Given the level of obesity in this country, it is fair to say that a great many of us could use a little bit of professional advice on how to improve our diets. But it isn't just weight that is a problem -- cholesterol, diabetes, and blood pressure are all issues that can be regulated, in part, through thoughtful changes in diet. But where can we get the knowledge and assistance we need?

http://Nutrition.BitWine.com is an online service where you can get the advice of a real professional in the field of nutrition. Through actual online conversation with a nutritionist or dietitian, you can get all the information you need to become a healthier you. Check them out today!

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I love Christmas time. So many traditions abound, including the decoration of the house and the tree. But let's be honest -- there can be a lot of money expended just to keep those Christmas lights burning through the holiday season -- and you can easily spend more on that than you do on air conditioning during a Texas summer.

But I recently found a neat product that I think has some real potential to make that holiday more environmentally friendly and energy efficient -- LED holiday lights. These special lights burn bright but do so in a sensible way – reducing the amount of energy used by about 80-90%, since they only burn about 4 watts of electricity for every string of lights. These lights have a long life, too – some 50,000 hours, which makes them last longer than any standard bulb I’ve ever encountered. Even more interesting is the fact that these LED Xmas lights burn at only a single degree over room temperature, minimizing the danger of fire in even the driest of real Christmas trees.

I’m also fascinated by the many different stiles of LED Christmas lights that are offered. You can get a round raspberry shape, a traditional strawberry shape, or a standard mini light. They even have a special design – pure white snowflake light! I suspect my darling wife would want some of those to go on the tree, given the lack of snow here in Houston.

Now I will acknowledge one thing – these lights will cost you more than regular Christmas lights. But given their beauty, their durability, and their energy efficiency, you can probably pay off the difference in as little as one holiday season, so they are most certainly worth it.

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If you've noticed, this is not a big gossip blog. However, I do from time to time get into the celebrity gossip mode when it is significantly newsworthy. For example, in recent months we have seen both Brittney and Paris show up here as objects of my ridicule. For that matter, one might even consider some of my political blogging to be gossip. And I do keep myself semi-anonymous so that I can comment freely on such issues. One thing I don't do is gossip about work here, because that would probably mean engaging in some very unprofessional behavior, literally "talking out of school" about my students and colleagues. That is a boundary I will not cross.

Speaking of my students, a number of them have been really excited by Gossip Girl on The CW. Since they are all into MySpace and FaceBook, they are fascinated with the notion that one anonymous individual could spread all the latest dirt online in complete anonymity. They say they’d like to out the Gossip Girl – and at least one indicates that she might come to an unpleasant end for “bein’ all up in everybody’s bidness.” Makes me wonder how long a real-life Gossip Girl would make it at my school.

Will the Gossip Girl be outed? Will it make a difference? That is something that we will have to see in future episodes!

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Have you got a business to promote? Do you want to have some Promotional Gifts to pass on to customers and potential customers, to keep your name out in front of them? Well, you need GetYourPromotionalProducts.com! They have a wide variety of products for you, like pens, balloons, shirts, and more. Take a look at their selection to see.

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Are you looking for a beautiful place to vacation, filled with the sort of scenery that makes your heart cry out? Are you looking for an urban vacation spot, where you can experience fine dining and cultural events? How would you like to find both in one place? You can, in the wonderful city of Raleigh, North Carolina.

After all, where else can you go to see a popular Broadway show like Mamma Mia!and dine out at an Italian restaurant like The Point at Glenwood after a day exploring lovely greenways around town? And let's not forget the glorious golf possibilities around Raleigh. There is so much that you can do in Raleigh!

Want to know more? Visit the city's official tourism site to learn more about the activities that are available to you in Raleigh, and to check out the deals and steals on vacation packages or a Fall Getaway. And speaking of vacation packages, don't forget to sign up to win a FREE Raleigh Getaway. That package includes:
-One night accommodations for two at the Courtyard by Marriott Raleigh Crabtree Valley;
-$25 gift certificate to Bloomsbury Bistro;
-Free VIP admission for two to Rum Runners;
-2 tickets to the North Carolina Theatre;
-2 tickets to the N.C. Museum of Art’s Landscapes from the Age of Impressionism;
-2 tickets to Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences.

What a great package!

Time is wasting, folks. Book your trip to Raleigh today!

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Hard Drive Recovery is something that you never want to need as a computer user. It means that you have had a catastrophic computer failure that endangers all of your data. If you need Hard Drive Recovery, it can mean that you cannot even use your computer pending serious intervention, and that you are unable to even access the critical information stored there.

Frankly, I wish I had knows about DTIData last year when my old computer's hard drive went down. The hard drive had gone bad, and the computer would not even update. I tried to fix it myself, and even tried to get a friend with greater expertise than I to fix the problem. It was impossible with our resources. As a result, I lost several years of course materials for my classes, my resume, research notes for a possible book (growing out of my Masters thesis work) and the graphics my wife uses for her craft projects.

But if DTIData could have done Hard Drive Recovery for me, they would have likely gotten back all the data for me. All I would have needed to do was give them a call or submit an online request for an estimate, and then ship them the hard drive for them to work their magic on.

My hard drive would have been taken into their class 100 clean room for their technicians to go to work on it. There would have been no diagnostic fee – we already know the drive is dead. Instead, they would begin work on the data recovery, with every step of the process logged for me to know exactly what is happening and how the project is going. Their goal is 100% hard drive data recovery, and so their policy is that you are not charged a dime if there is no data recovered, or if they fail to get it all back for you. And regardless, they can usually complete their work in 2-5 business days -- because they know that time is money.

I hope you never need the services if DTIData. But if you do, they are tops at what they do.

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Everybody loves a teddy bear. They are the perfect gift -- a soft, warm bundle stuffed with love. But some are more special than others. Take this alpaca teddy bear, hand-crafted in Peru just for you -- or the one you love. He (or she -- how do you tell the difference?) is available from Alpaca Direct Teddy Bear. What a neat gift for someone you love!

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The Cooperative Bank is a consumer led, ethically driven bank in the UK. It offers a wide array of options for its customers, and has a variety of banking services for its online customers, including credit cards

You can get a card with 0% on purchases and balance transfers for six months, or you can choose a card that earns money for your favorite organization. Really, you have the chance to do business with a bank that shares your values and gives you an excellent bargain as well.
One of the neat things, though, is that the bank operates on the following principles.

Through our investments, we seek to support the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In line with this, we will not invest in:

* any government or business which fails to uphold basic human rights within its sphere of influence.
* any business whose links to an oppressive regime are a continuing cause for concern.

An excellent set of principles given the current state of the world, don't you think?

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Needing a lcriminal lawyer is a terrible thing. It means you have trouble, even if you are completely innocent. You need to make use of your rights -- the US Constitution guarantees you the right to an attorney in such a situation. And you of course want to get the best lawyer available in any sort of criminal case, including DUI cases.

If you are in Los Angeles, one of the top <Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys | California DUI Felony Misdmemeanor Lawyers firms available is Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin. They are a well-established firm and are recognized as among the top 5% in their field. If you need legal representation, they are available to you 24/7.

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You know, Christmas will behere before you know it. Have you started your holiday shopping? Well, I know one great gift for the special children in your life -- a Personalized Christmas Story Book! Every year, over 50,000 children receive a personalized copy of “My Special Christmas Adventure” -- wouldn't that be a special keepsake for your son or daughter or other child in your life? And if they like this book, there are many other story books that can be personalized with their name.

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Do you want to spice up your home decor with original artwork, not the prints from the big box store or the starving artist knock-offs that everybody has seen a dozen times? Do you want to turn your personal photos into real works of art? If you do, PhotoFiddle.com is the site for you to visit. You can have your photo printed on canvas or print-quality paper -- and you can even have it done in over 50 different artistic styles using various photo effects. Just imagine having your photos take on a classic look like this!

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Are you looking to become an Investment Adviser? Do you need to take -- and, more importantly, pass -- the Series 65 exam to reach that goal? Well, Liif.com has a fantastic test preparation program for you. These include both an exam manual and a CD ROM for drill and practice.

But not only is there the Series 65 material, but also test preparation for other exams, including Series 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 24, 26, 27/28, 31, 63, 65 and 66. All of these materials are based upon the extensive knowledge of teh test of the Long Island Institute of Finance. If you need test preparation, this is a good place to start.

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I'm hoping that my wife doesn't look at this post. If she does, I'll be in BIG trouble.

No, it isn't one of those sites. Get your mind out of the gutter -- and into the front yard, back yard, garden and patio areas of your home.

That's right. At Mailbox and Beyond, you can get residential mailboxes, door mats, hose holders and all sorts of incredibly interesting decorative accessories for your home and yard.

Seriously, they've got nice stuff you need to check out -- just don't tell my wife or there might not be anything left for you!.

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I am always fascinated by trade show booths and displays at events I attend. Some are quite basic, but others get rather elaborate. Who designs these displays, and where do you get the supplies you need to best market your wares to the most interested and motivated audience you are likely to encounter? Try GodfreyGroup.com for a wide variety of custom and portable trade show displays, display graphics, signage, banner stands, trade show rentals, merchandising and retail displays, light boxes, literature displays, table top exhibits, and more that will make your display stand out from the crowd. So if you need to attract customers at that next event (and you wouldn’t be there if you didn’t), visit Godfrey Group.

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Furniture shopping can be a long and frustrating task. After all, it involves trekking from store to store, only to be followed from showroom t showroom by aggressive commissioned salespeople who are hungry for the commission they are going to get off your purchase. You are not a client to them -- you are a walking dollar sign.

Online furniture shopping is in some ways a much better experience. You can browse a website to find just the item you want from the comfort of your own home, without someone pressuring you to buy a particular home office desk that is being pushed by the boss this week. And rather than trotting around miles of showroom displays, you can compare all the dining room furniture or living room furniture on your own computer screen.

FurnitureFromHome.com provides you with the chance to do exactly that. They have as wide a range of furniture selections as your local furniture mega-store, but you don't need a sherpa and a couple of guide dogs to browse through it. All you need to do is point and click and there it is for you. And it is fine furniture at great prices, so you know you are getting a good deal. Indeed, the only drawback I see is the inability to examine it up close and personal -- while the delivery time on the furniture seems a bit long to me, it is not any longer than the usual back-order that you get at most furniture stores. Best of all, you can cancel or change your order at any time before shipping without penalty, which is something that most furniture stores don't allow. So unless you need it right now, this may be the best way to buy.

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One of the realities of being in business today is the need for a line of credit or other form of Business Loan to provide a financial lifeline for a company. After all, cash flow isn't always smooth and steady, and expenses often precede revenue.

That is why EZUnsecured.com is a great resource for small businesses. They provide business loans for small businesses, in the form of lines of credit, loans, and business credit cards. Working with EZUnsecured.com is going to get you an easy application and approval process, fast funding of your loan, and great service from the associates you work with. What more can a businessman ask for?

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It never ceases to amaze me how social networking sites have taken off over the last few years. It just seems to be a great way to expand one's range of friends and acquaintances, and to expand one's knowledge base as well if one joins a specialized community.

That's where MyWallSt.net comes into the picture as a great online community and resource for those interested in investing and making money -- whether as a big investor or a small one. It brings together interested individuals and many resources to share knowledge and ideas related to investing and investment strategy.

One nice thing about MyWallSt.net is that it operates in real time. There is none of the time delay that one encounters as a reader of books that are months (or even years) out or date, or even business periodicals (which are often weeks or days behind, just due to printing and delivery time). You are getting information RIGHT NOW about what is going on in the market, and how to take advantage of it. And with friends and mentors working together, you can certainly speed up that learning curve that all new investors have.

Oh, and did I mention that they also have a “fantasy league” for rookie investors, giving them a chance to make those novice mistakes with fantasy money – and win prizes as well.

Seriously, folks, this is a sight worth seeing – drop by and take a look.

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Does your idea of a vacation getaway include casino gambling? Well if it does, check out MyCasinoAgent.com for some of the best deals around the internet. They can book you for trips to Vegas, Atlantic City, and other great casino gambling destinations. Not only will they arrange your hotel stay, they can even arrange ground transportation, air transportation, and dinner reservations! It is one-stop shopping for all your gambling junket needs!

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I love my wife's sunglasses. They look like something straight out of the late 1940s or early 1950s -- black and pink, like something some Joan Crawford or Jan Wyman would have worn on a ride into the studio. The neat thing, though, is that they are not designer sunglasses, but are actually a low-cost, no-name prescription pair.

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Since it nearly October, I suppose I need to look for Halloween costumes now. After all, failure to do so will leave me with few options in Halloween costumes, and that simply won't do.

One year I waited until the last minute, and found myself forced to recycle the clerical collar from my seminary days and add some cheap black makeup so that I looked like a colleague at the Catholic school where I taught. It wasn't convincing.

This year, though, I want to wear something to scare the be-jeebers out of the neighborhood kids as they come around the house.

Option number one would certainly stand out -- the Emperor of Darkness. It is bright, it looks sharp, and could certainly convey a frightening face for the evening. After all, that long red robe and the black accessories do sort of stand out-- and if I use a light makeup that appears more deathly than satanic, I believe I would do well. After all, down here in Houston the warm night and high humidity would cause me to sweat like a pig in all that greasepaint. Something more powdery and pale would be more comfortable.

On the other hand, there is also this Gravedigger costume. It would let me blend into the darker surroundings of my front yard, and certainly has a creepier air to it. The makeup seems to be less intensive that fits well with the character, so it allows me to use my natural abilities.

Where can you go to get these costumes and more? Costume Cauldron has a great online present with over 14,000 costumes in stock for you to choose from. Their site is well, organized and easy to use, and includes great pictures and easy to find prices. They even have a good discount for you if you click on the comma in the line that reads “Our Store now has over 14,000 masquerade items for you to choose from!”

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I want to write a novel. Science fiction, in particular. Yes, I'm one of those geeky guys. And no, I'm not talking about being Heinlein or L. Neil Smith, writing serious books weighted down with political meaning and philosophy, but also backed up with good story-telling. No, I just want to write something fun and pleasurable to read --"escapist literature."

The problem is that I don't know where to begin. Writing a novel is a lot different than writing a blog, with its relatively short posts. I'd need to plot out a story, develop some good characters, and then actually write the darn thing!. That sounds like a lot of work, since my strong suit is not creative writing.

Not long ago, I came across a website that says it can teach me how to write a book in just 28 days. It claims that if I follow its plan I can complete the book while writing only one single hour a day -- and in bursts of no more than five minutes. That is astounding. And they do offer a money-back guarantee if you don't have a publishing contract within three months.

Why don't you drop by WriteQuickly.com and take a look -- and then tell me what you think.

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I have to tell you, my life has not been the same since we got a Dell notebook computer over the summer. We have really been impressed with the quality of the machine, and how convenient it is to take it along with us to doctor's appointments, events away from home, and even to a couple of local spots that are wi-fi sites.

As i think about the possibilities for our next computer purchase (the notebook was a gift), I wonder if I want to get a Cordless Desktop, to do away with all the wires. Or maybe another notebook, so we don't have to share. But regardless, I think my next purchase will be a Dell.

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I had not realized that yesterday was World Alzheimer's Day, a day intended to raise awareness of that terrible degenerative disease that afflicts so many people worldwide. It was a day marked with educational programs, government events, walkathons, and parties.

Yes, you read that correctly -- parties.

Why celebrate Alzheimer's disease? Well, that isn't the purpose of the "Purple Parties", friends. Rather, they are intended to raise money for research into Alzheimer's disease, in the hopes of curing and preventing it.

And you can still help. You can throw a Purple Party to help find a cure for Alzheimer's disease.

Here's what you need to do.

Visit the website at http://www.actionalz.org/fundraising/, or at one of the above links.

Register your party on the website. If you commit to raising at least $150, you will even receive a party kit to help you plan your party and supply your guests with important information about Alzheimer's disease.

If you can hold it by September 30, all funds raised will be matched by the Harrah's Foundation, so all gifts are doubled.

But the best thing is that you will be working towards a cure for a disease that has taken loved ones and heroes from us all, so that in the future no one will have to fade away into the misty twilight of mental decline that is Alzheimer's disease.

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When we bought our Texas home six years ago, we were very fortunate. We worked with a mortgage broker who was based in our real estate agent's office. Since I really didn't know anything about Mortgage Loans when I started, it may have been a good. She found a 30-year mortgage at a fixed rate comparable to other mortgages out there -- but with no money down because I'm a teacher. The loan was underwritten by a major national bank, so I knew it was reputable. The broker even managed to lower my rate by an additional 1/8 of a point just before closing due to a market fluctuation.

It wasn’t, however, perfect. Nobody noticed that my school district taxes through the neighboring county, not the county where the house is located. The result -- they missed $1200 in property taxes annually, which resulted in a $200 increase in my payment the second year as I struggled to fund my escrow to cover the shortfall as well as paying the full tax bill! So while the broker got me a great loan, the mistake put a squeeze on the budget for the first couple of years in the house.

Now would I look at refinancing my house? No -- the rate is still good and my equity and income would not shorten my loan term. And while I liked my broker, I wouldn't be using her again because of that tax oversight.

Posted by: Greg at 06:53 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Everybody needs help finding dates sometimes. I know that some folks just don't run in the right circles to find a mate or a date. My church, for example, has few singles, and some workplaces are teh same way. For that matter, sometimes you just want to expand your horizons.

That is where AmericanSingles.com comes in. They have millions of members from all walks of life, backgrounds, professions and ages who are looking for HOT Dating experiences. If you are looking for someone for fun, friendship, or a long-term relationship, check them out -- you won't be disappointed.

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At Nets2Go.co.uk, they've got all sorts of wonderful window treatments for you. My favorite? The roller blinds, because one of our neighbors has just installed a motion activated halogen lamp in their driveway that comes on every time the wind blows through the trees. Roller blinds are great for keeping out sunlight by day, cooling your home by blocking the rays, and helping you sleep at night by darkening your room. Drop by and look at all their great stuff!

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I'll be honest -- I never thought much about erectile dysfunction before I was diagnosed with diabetes. Then my doctor told me that it could, one day, be an issue for me because of the diabetes. Suddenly, what had been a topic for off-color humor because a medial issue to be concerned about (along with a host of others).

That's why I'm glad that there are internet resources out there for men with that condition, men who are looking for a way to deal with a life-altering medical problem. ManOfPeople.com is one such website, offering comparisons of different treatments and medications that can help with ED. It also maintains a pair of lists of online pharmacies -- one a blacklist, one a whitelist -- that provide medications such as Cialis, Viagra, and Levitra. If you have problems with this sensitive medical issue, look at the site to help understand your options.

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Are you looking for a great deal on a cellular phone in the UK? Are you trying to find the best mobile phone contracts? Did you know that there are 12 months free line rental offers out there, often including a free phone, that will allow you to get your cellular phone service for nothing or mighty close to it!

Where can you find 12 months free line rental contracts? Well, you have to look closely at online mobile phone shops like FreeLineRentalMobiles.co.uk, which has all variety of deals that include free phones, free service, or heavy discounts. I’ll be honest – I wish that we Americans had the deals that you Brits have! You certainly have the cheapest mobile phone deals I have seen. I wish they were available internationally.

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There are a lot of blogs out there about making money online. As with most blogs, some are good, while others leave a lot to be desired. One I've noticed that seems to have some potential is AndrewTalk.com, which seems to focus on affiliate programs, increasing page rank, and SecondLife. AndrewTalk.com is clearly written and offers a review of a number of reviews on these topics that clearly and succinctly evaluate what is going on with various affiliate programs. Still, my favorite is about a simple method of ensuring that your blog pings all the major services when you update. – a sure way to generate more traffic and increase your page rank. So while AndrewTalk.com is new, I’d have to say that I have already found it a worthwhile read. Drop by and look for yourself!

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If you are an aspiring entrepreneur with an idea and a plan for a business, it can be hard to get started. After all, where do you find the money to cover those start-up costs? You may have lots of drive and a great idea, but without the cash your intellect and willingness to invest your "sweat equity" in the venture counts for little.

On the other hand, there are folks out there who want to invest in startup businesses that have a real chance of success. But how does a venture capitalist find the opportunities that are out there, with someone who just needs financial assistance to jump-start their dream?

There is a place where these two groups of people can get together and begin down the path to business success and economic growth -- http://www.RaiseCapital.com. It is a place where there can be connections made between budding businesspeople, successful small business owners, and eager investors ready to make money while helping these folks pursue their dream. Submitting your profile and plan allows the high net worth investors (most of them American, though there are some international investors) to find your idea and provide the capital that you need to move forward.

Do you have the plan for the next big business success story? Visit http://www.RaiseCapital.com and make the plan into a reality.

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Looking for great deals, both on the Internet and in brick-and-mortar stores? Well that means WebbyPlanet.com is for you. They are a site where you can find a great online coupon good for savings at one of over 5000 direct producers, online stores and discount online marketplaces, as well as some that you can print out and use in retail establishments near you. Search by product, company name or service, and then link right to their site to use the discount. What a great way to save money!

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There is just something about cedar. It is beautiful, and has that wonderful smell that is so intoxicating. And it is durable, too. That is why so many folks have cedar outdoor furniture.

CedarStore.com produces and sells a full line of outdoor furniture to suit any taste.

Personally, I like this Red Cedar Southern English Garden Glider. Made of durable red cedar, it blends both the class of an English garden with the comfort of a down-home southern porch. We have a swing out in the yard, but when the sun starts to beat down, it would be nice to have a glider in the shade to sit and rock in comfort. And not only is the price of this item quite reasonable, there is free shipping on it (and all furniture) as well!

Posted by: Greg at 10:20 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Weddings are a wonderful, festive time, but they are also a lot of work and stress, especially for a bride. This is particularly true as the bride seeks out just the right wedding dress for her big day. That is one place that the internet can be of help.

Take TheBridalShop.com, for example. They have many wonderful wedding dresses from a variety of designers available for you to choose from at reasonable prices. For example, there is this dress by Mary's Bridal.

It is beautiful, with a V-neckline and extensive bead and embroidery work on the bodice and the train. What bride wouldn't look lovely in this dress?

Oh, yes, there is one other reason I love it -- it reminds me of the one my wife wore at our wedding.

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When I was younger, I could almost always be found wearing a pair of boots. Come to think of it, I don't know that I owned a pair of dress shoes for a stretch of about 5 or 6 years in late high school through college.

I've not worn boots for some years now, mainly because I am on my feet most f the day in front of my classroom. However, I recently came across some boots from Danner Boots that might make me switch back to the look, if not a full boot. I'm talking about these.

Over at MetBoots.com they have a variety of great boots from Danner -- work boots, hiking boots, and hunting boots, to name just a few. Prices are great, and you can even get free shipping on orders over $100.

You know, it will be nice to get into something with the look and feel of a boot again.

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Got a hot tub or spa? Have you found that leaving it uncovered results in algae growth and unwanted debris and insects in the water with you? Or have you found that many of the generic covers available are simply not that durable or effective? Well, the solution is to go for a quality product and purchase the Best Spa Covers from HotTubWorks. These covers are made of marine grade vinyl and a durable poly-laminate liner around a foam core -- and even have a custom cut that helps to seal in the heat so that your water is always warm and your energy bills are always lower. Check them out -- and see how reasonable their prices really are on hot tub covers and other accessories for your spa.

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We live in a world that is increasingly interconnected on an astounding number of ways, and in virtually every area of one's life. This is nowhere as true as it is in the area of personal and business finance. Our institutions are international, and if you are doing business online it is very likely that you will eventually find yourself involved in international business transactions.

But in such cases, how does one arrange for payment in different forms of currency? How does one access those funds? And where does one locate them for maximum advantage in both business and legal terms?

That is where ePay enters the picture. They are an international financial portal which allows you to send money to and receive money from any nation, anywhere in the world, using a variety of methods and forms of legal tender to do so. It doesn't matter if you want to use dollars, pounds, or yen, or even more exotic payment methods like e-gold, pecunix, or 1mdc. Heck, you can even set up bank transfers, like is commonly done in Europe. The folks at ePay allow you to do it all with their comprehensive package of international money transfer services!

Even better, you can access these off-shore funds in a variety of ways. For example, ePay allows you to make and receive payments via email and mobile text messaging. Using their secure service, you can make financial transactions on the go from anywhere that you are connected to the international communication grid -- telephone, cellular phone, and internet services are options to receive or send money as a part of your business and personal financial activity.

Better still, ePay offers a variety of credit card and debit card options to its customers, allowing you to access your cash from anywhere that accepts MasterCard. The internationally accepted ePay premium debit card is accepted internationally, and allows you to engage in secure transactions online and at over 1 million ATMs worldwide. Even better, it requires no security deposit, so you can have access to all your funds deposited with ePay. What's more, you can send these debit cards worldwide, meaning that you can use them to make payments in countries such as South Africa, Philippines, Morocco, India, Ukraine, Mexico, China, Pakistan, Brazil, Russia, Thailand, Vietnam and other nations where accepting online payments is difficult or impossible. And the ePay credit cards can be pre-loaded with any amount of money, either for one-time or multiple use. That makes their services incredibly flexible and customized to your needs.

Posted by: Greg at 02:09 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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About two years ago, I stumbled upon my main car almost by accident. I was looking for a vehicle at a good price with plenty of trunk space in case my wife needed to start using a wheelchair (something that has since come to pass). My wife's old Neon was on its last legs, and my car was already in semi-retirement with over 200K miles. We knew a hurricane was coming soon, and we needed to get reliable transportation right away -- and that was when I laid eyes on my Suzuki Forenza.

While it isn't my favorite car ever (I still love that Escort), I have been quite happy with the Forenza. It rides great, runs well, and has given me precisely NO mechanical difficulties during the two years I've been driving it. Indeed, it would never have been in the shop at all were it not for the hit-and-run accident during the Hurricane Rita evacuation and the full-body keying that it took from an angry student last spring. I get great gas mileage, have plenty of room in the car, and have space to spare in the trunk with the wheelchair.

Now I had time to shop for that car. I had time to compare car insurance companies and quotes, and found that the company I am with offers me the best price and coverage. And since Suzuki got very safety conscious after the problems with one of its early models 20 years ago, my insurance rates are very good. And after a little bit of haggling about a couple of possible loans to pay for it, I ended up with a great rate through my bank that topped what the dealer was offering.

Yeah, you could say that I'm quite happy with my car. Why wouldn't I be?

Posted by: Greg at 08:11 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Posted by: Greg at 06:58 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I had dinner with a congressional candidate the other evening. I know he is setting up his campaign offices around the district. He's got the locations all scoped out, but hasn't yet set them up. I wonder what he is doing about phone services for those offices, and if he has ever considered a VoIP system as his communication solution.

After all, a campaign is really noting more than a small business. And that means that it will need a small business phone operation like any other organization with a small number of employees.

Packet8 offers such services. I suppose that a campaign would do well to go with their Unlimited Extension Plus package, which would eliminate the need to purchase the equipment. Leasing just makes sense for a campaign, which will, in any event, be shutting down by November or December of the election year, even if it is a successful campaign. I'd probably also include the Fax Metered Extension Plus for the same reason.

Why go VoIP? Because it is ultimately cheaper and more reliable than traditional phone services, eliminating much of the cost of long distance calling. Besides, in this day and age you need to be wired to the internet, and this uses the same high speed connections. And since it is digital, you get clearer signals to boot. So check out what Packet8 has to offer.

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Posted by: Greg at 02:20 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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You folks know by now that our pampered pooch is our pride and joy. Indeed, she is curled up by my feet right now, happily dozing as she dreams of chasing down the squirrels in the yard (I keep hearing little woofs and her feet are twitching). Yes, Carmie is our baby.

And I'll be honest with you -- if our baby ever got lost, we would be grief-stricken. With no kids, the dog is our family. And so I have been thinking about micro-chipping her. But there may even be a better solution for keeping track of her and finding her if she ever got out and got lost. Would you believe there is now a canine GPS unit?

Now I'll be honest -- it is a bit pricey for me, and more bulky than I would probably want to inflict upon Carmie (who is definitely an indoor dog living the life of luxury). But it seems like it would be a great resource for folks who use dogs as hunting companions, or for farmers/ranchers with dogs working the herds. At $599, it would probably be a good investment to keep track of a valuable, highly trained animal. The cost of dog tracking collars and their accessories would certainly be less than what one would spend finding a good animal and getting it trained for hunting of herding.

Posted by: Greg at 06:44 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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