Friday, December 08, 2006

Yet Another Sign that the Christmas Season is Here . . .

Polly Pocket and her many assorted friends have obviously decided that Santa's sleigh is just as good a mode of transportation as their fun pink convertible!

I walked out of the bathroom last night after a hot, soaking bath and was welcomed by this scene! I almost stepped on top of the sleigh and the convertible and, of course, I had to take a picture of it! Scout LOVES her Polly Pockets and you just never know where they might show up!



I have been doing a lot of Christmas shopping in the last couple of days and I actually think I'm almost done with it! (This is just December 8, right? That has got to be some sort of record for me. Yeehaw!!) I actually enjoy shopping for gifts and I get really happy when I find just the right gift. I pride myself in finding something that's personal and looks like it took some thought. I don't like it, though, when I wander all over town trying to find a pair of white or cream-colored boots with fur on them and can't find them anywhere! (They apparently only make white boots in women's sizes, because of the wear-and-tear that kids put on them. This does not make my 10-year-old not want them, however!) I guess I'm going to have to do some more Internet shopping for this one . . .

I also don't necessarily like the cost that comes with all the happy shopping! I went to Target on Wednesday and found some GREAT stuff, but didn't really realize how much I had spent. My grand total when I got to the cash register? $299. Yikes!! (Well, I guess I can still find some consolation in the fact that I didn't spend $300. lol)

When I'm out shopping, I always like to buy myself some treats. I LOVE nutcrackers (them, along with snowmen, are my favorite Christmas collectible) and I found this one to add to my collection. How fun is he?




Do you think he'll serve me a Christmas margarita? (When I was at Target, I also found an adorable one that was a waiter and had a serving platter with martinis on it. I resisted the urge to buy it, but now I think I really want it . . .)

Other stuff going on . . .

. . . It is SO cold right now!! The wind chill is supposed to dip down to 8 degrees in the morning. I know that this is normal for all of you blogging friends in Pennsylvania and Washington and Chicago and Indiana, but is definitely not for those of us Down South who were wearing shorts a mere four days ago!

The cold got us in the mood for a fire, so Gary went and bought a log-splitter yesterday and got us one going. There is nothing I like better than just lying on the couch watching the embers in the fire and enjoying the silence and warmth (although, there's really not a lot of silence in our house . .. yet, it's the nice thought that counts!).



. . . McKenna auditioned for and made the UAB Honor Band and was in practices all day today. And last night she had a French Horn Slumber party at one of their drum major's homes. They all have to get up and head to UAB in the morning, so it made it easier for everyone (and the parents who didn't want to get up any earlier on an 8-degree morning to get there!). I asked McKenna if they were going to do band-related slumber activities--like paint their nails with little french horns on them. She just rolled her eyes (but still laughed!)

. . .Woo hoo!!! And Roll Tide!!!! It looks like we have a new football coach! I'm SO excited because it's West Virginia's Rich Rodriquez, who is really known as a pioneer in offensive planning and coaching (he's really credited with creating the spread option, as I understand it). With the change in coaches we've had in the last decade, I really felt like we had to hit a home run this time. And I think we did! I kinda feel like the girl who had a guy she really wanted to go to the prom with, but felt like there really was no way it was going to happen. Maybe she wasn't as popular as some of the other girls or had had bad luck with guys in the past, but then THE guy asked her out and she went to the prom with him. I feel like Coach Rod (look, I'm already calling him by a nickname!) is that date! I'm excited about what he can do for our team, and look forward to seeing him in action!

. . . We will be taking part in the Christmas Parade on Saturday morning--with a forecasted temperature of around 18 degrees. Ugh!!! McKenna will be marching with the band, and Delaney will be leading the parade with the other safety patrol members from her elementary school. I'm thinking that Sydney and I will park our car in the Arby's parking lot and watch from the warmth of our car (and try to distract Scout from the fact that the people are throwing candy, because that would involve getting out in the cold!)

. . . Gary and I have a REAL date tonight with grown-ups only and I'm so excited! Okay, it's just a company party but it will involve dressing up, having drinks, and eating some good cocktail supper foods. Plus, Gary and I will probably escape early and go out somewhere else as well. We haven't been out just the two of us in a while, so that will be nice.

. . . It is Friday, so it's time for an Impossible Question. And this one is even Christmas-themed (aren't I clever?) The question is:

According to Yahoo!, 60% of single women said they want this for Christmas. What is it?

Post your guess and we'll see who knows women the best! Once a correct answer comes through, I'll come back on and let everyone know what it is! Good luck!

UPDATE ADDED-- I've shaved my legs, put on pretty Girl Clothes, and Gary and I are about to head out to our party. (Yay!!) If only Phats were here to chaperone us, we'd be in good shape I think! lol

Thought I'd do a quick update before we head out the door. The answer to the question was A Year's Supply of Chocolate! Gary "kinda" got it right when he guessed chocolate, but I couldn't give him full credit now could I? I personally think that ALL women--not just the single women--would totally go for that gift. I'd take Lindor truffles in January, hazelnut chocolates in February, some Godiva dark chocolate in March, some good ole Hershey's almond bars in April . . . and so on and so on!

(Also as an update--we didn't get Coach Rod after all. He decided to stay at West Virginia, so it's back to the drawing board.)

Have a fantabulous weekend with lots of fun Christmas shopping (or not!). Stay warm--I know I will try to!

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

girl you always got a lot going on, I'm happy Mckenna made the band, that is awesome, and you are getting the christmas shopping done and its going okay. It is so cold over here in Philly that fire looks so wonderful to me right now,,

Unknown said...

That would have been really sore if you had put your foot on those Polly Pocket things!! Scouts feelings would have been hurt! ;)
8 degrees - pfft, light weight :P
The answer to the question has to be a vibrator, right?? :D

Cheryl Wray said...

Gareth--I'm sqealching your answer right now. Sounds like a good one, but NOPE your answer is incorrect. Gary said a single woman doesn't need them! LOL (You two are gonna get me in trouble today!!)

Unknown said...

Well if what Gary says is true then that must mean that only married women need them so I have a pretty good idea about what your Christmas will be this year. Isn't that right Gary? :P

Unknown said...

How's about that for getting you in trouble ;)

Anonymous said...

Congrats to McKenna! And Gareth is TOOOOO funny! LOL

Unknown said...

LOL gareth!!! C doesn't need one either she stays all worked up over Alabama Football. You should see her during the season! She's a wild woman!

My guess was a boyfriend, but you already told me I was wrong, so the next best thing... CHOCOLATE!!!

Anonymous said...

Good Morning Cheryl.. Ok the big answer to this question is.. A relationship.. in other words a MAN!! I have a few other ideas but this came to mind first..

Have a blessed weekend.

Anonymous said...

A cat. (My last 13 years of singleness may have made me a taaad cynical...)

No, seriously...hmmmm...engagement ring seems way too obvious...a good man?

Anonymous said...

Jewelry?

Renee said...

Good for you, Cheryl, for early Christmas shopping. I'm so proud of myself for getting it done early too! It's a record for me.

I don't know about the question, a clean house?!

Anonymous said...

I'm going to say a dog or a pet.

Anonymous said...

Well....boyfriend/husband seems too obvious, but that is what I'm going with.

Mississippi Songbird said...

Yahoo for Mckenna making the band..

You have a neat blog and great photos..
Target's fun to shop in.. I went in one in Collierville,Tn with my daughter last Saturday..

I love Christmas shopping too. have fun at the Christmas parade and wrap up!...Brrrrrrrrr

Anonymous said...

Wow, almost done with shopping, huh? That's amazing! I'm only about 20% done so I got a lot to do!
Congrats to McKenna for making the band! So cool!
Sabrina also loves Polly Pockets! I loved the picture you took! Very cute! I can totally see it on a scrapbook page and I'm sure you already thought of that ;)
Single girls want a boyfriend for Christmas! Or if they have one, they want a ring!

Cheryl Wray said...

G & G--Yep, you guys are gonna get me in SERIOUS trouble. LOL
Renee--It really feels good to almost have all the shopping done!
Amanda--I love martinis too! I had a pineapple martini to die for not too long ago. And I just love the glasses!
Ms Songbird--Thanks!! We are definitely gonna try and stay warm!
Maria--Yes, that would make a great scrapbook page!! And what is it about Polly Ps?
And everyone else who guessed--Gary's answer is VERY close. I could almost give him credit for it, but I'm not going to. It does have to do with chocolate, though!

AngelConradie said...

wtg mckenna on getting into the band!
will there be a lot of parking space for all the other people watching from their cars? LOL!
enjoy your date night- it sounds fabulous!
as for the answer to your question- i reckon it's a diamond- like the one on my christmas wish list... at least half a carat set in a white gold filigree band with some enamel decoration.

Anonymous said...

HOW ABOUT A CHOCOLATE BOYFRIEND.

Phats said...

SEX!!

Phats said...

BTW that was my answer to the ? am I right?

Cheryl Wray said...

Angel--Thanks!! Yep, it might be afunny-looking parade with everyone watching from INSIDE their cars! HA! The diamond sounds GOOD!!
Anon and Phats--Good guesses!! But sorry . . .

Phats said...

Nobody has gotten it yet what is it?! I guess George Cloony

I am off to the basketball games, have fun tonight, but since I can't chaperone not too much fun ;)

Greta Adams said...

have fun on your "real" date and go McKenna

Anonymous said...

a large bowl of chocolates in front of the fireplace delivered by a single man that has no desire for anything but to bring you pleasure then leave.

or a chocolate b.o.b.

justem said...

That nutcracker is adorable...as for what I apparently want for christmas? Well I want a camera...but I think that is only what 60 percent of scrapbooking women want!!!

Melissa said...

congrats to Mckenna for getting into the honor band!-how exciting for her :)

I LOVE Christmas shopping too and nutcracers are just so much fun. love your new one ;)

hope you have fun on your date with hubby!

Melissa said...

oh boy..I meant Nutcracker.. lol

Anonymous said...

I'm confused I read the names on the sidebar, but is Scout a nickname? (I know Demi Móore has a Scout). I know that I have not been out and about for a while, the new arrival is keeping me busy (save those toddler clothes for me!), but HOLD UP!!! TRYING TO STEAL MY COACH!!!? I thougtht you liked me? :-) Sock 'em, bust 'em that's our custom, West ( By God) Virginia!

Anonymous said...

Talk about 6 degrees of separation! I was visiting my bud Nyasha and then went to a link of hers ( Dawn, unplugged) and there YOU were! It is manifest destiny! We are officially sisters!, LOL!

Cheryl Wray said...

Phats--Thanks for the chaperone offer!!! We'll try to have fun any way!!
Greta--Thanks! We will!
Anon--You're so bad!!
Em--So funny! You're right--I think all of us scrappin gals want a bigger and better camera!
Melissa-Thanks!! Nutcracers--lol! I understood you!
Regina--Sydney IS Scout! We call her by both names! That is so cool about you finding me at another blog!! We're all connected!!

Bare said...

You've had a lot going on! Congrats to Mckenna!! I hope that your date went well-- you deserve a "grown up night" :0)

Anonymous said...

Enjoy your night out! and yes, I agree, 299 sounds so much better than 300.