I learned a great deal from my MIL and one of the biggest lessons I learned from her canning was to be willing to change. I still remember when the instructions for added acid in tomatoes was introduced. She was the one who told me. Your mother is a wise woman and what a compliment to you that she sets so much store on your knowledge. I believe it's possible to honor the best of the old ways while allowing for new research and updated methods. Carol

ccaggiano, you are a bona fide Food Preserver now, and there will be no stopping you! I pop tomatoes in the freezer whole & raw when they are coming in too fast and furious. Some I can later, but a few bags of frozen ones I save and can throw a whole tomato or two into a stew, etc. in the winter. You'll be very glad to have all that summer taste available in the cold weather. Good for you! Zabby

Liz you just reminded me of something. When American hired me I memorized all those codes before my first day of training and then they gave us blank maps of the U.S. and asked us to put the codes in the correct place. I had lived in CA all my life and I hadn't a clue where DIA was in relation to JFK or Boston. My trainer told me to start studying maps. LOL.

Great! Now we can hear more of the "Annie Chronicles" that we've been missing. There is an old saying: "To have a friend, be a friend." You have been a friend to many, so now you are being rewarded. You are going to have so much fun (and some frustrations) learning all that you can do. I learn new things constantly and you will too. If I had to make a choice between my PC or TV I would definitely keep the PC. One suggestion. Use the CompHelp Forum any time you have a problem or question. There are knowledgeble helpers there. In fact, even after 12 years of having a computer, I go there first thing each day before going anywhere else. That way I can read about anything new that is important to keeping my PC healthy. I hope you will have everything set up the way you want it and start that book! We will all be glad to edit and proof it for you! Sue Here is a link that might be useful: CompHelp