Dee

HEY! I get first crack at one of those bad boys..teeeheeee! My Heart is all aflutter now! Wooooohoooooo and hot dammmmmmmmm! Maybe I should Walk Scotland instead of the Trail! The View would certainly be a lot different...WOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOO Walking The Appalachian Trail in 04- CHANGING THAT TO THE HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND IN A FEW MINUTES.....WOOOOHOOOO ------------------

HEY! I get first crack at one of those bad boys..teeeheeee! My Heart is all aflutter now! Wooooohoooooo and hot dammmmmmmmm! Maybe I should Walk Scotland instead of the Trail! The View would certainly be a lot different...WOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOO Walking The Appalachian Trail in 04- CHANGING THAT TO THE HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND IN A FEW MINUTES.....WOOOOHOOOO ------------------

My heart breaks when I hear things like this! I can't even watch Animal Planet except for O'Shea's Big Adventure and sometimes thats sad, without crying some tears. When my babies get old and sick I will be beside myself- sigh- Walking The Appalachian Trail in 04 ------------------

MM made those Mountains. She did a great job didn't she! Thanks again MM for the great nameplate ( I call it that) Walking The Appalachian Trail in 04 ------------------

Hi There Lil Red Wing! Nice to have you here! Walking The Appalachian Trail in 04 ------------------

That is horrible, just horrible! Walking the Appalachian Trail in 04 ------------------

Best of luck with your new home Spitty and many Happy Years Living there. Now you can dance across the mountains with MM. Walking the Appalachian Trail in 04 ------------------

What do Scottish Guys wear under their Kilts? I always see Bonny Prince Charley on the news in his kilt and of course the Irish Rovers sing that song " Donald Wheres Yur Trousers." Everyone I have talked to says they wear nothing. My sister also said this... just wondering if what I hear is true. Oh thanks for the marmite tips. I found a store here in the US that I bought some from. I am waiting for it to get here. I will let you know how it is... Annie ------------------

What do Scottish Guys wear under their Kilts? I always see Bonny Prince Charley on the news in his kilt and of course the Irish Rovers sing that song " Donald Wheres Yur Trousers." Everyone I have talked to says they wear nothing. My sister also said this... just wondering if what I hear is true. Oh thanks for the marmite tips. I found a store here in the US that I bought some from. I am waiting for it to get here. I will let you know how it is... Annie ------------------

Did you know that if you are disabled or a senior you are eligible for many services provided by your community utilities which have programs to help and also by community services groups to lend a hand. Check to see if the Electric Company in your state has a Project Share program. The company will evaluate your home and your appliances and replace windows, doors, siding and other for free lowering your electric and gas bills at the same time. They even buy new appliances for the home that are energy efficient and it doesn't cost you a cent and by becoming energy efficient your energy and fuel cost decrease. The Phone company in your area has a plan for disabled or senior persons which bring the costs of your normal thirty dollar phone bill to a little over 8 dollars a month. This is without long distance calling but the Long distance is an extra charge on your otherwise small phone bill. At this time of the year many Seniors qualify for what is called the Heap Program which helps pay your fuel bill for the winter. Get an application. In NYS we have a program for seniors where seniors are eligible for exemption from school taxes and lowered land taxes. This program is called the Star Program and Seniors should take advantage of it. Time WarnerCable company provide basic cable service for seniors for 4.50 a month in our area. Not a bad price for 12 channels compared to the 30 plus we pay. Don't forget to sign up mom or dad for the Meals on Wheels programs in your area that provide 2 hot meals a day for your loved ones when you can't be there to make sure they eat. Also Churches, Boys and Girls Clubs, High School Clubs are just a few of the organizations that will send their young to mow lawns, do painting and repairing outside of seniors homes with qualified adults in the community. Check your area for what can be available for your seniors or disabled for free. ------------------

Free Drugs Many seniors may qualify for reduced or even free prescription medication. Yes, it's true, there are ways you may be able to get your prescription medications for free. But there are some catches. There are guidelines to be met and procedures to be followed. There are three major types of programs. The first are those run by your local government. This is often the best place to start looking for assistance. Next are federally run programs which are usually designed to help Medicare recipients. Finally there are the various indigent and patient assistance programs run by the drug manufacturers themselves which is what we're going to discuss. Who Qualifies? Each drug manufacturer determines their own guidelines for participation in their drug assistance program. You may find you will qualify with one company but not another. Some programs will provide assistance even if you have Medicare while others may not. Some have different plans for everyday-type prescriptions as compared to newer, very expensive medications. What Medications Qualify? Not all medications are available under these patient assistance programs. If you don't find your prescription drug listed by its manufacturer, you have two options. The first is to still query the company. Printed guidelines quickly become obsolete. If they still will not cover the drug, talk to your health-care provider to see if there is an alternate drug that could be prescribed. If so, go through the same routine to see if that drug might be covered by its manufacturer. Don't let any of this stop you from trying. Getting something discounted or free is better than nothing. How Does it Work? If you qualify for a program, your doctor will fill out the appropriate forms and send them to the manufacturer. In turn, they will send your medication(s) to your physician, usually a 90 day supply. Age has it's rewards FACT: We're all getting older FACT: Getting older has it's rewards FACT: All rewards are not grandkids! It's a fact that the population as a whole in the United States and in most "advanced" nations, is aging. If you are, or someone you know is, in that age group, heads up! (Disclaimer:I don't consider 50 or 55 or even 60 to be "senior", but if they want to give a discount to that age group, who are we to complain?) 2.Everybody wants your business! Not all businesses advertise it, but many will give senior citizens a discount just for the asking. You might be surprised at how many places will give you, at the least, a 10 percent discount. Even some places you'd never think to ask. Contractors for air conditioning, additions and remodeling. City bus and other local transportation, like subways and trains. Most states have special pass rates into their parks and recreational areas for seniors. Some cities have reduced licensing rates for pets of senior citizens. Most of the time, you have to ask! They want your business, but they won't give you a discount unless you ask. They will give you a discount if you ask because they want your business ... Grocery stores and thrift stores (discounts and frugal living make a great combination) especially, have senior citizen discount policies, or special days when you can shop and a certain percentage is cut from your total bill. Other discounts to be aware of are at many restaurants and motels. If you don't see any sign of senior discounts offered, ask. Otherwise you may be paying more than you have to. ------------------

This is a simple emergency stove that will boil water, cook a stew and provide a small amount of heat. You'll need an empty, clean paint can or something of similar size, hammer and nails, and candles. Find a board or other solid piece that just fits inside. The idea is to keep the can from bending or collapsing as you put several holes in it, one to two inches from the bottom, with a nail and hammer. Turn it upside down, and put three to five nails through the bottom. These will hold candles upright. Set the can upright again, and punch several more nailholes about an inch or so from the top, then remove the board. Spear the candles on the nails at the bottom, and using a twisted or folded length of paper as a torch, light them all. When they're burning well, place a pot or bowl over the open top of the can. If the flames go out, punch more nail holes at the bottom; then if they still go out, punch more at the top. Trial and error will get it right, so spend some time on it now instead of waiting until you really need it. A variation of the candle stove is to place candles in a row or group on some nonflammable surface and make a reflector of foil behind them. This puts out an amazing amount of heat, but be very careful with open flames. You'll need to watch constantly with this method in case of accident. Keep water nearby. ------------------

Why and How to Buy Used Clothing A lot of frugal folks won't think twice about buying used clothing, from garage sales to thrift stores, but there are some who wouldn't dream of wearing "somebody else's old clothes". There are a couple of reasons people don't want to buy used. One is pride, often known as conceit, as in "I'm too good to wear used clothing!". These people often have an awesome array of credit cards, and just as often, not much real money. The other is squeamishness. 'Eww... wear something that once belonged to someone I don't even know?? What if they had some awful disease...' These people also take their own sheets and towels when they travel, not wanting to use those from the motel that someone else has used before. They never rent skates, either, or swim in public swimming pools. The best reason for buying used clothing is often our budgets, but that isn't the only reason. Most of us are not in such bad shape that we can't afford to buy something new now and then. It just doesn't make sense to - not when you can buy three or four somethings 'new' with the same money and have a better choice! Shopping for used clothing is not at all like shopping at a retail store, with it's racks of same style clothing in limited colors and often in limited sizes. At a used clothing store, there's not much telling what you can find! People who are unusual sizes often go to big cities to shop or shop from specialty (read 'expensive') catalogs, then sell or give away their old clothing. People with lots of money (or those who just pretend to have lots of money) often buy clothing from several sources and discard "old" clothing on a regular basis. You can be the benefit of that. Go with a list of what used clothing you need. Look ahead, too, and be alert to good buys on things you'll need in the future - children's next-size clothing or seasonal furnishings, perhaps maternity clothing or baby items. Write down clothing and shoe sizes for everyone in your family as well as color and style preferences. Be specific as to what they need. It's not frugal to buy a third white shirt for your little boy, especially if he only wears one a couple of times a year. You may not find the exact used clothing you're looking for the first time you go to a thrift store or hit the garage sales, but you will eventually. To get the most out of second hand shopping, you need to go often, but you don't buy anything at all if you don't see what you're looking for. You won't save any money if you buy a sackful of junk and things you don't need every time you go, but you won't save either, if you miss that perfect dress or baby outfit because you weren't there. If you go used clothing shopping at garage sales especially, wear snugly fitting clothing so you can slip a shirt on to check the sizes or wrap a skirt around your waist to see if it fits. Zero in on the garage sales most likely to have what you want. A garage sale in a retirement community is highly unlikely to have children's clothing or toys and a community filled with scooters and basketball hoops very likely won't be selling Grandma's handkerchiefs with tatted edgings. Pay attention to details, whether you shop at garage sales or in a second hand store. Zippers, buttons, tears, ripped seams and pockets and stains may not stop you from buying the item, but the seller should adjust the price for these problems. Many of them can be fixed easily, but be aware of them before you buy and decide whether you want to fix them or not. Keep an eye out for the occasional sale at a thrift store. That's the time to find material for that quilt you want to make, or the rag rug, or to make other clothing from. It's the time to stock up on undershirts for cold weather (they don't have to be plain white!) and anything else you might need. Most garage sales are held near the end of the week and/or over the weekend, but it's best to shop the thrift stores during the week. Weekend crowds in the local Salvation Army or Goodwill store can be pretty heavy and make it hard to look through everything. Consider the time you spend shopping this way to be an investment. One or two trips, or one or two stores or garage sales, won't necessarily have the things you're looking for, but the merchandise changes constantly. Every other week is a good schedule for thrift store shopping and a tight fist is the best policy. Be sure of the quality of the item and your need for it and you'll win, every time. More: Second-Hand Clothes, First-Class Style - Consignment stores - buying and selling benefits. First Rate Deals on Secondhand Clothes - Buying for kids. Buying Clothes from Consignment Stores - Tips on what to look for. Second Hand Clothes for Boys - How to find them. Good ideas. ------------------

Save wear and tear on your vehicles during the winter while staying safe. Here are some timely tips: Check wiper operation and blade condition. If your wipers are skipping across the windshield, it could be due to one of three things: Worn wiper blades Worn wiper tensioner arm Oil or grease film on the windshield Make sure all maintenance is current -- oil and filter change, transmission service, cooling system service. Make sure that all belts and hoses are in good condition. Have a cooling system checkup. This includes protection check: -30 degrees is ideal, pressure test for leaks, inspect the radiator and all hose connections (repair or replace these components as necessary). Inspect the brakes, steering, drivetrain, and suspension, repair anything questionable. Replace any torn protective rubber boots, as these will allow contamination from the environment causing loss of lubrication, high friction to occur, and thus premature failure of the component. Check tire condition, making sure that there is adequate tread. This, of course, is necessary for traction in inclement weather conditions. Here are some helpful ideas for a winter survival kit: Jumper cables for that occasional dead battery A piece of colorful cloth to attach to the antenna to draw attention to your car in heavy snow A shovel to dig out of drifts A whistle to signal for help Tow chains or cables to tow the car out of drifts A flashlight with fresh batteries Traction materials such as kitty litter, sand, rock salt, or traction mats which help to provide traction on slippery surfaces First-aid kit in case of emergencies Extra clothing and blankets to keep warm while waiting for help Non-spoiling foods -- such as granola, candy bars or dried fruits and nuts plus, peanut butter, canned tuna, those danish hams that are cheap, some cans of beef stew, canned pastas, dried beef sticks and soups to prolong your body's ability to generate heat in the event of being stranded for a long period of time. I don't like too much sugar because it burns energy fast so I try to stay away from the candy bars and dried fruits which tend to have alot of sugar. I always pack a picnic basket full of bread, crackers, box juices and some fresh fruit. Don't forget to have bottled water on hand. I usually have about six or eight gallons stored in the back of my van for just this purpose and tablets to purify melted water if need be. Also carry some games for the kids to play and store sleeping bags and pillows under the van seats near the extra blankets. It doesn't hurt to be prepared in case of an emergency. ------------------

Ginger if something isn't listed on my pantry list feel free to add it to the list. ------------------

Spinach & 3-Cheese Lasagne 4 ounces lasagne noodles, uncooked (5) 15 ounces fat-free cottage cheese 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed to remove excess moisture 2 egg whites, slightly beaten 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg dash salt dash pepper 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 30 ounces tomato sauce 1 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded fat-free mozzarella cheese 1/4 cup fat-free parmesan or romano cheese Cook lasagne noodles; drain; hold in cold water. Mix cottage cheese, spinach, egg whites, nutmeg, salt, and pepper; set aside. Mix garlic powder, tomato sauce, basil, and oregano well to combine. Spread 1/2 the sauce in a 9" x 13" pan. Layer 1/2 the noodles over sauce. Spread with 1/2 the cheese mixture. Sprinkle with 1/2 the mozzarella. Repeat. Cover with foil. Bake 30 minutes at 350º. Uncover; sprinkle with parmesan; bake 15 more minutes or until bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes. Serve. Makes 8 servings. 1/8 recipe = 1 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable exchange and 188 calories. Adapted and altered from an ADA cookbook recipe. Upside-Down Meat Pie 12 ounces cooked chicken in bite-size pieces 1 cup chopped onion 1 teaspoon (or to taste) chili powder seasoned salt to taste pepper to taste 2 chicken bouillon cubes 1 cup water 16-ounce can whole kernel corn, with juice 1 1/2 16-ounce cans cooked tomatoes 1 1/2 cups plus 1 Tablespoon lowfat biscuit mix 1/2 cup lowfat milk Saute onion and chicken in a sprayed nonstick skillet until onion is just done. Add seasonings, bouillon cubes, water, corn, and tomatoes. Bring to boil; simmer 10 minutes to blend flavors. Place in sprayed casserole dish. Mix biscuit mix and milk. Roll out; cut 12 2" biscuits. Put atop mixture. Bake 12 minutes at 450º or until golden. Serves 6 1/6 of recipe = 2 lean meat, 1 2/3 starch, and 1 vegetable exchange ------------------

Cornbread Dressing 1 pan "Loretta's Cornbread" (see breads category for recipe) 4 slices diet bread 1 large onion, diced small 2 celery hearts and several ribs, sliced thinly 2 1/2 teaspoons rubbed sage 1 1/2 teaspoons poultry seasoning pepper to taste 5 medium egg whites 1/2 cup liquid Butter Buds 8 cups or more defatted turkey broth Crumble cornbread and diet bread coarsely in a large bowl. Add onion, celery, seasonings, and egg whites. Mix well. Add butter buds and broth. Toss. Refrigerate overnight to blend flavors. Bake at 425º until done. Makes 16 servings. 1 serving = 87 calories for 1 starch exchange ------------------

Here are some recipes diabetics might be interested in using. Fat-Free Gravy 1 Tablespoon cornstarch 1/2 cup water or cold fat-free beef and chicken broth 1/2 cup hot water or hot fat-free beef or chicken broth Mix cornstarch and cold water or broth well. Add hot water or broth. Stir over medium high heat until thickened. Simmer 5 minutes to cook cornstarch. Makes 1 cup. 1/2 cup = 19 calories, a free food. Seasoned Sauce 1/2 cup cold water 4 Tablespoons cornstarch 1 1/3 cups fat-free broth or water 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons instant chicken bouillon 8 Tablespoons soy sauce 1 packet Sugar Twin Mix cold water and cornstarch. Mix broth, salt, bouillon, and soy sauce to dissolve. Add cornstarch mixture and heat to a boil. Stir constantly as it cooks and thickens. Stir in Sugar Twin. Makes 2 1/3 cups. Especially good on Oriental vegetables or mixed broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower. 1 Tablespoon = 7 calories. 2 Tablespoons = 1 free food exchange ------------------ [This message has been edited by reci (edited November 13, 2002).]

I thought I would post some Diabetic recipes for those who are diabetic or have loved ones who are Diabetic. Baked Herberd Chicken 1 lb Chicken breast; boneless & 1/4 c Lemon juice; -skinned 2 ts Leaf tarragon; dried 2 ts Virgin olive oil; 2 ts Leaf basil; dried 6 tb Dry white wine; 1/2 ts Hot red pepper flakes; Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Trim any fat from chicken breast and pound lightly between two sheets of waxed paper to flatten. Coat with olive oil and place in a baking dish. Add wine, lemon juice, herbs and and pepper flakes, turning chicken to coat both sides. Cover dish with foil. Bake 25 to 30 munutes, until chicken cooked through. BAKED "FRENCH FRIES" 2 lg Potatoes 1 tb Vegetable oil; 1/2 ts Salt 1/8 ts Paprika; Preheat oven to 450 F degree. Peel potatoes and cut into slices 4 inches long and 1/4 inch wide; place in a bowl of iced water to crisp. Just before cooking, turn onto paper towel and pat dry. Spread pieces in one layer of a shallow baking pan. Sprinkle with the vegetables oil. Shake pan to spread oil evenly over potatoes. Bake 30-40 minutes, turning frequently, until gold brown. Empty potatoes onto paper towels. Sprinkle with salt and paprika. German Potato Salad Categories: Diabetic, Vegetables, Salads, Side dishes, Vegetarian Yield: 8 servings 6 sl Bacon; crispy fried 1 1/2 c Cold water; 3 tb Flour; 1 md Onion; 3 tb Sugar replacement; 1/4 c Vinegar 6 md Potatoes; boiled sliced Remove excess grease from bacon with paper towel. Break bacon into small pieces. Blend cold water and flour. Pour into saucepan. Add onion, sugar replacement, and vinegar. Heat, stirring, until thickened. Add bacon and potatoes while still from boiling and frying. Yummy Peanut Butter Cookies/diabetic 1/3 c Flour 1/4 ts Baking soda 1/4 ts Baking powder 1/4 c Diet margarine 4 tb Peanut butter 1 tb Brown sugar replacement 1/2 c Granulated sugar replacement 1 Egg; well beaten Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease cookie sheet lightly. Sift flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Work margarine and peanut butter with spoon until creamy; gradually add brown sugar replacement, continue working until light. Add granulated sugar replacement and egg; beat well. Mix in dry ingredients thoroughly. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet; flatten with tines of fork in a criss-cross pattern. Bake until done, 8-10 minutes. Makes 18 cookies. ------------------

You can visit Taste of Home online at their website to look for the shows they put on. The website address is: http://www.tasteofhome.com/ Its a great site..enjoy and I hope there is a cooking show in your area. You can't beat all the giveaways, prizes and free food to eat. I was worth the 5.00 and more. ps: just clink on the above taste of home link and it will take you right to their homepage. ------------------ [This message has been edited by reci (edited November 12, 2002).]

I have died and gone to Heaven. I can't wait to make this recipe. I am a toffee and chocolate addict ------------------

Hi ------------------

I am speechless!

A profound message in your post Hill. It makes one stop and enjoy the moments at hand.

So so very sorry for your loss Dee! Give a shout if you need an ear to listen.