Hello Monday ~ 5/13/2024

 

Holly & Sarah

I really, really wanted to have lots of pictures from a fun weekend for this post.  I took the pictures, I really did!  Which led me to wanting to have a better phone camera.  The hubby and I decided to check out phone deals at our carrier and we ended up getting new phones today.  This should be a good thing but I forgot the pain it is trying to remember passwords (some of which I didn't have written down)!  I am so frustrated right now that I almost just wanted to say "forget it", go to bed and cry.

All because I wouldn't have facebook or messenger until I get it figured out.  Isn't that totally and completely sad and ridiculous?  So I've decided that maybe, just maybe, I shouldn't load facebook or messenger on my phone at all.  Something to think long and hard about...

Other than that, I had a really good weekend.

Friday evening, I worked on decluttering my desk area in the Family Room.  I took before and after pictures but, alas, I don't know where they went.  Somewhere into the abyss of pictures taken but never downloaded on my computer or printed.  Again, frustrated!

Apparently you could see the Northern Lights where I live in PA on Friday night and Saturday night.  I knew nothing about it until Saturday morning and then Sunday night it was pouring rain when I went to bed.  Laken told me that it cleared up around 2am but I wasn't staying up that late.  I did get to see lots of amazing pictures though!

Saturday morning, we went to see my cousin little boy, Damon, play soccer.  He has improved so much already.  This is his first year playing (he's 6 year old) and I can see a big difference between the first game we went to and this game.  

After the game, we went grocery shopping.  Nothing exciting there.

Saturday afternoon/evening I finally took the time to get a MUCH needed pedicure.  I am now sandal weather ready.  Now we just need the sandal weather.  This entire weekend has been rainy and chilly.  I'm looking forward to some nicer weather.  I can't wear open-toe shoes to work but I want to be able to come home and run around in my flip flops.  Or even better...bare feet!

Sunday morning the sun was finally shining for a bit so I woke up in a good mood.  First things first, we went to Church.  There was a special Mother's Day program which I took part in.  I read a little poem about "What Mother Means".  I made the mistake of looking at my Mom in the middle of reading the poem and her eyes were tearing up which made me tear up.  Those poems on Mother's Day always make me emotional.

All Sunday afternoon was spent at the phone store.  Which brings me full circle to now, Sunday night, when I am writing this post.

All in all, it was a great weekend.  I spent time with those I love and both of my girls told me "Happy Mother's Day" without me having to say:  "Do you know what today is?".  I felt pampered and loved.  Who could ask for more?

EDITED TO ADD:  I figured out how to get pictures from my phone to my computer!!!!  I went back and added a few to the post :)

Colletta

The Good Stuff ~ 7/22/2021

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Time for another "Focus on the Good Stuff" post!

~Laken Is Good to Go!  Laken had to have an MRI of her knee last Friday because the xray showed something abnormal.  Then Monday we went to the Orthopedic Surgeon to find out what it is.  I am so very relieved to tell you that the surgeon told us it is a non-ossifying fibroma and nothing at all to worry about!  Her knee pain is totally unrelated.  She'll be going to physical therapy for her knee pain to strengthen muscles that are being underused.  So it was a very good appointment!  I was quite stressed so the news came as a great relief :)  She is all good for sports, gym etc.

~Meeting With the DJ!  We met with DJ Tuesday evening to go over the plan for the Wedding Reception.  He seems very professional and committed to making it a wonderful experience for Shawn and Kaylee.

~My New Watch Came!  My old, cheap, "fitbit-ish" watch broke after wearing it constantly for a year and a half.  I ordered a new, cheap, "fitbit-ish" watch on Saturday and it came yesterday (Wednesday)!  It is my favorite aqua/turquoise color and does so many things!  Most of which I won't even use!  I mainly use it for time and step count.  I hope this one lasts as long as the last :)

~I'm Reading a Book!  I haven't read in months so reading a book is good stuff!  I'm reading "The 10 Commandments of Marriage" by Ed Young as all thing marriage and wedding have been on my mind lately.  I started reading it with giving it to Kaylee and Shawn in mind and I probably still will.  However, I am learning so much and getting such good information from it and I'm only half way through.  If only the hubby were the reading type...  I think this would be a good book to read together :)

~Damon is OK!  My cousin's little boy, Damon, fell down the outdoor cellar steps Monday.  We were very worried when we heard the news that they were taking him to the ER as we didn't know the extent of his injuries.  He had a CT scan to check his head for injuries and it came back all good.  He ended up having to get stitches in his forehead and a staple in the back of his head.  So all things considered, we're very thankful that it wasn't worse!

What are you thankful for/smiling/exited about this week?  Tell me all the good stuff! 

Colletta

Journal Entry ~ 6/2/20 ~ with pictures

A few sentences about each day...

May 25, 2020 - May 30, 2020

Mon/25 ~ Happy Memorial Day and Happy Unofficial Summer!  We got Subway for lunch before Kaylee had to go to work and ate at the picnic table on the hill.  After Kaylee left for work, while Doug was napping for work tonight and Laken was doing who-knows-what, I got on the treadmill for 45 minutes.  I'm trying really hard to find the right time of day to make walking on the treadmill a habit.  Mornings and evenings are busy so maybe afternoons will be the right time???  After Doug's nap, we went for ice cream and fishing at Shawnee.  It was a beautiful day :)

Tues/26 ~  It was another gorgeous day!  I think the nice weather is finally here to stay :)  Laken spent most of the afternoon outside on a blanket with the cats.  Fluff decided that the blanket was solely for her and wriggled all over it.  We had to water the flowers and the vegetable garden this evening as they were getting a bit thirsty.

Wed/27 ~  Even though it was a bit cloudy, I was able to hang clothes on the line today!  I love being able to do that.  Damon and Dexter were here today.  Laken played with them outside (when she finally got out of bed).  They played ball and drew with sidewalk chalk.  When we came inside, the kids helped make a Cinnamon Chocolate Chunk Coffee Cake.  It was utter chaos but we got it made :)  It turned out super yummy and I'll be sure to share the recipe sometime soon.

 Thurs/28 ~ Kaylee wanted to go shopping this morning this morning to get some cooler work clothes.  Apparently it was unbearably hot in the warehouse last evening and she was wearing a pair of sweatpants!  We stopped at Hebrews, a little coffee shop, and the girls got their morning caffeine.  It was very muggy this evening so we had an easy supper of weiner winks and french fries.  For dessert we had fresh strawberries with whipped cream :)

Fri/29 ~ Green!  Green!  Green!  We're going green!  Next Friday, that is, but I'm still excited!  Restaurants, hair salons,theaters, etc., etc., etc.  I know we still have to be cautious, don't get me wrong.  It will just be good to get just a little bit closer to "normal".  Kaylee got a letter in the mail from the College saying that she received a scholarship that she had applied for.  It is for $500.  Every little bit helps :)

Sat/30 ~ My recipe for "Irish Stew" was featured on the blog "Scraptastic Saturdays"!  I got a new pretty orange cup to hold my ice water.  they didn't have my favorite turquoise color so I picked the orange one.  I'm hoping that I'll cut back on the pop and drink more water.  We went shoe shopping for Kaylee's work shoes.  She got a pair of Sketchers that are very cushiony.  I hope they work well for her.               

Until next week,

Colletta

Thankful Thursday ~ 1/31/19

~Tuesday was my SIL's bday!  Kelly spent her birthday having her gallbladder removed :(  So the cake was put on hold until she is able to enjoy it.  Prayers for her continued recovering are much appreciated :)




~Kaylee's friend, Bree, stayed the weekend!  She lives about an hour away so the girls don't get to see each other often.  They had a great time with shopping, playing video games and loading up on snacks :)


~My Moogly CAL Block #2 was featured on the Moogly Facebook cover photo!  So exciting as there are a lot of blocks to choose from :)


~I rejoined Planet Fitness and took Kaylee as my guest!  It is so cold and icy out and impossible to go outside for a walk like we did in the summer and fall.  We went for the first time yesterday.  I'll be posting more about this over at Colletta Is Losing It!  I'd love for you to come visit and follow that blog as well :)


~Damon is a goose!  I'll leave you with this picture of him on his train with his "hat" on :)

What are you thankful for today?

Colletta



Thankful Thursday ~ 12/20/18

 

~Laken had her Christmas Band Concert last Thursday evening.  It was her very first concert performance and she was a bit nervous!  She started playing the flute last year (lessons only) but this was the first year she was able to be in Concert Band.  We got her all gussied up and she did great!  I love going to Christmas Concerts.  It makes my Christmas so much jollier :)

~I actually took the time to paint my fingernails!  I used to get manicures at a salon but gave that up due to the cost.  Now, I usually keep my fingernails cut short but they have gotten a little bit of length to them recently.  I really wanted to paint them a nice, Christmassy red but only have summer colors  :(  I finally picked out a pale pink from my collection and gave them a few coats :)


~I've been "off" for quite a few weeks, as my cousin Steph had broken her collar bone and was off work.  Monday was her first day back to work, so I'm back on duty.  I get Dex ready for school and he gets on the bus with Laken.  Damon gets to hang out with me and Kaylee for the day on M-W-F.  He is such a ham :)

~I rejoined Sparkpeople.com to track my food and exercise.  It is a lot like WW online but FREE! 


~My Mom, Laken, Kaylee and I have started making cookies and fudge for Christmas.  So far we've started with Sugar Cookie cut-outs.  Today we're making Chocolate Chip Cookies and "Almond Joy Cookies" (a recipe I found on Facebook).  We're also making Nut Horns, M&M Cookies, Chocolate Fudge and Peanut Butter Fudge.  :)

What are you thankful for today?

Colletta



Thankful Thursday ~ 8/9/18

 

This week I'm thankful for:

 

~Friday was Damon's 1st Birthday!  Steph and Cody had a party for him in the evening.  The theme was "Lumberjack" and everything was so stinkin' cute!  Here's one of my favorite pictures of the Birthday Boy.  He's such a ham :)

 

~After the gratification of organizing my bookshelves last week, I took some time to organize my desk area!  I went through the pile of papers sitting on the corner of my desk and the pile of papers piled in the other corner of my desk, etc, etc, etc.  It feels so nice to sit down at a neat, orderly desk to write and work :)

~It has been so hot here in PA the past few days!  I'm so thankful for the AC that keeps the bedroom and family room cool.  It is a nice respite :)

~Last week's passing out drama with Laken, I was expecting a calm week health-wise.  Think again!  Laken has a huge swollen gland on her neck.  I took her Tuesday morning to the walk-in hours at the pediatrician and, of course, she has strep throat!  The doc gave her some meds and she is perking up nicely :)

~Last year I boycotted the NFL for the disrespect being shown to our flag and the National Anthem.  I've decided to give them a pardon (in my own mind) and give them another shot.  (They better not blow it!)  If you've read my blog for long, you might know that I'm a Pittsburgh Steelers fan.  They play their first Pre-season Game tonight and I'm so excited!  I've had some major football withdrawals over the past year :)

What are you thankful for today?

 

Colletta



Tea Time ~ A Cottage and a Bear ~ 6/29/18

 

Grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or your favorite drink
while I share a few things about my life lately...

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~We rented a cottage at Shawnee State Park for two nights in the beginning of the week!  It has been 2 long, busy years since we had camped and it felt glorious!

~We saw a bear!  A Big, Big, Big BEAR!  I was standing on the porch of the cottage and looked over to my left and there he was!  As big as could be!  The park ranger said that there have been a male, female and 2 cubs wondering around the park.  I think we saw the male :)  Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture :(

~Laken had her first Summer Reading Program day on Monday before we went to the cottage!  She loved it!  I was afraid she'd be shy but she jumped right in and even made a new friend that will be in her class when she changes schools in the Fall.  My plan all along ;)

~Damon is staying with us for a few days while my cousin Steph and the rest of her family go to Kings Dominion!  They dropped him off with us on Thursday morning and so far, so good!  He even slept all night for me :)

~My cousin's Fiancé is having a Bridal Shower Sunday afternoon!  You might have read about it before on my Work in Progress posts.  I have the gift, an afghan, completed.  I just need to wash it and throw it in the dryer.  I love showers :)

How was your week?

 

Colletta

Tea Time ~ A Wedding and A Dress ~ 4/27/18

 

Grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or your favorite drink
while I share a few things about my life lately...

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~Today was my last day of babysitting.  I'm looking forward to having more time concentrate on exercise and taking care of the house.

~We went Prom Dress shopping for Kaylee!  After trying on many dresses, she decided on the one she liked the best.  Look for a Prom Dress post soon :)

~I think Spring is finally here.  (please don't snow now!)  I've been watching baseball on TV and am looking forward to going to a AA game closed to where we live.  I'm also looking forward to going to some of Dex's Little League games.

~At my last Weight Watcher's Weigh-in, I've lost 8.6 lbs in the last month!  I weigh-in tomorrow and am really nervous!  I get nervous every week about seeing what the scale is going to read.  Look for a Saturday Weigh-In post tomorrow :)

~I don't know if I mentioned yet that my new deck is built!  The Hubby and my Dad built it basically in a day.  I'm so excited to have my swing right outside the door and also to be able to sit at our patio table with the family and enjoy the weather :)

~My cousin Matt is getting married in September!  The bridal shower is in July so I've started working on an afghan for the bride's gift.  It is very colorful and I'm loving sitting on the new deck and working on it :)

How was your week?
 

Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

Tea Time ~ Puberty and Graduation ~ 4/13/18

 

Grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or your favorite drink
while I share a few things about my life lately...

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

~I turned 40-years-old a few weeks ago!  Whoohoo!  You can read more about it in my "Happy 40th Birthday to Me" post.

~Laken brought home the dreaded 5th grade "Puberty Education Program" permission slip...  How can my baby be of an age to be thinking about puberty?  It seems like yesterday I was giving birth to her!  She's growing up so fast!

~Speaking of growing up...Kaylee is only 35 school days away from graduation!  For the Graduation Ceremony they put together a slide show of the graduates.  I had to go through my pictures and pick out 5 that I would like to be featured of Kaylee.  (She had to approve them.)  Looking through the pictures of her through the years and seeing her grow-up into the lovely young lady she is made me very proud AND emotional!  Here's one of my favorites from her 4th grade Christmas Program:

~I got a new pair of walking shoes for my birthday.  I went for a two mile walk and my heel is now TORN up!  I'll spare you the gruesome details and definitely won't post a picture.  I'm sure you all know what it is like to have a horrible blister on your heel from a pair of new shoes.  Anyway, I've been putting Neosporin on it and a huge Band-Aid to protect it.  Needless to say, I haven't put those tennis shoes back on yet!

~The hubby has been a busy beaver and built our deck onto the addition!  I'm so excited to have my swing on the deck where I can just walk out and relax!  My Mom surprised me with a Welcome mat for on the deck.  I've been waiting to put it outside until the snow stops.  (Please stop, snow!)  I absolutely love the color pops!  And, yes, I'm wearing my flip flops.  See above about my heel :)

~And last but not least, I wanted to show you a picture of 2 of my favorite men.  The hubby and little Damon taking a nap while I worked on a blog post.  Aren't they sweet?

How was your week?
 

Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!
 

Linking up with Friendship Friday, Five on Friday, Show Off Friday, Awesome Life,  Friday Favorites , High Five for Friday , Tricky's Five , Friday's Fave Five. Fresh Friday Finds, , Sweet Inspirations, Funtastic Friday .