Thankful Thursday | on taxes
This week, I am thankful:
that I didn't have to file a tax extension this year
Last year there was a big SNAFU with the tax filing system for my state, so my blog's business tax return had to be delayed, and that meant my personal return also had to be delayed.
But this year everything is on time, and as I mentioned on Tuesday, I got my return filed this week. Yay!!
I don't like putting things off, so filing a tax extension is really not my favorite thing to do.
that I remembered to get my hospital W-2
I was about to hit "submit" on my taxes and then I was like, "OH NO WAIT I HAD A REAL JOB THIS YEAR."
I had completely forgotten about my hospital job (a true downside of online W-2s!)
So, I figured out how to find it online (a complicated process) and I got it included on my return. Whew.
that I am on spring break this week
I forgot how magically wonderful it is to have a week to breathe mid-semester.
that my exam is not this coming Monday
I figured they'd schedule our next big exam right after spring break but nope! We get a week after break to study. Yay!
(Will I spend some time studying over spring break? Ummm, yes. But I'm glad to have an extra week so I don't feel super pressured this week.)
that I love my clinical group and my professor
I probably have mentioned this already but I am particularly glad that my group is gelling so nicely this semester because we had a lot of clinical days together.
Imagine being in a group that doesn't click well for fourth semester! That's so many days to spend with each other.
I am lucky in that really, all of my clinical groups have been good combinations. But I hear this is not always the case, so it makes me appreciate what we have.
that my parents and my neighbors cleaned up my yard
They surprised me by doing it while I was at clinical, and now my yard is not a neighborhood eyesore. Whew.
This is my last year in nursing school so hopefully I will do a better job of yard maintenance next fall. 😉
that bits of green are popping up
The brush along my trails is beginning to turn green and I am excited. I love the way the world transforms in March and April.
for some beautifully warm weather
We are having some lovely days in the 60s for our spring break here and I am delighted! As you know, the cold doesn't bother me terribly, but it is really nice to not have to bundle up so much to go outside.
for pill pockets for cats
Shelley needed some pills after her vet appointment and these pill pockets are working like a charm. She is excited to take her medicine!
that my boiler was repairable
It had an issue again (I am NEVER buying a house with an oil-powered furnace. Ha.), but mercifully, I was able to get a repair guy out here pretty promptly.
Also: it wasn't freezing cold outside this time, so my house wasn't unbearably cold. I bundled up, and Chiquita helped to keep me warm too. 😉
We went to CT for the weekend and as we returned to MD we noticed how green it was after just a couple of days away. I am thankful that when walking later that day I noticed how many trees were budding, there was a lot of red color in the skyline. I love spring.
I am thankful that we had a good trip to see relatives and attend a ceremony. I am grateful that everyone got along. I am also thankful that traffic was decent as heading
to/through the NYC area on a Monday morning is dicey. We made an educated guess as to a good time to leave and were lucky with traffic.
Chiquita is taking her job as person-warmer very seriously!
I'm thankful this week for a good meeting with an academic advisor that made my path to an RN degree much clearer. DS#2 was happy to get the clarification, too. I kept waking up at night not sure I had signed up for the right courses, and after talking with the advisor we had a better plan!
Also thankful for a good orthodontist (within walking distance of our home!) and that DS#4 is ready and excited for braces. He's going to have a tough treatment plan, as he's got a serious overjet and malocclusion, but it's going to be life-changing for him. Plus the oral surgeons with this practice did all his brothers' wisdom teeth, and did a great job, so I'm happy we're going with this practice. Also, obviously, grateful for our good dental insurance.
I'm grateful we have the means to pay for a guy to come fix the cracked heat exchanger in our furnace. Also grateful we have space heaters to use until it's fixed. Hopefully that's today.
@Karen A., So glad your child is excited to have braces. As an adult who had braces, I didn't enjoy it while it was happening, but I was so pleased with the results afterwards! Hoping it is a bearable journey for everyone involved! Also kudos to you for getting it done before he is an adult. There was absolutely no insurance that would have paid for my adult orthodontic work.
This week I am thankful:
*that my kids and I were able to investigate a dishwasher code and deal with the problem. I'm not going to say it was pretty (drainage issue), but it seems (so far) like it's working. Also, it didn't cost anything.
*that my son volunteered to do the grossest part of the dishwasher repair. And that my daughter (who did NOT volunteer to clean the trap) didn't complain when I handed it her.
*for the warmer weather. Daffodils, crocuses, snow glories.
*for the will power (if not happy feelings) to stick to a diet that is working right now.
*that my son who dreams of being a published writer got an acceptance letter. He sold a short story!
*for church family. Ours is a wonderful one.
*for daydreams. I like daydreaming. It's fun. And cheap.
@Jody S., That's a hard thing, to put your writing out there and risk rejection - congrats to your writer son!
@Jody S., Congrats to your son! This is motivating me to submit some writing to a competition!
@Jody S.,
Tell your writer son congratulations!!!!! Let us know when/where his story is published. I'm sure everyone on the Commentariat would love to read it!
@Fru-gal Lisa, Thank you. I will for sure let the whole world know when it is published (slated for fall?).
@Suz, Yes, having had several rejections, he keeps submitting. He was so discouraged after the last round of rejections, despite a couple editors giving lengthy feedback and encouragement. This was wonderful news.
@Sophie in Denmark, Do it!
@Jody S.,
Sometimes, it is a long, long time between getting a piece of writing accepted and getting it published. I've had things lag as much as 2 years!
I am thankful that I heard from everyone that attended our weekend party and they all had a great time and arrived home safely. I am always nervous when they leave and always worry until I hear they are home safely. They are all smart and have designated drivers for leaving the party, but it's when they get to their actual homes is when I stop worrying. A great time was had by all!
Unfortunately, my sister and husband from NM had their flight cancelled and no new flights were scheduled even the next day because of the terrible storm (remember the wind last week?!?!?!) So they missed the party and we all missed them.
Also thankful that we can still afford this party. Corned beef in our area was over $5.00/lb! When we started this party 26 years ago, corned beef was less than $1.00/lb. I am keeping all my receipts this year so I can figure out what we spent and have money for it next year, because next year I will be celebrating retirement! And the corned beef tasted amazing, so it was worth the money spent.
And extremely thankful for my husband's cousin who flew in from Sweden. Those 2 are peas in a pod and they had a great time together. They even spent a few days in Pittsburgh and then went to a hockey game together to see their favorite team play. I'm hoping to visit Sweden sometime soon. We did visit his home in Spain, but Sweden is on the bucket list! But I would love to go back to Spain!
Also thankful for the warmer weather. Altho some people got snow with this latest storm, we are only expecting rain.
@Maureen, is their favorite team the Penguins? It was just announced that the Penguins and the Predators are scheduled to play a couple games in Sweden in November.
@DCO, no, the other team that won against the Penguins the other night -- the Islanders. And if the Islanders were going to Sweden, we'd be on the flight to Sweden to see them. LOL
@Maureen, LOL. Wouldn’t blame you!
@Maureen, we opted to buy our corned beef from the local butcher shop. What we purchased from Meijers in the past was good but it came no where close to the one from the butcher shop. $6/lb was grocery store average, butcher shop was $10/lb. Meat for seven dinners and three lunches. I can't complain. Like you, it will become a budget item. I'm sure what we spent for the meat was less than the three of us eating it dine out.
OK, I'm having to reach deep for this one. My next-door neighbor on the other side of me from the one I call NDN (I'll refer to the other-side neighbor as NDN2) came home late Tuesday night from 6 weeks in TX with her family and found a disaster: A pipe had burst in a second-floor bathroom, and pretty much flooded the entire house once water got down through the kitchen ceiling. (It wasn't that NDN2 didn't leave the heat on during her absence; she thinks it was an incorrectly installed new faucet.) What a thing for a lady in her 80s to come home to after a grueling plane trip!
But I'm grateful for the city fire department, which arrived promptly, figured out what was going on, shut off the power and water, and were very kind and gentle with NDN2. I'm grateful that I could offer her my guest room for the rest of the night. I'm grateful that the family in TX is rallying round: One grown grandchild should be here by now, another is arriving tomorrow, and her son will be coming in on Monday. And I'm grateful that her insurance company is also responding promptly: Her son arranged for her to get a hotel room for a week or so (to be covered by the insurance), and I took her there late yesterday.
@A. Marie, I'm sure NDN2 was thankful for a neighbor like you this week. Folks like you are blessing to live next to.
@A. Marie,
Oh my word, what a mess! Of course you helped, you are a very good neighbor. I'm glad to hear she's got more help on the way!
@A. Marie, what AnnieH and JD said. You are a rock!
@A. Marie, Water problems are the worst! (veteran of multiples.) It was great you could help and believe me, she'll remember your kindness forever!
@A. Marie, Wow, you are a friend in need indeed. It’s just heartening to hear of your caring ways.
@A. Marie, There is never a dull moment in your neighborhood, is there? You should write a book about all the misadventures you all are having. But I agree your neighbors are lucky to be living near an angel like you. Give my regards to NDN2 and all her family, and I hope they get things cleared up (mopped up?) real soon.
@A. Marie, that would be a horrible situation for anyone, let alone someone her age. I am sure she is so thankful for every ounce of help and kindness she is receiving.
Oh my goodness, what an unpleasant sort of adventure. I'm glad the firemen (and you!) were so kind to your neighbor.
This is random, but I love the built in shelves behind you in that last picture, and I like how you have them decorated too!
I'm thankful for:
- That I saw a Dr appointment on my calendar the day of! I had been thinking it was next week, so glad I saw it yesterday morning so I was able to make it!
- For my little seeds sprouting! I think garening might become a favorite hobby!
- For family members.
- For my nice little house and my cozy bed.
- For an encouraging Bible study
- For friendly people
- That I found an Aldi at a town we go to for other errands
- For a day at home to get some chores done
- For the kids' book club
- For cards in the mail
- For enjoyable blogs to read
- For the stability of God, when other things change and are new
@Katy @ Practical Walk, what good thankfuls you always have. I also admired those shelves with the colored glass bottles. Makes me want to ask if Kristen was able to bring tchotchkes from her old house, or any furniture, or (this is the biggie to me) any books!
All of those glass bottles are from the abandoned house!
I brought a few decor things with me from my old house but mostly I just started over here. So, I figured I'd just put whatever I could find from the abandoned house on the shelves.
I brought some books, but I honestly didn't own that many books. I'm a library girl or a "buy from eBay and then resell when I'm done" girl!
I am thankful that taxes are less complicated to do here!
I am also thankful for beautiful weather. I went for a swim this morning 🙂
I am thankful for a fun evening out yesterday.
I am thankful that I was out when the water was turned off in my building and it was back on when I got back!
I am thankful for spring flowers everywhere.
We are greening up here faster than Kristen is there (as usual) but I also love the light, bright greens of spring.
1. I've been re-reading some of the Foxfire books and it makes me so, so thankful for the conveniences I have. Just setting up a loom to weave wool (that one had sheared, washed, carded, spun and wound from one's own sheep) was a huge process - and that was after someone had to build the loom. For those who haven't heard of the Foxfire books, they started when a teacher and a group of high school kids went to the elderly inhabitants of the mountains in North Georgia and the surrounding areas to interview them about how things were done in the old days and were still done by some of the old timers. It became a magazine, then a series of books.
2. I'm thankful for my daughter's safe flight to New Jersey. Didn't I just say I was thankful for her safe flight to Arizona last week? Yes, I did - she's always on the move for work, it seems like.
3. I'm thankful for missing the bats that keep flying over the road as I drive to work in darkness. I've never had multiple bats in my path when driving in the dark before.
4. Although it has been a little chilly the last few nights, I'm thankful I can leave the heat off, because the house warms up during the day and is quite comfortable in the evenings. It is a little hard to choose outfits that go from 39 deg. F to 80 deg. F in the same day, but I am using less electricity! And we still aren't hot yet, another thankful. Some years, Spring lasts maybe a week, then straight to hot, humid summer.
5. I'm thankful that my teen granddaughter will have lunch with me at the end of the month. It will be a late birthday present to me, just to spend time with her alone. She will be living her own busy adult life all too soon.
@JD, I will never forget reading the chapter on making linen cloth, in a book about our state history. Growing flax, harvesting, retting, drying, breaking, scutching, hackling, THEN spinning, weaving, sewing... I am totally with you on thankfulness for modern conveniences!
And I've read some of the Foxfire books too - what an amazing window into a time/way of life. Imagine being one of those students documenting it all; what a great project.
@JD, I own a book published by my local university press (back when the local university wasn't a complete joke) titled "A Vanished World," by Anne Gertrude Sneller. Miss Sneller (as she would wish to be called) grew up in the northern part of my county around the turn of the last century, when a trip from her family's place to my city and back could be a two-day affair. She also described in full detail how much work went into a family farm back then, with emphasis on how much of it was done by the women (and taken for granted). And she didn't pussyfoot around harsher stuff, such as the treatment of disabled relatives or a notorious local case of incest.
@Suz, @JD, who wrote those Foxfire books? I’ve not heard of these but it sounds like something I’d like.
@JD, at one time, I had the series of Foxfire books and they were a joy to read.
@Suz,
I agree the Foxfire books are terrific. Had the students not undertaken the project, it's possible that all this history and knowledge would have been lost forever. More places should do this!
@A. Marie, thanks for the book suggestion. I just requested it at the library. Sadly, my county library has discarded older books (so it looks like a new bookstore) but interlibrary loan found one at the Baltimore city library.
@JD, I haven’t heard of those books, but I’ll check them out. That was my favorite part of the Little House books.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, @JD, et al., I've been hesitating to weigh in about this--but I feel I must. The teacher who got the ball rolling on the Foxfire magazine and books, and did wonderful work thereby, was Eliot Wigginton. But he was dismissed from the Foxfire project in late 1992, after he pled guilty to one count of child molestation (and there was evidence for many more). See his Wikipedia entry for further details.
So this is one of those heartbreaking cases where we're forced to judge a flawed human being against his (it's almost always his) wonderful work. I hate these. Frankly, I'm still heartsick over Bill Cosby, since I grew up on his comedy albums.
@A. Marie,
I knew he was dropped, but didn't remember a reason. It always disappoints me to hear that kind of thing, but I still can recite some of Cosby's "Noah" and I still love to read the Foxfire books. The students worked hard on that.
Central Calif. Artist Jana, there isn't an author listed, I don't think, but if you google Foxfire series, Rabun Gap or Foxfire.org, you will find them! My copies are old, and I only have the first three, but there are 12, I believe, altogether. Libraries may have them.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, JD gave the answer for finding the physical books - but it looks it's also available through the free online Gutenberg files, e.g. https://archive.org/details/FoxfireVol21/page/n1/mode/2up
@A. Marie, thank you for pointing that out; it's horrible, and important to know.
I make room for Foxfire and other books on old-time ways to do things, in a section I curate at a used book warehouse. I'm always happy to see when they've disappeared during a sale! In my most recent sale, various old, raggedy books on weaving and spinning sold, as well as some very interesting booklets on dying with natural sources (lichens, beetle shells) !
I'm so excited for the spring green to get here soon!!
@JD, Twelve plus at least four more related - one is a cookbook. I'd have to get a ladder out to read the other three titles. If the binoculars work, I'll post lol.
- I am thankful for all the spring flowers.
- I am thankful we could afford to have someone clean up the back yard. They gathered enough sticks to make a beaver dam and 63 contractor bags (yes, DH counted) of leaves and pine straw in one day.
- I am thankful our family all got together to celebrate DD's birthday
- I am thankful that we did not have any significant weather issues as tornados raced through the state last weekend.
- I'm thankful the weekend weather looks warm and sunny. We have a freeze warning tonight, which I hope is the last one for the year.
Enjoy your Spring break. 🙂
Thankful for the Spring weather last 2 days (70* & 65*) as today is 35* (feels like 25*) & is snowing. 🙁 Michigan Spring rollercoaster.
Thankful FAFSA finally cleared teen info & now I can do parent part (& be done). Then have to wait little bit to do MI Free college application (need FAFSA info), graduating HS Seniors qualify for Free college tuition to earn degree (even at state schools).
Thankful neighbor who fell 2 nights ago in garage & was in there overnight was found & mostly ok. Luckily it was 55* overnight & not teens & 20's as will be next many days.
Thankful that teen spending time with friends most days. This Senior year is flying by.
Thankful for rescue dogs who love us unconditionally. And are so happy to see us, even after just going outside for few minutes. 😉
Thankful for Kristen & her blog where we can learn & share with each other.
Happy Spring!
Have a great weekend.
@Regina,
Your post reminded me I have to nag my college student to do the FAFSA. It's so much easier now that it used to be, thank goodness, but it still needs to be done! At least she doesn't need the css profile again. That's a bear of a document.
Good luck to your student in getting the necessary aid!
We also has 2-3 inches of snow this morning, after thunderstorms yesterday. March in the Midwest isn't for the faint-hearted!
Kristen, thank for posting about the cat pill pockets. My sister is having to deal with medicating her kitties and I'm going to let her know about these, if the vet hasn't told her yet.
This week I am thankful for:
1. Clear medical test results. There's a family history so each year I get checked out and hope for the best. I can relax now.
2. The technicians who ran the tests. They were all so professional, patient, and helped me relax during the uncomfortable parts.
3. The doctor who got back to me quickly so I spent less time worrying.
4. The warmer, sunny days. I love winter, but I am so ready for spring after all those frigid days.
5. The daffodils coming up in our favorite park. So cheerful!
@AnnieH, Greenies also makes pill pockets. They come in a couple different flavors.
@Selena, Thanks Selena. I'll tell my sister as she said the Royal Canin ones have to be prescribed like their other products. I'm not sure why, it's not like the pockets themselves contain medication... If Greenies can just be bought "over the counter" that will be much easier.
Ohhh yes these are from my vet.
@Selena, My sister said they tried the Greenies but the cat won't eat them. Sigh.., kitties are a joy when they are not being such fusspots! She also said the prescription is good for a year so at least they don't have to keep calling the vet each time they need them.
You’re lucky that you have a nice group to work with. One of my kids has a group of “mean girls” in their cohort in grad school, and it’s no fun. Luckily, they’ve gotten less mean over the past couple years, but you’d think that stuff would end in high school! Or earlier! I’m thankful that it’s gotten better. I’m also thankful that my kids’ grade schools and high schools didn’t tolerate bullying.
I’m thankful that my husband does the taxes!
I’m thankful that my cat is tolerant of taking pills without the pill pockets. She has food intolerances that include the pockets.
I’m thankful for the daffodils that are blooming along my road. Thousands of them! I have a bouquet on my kitchen table.
I’m thankful that my kids are coming home for spring break.
@Ann on the farm, I find high school situations follow us around in life. People are people, and unfortunately those dynamics and politics repeat themselves at times!
@Sophie in Denmark, I tell my kids that mean people act that way because they feel bad about themselves.
@Ann on the farm, did someone plant those daffodils on their property, or is this something special to your state? Sounds glorious!
@Ann on the farm, it's definitely a projection of insecurity.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, We planted the ones along our property, and other neighbors did the same.
Thankful for...
*my teaching license successfully transferring to CA
*the absolute goofiness and delight of my toddler and 5-year-old playing together
*listening to my youngest acquire language
*neighbors dropping off extra seedling for the garden
*neighborhood friends in general
@Sam, did you move TO California?? It is the state with the most people leaving, so you must have gotten a real deal if you brought a U-Haul into the state!
We had a fresh 8 inches of snow on the ground yesterday morning. I had a dentist appointment at 8, so I'm thankful that my husband went out at 6:30 to plow the driveway for me.
I had to have a crown replaced. The original crown installation (24 years ago!) was a terrible ordeal, but I'm thankful that getting it off was not that bad. I'm especially thankful for the dental technician who was so calming during the procedure. She really helped and I made sure she knew it.
I'm thankful for the snow. Even though it means spring is delayed, we really need the moisture.
For the local farmer who has a self-serve egg stand. We picked up 2 dozen eggs yesterday. $5 a dozen -- they're still $8 in the store. And when it's not snowing, we get to see all the hens out in their pasture. The chickens are all colors -- and so are their eggs.
For my chiropractor, who adjusted my neck yesterday and the pain I was experiencing is gone.
I am so thankful for this blog, for Kristen's consistency in giving us great content and for the goodhearted "commentariat". As a woman in her 6th decade, I have seen a lot of things come and go, especially changes in technology. I am grateful that in order to read this blog, the only things I have to learn anew are related to browser updates. Thank, you Kristen for not forcing us to migrate to the latest app whenever a new one appears.
@Book Club Elaine, hear hear! (Or is that supposed to be “here here”? I mean amen and bravo.8-) )
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, I believe it's "hear, hear," as in "Listen up, folks!"
Agreed!
So thankful for my shower—hot water, and the ease of a walk-in rather than climbing over a tub.
Weird. That’s all that comes to mind. Every single day. Even though I am not rich (as in a high earner or with fancy stuff), just hot running water and electricity is so luxurious.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, I so agree! We live with everyday luxuries that even royalty didn't have access to in the past!
How lovely of your parents and neighbors to take care of you in your super busy time. I still recall how your mom and dad were there for you when you had to leave your home and how much your dad helped in rehabbing your found furniture to beautiful usefulness. And your neighbors helping too. Not forgetting Chiquita keeping you warm ha. All of it great to see.
This week I'm thankful that the snow has melted but there has been no flooding in our area. That means no blocked streets and no water damage to homes and businesses.
I'm thankful that our neighbor's fence has finally been replaced. It fell into our yard during a bad windstorm and then the temporary repairs fell over in another storm. Their dog is the rescue dog who took forever to warm up to me and she's been very stressed with all the turmoil. It was wonderful to see her walking around her yard this morning instead of hiding under the steps.
Your little furry purry warm-up pal is just darling. I'm surprised a cantankerous cat would consent to being a personal heater for a human!
1. Like you, I have finished my taxes. Whew! What a relief it is! Because the school district doesn't always withhold taxes, I had to pay some. It wasn't much. And I was happy that I got to use the money during the year when I needed it.
2. Despite comments in the news to the contrary, my Social Security money was deposited right on time. Bingo! And I got the full amount, minus the monthly charge for Medicare. Both programs have taken me out of the Working Poor and put me back into the Middle Class. Of course, I will still be frugal and careful with my finances, but now I'm not eking out a living. It's nice to have somewhat of a cushion.
3. Because of #2, I was able to pay off my credit card entirely -- that's the one on which I charged the flooring installation. While I'd gotten a $93 cash back bonus on the bill, the interest for one month was about half that. (Even on sale, luxury vinyl plank in a big room like that is not cheap!) Glad not to have to pay interest (or make payments) any more and glad to have it over with. Zero is the best balance of all, when it's a bill you're paying (but not your bank account, LOL).
4. I got some guys to come by and move in my heavy furniture. Yesterday they moved in the last 2 pieces. They did this for free. I did not have to pay movers to do it. And my room is ready to go! I'm already immensely enjoying it. New flooring makes all the difference!
5.a. The animal rescue group will repair the holes in my fence so it won't be long until I get my new puppy dog.
5.b. Spring weather! Can't wait to walk the dog when he gets here!
@Fru-gal Lisa,
Concerning your #4.....i experience your joy! We got new flooring in the whole upstairs of our split-level home this week and they did a phenomenal job & the flooring looks fantastic!!!
@Gina, Yes, it's almost like having a brand new home! Those workers are truly craftsmen, not menial laborers at all, and it was amazing to see their accuracy and speed.
I am greatly enjoying taking items out of storage, remembering where they came from (which grandmother's house or which vacation trip or the fun times we had when we bought them or brought them home....) and putting them back where they belong. I'm also spiffing up some things, like putting in decorative vent grills and outlet covers and live plants.
I’m glad the winds are not as strong today. Yesterday they blew so hard power lines and poles are cattywampus everywhere. The bungalow I’m staying in will be without power while they replace the pole outside. The power companies couldn’t get to the mass numbers to fix immediately so they put cherry picker trucks next to them with the arm attached to the pole to hold them in place. The air even looks clearer today missing all the dirt and smoke from fires the wind whipped up. I’m accustomed to soggy wet springs not these crispy dry whooshie ones.
Big thanks go to all the little town and county firemen who are out there putting out the fires everywhere and averting major catastrophic wildfires. They are amazing at what they do and how many they save!
@Tiana, And to the power companies! Hip hip hooray!!!They do such a good job hardworking dedicated with no fanfare. As I was watching them replace repair a complicated mess I realized if they were politicians or news media they would have made a mess of everything and burnt everything to the ground in a two mile radius. If only you could just turn off the power to all the trouble makers so much more would be accomplished with so little stress.
I agree; I always feel so grateful for the power company guys who come out to fix things when our power goes off!
• A big project for an upcoming event at work was completed this week – you could feel the change in the office now that the project is done.
• What I thought was going to be an evening alone turned into an unexpected evening with my son at home. I do love some alone time, and I still get quite a bit with a teenage son, but having him home is so lovely.
• My husband came home from work this week, asked what I had on my plate that night and then let me know which tasks he was taking over so we could spend some time together. I may have melted a little.
• This week’s snowstorm missed us! I usually love a snowstorm but we have guests coming this weekend and melting snow would make some activities (hiking, sidewalk chalk) too messy.
• No green on the trees yet, but the longer days mean I have been able to catch some beautiful sunsets.
• I finished another puzzle from the library – I really love how they have an area for a puzzle swap for the community.
@Geneva, my library just set up a puzzle exchange. I was so glad to see it!
I have a tax tip for situations like Kristen's! If you are self-preparing your taxes, or sending things to your tax pro, and worried you are forgetting about a tax document, pull a copy of your "wage and income transcript" from the IRS. I have a screenshot of where to find this on IRS.gov here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X-pPVLX7c0lbxxHKYSkRQsF3oUwvy6Nh/view?usp=sharing
@Stephanie, great tip! This is very helpful for me with my kids. They don't know if they gave me everything, and because I don't know all their business....I don't know either. They have me do their taxes, so I'm asking for things they don't know if they have or not.
@Marlena, yay I'm so glad this helps you out! This year I am offering traditional tax prep for my clients for the first time and learning ways to navigate when people keep "finding" things after they provided "everything" ...eek!
Oh, that's a good idea, thank you!
@Stephanie, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't need it this year, but will put on a notecard and file away for future use!!!!
@Stephanie I also wanted to mention that 2024 wage and income transcripts are not scheduled to be available until March 30th, so if you are looking for info for this year's filing season you might need to wait just a little bit, but that would still leave you with a 2-week window before the April 15th deadline 🙂
This week I'm thankful for
* sunny days and spring flowers
* that our children and grandchildren will celebrate my husband's 75th birthday with us on Sunday. His 70th birthday party had to be cancelled because of Covid ( remember Covid!)
* that after repeated injections, my husband's pain management consultant has agreed to fit a spinal stimulator (subject to approval by our health insurance provider)
* for my friends. I have a few very close friends and two caring sisters - not forgetting my lovely sister-in-law.
I filed my taxes this week also. We owes so much money that I was going to wait til the last minute, but finally I just needed to put it out of my mind. I'm thankful it's done and the mental load of it needing to be done is gone. It really doesn't matter much if I filed now or 25 days from now.
I'm thankful the trees I needed removed came down with no damage to my well or house
I'm thankful my mom was able to get in with her doctor again to follow up when her medicine ran out this past week. She's been fighting some kind of bronchitis/chest infection for months.
I'm thankful for the rain we are having today. I hope it washes some of this horrible pollen away (NOT thankful for the pine pollen!!).
Thankful for all the new flowers that are popping up all over my yard! New yard brings many surprises in the spring. Bulbs of stuff seem to be all over.
Stuart-cat's cardiology vet visit went well! Also very thankful that my husband went with me to the appointment--it was 2 hours away, we drove in the dark, and the weather was a rain/fog/snow mix, so being safe and having him along with me are opportunities for gratefulness.
Also thankful that both kids had safe travels over spring break and are back on their respective campuses. Whew!
I am thankful for the two week vacation I had recently. The way my schedule fell, I went to work one night and had three more days off. I was hoping to keep the ball rolling on purging/organizing. I am learning that if anything gets done on my "to do" list, no matter how big or small, it's an accomplishment and to be thankful.
I am thankful for my praying friends. We share each others needs and blessings and know that God hears our corporate longings and answers abundantly more than we can think or ask.
I am thankful for the spring flowers. I have Lenten roses, daffodils, crocuses, early snow glories, anemones. The squirrels have started a flower bed where I did not have one, and I'm actually pleased with their choices and location.
I am thankful I don't have to be in a hurry to clean up my yard. By waiting I will be rewarded with an abundance of pollinators that have been allowed to complete their winter rest. I have been picking up sticks and limbs that have come down in our windy conditions and have been adding them to the "dead hedge" that blocks the vision of the trash receptacles.
I am thankful to be free of knee pain It does sting a little when I go to bed, but my mobility is much improved and being more mobile makes me feel better all over.
@Chrissy, what with my broken rib (which is healing nicely, but I don't want to push it) and everything else going on in my life, I'm in no hurry to clean up my yard either. As noted earlier, I did hire a young friend to pick up all my sticks/limbs and put them onto my "organic fence" (which is what I call my "dead hedge"), but everything else is going to have to wait till I'm physically able to get to it. And I share your hope about the abundance of pollinators.
Kristen, every single one of your thankfuls made me smile this week. You must have the most incredible, caring neighbors to help you clean up your yard! Also "OH NO WAIT I HAD A REAL JOB THIS YEAR" made me LOL...I do things like this all the time where I just seem to completely forget who I am and where I've been for the past year. Glad you caught it before submitting!
My thankfuls:
- That my husband is getting to come home a day early from his latest travels.
- That every time I have a real phone/video conversation with my boss we are able to get on the same page...both of us struggle sometimes with written "chat-style" communication (despite being excellent writers in long-form!)
- That my friend who is moving in about 6 weeks was able to accompany me on a spontaneous coffee excursion this week
- That my husband is an avid consumer of sparkling water, which means we have a bunch of large plastic bottles around which I refill with regular water. This keeps me ultra hydrated throughout the day 😉
- That the cherry blossoms are finally starting to come out and I don't have to work too much this weekend so I can go see them
I am just not used to having W-2s! Ha.
Enjoy the cherry blossoms!
We removed trees that were a hazard to the house when we first purchased the house. Almost 20 years later, a number of days with strong winds and enough moisture, a dead oak (read: plenty of firewood) nicely fell in the safe direction it was leaning. Took a couple branches off another tree (it will survive) and a couple young trees might not survive (gonna be fun as they are pinched under the oak tree).
Starting to green up here but IMHO, it is a bit too early.
Curious what exactly you do for clinical days - I assumed you worked rather independently or with an official nurse, so I didn't think gelling with your classmates would have much impact.
We do get individual assignments with nurses, but we eat lunch together and do our post-conference activities together. And in fourth semester, we are practicing working as a team, so one of us is assigned as a "charge nurse" for the shift. We also have some projects and presentations that we do together.
So yep, it makes things way easier when everyone likes each other!
•I am thankful that, even though I was diagnosed with yet another auto-immune disease this past Wednesday (making 4 total), I know in my heart that it could be worse. I saw people in the waiting room in wheelchairs.
I really do try to remind myself of this often.
•I am thankful that my husband took my car to be washed, and brought back a carton of Diet Coke, too. Little things!
•I am thankful that the East Texas wildfires evacuees have been allowed to return home, for the most part.
So.... you are renting but responsible for yard work and repairs to the boiler? Why?
I thought that renting = you pay your monthly rent, and the rest is taken care of. If I rent one day you better believe I will not be doing work in/around the house on top of paying my rent ; it's the landlord responsibility. At least where I live.
Aaaaaanyways, right now I am thankful for:
- Having the family-in-law coming over tomorrow. I myself have barely any family left, and we are not close, to it is nice to have good relationships with my hubby siblings and parents. Good for my kids too.
- Seeing a good friend tonight. Will just hang out at her place.
- Living in a quiet neighborhood
- My 15-year-old DD calming down in the past couple months. We are now dealing with just the typical teenager attitudes instead of runaways and sh*t like that. Cross fingers this lasts.
- Having enough seniority at work to get all the extra shifts I need/want (1st pick)
So, my lease specifies that I am responsible for regular yard maintenance. Like just keeping the place looking not-neglected. It's not like I have to plant bushes and flowers and stuff like that. 🙂
For the boiler, my lease has me responsible for paying for a yearly cleaning on it, but not for repairs. So any repairs that cost money, my landlords would pay for. I just scheduled the repair visit (with their permission) because it's simpler for me to coordinate that directly with the repair company. I know my schedule better than my landlord does!
This week I am thankful . . .
-that my taxes are done too. They are not only done, but in the balance, we are getting back more than we are paying. Last year we not only paid thousands more at tax time, but we did it in a year where our income shrank (we had some complicated tax things going on last year). It is scary paying surprise bills when you are also seeing future income numbers tick down. I am grateful that this year not only did we get money back, but our income is projected to be better this year.
-that I am at the end of what feels like a very long week. I went to a conference last weekend. It was great, but it made it feel like last week never ended. I am ready to have a real Friday today and a slow Saturday morning.
-to have gotten so much done toward long term goals this month already. I turned in a manuscript, which was a major milestone. My husband and I got a ton of work done in the evening cleaning out our office for our March 31 move out deadline to make room for our new tenant. I finally started planning our summer.
-for how well I sleep these days. I hear that many of my peers don't seem to sleep well in their 40s. I am so tired from how hard I have been working, so I am so thankful that my brain will let me sleep nine uninterrupted hours a night right now.
Wooohooo for such good tax news!
And congrats on the manuscript too!