Brothers In Blog

Some of you may recall my experience with being a temporary host family for a foreign exchange student from France last Fall. I’m not going to rehash that saga, but I will say that it ended up on a very happy note with the student obtaining a new sponsor, returning back to her original host family in North Carolina, changing her visa and completing the school year. What I did not report on was that my family later agreed to host a student from South Korea for the entire school year. It is because of these two experiences that I believe I have some valuable insight to offer both the parents of exchange students and their host families.

Now, before I continue let me make a disclaimer. My comments are not directed at or to be considered a warning against any particular exchange organization. My comments are aimed at the industry as a whole and based on my personal experience and input from friends who have also hosted exchange students or the students themselves.

In speaking with the exchange students I have come in contact with, most would agree that a school year was too long to be away from home. Keep in mind that these are high school students ranging in age from 15-18 years and have probably never been away from home for more than a week or two, so sending them across the ocean without their parents for nearly a year is quite a shock. Another surprise for these students is how spread out everything is in America. Most of the students were used to convenient access to public transportation back home, but unless their host family is in the inner city they quickly found out that you need a car to get anywhere.

My wife and I were foster parents for a couple years and provided care for 7 children during that time, so I’m going to draw on that experience for a moment. In both foster parenting and student hosting, you are given a profile of the child being considered for placement. However, with foster parenting a case worker usually gives you all the personal background details about the child so you can make an educated decision on whether the child is a good fit for your home or not. With student hosting, the profile consists of nothing more than school grades, medical exam results, a basic demographic fact sheet and an essay style profile completed by the student themselves. With the student, you have no idea if there might be past behavioral problems that could become an issue in your home. If you have young children of your own at home, you may be placing them at risk without this information.

To the parents of exchange students, do you feel confident that a thorough background screening has been done on the host family where your child will be living for the next school year? Before I could become a foster parent in North Carolina, I was required to have a fingerprint background check performed; a homestudy completed by a licensed social worker; a home inspection by both the Department of Health and Fire Department; and I had to attend 30 hours of foster parent training. With the exception of the state of Utah, hosting an exchange student requires nothing more than a name-based local background check and a single home visit by the exchange sponsor’s representative, who is not required to have the expertise to conduct a qualified homestudy.

Another difference with foster care is that you receive a monthly subsidy to help cover the increase in household expenses such as food and utilities. With most exchange organizations, being a host parent means you absorb these costs. Unless you have raised or are currently raising teens, the increased grocery bill alone can set you back; especially with boys. Mom, did I eat that much food when I was in high school?

Discipline is another issue you will have to deal with. The rules and discipline the student was subject to with his or her parents may differ drastically from yours. While exchange organizations instruct their students to adhere to the house rules of the host family, conflict may occur if the student feels your expectations are too excessive to what they are used to.

All this may sound like I’m bashing hosting an exchange student but I’m not. I just want to raise awareness to various aspects of the experience that the exchange organization may not cover and definitely won’t dwell upon. To those persons considering hosting an exchange student, if you would not consider being a foster parent then don’t consider being a host family. Being a host family is more than just providing room and board for a visiting student; it’s an act of love and generosity. The reward you receive is knowing that you provided a safe environment for a stranger’s child and hopefully have gained a lifetime friendship.

For the parents of future exchange students, thoroughly research the organization you are entrusting to arrange care for your child for the next year. You also need to be aware that the exchange organization you are dealing with in your home country may subcontract with another exchange organization in the destination country to provide all the arrangements there, so make sure you ask who that will be so you can check them out too. Search the Internet for news involving the exchange organization, talk to other parents who have been through the process and even check with the government or licensing authority for exchange organizations to see if there are any complaints on file for the organization you are considering. If the organization does not require fingerprint background screening of host families then find one that does. Finally, don’t let your child leave the country without knowing who the permanent host family will be and what school they are going to. Some organizations will place students with a temporary host family or “Welcome Family”, but this is nothing more than a ploy to buy them time to keep looking for permanent host families and schools that will accept their students. If the exchange organization seems bothered by your requests then keep searching. This is your child’s life we’re talking about.

For a more complete list of items to consider when searching for an exchange organization and other tips, check out the non-profit organization CSFES (Committee for Safety of Foreign Exchange Students).

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It’s not officially summer yet, but I’ve already taken the family to 3 of the more popular films that have been recently released in the theatres:

• Iron Man
• Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
• Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

Now, when I think of a blockbuster movie I immediately jump back to my teen years and the release of Star Wars. That would be Episode IV…the VERY first release to date myself. This of course was before 16+ screen theatres where new movies are shown on 3 or 4 screens at one location to accommodate the demand. Star Wars Episode IV was playing at a large single-screen theatre in Honolulu on South King Street near the police station. Anyone remember the name of that theatre? Anyway, I remember the lines going down AND around the block for tickets. It was insane.

Another blockbuster I remember was Jaws playing at the Waikiki 3 Theatre on Kalakaua Avenue right across the street from the beach. I’m sure the area hotels appreciated that choice of venues. After seeing that movie, I was looking in the water below my surfboard a lot more than ever before.

This past Memorial weekend, I didn’t see any lines for the Indiana Jones and Chronicles of Narnia sequels and there were plenty of seats inside. With all the flap about high gas prices keeping Americans at home, I thought for sure the theatre would be crowded. I guess the public couldn’t even afford to travel down the street to the local cinema and opted to pop in a Netflix DVD instead.

So, will there be a summer blockbuster this year? I know my daughter will be dragging me to “Kung Fu Panda” in June, so perhaps that will be the choice among the younger moviegoers, but I think the nod will go to Pixar’s “Wall-E“. As for me, I’m hoping that M. Night Shyamalan can make a comeback with “The Happening” after his disappointing “Lady in the Water.” My other choice for a “must see” is “The Dark Knight“, which is the first sequel to “Batman Begins” one of my personal favorites.

Let us know about your blockbuster movie memories and what you think this summer’s hot movie will be. To see a list of this summer’s films, check out FirstShowing.Net.

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If my wife and I had started our family like most couples, we’d be celebrating our child’s high school graduation this year. However, God has quite a sense of humor and this year’s graduation for my princess is from Kindergarten. However, I have several friends with teens graduating this Spring and I will be faced with the dilemma of selecting a graduation gift.

First, if you receive a graduation announcement for a friend or a friend’s offspring are you obligated to give a gift? Per the Emily Post Institute on Graduation Etiquette the answer is “no”. However, if you feel your home is in danger of being TP’d for following this advice then I’d recommend you read on.

As with a wedding, graduating from high school or college is a major milestone in one’s life. Graduation marks the achievement of a goal and the beginning of another chapter in life. Now, take into consideration the relationship you have with the graduate. Is this someone you are close to or a co-worker’s child that you’ve seen pass through the office 5 times in their lifetime? If the latter, find out what they’re into, get a gift card from an applicable store and consider the matter closed. If this is someone who you are close to then let’s spend a little more time and come up with something that doesn’t scream “Checkout Lane”.

When I Google’d this subject, there were no definitive answers for the proper gift. What I did find was that those that responded on other blogs about this subject were female. Once again, as with weddings this monumental occasion is met by the male species with a ”Let’s get on with it” mentality while those of the opposite gender want to take a moment to savor the occasion and gather up momentos to remind them of this important date. I know, these insights aren’t offering you much help so here’s my suggestion.

Buy yourself some time and pick out a card. You said you knew the graduate well so you should be able to at least pick out an appropriately worded card. Word of advice…if it’s been awhile since you purchased a greeting card the price is embedded on the back for all to see so skip the card rack at the Dollar Tree store. I know, it’s highway robbery what they get for words printed on heavy stock paper but unless your words of wisdom are more eloquent than those inside a Chinese fortune cookie stop perusing the discount card rack and take out your wallet. One more thing on picking out the right card, make sure the theme is in keeping with the receipient. Don’t get the card with puppies playing in a field of grass for your fishing buddy. Trust me on this one.

Next, take a moment to write something in the card that will make the reader pause and reflect on your words. Talk about a time that you spent together and shared your dreams, or tell them about the positive changes you’ve seen in them over the years. Your words don’t have to be poetry, but they should be sincere. Keep in mind that for the female graduate, this card is going to be carefully archived in some scrapbook or card box so it is probably going to count more than any gift it’s affixed to.

Now, to give you an example of a meaningful gift, I will share my personal experience. I returned to college in my 30’s and was going to evening classes while holding down a new position in healthcare management. I was footing the bill for this round of education instead of my parents so I was going to make sure I got my money’s worth. I graduated with High Honors (4.0 GPA) and both I and my family were very proud of my accomplishment. For my college graduation, my mom presented me with a scrapbook of report cards, homework and pictures dating back to my elementary school years. It was quite an undertaking and brought back some great memories that I was able to share at that moment with those around me.

So, what do you give to the graduate? It’s that special gift that lets them know you remember where they came from and the challenges they’ve faced to get to where they are now. It can be store bought, handmade or simply a thought expressed in writing. If it comes from your heart then it truly is priceless.

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I recently watched the 2007 film “Into the Wild” based on the short life of Christopher McCandless who ventured into the Alaskan wilderness on his own only to die of starvation 4 months later. Though I’m not a real Sean Penn fan, I’ll have to admit that he did a good job of directing the film, which is based on the book of the same title by Jon Krakauer. Unfortunately, Mr. Penn felt it was more important  (and probably more profitable) to romanticize the vagabond lifestyle of McCandless instead of pointing out that therapy and a good dose of common sense could have saved his life.

A 1990 graduate of Emory University, McCandless believed that society was too materialistic and he wanted no part of it. Instead, after graduation he set out for the open road in search of solitude and contentment. His nearly 2-year journey took him across the continent and eventually to the Stampede Trail outside of Fairbanks, Alaska where he walked into what would become the last chapter of his life. Armed with little in the way of adequate supplies for survival in the Alaskan wilderness, McCandless managed to document his solitary experience until the end.

Although the official cause of death is listed as “starvation”, both the book and the film try to make the case that McCandless’ death was due to accidental poisoning from the ingestion of toxic plant seeds. Toxicology reports found no evidence to support this theory and the starvation ruling stands. Regardless of how McCandless died, the fact remains that he could have made it out alive had he possessed a simple compass and a decent map of the region.

A few months into his backwoods experience, McCandless made an attempt to return to the road where he started from. However, when he reached the Teklanika River it was much more formidable than we had originally crossed it and he found himself trapped. Defeated, McCandless returned to the abandoned bus he had been living in, which later became his tomb. Little did McCandless know that just a quarter-mile downstream was a hand tram that he could have used to get across. This fact and others were left out by the movie in what critics believe is Hollywood’s attempt to avoid tarnishing McCandless’ puritan image and upsetting his cult following.

Despite the film’s omissions of what I feel are important facts, I recommend it. There is some language and brief nudity, so this is one for viewing after the kids have gone to bed. After you’ve watched the film, and before you start lighting a candle for McCandless, visit Into the Wild Debunked for those omitted facts. The combination of both film and fact is best summed up by Anchorage Daily News columnist Craig Medred who said, “McCandless didn’t need the wilderness, he needed help.”

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Okay, it’s no secret that I’m going to be 47 this year and I work in the Information Systems sector that is finding itself outsourced overseas at a rapid pace. Fortunately, I work for a family owned company that is more concerned with the investment it has made in its employees than making an extra buck by having someone in India with a fictitious American name answer support calls. However, despite this seemingly secure employment condition I have been re-examining what personal rewards this job brings me.

I have no qualms about my pay or benefits, both of which I consider generous. However, I’ve come to a place in my life where I look back and ask “have I made a real difference in the lives of those around me?” My faith commands that we are to spread the Good News of Jesus to the world. I can do that at work and with my neighbors, but lately I’ve been feeling that I need to be part of something on an even bigger scale in unfamiliar territory. A year ago I would have scoffed at the idea of becoming a missionary, but now it doesn’t sound so absurd.

When I would hear the word “missionary”, the image was one of someone going overseas to a remote part of the world where Jesus was unknown. However, did you realize that some of the most spiritually dark countries are some of the most technologically and culturally advanced democracies? Even right here in the United States, a country founded on Christianity, there are places where the Gospel is never spoken.

Have I been called to be a missionary late in life? I don’t know if I would go that far just yet, but I’d say I’m game for a week-long missions trip. In fact, the Assemblies of God is holding their 3rd World Missions Summit in Cincinnati, OH the week of December 29th. The exact dates are December 30, 2008 through January 1, 2009 and the cost is only $99 per person with early registration. Missionaries from all around the globe will be in attendance displaying exhibits and manning informational booths to answer questions and recruit new workers for both short term and long term assignments. While the event is aimed at college students, individuals from all age groups are welcome to attend. In addition to the job fair, there will be guest speakers to report on what’s happening on the missions field. For more information, go to the World Missions Summit website.

Whether you’re a college student unsure about your career path, or a mid-lifer like myself, the missions field is still in need of workers, and there’s no greater reward in life than leading someone to Christ.

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A few months ago, I came across the band Superchic[k]. Expecting to hear just another cookie cutter Christian band attempting to sound unique, I was surprised to find a group with a different sound altogether.

Most rock bands that get labeled as “Christian” bands seem to spend their entire startup investment on the artwork for their first CD. They put together some tough group pose in an alley or other harsh environment to give themselves that “we’re bad” image. Then, when you pop in the CD, the only thing bad is the music. However, Superchic[k] brings the whole package to the table along with a positive message that both believers and non-believers can appreciate.

Their most recent CD “Beauty from Pain” promotes the message of inner strength. With songs like “One Girl Revolution”, which was featured in the movie Legally Blonde and “Anthem” selected as the theme song for MTV’s Real World/Real Rules Challenge: The Gauntlet 2 the lyrics deliver a message of being your own person and not following the crowd.

Superchic[k]’s style is all over the map with hard hitting rock to soft ballads. I recently told a close friend that Superchic[k] was a mix of Evanescence, No Doubt, and Avril Lavigne. There is definitely something for everyone, but don’t get hung up on their being tagged a Christian rock band. While some may criticize that not a single song on this CD has the word “Jesus” in it, the lyrics still speak to the soul. To those critics, I say that passing out music CD’s to your non-believer friends isn’t going to get them saved. Nothing will ever replace one-on-one personal evangelism.

You can view Superchic[k]’s music video for “We Live” at GodTube.com. It was the theme song for the ABC series Brothers and Sisters.

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Sorry folks the title is not misleading, I am doing a quick review of ceiling paint. Therefore, if painting the ceiling (any ceiling in any part of the house) is on your home project list, then keep reading to hear my personal insights into this mind numbing task.

Why paint the ceiling?

If you’ve watched even one home design show, then you know: nothing beats a fresh coat of paint. But if you think a fresh coat of paint on the walls looks great, a freshly painted ceiling can improve the look by an order of magnitude. And yes, while painting a ceiling can be a literal pain-in-the-neck, it’s well worth the pain.

Three attempts on the same ceiling with three different types of paint

A few years back we did a kitchen remodel, which meant a new ceiling. The original ceiling had a texture but now that’s gone and the new one has a smooth plaster skim coat finish — looks great but a nightmare to paint. Unfortunately, due to some ice damming, I had to live through the torture of painting this ceiling 3 times. Each time, however, I did it with different paint and got three very different results.

Sears Easy Living

• The project: The first time I painted the ceiling I did a quick sanding of the fresh plaster in order to give the paint something to “bite” into. After cleaning up the dust and throughly wiping down the surface, I “sealed” the ceiling with a basic interior latex primer designed for sealing plaster surfaces. I finished the project with two coats of Sears Easy Living bright white ceiling paint.
• The results: Overall, not bad. The paint dried quickly and due to the room lighting, it was difficult to keep track of where I had just painted. Despite trying to keep my rolling consistent the final result left slight roller patterns. If you like Sears paint, I guess this isn’t a bad option; however, there are better choices out there.

Glidden EZ Track

• The project: Some ice damming left water stains on the ceiling which forced me to repaint. First, I covered over the water stains with Kilz primer. Then, in order to try and avoid the torture of keeping track of where I had just painted, I selected a new product from Glidden called EZ Track technology. The paint went on “pink” but dried white.
• The results: The difference in color absolutely made it easier to see where I was painting; however, the end result was worst than the first attempt. Again, despite trying to be very consistent with the roller, and following the advice from the “pros”, odd roller tracks were everywhere. The paint is great for knowing where you’ve been, but overall this paint absolutely stinks. Do NOT buy it.

Benjamin Moore

• The project: Hey, guess what? Ice damming left water stains on the ceiling — again. I’ve finally located the source of the ice damming and have a way to prevent future problems (keeping my fingers crossed). Unfortunately, the damage was done so I had to spot prime the stain with Kilz, and then paint the ceiling again. This time, however, I went with basic bright white latex ceiling paint from Benjamin Moore.
• The results: Like the first attempt, it was difficult to keep track of where I had just painted. Fortunately, the end result was fantastic. The ceiling has never looked better. Absolutely no funny roller tracks or other inconsistencies. The ceiling final looks smooth and fresh from end to end. Benjamin Moore is highly recommended for this task.

Ways to make ceiling painting a little easier

I don’t love painting, but I love the results. Fortunately, over years of painting I’ve found a few things to make the job a little easier:

• Assemble a painting team: Painting alone can make a small job gigantic. Make the project easier by getting at least one other person to help you. Each person should pick a job — rolling or cutting. And, to make things fair, alternate those jobs so no one person goes blind by cutting the edges all day long. If, however, one person is particularly good at one job and likes it, then stick with your strengths.
• Prep the day before: Painting really isn’t too bad, it’s the room prep that stinks. Make your painting project easier, don’t do everything in one day. If possible, prep the room the day before and paint the next day. Divide and conquer.
• Always assume a second coat is required: Complete coverage is the end result of a good paint job. Rarely have I ever been able to get a good result with a single coat. Having to do a second coat when you expected only one can be very frustrating. Save yourself the frustration and just approach the project assuming a second coat will be required. That way when you have to do a second coat it won’t bother you as much, and if you get lucky and only need one coat, you’ll get that much more excited.
• Get something good to listen to: Music makes the time go by faster, but so too can a good audio book or your favorite podcast. Stock up on audio entertainment and turn a tedious project into something a more enjoyable.
• Get a babysitter: Nothing is worse than a project that drags on because you keep getting interrupted. If you’ve got small kids, then get a babysitter for the day (hire someone or send the kids over to grandma’s house). If you’re kids are older, then arrange for someone else to drive them to their extracurricular activities so you can keep working. If they’ve got nothing planned for the day, then get a couple of movies and order take-out for meals or make them ahead of time to minimize your interruptions.
• Know you limits: Before you start, take a moment and try to figure out how much time you can honestly dedicate to the project. Set some reasonable goals and work at least until you’ve reached what you set. That way you’ll have some sense of accomplishment which can make the difference between finishing the project and never wanted to do something like this ever again. Also, try to understand what makes finishing the project so difficult. For example, if I sit down for lunch and flip on the television, it’s the kiss of death. Once I’ve done that, it takes me twice as long to get back up and finish what I started. I try to break for a short lunch that I eat standing in the room that I’m painting.

Hopefully I’ve inspired you to paint that ceiling or anything else in your house. Now, pick up that paint brush and get started.

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Earlier this week, I helped out a local church with setting up the orchestra pit for their annual Easter theatrical production. The work involved pulling back the carpeting near the front of the sanctuary, removing the flooring, and installing stage extensions that protrude over the pit. It’s a major undertaking, but not insurmountable with the right amount of planning and that’s where things went wrong.

I’ve helped this ministry once before in moving the props for their Christmas production from a storage warehouse to a tractor-trailer, which then transported them to the church. In both situations, the same person coordinated the project and was very knowledgeable about what needed to be done. However, he failed in sharing an overview of how the evening’s work needed to flow with the volunteers, which resulted in unnecessary delays between tasks and frustrated volunteers.

 Being the operations-minded person that I am, I submitted an email the next morning to one of the church employees who was also acting in a supervisory capacity and saw our frustration with the project coordinator. The contents of my email were very constructive and can apply to all types of projects whether conducted by non-profit or for-profit organizations:

1. Document - especially if this is a recurring project, write down what needs to take place. Break it down into bite-size tasks so that it can be better managed and your workers can see the progress being made. The documentation should include the sequential order of tasks to be performed; the suggested number of workers needed to perform each task; the resources or tools needed; and the estimated time needed to complete the task. I would also suggest that the document highlight any common mistakes to avoid and any areas that need special attention. For recurring construction projects, take pictures or short video clips for future reference.
2. Give Advance Notice - this rule applies moreso when working with volunteers. You need to let workers know when and where to show up and if they need to bring any special tools and/or data with them. In my experience, we could have greatly benefited by having more cordless drills and socket sets, and I would have gladly brought mine had I been told to bring them.
3. Be Prepared -  Make sure you have the necessary components and the proper amounts whether it be paper goods, call lists, nails, paint, etc. Nothing brings a project to a quicker halt than running out of something or not being able to find what you thought you had.
4. Hold a meeting - for the record, let me state that I absolutely loathe planning meetings. They usually end up being too long and raise more questions than they answer. However, the meeting I’m referring to is just a pre-work gathering to quickly review what needs to get done, in what order and who to contact if questions or problems occur. Bring a box of hot Krispy Kreme original glaze doughnuts with you and you’re guaranteed success unless you’re speaking to a no-carbs crowd.
5. Develop Teams - on a project with multiple tasks that can be performed simultaneously, assembling teams and appointing a team leader within each can really get your project moving forward. Going back to my recent experience, we had only a dozen volunteers show up, but we still had about 3 teams working on various tasks.
6. Appoint the Right Leader - I cannot stress enough the need to have the right person for the job leading your project. In my scenario, although the Coordinator had done this same project for many years and was very knowledgeable, he micro-managed the installation of every nut and bolt. He had no documentation to warn him of past pitfalls (no pun intended), so when we fell into them again it meant undoing the work that had already been done and start over. Late into the project, the Coordinator realized he had not paid attention to one major alignment, which required everyone stopping what they were doing to muscle the materials back into position. Had that remedy not worked, we would have been forced to disassemble several large and heavy components and start over at a time when most of us were tired and ready to go home. The Coordinator would have better served as a Technical Advisor and report only to the Project Leader who would then communicate to the workers.

Workers, volunteer or paid, are easier to recruit and retain if they understand the project being undertaken and have confidence in the person leading them. If there is “confusion and delay” as Sir Topham Hatt (Thomas the Train series for those of you with young children) would say, you’ll pay the price in worker morale on your current project and a lack of workers for the next.

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What I’m sure the Clintons and the Clinton-istas thought would be a sure thing has now become a troubled campaign thanks to newcomer Barack Obama. While I have no plans on voting for either one, and probably no one in the opposing party at this point, it’s been very entertaining to watch Hillary having to fight for footing.

Beginning with the money, Hillary has loaned her campaign 5 million dollars and several staffers have agreed to go without pay. Where are Clinton’s financial supporters? It might be time for her to start going through her “favors owed” tickler file and have Chelsea make some calls.

On the subject of Chelsea, David Shuster’s employment outlook is on hold after suggesting that the Clintons were “pimping out” their daughter by soliciting delegate votes over the phone. MSNBC correspondent made the “pimp” reference while guest anchoring on the Tucker show. Despite a personal apology, the Clintons want Shuster’s head. Sorry, but Chelsea is 27-years old and an active campaign worker, which makes her fair game. Wasn’t it Hillary who said that she’s very much at home in the kitchen? Well, she can bank on it getting hotter and more personal.

In the staffing department, the campaign officially announced on February 10 that Campaign Manager Solis Doyle was being replaced by Maggie Williams. While being played out as a simple transition due to the length of the campaign, it’s obvious that Hillary was not pleased with her losses in Louisiana, Nebraska, Washington and the Virgin Islands this past weekend. When Hillary’s not happy, no one is and someone has got to go.

Finally, the proof of how the campaign is going is in the election results and here’s how they stand:

Obama - 1253
Clinton - 1211

The race is still too close to call, which is the mantra just about every so-called political expert is sticking to. Just as with the Super Bowl, we all like the excitement of a close game. However, if this match goes on much longer it may prove detrimental to the Democratic Party. A long drawn out race will leave little time for the Party to unite behind a single candidate before November’s election. Someone needs to take a page from the Romney playbook and throw in the towel for the “good of the party.” Any takers? Not a chance.

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President Bush’s 2008 Stimulus Package has passed the House of Representatives and now goes to the Senate where it will be pumped so full of earmarks and free handouts that all it will do to our economy is bury it. Now, I’m all in favor of getting some of my hard earned tax dollars refunded to me but not if those that don’t pay taxes are going to get a “rebate” check too. It’s not a rebate if you didn’t pay into the system in the first place. This package also shouldn’t serve as a vehicle to get other politician’s pet projects through.

Hoping to leave his presidency on an upbeat note, Bush’s package depends on Americans spending their tax rebate and not saving it. This spending is supposed to help keep us out of a recession, but I fear its effect will be only short term. Take our simple poll below and tell us how you will spend your check…if it ever comes.

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