Friday, September 29, 2017

Saturday Weigh-In ~ 9/30/17 ~ LINKUP

 
 
Today I want to talk a little bit about my food/diet plan.

I've done it all.  I've counted calories.  Counted fat grams.  Counted carbs, etc., etc., etc.  But what I'm finding is working for me is Weight Watchers.

I have a Weight Watchers Online membership.  I started out with a 3 month all inclusive subscription to Weight Watchers and attended the meetings.  The closest meeting is 30 minutes away and on a Saturday morning at 8:00am.  (Not very convenient!)  So when that initial trial ran out, I went to Online Only.

That means, I have all the access to the tools online, I just can't attend the physical meetings.  The Online Only costs me around $19/month.

I've been trying to stay on track with the Weight Watchers food plan as much as possible.

I'm allotted 39 Daily Points (it just went down 1 point last week)  and 42 Weekly Points.  So each day I have 39 Points worth of food to eat.  I also get an additional 42 Points per week to use however I want, if I want.  I also tend to rack up extra FitPoints but I just leave them alone.

Breakfast and Lunch:

I'm usually on-the-go in the morning and at lunch time, so what I've found to be working for me is to eat a Special K Chocolate Peanut Butter Meal Bar for breakfast and also one for lunch.  It is super easy to just slip one in my pocket book and take to work with me and it is convenient to be able to eat it at my desk whenever I get hungry (usually around 11am).  Each bar is worth 7 points so that means between breakfast and lunch I use 14 points, leaving me 25 points.  BTW, it is super yummy!

Supper:

For supper, I eat whatever we're having as a family.  I don't cook anything special just for me.  I just don't have the inclination to do that.  Having 25 points to use for supper usually covers it for me.  Sometimes, I have a few left over and sometimes, I have to dip into my weeklies.

Snacks:

Do I get hungry?  In the afternoon, before supper, I'm usually hungry.  If I feel that I can't wait until supper, I'll snack on a mozzarella stick but I'm trying not to snack unless I feel that I need to.

Beverages:

I don't drink ANYTHING that costs me points.  For my morning caffeine, I have Diet Dr. Pepper and drink Vanilla Chai Tea while at work.  Other than that it is Diet or water

Do I cheat?

Technically, I can have whatever I want as long as I account for it in my tracking.  Sometimes, maybe once a week, I don't track at all.  (Bad, Colletta!)  This is something I'll work on...

So, what kind of meal plan do you use?

Next week, I'll talk a little bit about my Exercise Routine.


My week's stats:

 
Weigh-in:  -1.4  Total:  -27.2 lbs.

Exercise:
                 Sat:   minutes
                 Sun:   60 minutes (Neighborhood walk X 2)
                 Mon:    60 minutes (Treadmill Planet Fitness)
                 Tues:    60 minutes (Treadmill Planet Fitness)
                 Wed:     minutes
                 Thurs:   60 minutes (Treadmill Planet Fitness)
                  Fri:      minutes
              TOTAL:   240 minutes = 44/35 FitPoints

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Whether you've got 100 (or more) pounds to lose or just 5.  Whether you've been weighing in for years or just starting.  Whether you do Weight Watchers or some other diet or exercise program.  Whether you are 65 or 25.  I'd love, love, love to have your support and friendship in this constant struggle which is weight loss/healthy living.
 
So please leave a comment with a link to your fitness/healthy living/weigh-in post and let us be each other's accountability.
 



Linking to:  Dare to Share, Saturday Sparks, Bouquet of Talent, Saturday Shuffle, Saturday Sharefest Sundays at Home, Sunday's Best, Dishing It and Digging It

Tea Time ~ Remembering Jasmine ~ 9/29/17


 
Grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or your favorite drink
while I share a few things that made me smile this week :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It hasn't been a very happy week for me.  In fact, tears are streaming right now.

Our little Jasmine passed away suddenly Monday and the rest of the week has been spent wondering why and missing her little face :(

I can't really bring myself to do smiles right now...

So, here are 5 pictures of my Baby...

 
Jazz and Daddy sleeping.
 
 
Again, Jaz and Daddy resting :)


My little crochet buddy.

Kaylee and Jazz rocking.

Laken and Jazz playing Pretty Princess.
 
 
Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!
 


Thursday, September 28, 2017

Book Review ~ Dancing with Fireflies by Denise Hunter ~ 9/28/17

 
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18126898
 
Blurb:
 
Jade returns home to Chapel Springs after years of protecting her fragile heart. Then along comes Daniel, making her long to dance again.

Creative and complicated, Jade McKinley felt like a weed in a rose garden growing up in Chapel Springs. When she left, she thought she'd never look back. But now, pregnant, alone, and broke, she has no other choice but to return.

The mayor of Chapel Springs, Daniel Dawson, has been an honorary member of the McKinley family for years. While his own home life was almost non-existent, Daniel fit right into the boisterous McKinley family. He's loved Jade for years, but she always saw him as a big brother. Now that she's back, his feelings are stronger than ever.

As Jade attempts to settle in, nothing feels right. God seems far away, she's hiding secrets from her family, and she's strangely attracted to the man who's always called her "squirt." Finding her way home may prove more difficult than she imagined.
  

My Thoughts:
 
Oh my goodness!
 
I read this book from start to finish in one afternoon/evening!
 
It was AMAZING!
 
Denise Hunter is one of my very favorite authors.  I was so excited when my turn to receive this book came on www.paperbackswap.com . I could hardly wait for it to arrive in the mail.
 
I loved everything about this book.  The plot.  The setting.  The characters.  Everything!
 
I loved the dynamics between Jade and Daniel.  They were perfect together.  It just took Jade a while to realize it :)
 
The author wrote in such a way that I felt what the characters were feeling.  That makes for a special book.
 
I absolutely cannot wait to read the next book in the Chapel Springs series!
 


For the Biblical "Way of Salvation" please see my header or click HERE.
 

Linking up to:  Share Your Cup;  Grandma IdeasLiteracy Musings and Saturday Situation, Booknificent. Party at My Place , Saturday Review of Book , Book Nook, Hearts for Home, The Monday Review, Homemaking Party,  Favorite Things





Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Hodgepodge ~ 9/27/17

  
http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/
 
Joyce's Hodgepodgey Questions:
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1. What pets did you have while growing up? Tell us a little something about them.

This question is very bitter-sweet today.

Monday our little Jasmine very suddenly passed away.  We are heartbroken :(

Here is a picture of my little buddy helping me crochet.



2. What is one thing you absolutely must accomplish today?

I try to be flexible in my schedule.  Sometimes, that means working a bit ahead so that things don't come up that I MUST get done on a certain day.

Having said that, I MUST get some of my husband's work jeans washed or he'll be wearing his dress pants to work tonight!

3. Where were you ten years ago? What were you doing there?

Oh my!  Ten years ago???  Well, ten years ago at this time I had a 6 year old and a 6 month old.  Times were very different.  Different needs and responsibilities for all 4 of us.


4. September 26th is National Dumpling Day. Did you celebrate? Apple dumpling, xiao long bao (steamed Chinese dumpling), chicken and dumplings, pirogi, matzoh balls, or gnocchi...which dumpling on this list would be your dumpling of choice? Have you ever made homemade dumplings of any kind?

I had no idea it was National Dumpling Day!  hehe  I love apple dumplings and also chicken and dumplings.  Pierogis are yummy too.  I've made all three from scratch.


5. 'There are two kinds of adventurers: those who go truly hoping to find an adventure and those who go secretly hoping they don't.' William Trogdon

So which kind are you?

I'm both.  Sometimes I enjoy a good adventure and other times, I'd rather be home reading a good book.  I guess then I'm getting my adventure vicariously :)

6. Insert your own random thought here.

My blog facebook page recently got 100 likes.  I'm having a Celebration Giveaway.  Click HERE for details and to enter!






I'd love to return the visit!  Please leave a comment and a link!


Monday, September 25, 2017

Teaser Tuesday ~ LFYI Pendleton OR ~ 9/26/17


http://thepurplebooker.com


My teaser for this week is from:
 
6971404


If anyone had told Sunny Westcott that she'd end up modeling for a clothing catalog in her mid-thirties, she'd have told them they were certifiably nuts.  But sometimes, like when you're not really looking, life pulls some strange tricks.  And Sunny had not really been looking--or if she had, she just hadn't been paying close enough attention.

Only six months ago, Sunny had assumed her life was right on track...

 

Also linking up to:

http://bibliophilebythesea.blogspot.co.uk/  http://www.rosecityreader.com/


Happy Tuesday!

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 9/25/17

 


Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The weather outside is::::

 HOT!!!!

What happened to the beautiful FALL-LIKE weather?????
 


On my breakfast plate:

Special K Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar
  
As I look around the house::::
 
Not much progress has been made this week on the addition other than finishing up the roof.  Which I guess IS progress in and of itself.  We have the siding purchased and just need the time to put it up.  The hubby was going to take a week of vacation but then decided not to.  So he and my Dad have been working on it as time allows.


On today's to do list::::

Work 8am-1pm
 Exercise
Pick up the girls from school and tennis practice.
Make Supper
Blog
WW tracking

 
Happening this week::::
 
Monday.... See above.
Tuesday...  Work 8am-1pm, exercise, laundry
Wednesday... Work 8am-1p,, exercise, schedule for next week, Prayer Meeting.
Thursday... Work8am-1pm, exercise, Menu and Grocery List, Tennis Match
Friday...  Off Work, Weigh-in, exercise, Groceries.
Saturday...  Laundry, exercise
Sunday...  Church, Exercise, Youth Group

Currently reading::::

6971404

I've enjoyed all the "Love Finds You In" books.  So far this one is NOT disappointing :)
 
On the TV::::

Nothing!  Nothing at all!  I couldn't even watch football because of all the protests about the National Anthem.  I decided I wasn't going to watch them disrespect our Country and our Soldiers.

I no longer have a team :(

But I do have a player:  #78!!




But, anyway, The Voice starts tonight!

Image result for the voice


Listening to:



 
On the menu this week::::

Monday - Ham, Fried Potatoes, Green Beans, Apples
Tuesday - Fish Fillets, Au Gratin Potatoes, Broccoli, Peaches
Wednesday - Chili, Cornbread, Applesauce
Thursday - Pork Roast, Sauerkraut, Mashed Potatoes, Blueberry Cobbler
Friday -  Pizza
Saturday - Weiner Winks, French Fries, Corn, Peaches
Sunday - Dinner at Church


What I am creating at the moment::::

My cross-stitch WIP is still a WIP...

Bible Verse/Devotional




 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
 

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Sunday Post ~ 9/24/17

http://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/
 
This is a post to recap the previous week here on the blog.
The Sunday Post is hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
 

 
This is where I plan out the week ahead.
 
~~~~~~~~
 
 

This week's Teaser came from
The Outlaw Takes a Bride
by Susan Page Davis
 
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This week's Hodgepodge was about Falls and Festivals.
 
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This week's Book Review was:
 
~~~~~~~
 
 
Some of this week's Tea Time smiles were about
 
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Come see how I did this week on my
Saturday Weigh-In Plus a Linkup!
 

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Have a great week!  Please leave a link so I can stop by your blog :)




Linking to:  Sundays at Home, Sunday's Best, Dishing It and Digging It

Friday, September 22, 2017

Celebration Giveaway ~ When Chocolate Isn't Enough ~ Ends 9/30/17

https://www.facebook.com/Collettas-Kitchen-Sink-Blog-629828973762608/


After what seems like FOREVER, the Colletta's Kitchen Sink Blog Facebook Page has finally reached 100 likes!

This might seem insignificant to some, but to me it is HUGE and so EXCITING!

To celebrate, I'd like to have a giveaway :)

I'll be giving away a brand new copy of:

22716261

To enter the giveaway:
 
*Mandatory-  Leave a comment telling me how to contact you if you are the winner.
 
*Extra-  Follow my blog and leave a second comment telling me that you do and how :)
 

 
The giveaway will run until 11:59pm EST, September 30, 2017.  The winner will be emailed on October 1st.




 

Share Your Cup;  Grandma IdeasLiteracy Musings and Booknificent. Party at My Place ,Book Nook, Hearts for Home Homemaking Party,  Favorite Things


Friendship FridayShow Off Friday, Awesome Life,  Friday Favorites , Fresh Friday Finds, , Sweet Inspirations, Funtastic Friday .


WholeHearted WednesdayR&R, Word Filled Wednesday, Coffee and Conversation, Ladies Collective,   Party in Your PJs,  Works or Me, Wake-Up Wednesday and  Women with IntentionPeaches and Salt, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman, Classical Homemaking , Wow Us Wednesday.

Saturday Weigh-In ~ 9/23/17 ~ LINKUP

Many thanks to Stacy at Intentional Mommyhood for the Saturday Weigh-In graphic! 
 
 
This week I wrote a post about my Fall Goals.  Of course, that included physical/fitness goals.

I thought I'd share them here also:

~Lose 1 lb per week for a total of 13 lbs
~Track my food daily:  the good, the bad and the ugly
~Walk 5-6 days a week to get my 35 FitPoints per week
~Continue my "Saturday Weigh-In" post

I can't tell you how important it is for me to share my journey here in my Saturday Weigh-In post.  It helps hold me accountable in a way that I need to keep me motivated.

Having others to share the journey with is going to make such a big difference to me.

That being said...

I lost 3.4 lbs this week!!  That puts me just over the 25 lbs lost mark!  I'm so happy!  I want to keep the momentum up for this next week.  Say a little prayer for me, would you?

Next week I'll be writing about my diet/food plan.


So what are your Fall Fitness Goals???



My week's stats:

 
Weigh-in:  - 3.4 Total:  -25.8 lbs.

Exercise:
                 Sat:  30 minutes (Neighborhood walk)
                 Sun:   30 minutes (Neighborhood walk)
                 Mon:    60 minutes (Neighborhood walk X 2)
                 Tues:    60 minutes (Neighborhood walk X 2
                 Wed:     minutes
                 Thurs:   minutes
                  Fri:      30 minutes  (Neighborhood walk)
              TOTAL:  210 minutes = 40/35 FitPoints

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Whether you've got 100 (or more) pounds to lose or just 5.  Whether you've been weighing in for years or just starting.  Whether you do Weight Watchers or some other diet or exercise program.  Whether you are 65 or 25.  I'd love, love, love to have your support and friendship in this constant struggle which is weight loss/healthy living.
 
So please leave a comment with a link to your fitness/healthy living/weigh-in post and let us be each other's accountability.
 



Linking to:  Dare to Share, Saturday Sparks, Bouquet of Talent, Saturday Shuffle, Saturday Sharefest Sundays at Home, Sunday's Best, Dishing It and Digging It

Tea Time ~ 17th Anniversary and Kitten Update ~ 9/22/17


 
Grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or your favorite drink
while I share a few things that made me smile this week :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~Sunday was our 17th Wedding Anniversary!  We had a "date" on Saturday to celebrate.  We had the big debate over where to eat and finally decided on Cracker Barrel.  It was delicious!  I got my usual Grilled Chicken BLT (Minus the L and T).  Yumm!  We then stopped at a few stores just to browse and spend time together.  Ollie's and Dunhams it was :)  We're not fancy and it doesn't take much to entertain us.  We had a great time :)  Here's a little pre-date selfie...




~Kitten update!  I mentioned a while ago that we adopted 3 kittens.  Raspberry, Beethoven and PK are doing great!  They have all been to the vet (numerous times) and have gotten all their vaccines/shots.  Raspberry, the female, the very laid back.  The boys, however, are very rambunctious!  Even though PK only has one eye and can't see very well out of it, he doesn't let Beethoven get away with anything.  The hubby and the girls have spoiled them rotten :)

Kaylee and PK

Laken and Beethoven


~I saw my 5th Grade teacher at Wal-Mart!  This might not seem very special to some but Mr. Wagoner was my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE teacher of ALL TIME!  He recognized me and even remembered my name!  Keep in mind that it has been 29 years since I was in his class.  I felt so special :)




~I decided on my Fall Goals!  If you're interested, you can check them out HERE :)

https://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2017/09/fall-goals-2017.html


~I'm hosting a Saturday Weigh-In!  Each Saturday, I'll be posting about my weekly weigh-in and I'm hoping other will join in.  There's already been some interest.  I'm so excited :)  Click the pic for more info...

https://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2017/09/saturday-weigh-in-91617-plus-invitation.html
 
 
Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!
 


Thursday, September 21, 2017

Book Review ~ Love Finds You in Lake Geneva Wisconsin by Pamela S. Meyers ~ 9/21/17

 
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13410633
 
Blurb:
 
A young woman wants to work in a man’s world.

It’s 1933, the height of the Big-Band era, and beautiful Lake Geneva is already well established as a summertime playground for Chicago’s elite. Local girl Meg Alden works at the town newspaper, but she aspires to be a reporter—a job given only to men. When a position opens up, Meg spies an opportunity to break into the business.
 
That is, until Jack Wallace, the son of a big-city newspaper magnate, is hired instead. Jack is drawn to Meg and suggests they combine forces to uncover a local scandal. But how can Meg work with the man who stole her job. . .and makes her pulse race?  

My Thoughts:
 
I have loved reading the "Love Finds You" series.  I think I've read almost all of them.  Each one is unique and I've learned so much with each book.
 
This book takes place in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin in the 1930's and reminded of an old movie about reporters "pounding" out their stories on typewriters.  It was very interesting to read about the newspaper business.
 
I especially liked the fact that the author grew up in Lake Geneva.  How neat is that!
 
The characters were well written and very much in tune with what I would imagine living in the 1930's was like even the unfairness of how a woman was treated in a "man's world".
 
I enjoyed reading about Meg's family dynamics and was drawn into finding out how the rifts were to be healed.  Such a different day and age!
 
Another "Love Finds You" novel read and loved!


For the Biblical "Way of Salvation" please see my header or click HERE.
 

Linking up to:  Share Your Cup;  Grandma IdeasLiteracy Musings and Saturday Situation, Booknificent. Party at My Place , Saturday Review of Book , Book Nook, Hearts for Home, The Monday Review, Homemaking Party,  Favorite Things