caution more whining

I'm really excelling at whining lately --

 

Yesterday -- 15 calls on "where's my property tax refund?" and a couple calls on "where's my hazard pay?" set me over the cliff

Most of us were greedy before the pandemic and well most of us are really greedy after the pandemic -- the sense of entitlement really bugs me.  

I told Kate yesterday -- that CPA's and Accounting firms need hazard pay for every time a stimulus question, PPP question, EIP question and CTC question got asked.  Trust me -- I'd be independently wealthy .. ( and pay a lot of tax ) ... we stopped counting / tracking stimulus questions at 1,100 ... yes, 1,100 freaking stimulus questions ..

Yesterday was bad -- super bad.  like WTF bad.  pure evil greed.  

I will quit whining and go enjoy the sunrise popping up it is gorgeous ... 

and since I haven't had any happy place time ( or enough happy place time ) here are two of my favorite pix ...

 

Thursday .. the day of ...

over thinking every move and moment

I'd like to think the pandemic forced me to look and reflect on things/stuff/moments with a kindler gentler point of view.  "Think" is the key statement  --  in a way all the challenges lately have changed/clouded/fuzzed up the perspectives.

We are approaching another deadline at the office .. less than 20 tax returns to go and well, clients are getting testy about getting things wrapped up -- I understand their concerns -- I haven't done a very good job of articulating the challenges of 2021 returns and reporting requirements .. and some clients are pretty sketchy with their documents and support.  Most are fantastic.  

It has been a tough nine months.  Our filing season was long  -- and has seemed to drag on forever ... I am the County Board Chair this year -- we've had some challenges -- really I can not complain I don't micro manage as chair .. it is a team ... and then there is the C word.  

For the most part -- the patient has done very well - other than fatigue the side affects have been very manageable -- the hip issue has sort of been resolved .. but the aches and pains of being 86 with C sometimes gets overwhelming ... at least the caregivers get overwhelmed.

So I need to quit whining about the challenges and live life ... I've done the best I can do ... I do however really need a vacation from all of it ... lake time has been limited due to the chaos, I've only spent 5, maybe 6 nights out there this season -- a lot of days and I've been known to dash out for a couple of hours of r/r ... 

 

ah Monday - you evil woman you

 embracing Monday with a smile is not working well today.

since it is Monday -- how about some Saturday night critter cam action   529 pictures of CATS....they play all night long ... 6 kittens, 4 oreo cookie colored, 2 black .. a calico momma and a black momma have joined their "broods" ..

ignore the date and time stamp #1 hasn't figured out how to change it on the critter cam 

sunday, the last one in September

 the drama that has become my normal continues ... it is what it is eh?  

I'm really not sure what happened to Saturday but I crammed in a bunch of stuff ... 
    laundry, the endless laundry
      my day started at 5:35 .. so there was a spot of basement tidying

    grocery store, office and finally to the cabin
    made lunch and settled in with my book ( insert grin)

    settled in with the laptop and a couple projects
    the wind picked up and it got nasty ... so I headed home
    
    tracked down KK, farm client, and he met me at the office and we finalized his tax return 
        love that kid
    got home and finished amended 941's for ERC for restaurant clients -- large refunds
    loaded the long arm and quilted another throw -- went well

Sunday -- not so productive
   no laundry
   #1's hip was irritating him -- a new thing ---  so a spot of "what to do" or
           "what not to do" "who to call" .. argh and of course he's not cooperative  

   off to office to zip out the Wednesday payrolls ... 
   back home and then to cabin to retrieve shit
   lunch at cabin ... waves and whitecaps ... holy wind batman

   back home and a nap
   supper and back to a computer ... 

that damn wind is irritating -- stuff be flying ... 

The office schedule for the week is pretty calm
Ditto the County Schedule ... 
It is infusion therapy week for the patient

I hope to get a lot of "do it later" projects completed 
Maker Fair is 13 days away ... argh argh 

it is what it is ..

TGIF ... me needs a nap

I know how this hummer feels 

tired and pooped -- need to fuel up for the next journey ...

It's been quite the week ..

Mon - Planning/Zoning

Tues - Dept Heat ( technologies), Board Workshop and Employee Evaluation
Wed - Comp Study Presentation, Budget Moment, GMG/Reda Meeting

Thur - just clients

Fri - BNCHB in New Ulm

and there was the other job too - lots of tax returns got finished, met with clients -- worked on amending payroll reports for ERCredits .. next up is corporate / individual returns for said clients  -- popped in a couple brief CE moments -- we can now log - hour long units and I've been picking up some fun ones

extended returns are due in 24 days .. I have 22 to go ... who's counting, been counting since Jan 1st

I'm kind of caught up on laundry, housekeeping needs help .. haven't sewed a darn thing ... 

but I finished book 1 and 2 .. because reading is a must.

Elder struggled a bit this week .. the fluctuations and change in the weather is not good for anyone .. but we're dealing with it .. because that is life  

and he tells me -- we still have two hummingbirds at the feeder regularly ... so my little bird friends, fuel up, rest up and catch the north winds and go to the warmth

the weekend is a spot of homework ( a large spot ) ... hopefully some cabin time ... and damn I need to sew and sew quickly ... I tend to sew weekend mornings -- 

 

Happy Birthday Cabin !

picture from night one ... 

one of my favorites

ever

Labor Day Weekend 2022

Labor Day Weekend 2022

 

Queen Elizabeth

   Feel free to remind me that dragging myself out of bed at 4:00am to watch a funeral on TV on a Monday morning might not be the best idea on the planet.

   The evening ended with planning and zoning and home in bed by 9:45...it was a long P/Z with angry people - anger and rude people.  

   I'm dragging this morning too ... I usually wake up at 4:30 and read (read -- books), read the paper (digital version) and watch the weather .. yesterday, I got up, tossed in laundry, had 2 coffees and sat in the recliner -- there may have been a catnap between 5:30 and 6 .. the music during the service was nap inducing.

Weekend adventure(s)

I'm at the lake -- where it is kind of windy and chilly -- to chilly for my theadbare flannel pants .. and no socks -- fall has arrived at West Jefferson

the plan is to do nothing today -- nothing .. 

read the paper, read my book, plan out the week

update the cabin computer and my surface pro 

nothing - I'm doing nothing

yesterday was a disjointed productive day --- I went to a garage sale of a quilter -- 6 yards later ... my first impression -- Joan was a talented quilter / seamstress but she had some ugly fabric in her stash .. I'm sure they'll say the same thing about my stash some day.  

finally got the license plates on my truck 

got back home and worked on a couple weird tax returns -- the planning is worse than the returns -- had lunch -- and loaded the long arm and quilted a large crib quilt.

the last thing I quilted was a baby shower gift in November of 2019 -- 34 months ago .. 34 freaking months ago -- loaded stitched and done in under an hour .. the tension behaved ... it was a miracle ... next one is ready to load and roll

then I was a brave woman - I took Mom to Kohls .. she hasn't been out much between COVID and Cancer our lives are weird ... well, 5 pairs of jeans, 5 t shirts, a sweatshirt and a pile of bras -- she did well in an hour .. all at 30% off or more .. and a leather purse .. I had a pair of leggings, t shirt and a clearance sweatshirt ... 3 bags at Kohls ..

the store is trashed -- the dressing rooms might qualify as a hazmat zone -- I get it -- they can't get help either .. but as shoppers -- we don't need to be pigs either .. 

home with KFC and toxic Juans 

back to office projects after supper and 12 innings of baseball

and after supper a text message arrived from the travelers .. I'm spending time working and taking someone shopping and they were hanging out with Ree Drummand -- the Pioneer Woman in Oklahoma.. I'll save their pix for later.

 

Later Hummers

ya, 'tis the season

white eyes looks a lot better -- her fur has grown in nicely

It's pretty late for the hummingbirds to be hanging around .. last night I parked myself and camera in a chair and snapped 250 pictures .. most are fuzzy .. 

the buggers were fueling up and buzzing me .. 

the deer were hanging too

so far today, I've finished a couple tax returns

went to a quilters garage sale -- brought home 6 yards

watched Dad put the license plates on my truck

into town to retrieve the paper, mail and a flag

finished my continuing ed seminar (and passed the test)

laundry

surfed the internet and scored $13.99 bra's at Kohls -- and believe me that is a score

 

loading the long arm next .. this ought to be entertaining

edit -- oh Lord, I'm repeating myself -- it's the time way .. need more of it ... 

 

T G I F ( shouting from the rooftop)

Deadline #3 is in the books 9/15/22 -- due date for corporate and partnership extensions.  Two more deadlines -- 9/30/22 for trust extensions and 10/15/22 for individual extensions and then the race is on for 2022 returns.  This truly has become a year around business.  Planning and plotting.  

I've done a lot of 2022 pre tax plotting planning already and will meet with those clients several more times before the year is over.  

I am however, tired.  Really tired.  Exhausted tired.  

I would love to say I'm taking 3 days off and doing nothing but .. alas, I'm not wired to function that way ... the weather forecast has rain in it .. so, I don't feel guilty sewing :)  need to finish some crib quilts for the Maker Fair, I have a tote box of little things to work on ... scrunchies, zipper pouches, more key fobs, tissue packet holders etc.. that goes back and forth with me to the cabin .. busy hands while enjoying the view ...

There is a garage sale tomorrow that I need to shop at .. a local quilter passed away in August and her quilt guild is having a garage sale of her stash -- she was a beautiful quilter and seamstress -- and so generous with her talents.  She sewed most of the vestments for her church .. and oh so beautifully -- and the quilting ... damn, she had the skills.  The garage sale is calling me ....

I also need to get to Mankato and get the license plates for my truck .. before Monday -- the temp plates expire on Monday ... 

and the usual -- laundry, mowing, weeding, watering, trash, recycling, gas in the ATV, cleaning -- coffee with Mrs. H. ...

I did download 6 new books to my iPad -- it's not all work and no play ....

Lots of little things to get done ...

 

chaos continues

ya, I thought I had it under control and then 

slam!  Monday hits, Mondays are pure evil.  Because our Monday's are so evil -- I never call anyone for anything -- nor do I attempt to dream up weird questions about nothing. 

On the positive side of life:
1    Minn Issue was resolved nicely
2    All the payrolls are done, transmitted and emailed to clients
3    My project list is almost done

I eventually got to the happy place Sunday -- in time for lunch and a nap -- home to the elders for supper, meat loaf and SQUASH --- I bought squash at the farmer's market on Saturday -  a nice looking buttercup and it was damn good.  smooth, dry, tasty .. the fresh green beans were good too ....

and shazammm it is already Wednesday -- 

So Monday night - I was exhausted ... chaos does that to me -- I fell asleep at 8:45 and woke up at 3:45 am .. got up and well, went to work in the cave.  I had homework ( go figure ) ... by 6:00 I had finished a problem child's corporate returns ( 3 years worth -- he's a bad boy ) ... prepped and finalized another corporate return  .. did a load of laundry and got ready for work ... and no coffee was involved ... 

I made it thru the day and was still working at 8:00 last night.  

Some of the divas left on vacation this morning -- after the trip was cancelled twice I opted for a refund of my money -- I'm jealous and relieved at the same time.  I also cancelled my County gig in Alex this week .. I need to get away and yet at the same time need to a) work (those pesky deadlines) and b) need to be home ... it is what it is -- I've loaded up my iPad with good books and have a couple of mini outings planned .. and I'm eliminating those pesky deadlines ...

as grandma would say "so be it"

and tonight I will be dusting/cleaning off my cave monitor screens -- yikes they are freaking filthy ... between the fabric dust and the clothes dryer dust -- I'm doomed.

 

twenty one years ago

I took these pictures on 9/11/2010

they resonate with me ... 

RC and the SPFD's tribute to the victims of 9/11 

the tradition of the ladder truck went on for 20 years

I did shameless, self promoting back them .. and then I look at these pictures and see stuff I still HAVE  - argh I really am a hoarder -- at least the green truck is long gone -- although it was the best market truck ever -- 2WD -- easy to load/unload

btw -- the cash box on the tailgate -- is the cashbox at the office ... the tables are in use at home and the office .. the tent never lasted more than a couple years -- the bungie cords holding the water bottles -- ... I am a hoarder, I am a hoarder

I hoard the memories and cherish them

and on 9/11/01 -- I bought a house -- a really old brick money pit

which I cannot seem to find a pix 

argh

 

Struggle Bus ( part 2)

 the only way to get off the bus ...

simplify life -- 
working on it ...

stay tuned -- more to come

so -- instead of my superwoman (or wonder woman -- as in wonder when she's gonna crash) .. I decided to skip the AMC conference next week and stay home .. too many deadlines and too much disorganization in my life at the moment.

that is the first step in controlling the chaos -- and the logical one -- it will free me up to home, to work and to attend a couple other events ... 

and get shit done for those damn pesky deadlines

get a little crafting in -- maker fair is a month away ... literally and I have very little done -- keyfobs ...

i might even get a little painting and yard work done -- both at home, the office and the cabin

it is all about perspective peeps .. 

Struggle bus

yep, riding the struggle bus today -- deadlines are driving and I don't like deadlines.

I should have worked a the office last weekend -- that 9/15 extension due date for partnerships and corporations snuck up on me ... and as always I have clients that procrastinate worse than myself.  One cannot come until Tuesday afternoon -- it's due on Thursday -- I am scheduled to attend an AMC conference in Alexandria on W, R & Friday morning .. never fails.

I told Kate, I might skip the conference stay home and work my magic and get all of the freaking projects done so I have nothing to do other than payroll for the next 2 weeks.  

Sometimes my County work life collides with my professional work life and toss in a little family drama --- and well, I don't manage the crash very well -- and whining about it is not helpful.  

On the interesting side of life -- I am a clothes horder (yes, it is true) my goal for fall and winter is to attempt a capsule wardrobe .. quit laughing.  Last Saturday, I spent a couple hours purging -- bags for the thrift shop and a pile of shorts and summer things to put away for next summer -- thru out the 2 and 3 year old summer shoes that are beyond saving.  

And since summer is almost over I took my fitbit out the drawer and installed it on my wrist -- more good habits.  I took a summer fitbit break.  Then I lost the charger -- so Amazon to the rescue.  Shit happens.  

I will stop whining, I will stop whining, I will stop whining ....

 

Summer -- vanishing

   and poof ... why does Labor Day signal the end of summer -- seriously I need at least 2 more months of summer --- 

   I knew not working on work over the weekend was going to bite me yesterday -- and it wasn't too bad until late afternoon ... it was a memorable day

   1.  handicap toilets delivered and installed -- upstairs and downstairs -- I visited with the plumbers admin assistant at the bank on Friday and the crew showed up after lunch !  love small town living ... 

   2.  and at 4:00 the scissor wizard arrived -- I have less hair, a lot less -- but while she was here ... the damn phone kept ringing ... constant ringing .. because it is imperative to call the CPA on Tuesday afternoon after 4:00pm.  and most of them were retiree's .. seriously -- 

   3.  after the phone rush and hair cut -- I went home, took a shower ( hair everywhere) -- ate with the elders and then came back to work -- it's simply amazing how much I get done with no interruptions -- me Netflix and a couple of computers 

  4.  since summer is over -- I was a slog in August and didn't come to work until 7ish .. well, yesterday and this morning it's been 6:00am .. dang it is dark ... this morning I'm streaming the rest of my CPE class and cleaning off my desk ... it's a tech/practice management class and I've really liked it so far

enough with the whining - it is life (or it is my life) ... 
Happy Hump Day!

Labor Day

the bottle tree got lights ... amazon sells anything and everything ... solar 

we've had beautiful sunsets all weekend long .. just gorgeous

and since it was cloudy this morning I started my self study practice management class -- I take this one every couple of years .. teaches me all the things I do wrong in my own practice

lots of tips and software related informtion

life is all about streamlining and getting efficient

the $350 computer I've got out here ... ( the desktop - not my overpriced surface pro ) seems to stream really well -- the cards align I might take my next CE class out here ... or one of the two days ....

 

eye candy from Satuday

i shuffled out the dock and took this pix -- the neighbor kids are having a party ( it's a theme for them on holiday weekends) ...and we had a fire to burn all the twigs and leaves in our pit ..

it was a beautiful calm night at the lake

by September -- everyone is packing up and closing up their cabins -- they are missing out, fall is the best season out here ..

 

Happy Labor Day Eve

 so I'm sitting here in my leopard print dress toiling away ... the excitement is overwhelming.  

today's projects:  responding to IRS and MN Revenue notices -- it is never ending.  never ending.  the damn things just keep coming.  

the other project of the day -- ordered two handicapped toilets for the office -- ran into the plumber at the bank .. I am the Queen of multi-tasking -- deposit money - spend money.  It is good to be me.

Hello September!

I took a drive to check out a ditch project last night, the ditch project.  I'm directionally challenged but I'm standing on the pumps and looking east/south where the ditch drains into Swan Lake -- there is very little water flowing into the ditch system so the lake is backing up here, into the outlet -- the pumps are not running (1 - the water is low and it's not necessary and 2 - the new pumps are not operational yet).

and a quick shot of my Dad on the pump platform looking west where the ditch meets the pump -- the pumps are designed to lift the water up into the outlet ditch on the first pix.  

It was a nice night for a drive .. we also checked out the reconstruct of CR12 -- it doesn't look like this any longer ...

and back home ... he has no patience for pulling to the side of the road and taking sun set pictures ... I should have made him drive and I take pictures on the homebound commute.  

I think he likes my truck -- well, he likes the gadgets that my truck has.