The Fourth of July Fun Facts

As you know on this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this most American of holidays is marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues across the country.
But perhaps you did not know these trivia tidbits about our Fourth of July Cookouts!

• More than 1 in 4 - The chance that the hot dogs and pork sausages consumed on the Fourth of July originated in Iowa. The Hawkeye State was home to 19.3 million hogs and pigs on March 1, 2009. This represents more than one-fourth of the nation's total. North Carolina (9.4 million) and Minnesota (7.3 million) were the runners-up.


• 6.8 billion pounds - Total production of cattle and calves in Texas in 2007. Chances are good that the beef hot dogs, steaks and burgers on your backyard grill came from the Lone Star State, which accounted for about one-sixth of the nation's total production. And if the beef did not come from Texas, it very well may have come from Nebraska (4.7 billion pounds) or Kansas (4.1 billion pounds).


• About 4 in 10 - The odds that your side dish of baked beans originated from North Dakota, which produced 39 percent of the nation's dry, edible beans in 2008. Another popular Fourth of July side dish is corn on the cob. Florida, California, Georgia and New York together accounted for 61 percent of the sweet corn produced nationally in 2008.


• Please Pass the Potato Salad - Potato salad and potato chips are popular food items at Fourth of July barbecues. Half of the nation's spuds were produced in Idaho or Washington state in 2008.


• More than three-fourths - Amount of the nation's head lettuce production in 2008 that came from California.


• More than 7 in 10 - The chances that the fresh tomatoes in your salad came from California or Florida, which combined accounted for 71 percent of U.S. tomato production last year.


• Florida - The state that led the nation in watermelon production last year (861 million pounds).


• 78 million - Number of Americans who said they have taken part in a barbecue during the previous year.


• Fireworks: $193 million - The value of fireworks imported from China in 2008, representing the bulk of all U.S. fireworks imported ($202 million). U.S. exports of fireworks just $28.1 million in 2008, with Australia purchasing more than any other country ($5.8 million).


• Flags: $3.4 million - In 2008, the dollar value of U.S. imports of American flags. The vast majority of this amount ($3.0 million) was for U.S. flags made in China. Adopted From http://www.census.gov/
  

Recipe Of The Month! - Grilled Corn on the Cob with Garlic Butter, Fresh Lime and Cotija Cheese (or Italian Parmesan Cheese)

Ingredients

• 8 ears corn
• 4 fresh limes, quartered
• Garlic butter, recipe follows
• 1/2 cup grated Italian Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped chives, for garnish
  

Directions
Preheat grill to medium. Peel back the husks of the corn without removing them. Remove the silks and recover the corn with the husk. Soak in large bowl of cold water for 30 minutes. Remove corn from water and shake off excess. Place the corn on the grill, close the cover and grill for 15 to 20 minutes.
Unwrap corn and brush with the garlic butter. Sprinkle with the cheese and squeeze with lime. Sprinkle with chopped chives, to garnish.

Garlic Butter:

• 2 sticks unsalted butter, slightly softened
• 8 cloves garlic, peeled and coarsely chopped
• 1/4 habanera pepper, seeded (optional)
• 1/4 bunch fresh chives
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  

Combine butter, garlic, habanera, & chives in a food processor and process until smooth. Season with salt & pepper. Set aside until ready to use. http://www.foodnetwork.com

Monthly Stress Reducer - Two Blind Pilots

Two blind pilots both are wearing dark glasses, one is using a guide dog, and the other is tapping his way along the aisle with a cane.
Nervous laughter spreads through the cabin, but the men enter the cockpit, the door closes, and the engines start up. The passengers begin glancing nervously around, searching for some sign that this is just a little practical joke. None is forthcoming.
The plane moves faster and faster down the runway and the people sitting in the window seats realize they're headed straight for the water at the edge of the airport. As it begins to look as though the plane will plough in to the water, panicked screams fill the cabin. At that moment, the plane lifts smoothly into the air. The passengers relax and laugh a little sheepishly, and soon all retreat into t heir magazines, secure in the knowledge that the plane is in good hands.
In the cockpit, one of the blind pilots turns to the other and says, "ya know, Bob, one of these days, they're gonna scream too late and we're all gonna die." Adopted from www.onlyfunnystories.com

Basic tips for handling an injured pet

If your pet is injured, it could be in pain and is also most likely scared and confused. You need to be careful to avoid getting hurt, bitten or scratched.
Never assume that even the gentlest pet will not bite or scratch if injured. Pain and fear can make animals unpredictable or even dangerous.
Don't attempt to hug an injured pet, and always keep your face away from its mouth. Although this may be your first impulse to comfort your pet, it might only scare the animal more or cause them pain.
Perform any examination slowly and gently. Stop if your animal becomes more agitated.
Call your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic before you move your pet so they can be ready for you when you arrive.
If necessary and if your pet is not vomiting, place a muzzle on the pet to reduce the chances you'll be bitten.
Dogs may be muzzled with towels, stockings or gauze rolls.
Cats and other small animals may be wrapped in a towel to restrain them, but make sure your pet is not wrapped in the towel too tightly and its nose is uncovered so it can breathe.
NEVER muzzle your pet if it is vomiting.
If possible, try to stabilize injuries before moving an injured animal by splinting or bandaging them.
While transporting your injured pet, keep it confined in a small area to reduce the risk of additional injury. Pet carriers work well, or you can use a box or other container (but make sure your pet has enough air). For larger dogs, you can use a board, toboggan/sled, door, throw rug, blanket or something similar to act as a stretcher.
You should always keep your pet's medical records in a safe, easily accessible place. Bring these with you when you take your dog for emergency treatment http://www.avma.org

WAYS FOR KIDS TO MAKE MONEY!

One day, your child will need to earn a living. Kids can get an edge on the work world by starting early and in doing so they will gain valuable experience working with different people, learning about managing money, have some money to spend once they get older, or save for college.

JOBS FOR KIDS:

• BABY SITTER - If you child likes younger kids, then a baby sitter is a popular choice. Parents often need a good and reliable baby sitter to watch their kids. You can get together a group of people who can offer baby sitting services to all the parents in the area.


• PARENTS HELPER - A parents helper is similar to a baby sitter. However, if your child is too young to baby sit on their own, then a job helping parents is a good opportunity. They can help watch someone's kids, assist with the feeding, playing, or doing chores around the house.


• HOUSE CLEANING - Instead of a parents helper, your child could simply do house cleaning. There are many chores that would be suitable such as vacuuming, dusting, etc.


• LEMONADE STAND - Everyone is familiar with the old fashioned lemonade stand. Of course, this is a seasonal business, depending on your location. Also try selling coffee, donuts, snack bags, or other food items. If possible, set up a booth at a local community fair, or sale if allowed.


• CAR WASHING - Car washing is a needed service in many communities. Have your child get together with a few friends to offer to wash local cars. Also, they can sell items mentioned in the lemonade stand section. See what professional car washes charge & price the services competitively.


• ANIMAL CARETAKER - If you child enjoys animals, then try an animal caretaker business. This might involve walking dogs, dog washing, or general grooming.


• HOUSE AND PET SITTING - If a neighbor is taking a trip or vacation, then taking care of their house and/or pets may be an opportunity. This may include watering plants, and any other chores they may need.


• LANDSCAPING - Cutting grass, weeding, trimming, planting flowers, and other landscaping jobs are abundant. Scan the neighborhood for homes that need landscaping services. Adopted From www.moneyinstructor.com
  

Vitamins For The Mind: Quotes - Kids Wise Beyond Their Years

• You should always listen to older people. They are like living history books and can teach you so much. Cindy, age 13


• It does not matter how much money a family has. If there is a lot of love in a home, that family is richer than any millionaire could ever be. Whitney, age 16


• My mom and dad love me no matter what. Abbey, age 8


• I should never make a decision unless I'm willing to accept the consequences. Stacey, 17


• It's funny how God uses simple people to do great things. Elana, age 15


• The art of communication is not what you can hear being said from the other person's mouth, but what you can feel from his heart and see in his eyes. Leah, age 15


• No matter how much you cry at night, things won't change unless you help them to change. Nicole, age 17


• Sometimes the most loving answer is no. Leslie, age 12


• You should always try, even when you don't think it will help. Jennifer, age 11


• It is OK to fail, but it is not OK to give up. Kate, age 8


• The color of people shouldn't matter. Somer, age 10


• A single flower growing where nothing else is growing is a beautiful thing. Cindy, age 13


• I should always try my best. If I don't succeed, then at least I will feel good about myself. Laura, age 16


• Life is hard no matter how old you are. Rosalinda, age 13


• Someone is always better than you in one thing, but you are better than them in another. Alecia, age 12


• Trust is the most valuable thing you'll ever earn. Susanna, age 17


• You will never be happy if all you do is think about all the things you don't have. Christy, age 17


• It's never too late to say you're sorry. Laura, age 12 Adopted From generationterrorists.com
  

Reel Partner Of The Month! J. K. Smith, Inc.Plumbing Installation & Service

No matter how large or small your residential project is we promise to provide you with the best service on the market. Our staff is highly-trained to meet all of your needs, answer all of your questions and show you how much we appreciate your business. We're a local company made up of professionals who are proud to call Indianapolis home. With every job, we know we're serving valued members of our community. If for any reason you're not satisfied with our work, please let us know. We are fully committed to resolving any issues that may arise.

The Real Team Discount - By waiving a $39.00 trip charge on a service repair that exceeds $100.00.

Call Us At 317-271-5260 (Office)

The Steps to a Healthy Relationship

Developing and maintaining a healthy relationship requires a mutual desire to work together, and an equal amount of dedication to each other. Relationships are often difficult, even painful ways of relating to others; yet, recognizing that conflict is an innate characteristic of human existence, they allow you to accept that by virtue of their nature, relationships are dynamic. Relationships are forever changing because it is in our character to continually evolve throughout our lives. A healthy relationship involves accepting the inevitable transformations in each other and in the relationship, and using the changes as tools to grow together.

Trust - Trust is the fundamental aspect in any relationship because all other characteristics are contingencies; trust is the foundation on which love, respect, communication and commitment are built. Developing trust can be an extremely difficult task, especially if you have experienced trust issues previously; nevertheless, it's impossible to progress in any healthy relationship without it. Being able to trust each other implicitly mitigates many of the potential troubles that you may experience in the future.

Commitment - Committing to a relationship means that you have an unqualified desire to maintain and improve the relationship. Commitment requires equality in willingness and deed; distinct inequality in regard to effort leads to resentment and future discord. There are times in the relationship when you will endure tremendous challenges of your love, your commitment and your patience; but, if you share a mutual desire to overcome the difficulties together, you can sustain the relationship even in the most strenuous times.

Respect - Respecting others means that you view them with equality; they are equitably as valuable as you are. Validating the other person demonstrates that you respect your differences and acknowledge that diversity doesn't have to be a source of conflict. Respect enhances a relationship by establishing a deeper level of intimacy because mutual respect expels fear of control, competition and inadequacy.

Communication - Communication is a vital part of every relationship; an aspect that you should integrate as a central component of your relationship. Maintaining a substantial level of communication prepares you to relate your thoughts and feelings when conflict emerges. Being able to articulate and listen to each other's views encourage trust and respect within your relationship. Persevering as a unit through the challenges enables you to develop a solid foundation on which you can build and cultivate a fulfilling life together.

Individual Freedom - Granting individual freedom to someone in a relationship presents us with a potentially challenging dynamic; giving this freedom without reservation can test our faith in the other person, as well as threaten our own self-confidence. Nevertheless, preserving a sense of personal freedom is a significant part of what substantiates you as an individual person, and as a joint entity in a relationship. Implementing individual freedom requires unconditional trust and love, but by surrendering the desire to control, you facilitate an even more intimate connection. Adopted From http://www.livestrong.com/

Ask Mike About Mortgages: VA Mortgage Loans - The Ultimate Zero Down Payment!

Franklin American Mortgages provides veteran mortgages online with VA home loans that require no money down. Only veterans are eligible for 100% VA home loan options that were created for primary residences for military families. Mike is an approved VA mortgage lender who works with veterans who have bad, good or no credit. As a trusted VA loan company we can extend 100% financing on purchase loan solutions that enable 1st time homebuyers to take advantage of record low VA loan rates.

Zero Down Loan Options for Veteran Home Purchasing

Buying a home with a VA guaranteed loan grants veterans and service persons better terms than that of a conventional mortgage loan. VA mortgage loans are managed through private home loan lenders, so you do not have to struggle with government financing. Our VA loan officers have a full understanding of the VA guidelines and requirements for the VA loan program.

Understanding VA Loans

A portion of VA mortgage loans are guaranteed by the government, but your new home loan will be processed by a traditional VA approved lender, like Bridge Mortgages. As long as the mortgage is equal to or less than the value of the property, no down payment is required. The government guarantees up to $36,000 to the lending company. Because of the Veterans Administrations' guarantee, the insurance premiums with VA home loans are only .5%.

Besides lending to 100%, the VA home loans offer other important features that benefit the borrower. VA loans have no pre-payment penalties and the current mortgage rates are lower than conventional interest rates, so money is still cheap.

The VA will also assist borrowers with past credit problems, because like FHA loans, credit score is not the driving factor for qualifications. Veterans with limited or less than perfect credit can choose from FHA home loans, sub-prime mortgages or hard money if they equity. VA continues to encourage homeownership for 1st time homebuyers.

Reel Free Classifieds

Cheap Pets

• FREE GOLDEN RETRIEVER—female She is very lovable, healthy (never been sick), & extremely obedient. Very friendly with strangers. Beautiful golden coat & face. Good with kids. Very active & loves sports (i.e. swimming). 8 yrs old. Looking for a good owner due to current owner's medical condition. Please Call: 317-437-2001
• FREE Cat. Young Female that has been spayed & declawed. An adults only home with no other pets would work best. 317-271-8128.
• Boxer - I have an 8month old Boxer boy. He is absolutely amazing and I love him to death but can not keep him. My ex brought him to me about a month ago and I can not keep him. I am asking a small rehoming fee of $60. Call me or text me at 317 524 8273

Reel Deals

• 2 HON filing cabinets. One is locking, one is not. Both are 4 drawer, black and in good condition! $75 a piece. Call Mark at 317 710 2099.
• Beautiful like new, firm sofa. Non smoking, no pets. Must sell. Asking $250. Negotiable. Call 317-886-7766.
• ANTIQUE Drop Leaf Dining Room Table, Duncan Phyfe, 5 carved Roseback chairs. $99.00. Call: (317)340-5856
• Crate & Barrel Cherry Crib with mattress. Crib in very good condition, beautifully detailed design; mattress average condition. Items can be sold separately. Housed in non-smoker home. Contact Sarah @ 317-738-0243. Price $75.
• CHINA CABINET Solid oak, lighted w/beveled glass. Very old. $99.00. Call 317-784-8537
• GOLF Ladies Complete Set Delta Countess Irons, 3 Metal Ultra Woods. $69.00. (317) 787-5448
• GOLF Men’s Complete Set MacGregor Irons FC4000, 3 Dunlop Metal Woods. $59.00. (317) 787-5448

Charity Events

• Friday, August 6, 2010, 11:15 AM.Blind Children's Foundation Golf Tournament at Golf Club of Indiana.Golf, lunch, dinner, & beverages. Lunch and registration at 11:15 AM, tournament at 12:30 PM, followed by dinner and awards. Proceeds benefit Indiana School for the Blind. Register online. Info: See Web site or call 317-259-4035.Location: Golf Club of Indiana, 6905 S County Rd 525 East, Lebanon, Boone County.www.blindchildrensfoundation.org
• Saturday, August 14, 2010, 9:00 AM.2nd Annual Bikers for HVAF Freedom Ride at Harley-Davidson of Indianapolis. An escorted 90-minute ride at 10:30 AM ends at HVAF with a cookout, vendors, door prizes, and much more. Proceeds benefit homeless & near-homeless veterans & their families. $25 by July 31, then $35. Info: See Web site below or call 317-951-0688.Location: Harley-Davidson of Indianapolis, 4146 E. 96th Street, Indianapolis. www.hvaf.org
• Saturday, August 14, 2010, 10:00 AM.PAWS Pool Party and Dog Dive Contest at Riley Park in Greenfield.Open swim for dogs and their owners 12-4 PM. Dogs must be current on vaccinations. Rain date: Aug. 15. Pricing varies by event. Proceeds benefit Partners for Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). Info: 317-467-1816.Location: Riley Park Pool, 280 Apple Street, Greenfield.www.pawshancock.org