Engagement Photos!

One Sunday morning, Bill and I woke up and decided we really wanted to make cookies!  Okay, maybe it wasn't quite that spontaneous, but we certainly had oodles of fun!!

All photos were taken by the wonderfully talented K.  She did an incredible job and we are thrilled to have her stand by on our big day this coming fall!

Enjoy a few of our favorites!!

  

After enjoying the delicious cookies, we headed outside with Jack, who we now affectionately call, "Proposal Puppy."

Bring on the wedding plans!!

-Melanie

A Note about Kindness

Did anyone else notice that just about everybody was in a pleasant mood yesterday?  I don't mean coworkers, family, or friends--though I also don't mean to say that those closest to me were in particularly bad moods--but I encountered more kindness yesterday from [near] strangers than I think I ever have.

I had a delightful conversation with a new security guard in my building.  He was glad to see some warm weather for a change and on a high following an engagement photo session this past weekend.  He is anxiously awaiting his wedding day this summer, and thrilled to be planning the celebrations alongside his beautiful fiance.

When I went to the gym on my lunch break, the student worker behind the check-out counter was handing out encouraging words to patrons.  Having convinced myself to get to the gym for a quick run, yet still hesitant that a 25 minute work-out would actually be worth it, this was the exact motivation I needed.  I was officially bursting with energy and excited to hop on the treadmill.

After work, I headed to grad class a bit early.  I sat down near a classmate, and we chatted about the assignment due, the upcoming quiz, and the class in general.  We joked around a bit and simply enjoyed each other's company.  What a lovely way to pass the time before a lengthy 2 1/2 hour class.

Following class, I raced to the subway so that I could meet up with my Mom and Nan downtown.  As luck would have it--and it usually does--I missed the train by approximately seven seconds.  A fellow commuter came up right behind me with a funny comment about how "it always happens to him, too!"  While we waited the few minutes for the next train, we swapped stories about how Murphy's Law has played a role in each of our lives.

When I finally arrived at Nan's building, I was greeted by an extremely friendly doorman.  He is familiar with our family, and made sure to comment how lovely we all are.  When he phoned Nan to let her know I had arrived, he referred to me as her "wonderful granddaughter."  If that's not the sweetest thing, I don't know what is.

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All of this combined with countless happy moments with my loved ones made for quite a wonderful day.  And for a Monday, I'll take it.

Happy [belated] Valentine's Day!

-Melanie

Knitting

I really enjoy knitting.  It's fun, relaxing and productive.  Above all this, what I like most about knitting is that it is an on-going activity.  There are always new patterns to learn, new items to make.

Regrettably, I have met few of my goals when it comes to knitting: I have not learned how to make socks, I never completed the blanket I was working on, and I haven't mastered certain techniques.

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Well...here it is in writing:  I will get back into the swing of knitting.  I will make use of my hour-and-a-half daily commute.  I will put a measurable dent in the massive stockpile of yarn that has done nothing but grow over the past few several months.

I will hold myself to these goals.