This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Memphis Travel. All opinions are 100% mine.

Summer is half over and for those who haven’t had the chance to get away from it all, Memphis should be more than a spot on your radar. With the Memphis-savvy travel guide you will be able to plan the perfect vacation – whether as a couple, an individual, or a family. Memphis has something for everyone!

And, to make it even more exciting, you can actually enter to win a trip package for yourself and/or your family and friends. Yes WIN that magical trip!

The Memphis Zoo. Used with permission from ILoveMemphis Flickr Gallery.

For families, their package includes carriage rides, a trip to the Memphis Zoo, a stay at the Madison Hotel, dinner for four, and so much more.

For couples, magic carriage rides, the Orpheum Theater, and a stay at the Peabody Hotel is just part of a deluxe vacation you’ll not soon forget.

Single? Like to travel alone? Not a problem, there is the perfect “enter to win” travel package for you. And, if you would rather bring friends, you will have a rocking good time at the Rock n Soul Museum, dinner at BB Kings, a Hi-Tone’s show, and much more.

Memphis is, of course, the home of Elvis Presley, Graceland. Beale Street, and BBQ to die for are just the tip of the iceberg choosing Memphis for a great way to wrap up the summer!

As a family of four in our household, even though we are on the “older side” with one 19 year old, the family package contest holds vast appeal. Personally I love zoos, free dinners, and – even though I have never taken one I have always wanted to – the carriage ride sounds fascinating, fun, and right up our alley.

So my advice is do not wait! Memphis Travel is selecting weekly winners, so enter now, enter often, and you just might win your very own once-in-a-lifetime vacation!

The paper today is filled to the brim with controversial tales of GOP politics, religion court decisions, and education. The more I read, the sicker I feel.

As if it were not bad enough that it is so darn hot here in Las Vegas, the news also seems to be feeling the effects. With high unemployment, foreclosures at an unbelievable level, and now political races you want to run from, Nevada is having a really tough time.

I’ll be covering more about all of these over at WorldNewsVine this evening. So keep in touch with current, factual news – and our soon to be he said/she said (alias Dems versus GOP) section.

Time to turn up the air conditioning!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of ampm. All opinions are 100% mine.

Let’s face it, convenience is a staple of today’s individual and/or family functioning. We take the necessary time, when time is available, to get the full grocery shopping out of the way, but don’t we always forget something? You know it and I know it. Thus, the birth of the convenience store, bless them

One such convenience store, ampm, however, is taking “get it quick” to a whole new level! Your local ampm now prepares hot foods, onsite, and includes a DIY, all fresh condiment bar. They stock a wide range of the pick-me-up drinks that come in so handy when you’re getting that “I’m crashing” feeling, but still have tons of tasks ahead of you before your day is done.

Coffee choices, hot beverages, and “the ampm Thirst Oasis soda fountain” (that has 24 flavors so you’re sure to find something just right for you), round out your food and drink needs – again with the convenience that’s, well a lot more convenient than a trip to the grocery store or pricey at a sit-down restaurant. And who isn’t counting pennies nowadays?

I checked out the ampm secret menu tab on Facebook, and wow! The pictured Tower of Torta is enormous and just might be large enough for several family members or friends to share (if you’re counting your calories). What caught my eye was the bacon

The Tower is a do-it-yourself creation, and maybe I wouldn’t have gone quite that crazy. Honestly, you’ve got to see it for yourself to believe it, so click this secret menu tab.

After taking a gander at their secret menu tab, keep July 26th, August 2nd, August 9th, August 16th, and August 30th in mind as the secret menu tabs will be updated with even more “crazy creations”!

And, for all you Facebook fans, or Facebook wannabe’s (so sign up!), on August 2nd, ampm is inviting you to create your own “secret menu concoction” and display it right on Facebook!

I’ve been having one of those crazy, wild, “I’m going insane” family and work months, that strangely enough is filled with positive situations and results. It’s high time, too, and thank you to the forces that be that are working on change.

First, after more than a year of unemployment, hubby has a new job! He’s also attending night school (straight after work), Monday through Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. He leaves around 6 a.m. and gets home around 9:30 p.m. It’s getting him to eat right while he’s gone that is proving the most challenging. Plus it is extremely HOT here in Las Vegas, but he’s very good on the whole hydration thing.

Then, our son is finishing up his full time summer semester at CSN. Actually, it turned into a 3/4 full time since the English 102 course, three months of material, was all crammed into three weeks. With an A average, it seemed wisest to drop the course (the instructor agreed) and pick it up in the Spring. Thanks again to the forces that be for the Pell Grant. It is allowing him to attend CSN without costing any money. Let’s just hope the direction he’s chosen (for now) is the right one – computer and systems information.

During all this, the pool motor appeared to be shot. However, it was just the capacitor and in the end cost $33.50 to fix versus $350 plus tax (thank you Leslie’s Pool supply!).

And, our sweet cat Sammy, is getting up there and after biting the bullet (remember the unemployment I mentioned above) and taking him to the vet, well let’s just say he’s doing better. They gave us pills which we quarter (so they are tiny but still difficult to get a cat to cooperate – dog’s will eat anything LOL!), that increase his appetite. And, we’ve learned how to “water a cat”, that is hydrate him. Yep, IV bag and the whole nine yards. Luckily he’s back to drinking enough so this is a weekly (versus daily) event.

Anyway, I ramble. But life is certainly interesting, and blessedly getting better. Living in the Las Vegas area when all the chit hit the fan financially across the country – well let’s just say I wish someone had told me it was coming. But again, looking at life, my attitude is positive, my stress level dropping.

Now if only BofA would cooperate…