Taxes, Naps, and Tiny Rewards

I had to go downtown this morning to protest the above-market-value tax assessment of our little house. The good news is that our property value has gone up a bit lately. That means, of course, we have to pay the Taxman more for it. The other good news is it hasn't gone up the 20,000 dollars they SAID it had (which would have been a MUCH bigger chunk of money to pay). It's sort of a game-- they assume most people don't have the advance knowledge to protest something that big of a hike, and they make some money off of those who don't bother to protest. So it was adjusted a bit down from what they thought we ought to pay (about 10,000 dollars worth, which adds up to a lot less we have to pay for it).

But it meant I had to drive in downtown San Antonio-- which, like all downtowns of a city older than 50 years, was a pain in the butt. One way streets here, streets that Mapquest doesn't know end there. I left so that I would have gotten there more than an hour early and it took me so long to navigate the streets that I actually was only 30 minutes early in the long run. But they were surprisingly efficient at the assessment offices, and quick, too.

So in reward, I went and got myself a french manicure. :) Girl's gotta have her little rewards here and there.

Later today, we're driving to Shreveport for Andrew's Reserve duty weekend. So that means no posts from me till probably Tuesday. If I could find an Internet cafe in Shreveport, well.... I don't think that's going to happen, but there's always a chance, I guess. (I haven't seen one yet, though).

And I'm very sleepy cause I had several hours of insomnia last night (this morning.) It caught, too, and Andrew ended up being awake for a couple of hours too. The cat protested loudly-- we messed up her sleeping schedule. I thought cats were supposed to be nocturnal! So I need a nap or else there will be one drowsy driver later today. At least, with all the work I got done on the dissertation yesterday, I don't have to feel ragingly guilty about resting & not working today (at least).

So that's the news. The weather? Surprisingly, only 79 degrees right this sec, and scattered clouds. Picture me, then, in a nice weather girl sweater and a cute, perky smile, pointing at the national map. That's pretty much accurate (except, of course, for the sleepy bags under my eyes.)