Three Crucial Tips for the New Year!

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.

Last Minute Gift-Giving Guide!

Dear Last Minute Shopper,

You have probably noticed that Christmas is less than a week away, and YOU haven't finished your Christmas shopping! Or worse yet, you haven't even STARTED your Christmas shopping!!!

Thank goodness for the Link Letters! Here you'll find the most unique, creative gift ideas ever without ever having to leave your house! Best of all, you can have your gift delivered right to your recipient's door! There's no time to lose, so let's get started!

For the pet lover on your gift list, we have found several wonderful websites. At CafePress, you can find t-shirts, mugs, mouse pads, and you-name-its featuring and honoring their favorite pet.

To find gifts for your pets, try Bisket Baskets, where you can select unique cat and dog gift or cookie baskets. Or, for your totally pampered pet, you must visit this exclusive pet boutique. Don't miss the Puparazzi; and the Photo Gallery is not to be missed!

If someone on your list doesn't have a dog but wishes they did, here's an extra-friendly dog they're sure to love! And for something really unique, check out these terrific calendars. (It's amazing what a dog can do to beautiful scenery!)

Do you have a youngster (or a very immature friend)who would love to own a real live tarantula? How about an almost-live remote control tarantula? Freaky!

Magic tricks are always fun, even cheesy ones like the disappearing ball trick. You know, the kind us old folks pulled on our friends in junior high school. Find them all right here! And speaking of fun, why not put give everyone on your list a manhole cover! That's right! You'll find a wonderful selection of styles, too.

Maybe someone on your list would prefer something edible. You can always try Hickory Farms (who doesn't like cheese and sausage?) or you can go with a really fancy shmancy gourmet gift that will make them feel really special! Is your recipient a manly man? Give him the gift of meat!

Hands down, our favorite gift of all is the Napoleon Dynomite talking doll! This perfect standing replica (complete with walkman) says 18 Napoleonic phrases, such as "Fricken idiot!" and "Whatever I feel like I wanna do, GOSH!" Hurry, this is a very popular item!

Still not sure? Let Find Gift help! Just answer a few simple questions about anyone on your list, and let them figure it out! You'll get an instant list of wonderfully creative gift ideas.

And last but not least, don't forget that perfect gift for Mom.

Well that does it for this Link Letter. Remember, we are here to serve you!

An Old Fashioned Christmas...

If you are anything like me, you like the idea of celebrating an old-fashioned Christmas, maybe something like you remember from your childhood, or maybe a dream of what Christmas could be like in an ideal world...

(This is assuming you celebrate Christmas, because if not, you might just want to skip this post and check back for a more political correct topic on another day. Just so you know. )

Well, follow me, my sentimental friend! Follow me as we search for that old-fashioned Christmas, right here! Ready? Let's go!

First we'll need a Christmas tree. Why? Well let's find out. Where did the tradition of Christmas trees come from in the first place? In fact, let's find out everything we can about Christmas trees! Now, where will we get our Christmas tree? As a child, I remember my father piling everyone into the car, driving through the snow into the mountains. Then he stopped at the side of the road near a stand of fir trees, tramped up the hill a ways, and disappeared. We got out of the car, looking up the hill, and waited. After a while we saw him, dragging the perfect Christmas tree back down the hill! Maybe you've never had an opportunity to find your own tree in the woods. If you've never even taken a quiet walk through the woods at all; take one now.

Do you enjoy Christmas caroling? Here is a singing Christmas tree! Just click on an ornament for music and lyrics!

Here's a surprise! Buy your Christmas tree from Frosty himself!

Now what would an old-fashioned Christmas be without Charles Dickens' little tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim? Here's everything you'd ever want to know about A Christmas Carol including plot, original illustrations, themes, original costs and profits (first year), and movie versions of the story. And speaking of movies, here are the top ten favorite Christmas movies, by ordinary folks like you and me. (18 lists)

Have you sent your Christmas cards yet? If you prefer, you can order these traditional old-fashioned Santa Clause Christmas cards. If you haven't written a letter to Santa yet, there's still time!

It's the season for baking Christmas cookies, and making gingerbread houses, and other yummy treats. Look! We've found some very special Christmas recipes! Your children can also enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas by making ornaments, decorations, and gifts for others. Here are lots of ideas for Christmas crafts your kids will love!

Of course, the best way to make MOM happy is to give her an old-fashioned gift she's sure to love! (Hint hint.)