It's set to the correct programs already. I re-associated just for the heck of it and it's still the same thing.
edit: I might have found the problem. Lotus notes needs to install some activeX control, however it doesn't stick if I let it install. It keeps on telling me that I need to install it everytime I restart IE. How do I get around this. This is WinXP Pro SP2.
nevermind, I had to lower the IE security setting in order for the install to stick. Thanks all.