Happy Thanksgiving

I just wanted to send Thanksgiving wishes out to everyone. I know I have a lot to be thankful for this year. Here are just a few reasons:

- I live in a country where we have peaceful elections to choose our next leaders
- That we CAN choose our leaders
- That I have a job supporting and defending this great nation of ours

- I have money to put food on my table and gas in my car

- Extra time that I can use to further my education and volunteer at the zoo

- My sister, to take care of my house and dog when I deploy for six months

- My friends. They keep me whole, sane (sort of), and they are always there for me during the ups and down

- and My family. My parents have always been supportive and there when I need to talk.

A friend sent me this great e-mail about thanksgiving and what and why you should be thankful for....so I thought I'd pass it on.

TO BE THANKFUL FOR…
The mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.
The taxes I pay because it means I am employed.
The clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.
My shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.
A lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.
All the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.
The space I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking.
My huge heating bill because it means I am warm.
The lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear.
The piles of laundry and ironing because it means I have clothes to wear.
Weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been productive.
The alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I’m alive.
Getting too much email that bogs me down but at least I know I have friends who are thinking of me.
The right train of thought can take you to a better station in life…

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

It Keeps on Dropping

I happened by a gas station last night when the price was $1.69 then less than 24 hours later I drove by the same gas station and gas was $1.59 for regular unleaded. I am very glad that the prices keep dropping but it raises a lot of questions.

Yes I know that right before and during the summer gas prices go up; but for them to drop over $3.00 a gallon now that summer is over is a little more than normal. We saw a major increase in prices over the past two years. Was this because less oil was being produced? Hurricanes taking out refineries? Or the war on terrorism?

Well....the war is still going on, we've had some big hurricanes, and from what I understand there might be a little more oil being produced. However, what I think is the biggest reason for the increase and massive drop we have seen is greed.

The big oil companies keep posting billion dollar profits, yes we know - they are profiting off of us, the consumer.

But it's not just the gas prices that have dropped. Our economy has dropped or bottomed out. Again, the explanation has been part of the reason is due to the war on terror. But could the reason be over inflation of prices and services. I go back to greed, greed of the consumer and greed of the retailer. The age old statement of supply and demand is always in place. People are willing to pay more money when there are hot items to be had, and retailers are very quick to mark up items they know will be the next "thing" for more than its worth.

So is it the greed of the consumer living in a materialistic world, or that of the retailer who over prices goods, materials and services. I say its both.

Hopefully once everything settles we won't see another inflation bubble but everything will stabilize....one can hope