Random Thoughts to Start our Week

This drought is already hitting grocery prices hard. 

We're feeling it.

Not good in an already-crappy economy.

I know it will turn around eventually.

 

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I'm curious to experience a booming economy.

So far, in our adults lives, 

the booming part has happened during school.

We've only experienced working 

during a down economy.

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I am practicing self-discipline 

when it comes to Facebook.

It can suck me in.

I closed my account a few years ago 

and, for the most part, haven't missed it.

I do occasionally peek at Mark's 

and am reminded why I don't miss it.

And I'm not the only one.

(Really good article and comments).

 

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Man, some people go manic and 

post non-stop pictures and quotes.

And then there are the ones 

who post every little thing  

happening in their lives 

(hurray for the hide feature).

I can see the good things about Facebook, 

but mostly it makes me sad.

I have been with people who, 

rather than enjoying an incredible moment,

are in their phones missing it 

in order to share it on Facebook.

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July 9th is National No Bra Day?

 I had no idea.

I celebrate that day as often as possible.

 Bras are not fun.

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So, our county is reassessing 

everyone's property taxes.

The new amount goes into effect in 2013.

There are several people 

who must now sell their homes,

because they cannot afford 

the high cost from the increased taxes.

Thing is, nothing is selling, 

so who's going to buy 

an even more expensive property?

It's scary and sad.

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We are nervously awaiting ours.

Our house hasn't been reassessed

 in a LONG time

and not since all the improvements

 made by the previous owner.

 Ours, like those of many others, 

could double or triple.

Awaiting the mail these days is

 a stomachache-inducing, nail biter!

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We found a cute idea online 

of making report cards 

for kids to use to grade parents.

Mark and I got mostly As and Bs,

but I got a "D" and he got an "F."

Enlightening.

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Property taxes and drought and 

car repairs and malpractice insurance 

. . . oh my.

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PA state law requires that homeschool students 

take tests in certain grades.

Thing 2 had to take an achievement test this year.

It is the 3rd time we've done it so far

(twice with Thing 1 and once with Thing 2).

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One of the beauties of homeschooling 

is that you can focus on learning to learn 

rather than learning to test.

Our kids don't take many tests. 

They learn to learn. They're naturally curious.

So of course when they do test,

we're always interested to see their scores.

Every single time, they test well over 90% 

and above average.

We're so proud of them 

and their hard work and efforts!

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I saw an article about Mitt Romney this week 

that was eye opening.

It said: "Saying his foreign investments 

have been held in a blind trust 

and managed by a trustee, 

Romney emphasized he has no knowledge 

of where his money is being placed.
'I don't manage them. 

I don't even know where they are,'

 Romney said in an interview on Radio Iowa."

Bwahahahaha! Yes, Mr. Romney, I can totally relate.

I mean, I have so much money overseas that

 I, too, do not know where it is,

because I don't even need it!"

I asked my friend, 

"Don't you have so many off-shore accounts 

that you can't even stop to think about them?"

To which he replied, 

"I lose track of my foreign investment accounts 

all the time. It's a pain.

 I've lost track of all the people I've hired 

to manage my offshore accounts. 

And their assistants."

Dude can have all the money he wants. 

I don't fault him that.

But when I hear his camp try to spin it

like he can totally relate to the every man?

In this economy?

With comments like that?

Laughable.

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We got to meet Jimmy a few days ago!

We have become good friends 

via blogging and email for over 4 years.

It was wonderful to meet in person!

He is such a kind person.

I'll post about it soon.

It was a total delight to meet him

and spend time in DC.

I'm so glad we're friends.

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My sweet daughter gets braces today.

I'm a wreck about it.

I don't even know what to think 

about orthodontia in general,

but that's another story for another time.

For today, we're loading up on soft foods 

and fun surprises.

We've spent the past few weeks 

eating lots of popcorn 

and other treats she can't have for a while.

I've done a bunch of research 

on fun "care packages"

that people put together for relatives

 and friends who get braces.

Some neat ideas out there!

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