Tea Time ~ 1/5/2023

 

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 did end up staying home on NYE.  Kaylee came over for shrimp and we hopped from countdown to countdown show watching the performances.  The local news came on at 10:30pm and I decided to "rest" my eyes for a few minutes until the shows came back on.  Well, I woke up the next morning!  How was your New Year's celebration?  Did you watch the ball drop?

~There are new movies on Hallmark that AREN'T Christmas movies!  I haven't gotten to watch any yet as this week has been super busy with all my new "Plans" for 2023.

~I got a new fitness watch!  The band broke on my old one and I didn't think I needed a "fancy watch".  I got a simple clock face watch at Wal-Mart but when we got Laken a FitBit for Christmas, I missed knowing how many steps I took and decided to splurge a little.  While mine is NOT a FitBit (it was only about $25) it serves its purpose and is a pretty rose gold :)

~I set my Goodreads Challenge goal at 26 books for 2023.  I read 16 books in 2022 even though my Goodreads goal was 52.  I decided to split the difference and try to read 1 book every 2 weeks.  So far I've been spending at least 15 minutes a day reading "Mind Games" by Nancy Mehl.

~I got my sewing area organized!  It feels so much better and I can tell that I'm getting my craftiness back :)

So, what's new with you?

 

Colletta

Tea Time ~ 12/29/2022 ~ Christmas 2022 and New Year 2023

 

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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~I don't think I wished my readers a proper "Merry Christmas"!  So, "MERRY CHRISTMAS"!  We had a very nice, long Christmas weekend.  I'm still waiting on a few presents to be delivered so Christmas has been extended :)

~The Hubby and Laken were both off work/school all week.  The hubby met me for lunch today after he dropped Laken off at a friend's house for a sleep over.  I only have 30 minutes for lunch but it was nice to get to see him and break up the day a bit.

~The hubby has also been busy organizing the Family Room this week.  Every day I come home to a few changes and improvements.  I still need to organize my crafting area though.  It is off-limits to him.  Hopefully, I'll get to work on it over this coming long weekend.

~I wrote a 2023 Planning post yesterday.  If you're interested, you can check it out HERE.

~I always get very excited for the New Year!  We don't have any set plans for New Year's Eve yet and, truthfully, I'd just as well stay home and relax.  Do you have plans?  What about traditions?

So, what's new with you?

 

Colletta

Tea Time ~ 12/15/2022 (Long Time No Tea!)

 

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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~It has been six months since I've written a "Tea Time" post! June 2, 2022 was the last time I chatted and caught up.  I have written a "Homemaker Monday" post here and there but I just really wanted to tell you about all the things going on lately.  

~The reason I haven't been blogging lately is due to the fact that I was job hunting, then working, then job hunting again and now working!  I started a job on August 8th that I quickly knew wasn't for me.  I tried to stick it out to see if it would get better but after 3 months, I called it quits (quite literally!)  I had already started applying for other jobs and knew I just couldn't job hunt and work a full-time job at the same time.  Thankfully, the first job I interviewed for called me and offered me the job!  I'm now the Administrative Assistant in Human Resources of my County and am LOVING it!  I've been there for a little over a month and it is going really well :)

~The Family is doing well.  We've had our share of bouts of the sicknesses going around but right now (knock on wood) we're all fairly healthy.  The hubby has 6 more days of work this year.  Laken has 5 more days of school this year.

~We're supposed to get "Snow Event" tonight (Wednesday) into tomorrow (Thursday).  It is supposed to start as ice and then turn to snow with an estimated accumulation of 3-5 inches.  I already got the call that Laken's school is closed tomorrow.  My boss told me not to take any risks trying to come in to work if the roads aren't fit to drive on.  I'll wait and see what things are like in the morning before making any decisions.  I am worried about the hubby driving home from night shift in the morning, though.  Kaylee is also supposed to work Thursday so I'm now sure what she'll do if the roads are icy :(

~Instead of Christmas caroling like our Church usually does in December we decided to enter a float in our town's Christmas parade and carol from the decorated wagon!  We go together early this past Saturday afternoon for pizza and to decorate the hay wagon.  It was cold but we bundled up and had a ball!  We had some of the carolers walking along the wagon to hand out candy bars.  Three of the candy bars had "Golden Tickets" inside the wrapper and were worth $25 gift cards.  It was so much fun!  I'm pretty sure we'll do it again next Christmas season.

~Speaking of Christmas, it is just around the corner and I'm no where near ready in the gift department!  I ordered lots of presents this year and am now (im)patiently awaiting their arrival.  As soon as they come I'll have lots of wrapping to do :)

It was wonderful catching up with you!  So, how was your week, month, 6 months?  What's new with you?

 

Colletta

Tea Time ~ 6/2/2022

 

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 went to the theater Friday afternoon to see the move "Top Gun Maverick".  While I'm not a huge fan of Tom Cruise (personally), we LOVED this movie!  It was so good.  I even think it might have been better than the original "Top Gun".  Yep, I said it :)

~Saturday, we went to a local-ish amusement park called Delgrosso's.  My brother and sister-in-law got us all season passes for Christmas!  It was only about 66F, so the water park section was bare and it actually wasn't as busy at the ride's as I thought it would be for Opening Weekend.  

Afterwards,we stopped by the mall and Laken got her ears pierced.  She's been wanting her second piercing for a while now and we promised that if she got her school work done on time, she could get them.  She is one happy camper :)

~Sunday we had a graduation party to go to at Shawnee (our local state park).  It started at 4pm but we decided to go up right after morning Church to spend some time together by the lake.  It was such a gorgeous day, weekend really!

~The girls did some tie-dyeing on Memorial Day (I'm actually wearing my new shirt right now ;)  They had each gotten a large kit of tie-dye supplies for Easter and finally had some time to spend creating :)

~I promised last week that I would get some pictures of Kaylee's house with her flowers.  Here they are :)

How was your week?  What's new with you?

 

Colletta

Tea Time ~ 5/26/2022

 

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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~The hubby got the cats a new toy :)  They LOVE it!  All night long I hear the little bells inside the balls jingling!

~My Mom and I went to a Ladies Tea hosted by a sister congregation about an hour from home.  It was nice to spend some time together and with other like-minded Christian women.  After the tea, we stopped at Eat-n-Park for dinner.  We haven't gone out, just the two of us, in YEARS!  We did get Laken some Smiley cookies to bring home to her :)

~While Mom and I were at the Ladies Tea, the hubby, Laken and my Dad went to see the new Dr. Strange movie.  (Not my cuppa tea!)  Afterwards, they went to Cracker Barrel for dinner.  Laken sent me some hilarious pictures of her Pap.  This is my favorite:

~I missed Church Sunday due to a stomach bug.  The hubby had it first and then passed it on to me!  Something I'd rather he hadn't shared!  Not a fun thing but I am feeling better now :)   I'm just hoping I was the end of the line for it in the family!

~Laken is DONE with 9th GRADE!!!!  It was a rough year of cyber schooling full medical tests and being sick which put her VERY behind by January.  After getting some relief by limiting Lactose and using Lactaid, she had a lot of work to catch up on.  I am so proud of the late nights, weekends and holidays that she worked on her schoolwork instead of having fun.  I am so glad that summer is here and I bet she is 10X as glad as I am!  Time to PARTY :)

How was your week?  What's new with you?

 

Colletta

Tea Time ~ 5/12/2022

 

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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~The kittens, Flynn and Clover, had their final booster shot at the vet.  They have come so far since their first appointment!  They were only 4.5 weeks old the first time we took them for their check-up and sat so scared on the exam table.  This time they were exploring the whole room!  They are very mischievous and can be quite wild at times.  Then sometimes they are very sweet and loving.  Such characters!

Clover as a baby.

~I had a wonderful Mother's Day!  Actually, the whole weekend was great :)  Saturday we went to the Barnes & Noble because Laken said she would buy me a book with her own money!  This was major!  But, I just couldn't see spending $16.99 of her limited money on a paperback book.  I told I'd take a rain check :)  Kaylee came over and brought my Mother's Day gifts from both the girls.  I love my new cup and the flowers are so pretty and holding up rather well.

~I gave the hubby a haircut!  This in and of itself isn't major but wait until you see the before, during and after pictures!  Such a difference.  And great for the nice weather we're starting to get.  For the record, he was NOT fond of me posting these pictures but he's a good sport and let me anyway :)

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

~Speaking of the weather, it has been a gorgeous couple of days.  I enjoyed sitting outside on the deck as much as possible and hanging clothes on the clothesline.  It is supposed to be warm this weekend but rain so I'm enjoying it while I can.

~We have a nosy chicken!  No matter where we go, she'll be there, sticking her nose into whatever is going on.  The hubby was taking pictures and she was fascinated.  I love this picture he got.  It cracks me up :)

~I wrote a separate post about the Summer Proverbs 31 Online Bible Study but I'm going to post about it here as well.  The study starts May 31st and is "Fighting Words" by Ellie Holcomb.  I hope you'll be able to join in!  Isn't the book beautiful???

How was your week?  What's new with you?

 

Colletta

Tea Time ~ 5/5/2022

 

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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~I hit 4000 posts this week!  I think this post will actually be 4004 :)  I've been blogging since 2009 so it has definitely taken quite a while.  I've been watching the number CREEP up for a few months now and was excited to hit publish on that 4000th post :)

~Laken is going to Virginia Beach this summer with my brother and SIL!  She is so excited but has to keep her mind on the prize of getting through her freshman year of high school first.  Only 3 1/2 weeks to go until her deadline to have all her work done and handed in!  Whew!

~The hubby will be working a fixed shift starting May 31!  He has been on swing shift for right around 22 years so we're hoping that the fixed shift will be permanent like the higher ups say it will be.  I'm looking forward to figuring out a good routine for all of us.  (BTW, the hubby PICKED 3rd shift) :)

~ The Azaleas and Lilacs are blooming!  Lilacs are my all-time favorite :)

~I signed up for the "20 Books of Summer" but have elected to read "10 Books of Summer" :)  You can see my sign up post HERE.

How was your week?  What's new with you?

 

Colletta

Tea Time ~ 4/28/2022

 

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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~This past weekend we had 88F weather!  It was spectacular! We decided to cook on the grill that Mom and Dad got for Christmas from my brother and sister-in-law.  (It was delicious :)  Laken insisted that we trek up the hill to the picnic table to eat.  The breeze was magnificent!  After our impromptu picnic, Laken picked me a wildflower just like when she was little.  It made my day :)

~The Chicken/Duck Coop and Pen is done!  The Hubby and my Dad worked tirelessly to get it finished and fenced in while the weather was nice.  The next day we had a Spring storm so it was just in time.  The day after the storm the coop was painted a nice brown but I didn't get a picture.  It looks amazing  :)

~Peaches is one of our travelling, outside cats.  He comes and goes as he pleases.  Mom calls him a working cat because anytime someone is outside working, he'll be in the midst of the action.  As I was at the Coop, I looked over and saw him resting so peacefully in the shade.  He is such a pretty cat.  He keeps himself very well-groomed :)

~Once Easter had passed it was time to give the hounds new bandanas.  (The previous ones had bunnies)  I posted how we make our bandanas (SO SUPER SIMPLE).  You can check that out HERE!

~I lost 2 lbs this week!  I'd love for you to check out my Weekly Weigh In post HERE!

How was your week?  What's new with you?

 

Colletta

Tea Time ~ 3/24/2022

 

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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~It is my BIRTHDAY!!!!  Happy 44th Birthday to me :)

~I am so glad that it is officially SPRING!  I had been having some serious spring/cabin fever and was really glad to be able to get out and go for a few walks this past week.  Yesterday it rained and it is supposed to rain all day today but I won't let it get to me :)  The sun will come back out and it will get warm again :)

~I got this super cute picture of the hubby and Kona resting.  It is hilarious how she will rest her head on his shoulder and put her paw across his stomach, just like a person snuggling.  In this picture you can see Kona's poor nose.  She must have gotten stung on the snout by a bee and we have had an awful time keeping her from itching it.  This picture was a few days ago and it IS starting to heal.  For a while, we thought we might have to get her a Cone of Shame.

~About 40 people from our Church went bowling Saturday afternoon.  We had such a good time hanging out together.  Laken and Damon are cousins but also the best of buds.  This is their "silly" picture :)

~Kona and Lilah got their new bandanas today.  Out with the St. Patty's bandanas and in with the bunny bandanas.  You can't really see the pattern on the fabric very well, but it is so cute!  Kona loves wearing bandanas and gets upset when you take it off of her.  Lilah couldn't care less. 

~Flynn and Clover had their vet checks Tuesday.  They've each gained 1 lb which is great as they were so very tiny!  The vet, Dr. Amber, said they are looking good.  They got their first vaccines and go back in 3 weeks for their booster.  Both kittens, but especially Clover, love to lay on the dog bed with both Kona and Lilah.  They are getting more personality and have these spurts of energy where they rip and tear through the house chasing each other!  So fun to watch them play and grow :)

~This week we added to our family...again!  12 chicks!!!!  The hubby, Kaylee, Laken and I went to Tractor Supply and bought our very first chickens!!  I think we might be crazy!  Kaylee and Laken have wanted chicks FOREVER but the time was never right.  I don't really know why the time was right this time, but it is.  The girls are SO excited!  Laken called dibs to holding the chick box on the ride home.  They are so cute and growing like weeds.  I would say they've doubled in size since we got them a week ago.  Now the hubby needs to get to building the chicken coop!

 

How was your week?

 

Colletta