Monthly Archive: July 2008

04
Jul
2008

SUMMER TURNS ME UPSIDE DOWN

How much more perfect can a summer evening be? Sun slowly sinking, tiny non-biting midges dancing in sparkling clouds. Children splashing and screeching in the pool. A hose in hand, spraying water over every pot and flower and sun-saturated growing thing. A rainbow-striped hot-air balloon slowly cruising right above our heads. A day spent finalizing preparations for the annual AWC Independence Day bash which we’re hosting tomorrow (because today was a regular work day, though I took it off regardless). Singing American patriotic songs in the car to the kids: Yankee Doodle, My Country Tis of Thee, God Bless America,...

01
Jul
2008

BONUS!

Haven’t paid* U.S. taxes in 11.5 years, but today I got FREE MONEY from the U.S. government anyway! Woo hoo! Thanks, George! Of course, since I’m depositing my Economic Stimulus Check in a Swedish bank (O! the irony!), it won’t be as much as it might have been, since the dollar is still in the toilet, and I’ll lose a big chunk thanks to international check-cashing fees but still, FREE MONEY! Can’t beat that with a stick! *But have kept up my end of the bargain as a U.S. citizen and faithfully filed my return every year