RE: Carrie Underwood...Just a Dream
thank you! that was so very beautiful!! very well made video, and so sad! I cried too!! I love Carrie. I think she is so beautiful, classy, and just a joy to watch and listen to. No crazy hijinx or wild partying, seems like a lady.
Great Video and song!
RE: thinking of remodeling home
Loads of GREAT advice here...especially from the contractors! we are taking it all in and writing down the clues for contracting!
some more background...our home is in one of those "starter home" neighborhoods. Ranch style home on a slab, no basement, three bedrooms, family room, 1 1/2 baths, large fenced yard, two car garage. around 1300-1400 sq ft. We started here also, just never moved out...only a few of us like that remain. The rest have high turn over with the young ones moving in, then out. We bought this house all those years ago, for $28,000. (amazing, right?!!) we refi-ed a couple times for some upgrades, added a garage, new driveway, family room and second bath. We now owe around $30,000 for it. It was just evaluated at $120,000. A bit more than our neighbors because most of them do not have a second bathroom. The neighborhood is nice, close to shopping, expressways, and schools. Its why we stayed here. We were and are comfortable. Not too big for upkeep. DH works long hours, he does not have time for any work on the house himself. We cannot save money DYI.
If we moved, the houses we would look at, are in the $175,-180,000 range. We don't want to buy what we already have. So even with $90,000 to put down on a new home, we would still owe more than we do now, hence the apprehension of starting over with a bigger mortgage. There are alot of people out there today, that are losing their homes. We don't have to worry about that right now.. DH can think of retiring in about 10 years. I feel it is time to slow down, not start over.. but, I could be wrong. DH says we could just sell out to an investor who would then fix up what is badly needed here, and move on.
I dunno...
thinking of remodeling home
With today's economy what it is, there is always the question, do we sell our home and move, or do we stay and remodel?
some background...we have lived at this home for 25 years. It's almost paid off. We are in our early 50s. In this stage of our lives, we're not sure we want to start over with a bigger mortgage, but yet, our home is old, needs repairs and we could use more room.
What would you do? Move on and use all the equity for a downpayment on a much more expensive home? or use the equity for remodeling what we already have and stay here?
The kids are grown and moved out...well, DS is here at times, but he is 21, so not much.
If we remodel, what should we look for in getting contractors/estimates? I know we want them to be part of the BBB, no shysters for us! is it better to have ones that do not use sub contractors? or is it better to go with the larger, well known companies that you see advertised on the TV? (Father & Son, we'll get it done!) LOL
so many decisions!
We are leaning towards staying here, refinancing, and using some of the equity we have accumulated to make the house more comfortable.
The work we might do is: remodel the entire laundry room/pantry area, new floor, new window, ceiling, electrical, maybe a new heating system for our home. We have the old water/boiler pipes in the floor that heat the cement slab. Yes, it is wonderful and warm, but when it breaks....flood. It has broken twice on us so far. Major repair job when it does.
Also, maybe an addition added, new deck, my son's old room remodeled into an office for DH who works from home.
We're not sure what we want yet...just rambling..
thanks for listening and hopefully you can give me a couple ideas and help us decide what to do.
It's always good to get others opinions and then do what we want to do in the first place! LOL:)
Cheryl
RE: Need chicken chunk ideas plz!
thank you all so much for all the replies!!
we ended up making two dinners from the chicken! First, DH floured, and some bread crumbs, then fried them up. We then had them with french fries and veggies..( like chicken strips) Then, the second day, we had a wonderful chicken salad! Very nice!
thank you so much, because I am keeping all these recipes. I plan to make a few of them very soon!
You all are the best! TY!
RE: Need chicken chunk ideas plz!
Sounds like some stir fry or chicken fajitas are on the menu!!!!
recipes for either? I really don't know how to cook!! My mother never cooked, she was raised in an orphanage, so she never learned either...I come from a long line of "no-cooks"! LOL :)
I guess I could google it, right? but I love all the recipes and cooks here in RV.net the best!
Need chicken chunk ideas plz!
My DH chopped up three HUGE boneless, skinless chicken breasts into small, little square chunks of meat. He wanted them for chicken soup, but that didn't get made. (my fault)
Now I have no idea what to do with an entire bowl of chicken chunks.
Any ideas? I thought of maybe frying them up to add to salad, but since I'm not a great cook, I'm not sure I know how to do that properly. I need your help!
What would you do with all that chicken?
RE: Do you remember when....?
I remember in the early 60s, being small, and my father brought home the very first COLOR TV in our neighborhood!! It was so exciting! All the neighbors came over to have a look. It was the biggest news around! I was allowed to have two friends over that night, and it seems we watched "Peter Pan" in color. Maybe it was just "The Wonderful World of Disney" which was always a favorite, but I remember the beautiful peacock coming on "In Living Color!" and the entire family running to watch with fasination. My Grandma had one of those new fangled contraptions called a "remote control". It has two buttons. Up, down, for the channels, and high, low for the volume. I remember playing with it and making the channels go around and around. Fasinating!
Toffee Crunch Bars
I'm trying to find the original poster of this recipe. I did a search here, but it doesn't return anything.
My family loves this recipe so much, that they request it at least once a week now. It's so easy to make, just a couple ingredients and a few moments time, and you have a fantastic tasting chocolate treat!
Everyone is crazy about it here!
My question is....I have been making mine in a 9x11 pan instead of the pan listed. When I pour the butter/sugar mix on the crackers, there doesn't seem to be enough to cover them all. Is it alright to change the recipe and make it 3/4 cup of each instead of the 1/2 cup called for? Also, last time I was cooking the butter/sugar mix, I think I didn't let it cook long enough or maybe I wasn't suppose to stir it when it is done boiling..because it came out very light in color and the crackers actually stayed white instead of turning the caramel color of the toffee. Should I not stir after the boiling is done? Maybe took it off too soon?
Once again, thank you so much for posting this recipe. We love it!!
Here's the recipe: (I only use semi sweet chocolate chips)
Toffee Crunch Bars
35 Saltine Crackers
1/2 cup (1 stick ) butter
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 pkg ( 8 squares ) baker's semi-sweet baking chocolate, chopped
1 cup chopped walnuts, pecans (nuts)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a 15x10x1 inch pan with foil and place crackers in a single layer on foil.
Heat butter and brown sugar in saucepan on medium-high heat until butter is melted and mixture is well blended. Bring to a boil; boil 3 minutes without stirring. Turn down burner if needed so it won't burn. Spread over crackers.
Bake 7 mins. Immediately sprinkle with chopped chocolate: let stand 5 minutes. Spread melted chocolate evenly over ingredients in pan, sprinkle with nuts. Cool. Cut or break into pieces. Makes 16 servings.
I also mix peanut butter chips and chocolate chips and use them in place of baking chocolate.
No one will ever know the secret ingredients unless you tell. Taste a lot like heath bars.
RE: Naming Your Child
we knew a family that had a son named Clark, and a daughter named Candy.
Yup, the last name was indeed, Barr. :) :)
What about the oriental names? my DH works with quite a few and a couple that come to mind are Shipping Dong, and Dixon Chin. Both co-workers of my hubby. :) :) His old boss's name was Ling Long Lia. :)
Disneyworld + renting an RV?
ok fellow RV posters....
my daughter, her husband, and three kids, ages, 8, 6, & 2 are thinking of going to DisneyWorld in Fl NEXT summer. (July?)
After researching air fares, hotels and the costs of DW for the five of them, she is wondering if it would be a better idea to rent an RV (ala Robin Williams movie! LOL) and drive from MI down for a nice road trip and then stay in a campground down there. Since she is just in the "thinking about it" stage, she asked me to ask the people who would know, my fellow RVers that may have been there/done this.
some questions...
1. Did you find it financially cheaper than flying/hotels?
she likes the benefits of being able to stop at rest stops and sleep when they want to, and stop for food, vs a toddler on a plane!
2. Any recommendations for a good campground there?
3. Are they able to stay overnight in Walmarts or Cracker Barrels on the way down?
4. Any suggestions for what to look for in a campsite there? should they ask for pull thru?
5. Do most of the campgrounds have a shuttle to DW?
6. With the price of gas, maybe it won't be as cheap as they think?
7. Any good websites to read that may help with deciding?
Thank you for any help you can give...they are campers, but only have a tent, never RV'd before.
RE: A very old stray {The Old Fella Story}
Comfort For A Friend
My friend I know you’re hurting
with sorrow deep and true;
I wish that there was something
I could do for you.
To simply say “I’m sorry”
just doesn’t seem to be
Enough to adequately express
my heartfelt sympathy.
Night has fallen on your heart
and cast a shadow long;
Your world is changed forever
you can’t believe dear Fella is gone.
You lost a family member
who was loved like all the rest;
A loyal, loving companion
who always gave his best.
But time will heal your broken heart
though it may take awhile;
Sweet memories will replace the loss
you’ll think of Fella and smile.
He’s crossed the Rainbow Bridge, my friend
and will never be alone;
He’s carefree and contented now
in his new celestial home.
In Loving Memory
Ol' Fella
RE: A very old stray {The Old Fella Story}
can't stop the tears to type this...rest in peace my beloved friend, Fella.
We'll love and remember you always.
RE: A very old stray {The Old Fella Story}
I find myself checking the thread every few minutes....I am just heartsick and scared of what I might find when I log in here. I know it is coming, but still, I hold my breath for a miracle of some sort...a bit of time more.
I love this dog as if he were my own. I think we all do. I don't know how to say the right words, or show my respect and love for you also, Richard, but I am sure there are many here just like me that are praying and holding you close to our hearts in this time of pain.. Wishing you all the strength and Blessings from He who strengthens all.
RE: Simple Desert
why is it that anything made with cottage cheese just sounds so gross? something about curled milk added to anything....blah...ok, it's just me, can't bring myself to eat that stuff.
Can I make the recipe without it and still have a simple good dessert?
RE: Need Appetizer Ideas
An easy appetizer is Ham Rollups.
I took a large round serving tray, and made rows of ham roll ups with different kinds of cream cheese in the middle of them. One row had cream cheese with pineapple bits in it, the second had the chives in it, and the third row had just plain creamed cheese.
So simple, just buy nice boiled ham slices or your choice, lather with the creamed cheese, and roll! They look nice and everyone loves to pop them in their mouths! oh...I also cut them into bite size! popular with kids!
RE: customer service? cell phones!
OK, update as of Wednesday 6-25
I just got off the phone with Verizon and they are going to send me the phone I want. It took me emailing two emails from their website, then they called me and gave me a number to call for equipment, then that number gave me another number...finally after telling my story what seems like a million times, I got a very pleasant lady that kept apologizing and offered to do anything to help me. She was very sorry the insurance company treated me that way, and said she would send out the correct phone immediately. (the $50 deductable, which is fine).
It's like one of the posters/replies said...."the squeaky wheel gets oiled". so true.
I am very happy and pleased that Verizon fixed this problem and stands by the customer when it comes down to it.
I must admit, when I posted the original thread, I was extremely upset and vented about Verizon and cell phones! I now stand corrected. I apologize for my rants and raves, and I also deeply thank with much gratitude to all here who replied and tried to help me.
consider yourselves ***HUGGED***
