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.