ZEPOLOPEZ

Welcome to 2012...

2012-01-09T09:58:00.002-06:00

2011 wasn't a great year for me, so I have decided that I am going to be a force in 2012. I've had great momentum these past 9 days, so if I can keep it up for the next 356...this year will be phenomenal!

Every year starts with resolutions and this is the first year in over a decade that I don't have "weight loss" in any way, shape or form on my list. I've managed to fill that void with other, more challenging items.

1. Read the Bible. If 2012 is going to be the last year of planet Earth, I need to catch up and see where I am going. Heaven seems pretty cool, so I would like to meet the people who I will see there through God's word. I purchased one of those 365-day bibles and so far I've done very well...all 9 days of the year well.

2. History Intellectual Devotional Readings with Jadyn. What a better way to spend quality time with your daughter than with education? We have a book that has interesting facts about a person/place/event in history that is divided so that you read about one thing each day. So far we've learned quite a bit about Slavery, Tobacco, The Pequot Indians, etc. I really enjoy when we come across a subject that Jadyn has learned in school and she can relate what she's learned with what we are reading.

3. Blogging. I put this on my list because it will be a challenge to even do a post/month. So we'll see if my life events of 2012 will help me to keep up with this blog!

4. Maintain My New Body/Run More. I worked incredibly hard to actually hit my weight loss goal that I am going to need to put in the time and effort to maintain my new body. Instead of "Operation Dumbo Drop" there on the side of my blog, I have put a Maintaining Log for 2012. This is kind of a two-fold resolution in the fact that I'd really like to add up my running miles this year and try to beat my goals every month. This is the resolution I am most excited about and I pray that my old 31 year old muscles will help me achieve this goal. We shall see...

5. Career. Here is a resolution I have every year. I really need to decide what I want to 'be' when I grow up. My B.A. is in English Literature, but my job has nothing to do with that. I would really like to figure out something that really moves me, motivates me, pushes me forward. I feel like I'm in kind of a slump...so whether this means finding a new job or going back to school to get an alternative degree, I'd really like to figure something out. A change will do me good, right?

6. Books. Read more for leisure.

I heard on the radio the other day that the average person lasts 22 days on New Year Resolutions. So the way I see it, if I hit 23 days, I'm already above average; however, I don't want to sell myself short. There may be times when I want to just throw in the towel, but I am hoping to overcome those brief moments of weakness and go all the way.

It's never too late to change.

Book - Shadow of the Wind

2011-12-07T14:44:00.004-06:00

With more time on my hands lately, I have been reading more. The latest book that I finished is called Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruis Zafon. The novel is about a young boy who discovers a book by an unknown author, falls in love with it and tries to find out WHO the author is and why all of his other works have been intentionally destroyed. Along with his answers, he unravels an old love story and tragedy.

The read was exhilarating, the author's words were poignant, powerful. This book was given to me by a friend last Christmas and I am ashamed that it took me almost a year to indulge in it. It is a marvelous read.

2011 - The Bad and the Ugly

2011-12-07T14:13:00.006-06:00

2011 has been a really bleak year for me. I don't usually like to come on here and flaunt the negatives in my life, but I feel so completely unstable right now that I might as well.

Our troubles started at the end of May...two weeks into my daughter's summer vacation. She fell off of her bike into an embankment of rocks resulting in a broken arm that not only needed a cast, but surgery that included pins in her elbows. The hour and a half that her father and I waited for her to get out of surgery was tense, but despite a summer spent on the couch, everything turned out okay.

Here is Jadyn in the emergency room right after it happened:

Here is Jadyn with her cast:

Here is one of the pins that Jadyn had lodged in her arms for four weeks:

The next ugly event that happened in my life...well, I don't want to talk about it still. But it's a big one and it makes me very, very sad...and recovery from it will take years and maybe therapy.

Finally, this past weekend, I got rear ended on the highway and my car, that was 7 months away from being paid off, was badly injured. I think that dealing with the insurance company of the person that hit me has been the most stressful situation of my entire life. I don't know why they think it is okay for a person--who is not at fault in the matter--to go days (I'm on day 5 now) without transportation. I have a 15 mile drive to and from work daily. I have errands to run, shopping to do, a kid to cart around. I am going to have to take on a brand new car payment eventually--and we can't even get the ball rolling until the responsible party admits fault. They will not answer their telephone calls and they will not call in and file a claim. The police report won't be ready for 30 days, according to the trooper who is to file it. I am beyond stressed out, I cry all the time, it is all so overwhelming and I feel so...alone.

To top it off, my body shop says they think it will be totaled; HOWEVER, they cannot even look at the car until the insurance company contacts them...and the insurance company will not contact them until they have "proof" that their client was at fault.

My Car:

So...maybe...now that I've gotten that all out there...I will feel better about it. Writing it out doesn't seem as bad as it does in my head...nobody died and everything will be fixed in due time (just like Jade's arm)...but why can't I keep from crying every second of the day?

Turkey Day 2011

2011-11-28T14:35:00.003-06:00

This is how I started Thanksgiving 2011:

2011 Turkey Trot 5K

My time: 28:19

I felt really good about stuffing my face after slaughtering my previous 5K record!

So Much Change...

2011-11-22T13:15:00.004-06:00

Wow would you look at that. It's been one year, one month and two days since my last post...I'm actually surprised I remember the password to this whole blogger.com thing!

So much has changed since October 2010. Some good, some bad...all different.

On the plus side? I've lost quite a bit of weight--which was a constant struggle that I wrote about often...and I run all the freaking time now.

...and i'm old now...

My favorite part of having kept a blog oh-so-long ago? It's when I make new friends...and they discover it (some having known about it for awhile, but waiting for the perfect time to pounce with the information)...and make comments to me about it. That's awesome. So, thank you for that and you know who you are.

So...Happy Thanksgiving 2011...Merry Christmas and have a Brilliant New Year!

LOVE,
LOPEZ

BTTW - Halloween 2010

2010-10-20T14:18:00.003-05:00

Due to scheduling conflicts, we celebrated Halloween a bit early with games, beer and party people! Hubs made his own costume (a sock monkey, in case you have never seen one before) and won 1st in our contest. I went cute, traditional Strawberry Shortcake. We had so much fun with our people--and we partied the night away!
Hubs and Me:

A few of our ladies:

Book Club - The Help by Kathryn Stockett

2010-10-20T14:15:00.002-05:00

Our book club book is reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett this month--and I'm jumping the gun by posting this so early since we don't meet until mid-November, but I have to pimp this book out. It is amazing. It is a story told in three points of view about African American maids in the early 1960's. I couldn't put this book down--it was amazing and I hope everybody in the world reads it and enjoys it as much as I did!!!

Let's Play Catch Up!

2010-10-01T16:20:00.002-05:00

The past four months have been filled with work, kickball, soccer, 5K's, tennis, book club, new school year, birthdays, friends and babies! With all of that on my plate, I have found it hard to sit down and blog, although I miss it dearly.

Important Lopez points are below:

Our Summer Kickball team had our best season yet, even getting 2nd place in the league tournament. Go Balls!

Hubs and I ran the 5K Midnight Streak and were pretty pleased with our times, considering we went in blind, without training for months!

Hubs and I ran the Tulsa Race for the Cure--and I got my best time ever in a 5K, which was a very big deal for me.

One of my besties had a baby girl that I adore and a month and a half later, my sister-in-law had her second son who I lurve sooo much!

Hubs and I spent hours and hours playing tennis--during the extreme summer temperatures, we played around 10pm - midnight and that was much fun.

After quite the hiatus, I finally picked up the leisurely art of reading again and have read many books--having just finished the trilogy by Steig Larsson, who wrote The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Oh…and best of all I have lost 12 pounds!!! Hard core diet and exercise--no pills, no boot camp and no bucket list to aide in my progress.

Here is what October 2010 has in store for us [in order]: Saturday football for Hubs, weekly kickball, Daughter's birthday, another 5K, trip to Six Flags, Hubs birthday, Halloween Party, Stepson's birthday, Halloween! Hopefully I'll be a good blogger and update as the events occur, rather than four months later…

I mean, I must, though, if you are going to see my Halloween costume, right? The first time I've REALLY dressed up in YEARS!

And if you missed my birthday party post, please see below!

My 30th Birthday

2010-10-01T14:37:00.008-05:00

It is amazing to me that I spent an entire year counting down to my big 3-0 and stop blogging 3 days before the big day. That's dedication, right?

The Lopez life is a crazy one and it has been go-go-go since then...but I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I didn't write about the best birthday party I've ever had! I love my friends and family for making it beyond special.

And now, the deets...four months later...[please be sure to check out the entertainment section!]

Food/Beverage
My parents supplied the alcohol in the form of a keg--that we totally floated, which may have had help with all of the beer pong that was played! And my Jell-O shots were amazing--we even put little plastic babies in the virgin Jell-O shots for the pregnant girls! Hubs smoked brisket and we got the best Mac 'n Cheese in OKC from Iron Starr BBQ. mmmmm! Rum soaked melon balls and delicious brownies topped off the birthday feast!

Jell-O Shots:

And here is my pretty cake, made by my mother-in-law and all about MOI!:

Entertainment
One of my besties [Racy Lace!] ordered a moonwalk for my party and the man delivered it at 1pm that Saturday and didn't pick it up until the next morning, so we had a lot of fun with that [as you can see in the pictures!]

The highlight of my entertainment was a stripper. A female stripper. I got a female because I knew that girls would stick around to watch another girl strip, but guys would hightail it out of there so fast! ha ha. Men. I will say that this was the first time I ever got a lap dance, and thank goodness I was too drunk to remember it! Oh...and the stripper loved the moonbounce!

Party Favors
My party favors were little champagne bottles with my picture--an idea I actually stole from a highschool classmate from facebook!

It was a wonderful night...with wonderful people...at least, from what I can remember it was!

Kickball - Spring 2010

2010-05-30T18:04:00.004-05:00

Wanted to post a few kickball pictures...from an amazing Spring season. Not a game rained out once...great new friends and good companions from other teams!!! We can hardly wait for our Summer season to start in a couple of weeks!
Go Balls!

Hubs and me:

andy and his BFF:

T-minus-5 Days and Counting...

2010-05-28T13:41:00.007-05:00

I like to blame the Gemini in me for my capricious personality. It basically gives me a valid excuse for getting bored of things easily--and makes me feel better about not completing my Bucket List...oh I came so close. In five days, I will have crossed that threshold to 30 and I'm quite excited about it. (Okay...so I'm mostly excited about the party!) I don't know where the time went, but it's here and I'm lovin' every bit of it.

The Lopezes have been so busy these past months--so much of which I would ordinarily post on here, but haven't...I'd like to blame the Gemini for that fail as well. We had a fantastic ski trip with our friends in March and we had an entire kickball season where we had our best season yet! My stepson ran a track meet this month and graduated into middle school! My daughter got numerous awards at her assembly and was promoted to the fourth grade.

The biggest 'away' thing has been the fact that we spent 3.5 months renovating our house...Andy did it all on his own...and I have before and after pictures that I can't wait to post!

The most exciting time I spent away from blogland was the weekend of April 17th. I fulfilled three Bucket List items that weekend and had one of the most glorious times ever with my BFF. I went to Dallas to have my girls weekend (check!) and we went to an AMAZING drag show (check!) at the Rose Room. I am now obsessed with drag queens--I LOVE THEM! The next night, I had a whole lotta shots and got my ass up on stage and sang karaoke (check!) with the girls! I can't put into words how fun this weekend was (although I tried!) and how much it meant to me. My BFF is amazing. She has been such a big part of my life...for almost 20 years...and I love her til death do us part.

Below are a few fun pictures of our weekend...and below that are the *FINAL* results of My 30 before 30 bucket list...

Here is a pic of my BFF:

Here is a pic of my favorite Dallas drag queen:

This drag queen had a killer bod:

This drag queen danced to really fun 70's music and it made me like him/her a lot!:

and *PROOF* that I really did get up and sing some karaoke. Four Non-Blondes "What's Up":

And Now...the results of my *BUCKET LIST*:
Read [at least] 30 books in 12 months Made 20/30
~~Read War and Peace~~
Create a Self Portrait I tried this...too embarrassing to even publish here
Run a 10K FAIL
Have an impromptu food fight FAIL
~~Explore Wines [and hopefully find a fav!]~~
~~Karaoke [Not just attend, perform]~~
Spend a Saturday volunteering FAIL
Create a Signature Dish FAIL
~~Extreme Ironing [any ironing for me is extreme]~~
~~Write one letter per month to Jadyn throughout my 30th year.~~
~~Have a *girls only* weekend~~
~~Make it through 30 days of boot camp [starting June 15! Yikes!]~~
~~Watch every episode of The O.C. from start to finish [since sis keeps buggin' about it]~~
~~Do a Chinese Fire Drill!~~
~~Toilet Paper a house - Mr. Shane was the victim~~
Run ten 5K's this year [round down to 30 miles! Magic Number: 30!] Made it to 7/10
Lose 25 pounds [I CAN do this] FAIL
Keep a plant alive for a year FAIL
~~Kill a spider by myself~~
Find a better alternative to curse words [I'm going to start using terms that I read in G.I. and MLS's blogs to replace my cursing! Bugger!] I am cursing less--but my mind has gotten dirtier. Go figure.
~~Go to a Drag Show~~
~~Family Trip - Just the four of us!~~
~~Make New Friends~~ love love love this one!
Read Little Women Currently at page 300/472--so so close
~~Go Camping - with an actual tent and actual bugs!~~
~~Bowl an entire game granny style~~
~~Prepare a meal - by myself - and surprise Hubs with it - Jan. 12 turkeyloaf~~
~~Every Friday for a month - do not say one thing negative [December]~~
~~Play in the mud [Oklahoma Red Dirt] on a rainy day. [Yuck]~~

Deer Creek Classic 5K - March 6, 2010

2010-03-07T12:01:00.003-06:00

With my seventh 5K behind me, I seem to be lacking the motivation to complete my next three by June 2nd. Yesterday's run--with zero training going in--was extremely hard. The course was hellacious...or should I say hillacious, as there were so many uphill battles to conquer. Alas, we did it and are moving forward.

Bucket List: War and Peace

2010-02-18T12:35:00.000-06:00

War and Peace
by Leo Tolstoy
This post is a 'twofer', as I get to strike an entire item off of my Bucket List as well as add one more book to my count [however, if I get close to June 2 and my book goal doesn't seem possible, I will be counting this book as '3', since it was 1,256 pages. My list, My rules. Ha!].

I started this book in June, read about 200 pages and stopped. When December rolled around, Hubs asked me about it and then told me to just give up because I was never going to finish the book. Yes, psychological motivation totally works on me…I picked it up mid-December and finished it last night.

The book was amazing and I can see why people would devote their time to reading it more than once. Almost everyone has an opinion of this book, mostly the same: boring and I have since come to the conclusion that those peeps have either not read the book [most likely] or got a crappy translation of the book [possible].

There are so many characters in the book, so many Russian names, but the story was tightly wound around three main families: Rostov, Bolkonsky and Bezukov. Each family is of high society and is connected together through some sort of relations. At first, the characters were so hard to remember and they were constantly called by different names [i.e. Marya, Masha, Marie would be one person], but once the story got flowing, I was hooked.

I would love to know if Natasha Rostov was based on someone that Tolstoy knew. She is described as beautiful, talented and adored, yet her plight and sorrow hit the most in the book leading to a relatively happy ending. Pierre was another favorite character of mine--an bastard child trying to find meaning in life and the true base for happiness. He finds it in the most unlikely place: a prisoner of war camp.

The battle scenes didn't hold my attention as much as the stories surrounding them. The history that Tolstoy threw in there was rather dull, but those bits were few and far between. As a reader 200 years later, it was interesting to see Tolstoy refer to the views of 'historians' about Napoleon, the war, etc. and the numerous books written about the whole debacle.

With over 1,200 pages of material, I could go on and on about how intrigued I was with this book--go over each of my favorite characters, as the list goes on. Had I read War and Peace in highschool or college, I don't think I would have truly appreciated it as much as I did [and I am most certain that going back to read it again wouldn't have been an option and I would have missed out on this magnificent book.]

16/30

Book Review: Reflections in a Golden Eye

2010-02-18T12:34:00.001-06:00

Reflections in a Golden Eye by Carson McCullers was a really dark novel. There were six characters in the novel: The Langdons, The Pendertons, a Filipino servant and a young soldier. Each character was greatly disturbed in his/her own way. Mrs. Penderton was having an affair with Mr. Langdon and even though their spouses knew about it, they ignored it outwardly, but suffered their own demons. Mrs. Langdon was suicidal, caused so much stress to her body that she ended up dying of a heart attack at a young age. Mr. Penderton was extremely angry and took it out on the poor soldier--who was was just a weird character himself. Mr. Penderton actually ended up murdering the young soldier. The little Filipino servant was extremely flamboyant and I could just imagine him dancing around like a fairy. He faithfully served Mrs. Langdon until her death.

And that, there, is pretty much the entire novel in a nutshell. It was short (127 pages!) and the content pretty much surrounded the characters, their interactions and struggles.

Although I didn't love this book, I wouldn't recommend it above two of other McCullers works, which I thoroughly enjoyed: The Heart is a Lonely Hunter and The Member of the Wedding.

15/30

Book Club: The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane

2010-02-16T09:53:00.000-06:00

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe is a novel about a young girl who has just taken her stressful qualifying exams and is spending the summer doing research for her dissertation. In addition to her Harvard graduate work, she has also been asked by her mother to go to her grandmother's house--that has been abandoned for over 20 years--and clean it up to put on the market to pay back taxes. While there, the young girl finds a mysterious key that leads her into the past--and she stumbles upon a family history that she knew nothing about. A family history that goes back to 1692, during the Witch Trials in Salem, Massachusetts. Her modern life and her roots combine together to form a very well written story.

This book has piqued my interest in witches and I plan to do more reading (non-fiction) on the subject. It has also brought back my longing for a visit up east to where North America (as we know it) began. I suggested a field trip to Book Club, but they didn't bite. Go figure!

Also in book club this week, we had another special event--a shower for Baby Ventura. We each brought our favorite baby story book so mommy has lots of literature to read to baby. Due early next month, although I hardly think she'll make it to the end of this one, I am so excited to meet Baby Ventura!

14/30

Sweetheart 5K - February 13, 2010

2010-02-14T21:08:00.006-06:00

Saturday morning, Tulsa hosted a Sweetheart 5K that Hubs and I eagerly entered. It had been 3 months since our last run with virtually no activity in between and only two proper jogs to train for it--so, needless to say, we were a bit nervous.
This run turned out to be huge for me, as it was the first one that I have done all the way through without stopping to walk. My time wasn't even in the top three of my best times, but my feat has pleased me beyond any other. In addition, Hubs jogged beside me the entire time in honor of the 'sweetheart' part of the run. I am so excited to have finished my sixth 5K for the Bucket List...and anticipate our next event in two weeks!
6/10

Going through my posts, I realized that I had not posted my November 7, 2009 run. It marked the halfway point through my list and I ran it with Hubs, my father in law and his fiance. My father, daughter and stepson participated in the 1 Mile Fun Run and we followed it up with a super yum breakfast! 5/10

It Snows Up East

2010-02-11T16:44:00.003-06:00

On msn.com, I was going through some pictures that were taken of the giant snowstorm that is gripping the nation…well, at least the Eastern portion of it. I saw pictures of snow covering a parking meter in D.C. up to it's head. I saw a woman pushing her baby in a stroller during the heart of the blizzard [WTH?]. I saw a man shoveling the snow as the strong wind gusts blow it back onto his face…

and then I saw this, from Maysville, Kentucky:

Do you think this is the suped up model?

SOURCE

Kelly's Kitchen - Pot Roast and BBQ Sammiches

2010-02-11T13:26:00.000-06:00

Almost a year after my last Eating on a Budget entry, I am back with two delicious and money saving recipes from my dear friend, Kelly. Both recipes are made in our slow cooker--which gives us a reason to actually use this wedding gift!

The first meal was a Pot Roast:

Potatoes - $0.75
Celery - $0.94
2 Cans Chicken Broth - $2.00
2 Chicken Breasts - $2.66
Cream of Corn - $0.50
Grand Total: $6.85

We made 7 meals from this (2 dinners and 1 lunch) which brings it to around $0.98/meal. We also threw about 2 servings away because we can only eat so much pot roast before becoming completely sick of it. Also, the prices above are based on the quantity used and we were able to use some of the ingredients (celery/potatoes) to make other dishes. And… coupons are amazing. The chicken broth and cream of corn were each purchased with coupons.

The second meal was Barbeque Beef Sandwiches:

1 Rump Roast - $5.95
BBQ Sauce - $1.00
Bread - $0.75
Grand Total: $7.45

We made 6 meals from this (2 dinners) which brings it to about $1.24/meal. This meal was, by far, the easiest to prepare…just stick the roast in a crock pot with 1/2 cup of water, slather BBQ sauce on top of it and let it cook while you are at work! The meat was so yummy and fell apart easily, making delicious sandwiches!

Thank you so much for these amazing recipes, Kel! You are one of my oldest friends and I heart you so much!!!

Super Bowl Sunday: Colts vs. Saints

2010-02-08T11:39:00.002-06:00

I loathe football. I would rather spend the few leisure hours I have off of work doing anything I wanted rather than spending 4+ hours on a Saturday watching football. I've tried to enjoy it, but I don't have it in me--even if I am surrounded by people that I love. Last night was no exception. While *the fam* watched the game, I spent some QT with my daughter and a few minutes on the treadmill. That's just how I roll…and I can see the best commercials today, so I missed nothing.

but I digress…

Although I had no intentions of watching the game, Hubs did ask me who I was rooting for, The Colts or The Saints. I quickly replied with the latter, to which Hubs asked why. It's simple. Reggie Bush plays for The Saints and Kim Kardashian dates him, so I know who he is and therefore feel more familiar with that team. After a quick eye roll, Hubs tells me that I know Peyton Manning as well. My reply was this: No, I do not know who Peyton Manning is. What I do know is that his brother is Eli Manning who played in the Super Bowl a couple of years ago against The Patriots, whose quarterback is Tom Brady, who is married to Gisele Bundchen.

So, the moral of this story: If a player graces the pages of Us Weekly or is a regular on TMZ.com, I know who he is and will root for his team.

Below I have listed a few other ways for an NFL team to be noticed by yours truly:

A player falls out of the back of a moving truck during a domestic dispute (Chris Henry, Bengals)

A player is murdered by his mistress (Steve McNair, Titans)

A player is shot in the leg during a home invasion (Sean Taylor, Redskins) -- in this case, the fact that his love was Andy Garcia's niece didn't factor in at all

A player makes a big show of retiring from the NFL and then immediately returns (Brett Favre, Packers/Vikings)

A player graduates from my high school (Wes Welker, Patriots)

A player has the name Adrian Peterson, aka Hubs 'man crush'

I am done impressing you with my vast knowledge of football now.

The End.

Book Reviews: Chasing Harry Winston & What the Dog Saw

2010-02-05T13:56:00.004-06:00

I must admit that I picked up this fluff novel to pad my bucket list numbers, as I'm pretty concerned that I haven't made it halfway through to my goal yet; however, I think my literary tastes have morphed into adulthood, as this book took me almost a month to read for the sole purpose that I wasn't that into it.

Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger [yes the same lady that wrote The Devil Wears Prada] is a chick-lit book about three 29-year old women who have neither married nor have kids although the clock is ticking. They have made a bet with each other to accomplish something out of their comfort zone by the time they are thirty. Adriana will stop sleeping with every man she meets and get a ring. Emmy will stop her monogamous relationships and start sleeping with a guy from each continent, except the obvious Antarctica. Leigh's life is perfect, so she doesn't participate in the bet; however, towards the end, her life has gone from stuffily straight-laced to unpredictable and happy.

I may not have been into this book…but I did start feeling super old. I am at the same point in my life as the three main characters. I am about to turn 30--although my life is pretty put together: marriage, kid, job, house…Adriana constantly points out how "old" she is and the young 20's girls are getting all of the hot guys. Emmy points out that men their age are either ugly, married or gay. It really makes a girl feel old, ya know?

In the end, none of the girls fulfill their end of the bet and each decides that life is good without a man--and maybe 30 is just the beginning. Well, that's the stance I'm going to take. I really don't have a choice, do I?

I don't really recommend this book…I do feel like the author is writing in hopes of making the book into a movie. I've read all three of her books and I do think this will be the last.

13/30

If you have been following closely, then you know that my mind has been having a secret love affair with Malcolm Gladwell. (Praise be to Susan who introduced me to him!) What the Dog Saw is compilation of the best articles that Gladwell published in The New Yorker--articles that I may never have read had they not been bound together in this book. Each article is filled with answers to questions that I never thought to ask--reasonings for certain things I certainly found interesting.

Por ejemplo, my sister in law recently introduced the Lopez clan to a series on television called Mad Men, which is based in the 1960's and focuses around an Advertising firm on Madison Avenue. As I watch the series (which I love!), I am reminded of Gladwell's article entitled True Colors: Hair Dye and the Hidden Histories of Postwar America which focuses around women in that era and the beginning of breaking from the mold, which leads to the modern day woman.

Each article has a unique spin and Gladwell's extensive research makes for an interesting read. Malcolm Gladwell really knows how to make a reader think. Even a person who is not much of a reader can pick this book up and read each article, put it down and come back to it later. (I mean, Hubs finished this book for crying out loud!)

12/30

Bucket List: Extreme Ironing

2010-02-01T16:29:00.001-06:00

Last week, ice and snow conditions in Oklahoma shut down schools and gifted me two glorious days off work for a full four day weekend. It also allowed me the opportunity to cross another item of the 'ol Bucket List: Extreme Ironing.

I must say that any ironing for me is extreme, so going out in the snow in shorts and a tank top was just the icing on the cake. [I was going to go out in flip flops, but I just couldn't do that to my toes…so yes, I am wearing giant, cozy UGG's.]

Now sing the Queen song with me: dunuh nuh nuh nuh…another one bites the dust...

Up-to-Date Bucket List

2010-01-22T11:22:00.001-06:00

Almost four months to go...and here's what I've got so far:

Read [at least] 30 books in 12 months Currently at 12/30
Read War and Peace Currently at page 857/1256
Create a Self Portrait
Run a 10K
Have an impromptu food fight
Explore Wines [and hopefully find a fav!] IN PROGRESS
Karaoke [Not just attend, perform] Planned for Girls Weekend in April
Spend a Saturday volunteering
Create a Signature Dish
Extreme Ironing [any ironing for me is extreme]
Write one letter per month to Jadyn throughout my 30th year. IN PROGRESS
Have a *girls only* weekend Planned for April
~~Make it through 30 days of boot camp [starting June 15! Yikes!]~~
~~Watch every episode of The O.C. from start to finish [since sis keeps buggin' about it]~~
Do a Chinese Fire Drill!
~~Toilet Paper a house - Mr. Shane was the victim~~
Run ten 5K's this year [round down to 30 miles! Magic Number: 30!] Currently done 5/10
Lose 25 pounds [I CAN do this]
~~Keep a plant alive for a year~~ Speak in a British accent for a full day
~~Kill a spider by myself~~
Find a better alternative to curse words [I'm going to start using terms that I read in G.I. and MLS's blogs to replace my cursing! Bugger!] In Progress--however, I'm finding replacing the "b" word with "cow" isn't as effective when driving…no one knows what I'm mouthing
Go to a Drag Show [Lacy Lace, ready or not...] Planned for Girls Weekend in April
~~Family Trip - Just the four of us!~~
~~Make New Friends~~
Read Little Women
Go Camping - with an actual tent and actual bugs! [I have never done this]
~~Bowl an entire game granny style~~
~~Prepare a meal - by myself - and surprise Hubs with it - Jan. 12 turkeyloaf~~
~~Every Friday for a month - do not say one thing negative [December]~~
~~Play in the mud [Oklahoma Red Dirt] on a rainy day. [Yuck]~~

Bucket List: The O.C.

2010-01-20T16:39:00.002-06:00

After six grueling months of sporadic viewing, I finally finished the entire series of The O.C.. Mindless hours wasted on this teeny bopper drama…and I had to keep pushing forward in order to complete this item on my list.

This series had the same story plot over and over--the only difference being the new character thrown in every once in awhile. When Mischa Barton decided to quit the show at the end of Season 3, a frequent appearance (yet small role individual) on the show (Taylor) became more prominent and pretty much took Marissa's place, becoming Ryan's love interest and they started their on-off romance.

The drama didn't just revolve around the teenagers either. The adults had an ample amout of drama too--especially Julie Cooper who pretty much slept with every single man on the show. Ultimately all of the characters were linked together somehow by marriage or the Ex-Factor.

I will state for the record that my favorite character on the show was teenage Kaitlyn Cooper. Beautiful, devious and quick witted, she made the show pretty tolerable.

Despite loathing the series and making fun of the acting every chance possible, the final episode with the kids growing up and the adults moving on made me a bit teary eyed. As ready as I was to finally be free of this show, I was surprised to be a bit sentimental about leaving Ryan, Seth and Summer behind. This was definitely a great way to shut the door on teeny bopper shows [um, The Hills/The City does not count] and proceed through the door with a big, fat 30 written on it!

Thank you, Stephanie, for not only the suggestion to put this on my list, but for purchasing the entire series to make it possible for me to complete this item!!! You rock!!! [There is no sarcasm there]

Another Bucket List Item Bites the Dust

Happy Hubs Anecdote

2010-01-20T13:56:00.003-06:00

In lieu of saving for our trip that is 15 months away, Hubs and I have started to budget our expenses. One of the items we have been really strict on (for almost two whole weeks now!) is not eating at restaurants as much for lunch or dinner.

I warned Hubs that if he forgot to bring his lunch bag home, there would be consequences.

Yesterday Hubs forgot to bring said bag home. Jadyn was very excited because she had been not-so-patiently waiting for that day to come.

This morning on the elevator, two ladies got on with Hubs and noticed his lunch bag. The following conversation ensued [as told by Hubs]:

Lady #1: It takes an extremely secure man to bring his lunch in a Victoria's Secret bag.

Hubs: Yeah, my wife told me that if I forgot my lunch bag, she was going to send me with this one.

[Laughter from both Ladies]

Lady #2: Well, it could have been worse. She could have stuffed your lunch in a Tampon box and made you take that to work!

Happy Hubs at Work:

My London, London Bridge!

2010-01-12T15:11:00.006-06:00

I've decided that the best way to get over a bit of heartache is to find another dream and pursue it. I have done exactly that. In April 2011, Hubs and I are gettin' on a jet plane and we are shootin' off to London, England [barring no extreme financial or personal complications]. We are setting aside X amount of $ from each paycheck for the next 15 months and headed out to the U.K. and the thought of it has kept me in a state of euphoria that I cannot begin to explain.

My best friend from highschool lived in London for 2 years and since she's been back, her stories have made me fall in love with the place. Over the past week, I have pretty much planned our vacation and all of the touristy stuff we are going to do such as visiting Big Ben, the London Eye, the London Tower, a Jack the Ripper tour, Birmingham Palace, and a 2-hour train ride to Stonehenge. My mother also told me that while I'm all the way across the ocean, I might as well splurge and take a trip to Paris as well...but since I'm not really obsessed with the city of love, that isn't a high priority on my agenda.

So, I have asked my parents for a passport for my birthday. Dude, it's my 30th--they can't deny a simple request like that! This way, we only need to worry about getting Andy one!

Now the biggest issue: Flying.

As some of you may know, my aunt and uncle were killed in a plane crash when I was 15 years old. I have flown about 30 times since then, but each time my anxiety became increasingly worse. The very last time I was in a plane (July 2003), I was still freaking out after having taken four Xanax. Yes, you read that correctly. Four...and I was still a basketcase.

So, how am I going to fly to London?

I'm just going to have to get over it...along with staying up for 24 hours straight the night before our flight and the magic little blue pill called Ambien. Oh well, I have 15 months to think about it...I just hope it all works out for us!!!

Until Next Time...or as they say in England: Until Next Time! (we speak the same language, duh)

Book Club: Lush Life

2010-01-08T13:14:00.004-06:00

Lush Life by Richard Price was our book club pick for December. It was a super quick, easy read, but I feel like the audience was directed more towards the male gender rather than, well…me. The main characters were male from the victim to the main detective [even the female detective talked like and had mannerisms of a male] to the friend to the grieving father to the killer.

This is a story about a young adult who is murdered on the streets of NYC and his acquaintance is initially accused of the act; however when he is exonerated, the search is on for the true killer. The reader knows throughout the book who is the murderer, but what the author shows is all sides of the incident:

Reasons why the killer [who I found myself sympathizing with] committed his act.

The downfall of the character who is falsely accused--and he seems to fall far very quickly.

The processes that the detectives go through--the red tape, the 'higher ups' and, of course, the politics of it all.

The grieving stages of the victim's family--that I found most difficult to read…I can't begin to imagine the sadness of a family that loses a child. An only child.

All in all, I did enjoy the read. It was like watching a detective movie or a tv drama such as Law & Order or CSI [but definitely not as scientific!] If this sounds interesting to you, I suggest picking it up!

11/30

Today we had a special treat in Book Club, as we celebrated the upcoming nuptials for Lauren! She ties the knot in two weeks and she is going to be a beautiful bride! We had cuppie cuppie cupcakes and presented Lauren with a gift certificate to a cooking class to enjoy with her soon-to-be husband, Trent.

In other book-related news: as you can see, I have 19 books left to read before June 2, 2010, including War & Peace and Little Women. I am really stressing out--not to mention the fact that I have so many things on my 30 before 30 list left to do--so as a favor, please cross your fingers hard for me!!! HARD

Mailbag: Electricy and School Closings

2010-01-07T09:26:00.004-06:00

Dear Electricity Gods,

I do not mind when you tease me by flickering the lights in my house, however a full blackout is completely unacceptable. When you abuse your power by taking away mine in 0º weather at 8:20 p.m. on Wednesday--the night and hour my favorite show [Ghost Hunters] comes on--this Lopez girl gets very angry. It wasn't enough for you to disrupt the recording, was it? You had to keep us in the dark until after we fell asleep for the night [at midnight], leaving us to layer up and shiver in our socks. I am extremely disappointed in you, my friend. It is very fortunate that my sister in Tulsa was able to sign into Facebook to rescue the mac & cheese in my virtual cafe, or these words would be way more harsh.

In Anger,
Lopez

Dear Oklahoma Schools,

There is no snow or ice on the ground. Travel by car, bus, train and plane is easy and without problems. Why the hell are you closing our schools because the tempertures are freezing? Maybe some schools don't have heat--fine, close them, but the school district my daughter is in does--and the walkers can easily catch a ride with their parents. As far as I know, any house in the district of a public school has bus access and if the weather is freezing, maybe the kid should be riding it, rather than walking. Maybe one of you welfare mom's ought to get your arse out of bed in the morning and drive your kid to school. I hate to sound so hateful, but there are actually states out there right now with FEET of snow on the ground that have legitimate reasons to shut their schools down. Oklahoma? Not so much. I call B.S. on this one.

Agitated Parent,
Lopez

Laid to Rest

2009-12-29T09:19:00.004-06:00

Oh how I wish this was a post featuring a large picture of my beautiful daughter holding a sign that says: I'm going to be a big sister!!!, but, alas...this dream for me will never come to fruition.

I have wanted to have another child since 2006 and Hubs finally came around to the idea in June of '08, which is when we started trying. A year and a half later, nothing. My husband has a medical condition that gives us only 1% chance of ever getting pregnant again and I was hoping to be that anomaly, but I'm tired of the monthly disappointment, the sadness, the anger...the depression. Yes, I'm throwing in the towel and I hope above all else that this post will be the beginning of the final step of mourning: Acceptance.

So with this said, I take the action below:

Adriana Ryland Lopez
Laid to Rest: December 29, 2009

The death of a dream is just as sad as the death of a loved one.

I would prefer zero comments to this post...either here, email, facebook--or to my face, as I am just not emotionally capable of talking about it. Thinking about it is hard enough!

Acceptance Acceptance Acceptance Acceptance Acceptance Acceptance Acceptance Acceptance Acceptance Acceptance Acceptance Acceptance Acceptance Acceptance Acceptance Acceptance Acceptance Acceptance Acceptance Acceptance Acceptance Acceptance Acceptance Acceptance Acceptance

Book Review: Blink

2009-12-24T11:58:00.005-06:00

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell.

In the beginning, Blink was a difficult book for me to enjoy because it felt as if I was reading a psychology text book; however, once I got to about midway, the book read fairly easy and became more interesting.

Blink is about first impressions. It is about how the unconcious mind works within the first few seconds a person comes in contact with something using their senses...sight, sound, smell. Gladwell's examples that support the theories he presents are fantastic. [I even performed the new Pepsi challenge on all of my friends! Unlike Gladwells acquaintances, all of my friends seemed to guess correctly, but I'm pretty sure that they are cheaters. Ha!]

This book falls under the non-fiction category, which is not a genre that I usually prefer [and it was nothing like Outliers, which still hails as my number one pick for this year], but I would recommend it to someone who likes this kind of read.

I am now one-third of the way through my Bucket List goal of 30 books before my 30th birthday [or 30 books in a year]. I have been so busy--and reading hasn't been a top priority for me lately--that I am worried I won't hit this mark...and that fact is quite sad to me...but I will only have to try harder, eh? Yeah...

10/30

EverCare

2009-12-23T21:51:00.004-06:00

Okay, so I have to talk about my new most favorite toy, EverCare:

Pull your mind out of the gutter, it's not a vibrator! In fact, right behind that metal opening are three little razors--so that would be painful.

It's a $5.99 fuzzball shaver! [once again, take the mind out of the gutter]. I'm talking about the pilling on sweaters. This tiny, handheld contraption will remove all of those pesky fuzzies that are formed from wear and, *Voila!* The sweater looks brand new! It is fantastic.

I realize that this is not a new invention, but it is a new-to-me product and I'm undeniably smitten. I found it the other night at the store when I was shopping for Andy's Christmas gift--an iron. Yes people--I said IRON...as in that little heated object that presses shirts. It's what he wanted...ha ha ha!

Happy Merry Holiday's, Y'all!

Christmas Partied Out...

2009-12-23T21:23:00.004-06:00

I have attended more Christmas parties this year than ever before in my whole life! It all started the first weekend of December at my parents annual shin-dig. We usually do not attend this event; however, my parents have really cool friends these days and it was so much fun! It was especially nice to hang out with my known-forever childhood friend, Naureen, and her husband Jeff.

The following weekend started with a Friday night beer and cookie exchange at Kyle and Ramie's. Man...I am now in LOVE with mini cherry cheesecakes and apple cider! Our bff's Jeff and Kate went with us and announced that they are PREGNANT, so Kootie Kate got tired early and we left around eleven...but it wasn't without a fight with the boys who were caught up in a poker game! I have pictures, but they aren't uploaded--believe me, they are awesome blossom!

The next night we went to Andy's corporate party at some massive house in Edmond--YAWN...the only good part about it [for me] were the fajitas catered by Ted's. Otherwise, I didn't know anyone there and it was uber-uncomfortable...but Andy enjoyed himself and that's all that matters, right? right???

The next weekend [which was this past weekend], started Friday afternoon with my firm luncheon [AMAZING]...followed by an after party at a bar down in Bricktown. Unfortunately, I drank too fast and got drunk right away--I vaguely remember making it home and passing out for about an hour--but it was so much fun...AND... I got my five-year recognition watch from BC Clark at our party and I love it. LOVE it...!

My favorite work ladies:

So...anyway...that same night...we had a Dirty Santa party at my sister in law's house...I got tipsy again...but managed to make it until 3am...This party was my favorite of all of the events I went to...and below, you will see my Dirty Santa gift, an awesome goblet. I am very sure that it will contain a copius amount of alcohol come New Years Eve...

Yesterday was our Secret Santa party at work...but I don't want to talk about that.

All in all, I am Christmas partied out...and it has kept me busier than ever! I'm pretty sure my bucket list is massively suffering and with less than six months to go...I'm getting a bit concerned...okay, a lotta bit concerned!

Merry Happy Holidays, y'all!!! Looks like we might actually get a White Christmas here in Oklahoma...woot!

Facebook. Addicted.

2009-12-01T12:28:00.002-06:00

Back in March, I posted THIS. It is a brief explanation of why Myspace and Facebook pretty much suck, but Twitter is awesome.

I take it all back. Well, Myspace is still pretty bad [and I am not a member]...and Twitter isn't as great as I once thought...but Facebook and I are best friends forever.

Facebook is the reason I have been away from this blog so long. It is the reason that I have zero time to read blogs from my most favorite people [YOU]...and the reason I have no time in between work and social life to do anything else. I sit on Mafia Wars, Cafe World and FarmVille all the time. I love reading status updates from people. I love commenting and getting comments. I love it all.

...and I can't pull myself away.

I need an intervention...BAD.

Someone...please save me!...after I go milk my cows, perform some mafia jobs and cook some more food in my cafe!

Paintball - November 8, 2009

2009-12-01T12:17:00.009-06:00

If you have never been paintballing, I highly suggest you give it a whirl. Our kickball team went early last month as a celebration of...good times. I was a paintball virgin and terrified of getting shot. Turns out it hurts...and sadly, I still have bruises on my body [almost a month later], but I would do it again. In a heartbeat! I think our team is going to go a little less painful on our next trip for laser tag--but all the same, the people are so much fun to be around. Here are some fun pictures from our fabulous day!

October 2009

2009-12-01T11:49:00.014-06:00

October is the busiest month in our Lopez family--it went by so fast that without pictures [and a blog!] I'm not sure we would be able to remember any of it! In fact, I didn't read a single book in October-that's how ridiculous the month was. Every weekend we had at least one soccer game for Jadyn…and every Wednesday night we had our adult kickball league!

October 6, 2009

Our daughter turned 9 years old on this day. She is getting so old, I don't know where the time has gone! All she wanted for her birthday was Legos--so she got lots and lots. I know this, because they are all over my house! Jadyn got to have two friends spend the night and get mani's and pedi's. Since her birthday fell on a Tuesday, we celebrated with the girls on the Saturday prior and then had a family party on the next day. She also had a soccer tournament that weekend, so little girl [and mom and dad] were pooped by the end of the weekend.

October 10, 2009

Bucket List Alert! Race for the Cure 5K with an awesome group of people [I love running in a group of friends!] and then breakfast with the family! Get together at the Miller's tonight! Woooooot! Love me some Balderdash [although some people who aren't smart enough don't get it and only want to play baby games].

October 15, 2009

Andy turned the big 3-0! Mexican feast with an awesome group of peeps!

October 17, 2009

Ethan turned 11. We played Laser Tag with the family and celebrated with some cookie cake and presents at our house!

October 18, 2009

U2/Black Eyed Peas came to Norman, Oklahoma. I got to spend quality time with my daughter since I forfeitted my ticket--but Andy had great fun with two of our favorite people ever: The Millers!!!

October 21, 2009

Bucket List Alert! I completed another bucket list item today! I played in the mud!! Woohoo! It rained during our kickball game, so we played in the mud and it was so much fun! My shoes were ruined, and I wasn't a big fan of that…but I got over it!

October 24, 2009

Our BFF's Jeff and Kaitlyn had their Housewarming Party! Can you say Beer Pong and Flip Cup!?!? My brother in law made the BEST EVER Vegas bombs, too!!! Yum!

October 25, 2009

I got to go see my most favoritest band ever: Stone Temple Pilots!!! This was so wonderful…I was in a state of euphoria for an hour and a half, even though the venue wasn't so great. Seriously, LOVE.

October 27, 2009

Jadyn's 3rd grade program was this evening. Each child had to dress up as a fish--so Jadyn dressed up as a clown to be a 'clown fish'. Her best friend, Karli, dressed up as Michael Jackson. Who was she? A Starfish!

October 28, 2009

Jadyn went to Haunt the Zoo tonight with her other best friend Ashton. They had so much fun!

October 30, 2009

Halloween Party with Kyle, Ramie, Jeff and Kate. I was a banana. Andy was a taco. Could we get any dirtier…without being any cleaner???

October 31, 2009

Halloween night. Took Jadyn--er, I mean, Princess Laya--out Trick-or-Treating in the 'hood. Then we all went over to Andrea and Kevin's to watch OSU get stomped by Texas [this was not happiness!]. My favorite little nephew, Riley, was the CUTEST LITTLE BEE EVER!!! Love that kid!!!

That concludes our busiest month of the year. Whew!

5K's run: 4/10

Book Club: Then We Came to the End

2009-12-01T10:38:00.004-06:00

So...I've been a bad blogger. Two months since my last post [but in my defense, October is the busiest month of the year in my life...and November I was just super lazy]. Here is a post I've had in my queue for awhile...I'm not changing any of it...so deal with it! Ha ha!

The reason I am posting all of my books, etc. on here is because I need to keep track for my 30 Bucket List [which I'm not doing so well on!] Bear with me! ...and Family? I will have our happenings up soon...I hope!

September 2009 has wrapped up and with it, another book club accomplishment. Our read was Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris. This novel takes place in an office environment filled with employees of various personalities. You have the crazy guy, the unstable girl, the bitch, the prankster, the serious guy, the gossip, the know-it-all, the misunderstood. Every character has his or her own story within a Marketing Company that is on a downhill slide, each patiently awaits 'walking Spanish down the hall' [getting fired]. Much of this book was laugh-out-loud funny and most of it I could relate to as an employee who does the weekday 8-5 grind. I found myself picturing numerous people at my firm in place of the quirky characters in the book. It was a fun, fast read and comes highly recommended by me! Woot!

9/30

Book Review: Outliers

2009-10-01T08:22:00.003-05:00

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell is a non-fiction story of Success. Gladwell's theories on why certain people are successful--due to opportunity, wealth, intelligence or even being born in the 'right' year--are incredible and I could hardly put the book down. I am not usually into this genre of book [non-fiction leaning more towards educational], but Gladwell has a knack for smooth writing, incorporating stories that captivate the reader. [To be honest, if this book was not given to me by a family member, I never would have glanced twice in its direction.] I am definitely going to pick up his other two books, Tipping Point and Blink, which are supposed to be very similar to this read, just on different topics.

8/30

Book Review: Deep Dish

2009-10-01T08:20:00.002-05:00

Deep Dish by Mary Kay Andrews is another chick-lit book that I read to pass the time between novels. This book, about a 30 year old woman chef who competes with a hunky male chef for a national television show, was a fun, carefree read and didn't require much effort to get in and out of the story. The content was simple, as most chick-lit books are geared towards people who read seldomly, and, of course, the characters fall in love--so it was also a feel good book. Sometimes a girl needs a feel good book, right?

The curious thing about this choice is that I am not a fan of Mary Kay Andrews and yet, I continue to pick her up at the book store. I have read four of her books and none of them have impressed me; however, the cover art of her books scream *Girlie*, enticing me from the bookshelf and I just can't resist. I think: Maybe this book will be a great one… Always disappointed.

So, if nothing else, it is another book towards my ultimate goal of thirty and for that, a pat on my back!

7/30

Race for the Cure [Tulsa, OK] - September 19, 2009

2009-09-20T22:08:00.005-05:00

[Above is a picture of my race shirt. I am an avid Oklahoma State fan...and yes...I was wearing the shirt as the picture was taken!]

As you can see from my 'Operation Dumbo Drop' sidebar on the right, I haven't been running [or doing much activity at all] for about a month, so I was really nervous about Saturday morning's 5K. I honestly thought I would be walking most of it, but was pleasantly surprised that I didn't take my first stop until after 18:00 minutes had passed! After that, though, I stopped pretty frequently.

Saturday morning was BEAUTIFUL--perfect weather with the right amount of sunshine and breeze--in Tulsa, Oklahoma where Andy, my brother-in-law Daniel and I ran for Team Bubbies! Both of the guys beat me...but not by much!!! I was very shocked that I was able to finish the race in 34:10 after not having run for so long. It isn't a great time, but I'm very happy about it [although I am super sore today!]

I hope that Saturday's race is the kick start that I need to get back into a regular exercise regimen--especially with the Oklahoma City race in a couple of weeks.

Here is a pic of my watch--which was started and stopped as soon as my foot hit the mat. Turns out, it was pretty accurate, as my official time read exactly the same!

3/10

Chicken Licker/Jelly Biter

2009-09-16T16:19:00.003-05:00

I am so glad that they haven't caught U.K.'s Jellybiter...

Chicken Licker

"Police in the U.K. are investigating hidden camera footage that shows a supermarket worker licking fresh chickens before putting them back on store shelves.

The cell phone footage also shows the man wreaking havoc in the aisles of an Asda store during his night shifts, urinating in a bin in the men's room, playing cricket with food items, smashing eggs and setting off fire extinguishers.

The man who called himself Adeel Ayub is dressed in the supermarket chain's distinctive green uniform, as he laughs and gloats about his behavior at a store in Lancashire, England. This store was picked by Asda bosses to feature in a new TV advertising campaign which was filmed in May.

The worker is also observed wrecking furniture in a staff room, slashing the coats of colleagues and filming firefighters responding to a false alarm.

His spree, thought to have been filmed by a colleague over several night shifts, led to the closure of the staffroom and an $82 reward from the company for information about the damage.

Ayub, who worked for the company from 2005 to last year, is also spotted returning to the store this year wearing a hoodie and stamping his feet on fresh ready-to-cook chickens in the freezer.

He also rips open the plastic wrapping around one of the chickens, pokes his fingers in the flesh and licks the breast before returning the bird to the shelf.

His antics were uncovered after the film was left anonymously in a brown envelope at a local newspaper. Asda was handed a copy and immediately called police."

Bucket List: Toilet Paper

2009-09-14T11:30:00.005-05:00

Moving right along to mark the next item off of my 30 before 30 Bucket List: Toilet Paper a House.

Friday night we went out to celebrate Kaitlyn's 24th Birthday [man, girl is getting' OLD!] and we got skunky drunky. Quite fun, if I do say so myself. When it was time for the bar to shut down, the group felt the need to celebrate just a little more and we went to a fellow kickball player's home…and toilet papered the heck out of it. Best part about it was that this person was in Stillwater for the OSU game…and wouldn't be home until Sunday…and all day Saturday and Sunday it poured. POURED….I can't imagine what this guy came home to!!!

I have marked 5 items off of the 'ol Bucket List, and in the middle of multiple more item. For mid-September, it's spreadin' like buttah!

[Below are the only appropriate pictures I can post on this blog...and even then, one of them had to be cropped...]

The T.P. Culprits (incognito):

The House [it was much better than the picture looks...we aren't amateurs!]

9/11/09

2009-09-11T13:14:00.003-05:00

Dear Friday:

Please stop sucking so hard...it's beginning to hurt a little bit.

Your Girl:
Lopez

*We Will Always Remember*

Bucket List: Family Vacay

2009-09-08T11:29:00.002-05:00

Another mark off the 'ol bucket list…the Lopezes went on a family vacay, just the four of us!!! Although the trip was over a short span of time, we accomplished a lot and the kids got to have a little fun before school began in mid-August. Ethan summed up his experience with "this is the best trip I have ever been on in my life". Awesome! Initially I wanted to do solely a picture blog chronicling our journey, but [sadly] the pictures have not been uploaded to Shutterfly and I’m tired of waiting to post.

Since I am not a flyer, we completed a massive amount of driving on our trip. We departed OKC at 5:30am on a Thursday morning and headed straight out East to Memphis, Tennessee. There, we enjoyed delicious barbeque at BB Kings restaurant on Beale street and then headed on over to Graceland for a tour of the King's house. It was great--and I have been obsessed with Elvis ever since! We left Memphis around 4:30pm and went south to Destin, Florida, where we arrived after midnight and promply checked into our hotel and caught some Z's.

Friday morning, we got up early and headed to the beach. White sand, clear blue waters…I'm telling you, Destin was beautiful! Jadyn even saw a jellyfish in the water, although we are pretty sure he was dead based on the angle in which he was floating. Early afternoon brought us to the docks to start our dolphin sightseeing tour on the glass bottom boat. That was pretty fun…and being on a smaller vessel on the ocean was a little nerve racking. We did get to see dolphins, too, and the kids had so much fun! I have pictures. They are nice. Oh, and we got to see Garth Brook's Destin abode…quite swanky--not to mention his gigantic boat--no, SHIP--parked outside! That night we enjoyed a yummy seafood meal at The Crap Shack. Yum!

Saturday started on a low note. A hurricane was headed over to Florida and it started clouding up, so the jet ski place didn't open and the kids were a bit sad that they didn't get to ride them. Some other time…so we headed on out of Destin, Florida on over to New Orleans. It was so humid and hot there, but it was great to show the kids around. We did the horse and buggie tour (saw Brad and Angelina's pad!) and then walked around the historic city. We even took the kids down Bourbon Street on Saturday night.

Sunday, we woke up, went straight to Café du Monde for some beignets…and then headed out of New Orleans towards St. Francisville, Lousiana to tour Myrtles [HAUNTED] Plantation! It was fun, I enjoyed it…and then we started to head home…but, alas! We made an unplanned detour back to Memphis for one more night of barbeque--and then back to OKC. We arrived home at 3am Monday morning…and then we slept.

It was a great trip, I have so many awesome pictures--that one day I may be able to show my family. Until then, you can enjoy the only picture I have on hand: Saturday night on Bourbon Street.

Parenting At Its Finest:

Book Review: Wilt on High

2009-09-08T11:27:00.001-05:00

Wilt on High is the third of four books of 'Henry Wilt' by English author, Tom Sharpe. Since I mistakenly read the last book first, this was my final piece in the series.

The Wilt books are laugh out loud funny. They all revolve around a little, squirmy Englishman named Henry Wilt who gets himself into pickles without doing anything at all, but rather being at the wrong place at the wrong time. He is a professor at a Technical College and everything he says--and all of the explanations that he gives for situations--are very literal and rely heavily on technicalities, which does not help any of the messes that he finds himself in. In Wilt on High, there is a murder at the tech, drug trafficking and Russian spying--all of which Wilt is the prime suspect for and none of which he has done.

Henry Wilt is also blessed with an idiotic wife, Eva and four terrible quad-daughters. What a mess!

I highly recommend this series to anyone that would like a light, funny read--and doesn't mind crass references and isn't afraid of a potty mouth.

Book 6/30

Book Club: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

2009-09-08T11:25:00.003-05:00

August's pick for Book Club was The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. This book, which takes place the year after WWII ended, is written as a series of fictional letters to and from many different characters. The main character, Juliet Ashton, is a successful writer that wrote humorous columns during the war and begins to focus on more serious material, in search of the perfect subject for her next book. As fate would have it, a man on Guernsey Island happens upon her information and blooming correspondences, budding relationships and a new life for Ms. Ashton quickly follows suit. There is so much more to this story from the perils of war time [famine, restrictions, German soldiers] to a strong, quick minded girl named Elizabeth and her precocious daughter, Kit. We get background stories on so many different characters: men, women, children, writers, editors…this is by no means solely a book for women!

Due to the format of this book, I was able to get through the entire read in two days. [I read very slowly!]. The letters, some short and some long, gives easy stopping and start up points for the reader and, although they are fictitious, I felt as if I was reading the private correspondence of people who lived long ago and have since passed. Before this book, I had never heard of Guernsey Island, so the research I was able to do after finishing created an even stronger home for the characters in my mind.

Jennifer made a delicious Potato Peel Pie for book club and it. was. awesome!

I enjoyed reading this book.

Book 5/30

So Long, No Blog

2009-09-08T11:24:00.002-05:00

One month without a new post...One month without getting to read other writer's blogs...

I am a bad blogger.

I am a bad blog buddy.

What sadness...I haven't gone this long since I started this thing!!!

I vow to try harder.

Book Review: Peony in Love

2009-08-07T23:10:00.001-05:00

Peony in Love by Lisa See is an exquisitely written novel based in 17th Century China. The story, told in the first person, revolves around a young woman named Peony who becomes engulfed in lovesickness, becomes obsessed with a play that revolves around love called The Peony Pavillion and dies of her 'illness'. Peony then becomes a ghost and describes the circumstances she experiences in the afterworld as well as her feelings and what she needs to do to make things right in order to move on. She interferes with the mortal world, makes mistakes, learns how to grow from a young lady to an adult and watches over the family of the love of her life. Peony also learns the history of her family through the words of her deceased grandmother and then her mother and is able to continue on her journey with their help. Love is stronger than death.

This book toys with a reader's emotions. It sent me spinning in a cycle of happiness, sadness, anger and elation. I will never be able to wrap my head around the pain and suffering that a woman had to endure in China. Women were expendable, a piece of property that had no worth and were confined to stay within the walls of a family compound. Women were not able to choose the man that they spent the rest of their life with, but rather forced into a loveless marriage for wealth or family gain. Don't even get me started on the footbinding nonsense...

Reading literature such as Peony in Love definitely makes me realize how good my life has been and how much of my freedoms that I take for granted on a daily basis.

Book 4/30

Paris Hilton: My New BFF [Season 2]

2009-08-05T21:24:00.004-05:00

A winner has been crowned on Season 2 of Paris Hilton: My New BFF and once again it was my fav choice! I have remained quiet throughout the course of this season, but I am by NO MEANS a closet BFF watcher...just as the winner is no longer in the closet! Stephen, a 23 year old that comes from a strict Mormon family, is Paris' new BFF. He was so sweet and funny...and loveable in the show that when Paris sent him home last week, I almost didn't watch the show's finale [which came on last night, but I just finished my recording]. I decided to let it play in the background while I devoted some serious time to Mafia Wars.

At the final elimination, when I heard Paris tell Stephen that she had made a mistake and that she wanted him to be her new BFF, I stopped everything I was doing, pressed rewind and watched the whole scene again. It was so worth it. I was as excited as Stephen...and although I was a bit upset that my Season 1 favorite, Brittany, was dropped by Paris [like a toy, Paris got tired of her]...I am happy with her new choice. I think Stephen can handle it...and every girl needs a gay BFF, right??

Here's a toast to Stephen and Paris: Fake BFF's Forever and Ever! *Clinkies!*

Author's Note: I am not a fan of Paris Hilton. I am just a Reality TV Junkie!

Book Club: The Eyre Affair

2009-07-31T13:36:00.001-05:00

Our Book Club chose The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde to be our July book. This novel revolves around a Special Operations Agent [for books] named Thursday Next and her adventures through cities, time/space and books to catch the villan in this book, Acheron Hades. Yes, I said books--as in leaping through the pages of classic novels and poems.

I am not a fan of science fiction or fantasy novels. Twilight was an exception because who is to say that vampires are not real? Certanily not me! I am not a Harry Potter fan either [put your guns down!].

[Okay, I did love the Time Traveler's Wife, too…so maybe I am just selective,.]

Either which way you look at it…I was not a fan of this book. It was brought up as a choice for a couple of months, so we decided to just go with it…errr…they did. I wanted no part of this book before, during or even now--but it wasn't a terrible book. At all.

In fact, if I was a fan of this genre, I would have loved this book and devoured the entire series.

I think that if you enjoy reading…and you enjoy this genre, then pick up the series. You will like it. It had some entertaining parts, such as the villan being named after a mythological hell…and Tuesday's boss being named Braxton Hicks.

There was just too much "unreal" for me to enjoy it.

Book 3/30

25 MORE Things About Moi

2009-07-30T15:38:00.002-05:00

I am repeatedly getting tagged on Facebook from people filling out a '25 Things About Me' list. Frankly, I don't know how to fill out the notes on Facebook, but I am quite familiar with my blog, so I'm just going to write them here and then post a link on my new addiction. Sounds like a plan, Stanley!

As you know, I posted a more extensive About Me list last year, so it was very difficult coming up with 25 more items in addition to my previous 100. So…here goes it…

1. I love to put cinnamon apple sauce on everything [including Ravioli's]
2. I once pulled a back muscle in the shower while belting out Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful"
3. I have a magnificent view of the Myriad Gardens from my office window
4. I believe in God, but do not believe in organized religion
5. My sister and I were only grandchildren on my father's side, yet my grandparents could hardly stand us.
6. I love Indian Food. Every birthday, that is my meal choice. Period.
7. I sobbed uncontrollably at the end of Benjamin Button
8. I have become quite addicted to milk chocolate covered almonds of the Hershey variety
9. I want to move to the Eastern part of the United States
10. I love my friends - real life and bloggers!
11. I always route for the underdog
12. I am usually the underdog
13. I cried the first time my husband beat me at mini-golf
14. I am very competitive
15. My new celebrity crush is Bradley Cooper [although he does not replace my previously mentioned crushes: Ryan Phillippe and Ewan McGregor]
16. I think mowing the lawn is oodles of fun
17. My mom and I once bought 200 lottery tickets…and ended up winning only seventeen dollars
18. I once got chased to the police station by a crazy woman in a truck after I flipped her off in the Taco Bell drive-thru line
19. You can win me over with a cupcake--my ultimate weakness
20. I floss every day
21. I rarely wear make-up
22. I am addicted to Mafia Wars
23. I once licked all of the salt off of my airplane bag of pretzels and then gave them to my mom to eat [she wasn't happy]
24. My favorite gum is Trident: Original Flavor
25. I love love love Chocolate Chip, Orange, Zucchini Bread. Yum!

So there you have it. Not a super exciting list…but it took a LONG time for me to come up with 25 things and cross reference them to my old list. I only put one thing on there twice and that was 'I do not like to swim in public bodies of water'…so that item is doubly true.

Book Review: Twenty's Girl

2009-07-30T11:23:00.003-05:00

I have been reading such serious and/or uninteresting novels lately that it was time for a light, airy book. Twenty's Girl, by Sophie Kinsella [my fav. chic-lit/British author] definitely hit the mark. This story focuses around a girl in her late twenties [Lara] who is being visited by her dead great-aunt [Sadie]--yes a ghost. Unknown family history and scandel is unraveled and a strong friendship between two unlikely characters is born. This book comes highly recommended by moi [to females].

Although some people brand chic-lit as 'lame' and 'brainless' literature, I feel as if the books are a break away from reality and everyone has a happy ending. I especially like these light books when they are set in different countries and this particular book has only strengthened my desire to visit London.

...I certainly want to know what a 'dough ball' is… sounds simply delectable!

Book 2/30

Blog It Forward Award

2009-07-27T16:25:00.002-05:00

I was so excited when I logged onto one of my favorite reads, Hit 40, and saw that she gave me a blog award!!! This is only my second one ever and I am super excited about!

This is a "Blog It Forward" award, which I am giving to a few special peeps who have amazing blogs and inspire me with their writing and subject matter!

And the Award Goes To...

Girl Interrupted (aka my British BFF)

Andrea (aka my favorite SIL)

Eric (aka Smart Guy)

Mr. C (aka Funny Mother Effer!)

Kirsten (aka Tiny Teacher)

Sarah (aka The Runmeister)

So...enjoy your award and pass it on to some super special bloggers!!!

Midnight Streak - July 25, 2009

2009-07-26T12:06:00.004-05:00

Last night at 11:00 p.m., I ran my second out of ten 5K's for my Bucket List. I participated in the Midnight Streak [no we didn't run naked] and it felt GREAT...plus I beat my previous run time by a little over 2 minutes--I ran 3.1 miles in 31:09!!! So. Excited. About. This!!!

Andy and I ran this race with sister and brother in law, Andrea and Kevin! This was their first 5K and they did FANTASTIC!!! We followed up our run with a late night IHOP meal. Nothing better than eggs and greasy bacon after a nice run, right???

Here's a picture of my watch. I don't know how I'm ever going to time something else and be forced to delete this...b/c I highly doubt I will ever be able to beat this time!!!

2/10

Bucket List: Granny Bowling

2009-07-22T11:53:00.001-05:00

Another mark off the 'ol Bucket List for me. I bowled an entire game granny style last night--sober! It was a lot of fun [the company was even better!] and I bowled a 44, which was only 32 points below the 'real' game I played right before it. So I'm not a pro-bowler…whatev's!

As you can probably imagine, I debated putting this picture up. In the end [pun intended], it was the right thing to do. Do NOT judge the Lopez--or no soup for you!

Three down, Twenty Seven more items to go! Chuggin' right along...

...And Here We Have Number Three...

2009-07-15T10:27:00.002-05:00

Well, GI...I don't think your paper aeroplane worked, as your comment on this post was hopeful of.

Airplane crash number three happened today...so it is safe to get back on planes for a little while.

Sending prayers to the people of Iran.

Boot Camp: Performance Test

2009-07-13T07:17:00.003-05:00

Today I did my Performance Test at Boot Camp and I am pretty pleased with the results. One more mark off the Bucket List, 28 more items to go!!!

Here are my exercise results, each timed for one minute:

Push Ups (military style, not facilitated)

First Day: 16
Last Day: 40

Tricep Presses

First Day: 23
Last Day: 38

Sit Ups

First Day: 18
Last Day: 35

My mile run result was most pleasing to me!!!:

First Day: 9:49
Last Day: 8:29

I took a minute and twenty seconds off my mile!

Finally, here are my inches lost. I was hoping for more, but I will take what I can get.

Waist - Lost 1.5 inches
Hips - Lost 1.5 inches
Thigh - Lost 1/4 inches

My calves and biceps stayed the same, but I wasn't really concerned about those!

Anyhoo...boot camp was an experience - a HARD experience - and I look forward to maybe signing up again later in the fall when the weather cools down and I can go in the evening, as this whole 5am thing didn't cut it for me!!!

Whatever will I blog about now that boot camp is over? heh heh

Boot Camp: Fun Friday!

2009-07-10T06:50:00.002-05:00

I did it! I did it! I made it through four weeks of boot camp!

As it turns out, Fun Friday was actually...FUN! We got to play Ultimate Frisbee the entire hour and it was a blast! I have never played before, but I want to get a bunch of friends together to play a game now!!!

I can't mark boot camp off of my Bucket List until I do the PT, but I'm almost there and it is SO exciting.

All of the perfect attendee's got a fun little prize today. There were six of us--and I picked some wacky glasses that my daughter is going to love...when she wakes up! We also got our Operation Boot Camp t-shirts today. I picked a tank...with all of the 5K's I have been running [and will be running], I have a surplus of tee's these days!

So [*pats self on back*], GO ME!!!

Boot Camp: Second to Last Day

2009-07-09T08:17:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow is my last day of boot camp [HOORAY!]...but I still have to get up at the arse crack of dawn on Monday to go and take my Performance Test. I am excited about the test, not so much the getting up part, but I'll manage.

The instructors are calling tomorrow "Fun Friday" and I have a bad feeling about this...one more day, one more day.

Anyway, here is how I am going to treat myself for making it through all four weeks and not missing a single class:

I am taking the day off of work tomorrow for another glorious 3 day weekend

I am getting my hair cut and colored tomorrow

I am taking my splurge meal tomorrow when we go out to dinner

I am going to see Bruno tomorrow night

I am getting a massage on Saturday afternoon

Well worth it, I say!

In other news...

I am pretty sure my plant is dying. The plant that I have vowed to keep alive for a year per my bucket list. The only reasons I think it might be dying are the fact that most of the leaves are brown instead of green and I may forget to water it...often.

I know what you are thinking. We are Mexicans, shouldn't gardening be in our blood? [or pool cleaning and roof fixing]...but the fact of the matter is, both of our mother's are white--as in blonde/red hair and blue eyes white--so the Mexican trades have gotten lost in translation probably through the incubation in their wombs oh so many years ago.

That brings me to: What the hell am I going to do about this? Well, I don't really care about the plant...I realized as soon as I got a plant that it was a bad idea to keep it alive because I really had no feelings for it. I refuse to fail on my bucket list, though...so I need to replace this item. Am I allowed to do that? Hell yes, it's MY bucket list, which means MY rules!!!

So...I'm thinking about changing it to Speak with a British accent [which I am terrible at] for an entire day.

What do you think? Acceptable, or should I try to revive the plant?

Freedom Run and Downtown Dash

2009-07-06T08:29:00.023-05:00

July 4, 2009

Andy and I participated in a 3K Freedom run in Bethany, Oklahoma on Saturday morning. It doesn't count towards my Bucket List [duh, it's a 3K], but I knew that signing up for it would motivate me to push hard for my 'homework'. I did push pretty hard--I came in 21/71 women and that made me super happy! I wasn't thrilled with my time, though--plus they didn't have a start mat to clock my real time and I like to start in the back of the pack. Anyhow, it was a fun run, good homework and I was glad to get it out of the way early!

June 13, 2009

This post is long past due! Jennifer and I decided a good way to kick off boot camp would be to run a 5K the Saturday before torture began. We ran in Oklahoma City's Downtown Dash--and this was the first of ten 5K's that I plan to run before my next birthday! Andy and Sarah ran with us, too--Sarah pretty much kicked arse! The 2009 Downtown Dash was an evening run based on one of the most humid days ever. It was pretty much breathing in liquid air and I am thankful that Jennifer hung back with me. [Note: Jennifer runs MARATHONS and a 5K is easy peasy for her--but she held back just for me and we got to talk! woohoo!] Needless to say, my time wasn't so hot, but it was good--and I can definitely beat it in my next run! Won't be hard anyway!
After the run, the plan was to go to McNellie's, a bar in downtown OKC. They handed out pint glasses at their water stop and if we brought them in, we got a free pint of beer. Well, we had an 8 year old little girl with us and she wasn't allowed in [which we didn't know b/c the race was not only family oriented, but it is a bar/restaurant type of place]--PLUS, because I didn't have my i.d. with me and I obviously look like a teenager [*smiles*], they would not let me in.

Andy and I headed over to Mama Roja with the Mobs and had a delicious meal! My last great meal before boot camp--woohoo!

Andy and Jennifer:

Danny, Sarah and Samantha:

1/10

Fortune July - 07/04/2009

2009-07-06T08:29:00.022-05:00

'Fortune July', as my daughter called the 4th for many years, was the best EVER!!! Every year seems to get better and better at the Miller's and this year was no exception. [Side note: I am going to miss that house!!!]

We went over to my SIL's house at 4:30 pm, proceeded to eat, drink and be merry until the wee hours of 2:00 am. The time just flew by. We had an arsenal of fireworks at our disposal--and when the larger displays were used, the boys proceeded to throw blackcats at each other. As dangerous as it is, that was really the best part of the evening. Andy, Kevin and Brandon are officially insane and very lucky to have their fingers, toes and eyes...although Brandon had a large Robo-Boot on after his surgery from his kickball injury. [yes, kickball is a dangerous sport!]

I will say, the Lopez party didn't stop at 2:00 am...we still had one...more...thing..to take care of...as you will see below.

Anyhoo...here are a few fun pictures from that night. Enjoy.

The Fam:

Lace and James:

Brandon and his RoboBoot:

Jeff and Kaitlyn:

Andrea and Riley:

Lace and James:

The Millers:

Lacy and Kate on the Roof!

Lacy gets into Brandon's Pants:

Hubs with his stick!

Brandon and his stash:

Kate and James:

Lace and Kit:

and...in honor of the Mobs, who could not be with us, the Lopez crew decided to send some patriotic flair their way:

Boot Camp: Day Thirteen

2009-07-02T08:18:00.002-05:00

It's amazing how my spirit regarding boot camp goes up and down...daily!

Today...I feel EXHILARATED. Our workout was hard, sweaty and awesome. I even did "The Hill" at the end--which is what people get for 'encouragement' [punishment], but I volunteered today. THAT was a work out in itself!

So, today was 'bring a friend' day. I brought my husband, Susan brought my father in law and Denise brought a co-worker. We all showed up groggy eyed at 5:20 this morning...and we kicked ass. Well, boot camp kind of kicked their ass, but for the regulars [Jennifer, Susan, Denise and me], we kicked ass. It was awesome. I feel so great.

Of course...my attitude may have something to do with the fact that today is the last day of work before a three day weekend--and I am very much looking forward to it!

So, YAY FOR BOOT CAMP DAY 13!!! [boo to the eating restrictions, though...!]

Boot Camp: Day Twelve ; Diet: Day Seventeen

2009-07-01T13:10:00.002-05:00

I'm feeling very defeated today.

Last night, while I ate my four miniscule turkey meatballs and 1 cup of peas, I watched my husband eat a deep dish pizza [left overs from our amazing meal Saturday night] and my daughter eat a homemade enchilada.

I was pretty much sobbing within the hour.

It happens in Three's...

2009-06-30T13:54:00.002-05:00

I wouldn't go flying anytime soon if things happen in Three's...

Brazil

Africa

???

Of course...I don't go flying at all...

Boot Camp: Day Eleven

2009-06-30T08:51:00.004-05:00

I often have to remind myself that I did this to myself. I signed up for the camp...and I enjoyed all of the delectable meals and treats to get to the point of having to sign up for the camp.

Although today's workout wasn't a killer, 5:00 a.m. is not getting any easier...especially after a very sleepless night.

I would like to take this opportunity to brag on my SIL's boot camp adventure. Her last day was on Friday and she went in yesterday to do her Performance Test.

Here are Andrea's stats:

Final bootcamp stats: Lost 12lbs, 7 total inches, improved mile run time by 2 min, 40 sec.

CONGRATULATIONS, ANDREA! YOU DID AN AMAZING JOB!!!!!!!!

Boot Camp: Day Ten

2009-06-29T08:49:00.003-05:00

This morning was brutal. I think it was, in the most part, due to the fact that it's Monday, the first morning of a grueling work out after a weekend of staying up late and 30 minute workouts.

Although not the hardest day we have done, it is ranked in the top five...mostly because the cardio in between all of the working out was intense and we are not ever encouraged to stop moving our feet.

I was particularly proud of myself because I made it all the way through. No walking during the runs and no slacking during the sit ups, push ups, lunges, squats, etc. It was very cool outside this morning, and I left soaking wet, muddy [and ended up driving home sans clothes...again]...so that helped out a lot.

We met at a different location this morning--a place about 1.5 minutes from my house, a place where there is an abundance of hills for suicides and uphill running!

If I don't have buns of steel after today, there might not be any hope for me.

;o)

Book Club: Sarah's Key

2009-06-28T10:04:00.004-05:00

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay was our June pick for book club. This book was about a young jewish girl who was taken with her family during the round up of Vel'd'Hiv' in France on July 16, 1944 by the French government. In order to save her brother, she locked him in a cupboard and promised him that she would be right back for him.

Sixty years later, a journalist is researching this event, one that was shameful for the French and an event that not many people knew about, and finds a connection between her and Sarah's family. She is determined to figure out the mystery of what happened to Sarah and her family, while fighting circumstances of her own life.

Although there were parts in this book that weren't to my liking, they were very few. The story reopens the reader's eyes to the horror's of the Holocaust and is heart wrenching. It amazes me that there are 'skeptics' out there that are convinced the Holocaust didn't happen...are in denial of human flaws and evil.

Here is the cover of this book:

Book 1/30

One Down, Twenty-Nine To Go!!!

2009-06-27T18:03:00.002-05:00

In a million years, I never would have thought that the first thing I accomplished on my bucket list would be to Kill a Spider by Myself, but I did it. It was scary, my heart raced with anxiety...but he's dead and I killed him by myself.

Whew! I'm glad THAT one is out of the way!

In other bucket list news, I am two weeks away from finishing boot camp, I am 119 pages into War and Peace, I am 1/30 on my book list, I am 1/10 on my 5K's...and I am 19 pounds away from losing 25 pounds!

That's all I can think of from the top of my head, but I think that after less than a month, I am doing pretty good!

One item down, Twenty-Nine items to go! Woot!

Boot Camp: Day Nine

2009-06-26T08:05:00.003-05:00

I am pulling myself away from the Michael Jackson coverage to have a little 'me' time...err, just to talk about this morning's boot camp!

We made it through Week 2. Only about half of the class showed up this morning, so we got to do extra reps of everything because our lines were so short. Yay for that, right? Today was actually kind of fun, though. After our sprint/push up marathon, we played a game called Skip-Bo. There were a bunch of skip-bo cards at the end of our sprint track and in our groups of four, one person had to sprint over, get a card and the color/number of the card determined what exercise we did and how many. This went on for about 30 minutes and it was pretty intense. My group had two way overweight ladies in it and one gimpy girl so I got to make up for our time with my sprints--AND I got to go one more round than the rest of them. Hooray! [Thank goodness I rock the sprint, right???]

Anyhow, that was fun...BUT [and as you see that is a big but], I was not happy as soon as I arrived due to one instructor...see below.

Yesterday, we had cake up here to celebrate a colleague's birthday. Since I didn't get to fully participate in the birthday on Wednesday, I took part in this, had a SMALL piece of carrot cake and took about three bites, NO ICING. My boot camp buddy, Denise, did the same thing...and we were honest about it, we wrote it down in our books!!

The lady checking our book this morning was NOT pleased and gave us 'encouragement' which is just punishment at the end of the class. I went through the whole class today dreading it...but it turns out we went a little over in time and Denise and I were saved.

But what lesson did this teach me?

Did it teach me not to eat the dessert next time or not to write it down? That's a question that I can't even answer. I have sweet teeth...in fact, I usually eat multiple desserts every day and for the past two weeks, I haven't done this...even on my 'splurge' day, I was good...so having the little piece of cake was nothing and this lady made a big deal of it.

It wasn't over yet, though.

She turns to my goals in the back of the book. The same goals that other instructors have looked at and said 'nice goals', etc.

Here are my goals:

Fit into PINK PANTS
Have more energy during the day
Feel good about myself
Lose approx. 15 lbs.

This lady this morning looks at my goals and says 'this is not anything we can measure...don't you want to run the mile in less time or do more push ups in a minute?' Um...these are some of the examples the HEAD of boot camp gave us to write down....

My goal right now is to Make it THROUGH boot camp.

Apparently, my goals weren't good enough, so I get to re-do them. I should have asked this lady what she thinks my goals should be so I can write them down.

Grrrrr...okay...so this was a pos/neg post. Mostly neg.

RIP ED MCMAHON * RIP FARRAH FAWCETT * RIP MICHAEL JACKSON

Boot Camp: Day Eight

2009-06-25T08:25:00.003-05:00

It seems that I am only inspired to write about boot camp when I feel like death afterwards...so all you get is whining and complaining. This is most days AT boot camp, but there are some days that are exceptions. Like today.

Although my arms, shoulders and back were [and still are] extremely sore from yesterday's grueling torture, I was able to kick some boot camp arse today. I rocked the sprints--and there were many--and rested very little. I didn't cheat myself out of any push ups, mountain climbers or sit-ups. [Planks and Side-Planks are another matter all together...!]

It wasn't easy, but I did it. I made it. I didn't feel like quitting afterwards. In fact, I walked away this morning feeling great, happy...awake!

If it weren't for Jennifer, Denise and Susan, I probably would have quit after the second day. Their presence in camp keeps me motivated alone, but having people to share this experience with--to know that they feel the same way I do during and afterwards--is wonderful. We are in it for the long haul, ladies!!!

In addition, my sister in law, Andrea, is a boot camper, too. Almost a veteran, as she 'graduates' on Friday. Her stories of boot camp made it sound scary, yet exciting [and right now there is no excitement in it for me!]. Andrea also takes an evening class in the ungodly Oklahoma heat and humidity. She has been working out in 98º temperatures for crying out loud and I don't know how she does it. Really...it's amazing.

Anyway...that's my 'positive' bootcamp post! Hopefully there will be more of these to come and less of the others...we'll see.

Boot Camp: Day Seven

2009-06-24T08:09:00.000-05:00

All I have to say is if I made it through this morning, I can make it through any day left of our remaining 2.5 weeks.

Hardest. Day. Yet.

Sweet Mother of Jesus Christ Superstar, I swear it.

Below is a typical week day for me lately--and it ain't pretty:

Wake up at ass crack of dawn [okay, 5am, but it feels earlier], get dressed like Speedy Lopez and head out the door for my drive to the lake. My log book is checked and we quickly move in to our hour long intense exercise [today was a massacre].

I have just enough time afterwards to drive home, shower and dress, and then head downtown to make it to work by 8am, where I remain until 5pm. Then I hit rush hour traffic, pick up my daughter, head home and make my lunch for the next day and change. By this time, it's around 6:15.

Finally...time to myself...but it's only 2 hours, as I am zonked out before 8:30 these days. TWO HOURS of leisure time in a 24 hour period. TWO HOURS that I am tired and miserable and can't even enjoy being able to vege around the house. Once I am in bed, it feels like a split second before I have to do it all over again.

Boot Camp would probably be more bearable if I didn't have the rest of my life to contend with. It is actually barely tolerable for me. I refuse to say that 'I can't do it'...but know that I do think it every once in awhile.

I am angry. I am exhausted.

Over and Out.

Boot Camp: Day Five

2009-06-22T09:45:00.000-05:00

Today is Monday and our fifth day of boot camp.

We had the weekend off, but were required to stay within our dietary requirements and perform at least 30 minutes of activity each day. I found these challenges quite hard, considering that yesterday was Father's Day and I mistakenly took my 'splurge' day on Saturday.

I laced up my Mizuno's at 5:00 a.m. and headed out to the lake for morning drills. Despite being tired, my body wasn't hurting so I thought I would tackle today with ease...but then I met Mr. Medicine Ball and we became quick enemies.

Doing lunges and squats is hard enough for me as it is...add a medicine ball into the mix and it's pretty much torture. By the end of the workout, I didn't think I would ever be able to jump again.

On the more positive side of boot camp...I was able to do more sit ups, crunches, toe touches, oblique work and rockers than ever before and that, my dears, is an accomplishment within itself.

Come on, Results...lemme see your friendly faces soon!!!

Three Students. Less Than One Year.

2009-06-20T10:36:00.000-05:00

I was a private school kid. I'm neither proud nor ashamed to admit that, but it explains the reason I went to a small school in a big city.

We had around 65 graduating students in our class, and our entire highschool had approximately 300 students--so everybody knew everyone else. When something tragic happens to one of our alumni, word spreads quickly and with the digital age being what it is, said word gets around faster than Kate Hudson in Hollywood.

You can imagine how shocked the former student body was earlier this year when a student of the class of 1996 [two years above me] overdosed and passed away. It was a numbing sensation for me--knowing that two days before I found out, he was living, breathing--ALIVE. RIP Ryan Miller.

This past week was particularly tragic. Early in the week, a student in the class of 2000 [two grade below mine, and my sister's class] passed away in his sleep. Just like that...dead. The news was crazy, another student in a small highschool in one year. What are the odds of this? RIP Michael Hager.

On Tuesday, it only got worse. A student in the class of 1997 [one grade above mine] passed away. This death had the most impact on me--mostly because I knew her better than the other two students, she was constantly on facebook, her last status update on Sunday, AND her younger sister graduated in my class. I can't imagine what her family is going through--I never want to imagine it. The cause of her death is undetermined right now, but it is suspected that she had a seizure--a result of a car accident she had in high school--and died. She didn't show up for work and her father went to go check on her and found her body. RIP Ryanne Hauschild.

I am having a really difficult time wrapping my mind around mortality right now. None of these people was over the age 31. We can go at any minute--any second, just like that. Just whenever God wants to call us home.

In addition to death, Life Goes On. The facebook status updates went from sympathies to the type of chips they are eating at that moment.

It's going to happen to all of us and we have no control over it, unless we choose to end it all early. Live it all...Live it well...and tell those that you love how you feel. That's about all you can do.

Boot Camp: Day Three

2009-06-17T08:12:00.000-05:00

This had better be worth it, I swear...

What I learned in class today:

The jump rope is not my friend

There are many many ways to USE a jump rope

We have at least two muscles in our neck that become extremely sore when you work out, and it is especially apparent when you are in the middle of a gazillion sit ups

I can do 100 Jumping Jacks in a row

Tomorrow is our 'homework day' which means I get to sleep in until 6:15 [woohoo!] and I get to pick my own exercise. I'd better make it somewhat intense, so when I strap up my boots Friday morning, I'm good to go...

Boot Camp: Day Two

2009-06-16T08:06:00.000-05:00

OH

MY

GOODNESS!

Happy Anniversary - 7 Years!

2009-06-15T12:59:00.000-05:00

Today is our wedding Annivesary. 7 years of marital bliss, yes? Yes. [11 years together in July...holy wow!]

Happy Anniversary, SweetyHeartyHoneyPie! To Infinity...and Beyond!!!

Boot Camp: Day One

2009-06-15T12:58:00.000-05:00

Today was my first day of a four-week boot camp. The class starts at 5:30 a.m. and lasts an hour. This morning, we got to kick off the session in a rather large thunder storm, with a massive amount of lightening and pouring rain. Needless to say, we were completely drenched by the end of the hour and had to drive home wet and grassy.

The class wasn't as hard as I was expecting--and I think I purposfully built it up in my head to be extremely horrible so that I could endure whatever was thrown our way. Today was our performance test, which we will use to compare our last week's results to. We started off by jogging about a quarter of a mile to a grassy area and did fun stretches and jumping jacks. From there, we did our 1-mile jog/run, which I am so happy to say that I ran faster than I have in a long long long time and then we went straight into other exercises, ending with our core. Our feet were in constant motion and the instructors would remind us to move when we stopped.

Also calcuated today were how many push ups, sit ups and tricep presses we could do in a minute's time. Ehh…I could use some MAJOR improvement there, no lie.

Aside from the weather conditions and the obscene hour in which I had to get up, boot camp wasn't too bad. I can't imagine [and won't imagine] doing a class at night in the Oklahoma humidity! Props to my SIL for being able to do THAT!

Now…if I could excel in this whole eating/diet thing that we are instructed to do, I would be Golden.

Hoo-Ya!

Lacy Day Extravaganza + Other Weekend Fun!

2009-06-11T08:31:00.001-05:00

Due to babysitting issues, I took last Friday off of work and what better way to spend it than to have a pool party in honor of one of my besties' birthday!!! We literally spent 11 hours at the pool that day and my favorite people in the world were there!!! Here are some pictures of our fun time!
Lacy, the birthday girl:

Jadyn and her favorite cousin Riley were in attendance:

Time to throw the birthday girl in the pool!

Andy was able to join us later on, and here is a picture of him and his BFF [aka secret lover], Jeff:

And, of course, here is a picture of the girls, sans Andrea and Melissa, who had to leave a bit early. Pictured are: Kaitlyn, Lacy, Sarah and moi:

Here is our uninvited guest...but he/she didn't show up until after dark. Unfortunately, Mr. Slug was murdered by my husband's ass shortly after being liberated.

That was a fun and extremely exhausting day. It's amazing how much energy the sun will extract from your being.

I was not fully recovered the next day when we headed to the Chesa-Corporate Challenge that the kids participated in, which took place on a football field in scorching, 92 degree weather! It was a really fun event for them. They had to participate in numerous fitness challenges and record their progress on each one. I have a few pictures below of some of the stations below.
The kids, before they began their greusome exercise [aka still happy]:

Shuttle Run:

Sit-Ups:

One-Lap Around the Track [this is what killed the buggers]:

And this is where my camera died and I didn't get to take a picture of their push ups or their V-Stretch...but after the track, our kids were exhausted, dying...and ready to go home.
Sunday was my lazy day. After all of the time spent in the sun, I really needed a day to recharge my batteries...and four days later, I can say that I am still not a fan of wanting to be outside right now--especially with the hot, humid weather being above 90 degrees all week!
On Monday night, Lacy and I went on a date. It was in honor of our birthdays, which are one day a part--plus I had to give her the present I bought for her, which I was too uncomfortable to give in front of other people! We went to the Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant that I am in love with, and had CHEESE and CHOCOLATE. YUMMERS!!!

Her gift was a bunch of trashy items that I bought at Christie's Toy Box [which is pretty much a sex store, and if you know me, you know I was COMPLETELY uncomfortable going in there...].

Here is one picture of her, with her Better than a Finger vibrator. The funniest gift because when she looked in the bag, she actually thought it was a giant chocolate bar!

Lacy posing with her cherry...

So...all in all, we've been pretty busy these past couple of days.

Bucket List News...

In other news, I have started my Bucket List. I began War and Peace on my birthday. That book is 1358 pages long, introduces the reader to HUNDREDS of characters and has the most difficult Russian names! I need to read 3.72 pages/night in order to read it in a year. I'm well on my way...!!! I am running a 5K on Saturday evening and I start boot camp next week. My plant is still alive, but I really can't take credit for that b/c I haven't watered it yet. Also, my sister got me THE COMPLETE SERIES of the OC for my birthday and I can hardly wait to watch it--that may be the very first thing that I cross off of my list!

Kickball News...

Sadly, our Spring season of kickball ended on Tuesday night. We played better than we ever have before, losing our first game by one run and kicking ass on our second game--our REVENGE game for a team full of douche bags that whooped up last time we played them. My sister in law got her very first kickball home run and I was SOOOO excited for her! She knows how excited I was...Also, my sister drove ALL THE WAY from Tulsa just to play one hour of kickball in our time of need...Thank you SOOO much, Stephanie, for driving over 2.5 hours total just to play with us!!! I got home twice....and, yeah, I could give you a play by play, but that would make this post even longer!!! So, I'll stop here...but first I will ask you to please cross your fingers that we get to play in a tournament on the 27th! Cross them hard!!!

Finally...I think I'm getting a new computer tonight. I have been itching for one, and keep changing my mind...but I have become addicted to the dark side...which I am too ashamed to delve into here...and between maintaining my virtual farm and restaurant, playing in a mob and mastering my word challenges, Andy hasn't had time for the computer. Easy solution: Jaimie gets one.

Okay. The End. [for real]

Book Club: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

2009-06-03T13:53:00.000-05:00

Our May book was Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith. I was against this book from the very beginning, mostly because I am not a fan of the following:

Sci-Fi

Zombies

Jane Austen

Oh how glad I am that I resolved at the beginning of book club [July '07] that I would read every book, no matter what. This book, as silly as it sounds, has shot up to the top of my favorites list. So much that I may even consider reading the original Pride and Prejudice again.

Grahame-Smith's twist on Jane Austen's masterpiece made the book highly entertaining and I would love to see it turned into a film. In an article I read on the new author, he breaks the book down by 85% Austen, 15% himself [zombies]. We still have the Bennet/Darcy love story that swells the heart with added fighting scenes, unmentionables and the living dead feasting on brains.

It's great…light, easy, fun…and comes highly recommended by moi…!

Today's book club treats were a parmesan frica cup with spinach salad and a citrus vinaigrette dressing symbolizing a meal that would have been enjoyed in Jane's time and cupcakes with 'brains' decorated on top of them to symbolize the zombies that Grahame-Smith included in the novel. Thank you, Jennifer and Afton, for the delicious food. We all appreciate the time and effort you take to make book club extra special!

Bucket List Reveal

2009-06-02T08:20:00.001-05:00

It was really difficult for me to find 30 things to put on this list that I haven't done [and a few I haven't done 'as an adult'], and I thank you for your awesome response to my suggestions blog a few weeks back, as I got most of the ideas from that!

My bucket list timer officially started this morning and I have one year to get everything done [crosses fingers]. I had a cute picture to go with this blog of a plastic purple bucket with pink notepads and pens [thank you Mill's], but I can't find it!

Anyhoo [that was for you, ASM], below, please find my to do list!

30 Things to do before 30:

Read [at least] 30 books in 12 months

Read War and Peace

Create a Self Portrait

Run a 10K

Have an impromptu food fight

Explore Wines [and hopefully find a fav!]

Karaoke [Not just attend, perform]

Spend a Saturday volunteering

Create a Signature Dish

Extreme Ironing [any ironing for me is extreme]

Write one letter per month to Jadyn throughout my 30th year.

Have a *girls only* weekend

Make it through 30 days of boot camp [starting June 15! Yikes!]

Watch every episode of The O.C. from start to finish [since sis keeps buggin' about it]

Do a Chinese Fire Drill!

Toilet Paper a house [Beware! One of you is the victim of this item!]

Run ten 5K's this year [round down to 30 miles! Magic Number: 30!]--Sarah, Sarah!!!

Lose 25 pounds [I CAN do this]

Keep a plant alive for a year

Kill a spider by myself

Find a better alternative to curse words [I'm going to start using terms that I read in G.I. and MLS's blogs to replace my cursing! Bugger!]

Go to a Drag Show [Lacy Lace, ready or not...]

Family Trip - Just the four of us!

Make New Friends

Read Little Women

Go Camping - with an actual tent and actual bugs! [I have never done this]

Bowl an entire game granny style

Prepare a meal - by myself - and surprise Hubs with it

Every Friday for a month - do not say one thing negative [this is going to be hard!]

Play in the mud [Oklahoma Red Dirt] on a rainy day. [Yuck]

There you have it, my official 30. I expect many of you to participate in these events with me...and once I cross something off of the list, it will be blogged about--I mean, that's why I have a blog, right?? Right.

Happy Birthday To Me!!!

Birthday Celebration '09

2009-06-01T08:28:00.000-05:00

As you probably know, on Friday, I thought my 29th birthday celebration wasn't going to be great and I was feeling really bad about it, blah blah blah, I know--but as reality had it, Saturday night turned out to be one of the best nights I've ever had! In most part because every person that I care so deeply about came out with us and we had so much fun, wrapping up at 4am. Naturally, I will be giving a full account of the night on my blog--featuring My Friends.

We started the evening out at San Marcos, a yummy and reasonably priced Mexican food joint. Here is everyone who came, in order of appearance:
Monica and Ray:

Lacy [with my awesome Hubs]:

Jeff and Kaitlyn:

Ramie:

Sarah and Danny:

Andrea and Kevin [last year's picture, exactly a year ago 5/30--b/c I dropped the ball and forgot to take a picture of them when they came in b/c I was so focused on the adorable bucket+list present they gave me!!!]:

We had delicious food, followed by a scrumptious cookie cake [that we ended up munching on all night long]:

OH, and here's me! I was there, too!

We then took the party to Mike's, where we met up with Quinton, Brandon and Brock, all three brothers, the latter two being twins:

I. Had. So. Much. Fun. At. Mikes.

A few Vegas bombs and vodka/red bulls later, I was dancing like a crazy woman, which is exactly what I wanted. There are some inappropriate pictures, but here are a few good shots that I picked out:

Next stop was la casa de Mobley. There were games here [Jenga, catch phrase] and a dog [a 'puggle'] that could catch frisbees mid-air. I took about a 30 minute "time out" when we first got there...and then I was back in business.

We finished the night off by sneaking into the neighborhood pool at 3am for a dip. I say 'we', but only the crazy's went swimming--it was FREEZING. Pictures below:

Thank you so much to EVERYONE for making this night so great. I can't wait for our next get together, as this group meshes so well and I LOVE them all. Seriously and from the bottom of my heart. I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!

Craptastic Running

2009-05-27T09:40:00.001-05:00

Unless I am being chased by a psycho-murderer, running will never be this important to me:

Some people are quite dedicated to their sports...

O.D.D. Checkpoint #4

2009-05-26T09:19:00.000-05:00

I have been posting my Operation Dumbo Drop checkpoints infrequently due to the scale giving me results only in ounces, instead of pounds. This is a bummer because I totally estimated one pound/week…but I will not give up quite yet!

The scale may be disappointing me, but I am happy to announce that for the first time since last summer, I am able to zip up one of my favorite skirts with ease! Pink Pants, Here I come! I am glad that all of this hard work is paying off, even if only minutely for now…the long run will be good, I'm sure of it!

In other news, the weather here in OK has been GLORIOUS…beautiful days filled with sunshine and cool breezes. It certainly made the Memorial Day weekend very lovely [pictures to come!].

Tonight we have two kickball games, so naturally Mother Nature is in a foul mood and has poured rain on the city this morning and threatens a slight chance of rain this evening--THE only day it is supposed to rain all week. I guess she doesn't like the rubber balls pounding against her sweet green grass so much in the outfield when some people [me] are unable to catch the fast falling orbs after a kick from a meaty man leg.

Hopefully the rain will subside and the fields will be dry and a great time had by all…but if not, [insert angry face here] tonight will not be a happy one for Balls to the Wall.

Book Review: The Wilt Alternative

2009-05-22T15:30:00.000-05:00

It has taken me over a month to finish this book and not because I didn't like it! The Wilt Alternative by Tom Sharpe was a delightful read that had me laughing out loud in some parts. This is the second of four books in the series [remember, I've read the last one out of order?] and I just love it. Of course--and I say this time and time again--I do love everything British!

In this novel, the Wilts have been taken hostage in their own home, in the end driving their captors completely bonkers. I will say that Henry Wilt's wife, Eva, irritates the living hell out of me. She is depicted as a fat, foolish lady who does [and says] the most ridiculous things. It's maddening how frustrated I get with her...and her four quadruplet daughters who are written as terrors.

This series is great. I highly recommend picking it up--IF you can find it...it was hard for me to get the four books as they are out of print and not mainstream here in North America.

Our Kickball Team - Spring '09

2009-05-20T10:54:00.000-05:00

Here is our team [minus one person, my ever so lovely sister, Stephanie!]:

I LOVE THESE PEOPLE! I LOVE OUR TEAM!

[I am the one behind the little girl in pink...no, not the Asian girl--ha!]

Vacay Envy

2009-05-19T14:46:00.001-05:00

It seems as if everyone I know is either on vacation or about to go next week...and I'm soooooo green with envy! I have two friends in Florida right now, [Afton and Kelly]...one going to Colorado next week [Tiffany]...one person is going on an Alaskan cruise...and another is going to the Virgin Islands, both next week.

I'll be here. At home. Waiting your return!

I am still hopeful that we are going to get to see Sin City later this year [although our couple friends have bailed]...but we'll see.

I want to go somewhere NOW NOW NOW!!!

;o)

Kickball Intoxication

2009-05-18T21:57:00.001-05:00

Wowie! It's been awhile since I've had an opportunity to sign on and blog...not to mention read blogs, which saddens me more than writing, really.

The weather here in Oklahoma is magnificent! Much better than the weeks of dreary rain...Thanks for sending the sunshine and cool breeze, G.I.!

So. Kickball. You all know I play. You all know I love it. Friday night? No exception!

We had two make up games on Friday night, one of which was canceled--total bummer. Our team decided to go over to my SIL's house for social fun time in lieu of our missed game. Since it was Friday night, I could consume alcohol. This was so exciting to me, because all of our other games have been in the middle of the week and I always have to get up early for work the next day. I took advantage of the alcohol + friends situation and had a blast!

Vodka and redbull is my drink of choice; however, I couldn't make it taste quite right, so I just had straight vodka, strawberry flavored. Needless to say, I got a bit tipsy. Okay, A LOT tipsy. In fact, I only remember bits and pieces of that night and the parts I forgot, I got to live through Lacy's pictures! What I DO know is that I woke up completely hung over, thanking the soccer gods that our early morning games were canceled...and that I left my voice over at my SIL's house. It still hasn't been returned, but i'm hoping she brings it to the game tonight! ;o)

Here is how I ended the night:

Yep. That's me. On the floor...

So...that's all of the excitement that has happened to me these past couple of days...I've been super busy at work, raking in the overtime...and I'm looking forward to another kickball game tonight...in BEAUTIFUL weather.

Oh...and I'm being blamed for making one of my team mates sick [although I'm pretty sure you can't CATCH laryngitis...and I'm pretty sure I didn't kiss her, but I could possibly not remember that one...]

ha ha ha, just kidding, Sar!!!

Update: I was informed that I left the most important part of Friday kickball out! I actually caught a ball in the game and got a runner out...AND I made it home twice. That was definitely my best performance ever!!!

Rain, Rain--GO AWAY!!!

2009-05-12T09:13:00.000-05:00

It has been raining here for three weeks now and it's about time for Mother Nature to tighten the faucet. I am staring out the window watching buckets full of water spill to the ground while the sky is presenting me with a music and light performance.

And I am SO Angry.

More particularly, I am tired of having to cancel all of our kickball games! It never fails that it rains on Tuesdays...but this week is a special week. A week of MAKE UP GAMES, where we are scheduled to play two games tonight, two games Wednesday night and two games Friday night.

SIX games, oh the excitement...currently being washed away by Mother Nature's wrath.

And here was the predicted schedule on Sunday evening, also:

Monday: Rain
Tuesday: Rain
Wednesday: Rain
Thursday: Sun [the day we did not have a game, mind you]
Friday: Rain

God hates someone on our team...and I'm just trying to pinpoint WHO!!!

(Why don't you spread a little sunshine to North America, GI? We are tired of the gloom and gray.)

Busy, Busy!

2009-05-09T18:01:00.000-05:00

There is no other way to describe this weekend thus far than the title of this blog, as this is the first time I have gotten to sit down since I left work yesterday evening. I mean REALLY sit down! With Mother's Day tomorrow, I see no end in sight to our busy weekend and the only part that bites about it [as my time has been rather enjoyable] is the fact that Monday morning will be here so much sooner!

We kicked off our weekend with a Rotary event that we were invited to by Andrea and Kevin called Days of Wine. The food they had there was *AMAZING* with some of my favorite restaurants representin'! We had loads of fun...and then we took the party to a bar called Mike's for one of our best friend's graduation party!

Kaitlyn is an official college graduate and we are so proud of her! Here is a picture of Ms. Kate, looking beautiful as always:

Unfortunately, I had to leave the party early [midnight!] because we had to get up at 7 Saturday to run the 5K, but Andy decided that he was good, proceeded to get completely wasted and came home after the bar closed. He paid for it dearly this morning when he got up...he's pretty much been hungover all day!

We ran the 5K this morning for the Clean Air Challenge sponsored by the American Lung Association. It was our first 5K and I am proud to say that I beat my husband! I ran the event in 33:38 minutes, which is actually 8 seconds more than I predicted, but it is a good goal to beat in my next run. I was so excited; however, when I crossed that finish line, I thought I was near death...and I felt so nauseous that I almost threw up twice...I had to find a patch of grass out of the way fast so I could hurl...and lucky for me, my dad was there with his camera taking pictures.

Here is a picture of me right after the race...it poured all over us, so not only am I soaking wet, but I am trying to force a smile...didn't work so well...In fact, I didn't even have enough energy to take the earbuds out of my ears!!! Please note the fancy piece of grass I picked in case I had to throw up my food from the Days of Wine function!

Here is a picture of Andy after the race [left]. Also pictured with him are Sarah and Danny...a pretty cool couple of people [who were also at the Rotary event]. They ran the 5K in 26 min and 24 min respectively. In other words...they KICKED ASS!!!

After the race, I did NOT feel guilty about eating this:

When we picked the kids up and went home to bathe, we were ready for the next leg of our Saturday: Doxie Dash! My friend entered her weiner dog, Charlie Bean, into a doxen race and we went to go support him!
Here is Charlie Bean being led to the box before the race:

AND THEY'RE OFF!!!

Yes, they were released just like in horse racing!!!

After the Doxie Dash, we grabbed a quick lunch and headed to Andy's mom's house for some QT and then it was off to Kickball practice!! It was the best one we have had in a long time, almost everyone was there and we had a GREAT scrimmage!

That brings me to here and now. I am at my mom's house...waiting for my husband, father, father in law, hubs best friend and brother in law to move some furniture around. Fun stuff...but it allowed me to take a break and write this!!!

I plan on having an uneventful, very slow evening...maybe even hitting the sack early...Mother's Day is right on the horizon!

For all of your mother's out there...I hope that you have a *FANTABULOUS* day tomorrow! You deserve it, you work hard!!!

Boot Camp

2009-05-07T10:01:00.000-05:00

I have heard of 'Boot Camp' style programs all over our city--in fact, my SIL brought it up to me a little less than a year ago and it sounded amazing. The problem was the fact that the only session I could do would be early morning [we are talking 5:45 peeps!] and no one was able to go with me! Oh, right...and the bloody course costs $275 for 30 days of intense training!!! [Did you like my use of 'bloody'???]

When my friend, Jennifer, brought it up to me yesterday due to a Tweet from our mutual friend, Afton [gots ta give cred where cred is due!]--I thought it would be a wonderful gift to ask for as a birthday present! My parents readily obliged, with certain conditions, and now I am officially signed up for the session beginning June 15!

The thought of it is nerve racking...but if it does what it claims, then the results will be REMARKABLE!!!

CLICK HERE for the deets to Boot Camp!!!

BTTW - Cinco de Mayo Style!

2009-05-06T13:32:00.000-05:00

The rain out here has been relentless, pounding our city for days on end! This really doesn't help our kickball situation. If it rains on the day of, we cannot play because it is, well, raining…but if it rains the day before [or in our case dayS before], then the fields are too wet and soggy.

Last night was no exception; however, because it was Cinco de Mayo [and a few spunky players, including myself, have some Mexican-O blood], the majority of the team met up at El Parian to celebrate Balls to the Wall style: Beers, Margaritas y comida de Mexicana!

Good Food. Good People. Good Fun.

2009-05-06T10:15:00.003-05:00

The lovely Girl over at A World So Small has tagged me as a Queen of All Things Awe-summm! This is quite an honor--not only because she did put my name first [although she admits no particular order!], but she is my Girl Crush. She had me at Jelly Biting.

Girl is a pretty amazing Brit and she has numerous awards in her honor! Go check her out--but I'm warning you, once you go there, you may become addicted!

Now for the tag--you're supposed to list seven things that make you awesummm and then pass the award on to seven other people who you think are simply marvellous (awesummm).

Seven things that I think make me Awesummm:

Awesome 1) I go out of my way to make people feel included--going as far as acting like a complete goofball so they are more comfortable!

Awesome 2) I can dance like Elaine on Seinfeld. It's a gift, really.

Awesome 3) I am a kickASS Scrabble player.

Awesome 4) I excel at accents of all sorts: English, Scottish, French--the only problem is that they all sound the same. Hmmm...

Awesome 5) I am a fantabulous mom...but this is my favorite thing ever.

Awesome 6) I am a very good friend, loyal and honest.

Awesome 7) I ROCK the pants off of my job. Rock.

Now it is time to tag some other people. I just did a meme earlier this week--but so what? I like to delve into your world and doing so includes finding out how awesome you are!

Stephanie

Andrea

Eric: I tag you Queen of Awesome [yeah, I said QUEEN] to make up for the fact that Girl only chose girls! [but you must use QUEEN in your meme!]

Kelly

Holly

Carly

Reese

Good Luck Girls (and boy!) I look forward to reading your blogs!!!

Bucket List

2009-05-05T08:17:00.005-05:00

I am going to be 29 in less than a month. [gasp!] That leaves one year before I close the chapter on my 20's forever.

In this last month of being 28 years old, I would like to come up with a list of 30 things to do before I am 30 years old--and that's where you come in, Reader. If you can think of anything fun/exciting/new that I can add to my list [In other words, What would be on your Bucket List?], please comment or email me your suggestions so I can pull my list together before June 2.

I have quite a few friends who will be 29 this year as well--one eight days before me [you know who you are!]--so this should definitely be a fun post!

Note: Traveling long distances [i.e. anywhere in a plane] will not make it to my list.

Track Meet Blues

2009-05-04T13:07:00.004-05:00

I say *blues* for the sole fact that Andy and I didn't make it to the event in time to see our track star show his stuff--but we hear from Grandpa that he did awesome and ran at lightening speed. Since he was little bitty, we knew track was going to be his 'thing'. Ethan has been a ball full of energy since the day he was born and it comes as no surprise that he would do SO WELL during his relay today. Andy and I are so sad that we missed it due to timing + work issues...but we will be there front and center at his next meet on May 12th.

Here is our track meet star:

I know that I am only his 'step' parent, but I have known Ethan since he was 3 weeks old. I may not be his bio-mom, but he is the only son I will ever have and I love him to bits! I have always been there for him and his father has never raised him with anyone else!

O.D.D. - Checkpoint #3

2009-05-02T14:08:00.004-05:00

Operation Dumbo Drop is still going quite well...almost been a month since I've started this mess and the results are definitely there...even if they are appearing slowly. I haven't gotten on a scale in a while because I don't want to be disappointed when it shows me -1, so I'm just going to avoid that bad situation for as long as possible ;o)

I will tell you...there is one person in particular out there who inspires me completely with this whole weight loss thing--and he/she has no idea they are doing it. This person is not only beautiful and fit on the outside, but he/she is SUPER nice, great and fun. That person deserves the biggest THANK YOU ever...so if you think I am talking about you, I probably am--and You Rock!!!

On another note--but not entirely unrelated--I would like to spit out my current frustration: What the HELL am I thinking trying to run a 5K [3.2 miles]??? I ran the treadmill today and I can BARELY get to 2.7 in 31 minutes, non stop. This is with no wind or hills...Just a flat run in an air conditioned gym. I had Hubs drive me through the actual course when we were done and there are SO many hills! I will be lucky to finish...and now I'll leave it at that.

Post Blip

2009-05-01T22:20:00.003-05:00

I saw this road sign on the way to work this morning:

'As my apprentice, you are never fired' ~ God

Take that, Donald Trump!

I made my own mental revision to the billboard:

'As my apprentice, you are never fired--but I will smite you, so don't f*ck with me' ~ God

Probably gets the point across better.

Book Club: Angels and Demons

2009-05-01T13:26:00.002-05:00

Book Club read Dan Brown's Angels and Demons for the month of April. I must admit, I am not a fan of this genre of book [historical fiction] and did not particularly like The DaVinci Code. I am also not a fan of movies such as National Treasure, Indiana Jones or, well, The DaVinci Code--so this book was pretty much doomed [for me] from the beginning. In fact, I was not looking forward to reading this book so much that I actually cheated and listened to it on tape to and from work every day…but the version was unabridged, so it took awhile to finish it!

Although I was shocked at the end, the book was pretty much a puzzle throughout. Langdon is a super genius with amazing timing--as he happened to be present when most of the major events occurred. In addition, he was nearly killed more than once…in reality…he would have been dead first try…he isn't a super hero for crying out loud.

I don't want to divulge too many details here…mostly because the movie is coming out in a few weeks and if you haven't read the book, I don't want to spoil it for you.

I will say, however, that the camerlengo is played by Ewan McGregor in the movie…and I can hardly wait! Plus, it is always fun to see a book that you have read acted out on the big screen…at least for me it is. Whether I liked the book or not!!!

In honor of our Angels and Demons theme, Jennifer made divine treats for today's meeting: Angel Food Cake and Deviled Eggs. YUM!!!!

Letters to Rock Stars

2009-04-30T11:48:00.005-05:00

Dear Scott Weiland:

I want to thank you…from the bottom of my heart…for not overdosing on drugs or dying in any other manner so that your fans (me being your No. 1) continue to enjoy your music to this day. You have come close to the OD part, I am sure, as you have been to rehab a few times…and I can't tell you how grateful I am that you didn't succeed in meeting your Maker like Layne Staley [Alice in Chains] and Kurt Cobain. It is quite sad that I will never be able to attend an AIC or Nirvana concert as I did yours last August where I got super drunk [as seen in picture] had the time of my life

With Warmest Regards,
Your No. 1

Dear Gene Simmons:

It is no wonder you wore heavy make up on stage with Kiss as you are one of the ugliest men I have ever seen, not to mention the fact that your really long tongue grosses me out. I had no idea how unattractive you were until you started your reality show…so thank you for gracing my tv screen with your ugly mug. Now, you may think that Rock Stars aren't supposed to be attractive, just look at Ozzy--but he's English and we don’t fault the Brits for anything. They have an automatic 'Awesome' card in their pocket.*

Sincerely,
Grossed Out

Dear Ozzy Osbourne:

Please do not take offense to the bit about being unattractive in the correspondence sent to Gene Simmons. You are a disgusting, bat-biting man, but because you are English, we do not blame you for your faults. Rather, some revere you, Iron Man. Just please get your two ugly children off the streets so they no longer offend the public masses.

Yours Turly,
Shirley

Dear John, Paul, Ringo and George:

The original Rock Stars. I love you and envy anyone who got to see you perform live.

Love,
Beatle-maniac

Dear Dad:

You are not well known to the world, but to mi hermana y yo, you are the King of Rock Stars! Because of you, we have never wanted for anything and always had a supporter in the crowd, be it field hockey, soccer or softball. You stand true to your rock star status by continuing to avidly support your only grand child in everything she does. You are the best father ever--Stephanie and I have been truly blessed by having you as ours.

Love Always and Forever,
Your Firstborn.

*For the record, I. Love. Everything. English. I used to get Gene Simmons and Ozzy mixed up on a regular basis, which is why they are my examples. Ozzy may be the only unattractive British person I can name from the top of my head...but I love him!

Holly's Kitchen - Tater Tot Casserole

2009-04-30T11:47:00.001-05:00

Another post regarding the Lopez Family Eating on a Budget!!! Today's edition is from Holly's Kitchen--Tator Tot Casserole. Sounds divine, right? Tator Tot's incorporated into a family meal? Heavenly...

Ingredients:
Ground Beef ($3.88)
Tater Tots (2/3 bag) ($1.52)
Onion ($0.89)
Cream of Chicken (1 can) ($1.44)
Mozzerella Cheese (1/2 bag) ($0.75)

Total Cost: $8.48

We were able to make six meals out of this which amounts to $1.41/meal. We didn't need a side for this meal, as it was pretty filling. Also, this meal has been the easiest to prepare so far…just layer the ingredients! Thank you, Holly!!!

Couple of side notes:
1. The prices of the ingredients above are based on the amount used. We have used the remaining ingredients in other meals that we have made.

2. Since our last paycheck, we have saved another great amount of money by not eating out…I was able to apply more to my car payment because of it…it is WONDERFUL!!!

Next up: A Pot Roast from Kelly's Kitchen!

8 Things

2009-04-30T11:41:00.001-05:00

Here's how to do this 8 THINGS thing:

Mention the person that tagged you. (Thanks Rich!)
Complete the lists of 8's.
Tag 8 of your wonderful bloggy friends.
Go tell them you tagged them!

8 THINGS I LOOK FORWARD TO

1. I look forward to fitting into my favorite pair of pink pants!!!
2. My first ever 5K run (next Saturday)
3. Our garage sale in two weeks
4. My stepson's track meet (on Monday)
5. Our next kickball games (on Tuesday)
6. Kicking Hubs' arse at racquetball…again
7. The weekend…always
8. Paying off my car (a loooooong way off)

8 THINGS I DID YESTERDAY

1. Got Dressed
2. Went to work for 4 hours
3. Went home sick
4. Slept until 5:15
5. Picked daughter up from school
6. Had Mexican food
7. Watched Ghost Hunters
8. Went to sleep

Sadly, that was my entire day…maybe I should do this meme on a day that doesn't follow sickness…hmmm…no.

8 THINGS I WISH I COULD DO

1. Travel to London
2. Be a stay at home mom (9 years, baby!)
3. Be debt free
4. Cross Country Road Trip
5. Live in Connecticut
6. Eat chocolate, pizza and french fries all day and not worry about weight gain or health issues.
7. Run a full marathon. Inspiration: JMV
8. Win the lottery

8 SHOWS I WATCH (this one was hard for me…to just pick 8!)

1. Ghost Hunters
2. 30 Rock
3. The Office
4. Family Guy
5. Lost
7. Big Bang Theory
8. How I Met Your Mother

8 PEOPLE I HAVE TAGGED:
1. Stephanie
2. Andrea
3. Kelly
4. Holly
5. Carly
7. Sarah
8. Reese

Marathon Cherry

2009-04-26T11:15:00.003-05:00

I popped my marathon cherry this morning when my sister and I did the Half Marathon (13.2 miles) walk for the OKC Memorial Marathon. I finished in 3:49:08 which makes me so happy because I was going for 4.5 hours!!!

You may see walking and think 'oh, that is easy peasy...anyone can do it'. No. You would be wrong about this. It was hard and extremely brutal on my poor feet that have blisters forming in more than one area!!!

I lost my sister at mile 10 where my husband picked her up after his volunteering job...and I trekked on alone...which wasn't so bad until I got to the finish line and walked in...alone...in front of thousands of people. I got over the awkward feeling as soon as I saw my husband, sister and daughter's smiling faces cheering me on!!!

I even got a medal -- Hooray!

So...although this is an experience that I will soon not forget...I don't think I will tackle such a big marathon again...unless I've put in the proper amount of training.

Looking forward to our May 9th 5K! Woot!

O.D.D. - Checkpoint #2

2009-04-25T15:59:00.002-05:00

So...it turns out that Operation Dumbo Drop is really working. Fo' Shizzle! I have been working really effing hard [see side bar]...and have lost a little over 5 pounds at this point...I'm super amazed--it has been about 2 weeks since I started. From experience, hard work [for me] in the gym doesn't pay off and I get really discouraged and quit. This time around, though, Hubs has really been encouraging me with this whole racquetball playing.

Interesting fact: Racquetball will burn 600 - 700 calories/hour depending on intensity. We play hard...so I am probably at the higher end of that spectrum.

Racquetball mixed with the running I am doing in order to train for a 5K that we are participating in on May 9th is proving top notch results...gotta keep up the hard work!!!

Side Note: The endurance I have built up for running is fantastic...however, climbing a flight of stairs will leave me winded for a few minutes...Interesting, Interesting...

As London Tipton says on The Suite Life of Zak and Cody [keep in mind I have an eight year old daughter...and even if I didn't, I can't promise that I wouldn't watch the Disney Channel!]: YAY ME!