Tax Dodging

Tax Dodging

Yeah, yeah, yeah...it's not what you're thinking.  No, I'm not plotting some way to avoid paying taxes.  I'm not a huge corporation with friends in Washington after all.  I'm merely referring to my annual dodging of the hunt for the various and sundry official documents, receipts, crumpled post-it-notes and miscellanea that comprise my personal tax filing system.  Yeah, I have a small file that holds all things tax related over the course of the year...when I can remember to put the papers and such in there and when I can find it under the usual flotsam and jetsam of my "office" but as always there are bits and pieces that get away and I end up spending an inordinate amount of time searching for those bits. 

Every year I swear I'm going to do my taxes as soon as I get my W-2's, and every year I put it off as long as possible...like until DH starts bugging me to get the info to him so he can get it to the accountant.  Yes, I said accountant and can I just confess here and now how relieved I am that we FINALLY have one?  Did I mention that I was the accountant for the first 20-some years of our marriage?  Me?  The one in the family who can't "borrow" and "carry" without having to first remove her shoes? 

So, having set aside 3 of the last 4 weekends for at least starting to gather all my "stuff" so I can see what's missing I guess I need to bite the bullet and begin.  (I was out of town for the one weekend that I hadn't dedicated to taxes.)  Notice how I decided to do a blog entry after more than a month's hiatus INSTEAD of getting the taxes out?  Yep, I'm that dedicated a procrastinator.  Gosh, if I had the same dedication to completing the taxes as I have to avoiding them, then life would be sooo much better.

O.K.  Off to get the file and the calculator.  Sigh.  Have I mentioned that I hate this??  Maybe next time I'll offer my sister that I'll go get her root canal - without anesthesia - if she'll do my tax prep.  She's much better with numbers, after all. 

Pencil sharpener, here I come.

In Case You Were Wondering About the 5 Second Rule...

For those of you who may have been wondering about that all important 5 second rule, here is a flow chart to help you with your decision making.

And now here is an article to further clarify the rules.  Read it and rejoice...for you may be able to salvage more than you thought.  http://blog.syracuse.com/healthfitness/2007/05/change_5second_rule_to_30secon.html

Happy New Year

Don't know about you guys but I am delighted to see 2009 in the rearview mirror.  It was a pretty crappy year for us, primarily because of losing someone we loved dearly, John's mom.  We also lost our adorable 11 year old "puppy", Champ.  He was a great dog even though having him was a lot like owning a perpetual toddler.  His enthusiasm was part of what made him so fun, though. 

In addition to losing family members, the physician community at Martha Jefferson Hospital lost two great docs this year to accidents.  The first, Jim Knight, was my doctor when I first graduated from UVA.  A well respected and beloved internist, he fell from a ladder while trimming branches at his church, First Presbyterian, and died back in June.  Just last month one of the private practice surgeons, Latham Murray, died in a tragic accidental drowning over Thanksgiving weekend.  It was a shock to everyone.  He was one of 8 sons of parents who are still living at 92 years old.  They're a well established local family who give generously of themselves and of their resources to the community and to the University.  The brothers hand made a coffin for Latham.  He was a father of five, loving husband, and a repected surgeon.  He has been sorely missed.

We have had many good things happen this year as well...it's just that they're a little overshadowed by the intensity of the deaths we've experienced. 

I found gainful employment again and at a place I really enjoy working.  Although it's only part time it's still interesting and provides me with challenges.  Christine has returned home and is working at a local vet, getting more experience under her belt as she ponders her next career move.  John's schedule is busier.  Although he lost his long-standing Office Manager he was able to replace her relatively quickly and with someone who is a real go-getter, so we have hopes that she will be able to learn quickly.  I am also working part time at his office doing some medical billing, fighting the good fight with insurance companies, and making bank deposits. 

We miss those who are gone for good, but we focus on those who are here and who are near and dear to our hearts.  We have hopes that our economy will continue to improve (in the hopes that we MIGHT be able to retire one day).  We give thanks for being in relatively good health for a couple of half-centenarians-plus.  We wish good judgment on our elected officials that they might make wise decisions to move this country  forward and to strengthen it.  We wish all of our family and friends a happy and healthy 2010 and look forward to our next decade of adventures.

God Bless Us Everyone

May all the images from your ghosts of Christmases past, present and future show you all good things.  As Tiny Tim said, "God bless us everyone".  God bless all of you and to all a good night.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

Well, the weatherpersons (to be politically correct) predicted snow for today and they were right on the day, but a little off on the timing.  We were supposed to have rain until afternoon, then turning to snow.  I awakened to snow and it's still coming down.

The roads were not supposed to be accumulating snow.  Supposedly the roads were supposed to be warm enough that the snow would melt.  Guess those flakes fooled Mr/Ms Weatherperson because I see a little bit of stuff accumulating out there. 

This could be an interesting one.  When we get snow coming up from the Gulf of Mexico, which this is, then we tend to have a lot...as in 10 - 12 inches a lot.  Today's snow has been predicted to be 2 - 4 inches.  (They say blithely, not acknowledging that 4 inches of snow will cripple this town.)  Well, gotta study for that final next week anyway, so break out the hot tea and hot cocoa and let the snow continue.

Wishing you sunshine and warm temperatures you little snow bunnies.

Yes, they do say the darnedest things...

Grayson and Ashton

Having a 23 year old we don't have a chance to hang with little ones too often.  Last weekend we got that chance.  We traveled to St. Louis to see our niece Ashley get married.  Ashley used her niece Mya as her flower girl and her two nephews Ashton and  Grayson as ring bearers.  It was fun to be with the little kids and hear all of their cute sayings.  The boys wore nice suit jackets and pants with belts (a new one on them...they generally wear elastic waist pants).  Poor Ashton, the older and potty trained one, had a tough time with his "seat belt".  He couldn't get it off in time and well, things got a little damp.  I suspect he wants to go back to elastic...it's quicker and easier.  Those "seat belts" can be a little too tricky to get off in time.

The kids' parents shared with us their versions of some phrases.  Instead of going to Mickey D's (McDonald's) these kids go to Happy D's.  I guess it's some kind of combination of happy meal and Mickey D's. 

Then another favorite is their version of Toys R Us.  These three little tykes call it Toys 4 us.  Far more accurate than the commercial name I must admit.

My favorite of all was what they call the Ferris Wheel.  To them it's the Scare Us Wheel.  Pretty darned accurate I must say.  Kids do say the darnedest things.

Mya - the flower girl

Lame Blogger Alert

Man oh man...do I EVER qualify for lame blogger of the year.  I can't believe my last post was over a month ago.  You'd think NOTHING ever happened in my life.  Well...that may be close, but not exactly true.  I've been doing lots of stuff...some of it even fun.

Last weekend was the Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival.  My sister and brother-in-law from Whynot Pottery came up and spent the weekend with us and sold lots of pots. (yay)  I got to go out and see their stuff on Sunday with friend Pat and bought a few goodies.  They make some beautiful stuff.  My sister is having fun with her pillow pots and tiles.  They're always trying something new and fun.  I like it because it keeps me in Christmas gifts for friends.

Christine and Aunt Meredith at the fair.

Also visiting over the weekend were Christine's friend from Dallas, Elizabeth with her friend Chloe.  The girls were making an east coast swing with a focus on trying to visit as many states as possible in about 10 days.  They were doing a pretty good job of knocking them out. 

Chloe, Liz and Christine

Earlier tonight John and I went to The Mudhouse in Crozet, met up with friends Mike and Pat, and heard some good music.  There is a local singer/songwriter with a wonderful voice: Mariana Bell.  You should give her a listen if you get a chance.  Also playing were Travis Elliott and Tucker Rogers.  You should check them out if you get a chance as well.  They were all quite good.  It's nice to hear music at a coffee house rather than having to sit in a smoky bar.  Those days are over for me, thank goodness.

Other highlights of the last month include a quick trip to Norfolk.  Got to see mom, friend Jeanie from Coeur d'Alene who was in town visiting her mother and step dad.  Also got to see my friend Lee who is making some gorgeous quilts. The woman has talent.  Got to see the nephews, too, of course.  Had an interesting hour or so waiting by the side of the road on Shore Drive for AAA to come change a tire.  I should have just changed it myself...would have been a lot quicker.

Tomorrow, friend Andrea and her daughter are coming down to go to a Metallica concert at the local arena, JPJ.  I wonder how our 50 something friend is going to handle the head banging and mosh pit.  Oh, to be a fly on the wall...with earplugs, of course. 

Next weekend takes us to St. Louis for niece Ashley's wedding.  The last weekend of the month is reserved for our annual football get together.  Busy is good, right?