THREE HUNDRED THIRTY BILLION DOLLARS IN TAXES GO UNPAID. How do these folks escape the Government? Man, we set that up on Auto-pay, because I'm afraid of forgetting to write a check. If everybody would just DO what they're supposed to do, then America'd be a little better. One friend said to me that she wishes we had MORE taxes, because then we'd get MORE STUFF. But can you imagine if people would just pay the taxes they already OWE?

Here's a new sugar-evasion tactic for ya: Sonic is now offering DIET Cherry Limeaids.

If you taste one of these, the psychological effects will be so intense, you will never want to have a Cherry Limeaid, ever, ever again.

It's always like this. We're watching Clean Sweep. Despite the promise of a FABULOUS SPACE FOR WORK OR RETREAT, it's like pulling teeth to get people to give up their junk, that's been littering their lives and crowding their comfort.

I am reminded of the story of the little girl who didn't want to give up her string of dress-up pearls. They were grimey and had seen better days. Her daddy was waiting to give her a string of real, shimmering pearls, but not until she would give up the fake, plastic ones.

And aren't we all like that? Why is it so hard to clean sweep our lives, and get rid of the junk? If I know that on the other side is glittery glory beyond my wildest imagination, why is it so hard to loosen my grip on the fake stuff?

There are stacks of Rubbermaid containers in the garage that are full of clothes I don't wear, home decor items I have no room to match, and Erik's turntables from his deejay days. He's holding onto them in case he chooses one day to have that as a side business. If he begins pricing smoke machines and a laser light show, I will lose my mind.

I guess what I'm really thinking about this morning is having a garage sale, as this is the first spring I've owned a garage.

This morning Erik was helping me bring a cake in for Melissa. She's getting married next Saturday. Last night we were going to decorate her desk for this morning. Erik brought streamers and balloons (which Mike and Kristen filled with helium, thanks guys!), and we all waited and waited for her to leave last night.

Erik was hiding out with the decorations and I was to call him when Melissa finally abandoned her desk. However, last night she decided to stay late. An hour late. Everyone else left to pick up kids and such. So this morning as I'm telling this story to others, it didn't occur to me that the president of the company was in the group as I was going on and on about, "WHO does that? WHO stays at WORK an HOUR late?"

So anyway... I'd better get to work.

Everyone needs to get their own t-shirt.

Let's just say that despite sage advice, lessons need to be learned. I would do almost anything to protect you, to keep you Scot-free, but I'm strong-willed too, so I do know how it is. If it works out, I am your loudest cheerleader. If not, I'll bring a first-aid kit.

Well, I finally don't owe enough on my student loans to refinance them. And it only took seven years. It won't be too long until they're all gone.

I am Sneezy. Dopey. And Sleepy. I feel worse...