Hi Everyone,
Thanks for all the "welcome"s. They all made me smile. I've had another really good day. This morning on the way to drop my older daughter (15) at a babysitting job, she asked if we could stop to get her a muffin instead. We went to the supermarket that has great baked goods. Knowing I didn't have too much for breakfast at my office I thought about getting a low fat muffin. Then I told Nikki it wasn't worth the points and I'd only feel guilty, so I went and bought a fresh box of Shredded Wheat and Skim Milk for the fridge and knew I did the right thing.

Vickie, I'm sorry you had such a hard day. They had American Idol auditions in New Jersey yesterday and people were camped out for 2 days before they needed to be there. I guess everyone has a dream. I actually know Katharine McPhee from last year. She roomed with my niece at college in Boston for a year.

Rose, my younger daughter (9) loves Build a Bear. It's hard to get out of the mall without something for one of her stuffed friends.

I'm going to finish watching the Yankee game with my dad. He lives with us and its his 76th birthday. He rocks.

Talk to you again tomorrow.
Stacey

Happy birthday to your dad, Stacey! I hope the Yankees win one for him tonight!

That's pretty darn cool about Katharine. We are huge Idol fans here and have discussed it thoroughly for the last two seasons!

You know, speaking of that ... do you guys realize that next month it'll be two years since we started Core together? Time has FLOWN!! (Oh and yeah, why aren't we at our goals yet??? )

Back to watching House. I'm straightening my hair during commercials. Didn't make bread tonight but I did go buy more dark beer (this time got the real Shiner Bock) and I opened a bottle so it could go flat. I'll make some tomorrow. I think I'll have to start giving it to the neighbors to get rid of it. Judd loves it; he has been eating it for breakfast. I am going to add a teeny bit of flaxmeal tomorrow but don't tell anyone. Earlier before I got home, Shaun's recruiter came over to drop off some paperwork and Judd gave HIM a loaf!

Oh and I'm making more yocheese tonight -- this is the strawberry. I am using Kirkland's Swiss-style lowfat yogurt and will take it to work Thursday with the new bread. I think strawberry spread will be good on the dark bread.

Nighty night!

Vickie, so sorry to hear the disappointing Millionaire tale. I know Jim would have proved himself. Remeber though, you have eachother which is the best!

Kathy, so glad that your having yochee fun. The possibilities are endless. I wouldn't dare have homemade bread around here, it's a red light food for me. You're strong.

Frouf, thanks for the weather report, I'm really looking forward to our getaway. I can't believe how close your cruise is, WOW! Hope Emily doesn't upset you too much, don't let her push your buttons.

Stacey, you made a great shopping decision. Hope your dad had a wonderful day.

Melissa, did you ask about that job??

WW was crazy busy today. When it was almost closing time, I had three separate ladies come in who wanted to join. It takes a lot of time to process, but I got through it. They all raved how great I was..I just wanted to lock the door and go home. I left a half an hour late...no pay. I got a call from the office asking me to take another shift, and i said "no". I just don't want the responsiblity.

Okay, off to watch House for me too, pleasant dreams.....

vickie, that's terrible. of course you and jim should go to the boat. you deserve a fun day for sure. i'm so sorry this happened.

frouf, hang in there cruise day will get her shortly. be tough about those concerts. i understand being tired of the battles. i would be, too.

way to go, stacey. you are a strong woman. one of our grocery stores has fabulous baked goodies, too. i feel empowered when i'm able to just walk through with my buggie unloaded.

kathy, you could prob retire and open a bakery. and a yocheese factory, too!

saundra, good for you. i'm proud you could say no to another shift. i know that's not an easy thing to do. you're a good person helping those ladies.

i went to w a tonight. we had a fantastic workout. i'm feeling great--a little hungry, but great. i try not to eat anything this late so i'm done for the day. last night i had those rib tips sort of late. can't do that 2 days in a row.

Morning gals. I can't stay but wanted to say hi. Last night my dad randomly asked us to come over for dinner--very out of character. So we went and I'm a day behind on exercise and getting pc stuff done. Oh well, it was an interesting evening I guess. I've got to run but I hope that you all have great days. I hope I have one too come to think of it.

Good morning ladies, I am pleased to report that everyone is feeling almost back to normal. Can you believe I had took out 4 dvd's from the library last week and since we where all sick I forgot about them, I took them back yesterday and I had $20.00 in late fees, they charged a dollar a day for each dvd my mouth just fell open I have to tell you I got the most beautiful evening gown new with tags on Ebay, price on the tag was $229.00 I got it for $9.99 ,with shipping it came to $20.00 I just love deals I am really looking forward to go to the wedding on Saturday, I am going to mention to dh for us to spend the night at my moms house, she lives about 25 minutes from the reception, if not we will have to drive over 1 1/2 hr to get home with the children in the car, I am sure they will be sleeping, I just get nervous it being late Saturday and alot of peopledo drink & drive, I have seen it before, I even called 911 on my cell phone to report a drunk driver, he kept side swiping the divider, that was very scary.

Kathy how is the yocheese maker working out, was it a good investment. I am going to try out your beer bread, I am sure dh would love it.

Vickie what a bummer, so sorry you had to deal with that long wait and the heat. Hope you are feeling better.

Stacey welcome fellow Long Islander, Great decision to not get the muffin, doesn't it feel good. Go Yankees!!

Froufie is this what I have to look forward to when dd becomes a teenager, I am scared, really scared Is it a girl thing or do boys put you through the same thing. I am coming to you for advice, By the time my kids are teenagers you will be a pro. I hope she didn't give you a real hard time last night

Saundra I hope you got some rest and is feeling well rested after working at ww.

Sandra I hope your belly isn't hurting from the rib tips. I just love rib tips from the chinese restaurant, they make them so good, can't have them in the house I will pick on them all night.

Hi Ruth, welcome back. I would love to see the pictures of the cottage.

Angela please tell what is a raid party, I like froufies idea of one

Melissa good luck with finding a new job, it is terrible when you work at a place that makes you unhappy.

Good morning, all! Niki, great find on the dress! I also love a good bargain and buy lots of my clothes on ebay. When I search, I always put NWT in the description because if I'm going to buy used, I have to see it first. I buy my jeans at the beginning of each fall/winter season at the local thrift store for $3, which reminds me that I should go look.

Well, this batch of yocheese isn't all that great, because there was no whey! Nothing to drain at all, so the yogurt is just sitting there in the strainer. I guess Swiss-style is like that; I'm going to dump it out tonight and put in some flavored non-fat regular old storebrand yogurt. I am determined to make some strawberry flavored to bring to work tomorrow with the new batch of bread. I think it was worth it, Niki -- this morning for breakfast I had a poached egg, and a slice of my bread toasted and spread with the plain yocheese and some all-fruit blueberry jam. It was quite delightful although I had a heck of a time getting the egg to poach because I used the wrong skillet and the water didn't come up high enough to the poacher. Oh well. It finally worked.

106 is the high today. What's new, huh? I hope everyone is having better temps than us. Nothing else to report here, but I'll be back in a while. Oh except I might sew this weekend because I found a stack of fabric in the little door in my dresser last night and some of it looks like good stuff for aprons. We'll see ... Judd has a bike ride on Saturday morning and fantasy football draft all day Sunday. I should be helping Shaun with his rooms but he has had six months to get them in shape. If it's not done, that's not my problem (yet). After he's gone and I get up there to take a good look, you might hear me yelling.

Niki, a raid party is nothing like Froufie suggested. It's where, online in World of Warcraft, you and your guild get together, and go to a big scary dungeon and kill really bad monsters, and when you do, you get really neat stuff. These two raids I'm going on take 40 people and an amazing amount of concentration and luck, so I'm a little nervous. Imagine!

The camp we visited yesterday will be perfect for our church ladies' retreat. It's actually a camp for disabled children/adults, so it's very accesible. We have a few members that are disabled themselves, and some very overweight women who have mobility issues, so this will be perfect. It's also challenging because we have women from 18 to 80, in all walks of life. But I think it'll be good. We will still get the feeling of camping and being out in the wilderness, but people should be fairly comfortable.

So here's a timeline of how I want the retreat to go... (because I'm sure you all want to know! )

4:00 pm - I arrive, get thing set up
5:00 pm - they start arriving
Dinner will be sub sandwiches and sides/desserts will be potluck. Our cabin has a kitchen, so we will be able to store any leftovers.
7:30 pm - (when it's dark) Faith Walk
I have a beautiful dramatic reading about women over time all having the same song in their hearts yada yada, which I think they'll really like. And remember my sister who went to Berklee School of Music in Boston? I have her writing a song just for the occasion. The "walk" is on a paved sidewalk and it's less than 1/4 mile I think, so people should be fine, and we'll go slow. We'll then end up at a fire pit surrounded by benches.
8:00 pm - Testimony Meeting - this is where the women can share their faith and grow together and all that jazz, around the fire.
9:00 pm - S'mores and singing around the campfire
9:30 pm - back to the cabin for games, talking, and snacks (dinner leftovers basically)
Morning: whenever people wake up
Breakfast will be bagels with various flavors of cream cheese, OJ if it's warm, hot cocoa/spiced cider if it's cold, and fresh fruit.
10:00 am - crafts (very popular)
11:30 am - people gather up and leave
noon - I clean up and leave

Sound good? I just want to make it special, because it is quite a bit of money. I think our congregation could really use some togetherness, as a lot of people are shy/busy.

Well, time to get on with my day...

Angela

Good Morning Chicks! I slept right through the night. I asked Jim when I got up if he got the license number of the truck that I was run over by!

Kath, it was actually 85 where we were and standing on the black asphalt made it even hotter! I had to laugh....it made me sound like SUCH a wimp that I was complaining about how hot I was at 81 degrees!!!! I am SO out of shape that walking that mile and a half each way was way worse than a mile and a half on the treadmill. I was overheated, sweating and red faced by the time we even got in line. Anyway, it's over and on to the rest of my life!

Jim has PT today and tomorrow and then he says he's done. I'm not sure what he'll do when the therapist asks him why he isn't staying longer. I'm going to get ready with him today and go to Catherine's (my favorite plus sized store) today while he is at therapy. They have a double and triple perks sale for a couple of days starting today. I love to get there on the first day and snag all the good stuff. I don't have a winter coat so I'm looking for one of those. Long tunics and leggings are back in style. Good Lord, I'm afraid to buy any because it took me forever to give up my addiction to them. I carry much of my weight in the stomach but my legs are not that heavy. Tunics and leggins would hide much of my problems. Maybe I should just enjoy them for the season!

Ok, I read everyone's posts but I need to go do a few banking things. Then I'll come back and respond.

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/show...8&postcount=39

Here's the yocheese/blueberry pancake recipe that you posted, Saundra. I went ahead and moved it into the breakfasts so we wouldn't lose track of it. It sounds really good!

Good morning all: Matt and Gabby's Mom, do you mean me. You said Ruth and I wonder if you are talking about me. I am Rose and if you do mean me send me your address and I will send out pictures of the cottage etc.

Kathy did you received the pictures that I sent to your office? Hope so but I am not the best on the computer for sure.

Well, our grand is still here. We got her two outfits for the Build a Bear and she was so excited. We are going to McDonald's for breakfast. I had my breakfast at home as I do not care for the breakfast at McDonald's. Of course kids do ,and she is a skinny gal so I don't mind taking her. We took her to Tim Horton's for a sandwich and Chili last night and she loved it. Probably only you Canadian girls know "Tim's.

Angela, your Church get a way sounds good. What Church is it puts it on?

Well hubby just called they are ready to go, the tummy calls for them.
Blue skies,
Rose

I am sorry Rose, I don't know why I called you Ruth, guess I Had a Lucy moment I will send you my email address, thank you, looking forward to seeing the pictures.

Melissa, nothing would make me happier than for you to find a new job. I'll pray on it too! I hope you enjoyed your dinner with your Dad. At least he's making an effort.

Angela said it was cool at 82! Hahahahahaha.....it WAS blazing in the sun....I swear! I'm SO glad your not feeling bad about not playing your game. It would be hard withdrawal for me if I had to give up this site. I think your plan for your retreat sounds amazing. I don't think the walk it too far. Everyone will be begging to go every year. What a great tradition to start.

Kathy, I had to LOL at your description of your seasons. Poor thing. The bread sounds just amazing. You are making me drool! I'll spend my points on bread and spread EVERY time. I especially like dark bread with a chewy crust...or not! Will you share the recipe one more time once you perfect it? I could see me wanting to try it once when you're all done. I think the tips about the size of the pan and wrapping are important ones. Do you have a Core recipe for macaroni and cheese? I'd love to have that.

Rose, I'm glad you're enjoying your summer. Ah...if I could only learn to worry when it's time or when I can control the situation, I'd be SO much better off. The same has been said of me. If I'm not worrying I'm worrying that I'm not!

Sandra, Jim and I LOVE rib tips! One of our downfalls before our healthy eating began. I'm impressed that you went to water aerobics. I just love the water!

Patti, have a great visit with DD!

Frouf, I'm very glad that you found a staff replacement! What great news for you. I don't blame you for dreading DD's return. She was quite a handful right before she went to her Dad's house. Congrats on getting yourself to the gym!

Stacey, that's a GREAT non scale victory on the muffin this morning! Good for you! We're looking forward to getting to know you. Ohhhhh....you're a Yankee fan. We're fighting you guys for the wild card!

Saundra, make it easy on yourself. You are supposed to be retired and enjoying yourself!

Niki, I'm glad you're feeling better. The dress sounds fabulous and what a GREAT deal!

I'm on the phone with the Niece so I'm gonna go for now.

Yep, Vickie -- I have a Core recipe for macaroni and cheese that has broccoli in it. We really like it a lot! It's one that came from SlimFast and I use FF cheddar instead of the low-fat they listed in order to make it Core.

Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli

1/2 chopped onion
2 cups frozen chopped broccoli
3T. olive oil
2T. flour (omit for Core -- I didn't even know the difference with it not there)
1T. black pepper
3 cups skim milk
1 cup whole wheat rotini
8 oz. FF cheddar

Chop onions. Defrost broccoli, if using frozen.
Heat olive oil in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and saute´ until soft.
Stir in flour and pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Add milk gradually while continuing to stir. Reduce heat to low and add uncooked pasta.
Cover saucepan and simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in broccoli and continue to simmer for 3 to 4 more minutes, or until pasta is done.
Remove from heat and add shredded cheese, gently stirring until it is melted.
Pour mixture into a small casserole dish, cover, and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

I will most certainly repost the bread recipe after I am thoroughly pleased with it. I'm not a trigger-food eater ordinarily so having the bread hasn't messed me up. I ate a small slice this morning and it was plenty.

Rose, I did get the pictures and they are just spectacular! I love them! Now when are you going to invite us all up for a visit, hmmm? Enjoy what's left of your time up there this summer.

I missed Frouf's post somehow -- going now to find it! BBL!

Vicki,
Sorry to disappoint you, the Yankees are 3 games ahead of Boston right now. We play them 5 times this weekend so lets see what next week brings....LOL.

Niki,
Great buy on the dress. I buy my younger daughter old Pokemon games on Ebay. She loves to watch the bidding. Where on LI are you? Nassau or Suffolk. I'm 43 with 2 daughters and work full time at my brothers law firm. Nepotism is alive and well in NY.

Speaking of which, I'm typing at work so I better get back. I'll stop by later. Have a great day in the meantime all.