May 27, 2008 by abby.

Early in April, I ran a sample offer for Emergen-C Health & Energy Drink Samples… they arrived today.

Along with the $1 coupon, there are three sample packets ~ one each for Raspberry, Tangerine and Cranberry flavors. I can tell you that the Raspberry tastes great! (haven’t tried the others yet)

Most such drink mixes have an aftertaste that’s less than wonderful, but I didn’t feel that with this one… and I can’t comment on the ‘Health Benefits’, I’m no expert.

But ~ supposedly Emergen-C contains “32 active mineral complexes and key B vitamins” that are supposed to “support healthy metabolic functions” and “improve overall well-being”… among other things. Like most anything else purporting to be good for you, wether or not this will make you healthier depends on many factors, including your attitude towards the product and your mindset while using it.

Anyway - here’s a pic:

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May 24, 2008 by abby.

About six weeks ago I ran a free CD set that will help you learn to speak German in the newsletter… since my kid is taking a German class in high school I thought it would be something she’d like so I ordered it. (I don’t order everything I find for the newsletter, only what I or my family can use.)

Anyway - it finally arrived a couple days ago, and I am very pleased with the quality and quantity both: there are two CDs filled with games and exercises and a 50+ page glossy booklet. They came in a nice shrink-wrapped box ~ just like something you would buy at OfficeMax or Staples for about thirty bucks… except this was totally free.

Very Cool. This is why I spend so much time freebie hunting.

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May 23, 2008 by abby.

I saw this last summer when we were visiting friends in the area… if you’re ever in the Seattle area, drop by the north end of the Aurora bridge and bring your camera. (No, I neglected to take mine that day)

It took a while for me to find a photo online - check Troller.com for this and 30-some other unique statues from around the world.

Apparently, the Fremont troll was sculpted by four Seattle area artists — Steve Badanes, Will Martin, Donna Walter and Ross Whitehead — for the Fremont Arts Council. The sculpture is 18-ft. tall - and quite intimidating, when you come upon it suddenly.

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May 14, 2008 by abby.

It gets me started, it keeps me going… without it I’m not fit to live with. Seriously: just ask my kids. I like it strong and fresh: coffee over an hour or so old tastes like badger piss and weak coffee just gives me a headache. When I make it at home I use a ‘French Press’ and make it strong enough to fuel a race car ~ my best friend calls it ‘Turkish Mud’ and adds sugar and milk - she totally ruins it. My hubby won’t drink it either - he still gets his morning fuel from the old auto-drip I got for free a few years ago.

Anyway - whenever I see a free coffee sample offer I jump on it right away. Today, when I got home there was a sample on the table that I ordered last month from Seattle’s Best:

If you get the freebie newsletter, you may remember it from an issue early in April. I just checked, and the sample offer is still good if you’re interested, and there’s three varieties to pick from ~ just follow the link above.

I ordered the “Henry’s Blend” and it came in a 1.75oz foil vacuum pack… should be enough for about six or eight cups. It came with a $1 coupon good towards a 12oz bag, I’ll try it tomorrow (I don’t drink coffee after lunch time, I love coffee, but I need my beauty sleep too) and if it’s good I’ll probably use the coupon.

Okay - time to start dinner, ‘bye!

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May 14, 2008 by abby.

I see that i’ve not taken the time to write a post since February… disgraceful. And a bit embarrassing as well.

Used to be that I could log on from work and ‘look busy’ while posting, or surfing around looking for something to add to the newsletter, or something to post here (like the video below). But lately there’s just not been enough slack time for that.

Plus, last month I got fed up with the newsletter manager that I was using and decided to get some software that would do the job without charging me an arm and a leg. Finally found a good one, but it took a few false starts and created a lot of confusion and annoyance while I tried different things, ran tests and got everything set up & running. Really had me pulling my hair out for a while.

Most people were pretty good about it - but some got a bit cranky when I messed up and the software tried to send them a few dozen (or a few hundred) copies of the test email… can’t blame them - my email address was on the list too and it was like something from a bad SciFi Channel movie.

Anyway - got that problem solved and went on to the next… My partner got some software that will make a more ‘modern’ Bargain Center that uses datafeeds from merchants to automatically build a searchable online shopping outlet. He convinced me that I should be the one who got it all running and fill it with products. (like I did so well with the last bit of software I wrestled with

Actually, that hasn’t been so bad to learn - I do learn, a bit slowly at times, but I usually get it eventually…. I’ve got it looking OK, and the entire inventory from about fifty or so good online stores uploaded for searching.
Eventually, that will be replacing the “old-style” bargain center that we put together about four years ago.

Okay - I’d better get back to work… got some reports to read and an intern to annoy before I can go to lunch . . . I love my job

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