[Jennifer P]

Well, I am sorry to say that both of my friends have lost there babies. My heart is breaking for them right now. If you get a minute, send out a little prayer their way.

Netta, I haven't read that post you were talking about yet. After this I will read it and let you know what I think. I am way jealous of your boat. I can only imagine how much fun that will be!!

Heather, you sound so much like me!! Making jam and being crafty and all. I just love that stuff. I wish that you lived closer so we could get together and do those things together. Maybe we will have to swap addresses and send each other our jam to taste test. What do you think? I will e-mail you later with the Christmas Jam recipe. It is real easy. I just bought myself some really cute christmas lables with our family name on them. They are great!

Well ladies, I have been on the Phen for four days or so (I can't remember for sure). I am definately not losing like I did the first time. I think it is because I am working nights. Working nights messes up your system so bad. But, I must keep trying. October is right around the corner!!

Loves and Hugs,
Jennifer

[NettaV]

I am so sorry for both of your friends, that is heart breaking news. I hope that they are religious people and god is able to help them with their greif. There is just no other way to deal with a loss so great. I am hurting for both of them. I will definately send out a prayer for both of them today jen.

Don't be too jealous of the boat, I don't have it in possesion yet, I just talked to a lender this morning and they denied us. I can't believe it, we have soooo much good credit and Tony makes enough money and everything. They said we had five bad things on our credit and I don't believe them. I haven't seen them, I know we will have to get the credit report and all that kind of stuff but by the time we do all of that the boat that I want will be gone I am so bummed, I am sure that we can go somewhere else and we can get a loan with no problem, this was a place online (you never know about them anyway) I am affraid it will just be too late. Oh well its just a boat, not life threatning. Not really a major deal.

Heather and jen you two are crafty now I am jealous, I never have time to do that kind of stuff. I made curtains for my kitchen window and it took me three days. You can send me some jam, I don't even know how to make it. I am thinking about you and your house signing today heather I will toast you with my water this afternoon.

take care today girls, I am bumming but will get over it.

hugs
Netta

[Heather]

Hi Girlies!
I'm taking a phen break. I've been off for 3 days. hrmm....
Netta - there is a website you can go to and get your credit report, I think its free if you have a bad mark. We had to pay $8 but it was still cheap, you can read it online but if you want it mailed it only takes a few days. You can call and get it cleared up pretty quickly. OR find another lender.
My house situation is all F*cked up. We still can't close because the mortgage company and the seller are f*cking stupid. I'm really mad.

I LOVE making jam. I think that's a cute idea about the labels. I'll look into that. I'd love to send you a jar of jam - email me your address and we'll swap! Netta - jam making is SO easy and doesn't take long at all. I have a great hint about making sure your jars seal. I microwave the jars enough to heat up the jam (careful not to cook it) and they seal everytime with little mess.

I hope you both are having a btter day than me. I'm so mad about my house - grrrrr.

[Jennifer P]

Heather, I am so sorry about your house problems! Why do those dumb people need to make everything so dam difficult?? I am sure that it will all work out.

What a great idea about the jam. I never thought about putting it in the microwave. If you want some cute lables, go to, well, I will e-mail you and tell you.

Love,
Jenn

[Cyndia]

oooO, teach me! Jennifer, I am moving to the north Ft. L. area. I want to learn how to make jam too.

[NettaV]

Why do some people just feel the need to make your life miserable? I don't understand, why that just makes some people's day. We have fine credit we have bought two houses in the past year and when we bought the first one we cleaned up any thing that was out there. This woman (whom I affectionately call "stupid cow") is just being a pain in the *** .

You girls and your jam are making me jealous, now I feel left out You will have to tell me how to make it and I will give it a shot.

I am so f***ing irritable today, I feel like screaming. My kids are driving me nuts I am getting ready to take them to the library and get them and me out of the house. We are not a spanking kind of house, it has to be a pretty severe offense to get a spanking, but my middle daughter was just yelling at me and I came very close to spanking her butt. However I was mad at her and affraid I was going to be screaming back at here so I just walked in here and wrote ya'll instead.

bye for now
Netta

[Jennifer P]

Now miss Netty, you must turn that frown upside down. Do you hear me?? It takes more muscles to frown than to smile. It also makes you look younger and skinnier when you smile. Ok, I am bulls***ing here. But, smile anyway, you will feel better.

Howdy Cyndia. When I find this recipe for this Christmas Jam I told Heather I would find, I will post it here. It is really easy! It is also a lot of fun. I just got my new 2001 Better Homes and Gardens Christmas From the Heart book. I know I know. Christmas already?? I just love Christmas, so I can't help it. Oh well.

Jennifer

[NettaV]

Hey Cyndia, you are back? You didn't get the boot from here after all?

Jenn I hope you aren't decorating for x-mas already? Are you shopping already? Hey if we can't get the deal going on this boat I may have to come down to Florida to pick one up,I will definately email you if I am.

This stupid dealer now I got the loan (FINALLY) Now this dealer was selling us a boat he was getting on a trade in. Guess what can't finnish the deal because the guy trading it in hasn't done it yet. They were trying to sell us a boat they don't even own yet.....AAGHAAAAAAHHHHHGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

I really better now, I called Tony and told him you are going to have to take this dealing over. It's stressing me out, now I have a headache and need a nap. Jen I am not frowning all the way does that count..?

[Jennifer P]

Yes my dear Netty, that does count!

[Jennifer P]

Here is the Christmas Jam recipe (sorry Heather, it has the liquid pectin that you don't like using. I prefer the powder too):
- 2 packages (20oz each) frozen whole strawberries or 2-1/2 quarts fresh strawberries
- 1 pound fresh or frozen cranberries
- 5 pounds sugar
- 2 pouches (3oz each) liquid pectin

Grind strawberries and cranberries in a food processor or grinder; place in a large kettle. Add sugar. Bring to a full rolling boil; boil for 1 minute. Stir in pectin; return to a full rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Cool for 5 minutes; skim off foam. Pour into hot jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Adjust caps. Process for 15 minutes in a boiling-water bath. Yeild: about 14 half pints.

I don't process mine in a bath though. I usually screw on the lids and then turn the jars up-side down on a towel and leave them there to cool. That is sufficient enough to make a good seal.

Enjoy!
Jennifer

[NettaV]

ok I know you guys are going to think I am stupid but where do you get the pectin and jars? I am going to try this, I am also going to send you guys a jar after I do It'll probably be soup. I am better girls I really am, I had to stop and CHIIIIIIILLLLLL.

Gotta go talk laterrr

[Heather]

That sounds really good. Also, I pull about a cup of the fruit aside that I won't blend. I just chop it leaving big pieces. It really makes the jam more 'homemade'-ish. I'll give it a while. Thanks for the recipe.
This is the best time to make jams since the fruit is cheap. Try buying strawberries in December!

Netta - you can buy pectin and the jars at the grocery store. Usually they have a little tiny section in teh baking area with boxes of jars and pectin and fruit fresh - sometimes the recipe calls for citric acid to keep the fruit from browning. You can use lemon juice too instead of fruit fresh but whatever. The first few times you do it make sure you follow the recipe exactly or you'll get weird results. Its not rocket science but it takes some practice to learn what works and what won't.

JP - have you ever tried powdered sugar instead of granual? I think that might have a smoother texture. I have some diabetic recipes too (Im' not diabetic) but its not sugary.

[Jennifer P]

I have never tried powdered sugar, do you think it would work as well? I think it might make it really thick. If you decide to try it, let me know!

Nettta, I am glad that you are feeling better. I have days like that too (more than I would like to admit).

I hope everyone is having a good day! I will check back in later.

Jennifer

[NettaV]

Yes I am feeling much better today I am taking the heathens to the library and yes they are still driving me bananas. Hope to have a better evening too. Last night the other half got pissed at me and didn't talk to me the whole night. I left him watching the discovery channel and got a beer and came in here and posted my brains out. Talking to my fellow phensters. Ever since Jen mentioned that we were probably the biggest click on the forum I have been making an extra effort to be more friendly is is working? Hell I don't know. I sent you both a email of the baby. I was using robyn's little ***** digital camera so it's not a great pic but it works. Maybe I will even have one of the kids take a recent pic of me and post it here for you later. Right now I have to go........ They are about to declare a mutiny and drive the car over to the library themselves, plus I gave them an assignment that is due next week so I better get them started (summer book reports) Don't cha love it I am probably the meanest mom on the block....

huggies to you girls I am thinking of you today. I think one day we are really going to have to meet. Hopefully at the beach by Jens house.

Lonetta

[Jennifer P]

I am glad that you are feeling better miss Netty. That is good that you are trying to be more friendly. Although when I was mentioning clicks, I didn't mean to make it sound as if we are one. Just that some people on this site might think that we are one as apposed to what we really are....e-mail buddies who like to know what is going on with each other every day.

Anyone is more than welcome to join our little thread here!

Well, I am very tired. I think I am going to go to bed early tonight.

Goodnight!
Jennifer