Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: So This is July. Kinda.

After a week of very strange weather for Colorado (cold, gray, rainy), we're back to our regularly-scheduled program: Hot, hot hot. Technically, it's 'high desert' around here -- usually, our landscape this time of year is gray, tan and brown. But our backyard and the surrounding area is a rich, dark green. I only wish I could have gotten more pumpkins and squash planted, to take advantage of the moisture.
     The paperwork is nearly done, so it's on to the next jobs: binding a quilt (and cleaning a banner), and putting in time on the basement inventory. At least it's a little cooler downstairs. Meanwhile:

Greece may finally have a workable bailout plan. At least it was approved by world leaders yesterday. Go here for the first post, and here for more. 

How he went from debtor to millionaire -- by J.D. Roth, the founder of Get Rich Slowly. I suspect that this article ended up being a lot more personal than J.D. planned...but it's illuminating, nonetheless. (Courtesy of Financial Samurai)

ESPN's in trouble. It lost 3.2 million subscribers last year alone, as people cancelled cable or trimmed their packages. Oh boo hoo -- ESPN's been on a gravy train for decades. Maybe it will start providing affordable coverage now.

Free summer movies for the kids -- and you. (From Cha-Ching on A Shoestring)

The cheapskate's (or financially challenged) person's guide to a clean home. (From Apartment Therapy)

Lessons learned after a decade of work. It's not too late to benefit from these now, either. (From Mindful Riot)

30 weird world views, courtesy of Google Earth. And Danger Dolan:

10 extremely cool products from IKEA. They were great to start with, but now they've been tweaked and multipurposed by designers. (From Apartment Therapy)

A four-carat pink sapphire valued at $12,500. Only it's a fake. The owners bought it in good faith...and now want it replaced. But the jeweler, who is saying that the statute of limitations is up, anyways, only wants to replace the stone. The family counters with 1)they don't trust the jeweler anymore and 2)they want the updated value, anyways -- not what it was originally worth.
     The appraiser's getting sued, too.
     Be sure to click on the link's link, to get the full story. Especially if you're an appraiser.

A chicken photo essay. Maybe it's just me...but this is a charmer. (From Our New Life in the Country)

Amelia Earhart -- was she and Fred Noonan taken prisoner after her plane crashed...or wasn't she? The debate continues.

10 funny realities about famous movies. Like Predator's eerie green blood -- it was actually a mixture of a broken glow stick and K-Y jelly!

Have a great week.