Spud. My thoughts.
You need to get a programmer to program a PIC no matter what. I have a P16PRO40, it was dirt cheap. I want an ICD2, but it is not required. This is all you need to program a PIC.
Then, download winpicprog from Nigel's website to program the PICs with your
programer (you will need parts for what you are making as well; LCD display, PICS, etc.). Get the programmer in kit form to lower the cost and build it.
I know they look from simple to complex when you search, but you are looking at development boards as well and simple programmers, it takes very little to program the PIC. You just need a programmer. This way you can use it for future projects, rather than tie the expensive board to you project.
Build the programmer kit, good practice.
Now you lack a curcuit and program. If you like the Stamp, then you need to see if MELabs demo will give you enough lines of code, or you need to buy the $99 version (Standard BASIC), or like Nigel said, learn assembler. I have not seen your application or know you so I would think BASIC would be easier as a guess.
Last, you need a circuit. If you have done the above, read the LCD tutorial on Nigel's site, built that part of the circuit (maybe at this point ASM is OK for you and you save $99). Hold off on the compiler until you get here.
You then come back to the forum and tell everyone what you have and still need to finish interfacing it to you target system.
Hope that helps.