Weigh-In: Week Uno

Monday is our weekly weigh in day for the P|M Challenge. I weighed in exactly four pounds lighter (to the decimal) than a week ago! I am well on my way--not only to my goal, but to winning the challenge!

Yay me!

Book Review: Wilt in Nowhere

In my most recent literary endeavor, I have encountered one of the most eccentric, quirky and witty characters yet: Henry Wilt (aka "Wilt"). I met him in Wilt in Nowhere, a British comedy by Tom Sharpe. I got halfway through the book before I realized this book had at least one book before it, as it referenced something that Wilt had done that I had not read. After a bit of research, I found that there are, indeed, three books that were published before this one, the first being written four years before I was born! So, I went about trying to order the books--and they are out of print--so it was hard for me to find a website that I could purchase them, but I found one and they are expected to arrive at my door no later than January 28th! So. Excited.
Anyway…this book didn't have one particular plot--but rather a couple that merged together towards the end. The book had me in stitches and the terms these Brits use are hilarious. I learned a term that I cannot WAIT to use…just biding my time for the right moment!! Reading this book can be compared to watching a British sitcom….and I hear that this is the least funny of ALL of the Wilt series--so I will be back with an update in the near future. Count on it!!!

P|M Challenge - 2009

I have initiated a weight loss challenge with the staff at my work in honor of the new year (and my public New Year's Resolution!). It is $5/week for five weeks and ten ladies have signed up for a grand total of $250 for the winner, who will be based on the most % of body weight lost! We start today and end on February 13th, just in time for Valentines Day!!! I am so excited about this--it will motivate me to eat better and to get my bum off the couch every once and awhile. Plus, I am so competitive that I am totally going to win this thing and...well, bet it on Black! ;o)

Book Review: The Known World

I recently finished a heart wrenching book about slavery called The Known World by Edward P. Jones. This book is unique in the fact that much of it deals with African Americans owning slaves, or 'property'--a concept that I found sick and twisted. It was quite uncommon for African Americans to own 'property' way back then, so we don't read much about it in history books--but it did happen. This book was intriguing to me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. While I was reading it, there were facts disbursed throughout the pages and it made me wonder if the author had done research, found certain names and properties, and developed a story around it; however, in the Q/A section at the back of the book, Jones answered all of my questions. All of the facts - even the county of Manchester, Virginia - was fictional and he threw them in there so that the story would be more real to the reader--so the reader would think the characters once lived and breathed because there were so many people out there who lived parallel lives. I highly recommend this book to anyone and it is no wonder that this book is a winner of the Pulitzer Prize. Here is the cover so you can identify it on the shelves at the book store!

Student of the Month!!

Jadyn received the Student of the Month award for the month of December!!! Andy and I were not able to attend the ceremony due to her very apathetic 2nd grade teacher and we were a little sad about that. We attended both her Kindergarten and First Grade ceremonies and were sad that we didn't get a picture of this years...so this picture comes to you straight from the Lopez Kitchen (dirty dishes in the background and all!) We are so proud of our daughter!!!

Bet it all on BLACK!!!

While everyone and their dog was watching the Oklahoma/Florida game, Stephanie and I took a trip to Firelake Grand Casino (yes, again). I brought $60 with me because I usually bring $40 and have to withdraw more, so I decided to avoid the $4 finance charge. Didn't work, I lost that $60 almost immediately, so I made a withdrawl, lost that and made another. I got down to about $2.32 and I was so pissed off and about swore off the casino for good…and then the slot machine turned and it got to about $50. So I told my sister (who had lost all of the $20 SHE brought) that when it gets down to $40, I would cash out and we would bet it all on black. Five minutes later, I was cashing out…

...and then we headed over to the Roulette table. There were these intoxicated northerners (drunk Canadians) at the table, throwing $100 chips all around the table faster than Stephanie and I would place our $1 chips down. So, one of the guys pulls out $500 and says 'I'm going to put this all on red - for boomer sooner - and if I win, I will give these two girls $50/each!"…and guess what! He won! and he gave us $50 each! They didn't leave right away, so we felt obligated to play some of our $1 chips…and we started losing…and then they walked away, but I was down to about $65 dollars…and so I said "F-it…I was down ten minutes ago, I will leave with nothing"…and I put it all on black!! And I won!!!! So...needless to say...my love for casinos has not yet subsided...

P.S. for those of you who may think that going to the casinos 3 times in 9 days might be a problem...I have to tell you that the only problem I am having is finding someone to go WITH me!!! I hear the casino in Tulsa has an ice bar...ooooh...!!!

Happy New Year!!!

I have to admit, 2008 was one of the best years that Andy and I have had in a long, long time. I was actually a little sad to see it go--but I know that 2009 is going to be SO much better! We are hoping for the best year yet!!!
We brought in the new year at Firelake Grand Casino in Shawnee, Oklahoma with Andrea and Kevin! It was a lot of fun. It started out at the buffet with so many choices and ended with hours upon hours of gaming time. I am 100% addicted to slot machines. No Joke. I also had my fair share of Vegas Bombs--and ended up staying up until at least 6:19 a.m. (which was the last time that I looked at the clock!) The rest of the gang was out by 3:45 a.m. Andy and I stayed over at Andrea and Kevin's house and Jadyn was there, too, having spent the new year with her favorite cousin, Riley and her Grandma Anna. Poor Jadyn was so sick, when we got home she had a 104.8 temperature in one ear and a 102.9 temperature in the other...what a way to start the new year for an eight year old!!!
As for new year resolutions, I usually don't make any--but this year I have made the oh-so-original resolution of weight loss...it's getting a little out of hand. Okay, a LOT out of hand. My other resolutions are top secret--but they do exist and maybe one or two will be accomplished!
So...much love and a Happy 2009 from The Lopez Family!! xoxo

Here is a picture of one of my MANY slot machine wins...this was a $30.00 win on a penny machine! Yes, that's over 3,000 pennies up there! heh heh

Lights Out!!!

When Andy decides to take an active role in this whole blogging thing, I am ALL about it...so when he lined up all of the lights that were all over our house, took pictures and announced "for the blog"...it was only a matter of time before they showed up here. In this case, less than 24 hours later!!! Andy invested close to 3 hours of time yesterday taking the lights off the house and organizing them for easy access next year. Over 4,000 lights used and it still didn't place in our neighborhood's 'Best Lights' contest (BOO!). Our house was really festive, though, and the kids loved it--especially when the neighborhood sleigh ride came by and Jadyn's friends told her how awesome our house was!!!
Here is the picture that Andy took--our lights, lined up as if going to battle!!

Book Review: Knit Two

So, due to our 2-month book club hiatus to spend on the busy holiday season, the time I usually invest on daily reading has decreased dramatically--but I have finally made my way from cover to cover in a book!
On July 30th, I posted a (very glowing, I'm sure) book review for The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs. One of the gifts I received from my Secret Pal this year was the sequel to this book called Knit Two . I was very excited--because I was unaware that she had written a sequel--but I didn't know how much I would like it since [SPOILER ALERT!] the main character died in the first book! Knit Two turned out to be good--the relationships with the women that the main character, who died, in the first book helped to develop--were still strong and each was dealing with her own issues. There were A LOT of story lines that went on throughout the book and a reader has to keep the mind sharp to keep up with them all--too many characters for my taste. The book was good, though, and I would read a third if it came out, but that may be due to principle--I have to finish a series once I begin it!

Roll the Dough - *HO HO HO*

Christmas Cookies, Christmas Cookies - Everywhere I look, Christmas Cookies!!! Every year I get a little something for my bosses and co-workers for Christmas and this year it comes from the heart--and hours upon hours of work! My mother in law came over on Sunday afternoon to teach me (and help me!) bake Christmas cookies from scratch. We spent six hours together in my kitchen mixing, cutting, baking and decorating (the icing is made from scratch, too!) and we still weren't done with all of the cookies! Last night, she came over to help complete the task and eight (total) hours and 77 cookies later, we were finished!!! Below is a picture of a few of the final product (stop drooling!)...and those are just what is in the kitchen--the dining room table is covered as well!!

Eight of My Favorite Things

One of my friends posted a blog about a few of her favorite things (like Oprah's List!) and I'm totally stealing this idea with a list of a few of MY favorite things!!!
My first favorite thing is Twisted Peppermint hand soap by Bath and Body Works. I love the way my hands feel and smell after I use this Christmas time specialty--plus it comes in a cute little bottle with peppermint stripes!!

My second favorite thing is a gift from my Secret Pal this year: Rosebud Salve. I've gone 28 years and had no idea what I was missing out on (since this company has apparently been around since 1908). I find myself applying this stuff every hour and my lips have never been softer! One place to find this stuff is at Sephora. I love you, Rosebud Salve!!

My third favorite thing, which really should have been first, but I'm already partway through my list and don't want to delete anything, is the Apple IPhone. I love it, I love it, I love it!!! I never wanted one and did not see the fascination in them until we went out with Andrea, who got one for Mother's Day. She showed us so many cool things that the phone did, plus she let me play with it, and I fell in love. Our courtship is still going strong.

My fourth favorite thing is perfume by Ann Taylor called 'Possibilities'. The scent is fragrant, but light! I wear it every day, and I go through three bottles a year. This is mommy's special perfume!

My fifth favorite thing is the Victoria's Secret Pink line. I love the bright, girly colors and the comfort of lounge clothes! They are tres chic and I would wear them every day if I could. Well, I pretty much do!


My sixth favorite thing is Seven Jeans for All Man Kind. It is always very hard for me to find a pair of jeans that fits well and usually depressing for me to go jean-shopping. Thanks to Andrea (once again) for telling me that a great place to find good jeans is Gils in Nichols Hills, I was able to find my new favorite pair of jeans ever (and most expensive pair, but I plan on wearing them to scraps!) I love you Seven!

My seventh favorite things is a new tv show: Kath & Kim (this does not replace my love for Ghost Hunters!). At first, this show seemed uber-lame to me, but my DVR kept recording it, so one day when I was bored, I watched it and it is now my new favorite show on Must See TV! I used to HATE Selma Blair, but I love her now…I love this show. It makes me happy!!! Also, this is the only show on television where I do NOT fast forward through the opening credits--they are so fun!!

My eighth (and last for this particular list) favorite thing(s) is Hostess Cupcakes. I can literally eat a box in one sitting - which I contribute to my rotund waistline!!! Who doesn't like the bite of something sweet with frosting in the middle? A crazy person, that's who! Hostess Cupcakes - I love every bite of you!!!

Fa La La La La...

The exterior of our casa is ready for Santa's visit!!! Andy spent hours and hours perfecting his lighting scheme--and the final product can be viewed below! The first night that Andy went out there, Kevin came over to assist and it was FREEZING cold, the only light guiding them was the moon and stars. (On a side note, this was a really great night because Riley took some wonderful first steps, going back and forth across our front room!) Andy spent two more nights and practically all day Sunday finishing the lights--and boy did he do a FANTABULOUS job.

Christmas in my Office

So, as you can see, I have decorated my office for Christmas:

This morning I got to work and instead of my requested 60" Plasma TV, I had a little treat in my stocking, surely delivered by one of Santa's Elves:

Here is what was inside, I guess I've been a Bad Girl:


Ha! This was great! It took a couple of tries to find the culprit--but I found the little elf! Her name is Amanda and she TOTALLY made my Wednesday rock!! (play on words...coal, rock, get it??)

Oh Christmas Tree...!

Over the weekend, Ethan and Jadyn woke up early to put the tree up. This is the first year in which I did not take control of the project - I let them both do it all by themselves! (This was a very hard gesture for me!) As you can see, Ethan is in his pajamas, but Jadyn passed out the night before (which was the OU/OSU game) in her clothes...so that is why she is all dressed--hair undone!
Hard at Work:

Final Product:

Now Santa needs to come and fill the empty space beneath the tree!!

Turkey Day!!!

Thanksgiving for the Lopez/Correa Family was great this year. We have so many things to be thankful for that we take for granted--having a holiday where family can get together to celebrate is wonderful. This year, everyone gathered at my parents house, bringing their own homemade specialty, and we gobbled until the sun went down! After dinner, friends came over and it was time to play games: Catchphrase and Buzz--what a fantastic time, and a very full house! Below are a few pictures from the day. Nothing too exciting!
Jadyn and Ethan:

Table One (the 'grown up' table):

Table Two (the 'kid' table):