ita,

I have a dim view of standardized tests anyway, so WTF.

this is why we can't have nice things.

OK, so they can't use dinosaurs, but could they use unicorns?

I feel like ass even though (or possibly because) I went to bed with a raging headache at 7:30PM last night and didn't wake up until 6AM (and didn't get up until 8)

You realize that evolution is another one of banned words on the list too. Scary fucking world we live in. I wouldn't want to send my kids to any school that didn't teach them words like evolution.

With this list, I think they can only ask questions about the weather and only pleasant weather at that.

With this list, I think they can only ask questions about the weather and only pleasant weather at that.

I was wondering when I read the article what, exactly, they have left to put on the tests.

With this list, I think they can only ask questions about the weather and only pleasant weather at that.

That's just a slippery slope to climate change.

Happy Birthday Noah and Grace!

We are on our way back. It was a great day. We are tired, and the American Girl Doll store is enriched. Still trying to schedule the Baltimore side of this trip, as our housing didn't work out - yay spring break?!

I'm not reading the words article, as it will make me crazy.

Ghent Altarpiece - this guy thinks the close up shows another altar piece but I think T.A.R.D.I.S.

Argh. So my heat pump is indeed broken. To replace the compressor, i.e., just the broken part, will be $2000+. This is apparently like "putting a new engine in a car with 300,000 miles on it", according to the technician, who suggested I consider replacing the whole system. I'm getting a quote on the whole system tomorrow, but the estimate is $6000. This system is past the end of its expected life span, at 15 years old, so I think replacing the whole system is best, BUT. It has to be complicated, doesn't it?

My sister is insisting that she paid less to replace the whole system in her house, which is twice the size of mine. She'll check her records tonight, but my sis doesn't forget money, so it's probably true. Which means I can't just say, okay, do it; close my eyes and write the check. I'll have to get another quote from somebody else. Plus, the company I called, despite being a highly-rated company, sells Trane equipment, and for some reason my sister has decided she doesn't like Trane. FUCK.

I want a new system before it gets hot again. I'd get a rebate from the company, and a rebate from Trane, which will bring the cost down to about $5000, which is what my sister says she paid. I have a trustworthy company, a reliable brand, and a reasonable quote. I've got enough money in savings to do it. Savings is for taking care of inevitable repairs on the house. THAT'S WHAT THE MONEY IS FOR. Why does it have to be complicated?

Argh. Sorry for ranting. It's just... my sister started in on SEER ratings and HSPF numbers and whether I could get a tax credit for energy-efficient appliances, and I got overwhelmed with information. She would interview three companies and get competing rates and pick the best one that also saved her the most pennies, and then agonize over the decision for months afterwards, wondering if she could have saved more. Me? I want to make a decision and get it done, as soon as possible, and be done with it.

What would replacing the whole system entail/do? Other new parts? Something to your house? Cheaper bills down the line?