If you submitted an article that was published on Life123.com between October 13th, 2009 and January 27th, 2010, AND entered valid PayPal account details by January 29th, 2010, Life123 will pay the $20 maximum rate for each eligible article.

Payments will be made prior to the end of February 2010.

If you have any questions about items other than payment, please write to editorialdesk@life123.com

First dates often get a bad reputation for being nerve wracking and awkward, but they can also be the most exciting time in a relationship. If you and your date hit it off you might be reminiscing about this day for years to come, so make sure that you do something fun. The best first date ideas are the ones that give you and your date something to do so that the conversation keeps flowing, such as billiards, bowling or miniature golf.

Another way to avoid awkward pauses during your date is to prepare a few conversations topics beforehand. Start off by asking your date general questions, such as where she grew up and where she works. You can also get an idea of whether or not you two are compatible by asking about her interests and hobbies.

If your dating skills are a little rusty you may want to brush up on some flirting tips before your date. Be sure to listen to what your date says and make eye contact. Just be sure not to hold their gaze for too long or they will think you have a serious staring problem.

The best way to avoid becoming another bad date story is to just relax, be yourself and have fun. That way, even if the sparks don’t fly, you can at least gain a new friend.

When the weather outside turns frightful, spending an evening at home playing games can be a great way to spend time with your family. From dice games to board games there are tons of different activities to choose from.

Yahtzee is an exciting game of chance that anyone in the family can learn how to play. You can buy the game or make your own with a set of five dice and a cup. If you’re in the mood to be more physically active then break out the Twister board. This classic favorite will have everyone rolling on the floor with laughter.

Word puzzles are a fun way to challenge your mind. If you’re good at math then you will love learning how to solve Sudoku puzzles, which are similar to crossword puzzles but with numbers instead of words. There are even more educational benefits to logic puzzles for kids, which show them how fun learning can be. Brain-stimulating games such as hangman and crossword puzzles will sharpen the whole family’s logic and reasoning skills.

You can even make your own games. Make a crossword puzzle or  word search puzzle that your children will love by tailoring it to their interests, such as animals or sports. Making a jigsaw puzzle is another activity that you and your children can enjoy.

Get the whole family together and let the games begin!

Throughout its brief history, GPS has gone from a military tool to a device so common that it is now included in some cell phones. The newest GPS units come in all shapes and sizes, from handheld devices to larger screens that can be installed in the dashboard of your car. Whether you’re a frequent traveler, you only need directions occasionally or you just plain hate asking for directions, there is a GPS to suit your needs.

If you travel often, you may want to have a GPS system installed in your car. If you only travel once in a while or you often find yourself in rental cars, a portable GPS system may be the best GPS system for your auto navigational needs. These devices can cost anywhere from $100-$400 depending on how many extra features you require.

GPS systems aren’t just for cars; they can also be used for hiking and walking. A handheld GPS device is a great tool for the avid hiker and some models even include extra features like a compass. Many cell phones also have GPS capabilities so that you can get quick directions on foot. GPS has many other uses such as mapping, planning and tracking someone’s movements.

Consult a GPS buyer’s guide to choose the right GPS system for your needs and you may never get lost again.

If you’re tired of going to the same old parties, throwing a casino-themed soiree can be a great way to spice things up. There is a casino theme party idea to suit every occasion and personality. A Las Vegas party can be a wild and fun way to celebrate a birthday. If you’re going for glam, make it a black tie event with a Monte Carlo theme. You can also take your party guests back to ancient Greece with a Toga party or the wild saloons of the 1840’s with a California Gold Rush theme, complete with cowboys and bawdy showgirls.

Make sure that you send out invitations well in advance so that guests have time to prepare their costumes. You can make creative casino themed party invitations using glitter, poker chips or playing cards. Elaborate invitations will help get your guests excited for the big night and ready to party.

Depending on the size of your event, you may want to contact companies that rent gambling equipment, such as roulette tables. If you’re keeping the guest list small you can stick to card games, such as blackjack and poker. Learn the basic blackjack table layout beforehand so that you can provide simple blackjack instructions for beginners.

Handing out creative casino party favors will give your guests something to remember the evening by. Chocolate poker chips or mini gumball machines are tasty treats to send your guests home with. If your party has a Las Vegas theme, Elvis Presley refrigerator magnets will be sure to get a chuckle out of your guests.

Breaking up is never easy, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. When it comes to ending a relationship, the longer you put it off the worse the break will be, so it’s important to recognize the signs that it’s time to break up. If you find yourself thinking about being with other people or wanting more time to yourself, consider that a sign that you should take some time apart.

Admitting that a relationship is over can be difficult, especially if you’ve invested a lot of time and emotion into it. As hard as it can be, the sooner you say good bye the sooner you can start getting over a break up. The best way to break up with someone is to make a clean break and end the relationship as amicably as possible.

Once you’ve ended the relationship, take some time to deal with the emotional effects. Watch sad movies, cry to your heart’s content and eat as much ice cream as you can to numb the pain. Let yourself mourn for about a week and then start thinking about how to move on.

The question that plagues many women after a breakup is what if I see my ex? If this dreaded scenario occurs the most important thing to keep in mind is that you broke up for a reason. Be friendly, remain composed and keep the interaction short and sweet. If you find yourself feeling lonely after the encounter, resist the urge to call him. Go out with a friend, head to the gym to clear your mind or concentrate on making new friends.

Have you ever been bitten by something and not known whether it was an insect or a spider? It can be difficult to determine what caused a bite, but if you have only one single bite the culprit was most likely a spider. Spiders will usually bite once and run away, while insects continue to bite repeatedly.

Chiggers are one exception to this rule of thumb and produce one of the itchiest insect bites around. They will attach themselves to your skin for several days, during which time the bite will look like a tiny red bump. Once the insect has fallen off, the chigger bite will appear red, swollen and very itchy. Chigger bites usually last about a week after the insect has fallen off.

Another way to tell what a spider bite looks like is to examine it with a magnifying glass. If you see two tiny puncture marks on the bite area then you were bitten by a spider. Most spider bites are not life threatening. Common symptoms include a small spot of red skin, slight swelling, mild itching or burning and minor numbness or tingling.

 The symptoms of a poisonous spider bite are more severe. They include major itching or burning, noticeable numbness and tingling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, nausea or vomiting and a rash or blisters.

Begin first aid for a black widow bite or any other poisonous spider bite immediately by slowing the flow of venom. You can do this by tying a tight bandage above any bites on a limb, applying ice to the bite area and remaining calm. You should seek immediate medical attention as poisonous spider bites can be deadly, especially for young children and the elderly.

Copper and brass can be used to make beautiful cooking pots, jewelry and decorative pieces that will last a lifetime. If your copper or brass pieces are starting to look dingy, chances are they just need a good cleaning.

The first step in determining how to clean copper or brass is to determine whether the piece has a protective lacquer. If this is the case, simply dust the piece regularly and wash it with warm, soapy water when necessary.

If the piece is older, it is more likely that it will not have a lacquer on it and will need to be cleaned more thoroughly. You can purchase copper or brass polisher at your local store, but if you are wondering how to clean brass or copper on a budget, the ketchup in your refrigerator can double as a homemade brass cleaner. Simply squirt the ketchup onto a clean rag and rub the surface of the object. Then take a damp cloth and wipe off any remaining residue.

If you’re looking for a home remedy for cleaning a copper pot, try covering a slice of lemon with baking soda and then wiping the pot with it. Rinse the pot and then dry it using a soft cloth. Just remember never to use an abrasive scrubber on the bottom of your copper pot.  

If your piece is particularly old or valuable, you may want to consult an expert on how to polish the brass or copper before attempting to clean it. An expert will have a better understanding of how and why copper oxidizes and can advise you on the best method of care.

Bigger is better-except when it comes to your waistline. The stomach is a problem area for many men and women and excess belly fat can even lead to heart disease. You may think it’s impossible to achieve a flat stomach because of your age or body type, but combining abdominal exercise with weight loss is a surefire way to get beautifully toned abs.

Strengthening your abdominal muscles is essential to achieving a sculpted look for your stomach. A workout DVD, an abs class at your local gym or a fitness magazine can give you the proper instruction for how to work all of your abdominal muscles. Even if your focus is on how to get rid of love handles, it is important to strengthen your entire core, including your lower back, in order to shrink your waistline.

No matter how many crunches or planks you do, you won’t be able to see the results of your hard work if your muscles are hidden by excess fat. Not only will reducing your body fat help you achieve the look that you want, but it can also lower the level of triglycerides in your blood, thereby reducing your risk for heart disease.

Start by reducing your calorie intake according to you height, weight and activity level. You can determine the proper number of calories for your body by consulting a doctor or a calorie calculator on a health website. You should also incorporate cardiovascular exercise into your workout routine for about 40 minutes at least 4 to 6 times per week in order to lose weight fast and keep it off. The most important thing if to find something you enjoy doing, whether it’s running, swimming or dancing. That way you will be able to stick with your program and reveal your flat stomach in no time.

The winter season brings to mind visions of  skiers sailing down the slopes, but learning to ski for the first time is a far from graceful, and even sometimes daunting, experience. However, with a few beginners’ skiing tips you will find yourself whizzing down the mountain like a pro in no time.

Before you strap on your skis you should familiarize yourself with the basics of snow skiing, how a ski lift works and additional snow skiing instructions, such as how to turn and control your speed. If you are more of a visual learner you can even learn to ski online through a course taught by a certified ski instructor.

Once you’ve mastered the technical aspects of skiing you’ll be ready to hit slopes. Find a small mountain that isn’t too crowded for your first skiing experience and be sure to follow the safety guidelines. Skiing is a sport that requires a lot of practice, so even with help from the internet, hands-on experience is the best way to learn to ski better.