The Freshest Start There Is

Hello, Readers!
I apologize dearly for my longer than intended hiatus from blogging.  But please know that I've been jotting and storing ideas for my blog all along, and will do my best to post at least once a week while back in school!  Today's post is dedicated to all the little babies that have joined us in 2010!

Meet Javier:

Javier was born to proud parents, Sarah and Gabriel on November 24th.  (Sarah is an Occupational Therapist at GWU Hospital -- one of my favorite former co-workers!) From what I gather thus far, Javi's hobbies are sleeping with a smile on his face and showing off his dimple.  This one's gonna be a soccer-playing heartbreaker, ladies.  Keep your girls inside the house when Javi's in town!


Sarah + Gabriel = Javier.  The Laryeas :)


Next, Meet Claire:

Claire was born on December 15th, to parents Katy and Mike.  (Katy is a friend of mine from my first graduate school go-around at GWU.) I selected this photo of Claire because I admire her relaxed sleeping style, with both hands behind the head.  

To reference Katy's baby announcements, what a good and perfect gift :) 

Katy + Mike (below)

Finally, Meet Max:

 
Little Max was born on December 8 to proud and lovely parents, Amanda and Bobby.  (You know them.  They're my buds from Kalamazoo.)  In addition to fulfilling his role as a super-cute baby and son.... Max is also a little brother!!

Sitting watchfully next to Max is Brady, Amanda and Bobby's first son who is awesome at hockey, reading books, and is a natural at big brotherhood. You're a lucky dude, Max.  Way to go!

Check out Amanda and Bobby below! :) 

Congratulations to all happy families... what a nice way to ring on the New Year! 

And Happy 2011 to all of you!

-NL 

It's the Most Wonderful Time... of the Semester....

I'm being sarcastic.  Things are piling up all around me!  Books to read, papers to write, novel excerpts due to professor, editing assignments due to other writers.... things are pretty hairy here at The Nan Stop.  So, I gave Gordon and Tinger the week off.  Gordon is visiting his grandparents in Rhode Island, and stopping by a farm to see if he can get some eggs to freshen up his face.  Tinger is at an unknown location, because we are under a security alert at this time.  Why you ask?  Because apparently, in the wake of Tinger's fame, several restaurants have been offering foods where the main ingredient is...TINGA.  Ahh!!  Look at this investigative photo sent to me from one of my best readers, Cindy.

Do you see this?!  Spicy Tinga Quesadilla!! What kind of sick person eats a Tinger?  I don't know.  But quite frankly, Gordon, Tinger and I don't want to find out.  So until this whole situation clears up, Tinger's gonna be out of the picture for a bit.  Yes, she's aware she owes a Dedicated Post to Alyx Voytilla for her Contest-winning photo, and Tinger promises to deliver!!  

Oh, if you're wondering why the Tinga Quesadilla photo is a little hazy, it's because Faithful Reader Cindy has been doing all of her investigation under-cover.  Of course, we wouldn't want her to get all mixed up in this!  Next thing you know, Wendy's will come out with the Asian Chicken and Cindy Salad. Noo!!  So here are some of the disguises Cindy wears when she heads out to dig up the dirt on this new Tinga craze. (Don't worry.  I'm not blowing her cover.  She would NEVER repeat a disguise. That's a rookie investigator mistake if she's ever heard one!)

Here she is hiding in someone's garden.  Apparently they were throwing their child a birthday party and possibly serving some kind of Tinga Pizza. 

Here's another at a Pro Basketball Game.  Cindy is quite athletic, so she tried out for the team just so she could follow a tip regarding Chicken Tingas and Fried Tinga Wings they serve at the post-game team parties.  

And finally, here she is in Paris.  Yes.  CIndy went all the way to Paris.  And grew a mustache.  And bought a monocle. That she wears on top of her glasses. Evidently, if there is a new food craze, the Parisians want in on it.  Cindy's got the low-down.... and due to her efforts, we are closer and closer to ensuring Tinger's safety!! Tinger is so grateful to her!  What a loyal and loving best friend! :)

I'll leave you now, knowing that I probably won't get a chance to write again for a week or so.  But please email me or send along comments to let me know how you're doing!  And thank you to everyone who sent concerned "What's going on with the Nan Stop?" emails and posts.  We like to know you care.  :)  xoxo

-NL

OH DAMN! YOU SO SPOOGLY!!

Dear Readers,

It.... is....now TIME..... 

to reveal....

the First Ever WINNER....

of Tinger's Halloween Spoogly Face Contest!!!
WHOO!!

This contestant squeaked through a vicious three-way tie with a single vote (that was ironically cast by another contestant in the three-way tie!!)  Before I announce the winner, I would like to thank the 6 contestants who so bravely let me plaster their contorted faces on my blog!!  The two Sarahs, Alyx, Aaron, Cyrus, and Kevin... you are the best!!  

And also... a special shout out to everyone who voted!!  

Here are some random photos of the voters....to help build up  some suspense for our announcement....

Here I am with my sister, Eunia.  She voted for Aaron...

Below, a photo of voter Sara W.... 

who selected Sarah A's photo for spoogliest!

And here is my brother-in-law, Han.... 

..... who voted for our WINNER..... drumroll please.....

AND THE WINNER OF TINGER'S 2010 HALLOWEEN CONTEST IS.....

Contestant # 2....

ALYX!!!  

ALYX!!!

ALYX!!

Congratulations, Alyx!!  The voting democracy chose you!!  Within the next week, The Nan Stop will give you your very own dedicated post, along with an autographed photo of Tinger, which you will receive via postal mail!  Thanks again to everyone.... and with this image of Alyx in your minds.... I bid you all an evening full of frightening dreams and a Happy Halloween!!

-NL

Announcement Day Becomes Announcement Night!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Tinger's Halloween Contest is in a Deadlocked Tie! (It's been very exciting getting your votes... three different people have been ahead and then behind, ahead and then behind....)  So voting will be extended to 10pm tonight to find an enduring winner!  Please remember to send your votes to my GMAIL address, Eunia.  I mean, everyone.  :)  And then, I shall do our final tally and announce the winner approximately 10 minutes before my bedtime tonight!  Feel free to remind others to vote... as Tinger and I have pestered quite a few people in the making of this contest.

In the meantime, for those of you who have already voted, here is something to help pass the time! Click on the link provided to enjoy this Halloween episode of my favorite show... THE OFFICE! 
Below you'll see Andy as everyone's favorite blood-thirsty heartthrob, Bill Compton. 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!  

-NL

VOTERS Beware! It's About to Get Real Spoogly!

Good morning, and welcome to the Official Spoogly Photo Posting!! Here, I will be posting the 6 entries for Tinger's Halloween Contest!  (I'd just like to say, I've really enjoyed getting these sporadically in my email while walking to class or ordering a sandwich at Amer's.  They were like scary little "hellos" from some of my favorite people!)

I shall now post a "Before" and "After" photo of each contestant... This is because, you are not only voting on their overall spoogliness, but also, the degree of their transformation.

VOTING: After you take some time to review each set of photos, please cast your votes by sending them to me via email by NOON on Sunday, October 31st. (Please do not post votes directly to this blog, as we don't want your opinion to influence others!)  I'll be happy to post any of your emailed comments when I announce the winner on Halloween!  And remember folks, spoogly = SPOOKY + UGLY.
Remember contestants if you vote... you cannot vote for yourself!  This will help reveal a TRUE and unbiased winner!


Contestant #1: Sarah M
Here is Sarah "before"... looking lovely at her brother's wedding:

And now, Sarah "After:"

Contestant #2: Alyx 

Alyx before, here with her husband:

And Alyx "After:"

Contestant #3: Aaron

Aaron before, as a groomsmen in his best friend's wedding:

And Aaron "After:"

Contestant #4: Sarah A

Here is Sarah before, peacefully enjoying a beautiful evening:

And Sarah "After:"

Contestant #5: Cyrus

Here is a before photo of Cyrus's long lustrous hair:

And Cyrus "After:"

(He claims this is a spoogly haircut.  

Cyrus has always had a bit of a postmodern interpretation of life, so I will accept this entry.)

And last, but certainly not least, 

Contestant #6: Kevin

Kevin before, being outdoorsy:

And Kevin "After:"

(No, Kevin didn't spring up two heads for this photo.  

That's Sarah again... but please direct your attention only to Kevin... 

as Sarah is looking a little too cute + happy in this photo.)

All right voters.... on your mark, get set... REVIEW AND VOTE!

-NL