5 Things Friday

Carla at My 1/2 Dozen Daily got me started with 5 Things Friday and it was a great way to wrap up the week! We haven't done it for awhile but I just felt the need to do one this week so grab a cup of tea, put your feet up and here we go!

#1...I didn't lose weight this week, in fact, gained .2 pound. My total weight loss for the month is 5.2 pounds!  Not great but totally acceptable! Just think, if I do that again next month it will really add up! I am planning to start walking on my treadmill next week and maybe do some arm exercises with the weights. I will probably incorporate a few exercises to strengthen my lower back as well. I was so close to my 1 1/2 pound per week average that hubby offered to pay for my Weight Watchers Online anyway but I told him "a deal is a deal" so will just do better next month!

#2...I got my taxes ready for the accountant. They are headed to the accountant TODAY!!! I hope we don't give the poor guy a heart attack! He has been doing our taxes since about 1985 and this is by far the earliest we have ever gotten our stuff to him! It is so nice to have that off my back and not be looking at needing to do it yet as I do most years. I am such a procrastinator when it comes to taxes:(

#3...The lotion I bought for my hands, generic version of Eucerin Aquaphore, is working!!! It would work better if I used it like I should. It is greasy and doesn't absorb very fast so I procrastinate with using it. However, my thumb is healing so will keep working on it. What I really need are some cotton gloves to wear to bed at night so I can grease up and not worry about it getting on the sheets.

#4...Last year I participated in the A to Z Blogging Challenge during April. For my long time readers, did you enjoy it? Should I do it again? For the month of April, Monday through Saturday, I blogged using letters of the alphabet...A to Z...ending the month with Z. It's sign-up time so thought I would put it out there and see what you think! Anyone want to join me? The fun part is visiting some of the more than 1500 blogs who are participating! The call was put out on January 27 and already 440 bloggers have signed up to participate! WOW!

#5...I haven't bought any Christmas gifts yet but have been thinking about items to purchase or make. I have money saved for this purpose:) One of my goals for this year is to start working on my Christmas list in January. Having some money set aside should count, right?!!!

Well, that about wraps it up for this week! I will be back Sunday night for the Sunday Night Chit-Chat! See you then!!!

Kat

January No-Low Spend Challenge

It is time to give my final update for the January No-Low Spend Challenge. Last year I bombed out halfway through the month but this time I came through with flying colors:) Thanks to Carla at My 1/2 Dozen Daily for this Challenge to get the New Year started off on the right foot!

Week 1 (January 1-8) -- spent $18.95 to join Weight Watchers Online on January 3 using money I had saved for this purchase so I am not counting this purchase in the challenge. I meant to sign up before January 1 but it just didn't happen! Also, hubby and I have an agreement that if I lose an average of 1 1/2 pounds per week, he will reimburse me for the Weight Watchers Online fee:)

Week 2 (January 9-16) -- I was paid $54.64 from Stampin' Up! on January 9; spent $25.98 on stamping supplies on January 10. Bought Crochet Scarf pattern online for $5.50 on January 13.

Week 3 (January 17-24) -- 

• Advanced Healing Ointment (compare to Eucerin Aquaphore) ... $9.92
• Advanced Healing Ointment tube for purse ... 2.96
• Sport Card Plastic Sleeves (individual) to make punch templates ... $2.97
• Ghirardelli Squares (for stamping club project) ... $3.00
• Thrift store shopping: Gap sweater, LizWear Tee and Gloria Vanderbilt capris (with tag still on them--thinking spring here) and audio book ... $9.00
• Earned $20 last night selling stamp sets I no long need or want plus $10 for class fees

Week 4 (January 25-30) -- I made a commission of $80 from this month's Stampin' Up! order and I spent $85.69. 

Sooo, this is how the numbers look this week...

• Starting balance $200.00
• Earned $164.64 bringing balance to $364.64
• Spent $145.02
• Ending balance $219.62!!!

Woo Hoo! I ended up with $19.62 more than I started with! That $19.62 will pay for next month's Weight Watchers Online fee of $18.95 since it doesn't look like I lost the 6 pounds needed to have hubby pay. I will know for sure tomorrow!

Have you been successful with your New Year's Goals? I will do an update of my other goals this weekend to see where I am.

Kat

Everything Eleanor Thank You

I think Everything Eleanor is my new favorite stamp set! This card was a CASE (copy and share everything) from Tami White at Stamp with Tami. 

For this card I used the following Stampin' Up! products:

• Card Stock: Basic Black, Midnight Muse and Whisper White
• Stamp Sets: Everything Eleanor and Perfectly Penned
• Classic Stampin' Pads: Midnight Muse and Crumb Cake

This was a super quick and easy card but when I made a mistake I made it even quicker and easier...

I stamped the inside pieces with the outside stamps so had to figure out how to use them. For the card in the first picture, the base card is black with a layer of Midnight Muse and then a layer of white. For the card above, the base card is Midnight Muse with a layer of Whisper White. Even mistakes can turn out good for good. I ended up with double the amount of Thank You cards, which I can always use.

Have a great day!

Kat

Be My Valentine

The Happy Stampers Club met last Wednesday and we made Valentines! The card above was CASEd from Brandy at Brandy's Cards. The link will take you right to her video showing step-by-step how to make this card. Brandy also does fun videos showing how to make 10 cards in 20 minutes! I really enjoy her videos!

For this card I used the following Stampin' Up! products:

• Card Stock: Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Real Red and Pink Pirouette
• Punches: 1 3/4" Circle, 3/4" Circle, 1/2" Circle, 1" Circle, Large Oval, Extra Large Oval, Word Window, Full Heart
• Big Shot with Argyle Embossing Folder; Heart Framelits
• Other: Googlie Eyes, Basic Black Marker

I hope you enjoyed this card! I will be back tomorrow to show you some more cards I made last week.

Kat

Happy Homemaker Monday

I am a little late getting started with Happy Homemaker Monday but it is still Monday! We were invited over to visit friends on the spur of the moment yesterday and got home late so missed the Sunday Night Chit-Chat but we had sooo much fun! Have you ever played You've Been Sentenced? It is so much fun!!! We will be ordering that game for ourselves! Check it out...seriously, so.much.fun!!!

As usual, Happy Homemaker Monday is brought to us by the very talented and super busy Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. It is so much fun to link up with her each week. So, let's get started...

As I look outside my window:::
It is dark, cold, foggy, icy--yuck! yuck! yuck! It doesn't look much better during the day! We have been foggy and below 30 degrees (F) for a week and a half now. Enough already! 

Right now I am:::
Sitting in my favorite chair near our wood stove, sipping some water, waiting for hubby to get home from his busy day.

Thinking and pondering:::
I was supposed to work on tax stuff today but never did get my mind wrapped around it:( Which means I will have to put my nose to the grindstone tomorrow to get it finished! Hubby wants it to go out in the mail THIS WEEK!

On my bedside table:::
Bible and Desire of Ages. I need to renew the library book on my Kindle App.

On my TV tonight...
We are almost finished with Emily Owens MD on Netflix so will hopefully get an episode or two in tonight.

Listening to:::
Nothing--ah, sweet silence! Okay, just after I typed the silence part our English Bulldog, Rocky, started snoring! I thought I would hate his snoring but he really does have a sweet little snore:)

On the menu for this week:::
Monday -- Pasta, broccoli & carrots
Tuesday -- Baked Potatoes and Winter Squash; green salad
Wednesday -- Rice and Pinto Beans
Thursday -- Bulgar Chili
Friday -- Leftover Chili
Saturday -- Potluck at Church
Sunday -- Mizidra (rice and lentils)

On my to do list:::

• Get taxes ready for accountant
• Laundry
• Make a few more cards
• Clean refrigerator

Plans for this week:::

• Monday--Stamping business stuff--order brochures; get card swap email sent; plan paper/ribbon share and send email
• Tuesday--tax stuff or go to town with hubby
• Wednesday--Stamping Order
• Thursday--Laundry, clean refrigerator
• Friday--Clean house
• Saturday--Church
• Sunday--kick back and relax

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::

• Lots of cards
• Finishing up scarf and headband for toddler
• Crocheting boot sock cuff things

My simple pleasure:::

Crawling into my freshly made bed with clean sheets and fluffed mattress topper and comforter:) My whole body just relaxes as I sink into my bed!

Lesson learned the past week:::

I don't have all the answers (shock)! Sometimes (most times) I just need to trust that God is still on His throne and will work everything out to His (not mine) honor and glory. There are lessons for me to learn even in the darkness! This week I am endeavoring to learn to praise God no matter what the circumstances! It is oh so hard but I believe that is where God wants me to be in my relationship with Him.

Looking around the house:::

A little clutter from our day but not too bad. The dogs haven't taken ALL their toys out of the toy box:) Dishes need to be done from dinner.

From the camera:::

Nothing today.

Prayer List:::

• My back is healing but still has a ways to go
• Our friend's dog who wasn't feeling well last night
• Our friends' daughter who is leaving for Namibia Africa next week
• My precious daughter and her sweet family

Bible verse; Devotional:::

"Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God" -- Psalm 143:10

Well, that's it for me tonight! I will try to get in a little bit of tax stuff before bed so I can hopefully go with hubby tomorrow. 

Kat

Weight Loss Journey

I told you my weight loss goal is to lose 20 pounds by April 1. I actually have 35 pounds to lose but 20 is my first goal! I joined Weight Watchers Online on January 3 and to date have lost 5.4 pounds:) I need to lose 1.5 pounds per week to make my April 1 goal plus if I lose 1.5 pounds per week (average) hubby will reimburse me for the Weight Watchers Online fee. I haven't been able to exercise all month because the first week I had a kidney infection and then had a bad fall. Hopefully I can start with the exercise next week.

Yesterday I made a HUGE pot of soup from a recipe I have had around for awhile. If you want a delicious soup with very few calories and super good for you, try All-You-Can-Eat Soup Diet Basic Recipe! As the recipe reads, it is only one Weight Watchers point per cup. However, I added some garbanzo beans and a can of corn so that upped the ante just a little. I also added a little more salt to the recipe and about two teaspoons of Sweet Basil. Oh, one more little change I made was to use a vegan chicken-style broth instead of the regular chicken broth. I hope you will try this soup but if you don't have a big family, prepare to freeze some or eat it for a week!!!

Have a great weekend!

Kat

January No-Low Spend Challenge

This is not the post I planned today but sometimes you just go with what you've got! I know some of you are wondering when I am ever going to show some more cards and they are made, I just need to get them photographed! They are coming, I promise. 

In the meantime, it is time to update you on my January no-low spend challenge! Woo Hoo! I am doing MUCH better this year than I did last year (imagine my happy face)!!! If you are new to my blog or didn't get in on my original January Challenge post you can check it out here. I adjusted my dates a little to make each a full week so this is how the Challenge looks so far...

Week 1 (January 1-8) -- spent $18.95 to join Weight Watchers Online on January 3 using money I had saved for this purchase so I am not counting this purchase in the challenge. I meant to sign up before January 1 but it just didn't happen! Also, hubby and I have an agreement that if I lose an average of 1 1/2 pounds per week, he will reimburse me for the Weight Watchers Online fee:)

Week 2 (January 9-16) -- I was paid $54.64 from Stampin' Up! on January 9; spent $25.98 on stamping supplies on January 10. Bought Crochet Scarf pattern online for $5.50 on January 13.

Week 3 (January 17-24) -- 

• Advanced Healing Ointment (compare to Eucerin Aquaphore) ... $9.92
• Advanced Healing Ointment tube for purse ... 2.96
• Sport Card Plastic Sleeves (individual) to make punch templates ... $2.97
• Ghirardelli Squares (for stamping club project) ... $3.00
• Thrift store shopping: Gap sweater, LizWear Tee and Gloria Vanderbilt capris (with tag still on them--thinking spring here) and audio book ... $9.00
• Earned $20 last night selling stamp sets I no long need or want plus $10 for class fees

Sooo, this is how the numbers look this week...

• Starting balance $200.00
• Earned $84.64 bringing balance to $284.64
• Spent $59.33
• Ending balance $225.31

Pretty good if I do stay so myself!!! I have one more full week to go in this Challenge and I think I will come out pretty good. I have a stamping order to do next week (eek!) but am going to try not to spend more than my commission. Unless you're a crafter, you have no idea how hard that is!!!

I am doing so well that I am challenging myself to save at least $500 from my allowance and stamping by April 1. Starting to hyperventilate here but give me a minute and I'll be okay:D I won't bore you with the weekly spending on that challenge, just update you at the end of each month on what the total is.

I hope you are having a GREAT day!

Kat

Happy Homemaker Monday on Tuesday

I don't know what happened to Monday but it just kinda got away from me! I could have just NOT done Happy Homemaker Monday but I enjoy it so much I decided to do it on Tuesday instead.

I was super busy making cards on Monday and can hardly wait to show you! I have three projects for Happy Stampers Club (Wednesday night), 2 squares for a Collage Swap (I made 5 of each square) plus a couple birthday cards and a few thank you cards (I always need thank you cards)!

Well, let's get started with Sandra's questions for Happy Homemaker Monday. You can check out Sandra's answers at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

As I look outside my window:::
It's dark! I am writing this at 12:30ish AM! I know! I know! I should be in bed sleeping but couldn't so decided to get up and be a little productive instead. Now, back to the weather...it has been foggy and cold since last Thursday. Today the temperature didn't get over 30 degrees (F) and with the fog everything is icy:(

Right now I am:::
I just took another Melatonin so hopefully when I finish this I will be ready to go back to bed. But right now I am sitting on the couch with my feet on the coffee table just typing away!

Thinking and pondering:::
Just thinking about the cards I need to make before Wednesday!

On my bedside table:::
I am currently reading Land of my Heart by Tracie Peterson. Our read aloud is Any Way Out by Ann Vitorovich.

On my TV tonight:::
Not a thing!

Listening to:::
Nothing; it is absolutely quiet:)

On the menu for this week:::
Tuesday -- Vegetable Stew with green salad
Wednesday -- Town Day (no cooking)
Thursday -- Baked Potatoes and Baked Squash with broccoli
Friday -- Potato Corn Chowder
Saturday -- Church potluck; not sure what I am taking
Sunday -- Bulgar Chili

On my to do list:::

• Laundry
• Finish up prep for Happy Stampers Club
• Finish tax prep (almost finished)
• Clean bathroom

Plans for this week:::

The only thing I have planned for this week is Happy Stampers Club on Wednesday night.

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::

Just making lots of cards right now. I need to get my granddaughter's crocheted hat finished so I can mail it off.

My simple pleasure:::

Eating chocolate! Right now my favorite is Kirkland's Dark Chocolate Super Fruits:) 1/4 cup of these delicious chocolates is 5 Weight Watcher's points and worth every bit!!!

Lesson learned this week:::

The healing process is a slow one and I need to be patient!!!

Looking around the house:::

Dog toys, as usual, littering the living room floor! The dining room table looks like somebody blew it up with my stamping stuff all over it! 

From the camera:::

Dish cloths I made for Christmas gifts. Love the yarn!

Prayer List:::

• Acquaintance wanting to sell her house and move. Seeking God's will.
• Friend's daughter who was going to Namibia to work with Cheetah.org but had her car broken into and passport, driver's license, computer, etc. stolen on day she was to fly out. She is trying to get everything replaced so she can leave on February 3. 
• Sister who is scheduled for hip surgery mid February
• Nephew's baby having a procedure on Thursday

Bible verse/Devotional:::

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint." -- Isaiah 40:31

Thank you for visiting today! I enjoy sharing my Happy Homemaker Mondays (and Tuesdays) with you:D

Kat

Sunday Night Chit-Chat

My husband has been telling me this for years!
And you know what???
It's true:)

It's time for the Sunday Night Chit-Chat hosted each week by Carla at My 1/2 Dozen Daily. Carla has been doing some serious sewing lately and her creations are beautiful!

Let's get started with the Chit-Chat!

I am...

Reading...Land of my Heart by Tracie Peterson
Listening to...Nothing
Watching...I will be watching Downton Abbey tonight:)
Cooking/Baking...I made brown rice and pinto beans tonight. I made granola today.
Happy I accomplished this week...

• I kept up with the laundry and dishes (with my back that's an accomplishment)
• I sent two handwritten "snail mail" notes
• Did well on the January No-Low Spend Challenge

Looking forward to next week...It is time again for my Happy Stampers to meet:) I always look forward to our monthly meetings!!!
Thankful for today...That I am (again) starting to have less pain. Yay! 
Bonus Question: What colors of clothing do you tend to gravitate towards? I gravitate towards fall colors but have decided to add turquoise and coral to my wardrobe this year. Should brighten up my wardrobe a little:)

Well, that's it for me today! I will be back tomorrow for Happy Homemaker Monday!

Kat

Okay, I Lied!

On January 8 I showed you some Christmas cards I received and said that was it till July! Well, I lied, though unintentionally! I have one more beautiful Christmas card to show you!

This card was made by Ella and accompanied a beautiful brown scarf that goes so perfect with my hat and coat. 

Isn't the deer cute? I love the green rhinestones on the antlers. Thank you Ella for this super adorable card.

Margarita's swap this month is to make 2 1/4" squares with a Valentine theme. We are to send two different squares to each person in the swap. When we receive all the squares we will be able to put them together in a frame for a collage. I received the first two squares yesterday from Charina...

Aren't the little macaroons cute? These are so adorable! I am so looking forward to getting the rest of the squares:) 

Have a great day and a wonderful weekend.

Kat

A Little This; A Little That

Rummikub non-starter (Photo credit: Kai Hendry)

Yesterday was a wonderful day! I spent two hours playing Rummikub with my husband's Aunt Elaine. She won 7 games out of 10!!! I am going to have to practice up for a rematch! Then we went to lunch at Walla Walla General Hospital where they serve delicious vegetarian food. One of my lunch items was a super yummy kale salad with dried cranberries and balsamic vinaigrette. 

I do think the trip was a bit more than I was ready for as we drove two hours each way. I thought sitting in the car would be okay, forgetting that the most comfortable position for me right now is sitting with my feet up! Then walking through the two stores we went to was torture:( I am getting better but oh so slowly!

I have terribly dry hands plus eczema on both thumbs. Sometimes my hands hurt so bad they throb! On Dr. Oz this week, he was talking to a dermatologist and she recommended Eucerin Aquaphor. They had a woman who had been using it for seven days with remarkable results. Dr. Oz said that in his surgery, the doctors use it because their hands dry out from washing them so much. I put it on my list for yesterday's shopping. Eucerin Aquaphor was $14.97 for a 14 oz jar. After comparing the ingredients, I purchased the store brand for $9.92 plus a tube of it for my purse for $2.96.

As you can see from the picture above, my thumb is pretty nasty (and this isn't as nasty as it sometimes gets) so I am hoping this cream will work.

For my shopping yesterday, I was hoping not to spend over $20 so I could stay on target with Carla's January No Low Spend Challenge. And I did it!!! It did mean I had to stay away from the yarn though:(

• Advanced Healing Ointment (compare to Eucerin Aquaphore) ... $9.92
• Advanced Healing Ointment tube for purse ... 2.96
• Sport Card Plastic Sleeves (individual) to make punch templates ... $2.97
• Ghirardelli Squares (for stamping club project) ... $3.00

Total Spent = $18.85 (update on where that puts me next week)

As part of my weight loss plan, I have been making myself a smoothie each morning for breakfast--yummy!

Breakfast Smoothie

1 cup Trader Joe's Coconut Milk

1 banana

1/2 apple

1 cup blueberries or raspberries (picture above using raspberries)

1/4 cup rolled oats (uncooked)

1 Tbsp Chia seeds

Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth.

This smoothie uses 4 Weight Watchers points, leaving me 22 for the rest of the day! 

Till tomorrow!

Kat

NaBloPoMo

Well, I already flunked the NaBloPoMo:( The idea is to blog every day for a whole month but I just wasn't up to it on Friday and Saturday. It is what it is! I guess I really don't need the extra "pressure" right now.

I do feel a lot of pressure right now to do things I can't physically do. So what is my remedy for this? I have been reading Ashley's Year of Joy posts over at Lil Blue Boo. As I read her posts, I realize the things I think are so important just aren't! 

So, I am going to write a couple of notes to people telling them they bring me joy. Yes, real old fashioned snail mail! I hope my note brings them joy.

Have a great day! Spread a little joy today...a smile will do:)

Kat

January No Low Spend Challenge

I feel like I am operating in super slow motion these days! My back pain doesn't let me get the sleep I need so I tend to sleep in later. Then when I get up I am so stiff it takes twice as long to do everything! I know I just need to be patient as it's only been a week but patience is a virtue I just don't have:(

Well, enough complaining!

I wanted to update you on how the January no-low spend challenge is going for me. Now, remember, my goal is to save as much of my $200 allowance as possible since hubby does an admirable job with our household money.

Week 1 (January 1-4) -- spent $18.95 to join Weight Watchers Online on January 3 using money I had saved for this purchase so I am not counting this purchase in the challenge. I meant to sign up before January 1 but it just didn't happen!

Week 2 (January 5-11) -- I was paid $54.64 from Stampin' Up! on January 9; spent $25.98 on stamping supplies on January 10.

Week 3 (January 12-18) -- paid $5.50 for crochet scarf pattern to make for friend's daughter on January 13. I am going shopping tomorrow but am hoping not to spend over $20.

So far...

• Starting balance $200.00
• Earned $54.64 bringing balance to $254.64
• Spent $31.48 (I will update with tomorrow's shopping trip next week)
• Ending balance $223.16

We have two and a half weeks to go in this Challenge so I will need to be careful or earn more money. It would sure be fun to be able to tuck the whole $200 away! Hubby would certainly be proud as I usually spend every penny, every month. I think it was October when I decided to start budgeting my allowance and it has really helped. I am using the envelope system with envelopes for:

• Clothes
• Personal Care: hair, make up, etc
• Quarterly trip to daughter's
• Gifts
• Miscellaneous: lunch out, postage, yarn
• Savings

I try not to spend more money on stamping supplies than I make so I don't budget for that. 

My $200 allowance may not seem like much to manage in the whole scheme of things especially when most of the Challenge participants are working with their family budgets but this quote gives me hope that by taking care of the small things, I am gaining more control over myself:)

"If you take care of the small things, the big things take care of themselves. You can gain more control over your life by paying closer attention to the little things."   --  Emily Elizabeth Dickinson

Carla's challenge this week is to sell things we don't need but with my back issue I don't even want to think about it! I will just do the best I can with what I have.

I promised an update on my Weight Watchers progress. My goal is to lose 20 pounds by April 1. I need to lose 35 pounds total but am setting the 20 as my first goal. In my first week with Weight Watchers Online, I lost 3.6 pounds--Whoo Hoo!!! I am hoping for an average 1.5 pounds per week. If you have been thinking about signing up for Weight Watchers or Weight Watchers Online, there is currently no sign up fee so that will save you $29.95 right there!

This really turned into a bigger post than I had planned! Thanks for hanging in through the whole thing. 

Do you have any goals for 2014?

Kat

Happy Homemaker Monday

Last night my back was killing me before I went to bed! I nearly cried because I thought I was getting better and then here I was in huge pain again:( My sweet hubby reminded me that I probably just did too much and that maybe I should take it easy. This morning I was still pretty sore but have rested a good deal today, staying off my feet, and my back pain seems to have eased up a bit. Whew! I am so ready for this whole ordeal to be over!!! It will be a week tomorrow.

Well, it's time for Happy Homemaker Monday! You can find Sandra, our weekly host, at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. She's a lady after my own heart! She cooks, sews, crochets, knits, homeschools, watches Downton Abbey (before it's available on PBS) and is a Jane Austen fan! You will love reading her blog posts so head on over to "visit" but remember to come back here:)

As I look outside my window:::

We have had wind, wind, wind since Friday! Not just a gentle breeze but blow the limbs off your trees wind! Temps have not been too bad; I think it got up to 50 degrees (F) today. But the wind:(

Right now I am:::

Sitting in my favorite chair with the dogs at my feet typing this post.

Thinking and pondering:::

Thinking about all that needs to be done that I can't do. I need to just let it go and quit worrying about it. Hopefully in another week I will be able to start getting things done.

On my bedside table:::

The Kindle App on my iPad has two books right now-- To Love Anew by Bonnie Leon and A Home in the West by Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith. For our read aloud, we are reading Any Way Out by Ann Vitorovich (about twin brothers who escape communist Yugoslavia in 1957). 

On my TV tonight:::

Not sure...I hate to admit that I might check in on The Bachelor although I can already tell there is going to be waayyy too much drama this season for me! Reality TV??? I don't think so!!! There is nothing real about this show!

Listening to:::

Our silly Rocky snoring as usual...and the WIND!!!

On the menu this week:::

I am on my second week of Weight Watchers Online so am just winging it for now. Hubby and DS seem okay with that as long as they get fed:) I have just been fixing whatever I feel like eating. I will probably do this for another week or two and then get going with a menu again.

On my to do list:::

I have been a bit handicapped lately but have kept up with the laundry, dishes and dusting. Hubby vacuumed and mopped (bless his heart). I need to get some Thank You cards made but haven't been able to stand or sit at my work table. Maybe tomorrow...

Plans for this week:::

• Keep healing
• Visit hubby's 91 year young aunt on Wednesday
• Make Thank You cards

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::

I am sooo excited! A few weeks ago my daughter asked me to make a scarf for a friend's 2 1/2 year old daughter. Today I found the perfect one on Pinterest and bought the pattern...

It comes in toddler's, child's and teen/women's sizes. I am going to get started on it tonight! You can find the pattern at Etsy.com. Just way too cute!

I just have the flower to go on my granddaughter's crocheted hat and will be ready to mail it off to her.

My simple pleasure:::

Crocheting or knitting for friends and family.

Lesson learned the past week:::

Not to stand on chairs with wheels!!! Actually, I am forbidden to stand on chairs at all now. If I can't find the step stool, I need to get someone to help me or do without!!! After my nasty fall, I am not even tempted to stand on a chair!!! 

Looking around the house:::

The living room is a little cluttered and the dining room table (our drop spot) needs some attention but overall not too bad considering my condition.

From the camera:::

I crocheted a retro vest, hat and purse for my granddaughter's new American Girl Doll, Cecile. She took a picture and sent it to me so I could show you. 

Prayer List:::

• My brother who wants to make some changes in his life.
• My nephew's new baby who needs a procedure done
• My sister facing hip surgery in February
• Me and my aching back (thanking God there were no broken bones and not bruising)

Bible Verse/Devotional:::

"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." -- Proverbs 19:21

Tomorrow I will have an update on my January Low No Spend Challenge and my Weight Watchers Online progress.

Kat

Sunday Night Chit-Chat

I am feeling sooo much better! Still some pain from my fall but much better than it was. The kidney infection is gone or at least a whole lot better. This year hasn't started out too good for me so far but can only get better from here, right?!!

It's time for the Sunday Night Chit-Chat hosted each week by Carla at My 1/2 Dozen Daily. I so enjoy playing along with the Chit-Chat each week. So, let's get started!

I am...

• Reading: I finished The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society by Darien Gee and Barefoot Season by Susan Mallery. I am ready to start To Love Anew by Bonnie Leon.
• Listening to: Rocky snoring at the foot of my bed as I type this post.
• Watching: I will be watching Downton Abbey tonight:) That makes me a very happy girl!
• Cooking/Baking: Bulgar Chili and green salad tonight
• Happy you accomplished this week: Though I was in pain all week, I was able to keep up with the laundry and dishes. Hubby will be helping with the vacuuming for a couple of weeks yet.
• Looking forward to next week: A visit with my husband's aunt on Wednesday. She is 91 years young. She said that she enjoys playing table games (me too) so hubby will drop me off before his appointment so I can enjoy some quality time with his aunt.
• Thankful for today: The pain in my back has eased some after my very nasty fall on Tuesday. I can stand up without wincing and can roll over in bed easier.
• Bonus Question: If you could choose any time period to live in, what would you choose? The Georgian Period of the late 1790s and early 1800s--the time period of Jane Austen's novels. While I love that period, I know that the time period we live in is a much easier time so I am thankful to be living in the here and now.

Well, I am signing off for tonight! I will be back tomorrow for Happy Homemaker Monday!

Kat