ABC News Special Report

I'm very excited about the upcoming ABC News Special Report Made in America series.  This series will provide just the "crash course" I need.  I haven't gotten the chance to explore the website as of yet, but surely it offers tips, stores, and manufacturers for all of us who will be changing our shopping habits and proving our purchasing power.

You can go on ABC's website and take the Made in the USA pledge.

Through a child's eyes...

Sometimes I forget just how perceptive kids are.  How they hear things even when we think they are not listening.  I had an interesting conversation with my almost-five-year-old this morning.  It went a little something like this:

Cam:  Mom, this (insert random item of your choice) is so COOL!  I bet you can buy these ALL OVER THE WHOLE WORLD!  Well, except for Mexico...and China.
Me:  Really?  Why not Mexico and China?
Cam:  They don't have any stores there.
Me:  They don't?
Cam:  No, 'cause they only make stuff there they don't buy it!

Pencil Pusher

Who knew a simple shopping list comprised of school and office supplies would become such a headache. I recently checked Wal Mart for pencils and White-Out without much Made in the USA luck. Finally, near the end of the isle, a single pack of pencils jumped out at me! I wish everything would be this easy to spot.

Every pack of pens I picked up was made overseas. So, I settled on my favorite Staples Xeno pens.

Although I wasn't in the market for Sharpies, I did take a look. Many styles were made elsewhere but I did find one pack that was manufatured here. I was really surprised to discover that a company may have one product line manufactured overseas and another style made in America. I know they must have their reasons, but doesn't make much sense to me.

A recent trip to a local favorite home decor market was not as successful. Let's just say that Carolina Pottery is a misnomer. I suggest a name change to Far East Pottery.

I would also like to replace our couch at some time in the near future. Imagine my excitement to discover that the Pottery Barn couch that I love is Made in the USA! So excited! Now just have to figure out how to work it into the budget :)

Birth of the blog...

I made all the standard New Year's resolutions: get organized, lose weight, blah, blah, blah...but this year I made more than a resolution, I have made a change of consciousness. I mostly avoid the news these days but it is impossible to ignore the US economy and loss of US jobs to cheap overseas labor no matter how far down in the sand you happen to have planted your head. This year, along with reading labels on nearly every food item I buy, I will also be looking for the "Made in the USA" label. Looking on the package, reading the fine print in the catalogs and websites. Deciphering the difference between "Made in", "Assembled in", and "Distributed by". What I learn, I will share...