Another National Day

As most of you know, I enjoy discovering unique and unusual celebrations and recognitions (think Donut Day, Potato Day, etc.). Well this one I just couldn’t resist – today is National Toilet Paper Day. This one definitely fits the requirements of unique and original, but it’s also a very worthy recognition. Really, how different would our habits be without this modern invention? Believe it or not, the current incarnation of toilet paper has only been around since the late 19th century. For some history and interesting facts take a look at these websites:

The Story of Toilet Paper
Toilet Paper Curiosities

And of course there is the age old debate of which is the best orientation when hanging toilet paper, over or under. While there is little scientific evidence to prove it, the over method seems to have a slight margin with most people. For some people, there is only one right way to hang toilet paper, the other is just wrong. What about you do you prefer over or under? Is there a debate amongst your family about the right method?

Back to School

It is time for school again. Time to buy school supplies and new school clothes; time to send the kids off to a new year full of new adventures where they will make new friends and learn new skills. Each year this time, I reminisce about my own school days - my friends, teachers, bonfires and football games.

Like many of you my teachers were very influential in my life. I had some teachers who were strict, others were laid-back and one of my favorites was a quirky teacher who loved horses. She always told us about her horses and how she loved to run around barefoot everywhere she went. She never wore shoes! I also had a history teacher who seemed to know every detail about the civil war and I learned so much in his class. How about your teachers? Do you have any stories about favorite teachers that you would like to share?

Going back to school can be a difficult transition for some families. Here are some websites with more information about preparing your children for the new school year:

Resources & Advice for Parents and Children
Back to School Tips
Recipes for Back to School (School Lunches, Snacks)

National Potato Day

Today is National Potato Day and potatoes are one of my favorite foods. Potatoes are so versatile and fun to cook with. What other food can you bake, broil, grill, fry, mash, scallop, sauté – the list goes on endlessly. Here are some websites with great recipes:

BigSpud.com: The Potato Recipe Collection
Potatoes Goodness Unearthed - Recipes
RecipeZaar: Potatoes Recipes

You may not know that the United Nations declared 2008 as the International Year of the Potato. What does this mean? The UN wants to promote potatoes as an economically sustainable product for farmers and consumers across the globe. In celebration of the year of the potato, the Idaho Potato Commission has partnered with UNICEF for Recipes for Relief which provides lifesaving nutrition, clean water, education to children in more than 150 countries around the world. Click here to learn more.

Don’t forget MySurvey.com and our parent company TNS are also sponsors of UNICEF. Click here to learn more about our UNICEF charity.

2008 Summer Olympics

Seems like we have been hearing about the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics for four years – oh, right we have been! Really, I’m a big fan of the Olympic games, particularly the summer games. So I’m really excited for non-stop Olympic action for the next 16 days.

I enjoy the competition and the sports in general, but what I really love are the back-stories of the athletes. Most of whom have spent their entire lives training for the chance at gold. Some athletes in Beijing that I find inspiring:

Lopez Lomong - The US flag bearer for the opening ceremony. Lomong was born in Sudan and spent 10 years in a refuge camp in Kenya. He came to the U.S. as one of "The Lost Boys of Sudan" and is one of three naturalized U.S. citizens on the Olympic 1500m team.

Dara Torres - A 41 year old mother and 9 time Olympic medalist in swimming. What more is there to say?

Sara Khoshjamal - Khoshjamal is the first Iranian woman to qualify for the Olympics. In keeping with Iran's conservative religious rules, Khoshjamal trains and competes in Taekwando wearing a headscarf and a protective helmet.

Amnat Ruenroeng – Reunroeng was starting his third stint in a Thai jail, when he signed up for a prison boxing program in to pass the time. He says it was his salvation and just a year after stepping into the prison ring, he won a national title and was released from jail on good behavior.

By the end of the games there will be many stories of inspiration for me to enjoy. Tell us what you are looking forward to. Are any of you rooting for a hometown favorite? Tell us about it!

Summer Vacation

Wow, I can’t believe it’s August already. I hope you are enjoying your summer so far. I certainly am and I still have a lot planned for the remaining weeks. Around here September is usually still warm and sunny, so I’ve got quite a bit of time left to enjoy it.

Due to the high gas prices, I’ve heard that many people are staying close to home this summer instead of traveling across country or abroad. The latest buzz word is ‘staycation’ – basically a vacation in your home town. All the news markets are talking about it since early spring.

Get away on vacation — at home
Staycations: Alternative to pricey, stressful travel - CNN.com
U.S. cities tout merits of less costly 'staycations'

How about you - have you changed your summer vacation plans this year? Have you enjoyed a ‘staycation’ this year?

Since August can get hot in many parts of the country, we are featuring “cool recipes” from our members. We have some really great recipes to keep you cool including popsicles and Mile High Pie. Also, be sure to check out the latest quick poll and survey results.