It all sounds so good! Geez, I must be starving! I'm about to go fix my potato in a little while, then start the soup.

Next week I should make some cola chicken. Everybody likes that and I have some thighs, which I think makes better cola chicken than breasts.

I have the opposite foot problem...my arches are non-existant. I would be very much in pain without my $450 orthotics. But I agree, if you can find a cheaper alternative that works, try that first. Even my podiatrist was impressed by the flatness of my feet. He also said it will most likely lead to hammertoes, corns, and bunions later in life. I already have some trouble with those things. Yippee.

We had a nice loud thunderstorm this morning at 3 am. Gotta love those midwestern storms.

Later,
Angela

Hey Chicks! Jim's checkup was GREAT!!! Specialist said Jim is a trouper and is healing beautifully. He was really impressed because evidently he took Jim's tongue all the way down to the muscle. EEEWWWW!!!!! Anywho....we don't go back for 3 months unless there is a problem. He's cleared for shoulder surgery but Specialist wants to make sure that his tongue is protected during the anesthesia. I'm very grateful and we feel as if our prayers were answered.

I have a little time before my pedicure so I'm going to go read what's up with all of you.

Kath, you poor girl! Trying to sleep with all that ankle pain and Judd attacking you too. Sheesh! I'd would surely be sending him for some treatment. It seems like he has those terrors often. I'm sure it's affecting the quality of his sleep too. He has to not feel rested when they are over. I live for the day when I can reach around my tummy and paint my own toenails! I'm really impressed that you cand do a french manicure. Now that's something I'd never try. I'm not having a manicure today. I'm way too hard on my hands to bother unless I'm going somewhere nice. You know....you do more than me and I have two healthy ankles. I hope you are resting with that foot up now. Congratulations on the 7/8 capris or capretties as my Great Niece calls them! I know you felt very pleased when you put them on....and who of us wouldn't?!

Melissa, that shirt is ADORABLE and your Mother is going to love it. What until Sandra sees it. I'm going to look at the website in a little while. I'm not a tshirt girl but my Sister would probably love it. I was going to remind you that cola chicken sounded good to you the other day when I was making it.....but I see from your list that you didn't forget. How about cornmeal chicken and oven fries? All you really need is cornmeal, some FF or lowfat (for points) parm, eggs, lemon juice and spices. Ohhhhh.....what's the dreamsicle? I'd like that recipe. Do we have it here? I'm going to go look. I NEED a dreamsicle.

Frouf, how exciting that DH got a job! Did you get your walk in today? I'm still nervously awaiting your answer to my question about Da Vinci Code. I'm am afraid of supernatural scary stuff. I have to know if Jim is going to the movie alone! I hope you're feeling more perky by now with the caffeine coursing through your veins.

Niki, I have really high arches too. I'd suggest those New Balance inserts. The salesman told me that I can put them in any shoe. The arch was so high at first I thought that I'd never get used to it. Now it feels good. There are stores all over NY so I'm sure you could find one. I was a former Federal Employee and we had employees at 6 World Trade Center. The buildings did come down but they were able to evacuate safely. They had to walk home too. What a horrible scary day. I don't even want to be in downtown Chicago, so I certainly understand why you wouldn't want to be in NYC.

Angela, those thunderstorms are headed my way down I 80. Gotta love life in the Midwest! How's your eating going today?

Hey, where's Saundra? Is she out of town?

Melissa - your menu sounds very yummy - we have not had cola chicken in a while either - have to remember it next time I do chicken!

Kathy - good idea to get the capretties fixed up - I bet you feel great and look great in them! Don't tire yourself out tho - maybe save the gardening for another day? At least you will get a few nights of sleep without being attacked!

I also have very flat feet - since childhood - I remember having to wear these inserts in my shoes as a child (like they did anything!)...and in summer of course took off my shoes as soon as I left the house going barefoot the rest of the day - then putting them on before heading in (and secrety washing my feet in the bathroom before my mom saw them! YIKES!).

I did not walk at lunchtime - now working on this @#$#@@$E@# budget exercise which is driving me insane - I of course started my own table/spreadsheet and was doing well until this am when the 'template' I am SUPPOSED to complete was sent out! Ya right - then had to go see the 'money man' so he could explain 'my' budget as it is spread out all over the place coming from different codes (Did I mention how much I don't want to be a manager now?..)

Of course I had a slight headache brewing at lunchtime which has now morphed into an almost migraine - stayed in at lunch and ate at my desk, popped 2 ULTRA tylenol and now nibbling on gorgeously huge and red strawberries at my desk! May try and head home early if I can - need to rest a bit?

As for the Da Vinci Code - nothing supernatural or inherently scary - altho it will be a thriller with some close calls and probably some gorinesss (is that a word?) and violence (i.e. shooting, chasing, drowning). The most gory part (for me anyways - and there is a hint of this in the preview) is the self flagellation/self-mutilation part. Story deals with a church sect called Opus Dei and I don' think it's true in real life, but in the book they seem to adhere to some religious concepts of self mutilation and such and one of the characters wears some sort of metal chain in his thigh which he pulls on to 'hurt' himself and feel pain. I could barely stand reading this in the book let alone seeing this in the movie! Hopefully there won't be many scenes of this type!

I'm hoping the movie is as good as the book - very interesting, mind-stimulating and exciting! (altho a bit gory!)

I think Saundra was going to Niagara - soon? or did she leave already? not sure!

Vickie - let us know how your toes turn out!

Frouf, Opus Dei DOES exist! I can handle gory...just not demons and devil and supernatural. I'm sorry your head hurts. I remember too well the days of being and upper level manager and MY head almost hurts at the memories of struggling with the budget. My sympathies are with you. Definitely go home early. Tonight is American Idol!

My chicken is marinating....a new recipe from Dottie's....garlic lemon chicken which I shall make with oven fries. I was really coveting Jim's fries at lunch. Gotta go get my toes done. I'm bringing my Goddess pink in case OPI doesn't have a color better that I like. She says they have 356 colors. Best new of all is that it is right around the corner. I'll be driving of course!

Vickie, I'm not sure where I got the dreamsicle recipe, but I'll post it. I haven't tried it yet, but it is basically just jello and pudding and cool whip. Actually, that is it! I'm also making some frozen graham treats that aren't core of course but I think they're only 1 pt?? I hope that you are enjoying your pedi!

Frouf, sorry to hear about your headache. I can't imagine having to budget a major operation--I am not a $ woman!

Went to the store and spent way too much money, but now I am stocked. I bought some of those Philly Swirl Stix that Dotti's site is always promoting, I got the fudge kind and they are one point each. I'll let you know how they are.

Well I better get something done. I've done very little today, and tomorrow I have to go to work! Tonight we have to go borrow IL's lawn mower because our lawn is ten feet tall. OK, maybe not quite that, but it's pretty darn tall and our manual mower won't cut the weeds. Talk to you all later!

I forgot to tell you all that I got something else interesting at the store. I got some new Michelina's frozen meals (the light ones) and found some new ones made with "whole wheat pasta" and "whole grain rice." Now I know these probably aren't core (I saw the ingredients which said whole wheat flour), but I was still excited.

hi, chickies. i typed a long post and had a lucy moment. this one will be a tad shorter, so i apologize in advance for being so brief.

vickie, i think we're smart tossing those larger clothes. that's great news about jim's visit. i am very happy for both of you.

melissa, i love the shirt. you know it's my type of quote. congratulations for being back on core. i'm proud of you. this is sort of a new beginning in many ways for you, isn't it? now we just need to find you a new job that makes you happier.

kathy, i am glad judd's going to get some help. that's dangerous!! i'm probably older than melissa's mom ( i'd love the shirt).

(yes, i do want it.)

frouf, you know me well. bows and arrows and "life is good"--doesn't get any better than that.

nikki, i wear those orthodics. i have to tell you--they are worth every penny. also, save your molds so you can have more made. mine were made for lace up shoes and are too big to wear in flats. i'm getting more made soon. by the way walmart has some off the shelf arch supports back in their shoe dept for around $5.

melissa, your menus look good. you're seeming like your old self again. makes me smile.

kathy, i need to make some cola chicken, too. sounds good.

angela, we woke up to fresh snow on the deck this am.

frouf, i hope you're headache is gone.


we have another meeting tonight. thank goodness this one's not in a restaurant. last night about starved us being in one with all the food and cooking smells for around 2 hours. tonight's at the senior citizen center. this will be our first time there.

Hey Chicks! My chicken is marinating and my oven fries are soaking so I had a couple of minutes to come say hello. We are supposed to have bad storms tonight which will upset my pup, my kitty, and me!

My pedicure was divine! I have pretty pink toes. My color is called Goddess and isn't made anymore. I have a bottle and a half left. I'll have to pick a new color someday. I spent alot of money but I am worth it. Now I'm ready to treadmill again.

Sandra, I hope you have lots of fun at your meeting tonight. Maybe you'll see some ofther things at the Senior center that you're interested in. I'm jealous of all the outings that ours have. I'm sure I'll joing at some point!

Melissa, thanks for the tip on the Michelina's frozen meals. I might buy a couple and keep them in the house for emergencies. There are some days that I just have no clue what to eat for lunch. Of course, then I couldn't have my startch at dinner....unless I count points for the meals. Hmmmmmm.....decisions, decisions. I can't wait to see the dreamsicle recipe. I'll have to make some soon!

American Idol tonight. I'm sure I won't be back until morning. I hope you all have a great on program evening.

Ugh! Well, I'm up from my nap and feel worse, so I'm going to set about to make a plan. I have to figure out a way to sleep at night and not in the daytime, and also to not take any pain medicine. That's what's making me feel so bad, I'm sure.

So needless to say, I've hardly had anything from my menu. I did have my baked potato at lunch and tried to drink a coke later to settle my stomach but it tasted too sweet and made me feel worse. I dumped it out and refilled my glass with ice water, then took a bath. That usually helps but not today.

AI should be good tonight with the Elvis songs. I was watching an interview last night with a consultant and they were talking about the fashion. He said they were each given $500 a week to spend on clothes but picked their own (maybe with a little help from either each other or the style consultants). That explains a lot.

vickie, it's sooooooo good to have you back to normal again. your pedicure sounds divine. what a good treat for you. i'm feeling more "normal" now, too. ain't it great!

kathy, thank you for the inside scoops from ai. i love reading about what's happening. i have the vcr set to record it tonight. we should be home just after it's over. i'll still get to vote. i normally try to voteduring mountain and pacific time.

Hey guys. We just got back from picking up the lawnmower and I'm getting ready to make lunches, iron clothes, etc. Have to be prepared because the house is such a disaster, I can't do anything at the last minute!

Vickie, just wanted to post this for you. I don't know how "dreamsicle-y" it is, but it sounds good. I'm making mine with strawberries and strawberry jello. I have no idea where I got this recipe.

Dreamsicle
You may add fruit if you like.

1 small box sugar-free orange, raspberry or strawberry Jello (0 points for ¼ mix)
1 small box sugar-free, fat-free instant vanilla pudding mix (0 points for ¼ mix)
1 8 oz. container fat-free cool whip (2 points ¼ container)

Mix Jello with 1 cup hot water until gelatin dissolves. Add 1 cup cold water; mix well. With an electric mixer, add DRY pudding mix to Jello and blend well. Fold in cool whip. Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm.

Makes 4 servings.
Serving Size: 1 cup
POINTS: 1-1.5

i remember that recipe, melissa. thank you for posting.

sure can pick up on your happiness. i am soooooooooooo excited for you and aaron. what a great time of life!

Do you suppose using the new SF Cool Whip would drop it down in points? Maybe WW will make some revisions soon and let it be Core -- wouldn't that be GREAT?