FReeper Family Table - Worth Every Penny

FReepers | July 22, 2005 | Gabz

[Gabz]

OMG...........I can't believe that - it makes absolutely no sense.

[grellis]

Michigan Basic, our insurer at the time, came up with some crackpot reason about the tree still being in the ground. The tree was split across the girth, about 18" above the ground, but had not completely snapped off. MI Basic's adjuster then told us we'd better have it taken care of quickly as it had become a "known hazard." Like we're so stupid that we don't realize having a tree through our roof is hazardous. To make matters worse (although it worked out better) the tree was on the neighbor's property--at the time, the city code made that THEIR tree, and it was a rental property owned by a slumlord. He really could have dragged his feet; we expected him to. He had a tree service out two days after the storm, though. A few months after the storm, the city atty reinterpreted the tree-ownership code to mean, henceforth, that ownership of a tree is determined by airspace, not root system. We could have been stuck with the tree service bill, which was $500, on top of the new roof, which was $4,500.

We're like you are with remodelling--we've been at it since '93. Any time now, we'll be done!

[LuLuLuLu]

Coming back to get on the replacement window bandwagon. We've done all of ours and the difference is significant.

A friend gave us a deep fryer -- definitely NOT worth it.

WEP: Good kitchen knives, good cookware, and good tools. We're also working on the house, and while we don't need construction grade stuff, we've learned to buy us from the middle of the line.

[Woman on Caroline Street]

THE MAGIC BULLET!

Oh. My. God.
I got one of these for my wedding shower. You've seen them on tv, they're also known as the "Turbo Chopper" (i believe).

They're just great. They come with a base, two chopper bottoms to attach to cups.

I use them to make cheesecake. I can turn one out in about 5 minutes (not including baking time). Also great to chop the graham crackers for crust.

Use heavy cream and a bit of instant coffee powder..Instant Coffee Mousse!

It really does do all it says it does.

ALSO:::
Sobakowa Buckwheat Hull Pillows.
They support your head perfectly and stay cool. I always pack them when I stay in hotels, because you just never get good pillows in hotels.

[BizzeeMom]

Good afternoon everyone!

Gabz, I'm sorry to hear about your suffering, worse than childbirth that's pretty bad, yikes! I hope you feel better soon!

My favorite "worth every penny" is the bucket swing we bought for $80 when our second child was a baby. We had purchased a good quality redwood swingset--also WEP--it came with a trapeze thing, and two industrial strength playgroup type swings. We had to pay extra to get the baby bucket but countless hours of happy babies over the ten years since make it just about the best money we *ever* spent.

Others: agree with replacement windows, kitchenaid stand mixer, rice cooker and electric griddle. Also Yamaha piano, Birkenstock sandals and clogs, all-clad pots and pans.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Dad's fine; thanks for asking. Since I sell books, I was going through his numerous bookcases and telling him what to keep, what to sell and what to donate. I came away with three huge boxes of books to sell. Yippee! He did make some gawd-awful icky stuff for lunch, though. Had to suffer through that, LOL!

The thing I use the most at This Old Dump (my name for our house) is running water. So glad we had it installed. ;)

Actually, I use my Kitchen Aid mixer the most, followed by my bread machine, then the George Foreman grill. The bread machine "danced" off the counter one day (my fault) but it still works fine to mix the dough; then I bake it in the oven. I'll use it 'til it dies.

I bought my Kitchen Aid through a combo of coupons, a gift certificate for $20 and a sale at Target. Got it for $139.99; best price I've EVER seen. Worth every penny. Mom is on her second one in 50 years and she bakes wedding cakes as a sideline, so it's used especially hard in the spring and summer months. They're indestructible. :)

[netmilsmom]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1448348/reply?c=1

Did everyone see this great news???????

[Gabz]

A friend gave us a deep fryer -- definitely NOT worth it.

I'm not really big on fried foods, but do like some every once in a while. Some years back when hubby asked me what I wanted for Christmas I asked for a deep fryer....one of those Fry Babby or Fry Daddy type things. I guess I have taught him how to shop well because he found a combination deep fryer, rice cooker/steamer, and electric roaster.......for less than $15. The thing is WONDERFUL.

WEP: Good kitchen knives, good cookware, and good tools.

Absolutely. My husband was in construction for more than 20 years, and while all our tools are not construction grade - they are very high up there...........and they last. The same with my kitchen stuff. There are just some things that it is not worth buying cheap.......on sale or inexpensive is one thing - but the quality can't be cheap.

[Gabz]

I think I know what you are talking about.

Any kitchen tool that speeds up chopping stuff is at the top of my list....I swear that is what causes so many people to be turned off of real cooking - the prep work involved.

[Gabz]

Thanks, FRiend........I really don't know what hurts more - my leg or my pride, I still can't believe I did something so stupid.

That bucket swing sounds great.......as does the rest of the swingset :)

[Gabz]

You are so funny!!!!!!

I've noticed several people mention their George Foreman grill and I know my SIL swears by it.............I never could see the justification for purchasing one.

I got my bread machine as a "premium" for buying advertising stuff (pens, t-shirts, mugs, etc, with the company name on it) that's also how I've got a Grandfather's clock, 2 of the 3 TVs in the house, one of the stereo systems, a karaoke system, as well as a bunch of other useless junk that I really ought to look into selling...........

But going back to the bread machine. I will NEVER forget the first time we used it. We put it on the delay setting so that we would wake up to fresh bread in the morning and then went to bed. Around 4am the dogs were going nuts and we thought someone was trying to get into the house with the racket they were making. They were brking at the bread machine, it had just turned on :)

[Gabz]

I'm really confused.................

Your link takes me to a posting page to post to a post I posted.............

[Diana in Wisconsin]

"I never could see the justification for purchasing one."

You've got relatives, right? Christmas is coming...all of my kitchen "junque" sans the Kitchen Aid, were gifts. I'm easy to buy for. I just tell people what I want, LOL!

[netmilsmom]

Aw geez, I'm such an idiot.

Go here...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1448094/posts

I was just so excited!!!

[Gabz]

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm easy to buy for also.......I still see no justification in a GF grill.....If it's supposed to be grilled it goes on the grill - gas or charcoal - outside - where it belongs, even in a snow storm.

[Gabz]

LOL!!!!!!!!!!

I had seen that headline earlier and thought it was an absolute hoot!!!!!!!

Best wishes to them both!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

You make grilled cheese sammichs on your BBQ grill in a snowstorm? D@mn. You ARE good. ;)

[Gabz]

LOL!

Grilled cheese sammiches are made in the frying pan or on the griddle!

[lsucat]

My advice is to get the Kitchen Aid! My husband bought it for me for Christmas a couple of years ago. I use it constantly. It's the best gift I've ever received. Since it was a gift, I don't know how much it cost, but whatever the price, it was worth it!

[RedBeaconNY]

They are amazing; I use it almost every day. Get one. Quick.