G'day all,

Peggy are you talking about Tom Cruise?? We were there when he made the movie the last Samurai in a place called New Plymouth. We were there on one weekend and were unable to get accommodation because of the film crew being there. We never did see Tom Cruise but lots of japanese extras.

Karen I do remember you geting your hearing aid because it was just about the the time my f-i-l got a new hearing aid.
Must be something about getting hearing aids at the time, f-i-l lost his very expensive one, couldn't hear at all without it so we had a new one made and the family paid for it.
The hearing aid people here were about as helpful as yours , but after a lot of talking f-i-l did get the new hearing aid before Xmas.
I would also be VERY annoyed, it is not as though you want one for a bit of fun, it is a necessity.
One thing I absolutely hate is condescending, patronizing people. How dare they remind you it is the holiday season, do they think you are stupid???

Lily how intrigueing about your bird. Can you contact someone like we have here in 'Parks and Wildlife' who could identify what the bird is? Congratulations on being down .5.

Slavika I won't be holding my breath about Singapore, by now I have a fair idea what they are like, in fact last night I dreamt we were sent to Korea, how Korea got into my head is anyone's guess.

Ann I hope your computer troubles are sorted, nothing more frustrating or annoying.
Where does your cruise take you. I saw the brand new cruise liner that was sent on its way from England by the Queen, what luxury.

Jeney A new start is better than no start at all. It is great how we are all focused on loosing some of the Xmas poundage.
Hope your trip to hospital was successful.

Plans have changed for me to go to Sydney, dd is coming over again for her friends 30th so I won't now go to Sydney.
DH does commute from Sydney every weekend, I just thought I would give him a break.
I will have quite a busy week, driving my sister to a seaside resort about 85 km from where I live. Her children are holidaying there and she is not confident in driving all that way.
Then dd will be here, appointment with my cancer specialist and then dh is home again for the weekend.
We already are nearly halfway through January, amazing!

Have a great weekend all,
Cheers
Maria

Have to wait until monday to get anything done about my Hearing aid.

Slavika 1 cup of oatmeal cooked is 2 points so 1/2 cup dry would be 2 points. I've heard of Baked oatmeal but have never tasted it. Was it good?

Also I do know of a gal that I work with who got one of those spray on tans. It looked great. And lasted about a week.

DH and SIL had a tif before supper so i escaped to the computer. Giving them time to patch it up. But it is still quiet out there so don't think they are talking yet. Yikes! I'll have to go check on them in a few minutes.

Well I off to look for muffin recipes.

Karen

Did my 30 minutes at curves. So far I like it. I am a little sore on one hip. But it gives me a problem when i walk too.

How come there is such a variation on oatmeal points. Could it be because of the different brands. My bag of Quaker Oatmeal lists 1/3 cup oatmeal = 114 cal. 1 cup = 342 cal. or 6.84 points.

Maria well at least your weekend plans are straightened out. Are you feeling better now? You got sick before I did, I guess I am looking for some good news, still coughing and sound like a frog. I go to speak and a squeek comes out.
Karen Hearing aid problems are the worst. I just know what my Dad went through with his. It is so important that they are working correctly. I hope you get satisfaction on Monday. I hate bathing suit & bra shopping with a passion. When I find a bra that feels good, I like to buy several, just in case they decide to change the style, which usually happens. Congrats on the 2 lbs down.. that is great.
Slavika What would our southern girlfriends think of our weather? Our high today was -11C/12F, everyone thought it was positively balmy outside. What was the temps in Maui today... got to keep me posted.
Lily I love the name "Bat Bird" You have got to find out what kind of a bird it is... would a hawk stick his head in a hole?
.5 down... good going. I cannot do the 20 points. I have to think 27 and try for 25.
Peggy Tom is not going to be in Hawaii? I was looking forward to seeing him.
My DD really likes her job, she is a Data Base Analyst for our Provincial AutoPack Insurance co. I know she misses the contact with her friends from work, but she just hates the thought of being away from her baby. She got the in with a lady in the next block who takes care of 4 other children all around the same age. In fact, her friend has her 2 little girls at the same place. I hope it will work out for them. I was a stay at home Mom, but things have changed.
Ann how lovely, a cruise to look forward to. Where are you going?

Think I am going to go and make Slavika's recipe for Baked Oatmeal... sounds yummy.

Hi all: Karen thanks for the help with the count on Oats and I also got some info from Lily in an email about the points value for oats. I am going to post the recipe for the Baked Oatmeal here for you gals. In working out the points I had used 6 points per cup of oatmeal. Looks like different brands have different counts. I used Robin Hood and I noticed that Trudy said she uses Quaker. You can only get Robin Hood in Canada.
Oh RATS I was so looking forward to seeing TOM in Hawaii this February. Well I guess Lily will be happy that I won't be seeing him strolling down to Long's Drugs in Maui.
I really did like this recipe. After I made it I put some in a small dessert bowl with a little milk on it....it was GREAT! Later when DH got home from work I cut a slice for him and a "small" slice for myself and it tasted good that way too. I had added a few raisins and some chopped glazed cherries to the batter. I didn't do anything to make the calorie count lower but I think I will give it a try next time.

BAKED OATMEAL

3 cups oatmeal
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup margarine
2 eggs
2 cups milk
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

Mix all ingredients together and pour into 13x9 buttered pan. Bake 375 for 25 minutes.
This recipe came from "Our Hearts Inn Bed & Breakfast", Colorado, and she said she likes to add dried fruits and nuts to the batter and sometimes makes individual ramekins. She said her guests enjoy this very much and stated "it's like having a large baked oatmeal cookie for breakfast.

The WHOLE recipe counts for 65 points, if you use 6 points for each cup of oatmeal.

Let me know if you gals try it and what you thought.

Slavika: Bats do have cute faces I must admit. But your right about the teeth. Thats why they scare me. The site I sent you to was the info for Quarker Oatmeal. They should both be pretty close I would think as Oatmeal is Oatmeal. Will have to look at the store at different brands. Thanks for the recipe looks good. Will try it. Think I will try it with Egg Beaters and Splenda to reduce the count. Theres a way to make Brown Sugar with SPlenda but I cant remember it off the top of my head. Will try it this weekend and let you know how it comes out.

Peggy: Thanks for the site! Looks like a good one. Apple recipe looks good to. Sounds yummy! Like the quiche one to it looked good.

Ann: Dont think the flash would scare him. Hubby was out there last night shining a Flashlight on him for about 10 minutes and he didnt budge. Guess he cant see it, as his head is in that stupid hole
Where are you going on this cruise?

Maria: Im gonna call the Aubon society here next week and see what they can tell me.

Trudy: Does Canada list the fiber? If I remember right they dont. And that could be why. Oatmeal has alot of fiber in it. 4.8 from what I found for Slavika. so it would make yours 2 points for 1/2 cup. But a cup would be 6 pts. Oh you said that was for a 1/3 C. I will look at the store this weekend to see if there is that much difference between them all.
Good thing Tom isnt going to be in Hawaii. I can just see you and Slavika fighting over him
I wouldnt think a Hawk would, thats why Im gonna call Monday to see what else it might be.

Busy day for me tomorrow. Work WW for 4 meetings. Its the rush season. Then off to get my nails done. Wont be home til about 4. Gotta figure what I can eat in between times.

Night all!

Good Morning, All

It's a little milder this morning in MN. Hope Karen, Slavika and Trudy aren't having it too cold further up there.

I tried to get on here at work and I kept getting the message: Site not found - or some such.

I'm going to go back and cut and paste the recipes. The cauliflower sounds good! Slavika, I loved your Christmas symbolism for your dinner. I'd like to know more. I remember as a kid we always had oyster stew on Christmas eve (don't even like it!)

Ann, I am working on a new quilt; actually it's almost finished. It's deep blues, purples & greens - it's going on our couch for us to use during "nap" time (which I try to get each day.) Recently I was at a quilt show where a woman was selling her quilts for $4,000! One of the women with me said, "Yours are better than hers!" Maybe I should go into selling quilts!

Lily, I tried again to get into the "journals;" I went to register and I got the message: Incorrect Page Request. Oh, well - I'll try again.

Karen - good luck with the hearing aids; how frustrating. I don't even know what size bra I wear!

Maria, I tried sending you 2 "winter" pictures (clip art), but I think I sent them to the wrong email address.

See ya later.

Marnie

G'day all,

It is an absolutely glorious morning here and I feel great, totally drug free Just so you don't think I am a bit of a 'druggie' but I have been suffering from some really bad allergies (I seem to be allergic to EVERYTHING ) and in desperation have been taking some antihistamines. The ones that relief the allergies a bit also make me feel quite dopey the next day
Last night I decided the cure was worse than the allergies and this morning I feel clear in the head and generally really good!
With the new drive to weight loss, I have had no alcohol so one could almost say I was pure

I was up last night quite late. I am still practicing the 'sketches' etc. The one I have attached today was last night's effort. It took me over 3 hours to complete The person who wrote the tutorial can do it in 30m minutes so I have a bit more practice ahead of me.
It printed out beautiful on art paper and of course what a gorgeous child my daughter was and still is a beautiful woman

Karen I hope your dh and sister are friends again, I hate tension in the house.

Trudy I was a stay at home mum and I think it is fantastic that women can now follow a career path if they wish when they have children, but when it is going to effect MY grandchildren, I will find it difficult to accept this new trend. At the same time I would not be willing to look after grandchildren on a permanent basis whilst the parents work.
It is still a long way of for me so who knows what will happen.

Slavika no good for me the recipe, I cannot stop at one and 65 points for the lot is a bit over the top

Lily you have a busy week ahead, let us know what the 'birdbat' turns out to be.

Marnie you probably have my wrong email address, it is now [email protected]
I have seen quilts for that sort of money and the time spend on completing the quilts, it certainly is not over priced but I guess few people would be able to spend so much on a handmade quilt.
I think it applies to all crafts, I am sure Peggy would agree.

Before I leave I just have to tell you about my pathetic dh. When our dd was telling us of coming to Adelaide for the friends thirtieth birthday and coming on the bus (a 12 hour trip) I said shall we use some of our frequent flying points to fly her over. DH was adamant that we were saving the frequent flying points for our trip to America etc. etc.
This morning HE asked me if we should let her use some of our points . Men, we had a bit of an argument about it and now, 4 days later, he agrees that we should let her use them.
She is over the moon, I have given her our details and she will try and book some flights today.
Why we had to have an argument about it in the first place is a mystery to me but all is well that ends well

Cheers,
Maria

Marnie: Try this URL and then click on Resister and see if that works for you.
http://www.3fatchicks.com/journals/weblog

Maria: Men I will never understand them. Mine does the same thing about certain things. Then decides later something else.

Been a real crazy day for me so no time to post. Need to get my Menu done for next week so I can go grocery shopping. Wasnt a good day food wise for me as I was to busy to eat what Im suppose to. So I need to find a way to make up for it. Maybe a bottle of Wine
Just kidding!!!!!!!!!

Men: They are certainly not predictable. My dh, once he has made up his mind is immovable. so i try not to put him in a position that he might not be able to retreat from.

Our Cruise is taking us to the Western Carribean. Grand Cayman, Cosa Maya, Cozumel, and Belize. It will be restful, I'm sure and we hope to take a sied trip in Belize. I will be ready for a relaxing time.

Chilly and damp here today, Never did get above 50deg. and misty and rainy. This is the kind of day a fireplace would be very nice.

Slavika: that oatmeal recipe sounds good. I have made extra oatmeal sometimes, and then chilled it, sliced it and pan fried it in some butter. That's good too.

Hi everyone. See you tomorrow. Ann

Hi everyone,

Anne That oatmeal recipe that Slavika posted sounds great but I love your idea too. I think I might try it that way as I love oatmeal. I hope that you have a great trip.

Maria Aren't men the same the whole world over, mine does exactly the same thing but we just need to let them think that it was their thought. Have a nice visit with your DD. Is she still in Melbourne ?

Marnie I tried to make a quilt a few years ago and found that I had set myself up for failure. The girl who was my tutor said that the prices they sell for are phenominal so I think your price was really good.



Karen Good luck on Monday

Today the weather here has been mild and both Ted and I have been out in the garden trying to tidy up the back. We have aquired new chickens and they have made it a disaster area so they are banned to their run. I have just taken a break and thought I would use it on the computer. Today I started back on the exercise bike - only 5 minutes but at least it is a start. As for a diet I am just going to eat healthily mainly following WW.
Out to the garden I go so I see you all later.

Take care

Jenye

Good Morning!

Heading to my sister's for lunch; she's having spaghetti (on which I can go wild), but I'm using some of my flex points. I'm sure she'll have some veggie type things as well.

Lily, it worked! I'll use the journal section now to record my points. I saw some of your entries, and I'll go back and read more thoroughly.

Maria, my husband's the same way! Don't you wonder sometimes? Also, thanks for the email address. I just thought a "winter" theme would be fitting for these days.

Jenye, if I can quilt, anyone can! I'm horrid at math, and a lot of times you have to figure out sizes, etc. I just guess!

Ann, the cruise sounds great. Have you gone before? My boss thinks it's the greatest way to relax. Not sure I'd like to be "ON" water, but I like being "NEAR" it.

Better gather my things now; off to my sister's. I'll come back later.

Marnie

Slavika
Here is how I did your recipe. Its very Good. Makes a nice dessert.

* Exported from MasterCook *

Baked Oatmeal

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 16 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories :

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
3 Cups Oatmeal
1/4 Cup FF Syrup
3/4 Cup Splenda
1/2 Cup Maragine
1/2 Cup Egg Beaters
2 Cups Fat Free Milk
2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
1 Teaspoon Salt


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-

Per serving: 183 Calories (kcal); 3g Total Fat; (16% calories from
fat); 7g Protein; 33g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 210mg Sodium
Food Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 0
Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates

3.5 Points

Be back later to Post. Off to Lunch Dh is Tapping his foot

G'day all,

Another beatiful day........
Dropped dh off at the airport and did some shopping on the way home.

DD has booked her flights, there were only business class seats available, she feels very posh travelling business class and is very happy. She is arriving Wednesday morning and leaving again on Sunday.

Annyour cruise sounds heavenly, I have only seen pictures and heard of Belize etc., magnificent scenery.

Jeney good for you getting out in the garden...when the weather is mild it is just so relaxing. I think just eating healthily is what I aim for and having WW as a guide to doing that.
Yes my dd is still in Melbourne in the beach surburb of Mordiallic.

Marnie I hope you didn't go too crazy with the spaghetti and enjoyed your lunch.

I will try and get in to have a haircut and have a bit of a tidy for my busy week ahead.

Cheers
Maria

Hi Everybody

Well I went to one of the swimsuit shops today and tried on 12 different swimsuits. The clerk that waited on me was "maybe" 20 years old, and weighed "maybe" 100#. When I walked in she asked if she could help me, and I asked if the shop did liposuction in one of the back rooms. She was a really nice girl and very helpful. We chose the swimsuits for me to try on and at the end of an hour I had finally decided on one I liked and she thought was nice too. Actually it was the same "sort of colours" as the last swimsuit I bought but a different style and different pattern. The colour of the suit is shades of blue and green in a kind of floral design and it is a one peice. I also bought a new SHORT sarong in blue to go with it. When I got the suit home I realized that the LONG sarong that I had with my last swimsuit would go with this one too. I came across another one that I bought when I was in the Dominican Republic that would go lovely with Trudy's blue tankini. I must ask her if she would like to use it. DH and I stopped off at Trudy's to show her my new swimsuit, and she showed me her blue tankini and sarong. Her's is VERY nice and she said she thought I chose well too. While I was in the swimsuit shop I was listening to the remarks made by the other women. The remarks are all the same....and it doesn't seem to matter what their size or shape is, it's more how THEY perceive themselves to be. Men, just do not worry about their appearance in the same manner as a woman. You just would not hear a group of men complaining that this swimsuit made their butt look big or that one made their tummy look like a beachball. To top it all off, a man can buy a swimsuit for $25.00 and wear it almost his entire life.
Maria it's almost time for me to get a haircut again too, so we must have had our last haircuts around the same time. I will have to get mine cut next week and then again before we leave. That will be nice for you having your DD home again for a couple of days.
Lily I'm happy that you liked the Baked Oatmeal and thank you for posting the lighter revised version. I will print it off. I just love it but my DH is not that fond of it. The Princess thought it was great too.
Ann your cruise sounds wonderful. Did you say how long you were going for?
Marnie hope you had a nice lunch at your sister's. Does she live near by you?
Oh Karen I hope you get straightened out with your hearing aids. What a pain in the (well you know where) that must be, having to get them adjusted and then being without them too. GRRR HI Jenye glad you are getting out and enjoying your garden. You must live in the country that you are able to have chickens.
Well gang, it's time to think about making something for din dins.
Talk to you all later.

Ann: Your cruise sounds like so much fun! How long will you be gone? Would love to go to those places someday.

Jenye: 5 minutes is good. Sounds like you have a good plan. We are here to support you!

Marnie: Let me know if you need help with the Journal or adding it to your signature. I love spagetti to So does my DH he would eat it everyday if I let him

Maria: Glad your DD is so happy with her flight. I sure it meant alot to her to let her use your miles.

Slavika: I hate shopping for Swimsuits. Its such a pain and I have a hard time finding one I like. I did buy one in Hawaii when we went. Took me forever to pick it out. Its a tankini. And I did get a cute saraong to go with it Im all set if we ever go back.
I was thinking you could add Liquid Butter Buds to that recipe to and it would lower it alot more. I didnt have any at hime and didnt want to go back to the store. Dont know if you have that in your area or not. But I wouldnt think it would make much difference to the recipe. But then it could, Will try it next time I make it.

I did checked out all the Oatmeals at my Store and they all Ranged form 140 -150 calories for 1/2 Cup. 3 fat and 4 fibers


Have a great night all!