It's Friday Questions Time!

Questions are found at My Little Life if you'd like to join in.
I lost .6 at WW this past week.  I'm on steroids for the inflammation in my arm (tennis elbow) so I feel like I could eat the house.  By this time at night my stomach is totally not feeling good too.  Add tonight a killer headache and stress beyond words....yeah...not fun times!  So if you can have some FUN with these questions, please do and let me know so I can check out your answers.  :-)

1. Who mows your grass?  Hubby.  I was one of 4 girls growing up so we had to cut grass so when I got married and then had a son...yeah, my mowing grass days are over.

2. Do you have a picture wall or picture gallery in your house (show us! <--- my addition to the question)?

I have 2 corners or portions of walls...one in living room and one in dining room where I've made my picture walls.  Mostly pictures of my beautiful granddaughter.  :-)

3. What book has influenced your thinking the most? Or, what blog? (I want to read what gets people thinking!)

I read books not for deep thought but just to be entertained.  So I can't say a book other than the Bible that has influenced my thinking.  I read a ton of blogs which quite a few are documented on the sidebar of my blog.  I particularly love reading Shelli's blog...she's one of the women who started the Stampin' Up! business and she's so down to earth.  I enjoy Pioneer Woman as of late too.  She has quite a variety in her writings and entries.  I also have many talented friends in the PSP world of which I no longer participate.

4. Do you have allergies? If so, how do you handle it this time of year?  Yes, I have allergies but don't ask to what since I've never been tested.  I do take medicine year round though to keep them under control since times like now where the weather is crazy warm and then cold play total havoc on me.  I'm battling that massive headache now partly because I went for a walk earlier.  UGH

5. What's your go to meal to cook in an hurry?  Pizza!  LOL  If it has to be of some substance it would be the WW pizza type dish I make and we love.  In fact, we're having it for dinner tomorrow.

Have a great week!

5QF

1. Would you prefer having people over for dinner or going to their house?  If my house is clean, then I'd love having them here.  I like to cook so that's no big deal either.  But getting the house clean....yeah...that's the problem.  I hate dusting!  hate it!

2. Favorite Bible verse and why?  (Copied and pasted this...wish I knew it all by heart but I don't)  1 Corinthians 13:4-8  Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.


3. What was the first concert you ever attended, and the most recent one?  It was one hubby and I went to together but for the life of me I can't think of what it was.  The most recent one was Toby Keith last summer.  I won the tickets off Facebook.  Yay!  AWESOME concert as always :-)

4. The year is 2025. What are you doing, and what have you done?  I've retired and am enjoying life.  I have time to make cards and scrapbook and read.  I also am watching my beautiful granddaughter, Emma, growing up so fast.  Possibly helping watch one of her siblings.  I'd have time to do this since I'm retired.  :-)

5. What's your favorite Easter treat?  Hands down....Reese's peanut butter eggs!  Oh how I love those.  They just melt in your mouth.  


Happy Easter to all. Gained point 6 this past week so I'll need to be a bit more careful this weekend which isn't going to be easy.  I haven't felt real good the last 2 days though so we'll see.


Head over to My Little Life for these fun questions and so you can join in too!

Saturday Musings

From My Little Life you can find these fun questions.  Feel free to jump in and join!

1. What giveaway would you like to do on your blog? Well, if I had hit the Mega Millions last night I'd be inclined to go big but since I didn't....well, can't afford to do giveaways right now.  Sorry.

2. If you had to choose between natural artistic ability and natural athletic ability, which would it be?

I'd choose artistic ability since I have NONE.  I struggle with stick figures!  No lie.  Ask my friends who I play Draw Something with!  lol

3. Do you ditch the coat the minute it becomes "spring" or are you a holdout for more cool temps?

This year I ditched it immediately.  I hate wearing a winter coat let alone mine was tight this year and I hated wearing it so I wore a lighter jacket most of the winter.  Thank goodness it was a mild one. 

4. What would you do if you won the mega millions lotto of 1/2 billion dollars?  Pay off my bills.  Buy land and build my dream house (a must would be a wrap around porch!) with a house for Zach, Amy and Emma also on the land.  I'd have given my nieces and nephews stipends and bought a vacation home.  I'd also give to the church and help out my siblings.  OH....and I'd quit work so I could be a stay at home grandma :-)

5. You are at a hotel by yourself...what do you do?  Turn the tv to any channel I want and lay in bed relaxing!

Good week on WW....lost 1.4 so let's hope we can keep it going.  

5QF

1. If you were free to just hop in the car and drive, where would you go? Or, if you could hop a plane and go anywhere, where?  I would travel across the United States stopping at every place I have only dreamed of seeing.  If I could get in a plane, I would go to Hawaii since I can't drive there. 

2. What's your most recently read favorite book?  I haven't read a book in too long.  Until I get some quiet time for me lately it's late and I'm too tired to read more than a post on Facebook.

3. What's your favorite Spring Break memory?  We've never had spring break here in PA so I don't have one.  In college, when we had Spring Break it meant coming home so I could work and earn some money to get me through the end of school.

4. What do you put in your child's Easter basket? Or, for those w/o kids, what was put in your childhood basket?  Candy and ALWAYS a cross!  I put all different kinds of candy, gum, beef jerky...it's not limited to just chocolate.  Then I always buy a summer outfit and I used to get Zach toys too when he was little.  Now Emma makes out that way :-)

5. Do you get a summer haircut?  I get my hair shorter than normal because with it being summer, I hate being hot and having sweaty hair on my neck.  I also hate messing with it now that we have a pool.

I lost 2.6 this week at WW so I was quite happy.  I walked 3 days.  We're having the most gorgeous weather and you can't help but want to be outside enjoying it.  My house is a mess but they are calling for rain on Sat. so that looks like it will be cleaning day.  I walked last night but not tonight even though I really wanted to.  But it was more important to me to just be outside playing with Emma instead.  Her giggle when I push her on the swing brings a huge smile to my face every time!

Enjoy the week and the fun questions can be found over at My Little Life.

Questions for Friday

1. Will you run to the store or to pick up a kid looking a mess? Well, I don't have to run to pick up a kid anymore since he drives himself and doesn't live here.  hehe  I have been known to run to the store looking a mess.  HOWEVER, I rarely go to the store.  I send hubby.  Takes care of having to go when a mess!  hahahaha

2. Do you finish a book if it's boring or you don't like it?  No, if it's boring I end up putting it down and not picking it back up.  (Before the days of my Kindle)

3. Beach or mountain vacations?  Most definitely BEACH!!!!!  It rejuvenates my soul!  No vacation for 2 years....I'm worried about the hit it's going to take on my soul.  Today I saw an ad that said "The Beach is Calling You"....that is me!

4. What thing/event says "winter will end and spring is right around the corner" to you?  When it starts staying light longer in the day....so after daylight savings.  With the mild winter we've had I'm still ready to put that all behind us and just enjoy the beautiful 70 degree days we've been having.  Just simply gorgeous!  Love watching all the green coming back into the trees and grass too on my drive to work.

5. Would you prefer couples or family vacation?  Family for sure.  I'm all about family.  I love spending time with them although every year we take my son I swear it's the last time I'm taking him because he's such a pain in the butt.  But I've loved the last few years when my sister and her family from Indy were at the beach when we were and we got to spend time with them and then my sister and her hubby from NC come down and spend at least 1 evening with us.  LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

So join in the fun and head over to My Little Life for the questions and to post a link to your own blog for others to come see your answers.

Stayed the same at WW.  Feet were swollen so was just glad I hadn't gone up.  Now it's time for bed.  Had a super fun night at hubby's Lion's club charter night.  We had a magician perform and he was just fabulous.  I laughed so hard at one point I thought I might pee my pants.  Now THAT is funny stuff!

5QF

Have some fun and take a jaunt over to My Little Life for the questions so you can play along.  :-)

1. Are you looking forward to the time change this weekend?  I had forgotten all about it.  We have a special service at church on Sunday and it's an hour earlier than usual since our Bishop will be coming to celebrate our 125th anniversary.  So I'm not looking forward to the time change since we will lose sleep.

2. Are you getting the new iPad/would you want a iPad?  Ummm...I have an iPad (don't tell Mama) and I'm very happy with it so don't need the new one  :-)

3. If money was not a problem, what is the one thing you would splurge on? A huge wedding for the kids so we'd have everything to make their day special and then some.  Instead we'll be saving, saving, saving! 

4. How did you and the Mr. (or Mrs.) meet? We met through one of my best friends at a local carnival.  Both of my best friends were there and he was with his friends.  They were drinking and I kept telling him he'd never remember my number to call the next day....but he did.

5. Summer is right around the corner. Bikini or one-piece? Absolutely NO to bikini.  I will do a tankini if I can get this weight off.  UGH!  I lost 1.4 this past week but it's very slow going.  *sigh*  Patience IS a virtue!

Friday Again

Over at My Little Life you can find these FUN questions to answer and also link to a lot of other FUN blogs.  Feel free to join in.  :-)

1. What's your favorite way to spend down time (alone or with a significant other)?  By myself, I like to web surf and spend time on the internet or watch tv or read.  With hubby, we go out to dinner but it's a very rare occasion that it's just the 2 of us.

2. Are you the kind of person that wants things more as soon as you know you can't have it?

I can be patient and wait but I will continue to drop hints about whatever it is until I do get it.  Some hints he's good at taking....others not so much!  lol

3. If you were given $1000 to spend on yourself, what would you buy?  Stamp stuff probably although I can usually get what I want when I want so it's not a huge problem.  However, with the wedding next year we are trying to find new ways to save money.

4. Do you ever go out to eat by yourself?  NO!  I don't want to sit there by myself.  I'd go through drive thru if anything but usually I will just cook some eggs. 

5. What company would you want to do a blog review for?  WOW!  I really have no idea.  One that paid would be nice.  hehehe

Wasn't a good week for WW.  I gained a pound. My scale said I did good over the weekend and I stayed on plan totally so I was quite surprised when she said I'd gained a pound.  VERY frustrating!  I will be leaving here in about an hour to head for an overnight to attend a Stampin' Up! regional conference in Columbus with Kim and Linda.  Kim and I already talked about our food and how we don't want to totally blow it while we're gone.  Sshhh but I packed up some healthy snacks for all of us.  I hope to finally meet Shelli who started Stampin' Up! with her sisters.  She wasn't in Baltimore when I went 2 years ago (is that how long ago??) so I'm hoping to meet her in Columbus.  :-)  I'm not taking any swaps so I should have some time to look around and get pictures.  

Please say a prayer for our travels.  They are calling for snow and high winds tonight and I'm hoping we get settled in with no problems.  I'll try to be back soon to share some pictures.  Have an awesome weekend!

5 for Friday

In case you haven't noticed, I'm enjoying these 5 questions each week.  Thanks to Mama over at My Little Life and her readers for all the fun.  Feel free to hop over and join in and link up with some other blogs.  :)

1. What do you do when you are really upset to calm yourself down?  Go off by myself...listen to some music.  I used to just get in the car and drive but I don't do that anymore.

2. Do you go all out for V-day or is it just another day?  Just another day.  I got tired of going out to a dinner that was overpriced and having horrible service.  The last time it happened I said that was it and we don't go out anymore.  Hubby always gets me roses and that is just fine with me.

3. Are you more or less productive when Hubs is away?  More productive because I can go at my own pace and not get mad because he's not helping or in my way.  He's going away this weekend so we'll see what I accomplish.

4. What is your favorite time of day and why?  I've always enjoyed late at night.  It's quiet and it was always MY time.  I'm definitely NOT a morning person.

5. What is your go to karaoke song?  I don't have one.  You couldn't pay me to go in front of people and sing even if I was drunk as a skunk (which isn't happening.)  I enjoy listening to others but no thanks for myself.

Lost point 8 this week at WW.  I'm super discouraged but keeping the faith and plugging away.  This time around is so much harder than before.

Weekend Questions

1. How often do you shave your legs in the winter?  Whenever I get the urge.  Not so often that should read.  I used to do better about it...this year I just don't seem to care.

2. Valentine's Day cards for your spouse: funny or romantic?  Funny.  I'm not a real mushy type person

3. What are you most looking forward to about spring?  Warm weather!!!  I hate the cold.  I've seen enough snow (even though it has hardly snowed this winter) and I just want it to be warm so I can go outside and go for a walk.

4. What's your favorite way to pamper yourself?  I don't do this...well, I guess getting my hair done now with Lisa coloring it instead of doing it myself is a pampering.  I love the highlights she puts in.  I'm trying to let it grow a bit for the wedding next year because I have no idea what I'll do with it but I'm definitely having growing pains.

5. Does your tax return go into savings or do you spend it instantly?  Savings.  Usually for vacation but this year it will go in savings for the wedding.

So my 1st week at WW I got on my scale that morning and was totally disgusted because it said I'd only lost like .2 and I was like what the heck!  I'm tracking (using my phone) and following the plan completely with my food points.  OK so I don't exercise but that's nothing new.  Anyhow, got to WW meeting and weighed in and lost 1.4.  Better than I thought but rather disappointing since I was just back to doing it.  However, I guess I need to remember that although it was my first official week, I had been counting points since the beginning of Jan. and my first week I'd lost 5 pounds.  It's hard work and I just want the excess weight to be gone and need to realize it didn't come overnight so it can't be gone overnight.  

Hope you're having a good weekend and here's the link if you'd like to go get the questions above to play along.  My Little Life

Starting Over

Today was the day!  I've started over and went back to Weight Watchers tonight.  A big hug from Kelly, Steve and Susan welcomed me back.  I was very nervous to face anyone there but I feel so much better now that I did go.  So tomorrow morning starts a more rigorous effort at keeping track of points and tracking all my food.  I entered the foods in my phone tracker so I can try using that.
So, it begins again but I'm ready now.
:-)

Friday in a Different Place

1. What's the the last thing you bought for yourself?  A sweater at Kohl's only because I had Kohl's cash to spend and couldn't find anything for Emma that was springlike since she has enough winter clothes.  I haven't been buying myself anything since I'm not happy at what size I am now.  

2. What is your favourite meal on a cold winter day? Anything hot.  We had Chili the other day and it wasn't particularly cold yet and it hit the spot.  Today it's really cold and we had pork chops and well it didn't hit the spot as much.    Ever get stuck on what to cook?

3. Have you started looking at swimsuits for this year, and do you buy a new one every year?  Heck no for looking at them.  I can't imagine this body in a swimsuit!  I've really put the bulk of my weight on since summer so none of my suits will fit if I don't get this weight off.  I lost 5 pounds this past week though with going back to eating as I should on the WW way.  It's a start.  :-)

4. If you could be any candy what would you be and why?  Oh wow!  Candy....when I just ate pork chops that didn't hit the spot and I'm doing WW and not eating candy.  Maybe it would be best I not dwell on this one too long.  Candy..mmmmm

5. What are you most passionate about?  My family!  There's a lot of things I can tolerate in life but do not wrong someone I love.  


**Bonus Question: What is your favorite thing to "pin" on Pinterest?
I absolutely LOVE pinning lots of things but my favorites are Weight Watcher recipes and Stampin'Up! cards.  It's SUCH a cool space.  If you need an invite just leave me a message with your email and I'll be glad to send you one.


OK.....Friday questions are being hosted in a "guest" spot over at Kate's World.  Mama and her hubby are off on a beach in Mexico somewhere so Kate stepped in to help out.  Very nice of her huh.  So go on over and grab the questions and play along.  It's really easy.  :-)

5QF

1. What is the weather like where you are and do you like it? This week we've had some snow and it's been very cold and I do not only NOT like it...I HATE IT!  Bring on the sun and 70's.  One bad thing about living in PA....I think I read we have a total of only 53 sunny days in an entire year.  uggghhh

2. When you're sick what do you seek comfort from?  My blanket. I just want to lay on the couch or in bed and be left alone.  My hubby is good most of the time about letting me alone and making me scrambled eggs if I ask (they are my comfort food when sick.)

3. What do you need to do before the end of the month?  Buy birthday cards and present.   Hubby, my granddaughter, my Dad....all 2 days apart.  YIKES!

4. Have you ever served on a jury?  Yes, last year I did.  A criminal case.  Was extremely stressful time.  It last a week and I had a VERY hard time after it was over fearing for my safety even here at home even though the defendants live on the other side of the county.  I wasn't sleeping well or doing well with being home alone.

5. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?  My favorite is a penguin but I'm not sure I'd want to be one.  I also love elephants but don't think I'd want to be one of them so probably I'd want to be one of those ultra spoiled dogs that people have and treat better than they do humans.

Well, that was fun for this week.  Head on over to My Little Life and grab the questions and put your link on her linky to have some fun of your own.  

Back to eating the WW way and not the junk anything you want way.  It's only 3 days into it at this point, but I'm giving it my all and I've made up my mind I need to change.  I HATE HATE HATE being fat again!

Have an awesome week!  Stop back again soon. :-)

Happy New Year 2012

Happy New Year 2012 to you and your families.  May it be one of good health, happiness and prosperity.

Today I've come to some "resolutions" of things I want to make happen for myself.  Jumping on the scale and seeing I'd be way off saying I'd put on 50 pounds when it's more like 75.  That was a hard hit!  I worked SO hard at being successful at Weight Watchers and I've really fallen off track the past 6 months.  Yes, the majority of that I put on in 6 months.  I've had virtually no exercise.  No walking, no gym, no nothing.  So that's all got to change in this new year.  For ME.  I'm very unhappy with how I look and feel having put this weight on.  It's one thing to be fat and just that be how you've been but when you know how it feels to be thinner and to look good....well, this now is just not cutting it.  So I'll be working to make some major changes again.  I'll also be going back to WW meetings.  I KNOW how important they are but I lost making them a priority in my life.

I also look at books longingly and want to spend more time reading, more time stamping and just reclaiming those things that give me joy.

So wish me well.  It's not an easy journey but I hope to climb the mountain and stay at the top this time.

5 More

 These questions come from My Little Life blog....check her out...a real, honest Mama sharing her life.  :-)

1. Do you close the bathroom door when you are home alone?  Heck no!  I'm lucky I remember to close it when there are people here.  hehe

2. You have to walk around with a word on your forehead. That word describes you. One word. What is it?  Grandma.....cause it's the one thing in life I'm so darn proud to be...I just love that little girl to pieces.

3. What store do you refuse to shop at and why?  Well, this is a tough one.  For years there were tons of stores I COULDN'T shop in because they didn't carry my size.  Now I have a hard time realizing I will fit in clothes in those stores.  I still talk myself out of a lot of places. 

4. If you participated in arranged marriages for your child(ren), who would you choose for your child(ren)?  Someone who would love him with their whole heart in good times and bad.  I just want him to be happy and surrounded by love.  Things have gotten a lot better on this front to which I thank all my wonderful friends and family for their prayers.  Please continue to pray for their wisdom and to grow together as a couple and family.

5. If you could pick how and when you would die, would you?  In my sleep when I become a burden to someone.  But honestly, I  don't want to think of it so let's move on.

Just a quick added note.....found out some awesome news tonight....my WW meetings will be moving very close to me come Sept.  I've been doing HORRIBLE this summer with my eating.  It's like I gave myself permission to go wild and I did just that.  I had been wavering back and forth with 10 pounds for probably 5 months and then all the sudden this summer I've gone wild and put on another 15.  I'm MISERABLE but yet can't seem to gain my control back.  It's HARD!!!!!!  I was doing better with my exercising (until this week) but I have to get my eating under control.  I feel like a total failure that I can't find that control and that I've put on this weight.  Believe me....I do NOT want to go back to where I was.  EVER.  I'm hoping that with school starting again soon it will help.  Oh I sure hope so!

Just stuff

After going to pull on some of my pants over the weekend and them not fitting (or fitting how I liked) I decided I need to get more serious about getting back on track.  Boy, how easy it is to get off track and keep going.  However, I don't like how this feels.  I want my shorts and pants to feel like they did last summer right after I made goal.  So while I've been back to tracking again, yesterday was my first day in actually staying within my points.  Yes, it's great to track but when you're consistently 5-9 points over your target, it seemed kind of useless.  I also just got back from the gym.  I went and walked 2 miles on the treadmill and then did 2 miles on the stationary bike.  It feels good.
My stress level is off the charts these days.  I'm pretty sure Emma's Mom will be moving out at the end of July which means she'll be taking the joy of my life away.  Right now, I'm hurting so bad I can't even have a conversation with her.  I'm taking Emma every second I have and cherishing those moments but I find myself breaking into tears constantly when she's not here.  It will about kill me not to see and have her every day. I can't even express how much I love her.  She truly does bring so much joy to my life every day.  I'm angry beyond words with her parents.  More her Mom because I do see my son working on things and trying.  It seems no matter how much he does it's not enough.  I'm just literally sick over it all.
Just my thoughts as of late....hoping writing them might release some of the stress but honestly I doubt it.

Walk It

It may have taken me  most of the week to find time to blog....however, I'm proud to say I was able to have the time to go walk with my Weight Watcher friends for the annual Walk-It Challenge this past Sunday.  It was a 5k and renewed some friendships for me.  I realized as I was walking with Kelly how much I've been missing the people of my meetings.  They were like family when I was going to meetings.  I've not been to a meeting since December.  *sigh*   I've been up and down with 10 pounds trying to find the balance in maintaining and my time is so limited with watching Emma that I've not  made it.  I sure miss them all.  I've been really making a real effort at getting out to walk more often usually pushing the stroller.  The weather has been so much nicer there's no reason to not be out there.  Keep your fingers crossed for me.
We also on Sunday had Amy's sister, Kayla's, baby shower.  Things went well and she received a lot of nice things.  I was also able to meet the girls 2 young sisters who have been adopted along with their adoptive mom.  What a huge heart I told her she has to take in 4 kids.  She humbled me by telling me she heard I also have a huge heart.  We all do what we need to.
Happy Memorial Day!  Thank you to all our soldiers serving and protecting our country whether currently or in the past.

Mending

Hello!  How are you?  ::::tapping the mic hoping I'm not talking to myself::::

Surgery went OK.  I had the end of the collarbone shaved off and a bone spur removed with some other cleaning out I believe.   I had a HORRIBLE time after surgery though.  They had given me morphine which I don't tolerate well and I was extremely nauseous all day.  Every time I moved I felt sick.  The following days have been tolerable with my pain meds although I'm trying hard not to take them until I absolutely need to.  I was able to take the bandages off on Easter Sunday and unfortunately that made me sick and I missed church.  I've been trying to not push myself too hard so it can heal some.  Just straightening out my arm is very painful.  Most of the time I have my sling on.  I went back to work today and although there were no students, it was an extremely long day.  I'm sitting with ice on as I type and I did take my percocet so if I make no sense, chalk it up to the drugs!  hehe  I started physical therapy yesterday.  OUCH!  Trying to make my family understand I still can't take of Emma on my own and can't cook and do everything they are used to me doing has been the difficult thing.  Thank goodness for my parents who do understand.  My Dad even came today to get Emma out of her carseat and my Mom is coming tomorrow to do the same for me and stay in the evening since the kids both work and hubby has bocce. 
I'm going to miss my demo meeting the first weekend of May since we'll be in WV that day but I decided to participate in the card swap so I can see all the great cards my sisters come up with.  My card is almost finished since I wanted it all done before my surgery.  I'm hoping to take a picture and post a few pictures in the next week of some things I've done recently.  Cross our fingers.

Lastly, WW is having it's annual Walk-It Challenge and Kelly has emailed me that she's organizing a walk on Sunday, May 22 at Penn Middle.  It's at 9:30 a.m. and a 5k.  No entry fee.  Just show up and walk.  Amy's sister's baby shower is that day that I'm helping throw but I'm hoping to at least stop and say hi if not walk with everyone.  Please join if you can.  It's a good time with good people!

One day at a time.......

Blessings

MANY prayers have been answered for us this past week.  My job and all those in my small building will be secure for the next year at least.  A day later my hubby was offered a job with the company he's been longing to work for.  He gave his 2 week notice on Friday and I think both our hearts and minds were instantly lifted back off the ground.  To be unhappy in your work is a miserable feeling.  Many nights he couldn't sleep and I know the stress was really wearing at him.  We also did some financial stuff which should make life much better for us.

OH and I can't forget....another blessing I have is to have a wonderful upline in Stampin' Up!  Kim is not only my upline but a friend.  I'm so thankful that she's added another time and day to her stamp camps and I can now attend again.  What beautiful cards we made Saturday at her house.

I didn't make it to Weight Watchers because of the job offer and the discussions hubby and I were having but I know that when I can make it, they will welcome me with open arms.

We are very thankful for all the blessings that have been bestowed on us this past week.  God IS good!

Recipe and More

I thought I'd share a recipe I came across on the WW site last week.  I tried it and it was a huge hit with my family.  My son wasn't home that evening but had it the next day and even raved over it. (VERY unusual for him)


Tomato and Pepper Lasagna
Points Plus: 6
Servings: 8
Prep Time: 20 min.
Cooking Time: 65 min.

24 oz. marinara sauce, store-bought
1 cup canned diced tomatoes, fire-roasted, drained (I did not drain)
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano suggested)
1/4 cup fat-free egg substitute
1/4 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp dried oregano
6 dry lasagna noodles, regular or whole-wheat
1/2 cup roasted red peppers, water-packed, cut into thin strips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a small pot, combine marinara sauce and tomatoes; set over low heat and simmer 10 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses; stir to combine.  Stir in egg substitute, salt, pepper, and oregano.

Spoon 1 cup of sauce in bottom of an 11x7 inch glass baking dish.  Arrange 2 lasagna noodles over sauce, down center of dish.  Spread half of cheese mixture (about 1 cup) over noodles; top with pepper strips.  Place 2 more noodles on top; spread with remaining cheese mixture.  Top with 1 cup of marinara sauce; place remaining 2 lasagna noodles on top.  Spoon remaining sauce over top and gentle press down on lasagna.

Cover dish loosely with aluminum foil, bake for 40 minutes.  Remove foil; bake until sauce is lightly browned and noodles are tender when tested with a knife, about 10 to 15 minutes more.  Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes to firm up slightly.  Slice into 8 pieces and serve.  Yields 1 piece per serving.

I also saw in the reviews where a lot of people would add spinach when they made it again.  I added mushrooms. 

I am down to only about a pound over my 2 pounds of leeway on my goal weight.  I've been sticking to my plan with a "cheat" on Valentine's Day.  So even if I've not gone to a meeting I've still not fallen so far off the wagon as to be back to my old ways.  I've worked too hard to EVER go back so no worries, (Kelly...and THANKS for the postcard....it was nice to know I'm missed and I miss you girls too!!!)  I hope to be back to going to meetings again soon.  With the crappy weather we've been having (yep, was off work again today) and having Emma on Tuesdays, it's been hard to get there.  I'm still tracking faithfully every day and eating lots of fruits and good food.  Amy and I also walked a mile today to Leslie Sansone's walk tape.  Felt good to be moving and sweating.  (NO, I didn't really type that, Kelly)  LOL
Weight Watchers helped me reach my goal and I am there for LIFE!
How are YOU?  To end this post, here's a picture of my family taken at 7 Springs Resort when we went tubing for the kids.  It's hubby, myself, Amy, Emma and Zach on the deck at the lodge which overseas the ski slopes.

Putt Putt Putt

Just to keep myself accountable too.....I'm puttering along in getting those extra pounds back off.  I've been eating well all week and staying to my points and the scale rewarded me so I'm back on track.  Once I make up my mind you know there's not stopping me!  hehehe
Happy Friday and weekend to all!  Thanks for stopping by :-)