Thankful Thursday ~ 7/9/20

 

Here are some things that made me thankful this week:

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~Good Test Results!  Once again, the Lord came through in a big way.  During my monthly "female" self-check, I found a lump that scared me.  I got into see the doctor right away and she sent me for an ultrasound.  I was so nervous as I waited for the results.  It was only 10 minutes but it felt like hours!  The results showed perfectly normal breast tissue!  Nothing at all to worry about, thank the Good Lord :)

~#FitReaders!  I discovered a group of readers who are motivating each other to move more.  It was just what I needed to kick my rear in gear!  I set some goals on Tuesday and so far, so good!

~Air Conditioning!  I don't know about you but it has been SO VERY HOT in my area with little to no rain for days upon days.  I am so thankful that we have a portable A/C in the Family Room so that we have somewhere to go to cool off.  Hopefully next summer we'll have a more permanent solution to the heat in the addition of the house.

~Volleyball is Starting!  We got a text today that Open Gym will be starting next week for Jr. High Volleyball.  Laken is so excited and really happy that she will be having the same coaches as last year.  She also has an All American Volleyball Clinic coming up week after next.  It will be lots of running back and forth to the school for me but Laken loves Volleyball so much :)

~Safe Travels!  It took Kaylee a whole hour to get home after work one night because there was a tree across the road.  She had to turn around and come home the long way.  Needless to say, I was worried sick and ready to go looking for her.  Just as I was getting ready to leave, she pulled in the driveway.  Again, God is Good!


What are you thankful for this week? 

Colletta

Journal Entry ~ 7/9/20

A few sentences about each day...

June 28, 2020 - July 4, 2020

Sun/28 ~ Happy Lord's Day!  Kaylee had to go into work this afternoon as her company is having a 4th of July Sale.  Laken went down to Uncle Dan's to swim with him, Aunt Kelly and Andrew.  I picked her up in time for Youth Group in the evening.  All in all, it was a nice relaxing day.

Mon/29 ~ Grocery day was not good to us.  I bumped into the bank in our parking lot with the front corner of the Subaru.  I didn't think anything happened but when we were almost to the grocery store the inner fender and all the attachments started flying everywhere!  We bought a roll of duck tape at the store and taped the fender together to get home.  What a day!

Tues/30 ~ I called our car insurance and since we have full coverage on the Subaru I was able to make a claim.  The "claims guy" was a bit aggravating.  He kept asking me the same questions over and over.  Very irritating :(  We took the car to a local body shop to get an estimate.  Hopefully everything will go smoothly.

Wed/1 ~ Happy July!  I had a dr's appt and a test done today.  I'm happy to say that everything is good and "normal".  I'll leave it at that.  But... on the way home, in the Nitro, the brakes started sticking.  Once, again, we limped home.  All Doug had to say the whole way home was "You've got to be kidding me!"  That put both cars out of commission.  We called my brother, Dan, and he picked up the brakes and calipers from the parts store for us.  He also lent us one of his vehicles.  Thanks, Dan!

Thurs/2 ~ As of 7am, Doug is on "holiday".  He came home and put the new brakes etc. on the Nitro.  Then went to town and got a watermelon for the 4th of July.  We also swung by Dairy Queen and picked up a patriotic ice cream cake for Saturday's picnic and Fireworks.  Doug stayed up all day and is now crashing on the couch watching Hallmark Movies :)

Fri/3 ~ Today is Dad's 73rd birthday!  We went to Bob Evans for breakfast where I got pancakes or as they called them "hotcakes".  Kaylee had to go to work this afternoon.  The rest of us went to Shawnee.  The guys fished and us girls sat in the shade at a picnic table.  Laken colored while I started working on a new project.  We then stopped for ice-cream on our way home :)

Sat/4 ~ Happy Independence Day!  I love the 4th of July and all the festivities that come with it.  We had a quiet morning and then went to my brother and SIL's for a picnic and swimming at noon.  The kids stayed there to swim but Doug and I came home about 3pm to let the dogs out and take an afternoon nap.  At 7pm we all went to my Aunt Donna's and Uncle Charlie's for more food, fun and fireworks!  I love the USA!!!

Until next week,

Colletta

Wondering Wednesday ~ My Favorite Summer Activity ~ 7/8/20

Welcome to Wondering Wednesdays hosted by A Baker's Perspective, a weekly post to learn more about me and other bloggers.

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Today’s questions is – What is your favorite summer activity?

My Answer - There are many activities that I enjoy in the summer.  There sitting on my porch swing while reading, swimming, hiking, camping, going for ice cream, etc., etc., etc.

But.. my favorite activity is probably going to our local State Park and sitting in the shade by the lake.  Sometimes I'll read, sometimes I'll crochet or cross stitch and sometimes I just sit there enjoying the scenery and the breeze off the lake.

We're very lucky to have a Pennsylvania State Park only about 15 minutes from our house.  We go there often but also like to take day trips to other State Parks and explore.  I love it!

Here are a few pictures from our latest trip to the lake:

What is your favorite summer activity?

Colletta

#FitReaders2020 ~ Goals ~ 7/7/20

#FitReaders2020 is hosted by Felicia the Geeky Blogger and Jen from That's What I'm Talking About. 

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I came across #FitReaders2020 through Vonnie's Reading Corner and I'm excited to get started!  The second half of the year will hopefully be better than the first half and I'll actually make some progress.

Today I'm going to list my goals for the month and next week I'll start my check-ins.

JULY 2020 GOALS:

~Track my food and exercise using myWW every day

~Exercise for 30 minutes 4 times per week

~Make myWW FitPoint goal of 25 per week

~Stay within my Daily/Weekly WW Food Points

~Drink 4 tumblers of water each day

~Lose 5 pounds

*I'll be checking in on Tuesdays but my exercise week runs Monday through Sunday.*

Colletta

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 7/6/20

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday. 

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I'm writing this post on Thursday night as we'll be having a very busy weekend starting with tomorrow. 

The weather outside is:

It isn't too awfully hot outside right now.  In fact, it is hanging around 73F which is fairly comfortable.  I turned the AC off for the night.

This weekend and all next week is supposed to have high's in the 90F's.  I think we'll be visiting my brother's house for some pool time!

On my breakfast plate:

Tomorrow is actually my Dad's 73rd birthday!  Happy Birthday, Dad!!!!  He wants to go to Bob Evan's for a late breakfast.  I'll either get an omelet or sausage gravy and biscuits.  I haven't decided yet :)

On today's to do list:

Today's to do list was getting the brakes on the Nitro fixed and picking up supplies for Saturday's festivities.

Monday's to do list will be grocery shopping and other normal daily tasks.

Happening this week:

This weekend will be all the 4th of July festivities.  We're going to my brother at lunch to have some picnicky foods and swim.  Then in the evening, we're going to my Aunt Donna and Uncle Charlie's for more food and fireworks.

Next week is fairly basic except for dentist appointments on Thursday and a 16th birthday party for a friend's son on Saturday.

It is a pay week, though, so whoohooo!

Currently reading:

I'm getting ready to start reading "Not Alone" by Liz Bradford on my kindle through Kindle Unlimited.

On the TV:

I've been watching some Hallmark movies lately but not the Christmas movies.  I just don't get into the whole "Christmas in July" deal.  I've mostly been watching the mystery movies.

We've also been catching up on DVR'd episodes of "Hot Mess".  It is an organizing show and is so interesting.  Hopefully Laken will get an organizing bug and get her room straightened up!

Listening to:

Kaylee has been watching "Hamilton" on Disney+, so the soundtrack has been in the background for the past few days.

On the menu week:

Monday -  Lumberjack Snacks (a friend's food truck...Yumm)
Tuesday -  Irish Stew

Wednesday -  Pizza
Thursday  - Cheese Ravioli w garlic bread
Friday -  Pork Chops, mashed potatoes
Saturday -  Grilled Cheese, Soup
Sunday - Potluck at Church

Picture From the Camera:

Bible Verse/Devotional

"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters."  Isaiah 55:1

Have a great Monday!

Colletta

Sunday Blessings ~ 7/5/20

Carol at Slater's Funny Farm hosts a Sunday Blessing link up.  

I thought:  what better way to bless and be blessed than with scripture and prayer.  The following are taken from Serenity for a Woman's Soul 2020 Creative Planner for this week.

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"Think about the things of Heaven, not the things of earth.  For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God."

Colossians 3:2-3 NLT

I want my life to be a vessel of worship for You, my King.

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Blessings,

Colletta

My Weekly Bookishness ~ 7/3/20

All things bookish!

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What I Read:

(Click on the cover to read the review)

Not a blessed line read this week...  

I'm moving on to a new book to try to spur my reading.

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What I'm Reading:

Blurb:

When single moms are turning up dead, Police Detective Rebecca Palmer will stop at nothing to bring the killer to justice.

Detective Rebecca Palmer is hunting a serial killer bent on inflicting a warped sense of Biblical judgment. But, with so few clues, she struggles to catch his trail. The killer’s obsession with murdering single moms grips Rebecca’s heart with profound intensity, since she herself is a single mom. Will she be able to stop him before he takes another mother away from her child?

Jared Johnson fought crime as a detective on the streets of Chicago but has decided to trade the inner city for the simpler life of the south. His brother said Hazel Hill, North Carolina is a great place to live, and Jared is willing to test his brother's claims. But is the move just another stop as Jared runs from his past, or will Hazel Hill be the place his restless soul can finally settle down?

First Lines:

He vigorously scrubbed the blood off the floor, off the wall, and off her body.  But no amount of bleach could cleanse the filth of the heart.  That is why she had to die.

56%

He couldn't get to the park fast enough.  Once he arrived and parked, he took a deep breath to compose himself as he hopped out of his truck.

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What I'll (Probably) Read Next:

Blurb:

Lord Morley's life will change forever when he wins a game of cards and a family of sisters to go along with it.

Miss Standish in none too pleased to have become the responsibility of yet another Lord, even if he is full of charm and goodness. Her responsibilities are to her sisters first.

With the repairs on the castle moving forward nicely and concerted efforts in a season in Bath made to find suitors for them all, Miss Standish and Lord Morley must determine where duty stops and matters of the heart take over.

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Book Haul:

Nothing new this week :(

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Book Blogger Hop:

Q.  What book/books got a lot of hype but were a disappointment for you? (submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews)

A.  I really can't answer this question.  I usually don't read based on hype at all so nothing comes to mind.  There are many books that have received a lot of hype that didn't interest me all and I didn't even bother trying to get my hands on them. i.e.  Harry Potter, Fifty Shades, etc.

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Bookishly Yours,

Colletta

Linking up to: 

   

  

Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post, Sunday Salon,  Mailbox Monday

Summer Vacation ~ 2020

I want to let all my faithful blog followers and readers know that I'm going to be taking a bit of a blogging break.  More like a Summer Vacation from blogging daily.

I'll still be posting but it may be sporadically.

I pray everyone has a safe and happy Summer!

Colletta

Wondering Wednesday ~ Celebrating July 4th ~ 7/1/20

Welcome to Wondering Wednesdays hosted by A Baker's Perspective, a weekly post to learn more about me and other bloggers.

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Today’s questions is – How does your family typically celebrate July 4th?

My Answer - Our July 4th celebrations usually start on July 3rd as it is my Dad's birthday!  He'll be 73 years old this year and celebrates as if he's 12 :)

As for the 4th of July, the past few years have started a new tradition in our extended family.  We used to have to travel to see fireworks and then spend HOURS fighting traffic to get back home.  Now, my Uncle and cousin put off their own fireworks (completely legal, BTW) at my Aunt and Uncles house which is just a mile up the road from our house!  Whoohoo!  No fighting traffic to get back home!

We start off with a picnic around 7 pm with the normal picnicking foods.  I'm bringing an ice cream cake this year from Dairy Queen!  I might also make homemade mac-n-cheese.

Then we have a fire pit to roast marshmallows etc.

When it FINALLY gets dark and the kids about can't stand the anticipation anymore, my Aunt hands out the glow necklaces and bracelets to the kids so we can see where they are in the dark.

Then the FIREWORKS can begin!

Uncle Charlie and Brian do an amazing job and I hope they'll continue this new tradition for many years!  It is tons of fun :)

How do you celebrate July 4th?

Colletta

Journal Entry ~ 6/30/20 ~ with pictures

A few sentences about each day...

June 21, 2020 - June 27, 2020

Sun/21 ~ Happy Father's Day to my wonderful Dad and to my awesome hubby :)  We had Church at the Lion's Park today with a picnic to celebrate the father's afterward.  It was such a nice time of food and fellowship.  We followed the picnic with a nice Sunday Afternoon Nap.  Kaylee feel asleep on the couch while Laken made Doug a Father's Day Card.  She's one to wait until the last minute but they are always very elaborate :)

Mon/22 ~ It was so hot this morning but then this afternoon storms rolled in and cooled the temperatures.  We went for groceries as we usually do on Mondays and I got this sweet little Cross Stitch Kit.  I'm not letting myself open it until I get my current crochet WIP done though :)

Tues/23 ~ I've been crocheting, crocheting, crocheting on my WIP.  I really want to dig into learning Cross Stitch!  We decided not to cook tonight and instead went to Sundae's for hot dogs and ice cream.  I got my favorite Peanut Butter Sundae with peanuts on top!  yummy...

Wed/24 ~ Kaylee found out that we got Sundae's without her (she was at work) so she "insisted" we go for lunch today.  She had to twist our arms...Not!  Laken wasn't feeling too perky this evening.  Her temperature was normal.  I think she has just been staying up too late at night and was overly tired.

Thurs/35 ~ I hung the laundry out on the clothesline today but when I started to hang the second load, I heart thunder.  I barely got the first load off the line when it poured down rain.  It moved through pretty quickly.  I got my WIP all joined and started working on the border this evening.  It is going to take a while to get all the rows of the border completed.

Fri/26 ~ We have been looking everywhere for Mountain Pie Irons!  I know we went to at least 5 stores and looked online and everywhere is sold out!  Laken really wants Mountain Pies at her party in late July so we figured we better start looking now.  On the way home from work this morning, Doug stopped by the little bait shop near our local State Park and lo and behold:  Mountain Pie Irons!  Daddy saves the day...again!  We went back to the State Park in afternoon to fish and relax.  It was a beautiful day even if it was a bit windy!

Sat/27 ~ It was supposed to storm so we had thought our plans to make a trip to Swallow Falls would have to be put on hold.  When it hadn't rained by noon, we decided to make the 1 hr 30 min drive and just see what would happen weather-wise.  We had some rain on the way once we hit Garrett County but by the time we got to Swallow Falls and parked it had slacked off.  We had a nice time at the park and then stopped at IHOP for supper (my first time).  I plan on writing a post with more pictures sometime this week.

Until next week,

Colletta

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? ~ 6/29/20

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week.

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What I read last week (click on the picture to read my review):

I didn't finish any books last week as I spent all my free time trying to get my crochet WIP done.  I need to balance my reading/crochet time better!

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What I'm Reading Now:

Blurb:

Granddaughter of a corporate billionaire, Nellie is the heir apparent, next in line for the corner office. Logan Cooper is the guy that fixed her Jeep.

Falling for the blue-eyed mechanic is easy.
Telling him she’s rich is a bit harder.
Convincing her grandfather that status isn’t everything is impossible.

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What I'm (Probably) Reading Next:

Blurb:

Lord Morley's life will change forever when he wins a game of cards and a family of sisters to go along with it.

Miss Standish in none too pleased to have become the responsibility of yet another Lord, even if he is full of charm and goodness. Her responsibilities are to her sisters first.

With the repairs on the castle moving forward nicely and concerted efforts in a season in Bath made to find suitors for them all, Miss Standish and Lord Morley must determine where duty stops and matters of the heart take over.

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What are you reading?

Colletta

Also linking up to:

Sunday Blessings ~ 6/28/20

Carol at Slater's Funny Farm hosts a Sunday Blessing link up.  

I thought:  what better way to bless and be blessed than with scripture and prayer.  The following are taken from Serenity for a Woman's Soul 2020 Creative Planner for this week.

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"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take."

Proverbs 3:5-6

I want to walk on paths of righteousness.  I want to honor You, my God.

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Blessings,

Colletta

Book Haul ~ 6/27/20

This week I added the following books to my TBR "shelf":

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Linking up to:  Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post, Sunday Salon,  Mailbox Monday



Happy Reading!

First Lines Friday, 56 and BBH ~ 6/26/20

Today's "First Lines" and "56" are from:

First Lines

Nellie stood at the floor to ceiling window, looking out over San Antonio.  She sucked in a deep breath and counted to ten then continued to twenty in an effort not to grip her grandfather's neck and squeeze.

 Page 56 / 56%

Since the steak took up his whole plate, roasted vegetables and a baked potato sat on a separate plate.

 Q.  When you run out of bookshelf space, what do you do? (submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews)

 A.  Why, get another shelf, of course!  But really, if a book has been on my shelf for years and it hasn't grabbed my attention enough to read it, I pass it on to a fellow reader friend for her enjoyment.  Other than that, I don't keep books that I've read.  I pass them on to the next person.  Recently I've been reading exclusively on my Kindle.  So no problem :)

Colletta 

Also linking up to:

  

Work In Progress ~ Lexi's Ombre Afghan ~ 6/25/20

I didn't get a Book Review written for today's post as intended because I decided to work on getting my current WIP finished.  It is for my Angel from Church, Lexi, therefore it is now named "Lexi's Ombre Afghan". 



   

The colors I am using are Red Heart Ombre in  Spearmint, Violet, Sea Coral, Deep Teal, Anemone, and White.  I'm using a 5.5mm (I) hook.

I've been working on the afghan of and on since probably January!  I've been doing a lot of reading instead of crocheting lately.  The last two evenings I've crocheted my fingers off trying to get the piecing done.

This is where I was at when I picked the project basket back up on Tuesday evening.

After binge watching "Beauty and the Beast" on Netflix, the picture below shows where I was when I started at 8pm on Wednesday night.  I still had some crocheting, tying in the ends and joining to go.

Three and a half hours later and it was completely joined together!  This time I listened to The Message on Sirius XM while working.

Below is the yarn I have left for the border.  It should be plenty.  I'm hoping to get the border done fairly quickly but in all actuality, I does take a while to go around the whole afghan a total of 8 times as there will be 8 rows on the border.

I'm going to try to get it done by next week sometime so that I can get started on a new craft I picked up and want to give a try.  You'll have to stay tuned to find out what it is :)


What are you working on?

Colletta