The Good Stuff ~ 2/3/2022

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~Quarantine Over!  That pretty much sums it up.  Quarantine is over and we're all feeling better.  Thank the Good LORD!

~Back to Church!  This kind of goes along with the quarantine being over, but it was so good to get back to Church and participate in Church functions again :)

~Youth Group Lock-in!  And along with that came being able to attend the Youth Group Lock-In Friday night.  The hubby and I volunteered to stay the night and help with the Youth Group.  Laken was so glad to be feeling better as she had really been looking forward to the Lock-In.  She would have been VERY disappointed if she hadn't been able to go.  It was a long night but the kids had fun :)

~5 Books!  I read 5 books in January!  I'm excited about this because last year I read a total of 12 books.  The entire year!  My goal this year is to read 1 book per week.  So far, so good :)

~15 Years Old!  My youngest, Laken, turned 15 years old Wednesday 2/2/22.  She's by little groundhog baby who isn't so little anymore.  In fact, she likes to point out the fact that she is almost taller than me.  Right now, we're tied in the height department.  Happy Birthday, Laken!

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

Colletta

Thankful Thursday ~ 11/12/2020

 

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

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~ Revival!  We have been blessed this week to have had Revival Services at our Church with Derek Baker and Kirk Hacker.  After the normal "sermon portion" of the evening we then had a "discipleship" class in the social hall where we learned more about how to handle different scenarios we might come across when witnessing to people.  It was quite interesting.  I'm glad that I got to be a part of the experience :)

~Our Veterinarians!  I mentioned last week that we found a kitten under our porch and we named her Dusty.  She had some issues with going to the potty and got a blockage.  Our vet kept her for days working with her.  Dusty got to come home Saturday but Tuesday morning when I woke up I discovered she had passed away during the night.  She was so tiny that her chances were not good for survival.  I am thankful for everything the vet did to help her and also for the discount that was given for their services.  It just wasn't meant to be...

~Our Veterans!  Not to be confused with veterinarians are our Veterans.  Yesterday was Veteran's Day here in the USA.  I am proud to say that my Dad served in the Armed Forces so it is a big deal for us.  Our Church's Youth Group usually has a dinner to celebrate the Veterans, but due to COVID we had to cancel the dinner.  Instead, we sent our local Veterans gift cards for the diner in town.  We wanted to make sure to still show our appreciation.  Thank you to all those who have served and are still serving!  God Bless the USA!

~A Negative!  Laken wasn't feeling well last week so after a few days of her not feeling up to snuff, I called the pediatrician.  She recommended a COVID test.  Sigh.  So we waited for 5 hours at Medexpress for her turn to have the test administered on Friday.  We quarantined while waiting for a call with the results of the test even though she was feeling better.  Thankfully, the call came in Monday around noon that Laken was NEGATIVE for COVID!

~Groceries!  I know this seems like a strange thing to be thankful for, but after quarantining, we were getting to be like Mother Hubbard's Cupboard in the food department.  We still had plenty of food, don't get me wrong.  We were just out of the favorites and go-to's.  We were down to the foods that would take effort to prepare and you would have thought it was the end of the world with "nothing in this house to eat"!  Thankfully, I was able to make a grocery store run and stock back up on the "essentials".  :)

What are you thankful for this week? 

Colletta

Journal Entry ~ 4/23/20

A few sentences about each day...

April 15, 2020 - April 21, 2020

Wed/15 ~ Doug and I had to brave Wal-Mart to pick up Laken new inhaler at the pharmacy.  Kaylee wanted to go along but I made her stay home.  Apparently, Governor Wolf made an order that you "must" wear a mask when going into stores.  I have one that my mom made me and I made one for Doug out of a t-shirt sleeve!

Thurs/16 ~ Laken and I started a new puzzle today.  She stayed up late last night to finish the last one.  The new one is 1500 pieces and is called "It's a Ruff Life" with tons of cute puppies.  Hopefully this one takes a while to put together.  Puzzles are hard to find at the store!

Fri/17 ~ Laken and I made Oreo Truffles this evening they were very easy to make so I posted the recipe here on my blog.  I was down 1.4 lbs this morning when I weighed in.  My Weekly Points reset today so I used a few for the Oreo Truffles :)

Sat/18 ~ It warmed up a bit today, at least enough to get a walk in.  This week is supposed to be nice so I'm hoping to get lots of FitPoints in.  Here's hoping!

Sun/19 ~ After two week off Doug is headed back to work.  We had another quiet Sunday with Home Church and an afternoon walk.  Starting tomorrow I need to work on getting into a better routine.

Mon/20 ~ Today's grocery run was our first time wearing masks to do our shopping.  It is now required in PA.  They've also extended our "stay at home" until May 8th!  I'm trying not to watch the news as much as I did "in the beginning".  It was giving me nightmares and lots of anxiety.

Tues/21 ~ We dropped the Nitro off at the local garage to get it inspected.   We still need to get new tires for the Subaru.  That will be next.  I got 5 FitPoints in today!  I have two more days to get in 6 FitPoints to meet my weekly goal of 25 FitPoints.  I also stayed within my daily food Points.  Hopefully, I'll see some results come Friday's weigh in.


Until next week,

Colletta

In the Kitchen ~ Oreo Truffles

Well, another quarantine week in the books!

We spent some more time in the kitchen today making Oreo Truffles!

Laken was the master chocolatier (???) this time.  She's made cake pops before so she was a pro! 

The chocolate hardened VERY fast because the Oreo truffles were frozen so we had some cracking in the chocolate but they are SO tasty!

Oreo Truffles

1 package Oreos
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, room temperature
1 (12 oz) package chocolate candy melts

Crush the Oreos.

In a large bowl, mix cream cheese with Oreo crumbs until smooth.

Roll Oreo mixture into 1 in. balls.  Put onto cookie sheet and cover with plastic wrap.  Put in the freezer for 20 minutes.

Melt chocolate (candy melts) according to package directions.

Cover truffles completely with chocolate.  Let cool.

Super simple and easy for the kiddos!

Colletta

Journal Entry ~ 4/16/20

A few sentences about each day...

April 8, 2020 - April 14, 2020

Wed/8 ~ Another beautiful day!  We spent most of the day outside.  This evening Mom and I made up more Communion Kits.  The last ones we made were for 2 weeks.  This time we made them for 3 weeks.  That will take us through the end of April then we'll go from there.  Hopefully, by then things will be getting back to normal.

Thurs/9 ~ It rained just about all day and didn't get very warm.  We were basically in the house all day :(  I rejoined WW after a 2 month hiatus and gaining at least 10 lbs!  I signed up for the digital only.  I set Friday as my weigh in day.  I'm starting fresh tomorrow :)

Fri/10 ~ We had snow this morning!  April is always a crazy weather month here.  70F on day and two days later snow!  The kids have been camped out in the Family Room for 2 days.  I'm about ready to kick them back into their rooms so I can get the Family Room back in order.  I am loving the family time though :)

Sat/11 ~ We made Carrot Cake Bunnies for tomorrow's dessert.  They are super cute!  The girls colored eggs per tradition.  We spent a lot of time in the kitchen today.  We also worked on cutting brush that fell from all the wind lately.

Sun/12 ~ Today was an Easter Sunday unlike any I've ever experienced in my life.  We had home Church, like every Sunday lately.  We also had a nice dinner but that was all.  You could call it "quiet" but I'd call it "boring"!

Mon/13 ~ This was the first time I actually felt nervous to go out for groceries!  It is so sad to see people actually being afraid of other people.  Everyone was definitely practicing "social distancing" and were giving each other a wide berth.  I can't wait until things are more "normal".  Whatever, whenever, that might be.

Tues/14 ~ Laken had a "telemed"/"telehealth" visit with her pediatrician about her asthma.  At first we had trouble getting "Google Duo" to work but finally got it working.  The daily inhaler seems to be helping so we're sticking with that.  I was glad not to have to take Laken to the dr's office!

Until next week,

Colletta

A Simple Woman's Daybook ~ 4/14/20

Looking out my window:

As I write this Monday afternoon, it is raining.  In fact, there are severe thunderstorm warning and even a tornado warning for our area!  As if we need more to worry about!

I am thinking:

I am thinking that I need to catch up on my letter writing.  My Pen Pal letter is way overdue to be written.  She probably thinks I fell off the end of the earth!

I am thankful:

I am thankful to be back from being out buying supplies and groceries.  Today was the first time that it actually made me nervous to go...

One of my favorite things:

"One "of my favorite things this week are actually two very special people:  my daughters!  Kaylee is on the left and she is almost 19 years old.  Laken is on the right and turned 13 years old in February.

I am creating:

I'm still working on granny squares with the colors below.  What started as this:

Is now this:

I almost have all the squares completed.  I need 5 more squares and then I'll starting crocheting the squares together and after that comes the border!

I am wearing:

Today I am wearing a t-shirt with flowers on the front and a prayer of comfy gray capris.

I am reading (read) /watching (watched) / listening to:

I'm reading "Trinity" by Ronie Kendig about a Military War Dog.  I am loving it so far!

I am hoping:

I am hoping that Laken can finish out the school year strong!  We found out last week that schools are closed for the rest of the school year.  In Laken's school district, all student have an ipad and that is how they are doing their school work now.  So far, she has all A's for the 4th quarter!

I am learning:

I am learning from being out for groceries this morning that people are actually scared of each other!  It is truly a sorry state of affairs but I guess with COVID-19 you can't be too safe.

In my kitchen:

In my kitchen, we made Porcupine Meatballs and Mashed Potatoes for Easter Dinner.  We have ham all the time and wanted something different to celebrate.  Laken also made Carrot Cake Bunnies with Cream Cheese Icing for dessert.  Click HERE for the recipe :)

Shared Quote:

"God took the Man and set him down in the Garden of Eden to work the ground and keep it in order."

Genesis 2:15 MSG

A moment from my day:

My computer buddy, Kona.  She likes to lay on the rug beside me while I'm blogging.  I said her name and got a head lift in acknowledgment. 

Have a Blessed Day!

Colletta

Journal Entry ~ 4/9/20

A few sentences about each day...

April 1, 2020 - April 7, 2020

Wed/1 ~ This day was totally stinky.  Pennsylvania's governor made all counties "stay at home" today.  While I understand (and really don't need to go anywhere), I really am finding out how much I enjoy the freedom to just get up and go wherever I want!  Bah Humbug!

Thurs/2 ~ I was feeling very gloomy today.  Actually, the past few days.  This evening we went for a long walk as a family and I felt much better afterwards.  The sun was shining even though it was still chilly.  The four of us walked and talked.  We need to do this on a regular basis.

Fri/3 ~  I went on two walks today.  One was first thing this morning and another this evening.  I feels good to have gotten so many steps in and to get outside.  My plantar fasciitis is bothering me a bit from walking so much on it today.  Hopefully it feels better by morning.

Sat/4 ~ I cleaned my patio table so that I could sit on the deck and crochet.  Getting outside on the nice days is imperative to my mental health!

Sun/5 ~ This was our second Church "At Home" Sunday.  I'm starting to realize how much I take "normal" Church for granted.  It was a beautiful day so after lunch Doug and I went for a walk.

Mon/6 ~ It was gorgeous outside today.  It was sunny and 70F on the deck.  I spent most of the afternoon and evening at the patio table working on my current project.  In the morning, Doug and I went out for supplies and groceries it is so weird seeing people wear masks to protect themselves from getting the virus...

Tues/7 ~ Since Doug is off this week, we took the opportunity to clean out the Subaru and the Nitro.  We are horrible about keeping out cars cleaned out.  We also cleaned the trunks out.  It was way past due!

Until next week,

Colletta

Journal Entry ~ 4/2/20

A few sentences about each day...

March 25, 2020 - March 31, 2020

25/Wed ~ Our Preacher and Elders have decided to cancel Church Services for the next two weeks.  Crazy times!  Mom and I put together Communion Kits for the Church members to come pick up.  It felt good to be doing something productive.  Lately, I feel like I'm just passing the time until "normal" life starts again.

26/Thurs ~ It was such a gorgeous day!  First thing this morning I sat on my swing soaking in the sunshine.  I went for a solitary walk this morning and for another walk with Kaylee this evening.  It was so nice to spend time outside, but I think it is supposed to rain again tomorrow :{

27/Fri ~ This evening was Family Game Night.  We play "Apples to Apples" for the first time ever.  It was interesting but I don't know if it will be favorite.  Then we played "Operation", a game we haven't played since the girls were little!  I was shocked that the batteries were still good :)

28/Sat ~ Another quiet day at home...I got some laundry done and we worked on another puzzle.  I'm getting ready to start a new book, "A Daring Venture" by Elizabeth Camden, a favorite author!

29/Sun ~ Today was a weird day.  It was strange not going to Church.  Instead, we had Church at home but I missed seeing all my Church family.  The National "Guidelines" have been extended to April 30th!

30/Mon ~ I'm feeling kind of bummed this evening even though it was a pretty good day.  I went grocery shopping so it will probably be my only time "out" this week.  I really need to get into a routine.  I need some sense of normalcy in my life instead of my emotions being all over the place.

31/Tues ~ Laken and I started our last puzzle today.  Kaylee had her online classes but to the one instructor is using Zoom and it makes Kaylee's laptop flip out.  She has to wait and then watch the video after the class is over.  Just one more month and she'll be done for the semester.  One more month!

Until next week,

Colletta