Friday, January 05, 2007

Some Random Musings . . .

I was sitting in the bathtub a few minutes ago and my mind began to randomly meander among some of the lessons I've learned in the past year (all of my good ideas . . . for real . . . come while I'm in the bathtub; I read once that the ions in water feed creativity, but personally I think it's because that is one part of my daily routine that involves some quiet, alone time). Anyway, just some random thoughts on things I've learned about me, you, and life.

. . . Get out the good china, light some candles, and pull out the stemware. There's no time like the present, so I made sure this year that I used the "good stuff." Any of you that have been here regularly for awhile know that I have an addiction to stemware. So, even though I appreciate a good martini, I've learned to drink my Diet Dr. Pepper out of a really cool martini glass too (pudding and cool whip also work well in them). They're much better in my hand than in the china cabinet (and DDP tastes much better in them than in a plastic tumbler).

. . . I love March Madness and any good Cinderella sports story.

. . . It is possible for me to get hooked on a television show. I thought that I was totally resigned to watching only shows on Disney Channel, or sports shows or games, or late-night reruns of "Seinfeld" or "CSI" (after the kids were in bed), but I know now that if I like a show well enough I will dedicate myself to an hour a week for it! Case in point? (well, two cases) "Lost" and "Heroes." I'm SO addicted!

. . . God really doesn't care about the outcome of a football game. I actually sent a few prayers heavenward for my Crimson Tide this past year, but we still ended up 6-7. So, I've gone back to only praying about more serious concerns--i.e, the wellfare of family and friends and forgiveness for my wrongdoings.

. . . If you want interesting conversation, come live with my 2 1/2-year old. Lest you think that you can't have real talk with a child under 3, I learned very differently with my Scout. That child is a ham to the 9th degree and can argue with you about anything. Tonight's conversation is an excellent example. "I want to go to da beech." "We can't right now, Sydney. It takes a while to drive there and, besides, it's wintertime so it's cold." "But I want to go. I like da beech." "Me too, Sydney, there's nothing better I'd like than to go there right now. But it's too cold today." "I can wear my jacket." "But do you you like to go into the water at the beach? You can't wear a jacket in the ocean." "Sure, you can. I wear my jacket over my babing soup." "It would get wet, Sydney." "No it wuddint. I still wear my babing soup." "Well, Sydney, I tell you what. We'll go to the beach as soon as we can." "Okay, Momma. Lets go right now. I ready." Oh my goodness . . . (Of course, McKenna has told me that I don't actually have to explain everything to Sydney like she's 20-years-old. Ha!)

. . . Blog friends are the coolest--primarily because none of you know what I look like without makeup on.

. . . Date nights with the hubby are very important--as is the tradition of going away for the weekend every year on your anniversary.

. . . Even the "best" teenager will do typical teenage things to get into big trouble. I brag on McKenna all the time because she is truly one of the "good" teenagers in the world today (gets great grades, is a leader at her school, doesn't run with any wild kids, reads her Bible everyday), but she can also be the typical teenager getting in typical teen trouble. This year? it was running up a $130 text message bill on a cell phone when we'd told her repeatedly to not text message. So, even today (like 9 months after the fact) she can only use her phone for calling me or her dad or her pop when it's time for her to picked up from somewhere. She still has to raise that money to get it back. Sheesh!

. . . Music by Barlow Girl, Rascal Flatts, Toby Mac, Carrie Underwood all make me happy.

. . . I found some new foods that I really like. I discovered how much I love Salt n Pepper potato chips, french fries and ranch dip, nutella, Starbucks frappucinos, chocolate Paydays, pistachio baklava, feta cheese, and Mocha Moolates from Diary Queen. And a whole lot more! (it would take me a very long post to list them all!)

. . . Given the choice of spending $10 on snapshots instead of, well, pretty much anything else--I'm choosing the photos any day of the week. In my scrapbooks, in frames, anywhere--photos of my family and friends and good times are my favorite!

. . . God will provide. I just can't sweat the small stuff.

. . . I will wear something trendy if I feel like it. I know that I'm not 20 anymore and I'm not stupid enough to wear most of the clothes that involve belly baring (NO ONE wants to see that!), but if I want to wear leggings or a really cool Stones shirt that my daughter wanted first to buy (but I talked her out of it) or a some really cool big-beaded bracelets . .. darn it, I'm gonna do it!

. . . Any books by Joan Hess, Sue Monk Kidd, Maeve Binchy, or Laura Childs makes me happy (ditto for scrapbook or travel magazines).

. . . I still don't like to clean.

. . . Eat dessert first, jump in the mud puddle, do the wave, laugh loudly in public, and ride the mechanical bull!

34 comments:

Jeff said...

Random musings are great! I get these a lot on the subway to and from work. Nothing like sitting (or standing) for 30-45 minutes, just you and your ipod.

A few I'd like to comment on...

... TV is an easy addiction when some of it's written as well as it is these days. "Hereos," "Ugly Betty," "Battlestar Glactica," "Doctor Who." I never miss these when they're in new episodes becuase they are solid and I don't mind giving up an hour for them. (I watched "Lost" but now I'm over it, this season's first batch of episodes was disappointing. I'm not coming back to it when it returns.)

... I think Sydney needs her own blog!

... Dates with the spouse are super important, and the best. It's good to have a set time becuase otherwise things can get way to busy.

... Any food with peanut butter in it will make me totally happy!

Thanks for the good read this Friday morning. It was a good break from the character outlines I've been working on for the past hour (yes, Friday morning his book writing time). Have a good weekend!

Anonymous said...

I am right there with you on the photos :)

aimee said...

Very cool post! I love the conversation with your daughter! Cracked me up!

CyndiAKADisneyqueen said...

Happy New Year Cheryl. And I loved the advice. Will keep them in mind in 2007 ( I like the vintage t-shirts from Walmart ....usually Mickey, and I love beaded bracelets...it's become a hobby the girls and I share). Oh, and I hate cleaning also...I would much rather be scrapping. lol

Lynilu said...

Hey, Cheryl! I never thought of the blogger friends/no makeup thing! Majorly cool realization! thanks!!

Jen said...

Hey ! Thanks for the kind words you left on my blog. Often (maybe too often) I write on my blog to think out a problem (arent' blogs handy?) But it helped! The lack of supervision while my kids were walking home has been a problem, so I'm arranging my schedule to pick them up now. Fortunately, the bullying incident was a good distance from my home- on a main road. We've talked to the school, too. I think it will be fine, but thanks for your concern! PS- I'm addicted to Project Runway- so looking forward to their next season. Happy New Year!

Jen said...

PS: Go Gators! :)

Cheryl Wray said...

Jeff-I just LOVE that you read and comment on my blog! Keeps me connected with you guys!! I also like Battlestar Galactica, but I missed a lot of last season so I'm out of the loop. I still love "Lost" no matter what! You know, I could start a Life with Scout blog. Hee hee! You and Will are very inspiring with you get out, go to shows, dinners, etc. on a regular basis. Gary and I try, but need to do it even more often. I'm so glad you're heading to T-town; hopefully we'll get together!!
J

Cindy Barb said...

I have post twice already, trying to tell you GREAT POST! But for some reason blog is keeping me away, or maybe you are? Kidding.... By the way, where is my elephant story?

Cheryl Wray said...

Jen--Nothing better than a new batch of photos!
Aimee-She cracks me up EVERY DAY! lol
Disney S--I'm SO glad to see you back here! I always love to see you! Yep, I'm with you. Scrapping is SO much better than cleaning!
Lynilu--We can all sit here and talk like old friends, but i don't have to put my makeup on (or get out of my pajamas!), LOL
Kate--I do love blogs because you can really think through things, vocalize them. I really hope the whole bullying situation will be beter! Yep, Go Gators! (and I'm a HUGE Bama fan, but gotta stick withthe SEC!!)

Cheryl Wray said...

Oh, Cindy, I forgot about getting you the elephant story!! I'm literallywalking out the door right now to meet Gary at Olive Garden for lunch (yum!!), but will send it to you this afternoon. I promise!!!!

Missy Glave said...

Such great (and fun!) lessons learned.

Mz.Elle said...

Aww I love your musings!

I'm with ya on using the good stuff more often. Now I just have to get some good stuff,lol.

Unknown said...

I'm a little put out with Cindy. My own cuz comes to your blog and comments but never comes to mine anymore. I guess I can't blame her too much with the quality of my blog posts...

TJ said...

I loved your converstation with Scout!! Cuteness!!
:-D

Bare said...

I love random posts-- and this one was great! I have too much, "Fancy, Not For Eatin' China", as my husband calls it, and I need to use it more. You're right, God doesn't care about football games, as much as sometimes we wish he did *L*, and I know what it's like to get TOTALLY hooked on tv shows! ;0)

Aimeslee Winans said...

I thought you got Scout's dialect down great! I could 'hear' ya'll having that confab. LOL Me, I got that same "I want" from my DD when she was that age (as we live on the Coast and she really really did love the beach). So, after I couldn't get her to quit the hard sell, I made her stand out in the back yard with only her bathing suit on for about 15 minutes. I kept telling her, hey it's COLDER at the beach. LOL She finally shut the heck up, but I didn't think she was going to! (oops, sorry for the hijack!)

Anonymous said...

LOL! These are great. I also worry too much about Bama winning, but thats just how it is. I also love the comment about using the good stuff. I have too much china and pretty stuff that I dont use. I will have to try to be batter about it.

Unknown said...

I am sooooooooo loving your random musings!!! what a great idea for an entry and what a great way to share yourself with us...especially us newbies!!! and I hate cleaning and I ALWAYS eat dessert first...lol!!! have a grea day cheryl!!!

Cheryl Wray said...

Amanda--The pistachio baklava actually comes from one of my favorite restaurants in the Bham area called Pita Stop. TO DIE FOR baklava, tabouleh, hummus, etc. (but I'd always had baklava with walnuts in it--the pistachio is WONDERFUL!!) I don't stay near thin enough. I'd like to lost 5-10 pounds, but I love food too much and I don't ever exercise. It's gonna catch up with me bad at some point, I imagine! LOL
Yes, some of the clothes these kids wear today is just atrocious. McKenna KNOWS not to push it with fashion!

Cheryl Wray said...

Missy--Thanks!
Ms L--Funny about the good stuff. Go getcha some! (Doesn't even have to be expensive, just fancy-looking. Ha!)
G--Hee hee about Cindy. This is fhte first time she's popped in here for a few days, I think!
Tammy--Yes, she is some sort of character!
1999--Get out your good china and eat off of it tonight!! I said so! LOL
Aimeslee--Scout really does have the cutest little voice. It's like what you'd expect a 2 1/2 year old to sound like, but she also has a touch of that Southern accent. We all LOVE the beach in this family, so I wish I could go RIGHT NOW!!
Linda--Gotta keep the Bama victories (and losses) in perspective, but it's hard to . . . LOL
Jessi--I sometimes get all random on you guys!!! My mind just starts to wander sometimes... ha! It is a fun way to get to know each other, though!! Youll have to do it on your blog too!

Ramblins of a middle-aged goddess said...

Glad you stopped by Friday Feast. A lot of people do this every Friday and they are fun to do. Come back any time. You made a comment about dancing anywhere and making your kids embarrassed...yeap I know about that..NOW I make my grandkids embarrassed and BOY do I love doing that. It is so much fun to watch their faces..Grandmas are just NOT supposed to do that!! smile..Sandy

Andi said...

Such an awesome post! Yes, use the good stuff...every single day! And take that child to "da beech"!!!

Nancy said...

My favorite is your last! Go for the desert and then see if you have room for anything else. Life is too short to waste calories on healthy food when desert is available.

Unknown said...

I do all my best thinking sitting in a bath tub too :D

"Stemware" - yeah I've heard about your fondness for steam (porn) ;)

I think it's a little unfair to put restraints on McK's phone. Sure, I know that $130 is quite a lot of money, but it IS over an entire year! It's only $2.50 per week or less than 20 text messages per week if you like. That really isn't excessive by any means. I realise that you are probably trying to teach her a lesson about money and obeying her parents but as you have said yourself she could be doing a lot more worse things in her teenage life. *stepping off soap box* :)

p.s. if you allow her to have her cell back in full please mention that she has me to thank for it. Hahahahahaha I'm a goof :D

Frank Marcopolos said...

muchos kudos for the randomosity!

Josie said...

I loved reading your random musings today, I learned so much about you! I say yeah for all the above esp "Eat dessert first, jump in the mud puddle, do the wave, laugh loudly in public, and ride the mechanical bull" - Watch out 2007!

Cheryl Wray said...

Flip Flop--There's just something about embarrassing your kid! If you're doing that, you must be enjoying life! LOL
Andi--Believe me, I wish I could go to da beech right now!! Gotta wait a few more months, though!
Nancy--I totally agree! Dessert is definitely the best part!!
Gareth--Yay, you're back!!! Hooray!!And making me laugh hysterically as always!! I will tell McKenna about your advice to me. She will love ya!
Frank--Thanks!! Glad to meetcha!
Josie--Yep, all those were important tome this last year! I'll have to share the mechanical bull picture with all of you guys!!

Phats said...

We like the same kind of music!! I don't like to clean either, at least you have kids to do that right?

Susie Q said...

Great post! You are a HOOT dear Cheryl...and then some. Use that good stuff, sit on *da beech* and jump in a mudpuddle! I think I will do just that!
Been raining for days...I might as well start there huh? : )

Hugs,
Sue

Delia said...

I have TV addictions, too. "Lost" used to be one of them.

Lol, I love your comment about blog friends and no make-up!

Using the good china, not sweating the small stuff, eating dessert first...all wonderful things!

Anonymous said...

ok i think that i want to come and hang out with you -- i know it woul be a blast... how come you dont live closer?! lol

Anonymous said...

oOh I LOVE Maeve Binchy...been reading her books for years!
Boy you have good taste lol! And I have you bookmarked...I read everytime you have a new post gf! Way to go!

AngelConradie said...

mmmm- pistachios, baklava (haven't tried them together), feta cheese, nutella... my mouth is watering!
and i hate cleaning too!