Ghost Busters!

Hi Everyone & Happy Halloween!!!

I don't have any pictures to share (sorry), but have had a fun Halloween day.

My mom and I went to a spinning class this morning at my favorite gym ,Aspen Athlethic Club, and the whole workout was centered around Halloween themed songs, a blast. Some examples were: Ghost Busters, Thriller, Superstitious, etc. It was a riot. Especially when the teacher came dressed as an 80's gym rat. :)

And, as for the evening? Dave and I are passing out candy at our humble little abode, with pumpkins &  gourds lining the doorstep.

On the halloween menu at the Lupo household for Trick-or-Treaters includes: Nerds, Bottle Caps, Kit-Kats, Laffy Taffy, and Sweet tarts.

Happy Halloween, Everyone!

Living Large.

Let me define living large for you: I moved back home. Enough said, I think.

Mom cooks dinner, Dad makes coffee every morning, Mom does my laundry even when I tell her repeatedly I prefer to do my own, Mom Vaccuums, Dad is always excited to see me, I think you get the point.

So anyways, I moved back home in August when my lease at my apartment was up. One last go around with the rents' before the big W (wedding, for those of you who are not informed). Oh, it has been a joy. And, sometimes quite the contrary, but I think we're having fun, or at least I am. I won't speak for the rest.

Other General Updates:

• I picked up a PRN Hospice Nursing Job, and really enjoy it. I know, you all think I'm crazy, but as the chaplain said today, "There is more joy in developing a relationship with someone than there is sorrow when someone passes away. That's why people keep coming back to it." Well put, sir. I agree.
• The Wedding Invitations are sent. I love them. They are adorable. I also love rushing to the mailbox everyday to see who sent their RSVP.
• Also, we taste tested the food yesterday at Embassy Suites, and if you are in any way doubting whether you want chicken or salmon, the salmon was delicious!
• I made a t-shirt quilt this past weekend with my great aunts, second cousins, and my momma bear. It was such a joy to be able to talk with my great aunts, listen to their stories, and finish that t-shirt quilt. After all, the squares for the t-shirt quilt had been cut and lying in a bag for almost a year now...
• Also, special shout out to my mother bear for helping me with the T-Shirt Quilt, definitely could not have done that by myself.
• I am leaving tomorrow to go to Colorado with my mom and all of her friends from KC. I plan on finding out if they were the "cool" mom group from school.
• I am teaching two days a week for Creighton's Undergraduate Nursing Students. It is a real joy to be apart of their learning. At the same time, it can be quite chaotic, and overwhelming. But, I'm enjoying it so far.
• Dave and I took engagment pictures, one set was done by his sister-in-law Samantha, you can check her out at lupophotography.blogspot.com/. And, the other set was done by our photogapher for our wedding,Lane, and you can find him at http://laneweddings.com/. Both were fabulous.
• Oh, also, a few weekends ago my Dad, Dave, and me painted his entire kitchen, living room, and dining room. I also made curtains for each room with the sewing machine, respectively. I think I have more of my grandma in me than I thought.
• Lastly, make sure you notice my shoes at the wedding, they are my Grandmother's wedding shoes who passed away last January. She would be thrilled to know she gets to be part of the wedding!

I think that should have been more than enough for you to read about tonight, so with that, I shall say, goodnight.

Update from the Mountains

Hi Friends, Family, and Faithful Readers!

I'm sitting with my feet up on the coffee table, cold drink in my hand, and a mountain view out the window as my future hubby insists that I work on my blog and photos while he prepares us a delicious dinner--chicken parmesan with pasta!

Well, yesterday, we took a hike to Boulder Lake. Here is one of my favorite pictures I took of the hike.

And, some more pretty pictures of the hike...

A few of Dave and me...

And, what else can I tell you? We went out to a delicious Mexican Dinner last night at an authentic Mexican Restaurant called, Hacienda Real. Then, snuggled in for movie night.

Today, we hiked Lily Pad Lake, which was fun. It's right down the street from the house so no driving to trailheads. Here's a picture at the top of the lake..check out all of those Lily Pads!

And, let's see after the hike we tried to go Kayaking, but all of the kayaks were booked, so we settled for the swimming pool. Well, I think it's time for dinner.

Hope everyone has a good night!

Bright, Sun-Shiney, Day!

Greetings from Colorado!

Dave and I got into my parent's house late last night, and pretty much crashed.

It is the first time we've been able to come out, and actually see the house! It is soooo beautiful, I L-O-V-E it! Many vacations will be spent here, I can already tell!

We started off the day with hottubbing and coffee (water for Dave).  Next up was a quick trip to the grocery store to stock up for the week. Then we made our way to Lake Dillon, rented some bikes, and rode around the lake. It was a beautiful day, mid 70's, slight breeze!

After the bikeride, we came home, and took a quick stroll around the outlets. Dave found a few shirts for work, a few shirts for play, and a few nice, casual shirts. I actually didn't spend a dime...yet! There is a Coach bag I am eyeing :)

We came home, and used our new cookbook, entitled, "America's Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook." We chose a baked cod recipe, which you can see in the pictures below, it was delicious! I was going to make it, but chickened out when it came to getting my hands dirty with the raw fish, so I chose to make the "breading," part of it. We added some steamed brussel sprouts, and fresh grapes. Delectable!

The pictures below are of the new vacation house, the bike ride, and the cooking festivities! Now, we're relaxing watching a movie, and maybe a walk later.

Hope everyone at home is enjoying a beautiful night.

School, School, School!

Hi Friends!

Well, I decided to take a few pictures today after class to show you a few books I've been reading, a few binders I've been filling, and a few notecards I've been making. Oh, and there's my calendar, I love crossing each day off!

A few more weeks of studying, then a little, much needed, break comes my way!

A Little Inspiration...

With 2.5 weeks left of school, and a few deadlines and pressures to meet, I have resided to watching this inspirational clip from Rocky:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uASVzkrEKgs&feature=related

Also, Al Pacino's inspirational speech from Any Given Sunday, is amazing. Some language. But, really good!

For my Uncle Jerry

We got news last Sunday that my Uncle Jerry had collapsed while making dinner and they had taken him to the hospital. I thought he would be ok. I got a phone call just a few minutes after I had got the first phone call, and my dad told me that my Uncle Jerry did not make it. My heart breaks for his family, for my mom, for her brothers and sisters, and everyone who knew him.

My Uncle Jerry was a good man. He was kind, gentle, and soft-spoken. He was quick to lend a hand, and he had a heart filled with love. We will think about you often, Uncle Jerry, and until we meet again, we will carry you in our hearts forever.

Tonight, I'm grateful for love that breaks our hearts, lifts us up, and carries us through the good times, the hard times, and everything inbetween. Miss you already, Uncle Jerry.