Labor Day Weekend...well, the first half anyway...

This weekend finds me 51 pounds lighter.  It is still amazing to me.  I am officially smaller than I was when I got married, 7 years ago.  Today, for the first time in literally years, I went shopping and only had to buy size XL shirts...mainly to accommodate my boobs.  Never in a million years did I think I'd be giddy about buying 3 shirts in Target.  It's a good thing we were strapped for time, or those 3 shirts might have ballooned into many many more!

Before going to Target, my daughter, my sister, and I went to Red Lobster for lunch.  I wanted to see if I could handle the clam chowder.  I got it in the bread bowl...those of you who haven't had that, do yourself a favor and get it the next time.  It's one of my faves.  Anyway, they don't put much more than a cup of soup in the bread bowl, so it was actually about the perfect amount, and I got to bring the bowl home for later.  It turns out that yes, yes I can eat clam chowder.  They suggest that you stay away from soup in the beginning, because they'd rather you eat solid foods (remember, you're not supposed to drink while eating).  I guess I'm a rebel that way.  It was a toss up between the soup and the lobster pizza...I think that'll be next time.

After Target, we went to see "Despicable Me", the only kids movie left playing.  I'm so glad, because it was great.  It didn't drag like a lot of kids movies do for adults.  I liked it, Gabby loved it, and I think my sister even enjoyed it.  And who doesn't like Steve Carrell, really?

We went to Big Lots after that, and across the road is a Pizza Hut.  My sister wanted to order a pizza for her husband and my dad, who were doing construction at her house.  While she was in placing her order, my husband called, I told him where we were, and I ended up ordering the Big Italy to take home.  Come to find out, yes, it is huge like the commerical boasts.  And I was able to have a few nibbles, but after all this time of craving pizza, the fact that it was room temperature just didn't do it for me.  I guess my "first" pizza is going to have to be fresh...even though I usually love cold pizza.

Then...we went to KFC.  You're probably thinking I'm nuts, and no wonder I needed surgery to slim my fat ass down.  Well, I wanted to see if they would sell me just the gravy, minus the potatoes.  I am so sick of instant potatoes I just wanted the gravy.  Yep, they will sell just gravy.  So I ordered that, and couldn't resist the $5 fill up box, which I filled with a grilled breast, a grilled wing, a biscuit, and....potatoes and gravy.  I have only had a nibble of the wing and it didn't sit great, so I'm a little leery at this point.  But I have two containers of gravy, and that's what's important!

We'll see what the rest of the weekend brings to this foodie...

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On another note, I'm exploring the world of soft cheeses.  I recently bought fresh mozzarella, and there's nothing like it.  Just wish I could pair it with fresh tomatoes and basil at this point, but not yet.  Also, I bought the mini Babybel cheese, which I believe is gouda.  The size of it is perfect for me, and gives me both the dairy and protein that I'm missing elsewhere.  Lastly I bought the Laughing Cow spreadable wedges, in mozzarella and sun dried tomato.  Fabulous spread on three reduced fat Club crackers. 

I'm constantly looking to switch up my potatoes, so I did something I never would have done previously--I bought Cheese Whiz.  I don't even think you can classify the stuff as cheese.  But it's pretty tasty melted into some mashed potatoes!

There's your cheese review for this week.  Enjoy.