First Lines Friday, 56 and BBH ~ 11/1/19

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

  

First Lines

I was the perfect mother--before I had kids.

 Page 56

 

There's one weapon against which Worry Woman has no defense.  It's called trust.

 Q.  Do you read classics? If so, what is your favorite? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)

 

 

A.  I don't read classics very often because I don't like to re-read books.  However, I love everything Jane Austen.  "Pride and Prejudice" is probably my very favorite. 

Colletta 

I'd love for you to visit my Etsy Shop:  Colletta's Kitchen Sink Shop !

Also linking up to:

 

Thankful Thursday ~ 10/31/19

 

Here are some things that made me smile this week:

 

~Sleepovers!  Last Friday night the hubby had to work; Laken stayed the night with her cousins; and Kaylee decided to spend the night at her uncle and aunt's house.  Put that all together and I had a nice, quiet evening to myself with just the dogs :)

~Lion King!  We rented the new version of Lion King from the Redbox Saturday and had a Family Movie Night.  I might like to have time to myself every once in a while, but I do enjoy having the whole family together, also :)

~Nonfiction November!  I decided to join in with the reading event "Nonfiction November".  If you'd like to check out what books I'm going to read, click HERE.  :)

~Yarn Chicken!  Have you ever played Yarn Chicken?  For those who aren't familiar with the term, it is when you only have a tiny bit of yarn left and are trying to finish a project without having to buy more.  Well, I played Yarn Chicken with Medium Thyme (sage green) in an Outdoorsy/Woodsy Baby Blanket I'm making for my Shop.  Here's how much I had left :)

~Last Rose of Summer!  My Dad went outside yesterday afternoon and came in with the last roses of summer from the rose bush that was a starter from my Grandmother's rose garden.  It was dark and dreary outside and the rose really brightened the day :)

 What are you thankful for?  What made you smile today?

Colletta

Nonfiction November ~ 2019

Nonfiction November comes at a great time in my life.  I've been in a major reading slump and think nonfiction might just be the way to climb out.

Nonfiction November is hosted by:





Katie at Doing Dewey
Julz at JulzReads
Rennie at What's Nonfiction
Sarah at Sarah’s Book Shelves
Leann of Shelf Aware



I haven't read very much nonfiction this year but a did read a couple.  They were:

 

 

I mostly read inspirational nonfiction but would love to mix it up with some biographies or autobiographies.  I'm hoping to get some inspiration from other participants!

This November I "plan" to read the following but it is subject to change :)

 

 

These are all book that I have on my TBR shelf but I'd love to read "Incredibull Stella" if I can get my hands on it.

Do you plan on reading any nonfiction in November?

Colletta

Weekly Weigh In ~ 10/30/19

Well, this week I maintained.  No loss.  No gain.

Considering how much junk I ate last week and no exercise, I was fully expecting a gain so I was relieved with maintaining my current weight.

This week's Workshop topic was right on point for me!  It was about "setting goals within reach".  I've been struggling with my exercise goal for weeks because I was setting my sights too high.  After this Workshop, I've realized that starting out small is actually the best way to go.  Also, set yourself up for success and not for failure.

It is working!  I've walked 2 times already this week and fully intend to finish the week out strong.  The difference is in my thinking.  Instead of thinking "I have to go to the gym and work out for an hour or more", I'm thinking "head outside and take a nice walk in the cool crisp fall air".  So much more fun!

Now,

On to the weigh in:

Starting Weight ~ 7/27/19 ~ 290.8 lbs

Last Week's Weight ~ 10/19/19 ~ 269.4 lbs

This Week's Weight ~ 10/26/19 ~  269.4lbs

This Week's Total:  -0.0  lbs

 
Grand Total: -21.4 lbs


I'll be weighing in on Saturdays and posting my results on Wednesday.  If you'd like to join in on the journey, I'd love to have some weight loss friends! 

 
Colletta

October 2019 Goals ~ Final Update

As October comes to an end, here is an update on my October goals.  I'll be posting my November goals soon :)


~ Lose 8.2 lbs for the October 3% Challenge

I didn't quite make this goal.  I did lose 4 lbs though!

~ Continue growing out hair

I did NOT get my hair cut this month even though I am starting the eternal debate of whether to stay short or grow my hair out longer!  I really would like to have my long, curly hair back.  I don't have a cut schedule until January 2, 2020 so here's hoping!

~ Get a filling fixed

Done!  It only took about 5 minutes!

~ Go to Homecoming

October 5th was my hometown's Homecoming.  I wasn't feeling very well that day but I did make it to the gathering for a few hours.  It was a fun time of looking at the booths and catching up with friends.

~ Go to the Fall Foliage Festival

The Bedford Fall Foliage Festival is always the first 2 weekends in October.  I took Laken to the festival on Saturday, October 12th.  Kaylee went with Shawn, her boyfriend, and Doug's back was hurting so he stayed home.  Laken and I ate, shopped and browsed the hundreds of booths.  It was nice to spend some one-on-one time with my youngest.  I need to do the same with Kaylee sometime.

~ Make Pies

Our Harvester Class (Ladies Class at Church) made 45 pies to sell at Homecoming.  Friday, the 4th was "Pie Day".  There were 4 ladies + my dad there to make the pies.  It was a long day, but we had fun :)  I do have some apples here at home that I'd like to make into either pies or dumplings when I get the chance.

~ Carve Pumpkins with the girls

We did NOT carve pumpkins this year.  This is the first year since they've been born that we didn't and I don't really even know why we didn't.  I guess we just didn't take the time to go purchase pumpkins and that is kinda the first step!

~ Attend each week's WW Workshop this month

I actually missed my first workshop of October due to being sick :(

~ Get exercise back on track

I'm going to say this is "done" but it is an on-going issue with me so it will probably be on next month's goals as well.

~ Continue working on my Etsy shop (if you want to stop by it is www.etsy.com/shop/collettakay )

I've been working on my Etsy shop and have made a few sales.  I still have some ideas of items to make and list so this is also an on-going item.


How'd you do on your October goals?  Do you plan on setting goals for November?

Colletta

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 10/28/19

 

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

 

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The weather outside is::::

The weekend was dreary and gray with some major rains Saturday into Sunday morning.  After the rain stopped the weather warmed up nicely into the low 70's for a beautiful Fall day!  It is supposed to get in the lower temperatures at night later in the week.  Dare I say...snow????
 



 

On my breakfast plate:

English Muffin, Vanilla Chai Tea

As I look around the house::::

I see new picture frames.  I picked up three frames at the store for a couple pictures.  One is a drawing that Laken made for me of Lady from "Lady and the Tramp".  She did an amazing job on it!

On today's to do list::::

I need to make a menu and grocery list for the week before going for groceries tomorrow.

I also need to go to the post office to mail a couple packages out.

Oh, and the Steelers play on Monday Night Football!

 

Happening this week::::

 

Devotions:  I was really challenged Sunday to read more of the Word.  Instead of ready the little devotional that I've been reading, I'm going to start reading more of the actual Bible.  I'll start out with a few chapters a day and go from there.

WW:  I went to my Workshop Saturday morning as planned.  The scale stayed exactly the same as last week :(  Come back Wednesday for more about this topic.

Exercise:  I am finding it extremely hard to get back into the groove of exercising.  I've put it on my daily calendar and MUST make time to get at least a short workout in a few times a week.  Anything is better than nothing.  Right?

Housework:  How can 2 teenage girls make so much dirty laundry?  I guess that might be a stupid question!  I have one more load to put into the dryer and then their cloths will be ready for them to fold and hang up/put away.

Bills:  It is pay week so I'll be writing out our budget and bills for the next two weeks on Thursday.

Doug:  The hubby is on first shift (daylight 7-3) this week.  It has been a while since he has worked daylight and I miss him terribly throughout the day.  He prefers third shift (nights) but is looking forward to having a change.

Kaylee:  Kaylee and Ginger (a lady from Church) are practicing a song to sing together in Church.  They sound amazing and have only practiced once!  I'll add the song below in the "Listening to:" section. 

Laken:  If I survive this child's teenage years it will be a miracle.  I don't remember Kaylee being so whiny and snarky.  I guess each child is different.  Pray for us!  (only mildly kidding...)

Currently reading::::

 

Rather than reading "Dead Drift" as I mentioned last week, I decided to pick up a Non-Fiction from my TBR shelf to see if that can get me back into reading a bit.  "Beloved Mess" is interesting so far and rather short.  Here's hoping!

 

 

 

 On the TV::::

Home & Family
All the NCIS's
All Rise
Buff City Law
Stumptown
New Amsterdam

Movies:

Lion King

Listening to:




 
On the menu this week::::

 

Monday -  Ham, Eggs

Tuesday - Pizza
Wednesday -  Chicken, Cheesy Potatoes
Thursday  - Fish, Fries
Friday -  KFC
Saturday -  Pork Chops, Homemade Mac-n-cheese
Sunday - Potluck at Church

What I am creating at the moment::::

 

I finished the Christmas Baby Blanket to add to Colletta's Kitchen Sink Shop.   I'm now working on an Ourdoorsy/Woodsy Baby Blanket in Soft White, medium brown and sage green.  These baby blankets/afghans would also be great for adult lapghans!

 

Picture From the Camera

 

 

Devotion/Inspiration

"The LORD says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you'."

 

Psalm 32:8 NLT

 

 

Colletta

Scripture Memory Verse ~ 10/27/19

This Week's Memory Verse:

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.

Proverbs 16:9 NIV

Dear LORD,

You know the plan You have for me, and they are for my good.  I find great serenity in the knowledge that You, my God, are in control.

 

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Colletta

{Shop Updates } ~ 10/26/19

Below are some new and re-newed listing in my shop:  Colletta's Kitchen Sink .

First, I'd like to show a few of the APRONS I made this week.  They are mostly Fall and Christmas.  Click on the link to see more :)

Next, I'd like to show the baby blankets/afghans I added this week.  It is a Christmas Baby Blanket but it could definitely be used as a lapghan.  This is ready to ship!

I also relisted the Pink and Gray Blanket as I sold one!  Whoohoo!  This one is now "made to order" until I get one ready to ship.

I also re-listed the THINK PINK Prayer Shawl as the one listed sold.   Prayer Shawls are one of my favorite items to make.  Again, I offer a CUSTOM listing to make this item in any color you would desire. 

Finally, I added some Cloths and Scrubbies to the shop.  I decided to take the ones that I had made and put them into "lots" or "sets".  I'm really just looking to get rid of them quickly.

***

Thank you all so much for supporting me on my blog and in my shop!  and EVERY item in my shop has FREE SHIPPING!!!

 

Colletta

First Lines Friday, 56 and BBH ~ 10/25/19

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

  

First Lines

I'm a mess.  I really am.  I'm not talking about my physical environment--the crumbs you will find in my butter or the laundry piles that spill out of every closet in my house.

 Page 56

 

Before we do anything wrong and before we do anything right, God has named and claimed us as God's own.

 

 

Q.  What is your favorite horror book-to-movie adaptation?

 

A.  I don't do horror books OR movies.  They scare me too much!  lol  The most I can handle is a suspense and then it is iffy.  I know.  I'm a wimp!

Colletta 

I'd love for you to visit my Etsy Shop:  Colletta's Kitchen Sink Shop !

Also linking up to:

 

Thankful Thursday ~ 10/24/19

 

Here are some things that made me thankful or smile this week:

 

~Laken's last Volleyball Game!  For the season, anyway.  I mentioned last week that the season was ending and she had one final game on Monday.  The team had a pizza party yesterday after school and WE'RE DONE!  Quiet evenings:  Here we come!  :)

~School Picture Day!  This made me smile because I remember the days when Laken didn't care a bit about how she looked, even for school pictures!  Well, this year was a completely different matter!  She got up early.  She picked out 5 different outfits before deciding on what to wear.  She wanted me to smooth her hair.  She fussed that her hair was too fluffy.  She was a mess the entire morning getting ready for school.  I have to say that I was glad when the bus pulled away with her on it!  :)

~Apple Cake!  I blame my Mom.  She made an Apple Cake with Caramel Icing and it was delicious!  Being that I'm doing WW and trying to lose weight, I did my best to stay away from the cake but I did have a few pieces over a couple days.  Hey, it DID have apples!  That's a fruit! :)

~Kaylee and Shawn's "Anniversary"!  Can you believe that Kaylee and Shawn have been dating for 4 YEARS!?!?  She was only 14 years old and him 15 years old when they got together over sheet music in Band Class.  Isn't that sweet?  For their "Anniversary", they went to Applebee's and then came back to the house and watched a movie.  I can honestly say that I just LOVE Shawn to pieces.  His parents did such a good job raising him and I couldn't ask for a better boyfriend for Kaylee :)

~Fabric Shopping!  I wanted to add some seasonal aprons to my Etsy shop (www.etsy.com/shop/collettakay ) so the hubby took me fabric shopping!  It isn't really his "thing' but he knows how much I love playing with pretty fabrics (yarns, too) and creating items for my shop.  He's so supportive of everything I do.  I guess I could have titled this item "Wonderful Hubby!"  :)

 What are you thankful for or made you smile today?


Colletta

Weekly Weigh In ~ 10/23/19

Even though I didn't exercise a lick last week and ate Cheddar Sour Cream Chips like they were going out of style, I went to my Workshop to weigh in fully expecting a gain.  Somehow, (and I really don't know how other than making better choices:  besides the chips) I managed to once again lose 1 lb!

That means I made it into the 260's at 269.4lbs!  Whoohoo!  It is my serious goal to be in the 250's by Christmas.  Think I can make it?

The Workshop was about the "eat-the-rainbow challenge".  We talked about different ways to add color to meals to make it more interesting and add variety.

I am HORRIBLE at this.  I get in a rut and like it :)

The main idea was to add more fruits and veggies to your diet in new ways and recipes by using the WW recipe search bar.  As someone who does NOT like many fruits and even less veggies, this was a tough topic for me.

What about you?  How do you incorporate color into your meals???  I'd love to know!


Now,

On to the weigh in:

Starting Weight ~ 7/27/19 ~ 290.8 lbs

Last Week's Weight ~ 10/12/19 ~ 270.4 lbs

This Week's Weight ~ 10/19/19 ~  269.4lbs

This Week's Total:  -1.0  lbs

 
Grand Total: -21.4 lbs


I'll be weighing in on Saturdays and posting my results on Wednesday.  If you'd like to join in on the journey, I'd love to have some weight loss friends! 

 
Colletta

{Aprons, Aprons, Aprons} ~ 10/22/19

 

I set my sewing machine up this morning and sewed away!  It was nice to switch things up a bit and play with beautiful fabrics :)

Really quickly, I want to show you the new APRONS that I added to Colletta's Kitchen Sink Shop!

~First the Fall-ish aprons:

~Next are the Christmas-y Aprons:

~Last, is a pattern that I bought because I really liked it.  I call it Postcards from Paris :

These aprons are all one-size-fits-all with extra long apron strings for easy adjustment at the neck and waist. 

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Thank you all so much for supporting me on my blog and in my shop!

 

Colletta