My First Projects

In the last month or so, I've been getting into my crafty side. This was partly due to wanting to fill the evening with a hobby, and the fact that there are two nephews are on the way that I wanted to create something for.

I learned how to knit when I was younger, but never really got into it, and would typically start a (really simple) scarf and never finish it. For Baby Boy Addink, I decided to create a hat and booties set. My sister had a few showers scheduled this month, so I thought I'd make something in time to send it. And...I did it! I can definitely say that these were simple and took longer for me to create than someone more experienced, but I was happy with the results.

Here's some photos:

Here's the hat

And the first booties I made. I struggled with these (there's a smaller one that didn't make it on here - it was too small and tight)

The second set of booties. A friend suggested these (she had made them recently for a friend). There were a few new techniques I had to learn, but the overall design was fairly simple. I made these after I finished the first set and really didn't like the result much. I was happier with these (my sister also noted she thought the set with buttons would stay on better, which was good to hear).

I was quite uncertain about creating these, and while I had fun, there was some uncertainty during the process. I didn't have much of an idea about how big any of the pieces should be, so I erred on the large side to be cautious (and this baby's older brother had large feet as an infant, so that was in the back of my mind as well).

I learned a few things during the process. Making the pompom was a new experience, but a fun one - snipping the end and 'fuzzing' it up. Creating the straps for the second set of booties, as well as adding the buttons and holes (they're weaved in, which is easier than actually creating holes). I also experimented with using more than one color in a piece for the first time.

It was fun to shop for the yarn - baby yarn comes in such soft textures, even if most of the colors are pastel.

One last picture - I included this in the package - it's small enough that it probably won't be worn often before being outgrown, but it's warm and cozy (the overalls are a soft courderoy), with long sleeves, which I think will be nice for a January baby.

Chipotle...mmm

I had a pretty great Halloween. I met up with some old roommates downtown for breakfast and it was really nice to catch up. I hadn't seen a few of them in upwards of a year. I don't have a picture of that, though...

Later, Jeff and I met up with a few different friends at Chipotle. I'm not really the right age for Halloween right now - too old to trick-or-treat, and too young to have my own - but a good solution the last couple years has been to take Chipotle up on their offer of a free burrito for anyone who dresses like a burrito. We donned some tinfoil in the parking lot and were set.

Afterwards, we hung out at our apartment. It was a good time and a nice chance to see some friends.

(Jeff's hat looks like a yarmulka to me)

A Start on the Photos

I finally began loading photos from our new camera onto the Mac. I don't really use the main computer the rest of the pictures are on, so I think this could be a good solution in the future, especially as I'm the one who typically enjoys taking photos.

So, here are a few photos:

These are the (now outdated) pumpkin sugar cookies I made.

With a close-up of the ones Jeff took to work (he did the piping for most of the 7s, for his presentation on Windows 7)

I used the last bit of dough to make this (we're just that cool...)

There's my summary of recent baking. I like sugar cookies because I get to make different shapes, and color the frosting however I choose. I did miss my nephew (he likes to cut out and frost the cookies), which led me to miss family a bit. I'm hoping Christmas plane tickets go down a tad so I can go home for a few days.

Cookies and Caps

I've been fairly productive this week (and yet, feel like I have lots left undone). I finished the first part of a knitting project. I'll post a photo of that when the rest is finished. It's a surprise gift, so I'm hoping it works out well. It sure is cool to finish projects, though, instead of my typical MO (i.e. stopping halfway through the scarf, yet again). I feel accomplished when it actually turns out. Unfortunately I finished something earlier tonight that probably won't work and I'll have to redo. Oh well, I guess it's part of the learning process.

I made sugar cookies today. I mixed the dough last night and cut and baked them tonight. They're pumpkins, for Halloween (Reformation Day? or would those be cutouts of theses tablets?). Let me tell you, I sure had a difficult time locating a pumpkin cutter. So stores had ginormous cutters, and others had nice-sized cutters that came in a pack of 20 other cookie cutters (and as much as I like sugar cookies, I don't need cookie cutters in the shape of coffins. I did locate a nice, metal cookie cutter that's on the smaller size at Michael's, though. They're frosted in orange, of course. Jeff is taking some in to work with him tomorrow. He is giving a presentation on the new Windows 7 operating system. So we piped '7' on those cookies in blue frosting. Jeff was pretty good with the ziplock pastry bag. I took a few pictures, but can't load them yet (I'm on the Mac currently).

I missed my nephew, though. We like to cut, bake, and frost sugar cookies together.

Tomorrow is Friday! Are you excited? I am. I'm ready to finish the week and I'm looking forward to some time spent with friends.

It's late, so I'm out for now. Have a good night!

Monday, Monday

Well, as usual, the weekend went by too quickly. Monday went okay, just back at work again. I stopped at the gym on my way home from the office. And I remembered to take off my rings while running (sweat seems to strip the rhodium). My reward? I misplaced my key. It's the key for our mailbox. I'm not sure how that will work out. I think I need to go to the post office to figure it out.

I made some pretty decent cheeseburgers with steak fries. Then I got ambitious and make some no-bake fudge thingys. I've seen them called haystacks before - they've got oats and coconut and look a little bit like this:

I'm not sure how they'll turn out. I'm not great at making candy, and this involved boiling a chocolate mixture, so...we'll see if they set up. They'll be tasty, though, I think. I do enjoy baking. I need a bigger audience, though, or I end up eating too much myself.

Happy Monday!

Autumn

I was going to include the word 'fall' in the title of this post somehow, but I must say that autumn sounds prettier right now, and since the changing of colors during this season is quite pretty, I decided to go with 'autumn.'

Work's continued on. My computer did die (sad). My new one has some weird features. I'll be back around the office this week, so maybe I'll ask for some help. I'll back up my files first. Jeff did come through and was able to get all my files from my home laptop, so that's good. I think it's finished though. I've been using the M

ac for personal use. It doesn't have pictures on it, though, so for now, words only will have to suffice for the blog.

I'm looking forward to the 31st. I think I may be getting together with some friends for breakfast. Later, a different group will (hopefully) meet up at Chipotle, then back to Jeff's and my apartment for some fun. Chipotle has a promotion where if you dress up like a burrito, they give you a free meal (dressing up like a burrito is loosely interpreted). A group of friends went last year and it was fun. Oh, wait, I do have a picture I can share.

Halloween 2008 at Chipotle

Other than that, things are good. I'm trying to keep up with running. I was working late this week, with a long commute, so I got a tad sidetracked, but I hope to stay on top of it this week. Have a good week, all, and I'll talk to you later.

Computers and Cookies

I've been back at work for a week and a half now. Things are going alright. I've had a frustrating time at work with changing my name, though. Honestly, it was easier to change my name with the social security administration and the DMV (a 2-hour process...ugh) than to become Allison Miller in the computer system at work. There were a number of mishaps and I could write quite a bit, but the basics are that the IT department encountered some difficulties when changing my profile. After those issues were (mostly) resolved, I was asked to bring my laptop back for some updates. When I brought it to them, they went to reboot it and it crashed...completely. They worked on it over the weekend, but ended up completely reimaging it. Unfortunately, I didn't have everything backed up, and lost quite a few professional and personal files. The major personal file was the slideshow I created for my wedding, which I've been trying to recreate for out reception in Wisconsin this weekend. Also, a few days after the work laptop issues began, I was working on my home laptop. This is my slow-running, old, but tried-and-true Compaq. It, too, seemed to want a permanent rest. Jeff is going to do a few more things tomorrow to try to recover it, and the files. I really am praying that it can be saved. I don't want to think about losing all my pictures...and other files I had there. I have certainly learned my lesson about backing up documents, though.

Moving on, I've gotten back into my running mode, or I'm trying to get back to enjoying it. Jeff and I went downtown to see the marathon on Sunday, and to cheer on Kirstie, in her under 5 hour, rookie marathon run. Go Kirstie!

We also tried out Western Springs CRC this weekend and were, again, welcomed with open arms. It was the first time we were approached by the pastor on such an early visit. Other members also took the time to talk to us (and not just to play Dutch bingo, a big plus in Jeff's, and my, book!). I think the difference we've noticed is that the Western suburbs don't see Trinity students all the time, like on the South side, and seem to view us as potential visitors rather than simply students who will come for the Sunday service during the year and then leave. Either way, we were pleased.

I'm currently making chocolate chip cookies and the apartment is smelling delish...mmm.

I was just viewing my sister-in-law's blog and looking at their pictures of a trip to Europe. It sure looked nice. I'm a big fan of vacation!

That's all for now. My title tonight doesn't have a quote, it's just a bit of alliteration involving the start and finish of this post.

Cheers!

Back Again

I may have failed in the "posting near-daily" goal, but it's been a pretty busy September, so we'll go with that as the excuse.

To sum up the last few weeks:

• September 12-20: Jeff and I traveled to Seattle on the 12th, to finish prepping for the wedding. Surprisingly, I didn't have too much to do during the week. I felt accomplished for not being too last-minute with everything. The weather was great all week. Summer held on for a bit longer for us. Some first-time Seattle visitors were there, and Jeff played tour guide. They had a good time seeing the sights. A group of us attending the Mariners vs. White Sox game on Wednesday, and it was fun to watch the Mariners win soundly.
• Jeff and I got married on Friday, the 18th. The day was perfect. It's hard to expound upon that much more. The weather was great, the flowers, music, clothing, cake, everything were great. The ceremony went off without a hitch. The reception was a blast. I was really touched by the toasts and speeches given. I got to hear from nearly all my immediate family. I loved it. Seeing old friends was fun, too, but it's hard to talk when it's a busy event.
• September 20-27: The honeymoon was in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It was phenomenal. Jeff really pulled out all the stops. We got out of the taxi at the hotel, and 30 seconds later a platter with two champagne flutes appeared before us. Jeff turned to me and said, "Oh yeah, I think I upgraded us to VIP status or something." That about summed up our treatment during the week. It was my first time at an all-inclusive resort, and it was awesome. Our room was on the top floor, with a balcony overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Oh yeah, there was a hot tub on the balcony. Did I mention the trip was awesome?
• September 27-29: Jeff and I went back to Seattle. We wrapped up a few things there, packed up gifts, took a quick trip to an ear doctor (more about that later...Jeff should fully recover his hearing, though)
• September 29-present: We returned to Chicago. The rest of the week was spent running errands, trying to change my name, buying a bed (yay!), going to Wisconsin, attending the 50th anniversary celebration for Trinity at the Navy Pier ballroom (it was a blast), and staying in an awesome hotel downtown that we got for a steal through hotwire.

We're now back at work and getting back into the swing of things. I'm looking forward to social contact tomorrow, as Kirstie (and maybe John and Elyse) is coming over to watch "The Office" (Jim and Pam are getting married!). I am also looking for hobbies. Life is slowing down. Maybe I'll head to the gym tonight and get a membership. Winter is quickly approaching - dun dun dun. Life is good.

Hard World?

Well, I got four posts in, then the start of a new week overtook me, apparently.

I feel like I made good progress on the wedding planning this week. Evidence of this is that I'm feeling a tad less stressed about all that is left to do. Although I did have a nightmare this morning that involved missing my hair/makeup appt, Jeff forgetting his ring, etc. Seems like my stomach churns for no reason sometimes. I may round off this wedding with an ulcer. woot woot.

I've got one week left of work until vacation. That's something to be excited about, for sure. Today dragged, and we didn't get the usual go-ahead to leave at 3, which is what usually happens before a holiday. Oh well, seems like everyone else left early anyway. I don't feel like I've been there long enough to do that yet, though.

Jeff lived in Kenosha this week. He had a rough week at work, and it seems as though they're giving him a hard time for taking the time off to get married. Frustrating, as it's been planned for so long, and it's a pretty major life event. Go Corporate America! Kinda makes Denmark seem like a pretty cool place. It's difficult to communicate long-distance again, too. We're both tired/busy when we try to call each other. The cool thing is realizing this is the longest we'll be apart for (hopefully) a while.

I've been feeling pretty burnt out. I got to tonight and while my brain is on, my body said "Stop." I had hoped to finish painting the bathroom, but it didn't happen. I did get some cleaning done, though, so I feel somewhat accomplished.

Tomorrow I'm heading up to K-town for a shower/lunch with Jeff (I think), his mom, and some of her friends. It should be fun, and hopefully we can relax and enjoy the celebration for a bit. I think the rest of the weekend will be spent trying to tie up loose ends. We leave next Saturday, and I'm sure the coming week will go by in a blur again.

I think I'll attempt sleep soon - it's been a tired week (I think sleep came after 1 most days since last Thursday...hmm).

And here's just a life quote, good for me to think of now:
"If you will just start with the idea that this is a hard world, it will all be much simpler. "
-Louis D. Brandeis

God's Gifts

I had a good weekend. Yesterday was Jeff's bachelor party, so he was gone all day. Pretty long day, but he said he had a good time paintballing and then going downtown.

I enjoyed Saturday. I was able to run some errands, go for a run outside (it's been pretty dreary here lately, but when I went out, it was warm but not hot and not very humid, which was great.

Yesterday was also my friend Kirstie's birthday, so we went out for a girls night to celebrate. Elyse and I drove down together, and met up with Kirstie and another Trinity grad, Rachel, then headed to Howl At the Moon, which is a piano bar. I've only been there twice, but it's a really fun place. The performers are so talented - they trade instruments throughout the night as the band grows - and they play mostly favorites, so you're able to sing along and just have a good time. It gets pricey quickly, so it's not something I would want to do all the time, but I've really enjoyed both times I've gone. It was also nice to get out and see some friends for a while.

Today was also a good day. Jeff stopped over during the morning, and we had breakfast together. I got another run in. I've been trying to get back into my pre-move routine, when running was starting to be easy, and I actually felt decently fit. It sure is easier to get out of shape than back in :).

We went to the evening service in Palos, then went for a walk. It's been getting chilly here. It feels much more like October than late-August to me. I hear Seattle has nice weather, though, so hopefully that will stick around and we will have pleasant wedding weather.

The title of this post comes from the quote below. I think that stopping to notice the small gifts that God provides in our lives (a tasty breakfast, a walk in the evening, sunny days) really helps me realize how blessed I am. This is also a good way to prepare for another week of work.

"God's gifts put man's best dreams to shame." Elizabeth Barrett Browning

All You Need is Love

3 weeks left. 21 days. Phew. Deep breath. Craziness.

I'm really happy it's Friday. It was time for a break and a weekend was in order for sure.

My date tonight? Going to two hardware stores, getting supplies, and painting. I know, pretty out of control, huh?

This post title's quote comes from Charles M. Schulz. It wasn't as sappy as it first appeared.
"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt."

Mmm...chocolate.

The Fairway of Life

Well, I made it to two posts in two days. I didn't want to post. More than that, though, I didn't want this project to fall by the wayside one day/post in. I need to follow through more, and that involves taking one small step at a time.

I think I've become a half-glass empty person. I think I used to be more optimistic. I feel that here would be a good place to try to improve/reverse that situation.
Good things:
- I got a couple compliments at work today. After telling the client that I joined Wolf not quite a year ago, and interned before that, but am otherwise fairly new, they commented that this audit has been pretty good and that I seem knowledgeable and not new. I couldn't help but smile; many days I feel like I don't know anything. Second, the manager was out today, and I've heard he can be picky, but I didn't get many review notes, and those that he left seemed okay.
- I ran two miles again today.
- The neighborhood I live in is fairly symmetrical, has sidewalks on both sides of the street, and the distance between roads is even and makes for easy calculations on runs.
- I got a free 'scoopie' scoop of German Chocolate Fudge frozen custard from Culver's.
- It felt normal to leave the library in the evening, walking to the parking lot with a bit of a drizzle.
- Tomorrow is Friday.
- I get to hear some good music and see some good friends on Saturday.
- I have a date tomorrow night.
- My walls are becoming colorful.

That's a pretty good start.

I cannot figure out why the number on the scale is increasing. I am eating better (I think) and running again. Time to run harder/farther. Or eat less. Hmm.

This post's title comes from a quote by Ben Hogan (I think he may have been a lefty):
"As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round."

Take it to heart these next few weeks, self.

Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast

I am one of those people who will start their blog by stating, "I've thought of writing a blog for a while now..." Which is true for me as well. In thinking of starting, though, I decided that the best way to begin would be to do simply that: begin. My writing could certainly use some improvement. College included business professors who wanted bullet points, and my current writing includes many sentences that begin with a dash, "Auditor," or "Examined," and end with "pfa." I feel that one way the writing can improve is by the mere act of writing, and thinking about writing a blog just won't cut it.

I'll give it my best shot, though, and am going to focus on at least posting semi-regularly, even if I feel I don't have too much to say.

Life is pretty busy lately. I'm getting married in 23 days. Actually, that was the first time recently that I have thought of it in terms of days, and I scared myself a little bit. There are many small tasks at hand, but I think it will all work out.

I moved 25 days ago. There aren't too many boxes left to unpack. 4 walls are painted. I could use another lamp. This also will come along in time.

I have 2 1/2 weeks of work to complete and then I have 3 weeks off. That's enough to brighten me just about any time.

That's a pretty basic gist of what's going on for now.

Oh, and the title of this post? It's from Alice in Wonderland.
"Alice laughed: "There's no use trying," she said; "one can't believe impossible things.""I daresay you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was younger, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

I think I would accomplis more if I tried to follow the Queen's advice more often.