MAKE A NOTE!! -- August 1st, 2000

CIRCULATION - 1,913

WEB SITE VISITORS - 3,245

A Free Twice Monthly Ezine with (Hopefully) Useful Info on a Wide Variety of Topics

NEXT ISSUE TO BE PUBLISHED ON/ABOUT AUGUST 15TH, 2000

Previous Issue | Back To 2000 Back Issues | Next Issue

* * * * * * *

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.

* * * * * * *

My Favorite:     Books         Pet Stuff

* * * * * * *

Political Info Sites

For those of you eager to get some news from the major political parties themselves, they each have web sites. For the Republicans it is http://www.gop.org and for the Democrats it is http://www.dnc.org. For those conservatives in the group, you might also want to check out Rush Limbaugh's new site (not fully functional yet) http://www.rushlimbaugh.com. POST IT...near your computer.

Back To Top of Page

* * * * * * *

New EASY Electronic Fence

For those of you who wanted an electronic fence for your dog, but just didn't feel like digging up your yard to bury the cable, now you can have it all. Innotek and PetSafe have both developed electronic fences for dogs that are EASY to install. Both run about $285 (plus shipping) from the Doctors Foster & Smith Pet Catalog (cheapest I could find them) http://www.DrsFosterSmith.com. The Innotek Smart Dog Wireless Containment System is a medium size white post transmitter that is solar powered w/a battery back up. You can place it anywhere and it can give your dog over 2000 sq ft of running room and you can take it w/you on vacation or move it wherever you want. While it is nice not to have to worry about an electric outlet, I would be a little concerned that it would be is easy to steal. For those who ask "why would someone want to steal it?", I say, "Why do they want to bat mailboxes?". The PetSafe Instant Fence, on the other hand, has a plug in transmitter that takes about as much electricity as a 60 watt bulb. You plug it into your home somewhere & it work through walls & other obstacles to set up a round perimeter as large as 180 ft in diameter. Both systems come with a training video tape, marker flags, and the collar. Keep in mind that while these fences do keep your dog IN, they do not keep thieves (in our area someone walked into the fence area & stole the dog by removing the collar), neighborhood kids (who could harass your dog or get bitten), or other animals (who could attack or be attacked) OUT. Dogs should not be left unattended. It should be a fence to keep them in the area, but give them a little more freedom when you or the family are out there with them. You can call Fosters & Smith & request a catalog at 1-800-826-7206. POST IT...on your shopping list or by your computer.

Back To Top of Page

* * * * * * *

Recipe Remakes Web Site/Cookbook

Must be on a roll w/the cookbooks the past few issues. As I mentioned to some of you, my last cholesterol reading was not good, and I am looking for recipe solutions. Our local TV station runs a column by Lynn Hoggard called Recipe Remakes where she takes a popular recipe and remakes it in a healthy way, using ingredients available at your regular grocery store. If you would like to check out her recipe archives go to http://www.wral-tv.com/features/remakes/archive.html. The archives are grouped by date, not type of recipe. If you would like them by type of recipe, or just prefer a regular cookbook, she has collected 75 of the most popular recipes (+ 80 if you order her 2nd edition at the same time) in a cookbook called "Never Diet Again" for $10 (plus $5 if you order the 2nd edition which is a set of sheets, including an updated table of contents, that are added to the 3 ring binder original cookbook). To order by phone call 1-800-358-7691 or (770)300-0345 or by web site http://www.shopthecountry.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=96&Product_ID=2350952&CATID=137. The book has a lot of very sensible "diet" suggestions and great healthy remakes for things like lasagna, pizza, deviled eggs, cheese biscuits, brownies, and cobblers. I don't think anyone will regret buying this set. POST IT...near your computer and/or phone.

Back To Top of Page

* * * * * * *

Bonus Page-Christmas Carol Riddles

Well, if it has been a while since you checked out our Make a Note Web Site's Bonus Page, here's something to tempt you. To start getting you into the Christmas spirit (see our Back Issue Treasure below), we have posted a new page of Christmas Carol (Cartoon) Riddles for a few smiles and even included a page with the answers if you get stumped. This is a great little game for parties, or maybe even to include in your Christmas cards. Go to http://home.att.net/~make-a-note/bonus.htm, then click on the Christmas Carol page. We have 2 formats (.pdf and .bmp) for those who prefer one or the other, although the first one listed (.pdf) tends to be a little clearer. POST IT...near your computer.

Back To Top of Page

* * * * * * *

Fixing Your Computer

For those of you who aren't blessed with a computer specialist in your own home as I am (and I'll admit I take him for granted much too often :-)), here are some tips for getting your computer back up & running when you run into problems. Find a computer repair person that you can trust. If they can't explain the problem to you where you can understand it, then it might be better to look elsewhere. If the technician is A+ certified, you might be on the right track. But just because someone does NOT have it, doesn't mean they don't know what they are doing. Ask your friends & family, co-workers, or local computer clubs for recommendations. They may even be able to refer you to someone who will do it for you on the side & charge you a lot less than you would pay at a regular business. Decide how much you will spend on repair BEFORE you authorize it. If it is going to cost more than half of what it would cost to buy a new system, buy a new system, if you can afford it. Check out the cost of the parts they say need replacing in a good catalog like PC Connection 1-800-800-5555 or http://www.pcconnection.com. Get an estimate in writing. If you have large removable media like tape, zip drive, or jaz drive, BACK UP YOUR HARD DRIVE...BACK UP YOUR HARD DRIVE...BACK UP YOUR HARD DRIVE!! If you don't have large removable media (e.g., only floppy disks), at least, back up your data--word processing documents, etc. Check out the "...FOR DUMMIES" computer books to learn more about computers. The more you learn, the harder it will be for someone to rip you off. When you buy a computer, pay extra if you have to in order to get technical help from the company for free. Gateway usually has great technical support. A good web site to help you when you have software problems is http://search.support.microsoft.com/kb/c.asp?fr=0&SD=GN&LN=EN-US POST IT...by your computer, but not IN your computer. :-)

 Back To Top of Page

Coming Attractions-"Diet for a Poisoned Planet" Food Lists

A few issues back we featured an article on an out of print book called, "Diet for a Poisoned Planet" by David Steinman. This book has foods grouped by green, yellow, or red light lists according to how much pesticide residue they have. The author has graciously agreed to allow us to do a Bonus Page on the web site that has these lists. We hope to have it up & running within the next month or so. This way you can choose foods that have less residue for those of us who cannot afford the cost of organic produce. POST IT...by your computer.

Back To Top of Page

* * * * * * *

Back Issue Treasure"--CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN LIST, SIMPLE/FRUGAL LIVING, SUMMER TIPS, ETC

Yes, it IS that time again to pull up our Christmas Countdown List and get to work. This Countdown list has been one of our most popular articles. If you start it now then your Christmas preparation will be spread out & by Thanksgiving you should be ready to enjoy a relaxed holiday and the real meaning of the season. The issue is the August 15th, 1998 one. Follow our directions under BACK ISSUES at the bottom of the ezine to get your free copy. This issue also has advice on simple/frugal living. You can get the issue by going to Back Issues, then scroll down to the correct issue. You might want to also go to our Links page and click on "Countdown Clock" to get a great little tool to keep you on track, but remember to Countdown to Thanksgiving and NOT to Christmas for your Countdown List. POST IT...by your computer.

CURRENT MOST POPULAR BACK ISSUE: June 15th, 2000

Back To Top of Page

* * * * * * *

JOKE (from Pastor Braden, paraphrased)

There was a large ship cutting through a dark & foggy night. All of a sudden the captain noticed a light shining in the distance, and assumed it was an approaching ship. He got on the radio to call the other ship & said, "We are on a collision course, turn 20 degrees north". A voice came over the radio & said, "YOU turn 20 degrees north." The captain got angry & responded with, "This is Captain Smith, YOU turn 20 degrees north!" The other voice answered, "This is Seaman Jones, YOU turn 20 degrees north." By this time the captain was furious and yelled into the radio, "This is Captain Smith and we are a battleship, YOU turn 20 degrees north!!". Again the voice came over the radio, "This is Seaman Jones and we are a lighthouse, YOU turn 20 degrees north." :-)

Editor's Note: Are some of us trying to get our way, and do what WE want to do, even if we are heading for trouble? Are we ignoring the proper Authority at our own peril?

Back To Top of Page

 * * * * * * *

QUOTES 

"Our heart-attitude toward the marriage commitment needs changing as well. To expect another human to be responsible for our personal fulfillment is too much. Only God has the capacity to complete our lives. He should be the third party to any marriage."

---Susan Orr, in the Washington Watch, another good source for political info, http://www.frc.org

Back To Top of Page

* * * * * * *

FEEDBACK TO THE EDITOR

Make-A-Note@worldnet.att.net

TO SUBSCRIBE TO MAKE-A-NOTE EZINE

Send a blank email to: subscribe-make-a-note@hub.thedollarstretcher.com

TO UNSUBSCRIBE FROM MAKE-A-NOTE EZINE

Send a blank email to: unsubscribe-make-a-note@hub.thedollarstretcher.com

THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL OF PASTOR WILSON'S HARD WORK AS OUR LIST MANAGER!!

                               Back To Top of Page

Previous Issue | Back To 2000 Back Issues | Next Issue

****************END MAKE A NOTE****************