Link Letters

The Missing Links

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 21:06:00 +0000

Okay, my bad!

I did not include any links in my last post and, considering the title of this blog, I must apologize. LinkLetters was intended to be a provider of interesting and useful (or funny, as the case may be) LINKs. Not "lack of links." So sorry. I just couldn't resist the posting the video of the unfortunate treadmill user. By the way, be forewarned - you'll likely find more videos posted here every so often.

LINKS. Links - links - links.

Okay - here are a few good ones that have helped me to find online success. They may well help you too. Take a look:

The Magic Formula
Sometimes it's hard to know exactly what works and what doesn't. Stop making the mistakes that are costing you a fortune in lost online income! Discover 14 simple tips you can apply today to transform your sinking business into a profitable one. (This ebook is essential to anyone building an online business and is my absolute favorite!)

4 Easy Steps To Online Profits
Earning money online doesn't have to be a difficult process. In fact, all it takes are these four easy steps. Whether you're a newbie, or you have some experience under your belt, this system will enable you to generate an income online!

$7 Secrets
Trying to break into creating your own informational products? Having problems selling the ones you've already created? Discover how to boost your profits!

Don't wait -- time is money!

Until next time,

S.K.LinkLover (not link-lacker)

Revenge of the Treadmill

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 20:48:00 +0000

I really hate to exercise.

Okay, that's not quite right. I want to stay fit and I enjoy exercising naturally, such as playing tennis or volleyball, bike-riding (on a real bike), walking the dog, etc. Anything that does not involve heavy equipment or electricty. . .

Here's why:

Get Your Tickets - The Easy Way!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 08:09:00 +0000

Speaking of easy (okay, see my previous post), have you ever bought online airline tickets; or online tickets to the movies or maybe a theme park? I have. It's so cool just walkin' in right past that long sorry line with your ticket in hand; no waiting, no muss, no fuss. You can even wear a haughty little smirk on your face, or stick out your tongue if you've got guts and you're really immature.

In any case, did you know that now, through an online premium ticket broker, you can get tickets to sporting events, concerts, threatre productions, and even fabulous Las Vegas shows? You can get tickets to just about any kind of event online, which means you won't have to wait in that long line just to watch the guy in front of you buy the last tickets, or get stuck with the crummy seats in the binoculors section. Here's a tip: Premium Seats USA offers a huge selection of first-class tickets to concerts, sports and theater events nationwide. It only takes a few clicks, and walla! Your tickets are in the bag!

Just another way for the Link Lady to make your life a little bit easier.

Terrific Tax Tip

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 07:52:00 +0000

Here's a handy little tax tip, from yours truly.

I personally have done my taxes using a number of different methods; in fact, I still do. I do my children's taxes manually. No big deal, they are uncomplicated. I just have them send me their W2's and their state tax forms and booklets and I do them on paper. Occasionally I have bought software to automate the process of doing my own taxes and filing electonically. Some were pretty good, others were disappointing.

Now, it's gotten really simple. My married daughter and hubby (and I) are hooked on Tax Slayer. This is a super easy-to-use online tax preparation program that's free to use OR costs only $9.95 if you choose to e-file. You just answer a series simple questions; and you can enter the info and save your form to finish later if you wish. Simplest, cheapest, and best way to file taxes I've found, and I swear I'm not getting paid to say this.

Out With the Old!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 07:30:00 +0000

So quickly, it's already New Year's Eve, and I haven't even had a chance to ask if Santa brought you lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh...

Well, did he?

I don't know about you, but I am very much looking forward to the upcoming new year. This year sucked, and I'm glad to be rid of it! And to celebrate, this morning I cleaned out my garage. The weather was frigid, probably 8 degrees F, but I didn't care. A friend came by with a trailer and we loaded it up with dead major appliances, unassembled furniture, rusty steel drums (don't ask) and broken down cardboard boxes! (Sigh!) It felt so good sweeping the dust and the dirt out onto the clean white snow. And now I have room for a car!

See, already I'm setting myself up for a much better new year. I makin' plans! Which might even lead to goals and - dare I say it? - resolutions!

Have a fabulous new year!

Great Last Minute Gift Idea!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 21:31:00 +0000

Dear Last-Minute-Holiday-Shopper,

As Christmas approaches, we often find oursleves scratching our heads, pondering what to get that one person who stubbornly remains on our gift list. Either it's that relative who either has everything or who says "No, really, I don't want anything at all," OR who is never satisfied with what he or she gets. Come on, you know who I'm talking about!

I believe I can help you here... I may have the perfect solution: Dot Flowers. Now, right away you may be thinking, "Awe, my old man isn't into flowers, come on!" but flower delivery is just one facet of Dot Flowers. Granted, their Christmas floral arrangements are amazing, but if you want something totally unique and different, take a look at Dot Flowers' themed Gift Baskets. There is no way you cannot find something that will please your old man or Aunt Myrtle or anyone else on your list. We're talking gourmet foods and tasty cookies and fruit baskets and so much more!

The Dot Flowers website is super easy to use, and their customer service department is eager to please - they will make every effort to make sure you are pleased with your order. The best part is, you can stay at home! No crowds to fight, no bad wather problems, no lugging gifts back to the car (if you can find it). Just click on the link above, browse, and click-to-order! Bonus: no wrapping and no ribbon curling! What could be simpler? And, really. . . who doesn't adore getting a professionally delivered gift?

So there you have, priceless advice you can't get anywhere else.

Glad to be of service.

S. K. Sometimes-Expert-Gift-Adviser

Winter Wardrobe Idea!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 04:15:00 +0000

Dear Link Lover,

It's been incredibly cold here in southeastern Idaho for the last week or so, and I mean cold!!!!!! With daily high temps in the single digits, I have given in to a new wardrobing system: I now wear (at least) two of everything. Two pairs of socks, two pairs of pants, two shirts. In fact, now I know why guys wear a undershirt under their SHIRT-shirt. To venture outside I now layer my heavy winter coat over a jacket or heavy sweatshirt, which I layer over a long sleeved shirt layered over a t-shirt. I also wear two mufflers, one under my coat and the other over it and around the breathing part of my face. And, of course, I wear two pairs of gloves. If I could wear two pairs of shoes, I would.

Remember the old Cosby show? The Huxtables were always wearing those heavy woolly sweaters during the winter. In one episode, Bill took a half an hour bundling little Rudy up so thick that her arms stuck straight out to the sides; and then, of course, she had to go to the bathroom.

Living in California, as we did for so long, you just can't appreciate the cold until you experience it for yourself. People around here take it in stride. In fact, they often walk around in t-shirts, as though they don't even notice the blue skin and the frost bite.

All I know is, if it's going to be this cold, there better be some freakin' snow around here by Christmas!

Yours,

S. K. Keepin' It Warm!

How to Start a Freelance Career

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 03:57:00 +0000

I am providing you with the following information because chances are, if you are reading this blog, you are also a writer-of-blogs yourself. And if you are a blog writer, chances are you wouldn't mind making some money from your writing; in fact, it is feasible that you are at this very moment engaged in doing just that through Google Adsense, product links, and who-knows-what other methods (with possibly questionable results). Chances are you would like to find high-paying jobs and clients worldwide if only you knew how to go about it. If this describes you, my faithful blogging buddy, read on, and you shall learn how to. . .

Work at Home and Earn an Excellent Income

Imagine being able to work from your own home, doing a job you love, and getting paid handsomely for doing it. Wouldn't that be great?

Well, the good news is that this is not just a fantasy. It is a prospect that is well within your reach. Today, millions of people worldwide have established highly-successful careers as freelance professionals. Writers, designers, programmers and many other home-based consultants have discovered that freelancing offers the perfect combination of freedom, creativity, flexibility and profitability.

So do you need years of experience and fantastic qualifications to join these lucky people? Not at all. You just need a skill that you can offer to potential clients, and the willingness to learn how to run a home-based business.

Of course, the biggest challenge for new freelancers is finding enough work to justify giving up a day job. How can you be sure that you will keep yourself busy with lucrative work? This used to be a concern, but thanks to the advent of the Internet, things are now much easier.

Now there are a number of job sites dedicated to helping freelancers find work and stay busy. Freelance Work Exchange, for example, brings you hundreds of fresh freelance jobs like these:

Write for Discussion Boards: $1200 per week, plus bonus

A writer is needed for an ongoing writing project. You will need to write copy to stimulate others into joining the discussion board. The writer needs to actively encourage regular and meaningful debate on the relevant discussion board, with some moderating of the content. You must have solid writing skills and good ideas.

Administer a Web Business from Home: $4000 per month

A successful e-commerce venture is seeking a part-time virtual assistant to act as a home-based office manager. You will deal with email correspondence, update site content and deal with general admin issues. You should have your own computer and Internet access.

Transcribe Author's Notes: $80 per hour, flexible working

A publishing company is seeking a freelance with an eye for detail to transcribe authors' notes and recordings for a range of ongoing projects. You must have a good grasp of English, be able to edit content into readable form, and be able to submit work from home by email.

You can sign up for a trial subscription for just $2.95, and get instant access to all the projects in the jobs database. So if you would like to get started on the road to freelance success right now, click here to sign up today.

Good luck to you!

S. K. Freelance-Linker

Education Made Easy

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 22:25:00 +0000

Remember the olden days when one had to walk to school barefooted in the snow up hill both ways? Neither do I. But way back when (I'm not sure when "when" was, exactly) kids apparently had quite a time getting an education because not only did they have the afore-mentioned transportation problems, but whenever there was a crisis on the home front, like the cows got out or Ma was sick and the young 'uns needed tendin', the kids were needed at home. In fact, back then, home came first; you went to school if you had nothing else to do - Pa's rules. (That's what they called Dad back then: Pa.) I know all of this because I read the Little House on the Prairie series and I've watched my share of TV. Also, I've heard these very same stories told by actual old folks, so I know they're true.

Compared to all that, getting an education nowadays is a piece of cake! Educational options abound for students of all ages, especially with the all of the new online opportunities. Internet-based educational programs (or "distance learning curriculums") such as Laurel Springs School provide kindergarten through high school students with high quality, yet flexible learning experiences.

Likewise, students no longer must leave home to attend college. Aside from attending the local community or junior college, online college opportunities now exist, making it easier than ever to earn a college degree, even while tending the farm or raising kids or working full-time at the gas station around the corner. Imagine the cost savings of staying at home and taking online classes that fit into your schedule as opposed to living in a dorm on campus (and eating cafeteria food)! Capella University is a fine example of a high-quality online university. Accredited and based in Chicago, Capella offers higher education programs in business, information technology, education, human services and psychology, as well as 76 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 16 certificate specializations. It doesn't matter where you live to attend - Capella serves students in all 50 states and in 63 countries!

Our world is quickly changing, and it's great to know that now, no matter where you live or what kinds of daily reponsibilities you have - you can still get a great education!

Identifying the Stupid Among Us... not that hard to do

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 21:59:00 +0000

Every so often, one must check out the latest stupid news. You know, news stories about people who have brains about the size of a grape; those folks who should never recreate. (If you are one of these people, please just move on to the next blog, because these will only be confusing to you.)

Found: a stolen ATM in the thief's backyard. Still full of money (maybe saving for a rainy day?).

Ignition: a woman smokes cigarrette while gassing up the car. Boom! No more car.

Pretty Pot: a mom lets teen grow a "nice looking plant." She's out on bond.

If you really want to see some "boneheaded" material (these are videos, folks), visit http://bonehead.oddballs.com/todays_bonehead.html

If nothing else, this is a great way to feel really, really smart!

Until Later,

S. K. Link-You-Up

My Apparent Disappearance

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 21:44:00 +0000

Dear Web Wanderer,

Where the heck have I been? How many times have you asked yourself that question? How many times have you visted this blog and found my last post of August 26 still residing here and wondered, what the heck happened to her? Where is that prolific, entertaining, fun-to-read blogger that I am so fond of? Well, I'm not dead if that's what you're thinking.

On the other hand, if "where the heck have I been?" is a question you've been asking yourself about your own whereabouts, maybe I can help you. Where are you now? If you are reading this it is safe to say you are using a computer. Is it your own computer? If not, are you at the library? (Look around you.) Are you at a friend's house, or using Mom's computer? If none of these possiblities rings a bell, chances are you are somewhere you are not supposed to be, and you need to GO. Come back later.

For the rest of you, let me apologize right here for my extended absence. Life has taken me in many new (and not always pleasant) directions, and meanwhile I have learned one basic eternal truth: it's hard to keep up with six weblogs when you have other stuff to do.

Please accept my sincere apologies, and I promise to keep you entertained much more frequently.

Sincerely,
S. K. Links-A-Lot

Wedding Rehearsal Dinners Can be Fun!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Sun, 27 Aug 2006 04:54:00 +0000

Dear Link Lover,

When we were little girls, my younger sister and I were volunteered as flower girls in not one, but two weddings. We had aunts on both sides of the family getting married and in need of cute little flower girls, so, of course, we were it. I don't remember much about the weddings except wearing fancy white gloves, having to walk down the isle very slowly (that was hard, we had to practice), and lots of flash photography.

I remember even less about the rehearsal dinners which leads me to believe they must have been the older stuffy sit-down kind. Nowadays, things have apparently changed. Folks have gotten creative. Rehearsal dinners are not what they used to be, for now they are original and fun; and as memorable as the wedding itself. Here are some rehearsal dinner ideas that I have come across recently:

1. An informal BBQ bash - with red-and-white checked tablecloths on picnic tables, and potluck desserts
2. A Chinese restaraunt catered dinner (think: Orient Express) - with a sushi chef, paper lanterns, and personalized fortune cookies
3. A bowling party - with take-out pizza and soda, competitions and tropies (you know, most gutter balls, etc.)
4. A casino night - with poker, bingo, and raffle prizes (and of course, champagne)
5. A wine tasting party - red grapes, green grapes, and cheeses to complement
6. A tropical destination party / Luau (IF the honeymoon destination is a tropical one, that is) - hammocks, surfboards, tropical flowers, pina coladas
7. Tee-time golf theme at the country club (or miniature golf set up in the back yard works too)

Gosh, how could you forget a wedding rehearsal party Luau or Bowling Party? I know I wouldn't. Of course, back in my day, a few family members took a roll or two of b & w pictures (or 8mm movies) so we would have those to jog our memories someday, if need be.

Now, everyone is in on the act. The idea today is that all of your guests receive disposable wedding cameras so they can capture your memories for you. Now that's convenient! Better than having to do it yourself, especially if you happen to be the bride or the groom. Now, I'm not talking about the fancy wedding pictures that you hire the expensive photographer to handle. I'm talking about the before-and-after-the-wedding candid shots; the blurry, underexposed, red-eye'd ones that are so much fun to look at long after the wedding is over and you're wondering whatever happend to so-and-so who came to the wedding with that goofy so-and-so chick and what the heck was thing she was wearing, anyway?

By the way, I think some of these party ideas could be great for birthdays, showers, anniversaries, Labor Day, graduations... heck, they'd be fun just about anytime!

PS. Don't forget to bring the camera!

More on the "Debt Diet"

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 07:09:00 +0000

In my last letter, dear reader, I discussed the value of following Oprah's Debt Diet, as seen earlier this month on her show. So many of us are lousy at basic money management, I decided, purely as a public service, to dig just a bit deeper into the subject this week.

First, let's assume we've made a number of financial blunders. We've used our credit cards for emergencies that are questionable, such as that cute little pair of shorts at Macy's (hey, it's a HOT summer!) or lunch at Jack in the Box (okay, more than once). We've let the payment go an extra month on the gas-guzzling SUV to buy the fuel to feed it (at $3.29/gallon); and we've run up the cell phone bill (hey, the kids love text messaging, whatever that is). We turned the heat up too high this winter (still paying that off), and we've found ourselves drowning in debt!

Help! Help!

Right about this time, we start to notice that lots of kind people want to help us! These are the wonderful "debt consolidation" folks, and they're readily available. Take my word for it here. I've done a lot of homework on the subject and I can give you this word of advice: Steer clear of debt consolidation (debt reduction, debt negotiation, or whatever they're calling themselves) companies . They'll supposedly arrange for reduced or eliminated interest and lower payments with your creditors, resulting in "one easy payment" for you; but the fact is that you will be allowing someone else to control your finances, which takes you out of control. Isn't that what got you in this mess to begin with? Also, did you know that much of the time, large portions of your payments do not go to pay off your bills? Don't think "non-profit" means no fees. You WILL pay servicing fees, so it is essential to do your homework and find out how much. In writing.

Better yet, if you decide to go the debt consolidation route, go with a low-interest home-equity loan that will allow you to pay off all your debts. You'll receive the obvious tax advantages, and just one monthly bill; but remember, your home becomes collateral on the loan, so be careful. (The Debt Diet doesn't recommend this tactic unless absolutely necessary.)

An option of last resort is, of course, bankruptcy. If you absolutely cannot pay your bills, and the bill collectors are breathing down your neck and calling you daily (thank God for caller ID!), bankruptcy may provide you with a measure of relief and a new beginning. Although the bankruptcy will remain with you for eight to ten years, it is possible to re-establish your credit within two years. It will take effort and perseverance to bounce back, true; but bankruptcy is NOT the end of the world. Many Americans have or will have filed bankruptcy once in their lifetimes.

Life goes on.

While we're on the subject of improved money management, here's a new concept that might just offer special financial protection you need. I just read about an insurance company that recently launched a "short term" car insurance program, which is temporary, comprehensive coverage that protects for up to 28 days. Why would anyone need that? Well, have you ever lent your car out to a friend or relative? God forbid they have an accident! Have you ever driven a new or used car off the lot; you know, to get it home? Have you ever rented a car for a vacation with a group that wanted to share in the driving? A temporary insurance policy can protect you in these situations so you don't have to "hope for the best." Great idea, don't you think? By the way, CarInsurance.com makes it easy for car insurance comparison shopping and buying all kinds of auto insurance online, even if you're considering lending your car to your rather irresponsible (deranged?) brother.

Cheers!

And remember, stick to the Diet!

S. K. B.

Are You on Oprah's "Debt Diet?"

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 06:40:00 +0000

Dear Link Lover,

Oprah's recent five-part "Debt Diet" had a lot of folks facing the reality of their financial woes; and deciding to do something about it! This show was quite an eye-opener. Featured were three families literally drowning in bills, and they had no idea how to fix their problem. In fact, they seemed content to simply ignore it or go on as if there was no problem. It took some drastic changes in their lifestyles to begin to turn things around. One good piece of advice: don't throw unopened bills into a corner or drawer somewhere. Out of sight, out of mind? Nope.

The biggest problem was credit cards. Not the cards themselves, of course, but the people who carried them in their wallets. The credit card concept is pure genius, actually. I mean, think about it! A credit card allows you to make purchases without carrying a lot of cash, and the monthly bills let you plan a budget. You can use a credit card to make online purchases, as well as catalog order payments and purchases by phone. You use a credit card to rent a car or reserve a hotel room. And, where might one be without a credit card in a roadside or medical emergency?

Now, I ask you... how can something so absolutely vital create such havoc to the finanical well-being of so many? How can we become so reliant on that little piece of plastic, that we use it as money we don't have instead of the convenient way to pay for things it was meant to be? Do you see what I'm getting at? Do you see where I'm going with this?

"Convenience" is one thing, but let's stop pretending to have money we don't have!!! Of course, the credit card companies are on to us. Have you looked at your credit card interest rates lately? It used to be that an 18% interest rate was outrageous! It still is. However, now you might find rates up to 30% or more on your bill, if you even bother to open it. First suggestion, I think, would be to look for new low rate credit cards. These can make a huge difference in what you ultimately pay for the convenience of having credit.

Take a good look at Oprah's "Debt Diet." You can even download a contract and sign it, promising to follow the "debt diet" and clean up your act. Okay, okay, what would Oprah know about finanical problems? you ask. Actually, she once had a normal paycheck like everyone else, and she recalls that when she was in debt over her head, she felt sick to her stomach when she tried to sleep at night.

You know that feeling? You do?

So do I.

Time for the Debt Diet!

S.K.B.

Bad Drivers - A Short Primer

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Wed, 24 May 2006 18:47:00 +0000

Dear Link Lover,

It's been a while, hasn't it? My sincere apologies. I've been so busy with innumerable projects, I fear I've fallen behind in my blogging.

Today's subject affects us all - Bad drivers. That is, anyone causing a less than pleasant experience for the rest of us on the road. Bad drivers are everywhere. They thrive on busy, bottlenecked freeways but can even be found in tiny communities that don't know the meaning of "rush hour." There are specific categories of bad drivers. To learn how to recognize them, how get into their minds and understand them, and, above all, how to avoid them at all costs, take a look at My Catalogue of Bad Drivers, by an unknown but probably real good driver.

Miami motorists ranked highest in rudeness (translation: bad drivers) in a survey by AutoVantage, which ranked Phoenix, New York, Los Angeles and Boston among the other top five cities for rude driving. "Agressive driving" was found to be prevalent among young drivers and those who commute long distances; and there was no difference between male and female drivers.

It has also been found that the great State of California has the highest rates of vehicle thefts in the nation, home to six of the top ten auto theft locations. GEICO, my own auto insurance company by the way, has issued 11 excellent steps that you can take to avoid becoming a car theft victim. Some of them are rather obvious, such as locking your car, even while driving to avoid a car jacking. We all know we should never leave our keys in the car, or leave it running while we run into the convenience store for a candy bar "just for a minute."

But have you ever thought about how easy it would be for a thief to find your registration papers in the glove box to show the police? Try hiding them in a secret location, or carrying them with you. Also, plan your route before you leave the house, so you don't end up in unfamiliar and possibly dangerous neighborhoods. Looking "lost" cannot be a safe thing to do. You can find all 11 tips at CarInsurance.com. While you are there, you can also get free car insurance quotes that will let you save both time and money!

As always, I hope I have assisted you in some way as you take to the roads this summer. If you happen to be one of the aforementioned BAD drivers - I implore you! Make amends! Change your ways! You'll feel a lot less stress, and the rest of us will really appreciate your efforts to become a more civilized human being.

Sincerely yours,

S. K. B. (An excellent driver, I might add)

"But Wait! There's More!"

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 17:04:00 +0000

Hello Friends!

I just finished reading my newest issue of Reader's Digest, and was thrilled to find their annual installment of "But Wait! There's More!" It's always fun to see their review of the latest infomercial products, and how they rate them. Of course, you can't tell whether a product is any good from the actual commercial, so this annual offering by Reader's Digest is a valuable public service.

I'm not going to discuss each item here. You can pick up your own copy of R.D. for that. I'll just give you the rundown on the winners; these are the ones that actually do what they say they do, and they're a good value.

One of the favorite products is the CD Stripper. This is a simple plastic device that removes that stubborn platic wrapper and security sticker from your new CD case. Just slide the CD case in, then out, and a hidden blade peels it right off. The best part is that the blade cannot be found, even by several determined little boys. The listed price is $9.99.

Another winner is the Little Giant Ladder. At $360 it's not cheap, but it does everything the commercial says it does--which is the job of 24 ladders! So really, it's a bargain, and everyone who tried it thought it was great.

These are the only two items that recieved all four stars, but some of the other products were also very good. So there you have it. In the mean time, it's just a short wait now for one of my favorite things: Spring Flowers. Always a four-star winner!

Gift Baskets for All!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 02:17:00 +0000

Dear Web Wanderer,

Have you ever received a gift basket? I have, and I felt very special. Gift Baskets allow the giver to choose a theme that you can customize to your recipient's liking. You might say this this is one gift that shows you truly care.

Being the creative type, I have attempted to assemble a few gift baskets on my own. This is much more challenging than one might expect. First you need to consider your recipient. What kinds of things does she or he enjoy? (By the way, males like gift baskets too.) What kinds of foods does he or she really, really like? What are his/her hobbies? Gift basket themes are endless. You can go with a holiday theme, such as Mother's Day Gift Baskets (just another couple of months, come to think of it). Or, you can opt for hobbies such as gardening, reading, golf, or candles; favorite foods like TexMex, chocolate, cheesecake, popcorn, or coffee; or even specialty items like spa, love and romance, or pet treats. Once I made a "powder room" gift basket for my sister. Okay, it was really just some cute, color-coordinated soapy smelling stuff for her bathroom, but she seemed to like it very much. (Or at least the thought, right?)

Next, you need to find an appropriate basket or other gift-like receptacle. It can't be too small, but it can't be too large either or it'll look skimpy if you can't fill it up. Then you need to determine your budget, which will in turn determine where you will shop (gourmet food shop vs. dollar store). Once you have everything, then you need to figure out how to place it all in the basket so that nothing is hidden or slips to the bottom, and so that it is appealing to the eye. You might also want to add a bow or some cello or raffi or whatever to make it look more "gifty," and of course a personal note or card.

I got a flier before Christmas from my book club that advertised theme-based ready-made book baskets and that got me to thinking. Wouldn't it be fun to create a custom gift book basket for someone who loves to read? Take a look at my weblog, Off The Toppa My Head (see the link in the side bar on the home page), and check out my post "Great Ideas for Book Lovers (Like Me)" for exactly how to do it. (You'll love this.)

Of course, most parents have been assembling gift baskets for their children for ions; and right around this time of the year too. Say what? Easter Gift Baskets, silly! Maybe this is the year to leave that up to the experts, and forget about the cheap colored baskets, drug store candy, messy cellophane grass, and gross little marshmallow Peeps.

Just a thought.

Here's another: did you know you can make money blogging? There are companies that will pay you to include their links in the content of your blog. It's easy, it's fun, and it's lucrative, especially if you have lots of blogs. By the way, I have written this post as an example of how to do it.

Cheers!

S. Link Lover (and now you know why!)

Sports Gizmos For You!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 18:51:00 +0000

Dear Web Wanderer,

Its been a long winter, wouldn't you say? My sons work at a golf course in Portland. This is nice pleasant work during most of the year, but during the winter the outdoor employees have to really bundle up. Die-hard golfers don't seem to notice the weather. They come out regardless of temperature, even in the snow. (I guess that's why they invented flourescent-colored golf balls.)

Did you know it is now possible to golf without ever leaving the nice warm confines of home? It's true! 29 awesome courses await you! Okay, it's a video game, but not what you would expect. This is Golden Tee Complete 2006, the ultimate home game system. It is "the most exciting golf game you can have without a club in your hands." This edition is an actual golf arcade game in a cabinet especially designed for the home, which means you don't have to put in money to play! (Well, except for the cost of the game itself.)

Now let's assume that golf is not your game. Do you enjoy fishing? If you are a fisherman at heart, then you probably like to actually go home at the end of the day with fish that you caught while fishing. In other words, fishing isn't really fishing if you don't catch fish. Right? There are lots of tricks to catching fish, but today's fishermen seem to lean towards the use of expensive electronic gizmos like fish finders and all sorts of other electronic devices to help you catch fish. Of course, it may be cheaper to buy Mrs. Gorton's fish sticks at Albertson's, but it's just not the same.

Getting married, or know someone who is? We have found a great place to get cheap wedding favors. Find everything from personalized chocolate bars to boxed rose petals to tatoo cover kits! And all at prices you won't believe!

Our last stop should be a pleasant one. A nice little prelude to spring and warm weather (at last!). What is it? you ask. Why, flowers of course! Send flowers to Mom for Easter. Or for no reason at all.

That's all for now from the Link Letters.

Enjoy the journey!

Take Yer Best Shot!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Sun, 19 Feb 2006 04:25:00 +0000

Dear Link Lover,

I have a great idea!

As we all know, Vice President Cheney accidentally shot his friend Harry W. while hunting quail this past week. Whooeee! He confessed, albeit a day or two later, that he 'done it,' he'd pulled the trigger, and it was entirely his fault... and he'll remember the image of his friend falling to the ground FOREVER!

Okay. So sad... But it didn't have to happen.

Dick and his friends could have very simply alleviated all that grief and embarrassment. One of the "worst days of (his) life" could have been transformed completely, with no fear of possibly killing someone while VP! How?

Paintball guns!

That's right. What if everyone, armed with paintball guns, was "hunting" the other guys? Now imagine, if you will - Dick shoots and hits Harry in the face with a paint ball:

Dick: Ha-ha! I got you! I sure did!

Harry: Yup, you got me alright. (Harry wipes the paint and tears from his eyes.) Ha! Ha! Ha!

Then, Harry is out of the game and free to could go clean up while Dick continues with the fun.

So that's my idea - instead of 28-gauge shotguns, the whole expedition should have packed Airsoft Guns, for all the fun and excitement of the hunt without the possibility of killing any innocent quail (although apparently the quail weren't in any danger) or your lawyer friends!

This fabulous brainstorm has been brought to you by online car insurance quotes. Looking for better rates? Take a shot - ooops - I mean, take a good look!

And while you're web surfing, you may want to check out stock option investments. You say you know nothing about stocks? That's great! You'll find all the online tools you need to invest with a bang - uh, I mean, intelligently - in the stock market.

As I sit here typing away, I'm thinking "Gee, I sure am glad I'm sitting in this terrific office chair with excellent back support. Otherwise, my posterior would be hurtin' and my back would be in pain!"

If you are reading this while propped up on an old kitchen chair or a broken desk chair or maybe a spinning piano stool, perhaps you should consider looking at commercial office chairs. Take my advice - straight from the hip (ooops, sorry) - a decent office chair is worth its weight in gold!

Well, that's it for this time!

Your Lively Link Lady

Dream Lover...

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 20:18:00 +0000

Every night I read before I go to sleep. Last night I read an article in the current issue of Reader’s Digest about dreams, what they mean, and how they can help us.

Dream research has apparently come a long way in recent years. No longer do researchers think that certain images represent specific objects or that certain dream interpretations fit everyone. Universal dream symbols were Freud’s notions, but current thought is that symbols and interpretations are as different as dreamers. So, it is up to the dreamer to figure out what the images in his or her dreams represent. Psychologists also look at specific colors, which represent certain emotions.

Dreams can help us solve problems if we allow our subconscious minds to do the work for us as we sleep. We can initiate the process by thinking about problems, pondering questions, contemplating concerns just as we are falling asleep. It’s a very effective way to guide our dreams while sleeping.

More interesting still is the idea of “lucid” dreaming. This is the technique of recognizing that we are dreaming, and then taking control of what is happening in the dream. Being fully aware of dreaming can create an enormous amount of freedom for the dreamer. We can literally do anything or go anywhere while dreaming. Kind of like a “poor man’s vacation.”

Lucid dreaming isn’t so new to me, however (although I never knew it had a name). As a child I used to dream I was being chased, over and over again. Finally I trained myself to realize I was dreaming, and then, just before being caught (or waking up in a cold sweat), I could suddenly fly. Just as I reached the tall chain link fence at the end of the school yard, with my enemies within arm’s length, I would sail over that fence and leave them there, puzzled and unable to go any further. I knew it was a dream, but it was fun flying around the neighborhood, looking at all the trees and houses and people from above. Once I learned how to do it, I controlled my dreams all the time, and I felt powerful in a strange sort of way.

Unfortunately, I seem to have lost my "special" ability. Maybe adulthood has something to do with it. In any case, the RD article provides tips and techniques for learning how to control our dreams, so I’m going to try again and see what happens. After all, dreaming can help us to control our lives and solve our problems. And who doesn't need a free vacation?!

Have you ever dreamed about stocks investments? Don’t laugh, dreams might provide some interesting insights into making better investment choices. Another technique could be to visit PowerOptions and learn more about stock option trading.

Holy Cow!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 23:46:00 +0000

We've got cows in the news this week. I love odd news, don't you? Apparently, a farmer in British Columbia found that one of his cows was about to give birth, and soon she did. He noticed yet another set of hooves, and soon delivered a second calf. Later, when he returned to check on her, he found she had delivered yet a third calf. Cows give birth to twins every so often, but the odds of a cow giving birth to triplets range from one in 10,000, to one in 105,000! Mama cows can only nurse two calves, so one was given away to friends (and is being bottle fed).

Another heifer named Molly apparently escaped a Montana slaughterhouse leading folks on a six-hour chase. She raced through town (see picture, from the Great Falls Tribune) (I didn't even know that a cow could race!) then jumped into the Missouri River and swam across. The packing plant owner said she did things that cows simply can't do (he's been around cattle his whole life) and that she would definately be spared. After all that, I should hope so! Now she has a quiet life to look forward to; either in Montana pastureland or an animal sanctuary in Seattle. It goes to show what a little determination will do!

Accidents Do Happen, But...

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 00:21:00 +0000

Do you ever watch those real-life emergency room TV shows? You never cease to be amazed at the predicaments and life-threatening dilemmas people get themselves into. One featured a man with an five-foot branch pierced through his neck, another with a picket fence slat in a similar position. In one episode, a guy walked in with an ax stuck in his skull. Ironically, the ER personnel just smiled at him. Why? It was Halloween night, and everyone in the place was in costume. Unfortunately, he was not.

Accidents happen every day. Some can be blamed on one's own stupidity, of course. (See photo above.) Many, however, occur due to human error and negligence (someone else's), and could have been prevented with a little effort and forethought. Examples might include boat accidents, slip and fall injuries, dog attacks, hit and runs, electicutions, and, well, you name it.

Of course, some accidents aren't "accidents" at all. Today, I heard about a case in Long Island where a band of unruly teenages went on a spending spree using stolen credit cards, bought and hurled frozen turkeys at oncoming cars, severely injuring a 44-year-old woman, Victoria Ruvolo. The turkey shattered nearly every bone in her face.

If you have been injured in an accident (no matter who seems to be at fault) or as the result of someone else's negligence (or worse), ny lawyers can probably help. Get your free case evaluation.

This little "gem" has been brought to you by Lussori. Take a look at their lovely gemstone jewelry. You'll find an amazing gemstone ring collection, and the necklaces are stunning. Are you considering a new investment option? Learn all about investing in precious metals including forecasts and recommendations, how to buy, and current precious metals quotes. Visit Monex for answers to all of your precious metals investment questions.

Good as Gold

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Mon, 02 Jan 2006 05:01:00 +0000

When I was a child, we did something that most of today's children outgrow much too early. We "pretended." We could be anyone we wanted to be simply by changing our voices, our body language, and our facial expressions. Dress-up was optional.

We were great actors.

Every so often, during a "scene" one or all of us would suddenly come into a great deal of wealth. I remember our lines perfectly: "I'm rich! I'm RICH!" or "Gold, GOLD, GOLD!!!"

From a very young age, it seems that all of us recognize that gold is of great value. Maybe it's the way we use gold imagery in the way we describe things of value. For example, when I was little somehow I had the impression that a pot of gold could be found at the end of a rainbow. (I could never understand why the end of the rainbow never landed in my backyard.) I was taught the Golden Rule, I learned about the California gold rush in the fourth grade, and I know that anyone who was generous and kind had a heart of gold.

When people retire from their job, they get to spend their golden years fishing, traveling, and being happy (well, that's what I thought). When missionaries find someone willing to listen to the Word, the listener is considered a golden contact. Owning beautiful gold jewelry is every girl's dream, and finding a way to become rich, RICH, RICH! is something not to be passed up - it's a golden opportunity!

And, of course, if only the real thing will do, one looks into gold and other precious metal investing.

My personal favorite, of course, is golden delicious popcorn. That's right. Okay, my taste in gold may be a little low-end and offbeat, but it is definately affordable. I can have it every day if I want to (and usually I do).

Hey wait, remember the golden age of the silver screen? Or, how about the Golden Gate Bridge? In the Golden State??? (How DO I think of these?)

It's Okay! Hire an Expert!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Mon, 02 Jan 2006 00:55:00 +0000

Dear Cyber Surfer,

Okay. First I'll admit to the world that I'm cheap. I would rather do anything and everything myself than pay someone else to do it. Even if it means not doing it at all for lack of time, skill, materials, or brains. I'm just like my father in that way, maybe, who has always taken pride in doing everything himself. That is, until he fell off a ladder while trimming trees and broke some ribs. He didn't complain much after the fall; he just said the pain was tolerable unless he coughed, sneezed, laughed, hiccupped, or burped. Now, needless to say, the task of tree trimming is hired out, as it should be.

So, one of my New Year's Resolutions for 2006 will be to relax a bit and allow others to do certain things that I really know nothing about or do very poorly on my own or have no business doing at all and should be paying an expert to do.

One thing that's nice to let others do is flower delivery. Think about it. You could stop at the grocery store on the way home from work and pick up a loaf of bread and a bunch of carnations (you might think they are roses but you're not quite sure). You then walk into the house and thrust them at your sweetheart, saying "Oh, here, these are for you." She mumbles, "Uh, thanks, (what are these for?)" as she dries her hands and drops whatever she is doing. Now she fumbles around in search of an appropriate vase and the pruning shears. She removes the wrapping from the flowers and cuts off all of the stem tips for prolonged life, making a huge mess on the counter. Then she fills the vase with tepid water and that little packet of white granular stuff to make them last longer. She rearranges the flowers, stands back, and rearranges them again. Then she places the vase on the center of the table, cleans up the mess, wipes down the counter, sweeps and mops the floor, and tries to remember what she was doing before you and the flowers walked through the door.

OR, you could go online, select and order the perfect floral arrangement, and have an official-looking delivery person deliver it right to your sweety's door. Surprise! The flowers are fresh, lovely, and perfectly displayed in gorgeous vase! Now doesn't she feel special!

Now picture this: The family automobile has been making funny noises and the oil is looking a bit muddy. You hear a sort of grinding sound whenever you press on the brake pedal, and there's a growing puddle of something under the car that you notice whenever you back out. What should you do? If you are a certified auto mechanic, this would be a no brainer. Figure out what's wrong with the car and fix it. Logically speaking, however, it is likely that you are not a certified auto mechanic or you wouldn't have these kinds of problems, at least not all at once. Or, you never drive this car OR you are very, very lazy. In any case, the logical answer for most ordinary folks is: take it to the shop!

Let's assume, now, that you have built a website for your company. So there it is. Up there. Online. And nobody is finding it. You know there are things you can do to build traffic. You've heard about search engine optimization (SEO). But, doggone it; it took forever to build this dang website, and it's a good one! You thought you were finished! Now, what with "key word analysis" and "meta tags" and "page rank" and "link swapping," well, it just goes on and on!!! Why not let experts take care of your Internet Marketing needs? They know what they're doing, they'll bring traffic to your door, and they'll make you look GOOD.

The lesson here, folks, is: Leave some things to the experts... and relax.

Three Crucial Tips for the New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Weston) — Tue, 27 Dec 2005 23:14:00 +0000

Crucial Tip #1:

Dear Friends of Online Finds:

Under the tree for me this year I found a brand new curling iron. I already had a curling iron that suited me quite well, (at least better than the plastic curlers illustrated here); that is, until I tried this new curling iron super model! Here's why:

>My old curling iron had two heat settings - high and low. Obviously, anyone with hair would go with the high setting so that their hair would actually curl. But my new curling iron has 25 heat settings! (Does it take a cosmetology degree to figure out which heat setting is for me?)

>My new curling iron also has turbo heat! In other words, if the highest heat setting isn't hot enough for "hard to curl" areas, I still have industrial strength heat! I know it works, because when I hit the turbo button, I hear a slight sizzling sound on my head, and detect a distinct burning smell. We'll do anything for beauty, right girls?

>My new curler heats up in only 60 seconds (instead of 45 minutes), so if you turn it on you better not take a nap or run to the mall.

>It also stays hot (instead of losing heat as you use it, which I didn't even know happened until I read about the new design features of this vastly improved model).

>It even shuts off automatically should you forget about it or take a nap or run to the mall. (I wonder why the instructions warn you to unplug it when not in use?)

But the best thing about my new curling iron is the instruction book that comes with it. The product warnings very clearly state that one should never use the curling iron in the shower or while sleeping, and that this appliance can burn. Thank God someone had the foresight to warn me! Who knows what might have happened without this crucial information?

So, Crucial Tip # 1 is: Read all written material accompanying newly purchased small electrical appliances. After all, sometime during the New Year you may need a good laugh.

Crucial Tip #2:

If you are a peri- or post-menopausal woman (both of which I personally am or have been), you should know that hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) is just one of those things that we have been convinced we need (kind of like cell phones), and that synthetic hormones, originally called Premarin, "pregnant mare's urine," causes uterine cancer in humans and an amazing cycle of equine cruelty. I have written an entire post about this subject at Senior Weblogs, which you are invited to read. Premarin lawsuits, risks, and other HRT information is readily available. Bottom line, ladies, is to find some other way to relieve the discomforts of menopause without messing with your hormones!

Crucial Tip #2 is: Don't let anyone convince you to fix something that ain't broken, especially when it is your body.

Crucial Tip #3:

The best way to have friends is to be a friend.

You're thinking, Oh come on, this is a 'crucial tip?' Well, yes, in a way it is. Someone may not have learned this basic truth as a child. Hitler probably didn't. Niether did Charles Manson, I'm guessing.

Okay, so how can one be a good friend? I remember a little song we sang as Brownie Scouts that went like this: Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other's gold. Now, to be honest I'm not quite sure what this little song means, but I do know that gold and silver prices are up there, so friends are worth at least that much. Another well known friend-fact is that diamonds are a girl's best friend. So, if you have a friend or want a friend who's a girl, (usually that would be a girlfriend) you might want to work diamond jewelry into the mix and see what happens.

So, there you have it. Crucial Tip #3 is to be a friend. With everything going on in the world, what could be better advice for the New Year?

Your friendly online find finder,

S. B.