MAKE A NOTE!! -- September 6th, 2006

CIRCULATION - 35,917 (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 SEPTEMBER 20TH, 2006

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In This Issue:

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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My Favorite:     Books 

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School Photos Pt 2

First, be sure to check our Sept. 1st, 1998 Issue for our School Photo Tips Part 1 (follow directions under "Back Issue Treasure" to access back issues). But add the following to that article: to make sure the kids get a good night sleep the night before, to be especially careful not to get a sunburn starting about 2 weeks before, also during that 2 weeks prior limit foods that may cause breakouts (although most school photo firms now offer touch ups for a few dollars more, that will erase blemishes in the final photos), and drink lots of water. Most photo firms will not have mirrors available, probably because some kids will never be satisfied with how they look, so have your child take a mirror, or check the mirror in the bathroom before going for photos. Parents can also volunteer to help with photos, which usually garnishes a significant discount for their child's photos, and they can be there to help kids look their best.

POST IT...on your calendar.
 

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Edible Arrangements

Looking for something to send to someone special, but not interested in the same old flowers or candy? Maybe you're sending to a health conscious member of the family or friend or a get well gift? Well, you will LOVE this idea. Edible Arrangements takes pieces of fruit and arranges them into beautiful displays that actually look like flower arrangements. It is so pretty that you probably won't want to eat it, but just enjoy looking at it. Eventually you'll have to give in & enjoy all those amazing fruit pieces. You can see for yourself, order, or even check into opening your own franchise at... www.ediblearrangements.com  Due to the need to deliver fresh, you can only order from a local Edible Arrangement store, but if there isn't one near you, keep looking, they are spreading fast.

POST IT...in your computer favorites list and the yellow pages under "florists".
 

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Military Retirement Move

This one is for all those military families getting ready to retire. This info tends to come as a surprise to many. Most assume that the military will move you anywhere you want for that last move at no charge to you. However, the military will only pay to move you the distance to your home state of record, usually the state you entered the military from. You will be charged for anything over that. For example, let's say you are currently stationed in Texas, you entered the military/your home state of record from Arizona and plan on retiring in Virginia. The military will only pay the amount for the cost of a move from Texas to Arizona. So if it would cost them $5000 to move you to AZ, but $7000 to move you to VA, you will have to pay the $2000 difference. On the other hand, if you entered in California, are currently stationed on the east coast, then you should be covered within the continental USA. So you might want to negotiate, with the company you get your retirement job with, to pay for the difference if needed. A final warning, please don't try to change your home state of record just to avoid paying the difference. There has been a big crackdown in recent years on people who change their home state of record just to avoid state taxes, or to get a break on moving expenses. On the other hand, if you have already decided what state you want to retire in eventually, and it isn't your current home state of record, then you should be ok (check with your legal office).

POST IT...with your retirement info.
 

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"Your Soldier, Your Army: A Parents' Guide"

This one is for my friend Harriet(I owe you a letter:-), and all those other "new" military parents out there. The Association of the U. S. Army has put out a great guide for all those parents with no military background, whose sons and daughters have joined up. Written by Vicki Cody, a 30 yr military wife, and a 5 yr military mom to two active duty sons, this book is a great resource. If you are already from a military family, the book probably doesn't have much that is news to you. However, there are a lot of young men/women out there whose parents probably feel just as lost as we all did when we first entered the military world. You do not have to be a member of the association to request the book. You can go to this website to read more about it, or even download a copy... http://www.ausa.org/webpub/DeptFamilyPrograms.nsf/byid/KCAT-6HCH3X
You can also email a request to ilwpublications@ausa.org
Or call 1-800-336-4570 x630
Or if you are overseas you can request it at 703-907-2411

POST IT...to email to parents of military members, or to request a copy yourself.

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Recipe: Sausage and Squash Casserole (from Phyllis)

First, let me say to each and every one of you, who overwhelmed me with recipes, THANK YOU SO MUCH! I now know that if I ever run low again, I just need to ask and our faithful readers will shower me with those tried and true recipes. So here's one to get us started, thank you Phyllis!

Every year it seems we get a bumper crop of squash. Here's one way to use them up. This has become a much loved recipe in our family.

1 pound bulk sausage (alternatives to bulk sausage: can use all hamburger OR 1/2 hamburger and 1/2 Italian sausage either type OR 1/2 sweet Italian sausage and 1/2 hot Italian sausage OR all of one type of sausage) 1/2 cup chopped celery - can be deleted
1/2 cup chopped green peppers - can be deleted
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 can cream of tomato soup diluted with 1 cup of milk
1 15 1/2 ounce can of stewed tomatoes - do not drain
1 pound yellow squash
1 pound zucchini squash
(can use all of one kind or the other of squash as alternative) Make sure you cook the squash and drain prior to adding to other ingredients - too much liquid otherwise.
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Sprinkle of garlic powder
Dash of Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of pepper

Scramble and cook sausage until almost done in a fry pan.
Drain well.
Add remaining ingredients and simmer until vegetables are tender.

Needed for rest of layers:
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
4 ounces of grated mozzarella cheese
4 ounces of grated sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese

Place in greased casserole in following order:
Layer of 1/2 of the sausage mixture.
Layer with 1/2 of seasoned bread crumbs.
Layer with sharp cheddar cheese.
Layer with rest of sausage mixture.
Top with the last 1/2 cup of seasoned bread crumbs.
Layer with mozzarella cheese.
Sprinkle top with the parmesan cheese.

Place in a 350 degree oven and bake until cheese is melted, approximately 20 -25 minutes. POST IT...in your recipe box & shopping list.
 

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Back Issue Treasure: August 15th, 2000 Issue (Helping Teachers Help Your Kids, "I'm Bored," Free Wal-Mart Camping, Stroke Symptoms...Don't Wait!, School Photos Pt 1, & More)

First, don't forget that Christmas Countdown List you were supposed to start last month. It isn't too late, if you follow our guide, you can have a relaxing Christmas. Check our Bonus Section on the web site for the details. And don't start school without reading our Aug. 15th, 2000 back issue. It'll give you great ideas on how to support those teachers. With school starting, they probably aren't going to be bored for a while, but we have a great list that you can print out to keep around for those times you hear the "magic words," "I'm bored." If you have a camper & find the local camping sites are booked, don't forget your local Wal-Mart. While there are no amenities, most Wal-Marts will let you park your camper/RV in their lot & stay inside at no charge. Know stroke symptoms and don't wait to get help. Plus the back issue section will give you more photo tips. All this and more in this great Back Issue Treasure. To retrieve this back issue, click HERE.

MORE BACK ISSUES

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Missing: Christopher, Alexander, & Matthew KOKINAKOS

Baltimore County Police are asking for the public’s help in locating three abducted children taken by their father on August 18. Police have obtained a warrant for Stephen Kokinakos, charging him with the abductions of the children. Stephen George Kokinakos, 35, of the 800-block of Cold Bottom Road, 21152, was ordered by the Baltimore County Circuit Court to surrender his children over to their mother, Christy Kokinakos, 30. Stephen’s sister advised police that Stephen had gathered the three children, ages 11, 8 and 4, while at his parent’s house, and advised her at 7 p.m. that he was taking the children to the Cockeysville Police Precinct as arranged, to drop off the children to Mrs. Kokinakos. He never arrived with the children. No one has heard from, or seen Stephen or the children since last Friday at 7 p.m. Stephen was employed and held three different jobs. Police have been told by those employers that he has not reported for work, and has not contacted them. He was last seen driving his blue 2005 Land Rover with Maryland registration tag 384M475.
The descriptions of Stephen and the children are:

Stephen George Kokinakos, 35, white male, 5’10” tall, medium build, brown eyes, dark hair. Christopher Kokinakos, 11, white male, 5’ tall, thin build, brown eyes, dark hair. Alexander Kokinakos, 8, white male, 4’ tall, thin build, blue eyes, dark hair. Matthew Kokinakos, 4, white male, 3’ tall, thin build, brown eyes, dark hair. Police do not know whether they are still in Maryland, or have gone out of state. Investigators have information that the children may be endangered because of Stephen’s history of violent outbursts. However, family members say that he would not harm the children. Anyone with information about this abduction or their whereabouts is asked to call Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020. For photos or more info, go to...
http://www.baltimorecountyonline.info/Agencies/police/media/releases/0825kokinakosabduction.html
Or go to
www.ncmec.org and enter in the name.

POST IT...in your car or business, esp. if you are in the area of Maryland.
 

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Final Words

JOKE

She wasn't sure if the movie was a true story or not. Until the main character had a cable problem and called the cable company. They tried to talk her through it with no success, she asks if they can come out right away, and they say "yes," and actually do. Obviously fiction. :-)

QUOTE

"We are not losing sight of the fact that it is our Soldiers who put it all on the line and our families who are bearing the burden, and we are doing everything in our power to support them."

--Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, Army Chief of Staff

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