BLESSED

We couldn't be more excited!

GIVE US 48.8333 YEARS

Last Saturday was Christopher's grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary. Their kids planned a surprise party for them, following a mass dedicated to them. They knew about the mass, but Grandpa Ray claims he knew all along about the party. Grandma June was clueless, even after their friends had spilled the beans (more than once).

When I took out my camera (iPhone) during church to snap a picture, Christopher whispered, "What are you doing?!" I wasn't facebooking, my dear.

(He loves the picture.)

When the tornado sirens went off mid-service, I certainly did want to check the radar on my phone. I held back. As the priest said after mass, if one's going to be in a tornado, church is probably the best place to be. (Though  I was wearily eyeing those stained glass windows and the heavy support beam above my head... I've already admitted pretty churches distract me, and during a tornado! I was planning my pretty escape!)

At the end of the service, the priest asked the family if anyone wanted to say something. A few people went, then Christopher stood up. He spoke of how we look up to their marriage. He talked about a commercial on the radio. It asks you to think about how many people a marriage makes a positive impact on. I don't know it word-for-word, but it goes as far as asking if a marriage touches as many people that would fit into a sports stadium. Christopher said not only does his grandparents' marriage affect their families and friends in Illinois, but everyone that those people come in contact with. Their marriage is making a positive impact on our marriage, so even in Michigan, our friends, coworkers, neighbors, etc. are also touched by their love.

Our 50th is only 48.8333 years away!

my current go-to hairstyle found here

It is ridiculous how excited I was to find Rooster Booster! 

I drank so much of this in college on road trips, but I haven't seen it in years. 

Delicious!

WAS IT THE HAIR?

It had to have been the hair.

IN-BETWEEN ON THE 4TH

It seems to me, that holidays are just not the same when you're in-between.

You see, C and I are no longer at the candy-snatching-parade-going age. (To be clear, we're no longer at the acceptable age to be snatching candy at parades.)

We don't have children, so we don't spend the day running from parades to food fest to fireworks to bed.

We're just two in-betweeners, content to run errands in the morning, finish projects in the afternoon, grill dinner with friends, and catch tiny glimpses of fireworks from our porch between trees.

At any rate (and at any age), we had a nice holiday.

red, white, and blue

Uncle Sam

But wait, did you see what I see?

Somehow or another, I up and married Captain America!

USA! USA!

Christopher said it was a swing for one.

But the fireworks and lightning lit the sky,

and we tried to be romantical and sit all close-like.

He was right; it was a swing for one.

FOURTH ON THE THIRD

Yesterday was the Fourth Annual 4th of July Golf Outing (on the 3rd). Somewhere along the way it has grown from seven guys to nearly forty people. It originated with Christopher, his brother, and some of their buddies. Now they give away prizes and don't know everyone that participates by name.

It turns out, I am not a golfer. There's something about swinging clubs in the hot sun that just doesn't appeal to me. Just standing there sweating sounds torturous in my mind. If I'm going to be in the sun, I will be at the beach.

Christopher asked me to unpack the groceries. There was a treat waiting for me at the bottom of the bag!

Somebody knows that berries are the way to my heart.

Lulapie and I read on the porch.

This girl! She melts my heart.

Uncle Sam and I shared some raspberry wine.

MAGICAL, MYTHICAL, LAND OF ILLI

There are mythical animals in Illinois. Take for example the coydog:

I couldn't get a clear picture of him (her?) because he (she?) is fast and shy. C's parents claim it is a coyote-dog mix. I claim coyotes eat dogs during snacktime. So. 

We hoped to see a giraphant, but I guess we were in the wrong part of Illinois for a sighting?

This is not a mythical beast:

That is Telula in her grandparents' backyard. She looks happy here, but the 100+ temps had her panting all weekend.

Illinois, 10:00AM:

C says he misses Illinois storms. I say white-outs stink in the winter in the U.P. I'm glad we don't have rain-outs in the summer, too! When we couldn't see the road, we cancelled our shopping trip to the next town.

Nicole (Christopher's cousin) and Cindy (his stepmom) made over forty pounds of Grandma June's (super secret recipe) barbecue for the anniversary party: 

Most would say her barbecue is magical. Grandma June said they did a good job imitating her recipe. Christopher said it was good, but wasn't quite the same. They forgot to bottle up June's love to pour in.

Christopher supervised the barbecue making. He quizzed himself on American history, in between checking measurements and taste-testing heaping spoonfuls.

The one in the middle is my husband. Christopher, like wine, has improved with age.

I admit it! I was fake-napping! Christopher was not. Neither was chickenhead and Telula!

This was my favorite picture from the trip:

Telula's been brought up to believe she is a lapdog. Don't you dare tell her otherwise!

TRIPPIN'

Last Thursday, we made the trek down to Illinois. Christopher's dad's side lives there, in the hometown of Ronald Reagan. We missed the Reagan Run by a week and Mumford and Sons on the River by a month, but we did have much to celebrate:

It was our first time in Illinois in over a year.

Christopher's dad and stepmom celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary on Thursday.

Christopher's dad retired on Friday.

I got a pedicure and painted my toes orange on Friday! 

(Yes, this deserves celebration. I will celebrate anytime a massage is involved!)

Christopher's grandparents celebrated 50 years of marriage on Saturday.

The family surprised his grandparents with a party on Sunday!

Lopacs trippin'

No, that is not Canada.

And no, I don't know why my picture is sideways! Instagram has never done that to me!

Be still my heart! Endless options of pasties! 

The trip was worth it, just to stop in this little pasty shop!

Open your eyes, girl!

Third caffeinated drink on the trip, and go!

FURNITURE FACELIFT (PT 1)

Over the last few years, wait, over the last ten years... ten years? How did that happen? It'll be ten years this August from when I started my freshman year of college. Ten years?...

Anyway!

Over the last decade, I collected inherited was gifted things to furnish my college dorm, college apartments, and post-college apartments. Christopher was the same. When we got hitched last April and combined our assets, then bought a house a few months later, we had enough stuff to overfill our house with old furniture.

And then we were given more used furniture.

I mean, what else would you give newlyweds that just bought a house? (gift cards to Target are nice)

We're using a lot of it. I love the pieces that have sentimental value. We have bedside tables that my dad made for my mom when I was little. We have a rocking chairs that belonged to our parents and grandparents. Our table belonged to Christopher's mom.

But some of the items were given to us via neighbors of our families, or just plain picked up along the curb. While sentimental pieces seem perfect, just the way they are, these other items needed a bit of sprucing up.

We have Christopher has moved them into our apartment, our new house's basement, out to the shed, then into our garage. Finally, (finally!) I started updating them so they can be added to our decor.

Well, sanding is not my favorite. How would you feel?

These are the first three pieces. The front and back pieces were given to us by neighbors of C's mom. The middle piece was picked up off the curb in college.

After one coat --- Christopher and I both forgot about primer. Shoot.

C and T decided to pack their things and run away.

And they weren't even painting! The nerve!

two coats

After three coats, I decided we'll need four.

Next time, I shall use primer!

I stopped painting in time for dinner. Christopher and Telula came home when I announced egg sandwiches were on the menu. 

I'll finish the painting this week, but maybe not tomorrow. Ouch!

IT WAS A VALIANT EFFORT

On Saturday, C and I caught Telula trying to catch a dragonfly. I was laughing too hard to start my video in time to catch her full-body jumps in the air. Here's a viddy clip that sums up the cuteness (and how C and I entertain ourselves sometimes frequently).

Love that pup.

DIRECTORY, THE FIRST

Let it be known that today, Tuesday, June 12, 2012, will go down in history as the Lopacs' first church directory photo op. Oh, I've been in plenty of directories through the years with my family! Maybe two? (They don't update very frequently.)

But this is my first as a married lady!

You see the importance of this, yes?

The day started off quite normal.

mini-wheats (not frosted) + bananas + blackberries

(+ Khloe and Lamar... not my favorite Kardashian, but she'll do)

Daily To Do lists keep me organized.

Then I straightened my hair and picked out possible outfits. They were both on the list.

Look, no glasses! (First time since February! But that's a story for another day.)

Should I wear this?

Or this?

I went with the pink. The top left picture will be in the directory!

The bottom left picture was cute, but Christopher said we had enough recent professional pictures.

(plus we like less-posed pictures with real scenes in the background)

The bottom right picture will be blown up and given to everyone on our Christmas list.

Merry Christmas!

(but I really want one!)

(my mister is very handsome!)

GOODBYE, CRANBERRY

After months of pleading and convincing from Christopher, I have upgraded my vehicle. I've always hated change, so trading in my little cranberry Saturn was difficult for me. I shouldn't get so attached to things. I know, but! The memories!

Dear Cranberry Saturn,

It's been a long, beautiful ride. We've been through so much together. You were my top pick when my little white Ford Escort got too expensive to keep up back in 2003. You didn't have power locks, windows, or STEERING (seriously, I still can't believe you didn't have power steering!), but you made up for it with your smooth ride and high miles per gallon.

You transported me all over Wisconsin, the U.P., and even downstate. You were the first car I drove over the Mackinac Bridge (eek!). Each trip we made over it was easier and more carefree.

You put up with my mix CDs and audiobooks. Wait, put up? I mean, you were rewarded with my excellent music and intellectual (or not) books.

Remember when I left you with my parents while I had an interview in Arizona? I knew they'd keep you safe until I returned. You were so good, they forgot you were there. You didn't make a peep when my stepmother backed her Jeep right on top of your hood. That was your only accident and I wasn't even there for it! Good thing they had you fixed up before I got back! 

You listened to my tears of heartache. You heard my squeals of glee and saw my double fist pumps.

You were with me through (most of) college. What fun times! I drove you home to Green Bay occasionally on weekends, and through Marquette during the week.

You were with me on my very first date with Christopher!

I drove you safely to visit Christopher for nearly a year when we dated long distance. Gladstone to Eau Claire was an exciting trip, full of anticipation. Eau Claire to Gladstone was a long, quiet trip, full of wonder of when I'd see my love again.

You got me to my interview at my current (and past) school. You kept me safe for nearly four years while I drove over 50 miles a day on back roads, easily dodging black ice and deer.

Holli and I road tripped with you. Maybe one of the most memorable trips was to Country USA. You helped shade us in the 100+ degree weather. You saw our ridiculous homemade videos. You heard us practice (yes, practice) our parts in RENT musicals. Over and over. You listened to us ask my little green Bible and radio stations for advice on the night and the future.

Two years ago, my students wrote a song about me visiting Nonie. You were in the song! One of the girls said she could change the lyrics to my new car, but I told her to keep them as is. You will be forever remembered in the line, 

Over the highway and through the woods to Nonie's house she goes

Mrs. Lopac's cranberry Saturn knows the way in the white and drifting snow.

You got me to my wedding rehearsal! And wedding appointments! And my WEDDING! On time even!

You may have logged in 166,000+ miles already, but you have plenty of life left in you, old girl. Good luck with your new owner. Hopefully she'll have as good of taste in music as me.

xoxo,

Me

My new ride, ready for years of memory making.

MARCH IS READING MONTH

This view every morning? Yes please!

Mr. Lopac visited school. He is still getting cards telling him he is the best teacher from my students. Hmm... I keep suggesting he go back to school for teaching!

Not the best hula-hooper, but he's trying!

Great readers read EVERYWHERE!

my clay mandala from All Day Art Day

green day - St. Patrick's Day

One of my dad's most overused sayings is, "Well, it's not the Taj Mahal, but we like it."