Oookay, you might notice the banners slathered all over my screen here. I just simply adore these three sites:

• Paperback Swap -Nope, not just paperbacks. You can list the books you no longer need on this site. When a member wants one of your books, you send it to them. When they receive your book, you receive a point. You can then use that point to request a book from another member. The cost to you is shipping! True, some books cost more to send...but it's cheaper than buying a new book any day!
  
  
• Swap-a-CD - Okay, same premise as the book swap, but with CDs. I have picked up some CDs for my kids -- you know how kids ruin things? This is such a great way to get kids' music! There is a small fee to required for each swap (49¢), plus 1 point. But again, cheaper than buying a new disk that will most likely land in the toilet or toaster at some point!
  
  
• Swap-a-DVD -Again...the same premise as the above but the swaps don't cost any cash. Some DVDs will cost 1 point, some will cost 2. One DVD point is equal to two book or CD points...

  

One thing I've noticed is that the CD site is slow. I have a ton of CDs posted and only have had one requested. Okay, probably because my music is lame. Yeah...I'm actually sure that's the problem. BUT I've had nearly all of the books I posted sent out, and I've gotten some DVDs that, again, replenished the kids' movies that they have destroyed.

I highly recommend these services. The people are friendly, the swaps have all been a breeze, and it's just a total win-win situation.

Technology at it simplest doesn't get any better than this!

So I don't hate toolbars THAT much, but I do refuse to install them, with the exception of Google and my latest....FOX News Talk.

"I hate politics!" -- "I hate talk radio!" (Does that sound like YOU?)

I don't, and I'll tell you why. You can skip over this next bit if you don't care...but if you don't care I'm not sure why you got this far. Anyhoo...I like talk radio, specifically FOX because I get to hear both sides of the debates, stories, etc. After all, their tagline is "Fair and Balanced." and they really truly are.

While I won't divulge my political party (whatever that means) right here because it doesn't matter in a nation of electoral votes - though I DO cast my vote each and every time! - I will bring to your attention the FOX News Talk toolbar. I love that I can just "click" and listen to the news while I'm online, which is A LOT.

I think it's all just interesting. I love listening to both sides, and flies on the wall will hear me say "huh" (thoughtfully) or yell, "Yeah RIGHT you idiot!"...things like that. Sort of like my husband yelling at the TV during a game, I'm right here during Hannity & Colmes nodding and shunning to my computer screen. It's a great time.

My point, in a nutshell: Everyone should be up on their current affairs. FOX news is entertaining and enlightening. They have a toolbar which makes listening easy. Click HERE to get it.

The Giggle Bug Child Locator. Those of you who have kids, which is many of you, you know we all share one same fear. LOSING one. At least the young ones...the older ones not so much, at least for a little while. What do I know, I don't have teenagers yet.

This device comes in three colors. It's CUTE (which you know I LOVE) and this is how it works. The child wears the receiver (clip it on) and the parent keeps the locater beeper thingy. If you need to know where your child ran off to, simply press the button for a quick "beep beep" and you're all set!

Like Laura and I always say, you cannot put a price on your children or your peace of mind. Well, we don't say that...but we should!

BUT our original slogan says it all: Protect your children, there's NO excuse!

Now don't you feel compelled? Go buy one...$29.95/ea. Can't beat that!

Regardless, I want to share this program that my kids just love. My 3yo loves it, my 6yo loves it. If they can use a mouse, they'll be mesmerized with Tux Paint.

An open source project, this program is like MS Paint on....umm...an energy inducing drug of some sort. A colorful one with sound effects.

You can download the software free at SourceForge, and don't forget to download the fonts and stamp sets. Read the directions to make sure you do it all correctly.

One technical note -- install it on a computer you don't use. Why? Because you won't be able to peel your children away from it.

This one is fun, educational and time-consuming. If you need a little peace and quiet, here's your baby sitter. (No, DON'T leave the house!!)

And your link for download: http://tuxpaint.sourceforge.net/

Have fun!!

Lucky for him, my latest love resembles a website. A little fancy schmancy URL I like to call http://www.everythingoutlet.com/ -- The EVERYTHING outlet.

Really there could be no greater name for a store. The Everything outlet. Well, it leads one to believe that it has...everything. Misleading at worst.

The Everything Outlet has great prices on popular software. I'm a graphics geek, and I feel like I'm taking the road less traveled with my choice of the Corel Suite to make my digital beauties, but old habits die hard. And I'm way okay with "not the latest version" -- so I hop-skip-jump over there to buy Corel Graphics Suite 12 and I'm the happiest gal on planet Earth! Really...$59.95?? CRAZY affordable!

The shipping was fast and reasonable, especially when you take into consideration their rock-bottom prices. They offer software and some hardware. If you're in the market, definitely check them out before shelling out your hard earned cash at Best Buy (sorry, I like Best Buy, but they don't pay my bills...or not pay them!)

You can catch a nice break on software if it's listed as OEM (meaning its software only, no manuals) but if you've ever installed a program and used it, then you know you can locate manuals online somewhere.

You're welcome.