Who says you can't fight...

Who says you can't fight city hall...er...the county assessor's office?!

Recently I argued that my home's assessment wasn't accurate. They'd increased it again, despite the fact that properties are selling for MUCH less in my area than when I bought. (Ugh.)

I decided to file a protest against that. I provided data about current sales and listing prices in my townhome development. And after checking my mail today, I found a letter that said, I'd won! Woohoo! I dropped my assessment $10K.

While it sucks that I can't sell near for the price where I bought this "lovely" place. At least I don't have to pay completely unrealistic property taxes.

And here's hoping the prices rebound....

As we prepare to celebrate our independence

I had the honor of reading the following today. I think it reminds us of what others do for (and die for) our country on a daily basis. Something that we take for granted. And so as we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, I submit the following:

_________________________________________________

Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization that complains about the noise from the base and its planes, forgetting that it was there long before they were. A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the back. Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere near Luke AFB wrote the local paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed his/her day at the mall.

When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB officer, it must have stung quite a bit.

The complaint:
'Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base:

Whom do we thank for the morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 A.M, a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our good fortune! Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns early bird special?

Any response would be appreciated.

The response:

Regarding 'A wake-up call from Luke's jets' On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four-ship fly by of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques. Capt Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day.

At 9 a.m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend. Based on the letter writer's recount of the fly by, and because of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the President of theUnited States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured...

A four-ship fly by is a display of respect the Air Force gives to those who give their lives in defense of freedom. We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects.

The letter writer asks, 'Whom do we thank for the morning airshow? The 56th Fighter Wing will make the call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their lives.

Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.

USAF

_____________________________________________________

I thank the military personnel who day-by-day preserve and protect my way of life. I also thank the reserve for their service. And I thank the husbands, wives, children, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, etc. of those who serve. You have to worry about those who serve...and that is a huge burden to bear.

I thank you all for your service and I thank all who have come before you for my freedoms. This is not a day about fireworks or barbecues. It is a day to celebrate the very freedom that we have to do those things.

God Bless America!

Happy Father's Day

Today I spent the day with the family for Father's Day. I call it the Father's Day Extravaganza!!! Went to my parents' place and had great food and great fun.

My dad started it off by getting the OLD hand-cranked ice cream maker going. And we took turns hand cranking it. But...Dad did the most of it. (Way to go Dad!)

Then I took my nieces and nephew out with some "Snaps" to throw on the sidewalk. Unfamiliar with "Snaps"? They're just those little boxes you can buy in the grocery stores now for the 4th of July. Each little wrapped item snaps when you throw it on the ground or step on it. It's a great activity for 3 & 4 year-olds. The under 2-year-old had a harder time, but she still got in on the fun.

Then my mom and dad set up a scavenger hunt for the nieces and nephew out in their massive garden, that was a hit with the kids. They loved finding things grandma and grandpa set out for them.

After that we all gathered in the "barn" and ate a great lunch of grilled burgers, hot dogs, and chicken along with fruit, chips, and potato salad (and I'm probably forgetting something). Dessert? Yes. My sister made apple pie and an angel food cake and strawberry dessert. And that homemade ice cream. AWESOME! Amazingly the "barn" was completely cool despite the rising temperatures (and no air conditioning).

After lunch and a bit of more playing, once niece and one pregnant sister went down for a nap. The boys went out for some golf on the family golf course. What? Doesn't everybody have one? Actually, my dad converted their sizeable garden (formerly a cow pasture, but unrecognizeable as such) into a course for my brothers-in-law for the day. He even played caddy while they played. Nephew came along with his mini clubs. My non-pregnant sister and I followed along in the shade as the gallery (it was 90+ degrees out there!!!). We clapped and laughed (especially when my sister's husband, the avid golfer, hit the turf further than his ball) and watched while we imagined my dad cringing at his scarred turf.

After that we headed back to get some relief from the heat before Nephew and his grandpa went for a ride in the AIR-CONDITIONED John Deere tractor. (Probably Nephew's most anticipated moment of the day.)

And then it was time to head home. I had ridden with my sister and her family, so we all packed back into the van for the ride back. Niece was asleep within five minutes, with Nephew and my sister shortly after.

It was a great day! Hopefully next year the temps will be a little more manageable! I hope everybody else had as great of a day! And I hope my dad enjoyed his Father's Day Extranaganza!

CSA Update

So I haven't been posting what I've gotten in my CSA. Shame on me. Let's see if I can remember.

Up until yesterday I've gotten: lettuce, scallions, basil, garlic scapes, spinach, and strawberries.

Yesterday, it got even better. I got two cartons of fresh-picked strawberries. And by "fresh-picked", I mean that morning. All the produce is picked the day I get it! Those strawberries are just amazing and I have probably two more weeks of them, yay!

Next up...sugar snap peas! I love just eating them raw. I know you can saute or steam 'em. But there's nothing better than popping open those little buggers and eating just those little peas. (Nephew tries them for the first time and declared them awesome as well.)

I also got some snow peas, more lettuce, and some arugula. So more and more salads are in my future. I don't mind though....it's quite tasty. And I enjoy trying the different greens instead of the old tried and true romaine or *shudder* iceberg.

Tonight I plan on using some of the spinach and strawberries. Maybe a salad, maybe separate...who knows. Gotta eat these up while they are at their freshest.

Have a great weekend!

A random list

Thought I'd just make a very random list today...

Webgal needs:

• a day off
• a real vacation
• a moment of clarity
• some new running shoes
• some dedication
• Internet Explorer 6 to stop being used
  
• Photoshop CS4
• a snack
• the ability to focus on what's important
• to figure out what's important
• to clean her house
• to sell her house
• to feel important...at some point
• to charge her cellphone
• a snack (still)
• a clue
• a male who is romantically interested in her
  
• some time with friends
• to share more
• to put some self tanning lotion on her really white legs
• to go for a run
• to lay off of Facebook for a while
• to lay off of Twitter for a while
• to read some of her books
  
• the guy in the cubicle in front of her to move...to another country
• to get up and walk around a bit
• to drink more water
• to blog more
• an end to this list.
  

A quote I want to focus on

Another blogger posted a quote today that I really need to focus on. And so...I thought I'd share it with everybody else.

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.
-Mark Twain

Fresh veggies....help?

I can't remember if I mentioned joining a CSA on here yet, so I'm sorry if this is a repeat. A CSA is basically a farm that you buy a membership in and get weekly produce from. My CSA produces everything without chemicals and is farmed by an autism group home. I figured this would be a good way for me to try more new veggies this summer. AND to get them fresh, local, and nearly organic.

Now I eat my veggies, but I've pretty much stuck to brussel sprouts, asparagus, lettuce, carrots, and potatoes (not really a veggie in my opinion). I'm happy to expand my horizons this summer, but I may need some help.

Last week, I got spring garlic, arugula, chives, basil, and radishes. I kinda ruined a lot of it not knowing that my bottom refrigerator drawer actually seems to freeze things instead of being a vegetable crisper. I think I saved the basil and the arugula though.

This week (today) I got lettuce, cilantro, scallions, garlic snapes, and baby turnips.

So, I'm not exactly a very knowledgeable cook. I thought I'd ask if anybody has any fabulous recipes for turnips. I'm probably going to roast them. Seems like the thing to do, but I'm open to suggestions.

I'll probably give away the cilantro and garlic snapes. Since I can't smell, they don't taste to me. Better enjoyed by people who can smell.

So please, pass along any great recipes. I never know what I might be missing.

I'll try to post each week what I get. I really am going to need all the help I can get with a lot of this produce. But I'm excited to try!