Ecommerce Software

One way to give your bank account an upwards surge, is, of course to sell something that people want.
Be it arts and crafts, nails, skin products or ebooks, if you're lucky enough to have a plan to sell your goods online, you'll probably want to set up an e-shop. For shopping cart software, ashop is the place to go. Their award-winning ecommerce software provides every feature you'll ever need, from fully customisable design to secure credit card and Paypal payment.
There are several packages to choose from, and their pricing is affordable.
It's web based, and requires no installation, it's easy to use, and you can start selling right away, if you so wish.
There's also a 10 day free trial period, so the risk is minimal. You also get full customer service and technical support, so you're buying a total solution.

Go and have a look at their demo store for a tour of what they can offer you and your ebusiness!

This has been a sponsored post.

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Chain Saw - A Clarification

Some of you were wondering why I drive around with a chain saw and a sack of pig food in my car...

Easy.
I drive an ancient Gelãndewagen - you know, Mercedes' version of the tank. It's also our "farm vehicle", and useful stuff (chain saws, pig food, various tools) is usually stored there, because it's somehow a great idea to leave these things in the car. So, whenever I go shopping for something heavy (like garden furniture), and I need help hauling it into my ageing clenodium, I invariably have to shift all sorts of unlikely stuff to make room.. Blush...
There you have it - simple explanation!

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Sauna - Not Just For Finns...

I've always wanted a sauna - in fact, I used to have one in my former house, and whenever we found time to use it, it really was beneficial, both for body and soul...
We've got plans for one here too. You know, the old-fashioned bath house/sauna type place, preferably with an outdoor hot tub and/or pool to go with it.
We may have to rethink our plans, though - and consider installing an Infrared Sauna from Sauna King Products instead. It's bound to be cheaper, it takes up less space, and we can install it in our current bathroom or spare room, thus getting one now, instead of when and if we can produce the money for a bath house...
The health benefits are huge (detox, weight loss, pain and stress relief), it's much less work than the old-fashioned type that we were planning to build (you don't have to use a log fire to heat it up), and what it may lack in ambiance, it gains by the fact that we'll probably use it more often...
They don't look half bad, I must admit - so the ambiance could be quite cosy in a sauna for 2...
If you're after a more flexible and smaller solution, they have Portable Saunas too, as well as Traditional Saunas with stone stoves.

A tip: If you're lucky enough to have snowy winters, try a sauna followed by rolling in the snow... Then curl up in front of the fireplace with a hot toddy of some description, and stress will become an unknown entity...

This has been a sponsored post.

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Manic Monday # 17 - Miss

"Mother and Child" - Pablo Picasso.

What I have really missed in my life, is having a mother. She died when I was almost four, from what I have later understood to have been Lou Gehrig's disease, although she was originally diagnosed with MS. I was barely one year old then, and she became totally incapacitated within 3 months time. All she could do on her own was to breathe.
As life brought me nearer to her age (she was taken ill at 23), it became easier to grasp the reality of it all. When I had my first child, the full extent of the tragedy dawned on me - what a terrible, terrible fate it must have been to have a small daughter that you're unable to communicate with, to hold, to show your love to... And see that your child shies away from you, because she's too young, she doesn't know you, she's afraid... How she must have missed her child in the three years before she finally died, and how terrible it must have been to know that she would miss out on everything that was going to happen in her daughter's life, as well as her own.
As for me, I never knew her, not as a person, and not as a mother. I missed out on the pain of loss, as well, and although it was widely recognized at the time that this was a good thing, I'm not so sure.
I've missed something all my life, but I've never known what. I've often wished that I were older and able to remember her when she died - it would have been painful, but at least I would have known who she was, known what it was that I had lost, and so sorely missed.

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A Fashion Post

Every now and then, we get to dress properly and attend a function of some kind...
What then, is nicer than to go with a well dressed guy at your side? Preferably in keeping with the fashion of the day. Even on more casual occasions, I like my guy to look his best!
At Belisi.com, you can teach the love of your life to accessorize... Little things are all the rave, it seems, like the (almost forgotten) pocket square. Have a look, maybe you can find a matching scarf for yourself?
For an update on what's new in the world of fashion, try Belisi fashion handbags blog...
There's something for everyone!

This has been a paid post

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Another Comment...

Right! Skittles wants in, she's commented on my 300 post as well - one raffle ticket issued! Congrats...
The offer still stands...

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Saturday Photo Hunt # 14 - Creative

Here's # 2 Brat, creator of the dress that # 1 Brat is modeling. The dress was entered in a design competition last fall, and was shown on the catwalk. It got an honorable mention, and the girls had a great day in Oslo!
# 2 Brat wants to be a designer...


And this is me being creative... Silk scarves. I haven't painted any for a long time - must get started again.

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Back To School Soon...

With 6 kids, holidays are great, but after a month or so, I'm starting to look forward to the routine of school days... Don't tell them, though!
It's certainly time to start kitting them up, and what better place to do that than at Identity Direct? For the youngest, it's perfect!
They'd love everything there... The best part is that you can get most of the items labeled with the childs' name. Kids love it, and their stuff may just live through the whole school year without getting lost, so Mummy loves it, too! Pencils, notebooks, Disney lunch bags - everything comes with your childs' name on it, and there's a lot of fun stuff!

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Her Imperial Highness

Bee (of the high sea) has got a raffle ticket - she commented on my post # 300, and I'm as good as my word...

Also: I found out today that she's got a new blog! She's off to dotcom moguldom as well!

Go and say hi to The Empress at her new abode (or the old one, she can be found in both places)...
One more ticket awarded to Bee, then, for her new blog, and for guessing my age at 29!

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Post # 300! New Raffle!

This is the 300th post I write on this blog, and I think that calls for a celebration!
I can feel a new raffle coming on...

But what to put up for a prize? It will have to come as a surprise, I think - all I'll say at the moment is that it's something very typically Norwegian, that I'll be shipping by mail to whoever wins it.

So, with no further ado, let's get this show on the road... For starters, anyone who comments on this post will be awarded a raffle ticket, so get your keyboards revved up, people! With the ticket comes a link in my sidebar, of course.
Every visitor # 1000 is in danger too, and apart from that, I'll be making up the rules as I go along.
In other words, no one is safe...

Oh, yes - there may be consolation prizes too, that's one of the rules I'll be making up on the way.

The raffle will be open until November 26th, that just happens to be my birthday. I'll quite like to give out a prize on my birthday.

One ticket goes to the first who guesses correctly which birthday we're talking about....

Good luck, all!

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Fire Ants - Info And Advice

Fire ants are a major pest in the US. They're also a nuisance, and a fire ant bite is painful and poisonous. If you think you've got fire ants on your land or in your garden, Fire Ants Guide is the place to go for information.
Whether you need info on identification, fire ant behavior or feeding habits, you'll find it here.
Chances are you will then want to know how to get rid of them...
Several methods are available - the ones discussed here are environment friendly, which of course is a bonus. They're also offered as DIY guides - described in easy-to-follow steps, which is great.

So if fire ants are a problem in your area, go and take a look... Be prepared!

This has been a paid post.

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WW - scroll down!

Yes, it's down there somewhere...

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That's Me!

Which of Henry VIII's wives are you?
this quiz was made by Lori Fury

And I had probably been shortened by about a head, had I been a wife of his... Found this over at Eleanorblog.

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Forum And Revenue Sharing

Do you have opinions that you like to share? Do you enjoy socialising on forums, posting your views on this, that and the other?

If so, here's one where you can make a buck while doing what you like. At Qoo Forum, active members are entitled to 50% of the Adsense revenue generated by the threads they start - isn't that a great incentive?

I thought this would tie in beautifully with my "Upwards" theme, so I hereby forward the tip to anyone who's interested in another possible revenue stream from their blog.

Registering is easy, and posting is too. The forum is rapidly growing, and with lively discussions ensuing from your posts, earning a little extra cash should be quite feasible. And for an extra bonus, you never know, you may get to meet some very nice people on the way.

The various categories of topics are endless: Politics, Business, Web design, Music, Lifestyle, Games, Sports... Anyone should find something to interest them.

Registering is free, of course - did I mention that?

Qoo Forum is open to anyone who has something to say about almost anything.
Check them out today, and see for yourself.

This has been a sponsored post.

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The 5 Things Meme

I've been tagged by Kai, The Buzz Queen (She's got two blogs btw, this one is her first step towards dotcom moguldom. Thank you Kai - here goes:

This is what I have to do:

*List five things in your refrigerator.
*Five things in your closet.
*Five things in your purse or backpack.
*Five things in your car.
*Five things in the world you want to see before you die.


Five things in my fridge:
- A tin of foie gras in case someone I like comes along
- A 1/2 bottle of sweet white wine to go with the foie gras
- Leftover Shepherd's pie
- Cloudberry jam
- Hmmm. What's this? A very old piece of cheese...

Five things in my closet
- A full set of Santa Gear - (The Norwegian Nisse type, that can be compared to a mountain pixie)
- My (red) wedding dress.
- A pair of silver (!) shoes.
- Various rolls of fabric (you never know when you'll need 50 yards of purply pink calico).
- 1 (one) pair of socks. The kids pinch them all!

Five things in my purse
- Chewing gum wrappers. Cinnamon.
- 2 batteries for my camera.
- Sanitary pads. (To counter Murphy's Law - you know: Everything that can go wrong, will go wrong, at the worst possible time)
- Various receipts. (Why?)
- My Cell phone. Nooo, it's not there!!!! Where the h***?

Five things in my car
- 764 empty plazzie bottles. (Pepsi, Urge, water)
- 583 wrappers of various descriptions
- Sand/gravel/dirt
- A chain saw. (I never go anywhere without it)
- A sack of pig food.

Five things in the world I'd like to see before I die
- The floor of my car
- All my kids on their way to a good life.
- A small island, green with white sand, and blue sea all around it
- An outhouse/barn on this property!
- My bank statement saying 1 million plus. Kroner, Dollars, I don't care, as long as it's plus...


Now - for the tagging. I should be tagging 5 people, in keeping with the theme, but I have no idea who's done this before (I usually miss by about half of the ones I tag...)
So: Anyone who'd like to do this, I tag... Leave your name/link in comments, and I'll link to the first five here... Please do tag yourself!



One Down: Chicken's Life is tagged!

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Kitchen Revamp?

Would I put metal kitchen cabinets in my kitchen? I certainly would, especially if they were as cool looking as these.
OK - so they're originally designed for garages. So what??? I'd go for a combination of this series and a little bit of this diamond plate, just for a statement effect. Top it all up with downlights, chess mat flooring and perhaps a jukebox in the corner, and I'd have a fun, fun kitchen with lots and lots of storage...
Click on the links for kitchen inspiration - sadly, I think the motorbikes and vintage vehicles are extra...

This has been a paid post.

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Wordless Wednesday # 17

One word - RAIN!

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Funny Old Google - 7

Waddayaknow - one post about ink, and in come scores of ads on the matter - wherever I look, ink schmink.
I'm really excited now that I've posted about flatulence - can't wait to see the ads. No?? Come on, at least acknowledge the problem as being universal!!! There should be loads of ads...
I mean - a measly portion of peas or beans for dinner, and our bedroom xxxxxx xxxx x xxxxxx xxxxxx the next morning. (That bit was censored, by the way. Private, you see).

C'mon, Adsense - don't be selective!

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Post Of The Day

I'm no patriotic American. In fact, I'm no American at all. Just another inhabitant of this globe that we all share.

Even so, Meloncutters MM post today hit home...

Please Go and read it, and see for yourself.

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Manic Monday # 17 - Wind

I have photos of trees bending, but my first thought was a four-letter word, that with humanity's growing obsession with hygiene and smelling of roses, has become just that - a four-letter word.
Fart.
In particular, I want to draw my readers' attention to that brilliant artist and performer who graced such places as the "Moulin Rouge" with his natural, flatulent talent, and who, sadly, posterity (pardon the pun) has forgotten about. Meet: Le Pétomane!

His name was Joseph Pujol, he was born in Marseilles in 1857. The story goes that he first became aware of his uncanny ability to control his sphincter muscles as a young man. He was swimming in the sea, and his bowels filled with sea water while he was holding his breath. A doctor having told him that this was perfectly normal, he began practising...

Having started his career in show-biz in his home town of Marseilles, he took his act to Paris, where he became the toast of the Parisian Music Hall. From 1892, he starred at the Moulin Rouge, and was the highest-paid performer of his generation. He could play the "Marseillaise" through his arse, he gave an imitation of the San Francisco earthquake, and a 21-gun salute that sounded just like the real thing. He could fart with such force that he extinguished candles at a distance of many meters... He smoked cigarettes, and spouted water several feet!

Apparently, they had to have nurses at hand to pass smelling salts to those in the audience that succombed to such hysterical laughter that they were taken ill...

There's more to his story - you can read it here.

So - the next time your sphincters fail you, and an ill wind ensues, send a kind thought to those who do it for a living - these days, they can be found via Google, look here...

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Saturday Photo Hunt - Tiny

I used up tiny in my last post... so what's tiny in my world? Back to Miracle Boy, I think - he deserves another post!





August 2006 - 1640 grammes - July 2007 - 8000 grammes!

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A Growing Family

Here are our newest additions: 5 lovely kittens,about a month old, and 3 Border puppies that were born 5 days ago.

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Travel Insured

Do you live in the UK and like to travel?

Do you have trouble getting a travel insurance, because of various ailments, or even your age? And if you have found a company that will insure you, do you find that they charge an arm and leg for it?

Cover My Travels can help you with all that.

They offer travel insurance for people with medical conditions that are often refused by other insurance companies. These are covered up to 79 years of age on Single Trip travel insurance policies, and 69 on Annual travel insurance policies.

A great choice for elderly travel insurance, but also:

Are you into rafting? Many hazardous activities are included at no extra cost, and for a small extra premium, your policy can include cover for a wide range of winter sports as well.

Whatever your requirements or special needs, Cover My Travels have Travel Insurance for every occasion.


This has been a sponsored post.

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Harry!

Found this over at Skittles' Place and had to try!

Find out your Harry Potter personality at LiquidGeneration!

It would be nice if this would load eventually...

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Thursday Thirteen # 13

Thirteen Reasons to be SUPERSTICIOUS




1. Walk under a ladder, and the guy on the ladder is sure to be startled and to drop his can of paint on you.

2. If a black cat crosses the road while you're driving, chances are you'll be so busy spitting 3 times over your left shoulder that you'll hit the curb...

3. Rain in a bride's vail is a good omen because she'll then probably stay indoors during the wedding party, and not go off for a fling with the best man in the garden...

4. Seeing an ambulance is very unlucky unless you pinch your nose or hold your breath until you see a black or a brown dog... (Eeeh - that's probably a reason NOT to be superstitious - ambulances should carry broods of brown dogs to make sure that people don't stop breathing!)

5. Don't step on a crack on a sidewalk or walkway. (Especially in areas prone to earthquakes)

6. Fingernail cuttings should be saved, burned, or buried. I vote for burned or buried.

7. The dried body of a frog worn in a silk bag around the neck averts epilepsy and other fits. Never mind conventional medicine - who'd want to go into a fit with a frog around their neck???

8. Stabbing your needles though your yarn balls brings bad luck to anyone who wears something made from that yarn. Home variety voodoo - This is why women used to live longer than men. As women have more or less stopped knitting for their men, that has evened itself out. Hmmm...

9. It is bad luck to light three cigarettes with the same match. Yes. Anyone that smokes that much and that quickly can't live for very long.

10. Cows lifting their tails is a sure sign that rain is coming. At least, it's quite a sure sign that they need to take a leak. Or something.

11. To cure a sty, stand at a crossroads and recite
Sty, sty, leave my eye
Take the next one coming by.
Works every time. That's why someone is always standing at that crossroads reciting that verse. The next guy catches it... over and over! Great system.

12. It's bad luck to let milk boil over. I can vouch for that one. Have you ever tried to remove burnt milk from your stove?

13. More than 80 percent of high-rise buildings lack a 13th floor.
Many airports skip the 13th gate.
Airplanes have no 13th aisle.
Hospitals and hotels often have no room number 13.
Italians omit the number 13 from their national lottery.
On streets in Florence, Italy, the house between number 12 and 14 is numbered as 12 and a half.
Many cities do'nt have a 13th Street or a 13th Avenue




Links to other Thursday Thirteens!




Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun!


View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

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Ink Schmink

If you're like me, your printer running out of ink comes as a total surprise - every time.
I'm not quite sure how that's possible, because every time I print something, a window comes up, telling me the ink level in each cartridge... And still - woops! the blue is empty, or the cyan, or the black...

If you live in the UK, help is at hand! Go to Ink Cartridges Direct, find the cartridge(s) you need, order, and Bob's your uncle. Epson, HP, Canon, Lexmark - whether you're looking for original or cheaper brand name compatible cartridges, you've come to the right place. They offer free delivery to all UK locations on orders above 100 pounds, so there's no excuse for running out of ink in the future. The prices are very good, on original cartridges as well, so the choice of cheap UK printer ink is all yours.

The next time Granny comes over and coos over that lovely photo of the latest grandchild, you can give her a copy as she leaves... Not like me - I have a list as long as my arm of photos I've promised to print out whenever I remember to buy new ink cartridges...

This has been a sponsored post.

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One For A Rainy Day

It's been raining here since midsummer, and we've sort of had to do autumn stuff already... That includes reading to # 5 Brat - and here's something that I'm sure she'd love: personalised adventure books from Identity Direct!

You can get all sorts of kiddie stuff there, all with that personal touch - clocks and placemats, school items and more, but I'm sure she'd be well chuffed with a Lion King or Nemo adventure, featuring her and her friends... That's a sure winner for those real autumn evenings that are still to come!

This has been a paid post.

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Poll:

Opinion Polls & Market Research

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New York - Another Dream Destination

That really is a dream of mine - to be able to take my hubby away for a week (or even a very long weekend) in New York. See all the sights we can squeeze in, stroll around and feel the buzz (while being quietly happy that we're not part of it on a daily basis...), and be Joe Tourist, just the two of us!

With City Sights NY , we can plan the whole stay ourselves, from home, including tickets and transport to all the sights we want to experience.

In addition to New York City Sightseeing Tours on a fleet of deluxe motorcoaches and new double-decker buses, they also offer NY harbor cruises, helicopter rides around Manhattan, day trips from NYC to Boston, Washington DC, Philadelphia & Amish Country, and shopping trips to Woodbury Premium Outlets Center.

There are hop on - hop off tours of both uptown/Harlem and downtown, and various tours including various must-sees...

One absolute must for a European with ancestors that emigrated to the US is, of course, the Downtown tour with the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

In fact, we'd be hard put to choose. A glance on all the attractions on offer tells me that a week may just not be enough...

City Sights NY can also help with booking theatre tickets, and there are links on the site for booking hotels and hostels.

All we need now is a reasonably priced flight, and City Sights NY will provide the rest... Online customers also recieve 5 USD off per attraction ticket, and with everything on offer, that may just add up!!

Look out, Big Apple - before you know it, here we come!


This has been a sponsored post.

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Me - a Rockin' Girl!

Shaz over at Us Danes And Our Family has kindly presented me with this award:



So, I'm now a Rockin' Girl Blogger... This is what she says about me:

"& last but by no means least we have Stine @ Mother's Home who really is a mother of SIX. Stine in our only Norwegian blogging buddy & her different style makes for a refreshing read. She keeps us updated on her rural but hectic life along side pay-per-post, brilliant family fun photos, meme's & tags. How do you do it Stine? x x"

Thank you, Shaz, for those very kind words! You know what us girls are like, we just get on with it... And it sure is lovely to be appreciated, especially by such a Rockin' Girl Blogger as yourself!!!
Now, to the FIVE Girl Bloggers that I nominate - in no particular order...

1.The Seaside Stitcher, who's blog I visit from time to time, to look at her beautiful photos of Rocky Cornwall, and her craft. The first photo in this post is worth an award all by itself...

2.Claire at A Little Piece Of Me of course - I don't know why she hasn't got this award before (I couldn't spot it, anyway). She's had a long spell without an Internet connection, it looks like she may be back now... we've missed you, Claire! Rock on!

3.Christie and her blog, The Mis-Adventures Of Captain Poopy... Christie became a mom to a preemie just over a year ago, and is now right in the middle of pregnancy # 2, that she's doing her very best to make as long as possible. From one preemie mom to another - you rock!

4.Sandee at Comedy Plus, for her blog, that's a fount of Rockin' funnies, and for her friendliness and perseverence at visiting my blog, even during my recent "dry spell"...

5.Alison and Eleanorblog, because of it's beautiful, beautiful pictures of Rockin' British castles, manors and churches, and for the humour as well!

If you've already got this, you all deserve another one!

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Wordless Wednesday # 15

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Party Paraphernalia

There are so many things we just don't have over here - give it time, though - we didn't use to have Valentine's or Halloween, either...

Over at allinonefunfavors.com, you'll find all you need to make that special occasion even more special.

Be it a Wedding or Bridal shower, a Baby shower, a Birthday party, Graduation or Anniversary - you'll find anything your heart desires for any type of celebration.

Personalized Candy bars, Cards, Coasters, Mint tins, Toiletries, Place cards, Cookie tins - you name it, you'll find it here. Check out the elegant Wine theme favors, as well!

It's fun, it's full of ideas, and the prices aren't bad, either.

Birthday season is coming up soon in this family... Christmas, Easter - and we have a confirmation next year - I'm tempted!

This has been a sponsored post.

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OK - To The Beach Tomorrow!

- Regardless of weather! If a Brit can do it on the North Pole, we can do it down here!!!

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Confessions Of A Hoarder - And A Possible Remedy

I hoard. I'm also married to a super-hoarder, and some of our offspring are hard put to part with anything, including old candy-wrappers...

I don't know why, but we've got loads and loads of stuff. Especially old stuff, and preferably stuff that has a story to tell, but other stuff as well. Table cloths, rolls of fabric, antiques, books, DVDs and CDs. And that's what's indoors!

A solution may be at hand though. At SwitchPlanet.com, I can now get rid of some of the stuff (good stuff, I might add!)... It's a completely free (if you so wish) service, where you can switch any book, CD, DVD or Video game that you're not using for new titles.

OK, you say, how does that solve the hoarding problem?

Well, at least it opens for a form of recycling...If I don't have to buy what I need, but trade for it with something I've got - in the long run, it may even benefit the planet. Ok, I have to pay for shipping, but that will even itself out in the long run, as other switchers send me what I need.
There are plans to expand the switching in the near future, to include clothing, electronics, tools and much more.

There's also charity involved. If I so wish, I can donate any amount I choose every time I recieve something for free through the SwitchPlanet Network. These donations are collected in a Fund, and distributed among selected charities and non-profit organisations.

I collect stuff, but I also throw away stuff. Every time I'm sick of tripping over something, I throw away something else. Maybe the amount of useful things ending up in the ever growing trash heaps would decrease if we all tried to think that someone else might be looking for just that item we're about to throw away...

This has been a sponsored post.

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Read More... Update!

I figured it out!
No - that's a big, fat lie! I went via Claire to Hackosphere,

and there was the solution... If you want the read more... feature or another hack for your blog, go visit Ramani. Even though he writes in a weird, foreign language (Hackesque?), this dummy was able to follow his instructions... And if I can do it, you can do it!

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Newsflash!

We've had 2 - two - days of sunshine!
The first one, day before yesterday, it was so windy that we had to walk with a 90 degree bend, but yesterday was

lovely, with real sunshine, that actually dried up the soggy lawn... I even managed to wash and hang a few loads of laundry - and it dried!!!

Last night, the clouds gathered again, and we were treated to thunder and lightning during the night. Today, it's pissing down (sorry if this is offensive, but there's really no other word for it...) with rain again. In the 3 weeks of hubby's holiday, there's been 3 days without rain, 2 of them with sunshine, and 1 of those without roaring wind...

I've set my hopes for an indian summer, like we had last year... Up until now, this summer has been very much like the proverbial "green winter" that we sometimes have in these parts!

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Thoof - An Addictive Experience

I went to see this site - Thoof, and was instantly hooked...
Thoof is a website that brings you news, photos, videos and other stuff from around the web.
So, you say - not another news site!!! Well, this one's different. Everything is posted by Thoof readers, and can be edited and improved by readers. Also, as you click on and view things that interest you, a sophisticated algorithm (collaborative filter) will pick up on your interests and tailor the content to your individual tastes.

You read or watch what you like, and Thoof will give you your personalized page, with stories that you will find interesting.

You can submit your own story (or video or photo) if you like, and you can be part of improving other peoples' stories as well, by clicking the "improve" link, and suggesting changes.

After you've viewed an item, it can be removed from "your" page by clicking "not interesting" - you can also remove items without viewing, by clicking "hide". Items can also easily be shared with your friends.

The creators of Thoof say this about why they set it up:

"We created Thoof because we found, as we surfed the web for things that interested us, that we seemed to have only two options: Either visit dozens of specialized sites, or visit general news sites where what we wanted was often buried under a pile of what we didn't want— if it was there at all. On either type of site, we often had to read through lots of stories just to find one that was interesting. User-contributed sites provided the most interesting articles, but were often duplicated and inaccurate, and there was no way to fix them. Thoof tries to solve these problems."

I think they've succeeded very nicely - as I said, I was hooked right away... I found myself hopping from one interesting-looking item to the next, finding scores of funny videos on the way, a lot of info too, and a few blogs that merit further investigation. What I didn't like was discarded, and "my" page was getting along nicely!

Oh - you can search the site too, of course, and thus get even more specialized stories, or click on a tag under any item to find other stories with the same tag.

Have a look at Thoof, there's definitely something for everyone there!


This has been a paid post.

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Just realized...

The Read more... thingy stays, even if I don't use the template... Saw something over at Claire's today. Must go back and seek answers... But for now... Do not

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Pingo!

I have 4 teenagers, who'll soon be going places. To tell you the truth, they've started already, and more often than not, their phone cards are conveniently empty when it comes to calling home...

With Pingo, they can save up to 90% on their international cell phone calls!


Pingo phone card online allows them (or me) to manage their calling card account online, and monitor their phone usage.

There are no additional or hidden charges, just a very small monthly maintenance fee.

The rates are the most competitive available, and with Pingo's Rate Watcher, they don't have to go through the hassle of checking rates all the time - Pingo does it for them. Pingo rates are some of the lowest they'll find anywhere.

Pingo calling cards are a service of iBasis, one of the largest carriers of international phone calls in the world, so it should be both reliable and trustworthy...

I keep stressing to the kids the importance of being able to phone home - with Pingo, there's no excuse!!!

Also, if they refer a friend, they earn 5 USD in extra calling time. (Shouldn't be a problem - they have hordes of them, that seem to require at least one phone call every day...)

Bloggers, here's some goodies for us, too:
1. The Pingo affiliate program pays you up to 15 USD for every customer you refer. Joining is free, and you keep earning a commission for any recharging that occurs in the 6 months after you refer them.
2. If you like making videos, Pingo.com is working with Qoof.com, and pays 5 USD for the first 250 usermercial videos posted. Submit your video here!.


This has been a paid post.

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Manic Monday # 16 - Marble

Marble??? What to do with that, I wonder??? OK - got it!



I googled Marble in Norwegian (Marmor), and found this overview of where one can find marble in Norway... Beautiful varieties, no???
But that's not all!


What about this lovely piece, by Norwegian artist Haakon A. Fageraas?


After I had finished googling, I remembered this... It's me, and it was made in 1980, when I was 13, and it's a mixture of ground marble and something else (can't remember what!!) The artists' name is Karl Erik Nilsen.

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Internet Saving

Coupon Codes is a relatively new concept for me, and I really wish it were more developed on this side of the "pond". I'd have a field day!
At KeepCash.com, you can check for deals and discounts before shopping on the Internet, and make considerable savings. Their site is updated daily with the latest product deals and coupons. By subscribing to their weekly newsletter, you can also get free online coupons delivered to your inbox.

Best Buy is a favourite store of mine, and by checking out KeepCash.com, you can get marvelous deals on all sorts of media products - up to 200 USD off the listed price on the items I checked out, and shipping is included! Within the US and a few island states, that is... (I've shopped with Best Buy very successfully in this country, and I would really love it if they were to introduce coupons here as well!)

There are over 1000 shops to choose from at KeepCash.com, so you should be able to find a bargain, whatever you're looking for. They're also listed alphabetically, so if you're searching for that particular shop, finding it is no trouble.

All in all, a very user-friendly site, full of offers and product deals, that everyone should pop by before doing any shopping online!

This has been a sponsored post.

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Yea Me!

Back from IKEA - and I didn't buy any of those things... Quite a few other garish items though - I have a kiddie room to furnish...
BTW - you must all have been at IKEA in Oslo today - the whole world was there, I'm sure of it!

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Thursday Thirteen # 12

Thirteen Things I won't be buying tomorrow (today) at IKEA



1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

6.

7.
8.


9.

10.
11.
12.


13.





Links to other Thursday Thirteens!




Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

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Haaa Haaa.

Found this over at Tiggrbob's - He beat me though - he must have some rare illnesses...

$3740.00The Cadaver Calculator - Find out how much your body is worth. From Mingle2 - Free Online Dating

Mingle² - Free Online Dating

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Looking For Something?

Try masterseek, and you've almost certainly found it! It's a global search engine, that provides free and quick access to contact information, company profiles and descriptiona of products and services worldwide.

Whether you've got a business to promote, products to showcase, (worldwide or in your own country), or you're looking for jewelry stores in Malaysia, go see what masterseek can do for you.

This has been a sponsored post.

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Wednesday Came Early...

I never know when I'll be able to post these days, so my WW's up... One word, though - OUCH!

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Wordless Wednesday

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Thanks Shaz - I haven't forgotten!

Shaz haz bestowed a pretty cool award on me, and I'm deeply honored - I will post on it, as soon as I know who to forward it to!

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Wet, Foggy, Damp, Soggy, Flooded! A Family Trip.

Family holiday snap...

Well - our family outing didn't end quite as badly, I'm happy to say, but we did get caught in a flood... Just hours after we crossed the river at Kongsberg, the bridges were closed.

The one on the left was closed first (that's the one we crossed), and the others followed shortly thereafter.
But we went our merry way up the valley, encountering sights like these on the way:




Our little house was fine, it's situated well above the river, but some relatives measured the river to have risen 20 cms in 2 hours at one point. One after the other, the roads in adjoining valleys were closed, and we were not at all sure that we'd be able to get home at the planned time... And all the time, it rained...

This is usually no more than a largish stream... I really didn't want to go any further out on that bridge!



We took the kids out to lunch one day, and put in a little trip up the mountain - lo and behold, a ray of sunshine (almost), so the kids went running over the hills...






We just had time for some nice shots, when suddenly...


The gates of heaven opened within 2 minutes, and we were all soaked to the bone, just running the few yards back to the car. Here's # 5 Brat, safe inside, but wet, wet, wet!



We did get home. The bridges reopened the day before we were due to leave, and although we were rerouted once, the trip home went without incident. But the whole of Southern Norway is flooded, whereas the North is screaming for water...

More about our outing to the wildlife sanctuary in a later post... (Re. this week's MM!)

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43 And Counting

I haven't been kind to my skin... ever. Does anyone recognize the following scenario?:
You spot a wrinkle, or turn a corner, age-wise. You decide that you must do something to help your skin... and proceed to shop for a whole range of expensive products, supposedly full of miraculous letters and numbers (or words ending with
-ol). You line them up on your bathroom shelf, full of resolve. You apply them dutifully for 3 whole days, then sporadically for 3 months, and the next time you open a jar, it's gone stale...

Well, now I'm 43, and I'm starting to really need those anti aging skin care products. I've decided, though, that whatever I put on my face and body from now on will have to be as natural as possible.

I've heard of emu oil before, and of it's beneficial effects on all skin types. The people over at Dremu.com have developed a whole range of products, all with emu oil as their main active agent.
The products have been raved about by Oprah and Vogue, and they look like just the thing for me, too!

I'm also always on the lookout for natural pain relief for my joints, and I will certainly try Dremu's pain relief oil. Do you know why??? Because of it's name. Pain Relief. Plain and simple, just that...


Browsing through the site, You'll also find several special offers - and we do like special offers, don't we?

Anyway - it's the natural thing that does it for me. I'm done with the petroleum based stuff - nature has provided everything else, she probably threw in some great skin care, too...


This has been a sponsored post.

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Elton John - In Concert In My Old Town...

Ok, so I'm not a # 1 fan, but I've always enjoyed Elton John's music, and he is a legend, so we went to see/hear him on June 22nd, in our local (all new) football arena.


It was pissing down with rain (rude, I know, but it was!), but we oldies had treated ourselves to seats, which, thankfully, were out of the rain.
The support band had taken a rain check (haha), and Sir Elton came on at 8.15. He then proceeded to warm up the audience of 13000 all by himself, and he managed very well! He did a few new songs, but mostly golden oldies, and he had us all in the palm of his hand...
I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially when he did a string of old rock songs towards the end. With "Your Song" rounding it all off, we were glad we went to see this "legend" - and in our own back yard... so to speak! A great way to spend a rainy evening!

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Manic Monday - Seven

Seven wolves... no... six wolves - shoot! (as it were...)

Here comes # 7!

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Off!

We're taking parts of the gang up into the mountains today - back Friday or Saturday. Fishing, swimming in icy water, trip to a wolf and lynx sanctuary, evenings in with a glass of wine for the old folks... (us).
The beasts are taken care of by # 1 Brat (She's got a job!) and father in law, so we can just kick back for a few days... Can't wait! (Will take the camera this time, and post pics when we return!!).
See ya!

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Termites Guide - Info And Advice

We don't have termites here, and although we do have other wood-eating pests, termites could really make a lot of damage here - most houses are built using wood...

Termites Guide is a guide to how to get rid of termites. It will also tell you how you know if your home is infested, preventive measures, and advantages and disadvantages of the various products that are used to get rid of them.

It's full of useful information, from the
social life of termites to info on specific products.

The amount of information and advice is great, and very useful, I'm sure. I would rethink the "look" of the site itself, though. Black on a red background is quite difficult to relate to, especially with the lack of images. Perhaps some pics, and a "quieter" color scheme?

But if you're looking for information on termites, look no further - it's been compiled for you right here...

This has been a paid post.

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Finally - I Give You - The Draw!

The following is a photo documentary.

The list - before cutting. Claire and Skittles had 2 tickets each, so they feature twice...
The cutting into strips...
The folding of the strips...
All ready for the draw!

Arrival of the objective referee/umpire.


Ooooh, the suspense...

Hmmm??? Who?
Is it??? Yes! It's Chicken's Life! Shannon, congratulations!


You and your monkey are hereby issued a standing invitation to visit me (us) here, in the middle of NoWhere (Also known as Norway) at the time of your choice. Dinner is included - and I promise not to serve Lutefisk, Smalahove or Lung Mash. (Check here for more on that...)
You're very welcome, along with any family additions that may have occurred in the meantime...

Join me over at Shannon's now, and congratulate her!

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?????????

I've made and published a MM post, but it doesn't show!! It comes up when I search for "manic monday" though... With pictures and everything. Let's see if it turns up after I publish this...

Update: It didn't, so I pushed the help button, and was directed to this blog - Blogger Tips and Tricks. Very helpful - I managed to fix the problem, even without knowing what cache is... Thanks!

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Manic Monday # 14 - Independence

These are pictures of # 5 Brat - all trying to capture her first attempts at gaining independence... She's 4 now, and v e r y self-sufficient (and daddy's girl, too!)

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Mailboxes...

I've always been intrigued by American mailboxes. Even more so now, after finding this site called MailboxIxchange (Pronounced Mailbox Exchange).

In this country (Norway), a mailbox seems to be just that - a mailbox! Unless the owner decorates it him/herself, it's usually a green or white metal box with a slot in it and a lid.
Not so at MailboxIxchange... Have a look at all their beautiful products! There's loads and loads of different residential mailboxes (I really love the ones on poles - look at this beauty!)

There's commercial mailboxes too, of course, and various curbside decor items as well as adress plaques and numbers.

Being a garden buff, I fell for this sweet little thing...

Go see for yourself - there really are some beautiful specimens there. A pretty addition to any curbside or garden...


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