I AM THANKFUL

I AM THANKFUL:

• FOR THE WIFE WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT, BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME, AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

• FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO, BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

• FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.

• FOR THE TAXES I PAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED .

• FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

• FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

• FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

• FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME .

• FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

• FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION .

• FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.

• FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

• FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

• FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

• FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

• AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MANY E-MAILS BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.

Tax Credit Extended?

The House has passed a bill to extend a closing deadline for the homebuyer tax credit to Sept. 30, but similar action in the Senate is uncertain. By a 409-5 vote, the House passed a stand-alone bill (H.R. 5623) to ensure homebuyers who are expecting to receive the tax credit are not disqualified because delays have pushed their closing past a June 30 deadline. Under the homebuyer tax credit that expired April 30, first-time buyers had until today (June 30) to close and qualify for the $8,000 tax credit. Repeat buyers are in line for a $6,500 tax credit.

The National Association of Realtors estimates that 75,000 buyers won't meet the closing deadline due to loan processing delays and lapses in the National Flood Insurance Program and Rural Housing Service single-family loan program. "We are strongly urging the Senate to act quickly to pass their legislation and ease the minds and pocketbooks of these homebuyers," said NAR president Vicki Cox.

Senate Democrats' leaders have inserted the homebuyer closing extension in a larger bill that extends benefits for unemployed workers through November. But a Republican filibuster has blocked passage of the $34 billion unemployed benefit package for several weeks. A House-passed bill (H.R. 5569) to re-start the National Flood Insurance Program also is pending in the Senate.