September 26, 2008

Shopping the sales

I’ve been talking a lot about shopping lately. That’s because we’re rapidly moving into the holiday season and I really, really want to get my shopping done early and my gifts mailed on time this year. If I manage that it will be totally out of character, but I’m working on self-improvement and this is an area where I have a lot of room for growth. I recently mailed a couple of packages that were almost two years late, so, yeah - room for improvement. I’ve started my campaign by mailing my sister’s birthday presents early this year - her birthday is coming up on Sunday and she’s already got her stuff. I need to prove to myself that that wasn’t a fluke, though, thus the early holiday shopping discussions.

The real advantage to getting started early, of course, is that it gives you time to do some comparison shopping and find the best sale prices. I’ve already found a great price on a watch I’ll probably get for my son (he collects them) and have started looking for the other traditional gift he’ll expect from me: a coordinated outfit of slacks, shirt and sweater. I’ll be asking him for a wish list soon, but he’s a procrastinator like his mom, so I may not have that for a while. His list will undoubtedly include some recently released DVDs, though, so I can shop for those without the list. I’m pretty sure he’ll want Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull because: a.) he’s a fan of the earlier Indiana Jones movies and b.) he’s a fanatic about having complete sets. I’ll probably order an extra copy for myself for the same reasons. The DVD will be released on October 14th, but can be pre-ordered now from Buy.com at a very sweet price of $17.99, which is $13.00 below the recommended retail price of $30.99. See what I mean about shopping early to get the best prices? Buy.com is a great place to do that because they have discounted prices on electronics, cameras, games, books, clothing and more - all of the things you’ll be looking at for holiday gifts. We’re not talking knock-offs or Brand X items either - Buy.com stocks all of the major brands. You’ll be starting your own holiday shopping soon if you haven’t already. You really should bookmark Buy.com and check them first for everyday bargains and special sale prices. It’s a great place to stretch your holiday budget.

Technorati Tags: /Buy.com, DVDs, movies, shopping

September 25, 2008

Watches, watches, watches!

If you’ve been reading skeet’s stuff for a while you know that my son collects watches. He was a teen when Swatches first came out and it became popular to wear several at one time. He’s been adding watches to his collection ever since. No, scratch that. I’ve been adding to his collection ever since. I have to buy him a watch for either Christmas or his birthday each year. He’s big on tradition and would be devastated if I failed to come across. Sometimes I manage to find two that I think he’ll like and he gets watches for both occasions. A couple of years ago I gave him a watch display cabinet and I’m pretty sure he filled it up with the watches he already had on hand. Seriously, he treats watches like some women treat shoes: he has to have a full wardrobe and it has to be constantly updated. Someone rudely pointed out on Twitter this morning that Christmas is now just three months away. Ulp! It’s already time to start shopping again? Since my son’s birthday is in January I do the shopping for both celebration simultaneously, so that means I have a lot of gifts to buy over the next few months. I’ll be doing most of my shopping online this year and today I started looking at Movado watches, specifically their sport’s watches. The last two years I gave the boy high-fashion designer watches that he wears to work (he deals Texas Hold ‘Em in a casino, so his hands and wrists are always “on display.”) Unlike his old mom, he has a life outside of work, and his favorite leisure activity these days is Frisbee Golf, so a good sport’s watch would get a lot of use. I’m leaning towards the one pictured here since he wears jeans a lot. What do you think?

I should have closed the site after I bookmarked a couple of watches for my son. Some of the Movado womens watches caught my eye, though, and I just had to check them out. Now I’m in love with the Movado Semi Moon Ladies watch. Isn’t that the most intriguing watch design you’ve seen in ages? I’m working hard at decluttering my life and am not about to start building a watch collection as impressive as my son’s, but one more watch would be such a small thing. In keeping with my current committment, I have to get rid of at least two items for each new item I bring into the house. I don’t wear my “good” gold watch anymore (a gift from someone I’d rather not be reminded of) and I’m sure I can find something else to shove out the door so I can get the watch with a clear conscience. Actually, I haven’t thought this plan out yet. Do I have to get rid of something if someone else gives me something? Like say, if my son gives me the watch for Christmas? Hee! Escape clause! I think I’ll start working on my Christmas wish list today!

Technorati Tags: Christmas shopping, collections, Movado watches, shopping, sons, watches

September 23, 2008

Green pest control

I’ve been a pest control operator for almost thirty years. I entered the industry on the cusp of great change. The term integrated pest management was, I think, fairly new back then, but it’s the only pest control I’ve ever practiced. IPM involves coordinated use of many means of eliminating problems, with reliance on toxic controls minimized in favor of such things as mechanical barriers and sanitation programs. My very first mentor was fond of saying “Never turn to the traditional pesticide solution first. Look at all of the ways a pest can be controlled and try the least toxic solution first.” I was never indoctrinated into the “old school” way of doing pest control, the one that historically identified our industry as providers of poisonous chemical applications. I learned, instead, to practice “green” pest control, long before “green” came to be the identifying word for minimizing our impact on the environment. I’m glad it worked out that way. I didn’t have bad habits to unlearn like some of the older guys (they were almost all men back then.) I’ve applied pesticides, but only as a part of an overall program designed to solve pest problems in ways that have the softest possible impact on health, safety and the environment. Educating the public is a huge part of IPM. Pest control is no longer something we do for you, it’s something we do with you.

The bookmarks I lost when my computer bit the dust included dozens of links that have helped me educate friends, family and readers on responsible, participatory pest control methods. I’m slowly rebuilding the list and today I bookmarked a great resource for all of you. The Havahart Critter Library contains a wealth of information, is easily navigable and will teach you everything you need to know in order to deal with furry critters invading your domain. I was using Havahart® live animal traps to capture and release squirrels and raccoons back in the eighties, so I know the company well. Today their website is as much about educating the public as it is about selling products, so it’s a great go-to for anyone who has chosen to live in an enivronment that first belonged to creatures with more than two legs (that would be all of us, in case you’ve never thought about it that way.) The library will guide you through identifying the pest and then point you towards solutions. As an example, many of you are growing at least some of your own food these days. You’re doing it organically, which means you’re not interested in spreading around poisons to keep rabbits from decimating your lettuce crop before it’s mature enough to bring to the table. The Havahart Critter Library will help you confirm which pest you’re dealing with (moles and squirrels and rabbits behave differently and require different controls) and will then provide you with some good choices for control methods you can live with. To save your vegetable garden from bunny invasion they suggest trapping or rabbit repellent as practical and green solutions. Organic gardening can be a little more labor-intensive than reaching for toxic chemicals to control pests, but it’s the responsible thing to do and what you want for your family. Bookmark the Havahart Critter Library. They’ll help you keep your garden green.

Necessary disclaimer, lest you think I’m steering you away from turning to an expert for your pest problems: The Havahart folks are professionals - genuine, dues-paying members of my industry. They’ve been providing alternative pest control solutions for sixty years and their products are widely used by the pros. Effective, green pest control involves partnerships between providers and end-users. Havahart is a great partner to invite into your team!

Technorati Tags: alternative pest control, green pest control, integrated pest management, organic gardening, rabbit control, rabbit repellant

September 21, 2008

Missing my PC

I’m getting used to working at my desk from a laptop that is hardwired to my modem and printer. It’s not very comfortable, though. I’d much rather have my PC back and save the laptop for on-the-road stuff. My beautiful HP desktop computer has been riding around in my car with me for the last week instead. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that Trojan Viruses are “relatively harmless.” They can replicate like mad (like viruses!) and take over your hard drive. My computer geek has been sick, so I haven’t had the chance to deliver my poor, battered PC to him, but we had a long talk on the phone yesterday. He thinks, from what I’ve told him, that he can rescue my computer. He thinks that recovering the data from it is not going to happen. He thinks that he will have to wipe my hard drive completely clean in order to remove the virus. In his words, it would be like having a completely new computer by the time he’s through with it. I want all the files and photos and data I’ve lost, but having my desktop back would be a second-best scenario, even if it comes back as a blank slate. It’s all speculation at this point anyway. There’s a remote possibility that he may be able to bring my old programs and files back intact. There’s a much stronger possibility that the PC is a complete loss and I’ll never use it again. Knowing this, I’ve been shopping online, just in case I need to buy a new computer. Having just spent a small fortune on my new laptop, I’m not going to have much money to work with. I found the bargain linked and pictured above at Buy.com. It’s an HP Pavilion almost identical to the old computer. Transition to working with this computer should be almost seamless because it’s so similar to the computer I lost. You know me - I hate change, so minimizing its impact is important to me. Price is important too, of course, so this refurbished computer immediately caught my eye. It’s on sale for only $399.99, a very sweet price. Actually, Buy.com has sweet prices on everything they sell. The HP Pavilion laptop I just paid $799 for? Buy.com has it for $599. I’ve been lusting after a digital camcorder and thought I couldn’t afford one, but Buy.com has several top brands that I could squeeze into my budget. They aren’t just for electronics, either. They’ve got some great bargains on everything from clothing and jewelry to sports equipment and home appliances. I’ve added Buy.com to my bookmarks so I’ll remember to check them out first the next time I want to do some shopping online. Go check them out and you’ll see why.

Technorati Tags: bargains, computers, discount shopping, electronics, online shopping

September 15, 2008

Still looking for the perfect antivirus software

I’m still reeling from the shock and frustration of losing my hard drive to a virus. The good news is that I’ve found a computer geek right up the road who thinks he can clean the thing up enough for me to retieive a few years worth of files, photos, contacts and personal writing. He may even be able to make my old computer usable again. The bad news is that it he doesn’t work cheap, but I have a business to run so I’ll pay whatever it takes. The new laptop is fun, but I haven’t adapted well to all the changes. I want my PC back!

I’ve got the laptop connected to my cable modem right now, but I’m very concerned about the increased security risks once I go wireless and start carrying it around with me. No one but me has physical access to my computer today, but that would change if someone stole it from my car or if I got stupid and left it unattended in a coffee shop. It’s too easy for scumbags to steal identities through cybercpace. Imagine the havoc that would ensue if they had unfettered access to my actual computer. I thought the Vista feature that allows easy password sign-ins was pretty nice until I thought about it for a while. Someone with physical access to my computer would only need to decipher one password to have instant access to all of my personal info and passwords for all of my accounts. Sheesh! What were they thinking even offering such a feature? Needless to say, I’m not using it, but I’m also concerned about the increased risk of sharing wireless access with others in public places. I’ve still got a lot of homework to do, but wouldn’t that make me even more vulnerable to intrusion? Ack! So much to learn! The one thing I know without doing any homework at all is that I need to decide soon which Antivirus Software to install. The lappy came with Norton, so I have some protection, but I’ve never been a huge fan of Symantec. I reviewed my problems with them and some other AV softwares when I was telling you how I lost the old PC, so I won’t rehash that now. I’m through with them and am shopping for something that will offer me real protection. Today I’ve been looking at CyberDefender Early Detection Center™ 2.0 and I’m liking what I see. You’ll recall that my recent problems started when I opened an application from a “trusted” site? What frustrated me most about the whole fiasco was that I had a supposedly premium service installed. It not only allowed me to open the appliction, it couldn’t remove the virus once it had installed itself. What I need is an antivirus software that is stupid-proof. Let’s face it - I’m pretty naive when it comes to anything involving technology. I need a babysitter to keep me out of trouble. CyberDefender would have scanned, identified, quarantined, and removed the virus with just a few clicks. That’s what I’m talking about! You’ll want to visit the site yourself and do your own homework, but here are some of the features you’ll find with CyberDefender Early Detection Center™ 2.0:

Spyware Removal - detects and removes dangerous spyware and adware from your computer. My old protection removed hundreds at a time - but why did it wait until there were hundreds to deal with?

Virus Protection - detects and removes viruses from your computer. That’s where my previous provider failed me!

Spam Killer - blocks email with spyware and viruses. I manually removed a few dozen spam emails this morning, as I do every day - with Norton running! What’s wrong with that picture?

Intrusion Controls - get the latest Microsoft updates and remove personal information stored on your computer. I love this! From the website: “You can help prevent identity theft by using CyberDefenderFREE’s earlyMONITOR to remind you of Windows updates days before they are available from Microsoft.” Updates are good - early updates - early protection? Much better!

Scam Shield - identifies and warns you about phishing sites and other potentially dangerous websites. Would have been nice to know that the “trusted” site where I got the virus was actually a very clever replica of the real thing, don’t you think?

That’s just some of what you’ll get with CyberDefender Early Detection Center™ 2.0, which, by the way, will cost you less than half of what you’ll pay for Norton. Go check them out and tell me what you think. What I think is that I’ve found a very good thing!

Technorati Tags: antivirus software, computer viruses, computer protection, CyberDefender Early Detection Center™ 2.0

September 3, 2008

I have a lappy!

How did you spend your Labor Day? I was supposed to have lunch with the Table of Contents, including two members who moved a while back but are here visiting. Instead I spent the morning at Office Max. That nasty trojan virus I thought I had defeated a week or so ago? That dragon was not slain, merely resting. It came back with a vengence. At one point there were over 2700 instances of it installed on my computer. I kept cleaning & updating virus definitions & running scans, but on Sunday my poor PC had had enough. The hard drive gave up the ghost. I had done a termite inspection of Friday & hadn’t been able to generate the report that two realtors, an escrow company, a buyer and a seller were waiting on. I needed a new computer immediately. Since I’m going to be traveling soon (for the first time since I got online eight nine years ago) the timing was right for me to buy my first laptop.

I didn’t have time to run all over the island comparision shopping. I’d have done some online research before going out, but … oops! … no hard drive! Office Max is where I’ve been buying office supplies for all the years that I’ve owned my business. They know me there & I trust them. They’re also closer to my home, by at least half an hour, than any other place that carries computers. I bought my last computer and my printers at CompUSA (which was in the same shopping center,) but they’re long gone. Office Max is not an electronics store, so I didn’t have a lot of choices. They only carried six laptops. I liked the one above & was ready to buy it.

When my sales guy (who was also the store manager) went in the back to pull my selection he discovered that he still had this bundle available. Very similar laptop, slightly smaller, but with an Intel Centrino processor (which someone had told me I should get) and also came with some other goodies. I decided to go for it. Sales guy didn’t want me to take his picture, but Priscilla, who brought my stuff to the register and pulled the extra USB cable I wanted (she’s on the left) and the gal who gladly relieved me of a large sum of money (right - don’t remember her name) thought that making an appearance on skeet’s stuff was just fine. The price shown on the Office Max promo was not available to me (things always cost more in Hawaii.) By the time I added Office, the extra USB cable and a super-duper warranty (I always go for the super-duper warranty on electronics) I spent almost exactly $1200. Money I wasn’t planning on spending, but what you gonna do?

Since my sis stubbornly refuses to read my blog it’s safe to tell you this. I was buying her a printer for her birthday. Was actually in the process of ordering it online when one of my crashes occurred last week. The printer that came with my new lappy is an upgrade from what I was planning on sending her. I figure that the only way I’m ever going to see pictures of my two great nieces is to make it easy for her to print photos that she takes with her new digital camera (she’s crawling into the 21st century just a little more slowly than me.) Someday soon I’ll buy some premium photo papers in several sizes and pack this thing up for shipping to Texas. I have an HP Officejet for my own use and didn’t need the extra printer, but it was cool to get a really nice one for Sis in my bundle - two birds, one stone.

My bundle also includes a very cool gear bag. This is probably supposed to be a back-to-school bundle for college kids, but I think it turned out to be a pretty good deal for me. I have an attache’ style lappy bag, but this one is nicely padded and has pockets for all the stuff you need when you go portable. Remember I told you I’ll be traveling sometime soon? I want my new toy well protected from bumps & bruises, so this is how she’ll travel with me.

There she is. As you can see, I shoved everything on my desk aside & set her up there. I suppose I’ll add wireless to my service someday soon, but right now she’s tethered to the desk by a power cord, a printer cord and a USB cable connecting her to my cable modem. Some of the clutter you see behind her has already been cleared away, but I’ll finish tidying up today. I was in a hurry to get things set up so I could get my report out. I finally did that yesterday, three days late. It’s a good thing my clients love me!

I’ve been using my new lappy for about twenty-four hours. The tendonitis in my right wrist is screaming, so I’ll have to figure out the ergonomics of using a flat keyboard. The touchpad is a pain in the butt, but I’m sure I’ll adapt after a while. Right now I’m not liking it at all, so I’ll be adding a mouse for when I’m at my desk. I can’t recover all of the photos and documents & other stuff that I lost with the old hard drive, but I’m slowly downloading the programs I need and refilling my bookmarks and address books. I’m still a technophobe & still hate change, but I’m adapting. I’ll give you an update somewhere down the road & let you know how that’s going. Overall, for right now: still bummed about what I’ve lost, but pretty happy with what I’ve found.

Technorati Tags: adapting to change, computer crash, computers, laptop, shopping

August 28, 2008

Staying toasty-warm

I haven’t left the island of Oahu in over nine years. When my off-island family and friends moan and groan about their weather I don’t exactly smirk, but I’ll admit that I’ve gotten a little spoiled. A hot day here means the temperature has gotten into the high eighties in the afternoon. When we say that it’s cold we mean we needed a lightweight blanket in the wee hours because the temperature plummeted to the low sixties. I hinted last week that some major changes are coming in my life. I’m still not ready to tell all, but here’s another clue that might help you figure out what my big announcement might be: I should be in Texas sometime this coming winter. I’m looking forward to my trip. Almost everyone I’m related to lives near Dallas, so I’ll get to spend some time with people I love very much but haven’t seen in ages. The only thing I’m not looking forward to is experiencing cold again. I own three light-weight, dressy jackets. That’s as close as I come to having a winter wardrobe. I’ve already started shopping online for sweaters and long-johns and other winter gear. I haven’t made any purchases yet, but I have decided on one thing I absolutely have to have. It’s a Cabin Cuddler and it will come in handy for my flight, but that’s not why I have to have it. I need it because I know I’m going to be spending a lot of time sitting on my aunt’s couch visiting with relatives and at my sister’s kitchen table catching up with her life. I already know it will be cold the whole time and I don’t want that to take away from the experience. I’m sure my Cabin Cuddler will quickly become a family joke because I intend to take it everywhere I go. I’m going to be wrapped up and toasty warm every time they see me!

I’ll be documenting my trip here, of course. It’s what I do. There will be lots of photos too, because that’s also what I do. I’m already anticipating your comments: “Oh, skeet! You look just like your cousin! You look kinda cute wrapped up in your travel blanket, too!” And: “Um, skeet? Did you take any clothes on your trip? All we’ve seen so far is your Cabin Cuddler.” Hey, get used to it, folks. I intend to have a wonderful time this winter, but I do not intend to be cold! I was actually dreading that aspect of the trip, but I’m feeling much better about it now, thank-you-very-much! The Cabin Cuddler folds up compactly in its own little travel tote, so I’ll be able to keep it in my bag and always have it handy as I hop around from relative to relative re-establishing the ties that I’ve neglected so dreadfully these last few years. It’s got its own inflatable travel pillow, too, which will come in handy for my flights (since those penny-pinching airline don’t supply pillows anymore.) At $29.95 I may even buy two of them, just to make sure there’s always one handy. A certain cousin who shall remain nameless will ask to borrow one and might not want to give it back. Yep, I love her enough to be prepared for that eventuality, but I don’t want to have to suffer for the sake of that affection. And, hey - get this: shipping is free, even to Hawaii. (Y’all know it’s one of my pet peeves that free-shipping offers never include Hawaii.) I still have a lot of ducks to get into a row to make this trip happen, but knowing I will have a Cabin Cuddler and won’t have to freeze has gotten me over a huge hurdle.

This concludes my second clue to the startling news I’ll be announcing soon. You may now commence with your guesses as to what is going on in the world of skeet!

Technorati Tags: blankets, Cabin Cuddler, cold weather, family, travel, travel comfort, travel blanket

August 25, 2008

Halloween costumes

Do you remember last year when I painted my face for Halloween? It turns out I don’t make a very convincing clown. I think I frightened more children than I amused. I’m not into scaring little children, so I’m already thinking about what I can do this year that will add a little fun to Halloween for the neighborhood kids. Back in “the old days” I always costumed at least twice a year - Mardi Gras and Halloween - and I’ll admit that my prime consideration then was “How hot can I look?” My criteria these days have changed - it’s no longer “all about me.” Now I’m more interested in Halloween costumes that will amuse and entertain the the little folks. I noticed last year that several adults in the neighborhood costumed for Halloween, so I’m hoping there will be even more this year. I wish our homeowner’s association would do a block party for the kids and encourage everyone to make it a family affair. We did that once in the years I’ve lived here and it was a great success, but I don’t think that’s going to happen this year. The good news is that there are more kids in the neighborhood this year, so I think I’m obligated to now that it’s taken me a while to sort through them all and narrow down my choices, but I think I’ve finally found one that just right. That’s it over on the left. What do you think? Once I decided on a pirate costume I had to sort through them until I found one that was appropriate for a woman of my … ahem … mature years. A lot of them are pretty sexy and just the sort of thing I’d have worn in days past, but I’d look a little ridiculous in them these days. This one, though, is all about pirate fun, so I think contribute to the spirit of the thing for them, don’t you? I’ve been looking at costumes for a couple of weeks. I really like the period costumes - something from the French court or reminescent of a Jane Austen heroine - and those fit well with my own interests, but I don’t think kids would “get” them. Kids are more interested in acton and adventure and whatever is hot at the moment, so I’ve pretty much decided that Pirate Costumes are the way to go. There are so many wonderful costumes availableit’s right for any woman, regardless of age. I’ve pretty much settled on it, but I have a ittle time before I have to commit, so I’ll keep checking for udpates at blog.halloweenadventure.com until it’s time to make up my mind. Since online orders can be delivered so quickly these days, the only time constraint I have to be concerned with it that I have a coupon code that expires on October 10th. You’ll want to make a note of it for yourself, of course: Coupon Code: PPP05BLOG2008 will give you 5% off TILL OCTOBER 10th, 2008.

Hey, maybe we should make a pact to have an online Halloween party this year. We can all costume and pass out virtual candy to each other. You’ll have to post a picture of yourself in costume in order to participate, but I’ll show you mine if you’ll show me yours. What do you think? Any takers? We could have some fun with this! Ha, now that I’ve thought of it I’m liking this idea! Let’s just do it, okay? Comment below, let me know that you’re interested and tell me what costume you’ll wear. I’ll see if I can find someone to make us a badge for everyone’s blog and we’ll have some fun trick-or-treating at each other’s places. You on board? Please, please, please say yes!

Technorati Tags: costumes, Halloween, Halloween costumes, pirate costumes

August 22, 2008

I’m creating a second empire

I registered a new domain yesterday. I’m really excited about this one because it represents a tangible foundation stone in some major changes that are building in my life. The new domain is a name domain - my real life name. I’ve operated my business under my own name for quite a few years now. I have some new business interests that will also be tied to my personal identity, so it makes sense to have a name website to serve client needs and to publicize my services to potential new clients. It’s also sound business to establish the new website in a way that will be totally unassociated with the skeet empire (you do know I’m an empire, right?) The people I do business with don’t need to see me with a mud mask on my face or know about my affinity for white cotton. Having two separate empires will allow me to keep sharing my personal life and interests here while maintaining a buffer zone between business and personal life over there. Towards that end, I am now shopping for new webhosting that will help me maintain those separate identities.

I won’t be diving in and hooking up to the first host that offers me a good rate this time. The new domain will stay parked until I’m sure I’ve found the right host for my professional website. While I love Blue Host, I’m not sure that Multiple Domain Hosting with a single host is the right way to go. I’m not in a huge hurry. The changes I’m anticipating will transpire with or without the new site up and running. That means I can take my time and make my webhosting decisions without the pressure of a short timeline. I’m studying the options with several differents hosts and doing some other homework. My new website needs to be an enhancement to my professional image. It will form a first impression for many future clients, so I’ve got to make a selection that will help me make that impression as good as it can possiby be. Webhositngrating.com offers unbiased data and reviews of all the best-know hosts, so everything I need to know can be found there. It’s good to have a service like that handy when you’re taking a major step into the future. Whether you’re starting a new blog or building a professional empire, check them out before you commit to your next web host. Reviewing the services that are available before you take the plunge can save you from a world of misgivings later, and wehostingrating is the place to do it.

Technorati Tags: business website, domains, hosting, web hosting

August 13, 2008

Mabel’s Labels for Back-to-Shool

Have you finished your back-to-school shopping yet? I know it’s a chore many of you dread - the crowded aisles in the stores, the impossible-to-find items that your children just have to have, the expense! I enjoy watching all the hubbub (yeah, I know - easy for me to say!) The excitment in a little girl’s eyes when she spots the perfect Dora notebook, the unbridled glee of a preschooler picking out his very first knapsack, even the supposed indifference of a teen who can’t quite hide the gleam in his eye as he reaches for a goth-themed binder. Watching from the sidelines is a nostalgia trip for me - you’ll understand one day when your kids are grown and gone! Right now you’re probably just hoping to survive all the preparations and get the little imps back in school. Here’s my tip-of-the-day to help you get it all organized: Label everything! As surely as the sun comes up and the sun goes down, kids lose things. You know it’s going to happen. The jacket left on the playground, the notebook under the bus seat - kids have so many important things on their minds that it’s a real chore for them to keep up with their stuff. Labels make it easier for their stuff to find its way home and are a great help to the teachers, coaches, office staff and bus drivers who have to sort though it all. Mabel’s Labels is the way to go! The giant Ultimate Back-To-School Combo has all the labels and tags you’ll need for all their stuff, and at a great price.

Tag-Mates make it easy for you to label all the shirts and gloves and coats. They stick right on the clothing care tag with no ironing or sewing for you! Don’t worry - they’re super-durable and won’t come off in the laundry or peel away when the coat gets rolled up and used as a kickball.

Shoe Lables have a protective overlay that will keep them firmly in place, despite sweaty little feet and rainy days.

Bag Tags are made of sturdy metal and so durable your kid can use the same ones all the way into college.

Skinny-Minis go on everything else and the teachers will love you for using them! Label the pencils and glue, the sandwich keeper and toys - everything!

You’re spending a fortune on all of this stuff, right? Mabel’s Labels can help you (and your children) keep track of the stuff kids lose so you won’t be buying so many replacements. Your Mabel’s Labels agent is Nicole Lee and she’s offering the Ultimate Back-to-School Combo at a great price until September 30th. Let your children help you pick the right colors and icons to represent their personalities, fill in their names and selections and let Nicole take it from there. She’s even got a skull-and-crossbones icon you can put on black labels to make your goth-child smile. Well, okay, goth-children don’t smile at adult authority figures, but you know they’ll love you for it!

Mabel’s Labels - for the stuff kids lose (and for your sanity!)

Technorati Tags: back-to-school, labels, Mabel’s Labels, tags