MAKE A NOTE!! -- March 3rd, 2004
CIRCULATION - 39,857 (From Around the World! :-)
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A Free Twice Monthly (1st and 3d Wednesday of each month) Ezine with (Hopefully) Useful Info on a Wide Variety of Topics
NEXT ISSUE TO BE PUBLISHED ON/ABOUT MARCH 17TH, 2004
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NOTE: Each entry has a suggested "POST IT..." location at the end. We recommend that you print out the ezine, cut out each entry, & post it in these locations to make it easier for you to find when you need it. And if you like what you read, be sure to pass it on to someone else who can use it.
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Free Gift Baskets for Military Spouses of those Deployed
Once, a friend of mine went to DisneyWorld and had an extra ticket because someone in their group didn't show up. They decided to give it away to someone standing in the ticket line, but no one would take it, because they didn't think it was real. We have a similar situation with this amazing group of people who have put together a program to provide gift baskets for the spouses of military personnel who are serving overseas...FREE! They have sent out press releases and tried to get the word out, but haven't had many requests for baskets. I told the organization that I thought our readers would know people to request baskets for, and could help get the word out. Even if you don't know a military wife with a husband overseas, pass on the info to someone who might. You are also welcome to make monetary donations to cover basket expenses, and/or product donations. So let's help get the word out and show those military spouses that we appreciate them "holding down the (home) fort." Go to this web site for more info on donations or nominating a spouse to receive a basket. http://www.wahmfest.org/helpaspouse/ You can also contact them by email or phone at: execdir@wahmfest.org or 1-800-466-0294.
POST IT...near your computer, and address book.
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Fridge Not Staying Cold?
My fridge wasn't staying as cold as I wanted in spite of all the troubleshooting tips in the manual/online, so I requested a service call. The tech was very nice, and showed me how to fix the problem. Why am I still not happy?...because I basically paid him $65 to tell me how to rearrange my shelves. The tech says that ever since glass shelves (instead of wire) became popular, there have been problems with the air circulation. In my case, my top shelf was so high that it kept the cold air up high, and the thermostat sensed the cold air & shut off too soon to keep the rest of the fridge cold. So be sure that your top shelf in your fridge is low enough where a jug of milk/water would still have about 2"-3" between the top of the jug & top of the fridge. You might also consider staggering the shelves so the cold air would circulate easier. If you have already paid a service call as I have, consider asking for a rebate or refund. After I called the company & received no help from customer service, I asked to speak to a customer service supervisor. I told her that I thought it was ridiculous that I should have to pay for a call like this, when it was a simple fix that they could have told me to try over the phone, wasn't in their owner's manual or online tips. She ended up sending me a $15 rebate form, better than nothing.
POST IT...with your fridge's owner's manual, and in the yellow pages under "Appliance Repair."
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Hidden College/Union/United Way Fees
Do you know where your college, union, and/or United Way fee/donations are going? Have you ever seen a PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) charge on your college fee sheet? Most of us have seen the box we can check on our federal tax form to donate to the Presidential Campaign Fund, these are those "matching funds" you've heard so much about this year. But have you ever really considered WHAT you are supporting and IF you want to support these things? For example, if you do a contribution to the "matching fund," it may go to a candidate you don't support. Wouldn't it be better to send a donation to the person you support? Many colleges and unions tack on extra fees to support groups that you might not care for. If this is the case, you can often ask to make it go to an alternative fund, or ask that it be taken off altogether. Many colleges now support PIRGs with a block to check on fee sheets, but you have no idea WHICH PIRG is getting it (environmental, liberal or conservative, etc.). But in most cases you can choose not to donate. Are you giving money to the general United Way Fund without stipulating a particular charity? Then your money may be going to charities on opposite sides of the same issue. For example, it could be going to a Pro-Life AND a Pro-Abortion group; doesn't that seem a bit of a waste? Also, even if you specify a particular charity, if you donate through the United Way, the latter takes out an amount of the donation to cover administrative costs (about 10%-18%). So it would probably be better to donate directly to the organization you want to support. So the next time you see an unknown charge, ask what it is. If you support it...fine, if not, ask for an alternative or that the fee be removed. Make sure that you are making donations in a way that will maximize the benefit for the causes you support.
POST IT...with college/union/pay receipts.
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Wheezing Helps
I want to start off by saying that this article is not directed at people with serious asthma, although some of the tips may be helpful (check with your physician). This article is directed at people who have only occasional mild wheezing, not exercise-induced, perhaps only at certain times of the year, or only after colds/flus. I was prompted to write the article when I ran into quite a few people w/children who would eventually like to join the military, but if there is even a hint of "asthma" in their medical records once they become teens, then it can make joining very problematic. Many of us in this situation have come up with some simple techniques to help deal with this mild wheezing without having to resort to medicine or doctor's visits. Teach your children to come to you ASAP once they realize they are wheezing; the sooner the problem is addressed, the better. Many children keep pushing themselves once they start wheezing, but they should be told to take it easy, usually stay upright, chin up, hands on their heads and shoulders back (to open all the air passages). They should be taught to breathe in slow and as deeply as possible through the nose, then out slowly through the mouth with the lips pursed as though around a straw. They should avoid talking or exertion, sip warm drinks (to relax throat), and apply warm (preferably moist) compresses to their throat & chest just below the throat. Steamy showers/baths may help. Caffeine will help in some cases to open things up, so hot chocolate made with water (not milk...milk products should be avoided at this time) might be a good choice for a warm drink. If coughing from a cold has triggered the wheezing, then a cough suppressant might help. But this should be balanced with the need for the cough if it is productive. In some cases, if seasonal allergy related, then anti-histamines may help, or a room air cleaner may get you through the season. If the child is trying to sleep, then prop them into an upright position with pillows if possible. Most specialists believe that dry air is better for those with asthma, but in some cases it may not be, for example if the house becomes so dry that normally stationary particles become airborne. If you do decide that you need to see a doctor, explain the situation to the doctor (about not wanting the word "asthma" used, if possible). Make sure they know you aren't asking them to lie, only to avoid the use of the word "asthma" if they feel it is appropriate to do so. For example, when one child seemed to have only an annual attack after a cold or flu, the doctor wrote it up as RAD (Reactive Airway Disease). In other words, just because you wheeze, doesn't make it asthma. The doctor should also specify that he doesn't think it is a serious problem, if that is the case. If you are filling out Health Forms & have to check a box that says, "have you EVER had asthma", then be sure to specify somewhere on the form that it was mild and in the distant past, if this is the case. For prevention, it is always good to do things that encourage deep breathing. Sports are great, swimming in particular because of the moist air. Playing a wind instrument or singing might also be of benefit. If you are trying to get a waiver to join the military, then try to see a physician with a military background, they usually know how to write things up in a way that will be more effective in dealing with the military. BEFORE TRYING ANY OF THESE TIPS AT ANY TIME AND ON EVERY OCCASION, ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR. I REPEAT, BEFORE TRYING ANY OF THESE TIPS AT ANY TIME AND ON EVERY OCCASION, ALWAYS BE SURE TO CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR. AND IF YOU EVER BELIEVE YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY, NEVER HESITATE TO CALL 911.
POST IT...with your doctor's phone number.
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Recipe: Lemon Tart Cake
I LOVE lemon desserts, but I like them with a very tangy lemon taste, not too sweet. If that's what you like too, then give this recipe a try.
 | Preheat oven to 350. Grease & flour 9x13 pan. |
| Mix together DUNCAN HINES Lemon Cake Mix, with 1 1/3C water, and 2 eggs (this is all different from the directions on the box). Mix until all dry mix is moistened, then mix on medium speed for 2 min. |
| Pour into pan and tap bottom to bring air bubbles to surface to break. |
| Bake for 28 min or until toothpick or knife inserted into the middle comes out clean. It may not look brown on surface, so check at proper time & keep close eye on it. |
| While cake is baking, mix 1/3C water with 2/3C lemon juice in microwave container, heat until boiling (about 2 min)(can do on stovetop as well). |
| Remove from microwave and add a 3 oz package of Lemon Jell-O, mix until dissolved. |
| Place in fridge to cool. |
| Remove cake from oven when done and let sit for 15 min. LEAVE CAKE IN PAN. Take a food thermometer and poke holes about a inch apart all over the cake (a toothpick can be used in a pinch, or thin knife). |
| Remove Jell-O mixture from fridge and pour over top of cake. Place cake in fridge to cool. |
| Once cake is completely cool, you can leave it unfrosted and sprinkle
powdered sugar over the top before serving OR you can frost with Duncan Hines
Lemon Frosting & top with powdered sugar (or not) as well. You can also
garnish with lemon slices, either fresh, or the candy variety. |
POST IT...on your shopping list and recipe box.
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Back Issue Treasure: March 1st, 1999
St. Patrick's Day will soon be here, so check out this back issue for our popular recipe for Irish Potato Candies, a St. Patrick's Day Quiz, and other helpful info. Organizations, schools, and in some cases, even homeschoolers may qualify for a free computer, check out the article in the issue. You might also consider checking out our March 15th, 1999 issue as well for a fun St. Pat's game and recipe for Irish Raisin Bread.
To retrieve this back issue click HERE.
POST IT...by your computer.
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Missing Child Info: Demi Thomas
Demi Thomas (2-yr-old, white female, sandy hair, blue eyes, 3'8", 39 lbs) was
taken from Williamsburg, KY on Feb 5, 2004 by her non-custodial father, Fred
Thomas (46-yr-old, white male, brown hair, blue eyes, 6'2", 225 lbs). A felony
warrant was issued for the abductor on February 10, 2004. They may be in North
Carolina and may be traveling in a black 1984 Chevrolet pickup truck with North
Carolina license plates SPH8809. The abductor has a tattoo of the Superman
symbol with the name "Conni" above it on his upper right arm. For photos go to:
http://www.ncmec.org/missingkids/servlet/PubCaseSearchServlet?act=viewPoster&caseNum=981576&orgPrefix=NCMC&searchLang=en_US
Or go to
www.ncmec.org
Click on "More Search Options" then enter "Demi Thomas" at the bottom under
Name.
POST IT...in your businesses, or in your car, esp. if you are in the KY/NC areas.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Some of you have tried to access files of children featured in past issues without success. This usually means the children were found and the files were removed.
Final Words
JOKE (From Noelle P.)
Why was 6 afraid of 7? Because 7...8(ate)...9.
QUOTE (For Military Spouses)
Home Alone By Jody Low
It's not that I don't love you, dear ...
You know that's not the case ...
But when you're out of town I lead my life at my own pace! I get up when I want to ...
And stay up late at night, Dismissing blush and lipstick ...
Who cares if I'm a sight? Potato chips for breakfast ...
And dinner from a can ...
My mealtime combinations Would never please my man! My TV picks are mine alone! I watch the shows I choose ...
I gain my independence ....
(Can even change a fuse)
But often, in the midst of things, I feel that subtle tug On heartstrings that are missing Gentle kisses and your hug. And so I count the days, my dear, Till you are safely home ...
You're on my mind so much, you see, I've put you in a poem.
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