Suppot Local Michigan Business

For lent this year I am supporting Michigan Local Business, by doing my best to shop a locally owned business and buying more Michigan based products. Also only eating at locally owned restaurants. I it has been pretty easy so far. Struggling trying to get Jason on the same page with the whole fast food issue is the tough one.
Anyway I plan on following my lent vow all the time, Why not.
I thought I would share the following article my cousin Molly just emailed.

In a recent issue of Hour Detroit magazine:

'If we all spent $10 a week on Michigan products, we could put $36 million every week back into the state's economy'. That was powerful to me. Every day I hear people bemoan the state of Michigan's economy and here was a simple way for each of us to make an impact.
I contacted a woman named Jeanne Lipe at the Michigan Agritourist Department who confirmed that the numbers were correct and gave me some leads to get started on what has turned into this email today.
The idea is to shift $10 per week of your grocery budget to products that are from Michigan companies. I wanted an easy to use list of Michigan products that I could find at my local grocery store. I have attached a copy of that list to this email. It is in no way complete, but it will get you off to a good start if you should choose to help out.
Some things I learned along the way: There are a lot of Michigan owned grocery stores that are supporting other Michigan businesses on their shelves. Spartan stores are a cooperative; this means that if you buy a Michigan made product from a Spartan affiliated grocery store, you are getting a 'triple dip.' The product is made in Michigan, the grocery store is independently owned by a Michigan family, and Spartan Stores headquarters is located in Grand Rapids. Other independently owned stores are a 'double dip'. This includes stores like Randazzo's and Westborn markets. Meijer is based in Grand Rapids, so also counts as a double dip. I also found a whole bunch of products that are not mass distributed, but are available online and in some specialty food shops. I have added them on a second sheet. There are some great treats and gift items there.
If you think this idea is a good one, and you have friends and family through out the state who might help out, please forward this email with the lists attached on to them. $36 Million per week could go a long way!
Garden Fresh located in Ferndale. They make the BEST salsa (Jack's Special medium hot is my fave!)! They also donate a portion of their proceeds from the sale of their chips (in the big orange bag) to the Children's Hospital of Michigan!

Here is the list.
http://www.iuoelocal547.com/PDFs/Stores_and_Products.pdf

New Year addition

2009 is already looking ?

Thanks to my Doctor I am now on a low cholesterol diet until the middle of March.

The satisfaction of trying to prove to my doctor that my elevated cholesterol is due to the crap I eat and not hereditary is my motovation.

Thus this Diet is a new addition to my resolution list.

I am thinking that I maybe able to shed a few pounds as an extra bonus.

Wish me Luck!

New Year Resolution

2008 had come and gone so fast, I can not even tell you what or if I had a resolution for 2008. My ambitions for 2009 are simple but yet maybe hard to come by. I am going to make more time for myself, alone time is something I very muched lacked in 2008. I also am going to plan a Family Vacation, with the hopes of taking itJ. Spend time up north at the cabin & my parents this summer. Get the started but not completed home improvements done. Spend time with my boys as a Family.
A LOT TO ASK…….. I know!

jason marissa & Owen

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Happy Holidays

Quick run down

Life in the last 4 months has been busy, Owen has been so hands on and on the go its hard to keep up. Here is a run down on things, Owen has been busy learning his ABC's and the sounds they make. He is also getting into numbers a little bit and it goes a little like this 1,2,8,9. He loves tractors, trucks, airplanes. He is 100% BOY. Owen is also going on his third night of sleeping in a big boy bed, I wanted to keep him in the crib for as long as I could but this is an attempt to keep him out of our bed. He is doing very well he has not gotten out once! so far.

Jason had gone on his annual hunting trip and he did bag a 13 point buck. Good thing to we need meat, and I don't think I could handle his disappointment if he had not got anything. Jason also got his long over due new used truck a 2005 4 door Toyota Tacoma. Well he got his moneys worth out of the Dakota thats for sure.

Well as for me, I am still working full time and going to school Monday nights. Trying to keep up with two very busy boys. I am looking forward to the snow, I am excited for snowmen and sledding. Maybe I will get back in to the skiing and snowboarding its only been like 10 years. Maybe its like rinding a bike.

Halloween 2008 GARRRRR!!!!!!!!!

Owen was a Pirate, and was non stop all night these are the best pictures I got. Owen did not care at all about candy, he would run up to the door and as soon as he would see someone coming he would turn around and run back down the drive way and to the next house. I call him my little track star, he literly ran the whole time.