First Lines Friday and 56 ~ 11/30/18

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

 

 

 

Unless you get one of those miracles they're always talking about in church, I don't see how you'll be able to keep the business open into spring.

 

 

Page 56

"Miller and Miller were pretty miffed to have the case pulled from them, that's for sure."

They were younger, new detectives who wanted to make names for themselves.  But they played by the book.

 

Colletta
 

Also linking up to:

 

Thankful Thursday ~ 11/29/18

 

 

~It has been a winter wonderland around here lately with snow storms and very below seasonal temperatures.  I decided to break out the wintery "Thankful Thursday" graphic I found when I searched google.   :)

~Thanksgiving was last Thursday and we had a wonderful time with family.  My mom and I cooked (mostly Mom) all morning long with a little bit of help from Laken with the pies.  (She loves to bake!)  The turkey was delicious as were all the side dishes.  The pumpkin pie and Cream Puff Cake were my favorites though :)

~The hubby and I usually go Black Friday shopping every year.  It has become a tradition for just the two of us to have a day together and get the majority of our shopping done.  This year, there really wasn't anything on sale that we HAD to have so we went shopping Wednesday afternoon before the rush.  There was hardly anybody out and about and it was such a relaxing way to shop.  We did go out on Friday afternoon with the girls but only went to Kohl's and Ollie's.  We also have a few items ordered online.  We're almost done with our shopping! :)

~Kaylee went to New York City on a bus trip with my brother and my SIL on Saturday.  I was a little nervous about her going because we were supposed to get some freezing rain and it is about 5-6 hour drive.  Once they got there I was fine.  I trust my brother and SIL completely to take care of my girl and knew they would keep her close.  They met back up with the bus at 10pm and again I was a bit nervous about the traveling.  They ended up getting home around 4am Sunday morning safe and sound :)

~You might have read on my Weekly Weigh In post that I somehow have developed Plantar Fasciitis in my right foot.  It is slowly feeling better as I follow my dr's recommendations.  One of the recommendations is to wear tennis shoes.  I always wear my tennis shoes (FILA's) when I walk for exercise but other than that I'm usually bare footed or wearing my slip on loafers.  It has been a big adjustment for me to have my FILA's on from morning until night.  BUT, I can feel progress so I guess it is worth it :)

What are you thankful for today?

 

Colletta



Book Review ~ A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter ~ 11/28/18

 

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

 

 

 Blurb:

 

 Lady Miranda Hawthorne acts every inch the lady, but inside she longs to be bold and carefree. Entering her fourth Season and approaching spinsterhood in the eyes of society, she pours her innermost feelings out not in a diary but in letters to her brother's old school friend, a duke--with no intention of ever sending these private thoughts to a man she's heard stories about but never met. Meanwhile, she also finds herself intrigued by Marlow, her brother's new valet, and although she may wish to break free of the strictures that bind her, falling in love with a servant is more of a rebellion than she planned.

When Marlow accidentally discovers and mails one of the letters to her unwitting confidant, Miranda is beyond mortified. And even more shocked when the duke returns her note with one of his own that initiates a courtship-by-mail. Insecurity about her lack of suitors shifts into confusion at her growing feelings for two men--one she's never met but whose words deeply resonate with her heart, and one she has come to depend on but whose behavior is more and more suspicious. When it becomes apparent state secrets are at risk and Marlow is right in the thick of the conflict, one thing is certain: Miranda's heart is far from all that's at risk for the Hawthornes and those they love.  

My Thoughts:

 

Wow!  Finally, a book review!

 

I've been in a serious, I mean serious, reading funk.  I've started I don't know how many books only to get bored within the first 50 pages.

 

I should have known to go back to the genre where my love of reading started all those years ago:  Regency.  My favorite!

 

I grabbed this book up on Black Friday at Ollie's and read it over the weekend.  I wish I could have read it all in one day but time just didn't allow it.

 

The mystery and intrigue where there along with plenty of romance.  Even though some things were a bit predictable, it didn't bother me at all :)

 

I loved the main characters and their unconventionalness.  ( is that a word??)  I don't want to give too much away because there are a few surprises along the way.

 

I enjoyed learning the characters of Hawthorne House and am so excited that there are 3 more books in this series!  I've already added them to my wishlist :)

 

 



Colletta

The Menu ~ 11/27/18

For the Week of 11/27/18-12/3/18

Tuesday:            Ham, Green Beans, Potatoes

Wednesday:       Fish, Mac-n-Cheese

Thursday:          Chili, Corn Bread

Friday:               Pizza

Saturday:           Bacon, Fried Potatoes, Eggs, Toast

Sunday:              Church Pot Luck

Monday:            Stuffed Pepper Soup, Rolls


What are you eating this week?

Colletta

What I Am Reading ~ 11/26/18

Today I'm reading:

 

Lady Miranda Hawthorne acts every inch the lady, but inside she longs to be bold and carefree. Entering her fourth Season and approaching spinsterhood in the eyes of society, she pours her innermost feelings out not in a diary but in letters to her brother's old school friend, a duke--with no intention of ever sending these private thoughts to a man she's heard stories about but never met. Meanwhile, she also finds herself intrigued by Marlow, her brother's new valet, and although she may wish to break free of the strictures that bind her, falling in love with a servant is more of a rebellion than she planned.

When Marlow accidentally discovers and mails one of the letters to her unwitting confidant, Miranda is beyond mortified. And even more shocked when the duke returns her note with one of his own that initiates a courtship-by-mail. Insecurity about her lack of suitors shifts into confusion at her growing feelings for two men--one she's never met but whose words deeply resonate with her heart, and one she has come to depend on but whose behavior is more and more suspicious. When it becomes apparent state secrets are at risk and Marlow is right in the thick of the conflict, one thing is certain: Miranda's heart is far from all that's at risk for the Hawthornes and those they love.

     

What are you reading?

Colletta

Scripture Memory Verse ~ 11/25/18

This Week's Memory Verse:

 

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100:4-5 

 

Colletta



Weekly Weigh In ~ 11/24/18

I'll be honest with you.

I've been stinking up the place as far as diet and exercise has been going :(

I've fell off the "5 to Thrive" wagon and hit the dirt hard.  The only thing I've continued to do is drink my water instead of pop.  So, I guess that is a positive!

As far as exercise is going, it isn't.  I woke up a few weeks back with excruciating pain in my right heel.  I  hobbled around for a couple weeks before finally going to the doctor.  The diagnosis is Plantar Fasciitis.  I've been following the dr's suggestions and it is feeling better.  Hopefully, I'll be able to start slowly exercising soon.

In the meantime, as of today I'm back to the "5 to Thrive" principles.

If you're wondering what exactly the "5 to Thrive" is all here is a graphic that outlines the plan:

Here are some stats:

Highest Weight Ever ~ 297.0

11/23/18   ~  280.6

Total:  -16.4



Exercise Last Week

Just shopping :)  See Above

Diet

Too much!  See Above



How was your week?


Colletta

First Lines Friday and 56 ~ 11/23/18

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

 

 

 

Hertfordshire, England, 1800

 

It is never a happy day when an eight-year-old girl's cheesecake lands in the dirt, and she certainly doesn't take kindly to the laughing little boy who put it there.

 

 

Page 56

She savored the expanse of grass where she and her siblings had played, the lake she'd learned to swim in, and the stunning collections of shrubs and statuary her mother had labored over the placement of.  If she were successful in finding a husband this year, the view would become an occasional pleasure instead of a daily comfort.

 

Colletta
 

Also linking up to:

 

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I've been away from blogland for a bit.

My computer has been on the fritz and is only letting me get on the internet very sporadically.  In fact, I'll be lucky to get this posted!

But...the hubby has ordered me a new computer for my Christmas gift!  I'm so excited :)

I'll be back when I can!

Colletta

Thankful Thursday ~ 11/8/18

~We went to see "The Nutcracker:  Four Realms" on Saturday afternoon.  I wasn't that thrilled to be seeing it but Laken was really excited about it so that made it a priority.  I ended up really liking it!  It was a bit predictable, but aren't all movies these days?  I'm so cynical!  lol

~Later that evening, we played Dogopoly (again Laken's choice).  It was fun but anytime we play any form of Monopoly, it always ends in crying :(  Laken lost and there went the water works!  The Hubby of course won and had no mercy :)

~We're starting to get in the Christmas Spirit here!  Sirius XM Channel 70 is the Hallmark Christmas Music channel!  I'm so excited!

~The Holiday Baking Championship new season started on Monday night!  I love watching baking/cooking shows and what better way to get in the Spirit even more!

~BIG NEWS!  Kaylee is going to college!  Wednesday afternoon, we spent the whole afternoon filling out FAFSA forms and her college application.  We've made calls about placement testing, financial aid, scholarships, etc.  She won't be starting until Fall 2019, but getting started on the paperwork early is always necessary.  Her final decision on what to study is "Business Management".  Whoohoo!  I thought decision would never be made... :)

What are you thankful for today?

 

Colletta



Wordless Wednesday ~ 11/7/18

~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

Colletta



The Menu ~ 11/6/18

For the Week of 10/23/18-10/29/18

Tuesday:            Pork Chops, Alfredo Noodles, Green Beans, Peaches

Wednesday:       Chinese, Rice, Broccoli, Oranges

Thursday:         Chicken Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Apples

Friday:               Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Pears, Texas Sheet Cake

Saturday:           Bacon, Fried Potatoes, Eggs, Toast

Sunday:              Church Pot Luck

Monday:            Ham Pot Pie, Peas, Fruit Cocktail


What are you eating this week?

Colletta

What I Am Reading ~ 11/5/18

Today I'm reading:  (STILL READING)

People of faith are lined up in lanes all over this globe, batons in hand, running the race that matters most in this world—the divine relay

The divine relay is tough. The track is treacherous. There are so many ways to mangle the exchange zones, to overshoot, to be knocked off the track, to drop the baton, to stop running. The church needs champion runners who never give up, who persevere no matter what they encounter, who run to win, unstoppable, no matter the cost.

If we pass the baton of faith fluidly in the exchange zone from person to person, from generation to generation, we speed unstoppable toward the finish line. But if we fumble the exchange, the whole team, the whole church, suffers. Some runners even stop running and walk right out of the race.

Discover just how important it is to get the “exchange zone” right, to ensure that no runners stop running and walk off the field, but that every runner becomes unstoppable in their dedication to carry their baton of faith to the next runner.

     

What are you reading?

Colletta

Scripture Memory Verse ~ 11/4/18

This Week's Memory Verse:

 

"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.' "

 

Matthew 19:26

 

 

Colletta



Weekly Weigh In ~ 11/3/18

I didn't make any progress this week.  I didn't exercise hardly at all and I ate cake!  :(


Here are some stats:


Starting Weight on 9/17/18 ~ 281.6 lbs

9/28/18 ~  280.2        Total:    -1.4        Needed:   -1.0
10/5/18 ~ 278.4         Total:   -1.8         Needed:  -1.0
10/12/18~ 277.2        Total:   -1.2         Needed:  -1.0
10/19/18~277.8         Total:   +0.6          Needed:  -1.0
10/26/18~277.2         Total:  -0.6           Needed: -1.0
11/3/18~277.6           Total:  +0.4          Needed:  -1.0

Total:                                    -4.0                      -6.0


Amount Behind:  2.0 lbs


Exercise Last Week

See Above

Diet

See Above



How was your week?


Colletta