A cute new spring ottoman cover

Guest post written by Shirley Charlson
I like to change the decor of my house a little bit with the seasons. I don't buy new decor each and every season but I switch out the same stuff just as a nice little way for everything to look different. I decided this year that it might be nice to invest in some ottoman covers that I could switch out each season too.
I went online to see if I could find some ottoman covers that will fit the ottoman that I have. When I was looking online for some ottoman covers I saw some information on HVAC in Florida and after I looked through it enough I decided to get a new system. Having a working system is essential in this state.
I did find some directions on how to make an ottoman cover and decided to go that route because it will be easier to just find the fabric myself that I want to make these ottoman covers. I can't wait to pick out the perfect spring fabric for one of my new ottoman covers.

Highway to America..

The Border.........

Secret Service

Hallmark Holiday

Contributed by Milford Woods
When I was looking online to Shop electricity rates TEXAS, I was blown away by all of the hype that Valentine’s Day receives. My husband and I have never been huge fans of this pretend holiday. I think it is a little silly to have one day designed as a day to tell others how much they mean to you. Shouldn’t we be doing this every day? It is sad that we need to invent a holiday for the reminder. What is even more shocking now that I had kids, is how hyped up this holiday is at school. We never used to do much more for this day than pass out cards to one another. Now, Valentine’s Day is as big of a production as Christmas and the end-of-the-year party. And don’t make any mistake- gone are the days where a simple card is enough to pass out to classmates. Now we must attach to the card candy, pencils, and stickers or tattoos. My oldest daughter came home upset because she said that she was the only one in class who “just had Valentine’s cards.” Every other child had also handed out packages of candy, cookies, and even gift cards to a fast-food restaurant. I felt bad that my daughter felt left out, but I really felt angry that such a spectacle has been made out of this day.

Our Solders......

Many argue that having the lives of thousands of young adults destroyed — or lost — is the price of preserving our freedom.  And during World War II, when America was a very different nation, most people had no trouble buying into that proposition.  But in today’s corrupt, semi-socialist America, the biggest threat to our freedom comes not from abroad, but from the criminal class in Washington — and, unfortunately, no one is talking about invading the nation’s capital.

America?

It's  believed the United States is now somewhere between the "complacency and apathy" phase of   democracy, with some forty  percent of the nation's population already having reached the  "governmental dependency" phase. 

Again?

The postal department has once again added insult to it's customers.  Not only are they down sizing by cutting jobs and closing certain offices, now they are doing this. Starting Sunday, the price of first-class postage increases from 44 cents to 45 cents.  The cost of mailing a postcard is also going up to 32 cents, a three cent increase.  Meanwhile, the cost of mailing a letter to other countries will increase 7 cents, to $1.05.
The government is hoping the price hike will help with billions in projected losses this year.  It's my opinion, they need to do something.  It goes with the territory as with our esteemed government, this branch must upgrade as well.

Law and Order: SVU Marathons

Guest post written by my buddy Keith Kramer
I am firmly convinced that there is nothing greater in this world than an all-day marathon of any show revolving around a crime. Law and Order: SVU? Criminal Minds? NCIS? It doesn’t matter. Any of them will do. While not a lazy person by nature, an all-day crime show marathon renders me completely incapable of moving from my couch except to grab a snack. Now, if one of these marathons is running on a Saturday, I force myself off the couch to get out of the house to complete whatever errands need running. On a Sunday though? All bets are off. Sunday is the day of rest, yes? I prefer my “rest” in the form of complete immobility for nine to ten hours on the couch, thanks. I am well aware that watching this many straight episodes of a television show revolving around someone’s mental illness, or the axe murderer running around Manhattan is probably not healthy, but it is a compulsion. Turning on my Direct tv guide and seeing one of these marathons? Awesome.

Military Pay?

CINDY WILLIAMS was appointed by Obama as an Assistant Director for NATIONAL SECURITY in the
Congressional Budget Office. Ms. Cindy William wrote a piece for the Washington Times denouncing the
pay raise(s) coming service members' way this year citing that she stated a 13% wage increase was more
than they deserve.

A young airman from Hill AFB responds to her article below. He ought to get a bonus for this.

Ms Williams:

I just had the pleasure of reading your column, "Our GI's earn enough" and I am a bit confused. Frankly, I'm
wondering where this vaunted overpayment is going, because as far as I can tell, it disappears every month
between DFAS (The Defense Finance and Accounting Service) and my bank account. Checking my latest
earnings statement I see that I make $1,117..80 before taxes per month. After taxes, I take home $874.20.
When I run that through the calculator, I come up with an annual salary of $13,413.60 before taxes, and
$10,49040 after.

I work in the Air Force Network Control Center where I am part of the team responsible for a 5,000 host
computer network. I am involved with infrastructure segments, specifically with Cisco Systems equipment.
A quick check under jobs for "Network Technicians" in the Washington , D.C. Area reveals a position in my
career field, requiring three yearsˆ™ experience in my job. Amazingly, this job does NOT pay $13,413.60 a year.
No, this job is being offered at $70,000 to $80,000 per anum...I'm sure you can draw the obvious conclusions.

Given the tenor of your column, I would assume that you NEVER had the pleasure of serving your country in
her armed forces.

Before you take it upon yourself to once more castigate congressional and DOD leadership for attempting to get
the families in the military's lowest pay brackets off of WIC and food stamps, I suggest that you join a group of
deploying soldiers headed for AFGHANISTAN ; I leave the choice of service branch up to you. Whatever choice
you make though, opt for the SIX month rotation: it will guarantee you the longest possible time away from your
family and friends, thus giving you full "deployment experience."

As your group prepares to board the plane, make sure to note the spouses and children who are saying good-bye
to their loved ones. Also take care to note that several families are still unsure of how they'll be able to make ends
meet while the primary breadwinner is gone. Obviously they've been squandering the "vast" piles of cash the
government has been giving them.

Try to deploy over a major holiday; Christmas and Thanksgiving are perennial favorites.  And when you're actually
over there, sitting in a foxhole, shivering against the cold desert night, and the flight sergeant tells you that there aren't
enough people on shift to relieve you for chow, remember this: trade whatever MRE's (meal-ready-to-eat) you manage
to get for the tuna noodle casserole or cheese tortellini, and add Tabasco to everything. This gives some flavor.

Talk to your loved ones as often as you are permitted; it won't be nearly long enough or often enough, but take what
you can get and be thankful for it. You may have picked up on the fact that I disagree with most of the points you
present in your oped piece.

But, tomorrow from KABUL, I will defend to the death your right to say it.

You see, I am an American fighting man, a guarantor of your First Amendment right and every other right you cherish.
On a daily basis, my brother and sister soldiers worldwide ensure that you and people like you can thumb your
collective noses at us, all on a salary that is nothing short of pitiful and under conditions that would make most people
cringe. We hemorrhage our best and brightest into the private sector because we can't offer the stability and pay of
civilian companies.

And you, Ms. Williams, have the gall to say that we make more than we deserve? What do you think someone should
be paid to defend your life, and the life of your family?

A1C Michael Bragg, Hill AFB AFNCC

Walgreens Prescriptions

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Negotiations by  Walgreens and Express Script  have fallen through and they will no long work together.  Walgreens is no longer part of Express Scripts’ pharmacy provider network as of Jan. 1, 2012. Express Scripts acts as a middleman between pharmacies.  Most payers don’t see the rates Express Scripts pays to Walgreens. They only know what they pay Express Scripts. When they do see what Walgreens is paid, many health plans and employers are making decisions to continue to ensure access to Walgreens because they find the prices to be competitive and believe that they can lower overall health care costs.

An individual can join the  Walgreens Prescription Savings Club

   during a special January promotion for only $5, or $10 for a family membership, and receive savings on more than 8,000 brand name and all generic medications. Walgreens did this in an effort to prevent our country’s military personnel from being caught in the middle.

Walgreens also offered to contract separately with Express Scripts for Tricare from other Express Scripts commercial business, but these offers were rejected. This company wants you to use their own mail order pharmacy business instead of your community pharmacy.  Community pharmacies are a valuable presence in your neighborhood.  You can give support to  Walgreens on Facebook   as well as  Walgreens on Twitter   because of the magnitude confusion  this situation has caused.  What better was to stay updated than to check this out on these two networks.

What Do You Think?

"The United States’ score dropped because of increased regulations and growing government spending. The report comments that these government policies have 'discouraged entrepreneurship and dynamic investment within the private sector.'"

I found this on Facebook and thought it was good information...........