The taxes are done....and the cash is on the way!!!! LOL....

Well, after five hours and three "do-overs", my taxes are done and filed. Whew! I do, however, take issue with what kind of folks they are hiring for their tech support....

I had entered something in that I shouldn't have, and was getting an error message. No matter what I did, or how many times I went back to try and fix it, nothing happened. I kept getting the error message. So, I clicked on the live chat button and waited to be helped. Finally 'MK' came on and asked me what my problem was. I typed out a very detailed response, with each step that I took to remedy the problem. After a minute or two I get this response. "Are you sure you did it right?" Hmmmmm, well, since I'm talking to you, I would have to say no. Sheesh! Apparently the only criteria for working in their tech support was the ability to type and read. However, the problem was eventually resolved and now I'm sittin back, just waiting for the money to roll in....lololol

Actually, I've been online looking at some things that I might want to purchase! You know, just to get an idea of what to spend the money on. I know, I know.....I should just save it. And I am going to save most of it. But I would like a nice wicker set for my screened in porch....and maybe some new carpet for the dining room and living room. Oh, and maybe a manicure or pedicure too....lol.

 

It's that time again....

Hopefully when I'm done with my latest project, this is what I will look like! I'm doing my taxes online and so far (fingers crossed) so good. I have done them online with H&R Block for a few years now and it's been very simple.

I've started exercising....and let me just say, if I keep up with this pace, I'm going to be typing standing up. My legs hurt so bad that I let out an audible groan whenever I stand, sit, bend....you get the idea. I thought today I would switch workouts so that my legs would get a chance to heal, so I put in the ab-buster tape. Now, what made me think that I could do 14 minutes of "power ab" work and not be sore I'm not sure. And I was okay for a while.....until I sneezed. Have you ever tried to stop mid-sneeze? Well, it is impossible. I can't tell you the pain that ripped through my mushy-overworked midsection. I have taken some allergy medication to prevent any further sneezing, and the dinner I prepared is minus freshly ground pepper!

You would think that the pain I've been in for the past two days would keep me from sneaking the candy dh bought me for Valentine's day....a constant reminder that I am on my way to a slimmer, healthier me....yeah, you would think that. But it's not the case. I've decided the only way I'm going to be able to resist the candy is to eat it all in one or two sittings. That way I won't have to think about it and I can really focus on my exercising. Mmmhmmmm. Yup. That's my story and I'm sticking to it....

I'm not getting any of my journal alerts. Well, I take that back....I've gotten all of my British journal alerts, but none of my American ones. Apparently AOL UK has got it goin' on....come on USA....let's get with it! I apologize to all whom I haven't visited lately. Of course no one is going to read this anyway so my apology will fall on deaf ears. None the less, I am sorry and I will be commenting again soon.

Well, I really should get going as I have therest of my taxes to finish, along with 3 turtles and 7 chocolate covered cherries!

Love....

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!  This box of chocolate reminds me of when I was a kid. Every v-day my sisters and I would come downstairs for breakfast and on our plates would be a small heart box of chocolate from Fannie May. Oh, they were so good! Mine would never last an entire day. Somehow, v-day as a kid was so much more exciting than it is as an adult.

I remember getting the candy hearts....I never liked the taste of them but I loved them none the less. As a kid, we would have a Valentine's day party every year at school. We would have a contest to see who could make the most unique card holder....a shoe box decorated as a toaster to receive the cards everyone would pass out....one year I used posterboard and made a pair of overalls, and you could slip the cards in the pockets. I lost to the freaking toaster! LOL....I remember the boys always had sport or superhero cards, while us girls had Holly Hobby or a more traditional Barbie....

And then the room mothers would come in with treats....cupcakes or cookies and juice. It was so exciting, especially if your mother was one of the helpers. As soon as she would walk in the door, you would wave and feel cool because you knew that if they needed help passing the treats out, you were going to get to help. I remember in first grade we had a Valentine program. We practiced for weeks in our music class sining the Valentine song...."Won't you be my v-a-l-e-n-t-i-n-e? If you would you'd surely know how happy I would be!" I remember my friend Rick would sing it and look at me, clutching his chest and making kissy faces....I will never forget that....what a nut he was!

I spent the afternoon baking ice cream cone cupcakes (thanks for the idea Lisa!) for wee one's class. They turned out so adorable! I frosted them with pink frosting and topped them with cinnamon candy hearts. I think the kids will enjoy them. Wee one has all of her valentines written out and ready to go. I bought her a kit this year, and she made teddy bears....the girls had dresses, and the boys had vests....she got to "hot glue" them together. She did a great job! It took her three nights to do them all, and they look great. She also bought each of her teachers a chocolate rose. I just picked out her outfit for the day....red sweater with a red fluffy collar, and a red skirt! You just know you can't wear any other color today!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Valentine's day....full of love and chocolate! LOL....

Date night!!!!

Tonight the husband and I decided to play tourist, and take pictures as we walked in St. Augustine. It was a gorgeous night....the weather was very mild and there were hundreds of people out. We couldn't find a parking spot anywhere! We finally came upon one on a side street, fed the meter and were off.

The picture of me on the little bridge is in the middle of a courtyard surrounded by one big building. They pipe in classical music and many weddings and photo shoots are performed there. It is just gorgeous and so relaxing. If I were rich, I'd have something like that built in my home so that I could sit and have my morning coffee....

We went to some shops, browsing and enjoying the sights. We then decided to go to dinner at a restaurant that we both like. It is a cozy little place that has indoor or outdoor seating. It is still a bit nippy to eat out in the evening, so we opted for the dark tavern style dining room. There was big band music playing and the smell of the food was mouth watering! We both had New England clam chowder and shrimp. It was quite good! Afterward, we decided to walk it off, and went for a stroll along the water. We walked down the docks and looked at all the different boats that were in their slips. I tell ya, there was quite a mix. From inflatable boats with little motors, to multi-million dollar yachts. Boats from Jacksonville, South Carolina and Rhode Island. It seems the farther north they came from, the bigger they got! You could hear music coming from some of them, and  you could see inside them as well. All I can say is, wow. They really do look like houses on the water.

After our marine tour we went back downtown and strolled along St. George street, stopping at our favorite candy/icecream shop. I tell you, you can smell that place a half mile before you get there! They were making fresh waffle cones....oh boy did those smell wonderful! We got a turtle sundae, and let me just say....delicious. We decided that was enough for the evening and walked back to the car and had a nice drive home, taking the back roads. We really needed a night alone....

Other than that....not much has been going on today. I gave Betsy a permanant hair color today and although she didn't like it when she first blew it dry, she has decided that she actually does think it looks good....and it does. It's a lot more red than the first color....and it really brightens her face and brings out her gorgeous blue eyes. I had to laugh when she said the color looked nothing like what was on the box....haven't we all been through that?

Wee one is spending the night at a friend's house and won't be home till tomorrow afternoon. I forgot I have to bake Valentine cookies for her class on Monday, so guess what I'll be doing tomorrow?

Man, all that walking has made me tired! I'm off to bed....night all!

Slacker....

I need this guy to wake me up and get me back on track. I feel like such a slacker lately. For about a month now I've been putting off daily tasks, running late, pushing things aside....totally not me. I don't know what it is. I feel lazy and tired and out of it. I need to get back on track with things. Maybe it's the winter doldrums....I did notice as the weather was nicer, I was beginning to feel better. Of course, now the temp has dropped and it's supposed to be cold for the next week. I'm giving myself till Monday to be mopey, then, I'm gonna kick it up a notch! LOL.....

Anyhoo, Betsy is sick today. She can't swallow and she is nauseous. Unfortunately strep is going around and the kids are getting it not once but twice. I have a doctors appointment for her tonight at 7:00....which should tell you something about how many people are sick right now! Luckily wee one is feeling good....

I've got a room mother "appreciation reception" this morning. I have never been to one in all the years I've done this. I wonder what they will do? I know there will be refreshments and door prizes. Maybe I'll win something spectacular. Then again, maybe I'll just get my fill of coffee and sweets and come home with an extra pound of fat....yeah, that is probably how it will go. One nice thing though, one of my room mom helpers called me yesterday to make sure I was going so we could sit together. I really like her....she's got a great sense of humor and is a genuinely nice lady. 

My sister will be leaving for home on Sunday. She has spent the past two weeks at my mom's, visiting and helping her with my dad. I know it will be hard for her to leave this time, as we are to the point where the question of "will I ever see him again" is having to be delt with. I know my mom has really enjoyed having someone in the house to eat with and talk with and just "be" with. I'll be sad to see her go as well. I spent the day with dad yesterday, so that mom and Jody could go out and spend some time just enjoying the day. He slept most of the time, only waking up one or two times to ask where my mom was. It was sweet.

Well, I'm off to get wee one ready for school. I hope everyone enjoys their Friday!!!!

For all my friends in the frozen tundra....

Yes, it feels like it's time for summer right now! I meant to take a pic of the thermometer during the day, but I forgot....so here's the temp at 7:00 at night....a balmy 78!  It has been a gorgeous day today. How nice has it been? Well....I actually thought to myself on two separate occasions today that it would be nice to go outside and ::gasp:: exercise. And I did exercise, in a way. I cleaned out all of my kitchen cabinets and rearranged them. The just didn't make sense. I had the junk drawer next to the pot holder drawer, and the school paper drawer next to the plastic wrap drawer....it was all mixed up. So I switched them around first then....the rest was history. I spent probably an hour and a half (part of Judge Milan, and all of Judge Mathis....lol) working on it and I'm very happy with the results. However, I am sure it will completely confuse those who have to put the dishes away, and I'll spend the next few months searching in vein for something that has been misplaced!

FCAT's are over for the month (the Florida standardized testing), which is a big relief to wee one. For the past two days she has told me that she has been getting "shivers on my neck, but not good ones, and then I sweat and feel like I'm going to throw up." I asked her if it happens at home and she says no. I know exactly what is happening, as I suffered from anxiety attacks for years. Poor thing. She has been so nervous about the tests. I hate them. The teachers push so hard for them to be ready that their regular school work is affected. Not to mention the scare they put into the kids. They were told if they were absent on test days they would have to go to the principals office! WTF???? Another wonderful attribute of Florida schools. *enter sarcasm here

My girls are at my parents house right now, visiting with my sister. We were there too, but they begged to stay for a while longer. So what are darling hubby and I doing with our free 1 1/2 hour? Well....he is in front of the tv, and I'm in front of the computer. How's that for romance? We took the girls out to dinner tonight to our new favorite Mexican restaurant. Can you believe I had never been to a Mexican restaurant before last December? It's true. The food here is so good. I had a chicken quesadila....wonderful! Anyway, as we were waiting for our food to come, wee one says "You and daddy are the best parents for three reasons. You love each other, you love us, and you haven't gotten a divorce and made us have step parents." Awwww....lol. What a nut!

Grillin....

Mmmmm, what a wonderful dinner tonight! I was almost finished with my grocery shopping and I was looking up at the aisle signs when I saw the word "charcoal" and decided it would be a great night to grill out. So, I got some freshly seasoned ground beef patties in the meat department, some corn on the cob from the produce department, along with some fresh fruit and called dh to let him know that HE was cooking tonight! LOL....the burgers were great, and the strawberries were wonderful! They were huge and red and shiny....yum! I also got some nectarines. I just can't resist those. I like them better than peaches. I also got oranges and bananas....not to mention all the veggies. I tell ya, my cart was more than half full when I left produce and that is at the front of the store!

I ended up going to Walgreens for the prescription, then Wal Mart for my cleaning supplies (and I stayed true to my list....go ME!). I did buy All detergent this time because they have a new "rain" scent....and on the front is a little frog. All you can see are his eyeballs peeking out from under water and it says "Mmmm, good weather for a frog!" (or something close to that....I'm too lazy to go look at the bottle right now). I also got the All brand of fabric refresher. I don't like Febreeze but I love the All scents. It smells so good! Wee one loved the frogs on the bottles.

I went to Big Lots after that, in search of a cheap gnome for my yard but, alas, they have none. *Sigh. My little guy is lonely out there....he needs a friend! LOL. Then, finally, I ended up at the grocery store. I had such a full basket! After packing it all up I had a basket and the bagger did too....I always feel weird having them put the groceries in my car. And now they are doing this thing where as soon as you get in line, they unload the cart for you! Is that just a southern thing? Because back home in Indiana, we had a store where you put your stuff on the belt, and bagged it too! I never know if I should help or just stand there and let them do it. I tried to help today and dropped a package of hot dogs....I just let the guy finish after that.

I didn't do too bad in the money department either. In total I spent under $280 at all the stores. Woo-freakin-hoo! We must not be eating as much because I haven't been doing my normal 2 times a month grocery shopping. I've been averaging one big shop and a small shop. Hmmmm, why then is it that my butt is not any smaller????

I am hoping that my show isn't a rerun tonight. I hate when that happens. You get all ready to settle in and watch your favorite tv program....then bam, during the first three seconds you recognize it is a rerun. I have to sew too. I suppose tomorrow after cleaning I'll start that. The girls have a freakin early release day too....crap. It's not that I don't want them home....but it shortens my day....and it's also a babysitting day. Oh, and Betsy told me that since her bus overcrowding situation has caused them to be late to school for three days in a row, they are changing the schedule. So now instead of driving her to the bus stop at 6:30....the bus will be arriving at 6:15! She tells me this and then says, "That sucks. It means that (and this is where I thought she was going to acknowledge the fact that I have to get up earlier to take her) I will probably have to get up at 5!" So now I have to readjust my schedule once again. Of course, that will mean I can have a bit more morning time on the computer. Hey, that just might work out alright! LOL....

Alrighty....I'm outta here. Nighty night!