Any web designers out there looking for work? I need a very simple website designed for my business and I have a limited budget. Not that I'd take advantage of anyone financially, it's just that funds are tight, so this might be more of a project for someone just getting started in the business. Please leave your details here if you're interested.

Thanks!

what kind of site? informational or ecommerce?

Does anyone have good experiences with some sort of lap mat for laptops? I had a USB-plug-in thing with a fan in it for a while, but it died of overuse. Various impromptu mats still conduct a lot of heat right onto me.

my apartment is a vortex for cell phones - you'll have full coverage for like 5 or 6 seconds and then nada. i live right next to a tv tower that is for the entire state. so i was considering getting a landline, but was wondering if the VOIP type stuff works, how expensive it is, and which one is best. does anyone know? ;-)

Elizabeth, I know that Kelly wrote about T-Mobile @ Home a while back, which sounds like it might fit the bill, if you have Tmobile or are willing to switch, that is.
I've used VOIP before and it works well. If you want to use a regular phone, you can get Vonage or someone like them (I used Sunrocket a while back and they were fine)
The other option is using your computer and a headset with Skype. You can get a phone number and the voice quality is good. I've used this with a bluetooth headset and was very happy.

wonderful! i have heard that with vonage it can be like cell phones in regard to losing signal - but is it the kind of thing that if i have a good internet connection it should be fine?

Yes, it was my experience that the quality of the connection depends on your internet connection. We've had cable internet from different providers over the different years and have had good call quality on all of them.

Wende, have a look at this:
http://tinyurl.com/2gposb

Wendy,

I love to sit in my easy chair, www.ing, hgtv in the background... total addict here. For what it's worth- I use a small chalk board (18x24ish) as a lap desk it allows me to use a mouse - I can't stand the touch pads. This is very low tech but allows the air vents to remain unobstructed. Lately I have taken to placing a pillow under the board to pad my knees--I get soreness from sitting with the weight of my hi-tech set up balanced on my knees.

Aha! Two interesting options to think about -- thank you both!

My knees and I are going to consult on the proper solution this evening, after the whole body is cranky from a day on the computer at work. I'm starting to wonder what cost-less changes I could make there without really screwing things up if I have to share a desktop again...

Wende
A friend of mine uses an upside down wire inbox and swear by it, as her laptop surface. She has a really wide screen laptop so I'm sure she's generating lots of heat with that thing.

Oh and I love your dollhouses!

Lisa