I had to do was call the friendly, lovable maintenance guy.  Who wouldn't expect it with 39 girls and three shower stalls? Supposedly, after calling my father, is a every three month chore. After getting some drain cleaner, and a plunger I was able to unclog the drain.  I felt accomplished.  Who knew two girls with long hair could clog the drain in just three months? 

I have been a bread making machine. After my parents left I was able to nab there bread machine. Although, it doesn't close all the way, and needs to be DUCT TAPE shut. The hinge is broken... It does the job just fine.  I make a loaf of bread each week for my sister and I to use, and it taste allot better than the store bread. Plus, it has been quite the experience finding just the right amount of each ingredient.  I have made one that pushed the lid off and tried to push the cabinet into the ceiling, and one that barley rose out of the bread pan.   The last three loafs have been perfect. Smell. Size. Taste. Practice makes perfect.

 Mother Nature has been playing very cruel jokes on the Coulee Region. Just as we were ready to put away our jackets, and bring out the sweatshirts- we got snapped in to negative weather.  I was just getting used to not having to scrap off my car in the morning,  and letting my car warm up just long enough to take the trash to the dumpster. Now, I start my car scrap the front window-wonder slowly to the dumpster- and then finish the window. I know, I have done this to my self living in Wisconsin.  I just wish we could have 35 degree weather instead of -25. Just saying- I wouldn't complain. 

Work is going wonderful. I couldn't ask for a better team to work with, and better people to support. I continue to learn daily, from everyone I come in contact with.  As many of you have I have submitted my resume and cover letter.  This is due to my boss getting a promotion, so now her job is available.  I would have allot more responsibility, and would be able to use my degree in a more direct way.  I pray that if it is meant to be, it will happen.  Only time will tell.