I put the beans in a dutch oven (any oven-safe pot with a tight-fitting lid will work), cold water to cover by an inch to an inch and a half (an inch in a large pot, inch and a half in a smaller one), add some salt and a bay leaf, and bring it to a boil on the stove. Then I transfer it to a 250 degree oven, covered. Stir after 40 minutes and add more water if necessary. They're done 20-50 minutes later. Grand total time: usually about 1.5-2 hours.
Gris, I'm going to have to try this next time I make beans.
2012 can already go to hell.
1. Found out yesterday my home has lost value since I refinanced in 2003, enough to make it $11K underwater, so no refinance. Not guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, so no special government program for me.
2. Today I got Official Word from the Short-term disability claims company that my morbid obesity and diabetes were determined by their doctor-on-a-leash to be preexisting condition for my staph infection.
3. The alternator on the (new to me) minvan may be going out.
4. My truck, which I parked Jan 1st, has a dead battery.
5. My sister Jeannie's coworker, who was going to buy my car, has not scraped up the cash, AFAIK.
Blecch.
I'm sorry, DCJ, that is a lot of blechh.
Our board treasurer told us it would be a good time to try to refinance, but I'm scared for that reason. I think we're not underwater, but we can't be far.
I didn't even know mine was Freddie Mac, but it's the only reason I was able to refi.
The thing is, my house was valued by the 2003 appraiser at $70K more than the current appraisal. And that was before things started really booming.
I'm also thinking extra money changed hands in the 2003 appraisal on behalf of Ameriquest.
Today I got Official Word from the Short-term disability claims company that my morbid obesity and diabetes were determined by their doctor-on-a-leash to be preexisting condition for my staph infection.
That's complete bullshit. As if no one ever got a staph infection who wasn't obese and diabetic. I hope you can get a lawyer and contest that.
{{{DCJ}}} That's a lot of crap to have to deal with at once; I'm sorry.
Also, I agree with Zenkitty you should fight the pre-existing condition bullshit.
Ack, Daniel, that is some bullshit.
The decision makers for insurance companies should have our ailments--and have to use our insurance.
