Thursday, April 09, 2009

Mine

My Kitchen...

My closet...



My laundry closet...



The room I want to be my craft space....
(This room goes from straightened up to messy to straightened up but now all organization has been put on hold because I had to purchase a new TV and repair brakes. I have grand plans for a wall of high shelves getting everything off the floor. $$. Sigh. My poor studio/guest room is last.)



The corner of the living room I'm using now...


Highlowaha's

Sorry about the blurry photos but it's late!

Friday, April 03, 2009

Hard work never felt so good!

In January, my office announced a fitness contest to be held from Monday, February 2nd to Monday, March 30th. We were to form our own teams of 3 people per team. We would earn points for exercising and losing weight.

I was not happy when the first report of rankings came out. My team was in 5th place. I couldn't believe we were behind a team where one of the girls (dear friend that she is) had texted me over the weekend and said she was having a beer AND a hamburger. That lit a fire under me and there was a competitive spark lit in me like never before. Before I continue... first and second places were so far ahead because these guys were machines that worked out all the time anyway. So, it became a battle for third.

I made sure I got as many workouts in as possible. I went and bought a Balance Ball from Target so I could count that as my weight training. I worked out on my elliptical machine at home while watching tv- sometimes I just wore my jeans on there and went slow. I even broke out the step from 1980-something and did 80's aerobics in my living room. After the boys went to bed, I'd turn on the DVD for the Balance Ball workout. Tania and I are great friends now. I worked out on the treadmill in the office fitness center during my lunch. We moved up to third place with second place still 30 points ahead of us.

I changed my diet drastically. Sometimes healthier than others. And, I fell off the healthy wagon more than once. One night I couldn't help it and had to have a root beer float with the boys. It was sooo good. I'd have a piece of chocolate here or there or some kind of treat occasionally to make sure I was still human.

So, with a 30 point spread I was just thinking about third place. I lost 13 pounds. And it was our combined weight loss as a team that pushed us into second place, which to us was really like first place!! We received an Academy gift card for $25. I also took second place for the most weight lost and the difference between me and first place was half a pound. I feel good, energized- and that's better than anything. I'd like to lose a total of 5 more pounds so I'm trying to continue with my routine.

Hmph! The old fashion way of exercise and diet works and even though the contest is over (as many folks have pointed out to me) you just can't stop maintaining all that you've worked so hard to accomplish. Bikini season is just around the corner and I'm going to be ready! And, JB can't call me fat anymore.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Ray Update



Ray drank a bit much for St. Patrick's Day over at Highlowaha! April will be a fun month for Ray and Taste of USA is coming up in May!!

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Soccer

Soccer is going really well. They won the first game. I missed it because I went to Houston to a baby shower for the cutest pregnant woman ever! Pearl and I went to work out at the gym. We walked the treadmill and I'll be damned if her 8 month pregnant-self wasn't kicking my butt!

Oh- back to soccer. The second game they won 15-0. And though they were understandably excited, we had to have a little discussion about good sportsmanship. We have a little break now with Spring Break but will be back to it next week.


He shoots! He scores! This is from last season where Drew dribbled it down, shot and got it past the goalie.


I love this shot of JB throwing the ball in. I'm not sure if this is during a game or warm up but I just love his form.


We drove to Temple, TX a couple of Saturday's ago to watch my nephew play. They unfortunately lost. A lot to nothing. But who's keeping score. Here we are on the sidelines.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Blogging...


I'm always having fun with the gang over at Highlowaha. That's Ray up there that I draw for the blog. Claudia started the blog in 2008 and this year she invited Heather, Katie and me to join in the writing fun. We hope you'll tune in. We ran an event last year called Taste of USA. That will start again in May with a new twist. Last year we headed up to Philadelphia as Pennsylvania was our winning state.




Two other blogs that I just love are these:
I have a serious girl crush on Pioneer Woman. She does it all. Writes love stories. She takes awesome photographs. She takes awesome pictures of the food she cooks. I want to be her - minus the home schooling part.


I found Pioneer through Bakerella. Bakerella makes me want to bake - and I don't really even like to cook or bake! I made these. I want to make this, this, and she makes me want to play with fondant.
Check them out!

Monday, March 09, 2009

Technical Difficulties

I am having technical difficulties over at highlowaha.

Emails aren't being delivered on time- they're a day late!

Google Analytics isn't reporting any stats.

So, this is a test post.

Aren't you glad you tuned in. :)

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

AnniversaRay

AnniversaRay walked the Red Carpet on February 18th at Highlowaha. And on February 19th Claudia announced that Heather, Katie and I will be writing with her on the blog. Check out us out at Highlowaha!

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Marshmallows and Blogs

I have to get pictures from my friend Cassie- aka Luci Lemon- from this past weekend! The boys and I drove to their house in Montgomery to hang out for the weekend. It was so much fun. We played on the zip line, they jumped on the trampoline and we roasted marshmallows. JB announced excitedly, and to my surprise, that this was the first time he was ever going to roast marshmallows! How did I let you get to be 7 years old and never roast marshmallows? I can't tell you how many S'mores he ate or how many marshmallows Drew burned but I can tell you it was exciting to see the fun they were having. I can't wait to post the pictures.

On other notes of beginnings, I have started yet another blog. Give Me 1,000 Kisses is where I hope to keep you updated on my current art project. Right now, I just have the how it started story and the instructions on what to do if you would like to participate. I have about 20 lip prints and need to get started. Getting started is on my to do list for this weekend. Along with cleaning up that place I call home.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Official Highlowaha S.W.A.K Drive

I am working on a new project this year on something I started years ago. I am recruiting people to send me their lip prints. To get started, first send me your lip print applied to any kind of paper- copy, yellow pad, napkin, coffee filter, you get the picture.

Send it to:
Cheryl O'Pry
2701 Knoll Trail
Euless, Texas 76039

I will then turn around and send you a piece of art paper for another print of your lips. Then, I turn your lip prints into schools of fish.

So, go ahead.
Kiss some paper and send it to me at the address above.