In Microsoft Outlook 2003, I turned on the "Use Microsoft Office Word
2003 to edit e-mail messages"  so that I can use the editing features
of word ( for , e.g. -- the way it manages e.g. html)

However, I've previously customized the "Normal.dot" default word
template to have, as a 'footer,' the current date, time, and page
number --- so that when I print from word, this information appears at
the bottom of documents.

The problem occurs, when I, in Outlook, create a new message or
respond to messages, Outlook keeps binding up the default word normal
template --- and bringing along with it the custom footer. When I then
send the message, I get the footer. I can remove the footer manually,
and while this is an annoying hassle, more problematically --  I
sometimes forget, which on important business correspondence is
inappropriate.

In sum, how do I get Outlook to use Word as the default email editor,
without using the 'Normal.dot' as the default stationary for messages
that I respond to, or newly create?

-----
using: 
> Microsoft Office Professional, 2003 -- with Service Pack 2 installed

"Hello cowwaw,

Thank you for your question.

I'm sorry to tell you the short answer to this is, you can't do it.
Secondly, you made a mistake changing the layout of normal.dot.
Normal.dot is used to create blank pages in Microsoft Word; it is the
root of all templates. By editing it, you have edited every new page
you will ever make.

You should revert normal.dot back to its original layout and then
create a new template that has your custom additions. This is the only
way you can achieve what you are hoping to do.

This website will help you in this endeavour.

How to manage the Office 2003 templates.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/889495

Search strategy:
Personal knowledge

--keystroke-ga

In Word, create a new template MyEmail.dot
Launch Outlook, create a new Email.
Click in the document
Goto the Menu Tools : Templates and Add-Ins...
On the Tab Template : Click Attach
Select your MyEmail Template and Click Open
Check Attach to All new-email messages
Click ok

That's it