The Hole

Those of you who've followed this blog know that Mark is disabled and we're on a fixed income. A very, very fixed income. That means some seriously tight budgeting and no raises, except through the benevolence of the powers that be in DC. For a couple of years now, they haven't felt very benevolent.

If the income limits weren't frustrating enough, we've also been paying large amounts of child support to a deceased ex-wife for a child who turned 18 about six years ago and for 2 kids who lived with us for three years. While supporting children you helped create is important, it's pretty safe to say that no custodial mothers are seeing any of this money. Add in that the deductions amount to a noticeable percentage of your monthly income and it becomes frustrating, to say the least.

The Shovel

Now, starting in 2012, some of those burdens may be easing. We may be able to shovel some of the dirt back into the hole.

For the first time in what seems like an eternity, the Social Security Administration has announced a COLA for next year. For those getting SSI or SSD and paying Medicare premiums, it will (probably) be a wash - as the powers-that-be are upping Medicare premiums for 2012. For us, we get to keep the entire 3.6%! Woo! and Hoo!

At the same time as this modest (but wonderfully welcomed) increase in income, we are looking at (possibly) doing away with the child support on young men who are now 25, 22, and 21. I say possibly, because Arizona is what is called an interest state. This means that they can charge interest against child support payments. And, trust me, they do.

When it's all said and done, we will have paid nearly 100% interest on one of the accounts! We don't (yet) know if they are going to start assessing interest against the other one, when it's paid off next month. Cross your fingers - and eyes and toes - that we get a break on this one.

The Light

What these happy little changes mean for us is what I like to call: the-non-train-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel.

We have been without a vehicle for about 4 years. Luckily, we live spitting distance from a major intersection where buses arrive and depart - in all four directions - on a fairly regular basis. And two businesses on 'our corner' sell reduced-rate bus passes. Anywhere too far to walk is a reasonably easy bus ride away. With two major caveats: 1.) Mark is at risk for skin cancer and heatstroke (because of his transplant meds) and can't be outside for long periods waiting for a delayed bus; 2.) One simply cannot haul a month's supply of groceries home on the bus.

With the additional income and reduced expenses, we can finally start saving for a new-to-us car or truck. This benefit simply cannot be overstated. As a transplant-recipient, lung cancer survivor, insulin-dependent diabetic with reduced kidney function who is predisposed to skin cancer and diabetic complications - Mark really needs to see his doctors on a regular basis.

Unfortunately, buses are out of the question - we tried it, it was simply too difficult for him. And the round-trip cab fare to the hospital is simply impossible, as often as he would need to be there. See, this doctor only sees patients one day a week; that doctor prefers a different day, and the Vision Clinic ... well, they have their own special days and times. It, basically, boils down to seeing doctors every month -- or eating.

And, speaking of eating, that's no cheap trip either. It costs us almost 10% of our monthly grocery budget just to get to the store and home again. This means we must get everything we need (that the freezer will hold) for the month in one trip. There are no oops-I-forgot-the-??? runs in our lifestyle. Just can't be done.

So, as you can see, putting a vehicle back in our parking space would be one of the absolutely best things we could ever do for ourselves. Not to mention, with the money we save on cabs, we might be able to go out to dinner, once in a while. Or shop the grocery sales, as they happen. Or visit our sons. Or take a mini-vacation.

End of the World

There's a song, by REM, with a chorus that states: "It's the end of the world, as we know it." It appears, from where I'm sitting, that 2012 may well be the end of the world, as Mark and I have known it for several years now.

Change - good or bad - is never comfortable. But it would certainly be nice to catch a break. Ya know?

Free sites are more likely to attract singles, singles who can't necessarily afford the fees from other sites. It will also, because it's free, attract less ... serious ... daters. Including, in my imagination, marrieds, trollers, and bar-hoppers looking for a new hunting ground. All of this makes free sites a little less selective and a little more likely to hold unattractive options.

Fee sites are more likely to attract serious daters, since they are required to put up cold hard cash to join. It should, in theory, eliminate some of the trollers and lower forms of dating life. However, they may also be home to slightly more desperate singles, who've had no luck through other venues. All of which means that the selection of potential dates / mates could still be rather tainted.

Have you ever tried online dating? Any stories you'd like to share?

The Bill

The official summary states:

Amends the federal criminal code to authorize a person who is carrying a government-issued photographic identification document and a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm in one state, and who is not prohibited from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm under federal law, to carry a concealed handgun (other than a machinegun or destructive device) in another state in accordance with the restrictions of that state.

The OpenCongress summary simplifies that:

Would require all states to allow out-of-state visitors to carry concealed firearms as long as the laws of the vistors' home states allow them to do so.

Sponsors of HR 822 cite the Second "Right to Bear Arms" Amendment and the Fourteenth Amendment as reasoning behind the bill [emphasis mine]:

No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

How It's Done Now

As was explained by a New York congresswoman, currently, states legislate their own requirements for individuals to be granted a concealed-carry permit. Some states are strict; others more relaxed. In keeping with those regulations, states form agreements with other states, related to carrying weapons across state lines.

For example, New York has some of the most restrictive concealed-carry regulations of all states. They have partnered with states whose laws mirror or are compatible with their own to recognize each other's carry permits. Meaning, if Colorado has regulations similar to New York's, the two states might agree that residents of Colorado could legally travel into New York carrying a concealed weapon. And vice versa.

Conversely, if another state's laws were significantly different, New York could choose to not allow those residents to carry a concealed weapon in the state. As I haven't read the statutes for any state, I don't know the specifics on any agreements or possible repercussions for violations.

What Would Change

If this bill, introduced in February of this year, were to pass - all of these regulations and agreements would be out the window. The federal government would be legislating how the states run things. A step that could set a precedent for other intrusions into, and violations of, states' express rights.

With this (potential) change, in direct violation of the Tenth Amendment, New York (or any state) couldn't say or enforce: "Gee, we don't think convicted felons should be allowed to carry a concealed weapon in our state, no matter what state ABC thinks is right for their state."

My (Personal) Opinion

Any legislation that protects the rights of citizens has always seemed like a good idea to me.

As far as the Fourteenth Amendment? In my limited understanding, I imagine that the intent was much different at the time of adoption - given that it's one of the Reconstruction Amendments adopted in the five years following the Civil War. Undoubtedly, the goal was to stop former slave-holding states from arresting free blacks who traveled into or through their states.

But, that's just my opinion. And, please, don't get me started on the impact of stomping on the Tenth Amendment.

Newborn Hat, Sweater, & Shoes

This newborn set consists of a cloche-style (brimless) hat, sleeveless sweater, and lace-up bootie shoes.

Crocheted in 3-ply baby yarn, this set is soft, comfy for baby, and easy on and off. Designed for little girls, there is a cute little flower on the hat with a simple bow in the center.

The main color makes up the bodice, trim, and ties on the sweater, as well as the upper on the shoes. We've crocheted the soles and ties of the shoes in the accent color - and just love the look!

Because not everyone wants / likes more than one color, we offer the option of ordering the set in a single color. It's just as lovely. And, as always, shipping is included in the price.

Hats, Mittens, and Booties

These sweet, warm baby hats, mittens, and booties simply must be seen to be believed. They are so cute, no matter what color.

This newborn set consists of a cloche-style (brimless) hat, mittens, and booties. Crocheted in 3-ply baby yarn, this set is soft, comfy, and stretches just enough to fit all newborns. All ties are done in white.

The booties and mittens are appropriate for boys, girls, and when you don't know yet. Simply pick the right colors for your baby / grandbaby, and we'll take it from there.

The flower is optional, as you can see. For boys, simply check 'No' and we'll leave it off.

With winter on it's way, it's a good time to think about keeping warm. And, because these items are small, they ship within 3 days of your order - for Free.

We are so excited about these new items. Hopefully, you will be, too. Please let us know what you think.

Before you jump onto this site - Aèropostale, Inc - to go shopping for your men, the styles and sizes are (primarily) designed for ages 14-17. And the high school crowd will love these clothes. Trust me.

With that said, you can easily throw that caveat out the window - depending, and this is the important part, on the sizes you need.

It's just as easy to find chinos and polo shirts for your husband, as it is to shop for your son. At least, it was for me. Everything I looked at seemed well made and casually stylish.

Naturally, there are items that are too young for my 56-year-old hubby. There are also dozens of pants, shirts, and jeans that he could easily wear. Heck, half of the shirts in his closet could have come from Aèropostale.

What is a Sneeze Page?

To answer that question, I went searching and landed on the site for a previous year's challenge.

Sneeze pages are simply collections of related posts from back in the archives of a blog. They can be themed: all Health-related posts, or Holiday, or Crafts, or Political News; whatever theme or themes are relative to a blog. 'Best of' a particular year or month is another choice - although how you determine which posts were best is up to you.

Another idea would be collecting and sharing links to your posts that get tons and tons of comments - the most popular / hottest posts on your blog. If they've been getting attention long after the initial publishing date, they're probably still interesting to readers. And it's a good way to keep people on your blog.

Lastly, if you write a series - like the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog challenge - putting links to the entire series on one blog page would virtually guarantee reader attention. For me, I'm much more likely to read all of a series if I don't have to go chasing all over someone's blog to find the pieces. How about you?

My Topic Cloud

On my blog, because I like doing things the easy way, I use a topic cloud. It lists all of the topics about which I blog. The larger the type-face, the more posts on that subject. Once the cloud is set up, I don't have to do anything but post; the topics automatically update for me.

I also don't seriously limit the number of entries on any of the pages. The main index, as well as the topic and monthly pages, holds 100 posts - covering at least 3 months, depending upon how chatty I am in any given month.

If you find, while you're visiting here, that you'd like to be able to see more, let me know. I'd be happy to see what I can do about updating links to deeper archives.

The worst thing about tall and big sizes for women has always been the frumpiness of the options. One trip through these pages will make it clear that not being a size 0 doesn't mean not dressing with style.

Admittedly, I don't wear suits anymore. But the separates are just amazing and really inspire me to update my wardrobe. Nothing super business-y or overly fancy would suit (pardon the pun) my current lifestyle.

But (for example) this gorgeous linen dress, over a pair of jeans or leggings would be a perfect dressed-up-casual outfit for dinner out, trips to the store, or an evening with family over the holidays. Just add some chunky jewelry and a little half-boot - c'est parfait.

And, please, don't get me started on the gorgeous sheaths and flared tank dresses. Those are so my favorite dress styles. It's nice to know that attractive styles are available in my size.

There isn't much I can do about shipper damage, beyond avoiding companies that notoriously maul packages. However, the weather is - stay with me here - a little more within my control. By using freezer paper, specifically biodegradable freezer paper, I can minimize moisture damage and avoid using plastic bags to protect my products.

Why freezer paper? Because one side is coated to prevent moisture transfer. When you wrap food, you keep the coating on the inside to keep fluids in. For wrapping packages, keep the shiny side out - to keep fluids out. And, again, biodegradable.

Win - Win - Win

Shipping Companies

One item I hadn't thought about, except for the maulers referenced earlier, is the shipping company. The article on sustainable shipping I was reading today really made me think beyond box-bashing.

Just how 'green' are these companies? From what I've read, the USPS hasn't ever measure their carbon footprint. Or, if they have, they aren't sharing it with the rest of us.

FedEx and UPS, on the other hand, are committed - to different degrees - to sustainable shipping and environmental responsibility. (Click on a company name to read what they're doing.)

It's something to think about, when you (or I) get ready to ship to our customers. Or, with the holidays approaching, when we send packages to our friends and families.

While the park benches I found are (probably) designed for public spaces, I don't see any reason they couldn't work on the back patio. Or even in a sun room or screened-in porch.

I can see a pad, like for a chaise, on the seat. Add a couple of tables and simple lamps, and ... ta da! A lovely spot to lounge with a good book.

Picnic tables are another personal weakness. Sitting outside on a warm evening with burgers, dogs, and a pitcher of tea? Perfect.

I like the small-ish square units best. Seating four or more people, with the benches attached, they fit nicely in smaller spaces where long, rectangular tables just wouldn't go. And, seriously, so cute!

A bright cloth and some colorful tableware are all it needs.

Even though my granddaughter is only 17 months old and lives in Chicago, playground equipment just speaks to a grandparent.

The options are almost endless, but this one grabbed me. The adorable details got me started. Then, my inner child went "Ooooh!" and I was lost. Swings, bumpy slide, climbing wall - it's all here, just waiting for me to turn 4 again and climb on.

All I can say is: "Just wait until I get a yard!" (And hit the lottery, cuz there's a lot of shopping to be done here.)

I googled satellite dish since I'm going to be moving this week and need a good deal on TV! Great deal, by the way. I need to be super conscious of my expenses nowadays. Who doesn't, right?

I'm so excited for my move. Not the actual move, but living in the new apartment. You know what I mean. Actually moving is the pits.

I've been working on packing all day and I haven't even touched my kitchen. It is incredible how much STUFF one person can accumulate! And I'm far from a pack rat! I actually have the opposite problem.

My mom is coming in to town to help me. I have such a great mom! I'm glad we'll have the TV all taken care of. As soon as we finish dinner, she likes to turn on the TV and just relax until bed. That is the way to go, though.

My mom is an amazing cook, too. She's been on a healthy kick for a while, which is probably great for my waistline, but I miss her meatballs! She always tells me I eat too many carbs! She is right, though.

I am a carb queen!

Statistics

Okay, this is the slightly boring part - stay with me, please?

An estimated 11% of the world's population, or about 766,700,000 people, suffer from migraines. This includes kids and adults of all ages. Of those 766M miserable people, about 30% (230,010,000) experience auras.

In the study, conducted at Montefiore Headache Center in New York, 14 of 2,100 participants (0.667%) reported olfactory hallucinations. Translated to the aura-suffering migraine population, meaning - potentially - 1,534,167 people around the world may experience these phantom smells.

Phew! That's enough to trigger a headache.

What Types of Smells?

If migraines weren't ugly enough, most of the sufferers who reported imagined smells prior to an attack didn't smell roses and potpourri. Although some did mention the scent of coffee or oranges.

According to Dr. Matthew S. Robbins, senior researcher on the new study, "The most common [scent] was of the burning or smoke variety." With a general burning smell topping the list, other reports included cigar smoke, wood smoke, and burned popcorn odors. (I was good until the burned popcorn part. Ick.)

The next pattern of smells, after burning, was what the researchers called decomposition smells - garbage or sewage odors. Now that's an addition to a migraine that no one needs to experience.

Bottom Line

Although an extremely small (calculated) number of people suffer strange, phantom smells prior to onset, it is something - if you get migraines - to consider.

My understanding is that migraine medications are most effective if taken before the attack has taken hold. This means that any weapon in a sufferer's arsenal that provides a heads-up (pardon the pun) is a good thing.

I am not a medical / healthcare professional. I simply offer my opinion of what I read in the news and on the 'Net. Nothing written here is intended to be medical advice or to substitute for consultation with a healthcare professional.

Always consult your physician about any health conditions or concerns.

Supplement Users

One of the first things that surprised me was that most of the people who indicated they used nutritional supplements didn't actually need them. These participants already had better diets and got enough nutrients through what they ate.

This means that taking vitamins and minerals only resulted in excess intake. While the risks from too much zinc or magnesium aren't known, taking too much calcium (in supplement form) has been linked to kidney stones. Excess iron is stored in the organs and can lead to cirrhosis and heart failure^[1]

Supplement Non-Users

Conversely, those participants who indicated no use of nutritional supplements also suffered from poorer diets. They were the ones, it appears, in need of additional minerals, yet they weren't getting / taking them.

Daily Requirements

One odd notation, in the article I read, related to the way people use supplements.

Everyone knows that there is an RDA (or whatever it's called these days) on containers of vitamins and minerals. Most of these items have been evaluated and the FDA has determined what the average individual needs every day. This is not the starting point for supplementation.

Yet, many of the survey participants were treating these numbers as the minimum amount - dosing upward from there. This almost guarantees, especially when their diet is sufficient, that individuals are getting too much of what they're taking.

Conclusions

Since researchers determined that those who need them least, take supplements most often, I have to wonder if it tends to boil down to income in the end. People who can afford supplements (which are not inexpensive) can also afford better quality food - fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean meats. They (possibly) eat less fast food, as well.

Individuals and families who are struggling financially, who can't afford more expensive meats and produce, probably can't afford vitamin and mineral pills to assist with the nutrition that their diets are lacking. Another catch-22 for families that are caught in the monetary crises crippling so much of society.

Just one more reason to make junk food more expensive, and lettuce, carrots, potatoes, and chicken breasts cheaper.

We've decided that we desperately need to replace some of our kitchen stuff. The spatulas we own are old and/or nylon. Neither is a good thing. The old one is falling apart and the nylon ones just don't get the job done - especially now that we're transitioning to cast-iron cookware.

Another problem? I've been making homemade biscuits and pie crusts, but I don't actually own a rolling pin or dough blender. Sure, I've gotten some very creative work-arounds going. Owning the actual, designed-for-this-purpose tools would be a serious time-saving improvement.

Then, we have the ultimate (for us) kitchen dream: a Mandoline. We have a deep fryer and love to make our own fries, chips, chimichangas, etc. But, cutting fries takes forever and cutting chips is just too labor-intensive with a knife and cutting board. Something that juliennes veggies for a salad, crinkle-cuts fries or chips, slices potatoes (evenly) for potatoes au gratin would just simply make our lives a thousand-percent easier.

So ... we're window-shopping and creating wish lists. If we only pick up an item or two every paycheck, we'll still be simplifying our cooking routines and, in the long run, cutting our food bills dramatically by making our own goodies.

I probably wouldn't consider this, if it weren't for OXO - their products are well-made, reliable, and durable. I can plan out my utensil / kitchen tool remodel with ease, knowing they'll still be around when I get to the end of the list.

And knowing that I won't be replacing the first OXO item before I've managed to buy the last one.

With brutal honesty, Ling shares her upbringing and what life in China was like for women in the '80s; how limited the freedom and how strict the expectations. Permits were required to marry and have children; a woman was to defer to her father and her husband.

It was, in many ways, that societal pressure that led to her involvement in the protest. She felt she should support her husband, who was an active leader.

Following the military action in Tiananmen Square, Ling was on the run for ten months, altering her features to escape detection and execution by the government. Eventually, she and her husband escaped to Paris and, from there, to the United States.

Freedoms that Americans take for granted were difficult for Ling and many of her friends who also made it to the US. Luckily, her story has a happy ending. Unlike so many who were in that square on June 4, 1989.

*****

This was a difficult book for me to read. Mostly because I simply couldn't comprehend living in a world of limited to no rights or personal freedoms. Of living in fear that saying or doing the wrong thing could end your life or destroy your family. Of poverty so extreme that surely death would be preferable.

I recommend this book to everyone. Life for the average person has not improved greatly in China since 1989; for women, the story is far worse.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through the Tyndale Blog Network <http://mediacenter.tyndale.com/> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Newborn Hat, Sweater, & Shoes

This newborn set consists of a cloche-style (brimless) hat, sleeveless sweater, and lace-up bootie shoes.

Crocheted in 3-ply baby yarn, this set is soft, comfy for baby, and easy on and off. Designed for little girls, there is a cute little flower on the hat with a simple bow in the center.

The main color makes up the bodice, trim, and ties on the sweater, as well as the upper on the shoes. We've crocheted the soles and ties of the shoes in the accent color - and just love the look!

Because not everyone wants / likes more than one color, we offer the option of ordering the set in a single color. It's just as lovely. And, as always, shipping is included in the price.

Hats, Mittens, and Booties

These sweet, warm baby hats, mittens, and booties simply must be seen to be believed. They are so cute, no matter what color.

This newborn set consists of a cloche-style (brimless) hat, mittens, and booties. Crocheted in 3-ply baby yarn, this set is soft, comfy, and stretches just enough to fit all newborns. All ties are done in white.

The booties and mittens are appropriate for boys, girls, and when you don't know yet. Simply pick the right colors for your baby / grandbaby, and we'll take it from there.

The flower is optional, as you can see. For boys, simply check 'No' and we'll leave it off.

With winter on it's way, it's a good time to think about keeping warm. And, because these items are small, they ship within 3 days of your order - for Free.

We are so excited about these new items. Hopefully, you will be, too. Please let us know what you think.

Since 1992, fifty-two journalists have been murdered in the former Soviet Union; eighteen of those deaths are still unsolved. And that doesn't begin to approach the number of journalists who are routinely beaten, jailed, harassed, and threatened for exposing crimes and corruption in the political and military leadership of the pseudo-democratic country.

Politkovskaya was arrested by Russian military forces in Chechnya, subjected to a mock trial and torture, and later poisoned on her way to Belan. She survived and continued to report on the wars. One can only assume that it was desperation to silence her voice that led to the brutal shooting, in the elevator of her apartment building, five years ago.

Please, on this sad day, share her story and don't let the world forget what happened to her and continues to happen to journalists who speak out against Russia.

Granted, you're going to know if you aren't caring for your floor regularly. Or properly.

Before & After: Dinette/Den

Stone is not immune to damage and, with time and neglect, even dust can cause scratches. However, on a daily basis, as the surface dulls and small damage occurs, you may not really notice the changes until it's too late.

Scheduling regular inspection and/or granite polishing is going to save a lot of money in the long run. A small polishing job once a year is far more cost effective than waiting until chips and deep gouges in the floor require major restoration work.

For me? Since I don't manage to clean my faux-marble-ish lino every day, I suppose that I should wait until we hit the lottery and have a full-time cleaning staff before I pick out the granite flooring. Although, maybe a granite countertop is within my powers to keep up.

What October doesn't know is that the cemetery is home to five kids, about her age, from different eras of the town. Those five ghosts are only allowed to come out once a year, for a few days until Halloween. They aren't happy to find out October isn't a ghost - but, eventually, the six manage to become friends.

When the French teacher dies in a mysterious accident at school, October decides to investigate - with the help of the five dead kids. Well, it makes sense, doesn't it? They can walk through walls and get into places that she can't. Of course, not all of them can read and write, so there are some problems along the way.

Before they know it the kids (including October's school friends, who don't know about the ghosts) are knee-deep in murder plots, car chases, and searching for clues. Will they find out the truth? Will they get caught? And what happens when the five dead kids have to go back at midnight on Halloween?

This has to be one of the greatest young fiction titles I've read since I was a tween/teen. The characters drew me in and took me back several decades. I found myself hunched over the laptop, scrolling like a maniac, eager to keep up with the kids.

Although there's a lot of time in a cemetery and murder plots and evil doings, it's not a frightening story. It's an exciting, fun adventure. And certainly made me hope that there are going to be many more cases for the Dead Kid Detective Agency.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary electronic galley of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.com <http://www.netgalley.com/> professional readers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Typical symptoms are the same as for women:

• A lump or swelling in the chest area
• Dimpled or puckered skin
• A nipple that is inverted (facing inward)
• Redness or scaling of the nipple or breast skin
• Discharge from the nipple

Both men and women can develop lumps in the breast that are non-cancerous. But it is incredibly important for anyone with changes in the tissue in and around the breast to seek medical advice. Only a medical professional can determine whether those changes are benign or something that need further attention.

If you are female, I hope that you perform monthly exams. It is your first line of defense.

If you are male, please realize that you are not immune to breast cancer. If you notice changes in your body, tell your doctor.

Breast cancer is treatable - the earlier it's caught, the better the hope for a full recovery.

Stainless and Silver Tiles

We don't really have a large surface to cover, so price isn't a huge consideration. (One of the benefits of a supremely tiny kitchen.) Metal mosaic wall tiles (didn't know there was such a product) really appeal to me. Easy to keep clean and seriously durable - two of my favorite things.

But, and this is a biggie, they are a little hard on the budget.

That sends me back to glass tiles, which is fine. There are about a zillion options, including some beautiful stone and glass tiles from which to choose. And prices tend to be far more reasonable for our limited cash flow.

Now, all I have to do is find something PB and chocolate colored. Well, and convince management (and Mark) to let me redecorate. Wish me luck!

Apparently, I was wrong. I found this recipe on the Betty Crocker website and it doesn't mention anything about keeping the meat mixture cold. It does, however, seem to require extra-lean meat and pressing the mixture firmly onto the foil.

I haven't tried it yet - still need to get the grocery shopping done - but I do think (with a few modifications) that we're going to be trying it this month. Now, all I need is a couple of baking potatoes, sour cream, and some fresh green beans. Yummy!

If you try this before I do, let me know what you think.