NEW YORK MAZE CRAZE

This BRITT TOWERY article IS WORTH REPEATING

The delimas of making a PATRIOTIC PURCHASE are here in this article linked to above by Britt Towery... a millionaire decides he will buy everthing American!

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN US UP IN MOST STATES -

"The changing trend in state unemployment rates reflects a weaker economy hampered by high gas prices and lower factory output. Nationally, employers added only 18,000 net jobs in June, the second straight month of feeble hiring."

WASHINGTON STATE MAZE CRAZE

AMERICAN EXPRESS GIFT CARDS - GREAT DEAL - and AVAILABLE AT YOUR UNITED STATES POST OFFICE!

Today we want to support the UNITED STATES POST OFFICE which is suffering, which means that all those employees are suffering. This morning our local clerk told us that the post office is "restructuring" how they hire which means (you guessed it!) that they are going to change job descriptions and cut down on pay and benefits.

The post office is being kept open because of junk mail and mailing e-bay auction items. The use of computerized bill paying has eliminated a lot of first class stamp mailing.

So today I went shopping at the post office.

I saw cards that were pretty much being sold at the SAME PRICE as cards at gift stores but I got to thinking that it would be worth it to make cards and afford the stamps! I think that comparison pricing when you send packages is in order...

But one item that was being sold was a surprise to me: AMERICAN EXPRESS GIFT CARDS which are used like charge cards and can be loaded to $100 and recharged. There is NO LOST VALUE, NO MONTHLY FEES, NO EXPIRATION DATE. You can't use them for gym fees or subscriptions, for cruises or at ATMS.

And we know it's OK to GIVE YOURSELF A GIFT too!

VACATION AT HOME WITH A THEMED WEEK FOR YOU AND THE KIDS

OK! HERE IS MY BEST IDEA YET FOR A LOW BUDGET VACATION WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR HOME TOWN!

Decide (pull straws or take a vote) on a place you've all been hoping to visit. Maybe one of the states or cities of this great nation?

Maybe an island in Hawaii? Or how about Stone Mountain park outside of Atlanta? Or perhaps Washington, DC. because of historical homes and the nations best museum, the Smithsonian. Then, a little fun research: What is that place known for? The hula? Civil War History? What are the special foods served? Peach Cobbler? Barbecued Pig? Venison stew?

Is it time to have a pig roast in the backyard or try some new recipes using peaches? What about decorating the apartment in this theme and making crafts?
Can you bring home movies and books from the library that fit your theme? Your children have a great sense of adventure!

What about a kids party or a neighborhood barbecue?

YOU GET THE IDEA!

TEXAS MAZE CRAZE

IT'S SUMMER VACATION TIME : SEND GREETINGS FROM YOUR OWN HOME?

Vintage postcards like these bring back memories of a time when the summer vacation was more affordable than it is today. Many families are having a hard time paying the rent or mortgage and can't afford to go anywhere special. May we suggest that you plan to stimulate the economy without incurring high gas or other transportation costs by making one day excursions closer to home?

Honesty! Your own home town can feel like a vacation if you plan to go and do AS IF YOU WERE TOURISTS!

ABOVE GROUND POOLS BOASTS MORE THAN ONE MADE IN THE UNITED STATES POOL

As you know we aren't exactly consumer reports here (though we try), but we do want to help you buy American.

We were impressed that this site offers competitive pricing and has been in business near 50 years and that they offer more than one manufacturer as well as close outs. So it's not too late to set up that swimming pool in the backyard for summer fun. And you may find that a local store you walk right into is also a good choice for pool purchasing. Just remember to say "I want to buy Made in the USA!"

ARTIST JOHN TRUMBELL - THE MAKING OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Or well, the start of it. Everyone who has ever come to this country has been part of making it great, and we must continue to do so.

This image, like many others on this blog, is courtesey of Dover Publishing. Artist John Trumbell.

FOURTH OF JULY NAIL ART

Believe it or not, we watched a lot of videos on this subject and, though we saw a lot of designs, we decided this one had the most refreshing music and professional presentation! (We thought it was weird to see fake nails not attached to fingers being painted!) Now when you look on a bottle of nail polish or supplies - clippers - filing boards - etc. what words are you looking for?

We found one called "Piggy Paint" which is "Natural as Mud" meaning non-toxic and MADE IN THE USA... LINK ABOVE!

OP ED BY MICHAEL M. GUNTER : RICHMOND TIMES DISPATCH : BUY A PASSPORT AND BE A GOOD WILL AMBASSADOR AS YOU TRAVEL OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES

We thought this article was interesting. Michael M. Gunter proposes that spending your travel and vacation money outside the United States is good for the United States.

We have one thing to say : Travelers should remember HOW OTHER COUNTRIES TREAT AMERICANS WHO WANT TO STAY AND WORK... You can pretty much forget about taking jobs from their citizens. We should do the same when vacationers come here, love it, and want to stay in the United States and work. We should never support illegal immigration which means we should not hire illegal.

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