I am writing this blog to ask for help.  I am working with a team to put together a benefit ride of the Wounded Warriors Project.  If you are not familiar, WWP was started when a group of veterans watched as wounded soldiers starting coming home and getting lost in the system.  The VA is overloaded, which is only setting these soldiers up for failure.  WWP works to help these soldiers, often missing limbs, transition to a new reality.

The benefit horseback ride/camping weekend was started one evening after a friend of mine and veteran, Diane Dillion, saw a double amputee soldier returning home.  As a lifetime horse back rider, she wondered if you could still ride a horse without legs.  The rest is history. 

At this point, we have several military transition units bringing their wounded soldiers and veterans to the event, but we are running short on sponsorship.  I am asking for your help today.  We need sponsors, advertisements for the program purchased, donations for a raffle, and of course participation in the event!  If you are not a horse rider, no worries...you can camp or just join us for dinner and dancing on Friday or Saturday night.  A great time will be a promise!

The event weekend will be held at Double J Ranch in Whitmire, SC...operated by a veteran of course! If you would like to donate or participate, please contact me at (803) 414-0433 or email at barbovermann@yahoo.com.  Check out the website at www.hoofinforheroes.com  

If you have trouble using the links within the text, the direct link to the article at DaveRamsey.com is below.  Please copy and paste it into your browser.

http://www.daveramsey.com/etc/fed_bailout/3_steps_to_change_the_nations_future_10928.htmlc?ictid=sptlt1

We are at a crucial time in our country's financial history. Congress defeated the $700 billion bailout plan on Monday. However, they are revising it and trying to push it through again. I'm supporting an alternative plan that will keep our nation from going even deeper in debt, and I've been on TV and radio all week telling people about it. 
We need everyone's help! 
 
Follow the instructions below. Together we can change history. 
 
Pray for them to resist a spirit of FEAR and to embrace WISDOM. Even if you don't like them or agree with them, pray for them and tell them you are praying for them. There is a spirit over this problem that must be broken. Also, most of the media personalities are afraid as well and that is affecting their reporting. Pray for fear to be removed from them; they are making this worse.
 
Send The Common Sense Fix to your Representatives and Senators and tell them how you expect them to vote, and that if they put this nation in $700 billion of debt, that you will vote them out. It's their job to listen to us! (Whichever presidential candidate or political party that champions this plan from their leadership down will likely become the next president. That is because this plan fixes the crisis while going along with the wishes of the vast majority of Americans.) 
First, read this page (PDF) 
Next, copy the info on this page (text file) 
Send it to your Senators and representatives by copying and pasting the text in the web form you're sent to. 
*Note: If their websites are down, that means we're making a difference! Keep refreshing the page until you get through. You can also go through Congress.org, though we don't endorse this site.
 
Forward this email to everyone in your address book and tell them to urgently follow these 3 steps TODAY. The more people we have supporting this and contacting their elected leaders, the more likely we can turn our economy around!

Years of bad decisions and stupid mistakes have created an economic nightmare in this country, but $700 billion in new debt is not the answer. As a tax-paying American citizen, I will not support any congressperson who votes to implement such a policy. Instead, I submit the following three steps:

The Common Sense Plan.

I. INSURANCE

A. Insure the subprime bonds/mortgages with an underlying FHA-type insurance. Government-insured and backed loans would have an instant market all over the world, creating immediate and needed liquidity.

B. In order for a company to accept the government-backed insurance, they must do two things:

   1. Rewrite any mortgage that is more than three months delinquent to a 6% fixed-rate mortgage.
      a. Roll all back payments with no late fees or legal costs into the balance. This brings homeowners current and allows them a chance to keep their homes.
      b. Cancel all prepayment penalties to encourage refinancing or the sale of the property to pay off the bad loan. In the event of foreclosure or short sale, the borrower will not be held liable for any deficit balance. FHA does this now, and that encourages mortgage companies to go the extra mile while
working with the borrower-again limiting foreclosures and ruined lives.

   2. Cancel ALL golden parachutes of EXISTING and FUTURE CEOs and executive team members as long as the company holds these government-insured bonds/mortgages. This keeps underperforming executives from being paid when they don't do their jobs.

C. This backstop will cost less than $50 billion-a small fraction of the current proposal.




II. MARK TO MARKET

A. Remove mark to market accounting rules for two years on only subprime Tier III bonds/mortgages. This keeps companies from being forced to artificially mark down bonds/mortgages below the value of the underlying mortgages and real estate.

B. This move creates patience in the market and has an immediate stabilizing effect on failing and ailing banks-and it costs the taxpayer nothing.



III. CAPITAL GAINS TAX

A. Remove the capital gains tax completely. Investors will flood the real estate and stock market in search of tax-free profits, creating tremendous-and immediate-liquidity in the markets. Again, this costs the taxpayer nothing.

B. This move will be seen as a lightning rod politically because many will say it is helping the rich. The truth is the rich will benefit, but it will be their money that stimulates the economy. This will enable all Americans to have more stable jobs and retirement investments that go up instead of down. This is not a time for envy, and it's not a time for politics. It's time for all of us, as Americans, to
stand up, speak out, and fix this mess.

Please do me a favor...read this...pass it on...and teach everyone you know. My aunt will die within the week because we are taught about breast cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, but never about ovarian cancer...otherwise known as "the silent killer".  September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month...wear a teal ribbon!


Ovarian cancer only "whispers" because all the signs and symptoms are commons issues that end up being written off "just being a women". Many doctors attribute any problems with the wrong cause. My aunt was being treated for irritable bowel syndrome, until a few weeks ago when they discovered she actually had ovarian cancer. Looking back...she had every single symptom I am about to list.


There is no pre-screening for ovarian cancer because insurance companies have decided it is not cost effective! Pap smears do not screen for it...they only screen for cervical cancer. If you have a family history and some of the signs, your doctor may order further tests. Unfortunately, too many doctors are satisfied with treating other incorrect issues or not believeing there is a problem at all. We are going to have to work together to spread the word about the signs of ovarian cancer. If we know what to look out for, we will also know when something is not right, and demand further testing.


Common signs are:

Worn out/sleepy all the time

Abdominal pain

Bloating

Gas

Feeling of fullness

Frequent urination

Constipation or diarreha or a battle between the two (hence the IBS diagnosis)

Unexplained weight gain


When my aunt and her family were given this information, they were so angry because right there in a neat little phamplet was an explaination of everything that was wrong for the last year...but no doctor could tell her why.


The biggest thing is remember with ovarian cancer is just recognizing that "something in not right with your body" and finding a doctor that will listen even if it means seeing several.


The only true way to test for ovarian cancer is a trans-vaginal ultrasound.


Due to the silent whispers that your body uses to try to let you know something is wrong, there is only a 40% survival rate right now. Doctors are not teaching women about this killer, so we must start our own campaign now. Please take the time to pass this on, teach your loved ones, speak up to strangers, and join me in the fight against ovarian cancer. I am going to lose my aunt simply because we did not know, but you don't have to...SPEAK UP!

Hey Ya'll!

I wanted to share something that really picks up traffic to agent open houses.  We have been doing progressive agent open houses.  This works best if each house is listed with a different company, or at least a different office.  That ensures agent coming out to support their office will also support you!  To keep them accountable for each house, we hold a drawing, but they must drop a card at each open house to be eligible.  One house serves salad/appetizer, the next will be the main course, and the last will be dessert.  It seems to work best if there are at least 3 houses on tour, but no more than 5.

I hope this helps get your listing SOLD!

To register, please visit the website at http://www.hoofinforheros.com

"Life's a peach" is more than a slogan for the McLeod family of McBee, South Carolina. The McLeods operate one of the largest peach orchards in the area, growing 22 varieties on 650 producing acres on sandy loam outside the small town of McBee SC.

The orchards have been in the McLeod family since 1916. Today, Kemp McLeod represents the fourth generation to work the family orchards. He learned the operation from his father, Campbell McLeod.

It takes about 30 employees to run the farm year-round. However, during the harvest season, from the end of May to the end of August, the numbers swell to over 200. Workers can be found picking, grading, packing, and shipping millions of pounds of peaches to all parts of the U.S. and Canada. At the height of the season, a 15-hour workday is not unusual.

Directions to the McLeod Farms Roadside Market on Hwy 151 in McBee, South Carolina

Coming from Columbia, SC take I-20 East, Exit 98 toward Camden. From Camden take US #1 North. Take a right on Hwy 151 (South) in McBee. Our Roadside Market is 4.5 miles on the left-hand side of the road. Coming from Charlotte, NC take 74 South. In Monroe take 601 South which turns into 151 South in South Carolina. Our Roadside Market is 4.5 miles south of McBee on Hwy 151 on left-hand side of the road. Coming from Myrtle Beach, SC take 501 North in Florence turn right on Hwy. 52 toward Darlington. In Darlington, take Hwy. 151 North. Our Roadside Market is 10 miles north of Hartsville on Hwy. 151 located on the right side of the road.

Did you know there is a place you can visit every Saturday for local grown produce, crafts, and jolly good fun?  Come on out to the Camden Farmers Market every Saturday from 7:30 unitl 12:30. 

Afterwards, walk the streets of Camden.  Several antique stores will fill your day.  When the heat has gotten too be too much, drive around the streets of South Carolina's oldest inland city enjoying the amazing Southern homes.

Hey Everyone! 

I created a new group called South Carolina Fun in the Sun!  (now silly question...how do people put the links directly in the blog?) 

What's happening in your hometown? We have beaches, mountains, lakes, and trees with a little of everything in between. Have you found that diner, drive-in or dive with the best food in the world? How about that perfect place to take a day trip. Share it here!

Join today to let us know what we can't miss out on in the great state of South Carolina!  Pass it on!

In case you missed it, this was a question asked on the Q&A. "I have seriously bad credit..but I have a high paying job..legal but unconventional..I want to buy my own house..I paid over 25.ooo last year in rent for something that's not mine..how do I buy a house or can I??? Should I go bankrupt first??"

So many people are in a state of desperation.  I gave with some information that has brought peace to my family and many others.  I have wrote about Dave Ramsey before, but I am doing it again.  Please take the time to check out these books and the website.  It really could change the rest of your life, as well as generations to come.  It all starts with how you think.

My answer:

You need to read Financial Peace and The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey.  Visit his website at DaveRamsey.com.  You can buy both those books, plus another for $15.00.  They are so worth it.  They have really helped my family and several others I have recommeded it to.  He also has a radio talk show.  You can get a live feed and archives from the website if he does not broadcast near you.

In the meantime...NO NO NO to Bankruptcy.  It will not help you.  Live below your means for a little while to pay off your debt.  He talks about how.  Building your credit back up is not as hard as you think, if you put some effort into it.  Is it just you?  If so, rent something cheap while you are doing this.  Just think how great it would be to put $20,000 down on a house instead of financing it all.  An when the time comes, buy what you can afford...you can keep saving to buy something with a big downpayment later.

Please read those books.  It can make a huge difference in the rest of your life.

Hello Columbia!

If you have not ventured out to Prosperity, SC lately, now is the time!  There is a little treasure there called the Gast Haus.  Ms. Wendy, the restaurant owner, is an amazing women.  When you go, prepare for a dining experience!  She prepares 4 different selections Bavarian style every night...all well worth the trip.  The walls are covered with pictures of her childhood in Germany.

If you are looking for a little summer fun, come on out on Saturday, June 14th anytime after 5:00pm.  Ms. Wendy will be serving Bratswarst, German Potato Salad, and of course German Beer!  There will be a band to keep you dancing all night long.

Come on out! 

205 S Main St, Prosperity, SC off I-26