Monday, January 08, 2007

Since I Talked With you Last . . .

Well, since I last "talked" with you early Friday morning on my post, we had a really busy weekend--but it was a "good" busy filled with stuff I actually wanted to do (you know, as opposed to "bad" busy when you just have so much to do, but still don't feel like you actually accomplished anything or didn't enjoy any of the activities).

Since my last post, I did a lot of things I really wanted to do . . .

* Had a wonderful lunch on Friday with the entire family at Olive Garden. The girls start school Monday, so Friday was our last hurrah and we wanted to do something together as a family. No better family activity than eating at Olive Garden (McKenna and Delaney's favorite restaurant). My parents had given us an Olive Garden gift card as one of our Christmas gifts, so we took advantage of that and had a great time! Salad, breadsticks, olive oil and parmesan, spaghetti, pasta formaggio, and seafood alfredo later, we were a very happy (and overly stuffed) group!

* Enjoyed some margaritas and enchiladas with friends at Habaneros. (Gary had already escaped to the woods to go hunting, but I jumped at the chance to chill out a little while with friends. Nice!)

* Watched some Alabama basketball. (Had been looking forward to watching our opening SEC game against Arkansas for the last week and then what do we do? Start the game off behind 20-2 and then ultimately losing by almost 30 points. I was NOT a happy camper! And you have to realize that we were ranked #8 at the time. Not any more, I'd guess!)

* Organized my scrapbooks! I had all of the layouts I'd done since the beginning of this past summer in stacks either on my floor or on top of my scrapbook desk, so getting them in order and putting them in two different albums (one for Summer and one for Fall) was a BIG deal. I also made "title page" layouts for each of the albums. It was fun doing a little bit of creating, although as not as much as I'd have liked!

* Got to wander around the upstairs warehouse craziness at Hobby Lobby. I'm hosting a Scrapbook Extravaganza at our church as a fundraising effort for McKenna's (and five other teenagers') trip to Europe this next summer (I will definitely tell all of you more about this later in the week, because I'm SO excited about it.) and the nicest manager over at HL let me go through her clearance scrapbooking inventory to buy stuff at 80% off or more (I will use most of it as door prizes at the event). I got almost $40 worth of paper for like $8. It was the coolest!

* Watched some Dallas football. (Again, my sports teams totally disappointed me this weekend, though, and my Boys lost as well! It was a CRAZY game--really pretty good if I don't think too much about losing it--and Dallas lost 21-20 to Seattle.)

* Hung out with some cool teenagers! McKenna's friends Raymond and Daniel came over to watch the Dallas game with us, after I took the three of them to a youth rally and they decided they'd rather watch football at home with me. We ate pizza, cheered like idiots, and just had fun like you're supposed to when you're 14 and 15. (And I just love it when McKenna's friends enjoy being at our house! I've always told myself that this is how I want it to be; if she's at my house with friends, she's not out somewhere getting into trouble.)

* Bought a brand-new scrapbooking magazine. (How can a $6 magazine make me so happy? I don't know, but it does!)

* Went to church. Had a really nice day at church (even though it was raining cats-and-dogs as we headed up there Sunday morning). It was communion Sunday, which always is a big lift to me! And I had two specific episodes--one that morning and then one later that evening--that really made me stop and consider how very blessed I am. Both times reminded me to reflect upon how much I really do have and to not dwell on the negatives (because the negatives are usually actually really small and not worth dwelling on in the first place).

* Had some outstanding food. I finished off the weekend with a piece of scrumpt-delicious coconut cake and some fresh blueberry pie. (Those of you who are my regular blog readers know how happy food makes me!!! LOL)

Now that my weekend is over with, I'm sitting here on the computer hoping that there first morning of school goes smoothly. The girls have to get up for school (and, believe me, that's no easy feat when we've been staying up until midnight and sleeping until 9:30), so I'm hoping we make it!

And, now that I got to do all of that fun stuff the last two and a half days, I have a rude awakening this coming week. I have three MAJOR things that I've got to get done. These are not the fun, yippee-I'm-so-excited tasks, but are the now-the-kids-are-back-in-school
-and-I-need-to-get-my-butt-in-gear tasks! This week, I've got to . . .

* Paint Delaney's room! I got started two days before Christmas but have done nothing since! I have one and a half of a wall done in the hot pink, but gotta do a second coat on that and then paint the other two walls lime green. Too much to get done, but I gotta get it done! Delaney may ask to be adopted by someone else if I don't get it done for her soon. (It's definitely a This Week orElse Project!)

* Take down my Christmas decorations!! Yep, my artificial tree is still up--as are my nutcrackers, stockings, and nativity sets. I usually give myself until the Sunday after Christmas (which is called Epiphany and is the last official day of the Christmas season), but as you can see today is the Monday after and it's still not done. Another Has to Get Done Project!

* Set up some writing assignments! The Christmas holidays got me way behind in my writing, but I've got to generate some work. So a lot of Monday will be spent sending some ideas out to editors and trying to get some assignments (in between painting and taking down decorations!)

Thought I'd leave you with just a few fun pictures from this weekend . . . (These are all from Sat night watching the Dallas game).

Scout posing for the camera . ..



McKenna and Raymond acting goofy . . .



Me acting goofy . . . Actually, I was quite ecstatic at the time because Dallas was winning! Delaney caught me with the camera jumping up and down and cheering for the Cowboys. (Thank goodness she didn't get a picture of me doing my cheerleading jumps!! LOL This one's bad enough, but that would have been a serious blackmail picture!)



(You know how much I love all of you, right? Who else would I share such a seriously silly picture of myself with!? heehee .. .)

I hope that all you had productive and fun weekends like mine, and that you're getting geared up for a great week! Talk to ya again soon!!

24 comments:

Susie Q said...

I'm first?? Is that a first first?? Umm...: )
I think that oicture of you is FAR from silly! It is a cute one...but then YOU are a cute one. : ) Great pictures of the kids...
I always love your posts. So full of life and fun.
Have a great Monday, get SOME relaxation in...and stay well!

Love & Hugs,
Sue

the not so "new" mom on the blog said...

Jeepers and I thought my weekend was hectic!!!!! Love the pics!!!! Our kids go back to school on Wednesday and ofcourse Dylan is soooooooooooooo excited as it is his first day at big school - Grade 1. I have been running around like a blue ass fly trying to get everything organised and I just have not had anytime for blogging - that's bad hey??? but anyway's, I am sort of sorted out now and now I can devote some time to my blog family and friends!!!! Hope the 1st day back at school went ok for the girls!!!!! You must post some pics of D's room, those colours sound pretty funky!!! (just shout if i must pop over and help you). Take care and good luck with everything you still need to do!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Dang girl did you have time to breath or shower this weekend?
Wowzers!!

Cute pic :)

aimee said...

Busy weekend! I am excited to learn more about your fundraiser. That sounds fantastic!

I need to paint my bedroom. But moving all that furniture is not going to be fun!

Anonymous said...

Oh Cheryl! You are a brave woman! LOL I can only imagine the picture my kids would catch of me watching a Pats game. My dd asked me the other day why I yell at the tv while watching sports...I told her I had a good teacher, her Poppa..lol.
Sorry to here the Cowboys lost, but just remember there is always next year! On to the SuperBowl for the Pats...feel it in my bones hehe.

Anonymous said...

Hahaha, what a long entry !LOL, sounds like you guys have been busy! Did you see when Romo dropped the ball..ok, you know I couldn't resist....love ya though.

Cheryl Wray said...

Susie--Yay, you mae it here first! Gotta get on early for that! ha! You're so sweet--I need you here "in person" telling me how cute I am. You guys are great for self-esteem!
New Mom--I'm SO glad you're back around! I can't believe Dylan is going to Big School. Wow!!!
Jen--Actually, the weekend did even seem hectic. Lots of fun stuff in there and some time to rest too, believe it or not. So, a good one!
Aimee--I will definitely tell you more about the fundraiser. It's gonna be fun!

Cheryl Wray said...

Amanda--It was sad . . . but life moves on and it's just a game! (Right??)
Stephanie--I yell at the tv, as if it's going to help! But worse is when it's a close game and I can't watch. Im running into the other room, hiding my eyes and stopping up my ears. Youshould see me try that when I'm actually AT the game!! lol
Adrienne--Yep, Romo choked! Aargh!! That was awful!

~Telah said...

Wow you sure had an exciting weekend. A weekend like that really makes Monday hard to bare. Sorry Dallas lost as they are your team...but I have to say that I'm glad Seattle won! We have started pulling for them ever since Shaun Alexander started playing for them. That's one Bama boy we have to stick with! Oh, and what do you think about getting Nick Saben? I thought we would have already heard from you on this one by now.

Unknown said...

I need to take a page out of your book...your weekend sounds productive and fun!!! Love the photo's!!! we painted all weekend...had to revamp after christmas...the house felt so empty after the deocrations came down...lol!!! have to agree with your girls on the Olive Garden...love that reataurant!!! have a fabulous day!!!

Anonymous said...

Cheryl,

I spoke with my mom Saturday and she was dreading the Alabama/Arkansas game. She thought for sure we (hogs) were going to lose. I was sad for you, happy for me.

Take care and good luck with the next game. We play Florida at Florida tuesday......scary.

Phats said...

I am in school right now :( we have been back though since last Wed.

I think me of all people should get to see your cheerleading jumps! Was it a toe touch?

Missy Glave said...

Wow ... you had one BUSY weekend!! I wish I had 1/10th the energy you have!

Cheryl Wray said...

Telah--Had to cheer for the Cowboys since I've been a Dallas fan since before birth (a native Texan, you know!), but I LOVE Shaun Alexander and will now be rooting for the Seahawks to go all the way! I'm SO excited about Coach Saban. Love the sound of that!
Jessi--I'm working right now on clearing out the house. I agree that it just looks empty with the Christmas stuff coming down! Love OG!! I could have some right now!
Kelly--I thought Arkansas looked really good! They're gonna be tough in the SEC! Of course, when I don't root for Bama I root for Arkansas (my second fave team in the SEC). I bet ya'll will have a good chance against Florida. And Go Gators tonight!
Phats--Ha ha!! No, I never was really good at toe touches! But I can ROCK it with a herky. That's what it was and it wsa pretty good for a 38-year-old, if I do say so myself!
Missy--Well, I was about to collapse after all of it so I doubt if I have much more energy than you! LOL

Lynilu said...

Hey, Cheryl, I figure if you can't share goofy pics with your blogging friends, something's wrong! Remember I posted a picutre of me pouring been in my ear! Cheerleading jumps can't be any worse!

scrapperjen said...

Busy weekend! WOW!
Cute pictures.
Have a wonderful week!

Leah said...

No wonder your posts seem to be the middle of the night a lot of times. You're doing so much stuff other hours of the day..lol
What a weekend. Sounds busy but lots of fun!

Mz.Elle said...

LOL reading your food talk,makes ME happy!

Anonymous said...

I dont think i will ever be able to go near Raymond and Daniel ever again, with them yelling in my face, Go Seahawks and Better luck next year.They just had to be Seahawks fans. Well, hopefully Ohio State will get creamed!

Crazy Working Mom said...

*LOL* Fun post! I love the pictures!!! Olive Garden talk made my mouth water.

Jolene George said...

Such a cute picture! I'd be cheering for Dallas too. I can't believe how busy you've been. Congratulations on organizing your scrapbooks and good luck with your new plans. :o)

Cheryl Wray said...

Woo hoo!! Just finished watching the BCS game!! How about the SEC tonight? Florida looked awesome, Ohio State looked anemic, and it reinforces my belief that the SEC's defense outplays ANY other conference anywhere!!

Hey Lynilu, Scrapperjen, Leah, Ms. L, Delaney, Tisha, and Jolene--Thanks for stopping by!!! You all make me smile!!!

Josie said...

I love that pic of you in front of the TV! And a meal at the Olive Garden - Heaven! I wish they had drive thru!

AngelConradie said...

sheesh... i'm quite tired just reading it all!