We are Taxed to Death

Literally, every single aspect of our lives are taxed. Why do we tolerate such nonsense?? Have we forgotten that the money we earn, really does belong to us? Why do we so freely and without resistance, allow our hard earned money to go to the government?

The inheritance tax.
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge T ax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Sales Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Ser vice FeeTax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge=2 0Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY? Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.
What happened? Can you spell 'politicians?'
All of these taxes exist, because we allow it.

Does this make you want to come visit or what?

How refreshing

What can I say? It was such a refreshing weekend having Pennie and the girls here. It was a long, cool drink alongside a roaring waterfall, literally and figuratively. Being that Pennie is a sister in the Lord, it was totally priceless to me to reconnect with a sister. When you move out of town and still haven't found that special sister-in-Christ, your old church family relationships become all the more valuable. The same feeling happens when Connie comes. Refreshment, deep connection and priceless.

Friday we awakened to a very rainy day, and cinnamon rolls. It wasn't so bad until we sensed the kids were getting restless. Being that it was still gray, we opted for bowling. The thought of bowling made me yawn; they can bowl any time, they came here for the mountains! I wasn't about to fret about it, I went out on the porch and prayed. Can I tell you that within an hour, the skies were clear? The mountains it is! We went to a great creek that had fabulous boulders and rocks to climb. All the kids got barefoot and enjoyed the cool, rushing water! Then we drove up the mountain and walked amongst some ominous boulders! Mission accomplished!

Saturday we drove to one of my favorite waterfalls and swam in the very cold water. The waterfall was really coming down, unlike the trickle we had last visit. It was therapeutic in so many ways. Keith treated us to some freshly grilled burgers and we lingered as long as we could, to drink in every last drop.

Sunday was special because it has been 3 years since I have worshiped with any of my old church family. I don''t think I can even put it into words how it made me feel. Pennie, thanks so much for making the long trip, and thanks for being YOU! The girls were delightful as usual! I can't wait to try Todd's new bacon burgers - I'll let you know how we like them! Our home is your home, come back anytime!

The Verdict...

Well, we, I mean Keith, finally culled out one of our hens. She had us all fooled! She was our biggest hen in the flock and had such huge "looking" breasts - NOT! When it was all said and done, it was all FAT under those feathers! Her carcass was very puny, but we stewed her up anyway - Cajun style of course!! The verdict is that it was too much work for what you get. We will just send the old ladies over to Sam's house to retire a happy life on her 30 acre farm. Or sell them on Craig's list. Either way, we are no longer fantasizing about all the gumbo we will have this winter.

Sky Angel

We just got Sky Angel (Christian cable) this week. I am really liking it, for the most part. It is lacking a few channels that I like, but I think the more people that subscribe to it, the more they will add the better channels. There are also a TON of old movies and TV shows in it that may bore the average American to tears, but it offers clean, uplifting programing that the whole family can enjoy. MOST of the channels have an automatic 48 hour playback feature, and that is extremely cool. The monthly rate is only $24.99 for 70 channels, so that is quite a bit cheaper than our old cable. We are still not sure if they play live football, but I would hate for that to be a deal breaker since the good totally outweighs the bad. It has Fox news and several other channels we love, so for us, it is great. You can try it for 30 days risk free or just come over and check out ours. If you decide to give it a try, let me know and I can give you my referral code so I can get a free month of service. Let me know what you think about it - I'd love to hear your opinions.

Hiking, bouldering & sweating

We had such a great time hiking this afternoon with some friends from church. The water was low, so we really couldn't swim, but the hiking was great, the scenery was gorgeous and the sweating was profuse! James fell in the creek and Michael got mighty muddy, but there were no injuries or deaths. We can't wait to go back - probably in two weeks when some friends from Louisiana come for a visit. I think they would enjoy it!

There were some guys bouldering on some of the really big boulders, but we really didn't have time to do that today. Maybe next time.

This rooster's a keeper

Not like our last one who was like a prison warden. Bella, our first rooster, ruled the roost in such a militant way and he was obnoxiously noisy. He crowed for no reason at all, all day long. I really wanted to shoot him.

Jacques Clouseau, our newest crooner, is much more quiet and more mannerly. We will keep him! He is quite handsome, too! Of the rare French Cuckoo Maran breed, we plan to breed him with the two other cuckoo marans we have. They lay chocolate colored eggs. Although none of them are of laying age yet, it will be any day now! I can hardly wait to see that first dark egg!